A Minor Trade and a Few Key Injuries
Detroit Gets: Primoz Brezec & Walter Herrmann
Charlotte Gets: Nazr Mohammed
For the Pistons…
The main reason President Joe Dumars made this trade was to shed the remaining three years and $19.4 million left on Nazr’s deal after this season. This move allowed Detroit to get $2.2 million under the dreaded luxury tax threshold (presumably to resign Chris Webber) while also freeing up more salary cap space for this upcoming summer since both Primoz and Walter are in the final year of their contracts.
Yet Joe D didn’t do too badly on the talent end either. Brezec can sit on the end of the pine just like Mohammed did as the Pistons insurance policy for defending the likes of Dwight Howard, Shaquille O’Neal and/or Zydrunas Ilgauskas in a seven game series.
What I really like for the Pistons is the addition of Herrmann. “Fabio” is an upgrade over incumbent backup SF Jarvis Hayes. While neither is stellar defensively, Walter shoots the 3-ball better and Herrmann’s style of play and attitude is a much better suited for Detroit’s system.
For the Bobcats…
Since Charlotte has the lowest payroll in the league taking on Nazr’s contract is not an issue for them. And truth be told, Mohammed’s salary is very reasonable for his level of production.
As I mentioned in the QPR, the Cats were somehow making due with Emeka Okafor as their sole capable big man. In Nazr they get a legitimate center that can rebound, defend, block shots and score a little along side Mek. The kicker is that GM Rod Higgins gave up two guys who weren’t even in their rotation for a starter. Any time you can do that, it’s a win.
Winner – Both Teams
> On 12/19 Alonzo Mourning tore his right quadriceps and patellar tendon basically ending his career. While it sucks for a warrior like Zo (career 17.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.81 bpg & 52.7% shooting) to go out like that, it’s even worse for the Heat. Mourning was Miami’s anchor defensively and usually stepped up on the ever increasing number of nights Shaq didn’t have it. The drop off from Zo to Mark Blount or Earl Barron is massive
Blount has played in only 14 games this season and is planted firmly where I thought he’d be in coach Pat Riley’s doghouse. Barron is 26 years old and has appeared in exactly 37 games in his entire three year career. I’ve actually seen Earl play, and while he does have some skill on offense, he’s extremely raw and will likely get the “young big man” treatment from the referees on defense.
For a Heat team that is already struggling mightily, this could be their death knell. Unless Riles is able to swing some kind of major trade, or former Oregon Duck Luke Jackson steps in to save the day, I have a hard time seeing Miami turning things around this season.
> The Utah Jazz are in a free fall lately and have lost eight of their last nine games. OUCH! It took me some time, but I finally figured out the reason they are tanking so badly. Memo Okur being out with a strained left trapezius has taken away their only consistent 3-point shooter.
Without Okur to keep opposing defenses honest, teams are just packing in the lane on Utah. What this does is two fold. First, it takes away driving lanes which limits Deron Williams’ penetration opportunities. Next, and most importantly, it allows for the constant double teaming of Carlos Boozer without fear of consequence. Booz is still getting his numbers, but he’s having to work much, much harder to do so.
The solution for the Jazz is not easy, especially since Gordan Giricek was just kicked off the team in a manner of speaking. Ronnie Brewer is much improved, but he’s not a threat from deep. D-Will is streaky from the outside and Matt Harpring is still having to deal with limitations on his minutes. So that leaves 20 year old C.J. Miles as their only alternative. Coach Jerry Sloan hasn’t been too fond of the high school to pro player, but C.J. is shooting 38.9% from distance. Not to mention that Miles is in the last year of his contract. Time to step up and seize your opportunity young fella.
> On 12/13 Antonio Daniels sprained his right MCL and will be out two to four weeks. This is a MAJOR blow to the Wizards, and probably a byproduct of the additional minutes AD had been logging. The problem in Washington, other than having no third PG on the roster, is that owner Abe Pollin is so cheap the Wiz were dressing just ten players before Daniels got hurt.
So after watching the combination of DeShawn Stevenson, rookie Nick Young and Roger Mason Jr. butcher the position for a game, Pollin finally relented and gave President Ernie Grunfeld the OK to exceed the luxury tax to sign journeyman PG Mike Wilks. There’s a reason Wilks has played for seven other teams though, so a savior he is not.
Washington is going to take some hits and drop in the standings while Antonio is out and they have only one true PG to play all 48 minutes. But being that the Wiz play in the East, they should still be within striking distance of the playoffs even if AD is out a full month or more.
> On 12/14 Kobe Bryant strained his left groin in a loss at Golden State. While he hasn’t missed any time yet, in the three games since it has been painfully obvious that Kobe isn’t himself. He lacks the explosiveness to attack the rim like he usually does and isn’t quite able to defend one-on-one with the vigor he normally does either.
The good news for the Lakers is that they have been playing a brand of team ball this season where they aren’t totally reliant on Bryant scoring 30+ points every game. That said, he is LA’s closer in tight games. So if his jumper is off, the Lakers are likely to lose.
Big picture wise, as someone who’s had a groin injury myself, I wonder how in the world Kobe is ever going to heal if he keeps playing. Groin injuries tend to linger for a long time, and while his toughness is commendable, I’m starting to think that a few weeks off might be the proper course of action so early in the year.
Charlotte Gets: Nazr Mohammed
For the Pistons…
The main reason President Joe Dumars made this trade was to shed the remaining three years and $19.4 million left on Nazr’s deal after this season. This move allowed Detroit to get $2.2 million under the dreaded luxury tax threshold (presumably to resign Chris Webber) while also freeing up more salary cap space for this upcoming summer since both Primoz and Walter are in the final year of their contracts.
Yet Joe D didn’t do too badly on the talent end either. Brezec can sit on the end of the pine just like Mohammed did as the Pistons insurance policy for defending the likes of Dwight Howard, Shaquille O’Neal and/or Zydrunas Ilgauskas in a seven game series.
What I really like for the Pistons is the addition of Herrmann. “Fabio” is an upgrade over incumbent backup SF Jarvis Hayes. While neither is stellar defensively, Walter shoots the 3-ball better and Herrmann’s style of play and attitude is a much better suited for Detroit’s system.
For the Bobcats…
Since Charlotte has the lowest payroll in the league taking on Nazr’s contract is not an issue for them. And truth be told, Mohammed’s salary is very reasonable for his level of production.
As I mentioned in the QPR, the Cats were somehow making due with Emeka Okafor as their sole capable big man. In Nazr they get a legitimate center that can rebound, defend, block shots and score a little along side Mek. The kicker is that GM Rod Higgins gave up two guys who weren’t even in their rotation for a starter. Any time you can do that, it’s a win.
Winner – Both Teams
> On 12/19 Alonzo Mourning tore his right quadriceps and patellar tendon basically ending his career. While it sucks for a warrior like Zo (career 17.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.81 bpg & 52.7% shooting) to go out like that, it’s even worse for the Heat. Mourning was Miami’s anchor defensively and usually stepped up on the ever increasing number of nights Shaq didn’t have it. The drop off from Zo to Mark Blount or Earl Barron is massive
Blount has played in only 14 games this season and is planted firmly where I thought he’d be in coach Pat Riley’s doghouse. Barron is 26 years old and has appeared in exactly 37 games in his entire three year career. I’ve actually seen Earl play, and while he does have some skill on offense, he’s extremely raw and will likely get the “young big man” treatment from the referees on defense.
For a Heat team that is already struggling mightily, this could be their death knell. Unless Riles is able to swing some kind of major trade, or former Oregon Duck Luke Jackson steps in to save the day, I have a hard time seeing Miami turning things around this season.
> The Utah Jazz are in a free fall lately and have lost eight of their last nine games. OUCH! It took me some time, but I finally figured out the reason they are tanking so badly. Memo Okur being out with a strained left trapezius has taken away their only consistent 3-point shooter.
Without Okur to keep opposing defenses honest, teams are just packing in the lane on Utah. What this does is two fold. First, it takes away driving lanes which limits Deron Williams’ penetration opportunities. Next, and most importantly, it allows for the constant double teaming of Carlos Boozer without fear of consequence. Booz is still getting his numbers, but he’s having to work much, much harder to do so.
The solution for the Jazz is not easy, especially since Gordan Giricek was just kicked off the team in a manner of speaking. Ronnie Brewer is much improved, but he’s not a threat from deep. D-Will is streaky from the outside and Matt Harpring is still having to deal with limitations on his minutes. So that leaves 20 year old C.J. Miles as their only alternative. Coach Jerry Sloan hasn’t been too fond of the high school to pro player, but C.J. is shooting 38.9% from distance. Not to mention that Miles is in the last year of his contract. Time to step up and seize your opportunity young fella.
> On 12/13 Antonio Daniels sprained his right MCL and will be out two to four weeks. This is a MAJOR blow to the Wizards, and probably a byproduct of the additional minutes AD had been logging. The problem in Washington, other than having no third PG on the roster, is that owner Abe Pollin is so cheap the Wiz were dressing just ten players before Daniels got hurt.
So after watching the combination of DeShawn Stevenson, rookie Nick Young and Roger Mason Jr. butcher the position for a game, Pollin finally relented and gave President Ernie Grunfeld the OK to exceed the luxury tax to sign journeyman PG Mike Wilks. There’s a reason Wilks has played for seven other teams though, so a savior he is not.
Washington is going to take some hits and drop in the standings while Antonio is out and they have only one true PG to play all 48 minutes. But being that the Wiz play in the East, they should still be within striking distance of the playoffs even if AD is out a full month or more.
> On 12/14 Kobe Bryant strained his left groin in a loss at Golden State. While he hasn’t missed any time yet, in the three games since it has been painfully obvious that Kobe isn’t himself. He lacks the explosiveness to attack the rim like he usually does and isn’t quite able to defend one-on-one with the vigor he normally does either.
The good news for the Lakers is that they have been playing a brand of team ball this season where they aren’t totally reliant on Bryant scoring 30+ points every game. That said, he is LA’s closer in tight games. So if his jumper is off, the Lakers are likely to lose.
Big picture wise, as someone who’s had a groin injury myself, I wonder how in the world Kobe is ever going to heal if he keeps playing. Groin injuries tend to linger for a long time, and while his toughness is commendable, I’m starting to think that a few weeks off might be the proper course of action so early in the year.
posted by D$ at 8:22 PM
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