Wednesday, August 12, 2009

NBA Roundup 8-12-09

Lots going on in the NBA, so let's take a look:


Linas Kleiza - Leaves the Denver Nuggets and signs with Olympiakos for 2 years $12.2M. Not a bad deal for Kleiza. Sucks for the Nuggets who dearly need some bench support, but going to Greece for two years and playing for that type of money,......baby pack the bags we're heading for Europe.


Von Wafer - Leaves the Houston Rockets and signs with Olympiakos on a 2 year deal (money not released yet), but probably more than the $800K he was making last year. Does anyone see a trend here? It seems that these mid level players are taking their games overseas. The teams are paying their taxes on their contracts, they get a house and a car as part of the deal. Can anyone say cake up?!?!?

Kurt Rambis - He of the old looking glasses and hard nosed play has decided that he wasn't in line to get the Lakers gig after Phil retires, so he went for the Timberwolves coaching vacancy. It's a 4 year deal and he basically has the keys to the kingdom. The Wolves still have Al Jefferson and Kevin Love (don't they play the same position?), Ricky Rubio (if he ever comes over), Johnny Flynn (I like this kid), Corey Brewer (anyone beside me see a version of Pippen in this guy?), and a lot of cold weather. I actually think that Rambis can make this work and I guess we'll all get a chance to see.


Pau Gasol - While practicing with the Spanish National team, Gasol broke his finger and had surgery. I'm not too excited about this yet. He'll be out of commission for 3 weeks, which may be a good thing since he'll be working on his conditioning and nothing else. Or maybe even taking a break to get ready for what looks to be a long upcoming NBA season.


Glen Davis and Shelden Williams - Both of these guys were signed by the Celtics. This helps develop the bench for the Celtics and it makes them younger. Now they just need someone on the wing and someone to play point off the bench and we're good to go. The sad part for the Duke haters is that Williams is going to shine in this role with these vets around him. Maybe they can get a two for one for Williams and sign his wife, Candace Parker?


Rasual Butler - Traded to West Hell, the Clippers, for basically a ham sandwich (a 2nd round pick) in a salary dump deal. First Posey, now Butler, maybe I need to be in the gym working on my 3 ball for the Hornets.


Ben Wallace - Proving that you can always go home again, Wallace signs with the Detroit Pistons. Now he gets two checks this year, one from the Suns (buyout) and more money from Joe Dumars.


Leon Powe - A small coup? The Cavs snuck in and signed Powe to a 2 year deal for $1.77M. Powe had been one of the best reserves on the Celtics over the last few years but has had a terrible history with knee injuries. He's coming off of surgery and if you ever have a guy that you want to root for, he is it. Good luck Leon Powe.

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