I really like what
Minnesota did by obtaining Marko Jaric for Sam Cassell. Cassell has looked like he is on his last leg with the severity of his injuries over the past two seasons. Jaric on the other hand is a big point guard. Having Jarics size at the point will free up time for Troy Hudson to run some minutes at the two spot. Huddy is an extremely lethal shooter as he showed two seasons ago, and seemed poised to break out as a tremendous scoring threat, before the additions of Cassell and Spreewell. Despite the injuries, he still has some good mileage left, and should have a quality season this year. The loss of Cassell does eliminate some clutch shooting, but it also takes the ball away from a point guard with the tendency to shoot too much. Jaric should create a more free-flowing offense, which I think ruined the T-Wolves last year costing Flip his job. If Jaric can stay sober, seriously he looks wasted all the time, then the Wolves added a serviceable point guard.
The Clippers are getting a proven winner who has the guts to take shots. With Sam-I-Am and Cat Mobley, however, the shots will be flying. Sam-I-Am should also help the development of Livingston. It always helps to have a player with guts and grit to lead the way for the developing young superstar. Of course, Sam has always been a strange dude, but he has a couple of rings to counter that. When was the last time someone in Clipperdom had that to offer?
While talking about point guards, how come Damon Jones cant get any love? He had an atrocious game 7, but he didnt have D.Wade to control the ball most of the time. He was put in a position he didnt have to play for the entire season. He was asked to do too much. He needs to be on a team with a superstar who controls the ball and distributes to players for open jumpers. There are seven teams that have that to offer: Phoenix (Nash/Amare), San Antonio (Timmy), Miami (Shaq/Wade), Cleveland (LeBron), Lakers (Kobe), Houston (T-Mac/Yao), and New Jersey (Kidd). Automatically remove Phoenix, Houston, and New Jersey because they have too many point guards/shooting guards already. The Lakers and San Antonio are strapped for cash and need players at other positions. That leaves Miami and Cleveland. Miami has already given the reigns to Jason Williams. Wow, look at where Damon should go: Cleveland! LeBron and Hughes are slashers and distributors and the team still needs three point shooting. Umm, I think thats a perfect fit. I havent checked the financial situation, but Im thinking theyve got enough left to give him some cheddar.
Im hoping that Finley will be willing to come to S.A. Its doubtful, but theres always hope. I see him re-uniting with his boy Nashty in Pahoenix making the Suns the biggest beneficiaries of the Amnesty provision. They already added Brian Grant to give breaks to Kurt Thomas and Amare.
