Memphis Grizzlies

[Ridders]

11 mill is not unders for a guy with a career average of 9.6 ppg and 5.8 ass for a pg playing with 3 of the best players of the last 15 years!!!!

I didn't know that Duncan, Kobe and Shaq all played for the Celtics....

I just rate Rondo very highly. You only have to look at his recent playoffs campaign where he averaged 16.9 points, 9.7 rebounds and 9.8 assists for the Bulls and Orlando series and basically carried a KG-less Celtics team that had no bench and had Pierce running on fumes.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

11 mill is not unders for a guy with a career average of 9.6 ppg and 5.8 ass for a pg playing with 3 of the best players of the last 15 years!!!!

Agree with you sort of - agree that it isn't unders per se, but it's about right. Maybe a touch high (somewhere around $10m feels right) but at the end of the day, he is the best defensive point guard in the game, and over the past twelve months, has been in the top 4 or 5 at running an offence. He's never going to score 20 points a night, but his shot is improving and if he continues to defend at his high level and create easy shots for others, he's worth that sort of money.

I firmly believe that, outside of Billy King or some other geniused GM, no team will offer Gay a big contract. He might get somewhere around the $12m mark, and if so Memphis can be satisfied that that's his market value and match, if they want to, or attempt a sign and trade. Just granting him a large contract - when he hasn't really improved since entering the league, hasn't reached the playoffs and so on - was my issue, and was directly in response to:

At least if you try and comprimise with Gay and pay him 12 million, you have a nice piece who you can move to further your team

They're clearly playing hardball, and I can't fault them for that. I don't agree with Aldridge's money, but ultimately that's a separate issue. Perhaps I shouldn't have referenced Rondo, which has muddied the waters somewhat. The point I've been trying to make is that there's a litany of teams that have overpaid average players (which is why I mentioned Randolph and the contract Portland gave him), and for once, Memphis seems to be exercising caution. Don't forget that Memphis could have extended Gay irrespective of other personnel moves, so trading for Randolph has no bearing. They opted not to extend him, seemingly because his asking price was too high. I agree with that, based on his career to date.

I also think that Gay took a step backwards last year - his scoring, rebounding, passing and shooting numbers were all down from the year before. If he's levelled off and will be an 18 point (off 16 shots), 1-2 assist player for the next five years or so, he isn't worth $13m a year (which is what he wanted) - unless you can establish that that's his market worth, which is impossible to do until he enters free agency. If he has another year like this year, I all but guarantee no team will offer a contract starting at $13m a year. On the other hand, if he starts measuring his shots a bit more, passing a bit more and actually playing defence, that sort of money seems a touch more palatable.

 

[Ridders]

I think Gay's game dipped last season because him and Mayo struggled to work things out together and eventually each went out there just to get their's. Kind of like the poor-mans version of the A.I and Melo offense where each guy would get their own without any real cohesion. Mayo may even be the reason they didn't offer him the extension as they feel he is the better young piece to build around.

I do buy your argument that a team should show caution in throwing out big money without checking his market. But then, if your going to show prudence with a young talent, why not show it before acquiring an ageing ball-hog who's earning over 16 million per year for the next two years :crazy:

Makes no sense to be fiscally responsible on one side and then just taking on huge contracts on the other. If you don't take on Randolph's toxic deal and THEN not pay Gay until next year, I would buy into it.

 

[Special K]

I didn't know that Duncan, Kobe and Shaq all played for the Celtics....

of the best not the best n00b

I like Rondo but seriously 11 mill is a great deal he has got himself.

 

[Ridders]

Fair enough, but if you compare Rondo's extension to other deals/extensions in recent times, it seems a pretty good price. Not to mention that Rondo is the Celtics ONLY young stud, that makes him even more valuable in me eyes. Seriously, does anyone know what the Celtics team is going to look like in 5 years time?

Compare Rondo's $55 million over 5 years to;

Aldridge - $65 million over 5 years when he is imo an inferior player to Rondo.

Bargiani - $50 million over 5 years. Same as Aldridge, inferior player.

Rip Hamilton - $34 million extension over 3 years. That's brutal

Ben Gordon - $55 million over 5 years - Trying to compare him and Rondo would almost be criminal (and I love Gordon)

Stephen Jackson - $28 million over 3 years. Same as Hamilton.

If you compare it to those deals, Rondo at $11 million per year looks pretty nice.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

I think Gay's game dipped last season because him and Mayo struggled to work things out together and eventually each went out there just to get their's. Kind of like the poor-mans version of the A.I and Melo offense where each guy would get their own without any real cohesion. Mayo may even be the reason they didn't offer him the extension as they feel he is the better young piece to build around.

I do buy your argument that a team should show caution in throwing out big money without checking his market. But then, if your going to show prudence with a young talent, why not show it before acquiring an ageing ball-hog who's earning over 16 million per year for the next two years :crazy:

Makes no sense to be fiscally responsible on one side and then just taking on huge contracts on the other. If you don't take on Randolph's toxic deal and THEN not pay Gay until next year, I would buy into it.

Completely agree that there is seemingly no thought or reason behind the Grizzlies when you look at all their recent moves, but looking at Gay in isolation, I can defend not extending him. Perhaps they've turned over a new leaf?

 

[Ridders]

Maybe they have. Pity it happened after acquiring Zach.

Your right in saying that in isolation, Memphis' handling of the Gay situation makes sense as it is no doubt the prudent approach, which is appropriate given the current economic climate, as well as the possibility of the salary cap dropping next year. It's just that when you look at the big picture in terms of their other moves, it makes you scratch your head.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

I think it's fair to say that there is little sense when looking back at the last 2 years for the Grizz. But, if not extending Gay signals a more logical direction going forward, I'm all for it.

As for Thabeet, like all young, big, uncoordinated centres, his biggest issue will be avoiding foul trouble. He's currently committing a foul less than every three minutes, which is an epic rate - he's already fouled out in just 12 minutes earlier this season. Oden had the same issue last season. I think the Grizz took him well aware of his offensive limitations, but hoping he could turn into a difference maker at the defensive end. If he can't stay on the court though, it won't matter.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

Just one final thought on Gay. Only six players scored extensions from the 2006 draft class (all-time low):

Roy - 5 year / $80m
Aldridge - 5 year / $65m
Rondo - 5 year / $55m
Bargnani - 5 year / $50m
Sefolosha - 4 year / $14m
Balkman - 3 year / $6m

Of the 2005 draft class, only 7 scored extensions. I think what this shows (apart from a couple of bad years talent wise entering the league - Adam Morrison number 3? Mohammed Sene number 10?) is that teams are exercising more caution towards committing money at players. Even this past off-season, we didn't see a lot of high profile free agent movements, and only one restricted free agent switched teams. I think it's highly unlikely Gay will leave Memphis, and in all probability he'll get a contract in the $10m - $12m range but, much like the Hawks did with Marvin Williams, they're happy to take the risk of restricted free agency against committing to a player too early.

 

[Special K]

Aldridge - $65 million over 5 years when he is imo an inferior player to Rondo.

Bargiani - $50 million over 5 years. Same as Aldridge, inferior player.

Rip Hamilton - $34 million extension over 3 years. That's brutal

Ben Gordon - $55 million over 5 years - Trying to compare him and Rondo would almost be criminal (and I love Gordon)

Stephen Jackson - $28 million over 3 years. Same as Hamilton.

Aldridge - Bigs always get paid..

Barg - 10 mill is a rip off..

Rip - 12 mill.. I don't think it is THAT brutal. Rip is a winner and a scorer who can play a role. He would of been in demand

Gordon - Got lucky

Jackson - 28 over 3 years is a fine deal for him. If the deal was longer then I could see a case to argue but meh

 

[The Dodger]

does anyone realise how much potential rhondo has?

boston were smart in signing him, and for 11 million a year, thats a steal.

the speed on the kid is phenominal.

i watched the boston/new jersey game again last night where allen,pierce and garnett were out.

rhondo was making breaks and passes i couldn't even keep up with.

 

[Special K]

I like Rondo but isn't Devin Harris on only 8.4 mill?

 

[Ridders]

That Harris contract was penned while he was still at Dallas, so it was before he broke out in NJ.

 

[Ridders]

Plus I think Rondo is a significantly better PG than Harris. I've never been a fan of scoring PG's.

 

[Ridders]

Just one final thought on Gay. Only six players scored extensions from the 2006 draft class (all-time low):

Roy - 5 year / $80m
Aldridge - 5 year / $65m
Rondo - 5 year / $55m
Bargnani - 5 year / $50m
Sefolosha - 4 year / $14m
Balkman - 3 year / $6m

Of the 2005 draft class, only 7 scored extensions. I think what this shows (apart from a couple of bad years talent wise entering the league - Adam Morrison number 3? Mohammed Sene number 10?) is that teams are exercising more caution towards committing money at players. Even this past off-season, we didn't see a lot of high profile free agent movements, and only one restricted free agent switched teams. I think it's highly unlikely Gay will leave Memphis, and in all probability he'll get a contract in the $10m - $12m range but, much like the Hawks did with Marvin Williams, they're happy to take the risk of restricted free agency against committing to a player too early.

I think the lack of movement we saw this summer was because teams are checking themselves and preparing for the Summer of Lebron. But your right that teams overall are probably being more cautious when throwing money around.

 

[Stonecutter]

Rondo is good, probably not worth it in my opinion but his contract increases from $9 mill 2010/11 to $13 mill 2014/15 so with the old guys Boston retireing I think he'll be worth the money in future.

 

[McLovin]

Rondo is over-rated. I could average 9 assists a game playing along side KG, Pierce, and Allen. Statistically a pretty good player...Average free throw shooter, no range. High energy guy, decent defensive player...He fits the Celtics style though...

Call me crazy but i think a guy like Andre Miller would be a much better fit imo...

 

[Ridders]

Your crazy.

 

[Tiger Hawk]

Rondo is over-rated. I could average 9 assists a game playing along side KG, Pierce, and Allen. Statistically a pretty good player...Average free throw shooter, no range. High energy guy, decent defensive player...He fits the Celtics style though...

Call me crazy but i think a guy like Andre Miller would be a much better fit imo...

Fit in, in terms of the other mid-30 guys they've got?

Miller is an up-tempo point guard whereas the Celtics are one of the league's slowest, most methodical teams. He has never been anywhere near the defender that Rondo is. His scoring ability is definitely greater than Rondo's but he also isn't much of a threat shooting the ball. He'd be a great fit for either New York or Sacramento IMO, but not the Celtics.

Rondo IMO is already the more complete player than Harris as well. Don't get me wrong, I like Harris, but he's not the defender or distributor that Rondo is. Rondo definitely benefits from playing alongside some great players, but just because he isn't a prolific scorer doesn't mean he won't one day be regarded as a great player also.

 

[Ridders]

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Updated: November 7, 2009, 7:34 PM ET
Report: Iverson leaves team


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Allen Iverson was granted permission to leave the Memphis Grizzlies to deal with a personal matter, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported on Saturday.

Iverson had a meeting with Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley Friday night after the team lost 114-98 to the Los Angeles Lakers, the newspaper reported.

Iverson met with Heisley again Saturday morning and then left for Atlanta, the Commercial Appeal reported. Iverson lives in Atlanta during the offseason.

Iverson has played in three games for the Grizzlies since returning from a hamstring injury. He has come off the bench in all three games and made it known he is unhappy about it.
Iverson has averaged 12.3 points, 3.7 assists, 2.3 turnovers and 57-percent shooting in 22 minutes for the Grizzlies.