ALong13
07-07-2007, 03:46 PM
1st Edition of The Jumpshot
Hello ladies and gentlemen, I want to introduce myself real quick and let you know what is going on. My name is Aaron Long, I’m a 15-year-old high school student from Wilson, NC. Over the past few years I’ve written quite a few articles for different sports including wrestling, NFL, NBA, and even one or two on NHL on and for many different forums. So I’ve decided to start and all new all NBA column, that will be known as The Jumpshot. Basically once or week, or as soon as I can the following week, I will basically write an article regarding the past week in the NBA, I’ll give personal thoughts on signings, trades, games, and certain athletes. During weeks when no huge news has really hit the NBA stage, I may do an article on a certain topic, but without further adu please enjoy the very first edition of The Jumpshot
On July 1st, the NBA free agent period started allowing teams to finally begin to talk to the big free agents that were up for grabs this year. Guys like Vince Carter, Gerald Wallace, Chauncey Billups, Grant Hill, and Rashard Lewis among many other very talented athletes. Now everyone knows money was and will be thrown around during this time of year and that’s exactly what has and will happen every time a hot group of talent like this is up for grabs. First off let’s start off with a guy like Vince Carter.
Vince Carter is an explosive athlete that can fire the crowd with any and every dunk that he can slam down. When he opted out of his contract not many teams went after him, because many of them knew he want a new contract from New Jersey and only New Jersey, did that stop the Lakers or Celtics from calling, no it didn’t, but it didn’t get anywhere as Vince Carter quickly agreed to terms to a 4-year deal worth somewhere around $61.8 million dollars. Since coming to New Jersey, Vince Carter has added a new attitude to the Nets that have gotten them to a few playoff appearances, but they still have not been to the NBA finals since his coming to Jersey. So was Vince Carter’s signing all that important? Yes it was, Carter could have taken more money at places like Charlotte, Orlando, Boston, among other teams. I’m sure Kobe would have loved to team up with Carter, but nothing ever happen. Carter returning to Jersey was best for both teams, they both love each other, and will it get them a title? No it won’t, the Nets have a little while to go before they see the NBA Finals, but without Carter, I don’t know if the Nets would even be able to make the playoffs or even contend without him. Sure Kidd is a solid point guard, but he’s not a huge shooter, so he won’t be able to lead the team to the title. So Carter resigning was good, drafting Sean Williams was a high risk, but could be a high reward too, as he’s a very talented athlete in the center and could add some nice comfort down in the low post. Only a few more adjustments and signings and the Nets could be a very competitive team in the weakened eastern conference.
Next Orlando had nailed their free agent period to two players, Gerald Wallace from the Charlotte Bobcats or Rashard Lewis from Seattle, with Lewis being the favorite of the two. Lewis ended up signing with the Magic as he leaves the only team he has every played for back in Seattle. Now Lewis is a very talented athlete, and Dwight Howard and Lewis teaming up will be a nice duo, but I just don’t see it as a major force that will scare too many teams. I think Orlando will improve and be in the playoffs again, but with Agent Zero being healthy back in Washington, the Cavs ready to start up again, and the Pistons always competitive, I think signing Lewis to a max contract was a mistake. They need other tools to help them out to get there, and Lewis isn’t going to be good enough. He’s a nice scorer, and a good passer, but when it comes to the Magic being a title contender, I don’t think they are there yet, or even close to it. Grant Hill leaving the Magic hurts them a bit more than they think I believe, and with Darko looking to leave as well, now they have a whole in the center position as Howard has no true back up.
Now as I just said Grant Hill has left the Magic for the Phoenix Suns, and has taken a huge pay cut to do so. He will go from 16 million to the vet minimum of $1.8 million. So obviously this leads to Grant Hill only wanting one thing, and it’s not money. Hill wants a championship, and it seems now as he doesn’t care if he doesn’t start or get paid all that much, that ring means much more to him. Don’t get me wrong, I think Hill will get plenty of playing time, but I don’t see him starting. He could go over to Small Forward, but either way him leaving Orlando was the best thing for him. He really didn’t get anywhere for them and the change of scenery I believe was good for him, plus now he’s an automatic lock for a playoff team, where Orlando on the other hand was off and on.
Kevin Durant and Greg Oden made their debuts Friday night in the NBA Summer league. Neither guy really impressed as Kevin Durant started off 0 for 5, and 0 points in the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks. Durant rebounded with 18 points, but with only 5 of 17 shooting and 9 points from the free throw line. Oden didn’t impress either, fouling out in the NBA Summer League where you are given ten fouls before you are disqualified, sure Oden has always had a problem with fouls, but he’s going to have to cut it down tremendously in the NBA if he wants to be the impact that the Blazers and the league is hyping him up to be. Oden finished off a night against the Boston Celtics with only 6 points with 2 rebounds and 2 assist of them 10 fouls. Oden started off in the first three minutes with a goaltending call and three personal fouls. The good thing about this, its NBA Summer League, so who cares about it? It’s not that important, I’m pretty sure the two players would have like to do better in their debut, but come the true NBA season, expect it to be a bit different from this, with both players getting a few more points, and for Oden, watch him look out for his stupid little pesky fouls.
Well Jason Richardson finally spoke publicly this week on his trade to the Charlotte Bobcats, he seemed quite upset after all the rumors of him being traded away got swatted down after being told by Golden State Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin that he would not be traded. Well obviously Mullin was wrong as JRich was quickly traded away. Jason Richardson seems happy to be in Charlotte now, but says that it’s not his team, it’s not Okafor’s team, it’s not Wallace’s team, it’s “our” team. Now Richardson was traded along with Jermareo Davidson for Brandan Wright and Charlotte has gotten a lot of criticism for it by Stephan A. Smith, well no one gives a rat’s ass about Smith, and I’m giving my opinion on it. It was a very good trade, Wright would need 2-3 years just to become a good NBA player, and we need good players now, a proven veteran, and Richardson is just that. Wright could not shoot the ball Davison and Richardson can. Sure Davidson won’t get too much playing time, but he also adds some depth at the power forward position, a position that isn’t too strong. He’s very athletic and will be a nice addition to the Bobcat’s staff. Richardson, Okafor, and possibly Wallace could be a dangerous trio if and when put together. Richardson should also bring in some more tickets to the Bobcats, something that is definitely needed for the young and upcoming team. But the Bobcats haven’t stopped their free agent period their, sure Gerald Wallace still needs signed, but over the last few days the Bobcats resigned three point shooter Matt Carroll, who has a nice fan base of his own at the Bobcats game. Carroll signed a nice 6 year, $27 million dollar contract that will keep the young superstar in Charlotte for quite a few more years. Each season the Cats have become better, and I don’t see it doing anything other than that this season, expect the Cats to contend for that eight spot this year if the Cats are indeed able to resign Wallace to a long-term deal.
Now Free Agency is no where close to ending and there is quite a few more players available, expect guys Steve Blake, Mo Williams, Anderson Varejao to see some money flying their way, with teams in need, expect the Celtics, the Bucks, the Bobcats, among many other teams to continue shopping after these guys. And don’t be too surprised to see these players go to bigger teams and start as the Lakers and Phoenix are both interested in Blake, Williams looks to be resigning a huge contract with the Bucks, and Varejao, who knows what will happen with him. Will he stay with the Cavs? Could he be going to a team like the Pistons, the Bulls, the Mavs, or the Celtics? Whatever happens expect this free agency period to really give us some entertaining and surprising games for the upcoming 2007 season.
Well I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Jumpshot. It’s been a while since I’ve written an article, I’m hoping to continue this for a while, and I hope you guys will come back and enjoy the next edition of The Jumpshot.
Hello ladies and gentlemen, I want to introduce myself real quick and let you know what is going on. My name is Aaron Long, I’m a 15-year-old high school student from Wilson, NC. Over the past few years I’ve written quite a few articles for different sports including wrestling, NFL, NBA, and even one or two on NHL on and for many different forums. So I’ve decided to start and all new all NBA column, that will be known as The Jumpshot. Basically once or week, or as soon as I can the following week, I will basically write an article regarding the past week in the NBA, I’ll give personal thoughts on signings, trades, games, and certain athletes. During weeks when no huge news has really hit the NBA stage, I may do an article on a certain topic, but without further adu please enjoy the very first edition of The Jumpshot
On July 1st, the NBA free agent period started allowing teams to finally begin to talk to the big free agents that were up for grabs this year. Guys like Vince Carter, Gerald Wallace, Chauncey Billups, Grant Hill, and Rashard Lewis among many other very talented athletes. Now everyone knows money was and will be thrown around during this time of year and that’s exactly what has and will happen every time a hot group of talent like this is up for grabs. First off let’s start off with a guy like Vince Carter.
Vince Carter is an explosive athlete that can fire the crowd with any and every dunk that he can slam down. When he opted out of his contract not many teams went after him, because many of them knew he want a new contract from New Jersey and only New Jersey, did that stop the Lakers or Celtics from calling, no it didn’t, but it didn’t get anywhere as Vince Carter quickly agreed to terms to a 4-year deal worth somewhere around $61.8 million dollars. Since coming to New Jersey, Vince Carter has added a new attitude to the Nets that have gotten them to a few playoff appearances, but they still have not been to the NBA finals since his coming to Jersey. So was Vince Carter’s signing all that important? Yes it was, Carter could have taken more money at places like Charlotte, Orlando, Boston, among other teams. I’m sure Kobe would have loved to team up with Carter, but nothing ever happen. Carter returning to Jersey was best for both teams, they both love each other, and will it get them a title? No it won’t, the Nets have a little while to go before they see the NBA Finals, but without Carter, I don’t know if the Nets would even be able to make the playoffs or even contend without him. Sure Kidd is a solid point guard, but he’s not a huge shooter, so he won’t be able to lead the team to the title. So Carter resigning was good, drafting Sean Williams was a high risk, but could be a high reward too, as he’s a very talented athlete in the center and could add some nice comfort down in the low post. Only a few more adjustments and signings and the Nets could be a very competitive team in the weakened eastern conference.
Next Orlando had nailed their free agent period to two players, Gerald Wallace from the Charlotte Bobcats or Rashard Lewis from Seattle, with Lewis being the favorite of the two. Lewis ended up signing with the Magic as he leaves the only team he has every played for back in Seattle. Now Lewis is a very talented athlete, and Dwight Howard and Lewis teaming up will be a nice duo, but I just don’t see it as a major force that will scare too many teams. I think Orlando will improve and be in the playoffs again, but with Agent Zero being healthy back in Washington, the Cavs ready to start up again, and the Pistons always competitive, I think signing Lewis to a max contract was a mistake. They need other tools to help them out to get there, and Lewis isn’t going to be good enough. He’s a nice scorer, and a good passer, but when it comes to the Magic being a title contender, I don’t think they are there yet, or even close to it. Grant Hill leaving the Magic hurts them a bit more than they think I believe, and with Darko looking to leave as well, now they have a whole in the center position as Howard has no true back up.
Now as I just said Grant Hill has left the Magic for the Phoenix Suns, and has taken a huge pay cut to do so. He will go from 16 million to the vet minimum of $1.8 million. So obviously this leads to Grant Hill only wanting one thing, and it’s not money. Hill wants a championship, and it seems now as he doesn’t care if he doesn’t start or get paid all that much, that ring means much more to him. Don’t get me wrong, I think Hill will get plenty of playing time, but I don’t see him starting. He could go over to Small Forward, but either way him leaving Orlando was the best thing for him. He really didn’t get anywhere for them and the change of scenery I believe was good for him, plus now he’s an automatic lock for a playoff team, where Orlando on the other hand was off and on.
Kevin Durant and Greg Oden made their debuts Friday night in the NBA Summer league. Neither guy really impressed as Kevin Durant started off 0 for 5, and 0 points in the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks. Durant rebounded with 18 points, but with only 5 of 17 shooting and 9 points from the free throw line. Oden didn’t impress either, fouling out in the NBA Summer League where you are given ten fouls before you are disqualified, sure Oden has always had a problem with fouls, but he’s going to have to cut it down tremendously in the NBA if he wants to be the impact that the Blazers and the league is hyping him up to be. Oden finished off a night against the Boston Celtics with only 6 points with 2 rebounds and 2 assist of them 10 fouls. Oden started off in the first three minutes with a goaltending call and three personal fouls. The good thing about this, its NBA Summer League, so who cares about it? It’s not that important, I’m pretty sure the two players would have like to do better in their debut, but come the true NBA season, expect it to be a bit different from this, with both players getting a few more points, and for Oden, watch him look out for his stupid little pesky fouls.
Well Jason Richardson finally spoke publicly this week on his trade to the Charlotte Bobcats, he seemed quite upset after all the rumors of him being traded away got swatted down after being told by Golden State Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin that he would not be traded. Well obviously Mullin was wrong as JRich was quickly traded away. Jason Richardson seems happy to be in Charlotte now, but says that it’s not his team, it’s not Okafor’s team, it’s not Wallace’s team, it’s “our” team. Now Richardson was traded along with Jermareo Davidson for Brandan Wright and Charlotte has gotten a lot of criticism for it by Stephan A. Smith, well no one gives a rat’s ass about Smith, and I’m giving my opinion on it. It was a very good trade, Wright would need 2-3 years just to become a good NBA player, and we need good players now, a proven veteran, and Richardson is just that. Wright could not shoot the ball Davison and Richardson can. Sure Davidson won’t get too much playing time, but he also adds some depth at the power forward position, a position that isn’t too strong. He’s very athletic and will be a nice addition to the Bobcat’s staff. Richardson, Okafor, and possibly Wallace could be a dangerous trio if and when put together. Richardson should also bring in some more tickets to the Bobcats, something that is definitely needed for the young and upcoming team. But the Bobcats haven’t stopped their free agent period their, sure Gerald Wallace still needs signed, but over the last few days the Bobcats resigned three point shooter Matt Carroll, who has a nice fan base of his own at the Bobcats game. Carroll signed a nice 6 year, $27 million dollar contract that will keep the young superstar in Charlotte for quite a few more years. Each season the Cats have become better, and I don’t see it doing anything other than that this season, expect the Cats to contend for that eight spot this year if the Cats are indeed able to resign Wallace to a long-term deal.
Now Free Agency is no where close to ending and there is quite a few more players available, expect guys Steve Blake, Mo Williams, Anderson Varejao to see some money flying their way, with teams in need, expect the Celtics, the Bucks, the Bobcats, among many other teams to continue shopping after these guys. And don’t be too surprised to see these players go to bigger teams and start as the Lakers and Phoenix are both interested in Blake, Williams looks to be resigning a huge contract with the Bucks, and Varejao, who knows what will happen with him. Will he stay with the Cavs? Could he be going to a team like the Pistons, the Bulls, the Mavs, or the Celtics? Whatever happens expect this free agency period to really give us some entertaining and surprising games for the upcoming 2007 season.
Well I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Jumpshot. It’s been a while since I’ve written an article, I’m hoping to continue this for a while, and I hope you guys will come back and enjoy the next edition of The Jumpshot.