My Thoughts on NBA Free Agency

I have a few thoughts on the NBA free agency season that I thought I should share with the world. Here are my musings in no coherent order.

• Amar'e Stoudemire agreeing to go to the Knicks is interesting. In interesting, I mean that I think it's a pretty stupid move by the Knicks. Sure, Amar'e is a legitimate all-star. But, now, the Knicks have a team with a power forward and...well, that's pretty much it. Yeah, they have a couple "pieces," but I don't see Amar'e as a guy you build a championship around. He's a guy who can lead a mediocre team.
• The Amar'e deal is a thousand times better than the Joe Johnson deal in Atlanta. I think the rest of the NBA will spend the next several years laughing at the Hawk's expense. Yes, ATL will be very good next year, but not championship good. And in a couple years, that Johnson, that deal will be very, very bad (think Steve Francis bad).
• I'm sorry to bring this up, but why do people think that Donnie Walsh so great at running a team? He wasn't exactly Jerry West in Indiana. Everyone acted like he was an NBA savior when he joined the Knicks. I suppose compared to Isiah Thomas he is. But the Knicks won't become an elite team under his watch.
• If Lebron signs with the Knicks, I'll apologize to Mr. Walsh for my comments above.
• Those clowns running the show in Minnesota make Donnie Walsh look like a genius. I'm stunned by the moves that the T-wolves have made in the last 13 months. At first, I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I'm passed that.
• The new owner of the Nets is right about Lebron. If he signs with the Heat and wins a couple championships with Bosh and Wade, his "brand" will be diminished. I'd say ditto with Chicago.
  
• I love the Lakers signing Steve Blake. Sure, he's just an "average" point guard, but we haven't had an average point guard in years.
• Sticking with the theme above, I'm afraid Derek Fisher is pricing himself out of his Laker jersey. I love you D-Fish, but really, 10 million for two years? You're a great leader, but if you go to a team without Gasol and Bynum in the post and Bryant demanding a double (or triple) team you won't get your open looks anymore. Those open looks are the only reason you look adequate. Like I say, I really want you to remain on the Lakers, but if I'm Jerry Buss, I won't go beyond a 1 year 2.5 million dollar deal or a 2 year 4 million dollar deal. I realize that this is your last payday, so you want to sign the best contract possible. If someone else will throw more money at you, go ahead and take it, but you will diminish your legacy and your "brand" by doing so.
• If Fisher decides to leave, I think the Lakers should try to sign Luke Ridnour. Sure, the Blake/Ridnour combo at the point won't be all-NBA at their position, but it would be a huge improvement over last season.
• I've heard that Ridnour is willing to take 12 million for four years with the Lakers. If I'm Jerry Buss, I do that. Even if he doesn't work out, that's an asset that is a good trading chip. At least a decent trading chip.
  
• Yo, Mike Miller. Jerry Buss doesn't play around. When he offers you 30 million dollars with a firm deadline for accepting the deal, you should have taken it. If you have any doubts about Dr. Buss' firm deadlines, go talk to Trevor Arizia or Lamar Odom. The Lakers treat their players great, but don't try to play hardball in negotiations with them. It won't go well for you.
• Miller really would have helped the Lakers, so it's sad he's not signing.
  
• The Lakers need one more point guard, a small forward and a couple backup big men. The next couple weeks will be interesting to see what they will do.
• I'm open to trading Lamar Odom if we can get value for him. Value = Bosh.
• Anyone want to trade for Luke Walton? What, there's not much of a market for an overpaid bench player with back problems and a bad contract? Shocking.