DonMagicJuan
July-6th-2005, 01:33 PM
NBA Insider...July 6: No love for Larry Hughes?; Rumor Central; Chad Ford chat
Where's the love for Larry?
Chad Ford blog
With Ray Allen set to re-sign in Seattle and Michael Redd choosing between Milwaukee and Cleveland, that leaves three teams -- the Clippers, Hawks and either the Cavs or the Bucks -- still shopping for a shooting guard.
Of the remaining shooting guards, Joe Johnson is atop many teams' lists because of his 3-point shooting and age, but those teams know the odds are strong that the Suns will match any reasonable offer to Johnson, who is a restricted free agent.
That leaves Larry Hughes, a guy who, on performance alone, should've been on top of the free agent list coming into the summer. Hughes, statistically, was the best of the five top free agent swingmen available.
While Redd and Allen averaged more points per game and Redd, Allen, Johnson and Bobby Simmons all shot a higher percentage from three, Hughes is superior in every other category.
Hughes led shooting guards in boards with 6.3 per game, assists with 4.7 per game and steals (by far) with 2.9 per game.
The numbers even get better for Hughes when you switch to more sophisticated statistical analysis. Hughes led among those five players this season with a 22.06 PER (player efficiency rating). Allen was the only other player to crack 20 (21.38) . Redd finished a distant third at 18.73 and Johnson and Simmons posted just average numbers.
And every one of the five but Allen is between the ages of 24 and 26.
So why isn't Hughes getting more love?
First, he came out of nowhere this year. After years of so-so production, Hughes exploded. Players rarely do that at his age and many teams are worried either it was an anomaly or he was playing for a contract. His best numbers before that were 18.1 ppg (2004), 5.9 rpg (2000), 4.5 apg (2001) and 1.9 spg (2001). Those are all impressive numbers, but Hughes had not put them together in a single season. Of course the same could be said of Johnson and Simmons, both of whom also had career years last season.
Two, he couldn't repeat his regular-season performance in the playoffs against Miami. While his averages weren't awful (18 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.7 apg), his shooting (33 percent from the field, 25 percent on 3s) was. If a general manager's last vision of Hughes was watching him get dominated by Dwyane Wade in the playoffs, that may cause the GM to grip his checkbook a little tighter.
Three, most of the teams that are looking for two guards are looking for a shooter. Allen, Johnson, Redd and Simmons are all great shooters. Hughes isn't. He may be more versatile and a better defender, but he barely makes enough 3s to keep defenders honest. On some teams, that might not be an issue. But on the Cavs, Clippers and Hawks, it's a huge one given their current personnel.
Finally, the common perception is that Hughes is a lock to go back to Washington. In fact, several teams have incorrectly referred to him in phone conversations as a restricted free agent. He isn't.
The Wizards have not made a major offer, according to a source close to the negotiation, and Hughes is playing the market. While the Wizards can offer more to Hughes in the form of higher raises and an extra contract year that could total $20 million more than their competitors, Hughes, like Redd, is testing the waters, seeing if there might be a better fit. If he were to find one, he could leave without the Wizards being able to do anything about it.
Now that Allen is off the table, it will be interesting to see what happens here. The Wizards are taking a wait-and-see approach -- a dangerous tactic with an unrestricted free agent. If a team like the L.A. Clippers or Cleveland offers him big money, he could just bolt, leaving Washington with nothing.
NBA Rumor Central: Mo' Joe
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Joe Johnson
Suns
Suns
Mo' Joe
Jul. 6 The Suns want Joe Johnson back and have made him a contract offer, the Arizona Republic reports. The team has made it known that the restricted free agent is a top priority and now await his response.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Stromile Swift
Grizzlies
Knicks?
76ers?
Rockets?
Swift in Houston
Jul. 6 In need of frontcourt help, the Rockets will meet with free agent power forward Stromile Swift today, reports the Houston Chronicle. Swift's youth and athleticism make him attractive to the Rockets. However, the club can only offer him the mid-level exception because they are over the salary cap.
The Rockets have also inquired about Donyell Marshall, Antoine Walker and Bobby Simmons, while Swift's agent, Andy Miller, said other teams are also pursuing Swift.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Robert Horry
Spurs
Spurs
Horry prefers Spurs
Jul. 6 According to the San Antonio Express-News, Big Shot Rob has agreed to a three-year deal with the Spurs, putting to rest any ideas of a reunion with Shaq in Miami.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Doug Christie
Magic
Magic?
Christie wants out of Orlando
Jul. 6 Doug Christie never got it going with the Magic and after his season-ending ankle surgery, he demanded a trade. And even with all of the front-office changes, he's still looking to get out, Florida Today reports.
"Hopefully he'll have a change of mind," new head coach Brian Hill said, "because I think Doug is a pretty good basketball player, especially at the defensive end of the floor. I'd love to have him back here to try and fit in with this team."
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Cuttino Mobley
Kings
Nuggets?
Clippers?
Mountain time for Mobley?
Jul. 6 The Nuggets are high on Cuttino Mobley's list. According to the Denver Post, Mobley's agent, Andy Miller, spoke to Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe several times Tuesday. Said Miller: "(Mobley) thinks (Karl) can fine-tune his game and make him better while also helping take the team to the playoffs."
Mobley, who declined his option with Sacramento, would fill a need for Denver -- 3-point shooting. However, the Nuggets may have only the mid-level exception to offer, so a sign-and-trade may be in order. According to the Rocky Mountain News, the Kings want Nene.
The Los Angeles Clippers are also reportedly interested in Mobley, says the Post.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Trail Blazers
Spurs?
Heat?
Magic?
Nets?
Moving Forward
Jul. 6 The Nets are doing everything they can to land some frontcourt help, including enlisting the help of Jay-Z perhaps. According to the New York Daily News, the Nets will give Abdur-Rahim the red-carpet treatment starting today during his two-day visit to New Jersey as they try to convince the power forward to take the $4.9 million they have available.
But, Aaron Goodwin, Abdur-Rahim's agent, said last week that it is "doubtful" he'd take lesser money to go to New Jersey. The only draw might be Lawrence Frank and Jason Kidd. Frank was a scout and assistant with the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1997 when Abdur-Rahim played up north. And Kidd and Abdur-Rahim both played college ball at Cal.
Abdur-Rahim is also slated to visit Sacramento, says the Daily News.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Greg Buckner
Nuggets
Nuggets?
Rockets?
Who's got Buckner's back?
Jul. 6 The Denver Post is reporting that Greg Buckner is still interested in returning to the Nuggets. "They'd like him back and he'd like to be back," Buckner's agent, Steve Kauffman, said.
Buckner is looking for a deal that at least approaches the mid-level exception range. Kauffman also said his client has heard from five or six teams, with Houston believed to be among them.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Bobby Simmons
Clippers
Clippers?
Rockets?
It's Bobby's world
Jul. 6 The Clippers are keeping an eye on Bobby Simmons, the L.A. Times reports. "They're trying to do everything they can to improve their team, so I think they're looking at a lot of different things," Simmons' agent, Mark Bartelstein, said of the Clippers. "But they've certainly made it clear that they want Bobby back."
The Times also said that the Houston Rockets are among the teams interested in Simmons, an unrestricted free agent and the league's most improved player.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Marko Jaric
Clippers
Clippers?
Nuggets?
Marko on the market
Jul. 6 According to the L.A. Times, the Clippers are expected to renew talks about re-signing Jaric. But they may have competition in the Denver Nuggets, who are among the teams interested in the restricted free agent point guard.
Where's the love for Larry?
Chad Ford blog
With Ray Allen set to re-sign in Seattle and Michael Redd choosing between Milwaukee and Cleveland, that leaves three teams -- the Clippers, Hawks and either the Cavs or the Bucks -- still shopping for a shooting guard.
Of the remaining shooting guards, Joe Johnson is atop many teams' lists because of his 3-point shooting and age, but those teams know the odds are strong that the Suns will match any reasonable offer to Johnson, who is a restricted free agent.
That leaves Larry Hughes, a guy who, on performance alone, should've been on top of the free agent list coming into the summer. Hughes, statistically, was the best of the five top free agent swingmen available.
While Redd and Allen averaged more points per game and Redd, Allen, Johnson and Bobby Simmons all shot a higher percentage from three, Hughes is superior in every other category.
Hughes led shooting guards in boards with 6.3 per game, assists with 4.7 per game and steals (by far) with 2.9 per game.
The numbers even get better for Hughes when you switch to more sophisticated statistical analysis. Hughes led among those five players this season with a 22.06 PER (player efficiency rating). Allen was the only other player to crack 20 (21.38) . Redd finished a distant third at 18.73 and Johnson and Simmons posted just average numbers.
And every one of the five but Allen is between the ages of 24 and 26.
So why isn't Hughes getting more love?
First, he came out of nowhere this year. After years of so-so production, Hughes exploded. Players rarely do that at his age and many teams are worried either it was an anomaly or he was playing for a contract. His best numbers before that were 18.1 ppg (2004), 5.9 rpg (2000), 4.5 apg (2001) and 1.9 spg (2001). Those are all impressive numbers, but Hughes had not put them together in a single season. Of course the same could be said of Johnson and Simmons, both of whom also had career years last season.
Two, he couldn't repeat his regular-season performance in the playoffs against Miami. While his averages weren't awful (18 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.7 apg), his shooting (33 percent from the field, 25 percent on 3s) was. If a general manager's last vision of Hughes was watching him get dominated by Dwyane Wade in the playoffs, that may cause the GM to grip his checkbook a little tighter.
Three, most of the teams that are looking for two guards are looking for a shooter. Allen, Johnson, Redd and Simmons are all great shooters. Hughes isn't. He may be more versatile and a better defender, but he barely makes enough 3s to keep defenders honest. On some teams, that might not be an issue. But on the Cavs, Clippers and Hawks, it's a huge one given their current personnel.
Finally, the common perception is that Hughes is a lock to go back to Washington. In fact, several teams have incorrectly referred to him in phone conversations as a restricted free agent. He isn't.
The Wizards have not made a major offer, according to a source close to the negotiation, and Hughes is playing the market. While the Wizards can offer more to Hughes in the form of higher raises and an extra contract year that could total $20 million more than their competitors, Hughes, like Redd, is testing the waters, seeing if there might be a better fit. If he were to find one, he could leave without the Wizards being able to do anything about it.
Now that Allen is off the table, it will be interesting to see what happens here. The Wizards are taking a wait-and-see approach -- a dangerous tactic with an unrestricted free agent. If a team like the L.A. Clippers or Cleveland offers him big money, he could just bolt, leaving Washington with nothing.
NBA Rumor Central: Mo' Joe
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Joe Johnson
Suns
Suns
Mo' Joe
Jul. 6 The Suns want Joe Johnson back and have made him a contract offer, the Arizona Republic reports. The team has made it known that the restricted free agent is a top priority and now await his response.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Stromile Swift
Grizzlies
Knicks?
76ers?
Rockets?
Swift in Houston
Jul. 6 In need of frontcourt help, the Rockets will meet with free agent power forward Stromile Swift today, reports the Houston Chronicle. Swift's youth and athleticism make him attractive to the Rockets. However, the club can only offer him the mid-level exception because they are over the salary cap.
The Rockets have also inquired about Donyell Marshall, Antoine Walker and Bobby Simmons, while Swift's agent, Andy Miller, said other teams are also pursuing Swift.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Robert Horry
Spurs
Spurs
Horry prefers Spurs
Jul. 6 According to the San Antonio Express-News, Big Shot Rob has agreed to a three-year deal with the Spurs, putting to rest any ideas of a reunion with Shaq in Miami.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Doug Christie
Magic
Magic?
Christie wants out of Orlando
Jul. 6 Doug Christie never got it going with the Magic and after his season-ending ankle surgery, he demanded a trade. And even with all of the front-office changes, he's still looking to get out, Florida Today reports.
"Hopefully he'll have a change of mind," new head coach Brian Hill said, "because I think Doug is a pretty good basketball player, especially at the defensive end of the floor. I'd love to have him back here to try and fit in with this team."
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Cuttino Mobley
Kings
Nuggets?
Clippers?
Mountain time for Mobley?
Jul. 6 The Nuggets are high on Cuttino Mobley's list. According to the Denver Post, Mobley's agent, Andy Miller, spoke to Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe several times Tuesday. Said Miller: "(Mobley) thinks (Karl) can fine-tune his game and make him better while also helping take the team to the playoffs."
Mobley, who declined his option with Sacramento, would fill a need for Denver -- 3-point shooting. However, the Nuggets may have only the mid-level exception to offer, so a sign-and-trade may be in order. According to the Rocky Mountain News, the Kings want Nene.
The Los Angeles Clippers are also reportedly interested in Mobley, says the Post.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Trail Blazers
Spurs?
Heat?
Magic?
Nets?
Moving Forward
Jul. 6 The Nets are doing everything they can to land some frontcourt help, including enlisting the help of Jay-Z perhaps. According to the New York Daily News, the Nets will give Abdur-Rahim the red-carpet treatment starting today during his two-day visit to New Jersey as they try to convince the power forward to take the $4.9 million they have available.
But, Aaron Goodwin, Abdur-Rahim's agent, said last week that it is "doubtful" he'd take lesser money to go to New Jersey. The only draw might be Lawrence Frank and Jason Kidd. Frank was a scout and assistant with the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1997 when Abdur-Rahim played up north. And Kidd and Abdur-Rahim both played college ball at Cal.
Abdur-Rahim is also slated to visit Sacramento, says the Daily News.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Greg Buckner
Nuggets
Nuggets?
Rockets?
Who's got Buckner's back?
Jul. 6 The Denver Post is reporting that Greg Buckner is still interested in returning to the Nuggets. "They'd like him back and he'd like to be back," Buckner's agent, Steve Kauffman, said.
Buckner is looking for a deal that at least approaches the mid-level exception range. Kauffman also said his client has heard from five or six teams, with Houston believed to be among them.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Bobby Simmons
Clippers
Clippers?
Rockets?
It's Bobby's world
Jul. 6 The Clippers are keeping an eye on Bobby Simmons, the L.A. Times reports. "They're trying to do everything they can to improve their team, so I think they're looking at a lot of different things," Simmons' agent, Mark Bartelstein, said of the Clippers. "But they've certainly made it clear that they want Bobby back."
The Times also said that the Houston Rockets are among the teams interested in Simmons, an unrestricted free agent and the league's most improved player.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Marko Jaric
Clippers
Clippers?
Nuggets?
Marko on the market
Jul. 6 According to the L.A. Times, the Clippers are expected to renew talks about re-signing Jaric. But they may have competition in the Denver Nuggets, who are among the teams interested in the restricted free agent point guard.