CP3 and LeBron: Mirror Images?

Its no secret that Chris Paul and LeBron James are close friends, its just a fact.  They partnered up in the off season to help lead the USA to gold and they also support one anothers charities every year.  According to CP3 they are like "brothers" and one can certainly see how that bond has grown over the years of competing with and against one another. 

What people do not speak of often is how their careers are intertwined together.  Everyone knows how LeBrons exodus out of Cleveland went and CP3 publicly demanded a trade and was eventually dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers.  Those exits, while different, all lead up to this season as mirror images of one another in terms of pressure to win, and win now. 

Flashback to the off season of 2009 when the Cavs traded for Shaquille O'neal and paired him with a hungry LeBron and the Cavs roster was stacked.  Fast forward to today and the Clippers have one of the deepest and dangerous rosters in the league.  Here's a reminder.. CP3, Griffin, D. Jordan, Jamaal Crawford (via free agency), Grant Hill (via free agency), Eric Bledsoe, Chauncey Billups, Matt Barnes (via free agency), Lamar Odom (sign/trade), Caron Butler, Ronnie Turiaf (via free agency)

With a who's-who roster CP3 now will have the burden of winning in a contract year..just like LeBron had.  The problem is it did not work out for the Cavs and I have to say it might not work out for the Clippers.  Paul is playing with a full deck of cards, by far the deepest team he has ever been on (on paper) and the pressure he will face this season will be more internal than ever before.  The organization has locked up Griffin and would like to have Paul in tow as well, but he will become an un-restricted free agent next summer.  If the Clippers struggle and do not at least make it to the Western Finals (that means beating out one of these guys Lakers, Thunder, Spurs, Grizz) then I could see CP3 bolting for another contender. 

Like LeBron in 09 Paul is the best player on his team and outside of Griffin is surrounded by good (seasoned/old) role players.  Paul (like LeBron) publicized his desire to play with "friends" Carmelo and Amare in New York and I would not rule out a trade or exodus in the off season.  I don't see this working out well for the Clippers and it could be the end of CP3 in LA..at least in a Clippers uniform.  *Hint Hint*

Peace,

Agent34

MJ Needs CP3!

Ever wonder how it would feel to be called the Greatest Of All-Time?

Fast forward 2 years later and the Greatest to ever play in shorts is proving to be lackluster in a suit.

Meet Michael Jordan.

The Bobcats CEO is having it tough as of late with his hometown franchise.

Charlotte has shipped off both fan favorites Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace to various teams for cap space and lottery picks. Both trades resulted in little to nothing in return player value and his heirness has another problem on his hands...

Meet Chris Paul.

The hometown kid from nearby Winston-Salem (NC) has long thought to be a viable player in the upcoming free agent market with a pending exodus from New Orleans.

CP3 is also a Jordan athlete and has always looked up to MJ growing up as a role model.

So how can a team with enough money to make a max offer in 2012, young tradeable players (DJ Augustin, Kemba Walker. etc) and enough draft picks to sweeten any deal not be in play for 1 of the top point guards in the NBA?

As of now the entire sports world (including the Hornets) knows that Paul wants to play in New York...but the mystique of Michael Jordan has to mean something.

6 Time NBA Champion

5 Time MVP

10 Time scoring Champion

14 Time All Star

6 Time Finals MVP

=

0 Playoff wins

No superstar

1 Frustrated CEO

MJ Needs CP3

Peace,

Agent 34

Where's the L-O-V-E For Melo?

"More money more problems, gotta move Carefully"-Jay-Z Aint no Love (Heart of the City)

On this Valentines Day as many people confess their undying love to one another or celebrate the single life; I pose the question..Where is the LOVE for Melo?  Rapper Jay-Z states in his 2000 classic that as your bank account grows the more careful you need to be....like having a $65 million dollar contract waiting on you to sign.  Enter the plight of Carmelo Anthony.

There are only 10 days remaining until the trade deadline, which seems like an eternity in the Melo-drama that is surrounding the Denver Nuggets star.  He has reportedly been traded to New Jersey, Houston, New York, and even the Los Angeles Lakers.  So why has nobody dived head in on one of the top 5 players in the league?

The Knicks want him, but are they willing to gut their roster to get him?  The Lakers seem to be content on sticking it out with Andrew Bynum, although I'm not sure they wont regret that later.  Bynum provides plenty of upside, but he's had upside for 5 seasons now.  Carmelo is a sure thing!  While I too do not want Pao Gasol as my only wall between the rim and defenders, Melo is a pure scorer.  He can free up Bryant even more, and they will have a superstar in the wings when Kobe exits.  Good plan?  I don't know but Melo is still playing wondering when his break will come. 

The constant flirtation by teams has got to be taking a toll on him and his family.  He was just married last summer, but he has to feel like a contestant on the Bachelorette waiting to be chosen.  I feel you Melo, there are a lot of us out here waiting to be chosen.  With only this season remaining on his deal Carmelo holds the final card; the Big Joker if you will, and when you are single and ready to mingle that's a beautiful thing. 

Happy Valentines Day!

-Agent34

Grading The NBA Offseason

This is part two of the series where we are looking at the teams and their newly aquired players.  Some players arrived via trade, while others bolted for a new address in free agency. 

HOUSTON ROCKETS                                                 


*Performance------------B
*Experience-------------B
*Superstar Potential-----B-

*Overall-----------------B

Trevor Ariza spurns the Lakers and chooses the Houston Rockets as his new home in spite of just winning an NBA Championship.  Ariza who is from L.A was more than expected to be retained by the champs, but talks broke down after the money did not add up..or did it?  The Lakers needed Kobe/LO/Ariza to all chip and be flexible in order to keep everyone in tact for another run.  That would mean that the Lakers Mid-Level Exception would need to be stretched out in order for that to happen.  Ariza chose to take the money which was only $200,000 more than what the Lakers were offering the forward.  Go Figure.  In essence Artest and Ariza swapped places and im not sure Ariza will see this as a good move in a years past.  Overall good pickup by the Rockets if he pans out to be a budding star. 

BOSTON CELTICS                                                                                    


*Performance----------C
*Experience-----------A
*Superstar Potential----B-

*Overall----------------B+

The Celtics added a big piece to their puzzle by picking up one of the most tumultuous stars in the league.  Sheed will help stretch the D and provide an inside pressence off the bench (see how long that lasts) in hopes of returning the C's back to Championship form.  Its a good move, but not a costly one with Wallace only getting the Mid-Level Exception at $5.8 mil over 3 years and a player option for the 3rd.  It gives him flexibility if the Big 3 get blown up and the Celtics are not financially strangled by adding the forward.  I like this Pick Up.  

DETROIT PISTONS                                                                             


*Performance---------C
*Experience-----------C
*Superstar Potential----B

*Overall---------------C+


Former Huskies Ben Gordon and Charilie Villanueva are teaming up in Detroit and hoping to win an NBA Championship.  Both players have had sort of up and down careers since joinin the NBA.  Gordon has somewhat lived up to the hype by making timely shots against the Celtics in last seasons playoff battle with Ray Allen, but he's still a 6th man off the bench.  CV31 is a roller coaster, up one minute and down the next.  He has career highs of 50 points, yet his average is stuck at 16 ppg.  At 6'11 he should be dominating the East with his inside outside game, but that hasn't happened.  Both players will get to finally prove themselves worthy of a big pay day in the Motor City. 


Peace,
Agent 34

Who's Making Moves in NBA Free Agency

Shaquille O'neal to the Cavs

Shaq's slogan "Win a RIng for the King."  The Cavs who lost to the Magic in the Eastern Conference, now have the Big Diesel to help slow down Superman2 Dwight Howard.  We all know the pre-game antics will be a sportcenter nightly special, but will they really win the whole thing?  The trade that brought Shaq in sent Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic to the Suns.  Cleveland will still need to add 1 or 2 players to make it official, but anytime you add Shaq its an upgrade.

Vince Carter to the Magic

Orlando pulled a Big Surprise by adding Vince-Sanity to the roster, choosing him over free agent Hedo Turkoglo.  Im not sure how this will make them a better team by losing Hedo but Carter will give them a pure scorer on the wing.  Alston and Courtney Lee were sent to the Nets, while Ryan Anderson also came in with VC.  The Magic like the Cavs need to add another piece to make a super run back to the Finals. 



Ron Artest to the Lakers

The Rich get Richer!  After the Lakers beat the Rockets in Game 7 of the Western Conf Semis, Artest went to the lockeroom and told Kobe he would do everything he could to get to LA next year..and he did.  Now the Champs have a proven All-Star to pair with Kobe and a defensive stopper who can lock up any player on the court.  I already had the Lakers penned in for the Finals in 2010 and this just solidifies my pick. 

Breaking down the NBA Trade Deadline

The NBA was the topic of choice for the last few weeks amidst the many rumors surrounding the trade deadline. Their were several big names floating around such as Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudamire, Chris Bosh and Rasheed Wallace. Sadly, only 1 of the above mentioned names was moved. Fans love to see trades, and new dynamics assembled in the league (Bostons Big 3) which can alter the balance of power from East to West. Here is a look at some trades I like, and some that made no sense.

Rafer Alston to the Orlando Magic

The Magic have lost Jameer Nelson for the season so they were in a dire need for a point guard to keep that high powered offense moving through the playoffs. Enter Skip to my Lou! The trade brings Alston to Orlando in a 3 way deal that sends Kyle Lowery of the Grizz to Houston and Brian Cook and Adonal Foyle go to the Rockets. This trade is a steal for Orlando who gave up 2 bench players for a starting point guard with playoff experience. Houston gets Kyle Lowry who is a better shooter than Alston but not a great passer. I'm not sure who will start Lowry or the quick trigger Brooks who has been great off the bench. The Grizz seem like the clear losers in this trade especially if Mike Conley doesn't step up and earn his starting job.

Shawn Marion to Toronto

The Miami Heat have been dangling Shawn Marion as bait around the league all season long, with no big time takers. Finally they choice to address their low post problem and bring in Jermaine Oneal. Once Marion was traded last season I felt as if Marion's value would drop if he wasn't moved in the off season. Playing in the 7 seconds or less offense has a tendency to make any player look better than they really are, and that's what happened with Marion. With no consistent go-to-move Marion was exposed in the half court offense of the Heat and his value plummeted. I believe had the Heat had moved him as early as July they could have possibly gotten Boozer and another young stud to pair with Wade. Oh well! Now the Heat have to absorb Oneal's massive contract ($23 Million next year) and hope to make a playoff push and keep J.O healthy in the process.

Larry Hughes to the Knicks

The Knicks are always in the mix come deadline team each year, but this year they took the high road and made the small deal instead of trying to hit the home run. They acquired Larry Hughes from the Bulls in exchange for Tim Thomas, Jerome James, and Anthony Roberson. By doing this the Knicks get a true 2 guard, but I'm not sure how he will fit into the 7 seconds or less offense of Mike D'Antoni with limited range on his jump shot. Is it me or does it seem as if the Knicks and Bulls are just loading up on players who will have no impact on their run to the playoffs. Really don't see how this trade is a benefit to either team other than to save some money. Hopefully while they are trimming the payroll, they can keep fans in the seat.

Peace,
Agent 34