by Stu Holdren on August 16, 2010
Things are looking up for the Los Angeles Clippers. Eric Gordon is a finalist to make Team USA’s final roster, they added some solid pieces in Randy Foye, Al-Farouq Aminu and Ryan Gomes this summer, and they finally have their number-one overall pick Blake Griffin active in their lineup. You didn’t think the Clippers would usher in a new era of excitement without looking fly, did you? I did…but I was wrong.
The Clippers unveiled their new home and road uniforms for the upcoming season, and while they aren’t a drastic departure from their previous style it is a welcome update. The most notable changes are the more modernized numbers, sculpted side stripes and a low-profile neck line. Additionally, the Clippers look to be making a move to red as their primary road-uniform color, and the road unis will read ‘Los Angeles’ just as their alternates did last season.
In my opinion, these are an unquestionable upgrade from last season’s uniforms. Click here if you need a reminder. These new unis still captured the classic simplicity that has been synonymous with the Clippers style, but added simple changes to stay with the developing fashion and performance expectations in the league. Now the Clip-Show is one that is easy on the eyes. If only the Sixers would take note…
More pictures of the Clips’ new unis after the break:
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by Stu Holdren on August 11, 2010
In what has been a summer of marquee names switching teams in a frenzy of free agent signings, the trade front has been relatively quiet as of late. That all changed today when a four-team, five-player trade went down, significantly altering the core make-up of each team involved. Within the trade, Trevor Ariza was sent to New Orleans, and Darren Collison was acquired by the Pacers.We’ve broke down who’s going where, and what it means for each team involved.
New Orleans Hornets:
Acquired: Trevor Ariza
Traded: Darren Collison, James Posey
While it likely wasn’t an easy decision to part with Collison after an impressive rookie campaign that had him legitimately in the ROY talks by the end of the year, you have to give value to get value in return. With Chris Paul healthy again and ready to be the Hornets’ primary playmaker, Collison would return to his back-up role. While it’s always nice to have such a talented replacement at the point, the Hornets could afford to trade for value at a position of greater need with the assumption that Paul would be taking nearly 40 mpg at the point anyway. They certainly did that with the acquisition of Ariza. Paul’s offseason rumblings that he may seek a trade if the Hornets can’t assemble a strong enough supporting cast around him also likely played into the thought process of acquiring Ariza. Ariza is a significant upgrade on the wing for the Hornets on both ends of the floor. Along with his length, ability to play the passing lanes, and an improving offensive repertoire, Ariza also brings championship experience – something sorely lacking on the current Hornets roster. But more than anything, the trade seems to be a clear demonstration that the Hornets management is committed to building a winner around Paul. A wise move, because Paul makes everyone else on your roster’s game easier and gives your team a chance to win on any given night. Without him, the Hornets would be swimming in a sea of mediocrity for years to come.
Indiana Pacers:
Acquired: Darren Collison, James Posey
Traded: Troy Murphy
In Collison, the Pacers not only landed the player with the most upside in the whole trade, but acquired their point guard of the future. Collison received a baptism by fire in New Orleans as he served as a starter for nearly half of the season with Paul out of the lineup – and he didn’t disappoint. It wasn’t uncommon for Collison to score well into the twenties and drop double-digit assist nights as a starter last year. In fact, smacking the Pacers with a triple-double back in January likely didn’t go unforgotten by this Indiana team in search of a floor leader. The point-guard spot has been one of inconsistencies and turmoil for the Pacers over the past few seasons, with the likes of T.J. Ford, Earl Watson, and Jarrett Jack at the helm. Collison will give the Pacers stability in the backcourt for years to come, and he should form an exciting duo alongside Danny Granger. The loss of Murphy certainly hurts the Pacers, as they will have to lean more heavily on players like Tyler Hansbrough and Josh McRoberts at the power forward spot. That certainly doesn’t bode well for their chances at a winning season this year, but they’ll be able to sleep at night knowing that they added a long-term piece to their puzzle in Collison.
New Jersey Nets:
Acquired: Troy Murphy
Traded: Courtney Lee
The Nets weren’t able to land a superstar within free-agency, but they’ve done a good job in adding talented young players while still maintaining cap flexibility for the future. In Murphy, the Nets add a player who is a double-double threat on any given night, can shoot the long ball, and provides the wide-eyed Nets with more veteran experience. Although they used their number-three draft pick to select power-forward Derrick Favors, at just 19 years old he may not be ready for steady minutes just yet. Murphy gives the Nets a viable starting power-forward, giving them the luxury of bringing Favors along slowly. Murphy’s outside shooting touch should also complement the inside game of Brook Lopez, and provide the Nets with a versatile and effective frontcourt next season. The best news for the Nets is that Murphy is in the final year of his contract, allowing the Nets to have around $20 million in cap space next summer.
Houston Rockets:
Acquired: Courtney Lee
Traded: Trevor Ariza
And now for the least sexy part of this trade, the Rockets gave up one of their core starters and premier perimeter defenders in Ariza, only to get Lee in return. Now, Lee is no slouch, but ultimately – he is a serviceable role player in this league. In Houston, he’ll likely serve as the primary backup to Kevin Martin, but could even lose out on minutes to Kyle Lowry at times. In the end, this was a cost-cutting move for the Rockets who had gone well into the luxury tax with the costly signings of Luis Scola, Brad Miller, and Lowry this offseason. With this trade and the departure of Ariza’s contract, the Rockets will save approximately $28 million in committed contract dollars.
by Stu Holdren on August 4, 2010
The Boston Celtics added to their depth in the middle by signing Shaquille O’Neal today. And while it seems strange to imagine one of the greatest Los Angeles Lakers big men ever donning the Boston green and white, it isn’t all that surprising. O’Neal is on the last legs of his career, and is looking to be in the hunt for one last championship to go out on. The Celtics certainly give him a viable shot to do that.
With starting center Kendrick Perkins out for potentially half of the upcoming season with a knee injury, the Celtics made a significant move in acquiring Jermaine O’Neal with their mid-level exception. Now with the addition of Shaq, the Celtics have a serviceable backup who will be a presence in the post and a boost on the boards. One of the key weaknesses to the Celtics last season was their lack of size. Past Kendrick Perkins and an aging Rasheed Wallace, their frontcourt shrunk down to the likes of Glen Davis and an occasional Shelden Williams sighting. With the two O’Neals, size will not be an issue for the Celtics.
It’s almost fitting that O’Neal would join the Celtics and their merry band of past-their-prime All-Stars. In 2002, this team would have been nasty (sure, we’ll even take a 16-year-old Rajon Rondo). A dream team of sorts. Shaq, Jermaine, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were all All-Stars back then. Fastforward eight years, and they are all impact players, but only Paul Pierce still seems to have that nightly big-game potential at this point. Although the Celtics made an improbable run to the finals last year, another year under their belts isn’t necessarily a good thing. And for a team whose trademark has been aggressive, team defense, I wonder how soon the Celtics’ defense will buckle from O’Neal’s lack of lateral quickness on those perimeter pick-and-rolls.
However, what I like about the addition of O’Neal is that he brings the Celtics true championship experience. If anyone knows what it takes to win titles, it’s him. While we’ve seen his unstoppable power and prowess on the block dwindle over the past few seasons, O’Neal is still a smart and battle-tested player. Also, given Jermaine O’Neal’s history of nagging injuries and limited playing time, I expect that the Celtics will have to rely on Shaq to play significant minutes in at least one stretch of games this season.
Do I think it is a big move? No. I do think that it is a smart move, and at a reported two-year contract for just $3 million it’s hard to pass on one of the greatest centers to ever play the game. The bigger question at hand though is what nickname will O’Neal bring with him to Beantown? I’ve heard the “Big Shamrock” and the “Big Leprechaun” being tossed around. Those are just too easy. How about something with a bit more local flavor, like Shaquille O’Malley?
So how do you think O’Neal will fit in with the Celtics? Is his size and experience enough to make Boston contenders again this year, or does he just bring added entertainment and excitement to the Celtics’ rabid fans? Let me know what you think.
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