Can Hedo that? Turkoglu pulls a fast one

By: Freaknick

So we broke the news in our most recent podcast and thought we were pretty on top of it.  Turkoglu to the Blazers!

Oops.  Make that…um…the Raptors!

As Hedo becomes the latest player to use the NBA Finals as a catapult to an inflated contract (James Posey being last year’s big winner), I’m looking beyond the 5 years and 53 million.  What we care about is the implications this signing will have on European basketball.  Let’s take a look, shall we?

1.  Rudy Fernandez: After letting the Blazers brass know he was perturbed by their courtship of Turkoglu, they laid the offer at Hedo’s feet anyways.  As it is, Rudy believes he could make more money in Europe, and maybe this Hedo saga will be enough to make him reconsider.  He has already had informal discussions with Olympiacos, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and CSKA Moscow.

2. Anthony Parker: FACT: Parker is a 2-time Euroleague MVP.  FACT: The Raptors drafted USC’s Demar Derozan to be his replacement.  FACT: Anthony Parker can still shoot lights out and defend.  GUESS: Parker will be back in Europe again in a few months.

3.  Shawn Marion: This is a long shot, but Marion has often griped about being disrespected and undervalued in the NBA, and big European money could remedy the  chip on his shoulder.

4.  Carlos Delfino: The Raptors are expected to renounce the rights… Continue Reading…

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Slam’s Draft Diary: Part 1 (The Lottery)

NBA Draft Diary

I managed to do a running diary of the entire NBA draft, 5 whole hours, 2 rounds, 7 cups of coffees, and 1 diary.  Here is the first part as I will release it in 4 parts, it’s very long.  Check out Freaknick and I go at it right after the first round ended on the podcast.

Hello World this is your resident hoopologist Slam checking in with his first of many running diaries.  I’m going to be you analysis on the 2009 NBA Draft, also known from this point on of Draft de Complementary Players.  If you’re looking for a stud in this draft outside of the top 5, then you might as well move along, this draft is tailor made for teams looking for role players.  Now let’s get into some pre-game talk, Stu Scott takes us away.

7:02 p.m. - We just got word the Dick Vitale is going to be making an appearance, everyone get your earplugs out.

7:03 - Who has more hair gel Andy Katz or Rick Bucher?  I say tossup.

OR 

7:06 – John Barr tells that there is “tons of excitement” around the Shaq trade, then why does he sound so unexcited?  Between Shaq, Richard Jefferson, and Vince Carter getting traded I think the most valuable guy is Richard Jefferson.  Shaq won’t be able to have back to back monster seasons and Vince Carter’s greatest achievement is winning the Dunk Contest

7:11 – All the analysts are praising Orlando for getting Vince Carter but doesn’t this mean they can’t sign Hedo Turkoglu?  Hedo was their ball handler in the clutch last year and isn’t he more valuable to the team than Vince “I need my shots” Carter, let’s think big picture here.

7:13 – A camera in the Clippers war room: an inside look on how to screw up an NBA team.

7:21 – Some Ricky Rubio talk FINALLY. We even have an interview EUROLEAGUE BABY.  Let’s rate Ricky: English- C- Style- D Nose- A+.  Ricky loves the beaches in California, is that an open petition to try and be a Sacramento King?  I hope not but Rubio is going to be the funniest point guard to watch for the next 10 years so let’s hope he doesn’t end up in purgatory in Sactown.

7:32 – “New York home of the Knicks and Liberty” thanks David Stern but I think we all agree you can shorten that statement next year. But HERE WE GO, some NBA Draft.  I say Blake Griffin goes one, call me crazy.

7:35 – OO yes a montage of Clippers #1 draft picks, the Kandi-Man made a jump hook, really? They can do anything with video nowadays, the Clippers can’t mess up Blake Griffin, I think.

7:38 – Blake Griffin first pick what? Who? When?  Yes this was a can’t miss pick; he scored at will in college and grabbed rebounds from all over the place.  If Griffin can get a go-to post move and he can be a killer on the fast break, look out.

7:43 – Exclusive Mike Dunleavy interview.  He says “We’re going to look and see what’s the best decision for our team.” I’m going to go with that’s the opposite of what he has been doing since he’s gotten there.

7:45 – Hasheem Thabeet is our 2^nd pick, do I have to wait or say it now: BUST.  As a Syracuse fan I watched UConn all year and Thabeet has zero offensive game.  Yes he can change the game defensively but he is abysmal offensively, think Ben Wallace but with injury concerns cause he’s so big.

7:52 – NOOOOOOO… Continue Reading…

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