Comments for The Melo Backpedal http://themelobackpedal.com a basketball blog Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:02:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU Comment on The Sad Life of a Restricted Free Agent by colatina http://themelobackpedal.com/2008/07/16/the-sad-life-of-a-restricted-free-agent/#comment-5948 colatina Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:11:01 +0000 http://hoopfanz.wordpress.com/?p=1911#comment-5948 "Were they really going to offer him the max to stay? After all the injury problems? That’s really, really hard to believe, despite what the reports say." I'm sure plenty of fans didn't think he was a max player, but <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/01/AR2008070103222.html" rel="nofollow">yes, they did offer him the max</a>. It was, however, this weird thing where the team told the media that they were willing to give the max but they hoped he'd take less (not that much less) so they could sign other players. The Wix didn't want to be blamed for losing a fan favorite, but they wanted to use the media and fan pressure to get Arenas to take a bit less. It worked. Well played, Wizards management! Where are these other players the Wiz are getting with their spare 2 mil per year? Nowhere. Arenas said truthfully that there's not much he can do with $125 mil that he can't do with $111 mil. And the Wizards aren't getting any better paying Zero 111 than they would have been paying him 125. Teams shovel the BS in contract negotiations, too--in this case a lot more than the player did. “Were they really going to offer him the max to stay? After all the injury problems? That’s really, really hard to believe, despite what the reports say.”

I’m sure plenty of fans didn’t think he was a max player, but yes, they did offer him the max. It was, however, this weird thing where the team told the media that they were willing to give the max but they hoped he’d take less (not that much less) so they could sign other players. The Wix didn’t want to be blamed for losing a fan favorite, but they wanted to use the media and fan pressure to get Arenas to take a bit less. It worked. Well played, Wizards management!

Where are these other players the Wiz are getting with their spare 2 mil per year? Nowhere. Arenas said truthfully that there’s not much he can do with $125 mil that he can’t do with $111 mil. And the Wizards aren’t getting any better paying Zero 111 than they would have been paying him 125. Teams shovel the BS in contract negotiations, too–in this case a lot more than the player did.

]]> Comment on Leastern Conference No More by Chris http://themelobackpedal.com/2008/07/10/leastern-conference-no-more/#comment-5946 Chris Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:53:11 +0000 http://hoopfanz.wordpress.com/?p=1887#comment-5946 Great post! One of my favorite parts is where you talk about how my Raptors could take a step forward if they're healthy this season. I love what they did this summer, and although others also improved their clubs, I believe the Raps could find themselves in the Conference Finals if things go as planned. We'll see. Great post! One of my favorite parts is where you talk about how my Raptors could take a step forward if they’re healthy this season. I love what they did this summer, and although others also improved their clubs, I believe the Raps could find themselves in the Conference Finals if things go as planned. We’ll see.

]]> Comment on The Sad Life of a Restricted Free Agent by Chris http://themelobackpedal.com/2008/07/16/the-sad-life-of-a-restricted-free-agent/#comment-5945 Chris Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:50:52 +0000 http://hoopfanz.wordpress.com/?p=1911#comment-5945 The Arenas situation has been blown out of proportion. Were they really going to offer him the max to stay? After all the injury problems? That's really, really hard to believe, despite what the reports say. The Arenas situation has been blown out of proportion. Were they really going to offer him the max to stay? After all the injury problems? That’s really, really hard to believe, despite what the reports say.

]]> Comment on Leastern Conference No More by Andrew http://themelobackpedal.com/2008/07/10/leastern-conference-no-more/#comment-5944 Andrew Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:42:47 +0000 http://hoopfanz.wordpress.com/?p=1887#comment-5944 This summer, along with last summer, has transformed the Eastern Conference into a legit group of contenders. I still, of course, like the Western Conference better, but who would've thought the East would be this strong after being so weak just two years ago? I like that they have a few title contenders, several strong playoff teams, and still a few rebuilding teams that could be very good down the road. It's now very diverse from top to bottom. This summer, along with last summer, has transformed the Eastern Conference into a legit group of contenders. I still, of course, like the Western Conference better, but who would’ve thought the East would be this strong after being so weak just two years ago? I like that they have a few title contenders, several strong playoff teams, and still a few rebuilding teams that could be very good down the road. It’s now very diverse from top to bottom.

]]> Comment on Leaving Los Angeles by Matt http://themelobackpedal.com/2008/07/07/leaving-los-angeles/#comment-5943 Matt Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:24:53 +0000 http://hoopfanz.wordpress.com/?p=1863#comment-5943 I'm not sure I understand this last comment but anyway ... I’m not sure I understand this last comment but anyway …

]]> Comment on The Sad Life of a Restricted Free Agent by Matt http://themelobackpedal.com/2008/07/16/the-sad-life-of-a-restricted-free-agent/#comment-5942 Matt Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:23:10 +0000 http://hoopfanz.wordpress.com/?p=1911#comment-5942 I agree, restricted free agency if just fine the way it is. At the same time, I do believe that the current system forces certain teams to overpay for players on the market. The Arenas situation isn't necessarily what I would call "just one of many," but I think I understand your overall point. I agree, restricted free agency if just fine the way it is. At the same time, I do believe that the current system forces certain teams to overpay for players on the market. The Arenas situation isn’t necessarily what I would call “just one of many,” but I think I understand your overall point.

]]> Comment on Leaving Los Angeles by how to invest in stock http://themelobackpedal.com/2008/07/07/leaving-los-angeles/#comment-5941 how to invest in stock Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:07:59 +0000 http://hoopfanz.wordpress.com/?p=1863#comment-5941 <strong>how to invest in stock...</strong> Just when you think you cant learn anymore. After reading your blog I now understand "cheap online stock trading". Thank For the great post!... how to invest in stock…

Just when you think you cant learn anymore. After reading your blog I now understand “cheap online stock trading”. Thank For the great post!…

]]> Comment on The Sad Life of a Restricted Free Agent by colatina http://themelobackpedal.com/2008/07/16/the-sad-life-of-a-restricted-free-agent/#comment-5936 colatina Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:39:46 +0000 http://hoopfanz.wordpress.com/?p=1911#comment-5936 I think restricted free agency is fine, and it shouldn't be abolished. Yes, teams usually have to overpay to peel away a RFA player from another team. But with unrestricted free agents, the team they're presently on often has to overpay to keep them. The Arenas situation is just one of many--he took less than the max, but there were few if any teams besides the Wiz willing to pay close to what he ended up with. With restricted free agency, if a player really wants to leave the team he started out in the league with, he can, with only one-year in limbo. And if the team really doesn't want to pay a guy another team can get him. But the home team gets a bit of an edge which is as it should be. I think restricted free agency is fine, and it shouldn’t be abolished. Yes, teams usually have to overpay to peel away a RFA player from another team. But with unrestricted free agents, the team they’re presently on often has to overpay to keep them. The Arenas situation is just one of many–he took less than the max, but there were few if any teams besides the Wiz willing to pay close to what he ended up with. With restricted free agency, if a player really wants to leave the team he started out in the league with, he can, with only one-year in limbo. And if the team really doesn’t want to pay a guy another team can get him. But the home team gets a bit of an edge which is as it should be.

]]> Comment on The Sad Life of a Restricted Free Agent by Andrew http://themelobackpedal.com/2008/07/16/the-sad-life-of-a-restricted-free-agent/#comment-5935 Andrew Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:03:45 +0000 http://hoopfanz.wordpress.com/?p=1911#comment-5935 I'm glad the Camby trade happened because the Clippers would've been forced to overpay for one of these guys -- none of which has been an All-Star. I love Josh Smith and Iguodala, but I love them a lot less if they became one of those guys whose large contract overshadows what they do on the court, much like Allan Houston or Andrei Kirilenko. I’m glad the Camby trade happened because the Clippers would’ve been forced to overpay for one of these guys — none of which has been an All-Star. I love Josh Smith and Iguodala, but I love them a lot less if they became one of those guys whose large contract overshadows what they do on the court, much like Allan Houston or Andrei Kirilenko.

]]> Comment on Getting Paid Overseas by Andrew http://themelobackpedal.com/2008/07/13/getting-paid-overseas/#comment-5934 Andrew Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:01:02 +0000 http://hoopfanz.wordpress.com/?p=1916#comment-5934 Oh, I absolutely agree. That's exactly why I don't see the "risk" all these coaches keep talking about. He's set for life, and could be a very good marketing tool by some of these large international shoe companies. His options are limitless right now. Oh, I absolutely agree. That’s exactly why I don’t see the “risk” all these coaches keep talking about. He’s set for life, and could be a very good marketing tool by some of these large international shoe companies. His options are limitless right now.

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