Phoenix Suns Offseason Priorities: Improve Bench

One of major reasons why the Suns shocked the entire league last season by getting to the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers was the strength of their bench. Phoenix’s second unit played well for the most part last season, but looking to improving will be a must for the organization this summer.

With Vince Carter not coming back, that more than likely means that Jared Dudley will stay in the starting rotation, unless Robert Sarver goes out and spends money on a starting two guard. With Sarver’s history and the lack of quality talent on the free agent market this summer, that seems very unlikely.

That leaves Mickael Pietrus as the only guy off the bench who can play the two spot.Aaron Brooks, who should be brought back, is too small to play the position and Josh Childress is more suited to play the two forward spots because of his length.

Pietrus was up and down in his 38 games with the Suns. He did put up betteer point totals while in Phoenix than he did in his 19 games with Orlando despite getting less playing time, but he also sat out the final 12 games because of a quad injury. It seems likely that he will pick up his $5.3 player option this summer.

Despite Dudley expected to start and Pietrus expected to be back, the Suns should still be in the market for a shooting guard. Dudley played well in the starter’s role late this season, but it remains to be seen if he can do it over a 82-game schedule. Pietrus has been banged up for most of his career, so he can’t be counted on for the entire season.

The Suns aren’t expected to have a lot of money this offseason, so they are going to either get creative with a either trade, drafting a player or finding a cheap option through free agency. One option could be Michael Redd, who has played in only 61 games the past three seasons with a numerous amount of knee injuries. Because of his injuries, he could be had for the veteran’s minimum.

Redd would be a low-risk, high-reward signing for Phoenix. The veteran’s minimum for only one season wouldn’t break the bank for a guy that is only a few years removed from averaging 20+ points per game. It remains to be seen if both sides are interested in one another and whether Redd is still a quality player.

Another offseason priority for Phoenix will be looking for a backup point guard. The most likely option remains Brooks, who really struggled in his time with the Suns. However, it was well known that the former Oregon point guard was battling injuries for most of the year, so the Suns will keep that in mind when deciding if they want to bring him back.

If the Suns decided to go in a different direction and not bring Brooks back, there aren’t a ton of attractive alternatives on the free agent market. Earl Watson, Ronnie Price, Mike Bibby and Anthony Carter are cheap veteran options that they could look at, but none of them  are better offensively than Brooks at this stage of their careers.

Sebastian Telfair and Earl Boykins are better options, but they too aren’t better offensive options than Brooks. The best name on the free agent list at the position is clearly J.J. Barea, who has had a brilliant postseason for Dallas, but it is highly unlikely that Mark Cuban would let him go. He would probably be out of the Suns price range anyways.

In short, it would be shocking to see Phoenix not bring back Brooks. He is the best and the most economically sensible deal for the Suns as of right now.

The last thing that the Suns need to do to improve their second unit is making a decision on whether or not to trade Robin Lopez. If they do trade Lopez elsewhere, the Suns would be in need of a backup big man behind starter Marcin Gortat.

Unlike the point guard and shooting guard spot, this year’s free agent class offers some good options at center. Look no further to the Celtics, who have Glen Davis, Nenad Krstic and Troy Murphy all as unrestricted free agents. There is no way that Boston can afford or even would be interested in bringing all three back, especially Murphy, who saw almost no time in the playoffs.

Like Redd, Murphy is another guy that the Suns could grab for relatively cheap. Murphy played in only 35 games this past season splitting the season with Indiana and Boston. When he did play, Murphy didn’t play well, posting career lows in points and rebounds. Many teams may stay away from Murphy all together.

There are plenty of other options out there for Phoenix besides Murphy. Kwame Brownplayed very well at times for the Bobcats last season, but most Suns fans probably want nothing to do with the former Laker. Dan Gadzuric and Francisco Elson are two guys that the Suns have shown interest in the past and both would come at little to no money.

Whatever the Suns do over the summer, improving the bench should be at the top of the organization’s list. A good bench is essential to a winning team, especially to a team like the Suns with their two best players are on the wrong side of 35.

Boston Celtics Danny Ainge Should Make A Push For Carl Landry

If Glen Davis continues his foolish look on his role with the team, Ainge has a great option to replace him.This man is a reliable scorer and would probably rebound a lot better than Davis. This man would also make the bench scoring a lot more potent. The man I am referring to is one Carl Landry.
I will begin with my argument with I know the obvious drawbacks. The first is the obvious fact that Davis was wide enough to play center at times. Granted it was not the ideal situation, but it was still a nice option to have with a couple veteran centers. However, my solution is simple. Ainge needs to get an actual reliable body to man the center position that is actually a center. There are guys in the draft and free agents that could fill the 12 minutes at the center position that Davis played. The Celtics need both a better answer at center than Davis and more scoring off the bench. Landry fills the scoring off the bench.
I also understand the fact that Landry is a bit undersized for the power forward spot as well. He has a lengthy frame, but the width on his generously listed 6 ft 9inch frame is just not there. However, the man can do his job despite his size issues. The man has averaged double digits the last three seasons including a tremendous 17 points a game in 09-10. He has a solid jump shot, but his bread and butter is his inside scoring. The man has great instincts around the hoop to get the basket. He was playing so well at one point that the Rockets were able to get the Kings to part with the scoring dynamo that is Kevin Martin. This kind of scoring would look real good coming off the bench in place of KG at the power forward spot. I do not see the long scoring droughts with this man on the floor.
I know the funds are limited, but I do not think this is impossible to happen. There could be a mid level and biannual exceptions. The Celtics could also have the sign and trade with Davis should the Hornets want an undersized forward off the bench. Ainge would also need to do some convincing that Boston would be a great place for Landry to not only chase a ring, but flourish off their bench. Ainge has pulled off bigger miracles (KG coming ring a bell for anyone?). I am hoping Ainge at least looks explores this avenue. Remember Go Green Or Go Home!!!!!!!

Garnett, Durant & The Importance Of Shot Creation

On the May 26 BS Report, ESPN’s Bill Simmons and Ric Bucher spent time talking about Oklahoma City’s struggles to get key scores down the stretch against Dallas. Bucher attributed it in part to the difficulties of getting Kevin Durant the ball, and how OKC’s top-scorer wasn’t physically strong enough to avoid being pushed around the court, and out of his preferred areas.

They also talked about Carlos Boozer’s failures against Miami. Boozer is still taking deserved heat for his porous defense, but the power forward shot only 40.7% for the series. Three games of five, Boozer failed to exceed ten shots. This isn’t entirely his fault, as Simmons and Bucher noted, as the Bulls weren’t exploiting the high screen-roll that Deron Williams and Boozer used so effectively in Utah.

But these failures to get the ball to key, expensive players may remind Celtics fans of game four of the Boston-Miami series.

We seem to have committed to a narrative where Kevin Garnett had an incredible game three (28 points, 18 rebounds) and then found himself gassed for the remainder of the series (he was 7-23 the final two games despite hauling in 21 rebounds).

There’s some truth to that story but if you re-watch game four, you’ll notice how hard the Heat worked to deny Garnett the ball, sending weakside defenders to apply pressure, pushing him off his spots and crowding him. The Lakers did the same thing in the 2010 finals and as a result, Pau Gasol outplayed Garnett. This is distinct from the 2008 finals, where KG routinely managed to get deep position on Gasol.

With all three of these elite players, you can seriously impede their offense by just keeping the ball away from them. The same holds true of Ray Allen, but for different reasons: a relatively weak handle and lack of explosiveness for his position.

Certain players are harder to deny. Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Paul, Derrick Roseand Russell Westbrook (all of whom had their names bandied around as MVP candidates at one point this season) can pick up the ball just across the half-court line and do damage with it.

Of course, this is partially due to the way the game is officiated now. A defensive player can get away with more physicality pushing a big off his spots than can a perimeter defender, who isn’t permitted to hand check, or even extend his arms.If championship teams almost always require two superstar players, it seems increasingly crucial to have at least one of those two be a shot-creating scorer with a great handle. That’s not, by the way, an argument for late-game clearouts for your scorer to go one-on-one (or one-on-five), but a reflection of the difficulty of generating good looks against elite NBA defenses that routinely choke off individual offensive stars. This is why Paul Pierce remains Boston’s best offensive player. He can dribble, shoot, drive, and finish. He’s not the world’s greatest passer, and he’s aging, but he remains a difficult cover, especially given his strength.

All this lends itself to an argument for and against Rajon Rondo as the leader of the next prospective Celtics’ title contender. Rondo can take almost anyone off the dribble, and once by them, can draw the defense and find the open man. But he doesn’t fit in that above group of MVP candidates because of his shooting deficiencies and stretches of tentative play on offense.

If you think Rondo can overcome his offensive problems (and let’s not kid ourselves — they are significant), then you could move forward with him in confidence. A Rondo with a reliable jumpshot, who shoots 75% from the line, could easily be first-team all-NBA.

But if you think Rondo’s headed for another five years like his first five, you have to seriously consider moving him for an offensive upgrade. Because if winning titles is your goal, the incremental upgrade at the top of your roster is probably worth it. There’s a difference between a star who rates an A- and one who rates an A+. Just ask Larry O’Brien.

Jim Buss talks Mike Brown, Kobe Bryant

Jim Buss, Los Angeles Lakers executive and son of owner Dr. Jerry Buss, says he regrets not talking to Kobe Bryant about the decision to hire Mike Brown as Phil Jackson's successor.

"Looking back on it, we should have contacted Kobe," Jim Buss said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that ran Saturday night. "Kobe said it was management's job to pick a coach. He just said, 'Defense first.' That's what we were doing, but we should have reached out to him."

Bryant had previously endorsed longtime Jackson assistant Brian Shaw to be promoted to the head-coaching job. The Lakers struck an agreement with Brown on Wednesday, and sources told ESPNLosAngeles.com's Dave McMenamin that Bryant has great respect for Brown and is on board with the hiring, despite not being consulted about the choice.

During an interview on ESPN during halftime of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals on Wednesday, Brown said he already had exchanged text messages with Bryant. Brown also said he's "looking forward to getting to know Kobe and being able to work with him to go and get us a championship."

Jim Buss, Lakers executive VP of player personnel, expressed confidence that Bryant would mesh well with Brown, according to the Times report

"The way Mike impressed the three of us, I would think Kobe would be impressed as well," Buss said. "Mike is a workaholic and Kobe is the workaholic."

Buss was unconcerned about the possibility that Brown wouldn't be able to corral Bryant's talents for the good of the team.

"I've seen Kobe go off the place a few times, but I'm sure the coach will know how to handle it," Buss told the newspaper. "My dad loves Kobe and so do I; we think he has a lot left. And I know Mike has some ideas on how to elongate Kobe's career."

The Lakers' bid for a three-peat ended unceremoniously when the Dallas Mavericks swept them in the Western Conference semifinals.

Boston Celtics Danny Ainge Should Roll The Dice On Greg Oden

The Boston Celtics have a clear need this off season. Danny Ainge watched the Celtics have serious issues at the center position. Jermaine O’Neal could return. JO proved his worth and potential with a solid defensive performance in the playoffs. However, JO was injured most of the year and his knee and wrist issues may or may not return next year. Even if he does return, I would prefer him as the backup to give Boston a solid 20 minutes of great defensive play. Shaq might be coming back as well. However, his 20^thseason should see him play only about eight minutes a game. A dose of very limited minutes is about the only way to guarantee that Shaq will provide a solid presence for the Celtics come playoff time. Nenad Krstic is also an option to return, but the reality is that Krstic is not that great a defender. He is neither athletic nor a tough post presence. He does make up for some of that by stretching the floor on the offensive end with his sweet shot. He would be a great fit should the other two gentleman return. However, none of these men are the answer for next season.

There is a man that could be the answer. The possible gamble is injury prone, but young enough to be able to put the injuries behind him for a little bit of a run. It would be a gamble, but the reward would be huge. He has ridiculous potential on the defensive end. He has size and athleticism for a big man. He can rebound and play tough. Offensively, he would be a new toy for Rajon Rondo to utilize. Rondo could hit this target down low and get him easy baskets. This man would benefit from having Doc Rivers, KG and possibly both O’Neals in his ear. The Celtics could also have the luxury of limiting his minutes with the depth of possibly the O’Neals. That man is Greg Oden.

Greg Oden will always be the guy that because Boston failed to get the number one pick to draft him, brought about the trades that reshaped this franchise and brought home Banner 17. Maybe Oden landing in Boston will bring Boston Banner 18? Oden is a defensive ace with serious shot blocking potential.  He rebounds well and that would greatly help the Celtics in desperate need of a rebounder. If he were put in a Boston’s system, he could flourish. On the offensive end, he could provide a lift at times with Oden finishing the penetration drives of Rajon Rondo.

The only issue is his health. However, Oden is still very young. He could easily still carve out a solid notch in the NBA. Guys like Bill Walton and even Pervis Ellison came back and were effective after a series of injuries. Those guys never reached their ceilings, but their skills were very useful to teams in the NBA. The Celtics flourished with the aging Walton at center. Maybe Oden could flourish as these men did.

The bottom line is he is worth the gamble. The reward for getting a guy that could be a top 8 center for possibly the mid level is too great. Danny needs to pounce because others will be looking to cash in on Oden.  However, look for Danny to dangle the golden carrot of playing for a defense that includes KG and having guys like JO and Shaq to mentor him. I believe Danny will get it done Remember Go Green Or Go Home!!!!!!!!!!!

Warriors Trading Monta Ellis To Orlando Magic?

According to a recent report in the Orlando Sentinel, Monta Ellis of the Golden State Warriors may be made available during the off-season, and the Orlando Magic may be interested.

Said the paper:

Why the Warriors might trade him: Ellis, a volume shooting guard who prefers to dominate the ball, doesn’t mesh particularly well with Steph Curry. Ellis has been on the trading block before, but the Warriors never saw a deal they wanted to make.

Why the Magic might want him: Ellis can create his own shot, a trait no perimeter player on the Magic roster currently possesses. He averaged 24.1 points per game last season and would give the Magic a scoring complement to Dwight Howard.

Apparently the Magic are seriously looking to trade for a player to complement Dwight Howard in an effort to re-sign him to a long term deal.

It’s no secret Howard has been noncommittal about his future in Orlando, with many citing the Los Angeles Lakers as a potential landing spot for Howard.

Also named in the article as potential trade targets for the Magic were Rip Hamilton, Andre Iguodala, O.J. Mayo, Chris Paul, and Deron Williams.

Lakers have a deal to hire Mike Brown as their coach

The Lakers have put together a deal to hire former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown as their new coach, an NBA official who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter said late Tuesday.

If Brown agrees to the deal, he'll sign a contract worth between $4 million and $4.5 million per season, the official said. Brown would sign for three years, with a team option on the fourth season that would give him partial pay if he was not retained.
Brown, 41, became the front-runner because Jim Buss, the team's executive vice president of player personnel, was impressed with his defense-minded style.

Former Houston Rockets coach Rick Adelman also was in the mix for the job and will remain a candidate to replace Phil Jackson if Brown turns down the deal from the Lakers.

Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw also was considered for the head position.

The Lakers had to wait until General Manager Mitch Kupchak and Buss returned from pre-draft camps in Chicago and Minneapolis on Tuesday night before they could get a deal done.

Lakers owner Jerry Buss did an interview with Sirius XM Radio on Tuesday, saying the team was "very close" to filling its coaching vacancy.

It now appears as if Brown is that person, something that could be announced in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Brown was with the Cavaliers for five seasons until he was fired in 2010, leaving with a 272-138 record.

He was named the NBA's coach of the year in 2009 for leading the Cavaliers to a 66-16 record.

Brown led the Cavaliers to a 61-21 record during the 2009-10 season, another league-best record.

But after the Cavaliers lost to the Orlando Magic in the 2009 Eastern Conference finals and to the Boston Celtics in the conference semifinals in 2010, Brown was fired.

Brown led the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2007, but Cleveland was swept by the San Antonio Spurs.

Brown coached one of the NBA's superstars in former Cavalier LeBron James.

In his radio interview Tuesday, Jerry Buss said that he expected the Lakers' core roster to return next season, with a "tweak … here or there."

Buss was interviewed by Playboy Radio's Michael Eaves and Bonnie-Jill Laflin.

Buss did say there would be changes in the Lakers' offense.

"We're not going to continue exclusively with the triangle," Buss said. "Certainly, there will be facets of the triangle incorporated into any modern offense."

Various Lakers, including Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher and Luke Walton, have publicly endorsed Shaw to be the next coach, in part because of his familiarity with their personnel.