Free Darius!
The Portland Trailblazers are playing the role of extortionists in today's news, basically threatening to sue any team that decides to put a perfectly healthy and possibly helpful Darius Miles on the court for at least two games.
In 2007, Miles came off the Blazers' books when it became apparent that the former Hootie and the Blowfish front man---wait, that was Darius Rucker---had suffered a "career-ending" knee injury. That's $18 million off their salary cap, giving them the flexibility to become a player in the free agent market. Ah, but the fine print... they always get you with the fine print. Now that Miles is apparently healthy once again, miraculously healed from that "career-ending" injury, Miles would be back on the Blazers' books at his ridiculous $18 million salary. Looking back on a career where he has nevered averaged more than 14 points per game or 6 rebounds, how he garnered so much money leaves me befuddled, but that's beside the point.
The point is that the Blazers, obviously privy to the fact that Miles stepping on the court will cost them severely, sent out a mass e-mail to the 29 other teams in the NBA and the league office threatening anybody who signed Hootie with "litigation".
While I understand why the Blazers' organization would be upset, how do you think NBA teams will respond? I have a daughter. When I tell her not to play with her food or she won't get to eat the rest of it, maybe I'm expecting her to eat her food, but she's at that stage where she's willing to push me to see if I'll take away her food.
The Blazers are me; the rest of the NBA is in their terrible twos. Despite Portland's best efforts, someone is going to sign this dude, and even though the Blazers have big and bad semantic language, the fact of the matter is that the NBA supports this move. That's that. Deal with it.
That being said, from a basketball standpoint how can you take Miles seriously? I know he's only 27, but his best asset is his athleticism, an asset hindered by his constant knee troubles. He can't shoot, and even if he could he has no offensive moves to speak of. He's not big enough to slide into the post, and he's no longer quick enough to guard perimeter players. If there was ever an argument for players going to college, look at Miles.
I don't think he's worth the trouble of going out on the limb, but mark my words: SOMEONE is going to sign him.
Game previews tonight:
The Boston Celtics are struggling. The Cleveland Cavaliers haven't lost at home. This seems like an obvious one, but if the Celts were ever going to have a bounceback game, tonight would be good timing. Believe it or not, I think the Big Green Machine goes in there and gives LeBron and co. their first home loss of the year.
Oh, and Dallas wins by 60.
Okay, ten.
In 2007, Miles came off the Blazers' books when it became apparent that the former Hootie and the Blowfish front man---wait, that was Darius Rucker---had suffered a "career-ending" knee injury. That's $18 million off their salary cap, giving them the flexibility to become a player in the free agent market. Ah, but the fine print... they always get you with the fine print. Now that Miles is apparently healthy once again, miraculously healed from that "career-ending" injury, Miles would be back on the Blazers' books at his ridiculous $18 million salary. Looking back on a career where he has nevered averaged more than 14 points per game or 6 rebounds, how he garnered so much money leaves me befuddled, but that's beside the point.
The point is that the Blazers, obviously privy to the fact that Miles stepping on the court will cost them severely, sent out a mass e-mail to the 29 other teams in the NBA and the league office threatening anybody who signed Hootie with "litigation".
While I understand why the Blazers' organization would be upset, how do you think NBA teams will respond? I have a daughter. When I tell her not to play with her food or she won't get to eat the rest of it, maybe I'm expecting her to eat her food, but she's at that stage where she's willing to push me to see if I'll take away her food.
The Blazers are me; the rest of the NBA is in their terrible twos. Despite Portland's best efforts, someone is going to sign this dude, and even though the Blazers have big and bad semantic language, the fact of the matter is that the NBA supports this move. That's that. Deal with it.
That being said, from a basketball standpoint how can you take Miles seriously? I know he's only 27, but his best asset is his athleticism, an asset hindered by his constant knee troubles. He can't shoot, and even if he could he has no offensive moves to speak of. He's not big enough to slide into the post, and he's no longer quick enough to guard perimeter players. If there was ever an argument for players going to college, look at Miles.
I don't think he's worth the trouble of going out on the limb, but mark my words: SOMEONE is going to sign him.
Game previews tonight:
The Boston Celtics are struggling. The Cleveland Cavaliers haven't lost at home. This seems like an obvious one, but if the Celts were ever going to have a bounceback game, tonight would be good timing. Believe it or not, I think the Big Green Machine goes in there and gives LeBron and co. their first home loss of the year.
Oh, and Dallas wins by 60.
Okay, ten.
posted by Justin Cherot @ 5:13 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home