Veteran Point Guard For Hire
Former All-star (!) and half-the-damn-league point guard Kenny Anderson wants another crack at NBA glory. Anderson, who last year played in Lithuania for bulvës, can’t figure out why no one wants him:
“I just need that opportunity. I’m in shape. I haven’t had any major injuries. I’m young, only 35. I didn’t want to retire at 34 or 35. I’ve still got that hunger. I want to be 100 percent sure that I can’t help a team when I finish, and I’m not there yet.
I don’t know why I’m not getting a harder look. I think everybody knows I know how to run a team. I’m not going to be a cancer on a team. I’ve always been a good leader. Why doesn’t somebody say, ‘Hey, why not bring Kenny into camp?’”
And you know what, Kenny’s right: Why not bring him into camp? I mean, if he’s in as good as shape as he claims to be, then isn’t there always a little room on the end of a bench for some veteran point guard leadership?
Just look at the back-up point guards from last year’s “real” Conference finalists: Lindsey Hunter, Gary Payton, Nick Van Exel, and Darrell Armstrong. What was the average age of those guys: 35, 36?
You telling me Kenny can’t contribute on some upper-echelon team? Come on Popovich, give “Mr. Chibbs” a call — the guy’s got baby mommas to pay!
[Side note: To this day I still regret passing on a #7, old-school Nets jersey I once saw in Kensington Market. Yeah, it was the perfect Nicole Richie-like fit and everything…]
Kenny Anderson Wants A Return To NBA [RealGM / The Boston Globe]
Report Calls Kenny Anderson Deadbeat Dad [Political Gateway]
Al Harrington, Al Harrington. Al Harrington? Al Harrington.
I’ve got to agree with The Mighty MJD; all this “where’s Al Harrington going to sign?” talk has got to end. Now. Seriously, just look at all the Al Harrington headlines from the past few weeks or so. He’s everywhere!
Golden State Revs Up Al Harrington Hunt
– San Francisco ChronicleBreaking News: Al Harrington To Indiana?
– SLAMonlineAl Harrington Returning To The Pacers … Probably
– HoopsvibeWolves Re-Enter The Al Harrington Chase?
– RealGMAl Harrington: Still Likely Headed Back To Indiana
– RotowireAl Harrington Orders Nationwide Art Invetory
– Voice of AmericaAl Harrington: Still Likely Breathing
– Ascent MagazineAl Harrington’s Cowboy Frank Butler Wows Crowd In ‘Annie Get Your Gun’
– Ultimate ProsUS Pushes Air Security To Al Harrington Level For First Time
– CNET News.comObserver: “Al Harrington Puts Family Ahead Of Breakfast”
– Headline NewsRaptors, Bucks, Bobcats, Blazers, Lakers, Kings, Magic, Celtics, Nets, Heat, Grizzlies, And The Seattle Storm Of The WNBA Interested In Al Harrington
– The Sports ReviewStep Into My Boudoir, Al Harrington
– Isaiah Thomas’ Blog
Al Harrington Is Becoming The Barbaro Of The NBA
[The Mighty MJD]
(UPDATE: Al Harrington.)
Comments (2)Repturs Seegn Zee Cheff
The Toronto Raptors are officially super-international. Early this morning the Raptors announced they have signed free-agent guard the Swedish Chef to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, and because no one is sure what he actually said, financial details were not disclosed.
“The Swedish Chef is a high character and experienced player that has proven over several years now that he belongs in the NBA,” said Bryan Colangelo, president and general manager of the Raptors. “His addition adds a great scoring punch to our lineup. He just knows how to put the chicken in the basket, you know? You can’t teach that.”
The Chef signing is just the latest on a long list of international moves by the Raptors organization. Three weeks ago they drafted Italian rookie Andrea Bargnani with the #1 overall pick. A few weeks later they signed two Euroleague free-agents, Jorge Garbajosa and Anthony Parker. And oh, let’s not forget they shipped Charlie Villaneuva out of town as well. Yeah, it’s a well-known fact that Colangelo likes his players with hair. Lots and lots of hair.
When asked about his thoughts on joining the Raptors, the 4’2”, 27-pound Chef seemed fairly optimistic.
“I’m joost ixceeted tu get beck oon zee cuoort. I theenk I cun breeng a lut ooff inergy tu thees teem. Bush is a sooperster. T.J. is a pess-furst pueent gooerd. Und Moo is un ooferell greet deffender. Ve-a’re-a gueeng tu meke-a a lut ooff nueese-a thees yeer. Bork Bork Bork!”
Comments (9)The Next Movement
I’m dizzy from practicing my new 1080° dunk out back, so while my body struggles to find its bearings, I figure now is as good time as ever to weigh in on this summer’s no-players-have-actually-yet-moved player movement. Yeah, this shit be straight verbal, yo! So barring any fingers crossed behind the back type shenanigans, here’s the major movement so far:
Ben Wallace, signed by Chicago (4 yrs, $60 mil)
I was surprised by how many people hated this signing (see: FD comments). What? It’s Ben Wallace, dude. Who cares if he can’t score or hit a free-throw to save his barber’s life. The experience and intensity he’ll bring to this squad is worth the money alone. Look, the Bulls have reached that point — you know, playoff team, early exits — where they’ve basically got to make that “next step” move. This is it. Bring in a 4-time DPoY stud and see what happens. Big Ben, Noce, Deng, BG, Kirk … that is dirty. 50+ wins for sure.
Peja Stojakovic, signed by NOOCH (5 yrs, $64 mil)
Hollinger’s right — sorry, Insider warning there — with this Peja cash grab, the Bobby Jackson signing, and the Chandler trade, NOOCH’s rebuilding effort is essentially over already. Seriously, say goodbye sweet cap space. Damn. With that said, I do think this team will make some noise out West. As for Peja? Um, he’s not going all All-Star on us again, but he should return a lil’ closer to his Sactown glory days with Paul’s ability to penetrate, draw, and kick. In fact, that’s what I’m most interested to see: just how well CP3 performs now that’s he got some talent surrounding him.
Tyson Chandler, traded to NOOCH for J.R. Smith and P.J. Brown
4 initials for some wing span. Happens all the time in the NBA…
Nazr Mohammed, signed by Detroit (5 yrs, $30 mil)
I’d rather have Darko. No, I’m not smiling.
Vladimir Radmanovic, signed by LA Lakers (5 yrs, $31 mil)
I can see it now: “Kobe. I was open. Yes, in corner. Me. Why you no pass to Radman? I hurt feelings of you? How do you say … I make basket thingy, yes? Yes. This is what Radman do. Promise. I like you. Do you like me?”
Speedy Claxton, signed by Atlanta (4 yrs, $25 mil)
Did you know Speedy’s real name is Craig? Yeah, Craig. Craig Claxton. Um, I don’t know about you, but Craig’s not really a name I want to go hand a cool $25 mil to.
Marquis Daniels, traded to Indiana for Austin Croshere
Two questions: 1. Are you truly freed if you end up in Indiana? And 2. Will Cuban make Croshere change his surname to Van Horn?
Derek Fisher, traded to Utah for a whole bunch of guards
I’d rather not talk about this.
[Note: For a more informative analysis on the free agent signings, I suggest you drop by RaptorBlog.com to see what Scott’s sayin’. Twice. And oh, while you’re out surfin’, catch a wave by The Association, dude…]
Comments (3)About
The Basketball Jones is a NBA blog and podcast, written and recorded five times a week by J.E. Skeets, Tas Melas and Jason Doyle. Comments, questions and cold hard cash are always welcome and much appreciated. Contact us.
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