<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Denver Nuggets need some breathing space from luxury-tax territory. The Milwaukee Bucks need backcourt scoring to counter their injury crisis. That's why the teams, according to NBA front-office sources, are combining on a trade featuring Earl Boykins that will be announced later Thursday. Now 10 games into the Allen Iverson Era, Denver has agreed to send Boykins and little-used forward Julius Hodge to the Bucks for guard Steve Blake.</div> Link
Well, I liked Blake, but his shot and confidence have been absent on the court all season, and Boykins is at least the type of guy who will fit with the frenetic pace that Stotts seems intent on using. Boykins, however, is a defensive downgrade at the point and gives us yet another guy who can be exploited easily by opposing scorers. Boykins is a pretty solid pickup, and about as good a return on Blake as we're likely to get, but I guess the best way to categorize my feelings about Boykins is this: he was always a guy who I admired from afar, but wouldn't pick if my team was doing a fantasty draft EDIT: If Hodge can stay healthy and get himself back into the form he displayed in college, this could become a nice deal for us. I really liked him at NC State - he's a multiskilled wing player who defends and rebounds well. He's got a lot of springiness to him, mostly on the defensive end, and he's got pretty good awareness, especially having played for Herb Sendek in that quasi-Princeton offense he runs. Here's hoping that Hodge can become the player I thought he would be on draft day
Surprising news here. After how Earl Boykins has been playing, I wouldn't see why they'd want to trade Earl Boykins, unless if they are trying to clear some cap room. Good deal for Milwaukee bringing in Earl Boykins when Redd and Williams who have had huge season goes down with injuries.
Nice GM work by the Bucks IMO. Plain and simple they need help until their starters return to better health.
I think this was a terrible move for Denver. I like Steve Blake, but I don't foresee him getting any better, especially at age 27 next month. Boykins has consistently proved that he belongs in this league and although the Bucks do lose some height (and inevitably defense), the scoring punch they get will be far greater. With the injuries to the Bucks' top guns I wouldn't be surprised to see Boykins average 18+ points per game once he gets used to the system. The Bucks do play an up-tempo style of basketball and as we know he is definitely well-suited for that. They also get Julius Hodge. Being from Harlem, I've always supported Julius Hodge and at age 23, he has more than enough time to continue getting better. These injuries to the Bucks could be a blessing in disguise for him. Now he will get some playing time to prove his worth in this league. And with his versatility, I see him filling in at multiple positions for this team. So all in all this was a very nice pickup for the Bucks. They get a proven stud in Boykins who should be even better when Michael Redd and company returns, and they get a player with potential all for the price of Steve Blake, who has been strictly a defender the Bucks. Honestly, I think the Bucks lucked out considering Denver didn't demand at least a second rounder out of them. His shooting numbers (35% FG, 28% 3P, and 55% FT) have been atrocious this season, but I guess Larry Harris is a hustler. If the Bucks can float around the .500 realm with the Boykins, the way the Eastern Conference is now, they might still have a legitimate shot at the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">elevate Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">no doubt i mean honestly, i never heard of steve blake until now lol.</div> Lol, you serious?
This deal is just flat out a stupid move by the Nuggets. Boykins has been carrying them along side Iverson with all the Nugget suspensions. Not only do they trade away their back-up PG and a player on fire but they give away Hodge who could end up being a really good player in this league. Hodge's still got potential but he's been stunted talent wise after that shooting he was in. As for Steve Blake going to Nuggets, well they're making a financial move. This is just a horrible trade for them IMO. Not only do they lose a PG that will push the tempo but they got a much slower and inferior athlete for back-up PG. I think the Nuggets are going to stay a .500 team even when Melo gets back, they just don't look good at all.
<div class="quote_poster">C.MELO15 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Didn't Blake play for Portland before he was a Buck?</div>He was originally drafted by Washington after coming out of Maryland, and then went to Portlandif I'm correct.
I would have liked to see the trio of Melo/Iverson/Boykins but now it's now gonna happen. Very stupid move by the Nuggets, especially since Boykins is on fire right now.
