I don't get this guy. One of his main reasons for dissing the 2010 class is basically by saying 'that doesn't count' if they go to New York, L.A., Chicago, etc. He thinks that just because LeBron and Wade won't go to the Grizzlies or Kings, means that its a bad free agent class. The only real solid point he presents is about team needs, and how most of the cellar dwellers in the league right now already have quality wing players (a huge chunk of the 2010 class is SGs and SFs).
Kobe Bryant*, Carlos Boozer, Shawn Marion, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom, Hedo Turkoglu*, Mehmet Okur*, Andre Miller, Mike Bibby, Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson, Rasheed Wallace, Kyle Korver*, Anderson Varejao*, Drew Gooden, Stephon Marbury, Grant Hill, Brandon Bass, Joe Smith, Wally Szczerbiak, Zaza Pachulia and Anthony Parker. Jermaine O'Neal could join the group if he walks away from $23 million next season. (Don't hold your breath. There's no asterisk by Boozer because he's already said he's opting out next summer.) No mention of Ben Gordon.... There are a couple of gems in there if GMs want to get a year's leg up on the teams waiting for the 2010 class.
Doesn't seem all that. Kobe might opt out, but he's resigning with the Lakers. Beyond that, Boozer is okay, Marion is having a horrible season, and Artest hasn't really had that big of an impact with the Rockets. Turkoglu is pretty interesting. Wallace is getting old but he's still decent. AI? Eh, too much of a hassle for most teams. Kidd has lost a step. Varejao will most likely resign with the Cavs. There's some names there, but I don't really think it compares to 2010.
So true in the case of the Nuggets. I agree with this writer's main points: 1. Never underestimate any year's available players 2. Always consider the demand as well as the supply A point I will add: You can't win with just one or two $20,000,000 a year players automatically, you have to have quality, economical players at the mid and lower pay grades as well. Fortunately it's not just about who gets LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. They have to have quality teammates to win it all.
Oh now that Iverson has proved that he will do what is asked in order to win a Championship he's still too much of a hassle. Interesting.
