He can jump if nothing else! [video=youtube;W6xizIJh2kw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6xizIJh2kw[/video]
I don't think we have acknowledged how slick we were in getting Hickson tonight. GS made a monumental mistake, and we pounced all over them.
Hickson is Batum-quality, though more PF style than SF. Batum's a passer and Hickson's a rebounder, but they're about as good as each other overall. He fell into waivers due to inconsistency. My point is that Batum should note and beware. The same fate could await him a couple of years and a couple of teams from now.
Zero risk fliers on guys with talent who maybe didn't have the right situation ... and if he sucks the worst that happens is they cut bait and he helps improve the team's draft position. Explain to me how this is a turrible move?
Excellent move for the future. Big difference between restricted FA and UFA. That just became one less hole we need to fill and we gave up nothing. Were there any locker room issues regarding this guy? Now if we resign him and Batum we will still have 12-13 million to play with and two potential lottery picks.
I heard we have Batum's bird rights, So we can sign a big name to a large contract like 13-15 mil and still match whatever contract for batum and not be over the cap. Anyone know if this is true?
I'm guessing yes. 2 teams gave up on him for no apparent reason. Maybe he's unlikeable. The Oregonian's specialty is ruining a player's reputation because Quick dislikes him, so we'll find out.
I definitely like the move. If he can stay healthy, he would be the ideal back up that could really push LaMarcus in practice. As a low risk and potential high reward, the Blazers got this one right.
Good move at least on paper. Hickson has produced at a decent rate already in his short career, which is why it seems odd that he was available on waivers. It's unlikely he'll impact the team's win loss from here on out as he doesn't play in the backcourt. Rest assured Titanic fans, Jonny Flynn isn't coming to the rescue either STOMP
Well I think being 27 million under to begin the summer will make that a moot point. But if we do go over, then we are over and PA has to pay extra. But unless Deron decides he loves the NW, I think we will be OK in regards. to the cap.
"$27M under" would have to be ignoring cap holds, which are pretty relevant. I detailed this a few days ago. Counting Batum, Claver, Freeland, and our first-round pick(s), we will probably have over $10M in holds reducing our cap space. This is particularly significant in relation to the Hickson signing, because HIS cap hold for this summer is over $5.8M. In order to retain his RFA status, we'd have to commit about a third of our remaining available cap space to him. I doubt that happens.
A couple of interesting takes about JJ love affair: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl7kAv8Wweo Disasterous start: http://www.fearthesword.com/2012/2/16/2796528/inside-j-j-hicksons-disastrous-start-in-sacramento As with most young players, it sounds like he could use a veteran influence.
He's career 0 for 7. Maybe you're thinking of Strickland. Strickland Hickson, they all run together in my memory. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hicksjj01.html
Danny Ferry. http://bkref.com/tiny/uKQ4n Link won't work. He's the only Cav with at least 25 3pt attempts, shooting at least 39%, at least 6 foot 9. He did it for about 5 or 6 seasons.