- Big trouble in talks between the Lakers and Lamar Odom. ESPN's Marc Stein outlines that differences in state tax could make offers from the Heat or Mavericks more valuable than they'd initially appear. And consider this Heat scenario: "One source close to the process said Odom, [if the Lakers aren't a possibility] would likely favor a return to the Heat, which would be a strong statement by Miami management to 2010 free agent-to-be Dwyane Wade. The Heat could theoretically sign Odom, trade for Utah's Carlos Boozer and then re-sign Boozer in the summer of 2010 without needing salary-cap space because Miami would own Boozer's Bird rights. Those moves would set Wade up to be flanked by two quality forwards and almost certainly enhance the Heat's chances of convincing their star to stay."
- Dave D'Alessandro of the Newark Star-Ledger pokes fun at a lot of the nuttier incentives that are in NBA contracts. "Adonal Foyle gets $500,000 if he wins MVP, and another $500K if he wins MVP of the NBA Finals. Wonder how many gin and tonics the GM and agent went through before they came up with those. Or how many times did the guys pass the bottle around before they figured that Luke Ridnour would merit an extra $1.5 million for winning Defensive Player of the Year? Here's something the Knicks might want to know: If Carlos Boozer plays 65 games, averages more than 32 minutes, and finishes in the top 12 in boards (total or average), he gets $333,333. To which we say, the guy is getting $12.6 million, fercryinoutloud, why should his team expect anything less than top 12 in boards?" I'm actually cool with all of these. The Foyle and Ridnour clauses do nothing to the team, but might make the player feel a little better about signing. And the Boozer one ... what that tells us is that his base salary is really more like $12.9, but the team gets a little bump if the guy is out for half the season, or wholly ineffective. That's a lot better than just paying him $12.9. If I ran an NBA team, I'd put a lot of thought, and money, into incentives. The thing that struck me as insane is that a lot of players are incented to do things like become an All-Star, or score a certain amount. Both of those are inspirations to hog the ball, which is a way for most players to hurt a team.
- Morris Almond, former Jazz player and now with the Knicks' summer league team, on video on MSG.com talking about the difference in coaching styles: "Phil Weber, you know the first thing he said before we went out there was 'if you have an open look, take it.' Hadn't heard that in a while, so that makes basketball fun again."
- Looking ahead: Who might, in theory, have money for Rajon Rondo?
- More than a few NBA players have gotten in trouble for driving their cars like they were in a video game, but this guy -- not an NBA player -- takes the cake. (Via Kottke.)
- The Warriors' Anthony Randolph, getting to the cup again and again yesterday.
- Royce Young of Daily Thunder on the darling of Orlando Pro Summer League, Serge Ibaka: "Serge Ibaka has kind of disappeared in Vegas. After averaged 13 and four on almost 70 percent shooting in Orlando, he put up just three points and three rebounds, hitting just one of his four shots. He also turned it over five times and was bullied on the boards. He not playing with anywhere near the focus and intensity he was last week. Has that little contract he signed already gone to his head? Surely not, but something's up. I liked last week's Chewie much better. One play to point out about Ibaka: Early in the fourth quarter, Morrison was at the free throw line and misses his second attempt. Ibaka halfway blocked out David Monds and the ball went right over Ibaka's head. Monds manhandled Ibaka, grabbing the board and then went right back up and in. I like Ibaka a lot -- a whole lot -- but that's not going to cut it if he wants to make this roster."
- The Suns say they like Channing Frye for his ability to hit jumpers. But it seems a little risky, as his jumper just took a year off. Last year his effective field goal percentage on jumpers was 44%. If that number jumps appreciably this year in Phoenix, it will speak volumes to the ability of coaches and teammates to build a player's confidence as a shooter. UPDATE: John Hollinger with insight: "He actually shoots long twos way better than the league average (which is almost exactly 40%). His problem is that those were more than half his shots -- tough way to make a living when you get no free throw attempts and no 3s."
- UPDATE: Sean May sure seems to think Sean May is at the top of his game these days.
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