Restricted agency

BISdom: Obviously a gazillion people have written, talked, podcast, intimated, etc. about the new Miami Heat. But I feel like we need a new free agency blog. So, let's discuss anything free agency that's not Miami Heat. Why don't you start with your thoughts on the most compelling story that doesn't involve LeBron James? In other words, what's the most important move that nobody is talking about?

Benis: Man where to begin? Possibly with a thank you from our 1-2 readers that they weren't subjected to me bashing LeBron for 3,000 words and then admitting if I were him I would've done the same thing. Seriously though that dude sucks, and I am glad America finally sees it. Moving on because that is what I was prompted to do.

First since free agency isn't over I'm not sure the biggest move that no one is talking about will still be the same by the start of the 2010-11 season. But here's some thoughts on things I thought deserved more press than they received:

1) Kobe and Durant signing extensions with their current teams, not calling one hour specials, and just quietly taking care of their business. Arguably the two best players in the league (or 2 of the best 4) went about it the way the two of them go about their NBA business: Kobe in a business-like fashion and Durant like an unassuming kid, who's just thankful for what he's got. Now as an open and avid Kobe and Durant fan it's not surprising that this is number one on my list, but seriously this is BIG news. LA and OKC fans can breathe easier knowing they won't be publicly crushed by their team's Superduper Stars and that their team's future is secure.

2) Joe Johnson getting the biggest pay day of $119 million. Did anyone expect Joe "I shit the bed in the playoffs last year" (as I wrote about previously) Johnson to make more money this free agency period than LeBron, Wade, Bosh, and Amar'e? I find it hilarious. Hawks fans should be scared shitless...this contract will become so atrocious in 3 years that he may be victim of the Alan Houston Rule.

3) No one is discussing what is actually driving so many free agent deals...the almost guaranteed NBA lockout in 2011. It's so likely to happen the NBA Players Association sent letters to players' agents instructing them to pay their clients in a 24-month installment for this year's paycheck, instead of a 12-month as per usual. First of all, I had no idea that's how players got paid, and secondly, what a brilliant idea by the NBAPA. Seriously, with so many former NBA players in financial trouble (see Antoine Walker), this is a great move. Of course the real point is a lockout is happening, and that sucks.

4) Carlos Boozer to Chicago. He makes that team SO much better. Honestly I think the Bulls would win a 7 game series versus the Heat right now. Chicago needed a legit scoring option at the 4 and now they have it. Plus with rumors they are going to sign JJ Redick, I can't wait to make fun of a team with so many Duke players...if only they weren't going to be so good (because JJ would fit in perfectly there, with Booz, Rose, Noah and Deng). Dammit.

5) Tony Allen signing with the Grizzlies. This makes me sad personally because he was so fun to watch for me because for the entire time he was on the floor I knew our boy (and former guest blogger) Matty J was on the edge of his seat and swearing at the TV. I wish Boston had resigned him. I truly do.

That's 5 off the top of my head though I'm sure I'm missing something...your thoughts?

BISdom: If this were Around the Horn or PTI, this would be the point when Tony "Jheri curl" Reali would blast you for not following the rules or answering the question. I asked you to identify one story/move that is under the radar and important, not list every move that doesn't involve LeBron.

So, I suppose I'll have to steal one of your picks, since I don't really care about the Knicks.

I think Joe Johnson's return is a pretty compelling story. To your point about the salary, for some reason that I don't care to understand, free agents can make more money returning than leaving. Also, the Heat players took reduced salaries to play together.

Beyond that, Johnson – unlike Bosh, Wade, or LeBron – would have been leaving a team with a considerably stable and useful roster. With their retention of Johnson, the Hawks are maintaining a good (fairly young) nucleus of players: Mike "Old Man" Bibby (age 32), Johnson (29), Marvin Williams (24), Josh Smith (24), Al Horford (24), Zaza "Doesn't Need a Last Name" Pachulia (26), Jamal Crawford (30), and I'll throw in Jeff Teague (22) for Charles' sake.

The Hawks have made the Playoffs the past three years with roughly the same key players. There is really only one other NBA team that can say that (San Antonio). Admittedly the Hawks haven't killed it in the Playoffs (only winning two of their five series and never getting past round two), but if this is the year that they finally figure the Playoffs out, they could be a very dangerous (admittedly Eastern Conference) team.

I'm not calling the Hawks a championship contender, but I do think they've got a good core of young players, especially with the re-signing of Johnson. With most of the talk revolving around free agents bailing on their former teams, teams that stick together are usually ignored.

Now, to further avoid, or at least limit, Heat talk, which team (singular!) do you think is the biggest loser so far?

Benis: Well first of all I did answer the question..."First since free agency isn't over I'm not sure the biggest move that no one is talking about will still be the same by the start of the 2010-11 season"...and got bashed. I guess I'll try to answer your next question as directly as possible...of course after I rant about something else first:

You picked Joe Johnson resigning as being the "most important move that nobody is talking about"? Really? The East is LOADED next year with Miami, Orlando, Chicago, and the Celtics all being better than the Hawks. At least in my mind. That puts them at best a 5 seed. Then you look at an improved New York team thanks to Amar'e, and the Hawks could be looking at a 6 seed. In a much improved division, all the Hawks did was maintain (which may have been their only option honestly). And if their team wasn't good enough to make the Eastern Conference Finals last year, they damn sure won't make it next year.

If you were going to force me to pick one, I'd pick the pending lock out...but since I'm guessing we'll have plenty of chances to discuss that a year from now I'll move on to your 2nd question:

I think the team that is biggest loser so far is: (see I restated the question in my answer so I don't get chastised)...

LeBron's Camp for the way they handled "The Decision"...just kidding, no LeBron talk...

The Charlotte B-B-B-B-Bobcats. In a league where everyone is getting better, they appear to be getting worse. Here's a list of reasons why:

1) The departure of Raymond Felton (to the NY Knicks, where he will put up gaudy numbers in Mike D'Antoni's system). This hurts on multiple levels but most importantly...the 'Cats have no real contingency plan at point guard. And don't try to convince me that D.J. Augustine (the only PG on the roster [until they signed Shaun Livingston after Benis wrote this]) is their contingency plan. Plus it's my understanding that Larry Brown is not a D.J. fan. (Can I be the first to revamp the Iverson to Charlotte rumor?)

2) Larry Brown himself. He is either the #1 reason this team succeeds next year or he is one of the reasons they fail. But the 'Cats are losers this year because we're reaching that point in the Larry Brown experiment where he traditionally gives up on a team and either starts trading players away (which he'll have the power to do with MJ in the front office) or he starts throwing them under the bus and alienating them. (Warning to Charlottonians, do not hang out with Steven Jackson at a strip club after LB throws him under the bus...actually I personally kinda want to be there. It'll be like swimming with sharks.)

3) The 'Cats didn't get better. I just bitched at Atlanta for maintaining only, but the 'Cats aren't even doing that. First of all, they had no draft picks in this year's draft. This is from years of shitty trades. There are honestly too many to count or go through, plus I've already written more about the Bobcats than ANYONE cares to ready (even 'Cats fans) so let's move on. Secondly they made this trade. Let's just call it the latest dip on the Matt Carroll rollercoaster. (The high points: his surprise play two years ago and trading away his horrific contract. The low points: signing him to the horrific contract and trading for his horrific contract. Hopefully for Charlotte the ride ends pleasantly.) Outside of Carroll the 'Cats get Erik Dampier's contract (the main piece received in return for Chandler) and Najera…who, even though I did a project in my collegiate Spanish class on him, I have little admiration for.

4) They play in the South Eastern Division. I just listed above the teams that are better than the Hawks in the Eastern Conference. Well add the Hawks to that list and those are at least 7 teams better than the 'Cats as they currently stand. Oh and to make matters worse, Miami, Orlando, and Atlanta are all in the same division as the 'Cats. (Not to mention #1 overall draft pick John Wall's Wizards…I'm guessing he averages about 20-12-8 against D.J. Augustine this year.) If you're a season ticket holder you're in for quite a show with multiple games against some of the NBA's – let alone the Eastern Conference's – best teams. Just don't expect many wins.

5) Bad Timing. The 'Cats made their (brief) debut in the Playoffs last year, and honestly, there was a small "buzz" in Charlotte again about the NBA, something that died years ago thanks to George Shinn. (Get it, "buzz" because Charlotte used to be home of the Hornets?) To take a step back this year with another losing team will crush any momentum the franchise has in terms of popularity.

Add losing on the court to losing fans as a franchise and the 'Cats (notice how I refuse to refer to them as the Bobcats since that pompous asshole Bob Johnson named the team after himself and then sold them after realizing he didn't know how to own a sports team) are by far positioning themselves as the team that appears to be the biggest loser thus far.

BISdom: So, we agree that you didn't answer the first question. Good.

One final note on the Hawks, a comparison: the Hawks are getting older and more experienced; the Celtics are getting older and slower. Yes, Atlanta maintained, but they maintained an improving team.

As for the loser, this is almost breaking the rules, but I'm going to pick the Cavs. Yes they lost LeBron, but I think they're really the losers this year because their owner, the Quicken Loans guy, proved himself to be an insufferable douchebag and a big whiny baby, with no sense of tact.

Certainly he had a right to be upset, and I am in no way defending "The Decision," but Gilbert's response seemed petty and, frankly, stupid. Just like you never promise crazy a baby, you don't promise championships to Cleveland fans, especially when your best player is a point guard who didn't even lead his team in assists last season (or anything, really).

Gilbert promised the Cavs would win a championship before LeBron does, but I'd argue that the Indians are more likely to win a championship before the Cavs.

The only thing Cleveland gained this offseason is sympathy, which means the fans and the media will be more forgiving of their mediocrity, which means the current team members will stick around longer, which means the inevitable implosion and rebuilding will only be delayed.

Benis: Chastise me for breaking the rules then YOU cop out and do it? Totally uncool. Though I agree, the Cavs are definitely losers this year. At least Cleveland should be used to it.