End of a journey - Pippen, Rodman and Kukoc leave Chicago/Jordan behind
It was the most discussed question prior to this off-season.. and it has been answered quickly: the Bulls as we knew them for years won't be no more! On first day of free agency, Scottie Pippen (5-time champion with the Bulls) announced a 2-year-contract (worth 21.45mm) with Cleveland, where he'll join Shawn Kemp.. Pippen played 11 seasons for Chicago, collecting 5 titles together with Jordan and was in All-NBA 1st-team for three times. He averaged 17.1ppg in 68 games last season, grabbing a career-low 4.6rpg. His decision maybe led to this Bulls, who failed to defend their NBA title this year, breaking in parts: Toni Kukoc (playing for the Bulls since 1993, averaging 11.1ppg and shooting .401 from 3-point-range last season) will join Timberwolves' young-guns Garnett/Marbury, while rebound-ace Dennis Rodman (9.3rpg, 2nd in NBA, last year) signed a one-year deal with Washington!
MVP Michael Jordan just re-signed a new contract extension with Chicago, but will now face an uncertain future with his team. Coach Phil Jackson will have to find a whole new strategy, as it's unlikely that the Bulls will find even-strong players as a replacement for this key-rotation. So what, MJ? "His airness" didn't comment on this news yesterday. Is there any good news in this? Well.. Cap-space for next year, maybe? And wait.. Steve Kerr re-signed with Chicago, too..
The Houston Rockets keep rebuilding and they do very well: veteran center Vlade Divac (aged 31) signed a 4-year-contract (worth 58mm $) with the franchise. The rebuilt of the Rockets is one of the most interesting stories in 1997/98 campaign and with the off-season becoming a success for Houston, it seems like the plan of GM Carroll Dawson and coach Rudy Tomjanovich works fine: Keith Van Horn (17ppg as a rookie), Kerry Kittles (17ppg as a sophomore, both acquired via trade for 1998's 2nd pick Nowitzki), Divac (8rpg with the Hornets last year) and a possible draft steal (Michael Olowokandi) look like very strong additions - the Rockets are back!
And the Bulls? Probably not.. Losing Pippen, Kukoc and Rodman will be one tough challenge for Michael Jordan and "his" Bulls. The biggest fishes in Free Agency (Antonio McDyess, promising guard Steve Nash or center Elden Campbell) haven't announced a decision yet and even if they go for Chicago - there's no "fishes" like Pippen or Rodman on the market left.. At least, the Bulls were able to sign forward Clarence Weatherspoon (29 years old), who averaged 6.8rpg - but only 2.9points - for the Warriors last season. He'll join Chicago on a 4-years-deal (24mm) and is the most promising addition to the team, which also signed veteran guard Vinny Del Negro, Gary Trent, LaPhonso Ellis and Dennis Scott. No All-star-material though..
@fernando97: Thanks! Glad you like the story. And yes, the Grizzlies should improve a bit with those picks, and we will announce two free agents-additions soon
Top-Free Agents sign new deals - The Suns lose both McDyess (Sixers) and Nash (Trailblazers)
Two of the most-wanted free agents found new teams for 1998/99 campaign: Antonio McDyess (aged 25) and Steve Nash (25) will both leave the Phoenix Suns and join two promising franchises.
McDyess, now entering his 4th season in NBA, leaves Phoenix after just one season, his worst so far (in case of scoring): 11.6ppg and 7.5rpg in 27 minutes. The power forward, 2nd pick in 1995 draft (Clippers), averaged 18.3ppg in his sophomore season 1996/97 (with Denver). McDyess now signed a 62-million-deal (over 5 years) with Philadelphia, where he will join Allan Iverson and a franchise that looks promising for the upcoming years.
Steve Nash, who averaged 6.2ppg and 1.9apg as a sophomore last season, will join the Portland Trailblazers for 4 years (and 50 million). The Canadian point guard, 15th pick in 1996 draft, had no chance to play more than 14 minutes per game in Phoenix, where Jason Kidd ranked 2nd in NBA with 7.9 assists. Portland also managed to expend the expiring contract of Rasheed Wallace and they acquired All-Star and future Hall-of-Famer Clyde Drexler on draft night.
Grizzlies sign Damon Stoudamire and Brent Barry - "Big O" will replace waived Daugherty
The Vancouver Grizzlies continue to upgrade their roster. Free agent-guards Damon Stoudamire (25 years old) and Brent Barry (27) came to terms on multiple-million-deals with the Canadian franchise.
Stoudamire, 7th pick in 1995 Draft and Rookie of the year with the Raptors back then, signed a 3-year-contract, which will bring him 23 million dollar. The 5'10" small point guard averaged 19.9 points and 5.5 assists in 82 games for Portland last season, his 3rd consecutive season with at least 19ppg. His assists dropped 9 to 5 though, while his shooting (.395 FG) still has to be improved as well.. Stoudamire is expected to play as Vancouver's starting point guard, replacing sophomore-to-be Bobby Jackson.
Brent Barry was traded from Miami to Indiana during 1997/98 season, averaging 8.4 points in 79 games. Barry now enters his 4th season in NBA after spending two years with the Clippers, where he had his best season as a rookie 1995/96 (10.1ppg, 44 games as a starter). "We had to play small forward Sam Mack as shooting guard last year, and now we have Vince Carter and Barry, that's great", said Grizzlies' coach Brian Hill on this signing. Barry agreed on a 2-year-deal worth 11.40mm.
In other news, the Grizzlies waived injury-proned returnee Brad Daugherty (9.4ppg in 40 games with Vancouver last year) and signed Oliver "Big O" Miller as his replacement. Miller, who is known as "The Big O" because of his large size (6-foot-9, over 300 pounds), averaged 3.6 points in 72 games for Toronto and Phoenix last season, fighting with his weight problems (he was listed 280lbs as a rookie back in 1992, while now he's listed at 310). Anyway, he Grizzlies do hope that Miller can repeat the numbers he had with Toronto in 1995/96 (12.9ppg, 7.4rpg).
San Antonio (last season: 51-31, 4th East, 2R Playoffs)
In: Scott Burrell (Bulls)
Depth Charts:
PG | Avery Johnson (69)
SG | Scott Burrell (79) | Jim Jackson (74) | Chuck Person (67)
SF | Sean Elliott (75) | Malik Rose (72)
PF | Tim Duncan (92) | Kevin Willis (76) | Carlos Herrera (62)
C | David Robinson (90) | Will Perdue (73)
Key players: Duncan (21.3ppg, 8.6rpg), Robinson (20.9ppg, 9.2ass), Burrell (5.9ppg with Chicago), Willis (14.2ppg with Houston/SA) Star player: Duncan (Age: 23, Salary: 3.41mm, 2yrs 7mm)
PG | Travis Best (75) | Marc Jackson (74)
SG | Reggie Miller (81) | Fred Hoiberg (74)
SF | Charles Barkley (82) | Derrick McKey (69)
PF | Dale Davis (78) | Mark O'Bryant (55)
C | Rik Smits (80) | Antonio Davis (78)
Key players: Barkley (12.0ppg, 6.6rpg with Houston/IND), Miller (26.5ppg), Smits (24.3ppg, 7.1rpg) Star player: Barkley (Age: 36, Salary: 6.03mm, 1yr)
Houston Rockets (last season: 35-47, 9th West)
In: Michael Olowokandi (draft, 11th pick), Keith Van Horn, Kerry Kittles (both New Jersey, via trade), Vlade Divac (Charlotte Hornets), Nazr Mohammed (draft, 24th pick), Olden Polynice (Sacramento)
Depth Charts:
PG | Derek Fisher (76) | Brent Price (65)
SG | Kerry Kittles (82) | Michael Williams (73)
SF | Jalen Rose (78) | Marvin Owens (62)
PF | Keith Van Horn (78) | Olden Polynice (70)
C | Vlade Divac (82) | Michael Olowokandi (74) | Nazr Mohammed (61)
Key players: Divac (6.5ppg, 8.1rpg with Hornets), Kittles (17.3ppg with NJ), Van Horn (17.4ppg with NJ), Rose (14.8ppg with Indiana/HOU) Star player: Divac (Age: 31, Salary: 12.5mm, 4yrs 58mm)
Atlanta Hawks (last season: 49-33, 6th East, 1R Playoffs)
In: Keon Clark (draft, 20th pick), Joe Smith (Philadelphia), Anthony Riley, Radoslav Nesterovic (draft, 2nd round)
Depth Charts:
PG | Mookie Blaylock (77) | Ed Gray (70)
SG | Doug Christie (82) | Anthony Riley (63)
SF | Steve Smith (82) | Tyrone Corbin (72)
PF | Joe Smith (78) | Christian Laettner (77) | Mark Strickland (75)
C | Dikembe Mutombo (85) | Keon Clark (69) | Radoslav Nesterovic (62)
Key players: Mutombo (8.8ppg, 9.2rpg, 1.8bpg), Steve Smith (23.5ppg, .441 3P%), Joe Smith (15.4ppg with Philadelphia) Star player: Mutombo (Age: 33, Salary: 11.22mm, 3yrs 38.44mm)
In: Steve Nash (Phoenix), Clyde Drexler (Denver, via trade), Greg Anthony (Seattle)
Depth Charts:
PG | Steve Nash (77) | Greg Anthony (76)
SG | Clyde Drexler (81) | Isiah Rider (78)
SF | Walt Williams (77)
PF | Rasheed Wallace (81) | Brian Grant (78)
C | Jermaine O'Neal (79) | Arvydas Sabonis (76) | Kelvin Cato (71)
LA Lakers (last season: 50-32, 5th West, 1R Playoffs)
In: Roshown McLeod (draft, 23rd pick), Randy Livingston
Depth Charts:
PG | Nick Van Exel (80) | Randy Livingston (62)
SG | Eddie Jones (87) | Jon Barry (70) | Roshown McLeod (63)
SF | Kobe Bryant (87) | Mario Elie (69)
PF | Robert Horry (84) | Rick Fox (78)
C | Shaquille O'Neal (90) | Hakeem Olajuwon (83) | Sean Rooks (67)
Chicago Bulls (last season: 55-27, 2nd East, 1R Playoffs)
In: Clarence Weatherspoon (Golden State), Dennis Scott (Phoenix), LaPhonso Ellis (Denver), Vinny Del Negro (Spurs), Gary Trent (Toronto), Matt Harpring (draft, 28th pick)
Depth Charts:
PG | Ron Harper (74) | Steve Kerr (69)
SG | Michael Jordan (91) | Vinny Del Negro (73)
SF | Dennis Scott (74) | LaPhonso Ellis (77)
PF | Clarence Weatherspoon (79) | Gary Trent (75) | Matt Harpring (65)
C | Luc Longley (73) | Dickey Simpkins (64)
Key players: Jordan (31.1ppg, 5.7rpg) Star player: Jordan (Age: 36, Salary: 10.02mm, 2yrs 21.03mm)
Philadelphia 76ers (last season: 39-43, 10th East)
In: Antonio McDyess (Phoenix), Cliff Davis, Ricky Davis (draft, 13th pick), Brian Skinner (draft, 45th pick)
Depth Charts:
PG | Allan Iverson (89) | Eric Snow (69)
SG | Aaron McKie (73) | Ricky Davis (64)
SF | Tim Thomas (80) | Anthony Parker (71)
PF | Antonio McDyess (85) | Scott Williams (70) | Brian Skinner (64)
C | Theo Ratliff (81) | Shawnelle Scott (69)
Key players: Iverson (27.1ppg, 4.4apg), McDyess (11.6ppg, 7.5rpg with Phoenix), Thomas (15.1ppg, 5.0rpg) Star player: Iverson (Age: 24, Salary: 3.54mm, 1yr)
In: Toni Kukoc, Jud Buechler (both Chicago), Mark Sanford, Fabricio Oberto (draft, 15th pick)
Depth Charts:
PG | Stephon Marbury (83) | Jud Buechler (73)
SG | Anthony Peeler (77) | Chris Carr (69) | Reggie Jordan (67)
SF | Toni Kukoc (82) | Tom Hammonds (66)
PF | Kevin Garnett (90) | Walter McCarty (74) | Mark Sanford (63)
C | Tom Gugliotta (80) | Fabricio Oberto (62)
I forgot to comment for a while and it would be a shame, because you are putting great effort into this Tsmoha, these trade and draft reports + this depth chart report, they are fantastic (my bet for the surprise are Rockets with their rebuilded dynasty).
But we are here because of Vancouver and i like your draft picks and free agents signed, this will be the breakthrough season for the Grizzlies, battle for the playoffs at least.
I am really looking forward to some Air Canada hangtime from Vince and some physical presence from Antawn.
Good luck for the new season.
@ste: Not sure about the lakers. They do have a bad team-chemistry, both kobe and hakeem (for example) are -10 on their overall rating because of this.
@avin: thanks for the comment and kind words on the reports, mate! I know this thread is pcm-off-topic, so it's nice to see you 'checking in' from time to time
Glad you like our offseason-moves. Even though i'm not sure if we will battle for playoffs that fast i will post the new grizzlies-team soon!
Free Agency wrap-up and how the teams look with the off-season finished
Part II (Notable free agents + Grizzlies special)
New Jersey sign George McCloud
Golden State sign Grant Long Golden State sign Shandon Anderson Golden State sign Matt Geiger
Sacramento sign Elden Campbell
Orlando sign Gheorghe Muresan Orlando sign Isaac Austin Orlando sign Mark Price
Charlotte Hornets sign Cherokee Parks
New York sign Derrick Coleman
Washington sign Dennis Rodman Washington sign Charles Oakley
G | Damon Stoudamire | 5-10, 171 lbs | Arizona | 3 (experience)
G | Vince Carter | 6-6, 215 lbs | North Carolina | R
F | Shareef Abdur-Rahim | 6-9, 225 lbs | California | 2
F | Michael Smith | 6-9, 230 lbs | Providence | 4
C | Bryant Reeves | 7-0, 275 lbs | Oklahoma State | 3
G | Bobby Jackson | 6-1, 185 lbs | Minnesota | 1
F | Antawn Jamison | 6-8, 220 lbs | North Carolina | R
G | Brent Barry | 6-6, 185 lbs | Oregon State | 3
F | Tony Massenburg | 6-9, 220 lbs | Maryland | 6
F | Bruce Bowen | 6-7, 185 lbs | California State | 3
C | Oliver Miller | 6-9, 320 lbs | Arkansas | 6
F | Sam Mack | 6-7, 220 lbs | Houston | 4
G | Stephen Jackson | 6-8, 218 lbs | Butler County | 1
G | Rodrick Rhodes | 6-6, 225 lbs | Southern California | 1
G | Anthony Carter | 6-1, 190 lbs | Hawaii | R
