SH Blog: Ty Lawson signs contract extension with Nuggets, Granger out indefinitely

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There are a number of noteworthy players that are on the verge of becoming a restricted free agent by season’s end, including guards Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans and others. Why? Because their respective teams have yet to decide whether they are worth the long-term investment. James Harden was also among the boat of players looking to receive a contract extension, but we all know how that ended up (he is preparing to suit up for the Rockets).

There has to be a certain sense and level of uncertainty when contract talks drag out, so it’s always a relief for both parties when things come to a resolution. That is the case for Denver guard Ty Lawson, who is set to be with the team for the next four years after signing an extension with the team on Tuesday.

Before we get to that sweet little news (if you are a Nuggets fan, anyway), be sure to check SheridanHoops staff predictions for the upcoming season and browse around. You may find some of Sheridan’s picks quite… interesting.

Onto news around the league:

  • Ty Lawson has finally come to an agreement with the Denver Nuggets on a long-term deal, according to Marc. J. Spears of Yahoo Sports: “The Denver Nuggets have reached agreement with point guard Ty Lawson on a four-year, $48 million contract extension, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Lawson, who turns 25 on Saturday, agreed to the extension one day before the NBA’s deadline. He would have become a restricted free agent at the end of the season if he and the Nuggets hadn’t come to terms. Lawson averaged career highs of 16.4 points and 6.6 assists in 61 games for the Nuggets last season. He was the 18th overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft.”
The NBA has suspended Clippers Matt Barnes one game for pleading out in California state court to incident with police. He'll sit opener.
October 30, 2012 4:08 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite
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Adrian Wojnarowski

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SH Blog: Harden was devastated and stunned after trade, Stoudemire to miss at least six weeks

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It has been a couple of days now since the Thunder traded away a big part of their future in James Harden, but that hardly stopped anyone from still buzzing about it all.

Who won the trade? Did the Thunder give up on their chance to contend after making it to the Finals last season over money? What does it mean for the Rockets, who suddenly look a whole lot more interesting?

Our columnist Chris Bernucca was far from thrilled with the idea of the Thunder being content with keeping a sustainable team. Sheridan shared similar sentiments in this video, but fellow blogger Jeremy Bauman thought only time can tell who really won in this deal.

Plenty of others shared their thoughts about it all. See them below along with news you should know heading into the season opener:

  • James Harden talked about his initial reaction to being traded, from Ben Golliver of SI: “James Harden’s “Welcome to Houston” media tour continued throughout Sunday, and after getting out in front of the biggest question — whether he will sign with the Rockets long term — he did double back to admit that he was caught by surprise when the Oklahoma City Thunder abruptly traded him late Saturday night. “I was actually at dinner with my family,” Harden told CSNHouston’s Kelli Johnson. “Enjoying dinner, nice and quiet. I got a text from my general manager, Sam Presti. I called him. He told me that he loved me and that things didn’t work out and that I was going to be coming to Houston. I was kind of stunned, but as I thought about it, it could be a good thing for me.” The next morning, Harden was on his way to Houston, jumping through the necessary hoops that go with being moved. “A whirlwind,” he said. “Having to pack my things, get as much as possible, having physicals, getting to meet the team and the front office here, it’s been great. It’s kind of a loss for words.”
  • Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman has the inside scoop on the discussion that went on between Sam Presti and Harden and his agent in the final hour before the trade: “But Sam Presti told him. Presti’s lips now are sealed, but sources from both parties said that the Thunder appealed one final time to Harden on Friday. Upped its offer to $53 million over four years but told Harden if he didn’t take it, he would be traded to Houston. Presti didn’t use that as a warning. He used it as a plea. He desperately wanted to keep Harden, but this was the last best offer. And the Thunder gave Harden an hour to accept. It wasn’t that Presti was trying to play hardball, necessarily. He was on the clock. That deal with the Rockets wouldn’t last forever; Houston wanted Harden early enough to sign him to a contract extension by the Halloween deadline. Presti had decided that if Harden wouldn’t sign an extension with OKC, a preseason deal offered the Thunder its best leverage. Harden, through his agent, said he needed three days. Presti stood firm on one hour. And 60 minutes later, Presti called the Rockets and consummated a rare NBA October blockbuster trade.”
  • Daryl Morey was quite proud to be able to land a player of James’ caliber, from Golliver:

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SH Blog: Jordan unhappy with Barkley’s criticism, James wants to be best of all time

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When you want to hear a candid opinion about any given subject, there may not be a better NBA personnel to listen to than Sir Charles Barkley.

The Van Gundy brothers are up there as well, but Barkley just has a way of grabbing you by the balls about what he has to say. He will be honest about anyone, even if it’s about his best friend Michael Jordan, who – as you’ll find out below – doesn’t exactly appreciate the brutal truth.

See how Jordan reacted to Barkley’s negative criticism of him, along with other news items below.

Before you do, be sure to check out Moke Hamilton’s column on the dark horses of the upcoming season. He has Evan Turner for most improved.

  • Charles Barkley explained why it was important for him to be honest about the job Michael Jordan has done, from Steven Cuce of Sports Radio Interviews: “I thought my name was S.O.B and M.F., like damn, I couldn’t even say anything. I said, ‘Dude I can’t get on the radio and tell people you been doin’ a good job… “He’s relying on our friendship and I said, ‘Dude, I love you, you one of my best friends, period. You been there for me, I been there for you but.’ I think he got mad; he surrounded himself with people. One of the really difficult things about being famous, all your friends, you’re paying all the bills, they’re flying around on your private jet, very few of your friends are ever gonna disagree with you… But dude, you gotta get better people to wear on you if you’re gonna be successful. … You gotta have friends around you who [are] not afraid to say, ‘Oh that guy can’t play.’ And we’re cool now.”
  • How good does LeBron James want to be? The best ever, according to The AP: ”I want to be the best of all-time,” James said in an interview with The Associated Press. “It’s that simple.” He expressed similar sentiment last year, and the year before that, and probably all the way back to high school in Akron, Ohio. He always wondered if a championship would change that perspective. He now has his answer. ”Not really, honestly,” James said. “I haven’t had much time to really just think about what actually happened. At the end of the day, there’s still going to be people that say, well, he’s not going to be able to win two. He’s not going to be able to do it again.” Time will tell.”

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SH Blog: Stern sets date for last day as Commissioner, Rubio and Lin compared to Nash

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commissionerHave you ever read the book “When the Game Was Ours”?

It’s about the rise, rivalry and friendship of two of the finest players in the history of the NBA in Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, and how their love and passion for the game of basketball helped shape the NBA into what it is today.

What you also find out in the book is the role of one David Stern, who wasn’t always hated and booed at every basketball event he attended. When the game was nowhere near as popular as it is now – the word “globally” wasn’t even a consideration – it was Stern who sought to spread the greatness of this game. It was he who helped promote and commercialize big names like Bird, Johnson and Jordan (of course, their greatness allowed the possibilities).

Stern has been at the top as the NBA Commissioner for nearly three decades, and while it wasn’t always great, the game has steadily grown all around the world under his guidance. The global expansion of the NBA is undeniable, and sometimes you have to look at the big picture of one’s accomplishments.

So when he steps down on Feb. 1, 2014, hopefully the world will appreciate the amount of work this man has put into the game we love, even if our recent memory indicates otherwise.

To read more about Stern, be sure to check out the “Easy Dave” that not enough of us knew about in Chris Sheridan’s column.

On to Thursday’s noteworthy items:

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Five reasons to feel positive about the Los Angeles Clippers

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(This is another in a series of 30 guest columns that will run in October, when optimism reigns supreme across the NBA. The theme will be “Five Reasons to Feel Positive About … ” We encourage you to follow the authors on Twitter and visit their sites. – CS)

Heading into the 2012-13 season, the Clippers find themselves in unfamiliar territory: coming off a playoff appearance and a first-round series victory, with high expectations. After just five trips to the playoffs in 34 seasons in California, expectations remain a very foreign concept to LA’s other team.

Unfortunately, the last time the Clippers were in this situation, things did not go well. In 2006, coming off a trip to the second round where they were within a play or two of a trip to the Western Conference finals, the Clippers stumbled badly and missed the playoffs entirely.

This season figures to be different, though. Here are five reasons why:

1. Chris Paul is pretty good

In fact, Paul is better than pretty good; he’s the best point guard in the NBA and was deservedly third in MVP voting last season. It is difficult to quantify what he means on a basketball court, and indeed what he means to the Clippers. Leaving aside the raw numbers (19.8 points, 9.1 assists, a league-leading 2.5 steals, the second best assist-to-turnover ratio in the league, a true shooting percentage of .581) which are impressive enough, Paul is the king of the intangibles. He is an incomparable leader, ultra-competitive, and among the best closers in the NBA.

Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro is often criticized for having an unimaginative offense, but with Paul at the controls, the Clippers were fourth in offensive efficiency last season. And when it’s time for a final play, there’s not much need to draw something up – just give the ball to Paul and let him create. It’s highly unlikely the Clippers will have a dropoff this season, if only because Paul won’t let them.

2. The bench is deeper and better

The Clippers return their entire starting lineup from the beginning of last season, and that will be the starting lineup this season as well once Chauncey Billups – recently cleared for full contact practices – is fully recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon in February. But the Clippers also have seven new faces on the roster. They’ve essentially turned over their entire bench, filling it with a host of starter quality players.

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