Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy, Ike Diogu and Keith McLeod to Indiana
Al Harrington, Stephen Jackson, Sarunas Jasikevicius and Josh Powell to Golden State
I haven't seen this many B-List Stars involved in one trade since Thomas Jane's SAG softball team traded infields with Jason Patric's. But seriously, can we really call this a blockbuster? The ramifications are big, but there's only 2 starters in the lot. What can't be denied is Don Nelson and Larry Bird should both be smiling. Troy Murphy is a very good player, and I like Diogu's upside, plus there'll be plenty of room for both of them to flourish in Indiana. Mike Dunleavy probably will be playing his ass off to please Larry Legend, so his numbers should look good. Marquis Daniels should gobble up departed Jasikevicius' minutes, and could return to significance. The best part for Larry is finding a home for Stephen Jackson on the other side of the country. Nelson's gotta love his newly un-congested front court, and Harrington should cut loose in Nelson's system, after all Nellie loves a guy who shoots 5 for 20 on the regular. The only questions are what life will be like for Monta, Matt Barnes, Pietrus, Biedrins, SteJax and eventually JRich. You gotta be thinking one more of these guys is on his way out before the trade deadline. Nelson's gotta be hoping SteJax is the next trade, but it might not be possible, in which case he's stuck with him, and he's gotta look to move JRich. Biedrins should be able to feel comfortable, he's been playing his ass off all year, but you never know when Nellie will decide to move Harrington to center...
So for the kids keeping score at home, here are the prognostications. Remember, call it like you see it:
Troy Murphy: Should get back to last season's usual business; double double with a 3 and a steal, maybe more if hard times should befall either Jeff Foster, or Jermaine O'Neal.
Al Harrington: Could be the biggest winner. 22pts, 8rebs, 3 dimes, 2 treys and a steal. The mohawk will test huge in the Bay Area market.
Mike Dunleavy: Expect more of the same from Jr. Although, no wait, he's a starter now. 20 pts, 7 rebs, 1.5 treys, at least until he remembers he's Mike Dunleavy.
Stephen Jackson: He'll battle with the popular Matt Barnes and Pietrus for minutes, but while Richardson is out he could still be a solid 6th man. Don't be surprised if he does something stupid, and gets multiple Warriors arrested. I'm seeing some sort of ugly incident at the Mitchell Brothers' O'Farrel Theatre, maybe in what's known as "the champagne room." Don't hold me to that one... wait, that's actually the only one you can hold me to.
Ike Diogu: Could see a significant uptick, but he'll have to start off on the bench. Don't be surprised if Ike gets up to 15 & 6 rebs by the end of the year.
Sarunas Jasikevicius: B-Diddy needs a backup, but I wouldn't expect magic from the J-Man.
Keith Mcleod: Who? Just kidding... kind of. Keith should continue to be a solid deep bench guy.
Josh Powell: What can I tell you about Josh Powell that hasn't already been said about The Horse Whisperer (with Robert Redford)? He's long, he's slow, and he's not gonna be doing much come Oscar time.
Golden State: Nellie's molding 'em in his image. I like Harrington, hate Jackson, love Sarunas, could take or leave Powell. Nice move unloading the two contract albatrosses around his neck, in TMurph and Dunleavy. But now he's stuck with Jackson.
Indiana: I've never criticized Larry before and I'm not gonna start now. He got rid of Jackson, and all it cost him was Harrington. I hope Dunleavy blossoms for him, but I'm not holding my breath. Indiana will still limp into the playoffs. They do seem distinctly soft now, right?
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
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