We're literally talking VHS here.

I have high hopes of becoming a retired basketball fan.

Well I believe Joe received a fair deal. If darko were to come out of the draft today he would be a draft choice between 8 through 12. Shedding arroyo's salary would cost a few drops in the draft posiions. So presto this about fifteen ( in a deep draft). Darko was unhappy he had to leave so Joe did reasonably well. If a player produces on a rookie contract that is the ultimate for a GM

Remember, if he was an 8-12 draft pick this year, his salary would be very low compared to what it is going to be. You don't think every team would be chomping at the bit right now to get Darko Milicic signed up for the next 4 years at $4M per year? In that price range, he'd be a very hot commodity. Like #3 behind Oden and Durrant.

The thing that screws this up is that you get the top rookies for below market prices. If you had to pay them a market price, then Oden would easily be getting $8M/year right out of the gate... and would therefor not be as desirable.

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"Will was rolling, wasn't he? I roll with the guy that's hot." MC

Everyone keeps forgetting about the cap space. Without moving Darko and Arroyo, we would not have the room to re-sign Hunter, sign Murray/Mohammed. We would have had to pay luxury tax which is almost 1.5~2 times the overage.

At #8~12, Darko would be in line to receive between $1.94 and $1.54 million to start. But he wouldn't have the Dirk Nowitzki comparisons, and he wouldn't have any NBA tape to sell people on. He would be another Euro big man, without the benefits of NBA weight training or conditioning.

And at that salary, and only 2 years of his rookie deal guaranteed, he would be on a short leash to limit the pouting if PT was not there for him. He would have no choice but to wait for his opportunity with a smile.

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Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."

Well, I guess that would've made LB's job much easier. The coach wouldn't have the pressure to play the guy either.

Cap space Shmap space.

I know one thing. After 4 years, he's now top 5 in a deep draft, not #2 in a deep draft. How is that for diminishing returns?

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Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."

I think you should give some credit for that quote TaShawn...I believe it was Isiah Thomas who first made that statement.

Yeahbut...

Oden is the best big man in a generation, right? The next Bill Russell.

No shame in going after him.


Durrant should be good, but if Darko could be picked up for the same price, I bet there are still some GMs out there who would grab him, cause they are so desperate for an inside presence.