Yeah, I know, it's the Seattle team coming to OKC, not the Hornets. And, in the wake of the settlement between Seattle and the team formerly known as the Sonics, I caught some discussion between an ESPNews anchor and someone from a sports radio station in OKC. The anchor was asking if OKC could support a team long-term. Near the end of the interview, the anchor mentioned that the Sonics were a 20 win team and they weren't a playoff team like the New Orleans Hornets. So, it might be harder for fans to get behind the new team than it was to root for the Hornets.
I know the Hornets were good this year. But, they weren't in OKC this year. They won the stacked Southwest Division with 56 wins (tied with San Antonio and one game ahead of Houston). However, they won 38 games the first year in OKC and won 39 games the second year in OKC. The first year in OKC was PG Chris Paul's rookie season and he was injured part of his second year. Additionally, Peja Stojakovic barely played in 06-07 because of injuries. What I don't understand is why the anchor on ESPNews didn't know that the Hornets weren't nearly as good in previous years as they were this year. In fact, the Hornets won just 18 games the year before they came to OKC. Yeah, that's why they got Chris Paul. But, the Hornets still drew well that first year in OKC, despite coming at the last minute (Hurricane Katrina hit August 29th, 2005) and not being particularly good.
The new OKC team should get plenty of support, although I'm not really going out on a limb in saying that they probably won't make the playoffs this coming season. Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook were all high draft picks in the last two drafts. So, theoretically, the team will improve (Durant and Westbrook are just 19 years old). And, for what it's worth, the leading scorer (Durant) and the leading rebounder (Nick Collison) both played their college ball in the Big 12. Maybe 18 year old Serge Ibaka will turn into the force in the middle this team has lack just when the other youngsters are hitting their stride and the OKC team will be a contender in a few years. If not, maybe they'll at least be an exciting, uptempo team.
But, whether or not OKC supports the new team like they supported the Hornets isn't the point. The point is that the Hornets weren't a playoff team the years they made OKC home. In fact, 38 wins in 05-06 was considered a major achievement by many. So, it probably won't matter that the new team isn't challenging the Bulls for the win record any time soon. And, anchors on ESPNews should know their stuff before they do interviews!
Friday, July 04, 2008
When is PTI not PTI?
When Tony and Mike aren't there.
Today, we got another round of Adande and Mariotti. Things were going relatively well until they got to talking about former Pittsburgh Penguin Marian Hossa. Hossa, apparently, turned down $35 million over 5 years from the Penguins to take a 1 year deal with the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings for $7.45 million.
Mariotti started the segment on Hossa with the following "For those tired of greed in sports, let me offer up one Marian Hossa." He then gave the numbers of the deals from the Penguins and Wings, as well as mentioning reports that he had offers of up to $81 million with other teams.
Marian Hossa scored 43 goals and had 57 assists the year before last. Last season was a down year, he scored 29 goals and had 37 assists in his time with the Atlanta Thrashers and the Penguins. So, I don't think this is a story for those tired of greed. Hossa turned down a long-term deal at an average of $7 million per year to play one season at $7.45 million (that's more than $7 milion) and look for a bigger deal next year. Hossa is 29 years old and shouldn't be on the decline just yet. That's what he's banking on. If he had signed for $7.45 million over 5 years with Detroit, that would have been a story.
Later on, Mariotti provided this gem: "Everybody loves Crosby and Malkin, why would you leave that and go to Detroit? I understand the Red Wings are a dynasty, a hallowed name in hockey, but come on ... $35 million ... $7 million ... duh, this is pretty dumb if you ask me."
I don't know why Hossa signed the deal he did. Did he just want a 1 year deal to improve his stock for next year? Did he want out of Pittsburgh? Did he want to play for Detroit and didn't care about the length of the contract? If anyone has great insight, post a comment. But, Mariotti comparing $35 million over 5 years to $7.45 million over 1 year and saying turning down the 5 year deal for the 1 year deal is dumb is idiotic on Mariotti's part. If Hossa suffers a career-ending injury next year, then it probably wasn't the best idea to turn down a long-term deal. But, Hossa is apparently willing to accept that amount of risk. Plus, he has the potential to improve his stock and cash in big next summer. If he can get $10 million per year for 4 years after next season, he'll wind up with $47.45 million over 5 years instead of $35 million. It seems like a no-brainer to sign the one-year deal this year in that scenario.
We'll see what happens. Maybe turning down the deal with the Penguins was stupid. If the Red Wings tank next year and the Penguins win it all, it will look like the wrong call. Or, maybe Hossa will hoist the Stanley Cup with Detroit. I know that at this point I don't know what's going to happen. And, that's why Mariotti's comments are absolutely ridiculous.
Today, we got another round of Adande and Mariotti. Things were going relatively well until they got to talking about former Pittsburgh Penguin Marian Hossa. Hossa, apparently, turned down $35 million over 5 years from the Penguins to take a 1 year deal with the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings for $7.45 million.
Mariotti started the segment on Hossa with the following "For those tired of greed in sports, let me offer up one Marian Hossa." He then gave the numbers of the deals from the Penguins and Wings, as well as mentioning reports that he had offers of up to $81 million with other teams.
Marian Hossa scored 43 goals and had 57 assists the year before last. Last season was a down year, he scored 29 goals and had 37 assists in his time with the Atlanta Thrashers and the Penguins. So, I don't think this is a story for those tired of greed. Hossa turned down a long-term deal at an average of $7 million per year to play one season at $7.45 million (that's more than $7 milion) and look for a bigger deal next year. Hossa is 29 years old and shouldn't be on the decline just yet. That's what he's banking on. If he had signed for $7.45 million over 5 years with Detroit, that would have been a story.
Later on, Mariotti provided this gem: "Everybody loves Crosby and Malkin, why would you leave that and go to Detroit? I understand the Red Wings are a dynasty, a hallowed name in hockey, but come on ... $35 million ... $7 million ... duh, this is pretty dumb if you ask me."
I don't know why Hossa signed the deal he did. Did he just want a 1 year deal to improve his stock for next year? Did he want out of Pittsburgh? Did he want to play for Detroit and didn't care about the length of the contract? If anyone has great insight, post a comment. But, Mariotti comparing $35 million over 5 years to $7.45 million over 1 year and saying turning down the 5 year deal for the 1 year deal is dumb is idiotic on Mariotti's part. If Hossa suffers a career-ending injury next year, then it probably wasn't the best idea to turn down a long-term deal. But, Hossa is apparently willing to accept that amount of risk. Plus, he has the potential to improve his stock and cash in big next summer. If he can get $10 million per year for 4 years after next season, he'll wind up with $47.45 million over 5 years instead of $35 million. It seems like a no-brainer to sign the one-year deal this year in that scenario.
We'll see what happens. Maybe turning down the deal with the Penguins was stupid. If the Red Wings tank next year and the Penguins win it all, it will look like the wrong call. Or, maybe Hossa will hoist the Stanley Cup with Detroit. I know that at this point I don't know what's going to happen. And, that's why Mariotti's comments are absolutely ridiculous.
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