PrintSouthwest Division Summer Update
Taking a look at the wheelings and dealings in the NBA's toughest division
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Jason Friedman
Rockets.com Staff WriterHOUSTON - Between the NBA's draft, free agency and blockbuster deals, it's easy to lose track of everything the Rockets' rivals have done to strengthen their roster for the upcoming season. So to get you caught up, Rockets.com enlisted the help of the various staff writers within the Southwest division to review the offseason moves made by each team. The tour begins with the division champs from New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS
By: Jim Eichenhofer, Hornets.com
Major moves
The headline-grabbing acquisition of the summer was the July 23 free-agent signing of two-time NBA champion James Posey, an ideal addition to a team that has lacked consistency from its bench. Posey’s versatility improves the Hornets’ depth and gives New Orleans another reliable perimeter shooter, along with an excellent defender. The nine-year veteran helped slow the likes of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant during the 2008 playoffs. “If you talked to people in Boston, they would tell you that it should have been called the Big Four (instead of the Big Three),” says Yahoo! Sports NBA writer Adrian Wojnarowski, referring to Posey’s underrated importance to the Celtics’ championship run.
On the first day moves could be made official, All-Star point guard and MVP runner-up Chris Paul signed a long-term contract extension. The agreement means that the Hornets’ entire starting lineup of Paul, Morris Peterson, Tyson Chandler, Peja Stojakovic and David West is now under contract through at least 2010-11.
In other free-agent news, reserve guard Jannero Pargo signed a one-year contract with Russian team Moscow Dynamo. Ryan Bowen, an energizer off the bench, was re-signed Aug. 11. Meanwhile, Chris Andersen, who appeared in six games in 2007-08, left New Orleans as a free agent to return to Denver, where he began his NBA career.
Draft night was uneventful for New Orleans, after GM Jeff Bower opted to trade the No. 27 overall pick to Portland. However, that move helped free up the cash and cap room to sign Posey.
Summer league synopsis
The focus of the team’s 12-day trip to Las Vegas was the development of two-year backup center Hilton Armstrong and one-year reserve forward Julian Wright. Neither turned in what could be described as a great performance. Armstrong was inconsistent from game to game, while Wright struggled with turnovers and his perimeter shooting. “I was not extremely impressed with the way they played,” Hornets coach Byron Scott observed. “Being in your second and third year (in the NBA), you don’t have to necessarily dominate summer league, but you should be up there (as one of the better players participating). But they showed signs of improvement.”
Little-known undrafted guard Bobby Brown was arguably the biggest surprise of the entire league, leading the Hornets in scoring and assists, but Brown signed a guaranteed two-year contract with Sacramento four days after the final game in Las Vegas.
Outlook
For the first time in franchise history, the Hornets are being viewed as a legitimate championship contender. New Orleans won a team-record 56 games in 2007-08 and captured its first-ever division title. Behind an MVP-caliber season from the 23-year-old Paul, the Hornets established themselves as one of the NBA’s up-and-coming clubs.
Many analysts’ opinions of the team’s chances to compete for a trophy improved considerably after the addition of Posey. New Orleans may be a trendy pick this fall to win the unheralded reserve’s third ring in a span of four years.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
By: David Thiessen, Spurs writer
Major moves
The Spurs were easily the NBA’s oldest team, and arguably its least athletic, last season. This summer was supposed to bring some change. The Spurs managed to add younger players, but Roger Mason Jr. (29), Ian Mahinmi (21), George Hill (22) and Anthony Tolliver (23) were not the additions Spurs fans hoped for.
Like usual, the Spurs were somewhat of a mystery headed into the draft. They were heavily rumored to select Nicolas Batum or perhaps trade out of the first round. Instead they selected Hill, an undersized shooting guard from IUPUI, who they plan to use as a point guard.
Then the Spurs teased their fans by nearly signing shooting guard Corey Maggette, who would have provided that infusion of youth and athleticism desired. Maggette decided to sign with the Golden State Warriors for more money. The Spurs settled on Mason, a player they nearly signed last summer. Mason, a career 37.4 percent shooter on threes, is known for his team-first attitude and hard work, suggesting he will fit in nicely as a combo guard off the bench.
San Antonio also signed Tolliver, a 6-8 sharpshooter who fills a similar role to Matt Bonner. Mahinmi, the Spurs’ 2005 first-round pick, will also join the team after spending most of last season in the D-League with the Austin Toros, where he averaged 17.1 points and 8.2 rebounds.
The Spurs said goodbye to Robert Horry, who has yet to sign elsewhere, and Brent Barry, who signed with the Houston Rockets. Michael Finley, however, signed a one-year deal to return to San Antonio. Kurt Thomas was also reacquired.
Summer league synopsis
The summer league was a chance for Ian Mahinmi and George Hill to prove themselves and convince coaches they deserved to see the court more often than just during warmups in the regular season. It was also an opportunity for second-round draft picks Malik Hairston and James Gist to play their way onto the team. Other than those four, only Anthony Tolliver received significant playing time, eventually signing with San Antonio.
Unfortunately both Mahinmi and Hill played inconsistently. Hill struggled with his shot, making an embarrassing 8 percent of his field goals. However, he showed potential on the defensive end. Mahinmi also shot poorly but averaged 14 points and 9 rebounds, but he didn’t always play with energy.
Gist and Tolliver were both pleasant surprises. Gist, an athletic 6-9 power forward, played with energy and looked like he might make the team. Instead he signed with Angelico Biella in Italy. Tolliver was the Spurs’ second-leading scorer and made 61.5 percent of his threes. The Spurs like to have a three-point shooting big man on the team and Tolliver could compete with Matt Bonner for this role. Hairston has yet to sign with anybody.
In the end, it was a somewhat disappointing showing with neither Mahinmi nor Hill having great performances, but it was a learning experience for both.
Outlook
How much longer can the Big Three of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker carry the Spurs? That was the question last year and it’s still here. San Antonio tried to add youth and athleticism but none of the additions should change the look of the team too much. Expect much of the same from these Spurs, although they have a little more athleticism and depth at the guard position thanks to George Hill and Roger Mason Jr. Once again, the team’s success will come down to the health of the Big Three. They should make the playoffs, but will they be healthy enough to compete for a championship?
DALLAS MAVERICKS
By: Art Garcia, Mavs.com
Major moves
The biggest change happened at the top, with Avery Johnson let go less than two years removed from the NBA Finals and replaced by Rick Carlisle. The former Detroit and Indiana coach returns to the sidelines after a year away determined to restore the Mavericks to relevancy in the rugged Western Conference. Carlisle said this team will be built around Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, becoming an up-tempo squad that remains stout defensively.
The signing of athletic swingman Gerald Green and return of center Gana Diop headlined a relatively quiet run through free agency. Green, a high-flyer with long-distance range, is on his fourth team in a year. The 22-year-old was out of the league after being released by Houston despite averaging more than 10 points in 2006-07 with Boston. The thought of Green soaring to the rim on the break to take a Kidd lob is one that has Mavs fans salivating, but the former first-round pick needs to prove he’s more steak than sizzle.
Diop, part of the blockbuster Kidd trade to New Jersey, was the Mavs’ top target in free agency. During his first stint in Dallas, he split time with Erick Dampier. He’s carved out a niche defensively as a good shot-blocker and solid defender, but he’s struggled to develop a scoring touch in the paint. Pairing him with Dampier once again should be a competent center rotation.
The Mavs drafted Vanderbilt sharpshooter Shan Foster in the second round, but the SEC Player of the Year is headed to Europe next season. Dallas also signed former Clippers forward James Singleton, and resigned popular point guard backup J.J. Barea and swingman Antoine Wright.
Summer league synopsis
The official ledger for the Mavs at the end of summer league reads 7-4. Though winning games is always the point when they bother to keep score, the real winners are those who earned invites to training camp. The list: rookies Reyshawn Terry, Charles Rhodes and JuJuan Smith, along with veterans Gerald Green, James Singleton and Keith McLeod. Terry, a second-round pick in 2007, was expected in Dallas come October. Rhodes and Smith are undrafted free agents.
Terry (6-8, 232) showed the consistency the coaching staff hoped for during his second summer league stint. He averaged nearly 10 points and 6 rebounds. Terry benefited from getting stronger over the last 12 months and a shift in position to power forward.
Rhodes (6-8, 245) isn’t a training camp lock. The rugged forward is weighing various European offers, but the Mississippi State product impressed by averaging nearly 10 points and 5 boards, while shooting a robust 62 percent. Rhodes has been compared favorably to Brandon Bass, last year’s summer league find.
The three with NBA experience didn’t hurt their stock. Green was easily the standout during summer league, averaging 16 points and knocking down 17 3-pointers.
Outlook
The Mavs are looking to return to elite status in the Western Conference. Those who run the show believe the window for a championship is still open because of former MVP Dirk Nowitzki and fellow Olympian Jason Kidd.
The trick is getting consistent contributions from the supporting cast, namely Jason Terry, Josh Howard, Erick Dampier, Gana Diop, Jerry Stackhouse and Brandon Bass. Charged with the task of getting it back together is Rick Carlisle, a veteran coach with an even-handed approach who led playoff teams in Detroit and Indiana.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES 
By: Matthew Hood, Grizzlies.com
Major moves
The 2008 NBA Draft was a very eventful night for the Memphis Grizzlies. With two selections in the draft, the Grizzlies chose former UCLA center Kevin Love with the fifth overall pick and Syracuse product Donte Greene with the 28 th selection.
The Grizzlies then made the biggest trade of the night by sending new acquisition Love, Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal and Jason Collins to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the third overall pick University of Southern California standout O.J. Mayo, along with veterans Marko Jaric, Antoine Walker, and Greg Buckner.
To complement that trade, Memphis also sent their other draft selection Donte Greene and a 2009 second round pick to the Houston Rockets for former Kansas Jayhawks star Darrell Arthur.
While the Grizzlies made a big splash in draft night trades, they have been a little quieter in the free agent market. They did sign Pau Gasol’s little brother Marc, an MVP from the Spanish ACB league, to add size down low. With Memphis currently under the 13-man roster minimum, the Grizzlies will add at least one more player before the season starts.
Also, to help the coaching staff, the Grizzlies hired Assistant Coach Kevin O’Neill to help strengthen the defense.
Summer league synopsis
The 2008 NBA Summer League started the beginning of the O.J. Mayo era for the Memphis Grizzlies, and he did not disappoint. The 20-year-old posted 18.8 points, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals a game. He also made highlight reels for his 69-foot buzzer beater against the San Antonio Spurs and his monstrous dunk over Hilton Armstrong against the New Orleans Hornets. Mayo was then selected to the 2008 USA Basketball Select Team to play against the USA Men’s Basketball Team in preparation for the upcoming Olympics in Beijing.
Memphis’ other draft night acquisition, Darrell Arthur, also fared well putting up 13.2 points and nearly 4 rebounds a game. Last year’s fourth overall selection Mike Conley enjoyed another successful summer league stint averaging 11.0 points and 3.0 assists while only playing in three games. Second year player Javaris Crittenton also put up good numbers with 8.0 points, 4.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds a game.
Two former Big 12 players made their presence felt for the Grizzlies also. Former Texas Longhorn P.J. Tucker filled the box scores with averages of 10.2 points, 1.2 steals, and led Memphis in rebounds at 6.6. Ebi Ere, an Oklahoma University product, posted 8.2 points per game.
Outlook
This year Memphis boasts one of the youngest teams in the NBA, featuring a starting line of three former top 10 picks from the last three years: O.J. Mayo, Mike Conley and Rudy Gay. While there will be some growing pains, the Grizzlies will try to use their youth and athleticism to improve from last season. Add the acquisitions of Marc Gasol and Darrell Arthur, along with plenty of cap space for the 2009 summer, and the Grizzlies should not only improve this season, but should “power forward” for many years to come.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
By: Jason Friedman, Rockets.com
Major Moves: Obviously, this category can best be summed up with one name: Ron Artest. His addition to the team addresses nearly every need the Rockets had entering this offseason. First and foremost, he instantly becomes the third scorer Houston fans have been craving for the better part of a decade; thereby relieving Rafer Alston (and his .394 shooting percentage) of that responsibility. Factor in his toughness, versatility and defensive prowess, and it’s easy to see why giddy Rockets fans are going to sleep these days with visions of banners and parades dancing around their heads.
Of course, one can’t discuss Artest anymore without uttering the word “caveat.” It might as well be his middle name at this point. His well-publicized bouts of questionable decision-making have burned many a bridge throughout the course of his tempestuous career, and no doubt plenty of people expect Houston to be added to that list by the time all is said and done. But here’s the thing: The Rockets gave up very little to acquire Artest and, if he does disappoint, they’re only on the hook for this season. Throw in the fact that Houston’s window to win with Yao and McGrady is RIGHT NOW and it’s clear that this was a gamble the Rockets absolutely had to make.
Artest aside, it’s important not to overlook the addition of free agent Brent Barry. Sure, the 36 year old guard is a bit long in the tooth, but his outside shooting stroke and championship experience should prove invaluable to a team with a desperate need for both.
Summer league synopsis: The most notable event which took place during the Rockets’ summer league schedule was the dynamic 40-point debut by rookie Donté Greene. How much did that offensive explosion factor into Greene’s inclusion as part of the Artest swap? Would the Rockets still have been able to swing the deal if the sharpshooter from Syracuse had not been able to light up the Las Vegas scoreboard? Maybe. Then again, maybe not. Either way, the Rockets dealt Donté while his stock was high; a smart move considering that, for all his offensive gifts, he remains a project who likely would have been buried on the Houston bench this season.
As for summer league players who actually will wear Rockets red this season: Joey Dorsey lived up to his promise to be “Ray Lewis with a basketball,” bounding and bullying all over the court. He should have no problem racking up rebounds and fouls once the real games begin. Meanwhile, second-year guard Aaron Brooks produced mixed results in his campaign to claim the Rockets’ back-up point position, while his former Oregon teammate Maarty Leunen opened eyes with his steady, heady play. Leunen likely will spend next season in Europe, but the Rockets’ brain trust is excited about his future.
Outlook: This may seem bold considering the Rockets haven’t experienced the second round in more than a decade, but anything less than a Western Conference Finals appearance this season would have to be seen as a massive disappointment. Put simply: Houston didn’t go all-in with Artest just to get past the first round. On paper, all the pieces are in place for the team to make a serious title run. The key, as it always is with this club, is staying healthy – both from a physical standpoint and, with Artest now in tow, a mental one, too.
