Kwame is going to sign a two-year deal worth $8 million. That’s a bargain, in my opinion.

So why didn’t the Lakers get Kwame? Did they try to get him but he refused? I’m sure the boo-ing of the Laker fans is still fresh in his mind but Phil Jackson and Tex Winter has always been high on Kwame. He’s a bust offensively but they respect his defensive skills.

And $8 million for 2 years? Wow! The Pistons, allegedly, will put Kwame at center to let Rasheed take his natural spot at power forward. The Pistons, in my opinion, just got tougher. I don’t know but it seems to me the Celtics are being challenged by the Pistons right away by this trade. » read more

Sasha Vujacic is staying in the United States to the tune of $15 million for 3 years.

Honestly, I don’t know if that’s equal value but I know this - Sasha has the heart.  He’s not afraid to shoot it. He (just recently) mixes it up on defense. He also has improved his three-point shooting.

The way I see it is this. You don’t train a killer just to let him go away. You train, then, use him.

Hopefully, his experience in the Lakers’ deep playoff run (OK, finals) will only make him better. Phil Jackson always say Sasha is one of the best players in practice. I believe Phil - there are players like that. Last season, Sasha showed us he can play (although a bit erratic).

Shooting and defending can be taught and learned.  Having a heart? It’s innate. You can’t put a price on that.

I stumbled upon Paul Pierce’s brag here:

I don’t think Kobe is the best player. I’m the best player. There’s a line that separates having confidence and being conceited. I don’t cross that line but I have a lot of confidence in myself.

Listen, Paul. The best players don’t say they’re the best.  Other people say it for them.

You can’t blame Paul Pierce.  He just won a championship with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. That doesn’t mean any of those three is the best basketball player though.  That’s the nature of the game - you win it all, you get to boast.

So it’s official - Ronnie Turiaf is now a Warrior. I think he deserves the contract.  He will have more playing time in Golden State and he’s a very energetic fellow, on and off the court.  He plays hard and is a good passer.

It’s just sad, you know.  He’s great in a Laker uniform.  I bet he’s a very good friend and teammate.  Unfortunately, the team is stacked now with bigs.  Bynum will be back and Mihm looks like is back.

So long, Ronnie.  Never forget that you have a Laker heart.  (And don’t join the bandwagon and bash Kobe, aight?)

The Laker front is relatively quiet right now so there’s nothing really for me to talk about.

Reports indicate that Ron-Ron prefers to play for the Lakers but it looks like Kenny Thomas’ contract is a deal breaker. I like Artest’s defensive play but he’s just unpredictable off the court.  Also, like I said, let’s give the triple tower in Bynum, Gasol and Odom a chance of proving itself.

Between Artest and Marion, I would rather have Marion because he has a similar defensive skill, he’s athletic, he has a mid-range jumper and he’s not as unpredictable. » read more