One of the most coveted unrestricted free agents this season has been James Posey, formerly of the world champion Boston Celtics. As of today Posey is now a New Orleans Hornet. The deal is worth an estimated $25 million over four years. He brings with him a winning attitude having won 2 rings in the past 3 seasons. Posey also plays in your face defense, something that will sit real well with coach Byron Scott.
The Hornets traded away their draft pick to Portland for cash money to be able to land a free agent like Posey. Also helping was not having to shell out guaranteed money to a rookie as well. Because of future luxury-tax concerns, Boston was apparently reluctant to offer Posey more than a two or three year deal starting at the league's mid-level exception.
It was a really tough decision for him," Bartelstein said. "Boston was an incredible experience for him every way you look at it. If he was going to leave Boston, he wanted to make sure it was for a team that would compete for championship immediately and the Hornets certainly are in that world."
If the Hornets can now re-sign Janero Pargo, they'll have all the peices they may need to compete with the likes of the L.A. Lakers, who are still the best team in the West.
New Orleans also may have just surpassed the Spurs as the second best team with this signing. That however remains to be seen as the Spurs, though some feel are getting old are still a very good basketball team with proven veterans.
With Posey the Hornets can use him at the SG/SF position which is something they most definitlely lacked coming of the bench. Question is what happens with SG Morris Peterson now. Do they shop him around to get someone to take on his contract and can they?
Whatever the Hornets choose to do they will once again be in the thick of the NBA playoffs as they were this year. Giving Chris Paul another weapon to work with has to have some teams in the conference shaking their collective heads. There's a huge buzz already in this city anticipating what might happen next season. Just imagine what it's like now. I'm sure plenty of the fans are watering from the mouths thinking they may get their first taste of what it's like to have a major sports championship in the Crescent city.
I like this signing by the Hornets. It gives them the perimeter D that Peja and Peterson can't provide, and Posey gives them the championship experince they didn't have last year. And if SA stands pat (they haven't been active yet in free agency), the Hornets could be the team to beat out West. If anything, both conferences are more wide open; Boston gets weakened by this move, and while they're still the team to beat in the East, the gap is narrower. Next season should be the most competitve in years in the NBA.
DEFENSE!! If he can score ~ 10ppg that would be great, but let's get some friggin defense on that side! I think they may be hard pressed to find a buyer for MoPete, though
Downs,
I like this signing myself. You are exactly right it gives them perimeter D and he also brings more offense with him than Mo Pete. He can hit the three at a high percentage. I don't see the Spurs doing much of anything to move into a better position than they've been for some years now.
plutonium,
You want DEFENSE!!!!!! Well you just got it with Posey. This guy plays very good D. If Mo Pete Stays then that's fine with me. I'll take his streaky shooting and sometime ok offense from inside. He can run the floor though and I like that. His D is what lacks the most.
husker,
As one of the brightest spots comeing off the bench yeah he will. Looks like the Celtics may lose Eddie House also. Might be one and done for Boston.
I like Posey. But I wouldn't have signed him to a four-year deal. I don't know if he'll live up to the standards he's set for himself either. The guy is a great role player. He's a tenacious defender. And he'll take and make the big shot.
But he would have been better off in Boston, playing behind Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. The Hornets are going to need a lot more production from him.
Hoff,
You know I respect your opinion on the NBA but I have to disagree with you that the Hornets need more from Posey. He just needs to do what he has been doing his whole career. Play some tenacious D off the bench and knock down the three. He's a pretty good rebounder as well. Look at his stats on that. He's an underrated defensive rebounder who had the third-best defensive rebound rate among small forwards last season.
I think it's a great sign by the Hornets. Sure he's getting older and probably will decline soon but there's exceptions just ask Bruce Bowen.
THis just means that The Birdman will probably sign with the Celtics to give the C's much needed youth and athleticism off the bench and ammunition for the long term.
Might as well call it an even trade since I don't think Posey will be as effective in 2010-2011.
LOL! love the song man. Always a fun trip visiting your blogs bro.
Finally the Hornets got some much needed depth out of the free agent market. With a friggin splash might I add. Glad we could put a dent in the armor of the defending champs and add somebody that has some playoff experience to the squad. Posey was huge in Bostons run last year and I hope he can add that same kinda boost for the bees. Thank you front office for building on last years success. I'm out to my marijuanaville. Salute!
54,
Yeah I think this is a big blow to the bench armor of the Celtics. He was the best player they had coming of the bench with the exception of up and coming Powe.
h8t3D1,
Thx hommie I always look forward to your visit.
This is a good one for the home team my bro. He'll bring leadership and great defense from off the bench. Something we really lacked last season. He's locked down his fair share of so called elite players and has been fairly successful in doing so. This season it's Western Conference finals. I'll hold off on predicting we go to the NBA finals because the Lakers are still very good.
husker,
hmmm I'll have to check into that. not cool at all.
SoCal,
They are in the mix but I still think the Lakers might be a little better. We shall see how it all unfolds.
The perfect breakfast as I see it.
You’re sitting at the table and your son is on the cover of Wheaties, your mistress is on the cover of Playboy, and your wife is on the back of the milk carton.
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