Blake Murphy Sports Writing

Title: Quick Random Hits
Date: February 2, 2008
Original Source: The On Deck Circle
Synopsis: A busy weekend kept me from writing in depth about a handful of different topics, so I hit on them quickly.

I’m in a conference all weekend so I apologize for these updates not being major ones. You can expect all of this to be elaborated on by me or the staff in the coming days, but here is a quick look at a crazy end to the week in sports:

Lakers Get Gasol
This is a great move for LA, getting a low post scorer to replace Bynum for the next few weeks. It also allows Gasol to roam as a 4 when Bynum returns, giving the Lakers a disgusting 1-2-3 and bumping struggling Lamar Odom to the #4 option. It’s my feeling that the team is now just one reliable three-point shooter away from being the favorite in the West.

For the Grizzlies, they get the largest expiring contract on the market in Kwame Brown, giving them $17M in cap space for the big free agent summer of 2009, should they spend wisely this offseason. They also get a PG they like in Javaris Crittenton, and he will battle it out with Kyle Lowry and Mike Conley with the least favored guard being dealt. Aaron McKie was a throw-in, but they also got two first round picks and Marc Gasol (Pau’s brother) who some feel would be a first rounder this year. The Grizz don’t get a lot in terms of talent but their future gets a little brighter and they gain a lot of financial flexibility.

Another Memphis Move
After tonight’s games, Stromile Swift will be heading to New Jersey to try and become the athletic power forward he was destined to be and the one the Nets have so sorely lacked since K-Mart’s departure. The price tag? Defensive stallwart Jason Collins. The deal is a wash for salaries (both make $6.2M next year and then expire) but it gets a chemistry cancer out of the young Memphis locker room. For the Nets, the deal is obvious, and for the Grizz, it’s a morale move.

One More Memphis Move?
With Gasol, Damon, and The Stro out, expect a lot of Mike Miller rumors in the next three weeks. He is the only remaining Grizzly with a large but valuable contract, and though the organization likes him, he doesn’t really fit with this ultra-rebuilding. At just $8-9M a year for this year and the next two, he is an affordable asset heading into the playoffs that could garner Memphis more cap room or another pick.

Ford Returns
Yesterday TJ Ford made the trip home from Texas to Toronto, having finished his stint working with “Doctor” John Lucas. TJ is expected to take part in a light practice today and slowly be brought back into the fold, so it appears my prediction of him returning after the All Star break is right on schedule. It’s really nice to have TJ back but as much as it’s a positive story and a boost to the team, I fear for his long term health and you have to question, if the hyperbolic stories we sometimes hear about how serious the spinal problems are, if he’s “selling the farm to save the cow” and risking too much.

Jose “Snub”
Chris Bosh is in (obviously) and Jose Calderon is on the outside. Looking at the roster it’s difficult to call this a snub because of the guard quality on the reserves, and we have to keep in mind that a lot of the Jose campaign is based on “since he’s been starting” where everyone else is drawing on a full season. I think Jose deserves a spot (get J-Kidd off that team) but Kidd could be moved to the West and their could be injuries, and I have to believe Jose is the 13th man on the list in the event anything happens. Jose will get his due.

Santana Signs
The Mets inked Johan to a six year, $137M contract that has vested options, performance options, bonuses, etc, that could make the deal worth upwards of $150M. It, obviously, makes him the highest paid pitcher ever and it officially completes the trade made early last week.

Kobe Kills
It was no 81 but Kobe’s 46 grilled the Raps in a 20-point Laker win last night. So much for February starting off with a bang. I didn’t see the game (put me down for just three games missed all season though) and it’s a shame, as I would have loved to hear Chuck fawn over the Gasol deal for two and a half hours.

Super Bowl?
Uhh, the Super Bowl is tomorrow, in case you forgot.

Site Updates
A lot of big things poppin’ here at The ODC including logos, polls, studies, give-aways, a meeting with the guys from The Basketball Jones, impending aesthetic improvements and, most importantly, a lot of good articles thrown up this week. Site traffic declined by just a small degree this week over last, which is huge since last week, I’m sure, had a lot of one-time clicks as people checked it out. Also, if you haven’t had a chance yet, you NEED to check out the latest installment of “Point, Counter-Point” with Stu and Alex, and directly after this I’ll be posting our monster SuperBowl panel.