James Posey and Chris Paul were all smiles after their Game 3 victory over the Nuggets, and why not? New Orleans did everything it could to blow a 10-point lead in the final two minutes, but hung on for the win anyway and cut Denver's series lead to two games to one.
The Hornets have a chance to tie things up at home tonight, and considering how chippy the series is starting to get (58 fouls, including three flagrants were called in Game 3), we should be in for a good one. Whether you have NBATV or not (that's the only place it's being televised), join me right here at 8:30 PM ET for all the action.
Less than eight minutes into Saturday's Game 3, the Hornets were down 16 points to the Denver Nuggets. But thanks to a big-time effort by point guard Chris Paul, the Hornets overcame that deficit and ended up hanging on for a two-point win.
Conventional wisdom suggests the Hornets are right back in the series, now down just two games to one. But they've still got a lot of work to do and many obstacles and challenges to overcome.
In fact, the Nuggets still have plenty of reasons to be optimistic, while the Hornets' margin for error remains small. In short, the Hornets still have some problems ... and here are five of them:
The Hornets complained often during Friday night's contentious defeat in NYC, but James Posey's protest had a bit more mustard on it. For his cheekiness, he has been suspended for Sunday's game against San Antonio. New Orleans is currently trying to find a way to avoid playing the Lakers or Spurs in the first round. Whoops.
"We liked James and we wanted him back," Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said. "He got a good deal in New Orleans. We were unwilling to go four years."
By choosing N'awlins over Beantown, Posey will get more than one extra year of the MLE; as I mentioned yesterday, he'll also get a chance to compete for a starting job.
Posey is a natural small forward but can defend most of the league's two-guards, and if Byron Scott decides he wants to instill a bit more defensive grit to the starting lineup, Posey could supplant Morris Peterson, the incumbent starter who signed a four-year deal of his own last summer. Mo-Pete has been more consistent from long range over his career, but Posey has closed the gap in that regard, as well.
It'll be interesting to see how exactly the Celtics replace Posey, who was undeniably one of their most important reserves this past season. The number of viable free agent swingmen has been shrinking almost daily: James Jones has signed with the Heat, Jarvis Hayes with the Nets, and Carlos Delfino just defected for Moscow. The most likely candidates left on the market would require a minor miracle (Josh Childress) or a big leap of faith (CJ Miles).
It's a good thing that James Posey is letting his agent handle negotiations with the Celtics. As an unrestricted free agent, Posey has received interest from all over the league, but he made it clear that he's still holding out hope to stick with the Celtics. From the Boston Globe:
"That's my No. 1 choice," said Posey. "I've stressed that to the organization and to everybody. At the same time, I'm still waiting. So we'll see what's going to happen."
This NBA free agency thing has been absolutely bonkers, hasn't it? Baron Davis opts out, signs with the Clippers. Elton Brand now has no reason to leave, as the Clips finally got him some help, so he goes ahead and ... signs with the Sixers for similar dollars. Huh? Corey Maggette, despite all the rumors, takes the big payday with Golden State.
As Situation Maggette remains unresolved, lesser wing free agents seem to be biding their time before the first domino falls. In one case -- James Posey -- a player are just now finding out they are considered lesser wing free agents than Corey Maggette, and that really sort of makes him upset. From the Boston Herald:
Free agent James Posey, via agent Mark Bartelstein, continued to talk to other NBA suitors in the wake of what he considers an unacceptable offer from his former team - one that falls short of the $5.8 million mid-level exception as well as his desire for a 4- to 5-year deal.
Boston has reportedly made that contract available to Maggette, which might contribute to Posey's air of insult. But is anyone willing to offer Posey -- a great defender, but a 31-year-old with limited offensive skills -- more than $25 million for four years of work? Bill Ingram of Hoopsworld reports Houston might throw that cash at Posey, to which I say ...
... what?! Posey is a poor man's Shane Battier. And the Rockets -- specifically general manager Daryl Morey -- love Shane Battier. They traded Rudy Gay for him. And Battier makes only $20 million over the next three years, is two years younger, and shoots substantially better from three on his career. Why on Earth would Houston bring in Posey when they have Battier, and why on Earth would Houston replace Battier with Posey? Makes no sense.
Let me start off by saying I would never give anyone back $16 million. Also, I have no problem with Gilbert Arenas making more than $100 million over six years -- I was ecstatic when hearing a rumor my favorite team had offered him the max. Finally, Gil has shown to be one of the most generous NBA stars alive, giving away his jerseys, his shoes, and his time to fans constantly. He's a hero.
That said, his $16-million discount -- very warm, very generous for him -- does it even actually help the Wizards on the court? The surprising answer ... yes! (It's surprising because we're a cynical people.) The Washington Post's Ivan Carter reports the structure of the deal should allow the 'Zards to sign a player to the full mid-level and vet's exceptions. Had Arenas taken the max, the full mid-level would have thrust the team into luxury tax territory, which isn't going to happen. So the team can add a piece with this move.
What piece will it be? Carter offers up current 'Zard Roger Mason (he wouldn't technically take the mid-level, but would use up some of the luxury tax cushion) and roaming man James Posey. And Gil's got an extra pitch to make from whomever Washington targets.
"I want to win a championship here in D.C. I want to have a parade that goes right past the White House. Me and Barack Obama. How cool would that be? I really think that with the players we already have and with a couple of moves, we can do it."
Besides maybe Spencer Hawes, who wouldn't want to parade past President Obama? That might be a better pull than Baron Davis.
Last year it was these two geniuses making all the NBA vacation noise. With the NBA free agency period just underway, we find out what NBA stars will be giving their [travel] agents a call this year as they look for new destinations.
1. Gilbert Arenas 6'4", 215 -- PG -- 26 years old, 7 years pro Status: Unrestricted FA after opting out
Supposedly, Gilbert Arenas is all set to sign with the Washington Wizards again. And if he didn't you can bet there would be one teed off formerly unrestricted free agent. Rumor is, though, that both the Warriors and Wizards have thrown out max deals for Arenas, so it basically comes down to him picking at this point. Spiiiice.
Available Bookings: Washington, Golden State The likely scenario is that Gil ends up staying where he is via the double-secret-probation deal already in place, getting close to max money and crippling the Wizards salary cap for the next few years. But gosh, they're fun to watch.
Destination:Washington.
2. Elton Brand 6'8", 254 -- PF -- 29 years old, 9 years pro Status: Unrestricted after opting out
Boston wasted little time in flexing their muscle over the Lakers in Game 6, and turned the event into nothing more than a celebration for the Celtics and their fans. The home team absolutely destroyed the Lakers in their coronation game, leading by as many as 43 points in the fourth quarter before finishing the season off with a championship and winning by a score of 131-92.
Kobe tried to start things off like he did in Game 5, by hitting some long three pointers and getting himself 11 points in the first quarter. But his long shots, even though they went in, were more an indication of the bad Laker offense than they were of Kobe's desire to dominate early. Pau Gasol was completely worthless in the early going, missing shots and turning the ball over repeatedly while at the same time allowing Kevin Garnett to go off.
From the second quarter on, it was all Celtics. After back-to-back three-pointers from James Posey and Eddie House which extended the lead to nine, you could just tell that this game was completely out of reach for the Lakers. The lead reached 23 by halftime, and the Lakers never came close to threatening after that. The Celtics' defense was stifling, and none of the Lakers' role players were able to do anything, resulting in the Lakers getting run off the floor and extended garbage time in the season's final game. I'm sure that's just how the Celtics' fans wanted it.
James Posey and Chris Paul were all smiles after their Game 3 victory over the Nuggets, and why not? New Orleans did everything it could to blow a 10-point lead in the final two minutes, but hung on for the win anyway and cut Denver's series lead to two games to one.
Less than eight minutes into Saturday's Game 3, the Hornets were down 16 points to the Denver Nuggets. But thanks to a big-time effort by point guard Chris Paul, the Hornets overcame that deficit and ended up hanging on for a two-point win.
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Let me start off by saying I would never give anyone back $16 million. Also, I have no problem with 
