NBA Chess and NBA Kickball

In response to "Does Turkoglu's Switcharoo Change Things?"

If one is to closely follow the 2009 free agent class, it is obvious that the first names being plucked off the board are the most talented ones. For example: Turkoglu, Artest, Gordon, Villanueva and Ariza.

The next to follow shall be Odom, Kidd, A.Miller, Lee, Millsap, Felton, Rasheed and McDyess

Well, gee wiz, mister that is an obvious.  It is pretty much like a very very complicated version of schoolyard kickball where captains pick talents from the best to least. In this case, the most talented players or key role players shall be signed first. It is a domino effect... every time a free agent is picked up and signed... the free agent market changes, just like in Chess... but with thirty teams constantly having to re-evaluate their plans in response to opposing teams. Teams are fighting to one-up the other. Of course... this also has many variations of NBA rules and rights.

Players like Nate, Zaza, Kleiza and Wafer will have to wait and play this free agent game much longer than most. The longer they wait.. the longer they risk pulling a Varejao or a Gordon. This summer teams are "limited" to paying NBA players "measly" millions as evidenced by Phil Jackson saying in a recent interview that in 2008-2009 "28 of 30 NBA teams lost money."

It is great to be the cream of the crop where greed is rewarded by good. However, for most players this summer.. be happy with what you get because teams do not have much lee-way to do what they so desire especially with the biggest talents coming off the books in 2010.