Empty the Bench

Minnesota pulled off a big win against the red-hot 76ers this evening (five consecutive wins heading into the game), and in that broadcast you might have noticed Randy Foye got his first start of the season. Foye went into the break strong with 18 points, 3 boards, 3 assists, 4 threes and 1 steal in 28 minutes in his last game. In his first start tonight Randy managed 13 points and 5 assists in a season-high 33 minutes. He started with Sebastian Telfair and proved that the two can certainly co-exist in that backcourt. As much as it pains me to admit it, Bassy Telfair is playing pretty good basketball. He’s become a penetrator and facilitator (6.0 assists and just 1.8 TOs on the season), and he’ll be even more effective when he stops forcing his own offense (just 39.3% FGs on 9.6 attempts, while hitting only 25.5% three-pointers). I think it’s clear at this point that Rashad McCants is going to be best used as a 6th man who comes in as instant offense off the bench. McCants still managed nearly 30 minutes tonight and put up a strong 20 points, 5 assists and 3 threes.

This has nothing to do with basketball, but Antoine Walker just embodies the term “Turtle Head.” First, when he retires I expect him to don his turtle shell again and live out his days in a pond. So he looks like a turtle in that way. Second, his head looks like what I’m articulating when I use the euphamism, “I have a turtle head poking out.”

The Trade Mill Grinds On:

The Ron Artest-to-Denver rumors persist, and we at ETB are really hoping there’s some substance to them. According to Johnny Ludden and Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo!, after the Kidd deal:

Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest becomes the NBA’s next big target of interest. Two league sources said Sunday that the Denver Nuggets were in “full pursuit” of Artest and discussing a package involving Linas Kleiza, Eduardo Najera and a first-round pick.

“Denver is the team that needs to do something,” said one West executive. “With everyone loading up, they’re going to have a tough time getting out of the first round.”

Allen Iverson is a great player, but he can’t guard the great SGs and swingmen in the West. While he’s still a pirate in the passing lanes, Iverson is no longer the man defender he once was. Given his stature, AI is also more comfortable guarding points than two guards. Ron Artest is a big, physical defender who can man up against anybody from twos to fours in the West. He can rattle cages, get into stars’ heads and even throw players like Kobe off their games. He would bring a toughness and intensity to the Nuggs that has been lacking. Ron Ron is a talented offensive player as well, especially when he forgoes the three-point shooting and grinds in the post. Artest has indicated that he intends to opt out this summer, so despite what he might say about wanting to stay, Sacramento needs to move him now while they can get value in return.

The holdup here is 2005 first-round pick Linas Kleiza, who has come on strong and proved to be a capable defender and strong scorer in transition. He fits in with Denver, but he isn’t an impact player just yet and Artest is. If The Nuggets are serious about this season, or winning with Iverson at all, they need to make a move and Ron Ron makes a ton of sense.

More rampant trade speculation after the jump…

- The Orlando Magic are looking for a real power forward to pair with man-child Dwight Howard on the post. He’s getting doubled on both ends of the floor and he needs some assistance down there. A big part of Dwight’s massive rebounding totals is that he has absolutely no help on the glass. Playing Rashard Lewis or Hedo Turkoglu at the four is really not an option in the playoffs. HoopsWorld suggests Chris Wilcox could be an option, and I think he would fit. He’s nothing special, but Wilcox is a big, strong body that can rebound and score around the basket. Paired with Dwight, Orlando could present some matchup problems inside in addition to the conundrum of guarding Rashard, Turkoglu, Brian Cook and Keith Bogans on the perimeter. Another option is Udonis Haslem, who would help Dwight on the glass and with defense down low. Unfortunately, there’s still some bad blood between the Heat and Magic after the Stan Van Gundy contract shenanigans this summer.

- Are Carlos Arroyo and JJ Reddick about to be dealt? Lord knows they should be, but GM Otis Smith says no. With Orlando starved for a PF, that sounds like the kiss of death to me…

- Ben Gordon could be on the block, but who’s buying? His stock has taken a massive hit this season, and the attitude isn’t helping.

- Now that Memphis has a glut at guard with Mike Conley Jr, Juan Carlos Navarro, Javaris Crittenton and Kyle Lowry, one is likely to be moved before Thursday. It appears the odd man out is Kyle Lowry, and Denver wants in. Denver would send a first-round pick and some guy named Von Wafer (sounds made up to me). We’re all for it. Lowry could play more of a pure point alongside Iverson, and he proved more than capable when starting this season with averages of 13.3 points, 4.3 dimes, 4.4 boards and 1 steal.

- There’s a perceived fire sale in Memphis, and the Nets aren’t the only ones who want Mike Miller, “One possibility would be to send him to Indiana for power forward Ike Diogu and guard Marquis Daniels”

- Minnesota wants to move Gerald “Birthday Cake” Green, but nobody is biting. That’s because he’s not going to be an impact player for this year and the Wolves don’t own the rights to him next season. Nobody wants to trade for him now only to have him turn free agent this summer. They’d rather just wait and pay him then if they’re interested. Gerald is going to make some team happy though, as I personally have little doubt Green could develop into an 18 PPG scorer in the next year or two, which has value despite his defensive limitations.

- Utah Jazz fans, fret not. Your team doesn’t intend to rock the boat.