Talks continue between the Pistons and Jazz about a Carlos Boozer-Rip Hamilton trade. Hamilton didn’t fit with Allen Iverson this season, and he won’t fit with newly acquired Ben Gordon. In fact, Gordon has become Iverson. He has no conscience when taking shots. – Link

This is what I meant by Detroit could probably get more for Hamilton than Sammy.

Where are the games on the web?    Link????????????????????????   This is what I care about, anyone, someone?  Tipoff is in 80 minutes

And about Rip…I agree with everything you and Ryan are saying.  He would certainly add a dynamic to our team that we dont have and would be a definite improvement.  But I’m saying it wouldn’t put us over the top.  It doesnt make us contenders.  Its not a homerun.  We’d have a lovely collection of 2nd and 3rd banana players between Iggy, Rip, Brand, and Thad…that would be a 2nd round playoff team.  With the length of Rip’s contract, the move doesnt make sense to me, its not a big enough improvement to take on another four years of his contract.

I think you should consider more than the fact that he is an average at best 3pt shooter.

More importantly what he is, is a different type of offensive player, one that Sixers do not currently have.  Thad/Iguodala are redundant offensively.  Both, prefer to drive than shot.  Neither is a capable on the move, off screen shooter.  The only difference is that Thad is developing a better post game and Iguodala is a better play maker.

Rip adds a different dynamic to the offense with his ability to get open with regularity on the move and his ability to catch and shoot well from the perimeter.  Think about it another way, in order for back-cutting to be effective you need some defensive pressure on the wing.  The only way you get that is if you are a great player and the defense wants to deny and overplay you or you are a dangerous shooter and the defense can’t give space for fear of clean looks.  On the roster what offensive wing player fits into either of those categories?  Rip would without question fit into the latter.  On top of that he isn’t a liability shooting the three at times he has been quite good (’06 and ‘08) AND he adds championship experience to a team with nothing more than weak playoff experience.

Just something else to consider.

With that said I don’t know if I would want Rip considering his age and length of contract (less to do with his actually ability and what he brings to the team on the court).  I would do it not this year but next year if this core shows us something this season. I don’t think Stefanski can do anything major until he sees what he this team does on the floor under the new coach.  Than we all will have a better idea what direction to go.

And I tend to always undersell because everyone else seems to love to oversell (how often do you see the word “great” tossed around for players who aren’t even better than just average). My way of creating balance in the world of basketball hype.  Sadly in people’s minds it’s not just hyperbole.