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Why Geoff Petrie Didn't Return the Lakers' Calls

Tom_toon_tiny by Ziller on

The Bee's Ailene Voisin has the scoop:

From what I'm hearing - and, yes, he confirmed it - Geoff Petrie refused to return any phone calls inquiring about the Ron Artest availability between July 1-9, the period for players to declare for free agency and begin negotiating with teams. Petrie, who has a thing for following the rules, and never takes anything for granted, skipped town while waiting for Udrih's official signing. The Kings basketball president went to a Stevie Wonder concert in Reno on Friday, returned Saturday, then awakened at 6 a.m. Sunday to watch the Wimbledon singles final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Petrie respects authority. And Stevie.

In terms of Artestian significance, this means Petrie is not necessarily displeased with L.A.'s Lamar Odom offers. Stay tuned.

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Excellent, Smithers!

/rubs hands together

Kevin Pritchard has Chuck Norris tied up in the trunk of his car.

by otis29 on Jul 10, 2008 9:20 AM PDT   0 recs

Get the deal done!

BOOK IT!

by kingme18 on Jul 10, 2008 9:25 AM PDT   0 recs

you know, if Petrie is leading me up for a big disappointment

I’m going to be…. disappointed. I’m worried he might say this just to fuel the trade fires and get other teams interested.

BTW, Turiaf has left the Lakers. innnnnteresting.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Jul 10, 2008 9:30 AM PDT   0 recs

But...

The Lakers still have several days to match the offer.. Which i think they will..

I for one, CANT STAND Turiaf..I hope he stays with the Lake-Show

by Hoops916 on Jul 10, 2008 9:54 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

See? We agree sometimes

I agree completely.

by Carl on Jul 10, 2008 9:56 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Good to hear!!

good to see you have a good head on your shoulders some of the times! JK

I’m pretty sure Turiaf makes my list of top 3 players that I despise!!!

by Hoops916 on Jul 10, 2008 9:59 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

what is wrong with you guys?

I’d pay Ronny Turiaf 4 million a year just for being the worlds greatest cheerleader. I don’t care if he can play.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sqHlECU8bw&feature=related

that. is. awesome.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Jul 10, 2008 10:42 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dead on..

You just showed EXACTLY why I despise the man.!!!!!!!! I would wanna throw-up if I had to watch that dancing chump on the Kings bench-

(And it may have a little bit to do with the fact that I dislike Gonzaga)

by Hoops916 on Jul 10, 2008 10:53 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm confused

You dislike him being excited about the play of his teammates? You dislike that he loves exciting plays? You dislike that he’s really a fan livign the dream?

Do you prefer that players are constantly proffesional? I’m not disparaging, I’m honestly surprised that someone would find Turiaf disgusting. Please explain.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Jul 10, 2008 11:17 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hmm..

I’ve never actually though about putting my hatred for Turiaf in print before, but I’ll give it a shot..

From the top, I have never enjoyed watching/rooting for players with limited ability who play the “bench” and cheer in such a way that it doesnt appear to be authentic. I dont mind a guy like Matten Cleaves, who never played much, but was known for waving his towel and cheering on his boys. (Cleaves is just one example, there have been many like him over the years.Travis Outlaw in Portland and Eddie House in Boston come to mind.).I love watching “NBA fans” like Cleaves though.. Something about it just reeks of authenticity!

Turiaf, on the other hand, has become a 1-man side show in my opinion. To watch him do the “running man” and other stupid dancing shit on the sideline seems much more life self-promotion than anything. It seems much more geared toward entertaining the crowd than actually rooting on his boys. And in a city like LA, shameless self-promotion seems to be a norm! Hence, why the Fans and TV cameramen eat it up.

I could go deeper into it, but that pretty much is the basis of my dislike for his “enthusiasm” on the bench-.....Ohh and did I mention that I’m not a fan of Gonzaga basketball? So I may be a bit biased, but I have a feeling I’m not alone in my assessment.

by Hoops916 on Jul 10, 2008 11:33 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Also, what he said

Cheering on your teammates is fine. But you don’t get to do the touchdown dance if you didn’t score the damned touchdown.

by Carl on Jul 10, 2008 12:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

completely agree

Turaif is a dusche. So is Mark Madsen.

by Travis Mays Hayes on Jul 10, 2008 9:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ok, i get it

Your problems with Turiaf lie in that you don’t necessarily feel he’s being honest with his celebration, and it’s more showboating rather than simply youthful exhuberance. I can accept that point – hell, I can even provide examples (who’s that extra Laker in the Kobe car-jumping video? This unnecessary pregame bit.)
From that, I could see how the camera time on a sub can make you detest him even more. I wonder what kind of person he is, whish we could get the real scoop.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Jul 10, 2008 1:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree

The guy had open heart surgery during his rookie year. Those who said that you despise the cheerleading, y’all despicable.

Ronny Turiaf is an inspirational story. The guy’s career could’ve ended. I’m happy that he’s getting a 17 mil for 4 yrs. offer.

The guy’s got tremendous energy. Y’all are hating because he’s a Laker.

BOOK IT!

by kingme18 on Jul 10, 2008 1:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He's the ML Carr of the 21st Century

His comeback from open heart surgery is impressive and inspirational, but that doesn’t automatically make him a good guy.

And yes, I hate him because he’s a Laker. You make that sound like a bad thing.

Kevin Pritchard has Chuck Norris tied up in the trunk of his car.

by otis29 on Jul 10, 2008 1:41 PM PDT to parent up   1 recs

Agreed.

I’m not saying he’s a bad guy. I’m just saying he’s freaking annoying, which has nothing to do with his health.

by Carl on Jul 10, 2008 1:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don’t find it annoying at all. He’s showing his passion for his teammates. Ronny said that he did all the dancing on the bench because he wanted to live every minute to the fullest after what happened and I have no problem with it. I just ignore something like that.

BOOK IT!

by kingme18 on Jul 11, 2008 12:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Here's my point

I love my rivalries. I love HATING the Dodgers and HATING the Lakers. And the Niners , and the Raiders, and the Cowboys…and to a lesser extent the Celtics.

Turiaf could be the greatest guy in the world…he could be rescuing kittens and orphans from burning buildings on a weekly basis. And I will still hate him as long as he is wearing that diarrhea-colored jersey every night.

If he had any self-respect, he would have not even signed an offer with another team, as that gives the Lakers a chance to match. He should have played until he was completely free of the Devil’s shackles, then found a job with a more respectable organization.

Kevin Pritchard has Chuck Norris tied up in the trunk of his car.

by otis29 on Jul 11, 2008 12:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I just..

Think the guy, and all of his dances etc, are ridiculously cheezy. And yes, His comeback story is inspirational and all, but that doesnt make him a player that I should/or want to root for.

And no, i’m not hatin on him cause he’s a Laker.. I don’t hate on Kobe, Farmer, Odom or Bynum..hell, I dont even hate on Phil Jackson.

by Hoops916 on Jul 10, 2008 1:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hate!
Lakers I hate:
  • Kobe – Duh.
  • Famar – Yeah, pretty much, just because he’s a Laker.
  • Vujacic – YES, I hate this guy more than Kobe and Turiaf. I mean, it’s inspirational and all that a woman is playing NBA basketball, but that doesn’t make her him any less annoying.
  • Phil – Of course.
  • Fisher – I hate his second rate flopping. Can’t hold a candle to the master.
  • Bynum – I’m OK with him now. I will learn to hate him in time.

by Carl on Jul 10, 2008 1:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

you forgot

luke walton – dusche, and his dad is weaksauce
turaif – dusche, don’t know his dad
and Farmar because he is a Laker AND he went to UCLA, double whammy

by Travis Mays Hayes on Jul 10, 2008 9:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+1
Farmar because he is a Laker AND he went to UCLA, double whammy

by smgmatt on Jul 10, 2008 9:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You know,

A dusche!

It’s kind of like the Nike Swushe, but different.

by smgmatt on Jul 11, 2008 11:29 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Turiaf is an idiot

Turiaf is the kind of guy that runs in and kicks someone after another guy beats them up. He had nothing to do with that play – NOTHING and should sit down and shut up until he does. Drives me crazy.

by Carl on Jul 10, 2008 12:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Where?

I took a quick look around and didn’t see anything, who did he sign with, and for how much?

Link?

by smgmatt on Jul 10, 2008 9:56 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nevermind, I found it.

Here it is for anyone else interested:

...Ronny Turiaf, who has agreed to a four-year, $17 million deal with the Warriors.

As Hoops916 noted, the Lakers can match within 7 days of receiving the offer sheet.

by smgmatt on Jul 10, 2008 10:07 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Who Knows?

What this means? Its Petrie we’re talking about here.
If he Must go
Send him EAST!

(there ARE 15 teams in the East – I don’t know why everyone is so excited to send him to our biggest enemy)

eternal skeptical optimist

by lietothegirls on Jul 10, 2008 9:34 AM PDT   0 recs

Because it doesn't matter

The Lakers are a good team right now. The Kings are not. The Kings are getting better, and you make the moves that help the franchise the most overall. Maybe it means the Lakers get a better player right now, but if we’re adding a consistent, reliable player while at the same time (possibly) shedding a contract like K-9’s, then I am all for it.

Never forget: I am a complete idiot

by Exhibit G on Jul 10, 2008 9:49 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Get the best deal you can

I don’t know what the big deal is about trading with the Lakers. They will still be our biggest enemy, and adding Artest certainly won’t hurt the rivalry.

And there’s always the chance that “bad” Ron-Ron could torpedo that whole franchise. How much fun would that be?

Kevin Pritchard has Chuck Norris tied up in the trunk of his car.

by otis29 on Jul 10, 2008 9:50 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

Just think of all the giddy comments there’d be on StR every time Ron sent an e-mail to the LA TImes, instead of the frustration currently found when he sends e-mails to the Bee?

by smgmatt on Jul 10, 2008 9:55 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

How is this good again?

I’m not seeing how this is good. Are you not allowed to discuss trades during this period? It sounds to me like Petrie went on vacation when he should have been working on trading Artest.

by Carl on Jul 10, 2008 9:59 AM PDT   0 recs

he wants to follow the rules

so its not like he was ignoring the Lakers because he doesn’t like the trade, he just wants to wait until he’s supposed to.

by vfettke on Jul 10, 2008 10:19 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It's good because we at least know why it is happening

Even if we don’t like the reason, we know that GP isn’t ignoring the Lakers for no reason at all. Or even worse, that he’s ignoring them because he doesn’t want to trade Artest (I only say this would be worse because I’m not sure how much longer I can handle hundreds of comments speculating about Artest trades).

Never forget: I am a complete idiot

by Exhibit G on Jul 10, 2008 10:28 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

July Moratorium

OK, I read that teams can’t consumate trades during the moratorium, but I’ve never read anything that says they can’t discuss trades during this period.

Maybe it’s just that he wanted to make sure Beno actually signed before he traded Artest. If Beno doesn’t sign, then you look for a deal involving a Point Guard. That actually makes sense to me.

by Carl on Jul 10, 2008 10:38 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That does make sense.

by Ziller on Jul 10, 2008 11:22 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That was my beef with your analysis too

You mentioned this to me on the O’Neal Ford deal that teams can talk and get done things on principle, and when the appropriate time comes the “official” trade gets done.

Remember on draft day there was no official mention by the “NBA” that a O’Neal/Ford deal had been complete? That’s because it hadn’t been. They knew Hibbert was being selected by Toronto for Indy, and there was nothing the NBA can do about it.

I don’t think Petrie wanted to discuss an Artest trade before he had a chance to discuss everything with the family off the record and away from the all telling blog that the bee is showing to be their best basketball reporting asset these days.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jul 10, 2008 1:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Also it makes no sense

That teams would be able to talk with other team’s free agent’s but not discuss trades in the same time period.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jul 10, 2008 1:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Bee Blog
and away from the all telling blog that the bee is showing to be their best basketball reporting asset these days.

I agree that the Bee has done an excellent job posting tidbits. Great idea to turn it into a group blog.

You have to wonder if it burns their chicken that they post all the news, but the good conversation is over here. Aside from my inane patter, of course.

by Carl on Jul 10, 2008 2:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe they like it

Amick just posts his favorite quotes, and everyone wins.

by smgmatt on Jul 10, 2008 2:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You can't agree to a trade

before the 9th if Artest is involved. somehow, someway he would find a way to disrupt the deal and that would make it even harder for to anything in return for him.

I might also add that Jessica Alba is a championship piece, if he thinks Ron is too, more power to him. ;p -Kfan in Korea

by kangsfan on Jul 10, 2008 10:39 AM PDT   0 recs

Lakers deal?

What exactly does that deal do for us? Odem and k-9 both have two years left and neither is in our long-term plans, Artest would be off the payroll next year anyway….

Unless there is another nugget in it for us like Farmar the only thing we gain is a ‘potential’ trading piece next year.

There are 15 teams in the East we could probably do as well with without having to face Artest in a laker’s uniform.

eternal skeptical optimist

by lietothegirls on Jul 10, 2008 10:39 AM PDT   0 recs

Bad salary info?

Lamar Odom ($14.5M) is in the final year of his contract, just like Ron Artest ($7.4M).

Kenny Thomas ($7.9M, $8.5M) has an extra year.

The benefit is that the Kings would shed the final year ($8.5M) of Kenny Thomas’ contract (plus whatever Odom gives you – either in on-court production, via a pre-deadline trade, or a S&T in the off-season).

by smgmatt on Jul 10, 2008 10:55 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes

According to hoopshype you’re right. I was pretty sure there was another year so I’ll check other sources (they’re not always right).

Anyway, that does give some more thought to him being a deadline trade piece.

If it came to that though I’d send Artest + to Miami for (as much as I depise him) Marion. Like I’ve said, there are several other options.

eternal skeptical optimist

by lietothegirls on Jul 10, 2008 11:04 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ah

But would Miami take Artest + (plus what, exactly? Definitely not K9) for Marion?

There are many, many options out there in which contracts will match, but the numbers fall considerably when you look at things like: team needs, level of contention, mortgaging the future for a possible rental, risk aversion, changes in team chemistry, teamwork, and even off-court distractions (although Marion obviously isn’t the best example there for that one).

I’m not saying Artest hits all/none of these points, but to simply say that there are 15 teams in the East, so we should trade him there isn’t looking at the forest for the trees.

Don’t forget, Denver turned down Klieza & a 1st . . . people aren’t exactly beating down our door for Artest, even if his talents suggest otherwise.

by smgmatt on Jul 10, 2008 12:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hoopshype is a bad source

I still have found the best source of info is ShamSports. There are some other decent spots (Patricia Bender’s spot comes to mind) but usually ESPN’s trade checker and Sham’s salary information are the 2 best spots for this type of information for my money.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jul 10, 2008 1:38 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

In that case...

Via ShamSports:

Odom: $14.1M
Artest: $7.4M
K9: $8.5M, $8.7M

Kenny Thomas still has one more year than Artest & Odom, but the numbers are slightly different.

I’ll break my HoopsHype Salaries Page habit one of these days…...

by smgmatt on Jul 10, 2008 1:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

In my view...

Just an expiring contract and an expiring contract the year after that for an expiring contract. Expiring contracts have value, people. HUGE value. Just look at the Gasol trade. If we want to trade off Artest, we at least want something of long term value for him, not some 1-year help.

by CloudyEyes on Jul 10, 2008 2:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm split

on the idea of this lietothegirls… I see where your coming from though!

I’d like to get the BEST value back for Artest that is availiable…....However, Id MUCH rather see him in the East where he and Kobe wouldnt dominate K-Mart and Salmons(Garcia) 4x’s a year..

That would be painful to watch!

by Hoops916 on Jul 10, 2008 10:55 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not worried about Ron re-signing with LAL

They don’t have a ton of available money to sign him to a long-term deal. Ron seems to be about the big bucks next year (part of why he had such a shit-fit this past month). The Lickers could ditch some of their other ancillary pieces, of course. But they would have to get rid of (let walk) Vujacic, as well as not match whatever huge deals Bynum will get offered.

My bet is on LAL using Artest to win next year, then letting him go to NYK, NJN for big $$$

by misterbrister on Jul 10, 2008 11:18 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

They're going to stomp us for the forseeable future anyway

The Lakers are going to beat the Kings over the next several years no matter where Artest plays, so I’m not worried about that part.

by Carl on Jul 10, 2008 12:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I've looked

There don’t seem to be many teams in the East that 1) are close to contention 2) have decent pieces to come back 3) need a 3.

by misterbrister on Jul 10, 2008 11:10 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Salary Cap In '09 With This Trade

If Artest and K-9 were sent to LA, and the Kings let go of Odom, that would put the Kings payroll at around 52.5 next year. If the salary cap hits say 60M, which is a conservative estimate, the Kings will have 7.5M to sign a free agent.

Of course, Shelden Williams and Quincy Douby have team options, so for them, if they don’t show anything, then they will be released. That’s another 6.5M, so the Kings would be around 14M under the cap.

The Kings currently have 13 players under contract, and I think Singletary will make it 14 when they give him an offer, so Petrie will probably want a 2 for 1 deal. You can’t get fair value traing Artest heads up.

by LiquidPolio on Jul 10, 2008 11:03 AM PDT   0 recs

They are Signed to Contracts -- How Big? Who Knows?

From Amick’s blog yesterday:

This morning, point guard Beno Udrih officially inked his five-year, $32.7 million deal with the Kings and the team held a press conference at C-Webb’s Center Court this afternoon. They also signed second-round picks Sean Singletary and Patrick Ewing Jr. to contracts, although I don’t know the terms as yet.

by #12Pick...who? on Jul 10, 2008 12:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Non-guaranteed deals

These are non-guaranteed deals. They’ll get a certain amount of money for being in camp and the NBA minimum if they make the team.

by Carl on Jul 10, 2008 12:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Moore too

Mikki has a team option, buy-out clause, or something similar in his contract, so he could be off the books in 2009* if that’s the direction the team took.

Getting rid of K9’s salary a year early opens up a lot of possibilities.

*Don’t forget to rub your lucky SAR-medical-retirement rabbit’s foot, because he could be off the cap as well.

by smgmatt on Jul 10, 2008 12:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

At worst he becomes a tradeable contract too smg

I think forcing a guy into medical retirement is just wrong myself, but it will help the Kings against the luxury tax for the next 2 seasons would be my only point.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jul 10, 2008 1:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Force?

I don’t think he should be forced into medical retirement, but if he’s done in the NBA I’d sure like it if he knew that sooner rather than later because it would really help the Kings to bump up their salary cap space to 2009 instead of 2010.

I don’t wish ill-will on the man, and knowing that he’ll get every penny of his contract is pretty cool. That said, if he’s done, get him off the books!

by smgmatt on Jul 10, 2008 2:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

provided that...

we don’t end up with some crazy Darius Miles situation years down the road. It’s looking like Portland may end up screwing the pooch on that one. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m crossing my fingers someone gives that guy a contract.

by misterbrister on Jul 10, 2008 2:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I wondered about that

I saw his name come up in some FA rumors, and thought he had medically retired (and come off the salary cap at that) . . . so I’m very interested to see where that goes.

by smgmatt on Jul 10, 2008 2:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He has to attempt a comeback

And if he can he has to go through with it. You can’t fake a comeback to get medical retirement. You have to “attempt” to a comeback before you can be considered medically retired. It’s best for everyone to consider Reef part of the team until he no longer is part of the team.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jul 10, 2008 2:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sad,

But true.

by smgmatt on Jul 10, 2008 2:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Cisco

Is probably due at least the MLE after this season or an extension beginning 2010

eternal skeptical optimist

by lietothegirls on Jul 10, 2008 11:08 AM PDT   0 recs

Cisco's extension

After trading Ron Artest this summer has to be the 2 biggest items on Geoff Petrie’s agenda. Easily the 2 biggest.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jul 10, 2008 1:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

How much?

I was just discussing this with a buddy of mine, what do you think Garcia could be signed for this summer? If he plays well (if Artest is gone he’ll get more PT) he’ll likely cost more next year, so I agree that this would be the time to do it.

Is there any chance we could sign him to a Luke Walton deal, except declining instead of increasing?

by smgmatt on Jul 10, 2008 2:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think it will cost more than that

Maybe we could lock him up for the Beno deal. But if he continues to improve this season, we may be looking at 5 years 35-40 mil. That’s my guess, without looking around at players I think are similar.

Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott

by Kfan in Korea on Jul 11, 2008 5:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The one thing

that could keep Garcia in MLE range is that he is a swing, not a hard to find PG. But his versatility could certainly work in his favor.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jul 11, 2008 8:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Good point.

Did no research, just a gut opinion response.

Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott

by Kfan in Korea on Jul 11, 2008 8:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

09 and 10 Free agents

Chad Ford lists the FA’s for 2009 and 2010 today on espn.com… here’s his summary:

Those who have been observing the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks, among others, maneuver to create salary-cap space already have heard about “the Summer of LeBron.” That’s 2010, the year that LeBron James can opt out of his contract with the Cavs.

But the offseason of 2010 is not just the Summer of LeBron: It’s also the Summer of Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Ray Allen, Tyson Chandler, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Joe Johnson, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Redd, each