NBA: Top five worse signings of the 2010 free-agency
So here we have it, the ‘Miami thrice’ have proved that they were the obvious and biggest free agents in NBA in 2010. LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh took a majority of the limelight but many other players made it to the headlines as well who helped in generating some interest in the 2010 free agency. All stories were somehow interlinked to one another. Some players took pay cuts so that they could win more titles which they were unable to do with their previous teams. Meanwhile, some players signed onto monster deals just so that they could get loads of money and some players were just plain lucky. However, there were a number of losers in this year’s free agency signings as well.
Bad signings are usually done by the general managers who are the real looser. This year’s signings have been outlandish and NBA franchises proved to the world that they were desperate to sign bigger and better players. Experts suggest that throwing deals at players and luring them with multi-million dollar contracts which they do not deserve is ample proof of where basketball in America is going.
Ben Wallace topped the charts as he signed a deal worth $3.8 million for 2 years with the Detroit Pistons. Basketball critics bluntly claimed that Wallace has passed his prime. However, people might be left to ponder over the fact that why is he being paid so less? Well, the experts have an answer to that. Critics and experts believe that this is because Wallace should be sitting on his couch at home and enjoying the game from there than actually playing it on the courts. Wallace scored 1.1 points per game on average in the 2008/09 season which does not leave any room for further criticism.
Johan Petro might not be extremely recognized in the National Basketball Association, because he is actually a Frenchman who plays for the Seattle SuperSonics. Johan signed a 3 year deal with the New Jersey Nets. His entire career has been an enigma for basketball experts – quite similar to Joey Barton. Although Joey is known as a psychotic professional football player but statically they both have some common grounds to share – both are considered to be below average players to say the least. However, the New Jersey Nets billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov believes that Johan would be a good backup for their stud centre Brook Lopez.
Travis Outlaw is another fish in the free-agency pool that was reeled in by Mikhail Prokhorov. Travis signed a contract worth $35 million with the New Jersey Nets over a five year period. Such was the player that his highest scoring average sat at 13 points per game in 2007 and 12 points per game in 2008. These statistics are further glorified as he has not been able to pass the 10 point benchmark ever in his entire career. Critics wonder as to why such players should even bother exerting themselves on the court and why don’t they retire and work a normal 9 to 5 job in which they might excel in.
Darko MIlicic, a 7feet tall player is another mystery in the offering. Experts say that he does even deserve a $1 million payment for a deal. However, he inked a contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves for $20 million over a four year period. According to media reports, Minnesota Timberwolves showed their desperation by signing on a player like Darko MIlicic. Critics say it’s like mixing chocolate syrup with curry; the combination just does not go well together. The Timberwolves are one of the lowest ranked teams in the NBA, and have not managed to qualify for the playoffs since the past 6 years. Experts say that just by acquiring a robust centre does not improve the team as a whole.
Amir Johnson is another player, who still has not seemed to come out his rookie year. However, such was his luck that Amir was able to sign a deal with the Toronto Raptors for the next five years worth $34 million. It is reported that the deal even shocked Amir himself as he was in disbelief that a team was actually more than willing to welcome him onboard. Amir has only played in two playoffs with the Detroit Pistons in 2007 by averaging 2.5 point per game and while scoring 7 points per game in 2008. His highest scoring average remained at 6.7 points per game in an offseason. If the Toronto Raptors are thinking that Amir will replace Chris Bosh who left the team to play for the Miami Heat, they certainly need to think again. Amir is not at par with Bosh in statistics and he definitely doesn’t have the charisma to improve the Raptors in the 2011 season.