Stock Watch: Who's the next Jerome James?
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BDodgers at aol.com
Wed May 3 18:02:53 CDT 2006
Stock Watch: Who's the next Jerome James?
(http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/index)
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By Chris Sheridan
ESPN.com
Nobody wants to be the next _Jerome James_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3279) , but there are 29 million reasons why that might
not necessarily be such a bad thing.
The portly 7-footer parlayed a strong first-round playoff series last season
for Seattle into a $29 million free agent contract with the _New York
Knicks_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=nyk) , reaping a windfall
reward for the one and only productive stint of his career.
The stakes are higher in the playoffs, especially for the players trying to
impress the buyers who will be out shopping for free agents two months from
now.
Entering the playoffs, it looked like a ho-hum free agent market, especially
at shooting guard, but _Bonzi Wells_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3254) and _Jared Jeffries_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3609) are establishing some enhanced value.
Wells was the offensive star for the Kings on Sunday with 25 points and 17
rebounds as Sacramento evened its series with San Antonio at 2-2. That same
day in Washington, Jeffries was the defensive difference-maker for the Wizards.
He drew _LeBron James_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3704) ' fourth charging foul with 2½ minutes left, then fouled out _Larry
Hughes_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3251) 30 seconds
later on another charge as the Wizards tied the Cavaliers 2-2.
"Jared has done a tremendous job of helping himself," said his agent, Andy
Miller. "The impact he makes on both ends of the floor, he does a lot of
things that don't show up in the box score, the types of things teams are looking
for."
Here's a look at how a few other upcoming free agents (listed
alphabetically) are doing in the playoffs, and whether their stock is up or down (all free
agents are unrestricted unless otherwise noted):
_Shandon Anderson_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3081) , Heat: Still chuckling over the $19 million buyout he got from the
Knicks, count on him re-signing with Miami or finding another warm weather city.
Stock: Low.
_Chucky Atkins_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3391)
, Grizzlies: A decent Game 3 with 20 points, but his mediocrity in Games 1,
2 and 4 (19 points, nine assists combined in those three games) against
Dallas made everyone in Memphis miss _Damon Stoudamire_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3009) a little more.
Stock: Down.
_Antonio Burks_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3853)
, Grizzlies (restricted): Played eight inconsequential minutes (no points,
one assist) in Game 2, and scored three points in five garbage-time minutes as
Memphis was swept in Game 4. A DNP-CD in Games 1 and 3.
Stock: Low.
_Sam Cassell_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=1295) ,
Clippers: Averaged 14.6 points and 5.4 assists in the Clips' five games
against Denver. A proven winner, he's eager to cash out in what may be his final
NBA contract.
Stock: Up.
_Kelvin Cato_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3185) ,
Pistons: Taking up space on the end of Detroit's bench for now, but could be
used against _Shaquille O'Neal_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=847) in the conference finals.
Stock: Low.
_Tony Delk_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3086) ,
Pistons: Getting spot duty behind _Rip Hamilton_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3330) and shooting 58 percent against the Bucks.
One or two big games down the road could earn him some money.
Stock: Even.
_Francisco Elson_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3364) , Nuggets (restricted): The suspension of _Kenyon Martin_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3400) has pressed the third-year big
man into duty, but his totals against the Clippers were 13 fouls, six points
and 11 rebounds in 76 minutes.
Stock: Down.
_Reggie Evans_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3663) ,
Nuggets: He'll make some money off what he did for Denver in the regular
season after his trade from Seattle, but he was a dud in the postseason (3.8
points, 4.6 rebounds).
Stock: Down.
_Devean George_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3346)
, Lakers: He's been steady and has made a few timely 3s for the Lakers, but
he won't supplant _Luke Walton_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3735) in the rotation.
Stock: Even.
_Eddie Gill_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3471) ,
Pacers: Logged 57 stat-free seconds in Game 2 at New Jersey.
Stock: Low.
_Drew Gooden_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3602) ,
Cavaliers (restricted): Has had one outstanding game (24 points on 11-for-12
shooting, 16 rebounds in Game 2) and three mediocre ones against Washington.
Stock: Even.
_Adrian Griffin_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3394)
, Mavericks: Does what he does, and is good at it. Had four steals in Game
1 vs. Memphis, and is shooting 58 percent in the series.
Stock: Up.
_Alan Henderson_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3018)
, Cavaliers: On the end of the bench in Cleveland, the 11-year vet probably
can make some money overseas next season.
Stock: Down.
_Lindsey Hunter_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=1281)
, Pistons: Still one of the league's best on-the-ball backcourt defenders,
he's happy contending for titles in Detroit.
Stock: Even.
_Bobby Jackson_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3191)
, Grizzlies: Didn't increase his value in the playoffs, committing 14
turnovers against the Mavs.
Stock: Down.
_Jermaine Jackson_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3390) , Bucks: Keeps finding places to land on an NBA roster, but might need to
become part of another sign-and-trade (he went from NY to Chicago in the
_Eddy Curry_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3514) trade)
to avoid having to extend his career overseas.
Stock: Low.
_Jim Jackson_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=832) ,
Lakers: An insurance policy for the Lakers, but could earn himself a one-year
deal and a 15th NBA season with one big game. One wrinkle: _Kobe Bryant_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3118) has requested his
No. 24 jersey for next season.
Stock: Down.
_Jared Jeffries_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3609)
, Wizards: Washington doesn't want to lose another shooting guard after
refusing to overpay for _Larry Hughes_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3251) last summer, but will they match if someone else wants to
overpay Jeffries?
Stock: Up.
_DerMarr Johnson_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3405) , Nuggets: Shot only 3-for-13 from the field against the Clips. Still
making a living on his potential.
Stock: Down.
_Ervin Johnson_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=1294)
, Bucks: Hard to believe he's been around for 13 seasons, and hard to see
anyone bringing him back for a 14th.
Stock: Low.
_Fred Jones_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3612) ,
Pacers (restricted): Averaging 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists
against the Nets. Started in Game 4 when _Peja Stojakovic_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3119) sat out.
Stock: Up.
_Toni Kukoc_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2148) ,
Bucks: After missing two games with back spasms, went 3-for-4 on 3-pointers
and had six assists in Game 3 -- proving he can still help someone win a
playoff game.
Stock: Even.
_DJ Mbenga_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3877) ,
Mavericks (restricted): A player to keep an eye on in the later rounds. Will
be paid this summer on potential.
Stock: Even.
_Walter McCarty_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3100)
, Clippers: No playoff stats other than two fouls in seven minutes against
Denver.
Stock: Even.
_Nazr Mohammed_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3272)
, Spurs: Lost his spot in the starting lineup Sunday night to _Rasho
Nesterovic_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3260) in San
Antonio's Game 4 loss at Sacramento.
Stock: Down slightly.
_Alonzo Mourning_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=845)
, Heat: Just back from a torn calf muscle, has played only 22 minutes
against Chicago but did take time to rip Stu Jackson.
Stock: Down.
_Lamond Murray_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2630)
, Nets: Six points and seven fouls in four games against Indiana.
Stock: Low.
_Flip Murray_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3639) ,
Cavaliers: Gave up his Bird rights when he waived his trade veto to come to
Cleveland; might have established mid-level exception value.
Stock: Up.
_Nene_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3605) ,
Nuggets: The feud between _Kenyon Martin_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3400) and George Karl has increased the value of the injured
Brazilian forward, who stands a better chance than Martin of being back for
Denver's training camp.
Stock: Up.
_Jannero Pargo_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3660)
, Bulls: An energy guy but an expendable part for the scrappy Bulls.
Stock: Even.
_Gary Payton_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=259) ,
Heat: Might have earned himself a job elsewhere next year by arguing so
vehemently with teammate _Dwyane Wade_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3708) on Sunday.
Stock: Down.
_Eric Piatkowski_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2638) , Bulls: As expendable as Pargo for Chicago, but might land a veteran's
minimum deal somewhere.
Stock: Even.
_Scot Pollard_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3189) ,
Pacers: With big bodies in short supply, will find employment for a 10th NBA
season. Scoreless in four playoff games vs. Nets.
Stock: Even.
_Vladimir Radmanovic_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3522) , Clippers: Knocked down seven threes in Games 1-4 against Denver, and
rebounded a little, too, then went 0-for-4 in the Game 5 clincher.
Stock: Even.
Peja Stojakovic: This is a heck of a time for him for Peja's knee injuries
to have flared up. They were 0-2 without him and 2-0 with him heading into
Game 5 in New Jersey on Tuesday.
Stock: Down.
_Jason Terry_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3333) ,
Mavericks: Dominated the point guard matchup against Chucky Atkins and Bobby
Jackson in the sweep of Memphis, averaging 17.5 points and 5.5 assists.
Stock: Up.
_Tim Thomas_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3170) ,
Suns: Can't blame him for the 3-1 deficit to the Lakers. Thomas is averaging
15.8 points on 53 percent shooting, including 13-for-23 from 3-point range,
with a team-high 9.3 rebounds.
Stock: Up.
_Nick Van Exel_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=1308)
, Spurs: Had a DNP-CD Sunday night after going 0-for-3 and 0-for-5 from the
field in Games 2 and 3 against the Kings.
Stock: Down.
_Keith Van Horn_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3169)
, Mavericks: Out with a broken hand but on the Mavericks' postseason
roster, he conceivably could play if the Mavs reach the NBA Finals.
Stock: Down.
_Jacque Vaughn_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3195)
, Nets: The first guard off the bench for New Jersey, an often overlooked
key contributor for his smarts and leadership.
Stock: Even.
_Ben Wallace_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3149) ,
Pistons: The Bucks attacked him in Game 3 Saturday and got away with it, but
it's a virtual certainty Detroit will keep its defensive anchor.
Stock: Even.
_Bonzi Wells_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3254) ,
Kings: His less-than-stellar reputation will scare some teams away, but he's
the No. 1 shooting guard on the market for a position that's tough to fill.
Stock: Up.
_Jiri Welsch_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3614) ,
Bucks: Has stayed in the league only because of the three-year rookie deal
he signed. Will likely play in Europe next season.
Stock: Down.
_Lorenzen Wright_
(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3116) , Grizzlies: Played 40 minutes off the bench and had 10 points, 10
rebounds and three blocks in Game 3 after totaling just 27 minutes in Games 1 and 2.
Didn't do much in Game 4.
Stock: Low.
Chris Sheridan, a national NBA reporter for the past decade, covers the
league for ESPN Insider. To e-mail Chris, _click here_
(http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/mailbagESPN?event_id=9634) .
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