Hooped Up

Until last nights Wizards vs. Grizzlies game, the last time I watched a game from tip-off to final buzzer was on Xmas day. Too bad for Christmas, Andray Blatche never got some fundamental defense from good ole Saint Nick.

At least Jamaal Tinsley proved him with a late gift of a trip to Rucker Park.

The Grizzlies are as stable as a Jenga tower missing pieces at the PG spot, between Allen Iverson going AWOL and Michael Conley being inexperienced. So Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace, signed Jamaal Tinsley to a one-year deal hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

“We just felt that (Tinsley’s) experience and playmaking ability could be of benefit to us,” Wallace said. “So we reached out to him. … He’s an accomplished playmaker. We felt that it was a chance to buy some insurance at that position.”

Honestly, this signing could go either way. But if Iverson decides to come back, this will be the best soap opera in the league.

via Commercial Appeal

Jamaal Tinsley has been on the shelve for way to long and I think of his situation as a mid-west Marbury one. Sure he screwed up, but at the end of the day it’s a business and devaluing your own roster pieces makes no sense at all. Then again, it’s hard to argue with Larry Bird about anything.

The Heat – which has auditioned several potential second-round point guards (France’s Rodrique Beaubois , Arkansas/Ukraine’s Patrick Beverley , BC’s Tyrese Rice, Gonzaga’s Jeremy Pargo) — will watch for Jamaal Tinsley’s July 27 grievance hearing. He could be set free in late summer if an arbitrator forces the Pacers to play him (which they won’t) or buy him out.

The Heat need a quality point guard like K-Fed needs a reality cheque, so waiting for a very, very, very, very fresh legged Jamaal Tinsley makes a lot of sense. So does K-Fed being broke, especially K-Fed being broke.

Via Miami Herald

It took two games and already Allen Iverson is fuming about coming off the bench. “How many minutes did I play,” Iverson said after he scored 11 with three turnovers in 18 minutes. “It seemed way, way, way less than that. Eighteen minutes? Come on, man. I can play 18 minutes with my eyes closed. It’s a bad feeling, man. I’m wondering what they rushed me to get back for? For that? “It’s a bad time for me mentally.” ThePistons hardly rushed Iverson back. They let him sit out a month with back pain. And as far as his minutes, other than a six-point flurry in the fourth quarter, he hardly played well enough to displace any other player. He was on the floor during a key part of the Pistons’ collapse in the final five minutes.
Detroit News

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Although this Jamaal Tinsley trade fell through, didn’t happen or is delayed.  Jamaal Tinsley is not a Denver Nugget (maybe yet) but he is definitely not a Pacer as he has been told to stay away from Pacer training camp and might be moved this week. 

“Indiana Pacers point guard Jamaal Tinsley could be traded to the Denver Nuggets early next week, according to The Indianapolis Star. Citing a source close to the situation, the newspaper reported Saturday that there is a “strong possibility” that Tinsley could be dealt to the Nuggets as early as Monday.

Additionally, a second person told the Star that trade discussions are ongoing and that the Pacers will look for another team to deal with if the Denver trade falls through.”

National Post

Jamaal Tinsley has a locker and nameplate of his very own, but its in Denver and its about time. If this Tinsley thing dragged on any longer Larry Bird would have started with the crank calls in the middle of the night and sending 20 pizzas to Tinsleys house with double anchovies.

“Locked-out Pacers point Jamaal Tinsley was traded to the Nuggetsfor Chuckie Atkins and Stephen Hunter, The Post has learned. The deal is contingent on Tinsley passing a physical. Chronically injured over the last four years (only once playing more than 42 games) and embroiled in violent encounters on three separate occasions (none of which he instigated), he spent all summer in Atlanta rehabbing his body and is said to be a great condition. Denver assumes his $21M, 3-year debt. Atkins is due $3.24M and $3.48M while Hunter is guaranteed $3.86M and $3.69M. Less than half of their total salary remaining is guaranteed.”

New York Post

Nobody wants to take on the problems that Jamaal Tinsley has had in Indiana.

“The Pacers’ Larry Bird and David Morway are anxiously waiting for the phone conversation with a fellow league GM that has the two sides agreeing to a trade involving Jamaal Tinsley. Washington Post beat writer Ivan Carter didn’t think the Wizards would be that team because Tinsley has three years and $21 million left on his contract. Carter told me a few hours later that the Wizards have zero interest in Tinsley. You can also cross Golden State off your list because the Warriors aren’t interested in him, either. Miami still needs a starting point guard, but the Pacers haven’t had any discussions with them in “quite awhile.”

Indianapolis Star

Larry Bird really doesn’t want Jamaal Tinsley in Indiana!

If the Pacers can’t trade Jamaal Tinsley, they’re buying him out. They reached that decision even before they stocked up on point guards by dealing for T.J. Ford and Jarrett Jack. Tinsley has three years left on his deal, in excess of $21 milllion.

New York Daily News

Larry Legend is seriously not joking around about revamping the Pacers with the quickness! 

While talking about Thursday’s NBA draft, Bird told reporters he has some players that he’s not happy with.

He said the team needs to draft a point guard and added he has a point guard for sale. That seems to imply, Bird is willing to get rid of Jamaal Tinsley.

AP

The Indiana Pacers suspended Jamaal Tinsley for Wednesday night’s game against Golden State following an incident during a film session one day earlier, The Star has learned. What exactly happened during the session is unknown. However, coach Jim O’Brien said prior to Wednesday’s game that Tinsley would sit out because of an injured knee. O’Brien told The Star the same thing after the game.

Indianapolis Star