Boston Celtics

Jeff Clark: CelticsBlog.com

Jim Weeks: Green Bandwagon

FLCeltsFan: LOY’s Place

John Karalis: Red’s Army

Dustin Chapman: Celtics 24/7

New Jersey Nets

Dennis Velasco: About Basketball

New York Knicks

Joey: Straight Bangin’

Seth Rosenthal: Posting and Toasting

Philadelphia 76ers

Dannie & Pete: Recliner GM

Jon Burkett: Passion and Pride

Toronto Raptors

Franchise: RaptorsHQ.com

Ryan McNeill: Hoops Addict

Cuzzy: Cuzoogle

Also see links to all the previews at CelticsBlog.com

NBA: Atlantic Division Previews from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Andre Miller has another Miller on his side now.  Andy Miller of ASM Sports is representing Andre in his discussions with GM Ed Stefanski.  Andre joins Marreese Speights as 76ers clients for ASM Sports.

The Millers: Andre and Andy from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Olympics

• It’s too bad, because I really wanted to be a friend of Phelps [Phelps Is Maxxed Out On Friends].
• There are a few Olympics athletes who stand to make a lot of money after the games [For Retired Olympians, Marketing Is the Game].

Baseball

• Hanley Ramirez looks even better through the screen of a Sharp Aquos [Sharp signs Hanley Ramirez].
• A lesson in the value of keeping your mouth shut [Source: Tigers put disgruntled Sheffield on waivers].

Basketball

• The kid can dunk, but will he take the Hawks to the next level? [Hawks match Grizzlies' $58M offer sheet, retain Smith].
• Sounds like it was a good deal for Kansas [PACKAGE ALL WRAPPED UP].
• The 76ers are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the East [Sources: Iguodala agrees to six-year, $80 million deal with Sixers].

Football

• Hilarious [Tebow’s Workout Regimen Revealed].

Shabbat Shalom: Friday Wrap-Up from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

“The sports agent business has become so corrupt — I would not encourage anyone to try to become an agent right now.” – 4/22/08 [Short and Sweet]

“Instead of evolving, the sports agent business has devolved. We’re talking about reverse evolution. It’s basically unregulated and there’s wholesale cheating going on. I’m not angry about it. It’s just that it’s about buying clients instead of building relationships.” – 5/2/08 [Another Darren Interviews An Agent]

Not knowing anything about the speaker, the quotes would seem to show true concern about the devolving of a profession that was once bound by integrity, but is now being corrupted by newer entrants who have little values and show no concern for others.  In fact, I partially agree with his statements.  I definitely see corruption in the industry and hope that we, as a community, can do something about it.  I would not discourage people from entering the profession, but instead encourage the entry of new professionals with brilliant minds and innovative spirits.  Enough with that…what about Brand?

The Los Angeles Clippers really have done a remarkable job with their offseason signings.  The last piece of the puzzle that would ensure them a chance to at least compete for a playoff spot was Elton Brand.  This is a guy who averaged a double-double last year on a sub-par team.  LA is a hotbed for athletes with extracurricular intentions (TV, movies, nightlife), so if the team had a chance of winning and the Clips were willing to pay Brand, why not stick around for a bit longer?

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports calls David Falk the empowered Bald Eagle.  I won’t go there.  Where I will go is to break down what occurred.  Brand signed with the Philadelphia 76ers for 5-years and $82 million.  Apparently the Clippers and Brand had agreed in the past that both parties would be happy with a 5-year $70 million.  As far as I am concerned, that does not mean crap.  Verbal agreements are just that.  There is a reason that nothing was ever put in writing.  But what about the fact that the Clippers were actually willing to throw Brand more than $70 million…something close to what the 76ers offered?  Was this payback from Falk or are the Clippers now saying that they presented a larger offer when none was actually proposed to Camp Brand?

I honestly do not know what to think.  I believe that the 76ers will be a much better team with Elton Brand and that the Clippers may have lost the piece that would have finally taken the club out of the depths of the Western Conference.  We may never know if Brand would have stayed in Los Angeles had Falk relayed a late Clippers offer to his client (if Wojnarowski’s statements are true).  All we do know is that a lot of people in Los Angeles are upset with the idea that their Clippers may have another disappointing season.

Did The Clips Get Falked? from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules