On September 16, 2011, I wrote that Jamal Crawford was on to the next one after he officially terminated Aaron Goodwin of Goodwin Sports Management as his representative.  Crawford had not given any indication as to who would become his next agent of record.  According to the NY Daily News, Crawford has finally made a decision, opting to sign with Andy Miller of ASM Sports.

Frank Isola of the NY Daily News seemed to somehow think that Crawford’s new relationship with Miller, in particular, may lead him to signing with the New York Knicks or the New Jersey Nets.  He seems to base that theory on Miller being domiciled in New Jersey, close to both teams.  Yes, that logic sounds silly to me, as well.  However, Miller does have three clients on the Knicks roster.

Jamal Crawford Picks Andy Miller Of ASM Sports For Representation from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

The loss of Williams is a big blow to McLaren, who does not currently represent any other NBA players.  On the other hand, Leon Rose represents the likes of LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony.  Williams went from being the big fish in a small pond to just another fish in an already big pond (if he in fact signs with CAA).

Whoever does sign Williams will not be terribly busy talking to teams just yet; Williams cannot opt out of his current deal with the Nets until net year.  However, the Nets will make it a top priority to keep Williams with the club, and will likely start negotiations on a long-term deal much earlier than the Summer of 2012.

On To The Next One: Deron Williams from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Former Wisconsin guard Devin Harris is in his 6th year in the NBA, currently playing with the New Jersey Nets.  Prior to joining the Nets, Harris was with the Dallas Mavericks.  Harris consistently got better in each of his four seasons with the Mavericks, logging more minutes and points in each successive year.  This year, he is averaging around 15 points and 8 assists in 32 minutes per game.  His assists are at an all time high, but Harris is barely shooting above 40% from the field and his 3-point percentage is sub-30%.

The 5th overall selection in the 2004 NBA Draft has decided to part ways with his now former agent, Henry Thomas of Creative Artists Agency (the same agency that represents Wade, Bosh, and James) in favor of Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management.  Harris joins an agency that also represents Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, and Paul Pierce.  From one mega basketball agency to another.

On To The Next One: Devin Harris from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

When: February 2, 2011 (6 p.m.)

Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey (map)

The event consists of a pre-game panel discussion, networking, and lower level tickets to the Nets vs. Sixers.  Featured speakers include Jeff Gewirtz (Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer, NETS Basketball) and Charlie Mierswa (Executive Vice President, Business Operations & Chief Financial Officer, NETS Basketball).

Cost: $20.  Tickets can be purchased through Matt Bish at the New Jersey Nets: mbish@njnets.com or (201) 635-3173.

Sports Lawyers Association Event At New Jersey Nets Game from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

What: Seton Hall Journal of Sports & Entertainment Law 2011 Sports & Entertainment Law Symposium

When: February 15, 2011 (4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)

Where: One Newark Center, Newark, NJ 07102 (map)

The event will focus on the professional and ethical dilemmas confronting attorneys representing athletes and entertainers. 3 CLE credits will be awarded for full day attendance.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Jeffrey B. Gewirtz, Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer, New Jersey Nets Basketball/Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment

PANEL 1 — TRIAL PUBLICITY
This panel will focus on Rule 3.6 of the ABA’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct.
Christopher D. Adams, Esq., Member — Walder, Hayden & Brogan, P.A.
Darren Del Sardo, Esq., Partner — Damico, Del Sardo & Montanari, L.L.C.
Ellen C. Marshall, Esq., Of Counsel — Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis L.L.P.
Michael McCann, Esq., Professor — Vermont Law School

PANEL 2 — LABOR CONCERNS IN SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
This panel will concentrate on the labor concerns surrounding sports leagues and the entertainment industry.
Jessica Berman, Esq., Associate Counsel — National Hockey League
Ann Burdick, Esq., Senior Legal Counsel — Writers Guild of America East
Marc Edelman, Esq., Assistant Professor — Barry University’s Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
Alan C. Milstein, Esq., Member/Shareholder — Sherman, Silverstein, Kohl, Rose & Podolsky, P.A.

Cost: Free for Seton Hall Law students and faculty (click here) and $40 for general registration (click here).

Seton Hall 2011 Sports & Entertainment Law Symposium from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

For the fourth straight year, we are honored to be involved with a group of the web’s best blogs in a venture to provide previews for each NBA team.  As is the norm, I will be covering the Miami Heat.  Besides posting the Heat preview, I will be linking to the other sites that are covering all teams not named the Miami Heat.  We are starting with the Atlantic Division.  Feel free to check out any of the previews below and have a great weekend.

Celtics: CelticsBlog | Celtics 24/7 | Celtics Central | Celtics Hub | CelticsLife | Gino’s Jungle | RedsArmy.com | SBNation Boston | SBN Recap

Knicks: Posting and Toasting | Bandwagon Knick | KnickerBlogger.Net | SBN Recap

Nets: NetsDaily | NetsAreScorching | Fanway | SBN Recap

Raptors: Raptors HQ | Hoops Addict | Hip Hoop Junkies | SBN Recap

Sixers: Liberty Ballers

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

2010 NBA Mock Draft 2.0 (First Round) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Vinnie Rotondaro of The Brooklyn Ink, a Internet news blog run by students at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism covering all things Brooklyn, recently caught up with Prokhorov to discuss the team’s move and the impact the team will have on the Brooklyn community.

Bruce Ratner, the real estate mogul who sold the team to Prokhorov, is finally wrapping up the legal battles that his Atlantic Yards development and Barclay Center (the Nets’ new home of which Prokhorov also owns a minority share) have faced for years.  However, Prokhorov may face the more difficult task of getting the same Brooklynites that opposed the area redevelopment to become the Nets new fan base.  How does he plan on accomplishing this goal?  Prokhorov sees Brooklyn as the nexus of the NBA and globalization.

In a borough that’s been void of professional sports since the Brooklyn Dodgers left for the West Coast, this may be easier said than done.  But Prokhorov is determined to bring an NBA Championship to New York and make the Nets the top basketball team in the sports capital of the world.  Check out Rotondaro’s interview with Prokhorov to read more about how the foreign-born sports mogul plans to build a dynasty in Kings County.

Brooklyn Bound from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

However, before LeBron can start really looking for a mansion on South Beach (yeah I said it), the NBA draft is coming. Remember all of these guys were a part of the draft once, so you have to pay some attention to which players your team can select, and  who may possibly be a contributor on the way to an NBA championship.

Lottery Draft order projected statistically.

1. New Jersey Nets: John Wall/Kentucky – After being arguably the best in college basketball for an entire season, he will rightfully go first overall.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Evan Turner/Ohio St. – The most NBA ready player in draft, could be the best out of the draft if health allows him to be.
3. Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins/Kentucky – Cousins is not the usual fit for the Kings and its owners (the Maloof brothers), but he is the only real post threat in the draft. Add him to a nucleus of Tyreke Evans and Jason Thompson and you have the first team in Sacramento to sniff the playoffs since Vlade Divac was flopping in the purple and black.
4. Golden State Warriors: Derrick Favors/Georgia Tech – Had Favors put up the numbers that were anticipated when he arrived at GT, the Nets would be selecting him first overall. Although Golden State will be a good fit, Favors will be able to run the high paced offense the Nelly loves to utilize.
5. Washington Wizards: Wesley Johnson/Syracuse – A freak athlete who can score. The Wizards cannot afford to let a talent like Johnson slip past them.
6. Philadelphia 76ers: Ed Davis/North Carolina – Davis seems to be one of the players who left early to keep from suffering completely if the NBA bargaining agreement keeps the 2011-2012 season on ice. Davis is going to be Samuel Dalembert’s replacement after his contract expires. Additionally, look for the 76ers to try and unload Elton Brand on draft day for either money, another first round pick, or a sign and trade.
7. Detroit Pistons: Cole Aldrich/Kansas – Aldrich is a spitting image of Paul Davis, the former Michigan State center who was a sound, tough rebounding big in college, but that’s pretty much where the story ended. Aldrich lacks the footwork of other big men in the draft and is going to struggle when he can’t go over the top of defenders.
8. Los Angeles Clippers: Al-Farouq Aminu/Wake Forest – An athlete who can and hopefully will develop a perimeter game to play alongside Blake Griffin. Aminu is going to be a tougher version of Al Thornton, who never turned out the way the Clippers expected before they sent him packing.
9. Utah Jazz: Greg Monroe/Georgetown – Georgetown being upset in the first game of the big dance did not help Monroe’s stock, but the Jazz will lose Boozer and will realize that Mehmet Okur is not a center. Monroe possesses phenomenal footwork and can stretch the floor, and if big men could ever win the rookie of the year award, he would be the leading candidate.
10. Indiana Pacers: Ekpe Udoh/Baylor – A fantastic shot blocker, he will play alongside an emerging Roy Hibbert, and with the NBA’s stars relocating, the Pacers could be in playoff contention come April.
11. New Orleans Hornets: Daniel Orton/Kentucky – Orton has the least playing experience of all prospects in the entire draft. He has NBA size, but with unproven skill. He will become the mid-season bandage when Okafor goes down with an injury, again. Orton will benefit playing with CP3, and scouts believe he has the talent to be the best big man out of Kentucky, eventually.
12. Memphis Grizzlies: Patrick Patterson/Kentucky: A physical specimen coming out of college, he is sound fundamentally and can contribute at the power forward position right away.
13. Toronto Raptors: Hassan Whiteside/Marshall – Whiteside will be drafted just in time to go to Bosh’s  Bon Voyage party, maybe as Turkoglu’s plus one? Whiteside can block shots, score around the basket, and rebound. Look for Dwight Howard comparisons throughout his entire career.
14. Houston Rockets: Donatas Motiejunas/Lithuania – This guy gets the label of highest bust probability. He is another thin seven footer who will refuse to rebound and put up 5 too many threes a game.
15. Milwaukee Bucks: James Anderson/Oklahoma St. – Attacks the basket really well, put up a lot of points in college, and could complement Jennings really well. NBA fans will continue to Fear The Deer!
16. Minnesota Timberwolves: Gordon Hayward/Butler – The last chance of having the next “Great White Hope”. Hayward can shoot the ball from almost anywhere on the court – lucky for Duke.
17. Chicago Bulls: Xavier Henry/Kansas – Regardless of what moves are made in the off-season, Chicago is going to take the best talent available and someone who can run with Rose. Henry couldn’t be a better fit.
18. Miami Heat: Eric Bledsoe/Kentucky – Playing in John Wall’s shadow at Kentucky, Bledsoe did not receive the publicity he deserved. He is an NBA ready point guard who will fill the Heat’s need of a ball handler and distributor.
19. Boston Celtics: Damion James/Texas – Doc Rivers is going to steal James from the Spurs, who pick right behind them. A hard nosed defender who can make stops and be a spark off the bench. He’s the pick because of the possibility the Celtics could lose Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Tony Allen.
20. San Antonio Spurs: Larry Sanders/VCU – Sanders can block shots and has the frame to become a dominating post presence. Let the mastermind better known as Mr. Popovich get his hands on him and you have the frontcourt of the future with Sanders and Blair down low.
21. Oklahoma City: Solomon Alabi/Florida St. – The Thunder learned their lesson the hard way when a team lacks decent big men. Unfortunately, they are not getting that in Alabi, who comes with the buyer beware warning due to his raw talent and what looked like genuine clumsiness around the basket in college.
22. Portland Trailblazers: Kevin Seraphin/France – With Nicolas Batum becoming a larger role in the Blazers rotation, Portland will take the chance on Seraphin. The Blazers will likely allow him to play one more year overseas and then use him as a post defender, praying he won’t collapse like every other big in Portland.
23. Minnesota Timberwolves: Luke Babbitt/Nevada – This being the T’wolves third pick in the first round, this is potential trade bait to a team like Memphis who covets Babbitt’s scoring and rebounding ability.
24. Atlanta Hawks: Quincy Pondexter/Washington – This is a steal for Atlanta. Pondexter could either replace a possible departing Joe Johnson or give Marvin Williams his pink slip, and either way, Pondexter will have a bright future in the NBA.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Avery Bradley/Texas – This is probably the biggest slide of the first round, due to Bradley’s lack of scoring ability right now. If he finds a way to score, then the Grizzlies will have made off like bandits with a guy who could easily be a lottery pick.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder: Paul George/Fresno State – Another great athlete who can score, giving the Thunder a fourth or fifth scoring option.
27. New Jersey Nets: Devin Ebanks/West Virginia- A perimeter defender with the height of a big man. His jump shot is less than questionable, which is why he is still available this late.
28. Memphis Grizzlies: Terrico White/Mississippi – The possibility that Rudy Gay may be leaving forces the Grizzlies to take someone who can put up points. White can do just that.
29. Orlando Magic: Willie Warren/Oklahoma – The second coming of Courtney Lee to the Magic. Warren’s questionable attitude at Oklahoma is the reason for such a fall, but the Magic are the big winners after such a painful loss in the Finals.
30. Washington Wizards: Darington Hobson/New Mexico – Will be looked at as a reach, but his ability to lead the Lobos to such a great season gives him a great upside with good scoring ability.

After the glory of the first round has gone, there are a few real players that could make a difference when drafted. The second round sleepers are: Dominique Jones/USF, Jordan Crawford/Xavier, Stanley Robinson/UConn, and Lance Stephenson/Cincinnati.

2010 NBA Mock Draft from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

With the NBA playoffs starting to finally matter, the fourteen teams that were not invited to the party have been playing the “Whom do we select if we don’t get the number one or two pick?” game. With what appears to be a John Wall/Evan Turner one-two picks this year, there are actually other players being drafted that will make a difference.

Statistically the top 5 should be/and should draft:

1. New Jersey Nets: (Soon to be Jay-Z’s Brooklyn Ballers): John Wall/Kentucky- it’s the obvious choice
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Evan Turner/Ohio St.- The NCAA player of the year has the most upside in the entire draft. His numbers and play resemble Caron Butler, but Turner is a lot faster and a much better ball handler.
3. Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins/Kentucky- After playing the role of schoolyard bully for one year, Cousins enters as the only legitimate low post presence in the draft. Alongside Tyreke Evans, look for Cousins to have a big impact his rookie season.
4. Golden State Warriors: Derrick Favors/Georgia Tech- Long, athletic, and skilled. What more do you need out of a big guy? He could be Chris Bosh, but he has more size. Start salivating, Don Nelson.
5. Washington Wizards: Wesley Johnson/Syracuse: A great talent, but must put weight on to be effective. Has a chance of making a difference for a Wizards team whose starters would be questionable backups for playoff teams.

Unfortunately, the NBA draft stock does not extend as deep as other leagues like the NFL or MLB, but there are still players that will be drafted in the late first round and second round that could have great NBA careers.

Picks that make sense:

18^{th -} Miami Heat: Xavier Henry/ Kansas: The outstanding one year wonder 6’6’’ guard could be a terrific addition to a rebuilding Heat team, if he falls past Chicago. Henry has the potential to be what Q-rich was supposed to be this past season – a contributor.

*If Henry is indeed taken by Chicago or earlier……Heat should select Patrick Patterson/Kentucky: Anyone who has watched Patterson play knows he has an NBA ready body, and the drafting of him by the Heat gives them the option to let go Udonis Haslem or Dorrell Wright to have a little more spending money.

20^{th -} San Antonio Spurs: Larry Sanders/ VCU: A shot blocker and post presence, who under Greg Popovich will become the future of the Spurs with an emerging DeJuan Blair. See if anyone outrebounds them ever, again.

Sleepers and Busts of the 2010 Draft:

Sleepers:

• Dominique Jones/ South Florida: A 6’4’’ guard who can put up points like a top five pick.
• Quincy Pondexter/ Washington: The Senior small forward has all the tools to make a good NBA player; tough defense and scoring mentality will make him a great contributor immediately.

Busts:

• Donatas Motiejunas/Lithuania: Other than being ANOTHER European Seven Footer who lacks a post game, he’s just not good. No matter which way you shape it, he is going to cost some poor GM his job. Bottom line, if the sportscaster has to pause to pronounce it, he won’t make it. (Ex. Dalibor Bagaric Benston Zagreb/ Bulls 24^th overall pick 2000).
• Solomon Alabi/ Florida State: A big, athletic big man who will most likely be drafted top 20. He is raw, lacks sufficient post game, and will probably be forced into a significant role before he is ready.

As the draft closes in and the final names are listed, we will continue to cover all aspects, such as contracts, salaries, and draft board moves.

NBA Early Entry Deadline from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules