Inside The ITP: Day 1 of Free Agency
Feb 2, 2024 20:21:40 GMT -6
kipper, beatonz, and 3 more like this
Post by New York Knicks on Feb 2, 2024 20:21:40 GMT -6
Ernie Johnson: Welcome everybody to a special edition of Inside The ITP. We got an important day today as the start of free agency is underway. And boy did we see some fireworks today. Of course I'm joined by Charles Barkley and Kenny the Jet Smith.
Kenny Smith: My phone was blowing up the whole day. Breaking news every 15 seconds. It was exciting. How are you feeling Chuck?
Charles Barkley: How am I feeling? It's the off-season and it's Friday. I only work Thursdays and the Playoffs. What the hell are we doing here Ernie?
Ernie Johnson: We're working.
Charles Barkley: They're not gonna work me like a dog. Like I'm Stephen A. On TV every hour on ESPN 1, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPN Deportees.
Ernie Johnson: Tranquilo Chuck.
Charles Barkley: You Pendejo.
Kenny Smith: Doesn't this free agent period remind you of when you got your first big deal. Doesn't it bring back good memories?
Charles Barkley: Don't remind me Kenny. I made 40 million for my whole career. Some of these fools are getting over 40 million per season.
Ernie Johnson: You must be referring to Anthony Edwards. As he was one of 3 big Clipper free agent signings which totalled in $335 million dollars spent.
Anthony Edwards: 5 Years 184 Million
Dwayne Wade: 5 Years 117 Million
Julius Randle: 2 Years 34 Million
Charles Barkley: And they're still not getting out the first round.
Kenny Smith: You don't like what they're doing Chuck? They had a solid team last year. They're bringing everybody back for continuity. Plus they added Sabonis earlier in the off-season. They can compete for a top spot in the Western Conference.
Charles Barkley: Let me tell you something. My daughters 8 year old and under soccer team can compete for a top spot in the West. That conference has been a joke for the last 7 years. But does that make them good? Wade and Edwards have never fulfilled that star potential I thought they had. There has always been something missing in their games. And Julius Randle is another underachiever. Arvydas Sabonis has been inconsistent too. Domantas is rolling in the womb seeing his future father play soft as he has. I'm telling you I don't like this team. When you assemble a team full of underachievers the team will underachieve. Is that so hard for you to understand fool?
Ernie Johnson: So you don't like their free agent haul? What grade would you give them?
Charles Barkley: An F. F for they're gonna Fall Flat on their Face next season.
Ernie Johnson: What about you Kenny?
Kenny Smith: I'd give them a solid B. They built a nice competitive roster.
Charles Barkley: Man I wish I had a teacher like you when I was failing in school. I spell my name right you'd probably give me a B.
Ernie Johnson: One thing to note. The Clippers spending spree has put them 15 million dollars over the hard Cap. They will have until the end of the off-season to get under. Moving on to the other team in LA. The Los Angeles Lakers had a free agent party of their own bringing in some big names.
Theo Maledon: 3 Years 75 Million
Larry Kenon: 2 Years 44 Million
Brian Winters: 2 Years 16 Million
Charles Barkley: Why are they signing all them old Geezers?
Ernie Johnson: Theo Maledon is a former league MVP. Larry Kenon won back to back MVPs.
Charles Barkley: Yeah about 25 years ago. Back when Julius Erving was still in the league. Man Julius Erving is so old I used to play with him on the same team. And Kenon is around the same age.
Kenny Smith: These are older players. But they can still perform at a high level. Theo Maledon averaged over 20/10 last year as the floor General for a Portland team that got to the Western Conference Finals. Larry Kenon is another 20 PPG scorer that helped the Warriors get the #1 seed.
Charles Barkley: And then what happened? They lost in the first round to the 8 seed Dallas. Just like this Lakers team isn't getting out the first round. Let me tell you something. I can't stand the Lakers. No matter how much they suck every year we still gotta talk about the damn Lakers every week. Every week their shitty games are on National Television. And now that they got these old geezers were gonna see even more of the Lakers on TV. And that is gonna piss me off. If I gotta watch more Laker games in studio next season I'm gonna retire.
Ernie Johnson: Larry Kenon at 35 contemplated retirement this off-season. Are you surprised he decided to comeback and sign with a Lakers team that lost 50 games last year?
Kenny Smith: I'm not surprised he came back. As a competitor, which is who Kenon is. 2 Time MVP. He led the Jazz to some good playoff runs in the West. A guy like that isn't gonna just quit after suffering an embarrassing #1 vs #8 seed loss in the playoffs. I knew he would be back. But I am surprised he joined the Lakers.
Ernie Johnson: There is a possibility the Lakers are signing these players for the purpose of eventually trading them. Like what they did with Anthony Soprano last season. Do you think that's what the Lakers should try to do this season? Or try to compete.
Kenny Smith: I think they should try to initially compete. While Maledon serves as a mentor to Mike Conley. And Kenon serves as a mentor to Chet Walker.
Charles Barkley: I had a mentor once. His name was Moses Malone. And he called me a fatass and told me to lose weight if I wanted to stay in the league. You see what I'm saying? He was honest with me. Just like I'm gonna be honest with the Lakers. This team is going nowhere. They lost 50 games last year. They're gonna lose another 50 this year. And somebody is gonna lose 50 teeth if we get 20 more Laker TNT games this season.
Ernie Johnson: Well if the person who's teeth gets knocked out needs to borrow money for dental work, they can call TJ Ford. Who just became a whole lot richer today. He signed a 5 year deal worth over 117 million with the Indiana Pacers.
Kenny Smith: I really like TJ. He's good young point guard that's really come into his own since arriving in Indiana. They got a nice long term future with Ford, Mashburn, Lavine.
Charles Barkley: Ford, Mashburn, Ford. F M L. You know what that stands for Ernie? Fuck my life. How much longer are we gonna be here? I gotta go play golf with Michael Jordan.
Ernie Johnson: Focus Chuck. TJ Ford good signing or Not?
Charles Barkley: Good player. Bad contract. Look he can run the offense. He can score. Get assists. But He's too small. He can't defend. That's why the other point guards in the East are always kicking his ass. So I feel like giving him all that money for 5 years guarantees them to be a team that's consistently gonna come up short. Just like TJ.
Kenny Smith: He averaged 23 PPG 9 APG and shot the ball nearly 50 % from the field. He's one of the most efficient guards in the league. You gotta give him a little more credit.
Charles Barkley: I did. I said he was a good player. He just doesn't play any defense.
Ernie Johnson: You didn't play any defense either Chuck. But one guy thay will defend is the tough rugged Marcus Smart, who just signed a 2 year 47 million dollar deal with Miami. Thoughts on this signing?
Charles Barkley: I love Miami bringing in Marcus Smart. They're trying to rebuild that whole Heat Culture thing. And Smart is the perfect player for that. He's a tough dude. He competes. He wants to win. And hes a damn good player. Heat almost got the 8 seed last year.
Now with Smart I got them going to the playoffs. I guarantee it.
Kenny Smith: I 100% agree. A 24 PPG scorer. He grabs 7 rebounds per game from the shooting guard position. Add 2 steals. Plays great perimeter defense. Getting a high caliber player like that on a 2 year deal was one of my favorite signings of the day.
Ernie Johnson: The Heat also signed Fred Brown and Kevin Duckworth to 1 year deals.
Charles Barkley: Who?
Ernie Johnson: Kevin Duckworth. He played 9 games for the Pacers last season. He agreed to a 1 year/5 million dollar deal.
Charles Barkley: He played 9 games and they gave him 5 million dollars? They're just giving money away these days.
Ernie Johnson: Another big signing today was Nick Van Exel to the Utah Jazz. 70 million dollars over 4 years. Good signing for Utah?
Kenny Smith: For sure. They had a good off-season adding Kareem Abdul Jabbar to their front line. They addressed the SG position with the trade for Hal Greer. The one thing that was missing was a point guard. Nick Van Exel fills that void. Great shooter, he can run the offense, and he plays excellent on ball defense.
Charles Barkley: I'm still trying to figure out why the hell Atlanta got rid of him. Who's that new General Manager they hired?
Ernie Johnson: I <3 John
Charles Barkley: Oh yeah that fool. I don't think he knows that the hell he's doing. But yeah Van Exel will help Utah. It's a solid contract. Especially compared to some of other guys that been getting overpaid.
Ernie Johnson: Speaking of overpaid. Do you believe the Mavs overpaid For Zelmo Beatty, who they signed to a 4 year 86 million dollar max?
Charles Barkley: Didn't he average like 5 PPG last year? And they're giving him 86 million dollars. Man ever since Mark Cuban sold the team they're all losing their minds out there in Dallas.
Ernie Johnson: 8 PPG actually to go with 10 RPG. Do you agree that it was an overpay Kenny?
Kenny Smith: I do agree. But I think it was an overpay worth making. A 22 year old with some nice potential and upside. He can further grow into that contract. I think the Mavs roster has been lacking in terms of young talent. Zelmo gives them what they need.
Charles Barkley: They need a foot up their ass for giving a 6 PPG scorer 86 million dollars.
Ernie Johnson: I told you it was 8 Chuck.
Charles Barkley: Ok Ernie now you're pissing me off. 8 points 6 points. Point is he can't score and they gave him a max contract. The way their off-season is going the Mavs are gonna go from the 2nd round of the playoffs to the 2nd worst record in the West. Only body they're gonna beat are those damn Lakers.
Kenny Smith: What about the Grizzlies Chuck?
Charles Barkley: Man they ain't send the Grizzlies to the D-League yet? That's what they do in soccer right? When you're the worst team you go to the minor leagues.
Ernie Johnson: That is correct.
Kenny Smith: I didn't know you watch soccer Chuck.
Charles Barkley: It sure beats watching the Memphis Grizzlies. Elvis is rolling in his grave.
Ernie Johnson: "Don't be cruel" Anyways were down to our last topic. David West signed a 4 year 81 million dollar deal to stay in seattle. Did the Sonics make the right move bringing him back?
Kenny Smith: Sonics were outstanding last year. Getting to the 2nd round of the playoffs taking the eventual West champs Minnesota to 7 games. And they did all that without Damon Stoudamire, who missed their entire postseason. West was a big part of that with about 20/10 points and rebounds. He's one of the strongest guys in the league. And he brings that attitude and edge to Seattle. They're much better off with him than without him.
Charles Barkley: David West was a excellent signing. But they had to sign him. He knows MMA. If they didn't give him his money, he would've put broadwaytra3 in a sleeperhold. I'm ready to go to sleep Ernie. I'm not a young man anymore. Are we done yet?
Ernie Johnson: Yes we are. Well that does it for this special edition of Inside The ITP. It was one of the most climactic days of the ITP season. And we hope you enjoyed it.
Kenny Smith: My phone was blowing up the whole day. Breaking news every 15 seconds. It was exciting. How are you feeling Chuck?
Charles Barkley: How am I feeling? It's the off-season and it's Friday. I only work Thursdays and the Playoffs. What the hell are we doing here Ernie?
Ernie Johnson: We're working.
Charles Barkley: They're not gonna work me like a dog. Like I'm Stephen A. On TV every hour on ESPN 1, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPN Deportees.
Ernie Johnson: Tranquilo Chuck.
Charles Barkley: You Pendejo.
Kenny Smith: Doesn't this free agent period remind you of when you got your first big deal. Doesn't it bring back good memories?
Charles Barkley: Don't remind me Kenny. I made 40 million for my whole career. Some of these fools are getting over 40 million per season.
Ernie Johnson: You must be referring to Anthony Edwards. As he was one of 3 big Clipper free agent signings which totalled in $335 million dollars spent.
Anthony Edwards: 5 Years 184 Million
Dwayne Wade: 5 Years 117 Million
Julius Randle: 2 Years 34 Million
Charles Barkley: And they're still not getting out the first round.
Kenny Smith: You don't like what they're doing Chuck? They had a solid team last year. They're bringing everybody back for continuity. Plus they added Sabonis earlier in the off-season. They can compete for a top spot in the Western Conference.
Charles Barkley: Let me tell you something. My daughters 8 year old and under soccer team can compete for a top spot in the West. That conference has been a joke for the last 7 years. But does that make them good? Wade and Edwards have never fulfilled that star potential I thought they had. There has always been something missing in their games. And Julius Randle is another underachiever. Arvydas Sabonis has been inconsistent too. Domantas is rolling in the womb seeing his future father play soft as he has. I'm telling you I don't like this team. When you assemble a team full of underachievers the team will underachieve. Is that so hard for you to understand fool?
Ernie Johnson: So you don't like their free agent haul? What grade would you give them?
Charles Barkley: An F. F for they're gonna Fall Flat on their Face next season.
Ernie Johnson: What about you Kenny?
Kenny Smith: I'd give them a solid B. They built a nice competitive roster.
Charles Barkley: Man I wish I had a teacher like you when I was failing in school. I spell my name right you'd probably give me a B.
Ernie Johnson: One thing to note. The Clippers spending spree has put them 15 million dollars over the hard Cap. They will have until the end of the off-season to get under. Moving on to the other team in LA. The Los Angeles Lakers had a free agent party of their own bringing in some big names.
Theo Maledon: 3 Years 75 Million
Larry Kenon: 2 Years 44 Million
Brian Winters: 2 Years 16 Million
Charles Barkley: Why are they signing all them old Geezers?
Ernie Johnson: Theo Maledon is a former league MVP. Larry Kenon won back to back MVPs.
Charles Barkley: Yeah about 25 years ago. Back when Julius Erving was still in the league. Man Julius Erving is so old I used to play with him on the same team. And Kenon is around the same age.
Kenny Smith: These are older players. But they can still perform at a high level. Theo Maledon averaged over 20/10 last year as the floor General for a Portland team that got to the Western Conference Finals. Larry Kenon is another 20 PPG scorer that helped the Warriors get the #1 seed.
Charles Barkley: And then what happened? They lost in the first round to the 8 seed Dallas. Just like this Lakers team isn't getting out the first round. Let me tell you something. I can't stand the Lakers. No matter how much they suck every year we still gotta talk about the damn Lakers every week. Every week their shitty games are on National Television. And now that they got these old geezers were gonna see even more of the Lakers on TV. And that is gonna piss me off. If I gotta watch more Laker games in studio next season I'm gonna retire.
Ernie Johnson: Larry Kenon at 35 contemplated retirement this off-season. Are you surprised he decided to comeback and sign with a Lakers team that lost 50 games last year?
Kenny Smith: I'm not surprised he came back. As a competitor, which is who Kenon is. 2 Time MVP. He led the Jazz to some good playoff runs in the West. A guy like that isn't gonna just quit after suffering an embarrassing #1 vs #8 seed loss in the playoffs. I knew he would be back. But I am surprised he joined the Lakers.
Ernie Johnson: There is a possibility the Lakers are signing these players for the purpose of eventually trading them. Like what they did with Anthony Soprano last season. Do you think that's what the Lakers should try to do this season? Or try to compete.
Kenny Smith: I think they should try to initially compete. While Maledon serves as a mentor to Mike Conley. And Kenon serves as a mentor to Chet Walker.
Charles Barkley: I had a mentor once. His name was Moses Malone. And he called me a fatass and told me to lose weight if I wanted to stay in the league. You see what I'm saying? He was honest with me. Just like I'm gonna be honest with the Lakers. This team is going nowhere. They lost 50 games last year. They're gonna lose another 50 this year. And somebody is gonna lose 50 teeth if we get 20 more Laker TNT games this season.
Ernie Johnson: Well if the person who's teeth gets knocked out needs to borrow money for dental work, they can call TJ Ford. Who just became a whole lot richer today. He signed a 5 year deal worth over 117 million with the Indiana Pacers.
Kenny Smith: I really like TJ. He's good young point guard that's really come into his own since arriving in Indiana. They got a nice long term future with Ford, Mashburn, Lavine.
Charles Barkley: Ford, Mashburn, Ford. F M L. You know what that stands for Ernie? Fuck my life. How much longer are we gonna be here? I gotta go play golf with Michael Jordan.
Ernie Johnson: Focus Chuck. TJ Ford good signing or Not?
Charles Barkley: Good player. Bad contract. Look he can run the offense. He can score. Get assists. But He's too small. He can't defend. That's why the other point guards in the East are always kicking his ass. So I feel like giving him all that money for 5 years guarantees them to be a team that's consistently gonna come up short. Just like TJ.
Kenny Smith: He averaged 23 PPG 9 APG and shot the ball nearly 50 % from the field. He's one of the most efficient guards in the league. You gotta give him a little more credit.
Charles Barkley: I did. I said he was a good player. He just doesn't play any defense.
Ernie Johnson: You didn't play any defense either Chuck. But one guy thay will defend is the tough rugged Marcus Smart, who just signed a 2 year 47 million dollar deal with Miami. Thoughts on this signing?
Charles Barkley: I love Miami bringing in Marcus Smart. They're trying to rebuild that whole Heat Culture thing. And Smart is the perfect player for that. He's a tough dude. He competes. He wants to win. And hes a damn good player. Heat almost got the 8 seed last year.
Now with Smart I got them going to the playoffs. I guarantee it.
Kenny Smith: I 100% agree. A 24 PPG scorer. He grabs 7 rebounds per game from the shooting guard position. Add 2 steals. Plays great perimeter defense. Getting a high caliber player like that on a 2 year deal was one of my favorite signings of the day.
Ernie Johnson: The Heat also signed Fred Brown and Kevin Duckworth to 1 year deals.
Charles Barkley: Who?
Ernie Johnson: Kevin Duckworth. He played 9 games for the Pacers last season. He agreed to a 1 year/5 million dollar deal.
Charles Barkley: He played 9 games and they gave him 5 million dollars? They're just giving money away these days.
Ernie Johnson: Another big signing today was Nick Van Exel to the Utah Jazz. 70 million dollars over 4 years. Good signing for Utah?
Kenny Smith: For sure. They had a good off-season adding Kareem Abdul Jabbar to their front line. They addressed the SG position with the trade for Hal Greer. The one thing that was missing was a point guard. Nick Van Exel fills that void. Great shooter, he can run the offense, and he plays excellent on ball defense.
Charles Barkley: I'm still trying to figure out why the hell Atlanta got rid of him. Who's that new General Manager they hired?
Ernie Johnson: I <3 John
Charles Barkley: Oh yeah that fool. I don't think he knows that the hell he's doing. But yeah Van Exel will help Utah. It's a solid contract. Especially compared to some of other guys that been getting overpaid.
Ernie Johnson: Speaking of overpaid. Do you believe the Mavs overpaid For Zelmo Beatty, who they signed to a 4 year 86 million dollar max?
Charles Barkley: Didn't he average like 5 PPG last year? And they're giving him 86 million dollars. Man ever since Mark Cuban sold the team they're all losing their minds out there in Dallas.
Ernie Johnson: 8 PPG actually to go with 10 RPG. Do you agree that it was an overpay Kenny?
Kenny Smith: I do agree. But I think it was an overpay worth making. A 22 year old with some nice potential and upside. He can further grow into that contract. I think the Mavs roster has been lacking in terms of young talent. Zelmo gives them what they need.
Charles Barkley: They need a foot up their ass for giving a 6 PPG scorer 86 million dollars.
Ernie Johnson: I told you it was 8 Chuck.
Charles Barkley: Ok Ernie now you're pissing me off. 8 points 6 points. Point is he can't score and they gave him a max contract. The way their off-season is going the Mavs are gonna go from the 2nd round of the playoffs to the 2nd worst record in the West. Only body they're gonna beat are those damn Lakers.
Kenny Smith: What about the Grizzlies Chuck?
Charles Barkley: Man they ain't send the Grizzlies to the D-League yet? That's what they do in soccer right? When you're the worst team you go to the minor leagues.
Ernie Johnson: That is correct.
Kenny Smith: I didn't know you watch soccer Chuck.
Charles Barkley: It sure beats watching the Memphis Grizzlies. Elvis is rolling in his grave.
Ernie Johnson: "Don't be cruel" Anyways were down to our last topic. David West signed a 4 year 81 million dollar deal to stay in seattle. Did the Sonics make the right move bringing him back?
Kenny Smith: Sonics were outstanding last year. Getting to the 2nd round of the playoffs taking the eventual West champs Minnesota to 7 games. And they did all that without Damon Stoudamire, who missed their entire postseason. West was a big part of that with about 20/10 points and rebounds. He's one of the strongest guys in the league. And he brings that attitude and edge to Seattle. They're much better off with him than without him.
Charles Barkley: David West was a excellent signing. But they had to sign him. He knows MMA. If they didn't give him his money, he would've put broadwaytra3 in a sleeperhold. I'm ready to go to sleep Ernie. I'm not a young man anymore. Are we done yet?
Ernie Johnson: Yes we are. Well that does it for this special edition of Inside The ITP. It was one of the most climactic days of the ITP season. And we hope you enjoyed it.
