As the legend of Big Shot Bob dissipates -- Robert Horry might retire this summer, and likely wouldn't be back in a Spurs jersey regardless -- another grows in its place. These days, it's possibly soon-to-be two-time champion James Posey who gets noticed as the defensive ace/heady, roughhouse leader/three-ball specialist who just plain wins.Marc J. Spears of the Boston Globe got an anonymous exec type to discuss Posey's impending worth and the connection.
Posey will be an unrestricted free agent and the most Boston can offer is a mid-level exception deal, which would be expected to start at about $5.8 million. If the Celtics offer him the full mid-level exception or something close to it over four years, they should have a strong shot at re-signing him. But they shouldn't be surprised if several teams go after him hard, too.As solid as Posey has been, it is shocking to me that he'll get the full mid-level. Horry's last contract paid him $10 million over three years, roughly the same per-year as Posey's current deal. Bruce Bowen's per-year salary is similar.
"Everyone in the league will go after him," an NBA executive said. "The Lakers probably will. But it will probably be the same money. He can pick and choose. He's like Robert Horry now. A team close to winning will sign him.
Perhaps a big contract for Posey will serve as reparations for the years of financial bias against elite defenders. Shane Battier, one of the best swing defenders in the world, makes less than $6 million. (And if anyone's asking me, he's the real next Big Shot Bob.) These players deserve this money, but almost never get it. I mean, it's taken Posey two titles in three years as the best swing defender to get looked at for the frickin' midlevel, which guys like Mikki Moore and
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-15-2008 @ 10:43AM
Bill said...
Watching Posey all year the guy does absolutely everything. Tremendous character, 3 point shooter, smart, relentless defender, cheerleader/team player, quiet with the media, and a winner. Without Pose we have no shot at winning a championship.....none.
Hope Celts do everything they can to keep him as he's the glue, and hope he wants to stay with a veteran team with a shot at competing for the title the next several years.
Bill
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6-15-2008 @ 12:31PM
Cyanide said...
Hahahaha, "tremendous character".
I understand he's got your team winning, but does that really make up for the DUI and at least two very prominent flagrant-2s in the past few years, along with a lot of other fouls of questionable intent?
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6-15-2008 @ 1:08PM
wwd said...
Great topic. But when did Jarvis Hayes get the full mid-level???
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6-15-2008 @ 1:08PM
Tom said...
Whoops. Thanks, wyn.
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6-15-2008 @ 4:56PM
victorybautista said...
Two titles in three years, huh? Must be comfy in the backseat of that Delorean. Say hi to Brent for me.
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6-16-2008 @ 1:36AM
frank said...
for the next several years ? Are you talking about dinasty here?
You must be related to Bill Russell are you ?
Boston had it hard time beating the very young Atlanta team and the same with Lebron and the Cavs, so what's wrong with your picture ??
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6-16-2008 @ 2:41PM
av_muli said...
If Posey will do his job, defending and defending kobe very well celtics will win the championships...As to the contract just continue to do his job and we will see Posey might get the full mid level contract salary...
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6-19-2008 @ 10:47AM
Mark said...
Bill was right on. Neither the Heat or the Celtics
would have gone all the way without James. Watch
next year if the Celtics don't sign him.
As far as his character, there is no better person.
He's the same as he was when he was at Xavier. The hard fouls are regretably a part of the game and
he's just doing his job. Have you noticed how hard
he gets fouled, also. And there are a lot of good people who make a mistake and get a DUI.
Haven't you ever made a mistake, Cyanide?
Mark
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