HLBT Daily: Signings Galore

Upon the signing of Casey Jacobsen, the Houston Rockets immediately became title contenders (I couldn't resist...). Seriously though, with a healthy T-mac and the acquisitoin of Shane Battier, the Rockets could make the western conference semis next year (I avoided starting the sentence off with a "Realistically speaking," because a healthy T-mac is not necessarily realistic). The team was starving for a good defender, let alone good perimeter defender, and the Rockets got their man in Shane. Rafer Alston will also have a better year next year, as he plays well when the games actually matter. Last year, the Rockets lost their chance of making the playoffs early in the season, and Rafer wasn't as into it as he would otherwise be. And don't forget about Houston's favorite Chinese guy. You know, the tall one.

The Cavs signed David Wesley. He should be a good locker room influence as well as insurance at shooting guard (though they are a year late - Larry Hughes is not likely to miss 3/4 of the season again).

The Nuggets will sign Reggie Evans to add to their already crowded frontcourt. It is my belief, though, that it is impossible for Reggie to hurt a team. He's a lunchpail kinda guy who works his tail off and seems like a very nice person on top of it (so long as you can get past the whole "grabbing" Chris Kaman incident...). Just a side note - I recently read that Kenyon Martin says his knee feels great and that George Karl has told reporters that Kenyon is the best player on the court at practice.

Sofoklis Schortsianitis, who had a bit of a coming out party in the World Championship, should be in the NBA shortly - L.A. specifically. The Clippers own his rights, as he was their second round draft pick in 2003. "Baby Shaq," as he is called, also has a relatively inexpensive buyout clause with his current team overseas, reportedly at $500,000.

I have been intrigued by this guy since I first heard about him in 2002. He has supposedly been playing pro ball since he was 14 (he is now 21), and the guy is absolutely gigantic at 6'9" 300+ lbs. His jersey for the Greek team was skin tight, almost as if they did not have anything in his size of 17XL (I was unable to get confirmation that 17XL is his official jersey size).

From what I saw in the World Championship, he is just what the NBA wants in that he is a gifted athlete that needs some guidance. He moves exceptionally well, kind of like the other "Baby Shaq" at LSU, but can also jump a little bit. One of his best assets, however, is he seems to have soft hands. Sofoklis's albatross has always been his foul trouble, so that will most likely be the key to his NBA success, if and when he migrates to the States. Yao Ming certainly thinks he will be joined soon by the big fella, saying, "I hope good luck for [Sofoklis] the rest of his career, especially when he comes over to play in the NBA."


Basketball news has been hard to come by the past few days, so that is all for now.