South Beach No Place For Troubled Point Guard

by Steve Weinman on Oct 22, 2008 11:00 AM EDT in NBA Comment 17 comments

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Much like the case of Zach Randolph, there probably aren't a lot of teams for which acquiring Jamaal Tinsley makes a lot of sense.

We've discussed the myriad of problems with the Pacers' excommunicated point guard in the past, including his inefficient shooting, injury history and the fact that his talents on the court come nowhere close to outweighing his issues off it. So while we might find a team that could reasonably consider taking the gamble, the likelihood will be that acquiring Tins wouldn't be too sound an idea for anybody.

But every now and then a trade rumor comes around that makes so little sense that it bears special note. A few weeks ago, that manifested itself in the form of the Tinsley-to-Denver discussions, which left us wondering why the Nuggets would take great pains to rid themselves of Marcus Camby's salary and then follow it up by adding Tinsley's $21 million over three seasons.

This time around, it's the New York Daily News' Mitch Lawrence's note that the Miami Heat are interested in acquiring Tinsley that is baffling.

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Yes, the Heat have some uncertainty at the point. Mario Chalmers is a rookie second-rounder. Shaun Livingston hasn't played in an NBA game in a year and a half. Chris Quinn hasn't exactly proven himself as a full-time starter in this league. Marcus Banks is, well, Marcus Banks (and Celts fans in particular likely won't need any more explanation than that). If the team felt like it needed to win big right now, perhaps there would be a more urgent need to acquire at the very least a veteran stopgap with perhaps a bit less caution than usual with regard to off-the-court issues.

But this Miami team isn't in that situation. The Heat are only two years removed from a championship, but they are also coming off a 15-win season, and they've become a younger team than they once were. Shaquille O'Neal is gone. Jason Williams is gone. This isn't a team concerned about being a big-time contender for a particularly short window right away. Franchise centerpiece Dwyane Wade is only 26 years old. Shawn Marion turned 30 this year and looks to have one more long-term contract's worth of high-level play in him. The Heat will either try to lock Marion up with a lucrative deal or perhaps move his expiring deal for more young talent. Udonis Haslem is 28. Chalmers may not be completely ready right away, but the 22-year-old has the promise of becoming a solid NBA floor general. It's Livingston's health rather than his age (23) that could be a concern. Likely franchise co-cornerstone and second overall draft pick Michael Beasley is just 19 years old.

This is a team that should improve greatly from its performance last season if its big guns are at full health throughout the year, but it isn't a team likely to be playing for a title. It isn't a team that needs to rush. Erik Spoelstra enters his maiden head coaching season with plenty of young talent to work with as well as an entering-his-prime star who has pledged nothing but full commitment to the organization time and again.

What all this means is that there is everything wrong with the idea of bringing in a 30-year-old point guard who already has "distraction" stamped all over his legacy. Beasley's track record of questionable conduct has already raised plenty of eyebrows. Chalmers got thrown out of the NBA's rookie orientation camp this summer. Shawn Marion has a reputation as being a nice enough dude but had a history of being a bit of a basket case regarding his touches and his status on the team during his days in Phoenix. The last thing this team needs is a point guard to show them all the wrong types of behaviors. Beasley and Chalmers could be enough of a handful to keep track of in South Beach. They don't need a guy with a history of trouble with gun play and after-hours drama serving as one of the veteran presences on this team. And what if Mark Blount somehow weren't involved in a potential Tinsley deal? An off-court disaster and an on-court loafer would make a wonderful combination for the youngsters in Miami.

Bringing in an injury-prone, distraction-causing, middle-of-the-road point guard won't necessarily make the Heat contenders by any means. But it could cause all sorts of trouble in the locker room. Staying away from Jamaal Tinsley definitely seems the way to go in South Beach.

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If they can get Tinsley for the veterans’ minimum after a buyout, or unload Marcus Banks in the process, I don’t see the problem. But my guess is the Obie would quit on the spot if forced to coach Marcus Banks again.

The logical place for Tinsley is Houston, which isn’t going to win a championship with Rafer Alston, but which might win one with Tinsley.

by Brickowski on Oct 22, 2008 11:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I can imagine a Tinsley-for-Skippy Blount trade. An “I’ll trade you my problem for yours” type of thing. Although Indy just extended Jeff Foster (Drat, he was one of my C’s targets!) and has Rasho, Hibbert and that ivory PF/C from Golden State whose name eludes me. But you can always trade a decent big.

by Eeyore III on Oct 22, 2008 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Steve is trying his best to fall out of grace with the population of the State of Indiana. ;D Now, seriously, I can’t disagree. Dumping Marcus Banks would be nice, but the prospect of Tinsley living so close to the South Beach clubs is scary.

The logical place for Tinsley is Houston, which isn’t going to win a championship with Rafer Alston, but which might win one with Tinsley.

Houston, besides already having to deal with Artest, doesn’t have the assets to make a trade, unless they sent Alston and that’s a hell of a risk, considering how injury-prone is Tinsley. Francis Head Hayes for Tinsley?

I like Denver more, in spite of all the risks. Atkins Hunter for Tinsley two second round picks right to swap 1st round picks lottery protected $3 million in cash considerations would be a fair deal for both parts.

by cordobes on Oct 22, 2008 12:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Houston deal would be Battier for Tinsley and Brandon Rush. Maybe the Pacers also throw in a second rounder.

You can disparage Tinsley all you want, but if healthy he’s a quality NBA point guard and a gamer. He would be a perfect fit in Houston.

by Brickowski on Oct 22, 2008 12:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hmm Tinsley with AI, Melo and JR Smith. George Karl will end up committing seppuku.

by Birdbrain on Oct 22, 2008 12:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I can see the Houston locker room now with constant underachievers(playoff speaking of course, not regarding individual stats) Yao and T-Mac coming off poor performances sulking quietly, Ron Artest throwing chairs and tables around questioning his teammates heart and disire and then Tinsley coming out of the shower asking out loud who was packing heat and wanted to accompany him to the nearest strip club until 6AM.

Oh to be a fly on the locker room wall of that team!!!

by nickagneta on Oct 22, 2008 12:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, if you are willing to take a chance on Artest, why not Tinsley, who is only a minor distraction compared to the True Warrier.

Houston’s window with Yao and T-Mac is closing. T-Mac’s back isn’t getting any better, and there is alot of mileage on Yao’s tree stumps, since he plays year-round. It’s now or never for the Rockets.

by Brickowski on Oct 22, 2008 12:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Battier is their 6th man and a great security valve in case McGrady is injured or something goes wrong with Artest – not going anywhere. He would be a starter in lots of teams, even if they were considering to trade him, they’d easily get a much better deal than Tinsley and Rush. That would be a very unbalanced trade in terms of talent.

Denver should take the risk because they simply don’t have a starting pg and, while a healthy Nene may very well be an improvement over Camby and JR Smith looks much improved, I doubt it will be enough to avoid another 1st round exit.

by cordobes on Oct 22, 2008 1:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It doesnn’t really matter who O’Grady, Iverson, or Anthony are surrounded with. They’re too selfish to be champions.

Tinsley might help either the thuggets or Rockets. But the thuggets are a lottery team without Camby and the Rockets are a train wreck with Artest and O’Grady. Tinsley just adds acid to the “chemistry”.

If the Heat go for Tinsley it’s a sign that they’re rolling the character dice to win now.

by Finkelskyhook on Oct 22, 2008 1:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Brandon Rush is an outstanding young player who has impressed everyone in the preseason. Plus Houston has the two bangers in Landry and Hayes. Battier became a 5th wheel when they acquired both Artest and Brent Barry.

by Brickowski on Oct 22, 2008 2:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I like Brandon Rush a lot, I think he’ll be a better pro than many others drafted before him, but isn’t the point that they are trying to win now?

Battier is probably the best perimeter defender in the NBA. He’ll be the 3rd wheel in their wing rotation.

by cordobes on Oct 22, 2008 3:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No, Ron Artest is the best perimeter defender in the NBA, at least among players 6-6 or better.

The bottom line is that Houston won’t win with Alston. He’s too inconsistent and lax defensively. Either they upgrade that position, or face elimination in the first or second round— again. They won’t get a quality pg unless they are willing to give quality in return.

Maybe the Knicks will buy Marbury out— if that happens the Rockets ought to jump all over him. But I wouldn’t bank on it.

by Brickowski on Oct 22, 2008 3:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m sure Doc was one of the GMs to pick the Lakers. Sly one, our Doc.

by footey on Oct 22, 2008 5:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m not sure that Tinsley is more of a risk(with the exception of contract length) than Marbury is. And I think Tinsley is the better player. Obviously, the longer the contract the more time there is for the player to self destruct. I do like Tinsley’s game.

by moiso on Oct 22, 2008 6:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

aren’t we lucky that danny plucked rondo and pruitt out of nowhere? tinsley makes more sense with houston.

by nazzbo on Oct 22, 2008 9:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ok, we’ll have to agree in disagree on the relative value of Battier and Tinsley. However, consider that:
- If you think that Alston is too inconsistent and lax defensively, well, Tinsley is much worse in both departments. His defense in particular, even when healthy and motivated, is putrid.
- Houston doesn’t really play with a point-guard, there’s no classic PG in Adelman’s system – guys like McGrady and Artest will dominate the ball. And the only thing Tinsley is good at, dribble penetrations, is exactly one thing Houston pg doesn’t do, they don’t play that way.

So, to be honest, I highly doubt Tinsley would even be their starter, or that Morey would be interested in signing him even if bought out.

by cordobes on Oct 23, 2008 7:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jamal Tinsley is the NBA version for Adam “Pacman” Jones. So it would be a bad move on the part of the Heat to sign this guy where he can get himself in a lot of touble hang out on south beach.

This guy Tinsley is bad news, my friend and I was at this place about a week ago and who walks in Jamal Tinsley. Right then and there I knew we was in the wrong place. Because Tinsley brings trouble no matter where he goes.

by CT34 on Oct 23, 2008 8:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs