FIVE QUICK NBA THOUGHTS: 1. NBA TV DEAL: The new nine-year, $24 billion deal with Disney and Turner is a major development for the League and its players. Congrats to Commissioner Adam Silver for working out such a lucrative deal. Now hes got what I call a Positive Problem on his hands trying to figure out how to divvy up the extra cash and keep both his players and owners happy. It will be imperative for Silver to connect and find lots of common ground as true partners with the Players Association and their new boss, Michele Roberts. Already hearing lots of chatter about lockouts and strikes. Tuesday was a wonderful day for the growth of the game, exposure of it worldwide and a terrific reward to the owners for the risk they take buying into the business (Yes, any time you buy something you assume lots of risk as well as potential reward) as well as the players who lay it on the line each day as true professionals. Both sides can WIN BIG here as long as overwhelming greed doesnt kick in. Common sense and seeing whats good for the game will hopefully guide both sides to a fair and reasonable solution to that Positive Problem. Both sides have hit the Lottery - dont screw it up! 2. TORONTO RAPTORS: GM Masai Ujiri has been very patient assembling the team and type of organization he wants over the long haul, always with an eye on solid salary cap management. I like that. Steady is the way to go until you can make that defining move. With Landry Fields, Tyler Hansbrough, Amir Johnson, Chuck Hayes, Lou Williams and whomever the 15th man is all off the books next year the Raptors will have approximately $28 million coming off their books. It will be interesting to see how the Raptors and the other 29 teams navigate the market with players potentially looking to sign shorter deals for the true cash in when the Cap rises considerably when the new TV deal kicks in. Might be able to get a major player on shorter and more lucrative deal until the bigger market kicks in. Im sure Ujiri and his staff are crunching lots of numbers and discussing player values today and what they could grow to over time. This could potentially allow bigger markets that havent managed their Cap well to get back in the game quicker due to the excess money. Whatever happens, it always comes back to getting the right players at the right price point and having a strong and disciplined environment with great leadership in place. If you have those qualities, you can win anywhere. Toronto is slowly developing that. Stick to the plan. 3. NIK STAUSKAS (Kings): First impressions are lasting. I think hes going to be a sound pro. After watching him for two games, hes going to be just fine. Is it going to take time for him to figure out how to guard in the league? Yes - definitely. There will be some tough nights early in his career but hes got a discernable skill that resonates consistently. You have a young star in DeMarcus Cousins - you must surround him with skilled perimeter people who can stroke it and he can do that. Hes got a quick first step and he can create off the dribble. Hell figure it out. Growing Pains? Sure - thats a good thing. Hes a dedicated and passionate player who will pay the price and wont be outworked. 4. KENNY FARIED (Nuggets): A five-year, $60 million deal. Based upon the new league television deal and the type of player he is, thats respectable value in the changing climate. Amazing that Im saying that but I think were all going to have to recalibrate our thoughts as they pertain to NBA contracts. You look as well at the contracts that Phoenix gave to Eric Bledsoe and the Morris twins and these teams got in under the wire before the madness begins. Im a fan of Faried - he plays all out and does it all the time. Thats consistency to me. Hes a tenacious rebounder and defender whose offensive game is growing. Hes a winning player in my book and he helped his value in the NBA community with his performances for Team USA. Yes, he has limitations yet he strikes me as a guy that doesnt worry about them. He focuses on what he CAN do and does it well. Most teams would take that in a heartbeat. 5. GREG STIEMSMA (Raptors): Based upon the first two preseason games against the Kings, the Raptors still have issues inside as far as toughness, interior defence and rebounding that have to be addressed with significant improvement. I understand that Patrick Patterson hasnt played yet. If you remember Andray Blatche (this guy isnt even in the league right now - he has lots of talent but questionable maturity - what a shame - hes wasting his talent) giving them headaches in the Playoffs last season its not a good sign of things to come. Im sure Dwane Casey will be getting after his frontcourt guys the rest of the month now that the same flaw is being exposed and has to be fixed. Coach Casey wont tolerate it. Better to have your warts revealed early with plenty of time to fix it than kid yourself that its not an issue. Its an issue. Now as far as Stiemsma is concerned, hes impressed me with his rock solid approach to the game. Very professional. Good teammate with outstanding work ethic. In the battle for the 15th spot hes a guy that brings the Raptors a big and strong physical presence that they sorely need. Hes a solid post defender and rebounder. He takes charges and will get the body on opponents as a screener. Capable guy getting offensive rebounds and so far what Ive seen is hes a sound fit. Not as many moving parts this past summer for the Raptors and thats a welcome development. The guy that makes this team will have to work his tail off to make it. Not an easy roster to make. 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