Don't believe everything that you read regarding free agents

[Roy Hobbs]

I've read the following today:

Free agents like Moore or Smith must be signed by March 1 in order to be eligible for the playoffs with their new teams

Marbury has to be on any new team by March 1 to be eligible for the playoffs.

These statements are false.  It's lazy reporting, and it's a huge pet peeve.  The media should educate, not spread misinformation.  It's bad enough that they just make things up and call them "rumors".  Now, they print outright lies, as well.

For future reference:  players must be waived by March 1 to be eligible for a playoff roster.  It is irrelevant when they sign, so long as it is before the last day of the regular season.   You would think that the media would remember this, since they were reporting the exact same thing last year, despite Brent Barry signing with the Spurs on March 24 and participating in the playoffs.  Sam Cassell signed on March 3. 

Sorry for the mini-rant, but it's pathetic that the folks on Celticsblog know more about the Collective Bargaining Agreement than do folks that write about the NBA for a living.

[perks-a-beast]

Thanks for clearing this up. I was just wondering about this because as i recall, we signed PJ Brown after march 1st last year.

[Redz]

I've seen the kettle bubbling up on this one Roy 

You're right.  It is pretty horrendous reporting.

My pet peeve du jour, has been speculation on how long KG is going to be out.  Until the MRI how on earth is anyone going to have a clue. 

[zerophase]

Thanks Roy... I was questioning that statement myself.

[Cman]

(1) Thanks for clearing this up for me.
(2) Thanks for calling out the media bozos.

Have you ever considered emailing Ian Thompson?