Offseason: No me gusta Minnesota

[ADD]

2009 FREE AGENT LIST (this will be updated as stuff happens): R=Restricted, P=Player Option, T=Team Option, ETO=Early Termination Option

Atlanta Hawks:
PG Mike Bibby - re-signed 3 years
SF Josh Childress - has decided to stay in Greece
SG Thomas Gardner
C Othello Hunter
PF Solomon Jones - Indiana Pacers 2 years
SF Ronald "Flip" Murray
C Zaza Pachulia - re-signed
PF Mario West
PF Marvin Williams - re-signed 5 years

Boston Celtics:
C Glen Davis - re-signed 2 years
PG Stephon Marbury
C Mikki Moore
PF Leon Powe - Cleveland Cavaliers

Charlotte Bobcats:
PG Raymond Felton (R)
PF Juwan Howard
SF Cartier Martin - Italy
PF Sean May - Sacramento Kings 1 year
PG Sean Singletary (R)

Chicago Bulls:
SG Ben Gordon - Detroit Pistons 5 years
C Aaron Gray - re-signed
PG Lindsey Hunter - re-signed 1 year
PG Anthony Roberson
SF Tim Thomas

Cleveland Cavaliers:
PF Joe Smith
SG Wally Szczerbiak
PF Anderson Vareajo - re-signed 6 years
C Lorenzen Wright

Dallas Mavericks:
PF Brandon Bass - Orlando Magic 4 years
SF Gerald Green
C Ryan Hollins (R)
PG Jason Kidd - re-signed 3 years
PF James Singleton

Denver Nuggets:
C Chris Andersen - re-signed 5 years
PG Anthony Carter
PG Jason Hart
SF Dahntay Jones - Indiana Pacers 4 years
PF Linas Kleiza (R)
C Johan Petro

Detroit Pistons:
SF Walter Herrmann - Spain 2 years
SG Allen Iverson
PF Antonio McDyess - San Antonio Spurs 2 years
C Fabricio Oberto - Washington Wizards
PF Rasheed Wallace - Boston Celtics 2 years

Golden State Warriors:
PF Rob Kurz
PG C.J. Watson (R)

Houston Rockets:
SF Ron Artest - Los Angeles Lakers
C Dikembe Mutombo - Retired
SG Von Wafer

Indiana Pacers:
SF Maceo Baston
SG Marquis Daniels - Boston Celtics
SG Stephen Graham
PG Jarrett Jack - Toronto Raptors 4 years
PF Josh McRoberts - re-signed 2 years
C Rasho Nesterovic - Toronto Raptors 1 year

Los Angeles Clippers:
SG Alex Aker
SG Fred Jones
PF Steve Novak (R)
F/C Brian Skinner

Los Angeles Lakers:
SF Trevor Ariza - Houston Rockets 5 years
PG Shannon Brown - re-signed 1 year + PO
SF Lamar Odom

Memphis Grizzlies:
PG Juan Carlos Navarro (R)
C Chris Mihm
SF Darius Miles
SG Quinton Ross - Dallas Mavericks
SG Jerry Stackhouse
PF Hakim Warrick
PG Mike Wilks

Miami Heat:
C Joel Anthony - re-signed 1 year
SG Luther Head
C Jamaal Magloire - re-signed 1 year
SF Jamario Moon - Cleveland Cavaliers 3 years

Milwaukee Bucks:
PG Keith Bogans
C Ersan Ilyasova - re-signed 3 years
PG Damon Jones
PG Ramon Sessions (R)
PF Charlie Villanueva - Detroit Pistons 5 years

Minnesota Timberwolves:
SF Rodney Carney
C Jason Collins
PG Kevin Ollie
PF Shelden Williams

New Jersey Nets:
SG Maurice Ager

New Orleans Hornets:
SF Ryan Bowen
C Melvin Ely
C Sean Marks

New York Knicks:
C David Lee (R)
PG Nate Robinson (R)
PF Chris Wilcox - Detroit Pistons 2 years

Oklahoma City Thunder:
SF Desmond Mason
PF Malik Rose
C Robert Swift
PG Earl Watson - Indiana Pacers 1 year

Orlando Magic:
C Adonal Foyle
C Marcin Gortat - re-signed 5 years
PG Tyronn Lue
SG Jeremy Richardson (R)
PF Hedo Turkoglu - re-signed 5 years, traded to Toronto Raptors

Philadelphia 76ers:
PG Royal Ivery
PF Donyell Marshall
PG Andre Miller - Portland Trailblazers 3 years
C Theo Ratliff - San Antonio Spurs 1 year
SG Kareem Rush

Phoenix Suns:
SF Matt Barnes - Orlando Magic 2 years
SF Grant Hill - Re-signed
C Stromile Swift
F/C Ben Wallace

Portland Trailblazers:
PF Channing Frye - Phoenix Suns 2 years
C Raef LaFrentz
PF Shavlik Randolph
C Michael Ruffin

Sacramento Kings:
C Calvin Booth
C Ike Diogu
PG Bobby Jackson
SG Rashad McCants
PF Cedric Simmons

San Antonio Spurs:
PF Drew Gooden - Dallas Mavericks 1 year
SF Ime Udoka
PG Jacque Vaughn

Toronto Raptors:
SG Carlos Delfino (R)
SF Joey Graham
SF Shawn Marion - re-signed 5 years, traded to Dallas Mavericks
C Pops Mensah-Bonsu
SF Anthony Parker - Cleveland Cavaliers 2 years
C Jake Voskuhl

Utah Jazz:
SG Morris Almond
C Jarron Collins
PG Brevin Knight
PF Paul Millsap - re-signed 4 years
PG Ronnie Price - re-signed 2 years

Washington Wizards:
PG Juan Dixon

Overseas:
PF Marcus Haislip - San Antonio Spurs 2 years
PG Jannero Pargo - Chicago Bulls 1 year

Deals:
June 7: Raptors gets PF Reggie Evans, 76ers get SG Jason Kapono
June 23: Spurs get SF Richard Jefferson, Bucks get SF Bruce Bowen, C Kurt Thomas & PF Amir Johnson, Pistons get C Fabricio Oberto.
June 24: Wizards get PG Randy Foye & SF Mike Miller, TWolves get the 5th pick, PF Darius Songaila, C Oleksiy Pecherov & C Etan Thomas.
June 25: Magic get SG Vince Carter & SF Ryan Anderson, Nets get PG Rafer Alston, SG Courtney Lee & C Tony Battie.
June 25: Knicks get PF Darko Milicic, Grizzlies get SG Quentin Richardson and cash.
June 25: Kings get PG Sergio Rodriguez in draft day deal with Blazers.
July 1: Hawks get PG Jamal Crawford, Warriors get PG Acie Law IV & PG Speedy Claxton.
July 1: Grizzles get PF Zach Radolph, Clippers get SG Quentin Richardson.
July 8: Raptors extend C Andrea Bargnani through 2016.
July 9: Jazz extend C Mehmet Okur through 2012.
July 9: Mavericks get SF Shawn Marion, SG Kris Humphries, SG Greg Buckner & C Nathan Jawai. Raptors get SF Hedo Turkoglu, SG Antoine Wright & SF Devean George. Grizzlies get SG Jerry Stackhouse & a 2016 2nd round pick from Orlando. Magic get cash considerations.
July 13: Nuggets get SG Arron Afflalo & SF Walter Sharpe. Pistons get future 2nd round pick.
July 14: Hawks trade the rights to C David Anderson to the Rockets for future considerations.
July 20: Nuggets trade SF Walter Sharpe & SG Sonny Weems to the Bucks for F/C Malik Allen.

[Da Raider]

Now that Mike Dunleavy is in charge of drafting for the Clippers, they'll fuck that up even worse. Atleast Elgin Baylor made a handful of good picks over the years.

[Pollo]

I've personally been in the camp that it makes no sense to give both GM/coach duties to the same guy. why can't Sterling realize Dunleavy isn't a good fit for this Clippers team? the style of play Dunleavy wants doesn't fit the players that are on the roster.

just watch the Thunder win the lottery and get the opportunity to draft Griffin. anything to screw the Kings and Clippers will be good.

[ADD]

If the Wiz get Griffin, God help us all. I'm really hoping the Blunder don't win the lottery either.

As for the Clippers, Sterling's looking, but is cheap and doesn't want to remove Dunleavy as GM and still pay him for it unless he absolutely has to.

Jerry West already told him to go fuck himself.

[ADD]

I'm not sure about this one, but the media loves the Cavs so Mike Brown is Coach of the Year. I guess you don't really have to "coach" to win this award.
I would have voted for Adelman with all those injuries or Van Gundy. I can't believe someone gave Vinny Del Negro a 1st place vote (or a 2nd or a 3rd).

CLEVELAND -- Mike Brown was honored as the NBA's coach of the year Monday after leading the Cleveland Cavaliers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=cle) to their greatest regular season.

He guided the club to a franchise-record 66 wins, a second Central Division title and the No. 1 overall seed in the postseason. Cleveland leads the Detroit Pistons (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=det) 1-0 in the first round of the playoffs.

Preaching trust to his players since training camp, Brown has created a tightly knit team led by superstar LeBron James (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1966).

The 38-year-old coach also has given more authority to his assistants, a sign of his maturity as a coach and confidence as a leader.

Brown joined the Cavs in 2005 after two seasons as an assistant with Indiana. Bill Fitch in 1976 is the only other Cleveland coach to win the coaching award.

Brown received 55 first-place votes and earned 355 total points from a panel of 122 sports writers and broadcasters. Houston's Rick Adelman finished second with 151 points and Orlando's Stan Van Gundy was third with 150.

New Orleans coach Byron Scott (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3483) won the award last year.

Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert called Brown a "natural leader" and credited him with much of his team's success. "Mike Brown is one of these rare people that has nearly every tool in his tool box," Gilbert said in a statement.

"He is smart, hard working, and selfless. He is curious and hungry to learn. He is philosophically driven and derives his decision making from his strong philosophy.

"Mike Brown is a critical element as to why our franchise is growing into the kind of success we all envisioned and hoped to achieve. There is no man more deserving and it proves to the world that, yes, nice guys can indeed, finish first."

[ADD]

Big Beast Dwight Howard named DPOY. Something he'll probably win 5 or so times.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- It's a question Dwight Howard (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2384) will never forget.

Early this season, the Orlando Magic (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=orl) center was talking to Patrick Ewing (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=237) and Dikembe Mutombo (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=588). The once great big men were giving Howard some tips, and Mutombo asked him a simple question.

"He said, 'What do you want to be remembered as, the great dunker who won the slam dunk contest with a Superman outfit on, or do you want to do something better than that?'" Howard recalled Tuesday.
"I said, 'I want to be one of the greatest players.' And he said it starts with defense."

Mission accomplished. The 23-year-old Howard became the youngest player to win the NBA's defensive player of the year award Tuesday.

Howard was only the fifth player to lead the league in blocks and rebounds in the same season, a goal he set in training camp.

"A lot of guys don't want to go up [for blocks] because they're afraid of getting dunked on," Howard said. "Dikembe and Patrick told me, 'As many times as you're going to get dunked on you're going to have more blocks.'"

Howard led the Magic to a second straight Southeast Division title and 59 wins in the regular season, one shy of tying the best record in franchise history set in the 1995-96 season.

Orlando trails Philadelphia 1-0 in the first round of the playoffs. Game 2 is Wednesday, and Howard said his scratched eyes won't affect his play for the game.

Howard received 542 points, including 105 first-place votes from a panel of 119 writers and broadcasters.

Cleveland's LeBron James (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1966) was second with 148 points and Miami's Dwyane Wade (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1987) finished third with 90 points. Even Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=862), not known for his defense, managed to get one third-place vote.

"Probably the most impressive thing about the defensive player of the year award was two things," Magic general manager Otis Smith said. "The fact that Turkoglu finished in the top 16, and probably the fact that Dwight set out at the start of the season with a goal in mind to be the best defensive player in the league. He started with that goal in mind, and he finished it."

Howard averaged 13.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game this season, his fifth in the league.

The only other players to be rebounding and blocks champions in the regular season were Bill Walton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=619) and Ben Wallace (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=885). Blocks were not kept as an official statistic until 1973.

"To be the defensive player of the year at 23 is remarkable," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "To be a great defensive player usually comes later in a career. And he still has so much room for improvement."

The award caps a remarkable year for Howard. He won gold as the center of the U.S. men's team at the Beijing Olympics, passed Wilt Chamberlain as the youngest NBA player to reach the 5,000-rebound mark and became an All-Star for the third time. Many saw this coming -- just not so soon.

Howard is five months younger than Alvin Robertson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3829), who was 23 years and nine months old when he won the award with San Antonio in the 1985-86 season.

The No. 1 overall draft pick out of high school in 2004, Howard has quickly become one of the NBA's most dominant centers. His chiseled, 6-foot-11, 265-pound physique makes him one of the most intimidating players, and his incredible vertical leap is even rarer for a big man.

Sixers forward Andre Iguodala (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2386) found that out first hand in Game 1 on Sunday. Howard nearly soared over teammate Courtney Lee (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3445) to block Iguodala's layup attempt into the stands.

Iguodala said Tuesday that it was one of the most embarrassing plays of the season for him.

"It's like he can guard two guys at once. He can guard his guy and the guy coming off the pick-and-roll, which is almost impossible to do," Iguodala said. "If he gets any more athletic or jumps any higher, they're going to have to change the rules."

Howard followed in the footsteps of one of his idols, Boston Celtics (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos) forward Kevin Garnett (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=261), in jumping straight from high school to the pros.

He took No. 12 for his jersey, in part, because it was the reverse of Garnett's 21 with the Minnesota Timberwolves (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=min) and allows him to pay homage to the player he looked up to as a kid. Garnett wears No. 5 with the Celtics because Bill Sharman's 21 is retired.

Now the pair have even more in common. Garnett won the award last season for anchoring a Boston defense that won the NBA title.

Howard joked Tuesday that he didn't even know Garnett won the award but was honored to be in the same class as his idol. Howard also gave credit to his teammates, and in typical fashion, he threw in a one-liner to explain his case. "I really appreciate those guys for allowing their man to get to the basket to give me the opportunity to get blocks," Howard joked.

[ADD]

No surprise, Rose wins ROY

NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- Derrick Rose (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3456), who led his hometown Chicago Bulls (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=chi) to the playoffs and restored hope to a franchise in disarray, was the runaway pick as the NBA's rookie of the year.

Rose became the third Bulls player to win the award Wednesday, joining Michael Jordan (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1035) and Elton Brand (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=91) (who shared the award with Steve Francis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=255)).

He received 111 first-place votes and 574 points from a national panel of sports writers and broadcasters; runner-up O.J. Mayo (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3450) of the Memphis Grizzlies (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=mem) received five first-place votes and 127 points.

"When I first came into the season, my biggest thing was to get this award," Rose said. "I was telling you all that I didn't care, but I did. You really do want this award. There was a lot of talent out there that I had to go against."

Rose's selection was hardly a surprise, after the No. 1 overall draft pick led all rookies with 6.3 assists per game and was second in scoring average at 16.8, and established himself as the franchise's first true cornerstone since Jordan.

"I think there are very few people in the NBA who could do what he did this year," teammate Joakim Noah (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3224) said. "You tell me another No. 1 pick who got to the playoffs in their hometown, especially in a big city with so many distractions and so many things going on. I mean, he's all about one thing and that's winning basketball games, and that's what I respect about him."

The only other players who received first-place votes were Brook Lopez (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3448) of the New Jersey Nets (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=njn) and Russell Westbrook (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3468) of the Oklahoma City Thunder (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=okc). Eric Gordon (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3431) of the Los Angeles Clippers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=lac) rounded out the top five.

A point guard from Chicago's South Side, Rose used his strength, quickness and uncanny maturity to help turn around a team that went 33-49 last season. Rose's approach, as much as his talent, also impressed veteran guard Lindsey Hunter (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=359).

"Not many guys can transfer it from here to there that fast," Hunter said, pointing from his head to the court. "But he's able to do that. I think that's what's so unique about him."

Rose was the Eastern Conference rookie of the month in November and December and again in March, helping the Bulls go 41-41 and reach the postseason for the fourth time in five years.

In last Saturday's playoff opener against the Boston Celtics (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos), Rose matched Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record for a debuting rookie with 36 points and 11 assists in a 105-103 overtime victory. Rose added 10 points, seven assists and six rebounds in a Game 2 loss.

"He can finish around the basket, and that's not easy for -- he's not small, but he's not a big guard," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "He's good at that, and that's impressive for a guy that size. His quickness to the basket is impressive."

The Chicago Tribune first reported that Rose had won the award. Rose excelled from the start and never really slowed down, although he was at times benched late in games. That stopped after general manager John Paxson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3815) chatted with coach Vinny Del Negro (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=197), but whether he was playing in the closing moments or not, Rose never complained publicly.

"He plays both ends of the court, which is refreshing to see," Los Angeles Lakers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=lal) star Kobe Bryant (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=110) said. "A lot of young players don't play both ends. He works hard at it, defense as well."

Indiana coach Jim O'Brien even compared him to LeBron James (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1966). "They're different positions, but LeBron James has the same thing -- it's hard to knock him off his driving lane," O'Brien said. "And I think he's improved his outside shot. And I think he knows the game."

From the moment he returned to Chicago, Rose has fit with the Bulls. They won the draft lottery despite 1.7 percent odds and could have picked Michael Beasley (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3418), the high-scoring forward from Kansas State. Instead, they went with the guard who grew up a few miles from the United Center in the rough Englewood neighborhood. They saw a dynamic floor leader, a selfless player -- a winner. Rose led Simeon Career Academy to the state championship and Memphis to 38 wins and the NCAA title game in his lone season.

Now, he's helping the Bulls turn things around after what seemed like a solid plan went awry.

Two years ago, Chicago won 49 games and swept Miami before falling to Detroit in the second round of the playoffs. And then? Failed contract negotiations involving Luol Deng (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2429) and Ben Gordon (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2381) along with Bryant trade rumors set a bad tone last season, and coach Scott Skiles (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1596) was fired in December. Interim coach Jim Boylan was gone at the end of the season, and the Bulls settled on Del Negro after high-profile courtships with Mike D'Antoni and Doug Collins. Along the way, they scored arguably their biggest victory in a decade when they won the draft lottery. With Rose running the show, the Bulls believe their cornerstone is in place for the next decade.

"I've got a lot of friends who are coaches," Hunter said. "I'm like, 'Man, you guys don't know how good he is. He doesn't even understand what he is yet.' ... I see him being that point guard that is going to push Deron Williams (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2798) and Chris Paul (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2779) to the limit."

[ADD]

Wiz name Flip Saunders head coach. He and Gil will be a match made in heaven.

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced on Wednesday that the team has named Flip Saunders as head coach. "We're very proud to bring a proven winner like Flip Saunders on board as our head coach," said Wizards Chairman Abe Pollin. "After going through what was a very difficult season, I know our fans share in my anticipation of what we can accomplish with new leadership, a healthy roster and a renewed commitment to excellence."
Saunders, who becomes the 22nd head coach in franchise history, owns a 587-396 (.597) record over 12-and-a-half seasons with Minnesota and Detroit.
"We clearly identified Flip as the top candidate for the job and were happy to find that our situation proved to be a good fit for him as well," said Grunfeld. "We were able to move quickly as a result and we're confident that this is a major step towards putting this team back among the Eastern Conference contenders."
"There were many factors that led to this being the right situation for me, but the most intriguing was the commitment of Mr. Pollin and Ernie to win a championship," said Saunders. "I look forward to enjoying the great support and homecourt advantage from Wizards fans that I’ve always seen from the opposing sidelines and to making each game at Verizon Center an exciting event."

[ADD]

Jason Terry wins 6th Man

DALLAS -- Mavericks guard Jason Terry (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=841) is the best off the bench. Terry, who took on a different role for Dallas the past two seasons, was presented Friday with the NBA sixth man award that goes to the league's top reserve.

While starting only 11 of his 74 games in the regular season, Terry averaged 19.6 points and 3.4 assists while playing about 34 minutes a game.

The only time Terry had a higher scoring average was 2000-01, his second NBA season, when he averaged 19.7 points for Atlanta.

After starting only 27 games as a rookie, Terry started 531 of his 563 games for the Atlanta Hawks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=atl) and Mavericks from 2000 to 2007.

Terry averaged 15.5 points for Dallas last season, when he started 34 times but was the only Maverick to play in every game.

[ADD]

Pistons and Nets fans get ready to slit your wrists. The 2 teams announced today that their respective head coaches will return in 2009-2010. So all you waiting for Michael Curry or Lawrence Frank to be canned, keep holding on.

[Rover]

So this is what an early offseason feels like.

I figured Dumars would bring Curry back. It's kind of hard to blame the guy when you trade away his offense after 2 games and bring on a team cancer like Iverson. Then you give him no frontcourt and a 2nd year PG to run the team

If CoY was based on coaching, Michael Curry had to put up with a lot of bullshit to coach. Not everyone gets to watch LeBron ball for 2 hours a night and then go home with a win.

It'll be interesting to see who from the Pistons roster makes it back for next year. Last year, I was trying to figure out who I'd cut from the team; this year, I'd cut everyone. Except McDyess. But McDyess deserves to play for a championship.

[ADD]

Not surprisingly, Rose and Mayo are unanimous All-Rookie picks

Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and O.J. Mayo of the Memphis Grizzlies were unanimous selections to the 2008-09 NBA All-Rookie First Team, the NBA announced today.

Rounding out the NBA All-Rookie First Team are Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook (53 points), New Jersey’s Brook Lopez (49 points) and Miami’s Michael Beasley (44 points).



Rose led rookies in assists (6.3 apg), was second in scoring (16.8 ppg), and averaged 3.9 rebounds.



The NBA All-Rookie Second Team consists of the Los Angeles Clippers’ Eric Gordon (39 points), Minnesota’s Kevin Love (34 points), Miami’s Mario Chalmers (29 points), Memphis’ Marc Gasol (25 points), Charlotte’s D.J. Augustin (tie, 17 points) and Portland’s Rudy Fernandez (tie, 17 points).

[ADD]

Kobe about to get screwed yet again, LeBron wins MVP

The NBA will announce LeBron James (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1966) as its MVP on Monday, The Plain Dealer of Cleveland and Associated Press have reported, citing unnamed sources. A day before the Cleveland Cavaliers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=cle) begin their second-round series against the Atlanta Hawks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=atl), the league will anoint James, 24. The announcement will be made at James' alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, the reports said. The Cavaliers called a news conference for 4 p.m. ET but didn't specify the nature of the event. His Cavaliers teammates were expected to attend. James, whose Cavaliers swept the Detroit Pistons (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=det) in the first round of the playoffs, averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists during the regular season, his sixth in the NBA, in which Cleveland won a team-record 66 games and earned the top overall seed in the playoffs. The Cavs host Atlanta on Tuesday after the Hawks finished off the Miami Heat (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=mia) in Game 7 of their first-round series Sunday.

[Pox]

Kobe about to get screwed yet again, LeBron wins MVP
lol. Yea, right.

[ADD]

Yeah, right.

He got screwed by Nash and now LeBitch. Oh well, just another one who won't win a title.

[Soup Nazi]

I dislike LeBron as much as the next guy, but I can't find one reason why Kobe would deserve the MVP over LeBron. LeBron holds the advantage in nearly every statistical category (well, I guess not in FT%, or 3PT%), led his team to a better record, with a worse supporting cast.

[freegood]

I dislike LeBron as much as the next guy, but I can't find one reason why Kobe would deserve the MVP over LeBron. LeBron holds the advantage in nearly every statistical category (well, I guess not in FT%, or 3PT%), led his team to a better record, with a worse supporting cast.

Can you imagine Lebron with Pau, Odom, and occasionally Bynum?

Heck, if Boozer wasn't a lying douche, Cavs would be very nasty.

[ninja33]

kobe got screwed? give me a break, lebron absolutely deserved it.

[redsox39]

I dislike LeBron as much as the next guy,

I can understand not being a fan, but how can you not like this guy?

[Pox]

Yeah, right.

He got screwed by Nash and now LeBitch. Oh well, just another one who won't win a title.
You are a complete homer.

[Soup Nazi]

I can understand not being a fan, but how can you not like this guy?

Because he is TOO physically gifted, its like cheering for the Empire in Star Wars, Ivan Drago in Rocky IV or Bowser in Super Mario. They are the overwhelming force, when I really just want the underdog to win.

Also for more petty reasons, I don't like his constant flirtations with the New York market, or that he is a front-runner (a cowboys, yankees, bulls fan growing up? fuck that). He also showboats too much, which I only find charming when my team is doing it.

[johnnychacski]

Because he is TOO physically gifted, its like cheering for the Empire in Star Wars, Ivan Drago in Rocky IV or Bowser in Super Mario. They are the overwhelming force, when I really just want the underdog to win.

Also for more petty reasons, I don't like his constant flirtations with the New York market, or that he is a front-runner (a cowboys, yankees, bulls fan growing up? fuck that). He also showboats too much, which I only find charming when my team is doing it.

Well I'll be damned, I always cheer for Ivan.

[ADD]

You are a complete homer.

How so? Did I say Derrick Rose should be MVP?

[Archangel]

Because he is TOO physically gifted, its like cheering for the Empire in Star Wars, Ivan Drago in Rocky IV or Bowser in Super Mario. They are the overwhelming force, when I really just want the underdog to win.

Also for more petty reasons, I don't like his constant flirtations with the New York market, or that he is a front-runner (a cowboys, yankees, bulls fan growing up? fuck that).

It's not that ADD hates LeBron. You can hate on a great ballplayer all you want, especially if he plays in the same division as your favourite team, is facing them in the playoffs, or has some other kind of rivalry going. Deron Williams is a classy guy and a brilliant point guard, but I still want him to get run over by a truck - my love for Dirk is obvious, but if he tore a ligament running down the stairs today, I'd be fucking ecstatic.

What gets me is that he questions his qualities as an athlete. Calling LeBron an overrated underachieving bitch or some such might have been cool a few years ago, but the fact of the matter is is that LeBron is pretty much the most gifted guy to ever touch a basketball. When you put Mailman's strength, Mike's hops, AI's speed and Magic's court vision into one package, it's fucking unfair, but it's nonetheless phenomenal.

But I guess a lot of people in the 70's said that Doc sucked, too.

He also showboats too much, which I only find charming when my team is doing it.

Yeah, but Melo, JR and Bird are just so good at it...

[ADD]

The guy's a whiner and a showboater who's done nothing. Fuck him and the media cocksucking of him.

It has nothing to do with where he plays, his race, his age, etc. It's the constant LeBron Love. He's my A-Rod.

[Archangel]

The guy's a whiner and a showboater who's done nothing. Fuck him and the media cocksucking of him.

I dunno, but if a guy averages 28-7-7-2-1 for his career without being even anywhere near his prime, has taken a seriously dodgy team to the Finals, has led a good team to a 66-16 record and one of the best home records in NBA history, and has carried himself well off the court, saying that he's "done nothing" and that the media love is unjustified just makes you look stupid.

So MJ didn't get his cock sucked in, say, '88 or so? The ad campaigns, the Dunk Contests, the individual accolades, didn't make him the most popular player on the planet?

How many NBA Finals had MJ led the Bulls to when HE won his first MVP?

[ADD]

Much different media now a days, my friend

[Archangel]

So what? So maybe, the love-fest for the guy is a bit much at times. But stop denying that the kid is fucking good. Just because everybody, including nut-jobs, douche bags and hack writers gushed about The Beatles doesn't mean that they were a shit band.

[ninja33]

and you still havent said why kobe deserved to win.

[Archangel]

MJ couldn't get past Detroit in the Playoffs (and did his fair share of whinging about it), got fined for wearing shoes not sanctioned by the NBA, was temperamental, arrogant, and the biggest showboat and most selfish gunner in basketball history.

Doesn't mean he wasn't fucking awesome.

[BIG PIZZLE]

http://www.thedreamshake.com/2009/5/4/864317/10-reasons-to-despise-the-los

[Lone Wolf]

The guy's a whiner and a showboater who's done nothing. Fuck him and the media cocksucking of him.

It has nothing to do with where he plays, his race, his age, etc. It's the constant LeBron Love. He's my A-Rod.

... but he's nothing like A-Rod.

If you don't like Lebron the man or the image or the player or whatever, that's fine, that's sports ... but to just call him a whiner and a showboater while stomping your feet is ignoring what the guy did this year. He flat out dominated the league and he would have put up totally sick numbers if a lot more of the Cavs games were close in the 4th quarter.

Maybe you have a legitimate reason for hating the man or thinking he isn't the MVP, but right now you just sound like ADD blowing his top and overreacting again.

[Archangel]

Maybe he was rooting for Darko to go first.

[ADD]

and you still havent said why kobe deserved to win.

Better all around player, makes his teammates better, led his team to the second best record by only one game in the much harder conference. He was more VALUABLE player. This isn't the "I had the best numbers on paper" award.

[ADD]

Maybe he was rooting for Darko to go first.

To get hit by a bus


Doesn't mean he wasn't fucking awesome.

When the award is titled that, I'll be the first to give it based on that.

[ninja33]

Better all around player, makes his teammates better, led his team to the second best record by only one game in the much harder conference. He was more VALUABLE player. This isn't the "I had the best numbers on paper" award.

Its kind of hard to not play the numbers card when you lead your team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Maybe its just me, but I'd call that pretty damn valuable. And maybe Kobe makes his teammates look better, because they ARE better. I'm not saying Kobe doesn't have a positive effect on his teammates, but to say LeBron doesn't on his supporting cast (which is not as good as kobe's) is wrong. Plus LeBron finally put it together defensively, he always defends the other teams best player because he can effectively defend 4 different positions because he's so freakishly athletic. His help defense improved immensely as well. He was a better player this year in almost every facet of the game, it was the best individual season since Jordan in '92, and it led to the leagues best record. thats VALUABLE, not just numbers.

[ADD]

I still hope he tears his ACL

[ninja33]

another effective argument.

[ADD]

It all depends on your definition of valuable. It's not like James got every 1st place vote. To me, if you're so great, touch the ball that much, and only lead your team to a best record by 1 in the lesser conference, you're not as valuable as the guy who did almost as much against stronger competition. Nor did you do enough when it mattered most. It also depends on how you vote for MVP. Do you vote on actual value or on statistics?

[jemeske]

It all depends on your definition of valuable. It's not like James got every 1st place vote.True, but he did get 109 out of 121. 90% To me, if you're so great, touch the ball that much, and only lead your team to a best record by 1 in the lesser conference, you're not as valuable as the guy who did almost as much against stronger competition.But you're discounting the fact that Kobe had a much better supporting cast. Also, the East had a winning record against the West this year. I'm not saying the East is better, but I don't think the difference was monumental when the leagues are considered top to bottom. Nor did you do enough when it mattered most.http://www.82games.com/CSORT11.HTM It also depends on how you vote for MVP. Do you vote on actual value or on statistics?I would say LeBron wins both.

[Archangel]

To me, if you're so great, touch the ball that much, and only lead your team to a best record by 1 in the lesser conference, you're not as valuable as the guy who did almost as much against stronger competition.

By that token, Chamberlain should never have won an MVP as long as Russell was still alive.

And the one argument which kills yours is that Kobe's supporting cast is simply better. I'm not saying that the Cavs are a bunch of scrubs - this isn't, say, AI's MVP-season Sixers - but when you lead the lesser team to the better record (including v Playoff calibre teams), then that should cancel out that whole "which Conference is better" thing.

[ADD]

All-Defensive Teams announced, hilighted by Howard and Bryant

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, winner of the 2008-09 Defensive Player of the Year Award, and guard Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers headline the NBA All-Defensive First Team, the NBA announced today.

By totaling 55 points overall, including 27 First Team votes, Howard edged Bryant (53 points overall and 24 First Team votes) as the leading vote-getter.


Also selected to the All-Defensive First Team are forward LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers (47 points), New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul (36 points) and Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett (35 points).
The NBA All-Defensive Second Team consists of center Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs, guards Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat and Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics, and forwards Shane Battier and Ron Artest of the Houston Rockets. Duncan has been selected to the NBA All-Defensive team 12 consecutive seasons.



The voting panel consisted of the NBA’s 30 head coaches, who were asked to select NBA All-Defensive First and Second Teams by position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players from their own team. Two points were awarded for a First Team vote and one point was awarded for a Second Team vote.

[Archangel]

Um, apparently, LeBron is 1st team all-defence, too...

[ADD]

No shit, but I copied and pasted the headline off Real GM

[ADD]

RIP Chuck Daly

DETROIT -- Chuck Daly, who coached the original Dream Team to the Olympic gold medal in 1992 after winning back-to-back NBA championships with the Detroit Pistons (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=det), has died. He was 78.

He died Saturday morning in Jupiter, Fla., with his family by his side, the team said.

The Pistons announced in March that the Hall of Fame coach had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing treatment. He was renowned for his ability to create harmony out of diverse personalities at all levels of the game, whether they were Ivy Leaguers at Pennsylvania, Dream Teamers Michael Jordan (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1035) and Charles Barkley (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=37), or Pistons as dissimilar as Dennis Rodman (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=726) and Joe Dumars (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3689).

"It's a players' league. They allow you to coach them or they don't," Daly once said. "Once they stop allowing you to coach, you're on your way out." Daly was voted one of the 10 greatest coaches of the NBA's first half-century in 1996, two years after being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He was the first coach to win both an NBA title and Olympic gold. "I think Chuck understood people as well as basketball," Dumars told The Associated Press in 1995.

"It's a people business." Doug Collins, a former Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls coach, learned the intricacies of the game from Daly. "He was a man of incredible class and dignity. He was a mentor and a friend," Collins said. "He taught me so much and was always so supportive of me and my family. I loved him and will miss him." Daly had a golden touch at the Barcelona Games with NBA superstars Magic Johnson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2334), Jordan, Larry Bird and Barkley, using a different lineup in every game. "I played against Chuck's teams throughout the NBA for a lot of years. He always had his team prepared, he's a fine coach," Bird said shortly after Daly's diagnosis became public. "Chuck did a good job of keeping us together," Bird said. "It wasn't about who scored the most points, it was about one thing: winning the gold medal." Daly humbled the NBA superstars by coaching a group of college players to victory in a controlled scrimmage weeks before the Olympics. "I was the happiest man in the gym," Daly said afterward. Daly also made the right moves for the Pistons, who were notorious for their physical play with Bill Laimbeer (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3759) and Rick Mahorn (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3774) leading the fight, Rodman making headlines and Hall of Fame guards Isiah Thomas (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3507) and Dumars lifting the team to titles in 1989 and 1990. Former Piston John Salley (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=746) gave Daly the nickname "Daddy Rich" for his impeccably tailored suits. Daly had a career regular-season record of 638-437 in 13 NBA seasons. In 12 playoff appearances, his teams went 75-51. He left Detroit as the Pistons' coaching leader in regular-season and playoff victories. "The Daly family and the entire Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports and Entertainment family is mourning the loss of Chuck Daly," family and team spokesman Matt Dobek said. "Chuck left a lasting impression with everyone he met both personally and professionally and his spirit will live with all of us forever." Despite his success, Daly wasn't part of a Coach of the Year presentation until he handed the trophy to then-Detroit coach Rick Carlisle in 2002. "This is as close as I've ever been to that thing," Daly said, looking at the Red Auerbach Trophy. Born July 20, 1930, in St. Marys, Pa., Charles Jerome Daly played college ball at St. Bonaventure and Bloomsburg. After two years in the military, he coached for eight seasons at Punxsutawney (Pa.) High School and then spent six years as an assistant at Duke. Succeeding Bob Cousy as coach at Boston College, Daly coached the Eagles to a 26-24 record during two seasons, then spent seven seasons at Penn, leading the Quakers to the Ivy League championship from 1972 to 1975. Daly joined the NBA coaching ranks in 1978 as an assistant under Billy Cunningham in Philadelphia. His first head coaching job was with Cleveland, but he was fired after the Cavaliers went 9-32 during the first half of the 1981-82 season. In 1983, Daly took over a Detroit team that had never had two straight winning seasons and led the Pistons to nine straight. He persuaded the likes of Rodman, Thomas, Dumars, Mahorn and Laimbeer to play as a unit and they responded with back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. Far from being intimidated by the Pistons' "Bad Boys" image, Daly saw the upside of it. "I've also had players who did not care," he said a decade later. "I'd rather have a challenging team." After leaving Detroit, Daly took over the New Jersey Nets (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=njn) for two seasons and led them to the playoffs both times. He left broadcasting to return to the bench 1997 with the Orlando Magic (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=orl) and won 74 games in two seasons, then retired at the age of 68 because he said he was weary of the travel. Daly joined the Vancouver Grizzlies as a senior adviser in 2000. In retirement, he split time between residences in Jupiter, Fla., and suburban Detroit. The Pistons retired No. 2 to honor their former coach's two NBA titles in January 1997. "Without you, there wouldn't be us," Mahorn said to Daly during the ceremony.

Daly is survived by his wife, Terry, as well as daughter Cydney and grandchildren Sebrina and Connor.

[Archangel]

Not a good year to be a basketball legend.

[freegood]

So long, Chuck.

One of the best coaches in the NBA's greatest era.

[ADD]

Raps keep Triano for 3 years

TORONTO -- Jay Triano signed a three-year contract Monday to coach the Toronto Raptors (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=tor), dropping the interim tag after taking over the team during the season.

Triano was promoted Dec. 3 after Sam Mitchell's dismissal.

The Raptors went 25-40 under Triano but finished strong, going 9-4 in their final 13 games.

"We have gone through an extensive evaluation process and have done a lot of soul-searching internally and came to the conclusion that Jay Triano was the right leader for this team as we move forward," general manager Bryan Colangelo said.

A native of Niagara Falls, Ontario, the 50-year-old Triano became the first Canadian-born and Canadian-trained coach in the NBA when he was hired in 2002 as an assistant to Lenny Wilkens. He spent six years as the Canadian national team's coach, leading the squad to a seventh-place finish at the 2000 Olympics.

"Today it's a great honor for me to be really rewarded by an organization that I've been devoted to for the past seven years," Triano said. "I've spent an awful lot of time late at night here at the arena preparing for games. I'm just anxious and excited. Things won't change."

[ADD]

In other news, the Kicks are reportedly thinking of trading Cuttino Mobley and Larry Hughes to the Rockets this Summer for the expiring contract of Tracy McGrady to booster their playoff chances and further fuel their enticement of LeBron James.


What in the hell makes the Knicks think T-Mac will help?

[Archangel]

Oh come on, their roster full of selfish, jump shooting wings did wonders for them!

[Soup Nazi]

What in the hell makes the Knicks think T-Mac will help?

Well, it will probably sell a couple extra jerseys. Considering they are just swapping expiring contracts, I guess I would rather have T-Mac than Hughes (since Mobley is even more done than T-Mac), even at this point.

[Archangel]

For all the talk of Birdman being such a bargain, not nearly enough people are talking about Dahntay. Frustrates the fuck out of people on D, can shoot the corner 3, and has now posterised Dampier and Howard in this series...

[ADD]

The Nuggets would be smart to keep anyone not named Kleiza

[Archangel]

Quite. With all the guys deserving of bigger contracts, he certainly has been underwhelming.

[ADD]

Well there's a reason they were skeptical and didn't extend Kleiza. This time gut instinct paid off.

[Archangel]

Well, this three was nice, though.

[Soup Nazi]

I have an inkling that LK will be playing in Europe next year.

[ADD]

Europe Europe? Or Toronto Europe?

[Soup Nazi]

Europe Europe. He just strikes me as a player who can at least sign a Jannero Pargo-esque deal in Europe, which is much more than he can expect to get this off-season. Plus, I don't think he would be reluctant to leave, unlike a lot of potential free agents.

[ADD]

The teams are getting really hit over there right now and having their number of foreigners limited (and I mean foreign to their country, not Europe). Last week even Olympikakos had to release anyone foreign that wasn't Josh Childress. Jannero Pargo was one of the names, and it's only going to get worse. I think the number of guys leaving the NBA this offseason will be limited. The biggest name might be Marcin Gortat of the Magic going back to Poland.

[Pollo]

What in the hell makes the Knicks think T-Mac will help?

one reason only: cap space for 2010. that's it.

if recent rumors are true about LeBron signing an extension this summer to stay in Cleveland, NY better look elsewhere unless they really, REALLY believe Wade is going to test the market ... which I think he certainly will.

I know the NBA lottery is a week away, but is anyone really excited about it? after Griffin and Rubio, this draft class is arguably one of the weakest in the last few years. I imagine teams will try to trade their lottery picks if they fall #3 or lower for veterans.

[Soup Nazi]

All-NBA Teams.......announced!

LeBron James was a unanimous selection to the 2008-09 All-NBA First Team, the NBA announced today.

Joining James on the First Team are Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat.


The All-NBA Second Team consists of New Orleans’ Chris Paul and Portland’s Brandon Roy at guard, San Antonio’s Tim Duncan and Boston’s Paul Pierce at forward, and Houston’s Yao Ming at center.


The All-NBA Third Team includes Denver’s Chauncey Billups and San Antonio’s Tony Parker at guard, Denver’s Carmelo Anthony and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Paul Gasol at forward, and Phoenix’s Shaquille O’Neal at center.


I think they did pretty well, except I am not sure who Paul Gasol is.

[ruffdog]

Aquilini trying to buy the Pacers.

wooot NBA back in Vancouver

Aquilini owns the Canucks

[ADD]

Stern will never put another franchise in Canadia

Owners buy into teams in other markets a lot, it doesn't mean they'll move them. Jerry Reinsdorf is currently part of a group trying to buy the Coyotes and keep them in Phoenix. The late Pistons owner also owned the Tampa Bay Lightning.

[Rover]

There's a zero percent chance of the NBA going back into Vancouver. I hope Aquilini does buy the Pacers and then sticks that ridiculously stupid whale logo on their jerseys.

[ADD]

I don't know how we all missed this, but the Warriors canned Chris Mullin on Monday. He's going to most likely join the Knicks. I can't wait!

[ADD]

This (http://www.wwtdd.com/enlargedimage/?back_to=/?attachment_id=268971&postid=268971) just proves it's ok to be ugly if you're rich :(

[Soup Nazi]

Are you saying that if Noah was not a professional athlete, his looks and charm would NOT net him that caliber of tang?! Shenanigans!

In other news, I am sure this will shock all of you as much as it shocked me:


Darius Miles was pulled over on Wednesday night in a St. Louis suburb for allegedly failing to use a turn signal.
Police ticketed him for driving with a suspended license. After the car was towed away, police say a search of it uncovered a misdemeanor amount of marijuana in a bag.
Miles is currently free on bond.

[ADD]

No wai!

[joewatch]

I heard on the other forum that Chicago Bulls are interested in either Chris Bosh of Toronto Raptors or Amare Stoudemire of Phoenix Suns. Chris Bosh has a contract extension this summer, but its not yet finalized, although Stoudemire could be an unrestricted free agent for now.

If I'm with the deal, here's my deal:

Chris Bosh for:
*Ben Gordon
*Joakim Noah
*1st round draft picks of 2009
*Cash

Amare Stoudemire for:
*Ben Gordon
*Kirk Hinrich
*Tim Thomas
*1st round draft pick of 2009 and 2010
*Cash

What do you think of my own predictions? Is it possible?

[jemeske]

I heard that the Bulls were interested in teabagging you. Probably for a second round pick in 2010. If that's all they have to give up, I say go for it.

[Datači]

just smile, jemeske

[jemeske]

RIP, Wayman Tisdale. (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4168852)

[ADD]

I heard on the other forum that Chicago Bulls are interested in either Chris Bosh of Toronto Raptors or Amare Stoudemire of Phoenix Suns. Chris Bosh has a contract extension this summer, but its not yet finalized, although Stoudemire could be an unrestricted free agent for now.

If I'm with the deal, here's my deal:

Chris Bosh for:
*Ben Gordon
*Joakim Noah
*1st round draft picks of 2009
*Cash

Amare Stoudemire for:
*Ben Gordon
*Kirk Hinrich
*Tim Thomas
*1st round draft pick of 2009 and 2010
*Cash

What do you think of my own predictions? Is it possible?

Hate the Stoudemire idea, and the thought of getting him anyway. I do the Sign-and-trade for Bosh in a heartbeat.

But unless Bosh signs said extension, I doubt either happens. And I doubt one happens anyway. If he doesn't sign, the Bulls might just sit a year and go after him in 2010.

[ADD]

RIP, Wayman Tisdale. (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4168852)

Oh man. That's sad. RIP

great musician too

[mongo]

getting rid of gordon is a terrible idea.

[ADD]

Yeah, him taking 2384950560760 shots and being a complete pain in the ass will be so missed. Payroll's gonna cry...

[ADD]

Draft Lottery is tonight! (Who cares? After Griffin, Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz)

And some bad news for Rockets fans:

Artest probably won't be giving a discount and T-Mac will most likely still be there.

Ron Artest and the Rockets want to continue their relationship, but the impending free agent will explore the market.

“You take everything into consideration,” Artest said Tuesday. “It’s hard to get into that right now, on what I’m thinking, as far as somebody making an offer I can’t refuse.


“It’s going on 48 hours (since the loss), so I really haven’t had time to think about it. I’m just trying to stay in the gym and just improving my game for next year.”
The Rockets have about $40 million locked up in McGrady and Yao Ming alone for next season, but general manager Daryl Morey said negotiating with Artest was a high priority this offseason.


“It’s an important issue for him and us,” Morey said. “He brought a lot to this team this year. My job isn’t Ron Artest, my job isn’t who to trade, it’s how do I make the roster, as a whole, better? He can be a big part of that. We’ll see if we can work it out.”


Daryl Morey said doctors are hopeful Tracy McGrady could be practicing by November, though he doesn't expect it. He does expect to have a better guess by early July.

“Based on what the doctors are telling us, he has a good shot to help us next year,” Morey said. “He’s in the equation.”

[Jericho]

I hope the Kings get fucked in the lottery. It's so much more peaceful here with Kings fans having nothing to be happy about

[ADD]

Normally, I'd agree, but I really don't want to see the Blunder, Clippers, TWolves or Wizards land Griffin.

[Pollo]

I hope the Kings get fucked in the lottery. It's so much more peaceful here with Kings fans having nothing to be happy about

lolz ... I second the notion. I would like to add the Clippers to the list, too. it would be awesome for Sacramento and the Clips get the #3 and 4 picks.

I just have a feeling OKC wins the lottery ... seeing the Griffin, OKLA connection.

I don't think I've ever been so down on a draft. this has to be one of the worst drafts in recent memory.

[Pollo]

can they just announce the damn order and stop milking the whole 30 minutes? we can just skip picks 10-14.

[BIG PIZZLE]

Larry Bird looks like an old lady.

[Pollo]

Wizards got fucked.

HAHAHA at the Kings.

[Jericho]

ahahahahaha ^5!

Get fucked, Sacto

[Pollo]

man the West only gets richer.

[Jericho]

That's what happens when you trot Webber out there

[Pollo]

fuck ... the Clips won.

[NOTKyle]

RIP Blake Griffin's career.

[BIG PIZZLE]

Blake Griffin just hung himself.

[Soup Nazi]

Well now that the Clips won, I think its safe to say that Blake Griffin will be a bust.

[Pollo]

Memphis is either taking Rubio or trading Conley ... either way, I see them being active in major trade talks.

[ADD]

*checks thread title*

Yup, Griffin ain't savin' shit.

Poor Grizzlies.

[Pollo]

c'mon guys ... Griffin can't suck as much balls as that 'Candi man.

[Lone Wolf]

Fucking Clippers. Fuck that shit franchise.

[ADD]

c'mon guys ... Griffin can't suck as much balls as that 'Candi man.

No, he can't, but Dunleavy and the rest of that team can

[Lone Wolf]

If the Knicks can get Curry with the #8 I guess I will be satisfied. I wonder if they will even bother making him where and S. Curry jersey?

[Pollo]

man now all the Clips needs to do is fire Dunleavy's ass ... and maybe, MAYBE they make the postseason next year barring no major injuries.

[Pollo]

If the Knicks can get Curry with the #8 I guess I will be satisfied. I wonder if they will even bother making him where and S. Curry jersey?

I think NY will try HARD to trade up to #2 to get Rubio unless D'Antoni will wait another year for a crack at D-Wade or Nash.

Memphis and OKC are in no need for PGs with Conley and Westbrook, respectively.

[NOTKyle]

Fucking Clippers. Fuck that shit franchise.

Stern needs to step in in that situation. The owner DOESN'T CARE about winning. How is that allowed?

[ADD]

The Grizzlies will trade Conley in a heartbeat to pair Rubio with Marc Gasol if they can. They almost moved Conley this year.

[NOTKyle]

I think NY will try HARD to trade up to #2 to get Rubio unless D'Antoni will wait another year for a crack at D-Wade or Nash.

Memphis and OKC are in no need for PGs with Conley and Westbrook, respectively.

The Knicks love Curry man. Word on the street is that Curry was coaxed to come out this year thanks to a promise from the Knicks that they'd take him with their pick.

[ADD]

The Knicks love Curry man. Word on the street is that Curry was coaxed to come out this year thanks to a promise from the Knicks that they'd take him with their pick.

This is indeed true. And chances are quite good Stephen Curry's there at 8 (most boards have him 13-16 now). Donnie Walsh even said yesterday "I don't make guarantees to players about the draft" when asked about Curry.

Barring a major trade for a SG, I say book this one.

[Pollo]

The Grizzlies will trade Conley in a heartbeat to pair Rubio with Marc Gasol if they can. They almost moved Conley this year.

that's what I believe will happen, too. Memphis will be looking for a PF ... and who'll trade a power forward for a guard? not many teams.

[ADD]

I'd say your top 3 picks are:
1. Clips- Griffin
2. Griz- Rubio (they then move Conley this summer)
3. Blunder- Thabeet

great picks for all 3, well except the Clippers because nothing can save them.

[Pollo]

and the Kings and Wizards (the top 2 teams with the best chances) get first crack at the rest of this year's crap class.

again, just an awesome day for Sactown!

[ADD]

that's what I believe will happen, too. Memphis will be looking for a PF ... and who'll trade a power forward for a guard? not many teams.

Atlanta when Bibby leaves, Dallas when Kidd leaves. The Griz won't getting a great starting PF, but PGs are always in high demand.

Memphis will probably take a bench player PF and a future 1st rounder.

[ADD]

and the Kings and Wizards (the top 2 teams with the best chances) get first crack at the rest of this year's crap class.

again, just an awesome day for Sactown!

And two teams set at the 2 and 3, in a draft loaded at the 2 and 3 after the top 3 picks go. This might be the worst 4 and 5 draft class ever

[Lone Wolf]

Thabeet isn't going to be worth that pick, I would trade out of that slot.

[Dragon]

I wouldnt be surprised if the ClipJoint made a trade with the Grizz or Thunder. The Clips have no where to play Griffin. Camby and Kaman start. Zach Randolph (hahahahahahahaha, how Walsh got them to take his sorry ass and contract away from us if a thing of beauty) comes off the bench, while making an exorbant amount of money. Rubio would be the best option for them anyways. If the Clippers play this smart they could end up with a solid squad. Trade for Rubio then send Baron Davis back to Golden State for one of 2 of their athletic bigs (to replace Camby next summer). It will be an interesting draft come June 25th. Thans for sure.

[ADD]

Good luck.

Blunder need a 4/5. It'll be Thabeet

[Pollo]

I wouldnt be surprised if the ClipJoint made a trade with the Grizz or Thunder. The Clips have no where to play Griffin. Camby and Kaman start. Zach Randolph (hahahahahahahaha, how Walsh got them to take his sorry ass and contract away from us if a thing of beauty) comes off the bench, while making an exorbant amount of money. Rubio would be the best option for them anyways. If the Clippers play this smart they could end up with a solid squad. Trade for Rubio then send Baron Davis back to Golden State for one of 2 of their athletic bigs (to replace Camby next summer). It will be an interesting draft come June 25th. Thans for sure.

there is no chance I see the Clips preferring Camby over Griffin given Camby's health record. NO CHANCE.

[Pollo]

Thabeet isn't going to be worth that pick, I would trade out of that slot.

if you're picking 4 or lower, you might as well trade the lottery pick for a veteran (much like Washington did when they dealt Devin Harris for Jamison a few years back).

[NOTKyle]

OKC is going to take Thabeet, and it's going to be a great pick. That team is going to be really good in 3 years. Really good.

[ADD]

OKC is going to take Thabeet, and it's going to be a great pick. That team is going to be really good in 3 years. Really good.

And I hope Seattle declares war on OKC when it happens.

[ShitBreak]

Granted, I have not seen every single game he's played in...but am I the only one who thinks Thabeet has BUST written all over him?

We need him, and he's a perfect fit, but I just don't know about him.

[mongo]

bust? really? he's mutumbo part deux.

[ShitBreak]

Does the NBA really need a new Mutumbo?



Why yes. Yes we do.

[Dragon]

there is no chance I see the Clips preferring Camby over Griffin given Camby's health record. NO CHANCE.

Agreed but I'm speaking realistically if their ownership gave a crap about winning and how to conduct proper business as a professional sports franchise. Camby, whether healthy or not is bolting next summer. If I'm the Clippers and can find a deal for Kaman or Camby (preferably Camby) I make it and pick Griffin.

[Pollo]

Agreed but I'm speaking realistically if their ownership gave a crap about winning and how to conduct proper business as a professional sports franchise. Camby, whether healthy or not is bolting next summer. If I'm the Clippers and can find a deal for Kaman or Camby (preferably Camby) I make it and pick Griffin.

if anything, the Clips will try to deal Camby. I know they were close to dealing him to SA, so I don't think it will difficult to part with him. the Clips will choose youth (Kaman) over Camby and have Griffin start at PF.

but you're right on the Baron problem ... what will the Clips do with him? I know Baron didn't like the system Dunleavy had in place, but I dunno ... it's too hard to pass on Griffin given the lack of big, physical forwards in the NBA.

[Archangel]

So, is there a member of the Olowokandi family in the draft?

[Soup Nazi]

After reading this thread, apparently I am the only one who likes Rubio more than Griffin. Oh well. I think we all know that Griffin is going #1, the intrigue is really what will happen with one of the 3 big men already in LA. I could see a nice group of expirings or S&T's coming from San Antonio. Personally though, I don't see much of a demand for Camby outside of a couple borderline contending teams.

[Dragon]

After reading this thread, apparently I am the only one who likes Rubio more than Griffin. Oh well. I think we all know that Griffin is going #1, the intrigue is really what will happen with one of the 3 big men already in LA. I could see a nice group of expirings or S&T's coming from San Antonio. Personally though, I don't see much of a demand for Camby outside of a couple borderline contending teams.

Are you talking overall? Or just for the Clippers?

[ADD]

The more I think about, Griffin in LA, but not with the name team might be good for him and the NBA

[Archangel]

Dude, if it were up to you, every good player in the NBA would play for either the Bulls or the Lakers.

[ADD]

Settle down Nancy. We both know that's just your anger talking.

[Archangel]

Huh?

[ADD]

I don't want every good player on the Bulls or Lakers. In fact, I was hoping the Grizz won the lottery.

Excuse me for liking my team and Kobe

[Archangel]

I was just giving you shit, mate.

[ADD]

I know. But please, the only team I actually give a shit about is the Bulls. Once they're out, it comes down to players. Kobe's my guy. After that it's Dirk and he's never winning a title.

[NOTKyle]

Griffin winding up with the Clippers is just reinforcing the idea that every team in the lottery should have an equal shot at winning the thing (1 ping pong ball per team). It's ridiculous that a team that doesn't give a SHIT about actually winning a title in the Clippers winds up with the best player in his class.

[mongo]

8 years ago the cavs didn't give a SHIT about winning a title either.

[ADD]

3rd time the Clips have won too.

As much as I think teams with a worse record should have a better chance, 1 ball per team would keep teams from tanking. I'm really torn on the matter. Perhaps have all 14 spots depend on the lottery and not the top 3. Or have just the #1 pick be up for grabs, and everyone can only fall 1 slot if they don't land the top pick.

[NOTKyle]

8 years ago the cavs didn't give a SHIT about winning a title either.

The Clippers have had 3 winning seasons in the last 30 years and 7 top 3 overall picks in that same time period. I think if they wanted to make the playoffs once in awhile it wouldn't be that hard to, you just need to convince the owner to cut his profit margin a little bit.

[ADD]

Sterling should sell the team to Billy Crystal and Frankie Muniz

[jemeske]

The Clippers have had 3 winning seasons in the last 30 years and 7 top 3 overall picks in that same time period. I think if they wanted to make the playoffs once in awhile it wouldn't be that hard to, you just need to convince the owner to cut his profit margin a little bit.
They don't have the legacy of a Craig Ehlo or a Brad Daugherty.

[ADD]

But they do of Ken Norman, Danny Manning and Loy Vaught (and maybe Olden Polynice)

[Archangel]

They don't have the legacy of a Craig Ehlo or a Brad Daugherty.

The player with the greatest jheri curl in the NBA's history played for both those teams.

Coincidence?

[Soup Nazi]

Are you talking overall? Or just for the Clippers?

Both. Call me crazy, but I love tall PG's with great basketball IQ. Everything I have seen about the kid makes me believe he could go down as one of the best European players of all time. The guy is a natural born-leader, with damn near un-paralleled court vision and awareness. Hell, the guy was voted Mr. Europa (an award that goes to the best Euro player in ANY professional league, Dirk/Gasol/Peja/Kukoc/Sabonis all won it when they were playing in the NBA) when he was 17 years old. In the same year he was voted the best PG in the 2nd best league in the world, and the best defensive player of the year as well.

That's not even including what he did for the Spanish national team, where as a 17 year old he did pretty damn well against Team USA's trio of PG's, while taking significant playing time away from Juan Carlos Navarro and Jose Calderon (both NBA PG's). This tells me that not only does he have a ton of potential, but he can contribute right now, since he has 4 years of PROFESSIONAL basketball experience already at age 18.

I might be blind, Griffin may turn out to be the ultimate stud everyone is projecting him to be (Amare without the primadonna attitude), but I just do not see it right now.

EDIT: On the other hand, this story makes me question my opinion:


The Clippers, according to insiders that spoke with the Oakland Tribune, are enamored with Ricky Rubio and could conceivably select him instead of Blake Griffin with the number one overall pick.
If such a scenario occurs, the Clippers will look to deal Baron Davis.

[ADD]

I smell smoke screan

As for players, a lot has to do with where they end up/ For example, if Rubio ends up with a guy like Gasol he's played with for years and Thabeat ends up in OKC where his offense is extremely limited, both could do wonders.

[Dragon]

Both. Call me crazy, but I love tall PG's with great basketball IQ. Everything I have seen about the kid makes me believe he could go down as one of the best European players of all time. The guy is a natural born-leader, with damn near un-paralleled court vision and awareness. Hell, the guy was voted Mr. Europa (an award that goes to the best Euro player in ANY professional league, Dirk/Gasol/Peja/Kukoc/Sabonis all won it when they were playing in the NBA) when he was 17 years old. In the same year he was voted the best PG in the 2nd best league in the world, and the best defensive player of the year as well.

That's not even including what he did for the Spanish national team, where as a 17 year old he did pretty damn well against Team USA's trio of PG's, while taking significant playing time away from Juan Carlos Navarro and Jose Calderon (both NBA PG's). This tells me that not only does he have a ton of potential, but he can contribute right now, since he has 4 years of PROFESSIONAL basketball experience already at age 18.

I might be blind, Griffin may turn out to be the ultimate stud everyone is projecting him to be (Amare without the primadonna attitude), but I just do not see it right now.

EDIT: On the other hand, this story makes me question my opinion:

I'm not taking anything away from either of them. They both will be good. I feel Griffin will be much better for his career than Rubio. Now in saying that I have watched as much of his stuff as I can (Rubio) and think some of his game will translate to the league BUT over the long haul, due to less athleticism then people are willing to admit, he might be done sooner than we think. Yes, he is young, skilled, and if he ends up in the right system like ADD says I could be eating my words. Personally, I want him in NY but we have nothing to trade up to get him with. Overall though the years Griffin spends in the league will be more than Rubio. Just my opinion.

[Mustard]

Somewhere, Blake Griffin is wanting to blow his brains out.

[Pollo]

I call shenanigans on the Clips being so in love with Rubio. Griffin is a guy you just can't pass on -- especially in today's NBA when you need physical, tough forwards which are so hard to find. sure it puts them in an awkward position with Z-Bo, Camby, and Kaman, but you have to believe the Clips will be trading at least one of those guys (likely Camby). isn't Camby in the last year of his deal next year? what about Z-Bo? I just think it would be a huge mistake to pass on Griffin given the frontcourts most West teams have.

however, if the Clips really love Rubio, then by ALL MEANS should they trade down with Memphis. Memphis needs a PF BADLY unless they have lost confidence in Conley to run the point. I think both teams are in good or hell awkward positions to be drafting from, but hey it's not the worst problems to have.

[ADD]

Somewhere, Blake Griffin is wanting to blow his brains out.

I think he won the lottery here, no pun intended. He can be awesome and bring some love to one of the worst franchises, and on the other hand if he doesn't end up being a great NBA player, no one will notice/care.

[Pollo]

I think he won the lottery here, no pun intended. He can be awesome and bring some love to one of the worst franchises, and on the other hand if he doesn't end up being a great NBA player, no one will notice/care.

I think he benefits for going to a big market city rather OKC or Memphis. obviously that component is huge, but to do it for the Clips? meh.

Dunleavy pretty much confirms Griffin will be the choice, barring some trade they can't refuse:

Mike Dunleavy, coach and GM for the lottery-winning Clippers, said late Tuesday night that the Clippers were going to select Blake Griffin with the No. 1 pick.

"Clearly, we're taking Blake Griffin," he said. "This guy is the No. 1 pick. We're extremely excited. He's the guy." That should end any speculation that the Clippers can screw this up, although they just have to now hope Griffin's not another Michael Olowokandi.

[ADD]

Well my point is, he's in a win-win situation. Either he's awesome and in LA, or if not after the 1st year, who's going to care?

[ShitBreak]

Griffin in OKC would have been either really great, or really horrible...BOTH for the same reasons:

He's from OKC, went to school around OKC, and played college around OKC. He would be the face of that franchise, that city, and all that shit. He would be basically get big market treatment in a small market. If he handled it, and did awesome...it would have been amazing. However if he struggled, it would have been a spiral downwards.

[ADD]

Shut it. You're getting Thabeat, which will actually probably be really good for the Sonics, er Blunder.

And they already have a face in Durant

[Soup Nazi]

I'm not taking anything away from either of them. They both will be good. I feel Griffin will be much better for his career than Rubio. Now in saying that I have watched as much of his stuff as I can (Rubio) and think some of his game will translate to the league BUT over the long haul, due to less athleticism then people are willing to admit, he might be done sooner than we think. Yes, he is young, skilled, and if he ends up in the right system like ADD says I could be eating my words. Personally, I want him in NY but we have nothing to trade up to get him with. Overall though the years Griffin spends in the league will be more than Rubio. Just my opinion.

Maybe it's just me, but the athleticism angle is what worries me about Griffin in the first place. He just does not strike me as a once in a lifetime type athlete. He strikes me as a very good athlete, but someone who dominated a Big 12 where he had very little competition at the 4 and 5 positions. He will have to change his game tremendously if he wants anywhere near the same type of success in the NBA. In my opinion, he cannot dominate based on his athleticism alone, because there are athletes on almost every team in the league that can match him in that regard, but also have skills to go along with it.

[ADD]

I kinda hear you. My big fear is he's gonna be one of these guys who destroyed at the NCAA level, but will get killed at the NBA level by older more experienced players.

[Soup Nazi]

I kinda hear you. My big fear is he's gonna be one of these guys who destroyed at the NCAA level, but will get killed at the NBA level by older more experienced players.

Exactly. I hope he succeeds because I love his attitude and hustle, but I am always concerned about guys who rely so much on their athleticism. That athletic advantage usually doesn't transfer from college to the pros. If he commits himself, and is put in a good situation (which he won't be) he has all the tools to improve his skills. He has great hands and pretty good footwork, which should help him improve in other facets, I just would prefer to pick the guy (Rubio) who has already shown me he can evolve, and already has all the necessary tools (except for a really good jumpshot) to succeed in this league.

As crazy as it sounds, IMO, Rubio despite being younger is already more-NBA ready then Griffin, whose ceiling is likely higher.

[ADD]

Also, especially with college now, for the most part, unless you're a freshman yourself, you're playing against the best players who are freshmen in the power conferences. There's a big difference between owning 18 year olds, and then getting owned by guys 26,27,28, etc. Very different games between the NCAA and NBA. Also, and additional 8 mins a game can be a a lot for anyone.

This draft might not suck so much in 5-7 years, but as of now, for NBA ready players... yikes.

[ninja33]

Shut it. You're getting Thabeat, which will actually probably be really good for the Sonics, er Blunder.

And they already have a face in Durant

I dont know if thats a sure thing....Even though I think it would be a mistake, I could see the Grizzlies taking Thabeet because theyre pretty desperate for size. Works out for the Thunder either way, they could use Thabeets size as well...or else a Rubio/Westbrook backcourt would be pretty fun.

[Pollo]

Rubio wants no part of Memphis or OKC:

Ricky Rubio has some leverage in influencing which team selects him due to a necessary buyout from his team in Spain. His American agent Dan Fegan tried to shape where Yi Jianlian was selected in 2007, but was unsuccessful due to Milwaukee taking a hard line and no real alternative in his foreign contract.

“Rubio doesn’t want to go to Memphis, and he especially does not want to pay money out of his own pocket with that huge buyout for the honor of doing so," said a source that spoke to DraftExpress.com. "Fegan wants him in L.A., and if he can’t have him there, he wants him in Sacramento. Definitely not Oklahoma City.

“He’ll pull out if he doesn’t like what he’s hearing,” continued the source. “Or he can stay in and force the Grizzlies to call his bluff—would they really take him knowing that he may never come over? That’s one way to get him to fall to three.”

[ADD]

Tough shit, Princess.

[Soup Nazi]

I don't know, I would be somewhat reluctant as well to be paying a 6 million Euro buy-out for the honor of moving from Barcelona to Memphis. This guy will basically be in the red his first couple of years in the league anyway (which when I think about it, makes me wonder why he is coming over now to begin with), might as well push to be in a bigger market so he can make more money some other way.

That being said, unless he has Kobe's bluffing skills, he will be put in a Steve Francis situation whether he likes it or not.

[mongo]

i know oklahoma city fucking sucks, but that team is gonna be good in the next 3 or 4 years. you'd think he might want to be part of that.

[Soup Nazi]

OKC already has a pretty solid PG of the future in Westbrook, so that might be his motivation there (though as Ninja pointed out, a Rubio/Westbrook backcourt would be pretty damn exciting). Personally, I think its all about potential endorsements. On the other hand, Sacramento is not exactly a major market and he seems perfectly fine going there.

[johnnychacski]

Rubio just keeps giving me reasons to hate him.

[ADD]

GMs are not going to buy Rubio's threats and if he's there and they need a PG, they'll draft him.

DraftExpress reported on Thursday that Ricky Rubio's agent will attempt to dissuade the Grizzlies and Thunder from drafting his client.
"A general manager and an owner are not going to succumb to an agent saying, ‘If you select my player he’s not going to come here,’” said Aaron Goodwin.
"If a GM does, he won’t be a GM much longer.”
Some people believe cities such as Oklahoma City will have a tough time convincing players to come join their franchise.
"I don’t think (Oklahoma City) needs to be leery of that,” Goodwin said. "What (general manager) Sam (Presti) is doing is building a good team there. And players go to places that have two things, a good team and a good fan base, period. You’re in town to play basketball and make sure that the fans enjoy you playing basketball and to hopefully win championships. That’s what they’re trying to build down there.
"Each city that has an NBA franchise didn’t start off as a dominant city to be in. It had to be built over the years.”

[Rover]

Damn. I knew Sterling had been fucking the Clippers for years because of his love of profit. But this guy's an asshole in everything he does.

I didn't know he gave Dr. Buss the money to finish buying the Lakers.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4187729

Suffice it to say that 2008-09 marks the seventh time the Clippers have lost 60 games in a season and the 17th time they've lost 50 since Sterling moved them to Los Angeles 25 years ago, both achievements unequaled by any other team in the league over this period. The Clippers have reached the second round of the playoffs just once in that time, going 701-1,317 overall, for a .347 winning percentage that is easily the worst among the four major sports.

[ADD]

So, ummm, guess Adriana Lima's not a virgin anymore for realz.

Marko Jaric and his wife Adriana Lima are expecting their first child, according to People Magazine.

"Adriana and Marko are overjoyed that they are expecting their first child together and are excited to share the happy news and start their family together," say reps.


Damn you, Marko Jaric.

[ADD]

Praise Jesus!

After 12 years officiating in the NBA, Violet Palmer is leaving her post to become referee coordinator for the West Coast Conference.


Palmer became the first woman to officiate a major U.S. professional sport when she made her NBA debut Oct. 31, 1997.

[wacker]

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2009/06/01/raptors-star-chris-bosh-signs-record-deal-and-will-bring-his-comedy-to-dvd-adn-your-iphone.aspx

The Chris Bosh iPhone app.

[ADD]

Is it an app that sees how he'll look elsewhere when Toronto trades him?

[ADD]

LeBron's about to get less happy in Cleveland.

Yesterday, Ben Wallace said he's probably going to retire, now Vareajo is probably going to leave too despite the bad economy.

A league source said on Sunday that Anderson Varejao intends to opt out of the final year of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Varejao had a tempestuous negotiation with the Cavaliers as a restricted free agent, but they will also be able to go over the salary cap to keep him.

[wacker]

Now the Cleveland hair economy will tank too.

[mongo]

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2009/06/01/raptors-star-chris-bosh-signs-record-deal-and-will-bring-his-comedy-to-dvd-adn-your-iphone.aspx

The Chris Bosh iPhone app.

too bad he's not fucking funny at all.

[ADD]

Warner Music Canada?

Did Warner Music Afghanistan have a full roster?

[Lone Wolf]

GMs are not going to buy Rubio's threats and if he's there and they need a PG, they'll draft him.

I love the fact that players choose not to play in OKC. Think Seattle would be having this type of problem?

... and when did everyone become so pussified about a player being pissed about a loss? The way the media is reacting you would have thought Lebron left the game while it was still in progress.

[ADD]

Because he's a fucking baby. He doesn't shake hands and then blows off a presser. If he's supposedly the best in some peoples' eyes, he has a funny way of showing it.

[nothingman]

Because he's a fucking baby. He doesn't shake hands and then blows off a presser. If he's supposedly the best in some peoples' eyes, he has a funny way of showing it.
Yeah he blew it off the next day too like he didn't do anything wrong. What a jackass, take your lumps, shake a hand.

[Soup Nazi]

I only have a problem with him not shaking hands after the game, because that's just bad sportmanship and a disrespect to your peers. Skipping the post-game presser though I have no problem with. I always thought it was unrealistic to force players into answering inane bullshit questions where you are pretty much are screwed no matter how you answer. Especially immediately after they have been beaten and are at a low-point in their career. Hell, the equivalent for me would be if I had to answer questions in front of a national audience right after I was fired and my girlfriend dumped me.

[ADD]

If you're a man and pro, you take the good with the bad and so on. LeBron's a kid still.

[ADD]

Rubio's suing his current Euro Club because he wants to come to the NBA easier.

The rising star of spanish basketball, Ricky Rubio is suing the club of Badalona asking for the buy-out clause of his contract to be reduced according to tubasket.com (http://www.tubasket.com/noticiaDetail/verArticulo/acb/0/ricky/rubio/denuncia/al/joventut/rebajar/clausula/rescision/14450). The lawyer of Rubio visited the administration of the club back in April asking to reduce the buy-out clause of Rubio's contract. The amount is estimated to be 6 million euros and the case that the player is making is that his initial salary when he first signed the contract was 70,000 euros. The 2 amounts are significantly disproportional.

Currently Rubio is to make 125,000 euros in the next season but the extremely high buy-out clause might cause a problem to the player's wish to move to the NBA after the Draft selection on the 25th of this June. Now the player and the club are locked into a legal battle and the outcome could go either way.

[ADD]

Ben Gordon to Greece?

Ben Gordon(1.91-PG/SG) is rumored to have been offered to Olympiakos by his agent and this is something that is being confirmed by a plenty of greek sports portals, redplanet.gr (http://www.redplanet.gr/html/ent/041/ent.255041.asp) and gazzetta.gr (http://www.gazzetta.gr/content/view/36421/35/) to name a few. This sets a new spin on the transfer targets of Olympiakos because Ben Gordon has a british passport. That means he occupies the position of a bosman player and not of a foreign player.

Gordon would theoretically replace Lynn Greer(1.88-PG/SG) who is considered to be leaving Olympiakos as his contract ends this month and there doesn't seem to be any thoughts about renewing it. The Chicago Bulls have made it one of their top priorities to renew the contract of Gordon according to GM Vinny Del Negro : “Our hope is we’ll be able to get Ben back in a Bulls uniform next year.” Gordon initially rejected the offer of the Chicago Bulls but in the end he accepted their qualifying offer as he couldn't get that money elsewhere. However the sum of 4.8 million dollars that was his current salary is not out of reach for Olympiakos.

[ADD]

Donnie Walsh may not be a complete idiot after all

In an apparent attempt to maximize salary cap space in 2010 while still getting value in return, Donnie Walsh is trying to work a sign-and-trade deal for David Lee.

RealGM Note: The Globe article did not mention specifics, but the Knicks would likely look for contracts/picks in return that do not greatly impact 2010 cap space. The team may also be seeking to package the contracts of Eddy Curry or Jared Jeffries in such a deal.

[STDSkillz]

I hate the voiceover that does the Finals intro. So stupid.

[Soup Nazi]

Rubio's suing his current Euro Club because he wants to come to the NBA easier.

Rubio's buyout has been a significant roadblock for a while now. From what I hear, an NBA franchise is only allowed to pay up to $500,000 of the buy-out, which would leave Rubio in the red for pretty much his first 2 years in the NBA. Everyone expects the buy-out to be bargained down (mostly so DKV doesn't look like a dick for future Euro prospects), but it is probably one of the main forces behind why Rubio doesn't want to play in a smaller market.

As for Gordon, I suppose he could go over, but I imagine it would take a contract even larger than Childress got from Olympiacos. I really thought his playoff performance this year would have increased his value enough that he would get a lucrative contract here. Childress didn't perform all that well for Olympiacos this past season, so I guess we will see if Gordon could adapt as well. Personally, I think they are going to end up with Anthony Parker.

[ADD]

Yeah, the player has to pay the rest, but it's rookie scale contract. It wouldn't matter if Rubio's in Memphis, OKC or New York. As for other income, he's going to get endorsements from both Spain and where ever he ends up. That's a lobbying poly by his agent to get him to a larger market so he's on TV more, etc. But lately, his agent has been backing down on those demands. Probably knowing the Grizzlies have every intent to draft him at this point.

[Pollo]

so the Cavs are thinking of adding Rasheed Wallace or trading for Zach Randolph to give LeBron help. why on earth would Zach be a benefit ... he would of gotten crushed by Howard in the Orlando series. that stiff can't play a lick of defense. Rasheed is good, but that's not the answer for Cleveland. Amar'e is a player they should be after. regarding Amar'e, there were rumors of Boston being interested in him with Ainge dangling Allen. the supposed rumor was: Amar'e/Barbosa/14th pick for Allen/Rondo. honestly, I don't see why Boston does this because (1) they lose both their guards and (2) to break their chemistry. the only reason why I see them doing this trade is to get cap space for 2010, but other than that, not another damn reason.

[ADD]

Cleveland needs to realize all they have is LeBron, and now to a much lesser extent Mo Williams. Their coach is a joke, their GM is a joke and so is their owner with his "predictions". Unless they add the absolute best SG and PF available (and even what's out there isn't great), they'll keep falling short because when it comes down to it in crunch time Mike Brown is a moron.

[ADD]

As for the C's, Amare is pissed he's not the man in Phoenix. He becomes 3rd banana in Boston. That would go over real well.

Amare in Cleveland's a toss up as well. Do they have the cap space and can he play defense?

[Pollo]

it's just going to be hard for Cleveland to improve because of the 'crap' that's on their roster besides Williams and LeBron. West and Big-Z are players I'd probably keep, but who the hell else do they have? it's remarkable that team won 65+ games.

[Pollo]

As for the C's, Amare is pissed he's not the man in Phoenix. He becomes 3rd banana in Boston. That would go over real well.

Amare in Cleveland's a toss up as well. Do they have the cap space and can he play defense?

Amar'e seems to have a fascination to play for Atlanta or NY. Phoenix should of dealt Amar'e when they had the chance to get KG. even if they had the cap space, what Eastern teams will help Cleveland get Amar'e? Cleveland is going to need at least one team to help them get him, a la the Williams trade last summer. if Williams was hard enough to get, imagine Amar'e. if Amar'e isn't a possibility, I'm sure Phoenix will listen to offers for Shaq.

[ADD]

Shaq apparently wants back in LA, lulz

[Pollo]

Shaq can only dream about coming back to LA ... not when Kobe wants to win some titles without him to stop the 'Kobe can't win squat without Shaq' shit.

[Soup Nazi]

I don't think anything will happen, but Rubio and Co. must be praying something like this actually happens:

The Grizzlies have been approached by several teams about acquiring the second overall pick. Boston, Houston and New York are said to be among the most recent suitors. Boston and Houston would likely have to offer an established NBA player or two, given that neither team owns a first-round pick. New York owns the eighth pick and likely would want to move up for the opportunity to take Ricky Rubio.


I don't entirely understand Boston, unless the reports of Rondo being a diva are 100% accurate. Also, I am probably the biggest Rubio fan here, but even I am not delusional enough to think he would be able to take the reins of a championship caliber team at age 18. Hell, we have seen what KG does to opposing white guys........

[Pollo]

Boston and Houston? I don't see why either of them are interested. Boston can only be interested if it's true Ainge is dangling Rondo and Allen for Amar'e or someone else that's marque.

I'll throw the Lakers name in there as well -- after this playoff run filled with disappointing PG production. oh and plus, we can probably steal another trade from Memphis.

[Soup Nazi]

Rubio would be an upgrade over anything the Lakers have currently, and Memphis could probably take back a large contract with little going back to LA (since they should be quite a bit under the cap). Maybe Memphis would take Bynum + filler for Rubio + filler. Hell, knowing the Grizzlies they probably would give you another Gasol for the hell of it.

EDIT: On another note.....
The Toronto Raptors have acquired Reggie Evans from the Philadelphia 76ers for Jason Kapono. League sources say the trade will be officially announced this afternoon.
The move will save Toronto financially.
Evans is owed $4.6 million next season and $5 million in 2010-11 on his contract.
Kapono's deal will pay him $6.2 million this coming season and $6.6 million the season after.


Kapono is overpaid more than I thought, apparently.

[Pollo]

I think the question Memphis and OKC have to ask is this: Bynum or Thabeet? if I had the choice, I would go with Bynum -- better offensive upside than Thabeet, who has raw hands, questionable offensive game, but good defensive presence. I think Memphis or OKC would consider a Bynum deal highly -- plus he fills an immediate need for each team.

at this point, all I want is a better PG and room to sign Ariza, LO and Brown and use the MLE on a quality FA. Mitch will probably look to unload Sasha and/or Luke, but I doubt there will be takers.

[ADD]

So Reggie Evans is the backup plan for Bosh in Toronto? LULZ

[wacker]

Kapono was funny, that is basically all Raps fans will miss him for.

[BIG PIZZLE]

I wouldnt touch the Boston roster. I think with a healthy KG, they're going to the finals next year.

[ADD]

I think a lot will depend on if Orlando can keep Hedo or replace him. Even if Boston's healthy, I like this Orlando team a lot (in the East).

*waits for the Cleveland backers to say how good the Cavs are/will be*

[ADD]

Jermaine O'Neal doesn't opt out

Jermaine O'Neal and Yakhouba Diawara of the Miami Heat exercised options to remain under contract for next season.


Both had contracts mandating they "opt in" for the final years of their deals. O'Neal will make nearly $23 million in the 2009-10 NBA season, while Diawara's salary is around $900,000.

[ruffdog]

question

How can teams trade players at this time of the year? The playoffs havent finished

[Pollo]

question

How can teams trade players at this time of the year? The playoffs havent finished

if anything, teams out of playoff contention usually trade picks before the draft and/or wait until draft night to trade players. I rarely see player/player swaps during the playoffs, but it's something that can be done if you're out of the postseason.

[Lone Wolf]

The Kings actually got passed up by Kurt Rambis and instead opted for Paul Westphal. The Kings are actually going to challenge the Clips for worst run franchise.

[ADD]

question

How can teams trade players at this time of the year? The playoffs havent finished

The freeze on moves is technically from the draft until July 9. Usually David Stern frowns upon any deals during the Finals, but with it being Kapono for Evans I doubt even he noticed.

[ADD]

The Kings actually got passed up by Kurt Rambis and instead opted for Paul Westphal. The Kings are actually going to challenge the Clips for worst run franchise.

I think that was a given when the fell out of the top 3 picks in the draft

[ADD]

Free agent list added and updated in post #1 (http://forum.gorillamask.net/showpost.php?p=527559&postcount=1)

[Stax]

First time I've ever laughed at Reilly (http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/reillygofish):

Despite being scheduled against Game 2 of the Lakers-Magic series, the Cedars-Sinai Sports Spectacular still drew a huge crowd of 1700 to the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Sunday night in L.A. Besides Ochocinco, Dwyane Wade, Ryan Scheckler, Laila Ali, Baron Davis (who donned an Afro wig and introduced Snoop as though he were part of the posse), Warren Sapp, Blake Griffin and dozens of other sports stars, I saw Hasheem Thabeet, the skinny, ever-smiling 7-3 UConn center who figures to go in the top five of the coming NBA draft. I asked him what he thought of the lottery.

"Oh, I was SOOOO happy!" he beamed. "I see that the Los Angeles Clippers win the first pick!"

Why did this make you happy, 'Sheem?

"Because I know this means I do not have to play for them!"

Kid's a quick learner.

[STDSkillz]

Lolz. My respect for that kid has increased.

[Stax]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/Staxringold/4711_101573947639_83212147639_25542.jpg

I just want him to go to at least a half-respectable team so I can have some kind of an NBA team to care about.

[Lone Wolf]

That's really funny, and he will be better off on a team that can ease him into the game and not expect him to turn around a franchise

[jemeske]

The freeze on moves is technically from the draft until July 9. Usually David Stern frowns upon any deals during the Finals, but with it being Kapono for Evans I doubt even he noticed.
Reggie Evans doesn't even have hands. He has two bricks were his hands should be. Go Hawkeyes!

[Pollo]

The Kings actually got passed up by Kurt Rambis and instead opted for Paul Westphal. The Kings are actually going to challenge the Clips for worst run franchise.

I think Rambis not only turned it down because he's walking into a miserable situation, but I think he expects to be the successor to Phil when he retires. honestly, I was hoping Rambis would leave because I'm not a fan of his defensive schemes.

and talk about the Cavs slowly falling apart:

Some key members of Cleveland front office feel Mike Brown was badly out-coached by Stan Van Gundy, according to sources.

One source said Cavs management wasn't only disappointed in the losses, "but equally disappointed in the (two) wins" in a series that went six games.

It is believed that owner Dan Gilbert is among those who thinks the Cavs need an upgrade on the sidelines, while general manager Danny Ferry is standing strongly behind Brown.

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News filed a similar report and suggested a big name such as Pat Riley could be possible for the Cavaliers.

[jemeske]

I wouldn't call it falling apart. I've always thought Brown sucked and his unwillingness to even try something different in that series showed just how awesome he really is.

[Soup Nazi]

Maybe they should just scrap the entire COY award, that thing is becoming a curse. Just look at the recent winners:

Mike Brown - About to be fired in Cleveland?
Byron Scott - On thin ice in New Orleans.
Sam Mitchell - Fired one year after winning.
Avery Johnson - Fired one year after winning.
Mike D'Antoni - Jumped ship soon after.
Hubie Brown - Retired soon after.
Greg Popovich - The exception.
Rick Carlisle - Replaced quickly by Larry Brown.

I mean, outside of Pop, and maybe Brown/D'Antoni that is just an awful awful track record.

[ADD]

Maybe the voters should actually vote on guys that coached, and not who rode a hot team to a good record

[Pollo]

Manu to ... Washington?!?

The Washington Wizards have made a trade offer for Manu Ginobili.

Asked by the Argentine press this week whether he thought he could be traded, he said “impossible” had lost a few letters.

“Today I believe there is a chance it could happen,” Ginobili said.

“People get in trouble when they say never,” Gregg Popovich said Wednesday.

“But Manu Ginobili is someone I cannot envision trading,” Popovich continued. “He has been such a huge part of our heart and soul; people like that are hard to come by. You don't even think about trading somebody like that. I can't imagine a scenario where he would be traded.”
the 5th overall pick isn't enough to entice SA. if this is gonna happen, I imagine another team is involved to give a quality player back to SA with the 5th pick shipped out to someone else.

[Soup Nazi]

Manu to ... Washington?!?


the 5th overall pick isn't enough to entice SA. if this is gonna happen, I imagine another team is involved to give a quality player back to SA with the 5th pick shipped out to someone else.

This may be a stretch, but Washington is also rumored to be interested in trading the 5th overall pick to Dallas for Josh Howard. If that is true I COULD see a three way, or two separate trades where Washington trades the #5 pick for Josh Howard and trades Caron Butler (since they would have 2 quality SF's) for Ginobli.

Not that I am saying that would ever happen, its just the combination of rumors and the only way I can see San Antonio trading Manu to Washington.

[Stax]

That's really funny, and he will be better off on a team that can ease him into the game and not expect him to turn around a franchise

Agreed. He has a VERY limited offensive skillset, somewhere where he'll have time to develop one without being labeled a failure would be nice.

[ADD]

The Wiz have been linked to about 45 separate trade rumors for the 5th pick.

[Stax]

The Wiz have been linked to about 45 separate trade rumors for the 5th pick.

Which of course means that's the least likely thing to happen.

[ADD]

What I want to know is who the hell wants a pick that isn't top 3 or about 20-30?

[Pollo]

This may be a stretch, but Washington is also rumored to be interested in trading the 5th overall pick to Dallas for Josh Howard. If that is true I COULD see a three way, or two separate trades where Washington trades the #5 pick for Josh Howard and trades Caron Butler (since they would have 2 quality SF's) for Ginobli.

Not that I am saying that would ever happen, its just the combination of rumors and the only way I can see San Antonio trading Manu to Washington.

this thought came to my mind exactly when I read this. I've seen a rumor of Howard going to SA, Manu to Washington, and the 5th overall to Dallas. honestly, I can't see SA swapping Howard for Manu, let alone Dallas help out a division rival (even if they're getting rid of Manu). I do give credit for Washington trying HARD to get rid of that pick -- outside of the top 3 picks, no one else excites me in this draft.

[Da Raider]

Michael Wilbon is a moran. He said no way LeBron goes to the Knicks (I agree) and that he should go with the obvious move; to LA. The Clippers (idiot).

[mongo]

he'll end up w/ the nets.

[nothingman]

This may be a stretch, but Washington is also rumored to be interested in trading the 5th overall pick to Dallas for Josh Howard. If that is true I COULD see a three way, or two separate trades where Washington trades the #5 pick for Josh Howard and trades Caron Butler (since they would have 2 quality SF's) for Ginobli.

Not that I am saying that would ever happen, its just the combination of rumors and the only way I can see San Antonio trading Manu to Washington.
I've always liked Ginobli, but he hasn't played a complete season in years. SA needs to make some moves, they are getting severly long-in-the-tooth. Manu and Yao both play the off-season in their respective countries and screw their teams during the season.

[ADD]

The Jazz picked up their option on C Kyrylo Fesenko today for the 2009-10 season. He will make $850,000 next season. Had the Jazz not picked up the option, Fesenko would have been a restricted FA who likely would have signed with the Kings.

[Pollo]

Michael Wilbon is a moran. He said no way LeBron goes to the Knicks (I agree) and that he should go with the obvious move; to LA. The Clippers (idiot).

the Clippers? well if LeBron wants some misery, the Clippers is the right team to go!

but Mongo nailed it ... he's probably going to NJ unless Cleveland makes some big moves to get him a good PF (someone like Amar'e) and perhaps an actual SG.

[ADD]

Magic might be open to keeping Hedo after team's run

Orlando ownership could approve paying the luxury tax if it would help them keep their core intact. The Magic are one of 19 teams that have previously avoided paying the luxury tax.
"We've always avoided the tax, but winning has a crazy effect on people," Magic president and chief executive Bob Vander Weide said. "The [DeVos] family (which owns the team) is having fun right now. I don't think anyone has a willingness to stay in tax for 10 years, but to go in for a few years to ride this out, I don't think that's threatening to our family short term."
Hedo Turkoglu is expected to be a free agent at season's end, and re-signing him would likely push the Magic over the luxury tax threshold.
"We like this team. We absolutely want to keep the core together," Vander Weide said. "We're in the Finals. Can I sit in the boardroom this summer and say 'hey, we need to do a little more financially to stay where we're at?' I think there would be some receptivity to that. We like our roster. Now if Turk gets some crazy offer elsewhere, well, we'll worry about that this summer. But we love what he brings to this roster."

[ADD]

Kobe has no intent of leaving Lakers

Kobe Bryant dropped a significant hint on Saturday that he has no intention of leaving the Lakers. Bryant was asked whether he could imagine playing for anyone other than the Lakers next season.
"No," he replied.
Bryant can opt out of his contract this summer and become a free agent. He has two seasons and nearly $48 million left on the $136 million contract he signed in 2004.
He added that his looming decision "won't be a topic" after the Finals.
"Won't be an issue," Bryant insisted.

[skyler]

Blake Griffin will save the clippers

[Pollo]

Blake Griffin will save the clippers

good luck ... that's all I can say.

and with Kobe -- that's not surprising. BUT ... I wonder if he'll consider opting out to accept a paycut and extension (maybe 5 yr/100M) in order for us to retain Ariza and Odom. the only other way to keep those guys is trade the likes of Morrison, Walton, Sasha and/or yes potentially Bynum. I think Ammo is all but gone, but no one is taking Luke and Sasha off our hands. Bynum is still a question mark seeing the Lakers big need for a decent PG (could be used as a trading chip).

[Pollo]

Shaq to the Cavs? oh joy...

The Cavaliers and Suns are reportedly discussing a trade involving Shaquille O'Neal once again.

The rumor involves O'Neal, Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic, but another source close to the situation said that "there's nothing going on" between the two clubs.

Multiple sources confirmed back in February that Cleveland and Phoenix had discussed a deal involving O'Neal.

[johnnychacski]

Wow would that help Lebron, I don't know how much at Shaq's current age but still an upgrade from that they have.

[Soup Nazi]

Shaq to the Cavs? oh joy...

The hype surrounding that team would be basically unbearable. In any case though, I don't really understand why Pheonix would do it. All 3 players in the deal have expiring contracts, and essentially it would only save Phoenix slightly more than a million dollars (2 if they are over the cap, which they probably are). Now, I don't think Shaq is going to repeat this past season, but if I am Steve Kerr I am not losing whatever he can give me to save 2 million.

Then again, Phoenix has done some rather interesting trades in the past to save money. Kurt Thomas + 2 Firsts to Seattle comes to mind.

[jemeske]

It's not just a million, according to the ESPN article.
the Suns would save $10 million in the transaction -- $4.5 million in salary and $5.5 million in luxury-tax payments.

[ADD]

Blake Griffin will save the clippers

Maybe he'll save their Season ticket quota

[ADD]

Wow would that help Lebron, I don't know how much at Shaq's current age but still an upgrade from that they have.

Shaq can't run with a young team and makes eleventy billion dollars. Nice player still, especially for a center, but to a team like the Cavs or Bulls where he's been linked in rumors which at this point seem to be completely unfounded, he'd be a horrible addition.

[jemeske]

Yeah, but does Big Z really run the court as it is?

[ninja33]

It's not just a million, according to the ESPN article.

Theyd also save more if they could get Ben Wallace to take a buyout of his contract, as he is considering retirement.

I don't think it would be a horrible fit. Shaq can't run the floor, but its not like they have anyone who does that anyway. And he would upgrade their offense and defense on the interior...which is something I'd think theyre pretty interested in after Howard dominated them. Its not necessarily the right fit, but I think it could work.

[ADD]

Yeah, but does Big Z really run the court as it is?

No. And he also is a bad fit for Cleveland (which is why Gilbert and Ferry are hoping he opts out, but he won't). But he's at least familiar with the team. You'd be adding another slow big man to the Cavs because Z's not going anywhere.

A lot of the rumors so far are just sounding like paper writers or Peter Vecesey are told they need to write something.

If a deal like this went down, it's a great deal for Phoenix, and a panic move for the team trading for the name player in Shaq. Cleveland's the same if not worse next season. If they were smart, they'd try to extend LeBron now and dump Mike Brown. But this is Danny Ferry.

[Soup Nazi]

It's not just a million, according to the ESPN article.

Well then that's the last time I trust HoopsHype's salary page. They have Shaq making exactly 20 million next year, with Ben Wallace (14 mil) and Pavlovic (4.95 mil) making 18.95 mil combined.

I guess if ESPN is right, then I can understand it from Phoenix's perspective.

[ADD]

Phoenix supposedly wants to move both Shaq and Amare's contracts. Shaq for the obvious, Amare because of the money, his constant injuries, him being a pain in the ass, and Steve Kerr feels it's just time to move on.

Like I said, for Phoenix it's great. But look how so-so Phoenix was after getting Shaq. Why any team thinks at this point getting him makes your team great is beyond me. He's good, but not what he once was, and he isn't a player that can win alone. Why would LeBron-Shaq-Mo fare any better when it matters than Amare-Shaq-Nash did with an extra 2 years of mileage on Shaq now. It doesn't fix the Cavs' bench, coaching or help anything more than they did this season. Dwight Howard and a good shooting team, or a healthy Boston still sends Cleveland home before a West team would in the Finals.

[jemeske]

They're adding Shaq and giving up basically nothing on the court. He's no longer dominant, but he should make them better since he's better than any post player they had last season. Why is that so bad? What are their other options?

[ADD]

It's bad because he can't run with Mo or LeBron and they already have a center who's slow and won't be opting out.

[Lone Wolf]

Thery're about a season late to be considering Shaq

[Pollo]

I just don't think Shaq addresses the concerns the Cavs have. first of, who did Cleveland struggle with in the Orlando series? both Hedo and Rashard. had they faced the Celtics, it would of been Pierce. in other words, the Cavs struggled with wing players that play the 3 and occasionally the 4. what Cleveland needs is an 'Ariza,' or a stopper. in addition, an actual PF can't hurt. if I was Danny Ferry, the ideal guy to go after this offseason is Gerald Wallace. he can play the 3 exceptionally well defensively, and there's no question he can rotate between the 3 and 4 positions. there was a reason Cleveland was after Marion before he got dealt to Toronto: they thought he could be that 'stopper.'

[Rover]

Bill Laimbeer resigned today as coach of the Detroit Shock (what the fuck is the WNBA), but the speculation is that he's going to be pushing hard for an NBA job. He's a zillion times better than Mike Brown and used to play in Cleveland. But that's pure speculation on my part.

I wish Joe D would fire Curry and hire Laimbeer, but I doubt he's interested in bringing in the 5th? new coach in 7 years.

[ADD]

The Hawks are desperately trying to trade PF Josh Smith due to his contract, their need to free up money to keep Bibby and Horford and his clashes with head coach Mike Woodson, but still have found no takers.

Oh Atlanta Hawks, you fool no one.

[ADD]

The free agent list begins to grow

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced on Monday that Royal Ivey has declined the player option on his contract for the 2009-10 season, making him an unrestricted free agent. Ivey (6-4, 215) signed as a free agent with Philadelphia on July 28, 2008. He appeared in 71 games off the bench for the Sixers last season, averaging 3.0 points and 1.1 rebounds in 12.1 minutes per game.

[BIG PIZZLE]

By 6 fouls.

[jemeske]

I understand that Shaq doesn't solve all the Cavs' problems, but I don't see how it's a bad thing to add a center to the team that was better than last year's center while basically giving up nothing on the court in a move that is essentially salary neutral. He should make them at least somewhat better offensively and defensively.

He can't run with Mo and Lebron? I guess not, but Cleveland isn't exactly the old Suns living off an up tempo offense.

Also, part of the reason they struggled so much with Hedo and Lewis was because their defensive strategy was so obsessed with Howard.

That said, they obviously have other areas of concern, but I don't see how adding Shaq stops them from addressing those. Though unfortunately for Cavs fans, dumping Brown is certainly out of the question following a Coach of the Year (!!!) season.

[Pox]

What center can both run and play defense, anyway? That player doesn't exist. Shaq doesn't solve all of the Cav's options, but he is a perfectly good addition.

[ADD]

Dwight Howard

[heelsguy]

shaq going to cleveland is a win-win. Shaq gets a chance to gravy train for another ring--to move ahead of kobe--and lebron gets a legitimate inside force.