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The Suns love their athletes. Young, skinny athletes.
Offical 2009-10 NBA Season Thread
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by mateen cleaves,
- Start date
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As opposed to say the Mavericks, the Rockets can dangle Chase Buddinger, Kyle Lowry (since his contract is up after this year), Jermaine Taylor, Joey Dorsey, David Andersen. Throw ins basically, but when you have Cuban saying he doesn't want to include a Bourboix(sp?), then the Mavs don't really have any 'young players' to throw in to a potential deal.
The problem with a Wash/Hou straight up deal, is TMac is 23M and I dunno how much Butler/Haywood off the top of my head is, but then it'd have to be like TMac/Scola or something for the salaries to match.
The problem with a Wash/Hou straight up deal, is TMac is 23M and I dunno how much Butler/Haywood off the top of my head is, but then it'd have to be like TMac/Scola or something for the salaries to match.
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Ok, looking at it it's Butler/Haywood = 16.5ishM
TMac = 23M
There does need to be a 3rd team, as, Washington would have to include a couple more pieces, which would put the Rockets over the roster size
TMac = 23M
There does need to be a 3rd team, as, Washington would have to include a couple more pieces, which would put the Rockets over the roster size
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Al for TMac?
Sign me up. Even if TMac is shot.
Sign me up. Even if TMac is shot.
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Video of Baron Davis missing that wide open layup with like a 1:30 to play? He could've cut the lead to 4 points.
http://[h3]
http://[h3]Prince not worried about rumors[/h3]
10:58AM ET
[h5]Tayshaun Prince | Pistons [/h5]
Pistons small forward Tayshaun Prince is once again part of the rumor mill. He's not worried if he gets dealt, although it is affecting his family.
"There was some talk last year and the year before, but so much more this year and that's why it's been bothering them," Prince told The Detroit News yesterday. "Last year there were reports of me going to L.A., and they were going crazy about that. It's just part of the business and we'll see what happens."
Prince says he'd prefer to remain with Detroit and that he's comfortable with his teammates, coaches and front-office personnel.
"All those things play a part to feeling at home, to feeling comfortable, and that's the way I've always felt," he said.
http://[h3]Bobcats seek forward depth[/h3]
10:57AM ET
[h5]Charlotte Bobcats [/h5]
Yesterday, ESPN the Magazine's Chris Broussard reported the Bobcats and Celtics were discussing a trade that would send http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3200Glen Davis to Charlotte for http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3415.J. Augustin.
Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer gives some insight into the players the Bobcats are seeking.
Bonnell writes: "I know they've had plenty of discussions, including with the Celtics (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=883Rasheed Wallace or Glen Davis?), Bulls ( http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3032Tyrus Thomas?) and Knicks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3994Jordan Hill?) in pursuit of depth at power forward. Thomas is probably the longest shot -- the Bulls want a lot to give him up. I assume if the Bobcats made a deal, they'd give up one or more guards, with D.J. Augustin or Ronald "Flip" Murray the most attractive possibilities for other teams."
http://[h3]Heat amore for Amare[/h3]
10:05AM ET
[h5]Amare Stoudemire | Suns [/h5]
Heat president Pat Riley is determined to land Amare Stoudemire reports Yahoo! Sports.
"Nobody is pushing harder on this than Riley," a league source tells the website.
Reportedly the Suns are speaking to at least six teams regarding Stoudemire.
http://[h3]Hickson key to landing Murphy[/h3]
10:01AM ET
[h5]J.J. Hickson | Cavaliers [/h5]
The Cavaliers continue to talk with teams, but nothing is imminent. The main sticking point is the Cavs' reluctance to include J.J. Hickson in any of the deals.
The Pacers would probably give up Troy Murphy if Hickson is included. The Pacers are also talking to the Bucks and Kings about Murphy.
A source also tells The Plain Dealer that Cleveland doesn't want to give up their first-round pick in the 2010 NBA draft.
http://[h3]Robinson to miss dunk contest?[/h3]
9:41AM ET
[h5]Nate Robinson | Knicks [/h5]
Knicks guard Nate Robinson is the defending slam dunk champion, but he may have to miss the event this weekend due to a strained groin.
"If he was hurt and it would hurt him to go into the dunk contest I would want to know that," Knicks president Donnie Walsh told the New York Daily News yesterday. "But normally it's a big honor to be invited. He's a defending champion. So I'd like to see him be able to go. But I also want to use him for the rest of the year. I think (him not wanting to hurt himself) shows responsibility to the team."
http://[h3]Bulls active talkers[/h3]
9:10AM ET
[h5]Chicago Bulls [/h5]
League sources tell the Chicago Tribune that the Bulls are talking with many teams, including Orlando, about potential deals.
The Bulls want to reduce their payroll for next season, which would give them more money to pursue top-flight free agents.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1726John Salmons, http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1981Kirk Hinrich and http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3032Tyrus Thomas are all available for expiring contracts.
Orlando's Anthony Johnson and his expiring contract is the type of player the Bulls want.
http://[h3]Sloan upset with Fesenko[/h3]
8:58AM ET
[h5]Kyrylo Fesenko | Jazz [/h5]
Kyrylo Fesenko missed the early bus to the game last night which lead head coach Jerry Sloan to leave him off the active roster. Sloan's patience with Fesenko is running out.
"Fes has got to learn to be a little bit more accountable for being late a time or two and some of those things," Sloan told The Salt Lake Tribune. "If he's going to play in this league and he doesn't like what we do, that's fine, I don't have a problem with that. But if he's going to stay involved and try to understand what's going on ... He's got talent, but it's important for him to stay focused on what we're trying to do and not be jackpotting around."
"I mean, he's a young guy and it's like he already has the answers to what's going on out there and I haven't always seen that in practice and some of his workouts," Sloan added. "He'll tell you he works hard, but I've seen guys work hard. I'm not totally blind."
http://[h3]Unknown hindering trades?[/h3]
7:55AM ET
[h5]Phoenix Suns [/h5]
The Suns are at the center of trade speculation since Amare Stoudemire is on the market. General manager Steve Kerr, who is in the final year of his contract, says a potential lockout after next season is making teams "a little hesitant to do much going far forward."
"If you really lock yourself in long term with a lot of big contracts, then you might find yourself in some trouble," Kerr told The Arizona Republic. "There's no way of knowing it, whereas in the past, you knew what you were dealing with. Right now it's a little bit of a gray area where we're heading."
http://[h3]Any chance a trade is coming?[/h3]
7:40AM ET
[h5]Denver Nuggets [/h5]
The Nuggets, like all the NBA clubs, will be talking about trades for the next eight days. According to The Denver Post, head coach George Karl said it's 50-50 the team will make a trade.
"I'm 50-50," Karl said. "Fifty percent says I don't think anything's going to happen and that's not bad. And there's 50 percent of me every once in a while, after a loss, that goes, 'I wish I had another half a body.' I'm sure our phones will be a part of the participation but I'm not sure anything will get done."
The Nuggets are over the luxury tax line, so bringing in more salary is not something they want to do at this time.
http://[h3]Union rep[/h3]
7:08AM ET
[h5]Joey Dorsey | Rockets [/h5]
Joey Dorsey has been selected to be the teams representative to the player's union, though he's not sure how or why.
"I just heard about it today, and I heard about it from my agent," Dorsey told the Houston Chronicle. "None of the guys on the team told me. I guess because I was in the D-League All-Star game."
http://[h3]Raptors GM headed to New Jersey?[/h3]
6:32AM ET
[h5]New Jersey Nets [/h5]
Could Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo end up running the Nets next season? Frank Zicarelli of the Toronto Sun touches on that subject in today's paper.
Zicarelli writes: "There's hope on the horizon with Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov soon to be approved by the NBA's board as New Jersey's new owner. Rod Thorn serves as president, but his deal expires this summer. Colangelo doesn't have a contract beyond this season. Colangelo is often viewed as one of basketball's big fish who would prefer to swim in a large pond. With talk of the Nets moving shop to Brooklyn, more than one person has begun to connect the dots, real or imagined, and link Colangelo with the Nets. It's no different than when players get bandied about in rumour. People begin to grasp at straws and make a leap that often results in nothing."
http://[h3]Wally willing to help Cavs[/h3]
5:49AM ET
[h5]Wally Szczerbiak [/h5]
The full Bird rights to Wally Szczerbiak are owned by the Cavaliers and he could be used in a trade to help match salaries. Szczerbiak is still rehabbing from knee surgery and says he'd be willing to sign a contract to help Cleveland.
"I'm still open do it, I've stayed in shape and I'm ready and willing," Szczerbiak told The Plain Dealer. "I'm leaving it in my agent's hands and the dialogue is open."
http://[h3]Iverson will be in Dallas[/h3]
5:17AM ET
[h5]Allen Iverson | 76ers [/h5]
Allen Iverson missed his fourth straight game last night and won't play in Toronto tonight as he tends to his sick daughter. He was voted in by the fans as the starter for the All-Star Game and will be in Dallas this weekend.
"Our understanding is, he will still be an All-Star," league spokesman Tim Frank wrote last night in an email to the Philadelphia Daily News.
A source tells the newspaper that Iverson intends to make his All-Star appearance.
http://[h3]Waiting for thumb to heal[/h3]
4:57AM ET
[h5]Mario Chalmers | Heat [/h5]
Mario Chalmers sprained his left thumb on Jan. 28 and he won't return to the lineup until after the All-Star break.
"He's still in a temporary brace, doing a lot of conditioning," head coach Erik Spoelstra told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "I imagine if it's up to him, he'll get healthy as soon as he can, because we're running him into the ground. The objective is to get him in better shape after this than he was when he was playing."
[/h3][h3]New York's play for McGrady[/h3]
11:19AM ET
[h5]Tracy McGrady | Rockets [/h5]
[h5]T-Mac's suitors[/h5]
- Washington. The Rockets have expressed interest in http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1705http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1705Caron Butler and http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1000http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1000Brendan Haywood.
- Philadelphia. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2386http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2386Andre Iguodala would likely be sent back in return, freeing up cap space for the Sixers.
- New York. They likely don't have the parts the Rockets want, but involving the Wizards could get a deal done.
- Chicago. Houston could be a potential dumping spot for Kirk Hinrich, John Salmons or Tyrus Thomas.
When previously discussing trade chatter about Tracy McGrady's prospects, we've linked him to the Knicks.
But the thinking was they didn't have, or want to give up, the talent necessary to acquire McGrady. Word is Houston doesn't want to give him up for nothing.
But might adding in a third team, one rumored to be in the mix for T-Mac already, be what gets McGrady to Madison Square Garden?
According Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports the Rockets "are in the discussion stages of a complicated, three-team trade" which involves the Wizards and Knicks.
"The centerpieces of the trade would include the Washington Wizards shipping forward Caron Butler and center Brendan Haywood to the Rockets," he writes. "The Knicks would send Al Harrington to the Wizards. For the Wizards' part, they would still need another player, as well as a draft pick and cash to make this a workable scenario, sources said."
Because of the complex nature of this trade -- other contracts need to be added in for it to work -- it's far from a done deal. But on the surface, this would seem to work for everyone: the Rockets get good talent in return for T-Mac, the Wizards get some framework for the future, and the Knicks would clear more cap space, something they're trying to do heading into this summer's free-agency season.
[h5]Chad Ford[/h5]
T-Mac has desirable contract
http://[h3]Prince not worried about rumors[/h3]
10:58AM ET
[h5]Tayshaun Prince | Pistons [/h5]
Pistons small forward Tayshaun Prince is once again part of the rumor mill. He's not worried if he gets dealt, although it is affecting his family.
"There was some talk last year and the year before, but so much more this year and that's why it's been bothering them," Prince told The Detroit News yesterday. "Last year there were reports of me going to L.A., and they were going crazy about that. It's just part of the business and we'll see what happens."
Prince says he'd prefer to remain with Detroit and that he's comfortable with his teammates, coaches and front-office personnel.
"All those things play a part to feeling at home, to feeling comfortable, and that's the way I've always felt," he said.
http://[h3]Bobcats seek forward depth[/h3]
10:57AM ET
[h5]Charlotte Bobcats [/h5]
Yesterday, ESPN the Magazine's Chris Broussard reported the Bobcats and Celtics were discussing a trade that would send http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3200Glen Davis to Charlotte for http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3415.J. Augustin.
Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer gives some insight into the players the Bobcats are seeking.
Bonnell writes: "I know they've had plenty of discussions, including with the Celtics (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=883Rasheed Wallace or Glen Davis?), Bulls ( http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3032Tyrus Thomas?) and Knicks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3994Jordan Hill?) in pursuit of depth at power forward. Thomas is probably the longest shot -- the Bulls want a lot to give him up. I assume if the Bobcats made a deal, they'd give up one or more guards, with D.J. Augustin or Ronald "Flip" Murray the most attractive possibilities for other teams."
http://[h3]Heat amore for Amare[/h3]
10:05AM ET
[h5]Amare Stoudemire | Suns [/h5]
Heat president Pat Riley is determined to land Amare Stoudemire reports Yahoo! Sports.
"Nobody is pushing harder on this than Riley," a league source tells the website.
Reportedly the Suns are speaking to at least six teams regarding Stoudemire.
http://[h3]Hickson key to landing Murphy[/h3]
10:01AM ET
[h5]J.J. Hickson | Cavaliers [/h5]
The Cavaliers continue to talk with teams, but nothing is imminent. The main sticking point is the Cavs' reluctance to include J.J. Hickson in any of the deals.
The Pacers would probably give up Troy Murphy if Hickson is included. The Pacers are also talking to the Bucks and Kings about Murphy.
A source also tells The Plain Dealer that Cleveland doesn't want to give up their first-round pick in the 2010 NBA draft.
http://[h3]Robinson to miss dunk contest?[/h3]
9:41AM ET
[h5]Nate Robinson | Knicks [/h5]
Knicks guard Nate Robinson is the defending slam dunk champion, but he may have to miss the event this weekend due to a strained groin.
"If he was hurt and it would hurt him to go into the dunk contest I would want to know that," Knicks president Donnie Walsh told the New York Daily News yesterday. "But normally it's a big honor to be invited. He's a defending champion. So I'd like to see him be able to go. But I also want to use him for the rest of the year. I think (him not wanting to hurt himself) shows responsibility to the team."
http://[h3]Bulls active talkers[/h3]
9:10AM ET
[h5]Chicago Bulls [/h5]
League sources tell the Chicago Tribune that the Bulls are talking with many teams, including Orlando, about potential deals.
The Bulls want to reduce their payroll for next season, which would give them more money to pursue top-flight free agents.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1726John Salmons, http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1981Kirk Hinrich and http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3032Tyrus Thomas are all available for expiring contracts.
Orlando's Anthony Johnson and his expiring contract is the type of player the Bulls want.
http://[h3]Sloan upset with Fesenko[/h3]
8:58AM ET
[h5]Kyrylo Fesenko | Jazz [/h5]
Kyrylo Fesenko missed the early bus to the game last night which lead head coach Jerry Sloan to leave him off the active roster. Sloan's patience with Fesenko is running out.
"Fes has got to learn to be a little bit more accountable for being late a time or two and some of those things," Sloan told The Salt Lake Tribune. "If he's going to play in this league and he doesn't like what we do, that's fine, I don't have a problem with that. But if he's going to stay involved and try to understand what's going on ... He's got talent, but it's important for him to stay focused on what we're trying to do and not be jackpotting around."
"I mean, he's a young guy and it's like he already has the answers to what's going on out there and I haven't always seen that in practice and some of his workouts," Sloan added. "He'll tell you he works hard, but I've seen guys work hard. I'm not totally blind."
http://[h3]Unknown hindering trades?[/h3]
7:55AM ET
[h5]Phoenix Suns [/h5]
The Suns are at the center of trade speculation since Amare Stoudemire is on the market. General manager Steve Kerr, who is in the final year of his contract, says a potential lockout after next season is making teams "a little hesitant to do much going far forward."
"If you really lock yourself in long term with a lot of big contracts, then you might find yourself in some trouble," Kerr told The Arizona Republic. "There's no way of knowing it, whereas in the past, you knew what you were dealing with. Right now it's a little bit of a gray area where we're heading."
http://[h3]Any chance a trade is coming?[/h3]
7:40AM ET
[h5]Denver Nuggets [/h5]
The Nuggets, like all the NBA clubs, will be talking about trades for the next eight days. According to The Denver Post, head coach George Karl said it's 50-50 the team will make a trade.
"I'm 50-50," Karl said. "Fifty percent says I don't think anything's going to happen and that's not bad. And there's 50 percent of me every once in a while, after a loss, that goes, 'I wish I had another half a body.' I'm sure our phones will be a part of the participation but I'm not sure anything will get done."
The Nuggets are over the luxury tax line, so bringing in more salary is not something they want to do at this time.
http://[h3]Union rep[/h3]
7:08AM ET
[h5]Joey Dorsey | Rockets [/h5]
Joey Dorsey has been selected to be the teams representative to the player's union, though he's not sure how or why.
"I just heard about it today, and I heard about it from my agent," Dorsey told the Houston Chronicle. "None of the guys on the team told me. I guess because I was in the D-League All-Star game."
http://[h3]Raptors GM headed to New Jersey?[/h3]
6:32AM ET
[h5]New Jersey Nets [/h5]
Could Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo end up running the Nets next season? Frank Zicarelli of the Toronto Sun touches on that subject in today's paper.
Zicarelli writes: "There's hope on the horizon with Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov soon to be approved by the NBA's board as New Jersey's new owner. Rod Thorn serves as president, but his deal expires this summer. Colangelo doesn't have a contract beyond this season. Colangelo is often viewed as one of basketball's big fish who would prefer to swim in a large pond. With talk of the Nets moving shop to Brooklyn, more than one person has begun to connect the dots, real or imagined, and link Colangelo with the Nets. It's no different than when players get bandied about in rumour. People begin to grasp at straws and make a leap that often results in nothing."
http://[h3]Wally willing to help Cavs[/h3]
5:49AM ET
[h5]Wally Szczerbiak [/h5]
The full Bird rights to Wally Szczerbiak are owned by the Cavaliers and he could be used in a trade to help match salaries. Szczerbiak is still rehabbing from knee surgery and says he'd be willing to sign a contract to help Cleveland.
"I'm still open do it, I've stayed in shape and I'm ready and willing," Szczerbiak told The Plain Dealer. "I'm leaving it in my agent's hands and the dialogue is open."
http://[h3]Iverson will be in Dallas[/h3]
5:17AM ET
[h5]Allen Iverson | 76ers [/h5]
Allen Iverson missed his fourth straight game last night and won't play in Toronto tonight as he tends to his sick daughter. He was voted in by the fans as the starter for the All-Star Game and will be in Dallas this weekend.
"Our understanding is, he will still be an All-Star," league spokesman Tim Frank wrote last night in an email to the Philadelphia Daily News.
A source tells the newspaper that Iverson intends to make his All-Star appearance.
http://[h3]Waiting for thumb to heal[/h3]
4:57AM ET
[h5]Mario Chalmers | Heat [/h5]
Mario Chalmers sprained his left thumb on Jan. 28 and he won't return to the lineup until after the All-Star break.
"He's still in a temporary brace, doing a lot of conditioning," head coach Erik Spoelstra told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "I imagine if it's up to him, he'll get healthy as soon as he can, because we're running him into the ground. The objective is to get him in better shape after this than he was when he was playing."
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Fesenko is nice. Sign me up.
The Jazz seem like the kind of team that could think James Posey is the key to their postseason success or whatever !+%$*#@+ you dudes tried to sell me on when we signed him.
Posey for Korver and Fesenko.
The Jazz seem like the kind of team that could think James Posey is the key to their postseason success or whatever !+%$*#@+ you dudes tried to sell me on when we signed him.
Posey for Korver and Fesenko.
Maybe he got lazy after getting paid, I dunno what happened to him. But i still have nightmares about what he did to LA in 08.
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Took long enough.
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Who the hell does Ferry think he is?
This fool thinks he can land murphy without giving up a first rounder, or hickson?
Yeah, everyone wants big z right? and he expects them to waive him too so they can resign him after 30days? oh please.
This fool thinks he can land murphy without giving up a first rounder, or hickson?
Yeah, everyone wants big z right? and he expects them to waive him too so they can resign him after 30days? oh please.
Los Angeles
formerly bright nikes
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tmac to nyk
caron and haywood to htown
al harrington to wiz
+ more pieces?
caron and haywood to htown
al harrington to wiz
+ more pieces?
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can anyone post the Rookies vs Sophomore inside article?
http://insider.espn.go.co...page%3dRooksSophs-100210
http://insider.espn.go.co...page%3dRooksSophs-100210
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I honestly don't know what the hell Danny is thinking. With the way J.J. is playing now and how well the team has been playing without Mo and Delonte, I don't even know if I want to make a deal anymore (unless we can steal Iggy some how). Jawad Williams has been balling and Powe is about to come back 100% after the break.
Looking at our schedule, after the All Star break it's pretty weak to say the least. I'm starting to feel pretty confident in this team (yes, more so that last year).
You'll never see me make a prediction about the CAVS on here again though.
Looking at our schedule, after the All Star break it's pretty weak to say the least. I'm starting to feel pretty confident in this team (yes, more so that last year).
You'll never see me make a prediction about the CAVS on here again though.
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Originally Posted by EnEyeKayEe
I honestly don't know what the hell Danny is thinking. With the way J.J. is playing now and how well the team has been playing without Mo and Delonte, I don't even know if I want to make a deal anymore (unless we can steal Iggy some how). Jawad Williams has been balling and Powe is about to come back 100% after the break.
Looking at our schedule, after the All Star break it's pretty weak to say the least. I'm starting to feel pretty confident in this team (yes, more so that last year).
You'll never see me make a prediction about the CAVS on here again though.
If I'm not mistaken Lebron said he wanted Jamison from the Wizards which would make them the favorites to win the championship.
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The difference this year is the Cavs are beating both GOOD and BAD teams..
East playoffs will be
East playoffs will be
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tayshaun?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1981Kirk Hinrich and http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3032Tyrus Thomas are all available for expiring contracts.
do it mitch!
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1981Kirk Hinrich and http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3032Tyrus Thomas are all available for expiring contracts.
do it mitch!
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agree mitch pull the trigger.
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Originally Posted by CP1708
Uh, what the hell is so good about that 25-30ish pick in the first round for the Cavs next season? Why would they want to hold onto that so bad?
If they don't do a deadline deal because of a pick, there won't be enough smiley's to contain me.
Because once lebrons bolting to who knows where, they're stuck with a bunch of nobodies. better get on that rebuilding proccess quick, you dig?
Naw, you go ALL IN this year to keep him happy. You try with everything you got to win a title and force his hand to stay. He wins a title, I have no idea how he could walk away from that. I'd be stunned to see a superstar do that.
If they get Murph, or Jamison, they'll have them past this year anyways, that's better imo then whoever you gonna draft in the bottom of the first round.
If they lose Bron, they back in the lottery the following year anyways, that 27th pick in the draft for 10 ain't gonna do nothin for the long haul. You give that up and get the better player RIGHT NOW for your chance.
If they get Murph, or Jamison, they'll have them past this year anyways, that's better imo then whoever you gonna draft in the bottom of the first round.
If they lose Bron, they back in the lottery the following year anyways, that 27th pick in the draft for 10 ain't gonna do nothin for the long haul. You give that up and get the better player RIGHT NOW for your chance.
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Seriously you do anything.
Deal JJ Hickson
Deal JJ Hickson
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If Gilbert is such a big spender, buying a late first round pick back should be nothing to him, right?
[h3]http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3421
I really hope this is not a position that requires any type of intelligence.
[h3]http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3421
[/h3]
I really hope this is not a position that requires any type of intelligence.
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I really hope this is not a position that requires any type of intelligence.
Pssssh, another fine product of the Baltimore school system
You don't play for Cal unless your serious about your education
On the real, Battier must have been like
This should get some blood pumping
[h2]Top 20 rookies and sophs combined[/h2]
By David Thorpe
Scouts Inc.
Archive
US PresswireTyreke Evans (center) is the Rookie of the Year frontrunner, but how does he stack up with the sophs?
When you look at the rosters of the two teams in the Rookie Challenge,there is a noticeable difference: The rookie class is dominated byguards, while the sophomore class features a lot of talented big men.
However, when we combinethese two classes, something else jumps out: The stark difference intalent level between the rooks and sophs. It's not a huge surprisesince people talked about how talented the 2008 class was and howshallow the 2009 class was prior to each draft.
But take a look at this list and you'll get a better idea. I'm ranking the top rookies and sophs together, based on the value I see in them now and going forward. Here's my top 20:
Lopez
1. Brook Lopez, Nets
It's almost ironic that the top prize from these past two classes is astarter on possibly the worst team in NBA history. But that's how rareand valuable a franchise center is. Don't let the Nets' record foolyou; Lopez is good enough to push a lot of teams into title contention.
Lopezdoes almost everything well on both sides of the court and has handledthe mess in Jersey as well as can be expected. And there is still a lotof room for growth in his game. Over the next few seasons, I see himbecoming a special player.
Rose
2. Derrick Rose, Bulls
Now that he's healthy again, we are reminded of what sets him apartfrom most other point guards. In terms of explosiveness and power, he'sthe LeBron Jamesof his position. He has a great vibe about him, too -- he's happy todominate the game but just as happy to watch a teammate take over.
AsRose's court vision and jump shot improve, he'll only grow as a weaponfor the Bulls. As it stands now, he's already an All-Star who canpropel a team into the playoffs.
Gasol
3. Marc Gasol, Grizzlies
Gasol probably has less All-Star potential than some of the playerslisted below him, but no one doubts he can anchor a strong team. Hisskill set allows a coach to run any number of offensive sets becauseGasol can be plugged into so many spots with varied roles.
He'san excellent midrange shooter and a great finisher inside, and he'll bemore athletic in the next few years as he learns to utilize his leanerbody. On defense, he's a decent shot-blocker who also has an uncannyability to rack up steals. Teams can spend years waiting to find atalent like Gasol at center.
Love
4. Kevin Love, Timberwolves
One way I like to categorize players is by asking, "Do teammates like to play with him?" For Love, I believe everyone in the league would say yes.
Hisoutlet passes are legendary, so sprinters love when he gets a reboundor takes the ball out after they give up a bucket. He's a great andwilling screener, so scorers love using him to get free. And he's addeda 3-point shot to his game, so now he helps his teammates by spreadingthe floor. Not to mention, he's a rebounding machine who can score 20points in a game when necessary.
Westbrook
5. Russell Westbrook, Thunder
He can't shoot. And he's not a great finisher at the rim, either. ButWestbrook still impacts and controls the game on a few levels and hasproven to be a key factor in the Thunder's surge. Scary thoughts forthe rest of the league.
Whena player is as productive as Westbrook is -- despite his youth andunderdeveloped skill set -- it's a sign that his intelligence andathleticism are carrying him. As his skills improve, so will hisoverall impact.
Evans
6. Tyreke Evans, Kings
With the Kings sinking back to the bottom of the league (they are 4-20since the miracle comeback in Chicago), questions are resurfacing aboutwhat position Evans should be playing. To me, it's not the appropriatequestion. Yet.
Ona team this bad, he certainly is not hurting the Kings with his abilityto score, rebound and be the primary ball handler. If the team everfigures out how to defend the paint and begins to win half its games,then the question of Evans' best position has more meaning. And whenthat happens and he settles into whatever his permanent spot ends upbeing, he has the game to shoot up this list.
Randolph
7. Anthony Randolph, Warriors
Most 20-year-old basketball players in America are playing theirsophomore season in college. Randolph, meanwhile, has been a veryproductive and efficient NBA player. If this list were based purely onupside, he'd be ranked even higher.
Questionsstill exist about his lack of maturity and whether he's better as a 3or a 4, but I love the improvement he showed before he got hurt. He'sone of the most versatile big men in the game and, if he ever learns toshoot the ball well, could be an All-Star someday.
Oden
8. Greg Oden, Trail Blazers
Despite yet another season-ending injury, Oden is still highly regardedas a basketball player because we know what he can do in this leaguewhen healthy. He's like Yao Ming, who also has trouble staying healthy but won't be traded anytime soon because he's just impossible to replace.
Odencan rebound, defend and finish in the paint. And he's a great teammatewith a good-natured personality. That is a very rare package to find,especially in a 7-foot, 285-pound frame. Had Oden stayed healthy up tothis point, he'd be No. 1 or No. 2 on this list.
Beasley
9. Michael Beasley, Heat
Beasley has settled into his role as a solid scorer and capablerebounder in Miami. But there are those of us who think he could be ahigh-level scorer in this league if he played in a different systemthat didn't feature one of the world's best offensive talents.
However,that is not suggesting he'd be better off elsewhere. He is certainlybenefiting from learning how to play a more complete game. After all,he has multiple 20-and-10 games this season and has made progress withdefense, decision-making and ballhandling. Still, if he does not learnto compete on every possession, his potential decreases substantially.
Mayo
10. O.J. Mayo, Grizzlies
I'm not sure which of Mayo's talents is most impressive -- his abilityas a deep shooter, his competitiveness or his willingness to play offof Gasol, Rudy Gay and Zach Randolphon offense when he clearly could be a 20-plus ppg guy. Finding shooterswho can defend with toughness and finish at the rim is not easy --typically two of those three traits is the best a team can do.
Mayolikely won't be the best player on a playoff team, but he's good enoughto be the best player in a playoff series. And he might get that chancein April.
Blair
11. DeJuan Blair, Spurs
Blair's free fall to the No. 37 pick may go down as one of the biggestNBA draft blunders ever. Teams just couldn't wrap their arms around hisACL-less knees. For the record, doctors were more concerned with thelong-term erosion of his cartilage due to having no ACLs than they wereabout him to potentially suffer a major injury.
Butnow that teams see him doing what he has always done on the basketballcourt -- wreak havoc in the paint -- they realize their mistake. Thereare 29 other NBA teams that could use Blair as either a starter or anenergy guy/rebounder off the bench.
Lawson
12. Ty Lawson, Nuggets
Lawson, like Blair, is so valuable because he can greatly help his teamas a starter or a reserve thanks to his game and maturity level. Thesame can not be said for every talented player.
Lawson'sability to shoot, distribute and handle the ball makes him extremelydifficult to counter because he's just so fast on the court. It alsoseems likely that he'll be able to handle a slower game, so projectinghim to manage the pace in a playoff game is easy.
Jennings
13. Brandon Jennings, Bucks
Who is the real Brandon Jennings -- the young man who tore up theleague in November or the one who has struggled the past two months? Isee it like this: If a player can play great for a month, then that isthe goal to shoot for down the road, since he showed the ability toreach that level to begin with (as opposed to hoping a player can reachthat level without ever seeing him do it).
Jenningshas grabbed a lot of attention in basketball circles, so consequentlyhe will be very busy at All-Star Weekend in Dallas. Ironically, though,it's probably the worst thing for him. If any player needs time tocatch his breath and re-energize for the second half of the season,it's Jennings.
Thabeet
14. Hasheem Thabeet, Grizzlies
Even though he has done little thus far, Thabeet has a spot on thislist because he can be a game-changing presence on defense. You do themath: Four of the top five defensive teams in the league right now aretitle contenders, and the other is the league's most improved team(Thunder). Meanwhile, Memphis plays its best defense when Thabeet is onthe floor.
Hisminutes will improve as his offensive game develops, but he does nothave to score much to be effective. It's very hard to find a player whocan impact the game the way Thabeet has the potential to do.
Curry
15. Stephen Curry, Warriors
Curry is the toughest guy for me to gauge. I absolutely love his gameand have always believed he could be an excellent point guard. However,I still see him as a bit unproven, simply because of where he isplaying -- Golden State is so unlike any other NBA system. Otherwise,he'd be higher on this list.
Heappears to be a good playmaker and perhaps can become an excellent one.And, of course, he's a terrific shooter, so he can play in any systemand with any players. Imagine him in a Cavs uniform. Or a Heat one.Wow.
Speights
16. Marreese Speights, 76ers
Before the 2008 draft, I wrote that the two biggest "upside/downside"guys were Speights and Randolph. In both cases, we're seeing why(although they both appear to have more upside than downside).
Speights is an offensive phenom, kind of like Al Jefferson and Amare Stoudemirein that he can get buckets in a variety of ways in the paint. He'simproved as a shooter from 16 feet to 19 feet too. If he reboundedbetter, he'd be higher on this list. But after a season and a half, itdoes not appear that this will be an area of strength for him. Still,players who demand a double-team in the post are rare, and Speightscould end up being in that category.
Gallinari
17. Danilo Gallinari, Knicks
We all know what a sweet shot he has, but it seems Gallinari is more ofa niche player than I'd like such a young guy to be. He's not asked todo much beyond shoot 3s and run, though he mostly just shoots 3s.
It's possible he can do more, and it's also possible he is going to get much better, just as fellow Italian Andrea Bargnanihas. But even if he just maintains his current level, he's a valuableplayer because he's such a good shooter and he's eager to show it.
Flynn
18. Jonny Flynn, Timberwolves
I watched Flynn get benched the other night in favor of Ramon Sessionseven though Flynn was not playing poorly. He responded by being themost animated cheerleader possible, celebrating loudly as his team cameback and beat Memphis.
After the game, it was reported thatFlynn was asked to go back in but declined out of respect for how wellSessions was playing. That only solidifies my feelings that he would bean incredible option for a team as a sixth man. But in any event, anattitude like that, combined with his dynamic abilities to attack offthe dribble and shoot, makes him an important piece to any puzzle.
Harden
19. James Harden, Thunder
Had the Thunder not acquired defensive ace Thabo Sefoloshalast season, we'd be seeing more of Harden, who can help a team both asa scorer and as an all-around player, which is a rare combination.
Hardenis one of the top three passers on this list and, in a few years,should be one of the best defenders on this list, too. Because the teamis built around Kevin Durant'stalent, we don't always get to see Harden's gifts. But as the Thunder'syoung core grows together, I expect we'll see Harden's offensiveproduction jump. If you told me that in two seasons he'll be second inscoring, assists and steals in OKC, it would not surprise me at all.
Anderson
20. Ryan Anderson, Magic
There is ample evidence that a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy existsin the NBA in the form of draft picks. Lottery picks, for example, aregiven far more chances to succeed than lower picks, even when itappears that should not be the case. Extra chances equal extraopportunities. So players like Anderson, drafted outside the lotteryand stuck behind talented veterans, have to fight more to get the sametreatment given to a lottery pick like Gallinari, a similar player inmost respects. And it may never happen.
But when Anderson started in place of Rashard Lewisearly in the season, he was excellent. There are a number of big guyswho can shoot, but not nearly as many who can play. Anderson can doboth.
Just missed the cut
Roy Hibbert, Pacers; Eric Gordon, Clippers; Rudy Fernandez, Blazers; George Hill, Spurs; Ersan Ilyasova, Bucks; Omri Casspi, Kings; Taj Gibson, Bulls; Jeff Teague, Hawks.
