Ska its been going on long enough...time to lock....

Originally Posted by Beats05

wow...if the Rockets also trade for Iverson, assuming they didn't package Battier for Artest, I think we'll have the Celtics of the West, and you better believe Adelman will bring the best out of Artest like he did in Sacramento.
Iverson
Tmac
Artest
Scola
Yao
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I hope the Kings got someone good in that third unnamed guy

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I cant wait for the season now
 
the hell? Deng isn't that good. he's like a 3rd or 4th option and isn't especially good at anything. the hell is the league smoking these days?
 
Originally Posted by Beats05

the hell? Deng isn't that good. he's like a 3rd or 4th option and isn't especially good at anything. the hell is the league smoking these days?

actually, deng is good at everything but not great in one particular aspect.
 
Originally Posted by Beats05

the hell? Deng isn't that good. he's like a 3rd or 4th option and isn't especially good at anything. the hell is the league smoking these days?

Deng is a solid 2nd option, that Bulls team was just horrible last year. He has a good jumper, and he can attack the basket. It might be a little steep,but better him than Gordon.
 
[h1]Ron Artest set for deal to Rockets[/h1][h2]Bobby Jackson, first-round pick to go to Sacramento[/h2][h3]By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

In what had been a quiet offseason, the Rockets are about to make a lot of noise.[/h3]
In a stunning move designed to push the Rockets from solid playoff team toward legitimate NBA contenders, the Rockets reached agreement Tuesday with theSacramento Kings to acquire gifted but controversial forward Ron Artest, according to an NBA executive with knowledge of the deal.

The Rockets will give up guard Bobby Jackson, a No. 1 draft pick next season and another player that the individual with knowledge of the trade could notname. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey could not be immediately reached for comment.

Because of contract considerations, the trade will not be announced until Aug. 14, though that would indicate the deal could include Rockets' firstround draft pick Donte' Greene. Greene is not permitted to be traded until then, one month from when he signed with the Rockets.

There could also be other players involved to make the money match but none that the Rockets would plan to keep. The Rockets will also send the Kings cashin excess of $1 million.

Artest, 28, is considered one of the NBA's most unpredictable characters and was the central figure in a 2004-05 brawl with fans in Auburn Hills, Mich.He is also considered among the league's toughest lock-down defenders and sometimes, an unstoppable offensive force.

The 39 points he scored against the Rockets in 2006-07 season are his career high.

A 6-7, 248 pound forward, he had publicly lamented his decision last month not to opt out of the last season of his contract to become a free agent,renewing the Kings' efforts to move him.

Artest played 40 games for Rockets coach Rick Adelman after he was traded by the Indiana Pacers to the Kings in the 2005-06 season, averaging 16.9 points,5.2 rebounds and a career-high 4.2 assists. He was also a first-team NBA All-Defensive team selection. He offered to donate his salary if the Kings werewilling to retain Adelman after that season.

In nine NBA seasons out of St. John's, where he was a third-team All-American, Artest has averaged 16 points and 5.1 rebounds. He was the 2003-04 NBADefensive Player of the Year. He averaged 20.5 points per game last season.

Artest, however, has been unable to stay clear from trouble. He was arrested in March 2007 and charged with domestic abuse and eventually sentenced to 20days in jail and community service. That sentence was reduced to 10 days in a work release program. He had also been charged with animal neglect, thoughcharges were not filed and Artest has since worked with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals on several campaigns.

In addition to his 73-game suspension after going into the stands in the Nov. 19, 2004 brawl (the longest suspension in NBA history other than for drugpolicy violations or gambling), he has been suspended for destroying a television camera in New York, for an altercation with then Heat coach Pat Riley inMiami and for numerous flagrant fouls.

Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1999, he was traded in 2002 to the Pacers, having some of his best seasons, including his one All Star season in 2003-04.Prior to the fight in 2004, he was suspended for two games for asking for a month off to promote an R&B album by a group on his production label.

After his return to the Pacers the season after the fight, he asked for a trade and was placed on the inactive roster.

Though Artest has been best used as a small forward, Rockets forward Shane Battier is also considered among the league's best players at defending smallforwards and shooting guards. But because Artest can defend players from small guards to power forwards, the Rockets could finish games with Artest and Battieron the court together, either with Tracy McGrady sliding over to point guard or with Artest matching up with power forwards.

[h1]Sources: Deng, Bulls on verge of six-year, $70M deal[/h1]
By Marc Stein
ESPN.com
(
Archive)

Updated: July 29, 2008, 9:03 PM ET

Derrick Rose was the No. 1 overall pick in last month's NBA draft, but Luol Deng still ranks as the Chicago Bulls' cornerstone player.

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Deng

That status appeared to be slammed home Tuesday night when NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com that Deng and the Bulls, after more than a year of slow-moving negotiations, are suddenly on the verge of completing a new contract that will keep the restricted free agent in Chicago.

With Deng committed to leaving for England by week's end to join Great Britain's national team -- and insisting to the Bulls that he would not negotiate with them further without a deal by Friday -- sources said that the sides have verbally agreed on a new six-year pact believed to be worth in excess of $70 million.

Sources said that Deng's agent, Jason Levien, flew into Chicago to spend Tuesday at the Bulls' offices finalizing the deal, which could be announced as soon as Wednesday.

Given his modest background growing up in the Sudan and Egypt before moving to London, Deng stressed to the Bulls that he was not bluffing when he vowed to play next season on a one-year qualifying offer worth about $4.5 million for the right to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2009.

The Bulls then gradually raised their offer to a higher annual average that Deng turned down in October, when Chicago was limited to offering him a five-year extension and presented the 6-foot-9 forward with a five-year package worth $57.5 million. As ESPN.com reported earlier this month, Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf chose to personally handle the bulk of the negotiations with Deng's camp as opposed to the standard practice of Bulls general manager John Paxson serving as lead negotiator.

Deng, 23, couldn't avoid being dragged down by the Bulls' nightmarish 2007-08 season, with Chicago never recovering from the contract extensions that he and teammate Ben Gordon failed to secure in October and smothering speculation about a trade for Kobe Bryant. The Bulls ultimately netted a 33-49 record that cost coach Scott Skiles and interim replacement Jim Boylan their jobs, while Deng played in just 63 games and averaged 17.0 points and 6.3 rebounds, down slightly from the numbers in his breakout 2006-07 season (18.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 51.7 percent shooting from the floor) when the Bulls went 49-33 and swept the defending champion Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.

But Deng is said to be excited by the Bulls' appointment of rookie coach Vinny Del Negro and, with long-term security achieved, can head overseas with no concerns about the future. He's trying to help his new national team -- Deng received a British passport in October 2006 -- qualify for the 2009 European Championships and continue the restoration of Great Britain's basketball program. Team Great Britain is coached by Pennsylvania native Chris Finch, and Deng serves as an official ambassador for London's 2012 Olympics.

Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. To e-mail him, click here.




[h2]Rockets To Acquire Ron Artest[/h2]
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Jul 29, 2008 8:27 PM EST

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The Houston Rockets have reached an agreement to acquire forward Ron Artest from the Sacramento Kings, the Houston Chronicle is reporting.


The Rockets will give up guard Bobby Jackson, a No. 1 draft pick next season and another player that the individual with knowledge of the trade could not name.

It is believed that rookie Donte Greene is included in the deal, which will prevent the deal from going through until August 14, when Greene is able to be dealt.

There could also be other players involved to make the money match but none that the Rockets would plan to keep. The Rockets will also send the Kings cash in excess of $1 million.

Via Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings

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[h2]Okafor Agrees To $72M Deal With Charlotte[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 10:59 AM EST

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The Charlotte Bobcats and restricted free agent Emeka Okafor have agreed in principle on a six-year contract worth at least $72 million.


General manager Rod Higgins confirmed the agreement Tuesday to local reporters, saying that he expects the contract to be completed "in the next few days" after an ESPN.com report said the sides had made significant progress in the past week and were on the verge of a deal.

Via ESPN

Charlotte Bobcats

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[h2]Deng Close To $70M Deal With Bulls?[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 8:43 PM EST

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Front-office sources told ESPN.com that Luol Deng and the Bulls are on the verge of completing a six-year, $70 million deal.


The Bulls slowly but surely increased their offer to a higher annual average that Deng turned down in October, when Chicago was limited to offering him a five-year extension and presented Deng with a five-year package worth $57.5 million.

Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf intervened and personally handled the majority of the negotiations with Deng's camp as opposed to the standard practice of Bulls general manager John Paxson serving as lead negotiator.

Via ESPN

Chicago Bulls

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[h2]Kobe Bryant Says Mayo Has 'The Whole Package'[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 7:23 PM EST

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Memphis rookie O.J. Mayo got a glowing endorsement from the league MVP Kobe Bryant, who dominated the rookie early in the U.S. National team scrimmages, but to his credit Mayo got better the more they played, the L.A. Times are reporting.


"Kobe completely shut him down in the beginning," said U.S. managing director Jerry Colangelo. "But the longer they went, the better Mayo got."

"I think the world of him," Bryant said. "I think he's extremely talented. I think he has a great overall game that a lot of young players don't have in terms of skills. He can handle, he can shoot, he can pass, he's fast, he's quick, so that's the whole package."

Via L.A. Times

Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers

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[h2]Yao Plays, Scores 21 For China In Games Tuneup[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 7:01 PM EST

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Rockets center Yao Ming was back on the court for China ahead of the Olympics, scoring 21 points in 28 minutes of action to lead China past Angola 83-74, the Associated Press is reporting.


"Yao lets us really put the pressure on the opposition," China guard Liu Wei said after the opening day of the FIBA Diamond Ball tournament.

Yao made eight of his 10 shots and had five rebounds and was impressive running the court. He showed no sign of the injury to his left foot that ended his NBA season in February and threatened his Olympic participation.

Via ESPN

Houston Rockets

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[h2]Atlanta Signs Maurice Evans[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 5:32 PM EST

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The Atlanta Hawks today signed guard/forward Maurice Evans to a contract, according to General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed. "We are pleased to add a veteran player with Mo's talents and experience to our squad," said Sund. "He is a quality defender who gives us a physical and athletic presence, whether it's serving as a starter or coming off the bench. We are getting a solid player who is coming off his best statistical season, and who also has the talents to spread things on offense with his three-point shooting ability."


Via Press Release

Atlanta Hawks

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[h2]Knicks Waive Green And Jones[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 5:29 PM EST

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The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that guard Taurean Green and guard/forward Bobby Jones have been waived.


Both had been acquired on Monday from Denver, along with a 2010 second-round draft choice, for forward Renaldo Balkman and cash considerations.

Via Press Release

New York Knicks

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[h2]T-Wolves Re-Sign Ryan Gomes[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 4:50 PM EST

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The Timberwolves re-signed restricted free-agent forward Ryan Gomes on Tuesday.


Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Star Tribune reported last Friday that Gomes received a multi-year deal.

Via Star Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves

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[h2]Sixers Sign Kareem Rush[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 2:53 PM EST

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Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the team has signed free agent guard Kareem Rush. Per team policy, terms of the agreement are not disclosed.


"As we continue to build our team, we're fortunate that we were able to sign a player as talented as Kareem Rush," Stefanski said. "We feel his abilities on both ends of the floor and his range as a three-point shooter will be assets to us this season."

In five NBA seasons, Rush (6-6/215) has appeared in 314 games with 77 starts, averaging 6.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 18.1 minutes per game while shooting 40.2% from the floor, 36.0% from 3-point range and 69.8% from the line. Rush has also played a total of 31 playoff games, averaging 3.6 points while shooting 39.3% from 3-point range.

Via Press Release

Philadelphia 76ers

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[h2]Donaghy Sentenced To 15 Months[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 1:23 PM EST

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Tim Donaghy, a former NBA referee, was sentenced Tuesday in a New York court to 15 months in prison for his role in the betting scandal that has rocked the league.


Donaghy, 41, pleaded guilty last August to conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting betting information through interstate commerce.

Donaghy admitted to providing inside information on games to bettors. He could have received up to 33 months in prison, but his co-operation with U.S. federal authorities is believed to be a factor in his sentence, handed down by U.S. federal Judge Carol Bagley Amon in Brooklyn.

Via CBC.ca

General Basketball

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[h2]Magic Waive Augustine[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 12:55 PM EST

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The Orlando Magic have waived forward James Augustine, General Manager Otis Smith announced today. Augustine played in 25 games last season for Orlando, averaging 1.6 ppg. and 1.2 rpg. in 6.0 minpg. He also appeared in one playoff game, tallying two points and one rebound in two minutes on May 7 vs. Detroit. Augustine tallied career-highs of eight points and five rebounds in 18 minutes on Apr. 16 vs. Washington.


Via Press Release

Orlando Magic

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[h2]Marbury Move Not For Two Months?[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 12:25 PM EST

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Frank Isola cites a Knicks' source saying that any transaction to determine the fate of Stephon Marbury will not happen until late September or early October.


The Knicks reportedly prefer to trade Marbury and get something in return, rather than releasing him outright.

In Macau, where he is on the Olympic coaching staff, Mike D'Antoni commented on the trade of Renaldo Balkman.

"Renaldo really had no role after we drafted Gallinari, and with the emergence of Wilson Chandler his minutes would be nonexistent," D'Antoni told The Associated Press. "So it really wasn't fair to him to keep him in a spot that he wouldn't play and also gives us an opportunity to clear up a roster spot and move on."

Via New York Daily News

New York Knicks

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[h2]Gordon: Bulls Will Determine What Happens[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 11:51 AM EST

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The restricted free agency process is extending for longer than what Ben Gordon was anticipating.


"It's kind of unpredictable right now. The team is going to pretty much determine what happens from here."

Gordon said there have been talks with other NBA teams about a sign-and-trade scenario, but he doesn't expect anything to happen soon.

"I really don't know what their plan is - if they want to keep all these guards we have now or if they plan on moving guys. In an ideal world I'd like to come back and be a part of this team and do what I've been doing in the past here. But I realize with the amount of guards we have, anything is possible."

Gordon, who was born in England, has considering playing in Europe.

"Definitely, it's a possibility with the Euro being so strong. Josh did it. It just depends on what the individual wants or what he can put up with. I'm from London, so it's definitely something that seems like it would be interesting. But ideally, I'd like to be here playing in the States for the team that drafted me."

Via Daily Herald

Chicago Bulls

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[h2]Clippers Talking With Livingston, P. Davis, And Elson[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 11:26 AM EST

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Shaun Livingston and forward Paul Davis, both unrestricted free agents, continue to have discussions with the Clippers.


The Clippers also have had talks with free-agent center Francisco Elson, 32, who has played for three teams in five NBA seasons.

And they must also decide this week whether to pick up a team option on forward Josh Powell.

Via Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers

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[h2]Incentives Could Get Biedrins' Contract To $63 Million[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 11:23 AM EST

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According to league sources, Andris Biedrins' new contract guarantees him $9 million per over the next six seasons.


Biedrins would have to play 65 games per year and set milestones in points, rebounds, and blocks to push the contract's total up to nearly $63 million.

The statistical milestones, the sources confirmed, are close to what Biedrins' past production has been.

Via Contra Costa Times

Golden State Warriors

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[h2]Sixers Continue Talks With Iguodala And Williams[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 11:22 AM EST

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A source close to Andre Iguodala said the Sixers and Iguodala's agent were "in a dialogue to reach a deal."


General Manager Ed Stefanski has said the Sixers were still working on deals for Iguodala and Louis Williams.

Via Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers

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[h2]Bulls And Grizzlies' Sign-And-Trade Offers For Krstic[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 11:19 AM EST

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At one point, the Grizzlies were offering a package that included either Kyle Lowry or Javaris Crittenton for Nenad Krstic.


The Bulls have a $5.2 million trade exception from the Ben Wallace/Larry Hughes trade and were contemplating throwing in a future first-round pick.

Via Bergen Record

New Jersey Nets, Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies

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[h2]West's Agent: Cavs 'Won't Negotiate Fairly'[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 11:16 AM EST

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With one month of free agency now complete, Aaron Goodwin said he believes the Cavs are low-balling Delonte West.


"They said, 'Take the deal we've offered or we'll go an alternate route,' " Goodwin said. "They won't negotiate fairly."

"They made an offer to Delonte for around what they got 'Boobie' to sign for," Goodwin said. "Chris Duhon got $5 million-plus, and he might not even start (for the New York Knicks). All the comparables that we showed them doesn't matter to Cleveland."

"They keep saying how much players want to play with LeBron (James). That doesn't work with Delonte."

A league source said Boston and Miami have approached the Cavs regarding sign-and-trades. The source said they were turned down by the Cavs.

"To quote another team, 'Why should we negotiate for the Cavs?' " Goodwin said. " 'If we make an offer, all they'll do is match.'"

"Teams hide behind the first refusal clause - the right to match anything. Other teams see value in West, but Cleveland doesn't."

Via The News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers

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[h2]Blazers Could Make Run At Deng Next Summer?[/h2]
Jul 29, 2008 11:11 AM EST

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Luol Deng looks like the best candidate of the remaining restricted free agents to take the one-year tender and try his luck again next summer.


The Blazers will have loads of cap room next year and they are very high on Deng.

Via ESPN

Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls

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Its a good pick-up for the Rockets, but did they really need MORE defense? I'm pretty sure Artest will come the 3rd option behind Tmac and Yao, but thismoves sits Battier on the bench.

Deng got 6 years/70 million
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In other news:

[h1]Kobe Bryant says O.J. has 'the whole package'[/h1]

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Kin Cheung / Associated Press

Guard Kobe Bryant stretches before a practice Monday in Macao, where the U.S. Olympic basketball team is preparing for the Beijing Games.

Email Picture

Lakers MVP practiced against former Trojan in Las Vegas and was impressed.

By Mark Heisler, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
3:31 PM PDT, July 29, 2008

MACAO -- Kobe Bryant, who lives for mano a mano challenges, went at it with former Trojan and soon-to-be Memphis Grizzlies rookie O.J. Mayo, a member of the U.S. Select team, last week in Las Vegas.

"Kobe completely shut him down in the beginning," said U.S. managing director Jerry Colangelo. "But the longer they went, the better Mayo got."
Bryant already knew Mayo, who attended his camp last summer, and already thought highly of him.

"I think the world of him," Bryant said. "I think he's extremely talented. I think he has a great overall game that a lot of young players don't have in terms of skills. He can handle, he can shoot, he can pass, he's fast, he's quick, so that's the whole package."

If Bryant mourned the loss of Lakers teammate Rony Turiaf to the Warriors, he was happy to see Sasha Vujacic re-sign.

"I'm just happy the Machine is happy," said Bryant.

Vujacic signed a three-year $15 million deal with the Lakers on Monday. With no other NBA offers that big, negotiations had dragged on. However, when Atlanta's Josh Childress shocked the league, turning down the Hawks to sign with a Greek team, the Lakers came up with the money.

"That's changed the game up a lot as far as free agency is concerned," said Bryant. "Teams are going to have to compete with teams on a global scale, not just in the NBA."

Bryant, who since the winter has been playing with a torn ligament between the fourth and fifth fingers on his right hand, says he will have surgery soon after he returns from China.

"I'm definitely set on surgery," he said. "As soon as I get back, we'll talk about it, do it, get ready for the season.

"I've heard three weeks, four weeks, five weeks. I heal pretty easy. I'm taking care of it, doing therapy, I should be back in no time."

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Kobe just don't give out compliments like that.
 
Maybe Deng's deal is incentive laced or something.

I guess he did the right thing after all by not resigning last year.

Shane is great, but he's not a 3rd option offensively. Artest, is.

There was a rumor, how credible, I'm not sure, but the buzz today, all day around the Rockets was a potential AI for Shane Battier + Alston deal. (I thinkBJax too) deal.

Then all of a sudden Artest gets dealt to HTown instead.
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Deng is definitely worth that deal. He averaged 17 and 6 and is only 23 years old. Much better than that Biedrins deal.
 
Originally Posted by LamarOwnsem

Deng is definitely worth that deal. He averaged 17 and 6 and is only 23 years old. Much better than that Biedrins deal.

Well Rudy Gay is only 22 years old and averaged 20 and 6 in his 2nd season compared to Deng's 4th season. Also, he has a higher ceiling than Deng. Iguess Memphis will have to give him 6 years/75-80 million?
 
Originally Posted by LamarOwnsem

Deng is definitely worth that deal. He averaged 17 and 6 and is only 23 years old. Much better than that Biedrins deal.
biedrins at 9 million per year (plus possible incentives) is bad?
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As bad as i hated on the Biedrins deal no way is dengs better. 70 million is for big time players deng doesnt HAVE IT IMO to be that.
 
Originally Posted by LamarOwnsem

Deng is definitely worth that deal. He averaged 17 and 6 and is only 23 years old. Much better than that Biedrins deal.

Monta averaged 20,5,4, and 1.5 steals and got less
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(And he's only 22 years old
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).
 
wow.... if im a kings fan i boycott that franchise... smh

they better have got landry in a sign and trade to save face...
 
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