2009-2010 NBA Thread

[The Dream]

Raptors are insane offering Hedu 12 million per? It's hard to believe. Well have fun in TDot Hedu, you lucky sob
And BG to Pistons if this hasn't been mentioned (good deal)

[trapper700]

pistons also signed CV.

i don't like them, never did, really (except against the lakers). but i may now be forced to, since they have 3 former huskies on the team.

[msw6880]

And BG to Pistons if this hasn't been mentioned (good deal)

I'm sorry, are we talking about the same Ben Gordon?

Between him, hairless and Stuckey, who's playing defense?

[chanman7483]

Clips moving Randolph to the Griz:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4301324

WTF?

[Panamaniac42]

Clips moving Randolph to the Griz:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4301324

WTF?

Memphis is insane.

[b_joseph]

Ariza to Houston??

[dabomb2045]

Ariza to Houston??

Much like other guys who have left teams w/a talent like Kobe or MJ....he'll realize how much easier life was in LA w/Kobe creating him wide open 3's...as opposed to in Houston when he'll have to create most of his offense on his own.

Fisher made this mistake when he left LA for Golden State. A few years of being a nobody in GS and Utah....he knew ending up back in LA w/Kobe would save and prolong his career. Sure enough thats what happened.

Ariza needs to take a lesson from him and stay where he is

[Tabata]

Artest to Lakers is breaking on CBS.

[b_joseph]

Yeah...words from Artest talking about how he wants to be a Laker.

If that is true..the league might aswell just go to sleep for a few years.


I think Ariza's agent ( who is also Bynums agent ) has annoyed the Laker front office.

[b_joseph]

http://cbs2.com/sports/ron.artest.lakers.2.1069858.html


Well well..Artest told Kobe he'd be a Laker last season after Boston series.

[dabomb2045]

Might as well give LA the ring for next year right now. Dont even bother playing the season.

[S2]

Allen, Pierce, Garnett, Doc, Ainge and Wyc all met with Rasheed Wallace today at his home. They want him bad.

[dabomb2045]

Ariza signed with Houston. So basically we just had an Artest-Ariza trade. Safe to say LA won that one.

[BxBomber44]

Ariza signed with Houston. So basically we just had an Artest-Ariza trade. Safe to say LA won that one.

If I'm not mistaken, it's the same salaries too? Both mid-level exceptions.

[S2]

[Doc] Rivers, now coach of the Boston Celtics, and [Grant] Hill, an unrestricted free agent who played last season for the Phoenix Suns, will meet Sunday in Orlando to discuss the possibility of working together again. Both make their offseason homes here.

http://www.celticsblog.com/2009/7/5/...ith-grant-hill

[b_joseph]

Hill wouldnt get many minutes backing up PP. Probably like 8 mins a game in the playoffs.

[TheManKnownAsMecca]

S2 as a Celtics fan how do you feel about the Celtics approach trying to sign aging veterans? As a fan I'd be happy that they won a title last year but in a few years time this team is going to have nothing left. The fact that they were open to trading Rondo also baffled me.

[S2]

S2 as a Celtics fan how do you feel about the Celtics approach trying to sign aging veterans? As a fan I'd be happy that they won a title last year but in a few years time this team is going to have nothing left. The fact that they were open to trading Rondo also baffled me.

The window is there for them to make a very strong run at at least one more title in the next three years. Take advantage of it.

The Celtics of my lifetime usually had "nothing left" so to speak. I've seen that side of it, for sure. One isn't enough, I'm greedy.

[S2]

Herald and Globe reporting it's a done deal, Rasheed to the C's.

An NBA source said tonight forward Rasheed Wallace has committed to sign with the Celtics Wednesday, the first day free agents are eligible to sign.

Wallace is expected to receive a two-year deal using the mid-level exception (expected to be about $5.6 million to $5.8 million).

http://www.celticsblog.com/2009/7/5/...need-for-sheed

Love it.

[S2]

Whoa.

Gary Tanguay of Comcast New England (who "broke" the Rasheed story/rumor) just said Grant Hill will be a Celtic by the end of the week and that Big Baby is on his way to San Antonio.

Tanguay also recently said Dallas in the mix for Big Baby, which was quickly shot down by Mark Cuban via Twitter, so take all of this for what it's worth.

[TheManKnownAsMecca]

Whoa.

Gary Tanguay of Comcast New England (who "broke" the Rasheed story/rumor) just said Grant Hill will be a Celtic by the end of the week and that Big Baby is on his way to San Antonio.

Tanguay also recently said Dallas in the mix for Big Baby, which was quickly shot down by Mark Cuban via Twitter, so take all of this for what it's worth.

See I get the win now mode but the Celtics had young guys in place to help them in the future. I don't think Powe or Davis are stars but they are solid role players and now they are both likely on their way out.

KG, Pierce, Allen, Wallace, and Hill (whom I am a big fan of and hope he does win a title) are all guys who have a limited amount of time left in the league or have limited time as they are on the downside of their career.

[S2]

See I get the win now mode but the Celtics had young guys in place to help them in the future. I don't think Powe or Davis are stars but they are solid role players and now they are both likely on their way out.

KG, Pierce, Allen, Wallace, and Hill (whom I am a big fan of and hope he does win a title) are all guys who have a limited amount of time left in the league or have limited time as they are on the downside of their career.

Powe's injury and injury history might have gotten the best of him here. The talk is he is out until January or February, perhaps later. He's a great bench player and someone who can dominate the boards in limited minutes. As much as I love Leon Powe, I don't think Boston is the place for him next year. I hope I'm wrong, but it doesn't look good.

If you ask me: Powe & Davis or Wallace & Hill, it's a no-brainer. Worry about the future later, they now have a great chance of getting to the Finals. They were an elite team before "the injury" and they've improved themselves.

[BroadwayBomber55]

Sign, sealed, and delivered? The Toronto Raptors and Dallas Mavericks discussing a sign-and-trade deal with Shawn Marion

http://www.tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=283929

[S2]

Does this deserve it's own thread???

Turns out, there were at least two cameras rolling Monday night when Crawford dunked on James during a pick-up game here at the LeBron James Skills Academy. It was a two-handed jam, the kind that would've circulated quickly on YouTube. But Nike officials eliminated that possibility shortly after the dunk happened by allegedly confiscating tapes from various cameramen.

Worth noting is that there is no policy against filming at the LeBron James Skills Academy, and Miller said he had been filming all day without incident. Nobody ever told him to stop. Nobody ever said there was a problem ... until after Crawford dunked on James.

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/e...71764/15942689

[chanman7483]

Sign, sealed, and delivered? The Toronto Raptors and Dallas Mavericks discussing a sign-and-trade deal with Shawn Marion

http://www.tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=283929

Done deal. Love this trade for the Mavs. For the love of God, open up the offense and let em run. They've shown they can lock down and play some D, but with a potential line-up of Kidd, Terry, Howard, Marion, and Dirk out there for extended periods of time(when Dampier/Gortat are sitting), they would be dumb to not bring back a little run and gun action.

Marion has been one of the best finishers in the league for a decade. People thought he was done when he was in Miami/Toronto, but it's only b/c he was stuck in half court sets all the time, had no fluidity in the offense, and of course injuries. Let him loose again with Kidd and I can easily see him back in the high teens in points with 10 boards per game.

[chanman7483]

So what exactly did Orlando get out of this trade...?

Marion, Turkoglu Four-Way Deal Done

Jul 09, 2009 2:27 PM EST
The Orlando Magic have acquired a trade exception and cash considerations from the Toronto Raptors, and cash considerations from the Dallas Mavericks as part of a four-team trade, General Manager Otis Smith announced today. As part of a sign-and-trade deal, forward Hedo Turkoglu was traded to Toronto. “This move allows us some potential flexibility in the future,” said Smith. “Hedo was a big part of our success and did a lot for our organization during his five seasons here. We wish him and his family nothing but the best.”

Also included as parts of the deal - Toronto sends Shawn Marion, Kris Humphries, Nathan Jawai and cash considerations to Dallas, while also sending a future second round draft pick to Memphis; Memphis sends Greg Buckner to Dallas; Dallas sends Jerry Stackhouse and cash considerations to Memphis, while also sending Devean George and Antoine Wright to Toronto.

Whats a trade exception and how much was the cash exception? Why bother signing Hedo to whatever amount it took to sign him only to trade him away to get at the very most, some nominal amount of money? ALso, why does Hedo have to gain by allowing the Magic to sign him just to trade him? I know the Magic gain some some of money, but what did Hedo get in return for playing ball in the deal? Isn't it possible the Magic could've signed him and then said whoops.. actually, we're keeping you now?

[Snatch Catch]

I believe the total package for Orlando coming back was around $10 million, but that's off the top of my head from something I think I read yesterday.

[S2]

Grant Hill has decided to stay in Phoenix.

[chanman7483]

Grant Hill has decided to stay in Phoenix.

Thank god

[Panamaniac42]

Bad move by the Magic. Why overpay for a backup center (though I think Gortat could serviceably start for some teams) and piss him off at the same time?


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Getting paid $34 million to back up Dwight Howard on the Orlando Magic for the next five years might sound like a good gig.
It's just that Marcin Gortat was looking forward to having the chance to start for the Dallas Mavericks.
The Magic surprised -- and disappointed -- Gortat and the Mavericks on Monday, matching an offer sheet to keep the Polish big man.

[dabomb2045]

Wow. $34M for a backup center who will play 10-15 minutes a night? Yikes

[Panamaniac42]

Wow. $34M for a backup center who will play 10-15 minutes a night? Yikes

It's like Otis Smith called Isiah Thomas up and asked him how he could replicate the Jerome James fiasco. Granted, the Polish Hammer is a lot better than that useless tub of Crisco...but seriously what a poor allocation of $$$.

[S2]

The Celtics are on the verge of acquiring Marquis Daniels from Indiana (either sign and trade or just sign).

They can match whatever Big Baby finds on the market, which has yet to develop for him, leaving the C's with a potential bench of Wallace/Baby/Daniels/House and fill-ins like TAllen, Pruitt, Walker, Giddens. This team is loaded.

[S2]

The Celtics are on the verge of acquiring Marquis Daniels from Indiana (either sign and trade or just sign).

Update: Nothing to update, apparently they are still on the verge of acquiring him.

They can match whatever Big Baby finds on the market, which has yet to develop for him, leaving the C's with a potential bench of Wallace/Baby/Daniels/House and fill-ins like TAllen, Pruitt, Walker, Giddens.

Update: Davis expected to sign 2 year deal to return to the Celtics. (Pruitt has been released)

This team is loaded.

Update: Yup.

[Panamaniac42]

This is the saddest promotion I've ever seen.

http://deadspin.com/5336263/nets-try...ring-nets-gear

Want season tickets to see the Nets? No, of course you don't. Will some Nets jerseys sweeten the deal? Still no, huh. OK, how about jerseys of the best players on other teams. Yes, it's that desperate at the Meadowlands.

In what has to be a first, the Nets are running a promotion that gives fans who buy a 10-game package five reversible jerseys. On one side: one of the league's superstars. On the other: some sh*tty Nets player.

[chanman7483]

This is the saddest promotion I've ever seen.

http://deadspin.com/5336263/nets-try...ring-nets-gear

It's really, really depressing in the Meadowlands. They had the FREE ticket giveaway (110 dollar tickets!!!) for about 10 games this season and still could barely get 9 thousand people in the arena. They also had tons of free tickets available for many other sections. I am a very loud fan and was yelling lots of stuff at Charlie Villanueva from about 30 rows up and I'm sure he heard every single word because the place was like a funeral home. It's also kind of hilarious when the place is dead silent and they start playing the fake crowd noise.. and then they stop and it becomes silent again

[DontHateOnNumber2]

Amare Stoudemire is on "Rome Is Burning" looking high as hell. Does he just always look like he has bloodshot, swollen eyes?

[chanman7483]

Some Misc reads:

Stephen Curry Article from Charlotte Observer:

Seven years ago, I met Stephen Curry for the first time. He was 14 and skinny, about 5-foot-8. He told me that one day he was going to play in the NBA.
I wasn't sure, at the time, he'd be a good high school player.
Last week, I visited him at Time Warner Cable Arena where Curry, about to make good on his NBA dream, was working out with a diabolical trainer, who made him run sprint after sprint, dribble backward and forward, then run three quarters of the court and make 10 NBA-range 3-point shots in a row. Of course, if you miss, you start over.
"This is what it takes," said Curry, a lottery pick by the Golden State Warriors this summer. "You've got to go to training camp at the top of your game and not use it to get in shape."
Curry, now 6-3 and towering over me, is starting to look like a guy who's spending extra time in the weight room. He talks confidently about averaging 20 points per game as a rookie. Curry, who recently signed a Nike shoe and apparel deal, speaks confidently of a goal to be NBA Rookie of the Year. But he's also nervous about leaving home.
Curry is 21. He's lived in Charlotte all his life. He went to college at Davidson, just a short drive from Mom and Dad. Within a few weeks, he'll report to training camp in Oakland, a five-hour plane flight from here and move into a three-bedroom condo about five minutes from his new home court.
"It's kind of weird to leave here," said Curry, who says he can't avoid autograph-seekers at SouthPark Mall even though he wears a cap pulled low. "I'll be a little nervous being away, but I'll be so wrapped up in basketball that what city I'm in shouldn't really matter."
*NFL Hall of Fame lineman Joe DeLamielleure, who lives in Charlotte, is heading to Mexico next week to visit an orphanage that he and two roommates at Michigan State helped raise the money to build partially by riding bicycles 2,000 miles over 2 1/2 weeks. The ride began at halftime of Michigan State's annual scrimmage last spring and ended at the orphanage site.
DeLamielleure, who once blocked for O.J. Simpson for the Buffalo Bills, is helping John Shinsky with the project. Shinsky, recovering from neck cancer and 33 radiation treatments, was an orphan. He's now an educator and humanitarian. A third roommate, Eljay Bowron, a former Secret Service director, also rode on the fundraiser.
The three will visit the 140-child orphanage in Matamoros, Mexico. CBS has followed the trio, DeLamielleure said, and is filming a piece to run during its Thanksgiving Day broadcast and during the Super Bowl.
*Love the night matches at the U.S. Open, but there has to be something we can do so the matches don't start so late. The 10 o'clock news was on before Andy Roddick on Monday.
*The big high school games this week are Independence at Rock Hill South Pointe and Mallard Creek at East Meck, but there's an interesting game between 1-0 Berry and 1-1 Waddell. Both teams won one game last season. Someone will have won two after Friday. That should create a playoff-like atmosphere for two teams not used to the big game.

Teams devising new ways to move tix

In an effort to fill seats during difficult economic times, many N.B.A. teams are hoping to lure new fans with incentives.
Perhaps no other team has enhanced its marketing game the way the Nets have. They are offering ticket buyers free jerseys, complete with the names of their favorite players -- and their favorite opponents.
The Nets are promoting a 10-game plan that includes tickets to see the Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Celtics, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic. Any fan who buys at least two tickets for the 10-game plan (mininum 20 tickets) will receive a reversible jersey from each of the five marquee games, one side featuring the name of a Nets star, like guard Devin Harris, and the other featuring the name of a marquee opponent: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce or Ray Allen.
''I don't think it has ever been done before,'' said Chris Granger, the N.B.A.'s senior vice president for team marketing and business operations. ''I don't think any team has ever given premium items as part of a promotion that highlights someone from another team.''
Brett Yormark, the president and chief executive of the Nets, said the team could only profit by aligning itself with visiting stars.
''We cater to the casual N.B.A. fan, that's our core audience,'' Yormark said. ''So when you think about every arena selling opposing player jerseys at the concession stands, and when you think about attendance always being greater when you have the key matchups and the best players in town, why wouldn't you do it? It gives the fans another added benefit, not only to embrace their favorite local player, but also a member of the opposition that they also came out to see.''
Wade, the Heat's star guard, called the concept ''totally awesome.''
Wade added: ''It's a very unique idea. It takes a confident organization to give their fans merchandise associated with players from other teams. I look forward to the day when we're in town and I get to see all those Wade reversibles out there.''
Nets center Brook Lopez was asked if the reversible-jersey promotion was a blow to the egos of him or his teammates.
''Not at all,'' he said, laughing. ''I can speak for most of the guys who think this is a very cool promotion. I think it will actually help all the teams involved, and it's a great way to bring enthusiastic fans to the games and raise the energy level in our arena.''
In other N.B.A. cities, marketing officials are stretching their imaginations to persuade fans to stretch their entertainment dollars. Miami has a promotion called All You Can Heat, which caters to fans who are interested in buying partial-season ticket plans. Based on what an announcement on the Heat's Web site calls an ''a la carte philosophy,'' fans can pick and choose any six games. They can also ''customize their fan experience'' with one of a handful of activities, like taking a photograph at center court, participating in postgame free-throw shooting or receiving a customized Heat jersey.
In Dallas, anyone who buys ''select full-season ticket package'' receives a free ticket to the 2010 All-Star Game, which the Mavericks will host.
In Philadelphia, the 76ers are running a Back 2 School promotion: four tickets to the home opener, two backpacks, two T-shirts and two hats for $75.
The Detroit Pistons are offering three options: the Big Game Plan, 12 marquee games for the price of 9; the Weekend Plan, 12 weekend games for the price of 9; and the Economy Plan, 16 games for a minimum of $225.
In Indiana, the Pacers were offering the first 100 fans who buy full- or half-season tickets a chance to meet the first-round draft pick Tyler Hansbrough.
Granger said that the N.B.A. was able to ''find out what interests ticket buyers,'' through a recent survey of about 30,000 fans across all 30 N.B.A. cities.
''We basically asked all of those fans, What experience would you like to have over and above buying tickets to the games?'' he said. ''As a result, there's clearly an array of very cool, very access-oriented products out there that we haven't had in the past.''

Sixers article

Eddie Jordan labeled this season's 76ers a "transitional" team.
New offense, new defense and new coach: not rebuilding but in transition.
Before making an appearance Wednesday afternoon at a Sixers camp in Cherry Hill, the team's new head coach talked about what has happened - and not happened - this summer and how he feels about his roster.
"It's a little bit of a different world, economically," said Jordan of the Sixers' rather quiet free-agent summer. "And we understand the parameters and how things work now. Plus, we have a solid core group. Whether it's economics or just the way you build a team, I think our group is solid."
Since free agency opened nearly two months ago, the Sixers have re-signed guard Royal Ivey and signed center Primoz Brezec - both role players at best - and lost starting point guard Andre Miller to the Portland Trail Blazers.
But Jordan stated again that his offense doesn't need a "point" guard. It just needs two guards.
"We don't consider it as a point," Jordan said. "We consider two guards. And, again, it goes back to talent. If you have two guards that are talented, things work."
Right now, combo guard Lou Williams appears penciled in to start at one of those two guard spots, but Jordan explained that, with his offense, the entire team will share the traditional "point guard" duties.
"We think the fact that we don't have prototypical point guards, our guards will be good in it, they can help each other bring the ball up," Jordan said. "We have forwards that can bring the ball up, whether it's Andre [Iguodala] playing guard or forward, or Royal Ivey playing guard or forward; Thaddeus Young can bring the ball up."
Jordan said he worked with Young on Wednesday on that very skill: Initiating the offense. Jordan said he has spent the summer "staying close" to Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski and working with the players.
"My understanding is we have more guys in the gym for more days than any other summer," Jordan said. "So that's a good start."
The Sixers have 12 players under contract; training camp begins Sept. 29 at St. Joseph's University.
Jordan said the Sixers will enter training camp with those same 12, leaving the 13th spot open

[parkerstrong]

Sessions might sign with the T'Wolves....not good for the Knicks. He would have exploded for them....

[Mark19]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxZkaEge0R8

Steve Nash is amazing

[S2]

Cavaliers guard Delonte West is facing weapons charges after being pulled over on his motorcycle while carrying a small arsenal near his Maryland home late Thursday night.

After being stopped West informed police he was carrying a gun in his waistband, which was a 9mm Beretta. Police also found a Ruger .357 strapped to his leg and a shotgun inside a guitar case that was slung over his back. West was traveling alone.

Copeland said police are still investigating where West was going and why he was carrying the weapons.

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index....rd_delo_3.html

[S2]

Locked-out referees could be back in time for regular-season opener

The league has made a new proposal, and a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press it will be recommended for approval to the referees on Friday. The person, who requested anonymity because the negotiations are ongoing, said it's "highly likely" they'll be on the court for next Tuesday's season opener in Cleveland.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html

I haven't watched enough preseason games to determine if the guys replacing the guys who do a terrible job are doing a terrible job or not, but at least the guys who do a terrible job and are considered the best at doing a terrible job will be back soon.

[Tabata]

Season kicks off tomorrow with Boston @ Cleveland.

Been itching for the opening day to start for awhile now.

[hed]

Rasheed Wallace looks like the dude off of Semi Pro

[S2]

Meh. Season's too long. I'll get pumped when they beat the Lakers and the Cavs and the Magic and be upset when Rondo gets snubbed for the All Star team and all that stupid stuff. But the season is too long. Is it mid-April yet?

[hed]

Cavs lost at home. Season is over.

[SubwayFanatic]

Excerpts from the Tim Donaghy book, courtesy of Deadspin. (Seems like this book may not even come out now).

http://deadspin.com/5392067/excerpts...nt-you-to-read

[S2]

Chris Paul channeling his inner Prince Fielder?

Hornets point guard Chris Paul had to be held back after Sunday's loss to the Celtics when he tried to enter Boston's locker room. Paul and Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo both received technical fouls after exchanging words in the second quarter.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...s_locker_room/

[S2]

Celtics give Rondo $55 million extension


http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_yl...xtension110109

[ksison]

Chris Paul channeling his inner Prince Fielder?http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...s_locker_room/

something about Rajon just makes me want to slap him.... he's an outstanding ball player but... i don't know what it is....