NBA offseason - Page 5

Gooden has been an underachiever his whole career. He has talent somewhere beneath that first layer of BS though. Battie on the other hand is a hard working PF that will battle under the boards and play his heart out.

Yeah Monki Thorn screwed up but I wonder if Byron Scott's departure was the real reason Kenyon left. You have to admit that if thats the case its a huge slap in the face to Jason Kidd.

I really doubt it had something to do with Byron Scott, the Nets weren't willing to give him max money, something Martin could have gotten from multiple teams.

Yeah you're right Monki in the end it probably came down to dollars but I do wonder if it had something to do with the Scott thing and Jersey getting taken out by the Pistons in the Semis.

the heat also has malik allen and rasual butler. nothing great really but they're ok. they also just signed kenyon dooling to back up wade. he's basically been injury proned but is a solid backup atleast. they drafted dorell wright in the 1st round but i doubt he'll play much. he's coming out of high school. it's all about shaq dominating the east's little men.

kevin mchale is claiming that the heat are gonna sign karl malone. i guess shaq is still influencing him. whatever anybody says he's still a good nba player as long as he's on the court. dorell wright lit up his one summer league game. i'm very hopeful. maybe he will actually contribute his rookie season. wishful thinking.

Getting Malone would be a huge coup for Riley and Shaq.

Kerry Kittles was traded to the Clippers for a 2nd round pick and cash. Wtf Jersey? Quentin Richardson is a Sun afterall.

I read that Kidd is demanding a trade. Hard to blame him at this point, they make him promises and then dump every worthwhile player except him.

And Kidd wants to go possibly to the Lakers (among others)....oh la la that's interesting...

Yea yea I know, not likely...

Not so fast. Yeah its gonna be real hard for the Lakers to get him but they might be able to with the right moves and trading away some draft picks. Magic gets wind of this and he will go running to Buss. Kidd in a Lakers uni would be something.

Talk about a running team then huh?

Oh, I believe you. For the record, yes, I did jump for joy when I heard it.

lol Sorro well things aren't looking too shabby in Utah. Hopefully Sloan gets a few more pieces and wins himself a title.

And the gutting of the Nets continues, my god... it went from maybe the Nets will trade for Rahim to let's see who the Nets will dump next... it's almost difficult to fault ownership, how many fans can they possibly lose? They've had shit attendance even with a competitive team, it's not like theres that much more they can lose by gutting the team now and waiting 'till Brooklyn.

Its always been a shitty franchise. It just got some great talent over the last few years. We'll see how the move to Brooklyn goes.

Lakers got Slava back...which actually works with the running team motif we've got going. I'm hoping Malone returns so there can be some more solid defense...


Ooh NBA you dog you...putting Lakers vs Heat on Dec 25th. I tell you this...I'm gonna get the VCR ready for the dunk on Shaq....that or the absolute Flagrant 2 Shaq will dish out....

And you know what...watching the Italians run and gun against our Dream Team and be winning....don't tell me the Lakers don't have a chance at anything this year...

Friggin the Italians are just beating us bad right now....12 point lead...against a team of NBA players? Ugh....

To the dismay of Stephen A Smith no less Slava still in purple and gold. lol never really thought much of him but he does hussle i'll give him that. As for the christmas matchup all the bullshit will happen off the court I imagine. Expect a nice neutered contest.

As for the USA team well its not surprising these guys don't play enough together while the other teams all play cohesive basketball. Besides Larry Brown is a numbnuts for putting Allen Iverson in the captains role. I mean why? Duncan deserved that. They thought getting young hungry players would help us at the olympics but they went too far in opinion. Okafor and Amare should have been replaced by older more seasoned players that know how to play on a team of superstars. They also have a lack of good outside shooters.

Most interesting to me is Wade who looks comfortable and is busting his ass on the hardwood. People in the east better be watching.

Looks like the Mavs are trading Antoine Walker and Tony Delk to the Hawks for Jason Terry, Alan Henderson and a first round draft pick. Guess Kidd stays in Jersey? Or not. Shit deal if you ask me if nothing changes that is.

Think if we package Payton with another guy we have a chance to obtain Kidd? Or do we even want him in the grand scheme of things?

Shit are you kidding me pardon the pun. I'd take Kidd but its gonna take more than Payton. Too bad we don't got Fisher with him it'd be a possibility.

This USA game is a joke. Italy isn't even one of the best teams in the world and they are taking this team to school. Everything that is wrong with the NBA is being manifested. The players are whining about noncalls and they aren't playing defense these italians are shooting the lights out.

This is amazing and sad. Worst loss ever point wise for any dream team ever. To a team that won't even be playing in Athens. 6th in the World Championships was embarressing enough but this? The german fans were cheering the US up until the whistle and then the team went out of the arena to boo's. Italy acts like they just defeated goliath.

I think it's maybe too optimistic to think that will happen this year, but if Okur and Boozer gel well with Sloan's philosophy, the Jazz have an excellent young starting 5. Heck, they even have a good second string. They could be very good for a long time. I think they'll win 10-15 more games this year than they did last year, easy.

Oh I was speaking of the future not now. Hence why I said a few more pieces. Sloan knows how to get the most out of his 12 thats for sure and thats what makes Utah dangerous.

a trey at the buzzer to beat germany. this team is sad.

I''ve thought about the US team a bit and I think there are a few factors being overlooked. One is how slow our guys look compared to the Euro's. Be it being overweight or too muscular they look a step behind for some odd reason.

Two the refs don't give them the calls and these guys in full NBA mode still think that complaining (Nearly every damn time) will help plead their case to refs who probably don't understand what they are saying in English or jive.

Three the Euros can shoot and pass merely double teaming one or putting a hand in the face simply will not get it done. How on earth a line of Duncan, Boozer, Odom, Amare, Okafor can get outrebounded by these smaller guys is beyond me. Speed and hustle I suppose. Whoever constructed this team primarily should seriously think about quitting. The Zone defense clogging up the inside suffocates this team and when the ball is finally thrown out to the perimeter guys like Jefferson, Wade, Marbury, James look timid and scared to shoot the ball. Only guys who seem to have a consistant jumper are Iverson and Anthony.

Who knows these guys have only been playing a week and maybe they'll get it together. Okafor from what I have seen is a total dissapointment. Looks like a lost stray puppy dog out there. I think he's been around Amare too much.
Couple of interesting pieces on Team USA at ESPN
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer...ack&id=1851754
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer...ric&id=1852530

On the moves front T-Wolves matched the Blazers offer on Hassell therefore Hassell can replace the recently departed KG Elbowsex ex Anthony Peeler who went to Washington. Also Larry Brown wanting more age and size (and drama obviously) picked up DC Derrick " I once had a game DAMMIT " Coleman. Does anyone else remember years and years ago now its been 10 since DC was nearly averaging a quadriuple double in the playoffs? The guy was unstoppable until he met White Castle I guess. Oh the Sixers got the Big " only not so big because I play small forward " Nasty Corliss Williamson. Its a money swap basically.

Rumors rumors... Kidd still pissed off and as far as the Nets go teammate Jefferson resigned for 4 more years. So they lose K-Mart and now they sign former Cav SF Eric Williams. Hmm...ballz. As for Kidd the problem is money. So the Lakers are out of it because Kidd is at 90 mil for the next 4 years. That Kobe contract doesn't agree hehe. Looks like Dallas is the only team with a real shot. Doubt they'll give up newly acquired and cheaper Jason Terry or hot young PG Howard. They are also in the hunt for Erick " No i'm better than that! " Dampier who is still trying to get 9 million a year with little success so far.

" After almost five weeks of on-and-off haggling, Jamal Crawford's finally headed to New York.

The Knicks and Bulls announced a deal Thursday afternoon that sends Crawford, a combo guard, and forward Jerome Williams to New York in exchange for four players in the final year of their contracts -- center Dikembe Mutombo, forward Othella Harrington, guard Frank Williams and center Cezary Trybanski. "

So I guess this has to do with youth and a salary dump but why? You have Mark Jackson and Marbury for the point and Houston and whoever else at shooting guard. Well i'm sure only Charles Smith knows.

In the words of Marv Albert " Smith going for the layup blocked by Pippen Smith again blocked by Horace Grant Smith Smith Smith blocked by Jordan Smith Smith Smith...... " Shite.

AFAIK Allan Houston still hasn't recovered from his knee issues, and who knows how much that guys got left in the tank? I can imagine Crawford and Marbury starting, and since when is Mark Jackson a Knick? I could have sworn Frank Williams was the backup.

As far as improving the team, this and signing Dampier to the exception would be a decent offseason. Understand though, that I've been of the firm belief that the Knicks should have rebuilt once Ewing left, but because of our owner... well, let's just say that that's not a possibility. So, even though our cap situation continues to get worse, at least I'm happy with the talent Zeek's getting back.

Never watched Boston play and never caught any of these players before....I know there is potential but...dunno.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1853576

Well Atkins is younger than Payton. He's ok. Mihm I don't know haven't seen him play since his rookie year with the Cav's. Seems like a weak trade to me.

Chris MIHM>>???!?! Erick Dampier has been free for a while. You are telling me the lakers can't talk him into taking a paycut to play for them?

I don't know about this trade. At least they got some youth at PG, but everyone is unproven...very unproven.

Exactly with Fox and Payton at least you can count on their D. Rudy T is going to have a fun first season.

That right there is a fantastic fucking trade by Danny Ainge. Getting rid of those 3 guys for 2 expiring contracts? If he can rid himself of Raef somehow he'll have completed the groundwork to get the franchise back on track.

Well said fabfunk. As for Danny Ainge its about time. The guy hasn't been getting it done so far. However he has kept Pierce and looks to be adding players next summer. Stay tuned.

USA basketball takes care of a really good Serbian team. Still none of these games count. Nice to see LeBron actually doing something on the court instead of laughing and clowning off it.

Here's a question, who was the last big name free agent to switch teams?

Ray Allen is not a superstar. He's more of a mild Reggie Miller at best. Great jump shot but this guy doesn't deserve Kobe or Iverson money.

Carter needs a new home question is who wants him?

Baron Davis has been unhappy with the Hornets for some time (Since they fired Paul Silas) so basically he's gone.

Shareef well who cares and who needs him outside the Nets? Mourning god its sad. The guy was a force in the middle but he should hang it up. I wish him the best.

Mutombo to the Rockets? Perhaps they could package him for a good forward or talented 3.

Well, the Miami Heat are first in the East a quarter of the way into the season, and while a certain brawl has just as much to do with that as anything else, I have to give credit where credit is do. Shaq's presence in the lineup has made the rest of the team better, and while his numbers haven't imrpoved like many here assumed that they would, the supporting cast sure has stepped it up.

On the left coast, Kobe, Odom and Butler have looked good. While the Lakers are struggling in the West, I certainly don't look at them as losers in this deal, especially given the extenuating circumstances.

Yeah, but they're very obviously a second-tier Western Conference team, and could sink further if Kobe doesn't grow up. Frankly, I think Buss, Pelinka and maybe Vanessa are more to blame than Kobe. After that PTI interview, I got a sense of Kobe-as-Bush: a probably decent guy insulated by duplicitous handlers using his ability (replace "ability" with "family name" in Bush's case) to bully an organization into catering to his every whim. I mean, Kobe seemed genuinely flummoxed by the fan and media derision he's courted over the last year. Lots of "I don't know"'s. This is a guy lost in a maelstrom not entirely of his making. Either that, or he's a tremendous actor.

Thats a good take Beaks i'd say both though. I've seen enough Kobe to know his cool " Aww shucks manner. " and i'm sure in the coming years and when Shaq exits and writes his book they'll be enough garbage spewed to fill a landfill.

Speaking of Miami they have benefited from D.Wade stepping up big time this year. They really haven't beaten any good teams and have lost to some so/so ones (Dallas). It isn't over yet.

the heat are playing great which makes me a happy guy. wade has been huge but the other players have actually steped up as well. shaq's presence has really helped out haslem the most i think. he's having a real solid season and the damon jones pickup has looked awesome so far. he's hitting everything. he wasn't even a thought entering the season. all that is needed now is for eddie jones to stop playing like a bum and maybe sign malone.

it's funny how the golden boy of the nba only a couple of years ago gets traded today and not even a word on these boards about it. oh how the mighty have fallen.