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mgoose316

Well all the news and rumors for the up coming NBA off season leading to the season can be placed in here.

DETROIT (AP)—A person with the knowledge of the negotiations says the Detroit Pistons have agreed in principle to contracts with free agents Ben Gordon(notes) and Charlie Villanueva(notes).

The person spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday night on the condition of anonymity because NBA rules prohibit teams from announcing free agent signings until next week.

Gordon, the third pick in the 2004 draft by the Chicago Bulls, agreed to a 5-year deal for at least $50 million.

Villanueva, the seventh overall pick by Toronto in 2006 who has played all three of his NBA season with the Milwaukee Bucks, also agreed to a five-year deal. His contract is worth at least $35 million.
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mgoose316 · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 2:29 am Post subject:

It looks like Rasheed Wallace is heading to the Celtics.
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rav34 · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 4:18 pm Post subject:

Artest going to Lakers
By CHRIS DUNCAN, AP Sports Writer
Jul 3, 2:56 am EDT

AP - Jul 2, 9:45 pm EDT NBA Gallery HOUSTON (AP)—Ron Artest(notes) is joining Kobe Bryant(notes) and the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I am very excited to finally be going to L.A.,” Artest said in a statement issued by his agent Thursday night. “For years now, the Lakers have expressed interest in having me play for them, but we could never get the stars to align. I’m finally a Laker and I can’t wait to get on the court with Kobe, Pau (Gasol) and the rest of the team, and play for Phil (Jackson). The Lakers really made me feel wanted.”

David Bauman, Artest’s agent, said the final details are still being worked out, but could be finished as early as Thursday night.

“We have entered into discussions with Ron Artest and it is our intention to sign him to a contract at the conclusion of the moratorium period,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement Thursday night.

ESPN.com reported that Artest had agreed to a three-year deal worth $18 million. Bauman would not confirm those numbers, saying the deal was still being negotiated.

“We’re not quite there yet,” Bauman said. “We’re still working on it.”

Artest, who played for the Houston Rockets last season, decided to join the Lakers on Thursday.

“I made my decision after I had lunch today with Dr. Buss, and I realized what a great organization I’m joining. I’m very, very excited to be a Laker,” Artest said. “I look forward to helping the Lakers defend their championship, and it will be great to finally not get booed in the Staples Center.”

The 6-foot-7 forward earned $7.4 million in his only season with Houston, averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists. The 2004 Defensive Player of the Year was also a rugged 1-on-1 defender, often assigned to guard the opponent’s most dynamic scorer.

Bauman said Artest was looking for a championship-caliber team when he became an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday.

“He wants to win a ring,” Bauman said. “He’s a winner and a hard worker and he went looking for a team with whom he could find some justification for what he does. He plays his best when he’s in that kind of an environment.”

Earlier Thursday, Bauman said Artest was being courted by several teams that made the playoffs last season and received text messages from unspecified “superstars” who were trying to lure him to their cities. Bauman would not say if Bryant was one of those players, but acknowledged on Thursday night that their friendship was a factor in Artest’s decision.

“The whole situation was extremely appealing to Ron,” Bauman said.

The two had a feisty individual battle in the second round of the playoffs, as the undermanned Rockets pushed Bryant and the Lakers to seven games. Artest and Bryant often mouthed off at one another, and Artest was ejected from one game for confronting a referee and claiming that Bryant elbowed him in the neck.

Artest’s decision is another tough blow to the Rockets, who acquired Artest in a trade with Sacramento last summer. The Rockets envisioned Artest as the final piece to a “Big Three” with Yao Ming(notes) and Tracy McGrady(notes), but those two All-Stars are now dealing with long-term injuries.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey did not immediately return a phone message Thursday night.

FILE - In this March 16, 2009,…

AP - Jul 2, 9:19 pm EDT
He already seemed resigned to losing Artest, flying to Las Vegas earlier in the day to meet with Lakers forward Trevor Ariza(notes). The Rockets and Ariza later agreed on a multiyear deal, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday night. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because NBA rules prohibit announcing free-agent deals until next week, said the Rockets offered Ariza the full mid-level exception for the first year, about $5.6 million.

The 6-8 Ariza averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Lakers last season and will fit into Artest’s role in Houston’s starting lineup.

Houston already knows it will be missing McGrady for the bulk of next season as he recovers from microfracture surgery on his left knee.

The Rockets are also awaiting a definitive prognosis on Yao, who sustained a hairline fracture in his left foot in the playoffs. Morey made an aggressive pitch to free agent center Marcin Gortat(notes) shortly after the free agency period began on Wednesday.

Artest was on his best behavior in Houston last season, but he’ll always be remembered as the central figure in the 2004 brawl with Detroit fans at The Palace of Auburn Hills when he played for the Indiana Pacers. Artest was suspended for 73 games, the NBA’s harshest punishment for a fight.

Early in the 2005-06 season, Artest demanded a trade from Indiana, angering his teammates. He was dealt to Sacramento in January 2006 and meshed well with coach Rick Adelman, who now coaches the Rockets.

Two years later, Artest left the Kings in a bitter dispute with the team’s ownership.

AP Sports Writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
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rav34 · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 4:25 pm Post subject:

Reports: Turkoglu headed to Toronto Raptors
9 hours, 15 minutes ago

TORONTO (AP)—Free agent Hedo Turkoglu(notes) will join the Toronto Raptors after spurning the Portland Trail Blazers, according to multiple reports.

The 6-foot-10 forward helped Orlando to the NBA finals last season. On Friday, a person close to the Blazers confirmed that Turkoglu ended contract talks with them. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations.

Turkoglu opted out of his Orlando contract last week when the team acquired Vince Carter(notes) from New Jersey. Turkoglu was due $7.3 million next season, the final year of his $36 million, 6-year deal with Orlando. He averaged 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds last season.

Earlier Friday, there were reports Turkoglu had agreed in principle with the Blazers.

AP Sports Writer Anne M. Peterson in Portland, Ore., contributed to this report.
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mgoose316 · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:54 pm Post subject:

Turkoglu is an asshole. He used the Blazers again to get a better contract, which makes it look like he is double dipping to get his contract.
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rav34 · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 6:33 pm Post subject:

I have no respect for that douchebag (Turkoglu) after the way he lowballed the Blazers and I sincerely hope he chokes on a dick with the Craptors, never making it to the playoffs. This makes you want to see Chris Bosh leave next summer that much more. Sucks if you're a Craptors fan, though.

On the other hand, I like seeing Artest in L.A. and while he's known for being a hothead, I believe that Phil will be able to control this kid. He'll be on his best behavior in his attempt to win a ring.
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mgoose316 · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:28 pm Post subject:

If Phil can control Artest, they can definitely win their second championship.

I'm still wondering what Forman is going to do to replace Gordon with the Bulls, but that has become a total mudslinging contest.
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rav34 · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:02 pm Post subject:

Clippers trade Randolph to Memphis for Richardson
Jul 17, 7:32 pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP)—The Clippers have traded leading scorer Zach Randolph(notes) to Memphis in exchange for Quentin Richardson(notes).

The deal was announced Friday.

Richardson averaged 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 72 games with the New York Knicks last season. He’s returning to the Clippers, where he played from 2000-04 after being drafted by the team out of DePaul.

The 29-year-old guard-forward was acquired by Memphis on June 25 in exchange for Darko Milicic(notes). Richardson originally left Los Angeles as a free agent and went to Phoenix, where he played one season before joining the Knicks.

Randolph was acquired in a trade with the Knicks in November 2008. The forward averaged 20.8 points and 10.1 rebounds in 50 games for the Clippers last season.

But he had a rocky season off the court, including his father’s death in March.

Randolph was suspended for two games by the team after being arrested for investigation of drunken driving in April. He was suspended for two games for punching a Phoenix player in February.

In 2003 while with the Portland Trail Blazers, Randolph was arrested after an officer noticed the smell of marijuana coming from his vehicle.
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mgoose316 · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:03 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure who is getting the better of this trade to be perfectly honest.
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rav34 · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:03 pm Post subject:

Jazz keep F Paul Millsap
By DOUG ALDEN, AP Sports Writer
Jul 17, 7:54 pm EDT

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)—Paul Millsap(notes) is staying with the Utah Jazz.

The Jazz matched the Portland Trail Blazers’ $32 million offer for the restricted free agent, keeping Millsap in Utah with a new four-year deal.

“Keeping Paul on our roster was one of our main goals this offseason,” general manager Kevin O’Connor said in a release Friday. “We look forward to watching him play a key role on this team for many years to come.”

But it’s going to cost the Jazz.

Portland structured its offer with a promise of $10.3 million up front, requiring the Jazz to quickly come up with the cash to keep the promising young forward on Utah’s roster and off the division rival Trail Blazers’.

Utah had seven days to match the offer and made the division rival Trail Blazers wait the full week before making it official Friday, provided Millsap passes a physical. The Jazz did say Thursday night that they intended to match the offer to Millsap, a second-round surprise in the 2006 draft.

In addition to the giant raise, Millsap could be taking over the starting job if the Jazz trade Carlos Boozer(notes).

Boozer told a Chicago radio station this week that he and the Jazz had agreed to work out a trade that would send him—and his $12.7 million salary for next season—elsewhere. O’Connor has not commented on Boozer’s prediction that he will be traded and did not return a message Friday.

The Jazz still have plenty of time to trade Boozer before training camp in October.

Boozer is a two-time All-Star who—when healthy—has been Utah’s top scorer. Millsap is a couple inches shorter, but is a tenacious rebounder who has become a fan favorite for his hustle, effort and durability. He also averaged career-high 13.5 points last season and 8.6 rebounds last season.

In three seasons, he has missed only six games. He had a string of 19 straight double-doubles when he took over for Boozer for three months last season.

The Jazz took a chance on Millsap with their second-round pick three years ago. He had led the nation in rebounding three straight years at Louisiana Tech, the alma mater of Jazz great Karl Malone.

Millsap’s work ethic has even met coach Jerry Sloan’s high standards. He’s been one of Sloan’s favorites since arriving as a rookie in 2006.

“One thing about Paul is the good Lord was good to him and gave him two ears and he’s using them. Everybody thinks they’re supposed to have two mouths. There’s a big difference there,” Sloan said in Millsap’s rookie season. “Once they learn that philosophy—that you’ve got two ears and one mouth, they’ve got a better chance of listening and learning.”
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mgoose316 · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:03 pm Post subject:

Now that Millsap is staying with the Jazz, what do to with Boozer.
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rav34 · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:04 pm Post subject:

Same here, since while both are talented players, Randolph can be quite the head case off the court.
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mgoose316 · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:06 pm Post subject:

Randolph if he can star clean is an all star player, but the odds of him staying out of trouble are nill and none.
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rav34 · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:07 pm Post subject:

I see Boozer getting traded, to be honest. Millsap doesn't miss games and proved to Sloan that he can produce when given the big minutes. While Boozer is a talented big man, he is oft injured and sat last year for what seemed like months for a broken fingernail or whatever the hell kept him out.
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mgoose316 · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:09 pm Post subject:

Everyone in Chicago wants Boozer, but we are already forward heavy on this damn team.
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rav34 · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:11 pm Post subject:

Maybe he signs with Portland?
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mgoose316 · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:11 pm Post subject:

Portland is a mess too at this point. Their GM is more under the gun then Forman is with the Bulls.
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zamboni14 · Site Admin Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 754

so what's the deal with Jordan having a real shitty hall of fame speech? I didn't see or hear it, just saw on yahoo that he was cutting people down left and right while sitting on his high horse of greatness. If that's true... does it make him "less" great in the grand picture?

mgoose316 · Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:00 am Post subject:

I think Jordan was trying to be funny and people all took it the wrong way. If he had a heartfelt speech, he wouldn't have been able to make it through the speech. But that is just my opinion and no it doesn't make him any less great.
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mgoose316 · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 5:10 pm Post subject:

Good God, talk about a freak injury.

The Kings, as the myths go, are cursed. There's a tale locally that ARCO Arena was built on an Indian burial ground, but the same could probably be said for any number of Costcos or housing developments in the area and you don't see stuff like this happened to anyone outside the Purple and White jerseys.

By "stuff like this," of course, I mean "wrist fractures when the exercise ball you're lifting weights on explodes." That's what will cause Kings wing Francisco Garcia to miss the next four months of action.

The first word Friday had Garcia with a fractured arm after a weightlifting mishap. Then the Kings reported that there was an equipment failure. And then it went public that the equipment which malfunctioned was an exercise ball. Garcia had been lifting hand weights (with a spotter, the Kings insist) while laying on the exercise ball. You see this commonly at civilian gyms -- balancing on the ball helps keep the core muscles of the midsection tense during the lifts.

But there's a secret danger, as Garcia has learned. Eddy Curry had a similar experience last fall, though the Knick's situation could be termed "user error" as Curry's ball popped as soon as he sat on it. Curry suffered only a scrape. Garcia was not so lucky.

There's no word on whether Garcia's ball was properly inflated, how old it was, or whether the Kings will investigate legal action against the (heretofore unknown) manufacturer. Garcia's $30-million, five-year contract goes into effect this season. Garcia missed a portion of last season with a torn wrist ligament. He also broke his finger late in the season, but played through the injury. He then re-aggravated the finger injury during the FIBA Americas Championship in August, causing Garcia to miss two vital games for his Dominican Republic team. The D.R. just missed out on qualifying for the 2010 FIBA World Championships.

Garcia has started at small forward in both of Sacramento's preseason games, and was expected to compete with Desmond Mason for the job in the regular season. With this injury, it seems likely that Mason will be the starter, with Andres Nocioni backing up both forward positions and either Omri Casspi and Donte Greene rounding out the small forward rotation. Garcia had also been considered the primary back-up for shooting guard Kevin Martin. You can expect some double point guard line-ups with Beno Udrih and rookie starter Tyreke Evans in Garcia's stead.

Garcia is the team's best deep threat other than Martin, and a valuable ball-handler. Garcia's point guard skills (which he displayed in a Final Four run for Louisville in 2005) would have been particularly helpful for Evans, who has a lot on his plate this season.
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