Incognito said:Fucking come home from Batman Begins at the IMAX to find that Nate LEFT???
WHAT THE FUCK?
AND CASEY WAS STOLEN EARLIER, TOO.
SONOFABITCH.
Cloudy said:![]()
Deep...
Cloudy said:![]()
Deep...
Cloudy said:![]()
Deep...
Dsal said:We got Nate? hahahaahahahahah. Oh money hats, is there anything you can't do?
DMczaf said:Get you a winning record.
And :lol :lol :lol @ that Kobe ad
Yeah, when does he have time for that when he's swimming with his wife in Italy? WHAT A FRAUD!
bionic77 said:Keep laughing when those 10x4 crunches show people how unselfish he has become! Everyone knows that crunches are the best way to fix that problem.
And at least both of Kobe's eyes work!
Bucks Seeing Redd Through 2011
First, it was Ray Allen. Now, Michael Redd has spurned the chance to join LeBron in Cleveland. Redd's agent says the free agent will stay in Milwaukee, agreeing to a six-year deal.
For a while, Stromile Swift offered every sentiment the Rockets would have hoped he held, complete with several declarations that "I hope everything works out."
He spoke of the Rockets' strengths and his own. He talked about his admiration for Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming and mentioned his childhood hero, Hakeem Olajuwon.
Then he came to the bottom line, and that was, as the Rockets feared, the bottom line.
Swift, a free-agent power forward who arrived in Houston on Wednesday for meetings with Rockets officials today, sounded interested in jumping to the Rockets. But with the Rockets over the salary cap and unable to offer more than the mid-level exception which is expected to start at about $5 million for the first season of a contract Swift said he would have to consider the difference in his asking price and the Rockets' projected offer.
"A lot of times people say the dollars aren't important, but they really are," Swift said. "For me, I'm going to try to wait it out and weigh my options and see what's the best situation for me."
Swift, 25, said his goal was to find "a city where I'm comfortable and happy, get a long with the players and come to a winning situation."
"Just looking from the outside, I can see the chemistry. They have a good team, a good coaching staff," he said. "For me, I think that's something I want to be a part of, a winning team, and hopefully I can come in and add on to what they built here and try to help them try to bring home a championship.
"It would be a great opportunity for me to come in and play with guys of that caliber and just learn on the way while having fun."
Swift has met with New York Knicks officials, but he would not identify other teams he is considering.
The Rockets also have been in discussions with Swift's agent, Andy Miller, about forward Donyell Marshall, and with Mark Bartelstein, the agent for forwards Bobby Simmons and Antoine Walker. All are unrestricted free agents, but all expected to receive offers greater than the mid-level exception.
Bartelstein said Wednesday he had not scheduled a meeting with Rockets officials for either Simmons or Walker. As with their pursuit of Swift, however, the Rockets could seek a sign-and-trade deal with players' previous teams that would allow them to pay more than the mid-level exception.
Bartelstein said it was too early to have gotten into those discussions. But speaking of Walker, he said, "(Boston Celtics general manager) Danny Ainge knows Antoine's value. He has been willing to work with us before."
But today, the Rockets focus will be on Swift, 25, who has averaged nine points and five rebounds as a five-year veteran with the Memphis Grizzlies. He could bring the athleticism the Rockets would like to add to their frontcourt.
"I'll bring athleticism, shot-blocking, just getting out on the fast break and running the floor," Swift said. "I think that will help the team out a lot."
Houston would offer Swift a NBA city in relatively close proximity to his home in Shreveport, La.
"I think Houston is probably a much better city than (Memphis)," Swift said. "Hopefully everything works out. ... I'm just enjoying the process and hopefully it will be over soon."
DMczaf said:http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/3255841
Come on Swift, you know you want to play with Lazy Eye and Lazy Lungs.
Ninja Scooter said::lol Rockets fans having to put their hopes and dreams in a guy nicknamed "SLO-mile" because of how dumb he is. Between him and Yao, they might get 10 rebounds a game!
Slow like Kazaam or slow like Steel? This kid actually reminds me of a Baby Shaq in how he acts. Remember such great quotes as: "I have won at every level except professional and college"?
Stupidity is one of the greatest gifts God can give to an athlete. I predict great things from tub.
DMczaf said:You also forget that he only played 20 mins a game under that crazy Memphis system, give him some minute and let him get into the flow of the game and he'll dominate!
Yes, I said dominate!
Hmm, who else played for LSU and was considered dumb?
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The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have signed first-round draft picks forwards Charlie Villanueva and Joey Graham. The Raptors selected Villanueva with the seventh overall pick and Graham with the 16th selection in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft. Per team policy, financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Both players will see their first action as a member of the Raptors during the Summer Pro League in Long Beach, California from July 8-11. The Raptors entry, comprised mostly of rookies and free agents, will open play Friday versus the Dallas Mavericks.
Fifty said:
T-MAC CHARITY SOFTBALL GAME
Event: T-Mac Charity Softball Game
Date: Saturday, July 30, 2005 @ 5:00 P.M.
Public On Sale: Thursday, July 7, 2005 @ 10:00 a.m.
Phone: 866-4HOUTIX (866-446-8849)
Internet: www.toyotacentertix.com
Outlets: Most Houston area Randalls stores and Toyota Center
Box Office
Prices: $20.00 General Admission (Adult)
$10.00 General Admission (Child 12 & under)
Houston Rockets Superstar Tracy McGrady will join fellow Rockets teammates and an All Star Celebrity Basketball Roster in this spectacular inaugural Celebrity Softball Tournament to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston and the Tracy McGrady Foundation
DMczaf said:First the bike ride, now softball. T-Mac is all about charity! Unlike that one Laker guard...
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bionic77 said:Kobe's charity is going to improve next year too from shooting more jumpers and running suicides.
Sources tell NBADraft.net that the Cleveland Cavaliers will sign Washington Wizards' free agent guard Larry Hughes. The deal is reportedly worth an estimated $12 million a year and will run through the 2010 season.
billfromboston said:Gerald Green was his namesake, green. But, for all the times he was caught ball watching or looking confused on an assignment, the kids natural abilities should have everyone excited. His shot mechanics are outstanding and his free throw shooting is superb. Oh ya, he had the craziest dunk Ive ever seen in my life during the first half of the game. Driving from the left baseline, Green took off OUTSIDE THE LANE due to the other teams center rotating into his path. Green pulled the old go-go gadget hops move and lept over the man to literally throw it down into the hoop. His head was clearly above the rim at one point and everyone in the crowd was speechless.
danny ainge said:``That might have been one of the best dunks I've ever seen,'' said Danny Ainge.
Loki said:Hughes and Lebron should complement each other nicely. Sucks for the Wiz if it goes through, though-- they looked like they were an up and coming team that was going to compete for the next few years. Arenas must be crying into his pillow right about now. :lol
Lebron, Hughes, Z, McInnis, and Gooden-- that's a serious squad right there, especially if they establish a defensive identity. They have the athletes to do so at 3 or 4 positions (excluding Z, obviously).
"Arizona Republic - The Hawks are expected to offer restricted free agent, Joe Johnson, a maximum contract on July 22nd.
The Suns have repeatedly said they will match all offers for Johnson, but that could just be grandstanding.
If the Hawks sign J.J. to a max offer sheet, many believe they'll wind up getting him."
Jamaal Magloire, C, New Orleans Hornets
The Hornets offered him to the Raptors in a deal that Raptors GM Rob Babcock turned down. The Hornets wanted the Raptors two first round picks and Babcock came to the questionable conclusion that draft picks Charlie Villanueva and Joey Graham would be more valuable to the franchise than what they desperately needed -- a veteran, All-Star-caliber center to play alongside Chris Bosh.
Magloire has stated publicly and privately that he wants out of New Orleans. The Hornets granted Baron Davis his trade request near the trade deadline in February and appear to be willing to give Magloire the same courtesy.
Other teams, including the Knicks, Lakers, Timberwolves and Hawks, have shown interest in Magloire. He's a base-year player, meaning that any trade for Magloire probably cannot happen until July 29. But with it looking like the league may draw out the moratorium process anyway, that shouldn't be a big deterrent.
Steve Francis, G, Orlando Magic
Francis had an up-and-down year for Orlando last season. His numbers jumped back up to near All-Star levels after a down season in Houston, but midway through the year the team seemed to sour on him a bit and made the relationship rockier by moving him off the point to the shooting guard position. The fact that they've been actively pursuing point guards in the draft and in free agency is pretty telling when you consider they also have Jameer Nelson on the roster.
The problem is that there isn't a robust market for Francis at the moment. Many GMs no longer believe he's a point guard and he's a bit undersized at the two. Unless a team with cap room like the Hawks, Clippers or Cavs comes to the table, the Magic may have no choice but to make it work next year with Francis running the show. That Tracy McGrady trade is looking worse by the day.
Al Harrington, F, Atlanta Hawks
Harrington was the odd man out the minute the Hawks decided to draft Marvin Williams last week. Harrington was a mild disappointment to the Hawks last season and appears to be more comfortable in a supporting role.
The Hawks are using him as bait in an attempt to lure several restricted free agents (Samuel Dalembert, Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler) to the team via sign-and-trades. The most talked-about scenario has them sending Harrington to Chicago for Curry.
Wally Szczerbiak and Sam Cassell, Minnesota Timberwolves
Wolves vice president Kevin McHale promised big changes this year. Obviously not retaining Latrell Sprewell is a big move, at least symbolically. But there are more moves to come. The team has shopped both Szczerbiak and Cassell, hoping to shake things up more.
Szczerbiak has generated some interest in New York, Portland and New Orleans. The Wolves would love to do something with Portland that gets them Darius Miles or Shareef Abdur Rahim in a sign-and-trade.
Cassell has received less interest, though there's been talk that a deal with Memphis for Jason Williams is a possibility.
Caron Butler, SF, Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak took NBA writers to task for mentioning Butler's name in trade rumors before the draft, but a handful of GMs report that he's available.
He probably has to be if the Lakers are going to make any significant changes to their roster this summer. Right now, Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom are serving as the foundation. Butler, who many teams still covet, is the most expendable piece.
The Hornets and Bobcats have both shown a lot of interest in Butler.
Jason Williams, PG, Memphis Grizzlies
He was the team's golden child under Hubie Brown last season but resorted back to his old problem-child persona this season. Williams bumped heads constantly with new head coach Mike Fratello and ended the season on a pretty awful note.
The Grizzlies are trying to trade him, along with Bonzi Wells, but have struggled to find takers. While no one questions Williams' talent, he's a difficult guy to handle, both on and off the court. The team talked trade with the Wolves earlier in the season but so far nothing has come of it.
Bowser said:Why didn't you post the Marbury and Pierce blurbs?
DMczaf said:Because its Marbury and Pierce
If you want to post it go ahead
Stephon Marbury, PG, New York Knicks
Knicks president Isiah Thomas went nuts over Tuesday's column (and a New York Times report) stating that Isiah was willing to trade Marbury.
"That is so far from the truth," Thomas told reporters, in an angry tone, at a press conference after the Knicks' first summer league game. "And I'm ashamed for you guys that you even have to ask me that, because there is absolutely no truth to it at all."
Marbury has "never been in play," and the Knicks will "never put him in play," according to Isiah.
That's sharply at odds with what several NBA executives have told Insider over the course of the last week.
Thomas also took issue with the use of other, unnamed executives as sources.
"Tell the GM, whoever the GM is, to put his name on it," Thomas said.
Knicks fans likewise were displeased at suggestions that Thomas would be willing to trade Marbury to get Samuel Dalembert in a sign-and-trade. They were even more shocked at the possibility of trading him to Atlanta for Al Harrington, Tony Delk and Jason Collier.
The funny thing is, trading Marbury is a move the Knicks should make. A trade for Dalembert (which I'm told Sixers GM Billy King has zero interest in) would help the Knicks here and now. That trade would add a shot blocker, put Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson at the point and give the Knicks a good chance at the playoffs.
A potential Hawks trade would be more about the future. By moving Marbury for players like Harrington, Delk and Collier (all in the last year of their contracts), Isiah could be on the verge of the previously unthinkable -- cap room. If Marbury were moved and Thomas could resist the urge to throw a max deal at every free agent that bats his eyes at him, the Knicks would be around $20 million under the cap going into the summer of 2007.
That just happens to be the summer that LeBron James becomes a restricted free agent, with his full free agency to follow a year later. Given what we know about the huge endorsement kickers James would get by playing in a big market like New York, combined with the chaos in Cleveland right now, it isn't a stretch to think that the Knicks would be real players in the LeBron market, provided they can get their house in order.
If Thomas really is going to hold firm on his pledge to "never" put Marbury in play, he's going to have to do something else to ease what's turning out to be a major logjam in the backcourt. The Knicks have Marbury, Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson, Allan Houston, Penny Hardaway and Nate Robinson, making a total of $66 million.
Houston will likely be waived using the new "amnesty" rule set up in the new CBA. Hardaway is in the last year of his contract, which makes him a tradable piece. But even with those two players eventually out of the picture, the Knicks logjam is still fairly significant and Crawford will be unhappy if he has to come off the bench.
Paul Pierce, SG, Boston Celtics
Danny Ainge, and now head coach Doc Rivers, have both, on the record, said that Pierce isn't going anywhere. Nevertheless his name has appeared in constant trade rumors and several GMs Insider has spoken with say that the Celtics have made Pierce available at the right price.
The fact that the Celtics had produced promotional materials with and without Pierce's image in it right before the draft lead credence to the theory.
While a Marbury trade makes sense for the Knicks, I'm not sure that a Pierce trade works for the Celtics right now. The team already has a plethora of young prospects: seven, to be exact. Two of those, Al Jefferson and Gerald Green, have star potential. What the Celtics need are veterans who can show them how to win. I think that probably behooves the Celtics to keep Pierce on board, and possibly even re-sign Antoine Walker if he'll agree to a reasonable contract.