Casey00 bro said "C'mon who likes to go to school if you have couple million waiting for you? You can Hummer, series of BMW's and lot of booty... "
>>> tell that to Kwame Brown. He would take his decision back.

as I said before, NBA MUST have developmental leagues like other sports. and what you think of all the wheeling and dealing?

I think Magic got better after trading TMAC. They got three potential starters for one.

Magic lineup

PG - Steve Franics
SG - Cuttino Mobley
SF - Grant Hill/DeShawn Stevenson
PF - Drew Gooden/Dwight Howard
C - Kelvin Cato


Coach K is making a buzz here in la la land, What's their in Toronto? Couldnýt they afford their own prodigy Nash??? I am sure Nash would have loved to play there. I read Air Canada wants outta there, is that true?

AX,
I agree that Magic has gotten better now, with/without Grant Hill. I don't count on that dude:)

More later....

Magic will feel bettr about the deal since they could get rid of T-Mac whilc getting something in return but I think since Juwan Howard was involved...statstically Houston got a better deal..I wouldnt have traded Howard..cuz I think he is still capable of being solid at his position..anyway the deal is done..Magic are smaller now...and if Hill can play..Magic could make some noise..

Nash will sign with SUNS..how sad...I really loved him being in Dallas..but alas ..he seems gone...Cuban made a huge mistake my not signing him..I wish Toronto would have made a move to acquire Nash...I also heard that Carter is thinking abt moving out of Toronto..if he decides to that..I believe it will take another superstar to replace him..this offseason is so happening..by the end of the season lot of things will be changed..

ola,

i cannot for a minute beleive that juwan howard can be a impact player. last summer i was crossing my fingers that t'wolves would not commit the mistake of trading or free agent signing of him. we got Spree instead and look where that got us. but howard, man, he is not going to change from the mediocre player that he is.

mindgames, i do agree wid ya on howard being mediocre at best....but i'd take him over candy man anyday. atleast u can trade howard around, i dunno who in the right state of mind is gonna take the 7 foot fool, disgrace to the game of basketball.

anyways, im excited about the wolves this season...its gona be our year man....it almost was last season. but who cares, as long as the lakers didnt win, im all happy...all the lakers haters out there...hollaaaa

gooooo t-wolves!! n the twins :p

aight im out...piss n peace!!

Ola,

i still have huge hope for candyman. at the end of the last season when he was quite healthy he was averaging double-doubles on a daily basis for about two weeks. he never got into the momentum of the team because of the injury. i would stick with him till he gets a chance to prove himself during the course of a full season of play. the only thing that i want to beat him into changing is his attitude- he looks as if he is sleepy on the court. he is not serious and motivated enough...remember the time when he dunked the ball and it hit the glass and bounced back(against the lakers, was it?...he just flashed a sheepish smile. i think if KG and Kevin McHale worked him long and hard he will see the light and realise his potential. you can never argue against size in the association. plus he is an ardent fan of Arsenal!

Elgin Baylor should thank Candyman for signing with Wolves else he would be searching for another job. Candyman is the worst #1 pick since I have been watching NBA. He leads the group by a mile to the group of Kwame Brown and Joe Smith. Elgin got some other reason to be happy these days. The most coveted free agent Kobe is ready to talk with his team and there is a high chance that he may sign with the Clippers. Clippers has someone what Lakers did not have that is Cory Mageatte.

Another good reason to sign with Clippers is they have Elton Brand, the most underrated PF in the league. This guy just plays hard day in and out and got no ego. He is a 20/10 machine and plays hard 48 minutes unlike the most dominant center (needa name him???) Trio of Kobe, Cory and Elton is formidable and will be favorite team in Los Angeles. If he signs with Clippers he does not have to relocate and also can teach Shaq and the Lakers lesson how great of a player he is. He will still have his gorgeous wife. His wife does not want to move out from LA coz it got the best diamond stores ;)

Lakers should be wise enuf to sign and trade him so they will get a good player in return. Clippers has Q Richardson and he is good. He averaged 17 points a game last year and

*************************************

what you think of Coach K dissing Lakers? so much of Lakers and it's rich tradition, college coach doesn't even want to coach the team for $8 mil a year. What does that say about Lakers?

Ola,
Personally I think that Coach K made the right decision. Rather than the uncertainty of the big leagues and the drama of LA he chose to remain with Duke that has been his home for more than twenty years. It's great on the part of Duke - they had given him a "lifetime contract"- they keep their man. Also, Coach K, in about five years, will surpass John Wooden and Dean Smith as the greatest coach in the NCAA history. Money is not everything for some people and some like, Coach K, live for the legacy and personal satisfaction.

But his decision does not say anything about the Lakers. He flirted with it says enough about the lure that the coaching job in La La land holds. It speaks volumes about the character of the man. Go Coach K!

mG.

Coach K is the best in the league now and I believe he made the right decision. But I wonder why it took him 2 weeks, if he knew he was going to stick with Duke. May be he learned the lesson from Coach Brown from Detroit Pistons. He is the only coach to win both championship and it took him 21 years.

I feel that you are disrespecting Coach Wooden, when you take his name with Coach K and coach Dean Smith. Coach Wooden is a legend by himself, I am sure Coach K will tell you same. Coach Wooden won unprecedented 10 NCAA championships (seven consecutive)

You can compare Coach K to Dean Smith though. They battled each other many times. Coach K have won 3 titles(?) and Dean Smith only won twice. The surprising record to me is that Duke never produced great NBA players like UNC did. In regard producing great NBA players, UNC leaves Duke far behind. Christian Lattener, greatest player to wear the Blue Devils, is a big flop in NBA and same with Shane Battier. UNC produced NBA players like Michael Jordan, Sam Perkins, James Worthy, Antwan Jamison, R. Wallace and Vince Carter to name a few. I believe UNC still leads the NBA with as many players in the league. Personally I put Coach Dean ahead Coach K.

AX, you are right, John Wooden, is on the class by himself. The one reason he cannot be compared with Coach K is because they were there in totally different era. I doubt that anyone can win ten championships like Wooden did with UCLA in the modern era when college ball is mired with kids leaving for NBA and many kids not going to college at all. I stand corrected, got a little carried away and what with all the ESPN hype last month when they compared Coach K with John Wooden. But if you were to name three greatest coaches in NCAA history Coach K would be right there with Wooden and Dean Smith.
I do not necessarily think that it says anything about the college coaches if their players do great in NBA, though. There are so many other factors.

----
mG.

Yo, guys how do you like Lakers new team?

Kobe (FA), Paton, Odom, Butler, B grant, Molone ( FA), Fisher(FA, Rush, Walton, George, sasha, Slava (FA), B Rusel (FA) H grant (FA) B. cook, M Douthit,


my list goes

Kobe, Odom, Paton, fisher, Rush, Butler, B Grant, Molone, Walton, Sasha, M Douthit, George, B Cook, and Slava and who else >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

About Lakers:

I think KOBE is the next best thing after Jordan. Matter of fact his talent, desire and love for the game is unquestionable.Having said that there has never been a player of Shaq's caliber..never been a player that is so talented and dominant that he could make a trashy team into a title contender...NEVER..even if you put 4 other high school kids with Shaq in a NBA game today..that team will definitely put on 60 pts on the board...Anyway this makes me wonder why oh why..does KOBE want to get rid of him? Why does it have to be ego coming between championship and millions of dollars..they make?.Isn't it a great world when you make millions of dollars dribbling balls and working as team? But these players dont seem to get it..be it Kobe or Shaq..they can't win a championship wothout each other..well maybe they will but it will take years into making...they wont be as dominant...

Things for KOBE and Shaq to do:

Shaq: It doesnt matter whose team it is..it just dont matter..it is Buss's team and neither you or KOBE can brag abt it..just go and play the damn ball and win some gold...go through this season and try to win..winning is remedy to so many problems...so make that dough..and leave kobe aside..Just play...

Kobe: Are you M.Ali? Do you box for living or play tennis like Pete Sampras?...The answer should be NO....The game is suposed to be a team game and it is a team game..so please dont mess around and put ur player personnel moves..to get rid of a coach who fed u with 3 championship...you couldnt win with any other coach..so be thankful to him..and if u act liket his you aint winning another one..Hey..players like Malone , Stockton and so many great ones couldnt win ..so how could u expect to win ???????????? Jordan had so many good players behind him..like Rodman..Kukoc Pippen..and what do you have ? Brian Grant, Odom...and WHO????????

Lakers will get into deep Sh*t if they trade Shaq unless they get someone of superstar stature..I mean...atleast some all star....this trade might seem inevitable but this might either make or break Kobe into Jordan level...he could look like a bum...if he doesnt make a playoff after shaq leaves and if somehow he can win another on his own..then we know..he is special..

adios

To the fans of NY Knicks
Expect some good trades in days or weeks to come, this offseason. Talks are for Crawford (Chicago, a good scorer), the Big Z (Zydrunas Iglau..Cleveland, the best center in east if Shaq doesn't choose Miami Heats) and even Antoine Walker (Dallas, great shooter bad shot selector). These are the trades in exchange for Kurt Thomas, Frankie, Moochie etc. Hopefully, atleast one of them will be Knicks.

The fresh legs look equally good as well. The new pick, Azira has scored more than 22 points in both sommer starts. Sweetney sure looks like he can make the starting lineup. They both look very very promising.

Good to be a Knickerbocker.

DWI,
It would be great if the Knicks get these versatile players. Hoping for this great change in the Knicks.

I haven't been following the Heat team for about last few years since Zo's gone. How will Shaq make difference in that team if they trade Grant and Odom. I know, Shaq's still the dominant center in NBA; he will rule the eastern conference. I think it's time for Shaq to be the role model for raising stars like Wade. Shaq can still make a big impact in east and compete for the champiahship, but I doubt it they would win any champianship. Now, this trade can be very good for KG and Tim Duncan...

With the line up Lakers will have next season after they trade shaq to maimi, i even doubt they will make it to the playoffs. Right, playoffs!!! .
Kobe is sure the best thing after Jordan and his skills and potential are parallel to none. But one should not forget that he was a total flop in the biggest stage.
And has any player in the history of any team sports have had so much influence on the team and organization itself than kobe? Just look at this list........
He doesnt like the most sucessfull coach.......the team puts him away.
He doesnt want to play along with the Most Dominant......he gets traded(almost certian).
He wants coach of his choice.....Lakers put $40 mil on the table to lure coach K.
He even wants Clippers to play some 10-14 games on Anahiem even before he considers to sign with them........Reports are Clippers agree.
What else???
Thats ridiculous.


I am just waiting to see how he's gonna perform when arrangements are made to play the way he wanted on HIS TEAM.

K_Loaded bro I have to disagree with you. Itýs nothing wrong what Kobe is asking or doing. You and I would have done the same thing. His Airness ran out the Doug Collins, Magic Johnson did the same thing to Paul Westhead(?) and mediocre JKIDD did the same to Byron Scott earlier this year. So I have no sympathy for Zen master, he deserved it. He tried to put down Kobe when he had chances and called many times that it was Shaq team, Kobe is just doing his thing now. Letýs not forget the NBA Logoman was booted out the Lakers by the same Zen Master.

About Shaq, he is past his prime. The best thing he can do is look at Showtime Lakers. He should let Kobe run the show like Kareem did to Magic. Shaq was foolish to ask for a contract extension when he had 2 years near $60 Mil contract. Letýs not forget this is the same guy who had a problem with Penny, Brian Hill and Del Harris. He is a malcontent and he will forever be.

I would like Kobe to sign with Clippers and move to new arena so they can show the world that the Lakers are not the most favorite team in LA anymore. It was interesting though Kobe met Lakers and Clipper officials in the hotel. I hope no one will come out with rape accusation this time around. :)

DWI, the players you named are far better than what Knicks have right now in those positions. My question to you is does Knicks (way over luxury tax) good enough players to get those players you mentioned? I will be a fool to trade with overpaid Knicks players. I think only tradable commodity in Knickerbockers land is Othella Harrington with his size and unquestionable work ethic. And may be backup PG frank Williams, he is the only active player under $1 mil.

next year salary (roughly) for knickerbockers
Houston - over $17.5 mil
Marbury - over $14 mil
Penny - over $14 mil
Tim Thomas - $12 mil
S. Anderson - over $7 mil
K. Thomas ý over $5 mil
Moochie ý over $3.5

I think Knicks are 2-3 years away from being a good playoff team. Heavy loaded contracts will expire after 06/07 seasons.


DWI, if you were another team GM would you take any of the above players for their price?

U're not wrong AX, but would you have trusted the rumors last year that Marbury was coming to NY? It was hard to believe but it happened.

Anything can happen. Above mentioned trades can take place or a completely new trades can come to the plate. A 3 way trade makes it easier but there still is a possibility that a direct trade with Chicago is in the works:
Chicago trades: Crawford, Jerome Williams, Eddie Robinson
NY trades: Anderson, Moochie, Othella and Frank Williams. most of whose contract will expire next year (Moochie is a tough sell here).

Also,
Cleveland trades: Big Z
NY trades: Kurt Thomas and Nazr Mohammad.
Remember Kurt Thomas has lots of options in his contract. If he leaves NY his salary can go up.

Anything is possible. Expect some trade soon.

DWI, I agree. Nobody thought it was feasible but letýs not forget Marbury is to make about $14 mil this year and 16 next years and 18, 20 and 21 mil after that ($100 mil in total). And letýs also not forget Knicks is paying for overpriced Penny too. He costs more than $30 mil for another 2 years. If they had not made the trade with Phoenix they would be able to afford Kobe ($11-13 mil to play with). And we all know how much Kobe wanted to play in the Mecca of NBA. Looking at back, I think Isiah made a mistake acquiring Marbury.

The latter trade you said sounds little better. You also have to add another 3 mil player to get the Z. He is to make $14 mil this year. And you will trade your 2 starters for 1 injury prone player?

About the Bulls player, Jamaal is a restricted free agent and he will demand lots of money and long contract. Will you pay around $7 mil for a backup Guard?

With your trade NYers have to dig more into their pocket. I am not so optimistic about it. But what I can is the best city in the world deserves better ballplayers and team(s). can they learn from Mr. Boss and the Yankees? NYC is still the Yankees town :) sorry to drag Yankees here

Hereýs my trade for you Knicks fans,

Ger AI3 and DC for H20 and Tim Thomas
Swap Marbury and Kurt Thomas for Air Canada

trade Shandon Anderson and Frank Williams for a good backup point guard (the glove???)

Starting lineup: Moochie ý AI3 ý Air Canda ý DC ý Nazr Mohamed
Bench: Penny, Sweetney, Mutombo, Harrington,

is it possible?