Blazers' McMillan to meet with Orlando's All star Turkoglu posted by Christopher White

Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan is flying to Orlando to have a Wednesday night dinner with the Blazers' top free-agent target, Hedo Turkoglu.

Turkoglu's agent, Lon Babby, said Wednesday that Turkoglu will then travel to Oregon for a Thursday tour of the Blazers' facilities and meetings with Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard and assistant GM Tom Penn.

With the Blazers projected to have $8 million to $9 million in salary-cap space this summer -- with firm figures not known until the league announces next season's salary cap on July 8 -- and the Orlando Magic lacking the financial flexibility to re-sign Turkoglu after trading for Vince Carter last week, Turkoglu is widely expected to land with the Blazers as the first marquee free-agent signing of Pritchard's reign.

Teams and free agents were permitted to strike verbal agreements on new deals as of 12:01 a.m. ET Wednesday but new contracts cannot be signed until the cap figure is announced and the NBA's moratorium on signings is lifted next week

Stay classy,

Cwhite

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The Current NBA is at an interesting moment in time...where do you stand? posted by LDC

Right now, the NBA draft just took place. Still, there are more trades to come, free agents to get sign, and much more recession money hustle through teams playing the "business game".

The Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, and a few other teams are starting the lava flow to making this summer a interesting preview for next year summer off-season.

Personally, I feel that Golden State is going to make an incredible move to get Amare' Staudemire. Rumors have been circulating that he will be apart of deal where Stephen Curry (yes the almighty shooter from davidson) and two other players from that euro-estic team will be join Steve Nash in Phoenix.

But, I am surprized at Portland, New York, Dallas, and many other teams who could pick up T-Mac for a cotton swab and a food stamp (not literally but you should know it would not be that much). Also, Shawn Marion and a list of B-List All Star Players are out there for the taking. I am still on the notion that Mr. Marion will go to the Big Apple since his former suns buddy Q-Rich is banging his double fist on his headband somewhere else in the abyss of Memphis.

If  you want see the list of free agents from every team check out: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgents-09-10

Tell me what do you think your favorite NBA team should do.

Continue reading "The Current NBA is at an interesting ..."

Trading the Lakers' Enemies? I Don't Think So posted by Greg Archuleta

Shaq can't even proclaim himself "The Big Trade."

The defending Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic trumped Los Angeles Laker ex Shaquille O'Neal's move from the Phoenix Suns to the Cleveland Cavaliers when they acquired Vince Carter from the New Jersey Nets.

Carter's relocation to Disney World seemingly would keep the Magic in control of the ever-increasing wild, wild east. Although, it is intriguing to imagine what The Big Change of Address (five teams in the career of the most dominant center of our generation? Hard to fathom) might do for King James -- His Royal Poor Sport -- and the Cavs if Shaq is properly motivated.

Yet, the biggest immediate threat to a potential Laker dynasty -- if properly healed -- comes from our Green "friends" in Boston.

If Kevin Garnett can return to 100 percent form from the knee injury that derailed his 2008 season just inches from the start of the playoffs, the hated Celtics remain the most viable candidate to make good on that "Beat L.A." chant.

Remember, Boston was one game away from knocking Orlando from the postseason in the Eastern Conference semis without Garnett, not to mention Leon Powe.

Sure, two of the key figures in the Celtics' 2008 run to the title -- the New Orleans Hornets' James Posey and 77-year old P.J. Brown -- aren't returning anytime soon to help them.

And the Chicago Bulls almost eliminated the C's in the first round.

But the scary thing about the Celtics is their toughness was evident as ever in the playoffs despite their short stay. And that was without Garnett, their toughest player.

Continue reading "Trading the Lakers' Enemies? I Don't Think So"

OH-HUM THE 2009 NBA DRAFT posted by Andy Natalie

1 Clippers                      Blake Griffin PF
2. Grizzlies Hasheem Thabeet C
3. Thunder James Harden SG
4. Kings Tyreke Evans SG
5. Timberwolves Ricky Rubio PG
6. Timberwolves Jonny Flynn PG
7. Warriors Stephen Curry PG
8. Knicks Jordan Hill PF
9. Raptors DeMar DeRozan SG
10. Bucks Brandon Jennings PG
11. Nets Terrence Williams SG
12. Bobcats Gerald Henderson SG
13. Pacers Tyler Hansbrough PF
14. Suns Earl Clark SF
15. Pistons Austin Daye SF
16. Bulls James Johnson PF
17. 76ers Jrue Holiday PG
18. Timberwolves Ty Lawson PG
19. Hawks Jeff Teague PG
20. Jazz Eric Maynor PG
21. Hornets Darren Collison PG
22. Trail Blazers Victor Claver SF
23. Kings Omri Casspi SF
24. Mavericks B.J. Mullens C
25. Thunder Rodrigue Beaubois PG
26. Bulls Taj Gibson PF
27. Grizzlies DeMarre Carroll PF
28. Timberwolves Wayne Ellington SG
29. Lakers Toney Douglas SG
30. Cavaliers Christian Eyenga

SF

     The Clippers picked their "10,000th" lottery pick in NBA Draft history. And it is yet another shame that a guy like Blake Griffin will waste his talent for a few floundering years for the most disorganized sports franchise on Earth. The Clippers are a joke. And I was a huge fan of Elgin Baylor but his time in Clipper-dom has been the usual failure of a franchise to be even relevent. Other than the teams history dating to a time in Buffalo, the Larry Brown years of 1992 and 1993 are the only Clippers teams that did anything. Actually they had a winning season in 2005 and 2006 at 47 - 35. Anyhow the list of good players that have been selected there and then left are mounting. So I expect Griffin to display his talents and then be courted by a team that knows what it is doing. Other than that the 2009 Draft was a bit of a sham. How is that? Well what does it say that the LA Lakers ook some cash for their 1st round pick?  The Orlando Magic decided to deal for aging Vince Carter instead of taking a player from this litter. The Cavaliers felt the acquisition of Shaq held more value than any of these players. Even the Golden State Warriors traded their new pick Stephen Curry to Phoenix for Amare Stoudamire. Honestly the level of USA basketball talent has diminished. Many argue that NBA players are better than ever. I believe those people depend on earning money from the NBA so therefore they continue to lie about the quality. Hey I am guilty of still loving the NBA but the new generation of players are not that fundamentally sound. Oh, they are 10 times the athletes of Magic Johnson or Larry Bird, Julius Erving or Jerry West but they can't pass, dribble, or shoot like those NBA players did and like NBA players should. I think this is borne out by the decline of the USA's ability to dominate a World that has gotten better. (And yes there are Continue reading "OH-HUM THE 2009 NBA DRAFT"

Magic--Nets blockbuster deal! posted by john howard

Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson are sent to the Magic for Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee, and Tony Battie.  In what looks like another attempt by Jay-Z and the Nets to get good buddy LeBron James to New Jersey has been made.  Moving Carter's big salary does that.  What was confusing was shipping youngster Anderson and acquiring poing guard Alston.  PG Devin Harris had a tremendous break out year.  Does this mean that he will move to SG or will Lee start there and Alston be a bench player.

For Orlando, this was a shock.  But also a statement.  They are going to resign Turkolu. Lee had an incredible season, but Carter is a much much much better player.  Huge upgrade there.  Then, Jameer Nelson returns and is better than Alston.  Anderson gives depth at the forward spots.  They need antoher inside bench player, but this team just got better.  Wow!!  I really like this move for the Magic.  The only way this works out for the Nets is if James does arrive.

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The 50 Best NBA Nicknames Ever posted by Matt Clark

1.  Julius Erving:  Dr. J

2.  Dominique Wilkins:  The Human Highlight Reel

3.  George Gervin:  The Iceman

4.  Ervin Johnson:  Magic

5.  Michael Jordan:  Air Jordan

6.  Pete Maravich:  Pistol Pete

7.  Larry Bird:  Larry Legend

8.  Karl Malone:  The Mailman

9.  Vinny Johnson:  The Microwave

10.  Earl Monroe:  The Pearl 

11.  Stacey Augmon:  Plastic Man

12.  Oscar Robertson:  The Big O

13.  Lloyd Bernard Free:  World B. Free

14.  Hakeem Olajuwon:  The Dream

15.  Charles Barkley:  The Round Mound of Rebound/Sir Charles

16.  Darryl Dawkins:  Chocolate Thunder

17.  Kevin Garnett:  The Big Ticket

18.   Shawn Kemp:  The Reignman

19.  David Thompson:  The Skywalker

20.  Clyde Drexler:  The Glide

21.  Robet Parrish:  The Chief

22.  LeBron James:  King James/The Chosen One

23.  Andrei Kirilenko:  AK47

24.  Gary Payton:  The Glove

25.  Robert Horry:  Big Shot Bob (Some say Rob, but Bob sounds better with the alliteration)

26.  Tim Duncan:  The Big Fundamental

27.  Allen Iverson:  The Answer

28.  Paul Pierce:  The Truth

29.  James Worthy:  Big Game James

30.  Wilt Chamberlain:  The Stilt/The Big Dipper

Continue reading "The 50 Best NBA Nicknames Ever"

Another Disappointing Finals posted by Charles Bisbee

Almost exactly a year ago I wrote and published my first blog in this here forum of journalistic excellence and opinionated sports debate. I recounted the pitfalls of a thoroughly disappointing Lakers-Celtics Finals, one that should have been steeped in drama, history and haymakers but was instead hampered by flops, bricks, and poor decision-making. I find it fitting to sit here on this most unceremonious of anniversaries (does anyone still read this? if you’re out there, send money) and begrudgingly opine on yet another, equally disappointing Finals. 

The Lakers thoroughly shellacked the Magic the other night to seal their 15th championship and catapult Phil Jackson, that opportunist of opportunists, past Red Auerbach on the all-time, championship list. I’d be remiss not to briefly point out what an insufferable pickle-eater Jackson is. The guy carved a hall of fame career by loitering around the likes of Michael, Shaq and Kobe (a trio you’d have to think a blind donkey could coach to some degree of success) and then he rewards himself with a self-indulgent yellow cap, highlighted with a Roman numeral “X”. God..

Enough Phil-a-bashing, though. Lets break down the Finals, i.e. lets break down the two most glaring examples of Orlando's staggering incompetence in the clutch.

Game 2-Where are the prime-time players? With a chance to steal one on the Laker’s home court and with the game on the line, the ball somehow finds its way into Courtney "Iron Hands" Lee’s sweaty palms. The rookie from Western Kentucky, instead of passing to a teammate with a more considerable pedigree (read: anyone), drives the lane as time expires and hoists a contested floater which clangs off the rim, forcing the game into an overtime period in which the Lakers would dominate for the all-too-easy W. In these situations you'd have to expect a Rashard Lewis or Hedo Turkoglu to get the final shot, right? Granted, neither has built an overwhelming "last-shot resume" but you have to go with what you've got, eh? Courtney Lee? Really? 

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Magic had all the questions...Lakers had all the answers. Lakers win series 4-1. posted by Jake Hefelfinger

Congratulations Los Angeles Lakers! When this series started I really thought the Orlando Magic would win their 1st ever NBA title instead it was the Lakers claiming their 15th. I wanted sooooooo badly to hate Kobe Bryant but I couldn't find any reason at all. The guy is the BEST player in the NBA and he is such a professional it almost sickens me. I kept waiting for arrogant Kobe but all I got was a very humble and focused Kobe who said and showed nothing but respect towards his opponents (unlike Queen James). How can you hate a guy that puts that much work and respect into his game? Watching Kobe on TV is like using him in NBA Live, he is just that good. The Lakers were able to do what no other team was able to do, which was slow down and frustrate Dwight Howard using a combo of 7 footers (Pau Gasol & Andrew Bynum). Its easy to argue that the Magic had every opportunity to win this series (which they did) but just could not take advantage when they were presented, ex: poor shooting, turnovers, stupid fouls etc..... At the end of the day it just came down to execution and the Lakers executed damn near every-time they needed too and you have to respect that. Don't be surprised if these 2 teams are right back here next year. Especially if Kobe and Dwight have anything to say about it.Continue reading "Magic had all the questions...Lakers ..."

Congratulations, Los Angeles Lakers, 2009 NBA Champions! posted by Peace Wilson

A long road of grit, talent, ups and downs has come to a magnificent end with the Lakers 15th championship.

Well tested by the Houston Rockets in the Western semis, and the Denver Nuggets in the conference finals, they entered the big show the favorite, and showed they worked out their inconsistencies by defeating a tenacious Orlando Magic team 4 games to 1.

The signature of this team's character emerged in Games 5 and 6 of the Western Conference finals, when they emerged from the shadows of an uncertain 2-2 tie against the talented Nuggets with dominating wins.

The championship signature was not only the team backbone play of Finals MVP Kobe Bryant, but the big-time clutch shots of Derek Fisher, the 3-pt. dagger to take Orlando to OT, and another 3-pt. shot in OT, off a great feed from Bryant to help seal the deal, and open up a 3-1 series lead in Game 4.

The Game 5 denouement was well in hand for the champs, from half-time on. An incredible 16-0 run in the 2nd quarter set up the 10-pt. half-time lead. They kept control and defeated the Orlando Magic 99-86.

Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Trevor Arriza were consistently big time support throughout the playoffs and finals.

The championship gives coach Phil Jackson a record 10 rings; 6 with Chicago, 4 with Los Angeles.

This is a team in an excellent position to continue to rumble from the top of the mountain for years to come.

Rock on, L.A. Lakers!

Continue reading "Congratulations, Los Angeles Lakers, ..."

Whatever happens in NBA Finals, Jackson is Tops posted by richard Kagan

It looks like the Los Angeles Lakers, up 3-1 in the series vs. the Orlando Magic, will come up with the title before the series is over.  Maybe the Magic will win game 5 and send it back to LA, but it will likely end in game 6.  The Lakers have the best player, Kobe Bryant, and the best coach, Phil Jackson.  Jackson will end up with 10 NBA titles as head coach.  That is a number that's hard to believe.  Years back Pat Riley was the hot coach, when Kareem and Magic Johnson were in their prime.  You have to have great players to be a winning coach.  And, a great coach finds a way to keep his great players playing at the highest level.  Jackson benefitted from coaching Jordan and Pippen and the rest of the Bulls, not to forget, Dennis Rodman.  He was able to get Rodman to play his best, and that was not an easy thing to do.

Jackson won 6 titles with the Bulls.  Six is a lot of titles.  They won three in a row. Took a year off, and came back to win another 3 in a row. The stamina, consistency, and patience, to do that is noteworthy.  It's no so easy when every night, someone looks to knock off "the champs."  But the Bulls and Jordan were ready to play.

Then Jackson goes west and gets Shaq and Kobe.  They won again.  Now, Kobe is left and trying to earn 3rd or 4th ring. Jackson has been there. He got elected to the Hall of Fame. You can't knock Red Auerbach, the Celtics coach, and you have to give Phil Jackson a lot of kudos.  He can coach.

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Source: Rockets meet with Lakers F Ariza (AP)

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Rockets GM Morey woos Gortat at midnight (AP)

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From Yahoo! Sports

Turkoglu opts out of contract with Magic (AP)

Hedo Turkoglu's run with the Orlando Magic appears to be over. A day after the Magic acquired Vince Carter from the New Jersey Nets, Turkoglu's agent said Friday that he sent a notice to Orlando earlier this week that his client will opt out of his contract to become a free agent. Agent Lon Babby said the Magic had made Turkoglu an initial offer that Orlando general manager Otis Smith... [read full article]

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Nets trade Carter to hometown Magic (AP)

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NBA finals ratings decline 10 percent (AP)

Television ratings for the NBA finals are down from last year. The five games on ABC between the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic averaged an 8.4 rating. That's down close to 10 percent from last season's 9.3 for the six-game Lakers-Celtics series, which was boosted by Boston's large market and traditional rivalry with LA. [read full article]

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