2008-2008 NBA Off-Season Thread

[ALTRNTV]

Discuss. kdhskjhfkajs

[stiizy]

Nice!!!..............

So i haven't been paying attention but who are some good prospects for the draft this year??

[kouki_s14]

Beasley or Rose?

[enkei2k]

everybody saying the bulls gonna get rose cuz they need a point. i'm secretly hoping/praying that my hometown knicks don't mess it up now that isiah is finally outta here. hopefully they'll get a good pick and skip the italian danillo guy that d'antoni is so fond of.

[revat619]

As a Laker fan, i will discuss my team.

We need to go after Artest. He's a head case, but think about the added defensive prowess and physicality we'd get. If Phil Jackson could keep Rodman under control (and i use the term under control loosely) Artest will be a piece of cake

[Rob's S14]

I see the Bull taking Rose. They have so many forwards already and if they didn't already trade Deng or Thomas already I wouldn't think they'd be inclined to now. Plus after all the success of CP3 and Deron it would be real hard to pass up on a PG that could be the piece they are missing.

Hinrich still has value and there are so many teams that need true PG's so I think that's where they're headed.

[Xandy Boosts]

I hope the Lakers don't trade Odom :( besides the finals, he looked GREAT ever since we got Gasol. I want to see Bynum, Gasol, and Odom work together....

List of 2008 Free Agents, Restricted and Unrestricted
ETO = Early Termination Option; P = Player Option; T = Team Option
Atlanta Hawks
Restricted: Josh Childress, Jeremy Richardson, Josh Smith, Salim Stoudamire, Mario West
Unrestricted: None
Limited Salary Protection: None

Boston Celtics
Restricted: Tony Allen
Unrestricted: P.J. Brown, Sam Cassell, Eddie House, Scot Pollard, James Posey (P)
Limited Salary Protection: Leon Powe

Charlotte Bobcats
Restricted: Jermareo Davidson (T), Ryan Hollins, Emeka Okafor
Unrestricted: Derek Anderson, Earl Boykins, Othella Harrington (T)
Limited Salary Protection: None

Chicago Bulls
Restricted: Luol Deng, Demetris Nichols, Ben Gordon
Unrestricted: Shannon Brown, Chris Duhon
Limited Salary Protection: JamesOn Curry

Cleveland Cavaliers
Restricted: Daniel Gibson, Dwayne Jones, Delonte West
Unrestricted: Devin Brown
Limited Salary Protection: Lance Allred, Billy Thomas

Dallas Mavericks
Restricted: Jose Juan Barea
Unrestricted: Malik Allen, Devean George, Eddie Jones (P), Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue, Jamaal Magloire, Antoine Wright
Limited Salary Protection: Brandon Bass

Denver Nuggets
Restricted: Yakhouba Diawara, J.R. Smith
Unrestricted: Anthony Carter, Allen Iverson (ETO), Eduardo Najera
Limited Salary Protection: Bobby Jones, Taurean Green

Detroit Pistons
Restricted: Alex Acker, Walter Herrmann
Unrestricted: Juan Dixon, Jarvis Hayes, Lindsey Hunter, Theo Ratliff
Limited Salary Protection: None

Golden State Warriors
Restricted: Kelenna Azubuike (P), Andris Biedrins, Monta Ellis, C.J. Watson
Unrestricted: Matt Barnes, Austin Croshere, Baron Davis (ETO), Patrick O'Bryant, Mickael Pietrus
Limited Salary Protection: None

Houston Rockets
Restricted: Carl Landry, Steve Novak (T)
Unrestricted: Dikembe Mutombo
Limited Salary Protection: Mike Harris, Loren Woods

Indiana Pacers
Restricted: David Harrison, Andre Owens
Unrestricted: Flip Murray, Jermaine O'Neal (ETO), Kareem Rush
Limited Salary Protection: None

Los Angeles Clippers
Restricted: Paul Davis, Nick Fazekas, Shaun Livingston, Marcus Williams
Unrestricted: Elton Brand (ETO), Dan Dickau, Corey Maggette (ETO), Smush Parker, Quinton Ross
Limited Salary Protection: Josh Powell

Los Angeles Lakers
Restricted: DJ Mbenga, Ronny Turiaf, Sasha Vujacic
Unrestricted: Trevor Ariza (P), Chris Mihm (P), Ira Newble
Limited Salary Protection: Coby Karl

Memphis Grizzlies
Restricted: Andre Brown, Juan Carlos Navarro
Unrestricted: Kwame Brown, Casey Jacobsen
Limited Salary Protection: None

Miami Heat
Restricted: Blake Ahearn, Chris Quinn, Kasib Powell, Dorell Wright
Unrestricted: Earl Barron, Ricky Davis, Shawn Marion (ETO), Alonzo Mourning, Jason Williams
Limited Salary Protection: Joel Anthony, Alexander Johnson, Stephane Lasme

Milwaukee Bucks
Restricted: Ersan Ilyasova, Awvee Storey (T)
Unrestricted: Royal Ivey, Michael Ruffin, Jake Voskuhl
Limited Salary Protection: Ramon Sessions

Minnesota Timberwolves
Restricted: Ryan Gomes, Craig Smith, Chris Richard, Kirk Snyder, Sebastian Telfair
Unrestricted: Michael Doleac
Limited Salary Protection: None

New Jersey Nets
Restricted: Nenad Krstic
Unrestricted: Darrell Armstrong, DeSagana Diop, Bostjan Nachbar, Stromile Swift (P)
Limited Salary Protection: Keith Van Horn

New Orleans Hornets
Restricted: None
Unrestricted: Chris Andersen, Ryan Bowen, Melvin Ely (P), Jannero Pargo (P), Bonzi Wells
Limited Salary Protection: None

New York Knicks
Restricted: Randolph Morris
Unrestricted: Fred Jones, Stephon Marbury (ETO)
Limited Salary Protection: None

Orlando Magic
Restricted: James Augustine
Unrestricted: Carlos Arroyo, Keith Bogans (P), Keyon Dooling, Maurice Evans, Adonal Foyle (P), Pat Garrity
Limited Salary Protection: Marcin Gortat

Philadelphia 76ers
Restricted: Louis Amundson, Herbert Hill, Andre Iguodala, Shavlik Randolph, Louis Williams
Unrestricted: Calvin Booth (P), Kevin Ollie
Limited Salary Protection: None

Phoenix Suns
Restricted: None
Unrestricted: Gordan Giricek, Grant Hill (P), Linton Johnson, Sean Marks, Eric Piatkowski, Brian Skinner
Limited Salary Protection: D.J. Strawberry

Portland Trail Blazers
Restricted: Von Wafer
Unrestricted: James Jones (P), Raef LaFrentz (ETO)
Limited Salary Protection: None

Sacramento Kings
Restricted: None
Unrestricted: Ron Artest (ETO), Kenny Thomas (ETO), Beno Udrih, Anthony Johnson, Lorenzen Wright
Limited Salary Protection: None

San Antonio Spurs
Restricted: None
Unrestricted: Brent Barry (P), Michael Finley, Robert Horry, DerMarr Johnson, Damon Stoudamire, Kurt Thomas, Jacque Vaughn (P)
Limited Salary Protection: None

Seattle SuperSonics
Restricted: Mickael Gelabale, Robert Swift
Unrestricted: Ronald Dupree, Francisco Elson
Limited Salary Protection: Adrian Griffin

Toronto Raptors
Restricted: Jose Calderon, Carlos Delfino
Unrestricted: Primoz Brezec, Rasho Nesterovic (P)
Limited Salary Protection: Jamario Moon

Utah Jazz
Restricted: C.J. Miles, Paul Millsap (T)
Unrestricted: Jason Hart (P)
Limited Salary Protection: None

Washington Wizards
Restricted: Non
Unrestricted: Gilbert Arenas (ETO), Antawn Jamison, Roger Mason
Limited Salary Protection: None

[ALTRNTV]

I have always liked Artest, and if he does opt-out
of his contract in Sacramento, I want him in LA. He
actually plays hard nose defense, and brings attitude,
something the Lakers desperately need.

I want to resign Vujacic, Ariza, and Turiaf out of our
free agents.

[Xandy Boosts]

Did you guys see Artest with his shirt? It said Property of Sacramento? or someshit? I LOLed haha

EDIT: Okay I finally found the article

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2008/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=Lakers-080618

The Lakers would like to bring in Sacramento's Ron Artest, who attended a few Lakers games at Staples Center in these playoffs and was in the TD Banknorth Garden on Tuesday. He was wearing a "Property of Kings" t-shirt, and he'll remain that way unless he opts out of his contract this summer. He said he doesn't plan to do so.

I'm guessing he's saying that because of breach of contract reasons. Till July 1st, I still believe he'll opt out.

[stiizy]

Not being a newb but i had no idea grant hill was still in the league he old as shit now

[ALTRNTV]

He plays for the Suns, he still has a couple good years
left in him. He was dope back in the day, before his
injuries.

"Grant Hill drinks Sprite?"

[stiizy]

yea i remember i had the grant hill Fila's in like 90 something haha

[racepar1]

Phil had BETTER work TIRELESSLY with the whole team on defense this offseason. It is going to be pretty much the same situation next year as it was this year if we don't drastically improve the lakers defense. Maybe we should even go after some defensively minded asst coaches in the offseason. Radmonovic needs to leave, he is wayyyyyy too spotty. I would like to keep sasha and farmar as they made some key differences in some playoff games this year. Mihm is almost certainly gone, and it wouldn't hurt to lose mbenga as long as we can pick up another power forward to back-up ronny. I like walton, so I would like to see him stay, but I wouldn't refuse to listen to trade offers for him. Odom should stay unless we can get something spectacular for him. We don't need a major overhaul like we did in the last offseason, just a few adjustments and a LOT of work on the defense.

[ALTRNTV]

I forgot to mention I want Walton out. He had
one good season 2 seasons ago, then he went
to shit. I also want Radmanovic out.

I'd like to give LO another chance, but he's way
too inconsistent.

The team to watch out for this season is Portland.

[Dutchmalmiss]

yea i remember i had the grant hill Fila's in like 90 something haha

I was rocking a pair of these back in '97
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/3824/gh4ko3.jpg

[stiizy]

i agree with you guys about them leaving but i also think we need to toughin up the scariness out of gasol he plays with no confidence

[Rob's S14]

How could you not know Grant Hill was in the league...did you miss the playoffs?

Yeah, the Lakers are gonna have a tough off season. They can't keep the same team. I think they will keep Turiaf and Ariza and let the rest go to clear cap room. They'll still have to make a trade but if Artest opts out, he'll for sure be leaving money on the table to sign with the Lakers and I don't know if he's really willing to do that.

[stiizy]

I was rocking a pair of these back in '97
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/3824/gh4ko3.jpg

haha i was talking bout these but i remember those...

http://bp3.blogger.com/_f4Fo_GlfJs8/R7RwxlGPVeI/AAAAAAAAAak/QnOKPUyTRXI/s400/grant+hill+2.jpg

[ALTRNTV]

I think the chance to win a title will play heavily
into Artest's mind. They better re-sign Sasha and Ariza.

I also had the Grant Hill Filas back in like 7th grade. lol

[kouki_s14]

Laker Exit Interviews

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/08exitinterviews.html

[Rob's S14]

I'll have to check those at home...blocked at work. It's funny when I think of "exit interviews" all the pops into my head is going HR if you quit/get fired...haha.

[DUFFM4N]

i miss nick van exel :wtc:

[revat619]

I honestly see us resigning Ariza, Mbenga, Turiaf and Vujacic.

Rodmonavic, Walton, and Mihm are all gone.

Rob, when you see the interviews, thats essentially what it is as far as im concerned. Well except for Kobe's interview. His is more like "Who do YOU think we should fire/rehire" lol

[Xandy Boosts]

Mihm picked up his player option but I wonder if he can get traded to a team for cap relief.

Walton and Rad still have years left on their contract, so they won't be gone. Hard to trade as well.

[revat619]

Mihm picked up his player option but I wonder if he can get traded to a team for cap relief.

Walton and Rad still have years left on their contract, so they won't be gone. Hard to trade as well.

shit. you're right.:bash:

I soo wish we could just buy them out....

[ALTRNTV]

Walton and Radmanovic have huge contracts that no one would want to have on their team. Getting rid of them would be hard.

[OptionZero]

I can report on the Warriors.

Lots of isht in flux.

Under contract for sure next year:
Al Harrington
Stephen Jackson
Kosta Perovic
Marco Belinelli
Brandan Wright

Restricted Free Agents:
Kelenna Azubuike (just opted out of 2nd year of his K)
Monta Ellis
Andris Biedrins
Matt Barnes
Patrick O'Bryant
CJ Watson

Unrestricted:
Mickael Pietrus

And there's Baron Davis, who can opt out of the $17.4M final year of his contract by June 30. After that date (or before, if he gives written notice), he opt-out disappears.

Outlook:
Baron Davis will not opt out. No one else can pay him $17.4M, no one else would want to. He will try to get an extension, but the Warriors won't want to spend much, so he will only get one if he gives the team a massive discount. Otherwise, he'll play out the year and we'll see.

Given that Baron's staying, the Warriors are over the cap. Off the top of my head I don't have the exact payroll figure with Baron, but last time i looked we had more than enough money to re-sign Ellis and Biedrins to starting salaries of around $8-9M EACH. After that, we'd have about $5m to play with.
About $2M will go to Azubuike, another $1.5M will go to the #14 pick, and anything left will go to our second rounders, undrafted FAs, or low level veterans to fill out the bench.

Projected depth chart:

PG- Baron, Ellis, Watson
SG- Ellis, Azubuike, Belinelli
SF- Jackson, Azubuike
PF- Harrington, Wright
C- Biedrins, Perovic

Draft Outlook:
We need either a massive upgrade at PF or depth everywhere. Backup SF or C is a bigger need than backup PG/SG.

We should have our pick of Mareese Speights, Brandon Rush, or Donte Green. I'd be happy with any of them in that order.

We'll also look at Chris Douglas-Roberts, Kosta Perovic, Darrel Arthur, but I wouldn't take any of that 3 above the first 3. Everyone else would be quite a reach.

[Gnnr]

Beasley or Rose?

It could be Mayo at #2....wha wha whaaat!?

http://www.miamiherald.com/594/story/574036.html

Some interesting comments on that page.

I hope the Lakers don't trade Odom :(

I think it wouldn't be such a bad idea.

Anyone up for discussing Team USA in the Olympic FIBA basketball? The 12 man roster has yet to be decided.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=TeamUSA-080615

[Vision Garage]

Yea, no one would want Walton cuz he really sucks. Radmonavich is inconsistant. Mihm is needs to get back into the game. Lakers will come back strong. Spurs will be in the playoffs.

I really want to see how the suns will do.

[BOROSUN]

knicks needs to trade or rid of.
1#randolph <---jsus get rid of this guy
2#curry
3#crawford
4#Q richardson
5#james

jefferies
malik rose til 09
starburry til 09 ( i hope they keep him)



they need to get
augustin and mayo
artest
a healthy j o'neil
knicks need is another ewing.

[infinitexsound]

[QUOTE=OptionZero;2122642]I can report on the Warriors.

Lots of isht in flux.

Under contract for sure next year:
Al Harrington
Stephen Jackson
Kosta Perovic
Marco Belinelli
Brandan Wright

Restricted Free Agents:
Kelenna Azubuike (just opted out of 2nd year of his K)
Monta Ellis
Andris Biedrins
Matt Barnes
Patrick O'Bryant
CJ Watson

Unrestricted:
Mickael Pietrus

im happy as long as we get rid of bad news barnes.... he's cool... just not consistent..croshere gone... cj and patrick eh... i could say do away with them also....... theres enough quickness and mediocre size... we should keep monta for sure... hes a rising star...and kelenna also...def should keep biedrins....

i was listening to 680 not to long ago, and they were discussin barons deal with the warriors... i hope they figure something out... it doesnt hurt my feelings if he goes...or stays.... i hope nelly sets the team up for a good rebuild right before he goes to hawaii....

[Xandy Boosts]

Ooh yeah you're right! I wonder what the Suns are gonna be like. No more Mike Wahntoni :keke:

Can't wait to see a healthy B.Roy and Oden next year!

Are the Sonics even moving yet?

New Orleans will be scary next year. They already have toughness and speed.

The Jazz will most def be tough next year.

fawwwk I miss basketball already ....

[ALTRNTV]

Kobe Bryant met with Phil Jackson and Mitch Kupchak today — as did most of his teammates — in his annual season-ending interview. And it was apparent that Bryant is now more excited about the Lakers’ future than distraught over what just passed.

“Boston played better; they played more physical than we did,” Bryant said. “At the same time, you look around at our roster: They’re kids. They’re young kids. We managed to do something I don’t think anybody expected us to do. It’s a great learning opportunity for them at a young age to come back next year knowing what to expect, how to perform and what the goal is. And we’ll be fine.”

But Bryant already has told teammate Pau Gasol that his Spanish team is in for a rough Olympics with a hungry Bryant leading Team USA.

This is what Bryant told Gasol: “Being that we lost this series, you (guys) have no chance at a gold medal. I ain’t goin’ 0 for 2, homie.”

I like Portland next year to be a very, very good team.

[racepar1]

Yea, no one would want Walton cuz he really sucks. Radmonavich is inconsistant. Mihm is needs to get back into the game. Lakers will come back strong. Spurs will be in the playoffs.

I really want to see how the suns will do.

I hope the suns make the playoffs,...... and play the lakers in the first round! It's time for us to return the favor for them knocking us out in round one for 2 years in as row! :bigok:


Akademik: Why do you think portland will be any good this year? I really don't keep up on what any teams are doing with the exception of the lakers and our main rivals.

[enkei2k]

knicks needs to trade or rid of.
1#randolph <---jsus get rid of this guy
2#curry
3#crawford
4#Q richardson
5#james

jefferies
malik rose til 09
starburry til 09 ( i hope they keep him)



they need to get
augustin and mayo
artest
a healthy j o'neil
knicks need is another ewing.


james should be #1 to go. damn if i knew i'd get paid 6 mil to bench warm i woulda tried out for the knicks long time ago!

[stiizy]

This is what Bryant told Gasol: “Being that we lost this series, you (guys) have no chance at a gold medal. I ain’t goin’ 0 for 2, homie.”

Haha can't wait to see this!!

[Rob's S14]

Isn't Argentina the one that beat everybody's ass last time? I mean, yeah we probably weren't gonna lose anyways so that's just kobe talking.

[Xandy Boosts]

yeah, it was Ginobli's team that whooped America's ass last time. Wait, I don't even think Argentina played USA, I think someone else took em out first. But that team was waaay different than now though.

[ALTRNTV]

Ron Artest is faced with a serious dilemma. He and his agent want the Kings to extend his contract but multiple sources say the Kings are very hesitant to commit long term to Artest. In addition to some of the off-court concerns, Artest made life difficult throughout the season for rookie Coach Reggie Theus. If Artest opts out of the $7.4 he has left, the odds are he won't get anything more than the MLE (~$5.3-$5.5 million) although he could end up with a five-year deal at around $31-32 million. Does Artest's camp accept they're not going to get big money from Sacramento? Do they hope the Kings trade him to a team that will pay him? How likely is a sign and trade next summer at a more lucrative rate than the MLE? Artest could walk into a championship situation with teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs if he opts out. Right now he's saying the odds are he stays with the Kings but that's far from decided.

Akademik: Why do you think portland will be any good this year? I really don't keep up on what any teams are doing with the exception of the lakers and our main rivals.
Because they are a very young team, just like the Lakers,
with up and coming stars in Oden, Frye, Aldridge, and Roy.

[Gnnr]

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_men%27s_national_basketball_team#200 4_U.S._Men.27s_Basketball_Team

After struggles in several exhibition matches, the vulnerability of the 2004 team was confirmed when Puerto Rico defeated them 92–73 in the very first game of the Olympic tournament in Athens. It was only the third Olympic basketball defeat ever for Team USA and the first for an American team composed of professionals. The 19 point defeat was the most lopsided loss for Team USA in the history of international competition, suggesting that the level of international basketball had caught up with that of the United States.

After winning close games against Greece and Australia, Team USA fell to Lithuania, dropping to 2–2 in the Olympic tournament. Even after an 89–53 win over Angola, the Americans entered the knockout rounds in fourth place due to goal average, the lowest seed of their group. The Americans faced undefeated Spain in their quarterfinal game and finally put up a dominant performance, beating the Spaniards 102–94.

However, the semi-final match saw Team USA defeated by Argentina, 89–81, ending the United States' hold on the gold medal. Team USA did rebound to capture the bronze medal by defeating Lithuania. Still, it marked only the third time that an American team failed to win gold, and the first time for an American team composed of professionals. Before 2004, American teams had only lost two games in all previous Olympic tournaments, whereas in this one the American team lost three.

They're supposed to be giving a special on ESPN called "Road to Redemption" where they follow Team USA. I believe the date was either June 26 or July 16, I'm not sure. I can't find anything on the ESPN website and I saw the commercial a few times the other day on ESPN.

[racepar1]

Damn, If artest came to LA I think his attitude would be calmed for at least a season by the likelyness of fighting for an NBA championship. Artest is a big gamble though and definitely a ginormous pain in the ass. Phil dealt with rodman though and how much worse could artest possibly be than rodman?

[SimpleSexy180]

^lol. even with the whole fighting a fan shit. i like the idea of having artest.

[Rob's S14]

I think MJ dealt with Rodman more than Phil did.

The chances of Artest ending up in LA are probably extremely unlikely..couple reasons.

1. Maloof's aren't going to help the Lakers win a ring.
2. I can't really see the Lakers being able to offer something in return that Sac would want. They'd have to do a 3 team or something and I see it being pretty difficult.

[BOROSUN]

james should be #1 to go. damn if i knew i'd get paid 6 mil to bench warm i woulda tried out for the knicks long time ago!


although, randolph was free he comes with very expensive baggage. 14mil

[xtreme_s14]

not a big fan of new orleans, but chris paul is something! 2nd year in the pros, this guy definitely has some talent! keep an eye out for this guy next year!

[Xandy Boosts]

If Ron Artest is coming to LA, it'd be by him opting out and signing in LA as a FA not by trade.

Yeah I like CP3 too but I'm more a D. Willaims fan. Once he learns to use his body more, he'll be nuts.

[ALTRNTV]

1. Maloof's aren't going to help the Lakers win a ring.
2. I can't really see the Lakers being able to offer something in return that Sac would want. They'd have to do a 3 team or something and I see it being pretty difficult.
The Kings have no control over him opting out and
singing with anyone.

EDIT: Xandy Boosts got it.

[yudalicious]

Because they are a very young team, just like the Lakers,
with up and coming stars in Oden, Frye, Aldridge, and Roy.

They'll be in the mix for the playoffs, but not a serious contender in the west right now. I think lakers, spurs, hornets, jazz, rockets, all are on a higher level for next season.

[ALTRNTV]

I didn't say they were going to be contenders...
...well, just not yet.

[Sil-Eighty SE-K]

Discuss. kdhskjhfkajs
hater!

funny thing is the boston team was better setup to win a championship next season.... these guys got comfy with each other real quick and Rondo is showing HUGE potential.... he has nowhere but UP to go! I smell a 09 REPEAT!,,,,, gotta make Red proud!!!

[ALTRNTV]

The other funny thing is this past Laker team wasn't
even supposed to reach the Finals, yet alone the
playoffs, as with all the pre-season turmoil that went
on. The Laker team this past season is built for 5+
seasons of contending, especially with our man
in the middle being back, and possibly the addition
of another defensive player, Artest.

In my opinion, and many others, if the Celtics didn't win
it all this year with their great success in the regular
season, the year would have been a major failure.

We'll see you again next year.

[Xandy Boosts]

I want that sig! ;)

All this speculation is making me nuts. Sometimes I just gotta step away from my PC and stop going to LG, CL, Hoopsworld, and Hoopshype.....

EDIT:!

Wahoo!
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/nba/06/20/lakers.ariza.ap/
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) -- Forward Trevor Ariza, acquired in a November trade with Orlando, has exercised his player contract option to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers.

There's this insider on CL named gumbygld that's been right ALL ALONG about Bynum, and he was the guy that mentioned that we're getting Ariza before the trade happened and would release medical info about Ariza returning before the media knew. Well after game 6, he was saying that Ariza probably wouldn't return because Phil prefers to play Luke. I'm glad he's wrong this time! Phew!

Straight from gumbygld himself, I guess he was thinking of leaving until Phil talked to him

He had to make his decision within 5 days from the end of the Lakers season.

Word is Phil sat him down and told him he would really like him to be here, would be 6-7th man and will get substantial minutes next season.

[ALTRNTV]

I liked what I saw from Ariza, his defense was stellar
before his injury. He also can shoot and score off the
dribble.

Can't wait for the draft.

Phlip and Jay:

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k90/crunchgear/boost_Vwhrat.jpg

[Rob's S14]

Yeah I know Artest can opt out, but I don't think he wants to leave money on the table...somewhere around 3 million. Lakers will probably only offer mid-level so that's why I think it's not happening.

[revat619]

Yeah I know Artest can opt out, but I don't think he wants to leave money on the table...somewhere around 3 million. Lakers will probably only offer mid-level so that's why I think it's not happening.

I'm just hoping the chance to be a legitimate contender will make the mid level salary acceptable for him. I mean, getting big bucks to play on a shitty team that isnt getting better any time soon is pretty pointless.

On another note, I too was pretty impressed with Ariza. He seemed a little shaken up and unsure of himself during the playoffs though, but i'm sure that was just nerves.

As for draft picks, i dont follow college basketball close enough to really know.

[Xandy Boosts]

whoa whoa whoa, I haven't actually read anything on other teams yet

but....barbosa to GSW rumor? shit, barbosa and ellis will make a lightning quick backcourt

[ALTRNTV]

Part of the Family

I just watched a Lakers 07-08 Season Tribute video. The video inspired me. The Lakers have had an incredible season. Phil Jackson did a remarkable job at managing this Lakers' squad. A criticism of Jackson in the past was that he could not teach and groom younger players. You can throw that theory out the window. Now, the theory is that Phil got thoroughly outcoached by Doc Rivers in the Finals. Practically every analyst and a lot of Laker fans think so. I do not. Is there a possibility that the Celtics were so much better than the Lakers that no matter what Phil did, the Celtics were going to win. I am not saying that Phil did not make mistakes during the Finals and also, there is no excuse for getting manhandled by 40 in the final game. But, Phil did an incredible job coaching the Lakers throughout the season and through Western Conference. The fans that are calling for his firing are completely unfounded and out of touch. Phil is one of the best coaches in the NBA and the perfect coach for this Laker team. For those of you who believe that Paul Pierce completely outplayed Kobe Bryant during the series, here are some statistics, Kobe: 26 ppg, 5 asst, 5 reb, 3 stl, 41%FG. Pierce: 22 ppg, 6 asst, 5 reb, 1 stl, 43%FG. Better numbers yes, but not by much; not to mention Pierce went up against the Lakers defense which is laughably inferior to the Celtics's. Let us be reminded that Lebron James shot 35%FG in his series against the Celtics.

Now let's get to the real subject of this article. Kobe. During the playoffs many fans and analysts began comparing Kobe to the one and only Michael Jordan. And then when the Lakers lost to the Celtics, the tune changed to 'Can we stop comparing him to Michael now?' The truth is that Kobe himself does not want to be compared to Jordan. Kobe wants to be so much better than Jordan that people do not dare compare Jordan to him. In my opinion, Kobe is a better scorer than Jordan. Kobe is the most talented offensive player in the history of the game. He has it all. He can shoot from almost unlimited range and if he drives the paint, he has every shot, layup, and dunk in the book. In fact, Kobe has rewritten the book. Let's get one thing straight, I am not saying Kobe is a better player than Jordan. The fact is that you cannot accurately compare players from different eras. The best way you can compare them is to compare their performance relative to their era. The problem with this is that certain players play in easier eras than others. If Jordan were in his prime during the 1980s of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, would he have 6 rings? If Magic or Larry were not both around during the 1980's, how many rings would the other one of them have? This is a valid argument but still a weak one. You cannot punish Michael for dominating his competition and also, who is to say that he would not have won 6 titles in any era.

Kobe is 29 years old. Kobe has five finals appearances and three titles. When Jordan was 29, he had two finals appearances and two titles. Can we please wait until Kobe's career is over before we say whether or not he was a better player than Jordan? I guess not. So let's go for it. If you have not yet realized it, I am going to defend Kobe. First off, Kobe has to face zone defenses (which is pretty much what the Celtics played). In Jordan's era, zoning was illegal. Secondly, everyone underestimates just how good Scottie Pippen was. He is one of the 50 greatest players of all time, 10x All-Defensive Team selection, 3x All-NBA First Team selection, and 7x NBA All-Star. During the six title years of the Bulls, here are Pippen's assist averages: 6.2, 7.0, 6.3, 5.9, 5.7, 5.8. Here are Jordan's averages: 5.5, 6.1, 5.5, 4.3, 4.3, 3.5. Pippen led the Bulls in assists in each of those years. If you look at the playoff stats during those years, Pippen led the Bulls in assists in four out of the six title runs. The fact is that Jordan was not always the primary playmaker on the Bulls. Pippen usually created more shots for his teammates than Jordan did. You will not find one year since Shaq left that Kobe has not led the Lakers in assists. Additionally, the quality of Jordan's supporting casts is very misconstrued. In the 1993-94 season, the year after Jordan first retired, the Bulls won 55 games and lost in 7 games to the Knicks in the conference semifinals, led by Scottie Pippen. The Bulls were always one of the league's best defenses. They had perfect role players around Jordan who made open shots and played tough defense. Just because they did not put up great offensive numbers does not mean they were not good. Average basketball fans make the error of only looking at offensive statistics to determine a player's worth. If this was true, guys like Bruce Bowen, James Posey, and Ronny Turiaf would not have jobs.

Here is an excerpt from J.A. Adande's ESPN article: "Do you think Jordan never had a Finals performance with numbers like the 27 points and 42 percent shooting Bryant's experiencing against the Celtics? You must not have watched the 1996 Finals, when Jordan averaged 27 points and shot 42 percent against Seattle."

When Jordan played in the NBA, he was the NBA's darling child. He resurrected the NBA after Bird and Magic left. He alone was making hundreds of millions of dollars for the NBA. If you can believe that the NBA has a conspiracy theory for the Lakers and Celtics to meet in the Finals now, there is no way you cannot believe the NBA wanted Jordan to succeed back then. I, myself, am not a believer in any kind of conspiracy theory about the NBA. As Los Angeles Times writer Mark Heisler put it, "If the NBA is fixing anything, it's doing a really lousy job." Anyways, in those days, Jordan got every call. Any time he drove the lane, he either scored or got a foul. If you watched this year's Lakers series between the Spurs or the Celtics, you can see that the same was not true for Kobe. Magic once told Larry Bird not to stand too close to Michael or they might call a foul.

As for their troubles off the court, everyone is familiar with Kobe's rape accusation in Colorado. The charges were dropped shortly after the trial began. The truth might never be known, but we do know that Kobe committed Adultery. Shocking right, except Jordan did the same….many times. Jordan cheated on his wife numerous times during their marriage and has a former mistress that claims that Jordan promised her $5 million when he retired to keep her quiet. Additionally, Jordan's gambling problems are well known as he once lost $57,000 on golf, poker, and other gambling and then lied about it. My point is that many NBA stars have off-court troubles. You cannot let those issues cloud your thinking when you evaluate them as basketball players. Both Jordan and Kobe have tried mightily to resurrect their images and become respectable role models. I respect both immensely.

Another argument I want to explore is the Tiger Woods comparison. I heard this on ESPN and was dumbfounded at how ESPN discovered another way to criticize Kobe by saying he is not even close to Tiger. Why the heck would you even compare the two? Forget the fact that their sports are not even close to similar. Tiger plays an individual sport. He does not have to work with teammates, encourage teammates, or make his teammates better. He simply has to make himself better. If basketball were an individual sport, Kobe would be the greatest of All-Time. The man scored 81 points in a game. Tiger and Kobe both have personality flaws that are geared towards individual accomplishments. They care about themselves above all others. Tiger did not care about the feel good story of Rocco Mediate last weekend; he wanted to crush him. Kobe cannot behave like this so he has had to adjust. He has learned how to work with his coach and his teammates and has made great strides. Is he perfect? No… not even close. But he is trying hard and that is all one can ask.

Finally, this is to all the Laker and Kobe haters. I love the Lakers and therefore I love Kobe. I am a Laker fan before I am a Kobe fan. The Lakers are my family and Kobe is part of that family. I treat Kobe like a brother. Sometimes your brother misbehaves and makes mistakes, but you love your brother regardless. I will never argue that Kobe is not sometimes selfish, arrogant, condescending, self-absorbed, or annoying. But he is a brother and a son to Laker fans and as long as he is part of the Laker family, we will support him.

Here is the inspirational video I spoke of: http://www.lakersmedia.com/?p=176#more-176 ..............

[racepar1]

That is an absolutely excellent argument. WOW! Kobe haters piss me off. No matter what he does it is wrong. Score 50 points with two assists and he is a ballhog, score 15 points with 11 assists and he didn't play aggressively enough! The guy just can't win with some people.

[OptionZero]

whoa whoa whoa, I haven't actually read anything on other teams yet

but....barbosa to GSW rumor? shit, barbosa and ellis will make a lightning quick backcourt

Won't happen. PHX will never send Barbosa to a division rival.

Furthermore, i wouldn't even want Barbosa. He and Ellis would be an incredibly small and physically weak backcourt. Though Ellis does a solid job rebounding for his size, neither is committed to defense individually, don't have a good grasp of team defense, and don't have the physical ability to guard 2's. They'd get destroyed.

If you want squash it more, we can't fit Barbosa's salary anyways, unless the Suns took harrington.

[Xandy Boosts]

but nelson doesn't preach defense anyways so it doesn't matter...as long as they can score right? ;)

[OptionZero]

Aside from the monetary concerns which would make any deal unlikely anyways, that's not true.

While Nellie does not "preach" defense the way JVG or Popovich might, he doesn't ignore it. After this past season, he certainly won't ignore it anymore. Last year he stuck with the same cast even though they stopped playing defense. Why? Because he didn't think Belinelli or Wright could play defense any better than the tired starters. I don't agree with his assessment, but his reasoning stands. Defense matters, it's just a different defensive system than is conventional.

Neither Ellis nor Barbosa is a point guard. Neither Ellis nor Barbosa can guard point guards. Barbosa certainly can't guard shooting guards (just watch GSW/PHX games, Nellie will post anyone on Barbosa just to abuse him inside).

Although Baron is the bigger of the two starting guards, he was given the PG assignments frequently, particularly when we needed stops in the beginning of the season. Why? Because Ellis is blessed with ridiculous speed, but doesn't use it to stay in front consistently. Moreover, he frequently got caught up on screens, losing his man in traffic.

Barbosa is no better.

You can't play two liabilities like that together, even if you're a 3P happy coach like Nellie.

[Xandy Boosts]

notice the wink at the end, I wasn't serious haha

anyone have the FIBA schedule?

[Gnnr]

2008 Olympic Men's Basketball Schedule

Preliminary Rounds

August 10

9:00 a.m. Russia vs. Iran
11:15 a.m. Qualifier B vs. Angola
2:30 p.m. Spain vs. Qualifier C
4:45 p.m. Lithuania vs. Argentina
8:00 p.m. Australia vs. Qualifier A
10:15 p.m. USA vs. China

August 12

9:00 a.m. Iran vs. Lithuania
11:15 a.m. Qualifier A vs. Russia
2:30 p.m. Qualifier C vs. Qualifier B
4:45 p.m. China vs. Spain
8:00 p.m. Angola vs. USA
10:15 p.m. Argentina vs. Australia

August 14

9:00 a.m. Qualifier B vs. Spain
11:15 a.m. Australia vs. Iran
2:30 p.m. Angola vs. China
4:45 p.m. Lithuania vs. Russia
8:00 p.m. USA vs. Qualifier C
10:15 p.m. Argentina vs. Qualifier A

August 16

9:00 a.m. Qualifier C vs. Angola
11:15 a.m. Russia vs. Australia
2:30 p.m. Qualifier A vs. Lithuania
4:45 p.m. Iran vs. Argentina
8:00 p.m. China vs. Qualifier B
10:15 p.m. Spain vs. USA

August 18

9:00 a.m. Iran vs. Qualifier A
11:15 a.m. Australia vs. Lithuania
2:30 p.m. Qualifier C vs. China
4:45 p.m. Angola vs. Spain
8:00 p.m. USA vs. Qualifier B
10:15 p.m. Argentina vs. Russia

Quarterfinals - August 20

Time TBD Game 65: B2 - A3
Time TBD Game 66: A1 - B4
Time TBD Game 67: A2 - B3
Time TBD Game 68: B1 - A4

Semifinals - August 22

Time TBD Game 71: Winner 65 - Winner 66
Time TBD Game 72: Winner 67 - Game 68

Finals - August 24

12:00 p.m Bronze Medal/Game 76: Loser 71 - Loser 72
2:30 p.m. Gold Medal/Game 77: Winner 71 - Winner 72

Qualifiers A, B and C for the 2008 Olympics men’s basketball competition will be determined through the 2008 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men that is scheduled for July 14-20, in Athens, Greece.

Times EDT

That first USA game should be interesting. :)

[Rob's S14]

I'm just hoping the chance to be a legitimate contender will make the mid level salary acceptable for him. I mean, getting big bucks to play on a shitty team that isnt getting better any time soon is pretty pointless.


It's always about the money. Ask Joe Johnson, Marion, Marbury, Q Richardson, Arenas...I mean the list goes on and on.

[ALTRNTV]

^True, but those are still pretty young players
with a lot of years left. Artest is a veteran who
doesn't have too many years left in him. Ask Malone
and Payton.

[Xandy Boosts]

Artest shouldn't be worried about money since he had a rap album come out awhile back ;)

:keke: :rofl:

[kouki_s14]

Mitch Kupchak Exit Interview

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/08exits_kupchak.html

Here are some of the topics addressed by Kupchak:


His thoughts on the 2007-08 season.

Sasha Vujacic's status as a restricted free agent and how the team feels about bringing him back.

Ronny Turiaf's status as a restricted free agent and what he brings to the team.

The lineup next season that has the potential to be the biggest and longest in the NBA.

This year's unrestricted free agent class and how they pertain to the Lakers.

The gratification of seeing the city rally around this Lakers team like no other before.

What Andrew Bynum can add to next year's squad and what he means to the team.

Kobe Bryant playing in the Olympics.

The upcoming draft and how hard it is to get players to work out when the team only holds the #58 pick.

The Lakers entry in the Las Vegas Summer League and Coby Karl's participation.

[ziptiedae86]

Artest shouldn't be worried about money since he had a rap album come out awhile back ;)

:keke: :rofl:

Speaking of rap. Anyone see this clip of Shaq yet? :tweak: Fucked up... :keke:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=O225N65cStk

(http://youtube.com/watch?v=O225N65cStk)
Edit: hahah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgeFmmtFbnM

[stiizy]

^^ thats why he got cut off and he aint no deputy no more and i heard the NBA will issue something to him.. Shaq aint shit...

[THE PROPHET]

Just heard that Doc Rivers shirt that got soaked full of Gaotade by Paul Peirce at the end of game 6 was bought at an auction for $55,000!!

[BOROSUN]

kobe how does my ass taste.

shaq rules.

[Rob's S14]

^True, but those are still pretty young players
with a lot of years left. Artest is a veteran who
doesn't have too many years left in him. Ask Malone
and Payton.


A little bit different imo. Malone and Payton were already HOF players who were willing to sacrifice to get that elusive ring. I don't think that's as important to a guy like Artest just yet. Plus those guys had already played for 15+ years. Artest still has atleast 5-7 years left barring injuries.

[Xandy Boosts]

It's Draft Day!

and crazy rumors are starting! I love draft day!

I like the rumored clips-heat deal!

OJ Mayo, in LA...that's pretty sweet although I hate the clips

[Phlip]

Looks like, according to the word on the street, that the Nets are trying to free up some moneys so LeBron can play for his boy Jay-Z when the nets move to Brooklyn:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8284462?MSNHPHMA

[Gnnr]

I like the rumored clips-heat deal!

The Brand to Miami and Marion to Clippers one?

[Gnnr]

Well, looks like our best option was keeping Beasley! :D I think they where trying to trade him but nothing good came up.

Edit: Just saw the commercial again for the ESPN special following Team USA. Its called "Road to Redemption Presented By Nike" and it will air July 2 on ESPN2. Looks very interesting.

[Gnnr]

Barron Davis going to the Clippers, didn't see that coming.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=davisclipper_080702

Already rocking some LA style.

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0701/nba_g_bdavis1_580.jpg

Oh yeah, us having Wade, Marion, Beasley, and Chalmers- its gonna be a good season. :D

[94cc0rd]

So... this video was posted on clippersblog.

This is actually a close friend of mine that I went to high school with...

He's a die hard clipper fan..

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8d8PhKNKH0E

[Phlip]

Wow, I didn't realize that the clippers HAD die-hard fans.
This is fucking NEWS to me

[Rob's S14]

Actually there's a lot of die hard clippers fans. The fact that so many people go to there games even though they've been terrible. Even last year Staples was packed every time I went to a game. There's less celebrities that go because it's the place to be seen and prices aren't jacked way up. I'm just waiting for the Clips to move to Anaheim so I can buy season tickets. It will happen eventually I think.

[norbac]

only celebs that i can ever recall is billy crystal on a regular basis, golden state is going to make a move once they unload baron, but if they dont sign anyone, like arenas or anyone good, they will stink baron + brand + magette would be decent, need all to be healthy though

[BOROSUN]

dammit...
knicks got Danilo Gallinari
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYBt3mWRA2o
hopefuly he'll do well.




starburry is back!!! watchout

[norbac]

with every year, sooo many players gets drafted and signed, from both colleges and international, its amazing to see how many geezers there are on teams, and by geezers i mean players in their 30s, haha, hows that even old

[stiizy]

Looks like, according to the word on the street, that the Nets are trying to free up some moneys so LeBron can play for his boy Jay-Z when the nets move to Brooklyn:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8284462?MSNHPHMA

I heard that too... i hope he does not that i'm a nets fan (lakers til death) but i want jay-z to get him on the team!!

[norbac]

lebron who? its all about that chinese guy that got traded, lol. so now theres talk about brand going to g.s and magette leaving

[Rob's S14]

Where did you hear that?

Everything I've seen heard is that with Baron on board Brand isn't going anywhere just waiting for a new deal. Maggette on the other hand is about 50/50 I think. He's getting a lot of interest and from good teams so that might sway him away.

[norbac]

g.s 100 MEELLEEON DOLLARS to elton brand http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/clippers/la-sp-clips3-2008jul03,0,2410090.story

[Rob's S14]

well, as much as i like EB...he's not worth $20 mil.

[norbac]

amazingly, tiger makes more than that in a year

[norbac]

according to sports illustrated, he makes about 130 mil a year mostly from endorsement, wowee

[OptionZero]

Rounding up what we know so far (note nothing is official till tomorrow at the earliest):

SIGNINGS
Elton Brand
Verbally agreed to Sixers deal, 5 years, $80M.

Baron Davis
Got suckered into verbally agreeing to Clippers deal, 5 years, $65M
Again I say: suckaaaaaaaaa

Gilbert Arenas
Stays with the Wiz for 6 years, $111m or something.

Antawn Jamison
Stays with the Wiz for 4 years, $48M

Corey Maggette
Verbal agreement with Warriors for 5 years (unclear on dollar amount, could be $35, could be $50). I'll say $50M now and be pleasantly surprised if it's less.

Dsagana Diop
Full MLE deal with the Mavericks. Proving that the Mavericks have no plan, they overpaid for a center that has no offense whatsoever to go with a point guard that has no offense whatsoever. Thanks, Cuban. Always good for a laugh.

Mickael Pietrus
MLE deal with the Magic for full or nearly full MLE, roughly 5 years, $35M

PENDING RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Note: Restricted free agents may sign offer sheets with other teams, but the original team has 7 days to match any such offer on substantially the same terms. The home team, as usual, can beat any offer outright by adding a 6th year and bigger annual raises (10.5% versus 8%).

Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins
Going no where. Warriors will match any offers, Warriors still have something like $25M under the luxury tax, so give up ur fuckin dreams of stealing my boys right now. Yes, shut up.

Ben Gordon and Luol Deng
Deng figures to stick, but Gordon is questionable. Rose makes any high-paid Bull guard redundant. Hughes makes $25M or something the next two years, so he'll be a boat anchor that sticks. That means Gordon or Hinrich must go.
I think Gordon is a better fit as a pure 2, but no if he demands $10M+ annually like a dumbfuck.

Deng should not be making more than Tayshuan Prince (5 years, $45M). If he asks for more, he too is a dumbfuck.

Andre Iguodala, Louis Williams
With the Brand signing pending, it looks like the Sixers won't have too much cap space...but fortunately for the Sixers, the Warriors don't quite have enough to make an offer to scare the Sixers. Iggy turned down 5 years, $57M last year like a dumbass, and I doubt he gets that much.

Sixers should be damn good though, Miller/Iggy/Young/Brand/Dalembert is awesome. They need a 3P shooter (and ironically dealt a good one away to get cap space for Brand).

Lou Will did nothing last year to get enough attention from other teams. Sixers will match and keep him to caddy for Andre Miller

Emeka Okafor
Doubt he goes anywhere, and no one's got enough cash to make a worthwhile offer anyways, I believe. He'll stay with Charlotte and plod along in Larry Brown's system. Stupidly turned down $13M annually last year, IIRC.

Some agents need to get fired.

Josh Smith, Josh Childress
With Philly and GS spending their cash, looks like ATL is in the clear on Smith. They should be able to keep him w/o going up to the max.

Childress is still a goner if someone comes in above the MLE, which the Warriors can and hopefully do. He's redundant on the Hawks with Marvin Williams and the Hawks management is in tatters.

TRADES
Minnesota-Memphis

OJ Mayo, Antoine Walker, Greg Buckner, and Marko Jaric

for

Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal

Memphis gives up the best player (Mayo) and takes on the worst contract (Jaric's 3rd year). Seems about right, I suppose.

Minnesota adds the most overall talent (Love + Miller) and saves some cash...but Love and Jefferson is a stupid pairing. Neither is a center, neither can defend, and Miller is useless on a rebuilding team.

Minnesota-Philadelphia
Rodney Carney, Calvin Booth, Utah's protected first round pick for nothing.

Philly does it to get Carney/Booth's contract off the books to sign Brand. Pick is just incenive for Minnesota to eat the contracts (small ones).

Minnesota SF position looks crowded: Miller, Brewer, Carney. Contenders that need shooting should call McHale.

Quickie Analysis:

Sixers are the second best team in the East.

Baron Davis needs to fire his agent (SUCKA!)

Maggette will be awesome with Nellie (for 2/3rd the price of Baron).

Memphis backcourt is sicknasty with Conley, Mayo, Gay (great lawfirm name). Frontcourt is still a mess.

Orlando GM should be shot.

[ALTRNTV]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PDSuhyfY28

http://www.faniq.com/images/blog/lakerschamps.jpg

07'-'08 Lakers Championship DVDs (http://www.faniq.com/blog/Los-Angeles-Lakers-20072008-Season-NBA-Championship-DVD-Is-On-Sale-Wait-What-Blog-10162)

[norbac]

lol, also lol on baron davis after seeing that brand and magette is confirmed on leaving, i guess its not soo bad, he did grow up in l.a, high school, college and pro, he's also rich, set for life and the night life in west side is always happening

[Gnnr]

USA Basketball And NIKE Announce Five-Part Documentary Series Chronicling The USA Men’s Senior National Team

June 26, 2008 Colorado Springs, Colo.

The USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team will be profiled in a five-part documentary series, "Road To Redemption presented by NIKE", it was announced today. The series, produced by NBA Entertainment, will debut with a special one-hour episode that will air Wednesday, July 2 at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

As part of the series, NBA Entertainment will document the entire story of the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team and its preparations for competition this summer in Beijing, China. NBA Entertainment's cameras will have access to team practices, off-the-court activities and exhibition games that show how a group of elite NBA players work to come together to become one cohesive basketball team. Viewers will also learn about the new era of USA Basketball through vast archival interviews and exclusive access to USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team managing director Jerry Colangelo, head coach Mike Krzyzewski and members of the USA team.

The debut episode will look back at the recent history of the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team, including the 1992 Dream Team, the repeat gold medals in the 1996 and 2000, and the bronze medal winning team in the 2004. It will also follow Colangelo in his newly-created role of managing director of the USA Men's Senior National Team. Many of the team's key players and storylines will be highlighted – including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Jason Kidd and Carmelo Anthony, among others – and the program will delve into how the team will come together on and off the court.

Four half-hour episodes will follow and continue telling the story of the team as it continues on to Beijing. The series will provide in-depth, behind-the-scenes looks at key moments in the team's journey including the June 23rd announcement of the 12-man roster, training camp and exhibition games.

All episodes of "Road To Redemption presented by NIKE" will air on ESPN2 with rebroadcasts on ESPN Classic. Following the debut broadcasts, additional content from the series will be available on ESPN.com, NBA.com, NBA YouTube channel and Nikebasketball.com.

One 7/02/08 7:00 PM ET ESPN2 1 Hour
Two 7/21/08 7:30 PM ET ESPN2 30 mins
Three 7/31/08 7:30 PM ET ESPN2 30 mins
Four 8/05/08 7:00 PM ET ESPN2 30 mins
Five 8/05/08 7:30 PM ET ESPN2 30 mins

I missed the first one but I'll try to catch the rest.

[norbac]

they'd better win gold, and kick ass like dream team 1

[kouki_s14]

I missed the first one but I'll try to catch the rest.

it's on NBA.com video section

[Gnnr]

Oh werd!? Thanks for that +rep :)

[Xandy Boosts]

USA vs CANADA EXHIBITION ON ESPN RITE NOWWWWW!!!!

[Xandy Boosts]

damn nobodys online? only 4 minutes left

here's the rest of the schedule for the exhibition games

if anyone could get the times, post it

Date Opponent Location
Friday Canada Las Vegas
July 31 Turkey Macao, China
Aug. 1 Lithuania Macao, China
Aug. 3 Russia Shanghai, China
Aug. 5 Australia Shanghai, China

[yudalicious]

is anyone excited about the spain vs usa game? which should, eventually happen in the gold medal game... I don't think it will be an easy game for the usa at all, it will be a greaattt game though.

[Xandy Boosts]

gasol bros, jose calderon, rudy fernandez, etc

hell yea i'm excited

btw, dwayne wade looks like gary payton from behind since he's bald now :keke:

[ALTRNTV]

I love Paul Pierce as a player, but as a person...

"I don’t think Kobe is the best player. I’m the best player.
There’s a line that separates having confidence and being
conceited. I don’t cross that line but I have a lot of confidence
in myself."

-Paul Pierce

[Xandy Boosts]

the way he said that, he sounds conceited to me

[ALTRNTV]

Isn't it time to change your signature?
I get sad looking at that. lmao

[lyrical struggle]

People are writing off B. Davis. He will be solid trust me. Now clippers have to get their head out of their arse and get him some help.

[Phlip]

FOX Sports on MSN - NBA - Warriors re-sign Ellis to multiyear deal (http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8377638/Warriors-re-sign-Ellis-to-multiyear-deal)
The Warriors apparently don't want to be back in the playoffs.

[imnotmatt1189]

Isn't it time to change your signature?
I get sad looking at that. lmao

yes please. same here. :(

[enkei2k]

how bout them knicks? 16 players and they get some random nobody at PG. embarrassing to say the least. anthony robertson? whoo...? well at least they got rid of balkman today.

The Denver Nuggets (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/den/;_ylt=AgSXj7GBmfqTW_3T7M8Z7vWLvLYF) have acquired forward Renaldo Balkman (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4148/;_ylt=AtfOfvyvxUSZKwIrBXKXW_OLvLYF) from the New York Knicks (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/nyk/;_ylt=AgNx4qclbAzZwPl3nsihtPGLvLYF) in exchange for guard Taurean Green (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4328/;_ylt=AvAqcfKKktqA5pWDdZJhhWCLvLYF), forward Bobby Jones (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4165/;_ylt=An5hWsmy6iFDmCaI5zEO1piLvLYF) and a second-round draft pick in 2010.

source - Nuggets get Balkman from Knicks - NBA - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-knicks-nuggets-trade&prov=ap&type=lgns)

he wasn't that good a producer...just provided random energy off the bench in blow outs...can't shoot FT's ...

[BOROSUN]

yea, the knicks just keeps picking up weak players. happy balkman is gone they also traded cash for him gone.

knick is now 2-3 on the summer leagues. gallinari is a joke. roberston is okay. also crawford sucks even when he's not playing.

hearing they're going to releasing starburry before training camp starts is a horrible idea. play him thru next year his contract ends. duhon to replace starburry...you got to be kidding!

bad start already

[Xandy Boosts]

warriors used over 200 million this offseason......

i wanna change it but i dont know what to change it too

ill get rid of it for now since some of you guys cryin ;)

[Xandy Boosts]

yo akademik, you seem to be the nba creator around here

go make an invite only nba social group :keke:

[OptionZero]

FOX Sports on MSN - NBA - Warriors re-sign Ellis to multiyear deal (http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8377638/Warriors-re-sign-Ellis-to-multiyear-deal)
The Warriors apparently don't want to be back in the playoffs.

Re-signing their two best young players means they don't want to be in the playoffs? How do you figure that?

The Warriors aren't as far from the playoffs as the media and casual fan thinks.

1. The conference will be bunched together

With the expected improvements of the Clippers, Blazers, and Kings from last year and decline of the Mavs, Suns, and (maybe) Spurs, you have the bottom moving up and the top tripping a bit. Fewer free wins against the bottom, fewer sure losses against the top.

A 48 win team will not miss the playoffs.

2. The purported "loss" of Baron Davis

Baron Davis, when healthy and motivated, is a top 3 point guard, sometimes looking like the best point guard in the league. Problem is, toward the end of the year (and for much of his career...) he wasn't healthy and wasn't motivated. His shot selection got worse and worse, reverting to his "pound the rock for 22 seconds before launching a long jumper", his defense disappeared. He put up stats, but his actual impact on the game wasn't all that positive.

His continual flirtation with Hollywood and desire to play back "home" in LA became a distraction, and his demand for superstar treatment and superstar money ($15-20M annually) are not what you want in the lockerroom full of young talent you're trying to develop.

The Clippers will certainly be better than last year since last year they had No baron and no brand and trotted out Dan Dickau and Brevin Knight at point guard, but the Warriors won't necessarily be that much worse...if at all.

The Warriors lost Jason Richardson and everyone thought they'd fall. They won more games.

The A's, another bay area team, lost Jason Giambi, Jason Isringhausen, Mark Mulder, barry zito, Tim hudson...and did plenty fine along the way.

The lesson:

It's not who you lose. It's how your team looks at the end of the day, which leads me to my next points:

3. We're more efficient offensively

Points per game means very little if you shoot a poor percentage. The streakiness of the Warrior offense was quite obvious to everyone in the league, and that streakiness failed us at the end of the year. Efficiency rules supreme, which is why the Lakers, jazz, and Hornets were the best team in the West. They scored alot of points and did it without mistakes (bad shots, missed shots, turnovers).

No Baron, and perhaps soon No Jackson means more shots for Ellis and more shots for Maggette. Both Ellis and Maggette are tremendously efficient scorers- they won't hoist alot of 3's, they attack the rim, they have deadly midrange games, they create separation and disruption in the defense. Maggette averages a ridiculous 9-10 FTAs per game- far more reliable than someone shooting 7 3's per game (Baron).

Maggette's true shooting percentage (which accounts for 3's and free throws as well as other buckets) was 59%. Baron Davis? 52%. That's a consideraby difference.

We don't really need to talk about Ellis, because anyone that shoots his percentage from a guard spot can create his own offense.

Remember the Warriors do not run a traditional spread offense with lots of motion, ala princeton style (the Kings old scheme, or the triangle). They spread the floor and then demand that their guards create dribble penetration for themselves, while their speedy big men move to the vacant spots. It's not complicated, and Ellis and Maggette will most certainly thrive.

4. Depth matters
Perhaps our greatest flaw last season was the lack of depth. After the starting 5, Nellie was so desparate he brought Webber out of the abyss. Barnes and Pietrus were horribly inconsistent and usually bad, Croshere and Hudson were never healthy, and the rookies were too raw to earn his trust, particularly defensively.

Now, the Warriors brought back their most dependable swingman reserve, Kelenna Azubuike, a skilled big man in Turiaf, and a true point guard in Marcus Williams. That expands our bench considerably and will be guys that Nellie actually uses.

The best part? These guys have sufficient experience you kinda know what you'll get (Ka has 1.5 years, Turiaf 3, and Williams 2; but are also young enough to still improve (KA and Turiaf are 25, Marcus Williams is 22).

Behind them you have the supertalented rookies and 2nd year guys like Randolph and Brandan Wright, ready-to-play Richard Hendrix, even Belinelli and Watson might be decent rotation guards.

We had nothing off the bench this year but we have reserves to actually use.

5. Frontcourt size

Instead of the 6'7 Matt Barnes or Mickael Pietrus playing backup center and power forward, we might actually see the 6'9 Brandan Wright, 6'8 Richard Hendrix, and 6'10 Ronny Turiaf.

A considerable improvement on the glass and defensively in the paint.



You know I'm not a homer, i'll bash a move by any team if it's a poor one...yet I am optimistic and excited to see the new Warrior team.

[silnismo]

Clippers sign Ricky davis.

Kwame brown signs with detroit.

first off kwame is garbabe, he barely got playing time in memphis! and Ricky Davis is definately a good move for clippers fans since they are in need of more offensive players besides baron, and kaman and their other injury prone players.

NBA.com: Official Home Page of National Basketball Association (http://www.nba.com/)

[OptionZero]

I disagree. The Clippers didn't really need another scoring swingman:

Baron and Jason Hart are the point guards; Eric Gordon and Cuttino Mobley are the 2's; Al Thornton is the 3. R-Davis slides in as a backup 3, but since virtually all the other guys on the perimeter are already scorers, what they a really needed was an on-ball defender like Quinton Ross, who they renounced and can only re-sign for the minimum now.

Even Tim Thomas can play a small forward as a "big" 3. The Clippers will be one of the most porous defensive teams in the league. Camby is ridiculously overrated defensively.


Kwame Brown has crappy handles and no offensive game to speak of, but the Lakers want him for his post defense. At the league minimum, he might be preferrably to DJ Mbenga.

[mothon]

Yay were finally getting a permanent nba team hear in okc.....I dont think that they have a name for the team yet though.

[BOROSUN]

its the sonics.

[mothon]

its the sonics.


The "sonics" name is staying in seattle....The oklahoma city team is going to have a diff. name.

[BOROSUN]

the sonics is moving to oklahoma.

while seattle will be building within 5 yrs a new arena will host another nba team.

grizzlies and hornets have move to different cities but, still have the same team name.
the sonic name has been around i dont think they will change it.

[mothon]

copied from espn online...."The NBA has filed for trademark rights to six nicknames for the league's new Oklahoma City franchise: Barons, Bison, Energy, Marshalls, Thunder and Wind."

[BOROSUN]

heh?

read here.
NBA.com: NBA Commissioner David Stern Statement on Settlement Between Sonics and the City of Seattle (http://www.nba.com/news/sternsonicsstatement_080702.html)

nvm, i just read thats they might change the name to sooners wtf?


seattle new franchise team should be called the seattle starbucks and the sonics should stay in oklahoma.

[Phlip]

the sonics is moving to oklahoma.

while seattle will be building within 5 yrs a new arena will host another nba team.

grizzlies and hornets have move to different cities but, still have the same team name.
the sonic name has been around i dont think they will change it.
Think of when the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens, then the NFL expanded and put a team back in Cleveland and called it the browns, THAT is what is happening right now.
The Hornets and Grizzlies were USHERED out of their towns, Seattle has been trying to KEEP their team, Charlotte and Vancouver stood aside and let them go.

[silnismo]

I disagree. The Clippers didn't really need another scoring swingman:

Baron and Jason Hart are the point guards; Eric Gordon and Cuttino Mobley are the 2's; Al Thornton is the 3. R-Davis slides in as a backup 3, but since virtually all the other guys on the perimeter are already scorers, what they a really needed was an on-ball defender like Quinton Ross, who they renounced and can only re-sign for the minimum now.

Even Tim Thomas can play a small forward as a "big" 3. The Clippers will be one of the most porous defensive teams in the league. Camby is ridiculously overrated defensively.


Kwame Brown has crappy handles and no offensive game to speak of, but the Lakers want him for his post defense. At the league minimum, he might be preferrably to DJ Mbenga.

valid point, I forgot about eric gordon. He kicked ass during the summer leauge making me wish why the fuck the knicks didn't pick him up at draft at #6.:rant:

alltogether the clippers next season is going to be a whole different team, and definately will be playoff contenders up coming season.

The only reason camby got all those blocks were mostly because the nuggets defense is horrible.

[OptionZero]

and because he never guarded the pick and roll or any other player that moved at a someone reasonable pace

He camped in the paint and waited to block shots, even if it meant letting his defensive responsibility elsewhere lapse.

[yudalicious]

high flying or high volume shot blockers usually have overrated defenses.

and the real reason I'm posting in here:
Rox acquire Artest for bobby jackson, next year's 1st, and what most likely will be rookie forward donte greene.

Great move for the rox, even if it's a 1 year rental. And if they do well, it's not out of the realm of possibility that artest re-signs. Let's just hope the Rox core players stay healthy, and that Artest stays on his good behavior.

[Xandy Boosts]

doh I was gonna post rockets artest trade when I got to work but then I forgot, beat me to it

yeah houston looks real good right now

[OptionZero]

An expiring and essentially two late first rounders for Artest. Worthwhile gamble by Houston, reuniting him with Adleman and probably the best the Kings could get since no one would include a blue chipper or eat Kenny Thomas' deal.

[yudalicious]

yea, a calculated risk and a good move by houston. ron ron should be on his best behavior, and there's always the chance that he stays if they do very well. but let's face it, the hopes for a deep playoff run still rest on yao's legs and tmac's back.

[Rob's S14]

Man I hope seattle doesn't get another team...atleast not for like 5-10 years. the league is starting to get so good right now and it's because the amount of good players finally caught up to the # of teams. having just one more team will water down all of them...especially the west.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Oooh, always been a Houston fan...I think artest would be a perfect fit with the Rockets. He can play the D and help keep the box cleared and hate to say...for a 7'6 monster, Yao aint the greatest rebounder that he should be for his height. He will plug the holes and be somebody to depend on scoring wise when T-mac hurts his back and Yao is getting double teamed in the paint.

[ALTRNTV]

Houston will be a very good team this season,
after the Artest acquisition.

Anybody watch "Road to Redemption" on ESPN?

[BOROSUN]

ive seen it on nba tv.

props to wade, james, and mello for sticking for soo long with team usa thru those disappointing years.

also im actually glad kobe joined the team even though i was a anti-kobe/hater. im pro-kobe now.

[BOROSUN]

nate lemme take the elevator robinson

YouTube - Nate Robinson - Little Highflyer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHvBLCjOzg0)



also starburry wont be released...yaay!

[yudalicious]

Oooh, always been a Houston fan...I think artest would be a perfect fit with the Rockets. He can play the D and help keep the box cleared and hate to say...for a 7'6 monster, Yao aint the greatest rebounder that he should be for his height. He will plug the holes and be somebody to depend on scoring wise when T-mac hurts his back and Yao is getting double teamed in the paint.

I don't like the height/rebound correlation, I think mobility, strength, athleticism, and desire make great rebounders, not height. In fact i don't even like the height/offense or height/defense or height/block correlation. It's my firm belief that once you're past a certain height (I'd say around 7'1 or 7'2 +) the gains you get from height will be offset to a degree by your diminished capacity to move laterally and vertically.yao's height on offense is an absolute advantage once he establishes position, but on defense on quicker players (ie boozer, but I still contend that was a humongous mismatch, no way any traditional center guards an offensively talented, mobile PF) and especially the PnR, is a liability.

I think yao will be a career 10-11 boards/gm kinda guy. Pretty solid, not elite. I also don't think he'll ever be great defensively. His man defense vs traditional type centers is actually underrated, but his ability to help, cover quicker players, and defend the PnR isn't that great.

Buttt... I still love him... one of my fav current nba players.

[enkei2k]

AI stays in Philly for 80mil...i think he deserves it. he's been doing a lot. Plus now sixers have Brand also. They look pretty promising this coming season.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8447544/Report:-76ers,-Iguodala-agree-on-$80M-deal

[ALTRNTV]

AI stays in Philly for 80mil...i think he deserves it. he's been doing a lot. Plus now sixers have Brand also. They look pretty promising this coming season.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8447544/Report:-76ers,-Iguodala-agree-on-$80M-deal
At first, I thought AI as in Allen Iverson.

[silnismo]

AI stays in Philly for 80mil...i think he deserves it. he's been doing a lot. Plus now sixers have Brand also. They look pretty promising this coming season.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8447544/Report:-76ers,-Iguodala-agree-on-$80M-deal

well, hes really their only franchise player (brand don't count), and if they didn't give AI a lucrative offer, phiily risks losing him next season for almost nothing.

[OptionZero]

They overpaid.

He got more than Deng, Smith, or Ellis. He's getting more than Al Jefferson (a legitimate big man with low post scoring skills).

Now, they pretty much had to keep him, since letting him go through the season with no extension (playing for the qualifying offer) would undermine some of the positive vibes from the Brand signing...but really, they had leverage. No other team (except for the inept Memphis Grizzlies) had the ability to offer him anything this offseason for more than the MLE ($5.5M starting).

He's good, but he's a second fiddle guy. Now he's a highly paid second-fiddle.

[OptionZero]

well, hes really their only franchise player (brand don't count), and if they didn't give AI a lucrative offer, phiily risks losing him next season for almost nothing.

Please explain how Elton Brand is not a franchise player.

[Rob's S14]

Yeah they totally overpaid for him...I would've traded him at this year instead of spending that much on a #2 at best.

Even though I like Brand, he's a #2 also. Teams don't let franchise players walk away.

[OptionZero]

You guys are tripping. He's a 20-10 man, legitimate post scoring threat, solid passer and defender. That's #1 material.

The Clippers didn't let him go- he left. Their stupidity to go after Baron Davis didn't help, nor did Mike Dunleavy's meddling behind David Falk's back.

He's paid very reasonably for a superstar. Were he not mired in the futility of Clipper land, he'd be more widely recognizable as a #1.

Name the power forwards who have had better numbers than these over the past decade:
ESPN - Elton Brand Career Statistics - Philadelphia 76ers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/stats?playerId=91)

They are few and far between.

[ALTRNTV]

Got a question for all of you:

Dream Team vs Redeem Team

Dream Team:
Charles Barkley
Larry Bird
Clyde Drexler
Patrick Ewing
Earvin "Magic" Johnson
Michael Jordan
Christian Laettner
Karl Malone
Chris Mullin
Scottie Pippen
David Robinson
John Stockton
Coach: Chuck Daly

Redeem Team:
Carlos Boozer
Jason Kidd
LeBron James
Deron Williams
Michael Redd
Dwyane Wade
Kobe Bryant
Dwight Howard
Chris Bosh
Chris Paul
Tayshaun Prince
Carmelo Anthony
Who would win in a 7-game series? I chose 7-game
series instead of just one game because anybody can
have an off-day and get beat by a "lesser" team.

I honestly think the Redeem Team could beat the original
Dream Team. Today's defense is a lot tougher than it was
back then. Why do you think today's scores are much lower
then they were back then? It's not because the players can't
score, it's because today's defense has gotten better. Also,
you can't get away with things you got away with back then,
such as hand-checking, and a little more rough play. So even
with those taken away, today's defense is still better, and more
advanced.

Keep in mind, the game will be played using the current NBA
rules. Meaning, no hand-checking, etc. So give me your input.

[OptionZero]

7 game NBA series? old school rules or new rules? FIBA style or NBA?

[BOROSUN]

if they were in their all in thier prime...
i think dream team would kickass inside and out offensively.
also the current nba foul rules would favor the dream team. imo

[OptionZero]

yeah but if you take the dream team when they actually played, bird and magic were old

just like on the redeem team, kidd is an old man, paul and deron haven't hit their primes yet



Dream team had jordan in his prime and Barkley in his prime. I see no matchups for either on the redeem team. jordan's unguardable, and barkley would rape bosh, howard, or boozer

[ALTRNTV]

The new Oklahoma City team is called... The Thunder.

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080903/capt.e444bbfed174466993900166dbd34787.oklahoma_cit y__basketball_okso104.jpg

After seeking numerous opinions from hand specialists, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has decided to forgo surgery on his right pinkie. Fresh off his Olympic Gold Medal performance in Beijing, Bryant expressed that he did not want to miss any time on the court when Lakers training camp opens later this month.

"I have always felt that I can still focus and play at a high level even through various injuries. That's really just part of the game. When the doctors told me recovery from a procedure could be 12 weeks, I just decided now was not the time to have surgery. What it really came down to for me is that I just didn't want to miss any time 'punching the clock' for the Lakers, given all we are trying to accomplish as a team this NBA season. I am just really excited and looking forward to being there with the guys when camp opens in a few weeks. That is a real bonding process and if I can avoid being on the sidelines for that, God willing, I will," said Bryant.

http://img1.cache.netease.com/photo/0005/2008-09-09/4LE1EF8500980005.jpg
Sun Yue

[Gnnr]

2008 NBA Preseason Begins Oct. 5

NEW YORK, Aug. 28, 2008 – The NBA’s 115-game preseason schedule for 2008 tips off on Oct. 5 and features 33 games in non-NBA cities and is highlighted by NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS™; NBA China Games 2008; the Euroleague American Tour, featuring three Euroleague teams participating in NBA preseason games; and a game played on an outdoor court.

The Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and Washington Wizards play preseason games in Barcelona, Berlin, London and Paris as part of NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS™.

The Heat, featuring Olympian Dwyane Wade and Michael Beasley, the second overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, takes on the Vince Carter-led Nets at the Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy in Paris Oct. 9. The teams’ second game is in London on Oct.12 at The O2 Arena. The O2 World in Berlin serves as host for a match pitting Olympian Chris Paul and the Hornets against the triumvirate of Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison and the Wizards on Oct. 14. The two teams play the final game on the tour in Barcelona on Oct. 17 at the Palau Sant Jordi.

ESPN will televise NBA China Games 2008, which will feature the Milwaukee Bucks and Olympians Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut matching up against the high-flying Golden State Warriors, the NBA’s highest scoring team last season. The Bucks and Warriors play at the Guangzhou Gymnasium in Guangzhuo on Oct. 15, and at the Beijing Olympic Basketball Arena on Oct. 18, with ESPN televising both games.

TNT’s preseason coverage will feature Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets taking on Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns in an outdoor game at Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Palm Springs, CA on October 11 on TNT.

The Euroleague American Tour features 2008 Euroleague champion CSKA Moscow (Russia), FC Barcelona (Spain) and Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania) playing in five preseason games. CSKA Moscow plays the Magic in Orlando on Oct. 10, followed by a game in Toronto against the Raptors on Oct. 14. FC Barcelona participates in the L.A. Shootout -- against the Lakers on Oct. 18, and against either the Raptors or Clippers on Oct. 19. Lietuvos Rytas visits the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21.

Attached is the 2008 NBA preseason schedule:

2008 NBA PRESEASON SCHEDULE
(All Times Local)

Date Game Location Time
5-Oct Golden State @ New Orleans New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA 6:00PM
5-Oct Detroit @ Miami AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL 6:30PM

6-Oct Atlanta @ Orlando Amway Arena, Orlando, FL 7:00PM
6-Oct Minnesota @ Milwaukee Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI 7:00PM

7-Oct Toronto @ Cleveland Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH 7:00PM
7-Oct Sacramento @ Portland Rose Garden, Portland, OR 7:00PM
7-Oct Utah @ LA Lakers Honda Center, Anaheim, CA 7:00PM
7-Oct Washington @ Dallas American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX 7:30PM
7-Oct Memphis @ Houston Toyota Center, Houston, TX 7:30PM

8-Oct New York @ Toronto Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON 7:00PM
8-Oct Boston @ Philadelphia Mullins Center, Amherst, MA 7:00PM
8-Oct Charlotte @ Orlando Amway Arena, Orlando, FL 7:00PM
8-Oct New Orleans @ Indiana Pepsi Coliseum, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, IN 7:00PM
8-Oct Washington @ Memphis FedExForum, Memphis, TN 7:00PM
8-Oct Oklahoma City @ Minnesota MetraPark, Billings, MT 7:00PM
8-Oct Atlanta @ Phoenix US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ 7:00PM
8-Oct Golden State @ Portland Rose Garden, Portland, OR 7:00PM
8-Oct Milwaukee @ Detroit The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI 7:30PM

9-Oct Phoenix @ Utah EnergySolutions, Salt Lake City, UT 7:00PM
9-Oct LA Clippers @ LA Lakers Save Mart Center, Fresno, CA 7:00PM
9-Oct Dallas @ Chicago United Center, Chicago, IL 7:30PM
9-Oct San Antonio @ Houston Toyota Center, Houston, TX 7:30PM
9-Oct New Jersey @ Miami Bercy Arena, Paris, France 8:00PM

10-Oct New York @ Philadelphia Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA 7:00PM
10-Oct Detroit @ Washington Verizon Center, Washington, DC 7:00PM
10-Oct CSKA Moscow @ Orlando Amway Arena, Orlando, FL 7:00PM
10-Oct Chicago @ Indiana Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, IN 7:00PM
10-Oct Charlotte @ Memphis FedExForum, Memphis, TN 7:00PM
10-Oct Minnesota @ Denver Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 7:00PM
10-Oct Oklahoma City @ Sacramento ARCO Arena, Sacramento, CA 7:00PM
10-Oct Atlanta @ Portland Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO 7:00PM
10-Oct Cleveland @ Boston Dunkin’ Donuts Center, Providence, RI 7:30PM
10-Oct Dallas @ Milwaukee La Crosse Center, La Crosse, WI 7:30PM
10-Oct New Orleans @ San Antonio AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX 7:30PM

11-Oct Denver @ Phoenix (rain date 10/12) Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Palm Springs, CA (TNT) 7:00PM
11-Oct Houston @ Boston Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester, NH 7:30PM
11-Oct Detroit @ Milwaukee Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI 7:30PM
11-Oct Oklahoma City @ Golden State Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA 7:30PM

12-Oct Philadelphia @ Toronto Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON 1:00PM
12-Oct Utah @ Portland Rose Garden, Portland, OR 3:00PM
12-Oct Sacramento @ LA Lakers Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV 6:30PM
12-Oct Miami @ New Jersey The O2 arena, London, England 7:00PM

13-Oct Charlotte @ Atlanta Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA 7:00PM
13-Oct Indiana @ Memphis FedExForum, Memphis, TN 7:00PM
13-Oct Oklahoma City @ Houston BOK Center, Tulsa, OK 7:30PM

14-Oct CSKA Moscow @ Toronto Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON 7:00PM
14-Oct San Antonio @ Detroit Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI 7:00PM
14-Oct LA Clippers @ Oklahoma City Ford Center, Oklahoma City 7:00PM
14-Oct Philadelphia @ New York Madison Square Garden, New York, NY 7:30PM
14-Oct Boston @ Cleveland Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, PA 7:30PM
14-Oct Minnesota @ Chicago United Center, Chicago, IL 7:30PM
14-Oct Washington @ New Orleans O2 World, Berlin, Germany 8:00PM

15-Oct Phoenix @ Atlanta Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA 7:00PM
15-Oct Dallas @ Indiana Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN 7:00PM
15-Oct Houston @ Memphis FedExForum, Memphis, TN 7:00PM
15-Oct Utah @ Denver Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 7:00PM
15-Oct LA Clippers @ Sacramento Spanos Center, Stockton, CA 7:00PM
15-Oct Golden State vs. Milwaukee Guangzhou Gymnasium, Guangzhou China (ESPN) 8:00PM

16-Oct Orlando @ Charlotte Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, NC 10:30AM
16-Oct Minnesota @ Toronto Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON 7:00PM
16-Oct San Antonio @ Cleveland Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH 7:00PM
16-Oct Boston @ New Jersey Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ 7:30PM
16-Oct Dallas @ Detroit The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI 7:30PM

17-Oct Memphis @ Indiana Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN 7:00PM
17-Oct New York @ Boston TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA 7:30PM
17-Oct Utah @ Chicago Assembly Hall, Champaign, IL 7:30PM
17-Oct Sacramento @ Houston Toyota Center, Houston, TX 7:30PM
17-Oct Phoenix @ Denver Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY 7:30PM
17-Oct New Orleans @ Washington Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain 9:30PM

18-Oct Milwaukee vs. Golden State Beijing Olympic Basketball Arena, Beijing, China (ESPN) 11:30AM
18-Oct Toronto @ LA Clippers LA Shootout, Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA 4:30PM
18-Oct Atlanta @ Charlotte Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, NC 7:00PM
18-Oct Orlando @ Miami Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, FL 7:30PM
18-Oct Philadelphia @ Cleveland Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH 7:30PM
18-Oct Utah @ Chicago United Center, Chicago, IL 7:30PM
18-Oct Indiana @ San Antonio AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX 7:30PM
18-Oct FC Barcelona @ LA Lakers LA Shootout, Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA 7:30PM
18-Oct Sacramento @ Dallas American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX 8:00PM

19-Oct New Jersey @ Boston TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA 3:30PM
19-Oct Toronto or LA Clippers @ FC Barcelona LA Shootout, Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA 4:30PM
19-Oct Denver @ Minnesota Bismarck Civic Center, Bismarck, ND 5:30PM
19-Oct Toronto or LA Clippers @ LA Lakers LA Shootout, Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA 7:30PM

20-Oct Orlando @ Atlanta Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA 7:00PM
20-Oct Charlotte @ Phoenix US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ 7:00PM
20-Oct Portland @ Sacramento ARCO Arena, Sacramento, CA 7:00PM
20-Oct New York @ New Jersey Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ 7:30PM

21-Oct Cleveland @ Philadelphia Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA 7:00PM
21-Oct Denver @ Toronto Rexall Place, Edmonton, AB 7:00PM
21-Oct Indiana @ New Orleans New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA 7:00PM
21-Oct Charlotte @ LA Lakers San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego, CA 7:00PM
21-Oct Boston @ New York Madison Square Garden, New York, NY 7:30PM
21-Oct Memphis @ Miami AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL 7:30PM
21-Oct Chicago @ Dallas American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX 7:30PM
21-Oct Lietuvos Rytas @ Golden State Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA 7:30PM
21-Oct Phoenix @ LA Clippers Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA 7:30PM

22-Oct Memphis @ Orlando Amway Arena, Orlando, FL 7:00PM
22-Oct Chicago @ Minnesota Target Center, Minneapolis, MN 7:00PM
22-Oct Philadelphia @ New Jersey Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ 7:30PM
22-Oct Cleveland @ Detroit The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI 7:30PM
22-Oct Washington @ San Antonio AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX 7:30PM
22-Oct Portland @ LA Clippers Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA 7:30PM

23-Oct Milwaukee @ Minnesota Target Center, Minneapolis, MN 7:00PM
23-Oct Portland @ Utah EnergySolutions, Salt Lake City, UT 7:00PM
23-Oct Oklahoma City @ Phoenix US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ 7:00PM
23-Oct Houston @ Sacramento ARCO Arena, Sacramento, CA 7:00PM
23-Oct Charlotte @ LA Lakers Honda Center, Anaheim, CA (TNT) 7:00PM
23-Oct Atlanta @ Detroit The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI 7:30PM
23-Oct Miami @ New Orleans Mobile Civic Center, Mobile, AL 7:30PM
23-Oct Indiana @ Dallas American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX 7:30PM

24-Oct Oklahoma City @ LA Lakers Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, CA (ESPN) 7:30PM
24-Oct New Jersey @ New York Madison Square Garden, New York, NY 7:30PM
24-Oct Milwaukee @ Chicago United Center, Chicago, IL 7:30PM
24-Oct Miami @ San Antonio AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX 7:30PM
24-Oct Denver @ LA Clippers Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA 7:30PM
24-Oct Washington @ Cleveland Value City Arena, Columbus, OH (ESPN) 8:00PM

So I guess we'll be starting a new season thread. :D

[ALTRNTV]

I'll start one the last week of October. :)

Media Day is on Monday. Can't wait to see the players.

[ALTRNTV]

Lakers Media Day pictures:

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080929/capt.c07216ac5a9b4303b0183691ae64b9d5.lakers_media _day_basketball_ksd103.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080929/capt.83addf9ec116469dbff98f85fc2071a8.lakers_media _day_basketball_ksd102.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080929/capt.fd96aa8b6a434682a09b26f1caf8c003.lakers_media _day_basketball_ksd104.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080929/capt.09a5046f66ab4d6aa5f7273511cd59f0.lakers_media _day_basketball_ksd106.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/79/fullj.c73113cc39b17b14d211c489cb0cbc5c/c73113cc39b17b14d211c489cb0cbc5c-getty-82921743ab009_lakers_media_day.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/3870/bynizzle1dq1.jpg

Bynum looks ready. Look at his build. Puahahahaha.

[Dutchmalmiss]

FUCK Bynum looks like he can chokehold a bear to death. I'M FUCKING EXCITED.

[ALTRNTV]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080926/capt.69d6912aed5d4a99ba231bc15477fe48.nets_basketb all_njmd102.jpg

Najera? Where did that come from?!

[Gnnr]

Damn, these guys are getting their chunky soup! lol

[qwikspool]

them guys been hitting the weights.

[mothon]

So the Oklahoma City Thunder dance team now practices as the gym I go to.....I walked into the gym the other day and proceeded to have my worst workout ever. I'm so happy that we finally have a permanent team. My girls work bought season tickets, so I should make it to quite a few games.

[ALTRNTV]

How much did the season tickets run her?

[ALTRNTV]

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst-57874689804311/okc-jersey-player.jpg

Pre-season basketball starts today.

Lakers vs Jazz at 7pmPST on KCAL9.

[94cc0rd]

Lakers lookin gooood!

[ALTRNTV]

Even though they lost, I was happy with Bynum's play. Odom looked lost, as usual.
Ariza played a good game, and the good thing about him is he can be effective
without the ball. Fisher was solid as usual. Gasol had some nice shots before he came
out of the game. Nice to see Mihm playing again, injury-free.

[ALTRNTV]

Rasheed Wallace went at Kwame Brown
full-throttle at the end of practice Tuesday. It started when Brown said that he would
put Wallace 'in the trunk and lock him up.' Wallace went off. There is no way on God's
green earth that you can lock me up, ever, ever, ever,' he said. 'You couldn't lock me up in when you were in D.C. or L.A., nowhere. You're lucky you never had to face me in
high school.' Brown hooted on Wallace for sitting out the last couple of minutes of the scrimmage, telling him, 'Go get your rest, old man.' That only fired Wallace up more.
'Yeah, I need my rest because I am working. I'm not out there lollygagging like you,' Wallace shouted. Brown soon scored on two aggressive plays, but Wallace wasn't
impressed. 'Yeah, Kwame, two baskets in two-and-a-half hours,' he said. After practice, Wallace put his arm around Brown and the two exchanged a laugh. Coach Michael Curry
loved every minute of it."

Hahaha... I wonder how Kwame's really going to do in Detroit. Hopefully
he has a breakout season.

LAL vs LAC tonight at 7:30p on KCAL9.

[Xandy Boosts]

anyone watching the outdoor game

denver vs phoenix? on TNT

ah chuck, good to hear him again (no gay)

Chuck
"I'm not that much of an idiot to get in 700 billion dollars in debt, I only lost 400 thousand"

:bowrofl::bowrofl:

[WERDdabuilder]

YouTube - Celtics punk rookie Bill Walker gets floored by T-Mac (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oCuPF6OiZA&eurl=http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread)

oh baby...lets get shit on!

[ALTRNTV]

I'd love to see Artest land a shot on that fool.

[Xandy Boosts]

oh shit akademik is pinked hahaha

someone start a zilvia fantasy league! i hate being leader, so someone else do it :keke:

[Phlip]

Um, regular season starts on Tuesday, shouldn't there be a 2008-2009 thread now?