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Could The Hornets' Interest in Glen Davis Lead To Something Bigger?

By Celticsfanatic | July 9, 2009 | Celtics 17

McDyess headed to San Antonio.Wallace officially signs.Andersen re-signs with Denver for five years.I love Glen Davis. No, wait -- I LOVE Glen Davis. And apparently, so do the Hornets. New Orleans is reportedly keen on the restricted free agent, but is tied up with money issues which push them further behind in the race for (Big) Baby.From Marc Spears:According to an NBA source this morning, Davis is receiving interest from Boston, San Antonio, Detroit and New Orleans. San Antonio and Detroit are pursuing Detroit free-agent forward Antonio McDyess. The team left without McDyess could immediately turn its attention to Davis. While the Hornets are very interested, financial concerns limit them to only a possible sign-and-trade deal for Davis. Now who on the Hornets could we possibly be interested in? Well, here's a not-so-subtle hint from one of the first commentators who offered thoughts on the Spears article:"Sign and deal for...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Boston Celtics, Eddie House, Glen Davis, James Posey, NBA, New Orleans Hornets, Paul Pierce, Rasheed Wallace

Everybody Loves Slam Dunks!

By Zach Harper | July 8, 2009 | Talk Hoops

With all this depressing talk today of people stealing tapes, me pimping out my own writings, and salary caps and economic woes destroying the memories of millions of fans, I figured I'd pass along this video from Ethan Jaynes at NESW Sports. It's the Top 10 Slam Dunks of the past year. Here are my thoughts on each and every dunk (I know you were dying for them):10. Westbrook alley-oop off the backboard from Earl WatsonIf you're a European player, DON'T EVER STAND UNDER THE BASKET EVER! Someone is going to try to embarrass you. 9. Dahntay Jones yaks on Erick DampierI'm pretty sure Erick Dampier was reclassified as European five years ago.8. Tracy McGrady dunks on Tyrus ThomasTo borrow a line from Doc Holliday in Tombstone for T-Mac, "the tales of my demise have been greatly exaggerated." Okay, no they haven't but that was still nice to see from...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Dahntay Jones, Dwyane Wade, Gerald Wallace, Josh Smith, LeBron James, Mike Taylor, NBA, Russell Westbrook, Top 10 Dunks, Tracy McGrady

Here's Some Self-Promotion (Like Always)

By Zach Harper | July 8, 2009 | Talk Hoops

I don't know if you know who I am but I'm kind of a small deal. I recently started spewing my usual basketball nonsense over at one of the greatest basketball websites ever created -- Hardwood Paroxysm. I know what you're thinking, "What blackmail-type evidence do I have over Matt Moore?" Wouldn't you like to know?!?ANYWAY, I had my first article posted on the old HP on June 29th and Matt Moore gave me this introduction: Zach Harper is the author of TalkHoops.net and Cowbell Kingdom. He has difficulty (as most people do) with how fast I speak in real life. He's a former male gymnast who won gold at the 1994 Bel-Air gymnastics tournament. That last part is a lie. He's our newest contributor to Hardwood Paroxysm. That part is not a lie. Revel in him. He opens with a discussion of hoops junkiehood, and the joys of young...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Hardwood Paroxysm, Marcus Haislip, NBA, San Antonio Spurs

The Salary Cap Hates Your Team

By Zach Harper | July 8, 2009 | Talk Hoops

Remember how the attendance was supposedly on par for NBA teams and the impending financial apocalypse of the NBA small market teams was not as dire as the crazy media made it out to be? Remember how everyone was overreacting and the NBA was going to be just fine? Well, maybe we should take a look at this report from ESPN.com: In a memo announcing next season's salary cap and luxury-tax threshold, sent out shortly before the league's annual July moratorium on signings and trades was lifted at 12:01 a.m. ET Wednesday, NBA teams also received tentative projections from the league warning that the cap is estimated to drop to somewhere between $50.4 million and $53.6 million for the 2010-11 season.The official league memorandum, obtained by ESPN.com, forecasts a dip in basketball-related income in the 2009-10 season of 2.5 percent to 5 percent, which threatens to take the 2010-11 cap...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Financial Ruin, NBA

LeBron James Steals Passes and Tapes

By Zach Harper | July 8, 2009 | Talk Hoops

We all know how prolific LeBron James is at shooting the passing lanes with the closing speed of Deion Sanders to pluck the ball out of mid-air and turn it into a SportsCenter Top 10 clip. I mean, it's really quite incredible to watch the entire thing happen, almost in slow motion, while in real life it probably takes no more than three or four seconds before he punctuates the play with a tomahawk exclamation. But when he gets dunked on by a college player at a Nike Basketball Skills Camp that he's hosting, he's even better at stealing things. This comes from a Wizards Extreme Forum that was passed along through the Truth About It Twitter: On Monday night at the Nike LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron, Ohio, NBA star Lebron James was dunked on huge by Xavier's Jordan Crawford with a vicious two-hander. Unfortunately you won't be...

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James, NBA

Analysis of Boston's Addition of Rasheed Wallace

By Celticsfanatic | July 8, 2009 | Celtics 17

As you all know, the Celtics negotiated with free agent forward Rasheed Wallace, who has verbally agreed to join the C's, and looks to sign a two-year deal for the full mid-level exception on Wednesday. The addition of Sheed will impact the team in a way I can't yet figure out. His off-court attitude will certainly be a problem, especially if he's going to be with us for two years (unless trades or injuries change that). But it's been said that teammates love him and guys think he's a winner. After all, Kevin Garnett did hunt him down. After the jump, analysis on the great Rasheed Wallace (kidding on the "great" part guys, no need to bash me... or is there?)....

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Doc Rivers, Glen Davis, Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Garnett, NBA, Paul Pierce, Portland Trail Blazers, Rajon Rondo, Rasheed Wallace, Ray Allen

Brandon Jennings: Player-GM

By Zach Harper | July 7, 2009 | Talk Hoops

This isn't breaking news and probably, by now, everyone has seen the YouTube video in which Brandon Jennings and Joe Budden's expiring album deal argue about Luke Ridnour and the direction of the Knicks. Not only was it a hilarious exchange, it was really eye-opening to see the true, unfiltered inner thoughts of a young and new NBA player, not to mention the fact that we all found out that Joe Budden is still alive. There are some pretty hilarious moments in this exchange and Chris Littmann of The Baseline has transcribed the entire conversation for us. Here is it is via Deadspin with an update afterwards: On next season in Milwaukee ... Budden: You better worry about Ramon Sessions, diggin' in your a**, pause. Jennings: He's not going to be here. [inaudible] That money is going to Charlie. Budden: N****, Ramon Sessions is gonna be there. Jennings: I...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA

This Week in Ron Artest...

By Zach Harper | July 7, 2009 | Talk Hoops

As we all know, Ron Artest signed with the Lakers this past week to replace Trevor Ariza. Despite what you may want to think Ariza is capable of, this is definitely an upgrade, especially if they can keep Lamar Odom as well. But that's not where Ron Artest's story gets interesting at all. That's not even close. And don't worry, we'll get to the significance of the signing and other signings when they become official. Quick Programming Note: None of this stuff is SFW.First, here is the video (thanks, Henry) of the moments leading up to Ron-Ron signing with the Lakers. It's a conversation on Artest's video blog between the TruWarier himself and his agent, David Bauman. My favorite part is definitely the guy that crashes the party. I mean, the fact that the party-crasher interrupts so loudly and yet, Bauman continues to talk and Ron pretends to have heard...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: 2009 Off-Season, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NESWsports.com, Ron Artest, TrueHoop

NBA Outsider: Memphis Grizzlies Draft Follow Up

By Staff Report | June 30, 2009 | MVN Outsider

3 Shades of Blue tells how this years draft picks are not super stars but certainly upgrades.WHEN THE DRAFT GIVES YOU LEMONS..... The Memphis Grizzlies exercised all three of the picks with which they entered the 2009 NBA draft-nos. 2, 27, and 36, selecting Hasheem Thabeet, Demarre Carroll, and Sam Young. Sure, when the year 2020 comes around, the potential for this year's draft crop to be viewed as one of the best ever is pretty low-but as the title states, the draft might give you lemons...and sometimes the lemonade takes a bit longer to make and isn't quite as good as Grandma's on a 90-degree day, but it should still be pretty tasty. What Michael Heisley has stated many times is that he wants to field a more defensive-oriented team (a philosophy with which I heartily agree), and this draft bears his mark in bold ink. Thabeet, Carroll, and...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA Draft, NBA Outsider

NBA Outsider Mock Draft: Memphis Grizzlies Select Ricky Rubio

By Staff Report | June 8, 2009 | MVN Outsider

NBA Outsider is hosting a 2009 NBA mock draft, where bloggers from all over come together in an attempt to project the draft results that will take place June 25th . 3 Shades of Blue's Chip Crain picks for the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 2. Despite the point guards' hopes the Memphis Grizzlies stick with Ricky Rubio out of Spain. Follow the mock draft here.Ricky Rubio - DKV Jovenot Memphis would love to trade this pick. Unfortunately everyone in the league knows this so the offers aren't that exciting for the 2nd pick in the draft. Throw on top of that the Grizzlies reputation as a team more interested in the bottom line than the Win-Loss column and offers to move up are not looking very good. That makes this a tough pick for the Grizzlies on many levels. Rubio doesn't appear to want to play in Memphis and his...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Memphis Grizzlies, NBA

NBA Rumor Mill: Rubio Not Down with OKC or Memphis, LeBron Wants Sasha in Rotation & Bulls Aim to Keep Gordon

By Adam Sweeney | May 22, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Let's face it, the officiating crews in the Playoffs couldn't be any worse if Helen Keller, Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder all came together and ran the show. At least it'd more entertaining and less frustrating. So while you're throwing your controlled over the next weak call, we're making sure you get all you need to know about the rumors going on in the Association. Rubio Objects to Playing for Thunder or GrizzliesThere's always a bit of risk when drafting a foreign player, especially one that knows he has leverage against you to work with. If the rumor from Draftexpress.com is true, Rubio may be pulling an a Spanish version of Steve Francis proportions. Allegedly, Ricky Rubio's camp is letting teams know that he's not interested in playing the point in Memphis. "Rubio doesn't want to go to Memphis, and he especially does not want to pay money out of...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Ben Gordon, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, Ricky Rubio, Sasha Pavlovic

NBA Awards: The Best of the Best

By Joe Boikess | April 14, 2009 | MVN Outsider

With only two more days remaining in the NBA regular season, it's about time to hand out my awards for the best individual performances of the season...Rookie of the Year - Derrick Rose (Bulls)My Ballot:1. Rose2. O.J. Mayo3. Brook LopezThe rookie class of 2009 was incredibly deep, but Rose gets my vote for a number of reasons. As the number one overall pick in last year's draft, he shouldered a ton of pressure and responsibility as the Bulls' new starting point guard, and yet he managed to put up consistent production for a team that was in the playoff hunt all year long. He averaged over 16 points and six assists per game and shot better than 47 percent from the field.Mayo had a great first season as well, especially in the scoring department where he averaged 18.4 points and shot a decent 38 percent from downtown. But his team,...Read more

Read more | 10 Comments | Tags: NBA

NBA Great Debates: Reaching the Conference Finals

By Staff Report | April 9, 2009 | MVN Outsider

NBA Outsider's Adam Sweeney and Joe Boikess debate the issue: Who will be the final four playoff teams alive in the NBA conference finals?Adam Sweeney argues that the Magic and Rockets will join the Lakers and Cavaliers:As huge of a college hoops fans that I am, the Final Four was about as exciting as watching Fast and Furious (sorry if anybody liked that movie). In honor of the Final Four and merciless beat down the North Carolina Tar Heels gave the Michigan State Spartans, why don't we choose our own Final Four for the NBA playoffs? Are you up for that, old chap? Sorry Joe. I'll never call you old chap again.I think we can both agree that the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers are going to make it to their respective conference finals. L.A. has shown itself to be the elite team in the Western Conference and Cleveland...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: NBA, NBA Playoffs

NBA Great Debates: Cuban Criticizes Refs Via Twitter

By Staff Report | April 3, 2009 | MVN Outsider

NBA Outsider's Joe Boikess and Adam Sweeney debate the issue: Did the NBA go too far by fining Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban for his Twitter remarks?Joe Boikess believes the NBA is out of line:In the interest of full disclosure, I should probably confess one thing before getting into this topic. As many of my readers know, I am a near-lifelong fan of the Dallas Mavericks and its colorful owner, Mark Cuban. For objectivity's sake, I have put my allegiance as a Mavs fan aside for this debate.With that in mind, I can still confidently say as a neutral follower of this issue that the NBA was once again out of line in fining Cuban for criticizing the referees, this time via Twitter.Since Cuban became the Mavericks owner more than nine years ago, he's racked up a bill with the NBA for more than $1.5 million, mostly for criticism...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, NBA, Twitter

NBA Great Debates: Which Team Has the Best Chance of Pulling Off a First-Round Playoff Upset?

By Staff Report | March 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

NBA Outsider's Joe Boikess and Adam Sweeney debate the issue: Which team has the best chance of pulling off an upset in the first round of the 2009 NBA playoffs?Joe Boikess believes the Jazz will upset the Rockets:At this point in the NBA season, with so much yet to be decided and only a few weeks worth of games to sort it all out, it's tough to predict what the playoff matchups will look like. The standings are changing in both conferences every day. Three division races still have yet to be wrapped up, and two of those (the Southwest and Northwest) likely won't be settled until the last day of the season. But nevertheless, basketball junkies like myself just love to prognosticate. In the West, the eight playoff teams are pretty much set, unless the Phoenix Suns can somehow overcome a three game deficit with 11 to play...Read more

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NBA Power Rankings: Cavaliers Surge Past Lakers

By Joe Boikess | March 24, 2009 | MVN Outsider

The Cavs and Lakers appear to be the only horses left in the race for the league's best record. Cleveland moved up to number one thanks to their nine-game winning streak, their third win streak of at least eight games this season, and the Celtics and Rockets both jumped up a spot after notching big wins over the Spurs...1. Cleveland Cavaliers (57-13) - Even though the Cavs are pulling away from the rest of the East, fantasy owners of LeBron James can rejoice that Cleveland's ongoing quest for home court advantage should mean that James will continue to flirt with a triple-double every night.2. Los Angeles Lakers (55-14) - At this point the Lakers are just doing some minor fine tuning and hoping that Andrew Bynum gets healthy soon enough to make a contribution in the playoffs. They'll have the West wrapped up within a week.3. Boston Celtics (54-18) -...Read more

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