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Big NBA News: Feat. Josh Childress (Iverson Going for Memphis?)

By Josh Dhani | July 3, 2009 | Pacers Pulse

Hello, and welcome to another edition of Big NBA News. We got some good stuff in for us today so let's go. These are some pretty big rumors and I really do think these are the ones you definitely don't want to miss! Mike Bibby Atlanta Hawks point guard was given some rumors that he may go to Philadelphia to play for the Sixers. But Sixers fans, you might want to stop cheering and put your hands down. The Sixers aren't interested in Bibby, according to the Inquirer. But heck, it would be real nice for Philly to get him. But as for right now, he's chilling in Atlanta. He is also looking to bring the Hawks to the playoffs again and hopefully passing the second round and not getting killed by the Cleveland Cavaliers. My bad, Atlanta. Sorry for bringing back bad memories. Ricky Rubio Jeez Ricky! I really...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Allen Iverson, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brandon Bass, Hedo Turkoglu, Indiana Pacers, Jake Voskuhl, Josh Childress, Maceo Boston, Memphis Grizzlies, Mike Bibby, Mikki Moore, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, New Orleans Hornets, O.J. Mayo, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Richard Jefferson, Ricky Rubio, Rudy Gay, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors

Yup, Danny Ainge is a Genius

By Celticsfanatic | July 3, 2009 | Celtics 17

Marbury feels (short) Celtics days are done.Bill Strickland, Sheed's agent, on the contract offer.I used to hate -- no, DESPISE -- Danny Ainge. After his deal which sent the then-admirable Antonie Walker packing, to then only sign Brian Scalabrine, it was clear to me that this guy was just not a fit for the Celtics.Then came the 2006-07 season, a year where the Celtics not only had shameful results, but left a humiliating mark on both their legendary name and Boston's fans. And just when I thought both Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers were "outta here," a meeting was arranged between Celtics star Paul Pierce, and Danny Ainge himself. Pierce told Ainge that "he wanted to be a Celtic for life," but if the C's didn't find veteran help for him that offseason, he'd prefer leaving Beantown and heading to a contender.Little did he know that Mr. Ainge expected a...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Al Jefferson, Antoine Walker, Bill Walker, Boston Celtics, Brian Scalabrine, Danny Ainge, Delonte West, Eddie House, Glen Davis, James Posey, Justin Reed, Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Garnett, Lester Hudson, Mikki Moore, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Draft, Orlando Magic, Paul Pierce, PJ Brown, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Sam Cassell, Scot Pollard, Seattle SuperSonics, Stephon Marbury, Tony Allen

One More Thing -- Hoopsvine.com Interview with Jay Bilas

By Zach Harper | July 2, 2009 | Talk Hoops

Before I leave you for the Fourth of July celebration weekend, I wanted to make sure that everybody checks out the Hoops Vine interview with Jay Bilas about the NBA Draft. The Hoops Vine brand name has been around for a while but the new and improved Hoops Vine social basketball network is a growing entity powered by the genius and hard work of Lang Greene. Lang is a friend of Talkhoops and has even let me be so kind as to let me answer a mailbag for his readers (last April). Lang is a really smart basketball mind and great at covering the sport and furthering the discussion. I highly recommend this interview with Jay Bilas and Hoops Vine in general. It should definitely be a part of your daily internet rounds. Lang: I wanted to get your thoughts on the draft. What were your initial feelings when the...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: 2009 NBA Draft, Hoops Vine, Jay Bilas, NBA

The 8th Seed Podcast -- Volume Two

By Zach Harper | July 2, 2009 | Talk Hoops

There is a joint venture going on through some people who I met at Blogs With Balls back in June. It involves a pretty great crew of people -- eight people in fact. Here's the crew: - The Incomparable Jared Wade from Both Teams Played Hard- The Impossibly Tall John Karalis from Red's Army- The Blogs With Balls Project Spurs-Chronicles of Crotty Hybrid Drinking Contest Champion Michael De Leon of Project Spurs- The Man who will assuredly represent us when we get sued for liable because of this podcast Jeff Garcia from Project Spurs- The Ladies Man of Twitter Rey Moralde from The No Look Pass- The Man I Want to Be when I grow up Adam Best from Fansided- The Man with the fastest growing internet show Glenn Moore from Dugout Sports ShowThose men plus myself make up the 8th Seed. A clusterf*&k of opinions about the NBA and...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: 2009 NBA Draft, Both Teams Played Hard, Dugout Sports Show, Fansided.com, NBA, Project Spurs, Red's Army, The No Look Pass

Lakers 3 On 3 Basketball Tournament Presented by Nike and Fan Fest -- Aug. 14 - Aug. 16

By Zach Harper | July 2, 2009 | Talk Hoops

INAUGURAL LAKERS 3 ON 3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT PRESENTED BY NIKE AND FAN FEST TO TAKE PLACE FRIDAY, AUG. 14 - SUNDAY, AUG. 16 AT L.A. LIVE IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES Team registration is currently open to all participants and closes Friday, July 31 LOS ANGELES - Ever fantasized about being a basketball world champion? Here is your opportunity. The 2009 World Champion Los Angeles Lakers will play host to the first-ever Lakers 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament presented by Nike and Fan Fest, Friday, Aug. 14- Sunday, Aug. 16 at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. The spectacular event will be spread across multiple city blocks with approximately 70 outdoor basketball courts in and around L.A. Live to accommodate the thousands of athletes who will compete for bragging rights, prizes and chance to be named champion. Players young and old, men and women, elite and beginner are able to participate...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: 2009 Off-Season, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Things to do this summer

Pistons sign Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva

By Zach Harper | July 2, 2009 | Talk Hoops

What in the hell happened to the Detroit Pistons?What in the hell happened to Deeeeeeetroit Baaaaaaasketbaaaaaallllllll?This was a hard-nosed group of perfect role players, committed to defense, rebounding, and being tougher than the other team. It was a well-coached team that was putting together streaks of holding opponents under 70 points. And now?Now, they've spent over $90 million to acquire Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva - two good basketball players but two players that don't exactly scream blue-collar basketball like Motown once did. Now, the two players that the Pistons have agreed in principle to add to the roster on July 8th aren't bad by any means. Ben Gordon is a really good scorer off the bench who can win games for you by taking over in the fourth quarter. In fact, BG was 17th in fourth quarter scoring this past season, So you know he can fill it up....

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: 2009 Off-Season, Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Detroit Pistons, NBA

Today's Rumors and More: A Run-Through

By Celticsfanatic | July 2, 2009 | Celtics 17

NEW RUMOR: Gary Tanguay reporting from Twitter -- Garnett, Danny Ainge, and Wyc Grousbeck will all make the trek to Michigan to meet with Rasheed Wallace. It's unknown whether or not Paul and Ray make the trip too. If they do, then I'd say Ray Allen will be a Celtic next year. Why would the Celtics bring him along if they were planning on trading him anyway?Cavs very interested in Artest, Ariza.According to several league sources, the Cavs are attempting to land Houston Rockets free-agent forward Ron Artest, and the pitch included a meeting with LeBron James on Tuesday night in Los Angeles as both were in Southern California for various events. In addition, a league source indicated the team is trying to attract Los Angeles Lakers swingman Trevor Ariza, who appears to be disgruntled with the Lakers' early attempts to re-sign him. Ariza's agent, David Lee, told the Riverside,...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Avery Johnson, Ben Gordon, Bill Laimbeer, Boston Celtics, Carmelo Anthony, Chicago Bulls, Chris Wallace, Cleveland Cavaliers, Danny Ainge, Detroit Pistons, Joe Dumars, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzles, NBA, Paul Pierce, Quentin Richardson, Rasheed Wallace, Rip Hamilton, Rodney Stuckey, Ron Artest, Tayshaun Prince, Trevor Ariza, Zach Randolph

Quick Rumor Post

By Celticsfanatic | July 2, 2009 | Celtics 17

Just wanted to get these out quick. I'll be sure to give you guys a deeper look into these rumors like I did yesterday in a full post later.Clippers sending Zach Randolph to the Grizz.Knicks enter bidding for Jason Kidd.Ariza leaning towards an LA departure.Cavs very interested in Artest, Ariza....

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks Jason Kidd, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzles, NBA, New York Knicks, Quentin Richardson, Ron Artest, Trevor Ariza, Zach Randolph

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

The Lakers Will Keep Ariza and Odom Next Season

By Adam Sweeney | June 14, 2009 | MVN Outsider

The drama of the NBA Finals is all but over. In actuality, it was a very boring series, no matter how many overtimes the teams went to. The defense? Nearly non-existent. Officiating? As poor as MC Hammer. This Finals match-up didn't show greatness as much as it revealed two flawed teams. Orlando ultimately will lose the series because they are the NBA equivalent of the Memphis Tigers. Tons of talent, but no experience or focus on the little things, like free throws for example. Now that we have preemptively crowned the L.A. Lakers the champions, the biggest question for them is how they will be able to sign both Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza. Both forwards have expiring contracts and will demand attention, especially since they each had significant impacts on the postseason success of the Lakers. With $74 million in salary committed for 2009, and a penalty for luxury...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA Finals, Orlando Magic, Trevor Ariza

NBA Rumor Mill: Spurs Dealing Manu, Cavs Want Riley & Alston's Ticked at SVG

By Adam Sweeney | June 12, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Well the NBA Finals sure were a blast, huh? Wait... they're not over? Hmm. While we ponder what could have been, as visions of made Courtney Lee lay-ups and Stan Van Gundy actually making substitutions dance through our heads, we've got the best rumors in the league. So take a time-out and get your fill of water cooler talk. The NBA Rumor Mill is rolling. Spurs Have Manu on the Move to Washington?The San Antonio Spurs have yet to come out of shock induced coma they went into after being beaten down by the Dallas Mavericks in the Playoffs. If the rumors are any sign of what they're planning, things might be a bit different in S.A. very soon. The Washington Wizards apparently have an unknown offer for Manu Ginobili on the table, says Hoopsworld.SLAM Online said a "deal that makes a lot of sense for both sides is...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James, Manu Ginobili, Orlando Magic, Pat Riley, Rafer Alston, San Antonio Spurs, Stan Van Gundy

NBA Crystal Ball: The Orlando Magic Won't Win More Than One Game in The NBA Finals

By Adam Sweeney | June 7, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Maybe I am jumping the gun but it became crystal clear to me that the Orlando Magic are out of their league in this NBA Finals contest, if you can call it that. So where else would such clarity be appreciated other than in the writing of one who owns the NBA Crystal Ball? You're right, nowhere. I was convinced when the series started that L.A. would win in 6. Now I am getting visions that this series won't go past 5 games. In Orlando's defense, part of Game 1 was a statistical anomaly. The Magic had been hot-handed almost all of the Playoffs. To see them shoot 29.9% was disgusting. But it made some sense. When you don't utilize your big men it is difficult to get high percentage shots. The Magic got some good looks, they just didn't sink them. Will that change? Probably, but not enough to...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA Finals, Orlando Magic

David Aldridge on Kobe Bryant vs. Dwight Howard, Officiating and 2009 NBA Finals Predictions

By Staff Report | June 4, 2009 | MVN Outsider

In preparation for the NBA Finals coverage on NBA.com, veteran NBA journalist and television analyst/reporter David Aldridge conducted an NBA Blogger Q&A session where he addressed the upcoming NBA Finals, key match-ups between the Lakers and Magic, pending NBA Draft and off-season, as well as colleagues at TNT and NBA.com. David has served as the TNT and NBA.com Insider for the network's NBA coverage since 2004, appearing both in the studio as well as on the sidelines. Prior to his time at TNT, he spent eight years at ESPN reporting on the NBA and writing for ESPN.com. He has also written for the Washington Post and the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Magic seem to have a more balanced attack while the Lakers are all about Kobe. What team do you see having the edge? Do you think it's more important in the finals to have an insane scorer like Kobe Bryant...Read more

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Playoffs, Orlando Magic

Chris Bosh Will Win a Title ... with the Orlando Magic

By Adam Sweeney | May 2, 2009 | MVN Outsider

We're headed into the heart of the NBA Playoffs, but that doesn't concern the crystal ball. What concerns me right now is one of the other big names in free agency in 2010. No doubt you've heard every rumor about LeBron James, who apparently is getting offers from Marvin the Martian now to play for the Mars Red Riders, but Chris Bosh is quite the free agency prize himself. There's talk that the power forward will be heading to Motown, but for some reason I don't see it. Detroit won't have the pieces to make a big playoff run, which is something I think Bosh will be looking at now that the Toronto Raptors have underwhelmed. New York is always a draw, but they will be too busy pushing for Bron to notice Bosh.There is part of me that says Bosh could be lured to Houston in a few years....Read more

Read more | 9 Comments | Tags: Amare Stoudemire, Chris Bosh, Dallas Mavericks, Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors

NBA Great Debates: Which First Round Playoff Series is the Most Intriguing?

By Staff Report | April 17, 2009 | MVN Outsider

NBA Outsider's Joe Boikess and Adam Sweeney debate the issue: Of the eight playoff series set to get underway in the National Basketball Association, which is must-see TV?Joe Boikess can't wait to watch the Spurs and Mavericks square off:This is my favorite time of year, and not only because of the arriving warm weather or the approaching end of the school year. It's NBA Playoffs time, and this year's batch of first round matchups, especially in the Western Conference, is shaping up to be the best ever.Basketball junkies have more than a few intriguing series to pay attention to. In the East, the best looking series would have to be the Hawks taking on the Heat in the always-tough-to-predict 4/5 matchup. But aside from that, Cavaliers-Pistons, Celtics-Bulls and Magic-76ers should all be entertaining as well.The real TNT-style drama is going on out West. The top-seeded Lakers get to see...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA Playoffs, New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz

NBA Playoffs: First Round Preview

By Joe Boikess | April 17, 2009 | MVN Outsider

The NBA Playoffs tip off this weekend with eight games over the course of two days. Here's what you need to know to get you ready for the madness that is the first round...Eastern Conference(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Detroit PistonsSeason series - Cavaliers won 3-1Drama factor - Low. The Pistons have gotten past the first round each of the past seven seasons, but expect that streak to come to an end. The Cavaliers are the better team here, and the only way that the Pistons can still make the series interesting is if the effort is there. In years past Detroit has looked lackluster in the first round, and this year they can't afford to do that against a much tougher and more well-rounded team.Key Player - Tayshaun Prince. He has the honor of guarding LeBron James, and his success in that department will likely determine how long the...Read more

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA Playoffs, New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz

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