With summer leagues in effect, it's time to start looking forward to the 2008-09 NBA season. Teams made changes so far during the offseason, there were some surprises, some trades, some big contracts. There are still a few players remaining to be signed. Some players decided to turn to Europe. But the excitement is on the way.

Here's a look from hoopsworld on the top draft picks and their performance during the summer league.


Now the Las Vegas has come to a close we have gotten our first look at the top ten picks of the 2008 draft against other NBA players. Some disappointed, some excelled, and some did as we expected. Summer league success/failure has never been a true indicator of pro success, but it does give us an idea of what the player's strengths and weaknesses are. With just one player on this list still actively playing in the summer, here are the grades for how the top ten picks played in their respective summer leagues

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9547

Is this becoming a trend? Nachbar has signed with another Russian team has become the latest NBA regular to sign in Europe:

ESPN - Ex-Nets F Nachbar, Dynamo Moscow agree to 3-year, $14.3M deal - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3497994)

The US dollar is cheap in oil producing countries. Thus, there is probably a 20% discount on signing American players over their cost only 18 months ago.

Raptors' reserve center Primoz Brezec has agreed to sign a contract with Rome's Virtus Roma.

Here goes another former Piston. And Raptor.
Also, from what I've read, ex-Raptor Garbajosa is going to play in Spain after getting released by Toronto. Club that signed Delfino was also interested, but he decided to go back to Spain.

Is this becoming a trend? Nachbar has signed with another Russian team has become the latest NBA regular to sign in Europe:

ESPN - Ex-Nets F Nachbar, Dynamo Moscow agree to 3-year, $14.3M deal - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3497994)

It's actually even more than that. The European version of the news is reporting it. They interviewed his father. It's 28 mio$$ which with taxes is cca 41 mio$$, equivalent to about 13.8 mil PER season.

That's just insane . . .

edited to add;
In an interview, he said the money they offered him was just too good. The most serious suitors in the NBA were Atlanta and Golden State, but when he told them the Russian number, they just "shrugged".

Warriors get PG help:

ESPN - Marcus Williams reportedly dealt to Warriors - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3500699)


The New Jersey Nets (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=njn) have traded point guard Marcus Williams (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=4150) to the Golden State Warriors (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=gsw) for a future first-round draft pick, sources told ESPN.com on Tuesday.


http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/4150.jpg Williams


The news was first reported by the New York Post.
Williams backed up Devin Harris (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3822) last season, but Williams' role grew more uncertain by the acquisition Monday of Keyon Dooling (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3409) from the Orlando Magic (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=orl) via a sign-and-trade deal.
The Post reported that the pick the Warriors are sending New Jersey is lottery-protected for 2011, meaning the Nets will obtain it if the Warriors reach the playoffs.

Another former Piston news.

Report: Warriors to add Maurice Evans - Inside Bay Area (http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald/ci_9969553)



Golden State has signed Evans to a three-year, $6.4 million deal, according to the Riverside Press-Enterprise. By adding Evans, it more than likely means the Warriors will not match the three-year, $9 million contract restricted free agent Kelenna Azubuike signed with the Los Angeles Clippers last week. Golden State have until Friday to match Azubuike's deal, but Evans represents a cheaper _ and perhaps better _ alternative.
In Evans, the Warriors are getting an athletic swingman who's known as a solid defender and good 3-point shooter (he shot 39% on 3-pointers last season). The 6-foot-5 Evans averaged 9.3 points per game in 68 games for Orlando in 2007-08. He came to Orlando with Brian Cook in a November trade with the Los Angeles Lakers that sent Trevor Ariza to Southern California. The 29-year-old Evans, who has played five seasons in the NBA, has also played with the Detroit Pistons and Sacramento Kings.

The Sports Network - National Basketball Association (http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nba/news/news.aspx?id=4166995)


The Atlanta Hawks have reportedly lost the services of swingman Josh Childress to the Greek franchise Olympiakos.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Wednesday that Childress, 25, turned down a five-year, $33 million offer from the Hawks to sign a three-year deal overseas. The paper did not have the exact terms of the deal, but did say that it is worth much more than the $20 million that was initially reported.


The exodus continues.

:gun1::gun1::gun1:

Money talks.

For enough cash, many players would probably agree to quit the game all together.

Stern wanted to internationalize the game and it could come back to bite him.

I'm not sure it's going to be start of a new trend or anything. Will Bynum, for instance, apparently turned down a lot more money from Europe to join the Pistons, so obviously he just wanted another chance at the NBA, regardless of the money. I think that'll still be true for the overwhelming majority of American players.

I'm not sure it's going to be start of a new trend or anything. Will Bynum, for instance, apparently turned down a lot more money from Europe to join the Pistons, so obviously he just wanted another chance at the NBA, regardless of the money. I think that'll still be true for the overwhelming majority of American players.

Maybe because he thinks the NBA path will lead to more money over the long run after he establishes himself.

Maybe because he thinks the NBA path will lead to more money over the long run after he establishes himself.
I am not sure how much of a chance to establish himself he'll have with Pistons, playing behind Chauncey and Rodney.

I am not sure how much of a chance to establish himself he'll have with Pistons, playing behind Chauncey and Rodney.

Last year, our #3 guard played a boatload in the playoffs.

But realistically, he'll play whenever there is a big lead or deficit in the regular season and would get a real role if/ when any injuries pop up to CB and RS. Maybe he's looking forward to learning from them and practicing against players who are better than he is.

Last year, our #3 guard played a boatload in the playoffs.

But realistically, he'll play whenever there is a big lead or deficit in the regular season and would get a real role if/ when any injuries pop up to CB and RS. Maybe he's looking forward to learning from them and practicing against players who are better than he is.

Hey, whatever works for the guy. Good for him. He wanted a chance, and he got it. Now it is up to Curry and him to make something of it.

:MusicBigGrin:

I can imagine being in his position and thinking that I would really impress everyone that I know if I cracked the NBA. Going to Europe, even if it paid more, might be seen as disappearing.

I can imagine being in his position and thinking that I would really impress everyone that I know if I cracked the NBA. Going to Europe, even if it paid more, might be seen as disappearing.
A lot depends on what he is trying to do. If it is purely $$$, then he's probably better off in Europe as their seasons are shorter and he has an offer on the table for at least double the money Pistons are paying him. If he wants to be here and play in NBA, then it's an entirely different story.

I wonder if Maurice Evans seeing those EUR signs too:



Golden State has offered Evans a three-year, $6.4 million deal, but after initially agreeing to the terms, Evans is reportedly holding out for more money from the Warriors.


Warriors may add Maurice Evans - ContraCostaTimes.com (http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_9969553?source=rss)

I wonder if Maurice Evans seeing those EUR signs too:

Warriors may add Maurice Evans - ContraCostaTimes.com (http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_9969553?source=rss)
He's been there, done that.

SportingNews.com - Your expert source for NBA Basketball stats, scores, standings, blogs and fantasy news from NBA Basketball columnists (http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=437872)


Kelenna Azubuike will return to the Golden State Warriors (http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/teams/warriors/index.html) after the club matched the Los Angeles Clippers' three-year, $9 million contract offer for the shooting guard on Thursday.


I wonder if this means that Evans will have to find another home...

After threatening to join the exodus to Europe, Andris Biedrins (http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/players/Andris_Biedrins/4365) signed a lucrative 6 year contract with the Warriors worth a reported $63 million. This is the second player in the last few days who is being overpaid by his team after threatening to go to Europe if they didn't offer enough. First, Sasha Vujacic (http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/players/Sasha_Vujacic/4759) signed a three-year, $15 million contract after threatening to leave for Europe and now this ridiculous contract for Biedrins. This may be a disturbing trend as teams pay too much for players because they threaten to go overseas. I actually believe that the Hornets overpaid for Posey and may regret it somewhere down the line. Although, he may be the piece that puts them over the top as a contender so we won't know until it all plays out.

Rumors and Free Agent Updates - Teams are Overpaying Edition (http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/Rumors_and_Free_Agent_Updates_Teams_are_Overpaying _Edition/296824)

F Evans Signs Three-Year, $7.5 Million Deal With Hawks | AHN | July 28, 2008 (http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7011756475)


With Josh Childress heading to Europe, the Hawks have picked up forward/guard Maurice Evans to replace him.
The six-year veteran has signed a three year deal, worth approximately $7.5 million.
Evans has been bouncing around for the last year, having played for both the Magic and Lakers as well.
He is now expected to get a great deal of playing time, as the sixth man for the Hawks.
The Lakers traded Evans, along with Brian Cook in order to pick up Trevor Ariza.
He's got some pretty big shoes to fill, asChildress, from the sixth man position, averaged 11.8 points a game, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
While Evans started 47 out of 68 games last year, he averaged only 24 minutes a game. That total could 30 mpg for his Hawk career.
Evans' primary strengths include an ability to control the perimeter and he is a three point threat.
He shoots a career 37% beyond the arc.

NEW JERSEY NETS NENAD KRISTIC SIGNS WITH RUSSIAN TEAM - New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/07292008/sports/nets/nets_kristic_heading_to_russia_122129.htm)


Look as if the Nets (http://shots.snap.com/explore/75002/?key=06028f986cd52d8275d29a0001c8914b&svc=Snap_Shot_Custom%257CNew_York_Post%257CNYPost_ Sports_Teams%257CWithAds&tag=New%20Jersey%20Nets&src=&cp=&asp=the%20Nets&dfs=10&tol=engage)New Jersey Nets http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.40/t.gif possibly are stashing Nenad Krstic (http://shots.snap.com/explore/75456/?key=06028f986cd52d8275d29a0001c8914b&svc=Snap_Shot_Custom%257CNew_York_Post%257CNYPost_ Sports_Players%257CWithAds&tag=Nenad%20Krstic&src=&cp=&asp=Nenad%20Krstic&dfs=10&tol=engage)Nenad Krstic http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.40/t.gif overseas. Again.
Krstic has accepted a two-year deal with Triumph of Moscow to play in Russia, the second Net to opt for Russia in as many weeks. Bostjan Nachbar (http://shots.snap.com/explore/14968/?key=06028f986cd52d8275d29a0001c8914b&svc=Snap_Shot_Custom%257CNew_York_Post%257CNYPost_ Sports_Players%257CWithAds&tag=Bostjan%20Nachbar&src=&cp=&asp=Bostjan%20Nachbar&dfs=10&tol=engage)Bostjan Nachbar http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.40/t.gif accpted a three-year deal with Dynamo of Moscow last week, accpeting what he called a "once in a lifetime" deal.
As long as the Nets make Krstic a qualifying offer each year -- as they did before the free agency period started ($2.7 million was the NBA qualifier), the Nets will retain his NBA rights. And he has an opt-out clause after the first year in Russia should he decide he wants to play in the NBA again.

ESPN - Paxson: Bulls reach deal to keep restricted free agent Deng - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3510232)


Deng and the Bulls, after more than a year of slow-moving negotiations, completed a new contract that will keep the restricted free agent in Chicago.




With Deng committed to leaving for England by week's end to join Great Britain's national team -- and insisting to the Bulls that he would not negotiate with them further without a deal by Friday -- sources said that the sides have verbally agreed on a new six-year pact worth a guaranteed $71 million.

Various media outlets are reporting that the deal could be worth as much as $80 million.

ESPN - Former Heat guard Davis signs 2-year deal with Clippers - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3508759)


The Clippers continued their offseason makeover Monday, signing veteran swingman Ricky Davis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3264) to a multiyear contract.
Sources told ESPN.com's Chad Ford that the deal was for two years, $4.7 million with an opt out clause for Davis after his first year.



http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3264.jpg Davis



Davis, an unrestricted free agent who turns 29 in September, averaged 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists while playing in all 82 games for the Miami Heat (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=mia) last season. He shot 43.3 percent from the floor, 40.5 percent on 3-pointers and 78.7 percent from the foul line.

ESPN - Five NBA teams to partake in exhibitions against Euro powers - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3509914)



After a summer so far noteworthy for the departures of several players from North America to Europe, three famous European teams will make the journey in the opposite direction in October for an exhibition tour against five NBA franchises.
Reigning Euroleague champion CSKA Moscow, Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona and Lithuania's Lietuvos Rytas will face the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors and, possibly, the Los Angeles Clippers at undetermined NBA venues.

Dallas Mavericks' forward Josh Howard arrested for street racing | Dallas Mavericks News | Sports News | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/080208dnspomavslede.5c678c8.html)


Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard was arrested Thursday night in his hometown of Winston-Salem, N.C., after police said he was street racing.
Howard was charged with reckless driving and speed competition, the legal term for drag racing. Police said he was going 94 mph in a 55-mph zone. He was released from Forsyth County jail on a written promise to appear in court Sept. 23.
The Mavericks had no comment on the incident. A message left with Howard's agent was not returned.
A police officer saw a black Lexus and a silver Volkswagen speeding along U.S. 421 in Winston-Salem late Thursday night. Howard was identified as the driver of the Lexus, but authorities did not identify the other driver.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9658


It's been a month since the free agency period started in the NBA and as the calendar turns to August, most of the biggest names are off the board. Patience has certainly been a virtue for those that remain, as cap space is now non-existent and options have dwindled down significantly. Some chose Europe while many of those that remain are just now becoming entering serious negotiations.
So who's left and where are there likely destinations? HOOPSWORLD ranks and breaks them down, and you'll certainly notice a developing pattern:

Lou Williams, Sixers Agree on Deal: Three Down, One to Go | Bleacher Report (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/43154-lou-williams-sixers-agree-on-deal-three-down-one-to-go)

The Sixers went into this offseason with four main objectives:

1. Get a low-post power forward, preferably Elton Brand. Check.

2. Re-sign restricted free agent Andre Iguodala. Any day now.

3. Re-sign restricted free agent Lou Williams. Check

4. Sign one or more outside shooters at a low price (Ivey and Rush). Check.

The latest objective is the announcement that the Sixers and Lou Williams have agreed on a five-year contract. Terms have not been released.

Magic to re-sign Foyle -- OrlandoSentinel.com (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-magic0208aug02,0,5961336.story)


Center Adonal Foyle (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/sports/adonal-foyle-PESPT002364.topic) is expected to re-sign with the Orlando Magic (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/sports/basketball/orlando-magic-ORSPT000208.topic) for the 2008-09 season, according to league sources. The official announcement should come early next week.

A 10-year-veteran, Foyle opted out of his two-year contract after last season to become a free agent.

Dallas Mavericks' forward Josh Howard arrested for street racing | Dallas Mavericks News | Sports News | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/080208dnspomavslede.5c678c8.html)

Was this guy on drugs or something?:pound:

http://www.pistonsforum.com/nba-stuff/8419-mavs-player-josh-howard-i-have-do-partake-smoking-weed.html

Couldn't resist.

Was this guy on drugs or something?:pound:

http://www.pistonsforum.com/nba-stuff/8419-mavs-player-josh-howard-i-have-do-partake-smoking-weed.html

Couldn't resist.
Too Funny :pound::pound:

Boykins signs with Virtus Bologna of Italy (http://www.tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=245400&lid=sublink01&lpos=headlines_nba)

Unrestricted free agent Earl Boykins (http://www.tsn.ca/nba/teams/players/bio/?id=42) signed a one-year, US$3.5-million deal Tuesday to play with Virtus Bologna of the Italian league, the latest NBA player to sign a deal with an overseas club.

Boykins signs with Virtus Bologna of Italy (http://www.tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=245400&lid=sublink01&lpos=headlines_nba)
Speaking of signing overseas. I just found this one (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3520860) at espn.

The Russian team CSKA Moscow and the Greek team Olympiacos, which recently gave Josh Childress (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3823) a contract approaching $30 million over three years, have already contacted James, according to the person close to him. The person added, however, that no monetary or contractual discussions have taken place.

LeBron to Europe for $50 million a season? I don't believe that of a second.

For those of you who believe that the NBA shouldn't be worried about their players being lured overseas, here's an article for you...............

ESPN - Source: LeBron would consider European offer of $50M a year or more - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3520860)

Death of the salary cap.

Speaking of signing overseas. I just found this one (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3520860) at espn.



LeBron to Europe for $50 million a season? I don't believe that of a second.

Nobody would have believed MJ would make 33 mil in 97-98 a few years before that either!

LeBron leaving for Europe seems remarkably unlikely to me. I think a more likely target, and perhaps a smart move by a Euroleague team that wanted to make a big splash (as opposed to throwing Monopoly money at LeBron and getting turned down), would be Kobe.

I think Kobe's current contract runs through the end of the 2011 season. He grew up in Europe while his dad was playing there, and he speaks Italian (plus Spanish, I think?), so I can see him being tempted by that. Particularly if the Lakers manage to win a title between now and then, which would "prove" that he didn't need Shaq to win it all. If he's managed to accomplish that by the time his contract is up, I could see him thinking, "I've done everything I wanted to in the NBA, so now I'll blaze another trail by being the first superstar to leave for Europe." It might make a lot of sense for him, especially if it means he can make tens of millions more over there than he could in another NBA contract.

Death of the salary cap.

Or the imposition of a European one. And the beginning of the formation of the GBA that might have a true world champion.

It probably depends how entrenched Kobe and his family are in America.

Lebron may have more freedom to do what's best for Lebron. He has stated that he wants to be a billionaire, so it would help him achieve that noble goal.

But Kobe might be more willing to move his family to Europe for a few years because he did it himself as a kid. He might think "that was a good experience for me, so let's take this chance to give our kids a similar thing."

But his wife might be thinking, "there are many new women for Kobe to have affairs with in Europe, and I'd rather keep him in America, where my spy network can keep tabs on him."

Lebron may have more freedom to do what's best for Lebron. He has stated that he wants to be a billionaire, so it would help him achieve that noble goal.
Well, he could just ask to be paid in Zimbabwe dollars. He'd be a billion-trillionaire. Ah, the wonders of Weimar-esque inflation!

But his wife might be thinking, "there are many new women for Kobe to have affairs with in Europe, and I'd rather keep him in America, where my spy network can keep tabs on him."

Good point, I had overlooked that potential factor.

:ballchain

The Philadelphia 76ers and restricted free agent Andre Iguodala have agreed to a six-year, $80 million contract, league sources tell ESPN.com.
The athletic and exciting 6-6 forward/guard has improved his scoring average in each of his first four seasons, and promises to be a mainstay on a Sixers team that recently signed former Clipper big man Elton Brand to an estimated $82 million free agent contract.
link: ESPN - Sources: Iguodala agrees to six-year, $80 million deal with Sixers - NBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3532139)

Flip Murray signs with Atlanta:

The Sports Network - National Basketball Association (http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nba/news/news.aspx?id=4171737)

That's a BIG$ suspension, but it makes sense since he violated his contract.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—The Golden State Warriors (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/gsw/;_ylt=ApkexERGfHU70Vd5j7gkQWeLvLYF) suspended injured guard Monta Ellis (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3966/) for 30 games without pay Saturday for violating his lucrative new contract by getting into a moped accident.

Ellis, who agreed to a six-year deal worth $66 million in July, severely sprained his ankle in a low-speed crash in late August. The suspension will cost the guard slightly less than $3 million.

The Warriors counted four preseason games in the suspension’s length, which means Ellis can’t return to the club until after Golden State’s 26th regular-season game, against Indiana on Dec. 17.

Ellis, who recently underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament, was unlikely to return before then anyway, but the suspension means the guard won’t be paid during his absence. Ellis’ agent, Jeff Fried, met with Golden State officials during the week to settle Ellis’ punishment.


Ellis compounded his mistake by initially lying to the Warriors about the accident. He told Chris Mullin, the Warriors’ top basketball executive, that he hurt himself playing pickup ball in his native Mississippi, but came clean about the accident several days later.

Warriors suspend Ellis 30 games for moped accident - NBA - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-warriors-ellis&prov=ap&type=lgns)

Which reminds me...I still wonder how Joel Zumaya really hurt his shoulder and missed a big chunk of the Tiger's season, fully paid.

Now they're talking about how Golden State can void the contract if they choose to (which they would do if his recovery doesn't look promising). Could be a very costly mistake for this kid.


On a totally separate note, I knew Andrew Bynum was good, but I don't think I appreciated what he was doing last year before his injury.

Through 35 games last year, he averaged:
28 minutes
13.1 points
10.2 rebounds
1.7 assists
0.3 steals
2.1 blocks

FG% of .636!

He averaged a double-double in only 28 minutes with crazy efficiency. For comparison, Tim Duncan's FG% last year was .497.


Really was a shame that he blew his knee out.

With the season about to start, if you want to get a quick look at which players have switched teams in the off-season, check out this list (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=PlayerMovement-2008-09) from ESPN. It also includes free agents re-signed by their own teams, so not every player listed has actually switched teams. I can't find a link to it from ESPN's front page, but I got to it via Google. It's also a bit out of date, not updated since early in October, although most player movement since then has just been teams waiving guys to get down to 15 before the season starts.

The list I linked to also includes teams renouncing their rights to retired players, some of whom have been retired for a long time. TrueHoop had a post about that (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-30-10/Aaron-McKie-is-Not-the-Only-NBA-Coach-Who-Could-Get-Traded.html) during last season. Amusingly, Rick Mahorn was still on the books for Philly until just this last off-season. And as the TrueHoop link also mentions, the Pistons (as of last season) still had the rights to such luminaries as Don Reid and Victor Alexander.

The elite: Five teams who can dethrone the Celtics - NBA - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AraNM6fAHKq_30W.3mg8vk8tPKB4?slug=theeli tefiveteamswhocand&prov=tsn&type=lgns)

If the Celtics have a weakness, it cannot be quantified, cannot be found on the roster sheet or in the box score. If anything holds back these Celtics, the culprit will most likely be sitting on that awkward finger between the middle and the pinky. It’ll be the ring each player now has. The Garnett-Allen-Pierce trio wanted the validation of a championship last year badly, and they played like it. It’s what drove their selfless offense and their fearsome defense, which allowed a league-low 41.9 percent shooting and 90.3 points per game, second lowest in the league.

At least we are still considered elite:victory:

The elite: Five teams who can dethrone the Celtics - NBA - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AraNM6fAHKq_30W.3mg8vk8tPKB4?slug=theeli tefiveteamswhocand&prov=tsn&type=lgns)



At least we are still considered elite:victory:

GREAT ARTICLE! NO CAVS!
:djparty:

GREAT ARTICLE! NO CAVS!
:djparty:

Every article is great if it does not include cavs. :cheers:

Yup. And did anyone see Lakers vs Trailblazers game? Lakers LOOK SCARY! or Portland could just have talent that won't pan out yet.

So Oden got injured again (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=oden-081029) less than three minutes into the game. This time it was his right foot. He's having an MRI today, so I guess they'll know more after that.

There's room for serious doubt as to whether this guy will EVER be healthy enough to play. Maybe it's just bad luck, but some players in every sport can't seem to avoid injuries no matter what they do. Oden certainly looks he's one of them.

Powe looked really good too.

Yup. And did anyone see Lakers vs Trailblazers game? Lakers LOOK SCARY! or Portland could just have talent that won't pan out yet.

The Laker radio guys were all over it today even calling up Jostens to see how much the rings will cost for them too. (laker radio announcer Mychal Thompson already has one).

It was only one game but, they and most of the GMs says that they are ready this year to grab the crown after being one Andrew Bynum short of it last year. Barring injury, I do see them in the finals, much to my chagrin of course....:crossed: Don't know who will be in the finals with them though.

Their bench is good, because the zen master believes in them and plays them..Ariza, Farmar, Sasha:faint2: who would have thought these guys could make a difference????



Clyde Drexler called in and said they were good, but don't have anybody to back up the Kobe if he just happens to go down near the end of the season...one of the announcers said Gasoft could score 40 if he wanted too, but then Clyde asked where was he and Valdi Rodmanovich last June:ner-ner:

Oden is out 2-4 weeks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3671791) with a sprained foot.

The Lakers bench scored 49 points tonight including a 17-0 spurt midway through the 2nd quarter to turn a one point deficit to the Clippers to a 16 point lead in a matter of 4 minutes...

I don't think the Clippers are that bad despite losing by 38, the Lakers are just that good with both speed on the defensive end and some darn good shooters.

I don't even want to hear the radio guys tomorrow, so I will stay out of my car. Lakers 117- Clippers 79



Meanwhile, the supposed second best team in the west,Hornetshad to hang on to steal a victory in the Oracle Arena in Oakland as newly crown Warrior leader Corey Magette led the charge for the possible upset... Don Nelson was his usual self playing Stephen Jackson all 48 minutes and he was out of gas in crunch time. Meanwhile Al Harrington supposedly announced this week that he wanted to be traded and his poor shooting didn't help matters....but still they almost won it... Hornets 108-Warriors 103.

Oden is out 2-4 weeks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3671791) with a sprained foot.

Sam Bowie Jr...?:nailbiting:

I know how you sprain an ankle, but I guess I don't know how you can sprain a foot. A sprained face sounds like a bad injury.

120 points from the Knicks!!??!!! And they just barely won.

YouTube - First Hack-a-Shaq In 5 sec In to the 08-09 season!!! (http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=-S_soY5Jg_Q)

Popovich is awesome LOL

YouTube - First Hack-a-Shaq In 5 sec In to the 08-09 season!!! (http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=-S_soY5Jg_Q)

Popovich is awesome LOL

I agree, Pop is awesome!
How many 'ships do you think the Pistons would have over the last 6 years with G-Pop runnin' the show?

My answer: more than one

I agree, Pop is awesome!
How many 'ships do you think the Pistons would have over the last 6 years with G-Pop runnin' the show?

My answer: more than one

We probably would have won on the even years.

We probably would have won on the even years.

Very good point.

YouTube - First Hack-a-Shaq In 5 sec In to the 08-09 season!!! (http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=-S_soY5Jg_Q)

Popovich is awesome LOL

:pound: that was too funny. yeah he is awesome along with his beard

Anybody watching the Hawks? They're legit. I adopted them as my 2nd team since i've always been a huge JJ fan, and the PO's last year. They're winning with defense, and look like they're going to be a tough out. Hopefully they can knock out either CLE or BOS (hell, even ORL) if/when they make the PO's.

Pistons, Hawks, Jazz, and Lakers.

The 4 remaining unbeaten teams in the NBA right now.

Pistons, Hawks, Jazz, and Lakers.

The 4 remaining unbeaten teams in the NBA right now.

Hawks are surprising me. I seriously thought the lost of J-Chill would affect them greatly. :toilet:

After scoring 55 points in one game, now TParker is loss for 2 weeks with an ankle injury. Spurs will struggle for awhile....Maybe we can trade Alex Acker to them for one of their big men..oops they are weak there too...

Anyone watching the DEN game ?? The Nuggets are playing like . . . well us :suspiciou

Anyone watching the DEN game ?? The Nuggets are playing like . . . well us :suspiciou

Yeah but they had Mello & CB & Nene come up big in crunch time and we had some :bs:defense.

At least CB gets a win with his new team and I get to see his wife Piper for the first time....

Yeah but they had Mello & CB & Nene come up big in crunch time and we had some :bs:defense.

At least CB gets a win with his new team and I get to see his wife Piper for the first time....

CB's defense actually looked good for the most part. He was helping to trap :twitch:.

And his wife usually looks better (in the pictures i've seen anyway)

10 assist from Chauncey? :nailbiting:

10 assist from Chauncey? :nailbiting:
CB had 10 dimes tonight and the Pistons had a total of 14.....:help2:

But CB had a Rip and Sheep like shooting night going 2-13...but alas, Chauncey has not lost a game this year and it appears that he and his team hae meshed already...

TOR's no defense squad is blowing out BOS. (I probably just jinxed it). I am going to go be bitter about the CB trade some more. :swear2:

edited to add;

Couldn't Joe D waited until after the BOS game to make this trade? Would've been nice to see how that went. I doubt DEN was going to change their minds.

TOR's no defense squad is blowing out BOS. (I probably just jinxed it). I am going to go be bitter about the CB trade some more. :swear2:

edited to add;

Couldn't Joe D waited until after the BOS game to make this trade? Would've been nice to see how that went. I doubt DEN was going to change their minds.

Yep Boston came back and blitz the Raptors in the second half with the big three scoring 76 points between them...:stooges:

Yep Boston came back and blitz the Raptors in the second half with the big three scoring 76 points between them...:stooges:

I knew it :doh:

ATL and LAL last two undefeated teams in the NBA. Hawks won't beat the Celtics though w/o Josh Smith.

And guess who that quote is about;


His perimeter defense has been nothing short of amazing. Whether its switching on a pick and roll, telling someone where to go, or applying pressure to his man. He's been good.

The OKY Thunder blew an opportunity for their second win of the season as they allowed the Suns to come back from a 16 point deficit to beat them on their home court when Matt Barnes hit a wide open 3 pointer with 26 seconds left in the game.

The Thunder led 70--54 with about 5 and half minutes left in the third quarter and watched watched the lead disappear as their experience showed and they allowed Nash to score 7 points in the last minute and a half to bring the Suns back and set up Barnes for the game winner.

You have to feel sorry for Kevin Durant who scored 29 points but saw his team lose for the fourteenth time this season. Guess we Piston fans have nothing to really complain about. :lecturer:

Check out D-Harris' stat line

8-13, 13-17 FT's, 34 pts, 4 rb, 6 assists, 3 stls

against UTAH and Deron Williams :faint2:

Mav's management should just fold after that trade.

edited to add;

Oh and David Lee with 37 pts, 21 rbs

Devin Harris following that performance up with;

47 pts, 17-17 FT's, 8assists, 3 blocks, 7 rbs

Kid is sick.

Dev Harris is my #2 fave point guard in the league. He's fast, hight basketball IQ, and downright great. He's the man in NJ.

Both LA teams go on the road and have 15 point leads to start the 4th quarter and lose???

Lakers led the Pacers 101-86 after three and loss by 1 on a last missed layup and then tip in by Troy Murphy

Clippers led Mavericks 81-68 at the end of three, scored the first bucket of the qtr for a 15 pt lead and then saw the Mavericks finish the game on a 9-0 run including giving a up a 3 pointer to Jose Barea with 50 seconds left for their first lead of the game and the winning hoop.

Hoop fans in LA not to happy tonight. They are especially unhappy about the Pacer loss to the 5-11 Pacer team. They really thought they would go 81-1:laugh:

Weirdest result of the night was from New Jersey. The Nets put up huge back-to-back wins at Utah and at Phoenix over the weekend, then came home and...got pounded by 20 points against the Wizards?!

Are the Cavs really that good?? Tonight they beat the Knicks by 36 points. They beat the Thunder by 35 pts last week and the Nets by 24 pts two weeks ago. The are beating everyone else by double digits and their three losses have come via the powerhouses Celtics, Hornets and Pistons. ;)

In fact it appears that Cavs still have something to prove in getting by the EC powers as they lost to the Celtics once during the regular season and twice during the preseason and to the Pistons once in both the regular and preseason.

If the Celtics and Lakers somehow slip up, we could see the Cavs in the finals again facing.......The trailblazers >> winners of 8 of their last 9 and sporting 14-6 record, and it is they and not the Hornets, Jazz or Rockets, as the team that the Lakers will possibly meet in the WCF....its still early, but just wanted to throw out the you heard it here first line:lecturer: