Jun

6

Slam Dunk Central Reporter Stephen Rhodes’ 2008 NBA Mock Draft

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????????????????????????Philadelphia 76ers

Yesterday I covered the Phoenix Suns’ draft needs and projected their selection with their first-round pick.? Today, I cover the Philadelphia 76ers’ draft needs and also predict who I think they will draft with their first-round pick.

Philadelphia 76ers

Draft Position - #16

Needs - Power forward, center.? The Sixers are set at PG, SG and SF.? Jason Smith is the closest thing to a power forward that they have on their roster, hence the need for a PF.? And it would be nice to get a decent backup to Samuel Dalembert at center, as well.? I think the center position can be addressed through free agency.

Philadelphia 76ers select: Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State

Tomorrow: Toronto Raptors

Jun

6

Artest Likely To Remain A King

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As anyone who is a fan of or follows the Sacramento Kings already knows, Ron Artest is a “unique” individual - especially when it involves where he thinks he will be playing or where he wants to play.? Well as of this morning, Artest, according to Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee, is leaning towards remaining with the Kings for the final year of his current contract - although he has the option of opting out of his contract by June 30.

Let’s say that Artest decided to leave Sacramento.? He would basically, by doing that, earn the “mid-level exception”; that designation currently is around $6 million per year - which is less than what Artest currently earns with the Kings ($7.4 million this coming season).? So just on the math alone, Artest - if he was smart - should stick around.? Artest’s take on the situation?? He told the Bee on Friday, “I’m not even thinking like I’m about to opt out or go somewhere else.? I’m still here as a King.? If I’m going to be here, I’d rather do what I’m doing now and stick with the game plan.? Nothing (in terms of negotiations for a future contract) can happen until July 1 anyway.? We’ll definitely consider if the Kings come talking to us.”

I think it’s pretty obvious - Artest will not ever again get a contract approaching $10 million+ a season; having said that, I think it is in the best of Artest and the Maloofs to sit down together and hammer out an agreement as soon as possible - being mindful of the upcoming NBA draft.? These negotiations will go a long way in deciding who the Kings will select with their first-round pick in this year’s draft.? Not to mention that the Kings were on a roll going into the end of last season - with Artest playing no small part in that Kings resurgence.? So in the words of Larry the Cable Guy, “Get’er done!!”

Jun

6

Lakers Can’t Handle The Truth Celtics Win Game One 98-88

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Welcome To The World of Gentlemen, Gentlemen.

Even watching on TV, you could feel the air being sucked out of the “New Garden” Thursday night as every person in that building that had any loyalty towards the Boston Celtics were collectively holding their breath. Boston Celtics forward and their leading scorer in the 2008 NBA Playoffs Paul Pierce, was lying on the ground writhing in pain holding his leg with 6:49 left in the third quarter. Pierce had been injured in a collision with teammate center Kendrick Perkins. The forward had to be carried off the court by his teammates, and put onto a wheelchair. He was then transported to Celtics locker room. Pierce, and Boston coach Doc Rivers immediately thought worst case scenario, the forwards season was over. Rivers took his team aside and screamed to them that this was the adversity that a gentleman from South Africa had told them about in the preseason. The Celtics coach told his team this was the time for them to prove their worth, that they could over come this.

With 5:04 remaining, Pierce jogged out of the locker room, a protective sleeve on his right knee. It turned out to be a strained knee, and soon Pierce was back in the game. Pierce’s performance inspired his team to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 98-88 in game one of the NBA Finals. Kevin Garnett led Boston as he recorded a double-double, scoring 24 points, and grabbing 13 boards. Pierce who scored only 3 points in the first half ended the night with 22.

This is already starting out to be?a fun series, you had two heavyweight champs in the ring Thursday night standing toe to toe and giving each other their best shots. The “Green Team” had a paper thin lead at the end of the first quarter, as they were up 23-21. The Lakers had the advantage at the half as they walked into the locker room leading 51-46. Pierce came out smoking in the third quarter scoring six unanswered points, and the Celtics led 52-51. The Lakers had a 62-58 lead when Pierce was hurt, but the Celtics tied the game at 62-62 when Ray Allen hit a trey. The lead went back and forth until “The Truth” hit back to back treys with just over a minute left in the period. Boston led at the end of three quarters led 77-73. Kobe Bryant opened the final quarter with an outside shot to make it 77-75, but Los Angeles would never be closer than four points behind the rest of the game.

Kevin Garnett?scored 24 points, grabbed 13 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal, in the Boston victory. Pierce scored 22 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, Ray Allen scored 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block. Rajon Rondo scored 15 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds. Two other players who came up bigger than their box scores were the two old Turks, Sam Cassell who was huge in the first, and P.J. Brown who was just as big in the second half.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 24 points after a tough first half, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block. Pau Gasol scored 15?points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, Derek Fisher also scored 15 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals. Lamar Odom scored 14 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal. Boston holds on to home court advantage with the win, game two will be in Boston on Sunday.

? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net?

Jun

6

ESPN: The Celtics And Lakers Talk After Game 1

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Jun

6

ESPN: Kevin Garnett Talks After Game 1 Win

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Jun

6

ESPN: Paul Pierce Talks After Celtics’ Win

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Jun

6

ESPN: Breaking Down The Celtics’ Win Over The Lakers

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