Jul

31

Lakers Ink Lamar Odom To Four Year Pact

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The ”Los Angeles Times” has reported that the Los Angeles Lakers have re-signed their veteran forward for a four year deal that could make him up to $33 million dollars.  Odom who was a key member of the NBA Champions this past June had earlier rejected a three year deal and the Lakers pulled it off the table.

The Miami Heat were the other team in the running for Odom’s services and Heat All-Star Dwyane Wade flew out to see the forward. However Odom always wanted to stay in Los Angeles and the decision was made easy for him with  the additional year.

Odom spoke to the media after the deal was announced and told reporters that his desire had been from the end of last season to re-sign with Los Angeles. He told reporters “I always wanted to come back because we won the championship. I’m playing for the biggest brand in the world. And I’m playing with the most fluid, talented center in the world in Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum’s coming back and of course Kobe Bryant.

But to now get an opportunity to play with Ron Artest, a guy I’ve known 16 years, it means a lot. I told Ron Ron a few weeks ago I couldn’t walk away. I still had to fight. Everytime negotiations didn’t go the way I thought, I just took a step back, like them pulling the offer off the table, I just knew I had to fight.”

© Copyright 2009 thesackattack.net

Jul

29

LeBron James On 60 Minutes

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Earlier this year Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star and reigning NBA MVP LeBron James was interviewed on the CBS-TV Show 60 Minutes. The Interview by Steve Kroft was conducted prior to the Summer of Controversy that LBJ has undergone. Still we think you fill find it insightful and entertaining!

Jul

28

Bobcats Hope Tyson Will Add That Knock-Out Punch To Lineup! Trade Okafor To Hornets!

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The Charlotte Bobcats announced on their website Tuesday that they have traded big man Emeka Okafor to the New Orleans Hornets for center Tyson Chandler. The Bobcats are hoping that Chandler adds some intimidation to a roster  that has changed quite radically in the past year. Charlotte this past season under first year coach Larry Brown changed much of the personnel and for their first time in their existence were in the hunt for an NBA Playoff spot.

Chandler’s game reached another level during his three year stint with New Orleans. The veteran center had been a disappointment his first few years in the Association after being taken with the second pick in the 2001 NBA Draft. However the teaming of Chandler with point guard Chris Paul revitalized Chandler’s game as he averaged a double-double in his three years with the club. The center averaged 10.2 and 11.3 boards per game in his time in the “Big Easy” despite by being plagued with injuries this past campaign.

Okafor was the first pick ever in the NBA Draft for the Bobcats in the 2004  NBA Draft. The former University of Connecticut player averaged 14.0 points and 10.7  rebounds per game during his stint in Charlotte. Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins told reporters this is a key move for his team. Higgins said “We looked at this trade as an opportunity to improve our team. Tyson brings that unique level of athleticism in a 7-footer that puts us in a position to compete night in and night out with the other quality centers in the league. We’d like to thank Emeka for all that he has done for this franchise and for serving as the organization’s ambassador and first-ever draft pick. His hard work and dedication to the Charlotte Bobcats will be missed, and we wish him well with his new team.”

© Copyright 2009 thesackattack.net

Jul

27

T-Wolves Keep On Trading! Get Atkins And Wilkins From Thunder

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The Minnesota Timberwolves will certainly look a lot different at the start of next season then they did at the end of the last. Whether all these personnel moves will result with a better record at the end of the campaign remains to be seen. The “Associated Press” has reported that the T-Wolves have completed a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder that will send them veteran guard Chucky Atkins and big man Damien Wilkins in exchange for veteran center Etan Thomas and two future second round NBA Draft picks.

Thomas came to the T-Wolves in the deal that got them the number five pick in the NBA Draft from the Washington Wizards. Minnesota used the pick on guard Ricky Rubio who is still unsigned at this time.  Timberwolves new President of Basketball Operations David Kahn is excited about the move. Kahn said “We’re committed towards rebuilding our roster with an eye towards flexibility and long-term success, and this move better positions us for the Summer. I want to thank Etan for his professionalism and understanding, and wish him all the best moving forward.”

© Copyright 2009 thesackattack.net

Jul

26

Mavericks Sign Gooden To One Year Pact

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If you have watched Drew Gooden consistently in his seven year career in the Association you are aware that you can always tell the game that the veteran big man will have within the first 30 seconds of the contest. If Gooden is aggressive running up and down the court and jawing you know he is going to have a big night. However if he looks tentative during those opening seconds Gooden will not be a factor for his team in the game. The Dallas Mavericks will soon see how he plays up close and personal as “ESPN.com” has reported they signed the free agent veteran to a one year pact.

Reports say that nomadic veteran has signed a one year deal with the club for a reported $4.5 million. This reporter had the pleasure of covering him during his stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Gooden is a quality guy and there has never been any doubt about his ability. The talent is there; unfortunately the consistency is not. When Gooden has the eye of the tiger he is an elite big man in the Association. The problem is his maintaining that attitude through an 82 game season as well as the NBA Playoffs.

Gooden was injured for much of this past season and ended the campaign with the San Antonio Spurs. He was also a member of the 2007 Cleveland cavaliers team that lost to the Spurs in the NBA Finals.

 © Copyright 2009 thesackattack.net

Jul

25

Blazers Sign Veteran Andre Miller to Three Year Pact

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The Associated Press has reported that the Portland Trail Blazers have inked veteran free agent point guard Andre Miller to a three year deal for a reported $21 million. Miller has played the last few seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers coming over from the Denver Nuggets in the trade that sent Allen Iverson to Denver. Miller was a key component in the Sixers putting up strong first round battles the last two years in the NBA Playoffs. Philadelphia scared the Detroit Pistons in 2008 and then gave a hard time to the Orlando Magic earlier this year.

Miller was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers and played with them for 3 seasons. He was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for swingman Darius Miles. Miller has played 10 years in the NBA and has career averages of 14.6  points, 7.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game.

© Copyright 2009 thesackattack.net

Jul

25

NBA Talk: Are The San Antonio Spurs The Team To Beat In 2009-10 Season?

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As you know, I am an Indiana Pacers fan (and a little of the Memphis Grizzlies, now that I have started a blog with Fanball.com network called MemphisBlueBears.com), I just really wanted to write this article about the San Antonio Spurs.

Truly, I think the Spurs deserve a lot of hype for what they have done in the off-season so far, but more people are focusing on bogus nonsense of the deals involving Ron Artest, Shaquille O’Neal, and Shawn Marion. Come on, give a little love to what the Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, and of course, the Spurs have done, too.

The Spurs are truly look to be one heck of a team in the upcoming 2009-10 season. With such small additions that actually make it huge like adding Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, and DeJuan Blair, the Spurs are surely a much much better team.

That brings me do an idea. You what it is. It’s the world-famous NBA Talk!

Now that San Antonio has these solid additions, it’s time go for a breakdown of the depth chart in my opinion. Let’s take a look:

PG: Tony Parker

SG: Manu Ginobili/Roger Mason

SF: Richard Jefferson

PF: Antonio McDyess/DeJuan Blair

C: Tim Duncan

I think it is pretty reasonable.

Tony Parker, come on, we all know how he rolls and with George Hill backing him up, the Spurs look like pretty comfortable at the point guard position, certainly, no doubt about that.

Also, then there is the shooting guard position which involves Manu Ginobili and Roger Mason. Both of these guys are truly just fun players to watch. And if Ginobili can stay healthy this year, the Spurs can win 60-plus games easily due to last year winning 54 without him.

Then the small forward position involving Richard Jefferson. I really think this is a big deal for San Antonio and I am glad they decided to to do this. And also, with Michael Finley backing him up, this position is pretty much wrapped up solid good.

The power forward position was questionable to me. Some people say that McDyess was going to be a backup center to Tim Duncan, but don’t you think it is better if San Antonio starts both McDyess and Duncan? Also, both of those guys can mentor DeJuan Blair, who surprisingly fell to the Spurs way back in the second round of the NBA Draft this year.

We also may be seeing some playing time from Blair, who may be impressive this year.

The center position, no gimme, Tim Duncan is obviously one of the best centers to ever play the game of the basketball, or if not the best. Everyone knows how Duncan can roll, so there is no furthermore point explaining about this superstar.

So, how do you like the observation? Many people believe the Lakers may come back to the Finals. Come on, not three times in a row. I think a new team deserves to get up there. I think the Spurs may finally go back up to the Finals win it all over again.

And heck, it may be a sweep against the team they may be facing, like last team when they swept LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Spurs fans, you have to be happy right now because this may be their year.

And another heck, they are probably the real team to beat.

And if they are, there’s already something waiting for them, a reserved NBA Finals seat.

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