Jul

3

NBA Commissioner’s Statement On Sonics Move

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???????????? NBA commissioner David Stern

Below is the statement issued by NBA Commissioner David Stern; please note that Stern conveniently left out what really went down between the City of Seattle, team owner Clay Bennett and the National Basketball Association.? That aside, here is Stern’s statement in its entirety:

“We are pleased that the Sonics and the City of Seattle have settled their litigation.? While the decision has been made to relocate the Sonics to Oklahoma City, the NBA continues to regard Seattle as a first-class NBA city that is capable of serving as home for another NBA team.

In order for this to occur, a state-of-the-art NBA arena must be funded and constructed in the Seattle area, a subject that has been extensively debated — but not ultimately acted upon — by local political and business leaders over the past four years.? We are pleased that the City remains committed to addressing this fundamental requirement for the return of NBA basketball to Seattle and we hope that other elected officials critical to a solution will support the City?s efforts.

We understand that City, County, and State officials are currently discussing a plan to substantially re-build KeyArena for the sum of $300 million.? If this funding were authorized, we believe KeyArena could properly be renovated into a facility that meets NBA standards relating to revenue generation, fan amenities, team facilities, and the like.

Assuming the funding can be committed, the league is willing to work with the City on the design and construction of the re-build to facilitate this result.? Under these circumstances, if an opportunity arose in the future for an NBA team to be located in Seattle, we would support that team playing its home games in a re-built KeyArena, if it wished.

However, given the lead times associated with any franchise acquisition or relocation and with a construction project as complex as a KeyArena renovation, authorization of the public funding needs to occur by the end of 2009 in order for there to be any chance for the NBA to return to Seattle within the next five years.

We are pleased that Steve Ballmer has expressed the continuing willingness of his group, Seattle Center Investors, managed by Seattle developer Matt Griffin, to be a part of the solution for returning NBA basketball to Seattle.? The NBA will keep SCI and the City informed if opportunities arise in the next five years for franchise sale, relocation and/or expansion.? Under the circumstances outlined above, the NBA would be happy to return to the City of Seattle.?

Jul

2

76ers Pursuing Hawks’ Smith

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??????????????????????????????????Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith

Give Philadelphia 76ers president and general manager Ed Stepanski his props; one cannot accuse him of looking at his current roster and calling it a day.? The team, according to Joe Juliano of the Philadelphia Inquirer, immediately contacted Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith and his representation and plan to meet today; the 76ers have also contacted Smith’s teammate Josh Childress and are hoping to bring him in for a meeting, as well.? Smith’s agent, Brian Dyke, confirmed that he had met with the Hawks, who hold the right to match any offer given to Smith by the 76ers or any other NBA team.

Jul

2

Artest Having Second Thoughts About Opting Out

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??????????????????????????????? Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest

Ron Artest, to his credit, is never dull.? On the other hand, one could add the term naive to the superlatives that have been heaped onto him during his NBA career.? Apparently Artest is second-guessing himself lately, especially after Los Angeles Clippers forward Elton Brand and soon-to-be Clipper Baron Davis put themselves on the free agent market; according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, Artest now wishes that he had opted out of his current contract instead of playing out the final year - which pays him $7.4 million?next season.?

Artest may have thrown the first salvo in what may be his last season in a Kings uniform by telling ESPN.com, “I think I made the biggest mistake by staying in my contract and I have to live with it.? I had some misleading information [in making the] decision on not opting out. [But] I still thank God for all his blessings and being able to play basketball and help people.”? Artest let slip past him the opportunity to opt out of his current contract this past Monday - under the assumption that the Kings would sign him to an extension this summer, although there haven’t been any real signs by the team that they would do so.? Artest also assumed that he would only draw interest from teams at the mid-level exception level, under the thinking that the Kings or another team would sign him long-term if he had a big season.

By declining to opt out of his current contract, Artest just increased the likelihood of playing somewhere else between now and the February 2009 trading deadline - a “sign-and-trade”, if you will.? And you can rest assured that Artest will draw plenty of interest should that scenario play itself out.? The Lakers may revisit the opportunity to obtain Artest, in light of the fact that their defense has been singled out on occasion and the fact that Artest and Kobe Bryant are good friends.? So in the grand scheme of things, I would say at this juncture that it is a matter of when, not if, Artest gets traded from the Kings.? Artest just needs to know that playing the “blame game” will not exactly endear you to the general public.

Jul

2

Paul, Hornets Near Contract Extension

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???????????????????????????????????????????New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul

The New Orleans Hornets are getting closer to locking up their franchise player to a long-term agreement as according to Brett Martel of the Associated Press, Chris Paul’s agent, Lance Young, has stated that he - and I suspect Paul - plan to travel to the Big Easy Wednesday to finalize a contract extension?with the team that would keep the hornets’ point guard in New Orleans for an additional three-to-five years.? What Paul is seeking is the maximum pay allowable under the league’s collective bargaining agreement - in this case 25% of the NBA salary cap - with 10% raises going forward; a deal as described would earn Paul anywhere from $60 million up to more than $80 million, depending on the length of the contract.

Last season, Paul was the Hornets’ second leading scorer, averaging 21.1 PPG while also averaging 11.6 APG and 2.7 SPG; he also finished second in MVP voting - just behind the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant.? to illustrate how important Paul is to the team, he - after being drafted by New Orleans 4th overall in 2005 - went on to become the NBA’s Rookie of the Year while helping the Hornets increase their win total from 18 to 38.? Locking in Paul to a long-term deal will help an otherwise solid core of players - including David West and Tyson Chandler- and keep the Hornets competitive for an extended period of time.?

You also have to be mindful of the fact that the Hornets are gradually getting better in the playoffs, losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the playoffs last season.? And also factor in that the Hornets’ braintrust has come to the realization that locking in Paul now will ensure future success for the franchise - the franchise that came thisclose to nearly relocating to Oklahoma City.? So in a lot of ways, the Hornets have improved by leaps and bounds; what is so ironic about the team’s franchise is that they’re enjoying all of this success under the guidance of the team’s current owner - George Shinn.? And to think there was a time not that long ago that they ran?him out of Charlotte.? So perhaps he has learned his lesson about team ownership after the Charlotte debacle.? Only time will tell; he needs to get Paul signed ASAP and only then will the New Orleans public embrace Shinn completely.

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Jul

1

Wizards Sign Jamison To Long-Term Contract

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?????????????????????????????????????????????????? Washington Wizards forward Antawn Jamison

The Washington Wizards took one major step in attempting to retain point guard Gilbert Arenas as according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, the team signed forward Antawn Jamison to a four-year extension worth around $50 million; the deal was inked just before the NBA deadline - which would have made Jamison an unrestricted free agent.? Jamison’s signing will allow the Wizards to now turn their attention to re-signing Arenas, who has already opted out of his current contract despite knee problems that dogged him last season; the team can start negotiating with Arenas Tuesday (today).

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Jun

29

Michael Jordan Named 2008 Citizen of the Carolinas

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The “Charlotte Observer” is reporting that Charlotte Bobcats managing member of basketball operations Michael Jordan?has been named the 2008 recipient of the Citizen of the Carolinas by the Charlotte Chamber. Jordan is receiving the honor according to the Chamber because of his successes both on and off the court. The Chamber also noted his work with charities in the area. M.J. is a native of Wilmington, won the NCAA Championship with UNC in 1982, and of course six NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan will receive the award this November.

? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net


Jun

28

Nets Extend Offer to Krstic

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??????????????????????????????????????????????? New Jersey Nets center Nenad Krstic

The New Jersey Nets on Friday extended a qualifying offer to restricted free agent center Nenad Krstic; this allows the Nets to match any offers from other NBA teams.? Krstic had major knee surgery during the 2006-07 season; the injury limited him to 45 games last season as he averaged 6.6 PPG and 4.4 RPG.? Career-wise, Krstic is averaging 11.3 PPG and 5.7 RPG.?


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