I would like to take this opportunity to say that the Warriors are going to suck... AGAIN! Yaaaaay!

Matt Barnes would be a great fit and a real score for the Laker's if they get him. The guy has played hard and done exactly what's been asked of him for every team he's been a part of. Even the Warriors!

So Barnes took the money and went to Toronto. Can't really hate on the guy. He's played hard in so many different places for small amounts of money that he deserves a bit of a cash out. He'll probably get some decent playing time there as well. Would still have rather seen him on the Lakers, though.

OK, so evidently Barnes hasn't decided to take the money yet. I thought that was done. Sign with the Lakers, foo!

Chris Paul Wants Out?

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/13659617/new-hornets-brass-already-facing-crisis-with-paul?tag=headlines;other

I'm shocked Richard Jefferson is back with San Antonio;

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AtcJFf9cuwrWse9xvRcEFDW8vLYF?slug=ap-spurs-jefferson

uPtoWnNY said:

Chris Paul Wants Out?

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/13659617/new-hornets-brass-already-facing-crisis-with-paul?tag=headlines;other

No shit. I wonder if the media and these ex players will roast him for wanting

to play with another superstar.

uPtoWnNY said:

I'm shocked Richard Jefferson is back with San Antonio;

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AtcJFf9cuwrWse9xvRcEFDW8vLYF?slug=ap-spurs-jefferson

Me too. Also surprised he did it for that amount of money. It's possible this last season, which was definitely an off one for him, scared off other teams. The way he allowed his contract to be structured is comendable, though. Spurs could be strong this year.

Cerebus said:

I would like to take this opportunity to say that the Warriors are going to suck... AGAIN! Yaaaaay!

Matt Barnes would be a great fit and a real score for the Laker's if they get him. The guy has played hard and done exactly what's been asked of him for every team he's been a part of. Even the Warriors!

Agreed.

Ha! Barnes DID end up signing with LA.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-lakers-barnes

That's some crazy intense energy comin' off the bench. Hopefully havin' somebody else there who's willing to get in another players face will finally help RonRon feel a little more relaxed, too. Dudes been too uptight since the Brawl. Understandable, but I know he could do more than what he's done the last couple years. Lakers made some interesting improvements with Blake and Barnes. Gonna be tough to beat again next year. I'm actually hoping right now that it's Lakers/Heat. That would be a nice series.

Allan Houston the Next Knicks GM? Anyone's better than Isiah Thomas, but I'm ticked Dolan prevented Walsh from giving Chris Mullin a shot.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2010/07/23/2010-07-23_new_york_knicks_wont_confirm_or_deny_report_that_allan_houston_will_be_named_gen.html

Stephen Jackson's House Robbed;

http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Baseline/entry/view/72307/house_of_bobcats_stephen_jackson_robbed#ixzz0uTmDPCMK

WFAN reports Kurt "Crazy Eyes" Thomas to the Bulls.

Cerebus said:

Ha! Barnes DID end up signing with LA.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-lakers-barnes

That's some crazy intense energy comin' off the bench. Hopefully havin' somebody else there who's willing to get in another players face will finally help RonRon feel a little more relaxed, too. Dudes been too uptight since the Brawl. Understandable, but I know he could do more than what he's done the last couple years. Lakers made some interesting improvements with Blake and Barnes. Gonna be tough to beat again next year. I'm actually hoping right now that it's Lakers/Heat. That would be a nice series.

Barnes was much-needed. Now Kobe has a BONAFIDE backup for the first time in his career, and dude can play the 3 and is tough as shit. Now, if they can get Chris Paul .

RebirthOfCool said:

Cerebus said:

Ha! Barnes DID end up signing with LA.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-lakers-barnes

That's some crazy intense energy comin' off the bench. Hopefully havin' somebody else there who's willing to get in another players face will finally help RonRon feel a little more relaxed, too. Dudes been too uptight since the Brawl. Understandable, but I know he could do more than what he's done the last couple years. Lakers made some interesting improvements with Blake and Barnes. Gonna be tough to beat again next year. I'm actually hoping right now that it's Lakers/Heat. That would be a nice series.

Barnes was much-needed. Now Kobe has a BONAFIDE backup for the first time in his career, and dude can play the 3 and is tough as shit. Now, if they can get Chris Paul .

C/ROC: LA did everything I'd hoped they'd do this offseason. I'm actually even happier they signed Ratliff.

I thought LA needed to re-sign Fisher plus another reliable, starter-quality PG (to eventually let Fish go to the bench). I also thought LA needed a backup center so Gasol and Odom could avoid problem matchups with bigger 5's when Bynum i) gets hurt, or ii) gets in foul trouble. They got all 3.

Barnes makes for a stronger bench. He's not near the athlete Shannon Brown is, but he makes better decisions and is a better defender. He brings some toughness off the bench and can play the 2 or 3.

If Ebanks and Caracter give them ANYTHING this year Kupchak would have had his best summer in years, and that's saying a lot.

Scary considering LA's been to 3 Finals and won 2 titles in 24 months and haven't even played their best ball with a healthy squad.

They're ready for a defense.

If I'm Kupchak, I don't trade Bynum for Paul. Yes, we all know how great CP3 is, but a big reason LA won is because of their size. The Lakers last 3 trips to the finals proved that having a big presence at center is more important than at PG.

namepeace said:

RebirthOfCool said:

Barnes was much-needed. Now Kobe has a BONAFIDE backup for the first time in his career, and dude can play the 3 and is tough as shit. Now, if they can get Chris Paul .

C/ROC: LA did everything I'd hoped they'd do this offseason. I'm actually even happier they signed Ratliff.

I thought LA needed to re-sign Fisher plus another reliable, starter-quality PG (to eventually let Fish go to the bench). I also thought LA needed a backup center so Gasol and Odom could avoid problem matchups with bigger 5's when Bynum i) gets hurt, or ii) gets in foul trouble. They got all 3.

Barnes makes for a stronger bench. He's not near the athlete Shannon Brown is, but he makes better decisions and is a better defender. He brings some toughness off the bench and can play the 2 or 3.

If Ebanks and Caracter give them ANYTHING this year Kupchak would have had his best summer in years, and that's saying a lot.

Scary considering LA's been to 3 Finals and won 2 titles in 24 months and haven't even played their best ball with a healthy squad.

They're ready for a defense.

They got Theo Ratliff, too!? Damn. Lakers are going to be solid next year. I'll miss Shannon Brown, but they didn't need more scorers running around the triangle holding the ball. They needed hard-nosed, working class players who are willing to knock a fool down, dive on the floor and play some D. They got THREE of them. I'm SO ready for the season to start right now.

uPtoWnNY said:

If I'm Kupchak, I don't trade Bynum for Paul. Yes, we all know how great CP3 is, but a big reason LA won is because of their size. The Lakers last 3 trips to the finals proved that having a big presence at center is more important than at PG.

I'm a Bynum fan, but there's just no way around the fact that dude is going to get hurt again, and probably have a fairly short career. Plus, with Ratliff they've still got three bigs. Chris Paul has a lot more upside for the Lakers with Fisher falling off a bit as he gets older.

Can't give up on Bynum yet - kid's only 22. You hope he can put these injuries behind him.

Kupchak's not fooling around. He's gearing the Lakers up to deal with an improved Thunder and the eventual showdown with Miami.

namepeace said:

RebirthOfCool said:

Barnes was much-needed. Now Kobe has a BONAFIDE backup for the first time in his career, and dude can play the 3 and is tough as shit. Now, if they can get Chris Paul .

C/ROC: LA did everything I'd hoped they'd do this offseason. I'm actually even happier they signed Ratliff.

I thought LA needed to re-sign Fisher plus another reliable, starter-quality PG (to eventually let Fish go to the bench). I also thought LA needed a backup center so Gasol and Odom could avoid problem matchups with bigger 5's when Bynum i) gets hurt, or ii) gets in foul trouble. They got all 3.

Barnes makes for a stronger bench. He's not near the athlete Shannon Brown is, but he makes better decisions and is a better defender. He brings some toughness off the bench and can play the 2 or 3.

If Ebanks and Caracter give them ANYTHING this year Kupchak would have had his best summer in years, and that's saying a lot.

Scary considering LA's been to 3 Finals and won 2 titles in 24 months and haven't even played their best ball with a healthy squad.

They're ready for a defense.

Damn, I forgot all about those dudes. Lakers look pretty damn scary at the swing spot now. I still wanna see them go after Delonte West, but if Chris Paul comes a-callin', then it's really on!

uPtoWnNY said:

If I'm Kupchak, I don't trade Bynum for Paul. Yes, we all know how great CP3 is, but a big reason LA won is because of their size. The Lakers last 3 trips to the finals proved that having a big presence at center is more important than at PG.

I don't know playa. CP3 is a beast. I may have to serious look at Bynum for CP3. They say never trade a Big for a Small but this may be one of those exceptions.

uPtoWnNY said:

If I'm Kupchak, I don't trade Bynum for Paul. Yes, we all know how great CP3 is, but a big reason LA won is because of their size. The Lakers last 3 trips to the finals proved that having a big presence at center is more important than at PG.

I'd agree. L.A is making these moves primarily because of Boston's size.

The Lakers know they were fortunate to get by Boston in the seventh game

even minus Kendrick Perkins. The Lakers now have the size and depth that

to match Boston.

Interesting update on Kobe and a recap of all the moves the Lakers have made. Says that they ARE still trying to re-sign. Shannon Brown.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-lakers-bryantsurgery

RebirthOfCool said:

I don't know playa. CP3 is a beast. I may have to serious look at Bynum for CP3. They say never trade a Big for a Small but this may be one of those exceptions.

no rebounds, no rings....

uPtoWnNY said:

RebirthOfCool said:

I don't know playa. CP3 is a beast. I may have to serious look at Bynum for CP3. They say never trade a Big for a Small but this may be one of those exceptions.

no rebounds, no rings....

True. But you can always get a rebounder, but you can't always get a top 3 PG.

RebirthOfCool said:

uPtoWnNY said:

no rebounds, no rings....

True. But you can always get a rebounder, but you can't always get a top 3 PG.

A top three PG who would most likely reach another level of greatness playing on a team filled with players as talented as the Lakers current roster. The Lakers also have several other rebounders. I'll be happy either way, really. I'd love to see Chris Paul as a Laker, but I'd also love to see Bynum stay injury free, winning games and titles in LA for a few more years (maybe until Kobe retires). However, if they keep Bynum, I hope Chris Paul gets moved to the Eastern Conference.

Cerebus said:

RebirthOfCool said:

True. But you can always get a rebounder, but you can't always get a top 3 PG.

A top three PG who would most likely reach another level of greatness playing on a team filled with players as talented as the Lakers current roster. The Lakers also have several other rebounders. I'll be happy either way, really. I'd love to see Chris Paul as a Laker, but I'd also love to see Bynum stay injury free, winning games and titles in LA for a few more years (maybe until Kobe retires). However, if they keep Bynum, I hope Chris Paul gets moved to the Eastern Conference.

Agreed .

New Orleans Hornets brass to meet with Chris Paul today;

http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ssf/2010/07/new_orleans_hornets_brass_to_s.html

Ranking All 30 NBA GMs;

http://www.sbnation.com/2010/7/22/1582380/nba-general-manager-rankings-pat-riley-heat

Lorenzen Wright: Former Tigers & Grizzlies Player Missing

http://www.wreg.com/news/wreg-loren-wright-missing,0,6101949.story

I have a sinking feeling this story will not end well. Hope I'm wrong.

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to trade point guard Ramon Sessions and forward Ryan Hollins to the Cleveland Cavaliers for point guards Delonte West and Sebastian Telfair.

The Timberwolves say they will also send Cleveland a future second-round pick in the deal completed Monday night.

It's the first significant personnel move the Cavaliers have made since star LeBron James left to sign with the Miami Heat earlier this month.

Sessions and Hollins both signed with the Timberwolves before last season as part of a new rebuilding project. But the Timberwolves signed Luke Ridnour and Darko Milicic, making both of them expendable.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

uPtoWnNY said:

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to trade point guard Ramon Sessions and forward Ryan Hollins to the Cleveland Cavaliers for point guards Delonte West and Sebastian Telfair.

The Timberwolves say they will also send Cleveland a future second-round pick in the deal completed Monday night.

It's the first significant personnel move the Cavaliers have made since star LeBron James left to sign with the Miami Heat earlier this month.

Sessions and Hollins both signed with the Timberwolves before last season as part of a new rebuilding project. But the Timberwolves signed Luke Ridnour and Darko Milicic, making both of them expendable.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

In other news, paint dried.