RebirthOfCool said:

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.

I don't get this deal.

Graycap23 said:

RebirthOfCool said:

In other news, paint dried.

I don't get this deal.

I cracked up off how it was reported to be a "significant move"

Graycap23 said:

RebirthOfCool said:

In other news, paint dried.

I don't get this deal.

A) Cleveland is trying to make it look like they're doing ANYTHING to get better.

B) I think people are forgetting that Delonte West is not the most stable person on Earth AND that LeBron was one of the people reported to be helping him keep it level. They're probably pretty relieved to have moved the guy.

Yao may quit if his foot doesn't fully heal;

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AtR9fsKyCh6TqpUCeXqDtCY5nYcB?slug=ap-yaofuture

uPtoWnNY said:

Yao may quit if his foot doesn't fully heal;

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AtR9fsKyCh6TqpUCeXqDtCY5nYcB?slug=ap-yaofuture

Huh. I thought that was already posted, but it wasn't.

I don't blame the guy. The injuries he's rehabbing from are very painful for a person of his size. Also, it's very likely already that he'll have difficulty walking as he gets older. I can totally understand wanting to let things heal over a very long period of time, without the all stress and rehab required for returning to the NBA, if it happens again. I really hope it doesn't, though, because the guy has turned out to be a far better player than I ever expected. I hope Oden and Bynum can get it together for a long period of time as well. But big men injuries are hard to heal with the stress they put on their bodies playing 82 (or more) games per season.

[Edited 7/27/10 19:42pm]

So is Chris Paul staying in NO or not? If you read all the reports it's just a bunch of double talk and niceties that don't have much real substance. Could just be smoke and mirrors to keep the dogs at bay. Sounds like he's PROBABLY staying for now, but there's no guarantee for the future.

Cerebus said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Yao may quit if his foot doesn't fully heal;

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AtR9fsKyCh6TqpUCeXqDtCY5nYcB?slug=ap-yaofuture

Huh. I thought that was already posted, but it wasn't.

I don't blame the guy. The injuries he's rehabbing from are very painful for a person of his size. Also, it's very likely already that he'll have difficulty walking as he gets older. I can totally understand wanting to let things heal over a very long period of time, without the all stress and rehab required for returning to the NBA, if it happens again. I really hope it doesn't, though, because the guy has turned out to be a far better player than I ever expected. I hope Oden and Bynum can get it together for a long period of time as well. But big men injuries are hard to heal with the stress they put on their bodies playing 82 (or more) games per season.

[Edited 7/27/10 19:42pm]

Fully agree.

Cerebus said:

So is Chris Paul staying in NO or not? If you read all the reports it's just a bunch of double talk and niceties that don't have much real substance. Could just be smoke and mirrors to keep the dogs at bay. Sounds like he's PROBABLY staying for now, but there's no guarantee for the future.

Chris Paul is acting like a little bitch. LeBron was a free agent, he had the choice to go wherever he wanted. Paul's under contract for two more years. The Hornets don't have to do shit.

uPtoWnNY said:

Cerebus said:

So is Chris Paul staying in NO or not? If you read all the reports it's just a bunch of double talk and niceties that don't have much real substance. Could just be smoke and mirrors to keep the dogs at bay. Sounds like he's PROBABLY staying for now, but there's no guarantee for the future.

Chris Paul is acting like a little bitch. LeBron was a free agent, he had the choice to go wherever he wanted. Paul's under contract for two more years. The Hornets don't have to do shit.

.......and if they are smart, they won't.

Graycap23 said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Chris Paul is acting like a little bitch. LeBron was a free agent, he had the choice to go wherever he wanted. Paul's under contract for two more years. The Hornets don't have to do shit.

.......and if they are smart, they won't.

CP3 is doing what athletes do in every sport. They sign contracts that set them up for financial security. They get buyer's remorse because the team falls apart around them or makes changes they hate. But still, as Prince said in "Movie Star", like that money. So they ask for trades that will allow them to get paid and earn more public accolades. Kobe and so many others have done it.

I can understand why CP3 is doing what he's doing. He sees what his boys did by getting together, and feels left out. He wants to take the same shortcut to contention that they did. The fact that his team had terrible ownership and shipped his favorite teammate and coach out after he signed his extension didn't help.

But Bosh, Wade and Bron Bron all played out their contracts and earned the rights to take a shortcut to contention by teami9ng up. CP3 hasn't played his out yet. I'd hate to see him waste away on a bad Hornets team, but that's the way it is. And it may not be worth it for NO to trade him even if it means they lose him in 24 months.

namepeace said:

Graycap23 said:

.......and if they are smart, they won't.

CP3 is doing what athletes do in every sport. They sign contracts that set them up for financial security. They get buyer's remorse because the team falls apart around them or makes changes they hate. But still, as Prince said in "Movie Star", like that money. So they ask for trades that will allow them to get paid and earn more public accolades. Kobe and so many others have done it.

I can understand why CP3 is doing what he's doing. He sees what his boys did by getting together, and feels left out. He wants to take the same shortcut to contention that they did. The fact that his team had terrible ownership and shipped his favorite teammate and coach out after he signed his extension didn't help.

But Bosh, Wade and Bron Bron all played out their contracts and earned the rights to take a shortcut to contention by teami9ng up. CP3 hasn't played his out yet. I'd hate to see him waste away on a bad Hornets team, but that's the way it is. And it may not be worth it for NO to trade him even if it means they lose him in 24 months.

True but just because he asks does NOT mean the team has 2 grant his wish.

Graycap23 said:

namepeace said:

CP3 is doing what athletes do in every sport. They sign contracts that set them up for financial security. They get buyer's remorse because the team falls apart around them or makes changes they hate. But still, as Prince said in "Movie Star", like that money. So they ask for trades that will allow them to get paid and earn more public accolades. Kobe and so many others have done it.

I can understand why CP3 is doing what he's doing. He sees what his boys did by getting together, and feels left out. He wants to take the same shortcut to contention that they did. The fact that his team had terrible ownership and shipped his favorite teammate and coach out after he signed his extension didn't help.

But Bosh, Wade and Bron Bron all played out their contracts and earned the rights to take a shortcut to contention by teami9ng up. CP3 hasn't played his out yet. I'd hate to see him waste away on a bad Hornets team, but that's the way it is. And it may not be worth it for NO to trade him even if it means they lose him in 24 months.

True but just because he asks does NOT mean the team has 2 grant his wish.

Agreed.

WFAN is reporting Lorenzen Wright was found dead....damn.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/jul/28/body-found-memphis-police-lorenzen-wright/

[Edited 7/28/10 14:39pm]

Peace and solace to Lorenzen's family and friends during this difficult time. The blame can only be placed on the perpatrators with the type of crimes we're talking about here (robbery and murder). But DAMN! When are these guys going to learn that they can't carry around cash like that? Especially if ANYBODY else knows about it. I know dude was big and probably felt somewhat safe because of his fame, but a gun just doesn't care about ANY of that. Sad.

I agree about everything you guys said regarding players signing contracts (big or small) and then wanting out. Especially about Chris Paul's talent being wasted. But it doesn't matter if he's not an unrestricted free agent. He signed a contract that would be legally binding for the rest of us, should be for them as well. Unfortunately, in this day and age, they know that they and their agents can cause so much stink that owners WILL trade them to just be done with it.

Yes, I am a Laker's fan. No, I am not a Kobe hater. So admittedly I have a biased point of view on this subject. Having said that, however, I DON'T think Kobe has ever used this practice to make more money. I do believe that Kobe has always been genuine in his drive to win and his attempt be considered great (or at least reach what he feels that may be in his own mind). Kobe has always had success, and when he felt like the Lakers weren't going to spend the cash to get to the next level he's threatened to leave. Each time, they've spent the money AND won titles. He's tried much harder and stayed much longer than LeBron, for example.

Cerebus said:

Yes, I am a Laker's fan. No, I am not a Kobe hater. So admittedly I have a biased point of view on this subject. Having said that, however, I DON'T think Kobe has ever used this practice to make more money. I do believe that Kobe has always been genuine in his drive to win and his attempt be considered great (or at least reach what he feels that may be in his own mind). Kobe has always had success, and when he felt like the Lakers weren't going to spend the cash to get to the next level he's threatened to leave. Each time, they've spent the money AND won titles. He's tried much harder and stayed much longer than LeBron, for example.

I am a longtime Laker fan, recovering Kobe hater and current Kobe agnostic. I do think Kobe used his leverage for more than money. And it hasn't endeared him to a lot of fans, even Laker fans, because sometimes his attitude hurt the team. He was with the team not much longer than LBJ was with the Cavs (and had already won 3 titles) when he used his leverage as a UFA to force Buss' hand on both Shaq and Phil. Had Buss supported either of them Kobe might have gone elsewhere. To be sure, he was made promises early into his 2nd contract and LA took a while to honor them. but you're right, money doesn't seem to be an issue with Kobe.

But he, like Paul and all other elite players, want the chance to make max money and play for a contender. Unlike most players, Kobe has the talent to justify those dual demands.

I don't think the comparison with LBJ fits squarely because James was drafted by a lottery team whose cupboard was bare. Bryant was acquired by the best GM in sports, to play for a team with a title pedigree that already had All-Star talent and a roster that had won 50 games or more in the 1-2 seasons before. And LA signed Shaq at the same time. No elite player in recent memory came into the league with such advantages.

namepeace said:

Cerebus said:

Yes, I am a Laker's fan. No, I am not a Kobe hater. So admittedly I have a biased point of view on this subject. Having said that, however, I DON'T think Kobe has ever used this practice to make more money. I do believe that Kobe has always been genuine in his drive to win and his attempt be considered great (or at least reach what he feels that may be in his own mind). Kobe has always had success, and when he felt like the Lakers weren't going to spend the cash to get to the next level he's threatened to leave. Each time, they've spent the money AND won titles. He's tried much harder and stayed much longer than LeBron, for example.

I am a longtime Laker fan, recovering Kobe hater and current Kobe agnostic. I do think Kobe used his leverage for more than money. And it hasn't endeared him to a lot of fans, even Laker fans, because sometimes his attitude hurt the team. He was with the team not much longer than LBJ was with the Cavs (and had already won 3 titles) when he used his leverage as a UFA to force Buss' hand on both Shaq and Phil. Had Buss supported either of them Kobe might have gone elsewhere. To be sure, he was made promises early into his 2nd contract and LA took a while to honor them. but you're right, money doesn't seem to be an issue with Kobe.

But he, like Paul and all other elite players, want the chance to make max money and play for a contender. Unlike most players, Kobe has the talent to justify those dual demands.

I don't think the comparison with LBJ fits squarely because James was drafted by a lottery team whose cupboard was bare. Bryant was acquired by the best GM in sports, to play for a team with a title pedigree that already had All-Star talent and a roster that had won 50 games or more in the 1-2 seasons before. And LA signed Shaq at the same time. No elite player in recent memory came into the league with such advantages.

100% true.

Cerebus said:

Peace and solace to Lorenzen's family and friends during this difficult time. The blame can only be placed on the perpatrators with the type of crimes we're talking about here (robbery and murder). But DAMN! When are these guys going to learn that they can't carry around cash like that? Especially if ANYBODY else knows about it. I know dude was big and probably felt somewhat safe because of his fame, but a gun just doesn't care about ANY of that. Sad.

As we've seen too many times with pro athletes, their fame doesn't protect them from this. Shit is fucked up.

uPtoWnNY said:

Cerebus said:

Peace and solace to Lorenzen's family and friends during this difficult time. The blame can only be placed on the perpatrators with the type of crimes we're talking about here (robbery and murder). But DAMN! When are these guys going to learn that they can't carry around cash like that? Especially if ANYBODY else knows about it. I know dude was big and probably felt somewhat safe because of his fame, but a gun just doesn't care about ANY of that. Sad.

As we've seen too many times with pro athletes, their fame doesn't protect them from this. Shit is fucked up.

No one is immune from the drama in the street.

Graycap23 said:

uPtoWnNY said:

As we've seen too many times with pro athletes, their fame doesn't protect them from this. Shit is fucked up.

No one is immune from the drama in the street.

Especially when you're known. I know Memphis, it's a small town. Believe me, athletes in Memphis have been targeted before with tragic results.

[Edited 7/29/10 10:01am]

MIAMI -- Eddie House's agent says the veteran guard has agreed to terms on a $2.8 million, two-year contract with the Miami Heat.

Agent Mark Bartelstein said Thursday that the second year is a player option.

House was a second-round draft pick by the Heat in 2000 and spent his first three NBA seasons with them. He has since played for eight other teams, including Boston and New York last season, when he averaged 7.0 points in 68 games off the bench.

The Celtics and Bulls were among several teams that showed interest in House this offseason.

His career average is 7.6 points, and he's a 39 percent shooter from 3-point range, with a reputation for making clutch baskets.

House will be a strong contender for a reserve role as part of the Heat's supporting cast for Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

uPtoWnNY said:

MIAMI -- Eddie House's agent says the veteran guard has agreed to terms on a $2.8 million, two-year contract with the Miami Heat.

Agent Mark Bartelstein said Thursday that the second year is a player option.

House was a second-round draft pick by the Heat in 2000 and spent his first three NBA seasons with them. He has since played for eight other teams, including Boston and New York last season, when he averaged 7.0 points in 68 games off the bench.

The Celtics and Bulls were among several teams that showed interest in House this offseason.

His career average is 7.6 points, and he's a 39 percent shooter from 3-point range, with a reputation for making clutch baskets.

House will be a strong contender for a reserve role as part of the Heat's supporting cast for Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

Microwave 2.0 is a great add for them. Championship experience is key for this squad. With Miller, Howard and House coming off the bench that may be enough.

Kobe: "European Player Development Superior to that of U.S."

http://www.ballineurope.com/us-basketball/nba/kobe-bryant-on-european-basketball-player-development-4203/

I like what Kobe's saying, and I agree with him. The NCAA is a joke, nothing but an unpaid farm system.

Marbury commits to three ...m in China

Crazy. It's really hard for me to believe that nobody wanted him for AT LEAST a bench role. Which, I believe - at the veteran's minumum for his years in the NBA, would have paid him more than what he's rumored to be making in China. Talk about burning bridges.

Cerebus said:

Marbury commits to three ...m in China

Crazy. It's really hard for me to believe that nobody wanted him for AT LEAST a bench role. Which, I believe - at the veteran's minumum for his years in the NBA, would have paid him more than what he's rumored to be making in China. Talk about burning bridges.

That dude's a fucking headcase, that's why.

uPtoWnNY said:

Kobe: "European Player Development Superior to that of U.S."

http://www.ballineurope.com/us-basketball/nba/kobe-bryant-on-european-basketball-player-development-4203/

I like what Kobe's saying, and I agree with him. The NCAA is a joke, nothing but an unpaid farm system.

Totally agree. I've never like the one year college requirement, either. Stern needs to admit it doesn't work. Then, make the NBDL a REAL farm league. Players either go to at least two years of college or play two full seasons in the NBDL before they're elligible for NBA.

The one year college requirement, though, it's just a joke. Most of the players with real talent, who start getting told they're NBA worthy early in high school, never plan on going for more than one year. So not only do they not listen to their college coaches (most of the time), but they don't learn anything because the academic requirements never affect them. I just don't understand how Stern ever thought it was a good idea.

Cerebus said:

Marbury commits to three ...m in China

Crazy. It's really hard for me to believe that nobody wanted him for AT LEAST a bench role. Which, I believe - at the veteran's minumum for his years in the NBA, would have paid him more than what he's rumored to be making in China. Talk about burning bridges.

Look at what happened with the Knicks - 'nuff said. Word gets around fast in the NBA. Dude is poison to a locker room.

You guys are correct, 100%. So just give the guy a non-guaranteed contract, make clear to him what his role will be and that he'll be released at the first sign of trouble. I think his skills make him worth taking that chance. But like you guys said, dude ain't right. He probably didn't want to be put in that position or held to those requirements.

No question Marbury has skills - dude can get you 20 points and 8 assists a night, but he's a head case.

He made the biggest mistake of his career leaving Minnesota. He and KG could have been something special.

Gunshots heard on 911 call from Wright's cell phone 9 days ago....

In the early hours of July 19, a Germantown dispatcher received a 911 call from Lorenzen Wright's cell phone.

The dispatcher heard a garbled male voice utter an expletive, then at least 10 gunshots.

"Hello? Hello? Can you hear me?" the dispatcher asked.

Then the phone went dead.

uPtoWnNY said:

Kobe: "European Player Development Superior to that of U.S."

http://www.ballineurope.com/us-basketball/nba/kobe-bryant-on-european-basketball-player-development-4203/

I like what Kobe's saying, and I agree with him. The NCAA is a joke, nothing but an unpaid farm system.

The NCAA can't develop players or be what it was.

Their best players bolt after one year, even those who aren't "Association-ready."

And everyone -- the NBA, the NCAA, talented players -- loses.