New York and Rubio posted by john howard

New York, I don't care what you need to do, get Ricky Rubio.   He has a chance to be special.  There is no player on your team now that can be special.  He wants to play where his name will be known and New York is it.  He would be great in that style of play. Also, being on the east coast would make him seen more.   I think they could work something out.  Especially if there is a chance that he could play in Europe and not for Minnesota.Continue reading "New York and Rubio"

National Champs send four in NBA Draft posted by Christopher Arroyo

The people who saw the 2009 NBA Draft on Thursday were in for a special treat when they saw Blake Griffin go No. 1.

 

Very predictable however.

 

Then, Hasheem Thabeet went No. 2, which was also predictable. Then things got a bit interesting.

 

The early shocker was Stephen Curry going number seven to the Golden State Warriors. But what was really neat was that all of the North Carolina players that declared were drafted.

 

The first Tar Heel chosen was Tyler Hansbrough, who went at number 13 to the Indiana Pacers. This was a good pick, for the Pacers and here is why. Indiana is not known to carry much toughness, especially in the frontcourt.

 

If you had the treat to see this guy in college then you would know that he’s the real deal for toughness. I think he will start the season on the bench, but he will emerge into that starting position around December.

 

The second Tar Heel chosen was Ty Lawson, who was picked by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Now I know many of you were wondering why Minnesota picked four guards in the first round, which three were point guards. But, rest assured, they ended up trading Lawson to the Denver Nuggets for a future first round pick.

 

This is the BEST team for Lawson. You’re putting one of the top, and under-appreciated, point guards in the draft on a team that is surrounded with rising talent. He is also going to appreciate being an apprentice to Denver’s Chauncey Billups.

 

Probably the most respected guard in the league and known for his patience and leadership on and off the court. Sadly, he will be a bench player for a few years but, learning under Billups will definitely make him one of the top point guards in the league. This was really the best move of the draft Denver should be strong under the point guard position for at least the next 10 years if all goes well.

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OH-HUM THE 2009 NBA DRAFT posted by Andy Natalie

1 Clippers                      Blake Griffin PF
2. Grizzlies Hasheem Thabeet C
3. Thunder James Harden SG
4. Kings Tyreke Evans SG
5. Timberwolves Ricky Rubio PG
6. Timberwolves Jonny Flynn PG
7. Warriors Stephen Curry PG
8. Knicks Jordan Hill PF
9. Raptors DeMar DeRozan SG
10. Bucks Brandon Jennings PG
11. Nets Terrence Williams SG
12. Bobcats Gerald Henderson SG
13. Pacers Tyler Hansbrough PF
14. Suns Earl Clark SF
15. Pistons Austin Daye SF
16. Bulls James Johnson PF
17. 76ers Jrue Holiday PG
18. Timberwolves Ty Lawson PG
19. Hawks Jeff Teague PG
20. Jazz Eric Maynor PG
21. Hornets Darren Collison PG
22. Trail Blazers Victor Claver SF
23. Kings Omri Casspi SF
24. Mavericks B.J. Mullens C
25. Thunder Rodrigue Beaubois PG
26. Bulls Taj Gibson PF
27. Grizzlies DeMarre Carroll PF
28. Timberwolves Wayne Ellington SG
29. Lakers Toney Douglas SG
30. Cavaliers Christian Eyenga

SF

     The Clippers picked their "10,000th" lottery pick in NBA Draft history. And it is yet another shame that a guy like Blake Griffin will waste his talent for a few floundering years for the most disorganized sports franchise on Earth. The Clippers are a joke. And I was a huge fan of Elgin Baylor but his time in Clipper-dom has been the usual failure of a franchise to be even relevent. Other than the teams history dating to a time in Buffalo, the Larry Brown years of 1992 and 1993 are the only Clippers teams that did anything. Actually they had a winning season in 2005 and 2006 at 47 - 35. Anyhow the list of good players that have been selected there and then left are mounting. So I expect Griffin to display his talents and then be courted by a team that knows what it is doing. Other than that the 2009 Draft was a bit of a sham. How is that? Well what does it say that the LA Lakers ook some cash for their 1st round pick?  The Orlando Magic decided to deal for aging Vince Carter instead of taking a player from this litter. The Cavaliers felt the acquisition of Shaq held more value than any of these players. Even the Golden State Warriors traded their new pick Stephen Curry to Phoenix for Amare Stoudamire. Honestly the level of USA basketball talent has diminished. Many argue that NBA players are better than ever. I believe those people depend on earning money from the NBA so therefore they continue to lie about the quality. Hey I am guilty of still loving the NBA but the new generation of players are not that fundamentally sound. Oh, they are 10 times the athletes of Magic Johnson or Larry Bird, Julius Erving or Jerry West but they can't pass, dribble, or shoot like those NBA players did and like NBA players should. I think this is borne out by the decline of the USA's ability to dominate a World that has gotten better. (And yes there are Continue reading "OH-HUM THE 2009 NBA DRAFT"

Minnesota Timberwolves now own the draft posted by john howard

First the Tiberwolves get rid of Kevin McHale. Then, they go crazy.  Minnesota traded away Randy Foye and Mike Miller to the Washington Wizards for Oleksiy Pecherov, Etan Thomas and Daruis Songalia, and the 5th overall pick.  Minnesota now has the 5th, 6th, 18th, and 28th overall picks in this week's draft.  They are looking to ship the 5th pick with the 18th to move up to number 2.  Doing that would allow them to draft either Ricky Rubio or Hakeem Thabeet.  As of right now, the roster has huge holes in it and some overload as well.

pg--Sebastion Telfair, Kevin Ollie, Bobby Brown--Telfair has had his moments, but not enough of them. Ollie is a free agent.

sg--none--Foye and Miller accounted for 26 points a game.

sf--Ryan Gomes, Rodney Carney, Corey Brewer---Brewer only play 15 games last year. Carney is a free agent.

pf--Al Jefferson, Brian Cardinal, Craig Smith, Mark Madsen, Etan Thomas, Darius Songalia--an all-star

c--Kevin Love, Jason Collins, Sheldon Williams--Collins and Williams are free agents.

Stephon Curry and Tyreke Evans both should be available at 5 and 6.  Minnesota could take both.  The 5th spot has produced 10 starters with 5 all stars in the past 14 years.  While the 6th has generated 7 starters with 2 all stars.  The 18th pick has given 2 starters and 1 all-star. Finally, the 28th has produced 2 starters and one all star.  The chances that all 4 picks will produced all-stars is very slim, but together they 11 all stars in the past 14 years gives them a really good shot of landing at least one.  This was a really good move by Minnesota.  They really weren't getting much better.  They still may not this year becuase they will be so young.  But there is hope now up north.

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Washington Wizards Trade 5th Pick, Land Randy Foye and Mike Miller posted by Chase Hughes

It has just been reported by The Washington Post that the Washington Wizards have dealt the 5th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft to the Minnesota Timberwolves.  The package includes Etan Thomas, Oleksiy Pecherov, and Darius Songaila.  In return the Wizards receive promising 6'4" guard Randy Foye and former Rookie of the Year Mike Miller.  In a much anticipated move, Washington landed Foye who averaged 16.3 points and 4.3 assists per game last season.  A good amount of production, certainly more than you would expect out of a rookie if they drafted one.  Mike Miller gives them the outside threat and a career average of 13.9 points per game.  He provides depth at the small forward and shooting guard positions, allowing Dominic McGuire to focus on his role as a defensive stopper.  Marinate on that Wizards fans.Continue reading "Washington Wizards Trade 5th Pick, ..."

Washington Wizards Best Options for Thursday's NBA Draft posted by Chase Hughes

The last week has been quite interesting in that an influx of trade rumors and draft scenarios have flooded the Washington Wizards internet community.  Michael Lee of The Washington Post has reported rumors of trades involving the Wizards’ 5th pick going to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers (gag), and the New York Knicks.  While nothing really seems to be of substance, as www.bulletsforever.com has acknowledged, they are impossible to ignore.  Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, and Javale McGee are some of the notables that many teams, as many as 14, have expressed interest in.  As we approach the draft, the fans’ opinions seem to be forming an almost consensus for Davidson guard Stephen Curry.  The Washington Post conducted a poll that resulted in nearly half the votes garnered by Southern Conference product.  DraftExpress.com now has the Wizards slotted for Jordan Hill with the 5th selection while both SI.com and ESPN.com are predicting James Harden.  What do the Wizards need?  And should they draft for need or get the best player?  Both possibilities, in my opinion, may indeed overlap.  
I believe the most glaring need for the Washington Wizards is at the guard position.  The Wizards have addressed the frontcourt pretty aggressively in recent years with the draft of McGee, Pecherov, and grooming of Andray Blatche.  What appears to have happened is a negligence of the need for a guard, evident in the acceptance of Roger Mason, Jr.’s departure.  Right now as the roster stands the Wizards possess a superstar in Gilbert Arenas but no significant contributor behind him.  Stevenson could very well be done as the only thing he can do these days is talk trash.  Even at his best he would be most effective coming off the bench.  His occasional 3-point hot streak and solid defensive play would be a nice commodity in a reserved role.  Nick Young is on the verge of being a solid 2 guard but an upgrade is certainly possible given the team’s draft situation.  He might be at the point in his career when a little competition wouldn’t hurt.  Mike Jones might not be a Wizard for long but I believe he could give quality minutes in a reserved role.  He is not good enough to be the back-up point guard any more.  I could see his best-case-scenario being reduced to the role of an Anthony Johnson, not the primary back-up but a solid third option for sporadic minutes.  I like Jarvaris Crittenton a lot, he is around 6’5” with good speed and a nice work ethic.  With the overstock of combo guards in this draft the Wizards may be able to pick a player that would still allow Crit room to develop as a role player.  You have to like his prospects with his size and athleticism, he is just a classic case of a player who entered the pro’s too early, only he has a chance to actually make it in the Association.  

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TWolves Say No Way! posted by Ryan Greyslak

Unfortunately the dream of Amare Stoudemire to Minnesota Timberwolves for Al Jefferson and the 6th overall pick are not going to happen. Minnesota said today that the Suns made them the offer but they quickly declined.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2009/06/jefferson_stayi.html

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Phoenix Suns All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire possibly headed to the Minnesota Timberwolves? posted by Ryan Greyslak

Amare Stoudemire has been at the top of the rumor list for sometime now. He has been criticized for his lack of effort on the defensive side of the court but nobody can deny that he is one of the best scoring forwards in the game. Then newest rumor circulating is sending Amare to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Al Jefferson and the 6th overall pick in the draft. This trade works out well for both teams and is in discussion between the two franchises. Let’s break down this deal from both angles and see how it can benefit both teams.

 

The Wolves would receive one of the best scoring power forwards in the game today and instantly receive name recognition in the NBA that they have so badly wanted. They have not had that star since deciding to depart with Kevin Garnett a couple years back. We all know how that deal went for both teams. They would have an immediately unstoppable scoring presence on the inside. Amare for his career is averaging 21.4 points 8.10 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game and is under contract next year for $16,378,325 and has a player option for the following season that would pay him $17,686,100. Amare is entering his seventh year in the league after making the jump straight from high school and will be seeking a max contract after this season from any team willing to show him the money. However they will have to make more deals then that to make them a playoff potential team.

 

After the Timberwolves decided to part ways with Kevin McHale today it is obvious that the team is looking to go in a new direction under their new President of Basketball Operations David Kahn. This trade could put them in that new direction and they would have a pivotal player to build a team around.

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Marko Jaric Officially Dating Adriana Lima posted by kellex

http://lebasketbawl.blogspot.com/2008/02/marko-jaric-officially-dating-a

The rumors have been flying for quite some time now about the budding relationship between Marko Jaric of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Victoria's Secret model Adriana Lima. We can now start to call it "official!"

Transworldnews.com:

The day before her ad premiered last weekend, "Marko chartered a plane to be with her on her big day," says a source to People Magazine. "He flew in Saturday and flew back early Sunday morning so he could be on time for practice."

There's one bright spot for the Timberwolves season!

Continue reading "Marko Jaric Officially Dating Adriana Lima"

New Jersey Nets vs Golden State Warriors posted by Malaika Bobino

OAKLAND –

Coming off a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves the Golden State Warriors continued to play their best against the sinking New Jersey nets.   Despite an injured Vince Carter, the Nets did explode in the second quarter slowing the tempo of the Warriors who lead in the first quarter. Vince Carter scored 29 points and Richard Jefferson scored 34 points for the Nets, who are on their worst longest losing streak in three years. Josh Boone also had 21 points and 17 rebounds.  Not much could stop Monta Ellis who scored his career-high 39 points. Golden State scored 22 consecutive points and blew a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter of their 121-119 victory over the New Jersey Nets.

The Warriors led for most of the game until New Jersey made an 18-7 run during Boone's repeated trips to the line. The Nets entered the fourth quarter with an eight-point lead, but Davis' 3-pointer with 11:03 to play jump-started the Warriors' run. Baron Davis posted his eighth career triple-double with 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists and Al Harrington scored 19 points.  The Warriors defense wasn’t much better from the night before but they had enough gas to stop the New Jersey Nets and continue their quest to return to the playoffs.

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Wolves waiting on sought-after Rubio (AP)

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From Yahoo! Sports

Rubio not at Wolves press conference (AP)

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From Yahoo! Sports

Wolves hope to build around Rubio, Flynn (AP)

The Minnesota Timberwolves started laying the groundwork for the future with a four-pick bonanza in the first round of the NBA draft. Now the question is, how long will it take to come together? The Wolves delighted their disillusioned fan base Thursday night by grabbing Ricky Rubio, the Spanish teenager with the Pete Maravich-like passing skills, with the fifth overall pick. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Wolves' Kahn to be major player at draft (AP)

David Kahn spent the previous five years toiling in the anonymity of the NBA Development League before taking over the Minnesota Timberwolves in May. In just over a month, he has already managed to position himself as the major player heading into Thursday night's draft. The new Timberwolves president completed a deal with Washington on Wednesday that brought the No. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Wizards send Wolves No. 5 pick, get Foye (AP)

The Minnesota Timberwolves are set to have one busy draft day. The Timberwolves agreed to trade guards Randy Foye and Mike Miller to the Washington Wizards for the fifth overall draft pick and three players, leaving Minnesota with four first-round choices and plenty of ammunition to do even more wheeling and dealing. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports