Real Deal

Only $5,000 offered, not $20k.

Bad offense, bad defense. We aren't playing team basketball (can't beat a zone with individual play), and we can't defend the pick and roll.

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I disagree. One season with the jersey on still gives you an opportunity to re-sign him...he doesn't want to wait to sign in July. It would be stupid to wait and risk losing all of that money because of the potential CBA changes (and we're talking a HUGE decrease in salary). Plus, there's also a chance he gives back to the team he goes to by pulling off a sign-and-trade, gives him one extra year (more money), so even if he doesn't stay, the team that rakes him in now will more than likely get something out of the deal. Ask Cleveland and Toronto how they feel about the large trade exception and the picks they received from Bron and Bosh leaving town, all because those two wanted the extra year. Denver wants picks and expirings? A team like the Kings can keep Evans and Cousins, bring in Melo, and give him a reason to stay. Why would Melo want to leave then? If he did, as noted above, he would take advantage of it by a sign-and-trade for a six-year deal, rather than a five...and that's all assuming he actually decided to wait and not sign the extension NOW, which is exactly what he's wanting to do to get paid. Absolutely no reason to NOT go after Melo right now, for any team that is one superstar away from being a 50+ win team.

Looking ugly so far. 23-11 USA. Too much depth, way too much athleticism (that's the most glaring advantage), and it's killing our opponents. EDIT: Whoa, they are calling some BS fouls (and not calling anything when needed).

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I don't see how anyone is going to beat Jackson, Cash and Bird. Going to be an interesting series with Phoenix, though. And WTF was up with San Antonio? I watched the first half of the game (didn't see the second half), but...the Mercury were up 23-2 or something to start the game.

Oh I know, I've been in the pick-em games before. I usually forget about them, though. I'll try and stick with this one.

LOL, why did he even do this? What a fool. And he said his ground game is good, it's just that it's Randy Couture. Hahahaha...his ground game is garbage.

Anyone watching it? I loved Lauzon in the preliminary bout he had against Ruediger. KILLED HIM. That's what he gets. That cake incident was weak.

Portland definitely has the pieces, but Denver would demand too much BECAUSE they are in the same division. A trio of Roy, Melo and Aldridge is scary...and I'm not sure if Denver would allow that to form. Assuming the offer was right in Denver's eyes, it would include Aldridge, and if not, it would rip the guts out of the team and leave Portland with three good players.

I'm in, and I'm going to lose, big time. I didn't follow the draft much, won't be following the preseason...just limited on time, and the NBA is where it's at.

Sacramento won't be trading Evans or Cousins. Thompson, Landry, Casspi, Udrih...all of those guys will be considered, but not the two franchise players. The idea is to bring Melo in and make him happy, so he re-signs with the team at season's end. Nets will be keeping Favors and Lopez. Wolves won't field offers for Rubio, no matter what. Way too high on him. Love could be traded because of the way he's been talking lately, but that leaves them with no big down low...a big from Denver would have to be included. Wesley Johnson is someone Minny can put on the table...but they will try and keep him because Rubio isn't in the league just yet, and Melo won't be doing much of anything with just Love at his side (this season), so it makes it tough for him to want to re-sign.

Cris Carter is in Coffeyville for tonight's game, plans on watching Duron play every game of the year. My girlfriend works at the front desk at the hotel he's staying at, and she had no idea who he was all day today, and they talked about 5-6 times. Sickkkkk.

Could swap Augustin with Gerald Henderson in that trade, but Michael is very, very high on Henderson. Not sure if he'd accept it.

Spain blew that lead they had in the fourth, and ended up losing to France. Batum was key...dude is an excellent defensive player...and France just started attacking the rim.

Nevermind what I said...I don't know why I said Jackson was gone. I meant Chandler.

Trade Billups to Charlotte for Erick Dampier (expiring), DJ Augustin and a first-round pick. The Bobcats need a good starting point guard, and it reunites him with Larry Brown. Charlotte is always going to be defensively active as long as Wallace and Brown are involved, so bringing in Billups does nothing but help. Lawson will start for Denver, they drop $13 million from their payroll, and Augustin backs up Lawson. The first-rounder could be nice, if the Bobcats struggle (they will be without Chandler and Felton).

How many players actually get suspended without playing a single NBA game, regular season OR preseason?

You mean because of his grades, right? Otherwise, I don't see how.

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http://turkey2010.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10/fwcm/p/schedule.html

Nasty roster. They take LA to seven. Can't say they'd come out on top, though, but they would be in the Finals once Bryant starts truly declining.

Anyone see this guy? Dude is an amazing receiver. I've actually watched him practice, because... http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5311226 I also had no idea he was Cris Carter's son. Would be sick to see him play here for a while and eventually go to the NFL, just like Brandon Jacobs.

Overrating Kevin Martin a little, aren't we?