Real Deal

The 2011 pick is Top 1 protected, that's the biggest problem with the trade. Houston could very well have a #2 pick for 2011. What if the Knicks are a top three team in the lottery, but a bottom 10 team in the league? It happened with Chicago and Rose...nothing to be shocked about. Those picks should've been lottery protected, or at least the 2011 pick a top 10 protected. It made no sense to give up so much just to rake in McGrady, who has privately stated he's got more interest in the Lakers and Cavaliers than anyone else, which includes the Knicks. Either Walsh just made one of the greatest moves in NBA history, or he just made one of the dumbest. Problem is, he's banking on free agent decisions, and other teams' offers, to determine which it is.

...and in helping Cleveland, they now have the money to offer a big-name free agent. What if, unintentionally, Danny Ferry just handed LeBron James over to the same team that made it possible for him to get Antawn Jamison (the Clips)? Just a thought, of course.

Wasn't it said to be a calf strain? I wasn't paying much attention to it. A muscle strain doesn't pop.

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallasmavericks/post/_/id/4666128/mavs-might-give-mccants-another-look

AHHHHH! Yep, it's true then. Stupid Hoopshype. They need to update their salary page.

Uh...I just don't know where those numbers are coming from. Is there a player on the roster I forgot to add? Who all did the Wizards receive in trades this week?

Not to be Debbie Downer, but it's really too bad you guys couldn't keep Landry. Well worth it, though, if the Knicks don't land a big FA. WELL WORTH IT. In fact, I'd cross my fingers. If the Knicks don't get their way, the Rockets have a chance to snag a potential superstar in the draft...all because they traded McGrady and a solid sixth man.

Ah, yep...well the McGuire trade doesn't make sense, then.

Actually, they didn't co-exist very well in Phoenix. The Suns had trouble deciding who to run the offense through in the post, having to move Amare out of the paint, then back in, and so on and so forth. But to be fair, it wasn't exactly their fault, either...more the system's fault. Playing a run and gun system with Shaq and Amare wasn't going to turn the Suns into a successful team. Amare would be able to play on the same court as Shaq in Cleveland, because the offense is more suited for the two to be on the floor together. LeBron dominates the ball, can work out of the pick and roll or throw it down low to Shaq, and the Cavaliers don't rush their shots. However, on the other hand, Jamison is probably the better fit, or at least will take less time adjusting to the Cavs' offense, because he can play better than Amare at more spots on the floor. He's a threat from 20 feet out, five feet in, wherever, and the adjustment to LeBron and the offense will require less focus and practice, for both Jamison and the entire team, as a whole.

The deal was already done. They just revised it because Sacramento changed their minds, since they thought they could get David Lee from New York. Morey worked for three days trying to get Jordan Hill from the Knicks, but Walsh said no. Morey then went straight to Sactown and traded McGrady to the Kings...and the deal was actually completed, and McGrady was ready to negotiate the buyout. It was reported that "fireworks" would happen if McGrady wasn't bought out by Sacramento, so they decided to listen to New York and try to rake in players that will want to contribute and play for them. Morey had already taken the deal. And I'm fully aware that Walsh has made good decisions for the team. Personally, I don't like the Landry trade, and had Walsh not stepped in, that trade was completely stupid...but other than that, he's been fine.

Luxury tax threshold is set at $69.92 million. Gilbert Arenas ($16,192,080) Zydrunas Ilgauskas ($11,541,074) Josh Howard ($10,890,000) Mike Miller ($9,750,000) Drew Gooden ($4,500,000) Randy Foye ($3,575,761) Andray Blatche ($3,000,000) Fabricio Oberto ($2,100,000) Nick Young ($1,714,800) JaVale McGee ($1,496,640) Javaris Crittenton ($1,477,920) Earl Boykins ($1,204,841) Quinton Ross ($1,033,342) James Singleton ($1,030,189) Dominic McGuire ($825,497) Paul Davis ($66,514) TOTAL: $70,398,658 Remove... Dominic McGuire ($825,497) TOTAL: $69,573,161 And...

...he wasn't until Walsh stepped in. There are GM's that bully, and there are GM's that get bullied. Walsh is a GM that gets bullied. Morey just took advantage of that, that's all. I'm not saying Morey is a bad GM. He's pretty good. He's just not as great as you guys are making him out to be. No Walsh, and he trades McGrady and Landry for Kevin Martin. Stupid trade, because Chicago was pressing hard for T-Mac with a better offer, legit players that will actually share the ball and play defense. Walsh steps in, the Rockets get two first-round picks, one potentially being a #2 next year (or in that area). That doesn't all go to Morey. A major piece of that deal was due to Walsh's panic button, and him wanting to have just three players signed this summer, with $30-35 million under the cap.

You said you were going to love Kevin Martin. Morey was going to make an idiotic trade. The Knicks came in and made it ridiculous for them, and something extremely beneficial to the Rockets. Had Walsh gotten Tyrus Thomas, this trade may not have happened...but he was so desperate to get McGrady, he nearly threw David Lee into the fire.

McGrady is staying in New York.

LOL, no word yet.

I think you guys should trade McGuire for a second round pick.

Super tank and rebuild.

Here's why it was discussed... Now THAT makes more sense for Toronto.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4925142

We figured it would be done...but even now, there's no word on it being an official deal.

Haha, we needed more NBA discussion. I just wanted people to get involved. It is. Brewer is a solid defender, also.

So...Rudy Gay is gone after this season.