Real Deal

I don't think Bosh has much to worry about. Toronto doesn't seem to be active in trade talks, and they really don't have anything to offer (meaning, nothing that teams would covet at this point). All focus is on four power forwards (Amare, Jamison, Tyrus and Murphy), two guards (Hinrich and Hamilton) and three small forwards (Iguodala, Prince, McGrady). The Raptors may be interested in a couple of them, but a lot of teams are looking for cap relief or young players, and aside from Bosh, I'm not sure if anyone else is appealing to those guys.

The one chance you get to unload money for two big-name superstars, you shoot for it. If the Knicks somehow land LeBron and Wade (let's keep an open mind for the sake of discussion, lol), they will attract so many free agents wanting to take less money, it'll be huge for them. After winning 50+ games every year for two years, they will have a team built to crush everyone else out East. Otherwise, you bring in someone like Wade, then put those second tier guys around him, and you end up like the Miami Heat...playoff team, but nothing more.

No idea, but Charlotte seems to be shopping Augustin and Diaw. Maybe a larger trade, where Augustin goes to Phoenix, Diaw to Miami?

Miami is trying to trade Haslem. @WojYahooNBA

Actually, if I recall correctly, there were quite a few Lakers fans that really liked the trade, but were worried that Marc Gasol would turn out to be as good as his brother...and given the fact that he was younger and cheaper, it was a risk. Plus, people thought Crittenton would be a poor man's Dwyane Wade. Anyone remember the scouting done on him, and how the Lakers "stole" him during the draft? People don't know how good (or bad) draft picks are going to be, either, until they end up with a Rajon Rondo or a Manu Ginobili...or, on the other hand, a Michael Olowokandi or Jonathan Bender. And Sky is right, it was all about the money. A few years post-trade, we all see how important that was. Maybe Hickson will turn out to be a good player. Marc Gasol is a better defender than Pau, and while he doesn't score as well and doesn't have the offensive skillset, he's still able to put up 15 a game and grab double-digit boards. These teams (Lakers and Grizzlies included) have international scouts. There was a reason why the Grizzlies wanted Gasol over Yue.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=TradeTalkRoundup-2010#shaq

Nevermind, no Kobe tonight. http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=4919088

I wonder if this means the Amare deal fell through.

@WojYahooNBA

Bryant averaged 22.5 PPG (47% FG), 6.3 RPG and 4.9 APG in the Lakers' first championship season, shooting the ball 17.9 times per game. He averaged 28.5 PPG (46% FG), 5.9 RPG, and 5.0 APG in the second championship season, shooting the ball 22.2 times per game. He put up 25.5 PPG (47% FG), 5.5 RPG, and 5.5 APG in the third, shooting the ball 20.0 times per game. What "sidekick" puts up those kind of numbers?

Amare likes this because it gives him a chance at a title this season, then free agency. That doesn't mean he leaves Cleveland, but it means he cashes in right after winning a ring (if indeed the Cavs get that far). Cleveland DID talk to Washington about Antawn Jamison on Monday, and they ignored the Pacers and Murphy, mainly because Troy has about five other teams hunting him down. Things look to be getting interesting.

Howard doesn't necessarily need 14-15 shots per game, he just needs to get the ball more, and pass out of the post. His offensive game is limited, but he can still draw doubles because he's an automatic dunk if he catches the ball two steps from the rim.

Yeah, Houston is pushing to get Harrington, but the Knicks aren't going to budge. If Houston wants Hill, there's no Harrington, and when you take a young player, you have to take a contract back, which is why Jeffries is in.

Should be working now.

I haven't read anything about Perkins from anywhere else, including ESPN. I wouldn't think they'd do something stupid like this. Garnett has been struggling all season long, especially defensively, and with the East's powerhouses being able to pound the ball inside, it would be a nightmare for Boston if they swapped those two centers out. I did believe in the Monta/Allen rumors, though. I wasn't sure if the trade would go down, but even Woj talked about it once or twice. Then again, I heard that Golden State declined that offer, not Boston...which does make sense.

I can imagine Shaq, or Howard, or Bynum, just pounding the ball inside, against Biedrins...while Carter or Kobe run over Ellis all game long.

The Celtics would get trucked without Perkins at the five. Come on. :o

What??? http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=15308

Both Kobe and Bynum will return this game.

ESPN updated the article, and now the deal isn't official.

Clippers need money, and they are willing to deal Thornton as well, and any backup that they feel can give them a chance to get someone like Bosh, Wade or LeBron. EDIT: Beat me to it, just read that as well lol.

I actually thought about Oden again, but Miller is just the better player for the Blazers, and it didn't help that Greg was out for the season. And thanks. Bobcats are finished...and Wizards fans, I added Randy Foye. Banners are done! If you guys see any cuts that probably need replaced, just let me know...and help me out, please.

Well, Portland just screwed the Lakers. EDIT: And so did the Clippers. They need to cast their sail and float over to San Diego.

Odom is averaging a double-double (round his 9.9 boards up), and Gasol is at 17 points and 11 boards. Both are throwing over three assists per game. They are both playing as well as they did last year, minus shooting percentages...and if you take a look at the games Odom started, you'll see he's been a monster, especially in the last three. In June, you'll look back and wonder why you gave the NBA champs a C+. I'm sure people were giving the 66-win Cavaliers an A+ all season long, but that changed once they ran into the middle of May.

Right, but almost all of that can be placed on our injuries. For a team packed with injuries (Gasol's hammy, Artest's concussion, Bynum's knee once again, Walton's pinched nerve, and Kobe's five injuries), I'd say we're doing pretty good and on pace to the record we had last season (or close to it). If Sacramento gets an "A" for having a .346 win percentage and having the fifth worst record in the league (tied with the Pacers, who received a "D"), the Lakers deserve at least a B+ for their play, considering all the injuries. LA is 8-2 in their last ten games, third best in the league. Second best was Utah, at 9-1...and that one loss was against the Lakers, in Utah. Almost six games behind. They have a lot of catching up to do if they want to topple LA, and Dallas will be right on their tails as well.