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Blazers want to re-sign Marcus Camby

Jeffdstuff — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 16:02:48 +0000

Can you blame them? After a couple of seasons watching Greg Oden screw himself over, it’s about time those guys have a reliable center for a change.

As of this writing, the Portland Trail Blazers are still primed for a significant run in the 2010 NBA playoffs despite playing through with every injury imaginable this year. And since injuries have, for the second straight season, defined what kind of campaign the Blazers would be able to run this season, it looks like they are finally putting the pieces together that just might alleviate the problem next season.

And in case you didn’t get that, the Portland Trail Blazers are trying to sign Marcus Camby for a two-year extension, a move that the Blazers are probably hoping can finally give them that solid and reliable presence at the center position for a change.

Reports claim that the Blazers and Marcus Camby have been negotiating toward a new deal that would be able to keep Camby from becoming a free agent this summer. According to the reports, the rumored deal is believed to be worth in excess of $20 million.

The Blazers originally got Camby from the Los Angeles Clippers before this season’s trading deadline. The Blazers were desperate for a solution after losing centers Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden (surprise surprise…) to season ending knee injuries and Camby was, without a shadow of a doubt, became more than a suitable replacement.

Sure, the Blazers are still rooting for Greg Oden to finally get his shit together and have a healthy and productive year for a change. You see, after the Blazers got this guy as their overall no.1 draft pick three years ago, Oden spent most of his time in Portland sitting on the Blazers bench with an injured knee.

Having Camby on board for two more years will hopefully fill the void while they wait for Oden to become the force he once was in Ohio State.

The Trail Blazers finished the regular season...

NBA Playoff Matchups in the West

Jeffdstuff — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 16:04:10 +0000

Ah, the Western Conference. Some people still say this is where it’s at.

And with good reason too because in the West, it doesn’t matter what seed you are because any one of these Western Conference teams can go on and win the NBA championship. In the 2010 NBA playoffs, it’s more or less the same story.

Heck, Kevin Durant, the youngest player ever to win the scoring title this season, will be playing from the no.8 seed with the rest of the Oklahoma City Thunder. You see, these guys could go on and advance to, probably the second round of the playoffs. The problem is, they will be on a head-on collision with the no.1 seed Los Angeles Lakers.

That’s right, it’s the defending champions for the Oklahoma City Thunder. That’s probably why NOBODY expects them to get past the Lakers in the first round other than them Thunder players and their mommas.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for Kevin Durant and the season he had but when you pit him against Kobe Bryant? They don’t call him the Black Mamba for nothing.

The no.2 seed Dallas Mavericks take on the no.7 seed San Antonio Spurs in what is sure to be an exciting Texas shootout. Some people say the Mavericks, since the All-Star break, have supplanted the Denver Nuggets as the biggest threat to the Lakers in the West but since the Spurs caught fire late in the season, people are starting to reconsider that notion.

I mean, this is the San Antonio Spurs we’re talking about, the model of consistency in the NBA. And with a healthy Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili once again leading the charge, you can’t deny that the Spurs is one team to watch out for.

But if there’s one team that can be considered the team that can be considered the ”darkhorse” if you will to beat the Lakers in the West, it would have to be the no.3 seed Phoenix Suns.

The Suns clicked at the right time and...

NBA Playoff Matchups in the East

Jeffdstuff — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:02:32 +0000

Cleveland has secured the top spot in the East for quite some time. As for the rest, here they are.

The matchups in the East for the 2010 NBA playoffs are finally… um… finalized and while the Cleveland Cavaliers have secured the top playoff spot in the conference a few weeks ago, the remaining few seeds were not determined until the final few days of the season.

As it turned out, the no.1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers will be taking on the no.8 seed Chicago Bulls, who secured the last playoff spot in the East after beating the playoff-pound Charlotte Bobcats, hence denying the Toronto Raptors of postseason play for the second straight year.

Kudos to coach Vinny Del Negro and the rest of the Chicago Bulls for overcoming a late-season injury to Joakim Noah and the publicized rift between coach Del Negro and team manager John Paxson. Congratulations guys, you’re in the playoffs.

Your reward? LeBron James. (I don’t know if the Bulls would still be happy about that in a few days…)

The Orlando Magic will be this year’s no.2 seed as they look to make a return to the NBA Finals when they take on no.7 seed, Charlotte Bobcats. Thanks to some key additions to the Magic roster, more specifically the addition of Vince Carter, the Magic have become an even bigger threat in the East.

And since the Magic will have the Charlotte Bobcats, a team that will be making their very first appearance in the playoffs, there should be no problem for Orlando to get past the first round. Who do the Bobcats have to guard Dwight Howard anyway?

Probably the most surprising team in the East this season is the Atlanta Hawks, who have secured the no.3 seed in the East this season. Yup, those high-flying Hawks are now one of the East’s three kings, supplanting the Celtics in the food chain to join the Cavs and the Magic.

They have the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round...

Gilbert Arenas apologizes for messing up

Jeffdstuff — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 16:06:09 +0000

He’s probably hoping that it’s not too late to ask the Wizards for more dollars too.

Gilbert Arenas has screwed himself over this 2010 NBA basketball season. Most teams are trying to get rid of their own guys to sign the LeBrons and the Wades in the coming 2010 free agency, and with Arenas getting himself to so much trouble this year, I guess he’s just making it easier for the Wizards organization to cut their ties with his overpaid ass.

But lo and behold, the Washington Wizards got rid of two thirds of their big three before this season’s trading deadline, that being Antawn Jamison (who was sent to Cleveland) and Caron Butler (who was sent to Dallas) leaving the team all alone for Gilbert Arenas to lord over.

Now I don’t know what the deal is here. Why in the world will you keep a guy like Gilbert Arenas who, let’s face it, hasn’t really done shit for you? Go figure. But as far as Arenas is concerned, all he can do at this point is take advantage of the Wizards’ stupidity and ask for more dollars. Of course, he needs to admit to his mistakes first to, at least, save face.

And he did just that.

In an interview with Esquire magazine, Gilbert Arenas said he has messed up the legacy of Wizards owner Abe Pollin, who recently passed away last November.

”I have a painting of him in my garage. I just walk by it with my head down,” Arenas said. ”I called Mrs. Pollin and said, ‘If Abe was still with us, I would’ve had to talk to him, so I’m gonna give you the same respect. I want to say sorry to you. I deserve to be punished. I’ll do everything it takes to get back your husband’s respect.”

Arenas also claims he and teammate Javaris Crittenton returned to good terms immediately after the incident. Of course, that’s a little hard to believe after Crittenton threatened to shoot Arenas’ bum knee with the latter provoking Crittenton to do the deed with one of his own guns.

”He goes into the Jacuzzi,” Arenas told...

Allen Iverson’s Final Curtain Call?

Jeffdstuff — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:04:22 +0000

With the year he’s been having, I’d definitely say so.

The 2010 NBA basketball season hasn’t been kind to Allen Iverson, once one of the league’s brightest stars. Heck, this season has been that tough for him that he already retired this season only to come back after his old team, the Philadelphia 76ers, gave him a second lease in life.

Now, everything is being taken away from Allen Iverson again, as he was forced to put what’s left of his basketball career on hold to attend to his four-year-old daughter Messiah, who is reportedly suffering from an undisclosed illness.

Wow. You really can’t help but feel sorry for Iverson. For a guy who once led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals and won numerous scoring titles with, including league MVP honors, going out this way is definitely a tough pill to swallow.

Just look at what A.I. has been through this year. First he signs a one-year deal with the Memphis Grizzlies looking to redeem himself after such a disastrous outing with Detroit last season. After only three games in Memphis, Iverson wanted out after he figured that he wasn’t on the same page with the team’s direction.

That led to Iverson announcing his retirement last November 25.

Then, his old team, the Philadelphia 76ers, gave him a second lease in life. And after a very emotional press conference, Iverson was back playing again for the very team that drafted him to the NBA.

Well, that lasted for 25 games. On February 22, Iverson took an indefinite leave to attend to his four-year-old daughter who was suffering from an undisclosed sickness. That forced the 76ers to announce that Iverson won’t be returning to the team for the remainder of the 2010 season.

”After discussing the situation with Allen...''

Cavaliers need big man with Shaq out

Jeffdstuff — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:04:20 +0000

That’s a huge seven-foot problem if you’re a Cavs fan hoping to see your team in the NBA Finals and win one game for a change.

And in case you didn’t get that, Shaquille O’Neal will likely miss the remainder of the 2010 NBA basketball season following surgery on his right thumb after Glen Davis hacked on it in a game between the Cavaliers and the Celtics.

With Shaquille O’Neal out of commission, the Cleveland Cavaliers lose that presence inside. Of course, they can hope Antawn Jamison and blossoming forward J.J. Hickson can fill the void.

But let’s face it, nobody can attract that much attention inside the paint the way Shaq does and with him out, it’ll be awfully hard for LeBron James to find those easy baskets around the perimeter.

The last time the Cleveland Cavaliers were in the playoffs, they were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Orlando Magic. The Cavs signed Shaq before the season in preparation for a possible rematch with Orlando in the postseason.

Now, they’re in trouble of getting booted out of the playoffs by the Orlando Magic again, provided Shaq doesn’t make it back in time.

Hell, they’d be lucky to even make it that deep into the playoffs without O’Neal anyway.

Cavs general manager Danny Ferry, on the other hand, can only hope his team would be able to persevere. ”Our guys have done a very good job of stepping up this season. We are confident they will do the same in this situation,” Ferry said.

”We are fortunate to have some depth in our...''

Knicks trying to pair LeBron w/ T-Mac?

Jeffdstuff — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:04:03 +0000

If they do, then you can bet your ass the Knicks will be the team to beat next season.

After getting the services of multi – time All – Star Tracy McGrady this 2010 NBA basketball season from a three team trade with the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings, the New York Knicks were able to clear enough salary-cap space for the Knicks to possibly sign two maximum-salary free agents this summer.

That’s right, the New York Knicks could recruit LeBron James by giving him the option of choosing which other free agent he wants from the likes of Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudemire and Dirk Nowitzki.

However, getting LeBron James out of Cleveland won’t be easy since the Cavs, who own the league’s best record, bolstered their lineup with the addition of former Wizards forward Antawn Jamison. If Cleveland advances to its second NBA Finals stint in four years with LeBron, the odds of him leaving his home state figure to be diminished.

Sorry Knicks fans.

The New York Knicks aren’t the only team to clear cap space. The Chicago Bulls, a team featuring point guard Derrick Rose and a better core group of players than the Knicks, also have the cap space to sign James. The Los Angeles Clippers also created room, while Miami also has space and the chance to have James to pair with Wade as a teammate.

As far as the Knicks and their marriage with Tracy McGrady is concerned, T-Mac was eager to restart his career in New York but unfortunately for him, his time here will likely be brief. The Knicks realistically don’t have much of a chance in reaching the playoffs and you never really know what you’ll get from McGrady at this point of his...

What can T-Mac do to help the Knicks?

Jeffdstuff — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:59:15 +0000

Great. That’s just what the Knicks needed, another overpaid shooting guard.

After trading Nate Robinson to Boston, you can’t help but wonder, are these guys throwing the 2010 NBA basketball season away already? And what’s even funnier is the fact that the Knicks actually think bringing in a Tracy McGrady who is now merely a shell of his former self, the right move to make.

But when you come to think of it, this is probably a good business decision by New York Knicks gerenal manager Donnie Walsh. We all know the Knicks won’t be competing for the NBA championship this season anyway so the least they can do now is just put more asses inside Madison Square Garden and just like Iverson in Philadelphia, McGrady can be that guy in New York City.

Having a guy like Tracy McGrady can bolster interest to this ailing Knicks franchise. Of course, if they want to have McGrady for the next couple of years, they would have to give up key players within their team like Al Harrington and Eddy Curry at some point just to stay below the cap.

And since the Knicks are trying to clear up some cap space anyway for the highly anticipated 2010 free agency, those guys are as good as gone along with their hefty paychecks.

The first move New York Knicks general manager Donnie Walsh was looking into before the deadline was a three-team deal that involves both the Houston Rockets (obviously) and the Washington Wizards, another team that’s probably giving up already on this year’s title chase and would just want to clear up some cap space for the summer.

In the end, it was Sacramento that made T-Mac’s move to NYC possible, sending Kevin Martin to Houston to let the Rockets give up on T-Mac. Houston ended up getting the best deal of the three, despite the fact that they have finally given up on the guy who was once the team’s leading scorer.

As far as T-Mac is concerned...

James and Stoudemire in Cleveland?

Jeffdstuff — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:46:05 +0000

That could make the Cavs heavy favorites to win the title. If they are not already.

With the second half of the 2010 NBA basketball season underway, the Cleveland Cavaliers are coming in with the best record in the league at 43-11, riding a league – best 13-game winning streak heading to their date with the Denver Nuggets this Thursday.

With all kinds of momentum going for the Cleveland Cavaliers right now, it seems they are not satisfied just yet. Rumors are claiming that the Cavaliers are going after Amar’e Stoudemire. And if these guys manage to sign a talent like Stoudemire to complement the already formidable tandem of LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal, you can just imagine what the Cavs can accomplish from here.

If the Cavs do trade for Amar’e Stoudemire, that would be their fourth major trade in two years. Yep, you read it, their FOURTH ONE.

Why have they been trading a lot the last few years? Well, they want to keep LeBron James in Cleveland and surrounding the hottest commodity in the league right now with all kinds of talent that might give this team its first championship in franchise history has been their top priority ever since they drafted James out of high school.

According to the rumors, the deal is on the table but both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns haven’t finalized anything yet. Although there are reports claiming that the deal is very close to being done, there are reports that say neither side is certain what will happen.

It’s probably because the Cavaliers can’t offer the best talent package the Suns are looking for, the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers can. However, what the Cavs can offer is for the Suns to get below the luxury tax, a move that could save the cash – strapped franchise around $10 million.

It would mean salary and tax savings plus...

Wizards, Mavericks blockbuster trade

Jeffdstuff — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:42:20 +0000

This is the first big trade of the season.

With the 2010 NBA basketball season at the midway point, you can expect the action to pick up as teams will now start to position themselves for a prime playoff spot. Of course, teams will begin to make some changes too and with the trading deadline just around the corner, the NBA’s trading machine will be working overtime in the next few days.

But as far as the Dallas Mavericks and the Washington Wizards are concerned, they’re already making some changes. The Mavericks have just traded Josh Howard to the Wizards in exchange for Caron Butler. The impact this trade will have on each team’s season remains to be seen.

The Washington Wizards have also sent big man Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson to Dallas as part of the package. The Mavericks in return sent Drew Gooden, Quinton Ross and James Singleton as part of the deal with Josh Howard to Washington.

On paper, the Dallas Mavericks clearly had the better end of the deal and the Mavericks organization couldn’t be any happier. ”It makes us significantly better,” Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said.

The addition of Caron Butler will hopefully fill the spot Shawn Marion left when he was traded to Miami a couple of years ago. Brendan Haywood on the other hand will give the Mavericks that shot-blocking presence again, something the team has been lacking since losing Erick Dampier to injury.

”Caron is an established professional and an All-Star with the ability to score from anywhere on the floor,” said Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks’ president of basketball operations. ”Brendan will solidify our center position with athleticism, shot-blocking and defense. DeShawn has also shown that he can be a talented asset to this team.”

As for the Wizards, all they wanted was...