Trade Rumour: Kidd to Mavs

The Nets are discussing a complicated three-team scenario with the Mavericks and Blazers in which Kidd would go to Dallas, league sources said.
In return, the Nets would get back young players (Jarrett Jack and Travis Outlaw), expiring contracts (Devean George, DeSagana Diop), Jerry Stackhouse, draft picks and cash. More players, including other Nets, would be involved.
There are other willing trade partners and possibilities as the Lakers, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Spurs and Suns also would like to be in the Kidd sweepstakes.
http://www.northjersey.com/sports/nets/14896561.html

The Knicks are also making enquiries to obtain the all star point guard. I can't imagine Kidd wanting to go across the river to a 'worse team'. Kidds best fit would be Boston but they don't have anything to give back.

Current Stories

OAKLAND (AP) — Chris Webber has returned to the Golden State Warriors and coach Don Nelson, more than 13 years after a battle between the two men led Webber to force a trade.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/warriors/2008-01-29-webber-returns_N.htm

MILWAUKEE centre Andrew Bogut's red-hot form in the NBA has given him an outside chance of being named as a reserve on this year's Eastern Conference All-Star team.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23123760-10914,00.html

Jason KiddJason Kidd , who says "it's time to move on" from the NetsNew Jersey Nets , attended today's morning shootaround but did not talk to reporters. The Nets, losers of nine in a row, were scheduled to play the Bucks at home tonight.
http://blogs.nypost.com/sports/nets/archives/2008/01/kidd_skips_shoo.html#more

* at Seattle 88, San Antonio 85: Kevin Durant scored 26 points to help the SuperSonics end a team-record 14-game losing streak by stunning the Spurs.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/la-sp-nba30jan30,1,2549215.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

I know NBA players are all rich and have their own posses and all, but can you tell me what Bulls players are particularly close friends? They work together on a daily basis so some of them must be friendlier than others. Are there any players who seem to noticeably dislike each other? --Cameron, Chicago
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/askthewriter/cs-080129asksamsmith,0,2910347.story

As what often happens after a mental foul-up, J.J. Barea took some needling after he launched what passed for a desperation 3-point heave against Memphis on Monday, when there was still plenty of time to get a legitimate shot.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/013008dnspomavslede.2b8e119.html

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -Some call him Roy Wonder. The Trail Blazers broadcast crew calls him The Natural.
Portland guard Brandon Roy is at the crux of a resurgent team that few expected much from this season.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/nba/wires/01/29/2030.ap.bkn.trail.blazers.roy.wonder.0798/

WASHINGTON–The next two nights are not going to determine how the season unfolds for either the Raptors or the Washington Wizards, yet they do carry some added significance.
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/298301

NBA Draft Series. 2000 NBA Draft lottery a look back

NBA Draft Series.
2000 NBA Draft lottery a look back in Time.

The 2000 NBA draft is one of the worst in recent memory. Here is a short flashback.

1. Kenyon Martin- New Jersey Nets
Has never really been the dominant player most experts thought coming out of Cincinnati. Not a great rebounder for a power forward. New Jersey where right not to pay him max money and a sign and trade was organised with Denver. Turns out played his best ball for New Jersey and has been injury plagued since becoming a nugget. How many points did Jason Kidd get this guy? Solid Pick

2. Stromile Swift- Vancouver Grizzlies.
Drafted on athletic ability alone most thought swifts ‘upside’ was to good to ignore. Ignore should have been what Vancouver did draft day that year. Swift lack’s offensive ability and has questionable work ethic. Has given showcase to a very disappointing career so far. Back in Memphis after short stint with Houston. BUST

3. Darius Miles- LA Clippers
Seemed to be an inspired pick and the future of the clippers. Combined with fellow head banger Q Richardson. Where did it all go so badly? Traded to Cleveland where he was hoped to become a franchise player didn’t quite materialize. Then moving onto to Portland where he has continued to disappoint. BUST

4. Marcus Fizer- Chicago Bulls
More than one person has described Fizer as a head case. Which is extremely disappointing because seeing the guy in college, he could really play and had all the physical tools. Now playing in Europe on last report hopefully know where near Amsterdam. BUST

5. Mike Miller- Orlando Magic
Arguably the best pick in this lottery ‘goldmine’. Miller went on to ROY honours and has always been a solid pro. Teamed with T-Mac seemed to be the future in Orlando but was later traded to Memphis. Well regarded for his outside shooting and solid all round game Miller has been a solid player and pretty much played to the abilities given to him. Solid Pick

6. DerMarr Johnson- Atlanta Hawks.
Never really got to see this guy develop into the player he could have been due to a car accident almost causing paralysis in 2002. Has done a fantastic job to recover. Has floated around multiple teams and it currently on the Spurs roster playing with there affiliate team in the NBDL. BUST

7. Chris Mihm- Chicago Traded to Cleveland.
Mihm has shown glimpse’s of being a solid NBA centre but has never been consistent enough. Has since had stints with Boston and the Lakers seems to be injury prone and not Physical enough in the paint. Career backup. BUST

8. Jamal Crawford- Cleveland traded to Chicago.
Skinny but multi-talented combo guard who has developed into a solid pro and good clutch player. After 4 years in Chicago was traded to New York where he been solid. Hit the weights prior to this season and has been one of few bright spots on the Knicks roster so far. Solid Pick

9. Joel Przybilla – Houston traded to Milwaukee.
Defensive big man who struggled in his time with the Bucks. Was later traded to Atlanta where he played solid enough to sign a deal with Portland the following year. Never offensively minded good team player defends opposing centers very well. OK Pick


10. Keyon Dooling – Orlando traded to LA Clippers.
Another small shooting guard trying to play the point never really lived up to the hype. Has played for Miami and recently signed with the team that originally drafted him Orlando. Been in the league a long time and has never really done anything great but nothing particularly bad either. BUST

11. Jerome Moiso – Boston Celtics.
Athletic international who only really started to produce during his stint with the Hornets. Also played for the raptors, nets and cavs. Never lived up to his billing coming out of UCLA. Now playing for Spanish league team DKV Joventut. BUST

12. Etan Thomas – Dallas traded to Washington
Serviceable big man who leaves it all out on the floor. Very tough competitor. Never had brilliant numbers but always valued for toughness and positive influence in the locker room. Becoming just as well known for his poems. Recently coming back from open heart surgery. OK Pick


Good choices from this Draft.
16. Hedo Turkoglu- Sacramento Kings
17. Desmond Mason- Seattle Sonics
18. Quentin Richardson- LA Clippers
19. Jamaal Magloire – Charlotte Hornets
21. Morris Peterson- Toronto Raptors
37. Eddie House – Miami Heat

Best Player Taken.
43. Michael Redd- Milwaukee Bucks

Yao Ming Best stiff in the game.

Speaking purely from the point of and NBA Live video game, Yao Ming is the player you would create with the ‘make your own player’ tool. 7’6 320 Pounds can shoot, blocks everyone within 10 feet of the rim and averages 54ppg and 39rpg and 17bpg.

Unfortunately, you spend all your points on height and shooting. You’re left with this lumbering mess when it gets up and down the court. And if you happen to venture outside the paint opposition players go past you like you’ve fallen down a pot hole in the middle of the floor.

Now back to the real world. Yao was probably the most hyped international ever drafted into the league. He destroyed opposing 5’9 centers in the Chinese basketball league and average 30 and 15 without breaking a sweat.

His NBA career has been a huge success for many businessmen’s pockets but Houston fans may be getting impatient especially since the acquisition of Tracey McGrady for free from Orlando.

Yao is a gifted offensive player who you could base your entire game plan around. He never seems like he really wants to destroy a game. He’s almost polite the way he goes about his game. He regularly get’s isolated away from the basket and has trouble against short strongly built players. Jason Maxiell schooled him a few times last time out against the Pistons. Bad matchup you say? Well watch every team in the league do it and you’ll be wondering. Also Yao only had 12 point that night and shot 30%.

Half Way MVP race. The Contenders

1. Kevin Garnett- Boston Celtics
Stats- 19.3ppg 9.8rpg 3.8apg 1.4bpg 1.4bpg.
More amazing than the Celtics 33-6 record is the fact that his old team has basically the same record but backwards 6-34. Granted they are rebuilding the weight this man carried in the twin cities is now coming to the forefront. Boston's first legit shot since Larry left.

2. Kobe Bryant- Los Angeles Lakers
Stats- 27.4ppg 5.8rpg 5.1apg 2.1spg
Has put his trust in Phil Jackson and a young up and coming centre and is reaping the benefits. With Bynum out 2 months expect his scoring to go closer to 30ppg. Reinvented himself this year and surely is the best player in the game. My first draft pick every time.

3. Dwight Howard- Orlando Magic
Stats- 22.1ppg 15.0rpg 2.6bpg
Has taken his game to the next level and the scary thing is he has a huge amount of improvement left. Will be the first player since Wilt to average 20 and 15. Orlando are up and down but thanks to Howard's play will probably get to the second round of the post season.

4. Chris Paul- New Orleans Hornets
Stats- 21.1ppg 10.4apg 3.8rpg 2.7spg
Chris Paul has been the best point guard in the NBA this season and is a certainty for all NBA selection. His Team is battling for top spot in the Western conference and nobody even comes to watch their games.

5. Lebron James- Cleveland Cavaliers
Stats- 29.7ppg 7.6rpg 7.4apg 2.0spg 1.1bpg
Is having an oscar like season while carrying a very ordinary Cleveland team above .500. Cav's lost 8 in a row when James was out and are now 2 games in the black. Amazing talent whose shot has improved. Will lead the cav's deep into the post season and possibly another finals appearance.

Honorable Mention

• Steve Nash
• Carlos Boozer
• Chauncey Billups
• Baron Davis
• Brandon Roy

Note: players on teams below .500 not considered

Chicago Bulls fashionably late.

All bulls' fans over recent seasons are used to the poor starts this ball club seems to come put of the block with. 0-7 wouldn't really bother a bulls fan. Or will it? 40 games into the 07-08 season and the bulls are turning a slow start into a poor season sitting 8 games below .500 at 16-24. With one coach in the bin and recent bickering in the locker room (see Joakim Noah). They have possibly the most unproductive max contract player in the history of the NBA in Ben Wallace. Detroit let him go for a reason. They have 2 young players on the rise wanting 60-70 million each. Who both don't deserve it? In all honesty I cannot see this team recovering. They over estimated their talent after the heat playoff series sweep last year. They still have not improved their 2 biggest weaknesses. A legitimate low post scorer and a big defensive guard. Tyrus Thomas trade for LaMarcus Aldridge is coming back to bite harder than anyone could have foreseen.

The good news for the bulls is that they have the confidence to know they can finish the season strong. The consensus belief is to trade half the team away for Kobe or Tracey and this is just not going to happen. The acquisition of a solid low post threat who can play out the game and make free throws is what's required. Nick Collison has played some terrific basketball when healthy and would come cheaply. Pau Gasol is widely tipped to end up a bull. That could work but only if Ben Wallace can turn back the clock 4 years.

New York Knicks like this forever.....probably

The mess with the New York Knicks continues getting worse on a daily basis. Isiah Thomas must be holding on to his job by the skin of his teeth. Everyone knows and agrees that he has built horrible teams full of even worse contracts over his tenure at Gotham city.

Fixes’ are coming thick and fast from all angles and arguably they all have merit. Stephon Marbury who is probably there most talent player hasn’t been able to get them to win and now seems to have his own personal feud with Thomas that has destroyed any hope of team chemistry. Marbury would probably welcome a trade if Thomas survives the rest of the season but who would take him? The only team I can think may benefit could be the Lakers. He’s the type of guard that could flourish in the triangle but defensively he doesn’t fit the Phil Jackson job description. Jackson likes big guards, who make open shots and play aggressive defensive. Think Ron Harper. Or long range marksmen like John Paxson, Steve Kerr (sans D) or Derrick Fisher. These guys all accepted there role. Would Marbury do that?
Possibly but too many question marks are hovering Marbury whose career seems to always be at the crossroads.

The acquisition of Zach Randolph has turned into a huge mistake. It’s been reported that he stood up in the locker room and pleaded with Thomas to trade him. Not exactly the result you want for trading for a player with a max deal and shoddy past. This has also contributed to Eddy Curry becoming crowded on offence. He must be wondering what he has done wrong after his career year last year. Thomas got it right the second half of last season playing Curry at the 5 and David Lee extensive minutes at the 4. Lee went on to average a double double which is remarkable for a player who solely relies on hustle plays for his offence. At the same time this was the perfect complement in the front court for Curry who while being very talented offensively isn’t a great rebounder or help defender. These are 2 areas that Lee excels.

So many issues left but it's all getting very boring from Jared Jeffries to Jerome James we could be here for hours. But enough of the doom and gloom the knick do have some positives. They have a great young talent in Lee who has tremendous upside. Nate Robinson is the smallest 2 guard in the history of the game but is an impact player and is on a very small contract. Funny to see his production is better than James and Jeffries combined. OK where searching here but that's a positive. Jamal Crawford has gone from ordinary combo guard to the missing piece for building a championship team in the last 3 weeks. He has been on a tere in there latest 3 game win streak

Bogut on the rise?

Andrew Boguts recent play has many people seeing why the Bucks tabbed him with the Number 1 overall draft choice back in 2005. While bogut has been solid in his career so far he is yet to put together a display worthy of a Number 1 draft pick. All that seems to be changing with bogut over his last 10 games putting together averages of 18.6ppg and 9.9rpg. More impressive is his defensive improvement on the year which sees him getting 1.7bpg on the year. Those numbers over an entire season would be where most 'experts' would have thought Andrew was capable of coming out of Utah. But what most people acknowledge is that he has always been the 3rd or 4th option on offence his first 3 years in the league and hasn't been able to showcase his many talents.

The offence in recent games seems to be starting and sometimes finishing with Bogut. A smart move by coach Larry Krystkowiak who must be starting to realise the Australian centres ability to pass and the importance of developing a low post presence in a team full of shooters. The Bucks offence would be potent if Bogut can continually demand a double team in the post. This will open up Redd, Yi and Mo Williams who all can shoot well from range.

Unfortunately typical of all NBA teams they will go away from Bogut because they have signed players to over inflated contracts or will it??????