Blazers' McMillan to meet with Orlando's All star Turkoglu posted by Christopher White

Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan is flying to Orlando to have a Wednesday night dinner with the Blazers' top free-agent target, Hedo Turkoglu.

Turkoglu's agent, Lon Babby, said Wednesday that Turkoglu will then travel to Oregon for a Thursday tour of the Blazers' facilities and meetings with Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard and assistant GM Tom Penn.

With the Blazers projected to have $8 million to $9 million in salary-cap space this summer -- with firm figures not known until the league announces next season's salary cap on July 8 -- and the Orlando Magic lacking the financial flexibility to re-sign Turkoglu after trading for Vince Carter last week, Turkoglu is widely expected to land with the Blazers as the first marquee free-agent signing of Pritchard's reign.

Teams and free agents were permitted to strike verbal agreements on new deals as of 12:01 a.m. ET Wednesday but new contracts cannot be signed until the cap figure is announced and the NBA's moratorium on signings is lifted next week

Stay classy,

Cwhite

Phoenix Suns interrested in Lamar Odom? posted by Ryan Greyslak

accoding to the LA times ( http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers-kobe-bryant1-2009jul01,0,5024600.story )

 The Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs are among the teams interrested in signing free agent Lamar Odom.

Lamar Odom is apparently in high demand by several teams. He is a versatile power forward that can guard multiple positions and passes and handles the ball extremely well for a forward. Lamar is known for being an inconsistant player but when he shows up, he can be the X factor for a team's chances of winning.

Phoenix Suns top free agent prospect … Grant Hill posted by Ryan Greyslak

Steve Kerr is in Orlando today meeting with Grant Hill hoping to secure him on the team and convince him to finish his career as a Phoenix Sun. Grant Hill has stated he is interested in returning to the Suns but realizes this is his last chance at an NBA contract and is hoping for a 2 year deal. The Suns have used Hill’s services at a discounted rate the last two years at a little less than a combined $4 million.

In Phoenix, Hill has resurrected his career due to the amazing Suns medical training staff. Hill suffered from multiple injuries before his time in Phoenix. Last year he put up his best numbers in the past few years and was actually healthy enough to play all 82 games. Hill averaged 12.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and shot 52.3% from the field for the Phoenix Suns.

There are several teams interested in acquiring Grant Hill. Most of them are championship contending teams unlike the Suns and can also offer Hill more money. Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets are rumored to be pursuing him along with Kerr and the Suns.

Grant Hill has shown exceptional leadership qualities with the Suns over the past two years. Even through all the team turmoil he was not one of the players who gave up. Especially last year, he played his heart out for a failing team and always tried to pull his teammates together for the win. It is obvious that his best years are behind him but he still has the ability to put up good numbers for any team. He was arguably the most consistent player for the Suns last year. He was the best defender as he guarded multiple positions throughout the season trying to make up for the rest of the teams defensive inconsistencies.

Phoenix Suns pick up team option on Louis Amundson posted by Ryan Greyslak

The Suns officially confirmed today that they were going to pick up the player option on Louis Amundson for $855,189. His numbers are a bit deceiving as to his performance last season especially after Amare Stoudemire went down for the season.

Louis quickly became a fan favorite due to his high energy up tempo dive for every loose ball mentality on the court. When he entered the game he immediately brought immediate energy to the Phoenix Suns lineup. He was a strong rebounder and defender but needed work on his jump shot.

Amundson has worked hard this off-season trying to develop a jump shot so we could see more to him next year. Either way for only $855,189 he is a very inexpensive role player the Suns definitely need to hang onto.

On a seperate note.....Cavs trade makes Heat's chances in the East alot Better. posted by Nestor Fabal

Whats up everybody. Well this is my first blog for Miami's finest and brightest, the Heat. And although we're in the off-season right now, there are sill alot of happenings going on, alot of teams wheeling and dealing to get themselves that much closer to lifting the trophy next year. One of those teams making moves recently was the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, why would I be talking about the Cavs on a Heat blog? Well it looks like the Cavs went and traded for former Heat Center Shaquille O'Neal, aka Shaqovic, the Big Aristotle himself.

Now if I remember right, the news of this trade came out on the same day as the news of the shocking and unfortunate death of Michael Jackson. And to be honest, I don't know which news was more shocking and disappointing to me. Why the hell would the Cavs trade for Shaq?? Lets be honest now, Shaq's not a young guy anymore. His athleticism is all but gone. His minutes are way down. Hell, he can barely run down court to get back on D in time. Last year the Cavs had one of the NBA's best defences. Shaq can't play D anymore. And how about his O? If you remember, the Cavs were famous for their dazzling fastbreaks last year. Well kiss that goodbye with Shaq next year. In fact, the Cavs had some really great chemistry last year, they played a very dynamic style of basketball and they always had a sense of where the open teammate was for an easy score. Alot of that dynamic play is going to be lost with big bulky Shaq asking for the ball down in the post.

But I understand that after a heartbraking loss to the Magic in the playoffs, the Cavs felt obligated to do something BIG. And 7'1", 325 is about as big as they come. And I'm sure that watching Kobe lift that trophy while he was home eating a hungry man dinner gave Shaq plenty motivation to side with a serious contender, no offense Phoenix. Even though I wish Shaq and the Cavs the best of luck next year, the Cavs will not be a better team than last year's, and sorry LeBron, but the Cavs will not reach the finals either.

Shaq's legacy will be decided by season with Cleveland. posted by Robert Karpeles

When Shaquille O’Neal received his first and only Most Valuable Player Award in the 2000 NBA season, he quoted the great Aristotle; “Greatness is not a singular act but a habit, you are what you repeatedly do,” O’Neal had quoted.

Now-a-days it is tough to judge O’Neal’s consistency. While he has helped lead three separate teams to the NBA finals, he took the Phoenix Suns the last two seasons to the bottom cellar, locked the door and threw away the key. Regardless of his numbers with the Suns ( 17.8PPG and 8.4 RPG) this last year, his incapability to run up and down the floor coupled with the Suns inability to play a half court offense ultimately caused the Suns their present demise.  

To say whether or not O’Neal will go down as the greatest center of all time will hinge on his future season, with his new, new, new, new team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. When judging the term the “greatest” we like to think of centers such as Wilt, Kareem and Hakeem, guys that have stayed with their current teams for most or all of their careers, and were always great enough to keep them competitive.

Possibly, though, O’Neal could be doing something even more impressive; Taking an astounding four teams from either obscurity or mediocrity to the promise land.  

 Alarmingly, however, for O’Neal, this season may in fact hinge on a big chunk of his legacy. If he can take the Cav’s to the finals and even win the whole enchilada, he may go down as the center that could take any mediocre team with a hungry superstar, and turn them into a champion. If the Cav’s fail than O’Neal may be remembered as a once great center who ended up burying two teams on his way out of the league.

The Current NBA is at an interesting moment in time...where do you stand? posted by LDC

Right now, the NBA draft just took place. Still, there are more trades to come, free agents to get sign, and much more recession money hustle through teams playing the "business game".

The Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, and a few other teams are starting the lava flow to making this summer a interesting preview for next year summer off-season.

Personally, I feel that Golden State is going to make an incredible move to get Amare' Staudemire. Rumors have been circulating that he will be apart of deal where Stephen Curry (yes the almighty shooter from davidson) and two other players from that euro-estic team will be join Steve Nash in Phoenix.

But, I am surprized at Portland, New York, Dallas, and many other teams who could pick up T-Mac for a cotton swab and a food stamp (not literally but you should know it would not be that much). Also, Shawn Marion and a list of B-List All Star Players are out there for the taking. I am still on the notion that Mr. Marion will go to the Big Apple since his former suns buddy Q-Rich is banging his double fist on his headband somewhere else in the abyss of Memphis.

If  you want see the list of free agents from every team check out: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgents-09-10

Tell me what do you think your favorite NBA team should do.

Phoenix Suns 2009 draft results posted by Ryan Greyslak

The Phoenix Suns drafted Earl Clark with the 14th selection in this year’s draft. His size, speed, and athleticism will be a great fit in Phoenix. They are interested in replacing Marion’s defensive skill that they lost in the Shaq trade and this could be that piece.

The Suns second round pick got them Taylor Griffin. The older brother of the number one overall pick Black Griffin.

Trading the Lakers' Enemies? I Don't Think So posted by Greg Archuleta

Shaq can't even proclaim himself "The Big Trade."

The defending Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic trumped Los Angeles Laker ex Shaquille O'Neal's move from the Phoenix Suns to the Cleveland Cavaliers when they acquired Vince Carter from the New Jersey Nets.

Carter's relocation to Disney World seemingly would keep the Magic in control of the ever-increasing wild, wild east. Although, it is intriguing to imagine what The Big Change of Address (five teams in the career of the most dominant center of our generation? Hard to fathom) might do for King James -- His Royal Poor Sport -- and the Cavs if Shaq is properly motivated.

Yet, the biggest immediate threat to a potential Laker dynasty -- if properly healed -- comes from our Green "friends" in Boston.

If Kevin Garnett can return to 100 percent form from the knee injury that derailed his 2008 season just inches from the start of the playoffs, the hated Celtics remain the most viable candidate to make good on that "Beat L.A." chant.

Remember, Boston was one game away from knocking Orlando from the postseason in the Eastern Conference semis without Garnett, not to mention Leon Powe.

Sure, two of the key figures in the Celtics' 2008 run to the title -- the New Orleans Hornets' James Posey and 77-year old P.J. Brown -- aren't returning anytime soon to help them.

And the Chicago Bulls almost eliminated the C's in the first round.

But the scary thing about the Celtics is their toughness was evident as ever in the playoffs despite their short stay. And that was without Garnett, their toughest player.

National Champs send four in NBA Draft posted by Christopher Arroyo

The people who saw the 2009 NBA Draft on Thursday were in for a special treat when they saw Blake Griffin go No. 1.

Very predictable however.

Then, Hasheem Thabeet went No. 2, which was also predictable. Then things got a bit interesting.

The early shocker was Stephen Curry going number seven to the Golden State Warriors. But what was really neat was that all of the North Carolina players that declared were drafted.

The first Tar Heel chosen was Tyler Hansbrough, who went at number 13 to the Indiana Pacers. This was a good pick, for the Pacers and here is why. Indiana is not known to carry much toughness, especially in the frontcourt.

If you had the treat to see this guy in college then you would know that he’s the real deal for toughness. I think he will start the season on the bench, but he will emerge into that starting position around December.

The second Tar Heel chosen was Ty Lawson, who was picked by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Now I know many of you were wondering why Minnesota picked four guards in the first round, which three were point guards. But, rest assured, they ended up trading Lawson to the Denver Nuggets for a future first round pick.

This is the BEST team for Lawson. You’re putting one of the top, and under-appreciated, point guards in the draft on a team that is surrounded with rising talent. He is also going to appreciate being an apprentice to Denver’s Chauncey Billups.

Probably the most respected guard in the league and known for his patience and leadership on and off the court. Sadly, he will be a bench player for a few years but, learning under Billups will definitely make him one of the top point guards in the league. This was really the best move of the draft Denver should be strong under the point guard position for at least the next 10 years if all goes well.

Shaq proclaims he'll help Cavs win title (AP)

Shaquille O'Neal has one purpose in Cleveland: bring an NBA title to LeBron James and the Cavaliers. "My motto is very simple," the 15-time All-Star center said Thursday. "Win a ring for the King." Acquired in a trade last week with the Phoenix Suns, O'Neal was introduced Thursday by the Cavaliers, who believe he can be their missing piece. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Source: Rockets meet with Lakers F Ariza (AP)

[read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Ainge: Big 3 may stay beyond contracts (AP)

The Big Three of the Boston Celtics very well could stick around beyond their current contracts with a changing cast of supporting players. Ray Allen will be 34 after the one year left on his contract, Paul Pierce will be 33 after his two remaining years and Kevin Garnett will be 36 after the three years left on his deal. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Ainge: Big 3 may play beyond contracts (AP)

The Big Three of the Boston Celtics very well could stick around beyond their current contracts with a changing cast of supporting players. Ray Allen will be 34 after the one year left on his contract, Paul Pierce will be 33 after his two remaining years and Kevin Garnett will be 36 after the three years left on his deal. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Dumars wants new coach by Tuesday (AP)

The Detroit Pistons don't plan to wait long to name a replacement for fired coach Michael Curry. Joe Dumars, the Pistons' president for basketball operations, doesn't have a "complete list" of candidates but wants to act in less than a week, before next Tuesday's opening practice for the NBA developmental league. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports