Playoff basketball will return to the Bradley Center in Milwaukee for the first time since 2010. And Mark Cuban can ring Dwight Howard’s doorbell at 9 p.m. Pacific Time on June 30. If there were two definitive things you could surmise from this year’s trade deadline deals, those were the biggest two. If you want to make it a threesome, the Celtics did pretty well for themselves, too, by getting Jordan Crawford as the latest backcourt replacement for Rajon Rondo/Leandro Barbosa. Can you say
We are 48 hours away from the NBA trade deadline. Deals are being discussed, deals are going to happen, and deals are going to fall through. Happens every year. What makes this year different is the new collective bargaining agreement, with harsher luxury tax penalties on the horizon beginning with the 2013-14 season. The luxury tax line is going to act as a hard cap for all but the wealthiest owners – like guys who own gold mines in Siberia. So expect to
HOUSTON — If you watched the All-Star game, you gained an appreciation for Kobe Bryant’s defensive determination. If you stood 3 feet away from him and spoke to him afterward, as I did, you gained a clearer understanding of where he stands on the whole question of what the Lakers should do with Dwight Howard. And if you read a little into his quotes, you get the feeling that Bryant wouldn’t be surprised in the least, or even bothered, if the Lakers
Nobody likes a naysayer. Until, of course, it becomes apparent that yes was the wrong answer. Dwight Howard should have never strong-armed his way to Los Angeles. And not to mince words, the Lakers were not wrong to have pursued Howard. But they should now strongly pursue other options. [Read more…]
Infamous "Pull my finger" Sports Illustrated cover
Thursday’s 3 p.m. EST trade deadline has com and gone, and here is what went down for each of the 30 NBA teams. As a courtesy to your eyes, all trades that were made are in boldface. ATLANTA HAWKS — Hawks co-owner Bruce Levenson told the Associated Press that there are no plans to trade Josh Smith, who said the talk was just rumors. On another front, Kirk Hinrich said he would like to stay put at the deadline for a change.
On the day of the NBA trade deadline, it appears Dwight Howard if off the market. In an exclusive interview with Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM.com, Howard said he plans to waive the early termination option in his contract — a move that will keep him in Orlando this season and next season. “Man, listen, you know my heart, my soul and everything I have is in Orlando,” Howard told RealGM. “I just can’t leave it behind.” Howard’s decision, which will not be official
Congratulate the Orlando Magic and general manager Otis Smith. They’ve done the right thing by keeping center Dwight Howard. Orlando as to hold onto to Howard, the NBA most dominant center, as long as possible, which means beyond Thursday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline. You only send Howard packing for a blockbuster trade proposal. If there’s no blockbuster trade proposal, keep Howard and re-evaluate things at the end of the year. Period. It should be mentioned that Howard, who can’t keep his mouth