NBA

[kam]

Boston is said to be the front-runner for him.

They already have KG.

But they can't afford to have Wallace end up on the Spurs or Cavs.

I personally would like to see KG vs Wallace.

[kam]

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/yao_ming?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[bodiddley]

As for Yao, I'm wondering what's behind his new ownership of the Shanghai Sharks.
Btw, the team has been crap since Yao left.
Is it a business investment for Yao, a way of paying back where he came from and gaining more popularity, or a way of appeasing the Chinese sports authorities (gov't bureaucrats)?
A rumor even came out that Yao was retiring due to injury and wanted to move into ownership.  Maybe he can pull an Isiah and buy the entire CBA (China Basketball Association).


Nice article on David Harrison, who should have been a solid NBA backup C, or even a decent starter.  I liked his game his rookie year, but he got enmeshed with the thuggery and druggery of the Artest-Jax-Tinsley Pacers.
Guy has size and some skills, but couldn't get his head together.
Lack of discipline.  Harrison played in China last year.

[kam]

 The NBA has defended its age limit to Congress, but a lawmaker was unmoved and is asking to meet with top league officials.

The rule states that players be at least 19 years old and a year out of high school before entering the league.

In June, Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., urged the NBA and the player's union to scrap the requirement in the next collective bargaining agreement, calling it unfair.

NBA president Joel Litvin told Cohen in a letter recently that the requirement promotes the league's business interests by "increasing the chances that incoming players will have the requisite ability, experience, maturity and life skills" to perform at a high level.

Cohen maintains that players should have "economic freedom" and that the "age discrimination" prevents players from supporting their families.

[bodiddley]

The funny thing is that many of the biggest stars -- Kobe, KG, LBJ -- all went right from high school to the NBA.  Which kind of undercuts the argument that 18 year olds suffer from diving straight in. 
And I sincerely doubt that there are more 18 year old busts than 19 year year old busts.


I think it would be good for the NBA if all contracts were only 50% guaranteed.
Would allow a lot more flexibility while still protecting the players reasonably well.
That's already the de facto system with rookie contracts, as the first two years are golden and then the next two years are at the team's option.  5th year RFA.

[godot]

For every superstar there are a dozen busts.

I wonder how eCurry would be living now, had he spent a year, or two, running around the Developmental League pinching pennies?

[kam]

http://www.tmz.com/2009/07/22/the-video-lebron-never-wanted-you-to-see/

[kam]

http://www.tmz.com/2009/07/22/the-video-lebron-never-wanted-you-to-see/

Tweet from dunker's brother... NY Knick Summer Leaguer..

JoeCrawford5: the tape is airing 2nite at 645pm can't wait hahaha
about 3 hours ago from mobile web

JoeCrawford5: my brother dunk on Lebron, nike i wanna c the tape hahaha
11:23 PM Jul 7th from web

[kam]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/specials/remember-when/basketball/25things.html?eref=sihp&eref=shareDigg

[KBY]

season is starting again, draft in about a month, anyone interested?


http://basketball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/nba/register/tos?league_id=104602&password=Demetris

You have been invited to join the New York Capspace League.

In order to join the league, follow the link above or go to game front page, click the "Sign Up Now" or "Get Another Team" button and follow the links to "Join a Custom League". When prompted, enter the League ID# and password below.

League ID#: 104602
Password: Demetris

We will send you a confirmation with further details once you have completed the registration process.

[bodiddley]

So the Spurs added:
RJ -- McDyess -- Bogans -- Ratliff -- Mahinmi -- DeJuan Blair
If their Big 3 stay healthy, they will be tough mofos.

Toronto added a whole unit also with:
Hedo -- Jack -- DeRozan -- Belinelli -- Amir -- Rasho

Knicks will probably re-sign Lee & Nate for one year in the next week.

[kam]

Let's not forget the huge impact that Darko Milicic will have.

[bodiddley]

Let's not forget the huge impact that Darko Milicic will have.

Despite the Eddy Curry debacle, I've been all for adding Darko or Kwame on the cheap.
Big mobile guys who can defend and on reasonable and short contracts.
I think Darko will help.
Certainly worth an audition.
As I understand, one of Darko's problems is trying to do too much -- trying to live up to expectations it seems.

[bodiddley]

Interesting article on the fudgability of NBA stats.

http://deadspin.com/5345287/the-confessions-of-an-nba-scorekeeper

Of course teams do usually play better and win more at home, and I think there are some players who play much better at home than away.
But he home teams are responsible for scorekeeping and it is a pretty subjective exercise.

[kam]

The NBA, in its overarching desire to protect its superstars has decreed the following:

With the NBA fearful of the damage an H1N1 flu outbreak could create on the league, the league office has passed down an anti-handshake directive.

Players and coaches have been asked to greet each other via more sanitary means of contact, such as fist pounding.