Blatche Charged With Solicitation

Washington Post: "The Washington Wizards have been trying to sign third-year forward Andray Blatche to a lucrative contract this summer, but his future with the team was thrown into doubt yesterday after Blatche and an acquaintance were charged with sexual solicitation...


At 43, Oakley wants to play again

New York Daily News: "Charles Oakley is so old that he calls Dikembe Mutombo 'Junior.' As a matter of fact, Oakley is so old that he broke into the league two years before Knicks rookie Wilson Chandler was born. But the rugged power forward who played against Isiah Thomas and with Eddy Curry is serious about making a comeback... He specifically mentioned the Knicks, Nets, Cavs and Mavs. "

I would die laughing if the Cavs give Oaks a 1-yr deal...

C- Ilgauskas
PF- Varejao (assuming they trade Gooden to resign him)
SF- LBJ
SG- Pietrus
PG- Gibson

Bn- Hughes
Bn- Donyell Marshall
Bn- Snow
Bn- Damon Jones
Bn- Charles Oakley

LOL!!!! Sign him FERRY!

I would die laughing if the Cavs give Oaks a 1-yr deal...

C- Ilgauskas
PF- Varejao (assuming they trade Gooden to resign him)
SF- LBJ
SG- Pietrus
PG- Gibson

Bn- Hughes
Bn- Donyell Marshall
Bn- Snow
Bn- Damon Jones
Bn- Charles Oakley

LOL!!!! Sign him FERRY!

WTF? Cavs got Pietrus?

REUNITED!!!

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0803/nba_g_gasol_195.jpg


[smilie=jefffoster.:

For a minute there I thought it said Charles Barkley, not Charles Oakley.

REUNITED!!!

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0803/nba_g_gasol_195.jpg


[smilie=jefffoster.:
He looks like Jesus

WTF? Cavs got Pietrus?


i heard S&T w/ GS sasha for pietrus

hasn't happened yet though

Barnes to sign a one year deal to GSW

Kobe and Mrs. Kobe to divorce.

No pre-nup.

Ouch, babe.

http://mediatakeout.com/9441/splittsville_kobe_bryant_prepares_to_file_for_divo rce.html


August 03, 2007. A few months ago MediaTakeOut.com reported that Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa were facing marital problems. Well it now looks like a divorce is imminent.

We spoke with a person extremely close to Kobe Bryant, who claims that the 28 year old ball player is ready to put an end to his 6 year marriage. The insider tells MediaTakeOut.com, "They've been trying [to make things better] now for more than a year, but it's just not working out ... Kobe's in the process of moving out [of their home] and both are ready to officially end things."

But if you're expecting fireworks in the divorce battle - you might be disappointed. According to our inside source, Kobe and Vanessa will likely settle everything quietly. Our insider explains, "There's very little for [Kobe and Vanessa] to fight over. Since there was no pre-nuptial agreement, Vanessa's entitled to half the marital assets ... Besides, Kobe stands to make a lot more money in the years to come - and that will be all his."

During his professional career, Bryant is estimated to have drawn in close to $200M in earnings. And the superstar's future earnings look even brighter. The Lakers currently owe him $88.6 million in salary over the next four seasons. And he has a number of very lucrative endorsement deals - including one with $18M left on it from Nike.

What? No Zales jokes?

Scot Pollard with the Celtics.

With no real cap space left, Ainge is doing a good job of getting the best shit possible.

Scot Pollard with the Celtics.

With no real cap space left, Ainge is doing a good job of getting the best shit possible.
I like Pollard. Any idea how much he got?

Vet's min, $1.2m

http://wtfdetroit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9733

He trashed Detroit (the city) on his way out of town the first time, so he wasn't an option here.

Didn't he trash it on his way into town (when he got drafted by us)?

Hmm.

It's all kinda fuzzy.

Good luck looking that one up.

I do recall him being on Stoney & Wojo after he was drafted and he was talking some nonsense about "we all scream for ice cream". If memory serves, they had him come to a remote and serve ice cream to people later on.

This guy goes to school in fucking Kansas and bashes Detroit?

Good signing for the Spurs.

He would have been good here as Tay's back up.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1186975533299330.xml&coll=7


Udoka's next stop? Looks like the Spurs

Monday, August 13, 2007
JOE FREEMAN
The Oregonian Staff

Ime Udoka, whose rise from the NBA Development League to NBA starter made him a fan favorite with the Trail Blazers, is poised to sign a multiyear contract with the reigning-champion San Antonio Spurs.

Udoka's agent, Erin Cowan, told The Oregonian on Sunday that Udoka has made a commitment to the Spurs and hoped to have a deal finalized by Tuesday.

Cowan would not reveal contract specifics, but sources have indicated that Udoka will sign a two-year deal worth more than $2 million. The second year could be a player option.

"San Antonio was the first team to contact us and we've been in communication with each other ever since," Cowan said. "They were very respectful to us during the process and allowed us to go out and seek more money. But the well dried up. Ime's excited for this opportunity."

Udoka had hoped throughout free agency to re-sign with Portland, Cowan said. But after the Blazers traded for James Jones and signed free agents Travis Outlaw and Steve Blake, the team had committed to the maximum of 15 guaranteed contracts. So he shifted focus.

Boston, Miami, Memphis, Cleveland and Dallas expressed interest, according to Cowan, with the Celtics -- after trading for Kevin Garnett earlier this month -- being the most serious bidders.

But financial terms never could be agreed upon and in the end, San Antonio became the ideal fit.

"This is an opportunity for Ime to play on the grand stage with the defending champions," Cowan said. "Portland will always be in his heart, but this opportunity was too good to pass up. He's going to play around three all-stars and a Hall of Famer, and he gets the opportunity to play for a champion right now."

Udoka, who played at Jefferson High School and Portland State, will provide San Antonio with solid long-range shooting, superior perimeter defense and a tireless work ethic. But we don't need that type of player as a backup SF, right?

The Blazers invited him to their training camp last season as an afterthought, but he blossomed into an opening-day starter. He started 75 games at small forward, averaging 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, and shot 46.1 percent from the field, including 40.6 percent from three-point range.

Before the breakout season, Udoka was a journeyman, making professional stops in Europe, the NBA Development League and the NBA.

"He's excited to start the next phase of his career," Cowan said. "He wants to be a Spur for a long time."

Looks like the Sonics are moving to OK City.


Because as I believe was first pointed out on SonicsCentral, Clay Bennett's friend and Sonic co-owner, Aubrey McClendon has been talking. Here he is from a Jerry Shottenkirk article in Oklahoma's Journal Record:

"We started to look around, and at that time the Sonics were going through some ownership challenges in Seattle," McClendon said. "So Clay, very artfully and skillfully, put himself in the middle of those discussions and to the great amazement and surprise to everyone in Seattle, some rednecks from Oklahoma, which we've been called, made off with the team. At any rate I'm pleased to be part of the ownership group and Clay has done a terrific job of managing the process."

Rumor on SpursReport is 3rs/9mil for Udoka.

Those of you that were holding your breath can relax now.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/08/13/riley.heat.ap/index.html?eref=si_nba



He said it's simply coincidental that his three-year commitment is the same length of time that Shaquille O'Neal has left on his contract and the amount of time before Dwyane Wade can opt out of his extension with the club.LOL

Looks like the Sonics are moving to OK City.
Being bought by an Oklahoma group of buyers happened awhile back. I think they're still giving occasional and sporadic lip service to the notion that they'll keep the team in Seattle. But, everyone knows they wants to move the team first chance they gets, and the league thinks Seattle is a PITA, so that's likely to happen.

didnt hear kobe is getting divorced. that does it. he's definitly out of la. she was the lakers only chance of keeping him there.

GSW bought out Adonal Foyle, Orlando already in pursuit.

Do you really want this?

lkoNgq-O3R4

I love when commentators make completely obvious statements and act like they have secret basketball knowledge that they are letting you in on.

Haha. I can say I've never shot a ball over the backboard, ever. I've probably hit the side of it on a corner shot, but come on. That was terrible.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/08/20/stevenson.incident/index.html


Man shot at home of Wizards guard

Posted: Monday August 20, 2007 12:29PM; Updated: Monday August 20, 2007 1:43PM

By Chris Mannix, SI.com

A man was shot in the leg early Monday morning at the Orlando home of Washington Wizards guard DeShawn Stevenson, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Contrary to published reports, police said the man injured was not an NBA player.

Police said there is evidence of a "gun battle" with shots being fired both into and out of Stevenson's home. Investigators said a party was going on at the time of the shooting, and several NBA players were in attendance, including former Cavaliers forward Brandon Hunter.

A man identified as Curtis Ruff was treated at a local hospital for a gunshot wound to the leg.

An NBA spokesman said the league is monitoring the situation.

Knicks to release Dickau
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08222007/sports/knicks/knicks_mull_nichols_future.htm

Rookie shooting guard Demetris Nichols refused the Knicks' request to play this season in Italy to solve their roster crunch - a denial that could shorten his Knicks career. However, the Knicks will improve Nichols' chances of making the club by releasing point guard Dan Dickau in the next three weeks to reduce their roster to 16, according to sources.

If the Knicks release Dickau, they will be one over the limit. Thomas wants to keep Fred Jones, his former pick in Indiana. Dickau would have been the fourth point guard after Stephon Marbury, Mardy Collins, and Nate Robinson. Dickau has just one year ($3.6M) left on his pact.

Dickau's agent, Mark Bartlestein said, "We've talked, and Isiah is going to do the right thing and help him if it's not going to work out with the Knicks."


Spree is boatless

Report: Spree's yacht 'Milwaukee's Best' seized

ESPN.com news services
Updated: August 22, 2007, 11:34 AM ET

Former NBA star Latrell Sprewell had his yacht repossessed by the bank holding the loan on the 70-foot, $1.5 million vessel, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported Wednesday.

According to the report, a U.S. Marshal armed with an order from U.S. Magistrate Judge William E. Callahan Jr., seized the yacht, the "Milwaukee's Best," in Manitowoc, Wisc., about 80 miles north of Milwaukee on the shore of Lake Michigan.

The bank has claimed in federal court that the owner, LSF Marine Holdings, a company run by Sprewell, has failed to make monthly payments of $10,322 in a timely fashion and has not maintained the necessary insurance on the vessel, according to the report.

The bank wants the "Milwaukee's Best" sold to pay off the $1.3 million it says is remaining on the loan, according to the Journal-Sentinel.

The newspaper said it could not reach Sprewell for comment.

Sprewell last played in the NBA in 2004-05 with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He famously turned down that team's three-year, $21 million contract offer, telling a reporter for the Star Tribune of Minneapolis: "They're not doing anything for me. I'm at risk. I have a lot of risk here. I got my family to feed. Anything could happen."

Sprewell, a swingman, played 13 seasons in the NBA for the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and Timberwolves, averaging 18.3 points per game.

Foyle to the Magic per the Orl Sentinel.

Bryan Schmitz is your daddy.

Looks like the owners of the Sonics are getting fined big bucks for talking about moving the team. Since when is it really necessary to punish someone who's already shot himself in the foot?

Posey to Boston.

Rafer arrested again.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08282007/news/regionalnews/personal_foul__nba_hoopster_in.htm

Looks like Yi will play for the Bucks.

Patterson to the Clippers.

Tsakalidis (to victory) signed with Olympiakos

Divers search river for father of Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson

August 31, 2007
AP - Aug 31, 10:10 am EDT

CHESTER, Pa. (AP) -- Divers resumed searching the Delaware River on Friday for the father of Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson.

Floyd "Pete" Nelson was reported missing from his job at a tugboat repair shop about noon Thursday.

The 57-year-old was last seen near the water and officials feared that he had fallen into the river just south of the Commodore Barry Bridge.

Nelson's lunch and car keys were found in a tug's kitchen area, and his car was in the nearby lot, police said. Searchers were concentrating on an area near a three-foot gap between the tug and the dock, Chester Police Chief John Finnegan said Friday.

"If he was in that location and something happened to him medically, he might have fallen over," Finnegan said. "I can't think of anything else, unless he walked off, but I don't know why he would."

Mayor Wendell Butler said the U.S. Coast Guard and divers searched the waters until dark Thursday and the search resumed shortly after 8 a.m. Friday.

Floyd Nelson, a Vietnam War veteran, wrote a book about his son's basketball career in 2004 entitled "Jameer." The Magic drafted his son out of Saint Joseph's in the first round in 2004.