NBA OFF-SEASON 2008 (Draft, Rumors And Transactions)

[yokam]

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More about the New York Knicks.

Former New York Knick point guard Mark Jackson has expressed his interest in calling the shots for the team and working under Donnie Walsh.

"Donnie Walsh is a guy I have a great relationship with and a lot of history with," Jackson said of the man who traded for him twice in Indiana after the Knicks originally drafted him. "You talk about the Knicks, one of the greatest franchises in all of sports. It is a job that's very intriguing."

Former Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy about Mark Jackson's interest in coaching the Knicks (to Knicks broadcaster Mike Breen in an interview): "This is a one-horse race right now," Van Gundy said when Breen asked about his interest. "It's Mark Jackson, it's his time and he would do a tremendous job if given the opportunity anywhere, but particularly [as] a New York guy in New York. [He has] great ideas on basketball philosophy, great communications skills."

Donnie Walsh however is still going to talk to others about coaching the Knicks. Among the names surfacing are Herb Williams, Rick Carlisle, recently fired Chicago coach Scott Skiles, and even Boston Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau. Skiles however are dismayed about former Chicago Bulls Jamal Crawford and Eddy Curry.

Jackson seemed to be a clear name for the Knicks as of now because Skiles is being contacted constantly by the Milwaukee Bucks and the Memphis Grizzlies while Carlisle might take Skiles' place at Chicago. PJ Carlesimo might be a good choice but with his current going with the Seattle Sonics, it won't do the Knicks good. Sonics players aren't fond of Carlesimo. Carlesimo-Sprewell?

Anyway, these news are indeed great for any Knicks fan out there (I for one, number 1.hehe). But I really do hope that all of these won't end up like the 2007-08 season where the Knicks were dubbed as one of the better teams to beat in the East with the acquisition of Zach Randolph but still ended up at the bottom of the standings. But with Isiah Thomas out, the future seems bright now.

Bring back the Big Apple pride. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[Archer sensAtion]

^and change the TEAM Logo and Uniform kay sum-ol na... new coach new staff gud...hehehe

[clarkhkent]

dba si larry brown naka coach nana sa new york sa?

[lunateec22]

dba si larry brown naka coach nana sa new york sa?

Yup. He likes the Knicks but the Knicks don't like him.

^and change the TEAM Logo and Uniform kay sum-ol na... new coach new staff gud...hehehe

Turquoise blue ug silver na uniform.[br]Posted on: April 21, 2008, 06:54:27 PM_________________________________________________THE LATEST:



Milwaukee Bucks hired former Bulls coach Scott Skiles.

Skiles has agreed to a multi-year contract to become the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks . Skiles becomes the 11th head coach in the history of the franchise and comes to Milwaukee with eight seasons of NBA head coaching experience.

“Scott is a proven NBA head coach who has shown an ability to win,” said Hammond. “He was a passionate player at all levels of the game and that thirst for success has served him well as a coach. We look forward to what he will bring to this franchise and we welcome him and his family to Milwaukee.”

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SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR


Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs is the winner of the NBA Sixth Man Award presented by Kia Motors as the league’s best player in a reserve role for the 2007-08 season, the NBA announced today.

Ginobili received 615 out of a possible 620 points, including 123 of a possible 124 first-place votes, from a panel of 124 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Leandro Barbosa of the Phoenix Suns finished second with 283 points and Jason Terry of the Dallas Mavericks finished third with 44 points.

[Archer sensAtion]

Turquoise blue ug silver na uniform.

hahaha amew... pareha2x ug color sa Hornets...tapos ang silver kay mura sa Mavericks

[lunateec22]

hahaha amew... pareha2x ug color sa Hornets...tapos ang silver kay mura sa Mavericks

Brown na lang oi ug orange.

di ta ka ingon nga bata pa... what if naa ma injured nasad cya? (simbako lang kuung career ending)

karon ang best time unta jud...

Trade!!!

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[img width=353 height=500]http://thenastyboys.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/garnett-lakers.jpg[/img]

Oopss... sayop.

[img width=269 height=500]http://www.nba.com/media/celtics/profile_kevin_garnett350650.jpg[/img]

KG WINS DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Celtics forward Kevin Garnett today became the first Boston player to be voted as the league's Defensive Player of the Year.

Garnett earned 493 points (90 first place votes, 12 seconds, seven thirds). Denver Nuggets center Marcus Camby finished second with 178 points.

Garnett helped the Celtics hold opponents to 90.3 points per game. He averaged 7.3 defensive rebounds per game, 1.2 blocks per game, and 1.4 steals per game. Garnett had a season-high seven blocks at Chicago Dec. 12.

>> It's Josh SMith's time next year.

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Thomas banned from contacting former players

New York Knicks - Isiah Thomas has been banned from having any contact with his former players as part of an agreement with Donnie Walsh, according to a report on ESPN.com.

Isiah can speak with James Dolan but none of New York's players as the team hunts for a new coach.

Walsh was apparently worried that Thomas would undermine anything the team's new coach would say about philosophy and game-planning.

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Bosh denies coach call out

Toronto Raptors - Chris Bosh, who has been very vocal about Toronto's struggles this season, denies that he has called out head coach Sam Mitchell, according to the Globe and Mail.

However, he continued to a say negative things about the team's gameplan on Monday.

"Guys didn't know where to go," Bosh said of their Game One loss on Sunday. "If we just come out early [Tuesday] and do our regular signals we'll know where to go and know where to be. We got away from running for our normal spots and we're better when we do that."

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Kobe wants to remain as a Laker

Los Angeles Lakers - Just one year ago Kobe Bryant was about as unhappy as you could be with the Lakers, but now he wants to remain with the team for the foreseeable future, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

"I've always wanted to be here," Bryant said. "I just felt like I was in a position where I didn't really have a choice if they wanted to go in an opposite direction. My legs aren't as young as they used to be, so just let me know. But I love the weather. I love my '63 drop-top Impala. I love the 405 (Freeway), and I love my guys."

When asked about whether or not he'd be open to remaining with the Lakers for the rest of his career Bryant added, "Yeah, I am. Absolutely. These are answers I've given all year long. We have a job to do here, so it's important to focus on what we're doing and not get distracted from that. I don't want any big stories."

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If Sonics Move, Divisions Will Not Change

Seattle SuperSonics - If the Sonics move to Oklahoma City, they will remain in the Northwest division even though geologically Oklahoma City is closer to the teams in the Southwest division, Darnell Mayberry from NewsOK.com is reporting.

Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks , has said too many teams in the Texas and Oklahoma region is bad for the league.

"There's not enough TV weight,” Cuban said earlier this month before the Sonics played the Mavs in Dallas. "There's not enough demand from a TV perspective from outside that little area. It's nice, but when you've got San Antonio versus Dallas, which you'd think is a great marquee matchup, no one outside our area (cares). That's bad. You don't expand the market at all.”

[yokam]

I'm getting more excited about what's going on at New York. :mrgreen:. Finally, maganahan na gyud ta mocheer ani. (I hope there are other Knicks fans here).

Stephon Marbury's $21M contract will expire after next season and he plans to play at Italy after his contract expires. It's a good thing for the Knicks since they can rebuild fast in about 2 or 3 seasons and go back to playoffs and even title contention. Among the big names in this off season's free agency pool are Emeka Okafor, Josh Smith, Josh Childress, Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, JR Smith, Allen Iverson (ETO), Monta Ellis, Baron Davis (ETO), Jermaine O'Neal (ETO), Elton Brand (ETO), Corey Maggette (ETO), Ronny Turiaf, Juan Carlos Navarro, Shawn Marion (ETO), Carlos Arroyo, Andre Iguodala, Jose Calderon, Gilbert Arenas (ETO), and Antawn Jamison. Those players with ETO (early termination option) still has one more season left in their contracts but can opt out during the off season if they want. Stephon Marbury is on ETO with the Knicks this season.

The Knicks' chances of landing at the top spot in the lottery is slim since they've got only 7.6% chance of winning compared to Miami's 25%, Seattle's 19.9%, Minnesota's 13.8%, and Memphis' 13.7%. With the possibility of losing ace guard Stephon Marbury this season (hopefully. ), the Knicks might consider going for big named guards in the draft led by OJ Mayo, Jerryd Bayless, and Derrick Rose. Derrick Rose is a good pick for the Knicks who's already got scorers in Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph. Rose is regarded as Chris Paul or Deron Williams' level. Some other good guards in the draft are Eric Gordon, DJ Augustine, and Russell Westbrook.

Wishful thinking: I hope that the Knicks could pick Michael Beasley. :mrgreen:. Jamal Crawford, Zach Randolph, Eddy Curry, and Michael Beasley getting big time support from Nate Robinson, Quentin Richardson, and David Lee will be a good start for the Knicks. If Stephon Marbury will be motivated and play inspired basketball, then it's going to be one hell of a 2008-09 season for the Knicks. One more thing to settle: the coach. I think Mark Jackson will do just fine.

Bring back the Big Apple pride. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[lunateec22]

Wishful thinking: I hope that the Knicks could pick Michael Beasley. :mrgreen:. Jamal Crawford, Zach Randolph, Eddy Curry, and Michael Beasley getting big time support from Nate Robinson, Quentin Richardson, and David Lee will be a good start for the Knicks. If Stephon Marbury will be motivated and play inspired basketball, then it's going to be one hell of a 2008-09 season for the Knicks. One more thing to settle: the coach. I think Mark Jackson will do just fine.

I'd trade Zach Randolph in a heartbeat. Let Marbury walk if he wants to then then pick Jerryd Bayless. Hire Mark Jackson as coach.

[lunateec22]

THE LATEST:



If the Mavericks lose their first round series to the Hornets, as it appears they might, Mark Cuban might consider firing Head Coach Avery Johnson, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Johnson wore his NBA Title ring, as did some of his coaching staff, to Game Two in an attempt to fire up some of his players.

"It's just a form of camaraderie and, hopefully, a sense of motivation," Avery said. "But, I guess it didn't motivate tonight."

Dallas has always had the talent, and now they have the point guard in Jason Kidd. However, the Mavericks have continued to struggle when it counts. Hence, the 0-2 hole against New Orleans.

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Vince Carter undergoes ankle surgery

New Jersey Nets guard Vince Carter underwent successful arthroscopic right ankle surgery today, Wednesday, April 23, 2008, Nets President Rod Thorn announced. The procedure, performed by Dr. Martin O'Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, included the removal of multiple loose bodies and a bone spur from the ankle, as well as a debridement of the ankle.

Carter will be on crutches for several weeks, after which time he will begin rehabilitation. He is expected to be fully recovered by the time the team begins training camp for the 2008-09 season.

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Steve Nash becomes first to wear recycled shoes

Point guard Steve Nash has become the first athlete ever to wear recycled high-performance shoes, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

His production company Meathawk produced a commercial spot featuring Nash has the "$60 million man" wearing the shoe.

"I'm the first athlete ever to wear a recycled high-performance shoe," Nash said, "and since today [Tuesday] is Earth Day, I created a viral commercial for the shoe. Filmmaking, obviously, with my production company, is a passion of mine, and the environment is a passion of mine, too. To put the two together is a lot of fun."

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Rick Carlisle or Michigan State coach Tom Izzo for Bulls?

Two separate league sources claim that the Bulls' coaching position is Rick Carlisle's to lose, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune is reporting.

According to the report, Paxson has spoken with Carlisle and told him that he is still collecting background information on other candidates, which are believed to include Michael Curry, Tom Thibodeau, and former Wolves coach Dwayne Casey.

Sources said Casey is expected to interview with Paxson, while Carlisle has discussed targeting Casey as his lead assistant if he should land the Bulls' job.

A new rumor had the Bulls showing interest in Michigan State coach Tom Izzo. Izzo emphasized the team hadn't contacted him.

[yokam]

THE LATEST:



If the Mavericks lose their first round series to the Hornets, as it appears they might, Mark Cuban might consider firing Head Coach Avery Johnson, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Mark Cuban needs to look at the mirror. Dallas had numerous decent coaches yet they continuously lose in the playoffs, even under Don Nelson's time. They weren't even able to bring out Steve Nash's full potential.

But anyway, let Cuban fire Avery Johnson so the Knicks can have him. :mrgreen:. More and more choices for a good coach.

Steve Nash becomes first to wear recycled shoes

Point guard Steve Nash has become the first athlete ever to wear recycled high-performance shoes, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

His production company Meathawk produced a commercial spot featuring Nash has the "$60 million man" wearing the shoe.

"I'm the first athlete ever to wear a recycled high-performance shoe," Nash said, "and since today [Tuesday] is Earth Day, I created a viral commercial for the shoe. Filmmaking, obviously, with my production company, is a passion of mine, and the environment is a passion of mine, too. To put the two together is a lot of fun."

Here's the vid:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=x9ZBGmTlp2g