NBA basketball thread

[sakk]

New Orleans Hornets had the best draft. Chris Paul and Brandon Bass. New Orleans Hornets gonna be in the Finals next year. What.

[THE W]

Originally Posted by deadlymelody

Raptors are officially retarded. Charlie Leukemia with the 7th? Seriously. Charlie Green was the pick to make.

yeah that pick made no GOTdamn sense on any level. he's not gonna sell any tickets and they already got big men and they pass up on shawn may, the highschool kid, and rashon mckantz to get his ass.

the bobcats cleaned house... they still arent gonna win more than 40 games.

[deadlymelody]

^
Bobcats had a solid draft. I think the Hawks possibly had the best draft though. Marvin Will and Salim will be a crazy combination. Plus, that Josh Smith kid looks promising after that absolute clinic at the dunk contest this year.

[Liquidswordsman]

How did the NBA let these two get on the same team and play in the same state?
UNC! UNC! Good draft overall. It was like all the other drafts. The Jailblazers made a dumb pick (much love nick van Exel), i have NO clue who the Clip's picked, David Stern looked lost evrey time he came out, i have no clue where these foriegn players play, but the courts look like my middle schools old courts. The best pick was Chris Paul at #4; Utah couldnt wait to draft D Will, but come on, do you really think he is going to be able to live up to Pasty Stockton? and his Nutthuggers!!!




THANK GOD JORDAN END THESE DAMN FOOLS

Wayne Simien #29???
Charlie Vill #6????
McCants with the Big Ticket????
The LaL wasting a pick???
Websters moms hat was Crazy

FREE RON ARTEST!!!!!!!!!

[Definitive X]

The Jazz aren't expecting Deron Williams to live up to John Stockton, but they need something that they haven't had since he left--a solid point guard who will start for two or three or four or etc. seasons. Williams lost 15 lbs. (I don't know how to convert that to the metric system; I'm sure y'all use pounds for something other than money) before the predraft camp. Williams also will fit into Jerry Sloan's system in Utah...but first Carlos Boozer needs a fucking reality check...I think they should deal him for Zach Randolph, get a developing 4, and if they're lucky, a backup small forward...

[Hayabusa]

SEATTLE (AP) -- All-Star guard Ray Allen gauged his value on the free-agent market before asking the Seattle SuperSonics for a fair deal.

Turns out, a 30-year-old shooting guard coming off his best season is worth about $17 million a year.

Allen agreed to a five-year, $85 million contract extension with Seattle on Tuesday, his agent said. The contract includes $80 million in salary and $5 million in bonuses, although terms of the bonuses and the yearly breakdown of salary hasn't been determined.

Allen became a free agent on July 1, and cannot sign the deal until the free-agent signing period begins on July 22. His agent, Lon Babby, said Allen plans to sign the contract at the first available moment. Allen will turn 30 on July 20.

``When Ray became a free agent and had chance to explore opportunities, we were able to report back to the Sonics on what the market was dictating and they essentially responded accordingly,'' Babby said during a conference call. ``We tried to get it done over these many months, but both sides needed verification from the marketplace.''

Seattle spokesman Marc Moquin said the team couldn't comment on the agreement.

Allen's contract expired at midnight last Friday, and the response from other teams was swift. Babby said when he got into his office that morning, his voice mail was full of messages from interested suitors.

That day, Babby and Allen held conference calls with interested teams in Babby's Washington, D.C. office. Some of the teams had room under the salary cap, while others were seeking possible sign-and-trade options.

``It was a tremendous amount of interest,'' Babby said. ``It was gratifying to Ray in the sense of where he stood.''

The pair then went back to the Sonics.

Allen earned about $14 million last season, and Seattle could have given him a maximum $97 million, five-year extension. The two sides tried to negotiate a new deal during the regular season, and started talks again after the playoffs.

``It took a long, long time, but except for momentary lapses, it was a completely amicable process,'' Babby said. ``I think Ray comes back to Seattle with a peace of mind now that he's seen what is out there and decided the best place for him is in Seattle.''

Expected to be among the worst teams in the NBA last season, Seattle instead shocked the league, winning 52 games and the Northwest Division title -- a year after winning just 37 games.

Allen was the catalyst and leader.

He averaged a career-high 23.9 points per game -- 10th in the league. Allen and his teammates bought into coach Nate McMillan's system, and forward Rashard Lewis developed into an All-Star, giving Allen a complimentary talent.

In the playoffs, Seattle beat Sacramento in five games for its first playoff series victory since 1997, before losing to San Antonio in six games in the conference semifinals.

Allen again starred, averaging 26.5 points in 11 playoff games, including a playoff career-high 45 in Game 4 against the Kings.

After the season, Allen indicated his hope of returning.

``That's been my goal the whole time,'' he said.

Now that Allen is in place, Seattle's attention turns to McMillan, whose contract also expired on July 1.

``Nate's situation is certainly a factor,'' said Babby, who would not go into further detail. ``(Ray) is committed to seeing this franchise move forward and succeed and I think he welcomes the opportunity to keep the team intact.''

Allen spent his first 6 1/2 seasons in Milwaukee before moving to Seattle in February 2003 in a trade for Gary Payton. The UConn grad has averaged 20.6 points over his nine-year career.

Allen is the first of Seattle's nine free agents to agree on a new deal. Other key unrestricted free agents include guard Antonio Daniels and center Jerome James.

Last week, the team extended qualifying offers to four restricted free agents, including key reserve forward Vladimir Radmanovic and starting power forward Reggie Evans.

General manager Rick Sund -- who recently signed a three-year contract extension -- said before the NBA Draft that it was unrealistic to think Seattle would resign all of its free agents, but hoped the core would return.

Bringing Allen back was the first step.

``I don't think anyone can question the Sonics' commitment,'' Babby said.

[U-Samurai]

Ray Allen Made A Good Choice. Its Good For Seattle, But Cavs Are Left Tryin To Pull Michael Redd, Which They Cant Pay As Much As The Bucks Can. I Think Both Larry Hughes And Joe Johnson Will Stay On Their Teams Like Allen Did. And How Come Chicago Wants To Trade Curry?

[Hayabusa]

Maybe cause they don't wanna deal with his health problems. If they get fair vaule for them wouldn't blame them for trading him.

[Wu-Tang 9]

Originally Posted by mackiain

Ray Allen is comin to the lakers baby, I heard also Pierce to the Trailblazers

???????? Where are u gettin this from man Ray Allen to the Lakers??

[jaywoods27]

nate went to portland that sucks

[U-Samurai]

Michael Redd is staying also...

[Hayabusa]

Originally Posted by ESPN

Coveted free agent Michael Redd agreed Thursday to re-sign with the Milwaukee Bucks, choosing to stay with the only NBA team he's played for over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. "He's going to get a max deal in Milwaukee for $90 to $96 million, depending on what the cap is, over six years," Redd's agent, Kevin Poston, told The Associated Press early Thursday afternoon. "Michael started his career in Milwaukee and hopes to end it there, too.

"It was a tough decision between the Bucks and the Cavaliers, but Michael's heart is in Milwaukee and he's excited about his future there," Poston added.

Redd, who was the top remaining free agent available, met with James and Cavs officials in Cleveland on Wednesday, one day after meeting with the Bucks.

The 6-foot-6 shooting guard averaged a career-high 23 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season. He has averaged 17.7 points while making 39.4 percent of his 3-point shots since Milwaukee drafted him in second round, with the 43rd overall pick, in the 2000 NBA draft.

Poston said Redd, who turns 26 in August, is excited about playing with former Utah center Andrew Bogut, the No. 1 pick overall in last month's draft, and for the Bucks' next coach.

"Michael had Andrew have spoken at great length and are really looking forward to starting something special in Milwaukee," said Poston, an agent based in suburban Detroit. "We also know who the Bucks are focused in on to be their next coach, and Michael is very comfortable with him."

The Bucks signed Bogut to a multiyear contract last week and have been searching for a new coach since firing Terry Porter last month. ESPN.com's Andy Katz reported Thursday that the Bucks are expected to hire Warriors assistant Terry Stotts.

Coveted free agent Michael Redd agreed Thursday to re-sign with the Milwaukee Bucks, choosing to stay with the only NBA team he's played for over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"He's going to get a max deal in Milwaukee for $90 to $96 million, depending on what the cap is, over six years," Redd's agent, Kevin Poston, told The Associated Press early Thursday afternoon. "Michael started his career in Milwaukee and hopes to end it there, too.

"It was a tough decision between the Bucks and the Cavaliers, but Michael's heart is in Milwaukee and he's excited about his future there," Poston added.

Redd, who was the top remaining free agent available, met with James and Cavs officials in Cleveland on Wednesday, one day after meeting with the Bucks.

The 6-foot-6 shooting guard averaged a career-high 23 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season. He has averaged 17.7 points while making 39.4 percent of his 3-point shots since Milwaukee drafted him in second round, with the 43rd overall pick, in the 2000 NBA draft.

Poston said Redd, who turns 26 in August, is excited about playing with former Utah center Andrew Bogut, the No. 1 pick overall in last month's draft, and for the Bucks' next coach.

"Michael had Andrew have spoken at great length and are really looking forward to starting something special in Milwaukee," said Poston, an agent based in suburban Detroit. "We also know who the Bucks are focused in on to be their next coach, and Michael is very comfortable with him."

The Bucks signed Bogut to a multiyear contract last week and have been searching for a new coach since firing Terry Porter last month. ESPN.com's Andy Katz reported Thursday that the Bucks are expected to hire Warriors assistant Terry Stotts.

Cool deal for Redd get all the money u can out there man while u can.

[Definitive X]

Bucks will be the number 8 seed next year...they're certainly going to be better than they were last year...

[Hayabusa]

Yeah, Hopefully T.J. Ford comes back and does he thing like he did in Texas.

[bob99digi]

Larry Hughes has reportedly agreed to a 5yr deal with Cleveland.