NBA

[Ziyad]

Big Big trade news...

McGrady has been traded to Huoston ROckets where he will with Yao Ming

There are other names ofcource in this trade like Cutino Mobley and Tyrone Lue and Howard going the opposite sides..

 

[Handoyo]

Steve Francis (PG), Cultino Mobley (SG) & Kelvin Cato (PF) of the Rockets will move to Magic and T-Mac (SG), Juwan Howard (PF I think), Tyronn Lue (PG) & Reece Gaines (???) will move the other way.

This trade is signed, selaed & delievered.

Who do you think will benefit more from this trade??? For me, it's the Rockets. They may have lost 3 of their starting line-up but as proved by the Lakers in the early 2000s, a 2-superstars team can win championships. Whereas, Francis is just an over-rated player. Nothing but a flashy guard who can dunk well. :yuck:


Handyo

 

[Shaun]

Well the i think the Rockets benifit way more then the magic because the rockets are geting one of the best players in the NBA the magic are getting a very good player but Francis is no T-Mac! i pridict another bad season for the magic!

 

[Pravesh]

Well then,

Shaq is a Miami player now !!

HEAT Signs O’Neal

MIAMI, July 14 – The Miami HEAT announced today that they have acquired 11-time All-Star center Shaquille O’Neal from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Caron Butler, Brian Grant, Lamar Odom and a future first-round draft pick.

“Today the Miami HEAT took a giant step forward in our continued pursuit of an NBA championship for the city of Miami and this franchise,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “It has always been about winning for us and trying to win championships. We feel that we have traded for the best player in the NBA. I feel tremendous sadness and a debt of gratitude to Brian, Lamar and Caron because these were men who really bought into our team and our organization and the city of Miami. It disheartens me to see them leave and I thank them for their many contributions to the HEAT and wish them nothing but the best. However you don’t get many chances to acquire the best player in the league and this was a trade I felt we had to make.”


and it continues .....

 

[Handoyo]

This summer has been the craziest since I started following the NBA.

Well, I've only followed them since 2002 though.

Shaq and T-Mac, 2 of the best players in the league has been traded. And Kobe can still follow their path. Oh my. Lakers are truly getting dismantled.

About the Shaq trade, I think Miami benefit much more compared to Lakers, even though they lost 3 of their starters. It's bloody worth it. Shaq is arguably the most dominant centre ever. Yeah, his age maybe 32. But Shaq's biggest asset is his big daddy cool size. If he is as disciplined as Malone, I think he can maintain that size till his 40s.


Handyo

 

[Gaetan]

I agree with you, Han. It's a good trade for Miami because not only do they get the most dominant player in the league but he'll be in the weak East where he won't get challenged every night as we all know most of the teams in that conference have weak big men. He'll be able to last more for an extra 2-3 seasons and i think if he's motivated then the Heat have a legit chance of making it to the NBA finals. I honestly only see the Detroit Pistons being better, and that's due to their depth and all around greatness really.

It's a shame to lose Odom, he's a great player and a nice ball handler. Wade will have to seriously step up his game and become more of a leader now. He's got the potential, he's shown that many times. People over here in Miami are generally happy about this trade, i might go to the arena on Tuesday for his presentation.

Shaq, Eddie Jones, Dwayne Wade. Those are 3 confirmed starters - we have some good players in Rasual Butler and Haslem who could possibly go in at small forward or power forward but not both of them. They lack experience, but i like what Haslem showed in the playoffs while Rasual seems to be more of a 6th man off the bench. Perhaps this Shaq deal will attract some free agents to us, eh?

 

[Nerazzurri]

first of all, congrats to Miami! They've definitely done the trade of the off season. But i'm a nuggets fan and welcome K-MART to Denver! Let's hope he helps us go that extra step next year, especially with his playoff experience he may turn into somewhat of a leader at Denver.

 

[Pravesh]

This is a good news for me.

After Jordan left Wizards, I have been supporting Lakers, but not a die hard supporter though.

I didn't care when Shaq left Lakers, but it really feels good that Bryant will be in Lakers; otherwise I would have had to search for my new team in NBA (The reason being that I am not addicted to NBA).

I love to watch football, don't play that much (indeed, I haven't got to play football for 3 years )

And I love to play basketball, rather than watch it. But I do like to watch bball sometimes to learn from those guys.



===================================


Kobe re-signs

Bryant chose the Lakers over the Clippers, remaining with the team he joined in 1996 at age 18 and later helped win three NBA championships.

"It feels great to be in the city of Los Angeles playing for the Lakers the next seven years," Bryant said after Thursday's news conference where he signed his lucrative contract. "It feels unbelievable."

The decision came a day after the Lakers traded fellow superstar Shaquille O'Neal to the Miami Heat. Now, it will be Bryant - along with incoming coach Rudy Tomjanovich and Heat imports Lamar Odom, Caron Butler and Brian Grant - who will lead them into the future.

Bryant insisted he had nothing to do with the departures of O'Neal and former head coach Phil Jackson.

"That upsets me. That angers me. That hurts me," Bryant said of speculation that he was involved in the team's decision-making.

"They did what they had to do. That had nothing to do with me. In a perfect world, we would have all come back and won another (championship)."

Bryant, who said repeatedly this past season he wanted to be a "Laker for life," is poised to fulfill that declaration. His contract will be worth more than $136.4 million over seven years. (Why did I turn down NBA )

:star:

 

[Handoyo]

T-Mac will feel the pressure to do well in Rockets. Shaq will feel the pressure to be dominating the East. But none of their pressure even comes close to Kobe's IMO. He'll now be expected to be more Jordan-esque than ever. I honestly don't know if he can live up to the expectation or not. Kobe is IMO one of the best player in the NBA but can he do it without Shaq??? Only God knows. But I certainly won't bet against him.


Handyo

 

[Baggio]

I have been fan of Caron Butler at about 2 years and I think he will be a very good addition for Lakers.

I just hope he starts.

 

[SB9Dragon]

I think it was a good fair deal for both sides. Though of course in the present it benefits Miami more. Though I still think the Lakers have a good side. Though they definately should go after Dampier with full force. He would be a good replacement for Shaq. Then there starting lineup could be as such

Payton
Kobe
Butler
Odom
Dampier

Bench: Grant....

Though another team thats looking good is the Nuggets. They just added K-Mart to an already good team and now the Nuggets are a force in the West. I think they can finish as high as 4th.

Also don't count out the Suns. They added Nash and Quentin Richardson to the trio of Marion, Stoudamire, and Johnson. Thats a good looking squad. Add a good Center and that team can really shine.

 

[Fabio]

Here is a useful guide to the trades:
Date Transaction
July 15 NEWS CONFERENCES


Kobe Bryant: 300k
Stephen Jackson: 300k
Al Harrington: 300k
Michael Doleac: 300k
Denver acquires Kenyon Martin from New Jersey for three future first-round picks
Atlanta signs Stephen Jackson and trades him to Indiana for Al Harrington

Los Angeles Lakers re-sign Kobe Bryant

Memphis signs Shane Battier to a multiyear extension

Miami signs Michael Doleac

Milwaukee signs Etan Thomas to an offer sheet

Portland signs Richie Frahm

San Antonio re-signs Manu Ginobili and signs Brent Barry and second-round pick Romain Sato


July 14 NEWS CONFERENCES


Suns' Steve Nash: 300k
Lakers' Kupchak: 300k
Heat's Pat Riley: Audio
Miami acquires Shaquille O'Neal from Los Angeles Lakers for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a first-round draft pick
Atlanta re-signs Jason Collier

Boston re-signs Mark Blount

Charlotte signs Jason Hart and Tamar Slay

Charlotte acquires Melvin Ely and Eddie House from Los Angeles Clippers for second-round picks in 2005 and 2006

Dallas re-signs Marquis Daniels and signs rookie free agent Didier Ilunga-Mbenga

Detroit signs 2003 first-round pick Carlos Delfino

Golden State re-signs Adonal Foyle

Memphis signs Brian Cardinal

Orlando signs Hedo Turkoglu

Philadelphia signs Brian Skinner

Phoenix signs Steve Nash and signs Quentin Richardson to an offer sheet

San Antonio re-signs Bruce Bowen and signs first-round pick Beno Udrih

Seattle signs first-round pick Robert Swift

Toronto signs Rafer Alston

Utah re-signs Carlos Arroyo and signs Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur to offer sheets


July 12 Atlanta signs first-round picks Josh Childress and Josh Smith
Portland signs first-round pick Sebastian Telfair.

Utah signs first-round picks Kris Humphries and Kirk Snyder


July 9 Phoenix signs second-round pick Jackson Vroman

July 7 Golden State signs first-round pick Andris Biedrins
Indiana signs first-round pick David Harrison

Memphis signs second-round picks Antonio Burks and Andre Emmett.

Orlando signs first-round picks Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson.

Sacramento signs first-round pick Kevin Martin and second-round pick Ricky Minard


July 6 New Jersey waives Eddie Gill
New Orleans signs first-round pick J.R. Smith


July 3 Boston signs first-round picks Al Jefferson, Delonte West and Tony Allen.
Toronto signs first-round pick Rafael Araujo.


July 2 Cleveland signs first-round pick Luke Jackson.
Dallas signs first-round pick Devin Harris.

Philadelphia signs first-round pick Andre Iguodala.


July 1 Teams may begin negotiating with free agents


June
Date Transaction
June 29 Orlando trades Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue and Reece Gaines to Houston for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato

June 24 Washington trades Jerry Stackhouse, Christian Laettner and the rights to No. 5 pick Devin Harris to Dallas for Antawn Jamison.
Denver trades the rights to No. 20 pick Jameer Nelson to Orlando for a future first-round pick.

New Jersey trades the rights to No. 22 pick Viktor Khryapa to Portland for Eddie Gill.

Orlando trades the rights to No. 36 pick Antonio Burks to Memphis.

Phoenix trades the rights to No. 7 pick Luol Deng to Chicago for the rights to No. 31 pick Jackson Vroman and a future first-round pick.

Seattle trades the rights to No. 35 pick Andre Emmett to Memphis for a future second-round pick.

Utah trades the rights to No. 21 pick Pavel Podkolzine to Dallas for a first-round pick in NBA Draft 2005.


June 23 Charlotte trades Zaza Pachulia to Milwaukee for the 45th pick in NBA Draft 2004.
Charlotte trades Aleksandar Pavlovic to Cleveland for a future first-round pick.

 

[Gaetan]

T-Mac will feel the pressure to do well in Rockets. Shaq will feel the pressure to be dominating the East. But none of their pressure even comes close to Kobe's IMO. He'll now be expected to be more Jordan-esque than ever. I honestly don't know if he can live up to the expectation or not. Kobe is IMO one of the best player in the NBA but can he do it without Shaq??? Only God knows. But I certainly won't bet against him.


Handyo

I don't like McGrady anymore, he's a loser. I think he'll be in the same sittuation with the Rockets, they are absolutely nothing besides Yao Ming. I really hope he fails, i used to be a huge fan of him but his attitude is disgusting. He lets his team down and critisizes his teammates in public, what kind of captain is that? he can go fvck himself.

Shaq Diesel will be taking over the East; and i expect the Heat to give the Pistons a run for their money.

 

[Ziyad]

The Lakers are so dumb for letting SHaq go but this will make the east even more of a competitor..Lukcy Miami got him.

 

[Gaetan]

The Lakers weren't gonna keep Shaq on their team and know that he's unhappy. They got the best possible deal for him and at the same time he isn't gonna have to play them four times a year. The Diesel will be causing havoc in the East while Kobe Bryant will either be serving some jail time or dissapointing. He won't be able to lead a team in the West, you need a big man down low which LA doesn't have anymore.

Kobe Bryant will be stuck just like McGrady was in Orlando. The only guy who can create shots on his own other then him is Lamar Odom, and those two are not enough to be a hit in the wild, wild, West.

And yes.. i am a Laker hater.

 

[Pani]

RASHEED extended his contract with Pistons!!!

 

[SB9Dragon]

Hopefully the Celtics make some moves in the free agent market to bring in some new good players. But who? Maybe a good SF? A new point guard wouldn't be all that bad either.

 

[Gaetan]

The market for free agency is pretty thin this season compared to the last few summers, the only quality SF's have all either been traded or gone away. Antawn Jamison, Al Harrington and Stephen Jacksob have all moved and won't be on the trading block. Celtics have took way too long to make a move but they won't need one with Paul Pierce sticking around.

They are weak at the PG position, who did they draft?

 

[Handoyo]

Celtics Acquire Nine-Time NBA All-Star Gary Payton
Team Also Receives Former Celtic Rick Fox, A First Round Draft Choice and Cash, In Exchange for Chucky Atkins, Marcus Banks, Chris Mihm and a Second Round Draft Choice
BOSTON, MA – The Boston Celtics announced today that they have completed a five player deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, bringing nine-time NBA All-Star Gary Payton to the Celtics as well as Rick Fox, a conditional first round draft choice and cash in exchange for Chucky Atkins, Marcus Banks, Chris Mihm and a second round draft choice.
Nicknamed “The Glove” for his stifling defense, Payton was elected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team eight consecutive seasons (1994-2001) and was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1996, becoming the first guard to win the award since Michael Jordan in 1987-88. Payton brings career averages to the Celtics of 18.0 points, 7.2 assists and 2.02 steals per game. He currently ranks 5th on the NBA’s all-time list in steals (2,243), 6th in assists (8,039) and 29th in points (19,956). As a Celtic next season, Payton will become just the 29th player in NBA history to accumulate over 20,000 career points. He scored his 15,000th career point vs. Philadelphia on 3/19/01, becoming the 88th player in league history to reach the milestone and just the eighth player in NBA history to compile 15,000 points, 6,000 assists and 1,000 steals.

Known for his tenacious play and infectious, competitive attitude, Payton has twice won Olympic Gold as a member of the 1996 and 2000 U.S. Men's Olympic Teams. In addition, the 6-4, 180-pound guard was named to the All-NBA First-Team in 1998 and 2000, the All-NBA Second Team in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1999, and All-NBA Third Team in 2001.

Payton continued his solid play last season, averaging 14.6 points and 5.5 assists while shooting an efficient .471 from the field, his best percentage since the 1996-97 campaign. In addition, he started all 82 games for the Western Conference Champions. In fact, he has missed just six games during his 15-year career, establishing himself as one of the league’s ironmen. Prior to signing with the Lakers as a free agent on 7/16/03, Payton appeared in 28 games for the Milwaukee Bucks after being traded by the SuperSonics with Desmond Mason for Ray Allen, Kevin Ollie, Ronald Murray, and a first-round draft pick on 2/20/03.

Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round (second overall) of the 1990 NBA Draft, Payton’s 13-year career with Seattle was highlighted by selections to the NBA All-Star Team seven straight seasons (1994-98, 2000-01) and was voted as a starter in the 1997 and 1998 games.

A member of the Celtics for six seasons (1991-97), Fox has enjoyed a solid NBA career, posting career averages of 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. The 13-year veteran has spent the last seven seasons with the Lakers claiming three NBA Championships. His finest year as a pro came in 1996-97 when he established career-bests in scoring (15.4 ppg), steals (2.20 spg, 4th in the NBA) and three-pointers made (101) and attempted (278).

After being selected by the Boston Celtics in the first round (24th overall) of the 1991 NBA Draft, Fox was named to the 1991-92 NBA All-Rookie Second Team, averaging 8.0 points per game for the Celtics. He also became the Celtics first rookie to start on opening night since Larry Bird in 1979.

Atkins, a 5-11 guard, was acquired from Detroit, along with Lindsey Hunter, Detroit’s 2004 first round draft choice and cash, in exchange for sending Mike James to Detroit and Chris Mills to Atlanta in a three team deal on 02/19/04. In 24 games with the Celtics, Atkins averaged 12.0 points and 5.3 assists per game.

Banks, a 6-2 guard, was acquired in a 2003 draft night trade with Memphis along with the draft rights to Kendrick Perkins, in exchange for the draft rights to Troy Bell and Dahntay Jones. In one season with the Celtics, Banks averaged 5.9 points and 2.2 assists per game.

Mihm, a 7-0 center, was acquired by the Celtics from Cleveland, along with Ricky Davis, Michael Stewart and a second round draft choice, in exchange for Tony Battie, Kedrick Brown and Eric Williams on 12/15/03. In 54 games with the Celtics, Mihm averaged 6.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.


What do you think, Ziyad?


Handyo

 

[Ziyad]

Every move Ainge makes seems to suck...Getting Gary Payton seems like getting Miha(with Recoba's wage) to me...Some pluses many minuses especially for the long run :yuck: