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[effzee]

how is mcgrady selfish? he will be a FA next yr and knows he will leave so the MAGIC are forcing a trade moreso cause they want something in return.

 

[AirBrian]

Nah, as late as yesterday, Cube's said Dirk was as close to untouchable as you can get. But, and that's a big but, he also said that if he got a good deal, he was willing to part with Dirk. The Dallas Morning News quoted a team official saying that Cuban would trade Dirk for Shaq. However, Cuban was trying really hard to get together a package first that included both 'Twans rather than Dirk to see if LA would bite on that one.

 

[sc0la]

Posting from work again? Slacker!!11

I just wanted to take a moment to point out how entirely odd it was to see john tv in the NBA thread. O_O

not that it isn't welcome

 

[Desperado]

According to today's ESPN Insider article, the Magic are getting cold feet not only because of Francis, but because of the immmense backlash from the media to a percieved lopsided trade. Apparently, most of the talk is now between Orlando and Phoenix. Although McGrady still insists he won't resign anywhere but Houston, the Suns might be willing to call his bluff.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

damn you guys, you had me excited that t-mac was coming!

 

[Ninja Scooter]

how is mcgrady selfish? he will be a FA next yr and knows he will leave so the MAGIC are forcing a trade moreso cause they want something in return.

so now the Magic are the ones forcing a trade? LMAO! McGrady wants out. He just doesn't want to have to opt out and be a free agent, because if he does, he might not get as much money, and it would be much more complicated to sign with a lot of the teams he wants to be on (like the Rockets). He basically wants to have his cake (being a free agent, choosing which team to play for) and eat it too (getting all the $$$ that comes with signing an extension).

As for Cuban, yesterday, which is what me and you were both referring to, he said:

Asked specifically about Nowitzki at a charity news conference on Monday, Cuban said: "I'd be hard-pressed to see us trading Dirk. Dirk is as close to untouchable as you can get."

However, Cuban added, "Never say never, because there's always something that can change it."

not exactly a solid stance. If he thinks he's gonna get Shaq for Antione and Antawn, he's a funny fucker. If Shaq is playing in Dallas next year, Dirk will be a Laker. Mark my words.

 

[AirBrian]

not exactly a solid stance. If he thinks he's gonna get Shaq for Antione and Antawn, he's a funny fucker. If Shaq is playing in Dallas next year, Dirk will be a Laker. Mark my words.

Plus, it's well known that Cuban and Shaq have a good relationship. They talk with each other frequently and have this love-hate thing going (at least to the media). If Shaq even gets traded at all, I'd bet the only place he'll land in is Dallas. It's nice to speculate, but realistically the options are very limited, especially in the West.

Shaquille O'Neal, in Dallas with the Lakers to play the Mavericks, told the Dallas Morning News over the weekend, "He should be commissioner," referring to Dallas owner Mark Cuban.

"He's innovative, he's daring and he understands," O'Neal said. "He's not analog. He's digital."

Cuban, fined $500,000 last month by the league for ripping the head of officiating, returned the compliment.

"Shaq is a very smart man," he said. "Actually he would make the better commissioner, because he is a philosopher, open to new ideas."

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/56907_ts104.shtml (from 2002)

 

[Fifty]

The media covering Dallas would be so excited if they had Cuban AND Shaq on their team

Two of the best press guys in the league. Ok, shaq can be dull...but he's a huge joker, and mixed with Cuban that might be fun.

 

[Willco]

HEY MIGUEL REMEMBER WHEN I TOLD YOU YESTERDAY T-MAC WOULDN'T GO TO HOUSTON OMG MEGATON LOL AM I RITE?

 

[DMczaf]

All the people who say Jordan made the Rip Hamilton trade can shut up now!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41897-2004Jun14.html

Jordan Helped Weave a Tangled Web
NBA Finals Reflect Superstar's Ties, Decisions
By Steve Wyche
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 15, 2004; Page D01


"It became a money issue," said Jordan, who ran the front office from January 2000 to September 2001 before playing for two seasons. "I took it to [Wizards owner] Abe Pollin and all the people involved and nobody felt comfortable about paying what he was asking. We told him that and he suggested we explore trades. We looked at the flip side of getting value back and figured if we trade this guy, we'd get value from Stackhouse, him being a mature player, a hop and skip from being an all-star player. Stackhouse had an opt-out in his contract and if he did, we were very flexible in the free agent department."

Jordan said he figured Hamilton would develop and that the Pistons, loaded with depth, defenders and having Brown as the coach, were a perfect fit for Hamilton. As for Brown, Jordan said, "He's finally got the right pieces to fit his coaching style." He went on.

 

[Ripclawe]

BILL SIMMONS!!!

NBA TRADE GAME!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/040622

Group I: "Either way, the phone ain't ringing"
40. Darko Milicic -- By trading him now, Joe Dumars would basically be admitting, "Yeah, we won the title, but I screwed up with that pick." And that's not happening.


Then again, out of the next 39 guys on this list, none of them would ever, ever, EVER be offered straight-up for Darko, who capped off a memorable playoff run by getting infected earlobes from a bizarre piercing accident, then breaking his hand in garbage time of the clinching game. In the Pantheon of Unfortunate Playoff Performances, this was right up there with Curtis Jackson getting shot in the liquor store before Carver High won the city title. So I don't know. Let's stick him here to be safe.


(And yes, that's two "White Shadow" references in one column! Memo to ESPN Classic: Start running the old episodes again. I'm getting the shakes.)

 

[bionic77]

All the people who say Jordan made the Rip Hamilton trade can shut up now!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41897-2004Jun14.html

Jordan Helped Weave a Tangled Web
NBA Finals Reflect Superstar's Ties, Decisions
By Steve Wyche
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 15, 2004; Page D01


"It became a money issue," said Jordan, who ran the front office from January 2000 to September 2001 before playing for two seasons. "I took it to [Wizards owner] Abe Pollin and all the people involved and nobody felt comfortable about paying what he was asking. We told him that and he suggested we explore trades. We looked at the flip side of getting value back and figured if we trade this guy, we'd get value from Stackhouse, him being a mature player, a hop and skip from being an all-star player. Stackhouse had an opt-out in his contract and if he did, we were very flexible in the free agent department."

Jordan said he figured Hamilton would develop and that the Pistons, loaded with depth, defenders and having Brown as the coach, were a perfect fit for Hamilton. As for Brown, Jordan said, "He's finally got the right pieces to fit his coaching style." He went on.

Jordan was a lousy GM. Then again so is Mitch freakin Kupchek. West is still the purple and gold standard by which other GMs should be measured against.

 

[AirBrian]

More rumors out of Dallas. An unnamed team official said that Finley was on the trading blocks, possibly for Paul Pierce, but open for anyone.

Poor Finley, the heart and soul of the Mavs.

 

[Eminem]

According to Rome/Peter Vecsey....

Clippers offered at Shaq.

Brand, Maggette, and the #4 pick. Lakers would almost have to take that...

 

[Eminem]

More rumors out of Dallas. An unnamed team official said that Finley was on the trading blocks, possibly for Paul Pierce, but open for anyone.

Poor Finley, the heart and soul of the Mavs.

No, that was Van Exel. =( Poor, poor Nick

 

[AirBrian]

No, that was Van Exel. =( Poor, poor Nick

Yeah, he got the shaft (although I do like Jamison). He had heart and gave them confidence, but Finley's been there through the bad times and the really bad times. He never complained, asked to be traded, or whined about playing time. He's the quiet leader of the team, and leads by example. If he get's traded, Dallas fans will miss him greatly.

 

[levious]

Isn't Shaq from Dallas originally?

 

[Cloudy]

Isn't Shaq from Dallas originally?

New Jersey...

 

[Bowser]

Damnit, freakin' Bobcats traded Zaza Pachulia for the 45th pick in this year's draft (Milwaukee's). Damnit, we need to get a late-lottery to mid-first round pick for Jameer Nelson! If I knew how to get the Mad face smiley, it'd be here right now :/

 

[Cloudy]

Let's Make a Big Deal
At least a dozen teams begin trying to put together a package for O'Neal. Tomjanovich meets with Kupchak and Buss. Riley isn't a factor.



By Tim Brown, Times Staff Writer

On the third day of summer, the Lakers still did not have a head basketball coach, but they did have a center.

Rudy Tomjanovich isn't in yet, but he met Tuesday in Los Angeles with owner Jerry Buss and, at team headquarters, according to one official, "That's the only person anybody's talking about."





And Shaquille O'Neal isn't out yet, but if you're interested in a $7.5-million mansion with a few Superman logos on it, there's one for sale off Mulholland Drive.

In what is beginning to look like a typical workday for him, General Manager Mitch Kupchak fielded calls from at least a dozen teams regarding O'Neal, rumors abounded of Pat Riley sightings, Gary Payton announced he was staying, Kobe Bryant flew back from another day of pretrial hearings in Colorado, and the expansion draft claimed 21-year-old Jamal Sampson.

Oh, and spotted beside Phil Jackson's telephone at Laker headquarters in El Segundo, a message to call O'Neal.

Into that walked Tomjanovich, who met for about two hours with Buss and Kupchak and left, apparently without an offer, though Laker insiders believe it will get to that soon. Kupchak has said he would discuss the position with others, but he has not yet contacted a high-profile candidate other than Tomjanovich and Riley.

Today, Kupchak will continue along those lines, taking offers for O'Neal, who has demanded a trade, seeking the identity of his next coach and preparing for Thursday's draft. At about the same time, Buss will board a flight that will take him to Italy and away from the reconstruction project.

After a weekend spent hazy on the subject, Kupchak is convinced that O'Neal does, indeed, wish to leave the Lakers. Word spread quickly through the league and by midday Tuesday general managers were piling players on top of players to match O'Neal's $27.7-million salary.

The Clippers tried to entice the Lakers with a package of three players, including Elton Brand, and their first-round draft pick, according to sources, but talks ended quickly. O'Neal is eager to leave the Lakers, but he won't play for the Clippers or any of the NBA's second tier.

"We want to be in an environment where we can win," said Mike Parris, O'Neal's business manager. "We want a team that is committed to winning."

The Dallas Mavericks, however, could start an offer with Dirk Nowitzki, the Portland Trail Blazers with Zach Randolph, the Memphis Grizzlies with Pau Gasol, the Indiana Pacers with Jermaine O'Neal. Jerry West recently told reporters in Memphis that the young, gifted Gasol was untouchable unless O'Neal or Bryant became available and, lo and behold, at least one of them has.

O'Neal is believed to be willing to approve of about eight franchises. And while he cannot block a trade to an undesirable franchise, he could refuse a contract extension.

Kupchak did talk to the Clippers on Tuesday. And he did talk to the Mavericks. And he did talk to Tomjanovich.

It looks more and more like Bryant's team, meaning no Jackson and no O'Neal, assuming these things were important to him and assuming he stays. That might be of some comfort to Kupchak and it certainly is to Buss, except Bryant is due to become a free agent in a week and apparently will go on trial in September, and in that setting Kupchak has a coach to name and a superstar center to unload and a team to reconfigure.

It also looks as though Buss is in a position to save a lot of money, part of the plan. Tomjanovich probably would come for about $6 million a season, his salary when he stepped down as coach of the Houston Rockets more than a year ago. Jackson was said to be shooting for at least $10 million and as much as $12.5 million a season when, in February, Buss ended negotiations under the pretext of them becoming a distraction.

Riley flirted with the Lakers over the weekend and reportedly was spotted dining with Buss. But Riley wanted too much to leave the Miami Heat, where he is president and about to come into perhaps 20% ownership of the franchise. A Laker official said Riley initiated the discussions, another said it was the Lakers who made first contact, but both agreed Riley probably was not the man for the job.

"That's over," a team official said. "That's not happening."

Barring a drastic change of heart by O'Neal, Buss also has seen the last of negotiations to extend O'Neal's contract by two or three years. While a trade would bring salaries amounting to about the $27.7 million O'Neal is due next season, it also would save Buss from paying O'Neal more than $30 million a year as O'Neal plays into his mid-30s. So, privately, the Lakers are less than distraught over O'Neal's desire to leave.

The Lakers believe that few teams will trade for O'Neal without an extension already in place, which could complicate the process. But in that case, there's always Dallas owner Mark Cuban and a few other free-spenders. O'Neal has two years left on his contract but can opt out after next season.

Oh shit!!! This thing is really gonna happen!!!!! Yes!!!!!

 

[Bowser]

I still think Dallas would rather keep Nash or Nowitski and not trade both to the Lakers. I think we'll see a Nowitski+Walker for Shaq trade. As for McGrady, I think he will land in Houston. Insider has reported that Francis talked with the Magic and he became a bit more receptive to the deal. Also, the Suns don't want to give up Joe Johnson, but the Magic will only trade if it's Shawn Marion/Joe Johnson/#7 pick deal.

 

[AirBrian]

I still think Dallas would rather keep Nash or Nowitski and not trade both to the Lakers. I think we'll see a Nowitski+Walker for Shaq trade.

I agree. Walker is done in Dallas. Nelson/Cuban is going to do everything possible to trade him. I think a Dirk+Walker for Shaq isn't a bad deal and probably the most realistic. I just can't see Cuban giving Nash away with Dirk to LA. Nash would be perfect for Shaq -- he has good court vision, can pass well, and isn't afraid to pass up shots in order to get better ones from someone else. He's a very unselfish player, and the kind you need on a team with Shaq.

Also, Nash is a free agent, so it would have to be some kind of sign-and-trade deal too.

EDIT: Another possibility is that the Mavs keep Daniels and let Nash go to LA...

 

[Bowser]

Oh my god...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/simmons/index

A whole page dedicated to Simmons! WOO!

 

[Shinobi]

And Vince Carter is on the Record as saying he wants to play with the Hornets. IF he goes and IF he stays healthy, im thinking the Hornets could make a decent run at the Championship.

You'll have to show me that quote...I've heard nothing about it up here, and I've been searching his name on Google News the last few weeks.

I have heard that someone in VC's camp did send in a request for a trade a couple weeks ago (probably his agent, maybe his mommy

), but new Raps GM Babcock said today he had a long chat with Vince last week and he said he wants to stay. For now anyway.

Thank You. Thats exactly what i was saying, but apparently Matrix and Miguel couldn't get off Kobe's dick for 2 seconds to address it. KOBE KOBE KOBE KOBE KOBE! jesus fucking christ.

LOL...Chi town showed how much of front runners they where. The town couldnt get enough of them when they where in their prime. But now that they don't win all the and don't have Jordan taking them to the finals, they show no love for the team.

I expect that behavior from Atlanta Fans...

Far as I know, the Bulls still average 15-18,000 fans a game, and that's for a team that's been complete and utter SHIT for five straight years. There are competitive teams that haven't come close to those numbers.

And I must be the only one who loves Paul Pierce...to me he's a total gamer. He needs pieces though...he really missed Antoine Walker.

how is mcgrady selfish? he will be a FA next yr and knows he will leave so the MAGIC are forcing a trade moreso cause they want something in return.

I explained it before, but basically T-Mac left a Raptors team that was on the cusp of being an eastern conference contender for five years (Tracy with the pre-injured VC could've been the most lethal one-two combo this side of Shaq/Kobe and MJ/Pippen), so he could go home and be the man. Hell, Kobe himself said in an interview with Slam Magazine a couple years ago that he thought the Lakers would've played the Raptors in one or two of those finals, had Tracy stayed with the Raptors. But okay, that's not good enough for him. Then he has one bad year in O-town and he wants out already, which I guess showed that being home really wasn't that big a deal to him. I don't care that he has a "have your cake and eat it" mentality, but to say it isn't at least slightly selfish is to be naive, delusional or extremely ignorant..

Plus, it's well known that Cuban and Shaq have a good relationship. They talk with each other frequently and have this love-hate thing going (at least to the media). If Shaq even gets traded at all, I'd bet the only place he'll land in is Dallas. It's nice to speculate, but realistically the options are very limited, especially in the West.

Yep...supposedly twenty teams have inquired about Shaq, but most of 'em are probably offering the ugliest, biggest contracts they have. In all reality, the only teams that have a shot at Shaq are the Mavs, Nets and Knicks (more for absorbing the huge contract then the talent they could trade back), as I said a few days ago...and the first two have already made their pitches.

Isn't Shaq from Dallas originally?

I think Shaq played his high school ball in San Antonio.

Oh yeah, I've also heard that the Magic/Rockets deal has been agreed to, but they can't announce it before July 1st due to Francis being a base player, whatever the fuck that means.

 

[Cloudy]

I think what is missing all this if the houston trade goes through is that kobe and tmac and shaq will be starting togehter with kg in the all star game in denver..not like the east vs west was not balanced all ready..this is ridiculous at this point?
so if you want to look at it this way
starting line-up
c-shaq or yao
f-kg
f-duncan
g-tmac
g-kobe
what a line-up!!!!!!

OMG LOL!!!

 

[DMczaf]

Poor Tom Arnold

His neighbor Shaq is putting his house in LA up for sale

 

[Shinobi]

Heh, with a lineup like that for the west they'll probably cancel the all star game. We need Shaq in the east to shift the balance a bit. Otherwise the probable starting lineup will look like this...

C Ben Wallace
F Jermaine O'Neal
F Vince Carter
G Lebron James
G Allen Iverson

Boy...much as I like the eastern players, I don't like their chances.

What really sucks is that I won't get to see VC and T-Mac playing together at the all star game anymore. Goddamnit...we need another MJ return, or something.

 

[Chesapeake Silt]

Somebody on Sportscenter was saying that Indiana wants to trade up to secure Luke Jackson? Hey, I know that Larry Bird want a white american superstar, but... Luke Jackson?!

 

[bishoptl]

http://www.detnews.com/2003/pistons/0306/04/e01-183616.htm

"I don't know how far forward Detroit can get. ... This is a team that has overachieved, it's not a team that you would say is on the threshold of being a great team. It's a team that really had to push itself right to its limits to achieve what it has done."

"I was surprised he took it as quickly as he did and made that decision in Detroit's favor."

70's-era Larry Brown sez, "Stick it in your ear, Phil!"

 

[Guzim]

20 Years ago was the 1984 Draft, and the Bulls had the 3rd pick. This year they have the third pick.

Next MJ!

 

[AirBrian]

20 Years ago was the 1984 Draft, and the Bulls had the 3rd pick. This year they have the third pick.

Next MJ!

Holy crap that's awesome.

Pax, please don't trade the draft pick away for Pierce!!!

 

[DMczaf]

http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/magazine/story?id=1826127

 

[DMczaf]

*swoon*

It faded back...

GREAT SCOTT!

 

[Matrix]

Hey Mcfly! WTF IS STEVE!?

 

[All Hail C-Webb]

Dallas just traded Jamison for the #5 pick. If they don't get Shaq, they're going to regret that move.

 

[Matrix]

Jamison traded to Wiz for #5 pick and a bag of potato chips!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1827125


Edit- Damn you Sactown

 

[Eminem]

...what could have been

 

[Matrix]

Rockets still have a 50 to 75% chance of it happening imo..... so screwed.

 

[DMczaf]

Sorry Matrix it pains me to say this but, as the #1 T-Mac fan on GAF I must ask you to remove the avatar, set it on the floor and walk away slowly.

Your new avatar, sir.

 

[Chesapeake Silt]

GOOD. The Wiz were just going to choke on that #5 pick and choose some punk like Deng. Jamison is solid. It's good to see him off the bench and into a starting lineup.

Most teams should try to take this route. This draft class is horrible compared to last year. Better deal those picks and grab actual players.

 

[Matrix]

Sorry Matrix it pains me to say this but, as the #1 T-Mac fan on GAF I must ask you to remove the avatar, set it on the floor and walk away slowly.

Your new avatar, sir.

I'd rather have a Cubs avatar than that....shit I'd use Kobe before Steve.

 

[bishoptl]

Or this....

 

[Matrix]

I wouldnt go that far

 

[AirBrian]

ESPN's David Aldridge reports that the Wizards also will send Christian Laettner and Jerry Stackhouse to the Mavericks in the deal.

Sources say the Mavericks hope to use the No. 5 pick to sweeten the package they can offer the Lakers in exchange for the disgruntled O'Neal. It is also possible, sources say, that the Mavericks will pursue additional trades that include Laettner and/or Stackhouse.

-----

If the Mavericks can't swing a subsequent deal for the No. 5 pick, they will undoubtedly weigh the merits of drafting Pavel Podkolzine, the 7-foot-5 center from Russia.

 

[Matrix]

My head is spinning......

From Clutchcity forums...

" just heard on sports radio 690 here in southern Cali that Francis's agents are in talks with Portland to include them in a 3 way deal which will have Francis going to Portland and Shareef Abdul Raheem and Damon Stoudamire going to Orlando. The rest stays the same.

This was reported by the sports radio announcer Lee ‘Hacksaw’ Hamilton on XTRA-AM (690). "

 

[DMczaf]

It is also possible, sources say, that the Mavericks will pursue additional trades that include Laettner and/or Stackhouse.

 

[AirBrian]

Holy shit. Imagine if the Mavs got both T-Mac and Shaq?

Don't play with my emotions like that.

 

[DMczaf]

My head is spinning......

From Clutchcity forums...

" just heard on sports radio 690 here in southern Cali that Francis's agents are in talks with Portland to include them in a 3 way deal which will have Francis going to Portland and Shareef Abdul Raheem and Damon Stoudamire going to Orlando. The rest stays the same.

This was reported by the sports radio announcer Lee ‘Hacksaw’ Hamilton on XTRA-AM (690). "

Francis always gets his way...ALWAYS

Now if he could channel that Jedi Whine to win in the playoffs...

 

[Matrix]

" He also talked about Derek Fisher set to join the Rockets when the deal goes down."

Oh please let all this be true *cries*

 

[bionic77]

WTF is with these players? Don't any of them have any confidence in themselves? It seems they are all only willing to go to another team if they get a dominat big man, max salary, great coach, etc. If you need to be babied to that level and don't believe in your ability to take a lesser team to the next level (i.e. Duncan, Garnett) then honestly you aren't a superstar. Right now Kobe seems to be the only FA who thinks he can take any team to the playoffs just by himself, then again Kobe also thinks a halfcourt fadeaway is a high percentage shot, but still he at least has the confidence of a superstar. You definitely can't say that about TMac who is looking like he is going to be the next Pippen, unlimited talent but zero heart. At least Stevie has the excuse that he sucks ass, so it isn't that embarassing that he won't go to a shitty team, but there is no excuse for fucking Shaq. Shaq is supposedly the MDE and if he can back that up he should be able to turn any team into a title contender the way Duncan can, just shows he doesn't have it either.

 

[AirBrian]

The Phoenix Suns have traded the No. 7 pick in the 2004 draft to the Chicago Bulls, ESPN.com Insider has learned. The trade, which won't be announced until Thursday, will give the Suns one of the Bulls' second-round picks (No. 31), a future first-rounder and an undisclosed sum of cash in return for the pick.

Nothing too exciting.