Author Topic: Official NBA Thread (Read 604597 times)

RatBastich · « **Reply #1840 on:** October 20, 2007, 04:25:28 AM »

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The latest Kobe Bryant rumor had him arriving at Bakersfield's Rabobank Arena for the Lakers' preseason game against Seattle Thursday night, only to return to the bus and stay there, like a cat refusing to come down from a tree.

Let the record show that Bryant was in uniform when the Lakers took the court. But such is the uneasy state of the Lakers that something as mundane as his participation in an exhibition game qualifies as news these days. Maybe it's because of the mounting feeling that each time he wears a Lakers uniform it could be the last.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1841 on:** October 21, 2007, 05:03:28 AM »

MACAU, China -- David Stern has a message for China, and it's similar to the one he's been delivering in Europe: Build it and we will come.

The NBA has marketed itself heavily in both Asia and Europe, and those efforts have begun to bear some serious fruit on both continents -- particularly here in China, where the game is rapidly pushing to establish itself as the country's No. 2 team sport behind soccer.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1842 on:** October 22, 2007, 04:31:43 PM »

After a year's worth of news crammed into the past four months -- none of it welcome unless you're a fan of the Boston Celtics or the agent for Rashard Lewis -- here are the 10 story lines that are most intriguing to me as we head into the 2007-08 season. You'll notice there's nothing about my pick for 2008 NBA champion, the San Antonio Spurs.

That's because they're so consistent. Consistent is the opposite of compelling, and/or controversial. I'm pretty sure we'll see the Spurs in June. These other outcomes are far less certain, which makes them much more interesting…

RatBastich · « **Reply #1843 on:** October 23, 2007, 05:44:59 PM »

NEW YORK (ESPN.com news services) -- Knicks coach Isiah Thomas received some boos from the home crowd in a chippy game against the Boston Celtics on Monday night.

Zach Randolph scored 23 points, Nate Robinson added 20 and the Knicks shut out Boston's three stars in the final quarter of a 94-87 victory Monday night.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1844 on:** October 24, 2007, 03:16:24 AM »

MIAMI (AP) -- When the Miami Heat return to the practice floor sometime Thursday, they'll have two simple tasks.

Forget about October.

Get ready for November.

Manu Ginobili scored 22 points on 6-for-7 shooting, and the San Antonio Spurs sealed a dismal exhibition season for the Heat with a 104-87 victory Tuesday night.

Miami finished the preseason winless (0-7) for the first time in the team's 20-year history.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1845 on:** October 24, 2007, 05:50:48 PM »

PHOENIX -- Amare Stoudemire announced his return to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night with a few thunderous dunks to the delight of several thousand fans at a public scrimmage.

"It went great. I felt good out there," he said afterward. "I felt healthy. I felt strong. I've just got to get in a little better shape and I'll be OK."

Stoudemire had not practiced since undergoing minor arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Oct. 2. It was his left knee that was the subject of microfracture surgery, and he missed all but three games in the 2005-06 season.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1846 on:** October 25, 2007, 04:35:26 AM »

The Miami Heat, reeling from the continued injury absence of Dwyane Wade and an 0-7 record in the preseason, have responded with a promising double boost for their aging roster.

Finding an unexpected taker for out-of-favor forward Antoine Walker, Miami on Wednesday completed a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire swingman Ricky Davis and center Mark Blount.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1847 on:** October 25, 2007, 04:53:28 PM »

The difficulties Kobe Bryant has had prior to the upcoming NBA season have been mostly limited to the issues surrounding trade talk swirling around the Lakers' star.

Now, with a wrist injured suffered during Tuesday night's preseason game against the Utah Jazz, Bryant joins a long list of Lakers who are suffering from different ailments.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1848 on:** October 26, 2007, 04:24:37 AM »

NEW YORK -- Technically, it turns out every single current NBA referee has gambled in some form, after all -- although none of them are going to be punished for it.

And, strange as it may seem, those very same referees will now be permitted to gamble in a multitude of ways.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1849 on:** October 26, 2007, 09:53:33 PM »

Regular season starts next week, ready to GIT R DONE!!!!

RatBastich · « **Reply #1850 on:** October 28, 2007, 12:53:29 AM »

The Kobe Bryant-to-Chicago trade talks are very real, and they've been real for a while.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls have been having daily discussions about Bryant trade possibilities for at least the past week, with Bryant's no-trade clause throwing a unique wrench into the situation, according to sources.

The Lakers are asking for a package built around Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah, which is more than Chicago is willing to surrender. Also, Bryant would not want to play in Chicago if the Bulls surrendered all four of those players, believing there would not be enough talent left to compete for a championship, and he would veto that trade even if the Bulls and Lakers were both in favor of it.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1851 on:** October 28, 2007, 06:00:01 PM »

Amidst the daily trade discussions swirling around Kobe Bryant and the Lakers this preseason, coach Phil Jackson is upset at his star player's level of commitment.

"Obviously he hasn't thrown his heart and soul into performing on the floor," Jackson told reporters after practice Saturday. "That hurts me a little bit. … He was going to work at this thing and [would] put his full being into this. Right now, he's having a hard time doing that."

daigong · « **Reply #1852 on:** October 28, 2007, 06:54:28 PM »

Hey. It's 12:50 PM PST. October 28, 2007. Kobe is still a Laker. POSITIVE V! V!

About 2 more hours till the online draft starts, Fantasy Players get your dicks ready.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1853 on:** October 29, 2007, 12:15:25 AM »

Kevin Garnett has always been the crazy one, the one who looks as if he's hopped into the shower in full gear and sneakers. His workout sessions are legendary, causing trainers to marvel and onlookers to gawk. Rookies in Minnesota have been awed. Vets working out in Vegas this summer were humbled. The force of his focused glare has made arena attendants afraid of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. You know, stuff like "You okay?" or "Want some Gatorade?"

It's the kind of crazy that helped make the 31-year-old Garnett the biggest thing to hit the Celtics since Larry Legend himself. Which is why, when KG first stepped into the Celtics' training facility in Waltham, Mass., he came brandishing what was sure to be a fresh ethos: Prepare as intensely as you play.

Jsmurf · « **Reply #1854 on:** October 29, 2007, 07:49:10 PM »

even though lakes haven't improved much... can't wait for the season to start
been getting tired of all this laker drama

RatBastich · « **Reply #1855 on:** October 29, 2007, 11:55:17 PM »

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves did some wheeling and dealing on Monday, reaching a buyout with veteran Juwan Howard and making a trade with San Antonio to get to the 15-man roster limit before the deadline.

The Timberwolves sent a protected 2008 second-round pick to the Spurs for cash considerations and guard Beno Udrih, whom the Wolves immediately waived.

The deal helped both teams.

San Antonio was able to avoid taking a luxury tax hit, while the Wolves were able to get some cash to help them buy out the final two years of Howard's deal.

Season starts tomorrow!!

RatBastich · « **Reply #1856 on:** October 30, 2007, 03:02:32 PM »

Game Time tonight~!!!

Regular season gets started up, and ready to go.
My Spurs get their rings, raise their banner, and then its back to the business of winning games and defending their crown.

daigong · « **Reply #1857 on:** October 30, 2007, 06:31:51 PM »

ARRRGGHH

Bynum and Farmar got extended!! WOOOHOOO!

WELL. Congrats to Miami's Joel Anthony...the 4th active Canadian player to make it to the NBA

Can't wait for tip off. See y'all in the Chat Room for some play by play action!

RatBastich · « **Reply #1858 on:** October 30, 2007, 07:16:42 PM »

Double header on TNT to GIT R DONE tonite.

Blazers @ Spurs, followed by Rockets @ Lakers.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1859 on:** October 30, 2007, 11:34:55 PM »

WOOT, GAME ON, BABY, YEA~!!!!!!!!