Offical 2009-10 NBA Season Thread

[goldmember]

Nate

 

[halfwaycrook]

No tyreke too?

 

[physicx]

uppin that trade value?

 

[MVP]

Latest All-Star Balloting returns:

@ T-Mac in the starting guard spot for the West

Eastern Conference

Forwards: LeBron James (Cle) 1,579,530; Kevin Garnett (Bos) 1,317,739; Chris Bosh (Tor) 644,473; Paul Pierce (Bos) 320,499; Josh Smith (Atl) 293,680; AndreIguodala (Phi) 201,312; Danny Granger (Ind) 198,478; Michael Beasley (Mia) 163,737; Hedo Turkoglu (Tor) 117,168; Rashard Lewis (Orl) 114,359; Caron Butler(Was) 99,079.

Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 1,539,968; Allen Iverson (Phi) 806,749; Vince Carter (Orl) 651,134; Ray Allen (Bos) 452,708; Gilbert Arenas (Was) 407,581; DerrickRose (Chi) 344,435; Joe Johnson (Atl) 288,841; Rajon Rondo (Bos) 237,648; Mike Bibby (Atl) 139,484; Jose Calderon (Atl) 138,479.

Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 1,479,625; Shaquille O'Neal (Cle) 536,681; Al Horford (Atl) 157,050; Andrea Bargnani (Tor) 146,595; Brook Lopez (NJ) 133,106;Andrew Bogut (Mil) 115,915; Jermaine O'Neal (Mia) 98,397; Rasheed Wallace (Bos) 77,848; Kendrick Perkins (Bos) 48,612; Samuel Dalembert (Phi) 47,135; TysonChandler (Cha) 38,337; Brad Miller (Chi) 35,295.

Western Conference

Forwards: Carmelo Anthony (Den) 1,410,356; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 753,971; Tim Duncan (SA) 685,390; Pau Gasol (LAL) 667,767; Kevin Durant (OKC) 474,506; TrevorAriza (Hou) 436,088; Luis Scola (Hou) 371,914; Shawn Marion (Dal) 282,421; Ron Artest (LAL) 234,618; Lamar Odom (LAL) 175,271; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 155,933.

Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 1,606,032; Tracy McGrady (Hou) 649,563; Steve Nash (Pho) 648,558; Chris Paul (NO) 622,619; Jason Kidd (Dal) 405,027; Aaron Brooks(Hou) 374,635; Chauncey Billups (Den) 281,911; Deron Williams (Utah) 255,059; Brandon Roy (Por) 224,350; Manu Ginobili (SA) 222,743; Jason Terry (Dal) 212,242.

Centers: Amar'e Stoudemire (Pho) 1,143,849; Andrew Bynum (LAL) 676,634; Nene (Den) 235,276; Marc Gasol (Mem) 190,476; Antonio McDyess (SA) 130,058; GregOden (Por) 124,037; Al Jefferson (Min) 119,580; Marcus Camby (LAC) 100,399; Andris Biedrins (GS) 90,464; Mehmet Okur (Utah) 87,838; Emeka Okafor (NO) 82,616;Spencer Hawes (Sac) 25,109.

 

[proshares]

[h3]How Wiz become a free-agency player[/h3]
11:59AM ET

[h5]Washington Wizards[/h5]
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We've already noted this morning, via ESPN's Marc Stein, that some are wondering whether or not the Wizards are going to void the rest of Gilbert Arenas' six-year, $111 million contract depending upon how the gun investigation against him shakes out.

David Alridge backs up that notion today on NBA.com, writing that the team "would not shy away from at least having internal discussions about voiding the rest of Arenas' contract."

If it ends up happening, the team would be off the hook for Arenas' $17.7 million next season, and they'd join the likes of the Nets, Knicks, Heat, Bulls, Timberwolves, Thunder and Clippers as a team with some serious cap space this summer, meaning they could make a run at some of the top-name potential free agents such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

"The Wizards would only have a little less than $38 million committed for the 2010-11 season, including a $2.27 million option Washington holds on the final year of Crittenton's contract," he writes. "It must be stressed, however, that the team is currently planning to keep Arenas -- pending whatever possible penalties he has to endure both from the local and/or state governments, and the NBA."

http:// [h3]Will Heat keep Arroyo?[/h3]
11:56AM ET

[h5]Carlos Arroyo | Heat[/h5]
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Carlos Arroyo signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Heat before the season. And as the Jan. 6 deadline looms for teams to decide whether they'll either release players with non-guaranteed contracts or have their contracts become guaranteed for the rest of the season, Arroyo is one player in the league that might be released, as there have been previous rumblings Arroyo's days with the team are numbered.

According to the Miami Herald, the team has given Arroyo no assurance he's here to stay, though coach Erik Spoelstra said recently he doesn't anticipate making any changes at the point guard position.

If Arroya was released, it would soften Miami's luxury tax, a concern for all teams in this down economy.

Yet, considering Arroyo was inserted into the starting lineup on Dec. 15 and has played eight straight games there -- the Heat have gone 5-3 with him as a starter -- his job might likely be safe.

http:// [h3]Casspi in ROY race?[/h3]
11:55AM ET

[h5]Omri Casspi | Kings[/h5]
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All season, the Rookie of the Year race has pretty much been a two-man show between Tyreke Evans and Brandon Jennings. Jennings has cooled a bit, and Evans is likely the leader right now.

But what about fellow Kings rookie Omri Casspi? He's been hot of late and put up 23 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal in a loss to the Lakers last night. He's averaging 17.6 points in his last five games.

ESPN's Marc Stein tweets: "If Rookie of the Year ballots were due in to the league today, I could totally get away with voting Casspi in the No. 3 spot. Totally."

http:// [h3]Jackson: Kobe's in MJ territory[/h3]
11:52AM ET

[h5]Phil Jackson | Lakers[/h5]
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Kobe Bryant hit a game-winning three against the Kings last night to give the Lakers a one-point win. That marks Kobe's third game-winner in a month.

And it's leading Phil Jackson to make the Michael Jordan comparison.

"These players -- I don't know how they get themselves into those positions, but they do an unbelievable job of hitting shots that are remarkable shots, marvelous shots," Jackson told the Associated Press. "He's right there with Michael in that kind of breath you look at."

Add in that Kobe has expanded his game in recent years by adding a Jordan-esque fadeaway jumper and a range of post-up moves, and the comparison inches even closer.

http:// [h3]Redd's struggles[/h3]
11:43AM ET

[h5]Michael Redd | Bucks[/h5]
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Despite a 25-point effort against the Lakers and 32 points against the Wizards, Michael Redd has struggled since returning Dec. 12 from a right patella tendon injury.

He's shot only 25 percent in his last three games, and for the season is only shooting 32.9 percent from the field and 26.1 percent from beyond the arc. Redd, a career 84 percent free-throw shooter, is also only shooting 69.8 percent from the charity stripe.

"It's a little bit foolish (to think) that he would just seamlessly come back," Bucks coach Scott Skiles told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "We have to have some patience. At the same time though, we're 4-15 (since starting off the season 8-3).

"Michael is healthy now but he has missed a lot of games the last couple years. Each step, hopefully he can figure out who he's out there with and what guys can do, and we can pick up the pace with that."

Redd's scoring prowess is going to be key going forward. With Brandon Jennings slowing down some -- he averaged 16.7 points in December, down from 22.1 in November and 20.5 in October -- the Bucks could use their leading scorer from a year ago to get back on track, as they're currently losers of seven of their last eight.

http:// [h3]Durant's Team USA dream in sight?[/h3]
10:45AM ET

[h5]Kevin Durant | Thunder[/h5]
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In case you had any reservations about Kevin Durant's desire to join Team USA this summer for the World Championships, this caps-locked tweet he dropped yesterday should put any doubt to rest: "I REALLY WANNA PLAY FOR THE USA TEAM THIS SUMMER ... ALWAYS BEEN A DREAM OF MINE!!"

USA Basketball chairman Bryan Colangelo went on the record with FanHouse in September saying that "Durant is going to replace somebody." So barring something unforeseen, it looks like both sides will get what they want come World Championships time this August in Turkey.

http:// [h3]Big baby's back[/h3]
10:33AM ET

[h5]Glen Davis | Celtics[/h5]
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After spraining his ankle on Monday night against the Warriors, ESPN Boston reports that Glen Davis -- who missed Wednesday's bout with the Suns -- will return to the lineup this evening against the Raptors.

With Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce all out with injuries this evening, Davis' comeback will be key as the Celtics need all the bodies they can get to try and snap their current 3-game losing streak.

http:// [h3]Artest back Tuesday?[/h3]
10:22AM ET

[h5]Ron Artest | Lakers[/h5]
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Ron Artest has missed the Lakers' last four games after sustaining a concussion at his home on Christmas night, but the Press-Enterprise reports that the best-case scenario for a return would be Tuesday against the Rockets.

"It looks like early next week he'll be back to playing," coach Phil Jackson said Friday before the Lakers tilt with the Kings on Friday.

The Lakers could use Artest's defense against the Rockets, as Houston prevailed and handed L.A. one of their only six losses on the season last time these teams faced off back in November.

http:// [h3]James tipping hand with NY shoes?[/h3]
10:02AM ET

[h5]LeBron James | Cavaliers[/h5]
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LeBron James' new shoes, the Nike Air Max LeBron VII Hardwood Classic Edition, have a very New York vibe. For starters, they're blue and orange.

But they also have a patch on the bottom, which seems to spell out "I Love NY." (You can see photos of the shoes here.)

A telling sign LeBron James will be a Knick next season? Well, it's at least leading some, including Royce Young on ESPN's TrueHoop, to state the whole thing is interesting.

Remember, though, that this isn't the first New York apparel James has been linked to: he's frequently worn Yankees hats during his tenure in the league.

http:// [h3]Wizards' trade plans on hold?[/h3]
9:27AM ET

[h5]Washington Wizards[/h5]
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The Wizards have been a disappointment this season, as they only sit at 10-20 on the year.

It's believed they're looking to do a large overhaul of their roster before Feb. 18's trade deadline.

But now that Gilbert Arenas is being investigated for having three guns in the Wizards' locker room, those plans appears to be on hold, reports David Aldridge of TNT Sports for NBA.com.

"The new investigation also has put any notion of trade talks between Washington, which is resigned to performing radical surgery on its roster and is now willing to trade anyone -- including Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison -- and other teams on hold indefinitely," he writes. "A league source indicated Thursday that the Wizards would make a play for the expiring contract of Houston's Tracy McGrady, which another source confirmed Friday. However, the second source indicated that Washington was only one of several teams that were bidding for McGrady, who has been allowed to leave the Rockets indefinitely while the team tries to work out a deal for him."

http:// [h3]Will Wiz void Arenas' contract?[/h3]
9:19AM ET

[h5]Gilbert Arenas | Wizards[/h5]
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There's been some conflicting reports over just what happened between Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton, but it appears there was some sort of conflict between the two, and guns in the locker room were somehow involved.

ESPN's Marc Stein checked in with his sourced reporting yesterday. And besides touching on the suspension that Arenas likely faces depending upon how the gun probe shakes down, Stein hints some are wondering if the team is going to void Arenas' contract.

[h5]Marc Stein[/h5]
Long-term suspension likely; Wiz could void Arenas' contact

"If either Arenas or Crittenton is found to have brandished a gun against his teammate, long-term suspensions and heavy fines from NBA commissioner David Stern would appear to be likely, given the ever-rising levels of Stern's distaste for any hint of violence in the league in the wake of the infamous Indiana-Detroit brawl in November 2004. The league office, though, is expected to wait to see whether local or federal charges are filed in the case before determining the scale of potential punishments ... there is already considerable curiosity -- not only in the media but among rival teams watching the drama unfold -- whether the Wizards will eventually try to void the remainder of Arenas' mammoth six-year, $111 million contract because of this serious nature of this incident."

 

[bigmike23]

how do you lose to a team with 3 of its star players out? and that team puts up over 100 points also

 

[proshares]

Rose 4 rebs and 3 asts away from a triple double...

 

[henz0]

Redd

 

[bhzmafia14]

ok, can I get a list of those people that down the grizz in the offseason?

 

[gangsta207therevolution]

Derrick Rose is overrated.

 

[bluelamborghini]

Bulls.

 

[blazers21ntnp]

Originally Posted by Bigmike23

how do you lose to a team with 3 of its star players out? and that team puts up over 100 points also

Well, it is the Raptors.

Jazz losing to the Nuggets by 14 with a couple of minutes left in the 3rd... they're going to regret letting this one slide, if they do.

 

[japanair21]

Russ with 13/9/13 with ZERO turnovers.

Dude has definitely improved.

Too bad he can't shoot his way out of a barrel though.

 

[bhzmafia14]

JA, you watching the Grizz-Suns game?

It just keeps getting better and better.

Grizz locking Phoenix %#* up. And who said the Grizz remind them of the Clippers?

 

[japanair21]

Ain't got no reason to watch the fraudulent Suns.

.

They obviously have something going with Amare and he's the only one on, you gotta keep going to him, but they don't, that's why they're downby 30,000.

 

[Los Angeles]

wow this grizz homer just doesn't stop, even when people eat their words and give that team props.

 

[al3xis]

Originally Posted by bright nikes

wow this grizz homer just doesn't stop, even when people eat their words and give that team props.

you know, he kinda has a right too.

bhz stood out on a ledge like no other, and i'll be damned...he's been right so far.

 

[bhzmafia14]

If this team winning, you better be damn I'm going to say something about it.

Just like anybody else on here would do the same thing about any player/team that people doubted. Now, if all of this backfires on me, then ohwell.

All of the bashing I took over the summer and beginning of the season. I'm definitely proud of this team and they doing exactly what I envision them doingwhen they all came together as a TEAM.

 

[wayne looney]

Bucks finally pulled out of a close game with a win

Redd actually made a defensive effort, never thought id see the day

 

[i nasmatic i]

Well ummm, I'm glad the Grizzlies have proven me wrong (thus far).

They can go sign Stephon Marbury and I won't question them now

.

 

[physicx]

poor tj getting demoted to 3rd string in indiana

 

[bigmike23]

the knicks are up 40 on the pacers

 

[al3xis]

i never thought i'd see; Josh McBob, AJ Price, Travis Deiner and Solomon Jones in the NBA.

they were all in the same rotation tonight.

 

[maddog345]

Strong 2nd half by the Sixers. Cmon Philly, let's close this game & get a win.

 

[uclamike]

[h1]Butler To Bulls Or Heat?http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/63794/20100103/butler_to_bulls_or_heat/[/h1] Jan 03, 2010 2:12 PM EST
The Wizards are reportedly considering trading Caron Butler, along with the expiring contract of Mike James, to Chicago or Miami.
In a deal with the Bulls, Washington would be interested in Kirk Hinrich and the expiring contract of Jerome James


and the mavs are now on fraud stats for that crap tonight