The Official NBA post.

[kiddin like jason]

The Racine Journal Times reports that Bogut will sit out the rest of the season or close to it.

 

[CP1708]

^
Why? What happened to Bogut?

Why does everyone think that the Suns would trade us Shaq? WHY would the Suns want to help us? People killin me with these theories.

 

[kiddin like jason]

Bucks could lose Bogut for season
Posted by: gwoelfel on February 3, 2009 at 4:21PM EST

BY GERY WOELFEL

For the last six weeks, Andrew Bogut has tried to deal with excruciating back pain, hoping it would eventually subside.

But that hasn't occurred and now Bogut's frustrating-filled season might just be over.

Bogut, who played briefly in the Bucks' last two games after having missed eight straight games for what was then described as back spasms, underwent a battery of tests Monday.

The results were expected to be announced today, but Bucks general manager John Hammond, reached in East Rutherford, N.J., said he hadn't received them as of Tuesday afternoon.

However, there are growing whispers that Bogut can't play anymore without experiencing intense pain and will sit out the rest of the rest of the season -- or close to it.

It is believed that if Bogut rests his back, he should fully recover and won't have to undergo surgery.

Bogut, who didn't travel with the team to East Rutherford, N.J., for tonight's game against the Nets, wasn't available for comment

Bogut has been plagued by injuries throughout the season. He also had hip problems and a bad bout of migraine headaches.

When Bogut has been on the court this season, he has played well, averaging a double-double with 11.7 points and 10.3 rebounds.

If the Bucks lost Bogut for the rest of the season, it would be the second significant setback the Bucks have suffered in recent weeks.

Earlier, star shooting guard Michael Redd was ruled out for the season after tearing his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments.

Without Bogut and Redd, the Bucks' chances of making the Eastern Conference playoffs would be severely impacted.

The Bucks currently have a 24-27 record and are in the eighth - and final - playoff spot.

 

[th0mas cr0wn]

Originally Posted by AirWing03

Tmac was looking at tyrus thomas and vinny del negro on the bench with his lazy eye.

 

[i nasmatic i]

[h1]Shaq angling for one more chapter to L.A. story[/h1]As Shaquille O'Neal last week was praising Kobe Bryant as his greatest teammate, as he was extolling the merits of Phil Jackson as sheer sideline genius, the natural inclination was to wonder where the Suns center was going with all of this.
Hadn't he, in recent years, spoken of how Dwyane Wade was his ultimate sidekick, the perfect pairing he lacked first with Penny and then with Kobe?
Didn't he make Pat Riley dance on the front steps of AmericanAirlines Arena (much to the chagrin of the assembled crowd) in 2006 after Riley had positioned Shaq for that fourth championship many thought never would arrive
Ah, but this is Shaq, and there always is an agenda.
So at a time when a lesser man (at least in terms of stature) might have been concentrating his rhetoric on Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and the incredibly uneven Suns, something else appeared to be at play.

At least to those in the know.

"Of course he loves Kobe and Phil now," an executive with another team said after watching replay after replay of Shaq's L.A.-bound bouquets. "He's trying to get back to the Lakers."

Anyone the least bit familiar with how it ended in L.A. couldn't possibly conceive of a reunion, not after the shouting at owner Jerry Buss during an exhibition game about not receiving an extension, not after the snide volleys directed at Kobe, not after Jackson had spoken of having coached only one star in his career who refused to put in the required work.

But with Shaq, there never is history. What's said today is smoothed over tomorrow. That Kobe freestyle rap? Marketing. The disputes with Jackson? Marketing. The ugly endings in Orlando and Miami? Somehow, although it defies how, marketing.

When the walls close in on Shaq, even at 325, 330, 350 or whatever the scale says that day, he still perceives room for an escape. Consider him an XXXXL Houdini.

Think back to just a year ago this week, of how ugly it almost ended last season, when he was trapped at the bottom of the standings with the Heat.

Shaq exiting in last place?

In his mind, couldn't happen.

So overtures, ever so clandestine, were made to see what it would take to get to the Mavericks, where another title might still be possible.

Failing that, there was a cry of medical foul against the Heat training staff and a getaway to the Suns, who were positioned for a run deep into the postseason.

But then the Spurs arrived in the first round, and that was it for 2007-08. One round and done, just like the previous season in Miami.

Then came this season, and a personal rebirth, if only because of incessant demands that the beast be fed. So as the Suns slowed down, Shaq's numbers soared. All was good in his world.

The same, though, couldn't be said for his team.

Nash never looked this average. Stoudemire never looked this miserable. The Suns never looked this pedestrian.

It wasn't quite as bad as last season in South Florida, but the NBA's biggest big man again was its biggest target. Beloved in Phoenix? Uh, not quite.

So Shaq did what he always does. He reached for the oversized escape hatch.

It worked in Orlando, when the lights weren't bright enough and the city not big enough.

It worked in L.A., when the biggest ego in the room no longer was the biggest talent.

And it worked in Miami, where a sit-down strike led to Riley's desperation move for the ill-fitting Shawn Marion.

At the start of this season, Shaq had already started a personal countdown clock to the expiration of his contract in 2010. At the time, not even he could have envision the statistical renaissance he is currently is enjoying.

Now there again is a future, albeit probably not one in Phoenix, where he more and more has become associated with the end of one of the most enjoyable eras of open-court basketball.

But in L.A. he was as revered upon his return as during the three championship seasons there. There never was the backlash upon his departure that he received in Orlando or probably will receive with his March 4 return to Miami.

No, when Shaq made his return to L.A. in 2004, it was to a special pregame embrace, a video montage on specially designed curtains, an enduring ovation, genuine affection.

That is why he now loves, not loathes, Kobe, why Phil has again become his ultimate guru.

 

[sohi 23]

Kobe wouldn't allow Shaq come here(to LA) until he has one a title by "himself."

Trust on that.

 

[sohi 23]

[h2]3-for-all: Kapono to defend title[/h2]
Comment http://sendtofriend.espn....-point%20crown&id=3884508','sendtofriend','noresizable,noscrollbars,width=400,height=500');return false;">Email Print
Associated Press

NEW YORK -- It's all 3s all the time for Jason Kapono.

The Toronto Raptors forward will be looking to become the third player to win three 3-point shootouts when he takes on five challengers in the event during the NBA's All-Star weekend.

Kapono will match 3-pointers against Eastern Conference All-Star reserves Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers and Rashard Lewis of the Orlando Magic, as well as Mike Bibby of the Atlanta Hawks, Roger Mason of the San Antonio Spurs and Daequan Cook of the Miami Heat.

The shootout is Saturday, Feb. 13, the night before the All-Star Game in Phoenix.

The three-time, 3-point shooting winners are Larry Bird (1986-8 and Craig Hodges (1990-92).

The players will compete in a two-round competition, with the top three finishers from the first round advancing to the finals. Five shooting stations will be set up around the 3-point line, and each player has one minute of shooting time.

Lewis leads the group with 137 3-pointers this season, followed by Granger with 120, Bibby with 114, Cook with 105, Mason with 103 and Kapono with 52.


Sasha should've been in this

 

[jepeh21]

Originally Posted by SOLE TROOPER

^ that dunk was NAAASTY. Loved the stare afterwards too LOL

it was kind of his payback after tyrus just blocked scola's shot a few plays back...that as nasty though, tmac showing some explosiveness

 

[jepeh21]

No Eddie house or JJ redick? I'd love to see these guys in it instead of giving the slots to players who's gonna be in the all star game anyway likelewis and granger

 

[CP1708]

Originally Posted by SoHi 23


Kobe wouldn't allow Shaq come here(to LA) until he has one a title by "himself."

Trust on that.

You know what though, if they were to win it this year and Shaq was on the team, the credit wouldn't go to him. Everyone knows who Kobe isnow.

Wade got all the credit for the Heat, no reason it wouldn't be the same this way.

But as I said, no way the Suns ever help us. And we have nothing they would want anyways.

 

[jepeh21]

yeah that would be stupid for the suns to deal with a division rival

 

[eeibaby]

Originally Posted by SoHi 23

[h2]3-for-all: Kapono to defend title[/h2]
Comment http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/allstar2009/news/story?id=3884508#http://sendtofriend.espn....nt%20crown&id=3884508','sendtofriend','noresizable,noscrollbars,width=400,height=500');return false;">Email Print
Associated Press

NEW YORK -- It's all 3s all the time for Jason Kapono.

The Toronto Raptors forward will be looking to become the third player to win three 3-point shootouts when he takes on five challengers in the event during the NBA's All-Star weekend.

Kapono will match 3-pointers against Eastern Conference All-Star reserves Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers and Rashard Lewis of the Orlando Magic, as well as Mike Bibby of the Atlanta Hawks, Roger Mason of the San Antonio Spurs and Daequan Cook of the Miami Heat.

The shootout is Saturday, Feb. 13, the night before the All-Star Game in Phoenix.

The three-time, 3-point shooting winners are Larry Bird (1986-8 and Craig Hodges (1990-92).

The players will compete in a two-round competition, with the top three finishers from the first round advancing to the finals. Five shooting stations will be set up around the 3-point line, and each player has one minute of shooting time.

Lewis leads the group with 137 3-pointers this season, followed by Granger with 120, Bibby with 114, Cook with 105, Mason with 103 and Kapono with 52.

Sasha should've been in this

Got my money on Roger Mason Jr

 

[N41D]

Originally Posted by CP1708

Originally Posted by SoHi 23


Kobe wouldn't allow Shaq come here(to LA) until he has one a title by "himself."

Trust on that.

You know what though, if they were to win it this year and Shaq was on the team, the credit wouldn't go to him. Everyone knows who Kobe is now.

Wade got all the credit for the Heat, no reason it wouldn't be the same this way.

But as I said, no way the Suns ever help us. And we have nothing they would want anyways.

Come on, you're giving people WAY too much credit... You know damnwell it would turn into "Oh, look... Shaq is back in LA and Kobe gets another ring... Hmmm.."

Especially if Kobe went on after that and never got another one...

 

[sohi 23]

Yeah, he HAS to get one on his own.

I just don't see Shaq coming back to the Lakers anyway.
If he's not coming this year, why would he come next year?

To back up Andrew Bynum?
Naw. Plus the Suns will want alot for him next year(20 mil. expiring)

There's the possibility of his coming as a free agent, but I just don't see Shaq playing back-up.

Besides, once Shaq becomes unmotivated, you know how things will turn.

 

[sohi 23]

[h4]http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/...-not-severe-could-return-next-?urn=nba,138850[/h4]

[h4]Paul's groin pull not severe, could return next week[/h4]
The New Orleans Hornets could be without All-Star point guard Chris Paul the rest of this week, but a magnetic resonance imaging test of Paul's injured right groin indicated only a mild strain, a far less severe injury than it appeared when he went down in Monday night's 97-89 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at the New Orleans Arena.

Paul walked into the Hornets' practice Tuesday at the Alario Center shortly after 11 a.m., barely limping and eager to get back on the court as soon as possible, hinting he could play tonight against the Chicago Bulls. He's officially listed as day-to-day, but Coach Byron Scott said it could be into next week before Paul plays again.

"Maybe I can play (Wednesday night), maybe Friday," Paul said. "I'm just going to go with it and see how it feels."


[h4]http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Superstars-in-free-agency-barely-exist-in-NBA?urn=nba,138810[/h4]

[h4]Superstars in free agency barely exist in NBA[/h4]
They are coming for LeBron James. Like possessed, bug-eyed shoppers on Black Friday, NBA executives are gathering for a mad dash at James, who in 17 months could become the most coveted free agent in modern history: the biggest toy under the tallest tree, wrote the New York Times.

They will come in waves, armed with earnest smiles, clever videos, dreamy promises and, most important, with cap space, that precious NBA commodity. The Knicks have cleared their 2010 payroll to chase James, the Cleveland Cavaliers' superstar, and his fellow free agents in waiting: Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat and Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors.

At least a dozen other franchises will be in the hunt, all with the same three-step plan: dump contracts, clear salary-cap room, write a big check to the nearest superstar. The strategy is simple, flawlessly logical. And it is probably doomed to fail because of one immutable, rarely acknowledged truth: superstar free agency barely exists in the NBA.

It has been almost 13 years since Shaquille O'Neal jilted the Orlando Magic and altered the NBA landscape by signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. It was a modern anomaly, not a precedent. Few superstars have made free-agent moves since then. It is not an accident.

"It's built right into the system," said Lon Babby, an agent whose client list includes Tim Duncan, Grant Hill and Ray Allen. "They don't want guys to leave."

By "they," Babby means NBA officials, whose quest for parity and cost control has created a market that rewards superstars for staying put and punishes them for leaving.

Under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, a player who stays with his team can sign a six-year contract with 10.5 percent raises. If he leaves, he is limited to five years and 8 percent raises. In real terms, a player like James would have to forgo about $31 million in guaranteed money to sign a so-called max contract with a team other than the Cavaliers, who will be in New York on Wednesday to face the Knicks.

Source: New York Times


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/sports/basketball/04lebron.html?_r=1&ref=basketball
Bron may still go to NY, but I don't see it.
Especially if they make it to the Finals in the next 2 years(which they have a very good chance at doing)

The only superstar to actually switch teams in his prime(as a free-agent) has been Shaq.

 

[sohi 23]

Bosh went down in the Lakers game today.
Don't think the injury is too bad though.


Tommorow Boston vs. LA at Boston.
Should be a good game, but we'll see what happens.

Oh yeah, KD played a GREAT game today.
He is growing in front of our eyes.
31, 8, and 7 while shooting 10/19 from the field.

I'll say it again, my favorite player in the league

Melo was too much though.
I'm glad Melo can mature and "learn" to be the leader not that AI is gone.
I remember rookie year where it was a contest with Bron for ROY

when AI got traded to the team, I don't think Melo was allowed to grow like he should've been able to and become the superstar he should be today.

 

[sohi 23]

[h2]Bogut out with back stress fracture[/h2]
Comment http://sendtofriend.espn....ess%20fracture&id=3884414','sendtofriend','noresizable,noscrollbars,width=400,height=500');return false;">Email Print
Associated Press

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut will miss at least eight weeks with a stress fracture in his back.

Bogut

The former No. 1 overall pick went through a series of tests earlier this week that revealed the injury. Bogut will need exercise and rest, but no surgery is scheduled.

Bogut's injury is another blow to the Bucks, who are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference but have already lost leading scorer Michael Redd to a season-ending knee injury.

Bogut is averaging 11.7 points and a team-high 10.3 rebounds, but started suffering back spasms after a game Dec. 17 against Philadelphia.

Bogut had missed 13 of the last 18 games, and played under 17 minutes in his last two games before missing Tuesday night's loss at New Jersey.


Tough break, especially with Redd going down.
...
Hornets without Paul lost to the Bulls today.

...

Also, Iggy has been beasting recently.
In the month of January: 15 games, 21.9 points, 5.6 boards, 5.5 assists while(most importantly) shooting 53% from the field.
He was having alot of problems with his fg% a the start of the year, but he's playing like an All-Star right now.

Maybe it's because Elton only played 100 minutes in January.
I'm shocked no one has really talked about this, but that has been a TERRIBLE signing.

 

[sohi 23]

This %+@% isn't a blog

Where y'all at?
Or do I have to say Kobe > Bron before people start posting?

Anyway, the Suns are getting blown out right now.
I think the Warriors scored 44 points in the 1st

...

JO played well today.
Granted it was against the Lakers, but he was playing like he had a Pacers jersey on

 

[kiddin like jason]

The Hornets are one of the worst teams in the NBA without Chris.

Peja, Dev and D. West combined for 65 points tonight. The other eight players? 28.

End result? Losing to the Bulls by 14 at home.

Bird put up 12, 7 and a block before fouling out in 20 minutes.

O.J.

 

[JD617]

Tommorow Boston vs. LA at Boston.
Should be a good game, but we'll see what happens.

I'm pissed this game isn't in my ticket package though.

 

[sohi 23]

KLJ, your boy started and played 36 mins. against the Nuggets.

He made 2 free throws.

I forgot to say this earlier, but Jeff Green scored 24 points, while shooting 10/14 from the field.
Westbrook had 20 5 and 4, he just needs to cut down on TOs.

 

[kal ripped ken]

J Oneal with 9 blocks! and he's not even close to 100%

i hope he stays healthy for the rest of the year, he's one of my favorite players

 

[jville819]

Anthony Johnson dropped 25 tonight

 

[sole trooper]

Originally Posted by jville819

Anthony Johnson dropped 25 tonight

scares me how theyre still lethal w/o Nelson...

 

[CP1708]

Suns are flat out embarrassing right now.

It's too bad Zo ain't around anymore.

Portland now 1-9 on the road vs teams with a winning record. That one was when they were down 17, Paul got hurt, they came back. They should be 0-10. Andthey are supposed to scare people whyyyyyyy?

Dallas isn't looking too bad after their rough start, still don't think they have enough, but they are solid. If they could make a trade and add aguy......

@ Boston tonight, @ Cleveland on Sunday.