NBA FanHouse

Warriors Decide Ronny Turiaf Is Where They'll Be Spending All That Money They Saved

Matt Moore — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:56:00 EST

Filed under: Warriors, Lakers, Western, Los Angeles, Oakland, NBA Transactions

So the face of your franchise and your most beloved player, Baron Davis, skipped town. And your top replacement target, Gilbert Arenas, re-signed with his club. And the next big target on your radar just spurned you and hopped over to the East for more money. So who do you turn to, after inking an aging small forward for a bit of cash while you try and convince Monta Ellis to stick around?

You sign Ronny Turiaf, of course!

The Warriors have come to a verbal agreement with Lakers restricted free agent Ronny Turiaf on a four year deal worth an estimated $17 million. As he is a restricted free agent, the Lakers have seven days to match the Warriors offer.

It's an interesting signing, because if the Warriors are able to pry him away from the purple and gold, he provides a number of things they lack. Along with Corey Maggette, Turiaf represents a greater commitment to defense. In addition, Turiaf can actually rebound, which the Warriors failed miserably at last season. He does make sense with their system though, as he's a high energy guy who can come in and play a few minutes or more, and is extremely flexible and provides a spark. He's also a fan favorite that would fit in with the Warriors scrappy image. That is if the fans haven't all thrown themselves off a bridge after Baron left.

Warriors Decide Ronny Turiaf Is Where They'll Be Spending All That Money They Saved originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:56:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Did the Clippers Anger Elton Brand?

Tom Ziller — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:52:00 EST

Filed under: 76ers, Warriors, Clippers, Los Angeles, Philadelphia

In the immediate aftermath of Elton Brand's reported signing with Philadelphia, Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski reports the Clippers had given the forward some sort of ultimatum, a move which might have angered E.B. and sent him into Thaddeus Young's waiting arms (via ClipsNation).

What had come to hurt the Clippers' chances of retaining Brand has been the organization's refusal to offer anything but a "take-it-or-leave-it" deal since Golden State made its $90-plus million offer. People close to Brand say that "it pissed him off," and made him question his original desire to stay a Clipper.

What strikes me on first glance -- wasn't the reported $70 million, five years offer from the Clips the max they could offer after reeling in Baron Davis? There has some dispute over whether the Clippers renounced Brand to sign Davis; if not, the Clippers could have offered a sixth year. However, there were reports last week that Brand wasn't after a sixth year. (There were also reports Brand's agent had set up L.A.'s Davis snatch to help get Brand a good team around him, but obviously that one wasn't so right.)

One more thing strikes me: how can it be about money when Brand takes $8 million less from the Sixers than he would have received from the Warriors? Brand's mad about the Clipper offer, but takes the one from Philly when Golden State is showing it values him more? It doesn't make any sense, unless Brand refused to consider Golden State for other reasons. This story should be fun to follow for a while.

Did the Clippers Anger Elton Brand? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What Can the Clippers Do Now?

Tom Ziller — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:12:00 EST

Filed under: Clippers, Los Angeles

Now that Elton Brand is Philly-bound and Corey Maggette has ~~seen the light and~~ chosen Northern California over points south, what on Earth are the Clippers to do? Landing Baron Davis was a coup, plain and simple. But losing the team's two other top weapons -- when desperately trying to keep one of them in Brand -- is bad news.

What do the Clippers do now? L.A. has substantial cap space, which had been earmarked for Brand. There's a gaping whole next to Chris Kaman -- something named Tim Thomas or Paul Davis are otherwise your starting power forwards. Josh Smith of Atlanta, a still-restricted free agent who had been Philadelphia's premiere target this summer, seems like a no-brainer. He's not your traditional power forward, but he's certainly the best option alive (and some would argue he's a better piece than Brand at this point).

With Eric Gordon in line to succeed Cuttino Mobley at the two-guard, chasing someone like Monta Ellis or Andre Iguodala out of spite wouldn't be practical. If you think Al Thornton is an acceptable power forward next to Kaman, though, maybe you chase Iggy to play the three for five years and hope for the best. Between Davis (not Paul), Kaman, and Thornton, there's a good chance scoring won't be a terrible issue. (Scoring efficiently might be.) Smith or Iguodala both offer non-buckets contributions, and should be high on any list of targets the "braintrust" in L.A. develops.

What Can the Clippers Do Now? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Denied by Brand, Warriors Grab Maggette

Matt Watson — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:33:00 EST

Filed under: Warriors, Clippers, Western, Los Angeles, Oakland, The Word

After being left at the alter by both Baron Davis and Elton Brand, the Warriors finally found someone willing to take their money: Corey Maggette. According to the Los Angeles Daily News, Maggette agreed to a five-year, $50 million deal immediately after the Warriors learned that Brand had committed to the 76ers. Interestingly enough, he apparently jumped on the offer before giving the Clippers, who were also spurned by Brand, a chance to retain him.

Until this opening with Golden State, it looked like Maggette's best options involved taking the mid-level exception from one of the handful of interested contenders pursuing him, including the Spurs, Celtics, Pistons and Magic. He'll make a lot more money with the Warriors, but he'll also win a lot fewer games -- instead of battling for a title, he'll be in a fight to simply make the playoffs.

That said, it's not fair to say this simply came down to money, as the Warriors were also able to offer a lot more playing time than anyone else. With those other contenders, Maggette would have been a fourth or fifth option in the starting lineup -- if not relegated to the role of a super sub. But with the Warriors, Maggette has a chance to be "The Man," especially with Monta Ellis almost certainly taking on more of a distributor role in Davis' absence.

Not everyone thinks Maggette is up for being a team's No. 1 option, but it's hard to argue with his production or the fact that he's a perfect fit for Nellieball. He's uber-athletic and can shoot from long-distance, and while his defense is underrated, he won't be asked to play much under Don Nelson anyway. The Warriors still need a legitimate big man, but the Warriors could have done a lot worse than snagging Maggette.

Denied by Brand, Warriors Grab Maggette originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Elton Brand Spurns California, Verbally Commits to Philly

Matt Watson — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: 76ers, Warriors, Clippers, Eastern, Western, Los Angeles, Oakland, Philadelphia, The Word

For much of the last week, most basketball fans assumed that Elton Brand was either going to a) re-sign with the Clippers; or b) grab the pile of money that Baron Davis left behind with the Warriors. Instead, he surprised everyone by choosing c) none of the above, leaving behind the Western Conference entirely in favor of the 76ers. From the Los Angeles Times:

Elton Brand has reached a verbal agreement to sign a multiyear contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to an NBA source who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak on player movements.

The deal is believed to be in the $80-million range and expected to span five years.

Okay, this wasn't a complete surprise -- there were rumblings last night that this might be a possibility, and Philly's salary dump of a trade earlier today was obviously setting up a larger move -- but it has to feel like a kick in the ribs to Clippers fans dreaming of Brand and B.Dizzle leading the Clips back to the playoffs.

Until the last 48 hours or so, the Sixers were believed to be focusing most of their interest on Hawks restricted free agent Josh Smith, but the addition of Brand, who's much more polished offensively, and the expected return of Andre Iguodala, who's a restricted free agent himself, makes the 76ers instant contenders in the East with an intriguing core of youth and experience. This is a team that gave the Pistons fits in the first round this past year even without a legitimate low-post scoring threat. If Brand regains his All-Star form and Philly's youngsters continue to develop, there's no telling what kind of damage they can do in 2007-08.

Elton Brand Spurns California, Verbally Commits to Philly originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Philly Wants a Shot at Elton Brand, Too

Matt Watson — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: 76ers, Warriors, Clippers, Eastern, Western, NBA Rumors, Los Angeles, Oakland, Philadelphia

Elton Brand has a generous offer on the table to stay with the Clippers, and an even larger offer on the table to bolt for the Warriors. But while most of the discussion surrounding his options has centered on those two teams, it's at least possible that he might bolt California completely and head back east.

That's crazy talk, right? Probably, but according to ESPN's Marc Stein, the 76ers have officially thrown their hat in the ring. It's true the Sixers have been connected to restricted free agent Josh Smith since the offseason began, but the team wants to do it's due diligence by gauging Brand's interest before tying up their finances by signing Smith to an offer sheet and waiting seven days while the Hawks decide if they're going to match it or not.

I can't say I'm completely surprised -- Smith has all the potential in the world, but Brand is a proven product and (when healthy) one of the most consistent big men in the game today. Smith would make the Sixers a joy to watch; Brand would get the Sixers out of the first round.

If this comes down to a pure bidding war, no one can top the Warriorrs, but Stein's sources say that if Brand leaves LA, he'd prefer to join the Sixers, where there's a solid nucleus in place and fewer contenders to deal with.

That said, even if Brand is open to signing with Sixers, the team would still need to juggle their roster to make it happen, renouncing rights to a handful of players as well as trading Rodney Carney (and possibly Calvin Booth) for future draft picks who won't count against this year's cap. It could happen, but it wouldn't happen overnight.

(Granted, the Clippers could theoretically trump everyone by adding a sixth year, but that's not a realistic option considering the team needs to technically renounce Brand's rights in order to have the cap space to sign Baron Davis.)

Whatever happens, expect a decision soon. The league will officially announce its salary cap numbers tonight, at which point every team will know exactly how much they can afford to offer. The smart money is still on Brand remaining a Clipper -- Davis doesn't think it's even a question -- but you can't blame a guy for allowing himself to be courted when he's clearly the most attractive free agent left on the market.

Philly Wants a Shot at Elton Brand, Too originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kobe Bryant's Youth Basketball Camp

Elie Seckbach — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, NBA Videos, Los Angeles, The Word, FanHouse TV, USA Basketball

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded NBA Correspondent, brings his exclusive NBA reporting to FanHouse. Check back here regularly for more videos.

In this video we visit the basketball camp of NBA MVP Kobe Bryant. Kobe tells which NBA stars he met as a child and why he enjoyed those moments. Around 2:30 into the video we ask Kobe about the MMA style of basketball he will face in the upcoming Olympics.

Youtube link.

Kobe Bryant's Youth Basketball Camp originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Andrew Bynum Cleared to Condition, Lakers Fans Begin Printing 2009 Championship Shirts

Matt Moore — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:21:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, Western, NBA Injuries, Los Angeles

Several months after he was expected to be back to full speed, starting for the Lakers, Andrew Bynum has been cleared for conditioning. According to a report in the OC Register, Bynum is officially on track for his comeback. He's staying in New York two more weeks working on rehab, then heading down to Atlanta to train.

After every open field goal the Lakers allowed under the basket in the playoffs, and there were many, many of those, Lakers fans would note that the problem would be fixed next year with the return of Bynum beside Gasol and Odom. Getting Bynum clear of any complications with the knee well before training camp is a positive step in that direction. If the Lakers are going to bounce back from a fairly humiliating Finals, they need Bynum to be the unstoppable force in the middle that prevents easy baskets, lets Pau Gasol drift around the elbows, and does that whole rebounding thing the Lakers have so much trouble with.

Coming back from knee surgery has never been considered easy, but with the advances in medicine over the last ten years, it's easier than it ever has been. And if Bynum can manage to come back full strength, the Lakers will boost an already formidable position as the favorite to win the 2008-2009 NBA title.

Andrew Bynum Cleared to Condition, Lakers Fans Begin Printing 2009 Championship Shirts originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:21:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chris Kaman Bin Ein Berliner (Or, Dirk Has a Friend in Beijing)

Tom Ziller — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:25:00 EST

Filed under: Clippers, Los Angeles, FIBA, Beijing, Europe

A throwaway comment from Chris Kaman months ago, in which the Clipper revealed his great-grandparents were German immigrants, has spiraled out of control. Ball in Europe reports Kaman will join Dirk Nowitzki and the German national team for this month's Olympic qualifying tournament and -- hopefully -- the Beijing Olympics.

Kaman received an expedited German passport, which allows him to compete ASAP. The Germans need the help, too: in the qualifying tournament, they share a group (the toughest) with Greece (the 2005 European champs), Slovenia (Rasho! Sasha!) and Croatia ... and need to finish in the top two just to finish to the elimination round, of which only three of the six remaining teams gets a crack at Beijing.

Other threats to a Kaman-Nowitzki appearance in Beijing include Brazil (a virtual lock to qualify, even without Leandro Barbosa) and Samuel Dalembert's Canadian squad.

Chris Kaman Bin Ein Berliner (Or, Dirk Has a Friend in Beijing) originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mama, Baron Davis Is Coming Hoooooome

Will Brinson — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:45:00 EST

Filed under: Clippers, Western, NBA Fans, NBA Videos, Los Angeles

Normally, someone busting out an acoustic guitar and recording anything for YouTube is the best tasting recipe for disaster you can possibly find. But the Clippers fan below is clearly the reason why Baron Davis bolted Oak-town and is headed back to Los Angeles. "Baron, It's Time to Come Home", your next bloggy internet sensation.

I'm impressed. Dude has dece guitar skills and better than solid lyrical prowess. Sure, it's not as good as the obvious "Mama, I'm Comin' Home" acoustic rip off that Ryan Parker will do, but whatever. I back.

Via Hotclicks

Mama, Baron Davis Is Coming Hoooooome originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Baron Davis Made a Grown-Man Decision

Tom Ziller — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:33:00 EST

Filed under: Warriors, Clippers, NBA Media Watch, Los Angeles, Oakland

When Baron Davis opted out of his $17.8 million contract, plenty of pundits ripped him. One opinion piece which stood out was a column headlined "Davis 29, going on 39, with maturity of 3-year-old" by Bob Padecky of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Padecky writes:

Davis is a 29-year-old man with a 39-year-old body and a 3-year old's conception of commitment. One minute he says he wants to stay with the Warriors. The next minute he wants to leave them. Stay. Go. Stay. Go. He is a toddler who can't make up his mind.

Davis had two options: $17.8 million right now, or $13 million right now and another $52 million over the subsequent four years. The latter opportunity only came available once Elton Brand made his decision late Monday. When presented with the secure, more lucrative opportunity, Davis took it. That involved opting out of a contract he had indicated he would not opt out of. He did, however, still hold the rights to opt out of said contract.

On what planet is that not a mature, rational decision?

The irrational, immature, short-sighted option would have been to hold steady with the Warriors because of some perceived obligation to a corporation who offered a much smaller contract than the market would bear. Why exactly should Davis have felt obligated to accepted a smaller deal, like the $10 million/year with incentives for health Padecky offers up? Why should Davis give up $47 million in guaranteed monies to fulfill Warriors fans visions of 2008-09 when the Warriors won't belly up to the table?

That the guy is making tens of millions of dollars is no reason to insist he conform to some socialist perspective of corporate loyalty. The NBA's a business, and Davis made a smart business decision. (Whether the Clippers did the same can be debated.) It's simply ridiculous to hold athletes to puritanical financial ideals we'd never live to up to ourselves.

Baron Davis Made a Grown-Man Decision originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Baron Davis Joins the Clippers, Upsets Balance of Power on Pacific Coast

Tom Ziller — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:22:00 EST

Filed under: Warriors, Clippers, Los Angeles, Oakland

And just like that, not only is Baron Davis no longer contractually obligated to those Golden State Warriors, but he's a freaking Los Angeles Clipper. ESPN and L.A.'s CBS affiliate have both reported Davis has reached a preliminary agreement with the Clippers, and expects to sign a five-year, $65 million contract next week.

Is this a more shocking turn of events for the Warriors, or the Clippers? L.A. faced the risk of starting Brevin Knight and/or Paul Davis this fall had Elton Brand fled for greener meadows and had the decent point guard options (Sacramento's Beno Udrih, for one) gotten sopped up. Instead, the team looks like a contender for the eighth playoff slot in the West at least, which ...

... knocks those Warriors down a peg. Losing Davis hurts, but it seems the Golden State faithful had prepared for his eventual exile. But losing him this summer on his terms to a division rival without getting an asset in return ... that's not the plan, I'm guessing. Now, it's Monta Ellis at the point, unless Chris Duhon's your man.

Chris Mullin was a champion last summer in his hardball negotiations. This time? Not so much. Davis just did this to the Warriors.

Baron Davis Joins the Clippers, Upsets Balance of Power on Pacific Coast originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Artest Remains a King, But Udrih May Leave

Matt Watson — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Clippers, Kings, Western, NBA Rumors, Los Angeles

After much hand-wringing and "100 degree" reversals, Ron Artest decided against opting out of the final year of his contract with the Kings. By staying, he'll earn just $7.4 million, or less than half of the $16 million that guys like Elton Brand and Baron Davis left on the table in search of greener ~~bank accounts~~ pastures.

But while the Kings know they'll have Artest back (even if he's only a bargaining chip to be used in a trade), the same can't be said for Beno Udrih. Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee reports that the Kings called Udrih the first moment they were allowed to offer him the full mid-level exception over five years, but that may not be enough. Instead of settling for a mere phone call, Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy met face to face with Udrih last night in New York to make his pitch.

There's no word yet if the Clippers will match Sacramento's offer -- and they may not be able to commit to anything until figuring out what they're going to do with Brand and Corey Maggette -- but it's not surprising to see that Dunleavy made contacting Udrih a priority. The Clippers desperately need a point guard after finishing last year with Smush Parker and Brevin Knight sharing duties and officially giving up hope on Shaun Livingston, whose rights were renounced.

Artest Remains a King, But Udrih May Leave originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beno Will Be Quite a Popular Boy on Tuesday

Tom Ziller — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Heat, Clippers, Kings, Los Angeles

Roughly 20 teams need a point guard (slight exaggeration), and the free agent market is rather bad. Carlos Arroyo, anyone? Can Jason Williams get a contract offer? Shaun Livingston? Didn't think so. One name, however, will draw plenty of attention: Kings incumbent Beno Udrih.

Sacramento would like to keep him, but they don't carry his Bird rights and can only offer the mid-level exception ... which is what every other team in the league can offer. The Clippers have expressed interest in the Slovenian; of course, the Clippers passed up on signing Beno last fall because of financial considerations ... Udrih ended up pulling a couple hundred thousand from the Kings, and was the cheapest starting PG in the league (not named Chris Quinn). The Heat, the Knicks, the Cavaliers, and the Nuggets (if they can cut salary) could all have interest, as well.

Udrih's agent told reporters last week that Beno expects the full mid-level, assumedly for the longest allowable term. Sacramento probably doesn't want to make that price -- about $32 million for five years -- an opening offer for a 13-point, 4-assist level player, especially considering the team is looking to cut salary in advance of 2010. If Sacramento stutters, Beno could surely find the full mid-level waiting in L.A., where his warts weren't evident for a year and where salary's falling off the ledger regardless of this summer's point guard haul.

At the same time, it's possible Sacramento could offer the full thing and still get snubbed: if Elton Brand opts out of his contract on Monday, the Clippers become instant free agent players. Barring other maneuvers (like snatching Gilbert Arenas away from his "secret pact" with the Wizards), they could offer Beno just slightly more than Sacramento can, and hope Udrih loves money and the Sunset Strip more than slightly less money and ... um, Vlade Divac's underground bar.

Beno Will Be Quite a Popular Boy on Tuesday originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Meet the Parkers: The Best of Both Worlds, NBA and WNBA

Elie Seckbach — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Raptors, NBA Videos, Chicago, Los Angeles, Women's Sports, Toronto, The Word, FanHouse TV, WNBA

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded NBA Correspondent, brings his exclusive NBA reporting to FanHouse. Check back here regularly for more videos.

In this video we catch up with WNBA star Candace Parker who tells us about her dunking ability. You might be surprised to hear what she has to say about it. We also interview her brother, Anthony Parker, the star of the Toronto Raptors. Around 2:15 into the video find out from Candace which sibling is more popular.

AOL Video link. Youtube link.

Meet the Parkers: The Best of Both Worlds, NBA and WNBA originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clips Move Up to #4, Sonics Add Another Pick

Tom Ziller — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:04:00 EST

Filed under: SuperSonics, Clippers, NBA Draft, Los Angeles, Seattle

UPDATE: Any Katz on ESPN said this deal's off for now, but might come back during the draft.

ESPN is reporting that, assuming O.J. Mayo goes #3 to Minnesota, the Clippers will trade picks with Seattle to move up to #4 to grab Eric Gordon, with the Sonics also earning a conditional 2009 first-rounder from L.A. Chad Ford says the Sonics want Brook Lopez at #7.

L.A. has been tied to Gordon for weeks now, and to be honest I assumed he'd be there at #7. Perhaps Elgin Baylor and Mike Dunleavy had heard differently; while I can't imagine a scenario in which New York at #6 or whomever takes Memphis's #5 pick takes Gordon, that doesn't mean no such scenario existed. So the Clippers lose a potentially valuable asset -- it could be another lottery pick next season, as Kelly Dwyer notes -- depending on the protections.

What does this mean for the rest of the lottery? If Seattle is really after Lopez, Jerryd Bayless could slip. (Fingers crossed.) Gordon hadn't been tied to much besides L.A. -- New York is said to be focused on Russell Westbrook and Danilo Gallinari, pre-RJ Milwaukee had been wed to Joe Alexander. This might be one of the few big deals which really has no massive repercussions.

Clips Move Up to #4, Sonics Add Another Pick originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Draft: What Future Players Need to Know

Elie Seckbach — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Magic, Wizards, Lakers, Suns, NBA Draft, NBA Videos, Jazz, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Washington, DC, The Word, FanHouse TV

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded NBA Correspondent, brings his exclusive NBA reporting to FanHouse. Check back here regularly for more videos.

In this video we ask Stanford star Brook Lopez about the NBA Draft. We also find out from Shaquille O'Neal, the number one pick of the 1992 draft, about his law enforcement career and his efforts to catch online predators. Also find out from Gilbert Arenas, a late second draft pick in 2001, what he would be doing if he was not an NBA All-Star. Around 1:45 into the video hear what Ira Newble, a long time NBA veteran, has to say about making to the NBA without being drafted.

AOL Video link. Youtube link.

NBA Draft: What Future Players Need to Know originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ron Artest Doesn't Want Your Mid-Level

Tom Ziller — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:20:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, Kings, NBA Rumors, Los Angeles

In Marc Stein's briefing on what the Lakers should/will do next, the ESPN scribe ventures into territory made possible by a certain King's penchant for talking and talking and talking. The not-unexplored land Stein rolls into: Ron Artest as a Laker.

In the past week, several reports have insisted Ron-Ron might act like the card he is, opt out of his $7.4 million contract with Sacramento for 2008-09, and take a mid-level exception (starting at $5.5 million, or thereabouts) with a contender like L.A. or Dallas. Stein confronts the consideration head-on:

Artest followed up our Tuesday interview with an e-mail Thursday in which he said: "Even if I was to opt out, which probably won't happen, I will never accept a mid-level exception. So people trying to figure out possibilities should get that out of their heads."

If Ron-Ron changes course (HOOPSWORLD has reported his camp is considering it), he won't have a choice. The Kings won't be taking back salary which extends past next summer in any sign-and-trade deal. Teams aren't going to mortgage the farm for an enigma like Artest. Philadelphia and Memphis ain't throwing their free agent money at Ron-Ron. And no one else can offer more than the mid-level, barring some impromptu cap-clearing.

If Ron's agent has his wits about him (no comment), he won't let Artest opt out. The best case really is for Artest to get traded (in July or February), rally a team in vicious success, and get an anxiety-ridden long-term deal from that team. If Artest instead opts out and refuses to take anything less than what he thinks he's worth, it's going to be a long, long summer.

Ron Artest Doesn't Want Your Mid-Level originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kobe Bryant, All Growns Ups, Will Not Be Distracting Us Again This Offseason

Will Brinson — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:45:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, Western, NBA Rumors, Los Angeles

It is a shame that the Lakers will not be losing any major pieces to their Western Conference Champion squad during the offseason. Because, really, watching Kobe Bryant spend the entire offseason ~~crying~~ ~~whining~~ trying to do Mitch Kupchak's job last year, well, that was just enjoyable for everyone.

Instead, Mamba has promised to keep his hands off and his mouth shut when it comes to the front office work as the Lakers prepare to make a run at a title in 2008-09.

'I'm comfortable with what we have,' he said. 'Whatever Mitch decides to do, he decides to do. It's more of a relaxing summer for me because I know we have an opportunity to win. It's exciting.

[...][Waiting for next year is] going to be tough, but I'm just happy to know that we're invited to the party,' he said. 'When you're invited, you dance with a hot chick. You can pull a beautiful one or you can pull one that's not as good looking. You can either go in the first round and get knocked out or you can go to the championship.'

[...]'You're all trying to see if I'm going to do Mitch's job for him this summer,' Bryant said, smiling. 'I'm not. I leave it up to him. He's done a great job of building this team.'

On second thought, maybe 24 should keep talking this offseason, because is it me, or has Kobe just become ridiculous quotable over the last few months?

Talking about slumpbusters and peeing the bed and dropping s-bombs at post game press conferences ... I kind of want him to have a mike in front of his face from now until the season starts. Make a move, Kupchak!

Kobe Bryant, All Growns Ups, Will Not Be Distracting Us Again This Offseason originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WNBA: Sparks Stars Shine on the Court

Elie Seckbach — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Women's Sports, The Word, FanHouse TV, WNBA

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded NBA Correspondent, brings his exclusive NBA reporting to FanHouse. Check back here regularly for more videos.

In this video we catch up with two of the hottest names in the WNBA, Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie, the stars of the Los Angeles Sparks. We also learn what the term "mouse-in-the-house" means on the basketball court. Around 1:50 into the video we find out from Candace who would win if she played Kobe Bryant one-on-one.

AOL Video link. Youtube link.

WNBA: Sparks Stars Shine on the Court originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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