Report: Lakers might listen to offers for Howard
The Los Angeles Lakers might consider dealing All-Star center Dwight Howard before the trade deadline in February, according to reports. Howard, in his first season with the Lakers, has become increasingly displeased with coach Mike D’Antoni’s system, though he has refrained from sharing those thoughts publicly for the most part There’s also the possibility that the team won’t be able to re-sign him after the season when he becomes a unrestricted free agent. Howard, 27, was acquired in a four-team trade with Orlando, Philadelphia dn Denver during the offseason. “I don’t think we’re at the point where you say, ‘It’s time for a trade,’ and a trade happens in three to four days,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak told ESPN.com. “That’s just not how this league works.” The Lakers (17-24) are struggling under D’Antoni, who this week relegated veteran big-man Pau Gasol to a bench role. But Kupchak remains confid…
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Listen to Iman Shumpert’s Rap Tribute to New York Knicks
Iman Shumpert is nothing if not industrious. When he’s not busy rehabbing from a torn ACL, giving his take on the latest kicks or predicting (incorrectly) how his beloved Chicago Bears will fare on the gridiron, the second-year swingman for the New York Knicks is laying the groundwork for a…ummm…”prolific” career in the world of hip-hop.
His latest foray? Why, an ode to his teammates, of course!
Because, you know, ain’t nobody messin‘ with his Knicks (KnicksKnicksKnicksKnicksKnicksKnicks)…or something. Or, at least, they weren’t when 21 Shump Street dropped his latest, Kanye West-inspired track—shortly after the Knicks torched the Miami Heat by 20 points on national television on December 6.
In the span of 73 glorious seconds, Shump accounts for everyone in the locker room, save for the assistant coaches and the equipment managers. From the Knicks’ “Big Three” of Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Amar’e Stoudemire (“Yeah, I’m talking Melo, yeah I’m talking Tyson/And that’s a gold medal, Amar’e, he know how to spike it”) to acrobatics of benchwarmer James White (“Flight White from the free-throw line, we go like it’s 2K”), 21 Shump Street leaves no stone unturned.
Shump also took the time to express his approval of New York’s new/old corps of point guards (…went back and caught Felton/Mix Prigioni with Jason and Oh Lord help ‘em) and give eager fans an insight into the intricate coaching genius of Mike Woodson (Woody like, “Just go play”).
With his work, Iman is proving that one needn’t be connected to the Los Angeles Lakers—like, say, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and Metta World Peace—to be a multi-faceted, sports/music mogul.
Better yet, he should have plenty of time to hone his lyrical craft. Brett Cyrgalis of The New York Post recently reported that there’s still no timetable for Shump‘s return, even though he’s been dunking “with flair.”
One can only hope that Shump will be ready to go by January 3, when the San Antonio Spurs make their yearly trek to Madison Square Garden. It’d be a shame for “the game” if he were to miss out on a golden opportunity for a head-to-head, Yeezy-style rap battle with Stephen Jackson (a.k.a. Stak5).
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Charles Barkley: NBA doesn’t tell him what to say and he ‘wouldn’t listen’ anyway
TNT’s on-air NBA crew says NBA doesn’t influence coverage and they don’t compare themselves to ESPN’s NBA show
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Bobcats like No. 2, but will listen to all offers (Yahoo! Sports)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — General manager Rich Cho says it will take ”something enticing” for the Bobcats to trade away the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft.
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Anthony Bennett: Prep Star Should Listen to Jimmy Kimmel and Attend UNLV
It’s all fun and games in college basketball recruiting until Jimmy Kimmel gets involved.
Then it gets real.
Kimmel, who attended UNLV, recently tweeted his hope that the Findlay Prep star would suit up for the Runnin’ Rebels (h/t to The Big Lead):
UNLV needs you Anthony! @Salsaa_Stylez @ABennett24 @UNLVRebellion @Salsaa_Stylez @ABennett24 @UNLVRebellion
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) May 8, 2012
Bennett is currently deciding between UNLV and Oregon, and as I noted yesterday, choosing the Runnin’ Rebels made more sense on a number of levels.
With Bennett in town, UNLV would be one of the better teams in the country and could advance past the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1991.
On the other hand, Oregon will struggle to gain a tourney berth one way or another.
There are other reasons to choose UNLV, of course. Going to college in Las Vegas, for one. Plus, he could team up with fellow Canadian and University of Pittsburgh transfer Khem Birch, who has been trying to convince Bennett to choose UNLV.
And all of those reasons are fine and dandy, but when you add Kimmel to the mix, well, that takes it to the next level.
If I were Bennett, I’d tweet back at Kimmel and tell him that if I did end up choosing UNLV, he’d have to bring me on the show to talk some UNLV basketball.
How’s that for a recruiting edge?
Whatever Bennett ends up doing, I’m sure he has found it pretty entertaining getting a shout-out from Jimmy Kimmel. If nothing else, it’s a memory.
Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets are the mint juleps of the Internet.
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New York Knicks: 5 Reasons They Must Listen to Carmelo and Keep Mike Woodson
The Knicks’ play on the court and overall attitude as a team has clearly improved greatly since Mike Woodson took over as head coach.
Last week, Carmelo Anthony came out and praised his new coach:
“I’m a big supporter of what coach Woodson has done. His approach to the game, and what he gets out of all his players, even me. He holds everybody accountable and that’s what we need.”
Even though Woodson went 18-6 in his 24 games as head coach this season, his job is certainly not secure.
Speculation has already started as to who the Knicks will target next.
CBS Sports even reported that the Knicks are ready to make a HUGE offer to legendary coach, Phil Jackson.
Here are five reasons why the Knicks should listen to Carmelo Anthony and keep Mike Woodson next year instead.
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Dwight Howard Would Listen if Celtics Called, Says They ‘Have the Championship Mentality’
Dwight Howard has been dominating headlines for months regarding his potential departure from the Orlando Magic. With Howard set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, the Orlando big man has been the subject of numerous trade rumors. Howard has been linked to various teams including the Los Angeles Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks and the New Jersey Nets. One team that has not been considered a front runner is the Boston Celtics, but Howard’s recent comments suggest that he would listen if the Celtics asked about his services, according to the Boston Herald. “Always. Always,” Howard said, when…
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NBA Rumors: Kings Need to Listen to DeMarcus Cousins’ Trade Demands
The Sacramento Kings are saying DeMarcus Cousins has requested a trade, and they should listen to his demands by shipping him out of town.
Cousins’ agent, John Greig, is disputing the claims and even took a shot at Kings coach Paul Westphal, saying “maybe Westphal is just feeling the heat early this season.”
Regardless of whether or not he actually demanded a trade, it’s painfully obvious that the Kings and Cousins need to part ways.
Cousins is unbelievably talented, possessing all the tools a dominant big man needs: soft hands, excellent footwork, several go-to post moves, the ability to pass out of a double team and a bit of a nasty streak.
Unfortunately, that nasty streak also extends off the court, where he has been involved in numerous altercations with coaches and teammates. His perceived immaturity was his only blemish heading into the 2010 NBA Draft, and it has manifested itself several times in his young professional career.
Cousins’ rookie numbers of 14.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game were great. His 14 technical fouls and three ejections? Not so much.
Cousins will be one of the NBA’s two or three best power forwards, and probably sooner rather than later. But unfortunately for Sacramento, he won’t be taking that next step while wearing a Kings uniform.
Last season, I preached that the Kings needed to have patience with Cousins. But now, their relationship clearly cannot be mended.
Sacramento will have a tough time getting equal value for the fifth pick in the 2010 draft, because this report crushes its leverage. Still, the Kings need to do whatever it takes to separate themselves from the enigmatic Cousins.
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NBA Rumors: Knicks Should Listen to Melo and Sign Kenyon Martin
ESPN has reported that former Nuggets player Kenyon Martin has found a way out of his deal with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in China.
The news means that the 33-year-old will have the opportunity to play in the NBA again by March of this year.
The fact that he won’t be available until March at the earliest will likely keep interest low among teams around the league, but there are a few that could show interest.
One of K-Mart’s former teammates is showing interest in bringing him to New York.
Marc Berman of the New York Post has reported that Carmelo Anthony has been lobbying for the Knicks to bring Martin to the Big Apple.
During their seven seasons together in Denver, Anthony and Martin formed a pretty good relationship.
Obviously, Martin wouldn’t be needed as a starter in New York with Amar’e Stoudemire taking the majority of the minutes at power forward.
However, he would have the ability to be a great player off the bench, which is why the Knicks should really consider making the move.
Since Martin can’t play until March, the team doesn’t have to worry about plugging him in as a starter midway through the season.
Having him come off the bench is probably the ideal situation for any team considering Martin as an option.
New York currently has the $2.5 million exemption they can use to bring in Martin after signing Baron Davis to the league minimum earlier this offseason.
It looks like a no lose situation for both the team and for K-Mart to make a deal happen.
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Wade will listen to overseas options, just in case
Dwyane Wade says he can still hope for NBA games by Christmas. He also knows there’s a slim chance of that wish coming true.
The Miami Heat guard says he and his agent are now willing to begin listening to any possible offers for him to play internationally if the NBA season gets completely washed out by the ongoing labor impasse.
Thursday was the 140th day of the lockout, which turned even uglier earlier this week when talks completely broke down and the players began taking their case to courts.
Wade says he’s staying busy. He was working Thursday on a new Gatorade ad campaign that gets launched early next year. On Friday, he flies to Nike’s headquarters. He’s also working out with teammates – just in case.
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