'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 26

[nasty daddy]

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/46183

Suns All-Star Amare Stoudemire offered a forecast for next Thursday afternoon. When the trade deadline hits, he said there is a 60 percent chance that he will remain in Phoenix. "I do see them keeping me," Stoudemire said during All-Star Game players' media availability today at the downtown Sheraton. "It's possible. I'm leaning more toward 60-40. I'm thinging they'll keep me 60 (percent) and not 40 (percent)."

Stoudemire called the trade speculation a "low blow" today. At times, he said the Suns' consideration on trading him is financially motivated. But he also said that he did not understand what is going on with the Suns fielding offers because he is improving in his prime (age 26), planning on playing 15 more seasons in the NBA.

"I'm trying to figure out what the focus is," Stoudemire said. "I thought I was always the future of the franchise and we were trying to win a championship here. It doesn't seem that way anymore. I don't know what to expect from the front office. From a currency standpoint, they're trying to cut back on money. They want players with expiring contracts and draft picks. That lets you know that they're not trying for a blockbuster trade."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=3440

Shawn Marion Jermaine O’Neal trade now official
It’s a done deal, an official transaction, everything’s been signed.

Well, they still have to take physicals and stuff, of course. But unless someone fails a physical, the trade has happened.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=3439

Chris Bosh hitting All-Star tech summit
Chris Bosh reports from AOL Fanhouse: It’s All-Star Weekend and this is the first time I won’t be playing in anything. I really wanted to play in the game Sunday, but I have to be smart and let my knee heal properly. I’m still looking forward to hanging out with my family and enjoying everything the weekend has to offer, though. One thing I’m really looking forward to is being on the panel at the Technology Summit Friday morning. This year the panel I’m involved with is on Global Wireless Evolution.Here’s the list of the people joining me on the panel: Mark Cuban (Chairman, Landmark Theaters & Co-Founder HDNet Films & 2929 Entertainment), Eddy Cue (Vice President, iTunes, Apple), David Eun (Vice President, Content Partnerships, Google), Susan G. Nokes (Chief Customer & Operations Officer, T-Mobile USA), Javier Pérez Dolset (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Zed Group), Baron Davis (Guard, Los Angeles Clippers), Ken Yeung (Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, TOM Group).

[nasty daddy]

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=3438

Famous spottings at All-Star
New York Daily News (Frank Isola) reports (via blog): You never know who you’ll into at the All-Star Game. On my flight from Los Angeles I traveled with Cedric The Entertainer as well as ESPN’s Bill Simmons, who used to be a writer but now that he’s flying First Class you can’t call him that anymore. At the hotel I spotted Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald as well as Shaquille O’Neal walking with his four kids. No sign of Rihanna and Chris Brown however.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=3437

Report: John Paxson to eventually step down
The Chicago Sun-Times reports: John Paxson plans to resign as Bulls GM, the Sun-Times has learned. The timing of Paxson’s resignation is not certain, possibly after the season. Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has tried to talk Paxson out of resigning, according to the Tribune. And that report states Paxson may remain in the organization in a different role.

InsideHoops.com editor says: It appears that the New York Post’s Pete Vecsey broke the story, and the Sun-Times has confirmed it. Anyway, I wonder if he’s voluntarily deciding to call it quits or if Bulls ownership privately informed him it’s time to change directions in the leadership department.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=3436

Economy affects NBA All-Star weekend: The Washington Post (Michael Lee) reports on 2009 NBA All-Star weekend: An inability to assemble private sponsors has led to the cancellation of some of the more popular parties, such as Zo & Magic’s Eight Ball Challenge, a celebrity-infused pool tournament that usually kicks off the weekend, and an ESPN bowling event. The Jordan Brand shoe company, which held a red-carpet party last year in New Orleans, elected to have a private dinner instead. And the NBA Players Association All-Star Gala, a lavish, invitation-only event considered the premier party of the weekend, plans to rely more on music from a disc jockey after having live performances by comedian Cedric the Entertainer, rappers T.I. and Snoop Dogg, and R&B singer Mary J. Blige in recent years. “I think the people that are coming to Phoenix are going to enjoy All-Star Weekend a great deal,” said Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher, president of the players’ union. “At the same time, a lot of our sponsors, a lot of our players and the league overall are very aware of what the people in our country are going through. I think you’ll see a little bit of a subdued feel with over-the-top parties, and guys doing a lot of different things individually.”

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11548

Iverson "Happy" About Free Agency: Iverson Ready For This Summer: Allen Iverson may be in Phoenix for All-Star weekend, but his mind is already thinking about his upcoming free agency summer. "I love the fact that I have the opportunity to be wherever I want to be," Iverson said. "At this point, all I want to be is happy. I want to be somewhere where I am happy and somewhere where a team is going to utilize me and get everything out of Allen Iverson."

Now in his 13th season in the league and having been traded twice over, the 33-year-old Iverson will have what any player in the NBA desires: to pick the team of his choosing. And with Iverson often deferring to the likes of Rodney Stuckey, Rip Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince, the choice may come to re-locate out of Motown. "I'm just going to concentrate on what makes my family happy and me happy. That's the biggest thing for me. I want to be somewhere obviously where I can play the style of basketball that I'm accustomed to playing, and help us win basketball games," Iverson continued. "I feel if I'm utilized in the right way, all I can imagine is success and see us doing well. It's going to be somewhere where I am happy. For the first time in my career I'm going to be a free agent. It's going to be different but when we get to this point next year at the All-Star break - if I'm not happy at the situation, I think it will be my fault - because I had the opportunity to go where I want."

But as Iverson opines for the open market, there remains two questions. Is Iverson happy now in Detroit? And do the Pistons stand a chance in his decision making? "Yeah, I am. Honestly, I hope I can end up being a Detroit Piston for the rest of my career. But we will see," said Iverson. "Obviously I've made a lot of money in my career so that won't be a big issue. That won't be a big issue. I will go somewhere that I know I will be happy and satisfied with how the organization is using me out there on the basketball court." When asked, Iverson said he would not rule out the possibility of playing overseas because it is a "reality", saying he would be lying if he said he hadn't thought about that opportunity. But even Iverson knows he belongs in the NBA. "The ideal situation would for me is to be over here trying to win a championship." Will that be in Detroit?

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11548

Is Chris Bosh Next To Go?: The trade today – Jermaine O'Neal for Shawn Marion, still waiting league approval - between Toronto and Miami has spawned questions from those around the NBA if the Raptors are done dealing. Sitting at the center of all of this is Chris Bosh.

Bosh's name has surfaced in media reports and trade scenarios for the past few weeks, and while it is clear Toronto is quickly trying to make themselves over by swapping O'Neal for Marion, where does Bosh fit into this overall process? Will he remain in Toronto for the long haul? Or is he the next to go with the trade deadline soon drawing to a close? Once again an All-Star, Bosh has annually been seen as the foundation of the Raptors. Yet knowing the athletic forward could opt for free-agency in 2010, Raptors president Bryan Colangelo still has some decisions to make.

He's already said he wants Bosh in the organizations plans for the "long-haul." But apparently Bosh isn't in a hurry to respond publicly with mutual feelings. And why should he? The choice is clear – either Bosh inks an extension this summer or next in Toronto, or shoots for the moon – and easily way more money – by declaring for free agency when the summer of 2010 rolls around. This is – at the end of the day – a business decision. That's why you continue to hear Bosh's name floating around in trade rumors. Chances are that will continue until the deadline has finally passed.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11544

Miami and Toronto: The HEAT and Raptors have reportedly done a deal that will send forward/center Jermaine O'Neal and swingman Jamario Moon to the Miami HEAT for forward Shawn Marion and point guard Marcus Banks, as reported by Ric Bucher of ESPN. We have confirmation from our sources in Phoenix for the All-Star Game. The trade is pending league approval. A press conference should be coming soon.

The move allows the Raptors to cut about $17 million off their cap amount for next season – the size of Marion's deal. That puts them roughly in the range of $50 million committed for 2009-10, assuming a first round pick contract in the mix as well. It's also an acknowledgement that the O'Neal experiment was somewhat of a failure. With the Raptors so far out of the playoff race after expecting to challenge for homecourt advantage in the first round, there really isn't any other conclusion.

For the HEAT it ends any possibility of being a free agent player this summer, but puts them in a good position for the summer of 2010. They are potentially set up to add one of the summer's big free agents to put next to their own free agent, All-Everything guard Dwyane Wade.This should also seem to end the possibilities of Phoenix Suns sending All-Star forward Amar'e Stoudemire to the HEAT.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_16409

Michael Jordan, John Stockton and David Robinson were among the 16 finalists for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced on Friday.

NBA coaches Don Nelson and Jerry Sloan and Rutgers women's coach C. Vivian Stringer also made the cut from a field of 164 nominees, as did former NBA stars Dennis Johnson, Chris Mullin and Bernard King, and two-time WNBA MVP Cynthia Cooper. "I'll step out on a limb and speak for all of them and say thank you," said Robinson, the former San Antonio stalwart and lone finalist who attended the announcement during NBA All-Star Game festivities. "We understand the honor that goes along with being nominated. We know everyone doesn't get in."

The election announcement will be made on April 6 at the NCAA Final Four in Detroit, with enshrinement in September at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. All 16 finalists may be elected, according to Hall policy.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_16409

The Toronto Raptors have agreed to send Jermaine O'Neal and Jamario Moon to the Miami Heat in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks, league sources told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher.

The deal is pending league approval, according to league sources.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_16409

Amar'e's Agent Hasn't Heard of Any Deals Yet: There is one indication that Suns trade talk involving forward Amaré Stoudemire has not advanced far: His agent has not heard from the Suns about any proposals. Former National Basketball Players Association Executive Director Charlie Grantham, Stoudemire's new agent this season, equates this portion of trade exploration as fantasy basketball, with the majority of the teams exploring the possibilities. When it gets to reality, Grantham said, he will want Stoudemire to have a say, because he will not want to go just anywhere.

Grantham reiterated that Stoudemire prefers to stay in Phoenix and sign an extension, a topic he won't broach with Suns leaders until the off-season. "I feel he's a (maximum-salary) player," Grantham said. Stoudemire can't veto a trade, but he could discourage a team with a lack of desire for a long-term commitment. If the Suns get serious about a trade involving Stoudemire before Thursday's deadline, Grantham expects to be consulted. "A place that may be a real good deal for them may not be the best place for us," said Grantham, who is in Phoenix. "In that case, we would not be interested in signing an extension. I would think most teams would not want to rent him for a year and a half. They would want him to sign for more years and know that he's interested in staying."

Grantham said he would not discourage a deal with a team based on market size but added that the potential for a team's success would be a factor. "Every player wants to go where they have a chance to win a championship," he said. "When you're thrust into the position he is, you hope you have some input there."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=16613

Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden will not play in Friday's Rookie Challenge due to a sore left knee, the league announced prior to the game.

Oden, who has been listed as day-to-day, bumped knees with Golden State Warriors forward Corey Maggette in the fourth quarter of Portland's 105-98 loss on Thursday. The first overall pick in the 2007 draft, the 21-year-old Oden missed the entire 2007-08 season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee. The 7-foot Oden has averaged 9.0 points and 7.2 rebounds in 46 games this season, his rookie campaign.

He collected eight points and 11 rebounds in 18 minutes due to foul trouble on Thursday against the Warriors. The Rookie Challenge is an competition between rookies and second-year players and is the opening event of All-Star Weekend.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_16409

Two people in the know maintain John Paxson will resign as Bulls GM soon after Thursday's trade deadline expires. Assistant GM Gar Foreman is expected to take over for the remainder of the season.

One of the above sources said he wouldn't be surprised if Doug Collins were approached again at the season regarding the coaching job (currently held by Vinny Del Negro) and as GM, or both. Collins and managing partner Jerry Reinsdorf couldn't agree on money last May.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=16608

The clock may ticking on John Paxson's tenure as general manager of the Chicago Bulls. The Chicago Sun-Times confirmed that Paxson will resign in the middle of the season, possibly after Thursday's NBA trade deadline expires. Citing sources in the know, the New York Post initially broke the story Friday morning.

Speculation is that assistant general manager Gar Foreman will take over Paxson's duties for the remainder of the season. However, the Chicago Tribune reported that the Bulls denied the report and that team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has tried to talk Paxson out of leaving.

Reinsdorf praised the performance of Paxson while appearing on a radio show. "If there's one person that is not responsible for what's going on right now, it's John Paxson," Reinsdorf said. "I have tremendous confidence in John Paxson. He's really one of the best people that I know. He's a great general manager and a great judge of talent. I just worry that he not be too hard on himself. He takes all of this very, very seriously." Citing sources close to Paxson, the Tribune reported that Paxson could give up the title of general manager but remain in the front office.

[nasty daddy]

http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... _detr.html

Hoops World has numerous quotes from Iverson while he's in Phoenix for this weekends All-Star game.

"I feel if I'm utilized in the right way, all I can imagine is success and see us doing well. It's going to be somewhere where I am happy. For the first time in my career I'm going to be a free agent. It's going to be different but when we get to this point next year at the All-Star break - if I'm not happy at the situation, I think it will be my fault - because I had the opportunity to go where I want. But as Iverson opines for the open market, there remains two questions. Is Iverson happy now in Detroit? And do the Pistons stand a chance in his decision making? "Yeah, I am. Honestly, I hope I can end up being a Detroit Piston for the rest of my career. But we will see," said Iverson. "Obviously I've made a lot of money in my career so that won't be a big issue. That won't be a big issue. I will go somewhere that I know I will be happy and satisfied with how the organization is using me out there on the basketball court." When asked, Iverson said he would not rule out the possibility of playing overseas because it is a "reality", saying he would be lying if he said he hadn't thought about that opportunity. Even Iverson knows he belongs in the NBA.

If money isn't a factor, Joe Dumars doesn't trade him before the trade deadline, and if Iverson would make the Pistons a better team, he may re-sign with Detroit in the Summer. That's quite a few "ifs", but it's an option nonetheless.

[nasty daddy]

http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... _detr.html

ESPN's LZ Granderson wrote up a story about Rodney Stuckey and the impact of the Detroit-Denver trade had on his development. The answer to the question that Stuckey couldn't, or wouldn't, answer is that the Pistons would be better off right now with Billups running the PG duties. But the real question is if they would be better in the future. A question LZ alludes to in his Brett Favre comparison.

[nasty daddy]

http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... _detr.html

The trio of Bill Laimbeer, Arron Afflalo and Katie Smith will try to win the All-Star shooting competition. Laimbeer has a warning for Piston fans that expect Bill to show his shooting range.

"I'm old and I can't shoot," Laimbeer said. "I'm 50 years old now. I've lost my eyesight."

[nasty daddy]

http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... _detr.html

The Chicago Sun-Times confirms a Peter Vecsey story saying that Chicago Bull's GM John Paxon plans on resigning after this season. This is notable for a couple reasons. Why would Paxon resign from one of the best jobs in basketball? Did getting booed during the John Kerr half-time presentation really effect Paxon that much, or is there a power struggle behind the scenes that is unknown?

The other reason this is notable is that it's one of the few times that Peter Vecsey was right.

[nasty daddy]

http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... _detr.html

Detroit Piston executive Aaron Smith visited a Taylor Elementary school recently and has a very interesting story to tell the kids. It's good to see that the Pistons are still involved so much in the surrounding communities. Aaron would rather be suiting up with the Pistons as a player, but being an executive for the team must be a pretty fulfilling job too.