That Pau Gasol-to-Chicago deal that seemed real close to going down back in February around the trade deadline could be back in the works. According to the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, the Bulls and Grizzlies have been talking about getting something done with Pau; the paper speculates it could be Gasol going to Chicago for Andres Nocioni (sign-and-trade), Joakim Noah, Chris Duhon and some filler to make the salaries match. For what it’s worth, Memphis GM Chris Wallace was in Argentina this week meeting with Nocioni. And if we’re hearing right that the Grizzlies are looking at free-agent big men like Darko, Anderson Varejao and Mikki Moore — all of whom would come much cheaper than Pau — don’t rule it out. Although it does seem odd that Memphis would fly new coach Marc Iavaroni all the way to Spain to smooth things over with Gasol if they weren’t committed to building around him. Either way, landing Gasol would be huge for the Bulls, who as we’ve said a million times before, are one low-post scorer away from being a serious problem for the rest of the East. Pau’s not the nastiest dude out there, but that won’t matter if he’s got guys like Ben Wallace and Tyrus Thomas playing enforcer … Ron Artest has been in trade rumors for months now. The latest, from the Sacramento Bee, would have Ron-Ron going to the Magic in a deal for Hedo Turkoglu. It would help the Magic to get some solid defenders on the perimeter, but where does Ron-Ron play if you’ve got Rashard Lewis at the three? He’s big enough to guard power forwards — where he’d be an upgrade over Tony Battie — but offensively, you’d have to play him more as a two-guard, right? … We know this much: Artest wouldn’t have to worry about losing PT to Darko. “There’s no chance,” Darko’s agent said about his client coming back to Orlando. “Put it in big capital letters. You can say that as long as Otis Smith is the general manager of the Orlando Magic, there’s no chance.” If you missed it, Darko’s camp feels Smith lied to them about wanting to keep the big man, who’s now an unrestricted free agent since Orlando gave up his rights to sign Rashard … Matt Carroll said he’s accepted a 6-year, $27 million offer from the Bobcats. Carroll would have been a huge addition to a team like the Cavs or Nuggets. The more we look at Charlotte’s roster, the more we think they could just make a run at the playoffs this year … After meeting with the Bulls this week, Chris Mihm is supposed to talk with the Suns. Really? Can Mihm even keep up in that system? … The Spurs have reached agreements to re-sign all of their free agents: Fabricio Oberto, Jacque Vaughn and Matt Bonner. If it ain’t broke, ya know? … Contrary to what we’d heard, Dajuan Wagner is not gonna play with the Nuggets summer league squad, according to the Denver Post. The Nuggets are bringing in Bracey Wright and Mario Boggan, though … Florida’s fifth starter, rainmaker Lee Humphrey, is gonna play with the Wizards summer league team … Here’s our man Cass’ account of yesterday’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest: “I’m not even kidding — I was on the edge of my seat. Joey Chestnut and Kobayashi were neck-and-neck and blew by the record of 59 hot dogs with about a minute left. They were basically tied right until the end when Kobayashi had a ‘reversal of fortune’ and threw up in his hands. Chestnut won, 66-63, and then declared, ‘If I had to eat another one right now I could.’ It was amazing.” … We’re out like the old champ …
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MITCHELL & NESS PROMO
July 5th, 2007 at 4:22 am
SL says:
uh, why couldn’t ron ron start at the two?
July 5th, 2007 at 4:37 am
Lucky Lester says:
he’s just the type of personality the Magic need - a bunch of young bucks, listen to coaches well, all energy guys, good team bonding guys - then Ron Ron comes in and starts “teaching” the kids how to “really” play the game. brilliant!
July 5th, 2007 at 4:47 am
E-ROC says:
SL - Ron Ron can’t start at the two because they have JJ Redick. LOL, j/k.
Anyway, Charlotte’s a scary team and so is Boston. The Bulls would be a beast if they get Gasol to go along with Deng, Gordon, Hinrich, Wallace, and whom ever else is on that roster. Spurs are keeping their team intact and are looking at Gerald Wallace. Poor Darko……got his feelings hurt. Let it go. Go play for the Spurs or Suns.
July 5th, 2007 at 6:23 am
bron42 says:
darko wants too much money to be a spur or a sun and wouldn’t fit in eithe system. Hes got NO motor for the suns team and wouldnt even break their obvious like 5 1/2 man rotation and the spurs would hate him cuz hes a cry baby who doesn’t have work ethic either. After what bogut said, don’t guys like Yi and Darko who havn’t done anything in the NBA but are tryin to make demands prove european players are just as money hungry as everyone else? Not to mention guys who don’t even come over when their drafted cuz they make more money over seas.
Puttin artest at the 2 would give him wayyyy too much time with the ball in his hands and last i checked, he likes to shoot. Dwight howard hardly gets enough touches now, let alone with lewis AND artest pullin.
How did the nuggets or the heat NOT go after lee humprhy? is vashon lenard plannin on makin a comeback that I didn’t hear about?
July 5th, 2007 at 7:28 am
bron42 says:
p.s: dave chapelle would be proud of this dimes title lol
July 5th, 2007 at 8:32 am
Amar says:
Ron-Ron would start at the 2 for Orl . . . you know . . . when he wouldn’t be suspended. The major hitch in this plan (and a hedo+bogans for ron+douby works as a trade, money wise) is that Artest isn’t quite as mickey mouse as the Orlando franchise would want.
but hey, if they just want to select guys with Dwights attitude they’ll never make the 2nd round.
July 5th, 2007 at 8:48 am
Bust Jlaze says:
No one is feeling Chris Mihm? I think he could run with the Suns…I remember the first Lakers vs. Heat game after the Shaq trade, and Kobe had a steal at like half-court. Just after he got inside the paint, he dropped a no-look to Mihm, who came flying in for a pretty nice dunk. Kobe looks around at everyone with this look on his face like, “See?? THAT’S all I wanted! A young team to run with!!” But now since dude’s been injured for so long, I don’t think anyone remembers how he plays.
July 5th, 2007 at 8:51 am
Mustard says:
There is no way Darko makes $8-10mil this year.
That means he would have to accept a mid-level contract and that opens up the teams that could afford him.
So what system would he fit in?
July 5th, 2007 at 9:17 am
Celts Fan says:
Why not start Rashard at the 2 and Ron Ron at the 3? It’s a little unorthodox, but w/ Rashard, you need a defensive stopper next to him so guys like LeBron and Gil don’t light them up for 40 a night. It could definitely work… or kill the potential and positive attitude of a young team, either way.
July 5th, 2007 at 9:36 am
smity says:
why wouldnt rashard just slide down to the 4 (and step his defensive game up in the process) cause he is 6′10 and should be strong enough to bang down low if he has too. tell him to earn his money on the offensive and defensive end. in the west he can get away with being a 6′10 small forward but he’s in the east now so it’s time to apply his size to the 4 position.
July 5th, 2007 at 10:43 am
kudabeen says:
I don’t think it matters what system Darko plays in. His biggest problems are mental. He needs the right coach/motivator. He is a above average big man, plays the 4 and 5. Can shoot, pass and post. Plays good D. It’s his confidence and concentration that is the issue.
Was Dwight Howard the reason the Magic didn’ make it to the 2nd round this year Amar…Really? Who else outside of him and Darko stepped up? Dwight could have had 20/20 games and they would have loss, because the primeter game stuck and the there was no direction with their offense.
I don’t know why Memphis would trade Pau unless he is still whining…They have a nice team and a much better coaching situation.
What are the Cavs doing? Seems like nothing… Kapono and Carroll would have been good fits. I know next year they suspect Shannon Brown to upgrade their guard situaton more than the david welsley and damon jones mess, but they still need a marksmen to go along wth D.Gibson…
July 5th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
biggamejames says:
tyrus thomas is a feared enforcer
July 5th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Tom Toronto says:
I battle any sex or any race;
You beating me is like Billy Crystal playing Scarface;
You can’t see me, blind to the eyes;
I came up in your face, Oops-Pau Suprise!
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
July 5th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
SWAT says:
Has any one heard about Grant and the suns? any thoughts? As much as I love Grant can he really still run and gun?
July 5th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Bron42 says:
I dont kno whats worse…
A) the fact dime used a dave chapelle line as a title
B) the fact i was able to notice and point it out or
C) the fat that tom toronto knew it word for word lol..
And its funny how people call it “darko stepping up” when he averaged what, 11 points that series MAYBE..when your that high of a pic, and everyone selected above AND below you is winnin rings and goin to the finals, you need more to your game at this point to consider it steppin up and demanding KG money.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Bron42 says:
and grant signing with the suns is not only messed up on his part but I think a bad fit. He pretty much tanked Tmacs career in orlando since grant was supposed to be the next jordan but had a body like wet paper, so he did kind of owe the magic some love if he was healthy enough to play again. that aside, this is about business and the dude wants to make money (although with his orlando money and his wifes money, he should be set). Him goin to the suns is more like a gary payton tot he lakers move, get about 6 points a game and homefully get carried to a ring. Plus grant can still shoot and fill some lanes along with bein a veteran in the locker room..main down side is will his body hold up to the track meet the suns call a offense, and shouldnt the suns at LEAST look for one person who can play defense? gerald wallace would of been a better fit than grant but probably too pricey.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Austin says:
hey hey now … there was nothing bad about Gary Payton going to the Lakers. He was traded from Seattle the year before, so it’s not like he owed the Sonics anything. And he put up 14.6 points, 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals in L.A. (yeah, I looked it up).
July 5th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Bron42 says:
lol yea tru but you kno what i mean, same with him goin to miami, while he played a part in their playoff games, he was pretty much there just to get his ring.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Austin says:
OK, I’ll give you that one.
July 5th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Celts Fan says:
BUT, when you’re traded by the team you have loyalty, why not just chase the ring? I can’t say I blame him and loved having him for the 3 seconds he was a Celtic (and yes, I get how ironic it is that he was chasing a ring and, at one point, was a Celtic. Talk about going the wrong way…)
July 5th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
bron42 says:
well thats tru but in the grant hill case, were not talkin about the team that traded him. were talkin about how the magic was supposed to be abusive with tmac and either grant hill or tim duncan but instead grant was just there absorbing money for like 4 years, long enough for tmac to come and go, francis to come and go. And then once he feels healthy, hill just bounces to chase his ring. I mean its cool cuz its his right but he should kind of be loyal since the magic could of dropped him a while ago but stuck with him.
July 5th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
ftm says:
wait for a second, dont make it seem like the magic were the only one’s “sticking” with him. He couldve just quit altogether and bounced on orlando. but he stuck with himself and his desire to get back. I think helping orlando make the playoffs, and being a good influence on their franchise player was a great way of paying the back for “sticking:” with him.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Bron42 says:
you can pay me 60 million any day to sit the bench and be a good influence. his what, 50 games averagin 12 ppg is no where near what was expected or needed