Photo. Tim TadderAfter his breakout postseason, Baron Davis is looking for long-term love. He’s got two years and about $33.5 million left on his deal with Golden State, but could opt out after this season — which he says he’ll do if he doesn’t get an extension signed in the next couple weeks. Obviously you can see why the Warriors wouldn’t be rushing to commit a lot of years and money to Baron; as good as he is, the injuries are always an issue. But there’s no way the Warriors contend without him, so they’re in a tough spot. If they don’t re-up with Baron, do they try and trade him around the deadline to get something in return? What are the chances Baron ends up in his hometown L.A. with Kobe? … Remember when Andrew Bogut aired out American ballplayers to an Australian newspaper? “A lot of (NBA players) get caught up in the hype and do video clips with rappers and all that crap. They want bling-bling all over themselves and drive fast cars. But that’s just the way the culture is in America: if you’ve got it, flaunt it,” Bogut told the Sydney Morning Herald back in July. “The public’s got it right — a lot of NBA stars are arrogant and like to spend lots of money and have lots of girlfriends and all that.” We were wondering how guys around the League would react; especially his teammates, from whom you would imagine Andrew gets most of his American-ballplayer exposure. Apparently Bogut has already apologized to Michael Redd, Mo Williams and Bobby Simmons for his comments, and there’s probably more to come once training camp tips off … Mike Bibby and Jason Williams almost got traded for each other again. The Sacramento Bee cited a league source who said the Kings and Heat talked about a Bibby-for-Williams/Udonis Haslem deal during the offseason. We know the Heat were going hard after some backcourt depth this year, but they shouldn’t give up Haslem just to get Bibby. If Haslem is gone, Miami’s list of useful bigs would read: Shaq, Zo, Dorrel Wright (still a project), Michael Doleac (serviceable at best), Wayne Simien (injury waiting to happen) and Alexander Johnson (bull in a china shop, but we like him) … AK-47, Sasha Pavlovic, Charlie Bell. The list of guys using Europe/overseas as leverage in NBA contract negotiations is definitely becoming a trend. The latest is Anderson Varejao, a restricted free agent. Spain, Greece and Russia are some of the countries he’d reportedly be open to playing in if the Cavs don’t take care of him … Speaking of Charlie, here’s an excerpt from his MySpace blog: “This summer has taught me a lot. It’s very different [in the NBA], at least from my experiences. AFTER you sign with a team, you hear things like, we love you and need you and you’re special to us. It’s just business, don’t get emotions involved. But BEFORE you sign you hear things like, this is what you’re worth, take it or leave it, we’ll just have to replace you tomorrow then. Which one do you believe? That’s why I was confused for awhile. People say I needed a thicker skin, I have one now, but I’m not quite sure if it’s for the better. Maybe you guys can tell me. It has made me realize that when it comes to big business anywhere and in any profession, there’s no real place for such words as ‘family’ or ‘loyalty.’” Charlie added: “As most people know, I am an MSU Spartan, so in the words of 300, “SPARTANNNS, what is your profession? Aooo! Aooo! Aooo! Let’s get the season rolling baby!” And before you ask, it really is Charlie’s page … One of our favorite NBA bloggers is Dee Brown. Kid was getting a few looks from teams this offseason, but we found out via DeeBrown11.com that he’s decided to head overseas to Turkey. The title of his post announcing the move was “Its Official I’m GONE!” And he always signs off “One Man Fastbreak ‘Illini Prince’” … After he balled out at the FIBA Americas tournament, everyone predictably forgot that Esteban Batista hasn’t done anything noteworthy in the NBA, so he’s now fielding offers from a few teams. According to his agent, the Celtics, Pacers and Bobcats are in the mix. It’s been funny watching the C’s fans in the Dime office — scrounging for any kind of bench help — trying to talk themselves into Batista … Our man Austin went to the Redskins/Giants game yesterday and sent this along: “The Redskins were up 17-3 at the half, then decided to blow the game. The ‘Skins fans were pissed, and since there were a lot of Giants fans there, that was dangerous. Me and the girl saw at least two fights. One guy in a Giants hat and a beater got into a fight and ended up with the crazed Tyson look on his face and was challenging security guards. The ‘Skins fans broke out every jersey you could think of: Doug Williams, Dexter Manley, Sonny Jurgensen, Art Monk, Champ Bailey, Joe Jacoby, plus guys on the current team. Cooley is a big deal out here, especially with the ladies. Some people had on Washington Nationals stuff, some had G’town/Maryland stuff, but NOBODY had any Wizards gear. Kinda weird.” … We’re out like Dee …
September 24th, 2007 at 6:36 am
sirak says:
word to bogut - you can’t tell me their is not a whole heap of truth to his words now can you?? at least he had the balls to say it.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:30 am
Celts Fan says:
Go get Batista! At least he has some potential. I’ll roll the dice on that over another retread (that’s actually gotten a chance) like a Michael Ruffin… In an offense like the C’s should have, it’ll be as close to int’l ball he can get (with the teams he’s listed as possibilities anyway.) Worst case scenario, he doesn’t pan out and the C’s let him go after a year, no harm done. Let’s go Danny, get it done…
September 24th, 2007 at 8:32 am
Celts Fan says:
btw, anyone else notice that they still don’t have a backup (true) pg?! what are we waiting for? (I hope it’s Sam Cassell to poison the waters in LA to come here or GP to come back as a 10mpg guy)
September 24th, 2007 at 8:40 am
Hassan says:
Bogut needs to shut up and get buckets like a number one pick should. The NBA is his profession, if he does’nt like it, he can do a Kirilenko and forfeit his contract. No one is putting a gun to his (or his families) head to play ball in NBA. If he has problem playing in America, maybe he should try playing in China. Ask the former NBA number one pick, Yao Ming.
September 24th, 2007 at 9:36 am
Amar says:
Dee Brown would have been good on the C’s, a change of pace guard who is fast and can hit the three . . .
September 24th, 2007 at 9:46 am
barnabusb says:
Relax, Hassan. Bogut didn’t say he hated America and apple pies and freedom. He said the American ballplayers were jerks.
September 24th, 2007 at 9:52 am
seth says:
It’s funny how we all say we wish athletes would be more candid and not vanilla, cookie-cutter types (we’re looking at you Tiger & MJ), but then when an athlete voices an opinion that’s unpopular (i.e. Bogut, Donovan McNabb) they’re villified by fans and the media. It’s no wonder so many guys just choose to go with “We gave it 110% tonight….really worked together…blah blah blah”.
September 24th, 2007 at 10:01 am
girllybballluver says:
I wouldn’t trade both Haslem and J Will for Bibby. Bibby for Williams straight up…maybe. But Haslem is my second favorite player on the Heat. I think he’s underrated. He has decent stats and does all the small things in a game to help his team win that don’t necessarily show up on the stat sheet.
Please Pat…unless you’re getting someone really great in return…don’t trade Haslem.
September 24th, 2007 at 10:03 am
Austin Burton says:
seth is 100% right on that one. Also on that note, I don’t understand why everyone complains about the Spurs when they fit the model of what we all say we want from athletes … and the ones who fit the mold of what we don’t want always lead off Sportscenter.
September 24th, 2007 at 10:03 am
Amar says:
How many C+ - B level PFs does Sactown need? They’re not trading for Haslem . . .
September 24th, 2007 at 10:13 am
No Blood No Foul says:
The only reason Haslem’s name keeps coming up in trades is that he’s Miami’s most desirable piece. The expiring Williams contract is a decent trade piece, but it’s hard to justify sending anything of real value back for just him. Include Haslem and you’ve got a way to make it make sense.
I don’t think a Miami-Sacramento trade is dead. Artest and Bibby don’t get along, and there’s a good chance one of them will have to go. Miami would probably take either, and they have a big expiring contract and a quality big man in Haslem. So they make for a good trade partner.
September 24th, 2007 at 10:51 am
DOC says:
Bogut just talking shit because he has no friends. If any of yall had the money they make yall would have fast cars and lots of girls too. Jewelry is what every black man want who came from nothing to somthing. What good is 70 million if you cant splurge on 3. yall kill me like any of yall would be millionaires living the same.
September 24th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Austin Burton says:
DOC - “Jewelry is what every black man want who came from nothing to something.”
Are you serious with that? You sound ignorant. Since you’re the expert, why don’t you tell me what every white man wants who goes from nothing to something?
September 24th, 2007 at 11:12 am
girllybballluver says:
I think Artest might actually behave in Miami. Shaq, Zo and Pat might be able to chill him down a bit. (Unless they have beef that I don’t know about). That would be someone worth losing Haslem over…IF he behaves. Artest is a drama king, but his skills as a ball player can’t be denied.
—-
I’m all for players voicing their true opinions, (even stereotypical ones). I just hope Bogut didn’t right a check his a$$ can’t cash.
—-
Question…if what Bogut said is how he really feels…why the apologies?
September 24th, 2007 at 11:34 am
IGP says:
Austin’s right DOC, you sound like an idiot. But what does Bogut spend his money on if he doesn’t like material possessions? I guarentee when it comes contract time, Bogut is going to ask for a max contract. But if he isn’t all about the money and nice things, what’s the point?
September 24th, 2007 at 11:35 am
IGP says:
I would trade Haslem for Artest…Shaq would def keep him in line.
September 24th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Joseph says:
For all those who think AK is “the man” and should get a run somewhere else check this. http://www.sltrib.com/jazz/ci_6965833
If D-Will has a problem with his work ethic then you know somethin is up.
Bring on Jefferson
September 24th, 2007 at 11:46 am
João says:
I would love Bibby or Artest in my Miami Heat, but right now, the way offseason is going, I doubt that anything is going to happen ,,, I really prefer one A player than 2 B players ,,, Heat without any major move will be an 7 or 8 seed this year, I can not believe that we are missing the last 2 good years that Shaq have ,,,
September 24th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Jules says:
I really hope that Bogut rocks the Baldheaded, singular braid on the back of his head look this year. he and Drew Gooden could battle to see which one looks more retarded.
September 24th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Amar says:
Joseph — I don’t know who thinks AK is the man, but he’s good enough to be a starter/rotation player on each of the 16 playoff teams — if not a star on them. He’s a talented basketball player who is in a bad situation. Pippen is a great player, but he sucked ass playing for the Rockets, remember?
September 24th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Rob says:
the sacramento bee doesnt have any league sources…the sports section of our paper is a joke. we wont be doing any deals with the heat, they have ZERO players that we want (outside of the obvious d.wade). even if we dealt for expirings and draft picks, we’d have to throw away one of our non-athletic 4 or 5. (i.e shareef, thomas, miller)
September 24th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Triple Threat says:
Hey Austin, every white man who comes from nothing to something wants a big house, fast cars, hot women, and maybe some jewels around his neck, and pinky. Too want something like this is the American Dream. Bogut can go back to Aussie and live a Aussie Dream, whatever that maybe. If he doesn’t like the American Culture, why doesn’t he go back to his own country and chill with the Kangaroos. Whats up with all these International Players trying to push their weight around the league and complain about the players and the organizations. Damn, if Bogut had half the Heart M-Redd, Charlie V, and Charlie Bell had, he would be a deadly 7 foot monster, but nope, he decided to complain about nba players wanting to put jewelary on their neck and maybe pop in a hip-hop video here and there . Look at Jay-Z and Dale Earnhardt, a white man in a rap video, with hot women, and driving a fast car. I know Dale’s job is to drive fast cars, but to get in a video and show some love is part of saying hey I’m a icon and people want to see me, I’m going to show them what I got. “Show me what you got baby.” Yeah, the last sentence is a bit corny, but whatever, I thought it was suitable for the topic I was presenting. Anyways M-Redd is a classy guy, he will still show some love to his teammate, after all for 82 games Bogut has to set him some screens.
September 24th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Celts Fan says:
Amar, you’re dead on about Dee Brown. I would have killed for him, but figured he’d be too expensive (I’m shocked he’s not gonna be in the nba next year, he seems like a real pro to me unless there’s attitude problems that we don’t know about and that seems unlikely from what I’ve seen and heard. sure he’s kinda raw, but just like being 7 feet tall, you can’t teach that kind of speed…)
Seth, you’re right, both teams played hard!
Austin, you’re absolutely right that that dude sounds like an idiot, but I can’t knock the basic theory of what he had to say. of course people are gonna spend $$$ on tangible posessions if you have the money (you don’t need to come from nothing, but I’m sure it makes spending sprees that much more fun!) I don’t come from nothing, but I’d be iced out like crazy if I had that kind of $$$ (and yes, I am white, it’s not a racial thing man, it’s a “If you have it, flaunt it” but to say that’s what all black dudes want is very ignorant)
September 24th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
jay says:
baron in a laker uni..i am all for this..get JO and this is the changes i wanted in the first place…holla!!!
September 24th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
dank says:
i love this, if Baron is going to LA, it wont be until the trade deadline, or until he opts out… NEXT year
by that time, i will no longer be a laker fan due to the fact that Kobe will most likely be playing in Europe, and all hope will be lost and i will never watch or care about the NBA ever again. and ill live in a van down by the river…
lets not get ahead of ourselves people, i know everyone’s getting off for a KG, Ray Allen, Paul pierce celtics vs. Kobe, JO, and B-diddy Lakers NBA final showdown, but president bush is most likely to recall the troops in the next 10 months before any of that happens.
oh yea, and i love how ANDERSON varejao and SASHA pavlovic are threatening to go to europe. big whoop. scary oh no the cavs wont make the playoffs without them. i love these players that have a couple years of NBA service on their resumes, havent done jack, and threaten to leave. in that case, PLEASE gather up your belongings and come through on your threat. or kill yourself. it annoys me to hear these POS ball players thinking they’re hot shit.
September 24th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
IGP says:
Hey Triple Threat…you know there is more to Australia than Kangaroos right? Bogut is just speaking his mind, something people almost always get shit for. He is allowed to have his opinion. Bogut didn’t say black or white in his statement, so it’s not like he is attacking any specific group of players. What he said is true for a lot of NBA players, and not true for a lot of NBA players as well.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Triple Threat says:
Hey IGP, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know where Bogut was point he’s fingers at, black man with ICE on his neck and wrist. I would rock ice on my wrist everyday too, it’s a hard job putting up jumpers for a living. For the Australia comment, it was just a figure of speech. Anyways, Bogut is a flop, he will never live up to the number one pick. I know their is a lot of number one flops, but its sad he had to end up on that list. I wasn’t trying to get into the race card. I just thought using Dale Earnharht has an example of a person who lives in the fast line. If you got what it takes to make that cake, do your thang. Bogut has what it takes, but I don’t know if he will every have the max deal contract. However, He will be good for more than few million a year. Well, I hope Bogut ain’t too cheap to buy he’s mom some ICE and he’s dad a fast car and Big house with pool and a fitness room. Man, it must feel good to be rich
One more comment, What is AK47 thinking? Willing to give up over $60 million to play in Russia, Russian government or some other organizations must be willing to pay him more than that. Dude must be like MJ over there, to bad he never will be even close to MJ’s talent. My little theory is probably way off, but I don’t care, a man must be really stupid to give up that much money because he loves he’s country so much. I respect that, but that is a lot of money to give up.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Amar says:
There’s more to life than money, man. And Andrei’s already made max money for a few seasons, he’s probably been smart and invested it, instead of spending it all . . . MC Hammer is broke, but he was the king of the world for like 2 years.
It’s funny that some Americans are offended and baffled when people from other countries are patriotic. Shit man, the Canadian dollar is almost worth more than the American dollar ($1 cdn = $0.998 usd . . . during the 80’s it was worth like $0.65 usd, thanks Bush, in 15 years all the starbucks will be tim hortons!)
And when getting paid $14 mill to play for Sloan just isn’t enough to make you stay, what does that say about Sloan’s ability to communicate with players today?
September 24th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Bron42 says:
Sometimes its not even worth responding to half the retarded comments stated on here but i’ll give it a try.
To compare mcnabbs comments and boguts are crazy. Mcnabb is a multiple pro bowler, and a minority in the sport. So he was voicing a perspective most people don’t get considering more of the reports and people of power in the sport aren’t of that minority. Bogut is a barely above average former #1 pick from a weak year. He hasn’t proven anything, from what I kno no one has really called him out (although you easily could) so he doesn’t really have the right to say much..BUT saying all that, you can’t really yell at him for what he said. Yeah hes a idiot and his comment is way toooo general but hey, its his opinion. Its not like he said “screw basketball, i hate america” ala AK 9mil. So you can’t really jump on him THAT much. Hes right, sure tons of NBA guys have fast cars and houses and groupies BUT anyone who watches MTV cribs or entertainment tonight…EVERYONE WHO HAS MONEY HAS JEWLERY, CARS, HOUSES etc…ITs society, not just NBA basketball players. Everyone wants to live like a baller or a rockstar. You got suburban lil white kids wearin durags blastin 50 cent in their parents jetta’s just as quick as you have a nba guy wearin jewlery. You have rich office exec braggin about who they get with JUST as quick as you would a nba guy…
I’d ask guys who aren’t of any talent just to keep their mouths shut and prove themselves but ya cant always have that. I mean come on, this is probably the most boguts name has been in the paper since he got drafted. That should say enough.
September 24th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
triple threat says:
Yeah, our comments are stupid and pointless. Their stupid and pointless because we forgot or I forgot to add middle class rich kids rock ice and blast 50 cents music in their cars, my bad. And yeah AK47 doesn’t love money and I’m sure he invested well, so well, he doesn’t need $60 million more dollars in he’s bank account.
September 24th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Saku 39 says:
Bogut does not have to apologize to anyone. Most players should not be offended because his statement was not directed at them. To those players offended, they might have to take a long look at themselves.
Also, this “come from nothing” justification to flaunt wealth does not sit well with me. Players from war-torn countries, like the Serbs and Croats, had a more difficult upbringing but I don’t think they are as prone to frivolous spending. Even guys like Deke and Manute have chosen to use their wealth and celebrity to raise up their homelands.
In fairness to the players, many contribute to charity and are active in communities but rarely do they receive any attention for these deeds.
September 25th, 2007 at 3:22 am
triple threat says:
That’s because their not American. That’s why they don’t flaunt their shit the way the American Ballers do. Yeah, Americans are cocky in all that, but who cares, they can ball. Bogut still sucks. Oh yeah, what about Richard Jeffersons 3 million dollar donation to the he’s former collage or Steve Smith who donated millions of dollars to charity. There are so many other American born ball players who donate to families and communities that don’t come from much. In other words, they know how to spread the wealth. So many players do things for their communities, its just not seen as much as it should. You dig.
September 25th, 2007 at 7:12 am
sans says:
Gil Zero was funny when he talked about Jefferson’s contribution to AZ. A lot of NBA players give back to their communities and to other organizations. The fact that they are humble about is fantastic. Materialism is bad in most forms: if you only care about rocking ice and banging plastic hoes. People can talk. And Bogut is a minority in the NBA.
September 25th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Amar says:
how many popular hip hop songs are about keeping it in the bank, instead of making it rain in strip clubs, and stuff like that?
September 25th, 2007 at 11:36 am
triple threat says:
Alot. And their is a lot of songs that make it rain on dem hoes too. lol. Lil”weezy is hot right now, but I have to go with guys like Common. Common may seem weak for some people. But, I ain’t about Making it Rain in the strip clubs or money in bank. Anyways, Hip-hop/Rap is a way different story than the NBA. Stay on topic next time and relate Hip-Hop with basketball, not charity.
September 25th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Amar says:
like it or not, hip hop and hoops are paired up tighter than nascar and left turns.