Euro Offers for Luol Deng and Mike Finley, Josh Smith trade rumors, and the OKC Bison?
Baron’s been overshadowedBaron Davis walked away from on-the-cusp playoff threat to a Lottery staple on his own volition. Gilbert Arenas somehow managed to get people using “$111 million” and “unselfish” in the same breath. If we had told you a month ago that those two would be maybe the third- and fourth-biggest story lines of the NBA free agent season, would you have believed it? As it stands, Boom and Hibachi have been overshadowed by the Elton Brand dance between the Sixers, Warriors and Clippers, and now with this NBA-to-Europe “trend” that isn’t really a trend just yet … Every day since Josh Childress decided to go to Greece, we’ve heard about another American-born NBA vet who either is or was showing interest in playing overseas. Yesterday it was Luol Deng and Mike Finley, both of whom reportedly had received offers from teams in Europe earlier this summer (possibly from the same Olympiakos squad that signed Childress) … The rumor that had Delonte West getting an offer from Dynamo Moscow (Russia) turned out to be false. Dynamo’s signing of Boki Nachbar is said to have taken up most of the rest of the team’s payroll. The leagues overseas might not have salary caps, but the teams also don’t have unlimited resources … Would Josh Smith look better on the Lakers or the Pistons? Reports out of Atlanta say one contending team in each conference is trying to work a sign-and-trade with the Hawks for J-Smoove, and while we don’t know exactly who it is yet, L.A. and Detroit make the most sense. If you replace Tayshaun Prince with Josh Smith (maybe give ATL one of Detroit’s young guys, too), are the Pistons then good enough to knock off the Celtics in a seven-game series? … How impressed were you with Team USA’s 55-piecing of Canada from Friday? A lot of people we talked to and some readers on DimeMag.com weren’t impressed at all, mostly because Canada isn’t on the same level with teams like Spain, Argentina, Greece or even Germany. That’s true, but you have to admit the U.S. looked pretty good, and remember that they didn’t have LeBron. The only concern we had was the whole big-man issue; if Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh or Carlos Boozer — who apparently developed some hops since the Jazz were knocked out of the playoffs — gets in foul trouble, they’re exposed on the boards. But we’ll all get a better sense of the U.S. when they play tougher pre-Olympic comp, like Turkey (Thursday), Lithuania (Friday), Russia (next Sunday) and Australia (Aug. 5) leading up to Beijing … Not exactly falling in the footsteps of MJ, but Steve Nash is making a bid to co-own a Major League Soccer franchise in Vancouver. We foresee a gimmick where Nash ends up on the pitch during an exhibition game while Terry Porter and Suns management don’t breathe the entire time … The last time Nolan Richardson was in the spotlight was last summer when he coached Team Mexico in the FIBA Americas tourney. Now the former Arkansas coach wants a shot at the NBA. “I think the NBA would intrigue me just because of that. It wouldn’t intrigue me because of money,” Richardson told the Tulsa World. “That’s why I like Tiger Woods. Tiger doesn’t play for money. He never has. He plays just to beat your ass. That makes a big difference. The money comes with it.” It probably won’t happen for Nolan; age (plus it doesn’t help that he looks really old with the white hair) and the fact that he’s not a current “hot” college coach a la Billy Donovan last summer, but we’d like to see what he could do in the League despite the constant, annoying “48 Minutes of Hell” headlines every time his team played a bad game or played some tough D … A while back we told you about Kenyon Martin’s rumored relationship with Trina. Well, this weekend the couple is in Belize for a charity basketball game, but were involved in a car accident their first day there. K-Mart and Trina were OK, but two passengers in the other car were injured … We’ve heard otherwise, but the “Oklahoma City Thunder” name isn’t actually official just yet; they’re probably not gonna announce it until they come up with a logo and some uniforms. But in case you were wondering, the other finalists were/are the Barons (decent), the Bison (eh), the Energy (lame), the Marshalls (lame) and the Wind (gross) … Speaking of, you know how generic sodas and cereals always have dumb names that fall just short of biting? Like the bootleg Frosted Flakes will be called “Flakes That Are Frosted,” something like that. Yesterday one of our guys saw a Dr. Pepper knockoff called “Dr. Thunder.” That definitely sounds like a cheesy porn name … We caught some of the new season of AND 1’s “Streetball” show. The new guy on the AND 1 squad is a cat who goes by Wolverine that played pro ball in Israel recently. But he had major drama with his coach, which included a moment during a game (this was all caught on tape) when Wolverine was screaming “Shut your mouth! Shut your mouth!” at his Greek-speaking coach. Needless to say, he was looking for a new job soon after … We’re out like the Wind …
July 27th, 2008 at 6:33 am
B Nice says:
josh smith to the Lakers could be interesting but the salaries would be hard to match right?
July 27th, 2008 at 6:36 am
knoc says:
OKC BARONS!!!!
July 27th, 2008 at 7:24 am
vince says:
“we’ve heard about another >>>American-born NBA vet<<>>Luol Deng<<<”
July 27th, 2008 at 7:29 am
PT says:
i kind of like the Marshalls .. Layin Down the Law! not that they will, because they stink.. but still..
then again.. if an endorsement was in the works with the low budget retail store.. then lame it is
July 27th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Damon says:
luol deng is even more british AND sudanese than he is american
July 27th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Three Stacks says:
Matching salaries for any sign-and-trade with Josh Smith (whether it’s the Lakers, or any team) isn’t an issue yet, since no one knows what Josh Smith will be getting paid next yr.
I wouldn’t want to pay him anything more than $10-12 million a yr, but it’s possible he could get something close to $15 million. Lamar Odom’s contract is worth $14 million, so he can be traded for any player (or combination of players) whose contract is worth anywhere from $10.5 million to $17 million. You could get pretty much anyone for Odom, as far as salaries go.
If the Hawks are smart, they probably try to dump Speedy Claxton’s contract in any trade involving Smith.
If the Pistons are involved, the only trade that makes sense is Tayshaun and Amir Johnson for Smith and Claxton. I doubt the Hawks are interested in Rasheed Wallace
(who’s got an expiring contract). And Detroit can’t trade Sheed for anything less than another center, cause otherwise they’d be left with Dyess as a 5 for the whole yr.
July 27th, 2008 at 8:11 am
sans says:
did Iran make the Olympics? Didn’t they just get worked by the Jazz’s summer league squad? And does everyone in Utah show up for those games? Those stands are packed compared to the Vegas League.
July 27th, 2008 at 8:26 am
miamiVIS3 says:
I caught that AND 1 too and it was the coach who was yelling shut your mouth what wolverine was yelling involves alot of beeping any chance something like that hapeens to Childress?
July 27th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Mike says:
The Hawks must include Speedy or Zaza in a S&T with Smoove because of the BYC.
Josh Smith + Speedy for Josh Howard, Barea, Brandon Bass
July 27th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Three Stacks says:
As a Laker fan, I’d love to see JSmoove in an LA jersey, but I doubt that LA is the team the Hawks are talking to. It really seems like the Lakers don’t want to move Lamar Odom right now.
Besides, the Lakers have a player very similar to Smith already in Trevor Ariza (athletic slasher type), who was playing pretty well before he broke his foot.
If Smith is going to any West team, I say it’s the Blazers. They can offer LaFrentz’s contract along w/ maybe Travis Outlaw and Channing Frye. And they have a buttload of draft picks they can throw at them, too. That means a starting 5 of Fernandez, Roy, JSmoove, Aldridge, and Oden, with Bayless off the bench.
July 27th, 2008 at 8:31 am
that's whats up says:
how can Wolverine dribble with those huge blades in between his fingers?
Wouldn’t he just pop the ball?
July 27th, 2008 at 9:12 am
YOUNGFED says:
Ok Dime why yall hatin’ on Keyon Martin like that. Yall gotta have facts before yall start breakin up marriages. They could be just friends. Now K-Mart got to explain this to his wife and it might not be nothing.
Also the Pistons better not mess this one up, Ireally hope we get Josh. However alot of people here think artest is a much better baller. Don’t know bout that, but I like both so it doesnt really matter. “Get’er Done” Joey D
@Post#11
That’s lame on sooooooooo many levels.
July 27th, 2008 at 10:28 am
MC3PO says:
Wolverines blades spring forth from in between his knuckles. They are also retractable; allowing him the ability to dribble a ball with ease. There’s an issue of The Uncanny Xmen (Blue, not Gold) that shows him playing basketball with a few other mutants. And 1 should try to sign Gambit though; in that comic he does an upside-down flying somersault dunk.
July 27th, 2008 at 10:32 am
dagwaller says:
Ha. Dime, seriously. You said that if ALL THREE of the U.S. big men get in foul trouble, the squad would have problems. Come on. That’s like saying the Spurs would be in trouble IF TD, Oberto, AND Kurt Thomas all got into foul trouble, they’d be weak in the middle. I can’t imagine, ESPECIALLY in an international game where (unfortunately for D-Wade/us) they usually “let them play”, that all three of our bigs are going to get into foul trouble. Or that there’s an opposing PF with as much talent as Lebron, who’s supposedly going to play some 4.
July 27th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Ace_One says:
Josh Smith and a draft pick for Luol Deng
July 27th, 2008 at 11:29 am
dagwaller says:
Ace, you must be a Chicago fan.
Also, in general I hate both knockoffs and Wal-Mart, but Dr. Thunder is the best knockoff soda out there. Just saying, give it a try.
July 27th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Amar says:
sans — Iran won the fiba asia tournament and get an automatic berth. kinda like how Russia won the Europe one. Also like russia, Iran got really hot, and were playing well during that stretch of time, while other teams are better than Iran from that same fiba bracket. (like how Spain and Greece are rated higher than Russia, while Russia beat them in the tournament)
I was surprised about the turn outs for the utah summer league as well, apparently the tickets are $5, and it’s a smaller building than in LV.
July 27th, 2008 at 11:41 am
jz_smoove says:
ATL is stupid for trying to even think of trading Josh Smith. this is a piece you keep dumbnuts!
July 27th, 2008 at 11:41 am
daQueSt?oN says:
the delonte rumors are true there is a team in russia that wants him its just not the dynamo
July 27th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Jim says:
I used to drive down to Utah and go to summer games when I was in college and it really depends. When the Jazz are playing a lot of people show up (like a couple thousand), but most of the time there aren’t a lot of folks there and they make you sit on the side opposite the camera so 250 looks like 500. In the early games there are usually like 50-100 people who aren’t connected with the teams.
July 27th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
vince says:
i know that xmen comic where they play basketball at the beginning. i think nightcawler was cheating there. or was it baseball?
July 27th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
YOUNGFED says:
Can’t keep someone who don’t wanna be there JZ. Dime whats good with that spring cleaning. I still ain’t got my Sheed Throwback. “What Da Dilly Yo” – Bussa Buss
July 27th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Bruce says:
Screw J-Smooth, get Ron Artest instead!
July 27th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Daquest?on you did it again. You jinxed Cotto. Not a good summer for Puerto Rican athletes. I lost the bet but fortunately I won on rounds in the pool so I broke even.
As a Bulls fan I would love to get Josh Smith not only to get rid of Deng but to prevent division rival Detroit from getting him. I don’t think Chicago is the eastern conference “big dog” they’re referring to in rumors but I can hope.
July 27th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Luigi says:
Smoove for Twan n Etan lol i doubt it though but if the hawks were to trade somebody a good destination wud be the Heat for Matrix. as 4 da west. hook me up with Portland
July 27th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Big Freeze says:
Dr. Thunder is pretty good, but on a hot summer day, there’s nothing more refreshing than an ice-cold Mountain Frost soda. Try one today.
July 27th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
weezy f says:
wolverine was about to kill his coach after the coach said shut your fucking mouth!
July 27th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
j from la says:
j-smoove is difference maker that can put teams over the top. im tired of odom inconsistent game. 1 day hes 20 n 10 the next hes 5 n 8. lakers make da trade please
July 27th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Skeeter McGee says:
Damn, Bulls fans wanting to get rid of Luol Deng when y’all need to be worried about shippin some guards out…
Mike Finley I could see playing in a Euro league, but I’m sure he’d rather compete for a ring than play with Fabios…
And if the OKC team is actually the Thunder, that’s whack. Barons sounds somewhat cool, but thunder sounds like an arena football team…
I’m out like saying “I’m out like…” haha
July 27th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Austin Burton says:
Josh Smith and some spare parts to Miami for Shawn Marion. I’d try to make that deal if I’m Miami, and it makes the Hawks immediately good for another playoff run.
July 27th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
babyboi says:
i drink dr thunder all the time
July 27th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
sans says:
I prefer Mountain Mist out here on the west coast.
July 27th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
IGP says:
Man there is basketball news this weekend…at least it’s shark week on the discovery channel
July 27th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
daQueSt?oN says:
@ spiff 2 my lou lmfao man i know ppl here are devastated the streets are empty and everyone is quiet bad time for puerto rican sports
July 27th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Homeless J says:
None of the team names I’ve heard rumored so far have been any good. especially “the wind.” wtf? if Kobe goes off for 80 points against them, does the announcer say KOBE’S BREAKING WIND! when they get eliminated from the playoffs, do they say THEY’RE GONE LIKE THE WIND! lame lame lame lame lame.
when a bunch of old stuck-up rich white people buy a team, there should be somebody else with some style and wit to name them, like a designated NBA job. NBA Namer of Teams. otherwise you’ll keep getting teams like this, with names and locations that no NBA free agent would want to come play for. let’s see the day Kobe or Lebron or even Matrix opt out of their contracts so they can be OKLAHOMA CITY HILLBILLIES.
they should have just kept the Supersonics name and been the Oklahoma City Supersonics. that has a nice ring to it, and a history behind it, and they could still come up with a new color scheme for the jerseys so they can start their own history. the Jazz didn’t change their name when they moved to Utah even though mormons think jazz music is satanic and it makes them wet their magical underwear.
July 27th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Joe says:
Finley has his ring already, may as well go Euro and get one more nice fat contract before retirement
July 27th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
I dont love LO, but Im not sure J smooth fits in the Lakers system.
He would be great for fast breaks and defense, but his skill set doesnt fit the triangle. Dont think he fits in with the pistons much better for that matter.
I’d still rather have Ron ron than both of em
Who was in charge of picking the names for NO?? All of those names suck.
And by the way, Nash has far more chance of getting injured in a basketball game than a soccer game. I heard he is pretty good too…I’d like to see that
July 27th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
wanabballer says:
I can only see Josh fitting in with the Suns, he fits perfect in the run and gun system ala shawn marion… if dude works on his broken J. I don’t see why he is such a big deal? I mean dude can’t shoot let alone dribble and chew bubble gum at the same time, yet he considered as a center piece? 2nd or 3rd fiddle…ATLEAST!! I would somewhat agree if he seemed like he was working hard on his game and attitude problems but it just seems like he is relying on pure talent! Pay him decent and on a veteran team… idk if you want this guy as your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd option… just yet.
July 27th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
dagwaller says:
Homeless, I don’t really like the names, either, but the Supersonics name, by law, is staying in Seattle. Kind of like how Cleveland’s football team became the Ravens. Although, as a Baltimore native, I’d still rather have the name “Colts” back – makes sense here, and makes none in Indianapolis. Kind of like the Lakers, Jazz, etc.
I forget who it was on here, but someone said that the new name should be the Oklahoma City Slickers, which I thought was apt and kind of funny.
July 27th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Homeless J says:
oh OK. thanks for that info Dagwaller, I didnt know that.
July 28th, 2008 at 12:16 am
Justin Solomon says:
I can personally say that I have seen Wolverine talk lot’s of ish, as he needed to be separated from a potential fist fight in last night’s And 1 game in Philly. A cat on Philly’s squad named Mr.T and Wolverine almost came to blows after Wolverine kept running his mouth and offering up repeated stare-downs. By the way, Philly legend Lynn Greer ate the Professor alive. Prof maybe played 3 mins in the second half after being called for at least six fouls in a row on Greer.
July 28th, 2008 at 3:50 am
frankie says:
This just in from Justin Solomon: someone playing for the And1 team plays defense. You can all rest easy now. Also, Lynn Greer is the man apparently. Thank you, Justin.
July 28th, 2008 at 8:53 am
doc says:
Lynn Greer IS the man on that court.He just gave you some Philly flavor you better take it and run.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:36 am
speedcat says:
is it me, or does wade look like glenn rice with the bald dome and goatee?
July 28th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
karizmatic says:
You guys just finding out about Dr. Thunder? It’s been around for a while now.
July 28th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Frank says:
Clip of Wolverine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2J7Zq1KBqw