Shawn Marion still involved in trade rumors, and Pau Gasol hangs with supermodels
Shawn Marion, Dime #29From the looks of things, the Miami Heat are OK with forfeiting a shot at making some serious upward moves in the Eastern Conference right now in the name of managing their salary cap down the road. Everyone can pretty much agree that a Miami nucleus of Dwyane Wade, Shawn Marion and Michael Beasley is good enough to land as high as a #3 seed in the playoffs this year, but that hasn’t stopped the Heat from continuing to shop Marion around this summer due to his expiring $17 million contract. The latest Matrix rumor had the Heat and Bulls talking about a trade that would have sent him and Marcus Banks to Chicago in exchange for Ben Gordon (sign-and-trade), Larry Hughes and Joakim Noah. Those discussions eventually broke down and it hasn’t been an issue since, but Marion’s name has also recently popped up in rumors involving Al Harrington and the Warriors. As far as the Chicago deal, we don’t see how the Heat would have gotten better by losing their best rebounder and defender for two more two-guards in BG and Hughes; and while Noah is already better than anyone Miami has at center, his defense/rebounding skills aren’t Matrix-worthy yet, plus his offense isn’t there. It sucks to possibly lose a bargaining chip like Marion for nothing in 2009, but if we were in Miami’s position we’d rather take a shot at toppling the Boston-Detroit-Orlando-Cleveland group with this current roster while the opportunity is there. Besides, after Marion comes off the books in 2009, there’s still a very real chance you can sign Carlos Boozer if he opts out of his deal. Booz keeps a home in Miami in the offseason … This season, though, know that if Miami isn’t looking championship-caliber leading up to the trade deadline, they’ll be actively trying to unload Marion … Meanwhile, the Heat are one of a handful of teams interested in Shaun Livingston. Can you go to war with a PG platoon of Mario Chalmers, Chris Quinn, Banks and Livingston and make noise in the postseason? We suppose if Cleveland can do it with Delonte West starting and Boston can get away with Eddie House playing significant minutes at the point, it can be done … The Heat should remember that Jamaal Tinsley is still on the trading block, though. If they’re comfortable having Tinsley, you know, actually living in Miami without a full-time babysitter, he could be good for them … Good news for the Celtics, bad news for the Blazers: Darius Miles‘ trainer (Chicago-based guru Tim Grover, who helped rebuild D-Wade in time for the Olympics and regularly works with Corey “Beach Muscles” Maggette) says his man should be 100 percent back to the old D-Miles by the end of the calendar year. If Miles plays at least 10 games, the Blazers are on the hook for a lot of his previous salary and it hurts their cap space moving forward. Now if you’re Doc Rivers and D-Miles does get back to a point where he’s performing better than Bill Walker, do you give those backup SF minutes to the veteran or still carve out that space for the rookie? … The OKC Thunder sold out their 13,000-something season tickets in about five days this past week, and the waiting list is sitting at around 1,000 people (only the Celtics, Lakers and Suns have season-ticket waiting lists this year). So apparently the remaining 463 Oklahoma City residents aren’t basketball fans. The Thunder will obviously play to jam-packed crowds for at least their first couple of years of existence, but the test will come after the “Cool, we have an NBA team” honeymoon wears off. If the team stinks then, will they still draw fans? … In case you needed another reminder that NBA players lead better lives than you, Pau Gasol has been in Spain recently, doing a United Nations-related photo shoot with Priscila de Gustin. See? He doesn’t shave or touch his hair in the morning and he gets closer to supermodels than most of us ever will … We’re out like getting a ticket in Oklahoma City …
September 14th, 2008 at 8:17 am
sans says:
There isn’t much to do in OKC.
September 14th, 2008 at 8:21 am
sans says:
Seriously, what are you gonna do? Indian gaming? Get drunk and accidentally announce that you’re going bullriding for the first time (local rednecks love that)? They have the Sooners and not much else.
Ask Matrix: he’s too good for this nonsense.
September 14th, 2008 at 8:21 am
nomo says:
wtf?why are they trading marion for for that junk? whos gonna play at sf? beasley? try to imagine him guarding the lebrons and melos..they would become the nuggets of the east!!!
and yeah…fuck jameer nelson +1
September 14th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Coop says:
Is it me or are Miami nowhere near to ‘championship calibre’ with just 4 good players, one of whom is a rookie? They’ve got a green coach, a new system and NO bench. Dime, quit yo’ jibber jabber!
September 14th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Austin Burton says:
@Coop — That’s exactly what everyone said about Boston going into last season.
September 14th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Austin Burton says:
Not saying Miami is as good as Boston, but give them a chance to get on the court and see how those role players shake out, how good Beasley is, how well Wade and Marion play together, etc., before writing them off.
September 14th, 2008 at 8:49 am
miamiVIS3 says:
Whoa whoa whoa Coop thems is fightin’ words.
If you look at that bench Udonis Haslem as about as much talent as we thought the entire Celtics bench had last year, James Jones can flat out stroke it but can’t or won’t do much else (kinda reminds me of a fella up in Canada nice guy last name is K something) and continuing the Boston comparison all the point guards although there may be some question on how they run the offense (which D-Wade does anyways) all have a far superior jumper to Rondo amd with Wade, Beasley and Matrix to account for they should get plenty of open looks.
September 14th, 2008 at 9:19 am
YOUNGFED says:
Corey “Beach Muscles” Maggette – That’s kinda HOMO. Anyway I’d take the Matrix for Tayshuan (Olympian) Prince.
September 14th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Dagomar says:
The three seed? lol!
I don’t see that team sniffing the top of the East while they’ve basically got nobody at the 5, rely heavily on an unproven rookie, and have a bunch of nonames (or middling names) at the 1. Oh, and ZERO depth. Okay, Wade is healthy and should be special again. But it’s a BIG jump just to get from “worst team in the league” to “postseason team,” let alone the upper echelon of a conference.
September 14th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Coop says:
Austin, Miami,
allow me to qualify: Boston, at the start of last year had THREE future hall of famers starting, one of whom is one of the greatest power forwards ever. They had a post presence, a gunner supreme, and a top slasher. They had all bases covered. They then surrounded those 3 with guys who could fit in (House, Posey etc).
Miami has nothing like it; they have Wade who is excellent but clearly fragile, they have Marion who is excellent both ways on the court but has personality issues and Beasley who is a rookie. Haslem i really like but who else is there? The pg spot is a massive black hole, they have NOTHING inside and a new coach.
Come on, guys!
September 14th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Dagomar says:
Oh, about the Boston comparison:
Allen, KG and Pierce are a LOT better than Wade, Beasley and Marion. Especially when playing in a great defensive system with a supporting cast that was seriously underrated all year long. Granted we have to see how this all pans out, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
September 14th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Dagomar says:
Coop, sounds like we agree lol
September 14th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Coop says:
Youngfed,
if you think ‘beach muscles’ is homosexual then you’re either a pre-pubescent 12 year old or a crashing moron. Which is it?
September 14th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Coop says:
Too right, Dag haha
September 14th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Kevin says:
Corey “Beach Muscles” Maggette
HAHAHA That’s awesome!!
September 14th, 2008 at 10:24 am
YOUNGFED says:
Naw bruh another guy talking about another guys muscles is what it is too me. But you can dead that Moron ish. It’s juuuuusssssttt coooommeddyyyy. LAME
September 14th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Ben says:
#3 in East
LOL!!!
WHo’s their point guard?
Matt Maloney?
September 14th, 2008 at 10:38 am
BALLZ says:
YOUNGFED, if you really think talking about another man’s muscles is “homo,” you’re really uncomfortable with your own sexuality. Last time I checked taking it in the ass or the mouth qualifies you as “homo” not pointing out that an athlete is ripped.
Dime sometimes I believe that YOUNGFED is just a character you guys created at the office to keep yourselves from getting bored and to get some laughs.
September 14th, 2008 at 10:50 am
ZACH says:
Fed,
Matrix for Prince? no way. Matrix wants more than the 17 mil he is getting right now and prince is under contract for about half that for the next like 4 years. Joe D woulld never do that, thankfully
September 14th, 2008 at 10:53 am
YOUNGFED says:
@BALLZ
IT’S JUUUUUUUUUST COMEEDDDDDYYYY!!!!!!
But I am truly sorry if I struck a nerve with your more sensitive, cough’ HOMO cough’ cough’, side. I guess we now no why you go by the name BALLZ. ROFLMAO!!!
September 14th, 2008 at 10:56 am
YOUNGFED says:
Yeah you’re right Zach but the numbers game ain’t working for us too good now. We need a legit SuperStar ASAP.
September 14th, 2008 at 10:57 am
that's whats up says:
or is it BALLZ DEEP ????
September 14th, 2008 at 11:00 am
analord says:
well if Tim Grover declared DMiles to be in decent shape, we’ll take his word for it…Maggette is heading into the Pippen&David Robinson(in their prime)body…
I can’t help to wonder if Matrix is gonna be the next Jim Jackson – real good player that bounced around from team to team…Marion’s been in way too many trade rumor for a player like him…
Anybody wonder when is Ben Gordan gonna sign or get traded? We’re weeks away from training camp and he’s the biggest fish left in the pond…
September 14th, 2008 at 11:24 am
heavy d says:
Isn’t Shawn Marion due to experience the 30 year old’s contract adjustment that Antawn Jamison just had. With so much of his game tied to his athleticism, can you pay a guy max dollars out to when he’s 36? The thing is given the Matrix’s mentality I wouldn’t want to be the first team to break that news to him, so don’t expect him to resign with whomever he finishes this season with.
September 14th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Coop says:
Oh come on Jackson played for, what, 10 different teams?
Marion has played for 2 thus far.
September 14th, 2008 at 11:26 am
miamiVIS3 says:
Here’s my Heat solution
Matrix and Mark Blount to Indiana for Jamaal Tinsley Marquis Daniels and Rasho.
This way the Pacers get rid of Tinsley and at the very least get one expiring contract or a new player who would fit with what should be an up-tempo offense with TJ Ford at the helm and the Heat get a starting quality point guard and two expiring contracts and this is how the linups shape up.
Heat:
Tinsley
Wade
Beasley?/Daniels?/Diawara?
Haslem?/Beasley?
Magloire
Pacers:(keep in mind I don’t see too many Pacers games so any Pacers fans help me fill it out)
Ford
Granger
Matrix
Dunleavy/Murphy
Hibbert/Foster
lemme know what you think.
September 14th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
YOUNGFED says:
lol @Thats whats up
September 14th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Coop says:
That’s actually not too bad a trade but the question mark in Tinsley. Is getting him and his contract really better than saving money for a superior pg (or even C)?
September 14th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Has Marcus Banks been involved in more trades than any other player in league history??? Holy Ish!!!
September 14th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
jackass says:
what’s wrong with jameer nelson, why is everyone saying fuck him? i don’t get that
September 14th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Phileus says:
There are a lot of Puerto Rican kids that hate him for getting the Magic starting PG spot over Carlos “The Puerto Rican Jesus Christ” Arroyo.
September 14th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
parinaz suns says:
miami would be retarded to do that matrix is going tohave a monster season being as it is a contract year for him so hes going to play his ass off even more than he usually does. if they can get a decent center and pg theyd be the favorites i think this year in the east
September 14th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
QuEsT???? says:
first of all fuck jameer nelson, second i started that shit and gladly it has caught on (thanks to nomo). now has anyone seen that website with the pictures of pau gasol?? he has an nba championship ring!!!!!!!!!where did he get one,i suspect china town. oh yeah and fuck jameer nelson and his bitch phileus
September 14th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
eyeused2b says:
“Beach Muscles”…ROTFL
September 14th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
florida Evans says:
says here that
Pau is a jugador de la baloncesta,too.
September 14th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Ansonious says:
Matrix for Al Harrington what a joke golden state wins if miami is dumb enough to pull the trigger on that trade. That’s as preposterous as Vin Baker trying to make a comeback to the league. I’m out like the Matrix in a warriors uniform peace!
September 14th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Austin Burton says:
If Cleveland can get the 4th seed in the East with their roster, I don’t see why Miami can’t get the 3rd seed. They’re already more talented and for all we know, Spoelstra is a better (or equal) coach compared to Mike Brown.
September 14th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
QuEsT???? says:
@ austin, miami doesnt have “the almighty” king james to carry them around, dont get me wrong d wade is very good but he cant carry a team like lebron can. anywayz neither of them is going to be not the 3rd nor the 4th nor the 5th
1.Celtics
2.Pistons
3.Sixers
4.Magic(fuck jameer)
5.Toronto
6.Miami
7.Cleveland
8.Bobcats (wildcard)
September 14th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
What exactly does Spoelstra have to coach give the ball to Wade and Beasley. Done.
@ parinaz suns what is one good season worth if he leaves.
with that trade they keep a good chunk of the money they would get when Matrix bolts with Rasho and Marquis Daniel’s contracts so they could wind up getting Boozer w/ that cash and looking like this in 09-10
Tinsley
Wade
Beasley
Boozer
Magloire
September 14th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
English Off The Glass says:
As long as Marions status and placement is up in the air, so will his performance. When Marion was one of the main factors of a ‘this is our season’ Suns team, he was playing out of his head and (yes i know this is a shitty comparison but it’s something i just remembered) became one of the most expensive players in fantasy basketball. His numbers were stellar, but like in any sport or job, who is going to play out of his head for a team looking for a chip, when he might well be playing for the worst team in the L next week. Or the Bucks.
September 14th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Coop says:
Exactly Quest. People seem to be confused. Cleveland is a very good defensive team. Just because Ferry is an idiot and Brown cant doesnt know what an offensive set is doesnt make them bad. LeBron can carry you all the way, Wade can’t (too injury prone and small). He did a great job for the chip but he doesnt have the other pieces now.
And to whoever said ‘they just need a top pg and c’. Jesus. i mean, thats just the stupidest thing i’ve read today lol.
September 14th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
@quest????
Miami’s supporting cast is alot better
September 14th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
English Off The Glass says:
Oh and btw i agree wholely with coop.
anyone trying to compare this years heat with last years celtics needs to obtain some serious medical attention.
An injury prone Wade with a lack of leadership, a pissed off and badly fitted Marion and an untested rookie
VS
Ray ‘cold blooded bomb’ Allen, Paul ‘Finals MVP’ Pierce, and Kevin ‘holy shit its Kevin f*****g Garnett’ Garnett??
September 14th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
English Off The Glass says:
@miamiVIS3
How have the 15 wins Heat got a better supporting cast than the 45 wins cleveland????
September 14th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
QuEsT???? says:
@ miamiVIS3 they have a better supporting cast in paper and theory, but still i dont see them doing much. dwade cant just will a team like lebron can.
September 14th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
M says:
haha that nickname of Garnett rules.
I dont think cleveland is that bad btw. Sure they got a bunch of ppl on the downslide, but they’re not that bad if they’re in shape.
Especially with the guard they just added I reckon they can still amek it to 4th / 5th seed.
September 14th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Ian says:
quest?????
dwade cant just will a team
lol comon man sure lebron is a better player but didnt wade will his team to a chip a couple of seasons ago
September 14th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
@ English off the glass
a.the comparison is on the basis that they have three stars (one I suggested they trade away) and play in the “leastern confrence” and were not meant to imply they were as good as The Celtics.
b. the Cavs had LeBron for at least 95% of the season the Heat rolled out a D-league team for several games.
as they stand the Heat have a pretty good chance at winning the division w/ Orlando as their only obsticle
September 14th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
thank you ian
September 14th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Dagomar says:
Cleveland has the best player in the game. They’ve got size and they rebound and defend better than almost any team. That’s the difference. And while Brown can’t coach offense for shit, he’s a tremendous defensive coach.
September 14th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
QuEsT???? says:
dwade is no lebron james. i dont like lebron much but even haters need to reckgnized that when he develops a consistent jump shot and three point shot, he will be unstoppable maybe even the greatest ever if he wins more than 7 championships, and wat is scary is hes just 23 and has atleast 11 years more to improve
September 14th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
There’s not a huge gap between Wade and Bron though quest
September 14th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
CP3MVP says:
Fuck arroyo. He sucks, and was only good internationally for a lil while.
Go saint joes and Jameer Nelson
September 14th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
QuEsT???? says:
about 4 inches and 60 pounds
September 14th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
QuEsT???? says:
saint joes???????? ahahhahahhaahahahahhahaahahahahahahah fuck you cp3mvp and ur master jameer nelson. u really dont know anything about international ball jajajajaj
September 14th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
QuEsT???? says:
@ miamivis3 i agree with you there isnt a lot but still since lebron is physically taller and stronger he can carry a team better imo. dwyane wade is a great player and the heat can thank him because he won that championship. and i like dwyane wade, lebron not so much
September 14th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Coop says:
let us not forget that Wade has a bunch of dodgy calls, a functioning shaq and decent starters in his chip year. LeBron had none of those things. I think Wade is fantastic but the point here is that this years Heat aren’t going to be as talented as last year’s (or this year’s) Celtics and not as organised as The Finals Cleveland team.
September 14th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
GrizzFan says:
Well too bad Pau is gay so being with a chick that hot really doesnt even matter to him.
September 14th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Kevin Love says:
no way Pau is gay and let’s himself look like that
if he was sweet, he’d have that “Color Me Badd” type beard and his hair would be a lot better
September 14th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
sans says:
Good point Kevin Love….gay dudes tend to shower. Pau Gasol is getting dangerously near the scary Garbojosa creepy guy in a trenchcoat look. For real, and I’m not a narc or anything, but if I ever saw Jorge Garbajosa near a playground or preschool, I would call the police.
@Quest???…are you serious with your East ranks. Cleveland at 7? Sure Philly moves up, but Orlando moves down with a better Heat in their division. I think that Detroit does nada this year, not even winning the Central after Joe D blows them up midseason.
@YOUNGFED…you must seriously love the taste of penis. That shit must taste better than chocolate to your ranting ass…for real, everything’s gay to you. You like Riley Escobar loving Gangstalicious, wearing the thugged out skirt and ish right now. “ITz all about the Homiez”….just comedy, bruh. hahaha
September 14th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Coop says:
hahaha
September 14th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
QuEsT???? says:
@ sans the heat might change, i put them low because they have a new coach and a rookie starter, and chris quinn sucks, but they can move if mario chalmers takes the helm at point guard and plays well and if the chemistry is there with that team hahahahahhaahhaha @ younfed
September 14th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Ian says:
quest
now u kinda fixed it sayin lebron can carry a team better ( i dont agree but its your opinion since wade won already id say they are kinda close in that department and yes i know the 06 heat woulda lost to the spurs also but he still won) cuz the first comment about wade was that he cant carry a team
and comon man 11 more years to improve at age 34 who the hell improves after 30 man
lebron doesnt have to win 7 chips to be the best ever how the hell did u came up with that number????? u can win 2 id say and still be considered the best
or was it 7 to one up jordan then why not 12 to one up russell
damn man 7!!!!!!!!
September 14th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Ian says:
7 damnnnnn quest and adding reggie millers game to his game to be the best damn bro
September 14th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Ian says:
btw i hate lebron and dont really care for wade dont think im being biased here
September 14th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
rodnets says:
I thought “chick muscles” was vujacic
September 14th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
rodnets says:
gasol is looking like “after these foto shoot I’ll go to my home and spank it like there is no tomorrow”
September 14th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
QuEsT???? says:
@ ian lol i dint say he will “peak” when his 34 i said he has about 11 good years left on him, and that hes only 23 so he has room to improve. im not saying he needs to become like reggie miller, he just needs to hit his 3 pointers more often. usually basketball players peak when they are 28 through 30. Wade had a better supporting cast in 06 than lebron had in 07. lebron is physically more imposing that wade is. tell me who is harder to stop wade or a 6 8 250 lebron coming at full speed directly at you?? now i said that yea wade made it happen in 06 because he stepped his game up. Now he was playing with shaq who always will attract defenders so he had more space. Lebron had no one that was even considered a threat offensively so the defense was always fixated on him throught the playoffs and he took the cavaliers to the finals. i said 7 because mj had 6 championships and he is the goat. Now if lebron plays better but does not have a lot of championships, we will still consider jordan the g.o.a.t. And i meant was that im not a lebrn james fan but i reckognize his talent. btw fuck jameer nelson.
September 14th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Ian says:
well thats the thing right there jordan had a way better team than almost anyone in history and can u blame lebron for that
no
if u win a couple of mvps and rings its enough to be in the discussion
since u use rings to say jordan is the greatest why isnt russell the best then
jordan being the greatest is an opinion thing
i bet if we polled a bunch of old guys they would say russell wilt or oscar were better
we poll 30 year old guys they would say jordan or magic
if we polled teens they would say kobe or bron
so i really dont think the 6 rings is the measuring point
wade had a better cast yes and they benefited that manu had a stupid play on dirk that send the pussy mavs to the finals but he won
lebron is better yes can he carried scrubs yes but wade can carry guys also not as good but he can carry
btw i think wilt is the best ever hehehe then magic then jordan
September 14th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Ian says:
quest btw this is all just my opinions not facts
September 15th, 2008 at 12:25 am
QuEsT???? says:
@ian haha yea man thats the point of this site, to discuss basketball and our opinions btw i respect ur opinion
September 15th, 2008 at 2:11 am
parinaz suns says:
when miami won the championship they didnt even have that great of players shaq sucked in the finals. just like wade willed that team he could will this team too if hes healthy. ppl dont give marion enough credit him and wade are going to be a great duo and if beasley plays like he did in college theyll be in a good posistion to cause some damage. yeah boston and detorit will still be at the top but i think miami willl be just as good as philly and the cavs and i dont count hte wizards bc they can never stay healthy. hopefully banks can step up and play like his contract is paying him. you never know theres always one suprise team and it may be them
September 15th, 2008 at 3:46 am
Coop says:
You say shaq sucked but I dont think you really appreciate how much having a good C changes the game. If you think Wade will have as much joy with this supporting cast then you’re fooling yourself.
September 15th, 2008 at 10:08 am
MSkittle says:
Funny how Darius Miles is now called “the Veteran.”
September 15th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
parinaz suns says:
obviously i know how much having a good center effects a team . ive had to watch duncan destory the suns four and usually more times a year. but there are different formulas that can equal success for a team. it doesnt have to be the same old theory. i dont even like miami that much anyways im just saying i think with marion and a healthy wade they will definatly make some noise this year. im originlly from phx so i know how greedy marion is and he wants major money so he’ll play liek he deserves it