Beyond the growing reality that Carlos Boozer is turning himself into a Ted DiBiase-style villain — he might as well put Delonte West in the Million Dollar Dream and hire Kosta Koufos to be his Virgil every time he plays in Cleveland — the trade being discussed (last time we checked) that would send Boozer to the Bulls has bigger implications: All three teams involved would get better because of it. The rumored deal would give Chicago that low-post scorer (Boozer) they’ve been missing ever since Elton Brand left town; Portland would get an upgrade at PG in Kirk Hinrich; and Utah would get an athletic PF in Tyrus Thomas who can finish what Deron Williams starts, defend the rim, and run with Jerry Sloan’s fast lineup. Read More »
In the final hours before the ‘09 NBA Draft, it’s your turn to play front-office executive for your favorite team in that imaginary war room in your head.
Who do you want? What kind of impact will your pick have on the team next season? Where will he fit into the lineup? Do you want to keep your pick or trade it?
Tell us how your team can improve itself tonight …
During football season, one of my boys has made a habit out of sitting in front of his computer with a game in the background, betting $0.25 on virtually every play. Wagering a quarter that the Seattle Seahawks will run the ball for 3-6 yards is one way to amp up the intensity of the game.
I haven’t seen any gambling sites offer this same feature during NBA contests. The game is too fast-paced to place play-by-play bets. But the NBA Draft isn’t - in fact, it’s the perfect venue to throw your money away gambling online.
Read More »
Even if Psycho-T doesn’t have the upside of a Terrence Williams, Earl Clark, James Johnson, or B.J. Mullens, some teams are coming to see his high-octane effort as a unique, valuable skill in the League.
Read More »
Lots of NBA Draft stuff populating the news this weekend, be it players moving up or down the board in this last stretch of workouts, teams making promises, or draft-related trade rumors. The Nets have been one of the toughest teams to figure out. Ever since they landed the 11th pick in the Lottery, we’ve seen them connected to eveyrybody from DeMar DeRozan to James Johnson to Tyler Hansbrough. There was even a short-lived rumor that had the Nets trading Devin Harris to Memphis for the No. 2 pick; its seems the only position where NJ satisfied is at center with Brook Lopez. Read More »
With just a under a week before the 2009 NBA Draft, after numerous individual workouts, teams are starting to figure out who they can see hanging out in their locker room and wearing their jersey. As long as unknown draft day promises don’t surface, this is how we see it all shaking out.
1. L.A. Clippers — Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma
Team USA has already planned on inviting him to Las Vegas after the Draft and they know the type of talent they’re getting. Whether or not the Clippers keep or trade this pick, one thing is certain: Blake Griffin is going to be the No. 1 pick. Read More »
Whether you loved Kobe Doin’ Work or you hated it, you have to admit Spike Lee is onto something. You’re telling us you wouldn’t watch Stephen Jackson Firin’ Shots or Reggie Evans Molestin’ Grown Men? … Assuming that Spike’s latest joint failed to satisfy your basketball jones for the weekend, fortunately we have two Game 7’s on the docket today: Rockets at Lakers (3:30 p.m. EST, ABC) and Magic at Celtics (8 p.m., TNT). In yesterday’s Smack we previewed Houston/L.A., so now let’s look at the Eastern Conference’s win-or-walk showdown … Read More »
If Ohio State coach Thad Matta really did have an undercover plot to keep B.J. Mullens on campus for at least two years, it didn’t work.
Right before Siena ousted OSU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, I wondered if Matta was purposely limiting Mullens’ playing time to drop his NBA Draft stock and squeeze another year out of the 7-foot center. Read More »
