Over the course of his 16-year career, Theo Ratliff played for nine different franchises (and two of them twice). But with the 2011-12 NBA season set to start on Christmas Day, the 38-year-old free agent will be watching from home. A league source told Dime on Wednesday afternoon that Ratliff is retiring. Read More »

With no return date in sight for the 2011-12 NBA season, there are at least 10 current players that wake up every morning during this lockout and check their watch, clock or calendar to see what day it is. Because unless they can channel Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, each 24 hours means their internal NBA clock is ticking closer to the zero. Not everyone can be John Stockton or Karl Malone and play into their 40s. As we saw at the end of last season with Shaquille O’Neal‘s retirement, all good things must come to an end. With that, we evaluate the future of the NBA’s 10 oldest players: Read More »

He’s gone from a No. 1 pick and a city’s great hope to an injured star whose career is in jeopardy. But to Greg Oden, that’s in the past – he’s looking up, and for good reason. Read More »

Last week, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter received his fifth career Gold Glove. Considering that a lot of observers feel Jeter is among the worst defensive shortstops in Major League Baseball, the fact that he won an award for being the best at his position caused more than a little uproar.

But to the casual fan, Jeter is totally deserving of a Gold Glove, if not several other awards. After all, he’s Derek Jeter. His reputation precedes him.

The NBA is full of Derek Jeters, players who are still getting recognition — or simply getting by, period — based on the name they have built for themselves more than what they’re currently doing on the court. Read More »

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, thought the T-Wolves would stick around in L.A. last night. So what better stage for Michael Beasley to drop a quiet 17 on the two-time world champs? While I don’t know for sure, Theo Ratliff may be old enough to be Beasley’s father.

As the NBA regular season approaches, we preview the upcoming campaign with the “Highs and Lows” system — predicting the respective ceiling and basement for each team.

Added: Matt Barnes, Steve Blake, Derrick Caracter, Devin Ebanks, Theo Ratliff

Lost: Jordan Farmar, Josh Powell, DJ Mbenga, Adam Morrison Read More »

There is no price for experience in the NBA. Actually, I take that back. The price is often the veteran’s minimum. Looking to add some solid big men to their rosters before next season, the Lakers went ahead and signed Theo Ratliff to a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum of $1.35 million, while Kurt Thomas has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract with the Bulls. Can’t say that either of these moves will tip the balance, but when you have injuries, you never know. Read More »

As of right now, the jury is still out on where LeBron James will land. But with that being said, let’s take a look at how Miami won a championship in 2006. We know Chris Bosh will be joining Dwyane Wade in Wade County, but besides Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers, who else should the Heat bring in to help them win another championship. We break it down here: Read More »

For us regular folk, in economic times like these, we know that when you’re supposed to hold onto a secure job when you have it. This isn’t the time to make radical career changes, take long-term leave to go backpacking across Europe, or throw all your savings into that idea to invent a new form of grilling bacon.

NBA players don’t have those problems. So reading the ESPN reports that a “source close to the situation” says Tyson Chandler is thinking about opting out of his $12.6 million contract to test the free-agent market, it’s actually believable. Read More »

In a lot of ways, Dwight Howard is the new Shaquille O’Neal.

At 24 years old, Dwight is the most physically dominant player in the NBA, and should be for the next six years at least, matching Shaq’s reign of terror in the League. Then there’s the whole “Superman” thing. There’s also the fact that Dwight needs to work on his free throws, and that Dwight can be a marketing/media giant with his infectious personality. Oh, and Dwight’s baby’s mom is co-starring on VH1′s “Basketball Wives” with Shaq’s ex-wife. (Which I watched another episode of last night and lost a little respect for Eric Williams.) Read More »