Luol Deng and the $80M contract

The Chicago Bulls may be spending big for star forward Luol Deng but it's worth it. It is definitely a good decision by the Bulls management to keep Deng in the roster.

$80 million for a six-year contract is just too high for other players, but to my opinion it's just a good deal for a player like Luol Deng. Playing as a starter that averaged 17 points and 6.3 rebounds last season, he had definitely contributed to the Bulls stint for a possible playoff appearance (which failed) and performed well.

The Bulls are hoping Deng will be a big part of their future along with Derrick Rose, a guard out of Memphis selected by Chicago with the No. 1 pick in last month's draft.

Artest is Rockets' prospect

Ron Artest is not going to the LA Lakers. Instead, he may be joining superstars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming in Houston. What impact could this do to the Rockets?

If the trade will happen, wherein the Sacramento Kings have agreed to send the forward to the Rockets, it will definitely create an impact to Houston's performance most especially to their defensive plays. In return, the Kings will receive guard Bobby Jackson, a No. 1 draft pick next season and another player — probably rookie Donte' Greene.

Artest, 28, is best known as the central figure in a brawl with fans in Auburn Hills, Mich., four seasons ago. The NBA suspended him for 73 games following that incident, and Artest has a history of illegal and erratic behavior. But the 6-7, 248-pound forward also is among the NBA's premier defenders and a versatile offensive player. The 2003-04 NBA Defensive Player of the Year while with the Indiana Pacers, he averaged 20.5 points last season for the Kings.


Credits to MSN.

The 76ers signed Kareem Rush

A sharpshooter had just been added to the roster of the Philadelphia 76ers. The shots will be raining and will be drained down when he plays. Kareem Rush goes to Philly!

The 76ers signed the free agent Rush for the team is lacking help for their beyond the arc shooting. Averaging 39 percent from 3-point range is just too good for the team.

Rush was the 20th overall pick in the 2002 draft by Toronto before his rights were traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. He also played for the Charlotte Bobcats.

The Hawks acquired Evans

Now it's time to panic! Every Hawks fans get loose and shout! It has been finalized and done.

The Atlanta Hawks had come out to a deal with guard Maurice Evans as a replacement for their sixth-man Josh Childress. Evans, 6-foot-5, inked a 3-year deal worth $7.5 million. Man that is way less than how much Childress will be making in Greece.

Well, we know that Evans is a defender and that he can switch position between guard and forward but can he top or just equal what Josh had done for the team? For my opinion, maybe but it will take time. Well maybe not. The answer will be witnessed next season.

Andris Biedrins staying in Golden State

The well-improved Andris Biedrins had reached an agreement with the Golden State Warriors and was retained for a six-year contract worth more that $62 million.

Last season, Biedrins averaged career-highs 10.5 points and 9.8 rebounds; he had led the NBA in field-goal percentage of 62.6%. He was drafted eleventh overall in the 2004 NBA draft. Biedrins has improved his scoring average in each of his seasons with Golden State, developing from a skinny rebounding specialist into an all-around player and a low-post scorer for the uptempo Warriors.

The team will surely put him in the starting lineup along with Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson, Corey Maggette, and Al Harrington. Warriors will surely be an explosive team in the league next season.

The Warriors Keeps Monta Ellis

Explosive guard Monta Ellis will still be playing for the Golden State Warriors after he was re-signed to a six-year deal worth about $66 million. The Warriors had made sure that they will keep the young guard star after Baron Davis opted out of his contract earlier this month to join his hometown team, the LOS Angeles Clippers.

The 22-year-old Ellis is expected to take over at the point guard position next season. He was named the Most Improved Player of the NBA after the 2006-07 campaign.

Fans will be expecting slams and jams in Golden State knowing that Ellis and swingman Corey Maggette is in the roster.

Eddie House and Tony Allen will stay in Boston

The Boston Celtics, after losing sixth man James Posey, had retained two free-agents from their championship team. Guards Eddie House and Tony Allen will stay in Boston after reaching an agreement. House will make $2.7 million next season and has a $2.9 million player option for a second season. On the other hand, Allen agreed to a two-year deal wherein he will be receiving $2.5 million each season.

Hoping to repeat their championship performance, the Celtics' Big Three will be getting a big help from their bench again. Way to go Boston!

James Posey Looking for a 3rd Ring

Robert Horry had won championship rings more than James Posey, that's the fact.

Horry had won seven titles; 2 in Houston, 3 in Los Angeles and 2 in San Antonio. Posey had one each from Miami and from Boston. The question now is, "Does he have the Horry Aura and score one in New Orleans this time?"

Posey, a 6-foot-8 forward who last season helped the Boston Celtics win their first title since 1986, agreed Wednesday to a four-year, $25 million contract with the New Orleans Hornets. He had averaged 6.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season.

With the Hornets, Posey could compete for a starting role as a small forward; an opportunity that he didn't have from the Celtics.

Keyon Dooling drives in New Jersey

The Orlando Magic have traded their eight-year veteran guard Keyon Dooling to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for cash considerations. It's a move that had created a little space for the Magic's salary cap.

Last season, Dooling had posted an average of 8.1 points and 1.8 assists in 72 games in Orlando. Originally he was the 10th overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft and previously played for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Miami Heat.

Chandler will not practice with the U.S. team

Powerhouse Tyson Chandler will not practice with the U.S. Olympic team next week because he has an inflamed big toe.

The New Orleans center wasn't selected for the team, but was invited to training camp in case he was needed to replace an injured player. Instead, USA Basketball announced Saturday that Chandler was the one who was hurt.

Chandler played on the U.S. team that won the FIBA Americas tournament last summer but wasn't chosen for the squad headed to Beijing, even though Orlando's Dwight Howard is the lone center on the roster.

The US Team will practice from Monday through Thursday before playing an exhibition game against Canada on Friday.

Marcus Camby will be playing with Baron Davis in L.A.

The trade of Marcus Camby to the Los Angeles Clippers will not just let the Denver Nuggets create a salary cap space but also for them to make a deal to whoever player they are aiming. Also in return, the Nuggets have the right to switch 2nd-round draft picks in the 2010 draft with the Clippers. Camby is set to make $11.25 million in '08-09, followed by $10.9 million in '09-10.

Camby is a very good defensive player. In fact he led the league in blocks last year with a whooping 3.61 per game and he also ranked second in the league in rebounds averaging 13.1. He was also the NBA's defensive player of the year in 2006-07.

Camby played in Denver for six seasons after four years with the New York Knicks.

The acquisition of Marcus Camby will definitely give Baron Davis a big help for the Clippers' plan to be a strong contender in the Western Conference.

Ron Artest going to Lakers?

Would it be a gamble worth taking for the Los Angeles Lakers if they are going to include Ron Artest in their franchise? Getting Artest from the Sacramento Kings would definitely mean Lakers will have to let go some of their guys. There are rumors around that LA is offering Lamar Odom but the Kings will only agree if LA will also let Kenny Thomas, and the $18M still owed to him, off from the Kings roster. Now that's where the complication enters.

If ever the rumored trade will happen, what the Lakers franchise will have to observe and understand is that if their superstar Kobe Bryant can build a good chemistry with Artest? Well here are some points that LA can expect from Ron-Ron:

• An excellent 3-point shooter. Artest can also create off the bounce by driving either way with equal success and equal intensity. If he'd rather cross over left-to-right, he can spin, pull, and shoot heading in the opposite direction just as effectively.
  
• When he's on his feet, Artest is an absolutely fearless lock-down defender, plus he's adept at ripping wayward handles and at poaching the passing lanes. It's no secret that his aggressive, intimidating defense against small forwards and power forwards, as well as many shooting guards, is precisely what the Lakers need to win the very last game of the season.
  
• A powerful and resourceful scorer in the low post. Also better offensive than defensive rebounder.
  
• A willing and semi-accurate passer who tends to make poor decisions with the ball.
  

If Lakers can dish-off Odom then I believe it would be better if they will have to let go of Radmanovic and Walton as well. Shake the roster and hope for a better one.

Obviously this rumored trade is a gamble for the Lakers; it's a risk. If I can say something to the Lakers then I would definitely say take the risk. It will worth it.

Ex-Clippers Superstars

Elton Brand heads East to join Philadelphia 76ers! Corey Maggette will be a Warrior!

$82 million is the estimated amount that former Los Angeles Clippers superstar Elton Brand will be receiving from the Philadelphia 76ers in a five-year deal. The movement of Brand to the Sixers will spurn what was claimed to be a great tandem between him and Baron Davis. As we know, Davis shocked the Golden State Warriors by opting out of his contract and agreeing to a five-year deal with the Clippers. Now, what could be considered as a slam-dunk tandem would be Brand and Andre Iguodala in Philadelphia.

On the other hand, another former Clippers superstar swingman Corey Maggette had reached an agreement from the Golden State Warriors; the deal is for five years and worth around $50 million. The Warriors conceded defeat in the chase for Brand's signature by quickly dealing with Maggette. Golden State responded to the loss of Baron Davis to the Clippers by offering Brand a five-year deal worth an estimated $90 million, but the Warriors never came as close to luring Brand away from L.A. as the Sixers.

Beasley Outblooms Rose in Summer League

I was hoping the top two picks will show their baller skills during their team match-up in the Summer League and leave the fans thinking who is better but I, somewhat, hoped wrong. The Miami Heat played against the Chicago Bulls but the Heat was not extinguished and came out victorious. The final score is 94-70.

Second overall pick Michael Beasley of Miami played a good game scoring 28 points and 9 rebounds in 23 minutes. Now that is a very good start for a rookie to let the people know what you can do but the regular season is yet to start.

On the other hand, 1st pick overall Derrick Rose tried to play his game but simply never took over the game offensively the way Beasley did. The Bulls' rookie who lifted Memphis to run for the NCAA title game past season had posted 10 points and 4 assists but with 5 turnovers. He is not just on top of his game and there's still a lot of room to grow for the big games. Not every game a player shines.

US Basketball Team in 2008 Beijing Olympics

The NBA had already announced the lineup for the US Basketball Team for the coming 2008 Beijing Olympics.

When the 2008 U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball team hits the court in Beijing this August, it will feature several experienced Olympians leading the way as the United States begins its quest to recapture the gold medal.

The 12-player U.S. team, which was announced June 23, will include Olympic gold medalist and veteran team leader Jason Kidd, who plays professional basketball for the Dallas Mavericks. Kidd was a member of the 2000 Olympic team that earned the gold at the Sydney Games. Four additional members of this year’s squad have previous Olympic experience: Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets, Carlos Boozer of the Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat all were members of the 2004 team that won the bronze medal in Athens, Greece.

After finishing third in Athens, USA Basketball created a new system to select players and field an Olympic team. This year’s 12-man team was selected from a pool of 33 NBA players that has competed as the USA Senior National Team since 2006, earning a combined overall record of 23-1.

Also on the 2008 Olympic team are Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors), Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers), Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic), Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets), Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons), Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks) and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz).