What About L.O?

One of the more versatile power forwards in the NBA is sitting in limbo without a team, including the one that he just helped lead to the NBA Championship.  Owner Jerry Buss and the Lakers continue to play hard ball with Lamar Odom by lowering the initial contract of 3 years $27 Million , which Odom turned down in hopes of getting a 4th year.  L.O averaged 12pts and 9rbs off the bench for the World Champs and not bringing him back into the fold will cripple the Lake Show if they want to repeat. 

Another possible destination for Odom, could be a return to the Miami Heat to team up with Dwyane Wade whom he had 1 successfull season with during D-Wades rookie campaign.  It is widley reported that the Heat can offer Odom the full mid-level exception of $50 plus million over 5 years with an option to become a free agent in year 4.  This could be a big incentive to keep Wade in Miami after 2010 when he becomes a free agent.  Carlos Boozer could factor into the equation via sign and trade sometime before the trade deadline of Febuary 2010.  Surrounding Wade with those two All-Stars would make Miami a great team in the Eastern Conference. 

For now, Odom will continue to mull the offers of LA and Miami in an attempt to get the best deal possible.  I believe that Odom will eventually land in LA again, but you don't watnt a player who feels underpaid thats already coming off the bench to be a distraction.  Odom deserves his pay day, especially since he could be a starter on almost every other team in the NBA.  Hopefully the Lakers will realize losing Ariza and Odom would be a disaster to repeat. 

Peace,
Agent34

Jordan Crawford Dunks on LeBron!

By now im sure everyone has heard about the infamous "Lost Tape" of Xavier guard Jordan Crawford dunking on NBA superstar LeBron James at the LeBron Skills Academy. Well guess what I found (not literally) the missing footage that you want to see. Lets see the controversy surrounding the tape and hear Jordans take on the Nike coverup.




This is how it happened....



Kobe issues a Warning a week later at his own Camp after taking a 14 year old to school...




Peace,
Agent34

Grading The NBA Offseason

This is part two of the series where we are looking at the teams and their newly aquired players.  Some players arrived via trade, while others bolted for a new address in free agency. 

HOUSTON ROCKETS                                                 


*Performance------------B
*Experience-------------B
*Superstar Potential-----B-

*Overall-----------------B

Trevor Ariza spurns the Lakers and chooses the Houston Rockets as his new home in spite of just winning an NBA Championship.  Ariza who is from L.A was more than expected to be retained by the champs, but talks broke down after the money did not add up..or did it?  The Lakers needed Kobe/LO/Ariza to all chip and be flexible in order to keep everyone in tact for another run.  That would mean that the Lakers Mid-Level Exception would need to be stretched out in order for that to happen.  Ariza chose to take the money which was only $200,000 more than what the Lakers were offering the forward.  Go Figure.  In essence Artest and Ariza swapped places and im not sure Ariza will see this as a good move in a years past.  Overall good pickup by the Rockets if he pans out to be a budding star. 

BOSTON CELTICS                                                                                    


*Performance----------C
*Experience-----------A
*Superstar Potential----B-

*Overall----------------B+

The Celtics added a big piece to their puzzle by picking up one of the most tumultuous stars in the league.  Sheed will help stretch the D and provide an inside pressence off the bench (see how long that lasts) in hopes of returning the C's back to Championship form.  Its a good move, but not a costly one with Wallace only getting the Mid-Level Exception at $5.8 mil over 3 years and a player option for the 3rd.  It gives him flexibility if the Big 3 get blown up and the Celtics are not financially strangled by adding the forward.  I like this Pick Up.  

DETROIT PISTONS                                                                             


*Performance---------C
*Experience-----------C
*Superstar Potential----B

*Overall---------------C+


Former Huskies Ben Gordon and Charilie Villanueva are teaming up in Detroit and hoping to win an NBA Championship.  Both players have had sort of up and down careers since joinin the NBA.  Gordon has somewhat lived up to the hype by making timely shots against the Celtics in last seasons playoff battle with Ray Allen, but he's still a 6th man off the bench.  CV31 is a roller coaster, up one minute and down the next.  He has career highs of 50 points, yet his average is stuck at 16 ppg.  At 6'11 he should be dominating the East with his inside outside game, but that hasn't happened.  Both players will get to finally prove themselves worthy of a big pay day in the Motor City. 


Peace,
Agent 34

Who's Making Moves in NBA Free Agency

Shaquille O'neal to the Cavs

Shaq's slogan "Win a RIng for the King."  The Cavs who lost to the Magic in the Eastern Conference, now have the Big Diesel to help slow down Superman2 Dwight Howard.  We all know the pre-game antics will be a sportcenter nightly special, but will they really win the whole thing?  The trade that brought Shaq in sent Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic to the Suns.  Cleveland will still need to add 1 or 2 players to make it official, but anytime you add Shaq its an upgrade.

Vince Carter to the Magic

Orlando pulled a Big Surprise by adding Vince-Sanity to the roster, choosing him over free agent Hedo Turkoglo.  Im not sure how this will make them a better team by losing Hedo but Carter will give them a pure scorer on the wing.  Alston and Courtney Lee were sent to the Nets, while Ryan Anderson also came in with VC.  The Magic like the Cavs need to add another piece to make a super run back to the Finals. 



Ron Artest to the Lakers

The Rich get Richer!  After the Lakers beat the Rockets in Game 7 of the Western Conf Semis, Artest went to the lockeroom and told Kobe he would do everything he could to get to LA next year..and he did.  Now the Champs have a proven All-Star to pair with Kobe and a defensive stopper who can lock up any player on the court.  I already had the Lakers penned in for the Finals in 2010 and this just solidifies my pick.