Monday, July 21, 2008

More NBA Tidbits

If Darius Miles does find a home this year, he'll have to sit out the first 10 games because he got in trouble with the NBA (part of their banned list) for taking a weight loss drug that contained Phentermine. A few years ago it was reported that Miles had ballooned up to 300+lbs, but now he's somewhere near playing shape. I guess he loves the game and wants to play, because he's still getting paid from the Blazers (and their insurance company). That money will be put back on the Blazers cap if Miles plays a certain amount of games next year or a subsequent year. So, I root for the guy, because it would be nice to see him play again, but I doubt that he has the body (bad knee) and the drive to stay out of the trouble that has plagued him in the past. Many people in the West want him to pay just so the Blazers will have some cap related issues because they have a boat load of talent that they may need to ship out if that's the case. We'll stay tuned to this one.

Tony Allen and Eddie House both sign 2 year deals to stay with the Champion Boston Celtics. Hopefully they get more out of Allen who could possibly, and yes I say possibly, pick up where Posey left off. He's athletic enough but would probably have to work on his 3. Eddie House just needed a home and he was valuable last year as a spark off the bench and he led the charge of the Celtics coming back from 24 down on against the Lakers. Not a bad pickup to keep everyone on the squad. The most awkward moment award goes to the Celtics as they accept the ESPY for the Best Team and they have Posey on the stage (far left) trying to stay out of the limelight and in jeans. Ray Allen was doing a speech about 'team',.......he should have talked about 'money'.

Another Golden State defection? Matt Barnes signs with the Suns. Is it me or does this guy remind you of Shawn Marion? I mean he may not be at that level, but shooting, running, jumping, a little D,...all of that is Marionesque. Good pick up by the Suns because they need slashers and people that will hustle on both ends. Now the Suns need a good backup to Nash and some potion to make Shaq 3 years younger.

The Nets pick up Kenyon Dooling from the Magic for cash (and a ham sandwich). I've talked about Kenyon before, he's a taller guard who likes to score, and can play some D. His arrival has to mean that someone is on the way out and that would probably be Marcus Williams. Thought for sure that he would be a balla for someone, so I guess now we'll have to see who that someone is.

Bostjan Nachbar of the Nets fame has signed with a Euro team. Why is this big news? Well, with the euro where it is now (about $1.70 for 1 euro) these deals that players are signing overseas end up being more lucrative. In most cases these guys are getting tax free money AND they make more money because of the conversion fee. Look at the Brandon Jennings of the world going overseas and making money (euros) instead of going to college in the US, Juan Carlos Navarro (leaving Memphis), and Carlos Delfino (leaving Toronto) all to Europe for big dollar deals. This could be a trend, eh?

And lastly my addition to Stupid Athlete Tricks: Shawne Williams, already in hot water with the Indiana Pacers, is caught driving with a friend. Shawne is given a ticket for the windows being too darkly tinted and driving without a seat belt. That's neither here nor there. The passenger of the car (and owner of the car) is searched and is found to have weed on him and is charged for possession. Wow,....is it me or should you just be able to tell 'your boys', if they are your boys that you can't take any more heat right now. If we are going to hang out, get high before I get there and by all means, don't leave any for me. Don't these 'friends' realize that the only reason they get to hang out all day and do nothing is because Shawne has this great job with the Indiana Pacers?!?!? Why not protect your investment in your friendship? Stupid. Now Shawne's employer is going to put more pressure on him, possibly sending him to another city, and all of ta sudden to new friends. When will people learn that you are responsible for who you hang around with?!?!?!? The President of the Pacers, Larry Bird, has already told everyone that he wants players that can do 3 things: STAY OUT OF TROUBLE, play hard and win. Shawne, I hope you got the message.

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