Basketball Blog

Hottest news off the press right now is the “imminent” trade that will send Kevin Garnett to Boston for Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, and other spare parts. Garnett’s probably warmed up to playing for Boston knowing he’d team up with both the Truth and Ray Allen in the “Leastern” Conference. If the trade goes through, Boston becomes the immediate favorite in the East, as they’re the only team with at least two legit superstars in the whole conference.

ESPN had some misses in June, though. There were at least three “imminent” trades on draft night, and none of them went through. The only trades that did happen (Allen to Boston; Randolph to New York) were those ESPN had no idea about until they were announced…

Milwaukee decided to pony up the cash to keep rising stud Mo Williams for six years and over $50 million. The Bucks are hoping that their young core of Williams, Andrew Bogut, Charlie Villanueva, and star guard Michael Redd will be healthy long enough to become as legit as an Eastern Conference team can claim to be…

Ironically, Williams is head of a program called “Mo’s Making Money Matter.” The program teaches and encourages kids to “learn the value of saving money.” It’s a sure bet he gave a great speech to kids right after inking his new deal…

Morris Peterson departed Toronto for the first time in his career, signing with the New Orleans Hornets. GM Jeff Bower said, “Morris was our top free agent target this summer.” Aim small, miss small, right?

Coach Lawrence Frank of New Jersey received a multi-year extension this past week. Apparently he’s the Nets’ winningest coach with a record of 157-129. Never-mind the fact that his record’s winning percentage equals .549, or that he’s never taken a team with Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson to the Finals coming out of the Eastern Conference. There’s no way Brooklyn natives will put up with that once the Nets move there…

Former Stanford sniper Casey Jacobsen signed with the Grizzlies in an attempt to resurrect his NBA career. If Marc Iavaroni’s offense has the effect on former bit players like his mentor D’Antoni, a career year for Jacobsen is already assured…

Laker castoff Smush Parker signed with the Heat for two years, and didn’t hesitate in comparing his former All-Star teammate (Kobe) to his new one (D-Wade). “D-Wade is more of a people person than Kobe. I’m looking forward to jelling with Wade, and playing with him,” said Smush to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

In light of those comments, it’s almost a shame that the NBA and ABC cancelled their annual X-Mas game of Heat vs. Lakers. It would’ve been amusing for the writers and commentators to bring up Parker’s comments before the game, and then watch Bryant burn Parker and the Heat for at least forty…

Instead of Heat/Lakers, fans will be treated to Heat vs. Cavaliers (a.k.a. Wade vs. LeBron). The level of competition should be pretty equal. Udonis Haslem and Drew Gooden should neutralize each other’s blue collar work. Big Z and Shaq will be the slow, plodding shadows of their former selves. The outside shooting will be atrocious, and whoever is better between Wade and LeBron will decide who comes out victorious…

Bulls.com interviewed Joakim Noah, and asked him if he’d stop being a Knicks fan since putting on a Bulls uniform. Noah’s response? “I actually haven’t liked the Knicks for awhile. The last Knicks teams that I really followed were before Patrick Ewing left. Since then, I’ve kind of divorced my affiliation with the Knicks.” Join the club…