NBA Today

Scores, news, and notes today in the NBA.

The NBA Europe tour went to Spain yesterday, and Darko Milicic had 13 points and 7 rebounds as Memphis defeated MMT Estudiantes. Real Madrid pulled off a 104-103 upset of the Raptors, despite 23 and 7 from Andrea Bargnani. At a silent Madison Square Garden, the Knicks routed Macabi Tel Aviv, as New York had 7 players in double figures. There was no reaction to Isiah Thomas, though that should change during the regular season. Houston hammered Greek power Panathinaikos as Yao scored 21 and grabbed 8 boards. Atlanta edged Charlotte 109-104 as Joe Johnson led all scorers with 25. Detroit and Cleveland went to OT, but the Pistons came away with the 96-90 win despite 17 from LeBron James. Phoenix won at Sacramento 110-99 as disgruntled Shawn Marion scored 18, and new Sun Grant Hill scored 17. Kevin Martin and Quincy Douby led the Kings with 17 each. The Warriors beat the Lakers 119-106 as former D-Leaguer Kelenna Azubuike scored 22.

-Lakers owner Jerry Buss is now open to offers for Kobe Bryant. It would've been better if he admitted this before, because it's now unlikely that teams will make deals until December at the earliest.
-Wizards Center and Syracuse alum Etan Thomas underwent open heart surgery in Minnesota and should be OK. Meanwhile, Washington might look for a big man such as PJ Brown, but Coach Eddie Jordan says that he's satisfied with his frontcourt according to the Washington Post.
-According to all New York papers, it will be tough for Allen Houston to make the Knicks roster. He starts his comeback today.
-This is a make or break year for Carlos Delfino, according to the Detroit Free Press.

N.B.A. Thursday- KG Discussion

First of all, I want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with all the people from the Twin Cities area. I then want to say that I find it insanely ironic that the day that the Garnett trade was confirmed, that the bridge collapsed. The foundation of Minnesota basketball in its history is now gone, as is the foundation of a major MPLS and STP thoroughfare. Throuroughly eery isn't it?

That being said, the balance of power hasn't shifted to the East, that's just rediculous. Ray Allen, KG, Zach Randolph, and Rashard Lewis isn't even close to enough to sway the power out east. The best seed in the East may not have beaten Utah in a series last year according to John Hollinger. That being said, the Celtics are now a contender in the East, while the Wolves will still struggle to reach the postseason out West. The trio of Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce will be one of the best threesomes of weapons in recent memory. But Marc Stein is quick to point out that similar aging trios have failed. Case in point, the Olajuwon-Barkley-Pippen days of the late 90's, and Dominique Wilkins, Moses Malone and Reggie Theus for the Hawks in the late '80's. Stein then comments that they didn't play in this Eastern Conference. LeBron reached the finals last year, and his supporting cast consisted of a one footed Larry Hughes and Zydraunas Ilgauskas. Chicago and Detroit will be the main competition for the Celts in the conference, and they should be a lock for the division over surprisingly formidable New York and the Nets, who's big three doesn't really seem so big anymore compared to the boys from Beantown. The issue for the Celtics is now that they've traded their entire team and the ushers and dance girls to the Wolves, who will fill out the roster? They have Rajon Rondo at the point, and it really doesn't matter if he's elite or not at all. Doc Rivers will have 3 set plays for Rondo: pass to KG, pass to Allen, and pass to Pierce. They're looking through Europe and the D-League for roster fillers and they'll be just fine. They could have me in their starting 5 and still reach the Eastern semis in their sleep. This may have saved Danny Ainge's job. What's your take on this matter??

N.B.A. Thursday

The free agent season has officially began, I'll get to all the transactions from the first actual day of signing. I'll recap last night's scores in all the summer leagues, and go through the latest rumor all on NBA Thursday.


Free Agent Frenzy
Thank heaven for Pistons fans, as they officially resigned Chauncy Billups to a 5 year deal that could be worth as much as 60 million dollars. This keeps the heart of Detroit in the motor city for a while. The sign and trade is now a done deal that will bring Rashard Lewis to Orlando. Seattle will recieve a 2nd round pick and a 9 million dollar trade exception. Phoenix signed Grant Hill to a 2 year deal and then traded James Jones to Portland for the rights to Rudy Fernandez. The Suns also resigned Sean Marks, and Portland bought out the contract of Steve Francis, who was acquired from New York in the Zach Randolph trade. Toronto signed former Miami sharpshooter Jason Kapono to a contract. New Jersey resigned Vince Carter to a 4 year contract worth 60 million. More on official signings on a saturday special.

Summer League Scores
Vegas League
Randy Foye scored 22 and Craig Smith added 21 as Minnesota beat the Spurs 78-69. Aaron Afflalo and Jason Maxiell each scored 21 as Detroit defeated Washington 84-70 despite 20 from Nick Young. Philadelphia edged Phoenix 104-101. Alando Tucker had 29 in the win loss for the Suns, while Louis Williams scored 23 in the win. Milwaukee defeated Seattle 92-85 as Noel Felix scored 27 for the Bucks. Kevin Durant did not play to be at the ESPY's. Good call.....
Boston embarrassed Team China 80-52 as as Leon Powe had 23 and 12 for the Celts. The Lakers pushed past Portland 81-73 as Javaris Crittenton scored 26 for LA.
Orlando Pro League
Charlotte defeated Orlando 95-77. Gabe Muoneke scored 31 for the Bobcats in the win, and JJ Redick had 24 in the loss. Indiana was all over New Jersey 90-65, as Andre Owens led the way with 23 points. Chicago beat the Heat 77-66, as Aaron Gray had 15 for the Bulls.

Rumors
- Houston, Dallas, Miami, and both LA teams are both interested in picking up Steve Francis. (Houston Chronicle)
- Dallas is interested in Chris Webber. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
- Where Morris Peterson goes may depend on how much he's offered rather then team situation. (Deseret Morning News)
- New Orleans is interested in Peterson, in addition to Utah. The Hornets are also looking at Matt Barnes, Mickael Pietrus, James Posey, and Sasha Pavlovic. (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
- Sources say that Derek Fisher will sign a 3 year deal to rejoin the Lakers. (Riverside Press Enterprise)
- Mo Williams have primary offers from Miami and Milwaukee, but could go to either New York or Indiana in sign and trades. (Miami Herald)
- Miami will turn to Steve Blake if they don't get Williams. (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
- The Heat and Nuggets will be the main suitors for Blake. (Denver Post)
- The Bucks could also look at former players Desmond Mason and Jamal Magloire. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
- Brevin Knight, Chucky Atkins and Jason Hart are 3 backup PG options for the Knicks. (NY Daily News)
- Detroit has offered a contract to Amir Johnson (3/10) and the Spurs have shown interest. (Detroit News)

Lots of baseball tomorrow, ciao!