Josh Childress Heads To Greece

What is the best word to describe this summer's free agency period in the NBA? I tend to lean towards "perplexing". It all started with Baron Davis blindsiding the Warriors and signing with the Clippers--which led to his Los Angeles teammate for all of 30 seconds, Elton Brand to opt out of his contract and head east to Philadelphia.

Then the Clippers were left with all this extra money and the rumors had linked Charlotte's Emeka Okafor or Atlanta's Josh Smith to possibly being brought in to replace Brand. Then things got weird.

Three days ago, a story broke and suggested that Atlanta's Josh Childress was considering an offer to play in Greece for the club Olympiakos. Initially, the reports seemed to be dismissed by most because why would anyone leave the NBA for Europe when they're logging big minutes on a playoff team? Turns out, Childress was serious about jumping the pond and proceeded to sign the richest contract in Euroleage history. Thanks Europe! It turns out that Josh Childress was the "player to be named later" in the whole David Beckham trade. They must like the afro. Strange business in the NBA.

Hey, F*** You David Stern

This could turn out to be a landmark moment in the one year breeding ground that is college basketball. Brandon Jennings, the number one ranked point guard prospect in the nation has decided to pass college ball entirely and head to Europe for one season before entering the NBA Draft (and also brought the flat top fade back--so the kid can't be all that bad). The headline says it all. Jennings is encouraging NBA Commish David Stern to forcibly insert his age limits into his anus.

Now, Jennings (who originally signed with Arizona) is yet to sign with an agent who will help him get set up with a contract in Europe (How would the bidding go? Do European leagues have drafts? Is it like when the Yankees signed Jose Contrares). Jennings and his family are going to consult with Sonny Vaccaro (how could this possibly go wrong?) before hiring an agent.

The fade. Word. Seriously, word to Kid.

*UPDATE*: ESPN's Jemele Hill (who can be over the top at times) has an article that's a pretty good read regarding Jennings' decision. If you have a chance, it can be found here.

2008-09 NBA Rookie of the Year Should Come From Portland

...and his name isn't Greg Oden. The Portland Trailblazers signed their stud Spanish import Rudy Fernandez today. Fernandez was drafted by Phoenix last year before being traded to Portland.
Here's the interesting thing about Fernandez. There were questions about when he would've been able to join his NBA teams, which is the main reason he fell to the end of the first round last year. If not for the contract problems, it is not out of the question to say that he could've been a top 5 pick in the draft. Comparisons to his game range from Kevin Martin to Manu Ginobli, you get the point--the kid can shoot.
Rudy will also join his sister Marta who plays for the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA. THE (W)NBA--it's FAM-tastic!
Also, don't be surprised next month when Spain gives the world a run for it's money in the Olympic basketball. They'll be sporting a roster that includes Fernandez, Jose Calderon, Pau Gasol, and Ricky Rubio (who will be a lottery pick next season), and Sergio Rodriguez (Rudy's teammate on the Blazers).

Comparing The 2008-09 Chicago Bulls With 1990-91 Seattle Sonics

The fine folks over at Blog-A-Bull wrote an interesting comparison piece comparing the new Chicago Bulls (and by new I mean with Derek Rose) to the Seattle Supersonics team that drafted Gary Payton (they had lucked out in the lottery after just missing the playoffs with 41 wins). Overall, a strong article--except I'm not sure I 100% believe that Tyrus Thomas will be as effective as Shawn Kemp (that would cause me to do backflips). Well, if you have the time, you should check it out.

Also, it warrents mentioning that Shawn Kemp Jr. (the first of many we can assume) is being heavily recruited to play college ball. The 6-9 center is ranked as the 25th best player in the 2009 class. Thought you'd like to know.

Thinking About The Future and the 90s Sonics

Random Story Of The Day

Seriously, this is the oddest story I think I could find today. Philadelphia 76ers center Samuel Dalembert is suing a New York based design studio for scamming him. Dalembert claims he invested over $1 million to a company to license products for the new "Speed Racer" movie. Apparently, the company doesn't have the rights to make these products so Dalembert is suing for $50,000 (why not the whole million?). Check out the legal documents here.

TMZ

Where Are They Now?

This is a five year old story from ESPN about a North Carolina high school student who scored 61 points when he was a senior in honor of his grandfather who was murdered at the age of 61 a few days before. If you like having your heart strings tugged at, give it a chance, it's touching.
If you're a big basketball fan--this is a story you need to see, and you'll know why after you get to the 20 second mark.

Derek Fisher's Foul And Vanessa Bryant's Foul Mouth

Quite an ending in San Antonio last night. Brent Barry's three pointer was off the mark at the last second and whether or not you thought Fisher fouled him (he did), the Lakers have a 3-1 lead heading back to Los Angeles on Thursday night. A win on Thursday and the NBA has half of it's dream matchup set (if only the league could do something about those unpredictable Pistons).
It has been an interesting couple of days for Kobe Bryant. Last week, a rumor emerged claiming that he was cheating on his wife with a Laker Girl who mysteriously was fired from her job (lawsuit?). This week, along with a potential birth in the NBA Finals, Kobe's has to deal with his wife Vanessa who is...shall we say irritated with ESPN The Magazine writer Laura Lane for a piece she wrote about Vanessa. The article was--gasp--about Vanessa Bryant's outfit and how she spends her time with her kids (how dare Lane!).
So Vanessa Bryant spots Lane at the Lakers game Sunday and lets her have it. The follwing is directly from Lane's blog:

Last night, I got cussed out by Vanessa Bryant. Seriously. At the Lakers game. In front of her kids. In front of the Lakers locker room. It was awesome. She is mad about an article I wrote where I mentioned her. That means one of two things - she either reads the ESPN blog or she has herself on Google alerts. Both are fantastic.
So as I’m walking out of the Lakers locker room after some post-game interviews with the players, I pass Vanessa, who is sitting outside the locker room as usual with her two girls.
“Laura!” she screams (yes, she apparently knows my name). “F--- you! You f------ b----!”
“Excuse me?” I say, completely baffled as I look around me to see if there is someone else named Laura. No, there’s not.
Her daughters – ages 5 and 2 – are sitting next to her on the bench looking at their mom as she screams.
“F--- you! How dare you write about me and my daughters and their schedule! You didn’t say you were writing an article! F--- you! You f------ bitch. You have no journalism ethics! F--- you! You b---- - ”
I just stare at her. I’ve heard many stories about her from reporters, but this was unbelievable. Two of my friends from the LA Times told me how she cussed out one of them last season, because he said hi to her daughter. “Join the club, this means you’ve arrived,” said one reporter when word spread of my run-in with Vanessa. “She’s insane,” said another. “Everyone knows it.”

It's a good thing that Lane didn't bring up anything too personal...like how she got the $4.3 million purple ring or the world's only automatic Lamborghini. That might have really set her off.

Awful Announcing: ESPN Writer Gets Cussed Out By Kobe Bryant's Wife

There Was A Basketball Game Yesterday?

Sometimes when something happens we have a tough time putting the even in persepective until years later. This shouldn't be the case with yesterday's Boston-Cleveland game 7. The Celtics defeated the Cavs 97-92 in a series finale that, for the most part, was epic. Lebron scores 45? Still loses? Talk about going down fighting (of course it doesn't help when Paul Pierce goes for 41). In the end, Cleveland just didn't have anyone else. It was really obviouis that Cleveland missed Daniel Gibson and his 3 point shooting. The corpse formally known as Ben Wallace (3 points, 4 rebounds?!) did nothing to help his team's cause.
Paul Pierce just got his ticket stamped to Springfield, MA. Although,it was funny to hear the announcers in the game yesterday debate on whether Pierce would have his number retired after his career is over in Boston (um...yes?). The ABC telecast also put up a graphic during the game stating that Pierce had played more playoff games in a Celtics uniform without winning a championship than any other player in team history. Well, it sure as hell looks like he's motivated to end that streak. Up next for the Celtics...the Detroit Pistons. Game one is Tuesday night in Boston, but thanks to the Celtics series going the full 7 games, it allows Chauncy Billups to return from his injury without missing any of the Conference Finals. Prediction? I've labled the Pistons as the East's best team all season, and I'm not going to change that now. Pistons in 7.

Another Game 7? Mmmmm...

This has been the best NBA season since I became a fan in the late 1980s. The playoffs? They keep getting better and better and now we have two game 7s. It really doesn't get much better than this. Tomorrow I will be glued to the couch as the Celtics and Cavs go at it one more time. Where is this headed? I tend to believe that if Lebron is going to be one of the best players--he will come up big tomorrow, and I don't doubt that he will.
Kevin Garnett on the other hand? He had a huge game 5, which if you're keeping track at home runs his total of big time playoff performances to...3 (maybe?). He's also looking for his 5th series victory of his 12 year career. It could be worse for him--T-Mac is still searching for his first.
I really want this game to be better than the Atlanta-Boston game 7. I can't imagine Lebron allowing Cleveland to get blown out like Atlanta did. I'll take Cleveland 92-85. Lebron: 40-12-10 (because, why the hell not?).

With No Regard For Human Life

Did you see the exclamation by Lebron James last night over the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year? Do you think Celtics fans are getting worried now? Sure, they beat Cleveland twice (both in Boston and both thanks to below average games by King James). Last night? James was getting the swagger back and this dunk (which is the video definition of "Killer Instinct") with 1:44 remaining in the 4th solidified it--James is back and if you think he's going to let his team lose the best 2 of 3, you're crazy.
The C's officially can't win on the road now and are missing some important ingredients (see also: big defensive stops, a "go to guy") --not against seasoned teams (which both Detriot and Cleveland are). The question now, is, will Cleveland steal game five or seven in Boston? Personally, I think they win tomorrow night and finish off Boston in six...but I've been wrong before and I'll be wrong again.

Kobe's MVP

The story originally broke last week and I figured I'd mention it as the announcement drew closer but Kobe Bryant is expected to be named NBA MVP tomorrow. Now, I don't have a problem with Kobe being named MVP. He's the best player in the NBA, but an argument could've been made for Chris Paul or Lebron James. Still, it's hard to believe that Kobe's never won an MVP award before.

To be honest though, I would love if just one time, the reports that come out a week in advance were wrong. How funny would it be if tomorrow, as the Lakers are preparing their pregame ceremony for Bryant, all of a sudden, Paul, Lebron, or KG get name MVP? On a scale of one to ten? I'd have to go ten. If for no other reason besides it would cause Kobe to singlehandedly destroy the Jazz...and that's always fun.

Sports Illustrated

Milk Carton: Kevin Garnett

Believe it or not, the Atlanta Hawks managed to win another game against Boston. Goes to show you that experts are just people who get paid to express their opionions. KG disappeared in the 4th quarter again last night and any further argument in the KG-Duncan debate is one more Celtics loss away from being put to bed for good (but after the first six games this series, how anyone can make an arguement for KG is beyond me).

So who do basketball fans want to see win game 7? If Atlanta wins, it probably goes down as the biggest upset in the NBA since Denver-Seattle in 1994 (and it proably tops that one).

Personally, I can't see this game being close. The Celtics should win going away. I can't see how they don't win big. Of course, I couldn't see Atlanta winning more than one game. Guess that makes me an expert.

*UPDATE: The Hawks must've forgotten to show up. Celtics vs. Cavs, Tueseday.

Not a bad NBA Season for One Fan

Drew Cieszynski is a pretty young guy, but he seems to have lived one hell of a sports fan life. In 2006, he toured every baseball stadium in America. This past season, he decided to attempt the less popular "Tour Every NBA Arena". By comparison, I've only been to the United Center, Target Center, and The Fleet Center...I'm lame.

After the NBA caught wind of Drew Cieszynski's mission, individual teams began to hook him up with ticket, swag, and food. Luck for those of us who will never make that journey in our lives, Drew was kind enough to document the experience. To put it lightly: Drew looks like he had a good time.

I'll be honest, I got lost in his picture diary for about 2 hours--if you have 2 minutes or even 2 hours, it's well worth your time.

This Just Got Interesting

The Atlanta Hawks seemed to have forgotten that they are the Atlanta Hawks. How else do you explain their performance last night in game 2 against the Celtics? Joe Johnson put together the best performance of the playoffs this year (messing around and going for 20 of his 35 in the 4th quarter), leading the underdog Hawks to a 97-92 victory.

The most amazing part of the game wasn't just Johnson. It was how the Hawks really believe they can hang with Boston--they won't back down. But it should be interesting to see how they respond when they head to Boston for game 5.

I'm pretty sure the entire city of Atlanta considers this a victory--regardless of what the Hawks do the rest of the series. Seriously though, who would've thought Boston and Detroit would be tied at 2-2 in their respective series?