Category: NBA (Page 587 of 595)

When Hedo Turkoglu fouled out with 3:22 left in the fourth quarter and the Magic trailing the Sonics, 103-87, the conversation probably went something like this:

Brian Hill: Steve, get Hedo.

Steve Francis: Nah.

Francis refused to enter the game and the team has since suspended him indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team.

Way to go, Franchise.

Apparently, Hawks SF Al Harrington has been able to discover what no reporter has been able to – the future home of Ron Artest.

Harrington said he heard from people in Indiana that the Pacers and Clippers were close to finalizing a deal swapping Ron Artest for Corey Maggette. Harrington said he’ll be happy for Artest, whenever he finally returns to the floor. And he’s convinced that whatever team Artest suits up for will be dangerous. “Any team with a sane Ron Artest is going to be tough to deal with,” Harrington said. “Any team with he’s on with his mind right, is going to the playoffs and is going to make some noise. So it’ll be good for Ron and for the Clippers.”

While I love the “a sane Ron Artest is going to be tough to deal with” comment, I think the the Clippers would be nuts to trade Maggette for Artest. On the floor, that’s a good move for LA, but off the floor and in the locker room, it is a nightmare. Call me crazy, but I don’t think Artest’s total value (on and off the court) is greater than Maggette’s.

Kobe Bryant and Lebron James have been on fire of late, and the two collide in the nightcap of TNT’s coverage tonight, at 10:30 ET. The Cavs are 7-3 in their last ten, and are fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 20-12 record. Conversely, the Lakers are one game above .500 (18-17) and have lost six of their last ten. The game is in L.A. so the pressure is on the Lakers to get a much needed win.

Tim Duncan doesn’t want to participate in the World Games or the ’08 Olympic Games. Duncan is one of the top 3 players in the NBA and this decision is a huge blow to Team USA. He is the consummate team player and would be a fantastic anchor in the middle.

I can’t really blame Duncan for his decision. He has already given up two summers pursuing a gold medal for his country and his experience as a bronze medal winner was less than enjoyable. After fouling out nine times in seven years of NBA play, Duncan suffered through the international ticky-tack officiating, fouling out twice in eight games. He thought that the best of the NBA would follow him to Greece, but what he got was a piecemeal team that seemed to be thrown together at the last minute.

It’s a shame that he doesn’t want to play though. Writing Tim Duncan in as your starting center is a great way to rebuild Team USA.