Posts from the Nba Gossip Category at FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

I love to talk NBA conspiracy theories: frozen envelopes, rigged playoff games, you name it. I don't believe in any of them, of course, but the one involving Nike and this USA basketball team photo is a conspiracy that makes a lot of sense. Darren Rovell eloquently explains exactly what's going on here:

Here's the only thing you have to know in advance. Dwight Howard is the only member of this team who is not sponsored by Nike.

Coach K is sitting. When a team stands, a coach normally stands. Why is this significant? Because Coach K's left foot just happens to be blocking the adidas logo on Dwight Howard's left foot.

Every player is in height order, with the exception of Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh ... What does this allow for? It gives Howard an excuse to hold the ball and be the only player to not have his hand behind his back. This conveniently helps Howard cover the Nike logo on his shorts.

So what do you think, was this photo intentionally set up this way by the folks at Nike? They say no; I say absolutely. A company that spends (literally) hundreds of millions on marketing these NBA stars is not going to allow another shoe company's logo to be seen in a photo like this. Especially when you consider that these players are among the most recognizable individuals that will be seen by a global audience during this summer's Olympics.

If that whole idea of a professional athlete taking less money to land in a competitive situation freaked you out for a little while, well, fear not -- Ron Artest is here to assure you that everything in this totally twisted world is still right. How so, you ask?

He sent an email to Marc Stein tonight stating that deciding not to opt out of his contract was a "mistake".

Artest also conceded that his long-term future is likely not in Sacramento, saying via e-mail: "I don't see myself with [the] Kings beyond 2008-09.

"I think I made the biggest mistake by staying in my contract and I have to live with it," Artest said. "I had some misleading information [in making the] decision on not opting out. [But] I still thank God for all his blessings and being able to play basketball and help people."

First of all, why the hell does Artest continue to send emails directly to Stein and ESPN? I have no issue with him dealing with the WWL, I just think at some point, one of his advisor/agent type people would just say "stop." Or at least put a breathalyzer styled timer thing on his computer that prevents sending emails without waiting at least an hour.

Gilbert Arenas is quite arguably the top free agent option heading into the 2008-09 season. It has been assumed that once Antawn Jamison inked a new deal -- and Gil said as much himself -- that Arenas would sign on as well.

But things got a little more complicated Monday night/Tuesday morning as Baron Davis opted out, and the Warriors, in response, allegedly offered Agent Zero a max deal.

Then, according to my sources, the Warriors quickly burned the phones and offered former Warrior Gilbert Arenas a maximum-level contract, one that would pay him more than $100 million over five years. My source told me that Gilbert received a flurry of phone calls from the Warriors in the first 30 minutes of free agency.

After Gilbert drove to the Verizon Center for a late night workout and a meeting with Ernie Grunfeld, the Wizards came strong with an offer of a maximum contract that covers six years for over $124 million (Not sure whether they knew about the Golden State offer or not. I hear they didn't. Ernie came strong but also laid it out for Gilbert that if he asked for the maximum, the team would be in a tough spot.)

As Ivan at the WaPo noted, Arenas is more inclined, according to sources, to take the Wizards deal. He has also, however, been approached by Sacramento with a "whatever it takes" credo.

Odds are good that he ends up returning to Washington, especially if the money is similar. On the other hand though, there are few spots in the NBA that would fully utilize his talents (some passing, mostly free reign to jack threes) more than Golden State. Actually, check that: the Warriors would be the perfect place to utilize Gil's talents. So, yes, there's some mulling going on here.

Via Enrico (although reclipped by yours truly), comes this clip of Charles Barkley appearing on NBC10's Sports Final Sunday night. On topic for Chuckles was, of course, the 76ers. Barkley thinks that Ed Stefanski -- who also appears in the clip (1:43) talking about making something 'pop' via free agency or a trade -- is making a mistake by attempting to spend money now, particularly if it's on Josh Smith (2:20).



Chuck's belief, obviously, isn't too far fetched. But odds are pretty good that he and Eddie S. aren't seeing completely eye-to-eye on this one.

Last year it was these two geniuses making all the NBA vacation noise. With the NBA free agency period just underway, we find out what NBA stars will be giving their [travel] agents a call this year as they look for new destinations.

1. Gilbert Arenas
6'4", 215 -- PG -- 26 years old, 7 years pro
Status: Unrestricted FA after opting out

Supposedly, Gilbert Arenas is all set to sign with the Washington Wizards again. And if he didn't you can bet there would be one teed off formerly unrestricted free agent. Rumor is, though, that both the Warriors and Wizards have thrown out max deals for Arenas, so it basically comes down to him picking at this point. Spiiiice.

Available Bookings: Washington, Golden State
The likely scenario is that Gil ends up staying where he is via the double-secret-probation deal already in place, getting close to max money and crippling the Wizards salary cap for the next few years. But gosh, they're fun to watch.

Destination: Washington.

2. Elton Brand
6'8", 254 -- PF -- 29 years old, 9 years pro
Status: Unrestricted after opting out

When something works (and by "works" I mean "gets a $400,000 debt paid off") you usually become pretty willing to use that method again. Which would explain why the Wynn Casino, who publicly shamed Charles Barkley into paying off a six figure debt, is getting busy in court again.

Wynn Las Vegas claims NBA Entertainment, NBA Properties and co-defendant Alonzo Mourning Charities have failed to pay a $50,000 bill for convention and meeting space and related services used during the 2007 NBA All-Star weekend.

[...]The casino claims to have entered into an agreement with NBA Entertainment for use of the resort's hotel and convention space during the February 2007 event.

NBA Entertainment then authorized the charity to use some of the convention and meeting space for a fund-raiser, according to the lawsuit.

But, in a vicious strike by karma, the casino quickly backtracked, stating that an "administrative error" led to the filing of the complaint against the NBA; they were only trying to sue Mourning's Charity organization. Which, while terribly stupid looking for the attorneys that represent the Wynn, is still just as embarrassing for Mourning.

Now, odds say that his charity organization either a) forgot to pay the bill or b) got crossed up with the NBA on who was going to pay the casino off. But that doesn't make it any less awkward for them, and you can bet the Wynn gets the 50k paid to them pretty fast. Or else they're coming to collect. And they don't take "no" for an answer. Just kidneys.

Via Ballhype

This little tidbit comes from the New York Post, so by all means, take it with a grain of salt. But the word on the street is that Richard Jefferson isn't very happy about being traded from the Nets -- a hop-skip from possibly the most happening city in the entire country, NYC -- to the frozen tundra of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Behold:

"He didn't seem very happy," said [Nets team president Rod] Thorn, who emphasized yesterday he had not yet spoken to Jefferson. "I spoke to his agent, I called him, texted him. I like Richard. He was here for a long time and I'm sure he still expected to be here. Unless you are the one pushing for it, it's always difficult when you are traded. You are going to a new place, have new teammates. It's hard at first."

So, Rod Thorn didn't speak to RJ, yet through his telepathic connection with him just knows that he doesn't seem happy. That's fine I guess, because the Post isn't exactly making a huge leap here. To say that Jefferson -- who, after the Kidd trade, was basically the face of the franchise -- wouldn't be pleased to pack up and start things over again in freaking Milwaukee of all places, is really just common sense, isn't it?

I don't think any All-Star caliber player would be happy about leaving the New York area for Wisconsin. But if there's a bright side for RJ, it's of the basketball variety: the Bucks might be pretty decent next season, and if healthy, should contend for a playoff spot. Michael Redd, Mo WIlliams, Andrew Bogut, and (possibly) rookie Joe Alexander could be rounding out the Bucks' opening day starting five. Looks pretty good to me, although I said that last season too. Maybe you should take what I say with a grain of salt as well.

There was an interesting piece from A. Sherrod Blakely yesterday which discussed one of the possible reasons that Chris Douglas-Roberts fell all the way out of the first round to become the 40th overall pick in the NBA Draft. Basically, Blakely thinks that the fact that CDR was in the business of turning down workout requests from teams (like the Pistons) who were drafting in the area that he was projected to go in hurt his draft stock, and ultimately meant that Roberts, like a lot of athletes, just didn't get it.

The thing that disturbs me - and I would imagine, most fans - is how a lot of these soon-to-be-millionaires just don't seem to get it.

Playing in the NBA is more than just a job; it's a VIP pass into a lifestyle that few ever understand and even fewer gain admittance into. So to see draft prospects take all this for granted, before they even get to the league, is disturbing.

Blakely is speaking from the Pistons' perspective here, but given how far CDR fell from his projected first round draft spot (most mocks had him in the 20-25-ish range), it's likely that many other teams shared these feelings. Plus, the few teams that CDR did decide to work out for had less than glowing reviews. The biggest knock on him was that he wore down near the end of the workouts, and that he wouldn't be ready to contribute big minutes in his first NBA season. You would think a player would go through as many workouts as he could to dispel those negative perceptions, but obviously CDR (or his people) didn't feel it was necessary.

And as far as Roberts' thoughts on the Pistons? He supposedly made it clear to people on draft night that he had no interest in playing for Detroit, because he didn't feel that he fit with their style. I'm guessing he might have a difference of opinion if asked today, considering being drafted by the Pistons at 29 would have meant guaranteed first round money for the next three seasons.

Jerryd Bayless did not have a Darrell Arthur-like plummet in the draft, but he still fell pretty far, relatively speaking. When he finally got taken at number 11 overall, it was easily seven spots later than where he -- and many prognosticators -- thought he would have landed.

And just like the Zero-man before him, Bayless has revenge on his mind for the teams that passed on him because he seems like more of an ill-fitted two than a true point guard.

"I think they are crazy," Bayless said when asked what he would say to people who don't think he can play both guard spots. "That's what I think."

[...]Bayless appeared visibly upset that he went that low, after it was predicted in mock drafts that he could be picked as high as No. 4 by Seattle or realistically No. 7 by the Los Angeles Clippers.

"I have 10 teams to prove wrong now," Bayless told ESPN radio. "I'm going to definitely go out and try to do that. Hopefully everything works out."

Now, of course, Bayless did not fall nearly as far as Gil, who ended up in the second round. And it's also tough for Bayless to be that upset, considering that he landed in a pretty perfect spot, getting to run the point for Portland.

He'll have control of a young, up and coming team with a plethora of weapons and with Brandon Roy in the backcourt with him, he'll have the opportunity to score plenty as well. And if he's teed off and willing to prove that a slew of teams messed up by passing on him, it will only make Kevin Pritchard look smarter.

The Bobcats, needless to say, had a curious draft. Everyone expected Brook Lopez' name to get called at nine; after all, what need does Charlotte have with D.J. Augustin if Raymond Felton is the future at point guard? (Answer: exactly.) But Charlotte reaffirmed today that Felton is going to keep starting and that Augustin was merely drafted as a backup.

"We don't think D.J. is going to come in right now and be the starting point guard," [GM Rod] Higgins said.

While Higgins dismissed talk of a Felton-to-Knicks trade, it's clear the Bobcats were in various trade discussions leading up to the draft.

Managing partner Michael Jordan confirmed Thursday that the team talked to the Toronto Raptors about a deal that could have swapped forward Gerald Wallace for point guard T.J. Ford.

Apparently, talks stalled because the Raptors wanted a draft pick included as well, which seems like a nice thing to let Wallace know (You alone, sir, are worth one T.J. Ford, but you and a draft pick? We think not.) heading into the offseason.