NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls and More Potential Landing Spots for Josh Howard
December 3rd, 2011 by Tim Daniels No comments »
Small forward Josh Howard, most recently a member of the Washington Wizards, is an intriguing free-agent option for contending teams without much cap space. Several squads have already contacted Howard's representatives, according to Chris Broussard, but here are the three best fits.Chicago Bulls Chicago's offensive attack could use another weapon to go along with Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng. Howard wouldn't be asked to play extended minutes, which should help his durability problems, and could provide some veteran leadership off the bench. The Bulls are going to need a lot of depth if they're going to hang with the big three in Miami. Since Chicago doesn't have that third marquee name, a relentless rotation at every position may allow them to wear down the Heat over a long series. Howard would be a step in the right direction and should come at a fair price because of his ...
Blackhawks vs. Blues: David Perron Finally Laces Up the Skates Again
December 3rd, 2011 by Ryan Bothmann No comments »
On November 4th, 2010, David Perron was hit on a cheap shot from the San Jose Sharks' Joe Thornton.Now after missing 97 games due to a concussion, the Blues' star forward is ready to take the ice in front of a sellout crowd at the Scottrade Center as the Blues host the division rival Chicago Blackhawks."It's been a long road obviously," Perron said on Friday. "I didn't expect it to be that long obviously. I'm really excited to get back to the lineup tomorrow. Everyone has been really kind and helpful. I'm just glad to be back to 100 percent healthy now, and ready to go."Concussions have not been taken lightly in hockey in recent years.Star forward Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, like Perron, had his season ended with a concussion last year. Crosby returned to the Pittsburgh lineup just 12 days ago.Another star player, Marc Savard of the ...
Dallas Mavericks: Where Does Corey Brewer Fit in Plans?
December 3rd, 2011 by Ethan Grant No comments »
We don't know much about the way rosters will shape up until Dec. 9. Until then, we can only speculate on the roles free agents and current players on the Dallas Mavericks will have come opening night.But one of the 10 players currently under contract no matter what is Corey Brewer, the young guard/forward the Mavericks were able to sign after he was cut by the New York Knicks last season.The Mavericks gave him a three-year, $7 million deal, signaling they wanted him to be a part of the future, not just a midseason, minute-eating player.So the question becomes: Where will Brewer fit come Christmas day? He was pivotal in the Mavericks Game 1 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinals. When he came on the court in the third quarter, the Mavericks trailed 60-44 and when he left the game midway through the quarter the ...
NBA Trade Speculation: Why Ben Gordon Should Go Back to Chicago Bulls
December 3rd, 2011 by Jay Wierenga No comments »
The Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons are two franchises that are inexorably bound.Besides their connection on the I-94 in Michigan, their franchises have been linked throughout their histories.The Pistons and Bulls battled throughout the 1980s for Midwestern and NBA supremacy, meeting one another for some classic battles.The Pistons were the dominant franchise in the '80s, the Bulls were dominant in the '90s and the Pistons again in the 2000s.Now it is the Bulls' turn.The Pistons groomed Dennis Rodman to become a Bulls legend, and the Bulls thought the same was going to be true with Ben Wallace.The fact of the matter is that these two rivals will always have a place of hatred in one another's hearts.Now it is time for these two teams to do business once again.But this time, it won't be on the court.The Bulls are a perimeter scoring shooting guard away from title contention.The Pistons need ...
NBA Rumors: Russell Westbrook Shouldn’t Get Max Contract from OKC Thunder
December 3rd, 2011 by Nicholas Goss No comments »
Russell Westbrook is a fantastic young star and a top-tier NBA point guard, but the Oklahoma City Thunder would be foolish to give him a maximum contract extension.Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix tweeted on Nov. 29 that the Thunder will likely offer their young point guard a max contract.As soon as team executives could speak with players' agents, Thunder GM Sam Presti began contract negotiations with Westbrook's agent, according to NewsOK.Presti said the following about Westbrook:“Everybody knows how we feel about Russell Westbrook as a person and as a player, and we're looking forward to having those conversations at the appropriate time.”Under the current rules, the longest deal Westbrook might be able to sign would be a four-year deal. There is no way he deserves an amount of $17-20 million per season.Westbrook is a very good player but he has too many faults, such as bad shot selection, a poor attitude at times ...
NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls Will Have to Make Due with Low-Risk Veteran at SG
December 3rd, 2011 by Brian Mazique No comments »
Chicago Bulls fans have waited through the offseason and a near-150-day lockout for the Bulls to address their shooting guard issue. The 2011-12 version of a solution may not be that exciting to Bulls fans. That doesn't mean it won't be successful, but the chances of a big-name replacement for the three-headed monster that scared no one is unlikely.So while Bulls fans can rest assured there will be no repeat of Keith Bogans, Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer, it doesn't appear that the likes of OJ Mayo, Monta Ellis or Arron Afflalo will be wearing Bulls uniforms either.The next tier down could be a shaky proposition as well. That group includes Jason Richardson and Caron Butler, who is naturally a SF. There has been some mention that Luol Deng could possibly play the two, but that could be a huge challenge.On top of that, both players must agree to take ...
NBA Rumors: Caron Butler Would Reopen Spurs’ Championship Window
December 3rd, 2011 by Tim Daniels No comments »
The aging San Antonio Spurs were eliminated from last season's playoffs by a younger, more athletic Memphis Grizzlies team. Prevailing wisdom said the series closed San Antonio's championship window, but a move for free agent Caron Butler could change that in a heartbeat (via David Aldridge).Butler has also been linked to the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls since a labor agreement was reached and as contenders attempt to add cost-effective depth. The former 10th overall pick has always carried around an injury-prone label, but he's a dynamic contributor when healthy. He averaged 15 points and four rebounds while shooting a career-high 43 percent from beyond the arc for the Dallas Mavericks last season. He'd be a major upgrade over Richard Jefferson, who has never found his niche with the Spurs after being acquired to rejuvenate the offense. The longtime New Jersey Nets small forward would need to be cut via ...
NBA Rumors: Using Amnesty Clause on Richard Jefferson Wouldn’t Help Spurs
December 3rd, 2011 by Thad Novak No comments »
Among the most-discussed provisions of the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement is the amnesty clause. Under the new rule, teams would be able to regain salary cap flexibility by buying out the contract of a single veteran. One slumping veteran who’s being talked about as a potential casualty of the new rule is San Antonio's Richard Jefferson.The San Antonio Express-News reports the Spurs “are believed to have been in contact” with agents for a number of free-agent small forwards, including Dallas’ Caron Butler and Washington’s Josh Howard. For all that, Jefferson scored just 11 points a game last season—his worst output since his rookie year—and it’s hard to see what the Spurs hope to gain by parting ways with him.San Antonio needs to decide whether to make one last push with its aging core or begin building for the future, and the proposed replacements for Jefferson would contribute little to ...
NBA Trade Rumors: Why New Orleans Hornets Must Move Chris Paul
December 3rd, 2011 by Justin Welton No comments »
Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets has the ability to walk as a free agent after the shortened 2011-12 NBA season. Right now his future is unclear. Losing the best point guard in the league for nothing would be an absolute shame. New Orleans cannot allow Paul to walk free after this season. They must swallow their pride and deal him before the trade deadline.Paul is the best pure point guard in the NBA. He can do it all. He led the Hornets in points (22), rebounds (seven), assists (12) and steals (two) per game in the 2011 postseason. He’s that valuable of a piece. He’s not going to want to return to New Orleans. It would be shocking if he did. Paul wants to play with the big guns. He wants to be paired with superstars in hopes of winning a title. That’s what the NBA is all about these ...
NBA Trade Rumors: Why Minnesota Should Trade for Josh Smith
December 3rd, 2011 by Austin Green No comments »
Josh Smith is open to being traded and the Minnesota Timberwolves would be smart to make a deal for the athletic forward.After six awful seasons in a row, the T'Wolves desperately need to improve. They haven't made the playoffs since 2004 and have won just 22, 24, 15 and 17 games the last four seasons.General manager David Kahn's job is about as safe as a 3 a.m. drunk drive to Taco Bell and Kevin Love, who has just one year left on his contract, will likely flee for greener pastures if the team isn't more competitive this season.The addition of Smith, despite his flaws, would help ensure that both men stay in the Twin Cities.Smith is one of the best athletes in a league that's full of spectacular ones. He's a beast defensively and can dominate games with his rebounding.His high-flying, shot-swatting style would make up for Love's lack ...