Sloan To Retire

Reports out of Utah is that the longest tenure coach in the NBA will step down.  Jerry Sloan, head coach of the Utah Jazz for 23 seasons, will retire effectively today.  Assistant coach Tyrone Corbin will take over head coaching duties.  According to ESPN's Marc Stein, Sloan was very angry with point guard Deron Williams when he decided to call his own number for a play on Wednesday night.  That led to a blow up at halftime.  Then a meeting with general manager Kevin O'Connor following.  Sources close to the situation told Stein that this was one of a few blow-ups between Sloan and Williams.  The relationship between the two has pretty much run its course.  As of today, Hall of Fame head coach was third all time in coaching wins of the NBA behind Don Nelson and Lenny Wilkens.

Source: ESPN

Tweet

Lakers And Nuggets Talking Melo

As if this Carmelo Anthony trade dilemma hasn't been crazy already, it may have gotten a little more crazier.  According to ESPN's NBA insider Chris Broussard, the Lakers and Nuggets has started in preliminary discussions to land Carmelo in L.A.  He broke this developing story during the 11am SportsCenter on ESPN this morning.  The deal would send Andrew Bynum to Denver for Carmelo possibly straight up because it works financially under the current CBA (Collection Bargaining Agreement).  Because of that, this deal would not require a third team like the proposed trade involving Denver, Minnesota, and New York.  Denver is not interested in Ron Artest seeing that they would want to get younger not older.  Also, Lamar Odom may not be part of the deal because of his salary of $9M next season that Denver would not want to take on.  Again, this is in the early stages so Denver may want to get more players involve so they can shed more salary off their books.  Sources close to Anthony told Broussard that he wouldn't mind going to L.A.  Really?  You don't say.  I'm sure weather and the chance play with future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant has nothing to do with it.  But best believe Denver can use this as leverage with the New York Knicks.  Man, this soap opera is getting good!

Source: ESPN SportsCenter

Tweet

Varejao May Be Traded

Anderson Varejao of the Cleveland Cavaliers is set to have surgery on his injured ankle which has sidelined him for the rest of the season on February 12th.  That's not discouraging teams around the league from inquiring if the Cavs are willing to part with Varejao.  According to Hoopsworld.com, sources told them that there is still a great interest in Andy regardless of his season ending injury.  It shouldn't come to any surprise.  Andy does the intangibles that don't show up in the stat sheet.  He brings energy and hustle that appeal to other franchises.  Teams around the league understand that the Cavs are unable to put the same price tag on Andy now, than if he were healthy.  Along with the Cavs owning the NBA record for consecutive losses, they are going to have to rebuild sooner or later.  So why not see if they can get him on the cheap. 

Source: Hoopsworld.com

Tweet

The MeloDrama May Be Over Soon

According to ESPN's NBA insider Chris Broussard, the New York Knicks may have a deal in place to land Carmelo Anthony.  It's in the early stages, but it will be a three team trade that will involve Denver, New York, and Minnesota.  The Knicks would send Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry, with his expiring contract, to Minnesota while sending Wilson Chandler to Denver.  Minnesota will send Corey Brewer along with a first round draft pick to Denver as well.  And lastly, New York will receive Carmelo Anthony from Denver who will sign his three year, $65M extension that he turned down while in Denver.  This would be bittersweet for the Nuggets.  Yes, they will finally deal their disgruntled star but they won't get as much back as if the proposed deal with the Nets wasn't axed by Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov.  I wouldn't say Carmelo to the Knicks this season will make them a title contender but this will shake up the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Source: ESPN New York, New York Post

Tweet

2011 Rookie Challenge Roster Are Set

2011 Rookie Challenge roster for NBA All Star Weekend are set.  Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings will lead the Sophomores while Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers will lead the Rookies. Best believe there will be no defense and nothing but alley-oops.  Here's the Rookies & Sophomores rosters:

Rookies
Eric Bledsoe - L.A. Clippers G 6-1 Kentucky
DeMarcus Cousins - Sacramento C 6-11 Kentucky
Derrick Favors - New Jersey F 6-10 Georgia Tech
Landry Fields - New York G 6-7 Stanford
Blake Griffin - L.A. Clippers F 6-10 Oklahoma
Wesley Johnson - Minnesota G 6-7 Syracuse
Greg Monroe - Detroit C 6-11 Georgetown
Gary Neal - San Antonio G 6-4 Towson State
John Wall - Washington G 6-4 Kentucky

Sophomores
DeJuan Blair - San Antonio C 6-7 Pittsburgh
DeMar DeRozan - Toronto G 6-7 USC
Stephen Curry - Golden State G 6-3 Davidson
Tyreke Evans - Sacramento G 6-6 Memphis
Taj Gibson - Chicago F 6-9 USC
Jrue Holiday - Philadelphia G 6-4 UCLA
Serge Ibaka - Oklahoma City F-C 6-10 Brazzaville, Rep. of Congo
Brandon Jennings - Milwaukee G 6-1 Lottomatica Virtus Roma
Wesley Matthews - Portland G 6-5 Marquette

Source: NBA.com

Tweet

We May Have To Make A Move

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak isn't fond of his team's play which may prompt him to shake things up a bit.  Kupchak spoke to the media yesterday at the Lakers' practice facility after the loss on Sunday to Boston.

"Regarding a trade, I may have to. I'm not saying that I've made calls today or I'll make them tomorrow. But I just don't think that we're playing as well as our talent level should allow us."

I do believe that the loss to Boston Sunday was very disappointing.   The effort the Lakers gave was lackluster.  Boston were getting baskets way too easy.  Kobe reverted back to the old Kobe back jacking up shots by himself in the 4th quarter.  Does Kupchak have the pieces needed to make a deal happen?  I don't think so.  They need to focus more on improving the personnel's play rather than a possible overhaul.  Pau Gasol played soft on Sunday.  Ron Artest needs to become that defensive presence that he once was last year.  With Matt Barnes, Lamar Odom, Steve Blake, and Shannon Brown can still be very productive off the bench.  Then veterans Theo Ratliff and Joe Smith,when playoff time comes, may pay dividends.  Again, the Lakers are going through a rough patch right now.  All good teams do.  The Lakers are STILL second in the West.  They are 7 1/2 games back of San Antonio, which is on another planet right now.  Regardless, they are in a nice position.  People need to relax. 

Source: NBA.com

Tweet
 

Mike Brown Frontrunner For Pacers Job

With Jim O'Brien out as Indiana Pacers head coach, a familiar face could possibly be next in line.  That face is former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown.  Mike Brown was an assistant coach in Indiana under Rick Carlisle, the current head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. This is a good look for the Pacers.  Honestly, anyone is better than Jim O'Brien.  O'Brien posted a 121-169 record in his tenure as head coach.  I always believed that Mike Brown in Cleveland while LeBron was there wasn't a good fit.  The offense sets were awful in Cleveland but now that I see what goes on in Miami, Mike Brown wasn't the problem.  Good for Mike Brown.  Hope it works out for him.

Source: New York Post

Tweet