NBA Trade Rumors: Atlanta Hawks to chase Los Angeles Laker Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard moved to the LosAngeles Lakers this season. However, he seems to have tired of according to the financial times, sports in January 18, 2013 in the LosAngeles thunder, the Lakers have a terrible start to the season.
The new TOEFL report says, the Atlanta Hawks in trade recently abandoned Josh Smith and others a chance for Howard to return to his hometown of Atlanta wants him to a long-term contract this summer signing interested.
However, this may prove to be a difficult task is the game player yourself out of Orlando. The Hawks are this season, will have a load of salary space, and can offer Howard a huge new deal, but it remains to be seen just they will try.
Howard is the most likely to stay in LosAngeles Lakers until the end of the season, he will shop in the market and the Lakers will be forced to accept all the hard work put in to give his team does not automatically so that they can't touch.

Looking at the starters for the NBA All-Star Game

2012-2013 NBA All-Star game is more than a month, but recently announced the lineup. The fans know now the stars, will represent their favorite team or during the exhibition game conference is held once a year. This year the National Basketball Association has made some changes to vote their. As with any one year there will be arguing about who and who is left out in the cold roll.
Although the reserves to be released, the lineup has left room for argument. Changes include replacing the traditional starting center forward three star vote produced some interesting debate. In the eastern league roster Dewayne Wade and Rajon Rondo in the backcourt began; Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony will run three available frontier, Kevin - Garnett will play in the starting five. Some controversy first brought about by these names are Garnett inclusions. The sport's long time veteran has been this year and all his numbers are down across the board.
In the other strikers like Paul George, Josh Smith and Rolde were statistically compared with better season, Garnett, but their star power doesn't carry too much weight. It will be interesting, have a look whether these three players will be left when the player list. Kobe Bryant will join in the ball of the Chris of West Paul, who was the fifteenth time he appears as a star in the backcourt. Kevin Durant and Black Griffin striker for the team and the West will be in Dwight Howard have a traditional center. Other ways of performance in the western part of the big man, Howard could only center final list is true. Many different players, should strive for progress in the reserve list position obtained.
We can have a look OJ Mayo get the opportunity to play in his good start light reserve interesting, especially in the absence of Nowitzki. James harden and Russo Westbrook are two other players through this year and the loss of the Western Conference team bench. NBA is scheduled for February 15-17 All-Star weekend, will come from Houston, Texas. The all star game hat event itself is full of the weekend, this year, as in every other, there will be debate about who is who stay at home.

Kings sign deal to move to Seattle

The Sacramento Kings may have finally struck a deal to move to Seattle. According to ESPN Marx Tan, this Maloofs will reach an agreement with Seattle, the Chris Hansen Steve Ballmer group sold sixty-five percent of its shares for $525000000 to the king: " the deal, informed of the details, for the Maloofs in February 1st from the Seattle group received no refund of $30000000 of margin requirements.
NBA, in addition, the relocation deadline time expect Hansen to apply during the 2013-14 season in March 1st to the Seattle. View Slide: the Sacramento Kings, Seattle supersonics ESPN J.A. top added, agreement has been signed and sent to the NBA, the Maloofs will maintain a " widget " king.
If the king is moved, they will be renamed the Seattle supersonics 2008 original team moved to Oklahoma City after. The battle is not over Sacramento for mayor Kevin Johnson said, NBA CEO David Stern has agreed to his proposed counter-offer NBA council. According to the Sacramento Bee, Johnson is his city remain king, group is expected to be announced this week the assembly bidders. There may be a lot of people.
Supermarket tycoon Ron Bakr, who put the ownership group of 2011 procurement team, has been working with Johnson. The Gulf investor Master Rolf Mark, who is the runner, in Jinzhou warriors of the sale, also said he wanted to buy the team.
Facing the possibility of losing Sacramento King Anaheim 2011. As the March 1st deadline for the relocation of the approaching, it will fight to the finish in Seattle City, in the end to keep their team.

Hawks halt losing streak against Nets

The Eagles lost sliding in some debate ( seven to six ) and 39 bit embarrassing loss to the bulls, secondly for tonight's game against the Josh Smith suspension nets.
Fortunately, the eagle has not let the former Eagle Joe Johnson to promote the network, as the eagle suddenly dropped a 109-95 victory tonight at the Philips arena. The Hawks lead up to 26 points. Smith was suspended for one game, the amount of the fine is " behavior is not conducive to team " in the practice of Tuesday's events.
And the suspension, DeShawn Stevenson injured, no other " lineup changes, " Drew promised Monday after the rout. As it is, the player six double Eagles score, including all five starters. Geoff Teague, had 28 points and 11 assists, while Al Horford posted 17 points and 13 rebounds. Zaza Pachulia had 13 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, his first three pairs, nearly.
Johnson returned to his Philips Arena was terrible, and only 4 of 15 shots in the. He had 15 points, in the 7 line 7. He and the rest of the net to keep more hawkish tonight. Finally, the Hawks made almost 58% shots. The nets will retaliate against the two teams play again Barclay arena in Brooklyn a chance on Friday.

Q&A with Chicago Bulls guard Daequan Cook

When the Chicago Bulls claimed guard Daequan Cook off of waivers in early January Bulls fans were pleased. Chicago’s three-point shooting regressed greatly after the team moved three-point threat Kyle Korver to Atlanta in the offseason.
Cook was caught up in a numbers game while a member of the Houston Rockets and wasn’t able to see much court time. Houston waived the former Three-Point Shootout champion allowing him to join Chicago. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Daequan Cook is just what the doctor ordered to pump life into Chicago’s anemic offense.
The Bulls are twenty sixth in the league in scoring averaging just 93.5 points per game. Bulls Coach Tom Thibodeau is a bit stubborn when it comes to his rotation so Cook will have a tough time seeing consistent minutes early on. Cook has only played in three games for Chicago, much of it garbage time. That could all change when Derrick Rose returns to the court. Rose’s ability to penetrate will lead to open shots for his Bulls teammates and Cook happens to be the best long-range shooter on Chicago’s roster. Going into the playoffs the acquisition of Daequan Cook could pay dividends for the Bulls.
SS: What’s your experience as a Bull been like so far?
Daequan Cook: It’s been pretty good. The guys embraced me pretty well. Still learning the system but everything is going pretty good though.
SS: What’s the toughest thing to learn about the system?
Daequan Cook: Just the defensive schemes. The call-outs and different break downs we have on pick-and-rolls. I’m getting a good feel for that right now.
SS: Everybody knows you as a three-point shooter but what else is in your game that you can contribute to this team?
Daequan Cook: Of course like you said, being able to knock down shots, spreading the floor, being a good team defender, and rebounding. I just want to play my role and bring that energy that’ll be needed from time to time if the team is lacking it.
SS: What happened with your situation in Houston because it seemed like there should have been an opportunity for you to play?
Daequan Cook: It’s kind of hard. They had a lot of guys at my position. We played pretty small in Houston so it wasn’t that much of an opportunity for me. I’m glad to be here as part of the Bulls and have an opportunity to help this team.
SS: Everybody is talking about Derrick Rose and wondering if he’s ready to come back. What have you seen from Derrick in practice?
Daequan Cook: He works hard and he looks good. He’s making the progress that’s needed to come back as soon as possible when he’s ready to help this team.
SS: What was your experience like playing in the NBA Finals last year?
Daequan Cook: It was a great experience. It was something that a lot of guys don’t get to go through at a young age. Me being young in this league and having the opportunity not just to be there but also play a little bit gave me the experience needed to know what it takes to win at that level.
SS: I was in Miami covering the Finals and it seemed like you guys were tight to me. What was the feeling of the team going down to Miami for the Finals?
Daequan Cook: We had a chance to win. That was the most important thing. Even though it was our first time being there we knew it was going to take more than talent to beat that team. It kind of showed at the end. We learned from that and now everybody went their separate ways and are trying to make that run again on the teams they’re on.
SS: What are your personal goals for this season?
Daequan Cook: Just to be consistent. That’s the most important thing, just making shots, defending, and being consistent on a day-in and day-out basis.
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What the Lakers' 2013 new year's resolutions should be

As it now stands, the Lakers are a shocking 15-19, which puts them in 11th place in the Western Conference. Mike D'Antoni has coached from the sideline in twenty-four consecutive contests, which has resulted in 14 of their losses. Nash, who many hoped to be the Laker savior, has quarterbacked the team to a 3-5 record since his return. Not only is it doubtful that they can contend for a championship, it is now a realistic possibility they won't even make the playoffs.
In the 2010-2011 NBA season, the last full eighty-two game season, the eighth and final seed in the West had won forty-six games. If that is any indication of what the Lakers need to accomplish in order to make it to the postseason, they must now finish with a 31-17 record the rest of the way.
If that weren't a daunting enough task as it is, they must also overcome the adversity of having three of their big men out due to injury all at the same time.
Future franchise player hopeful Dwight Howard, is out at least a week with a torn labrum, Pau Gasol is out indefinitely with a concussion, and Jordan Hill at least a couple of games with a hip injury.
A new year's resolution is defined as, "a commitment that a person makes to one or more personal goals, projects, or the reforming of a habit in anticipation of a new year or new beginnings..."
It's only been a week and I'm already guilty of blowing one of my new year's resolutions. You guessed it. Be on time. And so my proposed list of resolutions for the Los Angeles Lakers is a week overdue. But as they say, better late than never.
10. Stay healthy. Oops. As I had previously stated, the Lakers frontcourt has been decimated by injury, all of which occurred against the Denver Nuggets Sunday evening. However, they were all relatively healthy on New Year's day and should focus on maintaining their health for the remainder of the season.
9. Don't be so old and slow. The words of Kobe Bryant. Not mine. At least on this occasion. The Black Mamba referred to himself and his Laker teammates as old and slow. Whether it is relatively speaking or not, he is dead on in terms of the personnel being asked to play in Coach D'Antoni's "Run N' Gun" system. The NBA trade deadline is February 21st. Perhaps they can make some moves that make them younger and faster by then.
8. Communicate better. Defense wins championships. In their current four game losing streak, the Lakers have allowed an average of just under 112ppg. Even if their offense is capable of putting up big numbers on any given night, if you're going to allow that many points, you're not going to beat anyone. But defense isn't just about effort. You have to talk. Whether it's making switches or letting your teammate know that a pick's coming and so forth, if you don't communicate the defense breaks down.
7. Cut down the turnovers. Bad habits are hard to break, but in this case it's crucial. Turning the ball over leads to too many easy transition baskets, especially since they are too old and slow to get back and defend.
6. They need to connect. Steve Nash expressed that the Clippers are playing so well because of their connectivity. You would think after eight preseason games and thirty-four regular season games this wouldn't be such an issue. But the Lakers look lost at times. The uncertainty has led to finger pointing, dirty looks, shoulder shrugs, and poor body language during games. If these things don't get addressed during practice then they will never be on the same page.
5. Do unto others... Dwight Howard stated that the Lakers need to pretend that they're friends. As silly as it sounds, he makes a good point. After all it is the "Golden Rule". Genuine or not, if they act like friends, theoretically it should develop into a good team chemistry. Friends help each other, like on defense. Friends share, like passing the ball to each other, and making sure that a player as efficient as Superman gets his touches. Friends talk, and often even know what the other is thinking, which should help prevent blown assignments on the defensive end.
4. Try harder. The effort of the Lakers is often questioned because they are capable of performances such as the one against the Knicks on Christmas day and even the encouraging loss against the Clippers last Friday in which they came back not once, but twice. But there hasn't been any consistency. They are already notorious for playing down to their competition. At this point they no longer have that luxury. Every game is meaningful and they must play like it if they are to have any hope of making the playoffs.
3. Be careful what you wish for. You wanted Superman and you got him via trade. Dwight Howard is a superstar. A league MVP, defensive player of the year, and dominant force in the paint. However, he is a major liability at the free throw line and not a go to guy when the game is on the line. He has also been rumored to be a team cancer, and been known to get a coach fired, allegedly. People assume he will stay rather than leave La La Land and an extra 25 million on the table. But he is young and immature and will inevitably do what he feels is best for him. If he is deeply committed to winning as he claims he is, he will choose to sign where he believes he has the best chance to do so. So far he has never won a thing, and if he doesn't win a title with Kobe this year, what convincing argument can one make that he will ever win a title with or without Kobe in LA.
2. Work together. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. In order to reach their full potential the Lakers must work together as a team, not for individual accolades, but for the benefit of the whole team. Who better to be aware of this than the Lakers organization, which put together a star studded lineup of Kobe, Shaq, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton in 2004. Known as the "five game sweep", the Lakers were easily disposed of in the finals by the Detroit Pistons. The 2013 Lakers edition should be so lucky.
1. Don't let history repeat itself. Those that don't learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them. You hired Phil Jackson and you won three titles. You let him walk and you won zero titles. You rehire Phil Jackson and you won two more titles. You let him walk away again and so far, zero titles. But when the opportunity came to rehire him once more, you passed.
Now you're stuck with the coach you hired, which is the wrong coach for this team. If there's a way to fix this mess, then you bite the bullet and do it. Especially since the right coach just got engaged to the owner's daughter.
Happy belated New Year everyone!
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Kobe, Vanessa Bryant divorce reportedly called off

After six months of uncertainty about the marriage of Kobe Bryant and his wife, Vanessa, the famous couples may tend to cancel the divorce, is back in December.
Tmz.com reported on June 12th, Kobe and his wife Vanessa are struggling to reconcile: " according to the law of California, the Vanessa 6 months to finally make the official document file for divorce. 6 months to mark this weekend, so Vanessa could end a marriage early on Monday ...
But we know that she would not. " In the 2011 - 12 season began on Christmas day, reports began to surface Vanessa filed for divorce and the Los Angeles Lakers star Kirby Bryant. More than 30 years after marriage and many acts of infidelity to Kobe, Vanessa had enough and officially filed for divorce on the grounds that it is not reconcilable differences.
Although the initial shock of divorce on the horizon five championship, Vanessa filed for divorce news didn't surprise, many study, Kobe deserves to sleep more than 100 women in the past 10 years. Kobe 's infidelity, perennial All-Star demonized in Los Angeles, again by consensus, he had from his big mistake, when accused of raping 2003 women in. With 6 months of markers around the corner, as the famous couple divorce is final, both appear to be ready to do something.
In the past six months, Kobe and Vanessa have been seen together through the city of Losangeles in an effort to keep this marriage. Despite their best efforts, together of the time, Kobe had to move back in with his wife and children.
Marriage may eventually become a depressed Bryant, but now seems to be in the works, Kobe and indeed may leave a married man.

Brooklyn Nets trade rumors: Ersan Ilyasova trade even possible?

Brooklyn Nets trade rumors about a possible Ersan Ilyasova trade may not have much truth to them. Despite earlier reports suggesting the Nets really want Ilyasova, The New York Times reported on Wednesday morning (Dec. 19) that the team does not want his contract.
Ilyasova is in a five-year, $40 million contract that would make him an expensive option on the trade market. The original rumors suggested that it would be an Ilyasova trade for MarShon Brooks, who has not been playing much in Brooklyn and could get a fresh start with the Milwaukee Bucks. The trade works on paper, but not if the Nets don't want to take on additional salary.
This season, Ilyasova has regressed a bit, disappointing fans who had hoped he could have a breakout season in Milwaukee. Through the first 22 games, he is averaging just 8.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. His minutes have gone down with his horrible 38.9% mark from the field and those minutes aren't going to go back up if he cannot hit shots. In fact, he played in only 14 minutes during a Tuesday night (Dec. 18) win against the Indiana Pacers.
These Brooklyn Nets trade rumors could definitely help out the team if Ersan Ilyasova was motivated to play better this season. He is a big man who can really help spread the floor with his three-point shot and he has much more value than MarShon Brooks at the moment. A trade could help both teams, but maybe that isn't really the goal here.
If a trade actually did take place, both players would see an increase in their fantasy basketball value, with Brooks going from an after-thought to someone worth nabbing off the waiver wire. As for Ilyasova, it's not too late to save his season, but he has got to turn it around soon.

Memphis defeat the San Antonio Spurs in an overtime thriller

For the second time this season the Memphis Grizzlies and the San Antonio Spurs needed extra time to decide the game. In the first meeting the Spurs defeated the Grizzlies at the AT& T Center in San Antonio 99-95 on December 1, 2012. In the game in Memphis tonight the Grizzlies blew a 6 point lead with 14 seconds left to win in overtime 101-98.
With the win the Grizzlies pulled closer to the division leading Spurs only behind 1 and a half games. The two teams play again in five days in San Antonio. The game was a very physical game and had a playoff feel to it.
The Grizzlies needed a very balanced attack to defeat the Spurs. Six Grizzlies players scored in double digits (Tony Allen 10, Darrell Arthur 14, Mike Conley 21, Rudy Gay 23, Marc Gasol 18, and Zach Randolph 18). Gay had an opportunity to put the game away in regulation, but he missed two free throws with 12.9 seconds left in the game.
The Spurs took advantage of the missed free throws when Stephen Jackson hit a 3-pointer with 4.4 seconds left to cut the lead to 1 point. Randolph was fouled. He hit both free throws to give the Grizzlies a three point lead (95-92) with 3.5 seconds left.
The speedy Tony Parker took the ball the length of the floor did not pick his dribble up until he reached half court and the clock did not begin until he touched the ball. Parker drove to the left side of the court and nailed a 3-pointer as time expired to send the game into overtime.
In overtime the Spurs only made 1 of 10 shots. While Memphis made 3 of 7 shots. Parker was the high scorer with 30 points and 6 assists. Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter each finished with 13 points each. Parker and Conley battle one another all game. Parker on the three-pointer to tie the game said, “It was just a three-pointer and we go to overtime. It doesn’t mean anything. We worked hard tonight. We had an opportunity to win the game. It just didn’t go our way.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich on the point guard matchup, “That’s a great matchup. They enjoy competing against each other, I think. They both have great hearts. They both are, obviously, super important for their teams. Again tonight, they were both big time support for each of their teams”

Timberwolves get thumped by Thunder, receive more bad injury news

In a perfect world, the Minnesota Timberwolves have proposed the following line-up, on Oklahoma City Leiliji Rubio, Andrea Kirilenko, Kevin Alexei Shi Vader, love, and Nicola peck 's.
Even assuming that the group would be very difficult to win back-to-back in the Oklahoma City night. Their assistant coach Terry Porter recharging, but Martin Cunningham is forced into the starting lineup, not hating Barea (back ), an already formidable task seems impossible. To anyone, Kevin Durant and Russo Westbrook led to Rarai Shengli 's final score 106-84. If there is an advantage, the Timberwolves from this difficult situation, this is a psychological. They can enter the game with a completely without a view. "
Nobody expected us to win. Hell, we even don't want us to win. We have nothing to lose? " Unfortunately this type of psychological edge extends so far only in the league and if a team is marked out-manned talents; in this case, there is no doubt that. Ricky Rubio played 22 minutes, in the first instance when his season back to back.
Although a night in the production ( Statistics), his ability to stay on the floor and continuing health have significant progress, as the forest wolf. Rubio's minutes was the only good news prior to injury; team learned that Kevin loves to operation, his right hand, in 8 - 10 weeks. Depending on the teams in the championship position, he came back, depending on the status of the love relationship, management at the same time, the injury might end their season. "
The wolf will he and Chase Budinger until at least 3. And there should be no manual wolf lose a game they lost last night in Oklahoma City, has potential as a preview for the rest of the season. A rash of injuries will not stop, and the shortage of the wolf will have to manage to steal the game " they should not win ", if they want to stay in the crowded West playoff picture. The next game time is Friday night against the New Orleans hornets. Game skills, 7 science and technology.

Wizards unable to manage lead in double overtime loss to visiting Nets

The Washington Wizards led by as many as 14 points Friday yet fell 115-113 in double overtime to the visiting Brooklyn Nets. Brook Lopez paced the Nets with a game-high 27 points and 13 rebounds, while Deron Williams chipped in 24 points and a team-high 10 assists. Wizards rookie Bradley Beal led Washington in defeat with a season-high 24 points, including a three-pointer which sent the game into its second overtime.
"He (Beal) made two big shots, huge shots, and then went to the line and made a couple free throws," summarized Wizards Head Coach Randy Wittman postgame. "Bradley kept us alive when we should have been dead and we should have never been dead to begin with."
Washington led Brooklyn 30-20 after one quarter, tying their season-high for total points scored in the first period. Nene led the Wizards with 10 of those 30 points, while Beal provided 7. Nene would end up with 20 points overall and would foul out during the first overtime, which would prove to be a critical loss.
Reserve shooting guard Jordan Crawford added 13 of his 23 points off the bench in the second quarter, yet the Williams-led Nets nailed 7 three-pointers on their way to a 32-25 second quarter advantage. At half, Washington led 55-52.
The Wizards couldn't find the same opening success in the third, as former Wizards forward Andray Blatche scored 7 points and secured 6 rebounds for the Nets. He would end up with a 13 points, 12 rebounds double-double against his former squad, including a game-high 4 steals.
"The booing didn't affect me at all because I don't play for them," said Blatche, who faced harsh fan criticism last year as a Wizard due to his inconsistent play and media covered nightlife. "They're supposed to boo me. They're supposed to go against me. This game was no different than the crowd when we went against the Knicks. I was already used to it, so I just basically went out and played." Despite his candor, Blatche was thinking about his seven-year stint with Washington like anyone would. "I was nervous," said Blatche, regarding the double overtime finish. "I definitely didn't want to come here and lose. Our guys, we kept our cool. Had some big shots. Closed it out and got the win."

Perennial NBA All-Stars Likely To Miss the Cut This Year

Some things never change. Unfortunately for some, the NBA's All-Star docket isn't one of those "things."
For years, we have watched with confidence as certain players legitimately toiled with and ultimately laid claim to numerous All-Star selections.
Players like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant, among others, continue to top the list of usual suspects—except that such a list isn't so "usual" anymore.
As we draw nearer to the 2013 NBA All-Star Game, it has become clear that a handful of perennial participants aren't going to make the cut. Some aren't even viable candidates.
Though certain "snubs" can be attributed to injuries, plenty are the result of diminished performance. Others are likely to fall short in favor of some fresh faces as well.
The result?
Two star-studded factions whose cosmetic makeup has never deviated more from what we have come to accept as the All-Star norm.

Amar’e Stoudemire gets standing O, struggles in season debut as Blazers beat Knicks

After missing the first 30 games of the 2012-13 season following left knee surgery, Amar'e Stoudemire returned to NBA action on Tuesday night when the New York Knicks took on the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden, as Yahoo! Sports NBA columnist Adrian Wojnarowski first reported he would. And while New York's front office has reportedly worked diligently to move him elsewhere, the MSG faithful were happy to see him come home, as Stoudemire was met with a standing ovation when he checked in at the 3:31 mark of the opening quarter:

Unfortunately, the rest of the evening didn't go quite so smoothly for Stoudemire, who — somewhat expectedly — looked rusty on both ends of the floor, clearly didn't have his legs or wind back after so much time on the shelf and offered relatively little in the Knicks' 105-100 loss to the Blazers.

Shortly after entering the game, Stoudemire got his first touch on the left block, defended by Portland power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, and promptly turned the ball over by stepping out of bounds while trying to make a post move on Aldridge along the baseline. (Here's hoping Hakeem wasn't watching.) He got his first shot up two possessions later, hoisting a jumper from the left elbow that went wanting ... as did his next four shots, leaving him scoreless in 9 1/2 minutes of first-half action.

Things didn't go much better on the defensive end, where he routinely looked lost, especially on a second-quarter pick-and-roll possession on which he completely forgot about Blazers center J.J. Hickson, who cut behind Stoudemire unmolested to the rim to dunk a lob thrown by Portland reserve guard Ronnie Price. Not that Stoudemire was alone in his defensive lapses — Hickson torched the Knicks' frontline for 18 points (on 9 for 10 shooting) and eight rebounds in the first half, while sterling rookie point guard Damian Lillard toyed with older defenders Jason Kidd and Pablo Prigioni en route to 12 points and five assists at intermission.