█ Raptors GM Hoping for the Luck of the DrawPosted: 5/16/2011 08:24:00 AMAfter signing a contract extension with Toronto,
Bryan Colangelo is hoping that they could hit the jackpot in tomorrow night's draft lottery. Colangelo, whose pact was set to expire at the end of next month, has failed to reach the post-season in the last three years.
Last season the Raptors were at the bottom of the NBA standings with a 23-59 record, which gives them a 25% chance to notch the first pick of the 2011 draft.
"Securing that top pick will be crucial to our rebuilding process," Colangelo said. "After losing
Chris Bosh to free agency last season, we really need a new face for our franchise."
Click Here to see the full lottery odds.█ George Karl Steps Down as Nuggets Head CoachPosted: 5/15/2011 08:24:00 AMIn a press conference earlier today,
George Karl announced that he will be retiring as Denver's head coach after seven successful seasons. He led Denver to 3 Division titles ('06.'09,'10) and reached the Western Conference Finals in 2009 before losing to then champions,
Los Angeles Lakers. They again reached the conference finals last season but was eliminated by the Spurs in 5 games.
"I would like to thank all the players who've played for me, all the coaching staff I've worked with in the past and of course my family for sticking with me through thick and thin," an emotional Karl said. "I wouldn't have been successful at this if it weren't for all of you. Again, thank you very much."
In Karl 's 24 years, he has coached five different teams and won 1028 games becoming the 7th winningest coach in NBA history. He has also coached in four All-Star games.
Nuggets GM
Masai Uijiri has said that they are now interviewing potential candidates to replace Karl as their head coach for the upcoming 2011-12 NBA season.
Click Here to see the full article.█ Kidd Mulling RetirementPosted: 5/14/2011 11:10:00 PMThe 17-year veteran
Jason Kidd of the
Dallas Mavericks is reportedly considering retirement according to various sources. Jeff Schwartz, Kidd's agent, has said that he still hasn't talked to the ten-time All-star regarding the rumor.
"I've yet to talk to Jason about these issues, once everything is confirmed we'll be sure to let everyone know," Schwartz said in a telephone interview.
Kidd, a 10-time All-Star, won co-Rookie of the Year in 1995 and has led the league in assists on five different occasions. He has been in the NBA Finals twice but has yet to win an NBA championship.
Click Here to see the full article.█ Lamar Odom Unhappy in LA?Posted: 4/30/2011 08:24:00 AMLakers forward
Lamar Odom has been vocal about his role in Los Angeles and those concerns have escalated after the teams' early exit from the 2011 Playoffs. Despite averaging around 30 minutes a game, Odom's playing time has been up-and-down last season while playing behind
Pau Gasol and
Ron Artest.
"The coaching staff and I haven't really seen eye-to-eye this past year, I know I'm a starter, but obviously they just can't see that," Odom said. "If Pau hadn't gotten injured last March, I might not have started a single game last season. I love L.A.! it's a great city and all, but I'm just not sure this is where I want to be."
Odom's agent has been in talks with the Lakers management regarding possible trades.
Click Here to see the full article.█ Irving, Williams Leads New Crop of NBA HopefulsPosted: 4/16/2011 10:05:00 AMKyrie Irving entered Duke as a highly-touted freshman and made his mark early on the college basketball landscape. But as fate would have it, Irving suffered what appeared to be a relatively innocuous toe injury, only to discover later it was much more serious than anyone had originally thought.
Irving didn’t suit up again for three months up until the NCAA Tournament’s first round. A week after his return, he capped off his Duke career with a 28-point performance in a loss against Arizona.
An Arizona team which was led by the 6'8" 241 lbs forward,
Derrick Williams, who is leaving the Wildcats after his sophomore season. Williams posted remarkable numbers last season, shooting 61.5% from the field and over 60% from beyond the arc. More importantly, he also showcased his ability to play defense and be a difference-maker during the NCAA tournament.
Both Irving and Williams are expected to go one right after the other in the upcoming draft.
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