LA Lakers 2011-12|Paused

[Houndy]

As Valdis said, trade for DWIGHT!

[Justine.]

Crazy stats by Kidd right there

[rise]

Cool, same outcome as real life. I hope.

[dare]

Looks like I jinx the Mavs IRL. Offseason updates are next...

[George7]

Mavs!!!

[dare]

Shaq Headlines Retirees

After entertaining the league for 19 years Shaquille O’neal bid goodbye at the age of 39. The announcement came after coming up short to reach the NBA Finals.

O'Neal played 1240 games in his whole career and averaged 23.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.2 blocks. His Hall of Fame career consists of 4 NBA Titles. He also won 3 NBA Finals MVP, one League MVP, and he's named into the All-Star Team 15th times.

Other retiring players are as follows:
Tony Battie, Philadelphia 76ers, 14 Years Pro
Earl Boykins, Milwaukee Bucks, 12 Years Pro
Kurt Thomas, Chicago Bulls, 16 Years Pro
Juwan Howard, Miami Heat, 17 Years Pro
Theo Ratliff, LA Lakers, 15 Years Pro
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jerry Sloan Retires

Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan stepped down Thursday after 23 seasons and 1,127 wins at the helm of the Utah Jazz, saying he simply ran out of energy to coach anymore.

He is the only coach in NBA history to win 1,000 games with one team, a feat he accomplished Nov. 7 against Oklahoma City. Sloan's other wins came with the Chicago Bulls from 1979 to 1982.

He ranks third all-time in NBA wins (1,221) behind Don Nelson (1,335) and Lenny Wilkens (1,332).

Sloan also is one of only three coaches in NBA history with 15-plus consecutive seasons with a winning record. Pat Riley and Phil Jackson, both with 19, are the others.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cavs Gets Top Pick for 2011 NBA Draft

After an ugly season which they held the second worst record the Cleveland Cavaliers fans have something to cheer about as they got the number 1 pick for the upcoming draft, a pick that could be Cid Xavier. The Cavaliers had the second most chance to win the lottery behind the Detroit Pistons who will be drafting number three. The Minnesota Timberwolves jump from number five to take on the number two pick.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
3. Detroit Pistons
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Toronto Raptors
6. Sacramento Kings
7. Utah Jazz
8. Golden State Warriors
9. Cleveland Cavaliers
10. Washington Wizards
11. Charlotte Bobcats
12. Houston Rockets
13. Houston Rockets
14. Memphis Grizzlies
15. Oklahoma City Thunder
16. Milwaukee Bucks
17. Orlando Magic
18. Boston Celtics
19. San Antonio Spurs
20. Washington Wizards
21. Charlotte Bobcats
22. New Orleans Hornets
23. Denver Nuggets
24. Chicago Bulls
25. Utah Jazz
26. Indiana Pacers
27. Denver Nuggets
28. Miami Heat
29. New Jersey Nets
30. Dallas Mavericks

[rise]

So the big dude (Shaq) and the little dude (Boykins) retire together?

[KidJustin]

why is your association so real!?!?!?!

[Bucket]

Man, Shaq retired, Cavs 1st pick Sloan retired too. Awesome.
You lost Ratliff.

[hova-]

You have no draft pick? I always find it cool to have as much as possible just to get some guys, even 2nd rounder, and look if they can perform.

[dare]

KidJustin, Well I really don't know man
hova-, I have two second round pick (23 and 30), not really useful to me.

[dare]

Martin To Work with Kupchak

The Los Angeles Lakers acquired the service of the 21 year old Filipino Julian Martin. Reports said that he will work with Mitch Kupchack as an assistant GM.

It is still unknown why they need Martin who had no experience in this kind of job but sources told that he played a major part in the return of head coach Phil Jackson to the team.

Martin also presented the team staff.

Name	Position	Contract
Phil Jackson	Head Coach	1 Yr/ $10.00M
Jim Cleamons	Assistant Coach	1 Yr/ $825K
Craig Dixon	NBA Scout	1 Yr/ $3.00M
Ronald Hamlin	Prospect Scout	1 Yr/ $750K
Shannon Redd	Prospect Scout	2 Yr/ $100K
Corie Starks	Prospect Scout	2 Yr/ $100K
Gary Vitti	Trainer	1 Yr/ $700K

The team also mentioned that Shannon Brown will test the free agent pool this summer and so is Reggie Williams. Matt Barnes will be returning to the team as he accepts his player option while the team use their team options on both Derrick Caracter and Jeremy Lin.

[dare]

Draft Workout

Having only two second round pick (23rd and 30th). Assistant GM Julian Martin arranged some workouts to ten young prospects. After seeing what can they do he arranged an 5 on 5 match. The White team won the game and Martin gave some of his thoughts about the prospects.

White Team

Zee Otoo - Good all around player. But the team might not see him in the second round.
Justin KidJustin - Again might get drafted in the first round. Good offensive skills. Good shooting form.
Thomas Fowlkes - A great defender with good athletic ability. Has to work on his outside shooting.
Steve Griffin - Solid defense ability in the post.
Jesrie Calimbas - Good hands in stealing the ball. Needs to work on his decision making.

Black Team

Zach Taylor - Can hit any shots. Offensive minded player.
Cliff Bernard - Surprisingly can hit outside shots. Looks like a Channing Frye type of player.
George Koukoulis - Good on both offense and defense.
Dave Washington - Good defense ability in the post. Good rebounder. Has a decent offense in the post.
Rubens Silva - Can get inside easily. He can finish and endure hard contacts. Pretty raw as a player.

Out of all ten players Martin shows interest in Steve Griffin, Justin KidJustin, Cliff Bernard and Thomas Fowlkes. Look for some moves in the upcoming NBA Draft for the Los Angeles Lakers.

[KidJustin]

KidJustin a Laker?.... haha

at least the team of Zee and Me beat George's team! I must have won the SG matchup there

that would be funny if Steve Griffin was some sort of half-brother of Blake Griffin or something haha

[dare]

KidJustin, I really like your player, slashing player who can hit outside shots.Oh you totally owned George

[KidJustin]

well what do expect from the NBA's next greatest scorer?

just to clarify....if u have 23 and 30 in the 2nd round...that means u have 53 and 60 overall?

i'm for sure not dropping THAT low...

so if somehow become a Laker...am I going to split time with Kobe or something? i think i should be the starting SG and KB can slide to the SF slot

[George7]

Well my size and body structure might be the problem,as I'm a little short as a SG,but it's ok. I can afford being owned by KJ in the pre-draft once. The thing that matters more is the season

[shadowgrin]

Mavs winning the title brought me here.

[dare]

George Karl Named Head Coach of the Sixers

After an early exit in the playoffs Denver Nuggets they part ways with head coach George Karl but this coming season he will be handling the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers who had the third worst record in the league with head coach Doug Collins will try to regain playoff hopes with Karl leading the team.

George Karl had successful stints with the Seattle Supersonics, Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets in which he reached the NBA Finals and Conference Finals. Now he will handle the Sixers who greatly struggled offensively last season ranking 29th with only 96 PPG.

Read more...
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yao, Randolph to Test Free Agency

NBA Allstars Yao Ming and Zach Randolph will be testing the free agency this summer as they respective teams were not able to resign them.

Yao averaged 18.3 PPG and 9.6 RPG last season for the Houston Rockets and was named the starting center for the Western Conference Allstars.

Meanwhile Memphis Grizzlies will surely missed the inside presence of Randolph who averaged 19.5 PPG and 10.2 RPG last season.

Read more...
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mock Draft, Xavier will be the Top Pick

NBA Scout’s are confident that Kansas State star Cid Xavier will be the top pick in the upcoming 2011 NBA Draft. The scouts witnessed great skills and potential to the 22 year old prospect that will be likely to play with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In a draft that most considered to be a strong group of prospects especially at the shooting guard spot. It headlines Syracuse star Spencer Jack and North Carolina guard Derrick Cole.

Other prospects who are making a buzz in the league are Kris Sims of Oregon State and Corey Flanders of Arkansas who made a huge jump on their draft stock.

Read more...

[Bucket]

Wait, I am in 2011 draft or 2012?

[KidJustin]

you could be a second rounder....

i'm not in the lottery!?!?!

[dare]

Valdis, Your in the 2012 draft
KidJustin, Your not good enough to be in the lottery

[KidJustin]

KidJustin, Your not good enough to be in the lottery

i'm offended! i challenge you to a duel sir!

i hope that's "dare" talking and not "Julian Martin"....wouldnt have to have bad blood if the Lakers somehow got me

[dare]

KidJustin, Your not good enough to be in the lottery

i'm offended! i challenge you to a duel sir!

i hope that's "dare" talking and not "Julian Martin"....wouldnt have to have bad blood if the Lakers somehow got me

Sure man, anytime anywhere. Name your challenge

[dare]

Its official Cid Xavier Named Top Pick of 2011 NBA Draft

The Cleveland Cavaliers fans surely have something to cheer about as the team used their 1st pick of the 2011 NBA Draft to Kansas State Wildcats star Cid Xavier.

What makes Xavier special is his high basketball I.Q. He can play three different positions from point guard to small forward. Now he will take over the Cavaliers after LeBron James left.

A Busy Draft Night

Just after Xavier was drafted, the Toronto Raptors made a move. They gave Ed Davis and Leandro Barbosa to the Philadelphia 76ers for Elton Brand and their 4th pick of the 2011 NBA Draft.

The Sixers weren’t finished as they traded Andres Nocioni and a future first round pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for Tony Allen and their 14th pick.

It seems to trigger the other teams to make transactions, including the used to be quiet in the NBA Draft LA Lakers. The Lakers made three different trades this night that includes shredding contracts and acquiring some future first round picks.

Lakers get: Raja Bell and ’12 1st round pick
Jazz get: Steve Blake and Matt Barnes

Lakers get: ’12 1st round pick
Bobcats get: Luke Walton, Raja Bell and ’12 1st round pick

Lakers get: ’11 2nd round pick and ’12 1st round pick
Cavaliers get: ’11 2nd round pick (23rd and 30th), ’12 1st round pick (Bobcats) and ’12 2nd round pick.

Other teams also made transactions. The Oklahoma City Thunder strengthen up their frontcourt by adding Luis Scola as they gave Daequan Cook and their 15th 1st round pick to the Houston Rockets.

The Bucks gave John Salmons and their 16th 1st round pick to the Pacers for James Posey and their 26th 1st round pick.

The Warriors trade their 12th 2nd round pick and ’12 1st round pick to the Bobcats for Dante Cunningham and Shaun Livingston.

The Cavaliers trade Christian Eyenga to the Suns for 11th 2nd round pick.

Below are the complete results of the 2011 NBA Draft.