United We Run|Overtime in New York

[dare]

Off-season Signings

Ricky Rubio reportedly will play for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season. Rubio accepted a 7.30 million contract for 4 years. Ricky Rubio was drafted 5th by the Timberwolves in the 09 draft but chose to play for the Euro League.

"I felt that was the right decision back there but now I'm ready to play in the NBA." Rubio said.

"A player of his talent is very welcome to our team. We really need a player like him." Rick Kamla said.

Luis Scola signed a 5.36 million for 1 year to play for the Denver Nuggets. Scola averages 14.2 PPG and 9.2 RPG last season for the Houston Rockets.



Raymond Felton accepted a 26.42 million for 3 years contract offered by the Detroit Pistons. Felton averages 12.2 PPG and 5.1 APG for the Charlotte Bobcats last season.

Other notable signings:
R.Foye signed for the Hawks for 1 year
J.Stackhouse signed for the Mavericks for 2 years
T.Allen signed for the Knicks for 1 year
S.Livingston signed for the Thunders for 5 years.

Still without a team:
Derek Fisher
Allen Iverson
Nate Robinson
Mike Miller
Larry Hughes
Travis Outlaw
Udonis Haslem

[Kenny]

Good to see Shaun Livingston get a long term contract.

[dare]

Good to see Shaun Livingston get a long term contract.

In Live he's a monster when you train him the right way.

[dare]

Offseason Transactions

Oden, Artest swapped teams



Fresh off winning their 2nd straight championship the L.A Lakers decided to shake up their roster acquiring former 1st pick Greg Oden for swingman Ron Artest. Artest was a key player during last season's title run but seems to bring troubles in the Lakers locker room while Greg Oden doesn't play what everybody expects him to be because of his recent injuries.

Player Stats
Greg Oden: 52 games | 12.5 PPG | 10.2 RPG | 2.1 BPG
Ron Artest: 75 games | 10.6 PPG | 4.4 RPG | 3.4 APG

Rubio will not play for the Wolves



After signing Ricky Rubio for 4 years the Wolves decided to send him to Dallas, the Mavs accept to have Ricky Rubio and Corey Brewer in return the Wolves will get rid of Rubio's contract and they will also acquire Jerry Stackhouse.

"This will give us additional depth to our team." Mark Cuban said. "I also hope Rubio learn a lot from Kidd."

Player Stats
Ricky Rubio: Euro League | 14.5 PPG | 11.2 APG | 2.1 SPG
Corey Brewer: 82 games | 7.3 PPG | 3.2 RPG | 1.2 SPG
Jerry Stackhouse: 45 games | 5.5 PPG | 2.1 APG | 3.4 RPG

Other Transactions:

Washington trade Javaris Crittenton for New York Jordan Hill
Toronto signed Mike Miller for 2 years
LA Lakers signed Derek Fisher for 1 year
Miami signed Nate Robinson for 1 year
Oklahoma City signed Allen Iverson for 1 year
Washington signed Larry Hughes for 2 years
Portland signed Ben Wallace for 1 year
New Orleans signed Quentin Richardson for 1 year
Memphis signed Marquis Daniels for 1 year
Charlotte signed Joey Graham for 1 year
Milwaukee signed Jamaal Magloire for 1 year
Philadelphia signed Frabricio Oberto for 1 year
Atlanta signed Kurt Thomas for 1 year
Minnesota signed Udonis Haslem for 1 year
Minneota signed Travis Outlaw for 2 years

[Dee.]

Fuck Rubio,but man Brewer is a beast..
Let's just hope the Oldie Stackhouse will play well.

[kibaxx7]

I know you are shredding contracts, but Rubio AND Brewer for Stackhouse? That's just... wrong.

[Lamrock]

Rubio and Brewer for Stack is a complete joke. Maybe my Wolves dynasty needs to exist after all.

[anthony22]

yeah that trade s*cks,anyway we'll hope that Stack will do his best

[dare]

Fuck Rubio,but man Brewer is a beast..
Let's just hope the Oldie Stackhouse will play well.

Stackhouse OVR in Live is 77 I'm sure he'll fit in just right

I know you are shredding contracts, but Rubio AND Brewer for Stackhouse? That's just... wrong.

:? Rubio and Brewer for Stack is a complete joke. Maybe my Wolves dynasty needs to exist after all.

yeah that trade s*cks,anyway we'll hope that Stack will do his best

Guys I did it for me to have some cap room, see I sign Udonis Haslem and Travis Outlaw for me it's an even trade

[megarover]

Nice pickups in Outlaw and Haslem. Especially in Outlaw he is God!

[dare]

Nice pickups in Outlaw and Haslem. Especially in Outlaw he is God!

God? I don't know about that man.

[dare]

Eastern Conference Preview

Atlantic Division

New York Knicks

After making the playoffs the Knicks resigned David Lee, Darko Milicic and Chris Duhon they also signed Tony Allen. So this basically means that they are not gunning for big names next season. Mike D'Antoni seems to like this roster he also starts Eddy Curry in the pre-season. New York fans also rejoice after seeing Carl Cruz play in the pre-season. The rookie averages 15.6 PPG off the bench he may likely replace the absence of Nate Robinson as the 6th man.They also traded Jordan Hill for Javaris Crittenton. With the D'Antoni System they might just return to the playoffs.

Projected Standings: 43 - 39

Projected Line-up:
Starting Five: |C:E.Curry|PF:D.Lee|SF:A.Harrington|SG:W.Chandler|PG:C.Duhon|
Bench: |C.Cruz|D.Gallinari|T.Allen|D.Milicic|J.Crittenton|T.Douglas|D.Jordan|J.Jeffries|S.Torlak|

Toronto Raptors

The Toronto had high hopes when they signed Hedo Turkoglu last season but last season was a failure, they almost made it to the playoffs. But this season expectations are high on them with the improvement of Andrea Bargnani and the MVP type of play of Chris Bosh they will make a huge jump this season. The signing of Mike Miller will give them a nice shooter. Rookie Ed Davis had a nice summer league but he might find himself sitting on the bench behind Bargnani and Bosh.

Projected Standings: 40 - 42

Projected Line-up:
Starting Five: |C:A.Bargnani|PF:C.Bosh|SF:H.Turkoglu|SG:M.Miller|PG:J.Calderon|
Bench: |J.Jack|M.Conley|T.Young|E.Davis|D.Derozan|S.Weems|M.Banks|R.Evans|

Philadelphia 76ers

Elton Brand was amazing last season showing that he can still play at a high level but it is not enough for his team to make the playoffs. Andre Iguodala didn't step up, Louis Williams was not even a factor last season. Maureece Speights didn't like the fact that his sitting on the bench and rookie Dee Gilmore doesn't even like to play with the Sixers. Overall the team might be on another downfall, changes might come soon.

Projected Standings: 26 - 56

Projected Line-up:
Starting Five: |C:C.Frye|PF:E.Brand|SF:R.Gomes|SG:A.Iguodala|PG:L.Williams|
Bench: |M.Speights|K.Lowry|D.Gilmore|C.Martin|W.Green|J.Holiday|F.Oberto|J.Smith|R.Iglesias|

New Jersey Nets

The only good news in the Nets is Devin Harris is a certified Allstar and Brook Lopez continues to improve other than that nothing more is good about the Nets. Yi Jilian continues to be an injury prone, Courtney Lee didn't play like he was in Orlando. They also signed Stromile Swift and Bonzi Wells two major problems in the locker room. This team is not ready to fight for a playoff spot and everyone in town wants to have Kidd,Martin and Jefferson back.

Projected Standings: 24 - 58

Projected Line-up:
Starting Five: |C:B.Lopez|PF:J.Yi|SF:C.Douglas-Roberts|SG:C.Lee|PG:D.Harris|
Bench: |R.Alston|K.Dooling|T.Williams.|B.Wells|S.Swift|S.Williams|E.Najera|M.Gortat|

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have a nice starting five with Rasheed Wallace, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo. They also have a nice bench with Kendrick Perkins, Glen Davis and Omar Cassipi. They also have nice rookie with Cole Aldrich. They are surely a contender this season all they have to do is to be healthy enough until they reach the finals.

Projected Standings: 60 - 22

Projected Line-up:
Starting Five: |C:R.Wallace|PF:K.Garnett|SF:P.Pierce|SG:R.Allen|PG:R.Rondo|
Bench: |K.Perkins|G.Davis|O.Cassipi|C.Aldrich|J.Giddens|J.McRoberts|L.Hudson|[/b]

[Alpha_]

wtf? they gave up Brewer!!

[dare]

wtf? they gave up Brewer!!

because I don't use Brewer that much.

I like to use vets

[Alpha_]

oh well, hehe..

[C-77]

YES! 6th man is Fine! but why the fucking hell did I not start! my Overall is 97!

[dare]

YES! 6th man is Fine! but why the fucking hell did I not start! my Overall is 97!

You don't prove yourself enough to D'Antoni

[Lamrock]

Cool, season previews. Wish you would have given the Haslem and Outlaw (I like Outlaw!) acquisitions some coverage though.

[dare]

Cool, season previews. Wish you would have given the Haslem and Outlaw (I like Outlaw!) acquisitions some coverage though.

I'm not good at that kind of stuffs, I'm just going to put them in the previews

[dare]

Eastern Conference Preview

Central Division

Milwaukee Bucks

From being a playoff team down to being the worst team. Bad lucks have struck this team , Andrew Bogut and Michael Redd caught the injury bug, they even slip to no.2 pick in the draft. Brandon Jennings needs to step up this season. The no.2 pick Lev Brezhnev need to get his rhythm as he only averages 5.4 PPG in the summer league. This team needs a miracle before they got back to the playoffs.

Projected Standings: 28 - 54

Projected Line-up:
Starting Five: |C:A.Bogut|PF:L.Brezhnev|SF:J.Alexander|SG:M.Redd|PG:B.Jennings|
Bench: |H.Warrick|J.Magloire|E.Ilyasova|C.Delfino|C.Bell|L.Mbah a Moute|D.Gadzuric|D.Pendegraph|R.Ukic|

Indiana Pacers

Larry Bird said the Pacers are heading to the right direction but missing the playoffs seems to wrong. Danny Granger is a superb scorer but that's all he can do. Dahntay Jones was signed to be a defender but his shooting more shots than his defending. T.J Ford had a good year with 18.3 PPG but he did not distribute the ball enough. The rookie Wesley Johnson is another scorer who can shoots the lights out. Before they think of playoff plans this team need to cooperate first.

Projected Standings: 35 - 47

Projected Line-up:
Starting Five: |C:J.Foster|PF:T.Murphy|SF:D.Granger|SG:D.Jones|PG:T.Ford|
Bench: |W.Johnson|J.Tinsley|R.Hibbert|B.Rush|N.Jawai|W.Ellington|S.Jones|B.Walker|

Detroit Pistons

They made it to the playoffs with Carlos Boozer leading that's there is no hesitation resigning him. They even lure in Raymond Felton. Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva have been outstanding so far. Maybe the rumors about Kwame Brown are true, that every team he plays for will receive something good. One of the good thing they received is the rookie Don Elliot who dominated the summer league with his 22 PPG. On the paper this team looks good but with all this new players team chemistry is a major problem.

Projected Standings: 40 - 42

Projected Line-up:
Starting Five: |C:K.Brown|PF:C.Boozer|SF:A.Daye|SG:B.Gordon|PG:R.Stuckey|
Bench: |R.Felton|C.Villanueva|D.Elliot|C.Wilcox|D.Wilkins|R.McCants|J.Jerebko|T.Gilder|D.Harrison|

Chicago Bulls

They almost made it to the playoffs if Derrick Rose just nails his freethrows against New York. Rose has been the leader of this team even if Kirk Hinrich won the 6th man award their relationship on the court is non-existence. To add to that problem Tyrus Thomas wants a bigger contract, Luol Deng wants to be traded. With all of this problems maybe Coach Vinny Del Negro might leave soon. All the fans in the Windy City is just waiting for Wade to arrive.

Projected Standings: 34 - 48

Projected Line-up:
Starting Five: |C:B.Miller|PF:T.Thomas|SF:L.Deng|SG:J.Salmons|PG:D.Rose|
Bench: |K.Hinrich|T.Gibson|E.Clark|S.Brown|J.Johnson|J.Dunne|O.Koch|

Cleveland Cavaliers

a 40 - 42 record to lead the Central Division is a joke. Clearly the Shaq experiment didn't work out last season as Lebron James and the Cavs were knock down in the first round by the Hawks. They didn't sign anyone this season but that just maybe the right move, from Mo Williams to J.J Hickson this team is just full of talent. Expect King James lead his team this season.

Projected Standings: 57 - 25

Projected Line-up:
Starting Five: |C:Z.Ilgauskas|PF:A.Varejao|SF:L.James|SG:D.West|PG:M.Williams|
Bench: |D.Gibson|A.Parker|L.Powe|J.Hickson|W.Warren|D.Jackson|D.Green|[/b]

[Martti.]

You were robbed by Cuban!

[Alpha_]

yes im the starting PF! but duh! i only averaged 5pts a game in the summer league..

[dare]

You were robbed by Cuban!

He pay me some more money somehow

yes im the starting PF! but duh! i only averaged 5pts a game in the summer league..

Skiles just love you man

[Alpha_]

i love him too.. ROFL

[dare]

Eastern Conference Preview

Southeast Division

Charlotte Bobcats

The Charlotte Bobcats were the only team not to make the playoffs in the Southeast Division also they are the only team in the top 10 most defensive that didn't make it. For this team to take the next level they need to improve their offense, Gerald Wallace leads the team last year with 15.6 PPG and the second leading scorer is Felton whom they lost to the Pistons. They drafted the scoring guard from France Thierry Tirieux and he claims that the Bobcats will make the playoffs this season, somebody should tell this rookie how tough Larry Brown when it comes to guards.

Projected Standings: 34 - 48

Projected Line-up:
Starting Five: |C:T.Chandler|PF:B.Diaw|SF:G.Wallace|SG:R.Bell|PG:D.Augustin|
Bench: |G.Henderson|J.Graham|R.Radmanovic|T.Tirieux|D.Diop|D.Brown|A.Ajinca|

Miami Heat

They made it to the playoffs but they were knock out early by the Wizards. The good news about this team is it isn't a one man team anymore but a two man team. While Dwayne Wade is still a MVP type player, Jermaine Oneal had a great year averaging 19 PPG and 10 RPG. The bad news is they lost Udonis Haslem to the Wolves, Michael Beasley is now their starting PF. They signed Drew Gooden and Nate Robinson for more depth. Overall this is an improve team than last year.

Projected Standings: 46 - 36

Projected Line-up:
Starting Five: |C:J.Oneal|PF:M.Beasley|SF:D.Wright|SG:D.Wade|PG:M.Chalmers|
Bench: |D.Gooden|N.Robinson|J.Jones|D.Cook|E.Thomas|D.McGuire|L.Krawcyzk|

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks made it to the second round but gets knock out by Orlando. Joe Johnson is still their star player and Josh Smith is rising to the occasion but Al Horford had a down year last season. Jamaal Crawford is having a feud with Mike Woodson and a trade might happen soon. They added Randy Foye and veteran forward Kurt Thomas for some depth.

Projected Standings: 47 - 35

Projected Line-up:
Starting Five: |C:A.Horford|PF:M.Williams|SF:J.Smith|SG:J.Johnson|PG:M.Bibby|
Bench: |J.Crawford|R.Foye|M.Evans|K.Thomas|Z.Pachulia|J.Teague|M.Thabit|W.Peter|

Washington Wizards

From zero to hero, that is the story of Gilbert Arenas last season. After sitting down the 2 seasons Arenas receives the MVP award last season and he leads the Wizards to the Conference Finals. But they were outplayed by Orlando mostly due to their lack at the defensive end. Adding Larry Hughes would provide them some defense if he is back to his old form. This season will be a challenge for them to repeat their accomplishment.

Projected Standings: 44 - 38

Projected Line-up:
Starting Five: |C:B.Haywood|PF:A.Jamison|SF:C.Butler|SG:L.Hughes|PG:G.Arenas|
Bench: |A.Blatche|N.Young|J.Hill|D.Stevenson|J.McGee|M.Collins|F.Lima|

Orlando Magics

This season is all about revenge for the Orlando Magics, having lost to the Lakers in two consecutive Finals appearance. Dwight Howard is taking all the blame due to his inconsistency in the playoffs. Vince Carter so far is their best player on the team and Jameer Nelson still runs the team. They added Jason Kapono and Morris Almond so this means expect more outside shots from Orlando this season.

Projected Standings: 54 - 28

Projected Line-up:
Starting Five: |C:D.Howard|PF:R.Lewis|SF:M.Barnes|SG:V.Carter|PG:J.Nelson|
Bench: |M.Pietrus|J.Kapono|J.Williams|J.Redick|M.Almond|B.Bass|R.Anderson|H.Haddadi|O.Greenan|