As we enter the top five, the players are getting even better with guys like Dwyane Wade, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, and Kevin Garnett appearing on this list.
The Supersonics franchise is ecstatic about their impending move to Oklahoma City, and why shouldn’t they be? Buster Gunning, a Seattle native, recently took a trip through “The Big Friendly” (it is really called that) and can whole-heartedly agree with the players' excitement.
Born within six months of each other in opposite corners of the world, two seven footers who are finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame this fall are two of the best ever to play the center position.
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by Andrew Perna
In a shocking turn of events, Baron Davis has agreed to a deal with the Clippers. I’d feel a little betrayed if I was Golden State, but this is a business. He did, however, take less money to play for Los Angeles. You’ve got to wonder how much winning he thinks the Clippers will be doing, though.
LeBron James fueled speculation that he could end up in New York City within a few years. He listed NYC as his favorite city, with Brooklyn as his favorite of the five boroughs. The Cavaliers have to feel incredibly uncomfortable with all of this.
Andrew Bogutisn’t going to give the Bucks all the time in the world to negotiate a new contract to keep him in Milwaukee. He’d prefer to have a new deal by mid-July, but that certainly isn’t a guarantee. A lot of teams would love to have a player of Bogut’s caliber.
The Hawks plan to match any offer thatJosh Smith or Josh Childress receive from another team this summer. I’d love to see the Sixers make a strong play for Smith, but new General Manager Rick Sund maintains that he wants both Joshes in Atlanta next season.
James Posey has decided to become a free agent this summer, rather than pick up his option with the Celtics. A number of teams are interested in offering Posey a deal, and it will be difficult for Boston to retain him with their cap situation. I think it’d be ironic if he ended up with the Lakers.
Ron Artest has decided to play out the final year of his contract with the Kings, instead of becoming a free agent. He will be paid $8 million next season, but Sacramento could still decide to trade him sometime before February’s deadline.
The Rockets would like to sign guardBrent Barry away from the Spurs. I think Houston should focus on Posey instead of Barry, but I’m not on the payroll. Restricted free agent Carl Landry could also get some cash for the Rockets although they seem a little worried about his knee.
Speaking of Landry, the Pacers could extend an offer to the former Purdue forward within the next few days. Houston retains the right to match any offer Carl receives, but tests on his knee will cloud these rumors for the time being.
Red Sox slugger David Ortiz will not play in the All-Star Game later this month because of his injured wrist. He did admit that he’ll still attend the festivities, which is nice because I’m excited to rub elbows with Big Papi at Yankee Stadium.
Alex Rodriguez will not participate in the Home Run Derby because he’s worried about messing up his swing heading into the second half of the season. As a Yankee fan I’m happy that A-Rod has decided to forgo taking a hack at the competition, but I hope New York does send someone to compete for the title at the Stadium.
The Cardinals are reportedly interested in Matt Holliday and Brian Fuentes of the Rockies. A handful of teams are looking at Fuentes, but it isn’t known just yet whether or not Colorado is willing to deal Holliday just yet. St. Louis has done rather well this season, which I must admit surprised me, and it appears as though they’ll be buyers this month.
Kosuke Fukudome and Ryan Braun are battling it out for a spot on the NL All-Star team. Alfonso Soriano and Ken Griffey Jr. have a solid grasp on the first two outfield spots, with only 30,000 votes separating Fukudome and Braun.
Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins have reportedly agreed to terms on a contract extension. That’s huge for Pittsburgh, and there are rumors that the team could chase Jaromir Jagr, as well. Losing Marian Hossa wouldn’t be all that bad if Jagr joined the Pens.
