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.
Corey Maggetteis leaning towards taking the midlevel offer from the Spurs if he can’t find a more lucrative offer elsewhere. He’s still hoping that either the 76ers or Warriors will make a play for him, but both teams have bigger fish to fry currently.
Keep track of the various Summer League Rosters as a boatload of basketball will be played over the next few weeks.
Oklahoma City is expected to be active in the trade market this month, choosing that route over free agency. It stinks for the players and city of Seattle, but I think this franchise will be focused more on the move than anything else this offseason.
Prep stud Brandon Jennings is waiting on his SAT scores to see if he’ll make the cut for Arizona, with Europe a possibility should he not reach the qualifying score. It would be interesting to see Jennings go overseas for a year before returning to American via the NBA, but is the same opportunity available to plain old students who just want an education?
The Bulls could look to keep Kirk Hinrichand play him at shooting guard while shopping Ben Gordon this summer. I honestly think teams would rather have Hinrich, but I’m sure someone will submit a nice offer for Gordon. If Chicago can get a veteran big in return, they’ll be a playoff team for sure.
The final terms were agreed to on Monday and C.C. Sabathia is now a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. Cleveland got a nice package of young talent in return, much better than they would have with just a compensation pick in next year’s draft. Unfortunately for the Brew Crew, I still like the Cubs in the NL Central.
Chase Utley tops the current field for the Home Run Derby next Monday. Josh Hamilton, Dan Uggla, Lance Berkman, and Grady Sizemore will join him, but three more names still need to be added. I’d like to see Jason Giambi, Ken Griffey Jr., and Jermaine Dye added, but I don’t make the calls – and rightfully so.
With C.C. Sabathia in Milwaukee, the Cubs could look to pry Rich Harden away from Oakland. They only thing that has thrown a fork into Chicago’s negotiations is that the Athletics are in contention this summer, not something Billy Beane envisioned after trading both Dan Haren and Nick Swisher last winter.
Curt Schilling has begun his rehabilitation after shoulder surgery but still hasn’t made a decision on his return to the mound. I’m indifferent on this, but to be honest, I know quite a few Red Sox fans that would be glad to see him retire.
There is some belief that Matt Ryan could start for the Falcons as early as Week One of the season. He’s certainly not too far behind Chris Redman and Joey Harrington, but marching one of them out there in the early stages could help Ryan from receiving the blame when the losses begin to pile up in Atlanta.
NBC has hired Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann to be featured during their Sunday Night Football coverage this season. I always enjoyed the pairing, and it’s a good thing Patrick left ESPN recently. Such a nostalgic pairing wouldn’t have been possible with Patrick working for ABC.
The Blue Jackets have signed R.J. Umberger to a four-year deal after acquiring him from the Flyers last month. He has a very bright future and should be featured more in Columbus than he was in Philadelphia. He’ll be a decent fantasy pickoff this fall.
The Flyers have given GM Paul Holmgren a three-year extension to remain with the team through the 2011-12 season. He’s done a very good job tinkering with Philadelphia’s roster this summer and should have the team back in the hunt for the Stanley Cup once again next spring which is no small feat considering where they were just two seasons ago.
