Rumor "Mills"ap posted by john howard

One of the numerous rumors going around this week is that the Thunder are going to make an offer to Utah's restricted free agent Paul Millsap. He is a good young player that filled lifted his game when Okur and Boozer were out.  I like the things he can do for OKC. Or any team for that matter.  What I hope we don't do is pay to much for him.  Since Millsap is a restricted free agent, Utah can match any offer to keep him.  They are likely to do that since it appears thata they will be about 3 million over the cap.  They can trade Boozer and keep Millsap at a cheaper price.  This is  very likely because Boozer has another year left on his contract and isn't guaranteed to stay in Utah.  So, they may trade Boozer for some future stock.  Teams can start talking with players today and get verbal commitments.  However, contracts don't become official until July 8th.  The team spends this week determining the new salary cap.  Last year it was 57 million dollars.  A team may go over the cap to resign it's own players, or by offersing the mid-level one year contract of around 5 million dollars.  If it goes over the cap, it must pay a tax to the league.  This next couple of week's should be exciting.

Utah Jazz draft posted by john howard

The Utah Jazz have a busy summer in front of them.  Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, and Mehmet Okur can all opt out of their contracts.  So, they have to convince all 3 to stay.  Paul Millsap is a restricted free agent, so they can match offers to keep him.  Ronnie Price and Brevin Knight are backup guards who are unrestricted free agents.  Keeping the starters is very important to the future of the Jazz. But, today is the draft, which is also a key to the future.  Or, is it?  The Jazz have the 20th and 50th picks in this year's draft. In the past 14 years the 20th pick has produced 2 starters and 6 bench players.  That's almost a 50% chance that the Jazz won't find anyone with this pick.  The 50th pick has produced 3 bench players.  So, the past shows that the Jazz may not get much from this position. Continue reading "Utah Jazz draft"

Let's play GM part II posted by Aarwich

Since my last post I've received heated opinions from some fired up Golden State fans regarding my Rip Hamilton for Ellis and Randolph trade. G.S. fans are obviously a little smarter then I thought. So let me be clear. Although I'm a Utah Jazz and Golden State Warrior fan, my heart lies with the Detroit Pistons.

I WANT ANTHONY RANDOLPH IN A PISTONS UNIFORM!!!

So.

What's it going to take?

I know most of you have forgiven Ellis for his moped accident.

I know you all regret signing Maggette.

I know most of you hope Crawford ops out (which he won't).

I know we can work something out.

Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Kwame Brown & a 2nd rounder

for

Corey Maggette, Jamal Crawford, Ronny Turiaf & Anthony Randolph

STARTERS:

Ellis

Rip

Prince

Write

Biedrins

With Rip & Prince re-energized (like Billups in Denver) and Steven Jackson as a potential 6th man of the year, the Warriors are ready to compete for a championship.

Now, some of you Pistons fans who are a little confused do to the fact that GM - Part I, had us end up with Bosh, Randolph & Stoudemire, get over it, it's never going to happen. Some of you may not even know who A. Randolph is. He is a 19 year old C, PF, SF high-bred, who has the fire and the talent of The Big Ticket – K.G. Yet still unproven, he fits in great with Detroit and could be a cornerstone for the next decade. In my opinion, worst case, he's as good as Bosh.

Congrats Blazers...Now Get Over It posted by Cal Conrad

Congratulations Portland Trail Blazers on a great season. You overachieved, brought the city to hysteria not seen since the early 90s and created a solid foundation on which to work on. Now get over it.

It's time to start looking towards next year. The Blazers, if they keep their roster intact, are a lock for the playoffs for the next decade. But is that what management wants? To be the Utah Jazz? I don't think so. It's seriously time to consider making this team into a title contender. Barring a miracle draft pick in the next few years, their needs to be some roster shake-up, otherwise the Blazers will be piddling around third or fourth best in the west for years to come.

First, let's look up what makes a championship team. Over the past 20 years, there has been a pretty simple formula to great teams: You have you have your 'Big 3'-a guard, a wing, and a post, surround them with a few shooters and some defensive stoppers and you got yourself a title (This excludes the 2003-2004 Pistons, because the Lakers self-destructed in that series and any Shaq-led team because all the centers sucked in the early 2000s). Seriously look back at the past winners: 2007-2008 Celtics (Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett), The Spurs dynasty (Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, Timmy Duncan), The Bulls dynasty (MJ, Scottie Pippen, Toni Kukoc/Horace Grant), The mid-90s Rockets (Kenny 'I'm Barkley's Bitch' Smith, Clyde Drexler and Hakeem). Let's add in the team that will win it this year, The Cavs (Mo Williams, Lebron, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas). All those teams had great shooters and defensive stoppers. This is the blueprint and Portland needs to get on board.

Oaks Day spot plays posted by Johnny Matheis

Thursday saw some horrendous rides on some who should have won and paid well. Undeniably the case for Flying Jazz and Cover Story, both rated way too far back for Churchill. Still, those who took my advice still won with the ninth race trifecta and superfecta paying well, with AEGEAN winning. The final race, which I said to take an overlay and hope it wouldn't be a jockey race, wasn't a good betting race. It turned into a jockey race, with the five lowest price horses finishing first through fifth. That's overkill, and being obvious with the cheating. But it happens.

Friday, Oaks Day, there is a great spot play in the fifth race, with REYNALDOTHEWIZARD having a great forward move as a 2 year old that would ensure a victory here at three. Good ones to link him with in exotic wagers are the probable favorite, Munnings, as well as CUSTOM FOR CARLOS, Zito's JUST BEN, BROTHER KEITH, and STAMP.

The seventh has a potential upset, as Hartlage often has a runner ready, and his FRENCH KISS looks like he should be one of the better ones already. Good ones to put him with are sure favorite ZENYATTA, as well as UNFORGOTTEN, UNBRIDLED BELLE, and SWIFT TEMPER. Look for previously undefeated second choice One Caroline to fail to hit the board. This company is too tough on a fair track.

For the Oaks. NAN is a live long shot. Never underestimate those who come from Keeneland, especially fillies from the Ashland. This field looks very week, and you could just wheel her in possibly the weakest looking Oaks field ever.

Finally, the last race, EXOTIC INDY is just short of being a lock, a 4 year old facing many 3 year olds with less form. 2-1 is a steal here. Good ones to include in boxes are MERIFUL and MARKET AT MIDDAY (an also eligible), Look for overlays on the others.

Spot plays for Churchill Thursday 4-30-2009 posted by Johnny Matheis

For Thursday's big crowd at Churchill, there are some spot plays.

In the third race, there are 7 entrants. It's a good time to against the struggling
Vance stable, which will eventually come back around. WILD SUNDAY shows good form at Fairgrounds, and Fairgrounds horses are kicking tail. He was claimed by an owner-trianer team of the Larues. MR ZARROW looks like a strong second. MESS NERA looks to round out the trifecta. If Wild Sunday goes over 5-2, take him to win and place. Good superfectas are 1 with 34 with All with All, then 1, 3, with 1,3, 4, with 1,3,4 2, 7, with All, and a tri box and exacta box on 1-3-4. A saver superfecta on the 1-3-4-7 box, and a 1 with the 2,3,4,5, 7 all the way down. Remember, these are 10 cent superfectas.

Race Five has MILITARY LIKE with some speed and dropping for a pretty good stable of the Pitts. At 7-2 or over, she's worth a win-place, and show in an eight horse field. Superfectas should be a box on 2-4-5-6, and also a wheel the 4 with the 2,5, 6 with the 2, 5, 6, with All, then a 2,4 with a 2,4, with All with All. Follow with a tri box on 2-4-5 and an exacta box on 2-4-5-6.

Race 6 is a chance to take advantage of Foley's drop. The Foleys hit hard the first 2 or 3 days, then slack off. So now Greg Foley, who has won 2 of 3 starts, can be left out of the superfecta. SMOKE WARNING is much the class here, and should be played if he gets over 9-5, but CRAZY COYOTE has good form at Tufway, and looks to match him. Take an exacta box on the 1 and 5, then bet the 5 across the board if it is over 9-2. Superfectas can be 1,5 with 1,3,5,6,7 all the way down, then a box on 1-5-6-7, then 5 with 1, 6 with All with All. A tri saver can be a 1,5 with 1,5,6,7 with 1,3,5,6,7.

Why Lakers fans should worry about facing LeBron in the NBA Finals posted by Chris Strickland

I'm a Kobe fan. Huge Kobe fan. He's practically my generation's MJ. Nothing against MJ, I just never saw him play much. I went to the United Center once, when I was seven, and all I remember is Scottie Pippen's crew-cut and cotton candy. Also, I'm from D.C., so the fact that MJ ruined the entire development and chemistry of an up-and-coming Washington Wizards team, just so he could milk a little more limelight, doesn't really sit well.

Having lived in the LA area now for two years, I've become a Kobe fan. Which is why I'm genuinely worried for the Lakers, should they play LeBron's Cavaliers in this year's NBA Finals. I'm worried for three reasons: 

1) Defense. Having witnessed the Boston Celtics' utter demolition of the Lakers last June, first-hand, in a crowded Georgetown bar amongst rabid Boston Masshole fans yelling while chugging beer (I didn't even think that was possible), I've watched Kobe's squad carefully all year for any signs of an improving defense. I didn't see much worth noting, other than the fact Ariza was sorely missed. If Bynum's back to full strength, that's one thing, but I highly doubt he is. Let's check some stats: at year's end, LA was giving up 100 points per game on average to its opponents. Through its first four games with Utah in the playoffs, the Lakers are allowing the Jazz 98 points a game. LeBron, in comparison, led his Cavs to a first-round sweep of the Shadowy Pistons, including holding them to a pathetic 78 a game. A twenty-point-differential? Don't the playoffs get harder as you progress? I realize the Jazz are tougher than Detroit, and way more physical, but don't be fooled if you think Roy/Aldridge/Blake, or Artest/Yao/Brooks, whoever Kobe faces next, won't be a tougher challenge. Especially if it's vs. Portland, on the road, where the Rose Garden owns Los Angeles.

AK-47: European Basketball Player of the Year posted by kellex

http://lebasketbawl.blogspot.com/2008/02/ak-47-european-basketball-playe

Andrei Kirilenko of the Utah Jazz has been named the European Men's Basketball Player of the Year after leading his native Russia to the 2007 EuroBasket Gold medal. The international governing body of basketball really had no other choice did they?

"It is a big honor," said Kirilenko, who won a vote of both fans and a panel of basketball experts, media and coaches from 25 different countries. "But I think it's an honor for our team in EuroBasket 2007.

"Nobody even (counted on) us and (they) deemed us underdogs," added Kirilenko, who averaged 18 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.2 steals and nearly two blocks per game in the tournament. "But we won the whole thing."

After having such a horrific season last year with the Jazz, this award should feel pretty good. His season ended with trade rumors and demands across the board and the EuroBasket event turned out to be quite the venting machine AK-47 needed.

His role has been defined this year with Utah, and Kirilenko has been instrumental in the early success of the team. The Jazz will enter the All-Star break as one of the hottest teams in the entire league and you can give a ton of credit to your Euro-baller of the year.

Sunday Recap Day! posted by kellex

http://lebasketbawl.blogspot.com/2008/01/sunday-recap-day_27.html

• The Suns take down those poor little Baby Bulls. Hinrich even managed 31 points tonight; still not enough. 88-77 Phoenix.

• A KG-less Boston team gets dropped at the buzzer by H-E-D-O Turkoglu of all players! Boston just lost 5 of its last 10? Uh oh. 96-93 Orlando.

• Lebron just told the Lakers who he thinks the MVP should be, himself. Is it just me or can you see Kobe aging a little? A lot of miles on those legs. 98-95 Cavaliers.

• Caron Butler hands the Bucks a cool 40 points and the Wizards still manage to lose! Not saying they need Agent Zero back yet, but losses like this shouldn't be happening. 105-102 Milwaukee in OT.

• You think Brandon Roy wanted those votes for an All-Star bid? Well added him to their ballots today. Erasing a 19 point deficit, the Blazers roll! 94-93 Portland.

• Dirk plays like a former MVP, and the Nuggets surely needed Melo. 90-85 Dallas.

Nuggets 120,Jazz 109 posted by Ondre Johnson

On Thursday January 17,th 2008 the Denver Nuggets Hosted the Utah Jazz in a battle til' the end,Speaking of the end I dont think anyone was surprised that the Nuggets held off the jazz in a 120-109 victory but I think everyone was surprised when the games leading scorer was not my favorite player Allen Iverson with 28 points or Carmelo Anthony with 23 points but it was Linas Kleiza who had an amazing 41 points in 41 minutes this kid was on fire but he also had alot of help from his teammates including Center Marcus Camby who only had 8 points but snatched up 24 rebounds to help get his team the home victory,Well even though some may say that the Nuggets dont have what it take to be a championship team I believe that they can with the numbers my boy Iverson is putting up as well as Melo and you can't forget Camby getting them rebounds for us,We just need to be in full force when a few of our players are back from injury and then who knows maybe we can get that ring...Up next 1-19-08 bring on the Timberwolves

Boozer, Okur decide to stay with Jazz (AP)

Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur are both staying with the Utah Jazz next season. About two hours after Boozer let the Jazz know he decided against opting out of the final year of his contract -- which he once said he intended to do -- Okur joined him Tuesday night. The moves keep the Jazz lineup intact, but at a hefty price, as Boozer is scheduled to make $12.7 million next season and Okur $9... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Korver opts to stay with Jazz for $5.2M (AP)

The Utah Jazz know at least one player with the option to leave is staying. Now, for the other two. Kyle Korver told the Jazz on Monday that he will not opt out of the final year of his contract, taking the guaranteed money over becoming a free agent. "We are thrilled to have Kyle remain with the Jazz," general manager Kevin O'Connor said in a release Monday. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Jazz make qualifying offer to Millsap (AP)

The Utah Jazz have made a qualifying offer to forward Paul Millsap, giving the team the right to match any other offers he receives as a restricted free agent. The Jazz had until Tuesday to make the offer and there was no doubt they would. Millsap averaged 13.5 points and 8.6 rebounds last season, playing mostly as a reserve. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Fisher brings more than clutch shots (AP)

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From Yahoo! Sports

Jazz free agents don't worry Williams (AP)

Deron Williams says he's looking forward to returning to Europe with the Utah Jazz for two preseason games. He's just not sure yet who the rest of the team will be. The Jazz are still waiting to hear who will stay and who will go as free agents this summer. Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Kyle Korver can all opt out of the final year of their contracts and have until the end of the month to do so. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports