ATLANTA HAWKS

We resolve to get to the bottom of why we gave Joe Johnson so much damn money. He does lead us in points, but will we make it deep in the playoffs….of course not. ( same as last years resolution)

BOSTON CELTICS

We the Boston Celtics resolve to let Rondo shoot nothing but threes for an entire game, just to see what happens….

CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

I, Paul Silas resolve to survive the entire season.

CHICAGO BULLS

I, Derrick Rose resolve to continue dominating basketball, postgame interviews  and my acne.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

We resolve to continue to be a horrible team until Dan Gilbert can finally complete the cloning of LeBron James, let the clone grow to 18 years of age, then draft him with the #1 pick in the 2030 Draft.

DALLAS MAVERICKS

I, Lamar Odom will drive to Galveston Beach each off day so I can look at the ocean and remember what once was.

DETROIT PISTONS

We the Pistons resolve to find some food for Austin Daye, and to have Ben Gordons arms chopped off!

DENVER NUGGETS

We the Nuggets resolve to be extremely grateful that Coach Karl is back and healthy!

GOLDEN ST. WARRIORS

I, Coach Mark Jackson resolve to stop yelling “Hands down, man down” to everyone on the team, every possession.

HOUSTON ROCKETS

We the Houston Rockets resolve to continue pitting Chase Budinger, and Chandler Parsons against each other until they are forced to fight to the death.

INDIANA PACERS

We resolve to let Physcho T run into the stands at least once this season.

L.A. CLIPPERS

We resolve to keep our racist ass owner away from Chris Paul, and keep Chris thinking that Frankie Muniz is indeed the owner of the team.

L.A. LAKERS

We resolve to plant testosterone tablets in Pau Gasol’s drinks throughout the season.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

We resolve to get Tony Allen as far away from our team as possible.

MIAMI HEAT

We resolve to win the Finals, not for LeBron but for original man: Juwan Howard.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

We resolve to get to the bottom of signing of Mike Dunleavy Jr.!

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

I, Kevin Love resolve to rebound every ball, on every shot, from every basketball game in the world.

NEW JERSEY NETS

We resolve to play in Brooklyn until Brooklyn realizes that the Nets play in Brooklyn, then we haul ass to Russia! #NYETS

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS

We the NBA speak for the Hornets, and the Hornets have nothing to say!

NEW YORK KNICKS

I, Carmelo Anthony resolve to remember that I, Carmelo am the only option, and I need to shoot every single time!

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

We resolve to do whatever we can to keep Russell Westbrook from becoming Stephon Marbury and eventually eating Vaseline on Twitter!

ORLANDO MAGIC

I, Dwight Howard resolve to ask, demand, then say pretty please for a trade.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

We resolve to hire Michael Vick as soon as the NFL season is over. He will suit up and be in the starting lineup, just for the player introductions, but he wont play any minutes.

PHOENIX SUNS

I, Steve Nash resolve to never leave the Suns, and continue playing until they can find a point guard better then I.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS

We resolve to burn some Sage in the Rose Garden, because our team is definitely cursed!

SACRAMENTO KINGS

We resolve to remind all those fans that fought to keep the team in Sacramento that the team is still in Sacramento

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

We resolve to casually ignore the age of our Big 3, but encourage fans to purchase DeJuan Blair Bears from the gift shop

TORONTO RAPTORS

We resolve to call the NBA everyday, and send flowers so that they remember there is a team in Toronto.

UTAH JAZZ

We resolve to remind the Jazz players that the sign that said “Team of Misfit Players” was not funny.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

We resolve to let John Wall do whatever he wants to and to continue letting Glbert Arenas in the locker room so he can shit in Rashard Lewis’s shoes.

With the start of a new year, teams make their own resolutions.  Here is a team by team look at those resolutions.

ATLANTA HAWKS

We resolve to get to the bottom of why we gave Joe Johnson so much damn money. He does lead us in points, but will we make it deep in the playoffs….of course not.

BOSTON CELTICS

We the Boston Celtics resolve to play at least one game with both O’Neal’s on the court at the same time. I, the Boston Celtics  fan resolve to relax and enjoy each game because if anyone gets injured the world will not end.

CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

I, Michael Jordan resolve to stop wearing all my rings on one necklace to every Bobcats meeting.

CHICAGO BULLS

We resolve to kept nurturing Derrick Rose, and to keep Carlos Boozer and his weird beard away from him.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

We resolve to simply exist before the NBA goes through with contraction and makes us a NBDL team. I, the Cavs fan will save up and buy the Fathead of Daniel Gibson for no reason whatsoever.

DALLAS MAVERICKS

I, Rick Carlisle resolve to stop making faces like Jim Carrey, and to let jason Terry do whatever he wants in the 4th quarter.

DETROIT PISTONS

I, Tayshaun Prince resolve to ask Joe Dumars nicely if I can be traded, then pray its not to Toronto.

DENVER NUGGETS

We resolve to trade Carmelo to the highest bidder, then struggle until we draft anthoer Carmelo and repeat the same process.

GOLDEN ST. WARRIORS

We resolve to never sign a legitimate big man so we can never truly play defense.

HOUSTON ROCKETS

I, the Houston Rockets fan resolve to lower our expectations until Michael Jordan goes and plays baseball for two years.

INDIANA PACERS

We resolve to sleep through the rest of this year, and promptly wake up during the lottery selection this summer.

L.A. CLIPPERS

I, Donald Sterling resolve to continue being concerned about only money, and as long as Blake Griffin makes me money he stays….for cheap of course.

L.A. LAKERS

We resolve to work all year so we actually play a competitive game on Christmas. We also resolve to never let Kobe and Nike convince us that Lime green sneakers are cool.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

We resolve to save our money, to pay for the shipping of all the equipment to our new home in Seattle.

MIAMI HEAT

I, Miami Heat fan resolve to show up to games on time, especially once the playoffs start. At least we will make it seem that basketball games are more fun then the beach, or clubs full of young hispanic women.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

We resolve to continue doing whatever it was we did to beat the Lakers. *Brandon Jennings didn’t play

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

I, Kevin Love resolve to rebound every ball, on every shot, from every basketball game in the world.

NEW JERSEY NETS

We resolve to never put an ad across from Madison Square Garden again. Unless of course, if we get Carmelo Anthony then we get to play in the Garden.

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS

We the NBA speak for the Hornets, and the Hornets have nothing to say.

NEW YORK KNICKS

I, Spike Lee resolve to continue wearing clothes too big for me to games, and my Landry Fields jersey, even if he gets traded.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

We resolve to take out as many loans as possible to keep Russell Westbrook away from Los Angeles.

ORLANDO MAGIC

I, Dwight Howard will work on my three point shooting so I can fit in better with the team.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

We resolve to hire Michael Vick as soon as the NFL season is over. He will suit up and be in the starting lineup, just for the player introductions, but he wont play any minutes.

PHOENIX SUNS

I, Marcin Gortat, will continue to plead with my teammates to play defense, even if they speak another language.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS

I, Trail Blazers fan will take a class in physical therapy so I can be more hands on with the players.

SACRAMENTO KINGS

We, the Maloof Brothers resolve to finish construction on our secret basketball stadium in Las Vegas. We also must sit Tyreke Evans down and ask that he not hit 50 footers to win games and instead keep piling on the loses.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

We resolve to casually ignore the age of our Big 3, but encourage fans to purchase DeJuan Blair Bears from the gift shop

TORONTO RAPTORS

We resolve to call the NBA everyday, and send flowers so that they remember there is a team in Toronto.

UTAH JAZZ

We resolve to continue research into age-defying potions that can make it possible for Jerry Sloan to coach the Jazz forever.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

We resolve to finally change our name back to the Bullets, and once again lose out on front page reports to real bullets.

(AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

The Boston Celtics were in Cleveland for opening night of the King-less Cavaliers.  Playing its first game in seven years without THE DECISION MAKER, the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the OLD Celtics 95-87. J.J. Hickson scored 21 points, Daniel Gibson added 16 — all in the second half –.  Rajon Rondo lead the Celtics in scoring with 18.  If Rondo leads in scoring, it means one thing, the Celtics are tired.  Since Cleveland beat the Celtics and they beat the Heat is Cleveland the best tema in the East?  I’m joking.

New Jersey Nets gave Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov a win in his first game as their owner with a 101-98 victory over the Detroit Pistons. The Nets outscored the Pistons 13-3 in the final 1:40 to give Avery Johnson a win in his first game as coach — coming much quicker than last season, when they set an NBA record by losing their first 18 games and not getting that first W till December 4th.  Brook Lopez led the Nets with 25 points and nine boards, and Devin Harrisvadded 22 points and nine dimes. Tayshaun Prince, Rodney Stuckey and Charlie Villanueva each had 14 points.

Atlanta Hawks 119 – Memphis Grizzlies 104: The last time the Grizzlies won on opening night was when they were in Vancouver, defeating the Seattle SuperSonics at home, 94-88 on Oct. 31, 2000. … Memphis went 8-0 in the preseason … Atlanta has won eight of its last nine regular-season games against Memphis and is 20-10 all-time against the Grizzlies.

Durant scored 30 points, Russell Westbrook had 28 points and 10 boards and Oklahoma City beat their young Eastern Conference equivalent Chicago Bulls, 106-95 in the season opener for both teams. Derrick Rose scored 28 points to lead the Bulls but sat for a long stretch due to foul trouble.  A late 11-0 run for the Thunder sealed the deal.  Joakim Noah finished with 18 points and 19 boards.

(Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

After losing on opening night in Boston the Miami Heat got just what the Dr.(J) ordered the Philadelphia 76ers. The Big Three got help from the bench in the Heat’s 97-87 victory over the 76ers on Philadelphia’s opening night. Dwyane Wade was much better scoring 30 points while LeBron James finished with 16 points, 7 dimes, and 6 boards.  James did have 9 turnovers, retaking the T.O. lead again from Steve Nash.  James Jones scored 20 off the bench for Miami connecting on 6 of 9 threes.  If the 76ers plan on winning Andre Iguodala will have to score waaaaayyyy more then 10 points in 39 minutes.

Chris Paul had 17 points and 16 dimes, and the New Orleans Hornets gave Monty Williams a victory in his NBA head coaching debut, 95-91 over the Milwaukee Bucks. Trevor Ariza had 11 points in his Hornets debut, including a dunk set up by Belinelli to put the Hornets up 90-84 late in the game. Still, it was the old foundation that remained — Paul and West — which led the way. West scored the Hornets’ first 10 points of the second half, finishing with 22.  Paul’s 16 assists set a franchise record for assists in a season opener, eclipsing the 14 Muggsy Bogues had on Nov. 6, 1992 against Washington.  The Bucks got a solid effort from Brandon Jennings 15 points, 10 dimes, Andrew Bogut 15 points, 15 boards and Carlos Delfino lead the Bucks with 19 points.

Carl Landry and Fransisco Garcia combined for 44 points.  Thats right two guys you barely know scored 44 points and lead the Sacramento Kings to a 117-116 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in their home opener.  For the first time in seven years the Kings are 1-0. Minnesota got one double-double from Kevin Love, but Wolves head coach Kurt Rambis played him only 24 minutes electing to go with Anthony Tolliver(who died last season after that Stoudemire dunk).

(AP Photo/Mike Fuentes)

Jason Kidd went old-school dishing out 18 dimes in the Dallas Mavericks 101-86 win over the Charlotte Bobcats.  Dirk Nowitzki lead all scores with 28, and Jason Terry contributed 22 points.  Tyrus Thomas scored 22 points and Gerald Wallace had 16 for the Bobcats, who’ve never beaten the Mavericks in 13 meetings. Michael Jordan will not be pleased.

Tim Duncan had 23 points, 12 boards and 4 blocks, Manu Ginobili scored 22 points and Parker had 20, leading the Spurs to a 122-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Roy Hibbert led Indiana with 28 points and Danny Granger had 26. Darren Collison scored 19 points in his debut for the Pacers. The Spurs had this game won in the first 5 minutes…they could have just ended it then.

The Utah Jazz got 6 points out of Al Jefferson and 3-10 shooting from Deron Williams.  Without reading the next line an outcome should have already been formulated.  Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points, Arron Afflalo added 22 and the Nuggets opened the season with a 110-88 win over the Utah Jazz. The Nuggets were elimanted by the Jazz last year, but both teams looked entirely different from last season.  The Nuggets having head coach George Karl back on the sideline was the majority of the difference. “It’s an honor and a privilege to try to be a special team in this league,” Karl said. “To coach one is my privilege. to play on one is your privilege.” Also Shelden Williams had 8 points and 16 boards.

The Los Angeles Clippers are a cursed franchise.  There is no getting past the curse it seems as the Clippers welcomed the (other cursed team) Portland Trail Blazers on opening night. Brandon Roy  scored 22 points(10 boards) and the Portland Trail Blazers spoiled the NBA debut of Blake Griffin with a 98-88 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Griffin got off to an insane start scoring seven straight points, he finished with 22 points and 14 boards.  LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points and 10 boards for the Blazers, who gave Nate McMillan his 200th victory as coach. Nicolas Batum scored 15 points, Andre Miller 14 and former Clippers center Marcus Camby had 11 points and 14 boards.

The Houston Rockets played a back-to-back game.  That means NO Yao Ming.  No Yao, no defense. Monta Ellis matched his career high with 46 points, Stephen Curry added 25 points and 11 assists, and the Golden State Warriors won Keith Smart’s coaching debut by beating the Houston Rockets 131-128. Luis Scola had 36 points and 16 rebounds, while Kevin Martin added 28 points for the Rockets.  David Lee had 17 points and 15 rebounds, and Dorell Wright scored 15 points to help the Warriors to their first season-opening win since 2005. They also snapped a nine-game losing streak to the Rockets dating to 2007.  Chuck Hayes, had 16 points, eight boards and six dimes.

Both games between the NBA champion Lakers and the Miami Heat, led by their All-Star triumvirate of Chris Bosh, reigning NBA Most Valuable Player presented by Kia Motors LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade, will air nationally. The Lakers host the Heat on Christmas Day on ABC (5 p.m. ET), with the Heat hosting in Miami on March 10 on TNT (8 p.m. ET).

One of the league’s most experienced and battle-tested teams matches up against one of its youngest and most explosive squads on Nov. 19, when Boston’s quintet of stars – Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O’Neal, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo – hosts reigning scoring champion Kevin Durant, emerging star Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET).

TNT’s Thanksgiving night doubleheader will begin with All-Stars Joe Johnson and Al Horford leading the Hawks against the Washington Wizards and John Wall, the top overall selection in the 2010 NBA Draft (8 p.m. ET). The second game features Blake Griffin, last year’s top overall selection, and the Los Angeles Clippers hosting reigning T-Mobile NBA Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans and the Sacramento Kings (10:30 p.m. ET).

In James’ first visit to Cleveland as an opposing player, the Heat takes on Antawn Jamison and the Cavaliers on Dec. 2 (TNT, 8 p.m. ET).

Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey on Houston Sports Radio 610:

In one of the league’s best rivalries, All-Stars Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony lead the Denver Nuggets when hosting the Los Angeles Lakers and All-Stars Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol on Friday, Jan. 21 (ESPN, 10:30 p.m. ET).

The Orlando Magic, led by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard and star guard Jameer Nelson, hosts All-Star Derrick Rose and the new-look Chicago Bulls, including star forward Carlos Boozer, on March 4 (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET).

Two of the league’s most potent offenses go head-to-head when the Steve Nash-led Phoenix Suns, which led the league in scoring last year, host the Denver Nuggets and their high-octane offense, powered by All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, on Thursday, March 10 (TNT, 10:30 p.m. ET).

In its 27th year of NBA coverage, TNT will televise 52 regular-season games, including 44 as part of Thursday night doubleheaders and a doubleheader on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. TNT will also exclusively televise NBA All-Star 2011 festivities in Los Angeles Feb. 18-20, culminating with the NBA’s 60th All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 20.

ESPN will televise 75 regular-season games, which include 27 games on Wednesdays and 35 on Fridays. ESPN telecasts are also available via ESPN3.com, with nearly all on ESPN Mobile TV. ESPN Deportes (ESPN’s Spanish-language U.S. sports network) will also televise 22 regular-season games and, for the first time, select games will be available on ESPN3D. The ABC national television schedule consists of 13 exclusive regular-season broadcasts and tips off with a doubleheader on Christmas Day.

The NBA on ABC and ESPN presents flexible scheduling throughout the regular season in order to provide the most compelling matchups to a national audience.

NBA TV tips off its 96-game regular season schedule on Saturday, Oct. 30, when the Rockets welcome the Nuggets at 8:30 p.m. ET. For the third consecutive year, NBA TV will feature Fan Night on Tuesdays throughout the season, debuting Nov. 2. On Fan Night, NBA fans are given the opportunity to vote for the games they want to see televised nationally on NBA TV on that particular night.

Heres the link to all the National TV games, no sign of Toronto on the list.

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The Atlanta Hawks offered Joe Johnson 6 years, and $119 million dollars. Joe Johnson vanished from the Hawks in the Playoffs last year, and lashed out at Hawks fans for their criticism of his poor play. Owners are quick to complain about player salaries, but are quick to deal out ridiculous contracts.

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It would appear the Milwaukee Bucks have some deep pockets, or a limited intelligence. Either way the Bucks are looking to expound on their success from last year:

Adrian Wojnawroski is reporting that Drew Gooden has signed a five-year, $32 million dollar deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.  WOW!

Bucks have also re-signed John Salmons for $39 million over five seasons.

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Los Angeles Lakers report the signing of a mega free agent Phil Jackson. “Count me in,” said Jackson. “After a couple weeks of deliberation, it is time to get back to the challenge of putting together a team that can defend its title in the 2010-11 season. It’ll be the last stand for me, and I hope a grand one.”

A member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Jackson established a new Lakers franchise record for regular season victories earlier this year, earning his 534th career victory with a win over the Charlotte Hornets on February 3. The fastest coach to 1,000 career victories, his total of 1,098 regular season wins ranks him fifth all-time while his .705 winning percentage is the best in league history. Additionally, Jackson ranks first all-time in NBA postseason history with a .697 winning percentage (225-98). His 225 playoff victories are also the highest postseason win total for any head coach in league history.

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Minnesota Timberwolves reach agreement in principle with Darko Milicic on a 4 year $20 million deal. In other words desperate times call for desperate measures. Darko must have the best agent in the world, or the Timberwolves are unaware who Darko is.

The Madison Square Garden Theater was ready for draft night as early as 4 am, when fans begin to line up to assure they had a seat when the $15 tickets went on sale at 11 am. Fans from across the country were in attendance to cheer for their respective teams, and boo Commissioner David Stern every time he walked out to the podium. The Chicago Bulls stole some of the early shine by proposing the trade of Kirk Hinrich to the Wizards. Not to be outdone by the Bulls, the Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen decided to part ways with GM Kevin Pritchard on draft night, but let him still make draft decisions….?  The 2010 NBA Draft went pretty much as expected early, with the exception of the Utah Jazz stealing Gordon Hayward from the Pacers. The University of Kentucky set a record with 5 first round selections.

Here is a break-down of pick #1-#15:

First pick, Washington Wizards: John Wall, 6-4, 195, Kentucky, point guard.: The lock No. 1 pick, Wall has been called the most electrifying player in this year’s draft. A product of the John Calipari one-and-done mold, Wall averaged 16 points, six boards and four dimes. Wall brings the Wizards superior speed, athleticism, and late-game shot making, plus a relief from the circus of last year.

Second pick, Philadelphia 76ers: Evan Turner, 6-7, 205, Ohio State, guard. There was nothing Turner didn’t do for Ohio State, and he’s the most dynamic player in the draft. He averaged 20 points, 9 boards, and 6 dimes last season. With a good game around the basket and a solid midrange shot, Turner only needs to work on his outside shooting and ball handling. He shot 36% from three-point range and turned the ball over 4.4 times per game. Doug Collins new head coach of the 76ers gets another chance to coach a future superstar as he did in Chicago with MJ.

Third pick, New Jersey Nets: Derrick Favors, 6-10, 246, Georgia Tech, forward. A rare athlete who can explode from the floor, he’s also got a massive 7-4 wingspan. Though raw, he has shown signs of being a dominant force on both ends. He needs to add weight, improve his conditioning/shooting/ball handling and learn to play against double-teams, but he should become a special player.

Fourth pick, Minnesota Timberwoves: Wesley Johnson, 6-7, 205, Syracuse, forward. A lottery-level talent that is NBA-ready, he’s an explosive athlete who has a good mid-range game and can finish at the rim. He’s a good teammate and an underrated passer, but last season’s Big East Player of the Year needs to add weight and be more aggressive when his jumper isn’t falling. Wesley was also best-dressed.

Fifth pick, Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins, 6-11, 270, Kentucky, power forward/center. A top-five talent, with excellent athleticism, offensive and defensive skills, he’s a nightmare matchup. Many tend to be critical of his maturity, but, he was one of the best players in the country last season (15.1 points, 9.8 boards).

Sixth pick, Golden State Warriors: Ekpe Udoh, 6-10, 240, Baylor, forward. Udoh was one of the reasons Baylor emerged in the Elite 8 to face off with eventual-champion Duke. His ability to run the floor in a fast-paced offensive possession or hit a midrange shot in the half-court game led to 13 points, 9.8 boards and 3.7 blocks. He needs to improve his overall offensive game, ball-handling and add some weight.

Seventh pick, Detroit Pistons: Greg Monroe, 6-11, 253, Georgetown, forward. A huge upside–some call him a less-athletic Lamar Odom. Monroe can play with his back to the basket or face up. He averaged 16.1 points and 9.6 boards last season, and also dished 12 assists against Providence, the most by a center in Big East Conference history. Needs to prove he can dominate a game, and develop a more consistent jump shot.

Eighth pick, Clippers: Al-Farouq Aminu, 6-9, 215, Wake Forest, power forward. One of the best athletes in the draft; he uses his explosive first step to get to the bucket. He became a double-double player last season (15.8, 10.7), but is turnover prone (3.2 per game last season) and lacks ball-handling skills, relying too often on his athleticism. Still, a fine pick for an up-tempo team.

Ninth pick, Utah Jazz: Gordon Hayward, 6-8, 207, Butler, forward. He led the Bulldogs on their magical run to the NCAA title game and has a high basketball IQ, an outstanding touch (84% from free-throw line) and sneaky athleticism. He lacks post moves and will need to improve his defense in the NBA. Some question his lack of aggressiveness.

10th pick, Indiana Pacers: Paul George, 6-8, 210, Fresno State, forward. A great athlete who has deep range on his jump shot, rebounds well and can run the floor, NBA teams covet players with his size and skill set. Needs to improve his ball-handling and learn to not settle for the outside shot, but he’s an enticing player.

11th pick, New Orleans Hornets: Cole Aldrich, 6-11, 245, Kansas, center. A throwback-style big man that has good footwork and an awkward-but-efficient shooting touch, he’s also a strong shot blocker (averaged 3.5 last season) and cleans the glass well (10.5 boards his last two seasons). While not terribly athletic and fairly calm, a la Tim Duncan, Aldrich possesses strong fundamentals and better-than-average vision for his size.

12th pick, Memphis Grizzlies: Xavier Henry, 6-6, 220, Kansas, shooting guard. The smoothest player in the draft, he moves effortlessly and is a natural scorer who is deadly from outside (40%). He can slash if he needs to and finish at the rim, but he often relies on his left hand too much and can settle for outside shots. At times, he looks passive; at others, fiercely competitive.

13th pick, Toronto Raptors: Ed Davis, 6-10, 225, North Carolina, forward. After being overshadowed by Tyler Hansbrough, Davis had a breakout freshman year (13.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.8 blocks) and showcased his potential as one of the top talents. Long, athletic, with several post moves and speed to run the floor, the main knock against him is his lack of strength  he also needs a reliable jump shot  but his upside is huge.

14th pick, Houston Rockets: Patrick Patterson, 6-9, 235, Kentucky, forward. One of the more NBA-ready forwards in the draft, he made significant improvements to his game in his junior season, including becoming an outside threat (35% from behind the arc) and a defensive presence (1.3 blocks per game). His intelligence, maturity and ability to learn should help him on the next level, though he’s still undersized to be a power forward, which is exactly what Houston loves.

15th pick, Milwaukee Bucks: Larry Sanders, 6-11, 235, VCU, forward. One of the most athletic players in this draft, Sanders had a breakout season as a sophomore, when he averaged 2.7 blocks per game. As a junior, he averaged 14.4 points, 9.1 boards and 2.6 blocks. He still has some developing to do, but his combination of size and speed give him plenty of potential.

Twenty-two NBA teams, including 11 that appeared in the 2010 NBA Playoffs, will compete in this year’s NBA Summer League. For the second consecutive year, a team of NBA Development League Select players will also participate in the action taking place at the Thomas & Mack Center and the COX Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Marketing partners included in the event are adidas, EA SPORTS, Gatorade and T-Mobile.

This year’s event will feature the Washington Wizards, who won the top overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Other participating teams with top five selections in this year’s draft include the Minnesota Timberwolves(fourth overall pick) and the Sacramento Kings (fifth overall).

Additionally, 10 of the top 14 picks are expected to participate in Las Vegas this summer.

Joining the above-mentioned teams scheduled to appear in Vegas this summer are the Dallas Mavericks,Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers,Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards.

Tickets for the 2010 NBA Summer League are on sale and can be purchased by calling 702-739-FANS, through UNLVtickets.com or by visiting the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office and UNLV Ticket Outlets. All general admission tickets are $25 for the day; seniors and children (3-12) are $15 for the day; and children two years and under are admitted free of charge.

A complete broadcast schedule will be released at a later date.

Schedule after the jump.

2010 NBA Summer League Game Schedule:

Friday July 9

COX Pavilion

1 PM – Denver vs. Dallas

3 PM – Houston vs. Phoenix

5 PM – Detroit vs. LA Lakers

7 PM – Golden State vs. New Orleans

Saturday July 10

COX Pavilion

1 PM – Toronto vs. Phoenix

3 PM – LA Lakers vs. Denver

5 PM – Detroit vs. Golden State

7 PM – Dallas vs. Houston

Sunday July 11

COX Pavilion

1 PM – New York vs. Denver

3 PM – Portland vs. Houston

5 PM – Washington vs. Golden State

7 PM – Miami vs. New Orleans

Monday July 12

COX Pavilion

1 PM – LA Lakers vs. New York

3 PM – Sacramento vs. Detroit

5 PM – Dallas vs. Milwaukee

7 PM – Washington vs. LA Clippers

Thomas & Mack

3:30 PM – San Antonio vs. Minnesota

5:30 PM – Phoenix vs. NBA D-League

7:30 PM – Memphis vs. Atlanta

Tuesday July 13

COX Pavilion

1 PM – Denver vs. Chicago

3 PM – Cleveland vs. NBA D-League

5 PM – Milwaukee vs. Memphis

7 PM – Portland vs. New Orleans

Thomas & Mack

3:30 PM – Houston vs. Toronto

5:30 PM – Sacramento vs. LA Lakers

7:30 PM – Golden State vs. Miami

Wednesday July 14

COX Pavilion

1 PM – Denver vs. Houston

3 PM – New York vs. Toronto

5 PM – LA Clippers vs. Chicago

7 PM – Sacramento vs. Minnesota

Thomas & Mack

3:30 PM – Atlanta vs. San Antonio

5:30 PM – Cleveland vs. Phoenix

7:30 PM – Detroit vs. Miami

Thursday July 15

COX Pavilion

1 PM – LA Lakers vs. San Antonio

3 PM – Golden State vs. Phoenix

5 PM – Washington vs. Dallas

7 PM – LA Clippers vs. Portland

Thomas & Mack

5:30 PM – Atlanta vs. Milwaukee

7:30 PM – NBA D-League vs. Memphis

Friday July 16

COX Pavilion

1 PM – Detroit vs. New York

3 PM – Toronto vs. Sacramento

5 PM – Washington vs. New Orleans

7 PM – Memphis vs. Minnesota

Thomas & Mack

5:30 PM – Cleveland vs. Chicago

7:30 PM – Milwaukee vs. Miami

Saturday July 17

COX Pavilion

1 PM – New York vs. Washington

3 PM – Miami vs. Cleveland

5 PM – LA Clippers vs. San Antonio

7 PM – Minnesota vs. Portland

Thomas & Mack

3:30 PM – Toronto vs. New Orleans

5:30 PM – Sacramento vs. Chicago

7:30 PM – NBA D-League vs. Atlanta

Sunday July 18

COX Pavilion

1 PM – Cleveland vs. Milwaukee

3 PM – Chicago vs. Portland

5 PM – Dallas vs. Sacramento

Thomas & Mack

1:30 PM – San Antonio vs. Memphis

3:30 PM – Atlanta vs. Minnesota

5:30 PM – LA Clippers vs. NBA D-League

SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

All Times listed are local Las Vegas time.

Jamal Crawford scored 22 points on 8 for 16 shooting. Horford worked hard at both ends of the court, finishing with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Mike Bibby, and Josh Smith both scored 15 points. Hawks leader Joe Johnson was held to 8 points on 4 of 14 shooting. Hawks out rebounded the Bucks 55 to 34.

Hawks now head to Orlando on Tuesday to face the Magic that have been waiting since last Monday.

(Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Milwaukee was an entirely diffrent team in the last two games compared to Game 2, 3, and 4. The short-handed Bucks made less than a third of their shots (28 of 86) and simply didn’t have enough weapons to cope with an Atlanta team that was into the game. Brandon Jennings led the way with just 15 points, and he needed 18 shots to score that many. Salmons finished with 11 points.

Still, it was a promising season for the Bucks, who made the playoffs for the first time since 2006 with a promising nucleus of Jennings, John Salmons and Andrew Bogut.

(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Lakers Jazz game was in a way, rudely interrupted by the presentation of the MVP trophy to LeBron James. Fortunately for those watching the MVP presentation all they missed was the usual Lakers game. Someone from the Lakers shoots followed by an offensive rebound from one of the Lakers bigs and a put-back similar to the end of the Lakers-Thunder series. Lakers blew a 14 point lead letting the Jazz back in it with 4 minutes to play in the game, but finish on a 15-6 leading to a 104-99  win in Game 1. The Lakers have now won 15 straight home games against the Jazz.

Kobe Bryant finished wih 31 points on 12 of 19 shooting, 13 of those points came in the 4th quarter. Pau Gasol had 25 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 blocks. Lakers BIGs Odom, Gasol, and Bynum combined for 34 rebounds, the entire Jazz team had 38 rebounds.

In order for the Jazz to win they will need tremendous play from Williams, Boozer, and the entire bench. Williams had 24 points and 8 assists, Boozer had 18 points and 12 boards, and Paul Milsap finished with 16 points and 9 boards. Lakers lead series 1-0

(AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Atlanta Hawks with a must win on the road played with more then they have all Playoffs. After a closely contested first half, the Hawks outscored the Bucks 29-11 in the third quarter and held on to win 83-69. Atlanta got 22 points from Joe Johnson and Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford finished with 24 points.“The bottom line today is we brought our hard hats and not our fishing caps,” Smith said. “We established ourselves early. They gave us a fight, but we were just hungry tonight. I haven’t seen us play like this the whole series.” Atlanta heads back to the Philips Center where the city will turn down Wacka Flocka Flame on the radio and tune into the Hawks game.

Milwaukee had a chance to finish off the Hawks at home and advance to the Eastern Conf. Semifinals, instead they left their offense in the locker room. Bucks shot 25 of 76 from the field for 32.9%, and 7 of 26 from deep. John Slamons and Brandon Jennings combined for 20 points on 6 of 28 shooting. Carlos Delfino had 20 and was the only player with more then 13 points. Bucks. Milwaukee may have to put the blame solely on Jerry Stackhouse for this:

Stackhouse said it was his fourth time singing the national anthem. “I’m a little disappointed that my mojo didn’t work,” he said. “I’m 3-1 now.”  Series tied 3-3.

(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Once again the Lakers came out fired up, jumping out to a 13-4 lead, before the Thunder woke up to gain the lead 27-26 by the end of the first. After a back and fourth game, it came down to the final possession. Kobe missed a fade-away jumper and Pau Gasol was there to tip the ball in with .05 on the clock given the Lakers a1-point lead. Kobe lead all scorers with 32 points, and the only other Lakers in double figures were Derek Fisher, and Shannon Brown both with 11.

Ron Artest’s defense on Kevin Durant was the x-factor in this game and the series. Durant shot 5 of 23, for 26 points, which came mostly from the charity stripe where he went 14-15. Jeff Green had 16 in his best game of the series, and Russell Westbrook was solid with 21 points and 9 assists. Thunder were unable to execute with less then a minute left and the lead, allowing the Lakers multiple chances to win the game. Phil Jackson came up with an unexpected answer to a question about why visiting teams are generally more vulnerable. “You have to remember these men are out there in their underwear, in their shorts. These aren’t like the old days but they are pretty scantily clad, and they are, you know, in front of their fans. If you’re at all self-conscious, there you are.”

After a 50-win season and their first appearance in the playoffs, Oklahoma City gave the city and their fans an exciting and competitive series against the Lakers.

(Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

In the most disappointing series of this years playoffs, the Nuggets got completely embarrassed by the Utah Jazz. the above pic describes the awkwardness of this entire series. Denver was without its head coach George Karl as everyone in the world knows, and it had to affect the team in a major way. They seemed easily shook, and out of sorts on defense. Chauncey Billups led Denver with 30 points and Anthony finished with 20 points on 6 for 22 shooting.

After Carmelo’s explosion in Game 1 the Jazz won three straight and ended the series in Game 6 in front of their fans 112-104. 91 combined free throws were attempted…damn! Matthews went 13 for 15 from the free throw line.

Deron Williams had 14 points, and 10 dimes. Boozer had 22 points and 20 boards. Utah now heads to Los Angeles for a rematch of last years Round 1 matchup where the Jazz where dismissed in 5 games. Lakers were without Bynum, and the addition of Artest should be too much for the Jazz.

(Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)

In Game 5 of the Hawks-Bucks series, the Bucks did something they hadn’t done since April 21st of 2004, win a road playoff game. Brandon Jennings had 25 points, John Salmons added 19 and the Bucks down by as much as 13 fought back to win 91-87. The Bucks did what the Thunder were trying to do yesterday, win Game 5 on the road after winning both home games. Bucks can clinch Friday at the Bradley Center.

Atlanta appears to be in free-fall mode. They played a good game but Joe Johnson fouling out with over 2 minutes to go, left the Hawks out of sorts down the stretch. Joe Johnson shot 6 of 16 for 13 points and Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford was 4 of 18 from the field for 11 points. “This is incredible,” said Jamal Crawford,  “We had the game won. It just slipped away from us.” Hawks coach Mike Woodsen’s future with the Hawks is fading like people in the pictures in Back to the Future. His contract is up at the end of the year, and if Atlanta doesn’t make it pass the Bucks, Mike Woodsen will be unemployed. Bucks 3-2

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The Nuggets had to win,  and they did just that, playing the best they have all series. Six players scored in double figures for the Nuggets, led by Carmelo Anthony’s 26. Anthony added 11 rebounds for his 10th career playoff double-double, and second in a row. The Nuggets shot 50.7 percent from the field and improved to 9-0 over the last two postseason when shooting at least 50 percent from the field. Surprisingly this was the first win for Carmelo win the Nuggets face elimination. Nuggets now head to Utah where winning will be as difficult as solving a Rubiks cube while skydiving.

The Jazz have never lost a series when up 3-1. Heading back to the Delta Center for Game 6 Friday, the Jazz will look to end this series. There was never a doubt that they weren’t trying to win tonight though. Deron Williams had 34 points and 10 assists to lead the Jazz. The 34 points is one off his playoff career high. Williams joined Kevin Johnson as the only players with 5 20-10 games in a single playoff series. Carlos Boozer added 25 points and 16 boards. Jazz 3-2