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2012 NBA NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS!

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Posted 31 Dec 2011 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden St. Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trailblazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards

Although the season has barely begun, each team will be making resolutions for the New Years that ultimately they will forget. Here a a team-by-team breakdown:

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.

Continue reading “2012 NBA NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS!” »

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RECAP: LOS ANGELES LAKERS-NEW ORLEANS HORNETS/GAME 1

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Posted 18 Apr 2011 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, New Orleans Hornets

Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Following the tremendous performance of Derrick Rose, and Dwight Howard on day one of the Playoffs, another All-Star showcased his skills on Sunday in Los Angeles no named Kobe.

Chris Paul had 33 points, 14 dimes, 4 steals, and seven boards, leading his team down the stretch to a 109-100 victory. Paul became the 4th player in the last 20 seasons to register at least 33 points and 14 assists in a playoff game. Paul’s points and assists accounted for 63 of the Hornets’ 109 points (57.8 percent). Paul scored 17 points in the fourth quarter and led a decisive 8-0 run after the Lakers trimmed their lead to four points. Many of those possessions came when the Lakers switched on defense leaving Pau Gasol against Paul, and thats never a good thing.

Carl Landry scored 17 points and Jarrett Jack added 15 for the Hornets, who overcame Los Angeles’ major size advantage with scrappy defense and a disciplined offensive approach that led to just three turnovers, tying an NBA playoff record. The Lakers had 6 points off turnovers while the Hornets had 17 points off of 13 Lakers turnovers.

Kobe Bryant scored 34 points, his 79th career 30-point game in the playoffs. He trails Michael Jordan by 30 for the most such games in NBA history. Kobe was brilliant, as always but got little help. Lamar Odom had 10 points and 1 board in 31 minutes of play, while Bynum contributed 13 points and nine boards, but wasnt strong defensively(knee on the mind). The Lakers fans will blame this lost on Gasol, who struggled to eight points — just two more than his season low — on 2-for-9 shooting with just six boards.

Aaron Gray had a season-high 12 points for New Orleans, but was helped off the court by teammates with 1:07 to play after Gasol accidentally stepped on his right foot while fighting for a rebound. Hornets coach Monty Williams said Gray has a mildly sprained ankle.

Since playoffs expanded to 16 teams in 1983-84, this is the first time a conference has seen its 1 and 2 seeds both lose their first games in same postseason. Also, Phil Jackson had never lost a First Round, Game 1 at home in the Playoffs till Sunday.

Game 2 at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT

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NBA 2011 RESOLUTIONS

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Posted 31 Dec 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden St. Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trailblazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards

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.

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Westbrook and Paul Duel!

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Posted 10 Dec 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA, New Orleans Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Chris Paul was 8-0 against the Oklahoma City Thunder at home for his career.

Paul had 5 steals in the first half, finishing with 18 points, 7 dimes, no boards and those 5 steals.

Russell Westbrook had 29 points and 10 assists, and the Thunder beat the New Orleans Hornets 97-92 on Friday night.

Westbrook scored 16 points in the second half, including an 18-foot jumper as he was fouled by Paul to give the Thunder a 93-87 lead with 1:41 to go.

“I obviously lost my matchup tonight and that probably had something to do with why we lost,” Paul said.

The question is does Westbrook pass CP3 as top point guard in the league. Personally I still seek refuge in the Deron Williams bandwagon but what Westbrook was able to accomplish tonight should help his case.

Westbrook and Kevin Durant, who scored 25 points, easily lived up to their billing as the highest-scoring duo in the NBA. Their combined 54 points eclipsed their league-leading average of 51.3 points coming in.

With a 3-pointer in the first quarter, Paul hit 7,000 career points in what is now his sixth season.

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Stern confirms buying of Hornets

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Posted 06 Dec 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA, New Orleans Hornets

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

NBA Commissioner David Stern confirmed on Monday that the league is proceeding with its plan to buy the New Orleans Hornets from majority owner George Shinn and minority owner Gary Chouest.

Shinn has been trying since last spring to sell the team to Chouest, but those negotiations stalled.

“George Shinn has been an exceptional owner for New Orleans and Gary Chouest has been extraordinarily supportive as a minority owner,” Stern said. “However, in light of the uncertain economic situation in New Orleans and Louisiana, Gary has decided not to move forward with the purchase of George’s majority interest.”

“In the absence of any viable purchaser seeking to own the Hornets in New Orleans, I recommended to the NBA Board of Governors that the best way to assure stability and the adequate funding of the franchise would be for the league to step in, and complete the transaction and assume control.”

Stern confirmed that the league has recruited New Orleans native Jac Sperling to be the NBA’s administrator of the team until it can be sold to a more permanent owner. Sperling is a sports attorney and the vice chairman of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild.

The Hornets will be the first NBA team owned by the league.

Stern did not say what the NBA is paying for the club but did say the franchise “has been valued in excess of $300 million.”

The NBA says the sale still must be approved by the NBA’s Board of Governors, which will likely vote on the matter next week.

Shinn founded the Hornets in 1988 in Charlotte and moved them to New Orleans in 2002. After Hurricane Katrina damaged much of New Orleans, the Hornets spent two season playing in Oklahoma City from 2005-07.

Stern said he has notified Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu about the NBA’s takeover, adding that the league “will continue our dialogue with them about ways to strengthen the franchise for new ownership in New Orleans.”

Sperling said he’s been assured the Hornets will have the necessary resources to “keep the team competitive and further the team’s relationship with the fans of New Orleans.”

The Hornets are 13-7 under new coach Monty Williams and new general manager Dell Demps, but after a surprising 11-1 start, they have lost six of eight games. The Hornets rank 27th in league attendance.

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Everyone has played NBA POWER RANKINGS

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Posted 01 Nov 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, NBA, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Portland Trailblazers

All the NBA teams have played at least one game so without further adieu, we present our first power rankings of the season:

TOP TEN

1. Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe says knee is 100%, the Lakers are first in points per game and Matt Barnes and Ron Artest have yet to kill anyone. Something tells me the Lakers are gonna hold the #1 spot for a long time

2. New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul is back and surprising the league with an early undefeated record. Wins against the Spurs and Nuggets were big.

3. Portland Trail Blazers: The Blazers defense is the reason for their record. If they can get Oden back by December to just stand in the paint they could shake up the West.

4. Atlanta Hawks: Just like the Hornets the Hawks new head coach Larry Drew is enjoying a perfect record, but for how long.

5. Boston Celtics: Rondo has 50 dimes in three games, if not for old legs against the Cavs, the Celtics would be much higher in the rankings.

6. Miami Heat: Allowing a league low 80.8 points a game, the Heat have turned it on following an opening night lost to the Celtics.

7. Orlando Magic: Yet another season of living and dying by the three. At least Stan Van is sporting a collar.

8. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tentative play against Utah lead to their only lost. Kevin Durant is second in scoring behind Derrick Rose…for now.

9. Chicago Bulls: Joakim Noah leads the league in rebounds, Derrick Rose leads in scoring…they have only played two games. Has anyone seen Luol Deng?

10. New Jersey Nets: Derrick Favors can rebound better then you. The Nets would have been undefeated had they avoided playing the Heat who destroyed them in transisition. If Avery Johnson keeps this team above .500 he has to win Coach of the Year.

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NBA: 13 Game Recap(10/27)

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Posted 27 Oct 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden St. Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trailblazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz

Wilson Chandler scored 22 points( 8 in the 4th) Amare Stoudemire had 19 points( 7 in the 4th) and 10 rebounds and the New York Knicks beat the Toronto Raptors 98-93 on Wednesday night.  The game was closer then Knicks fans would like. Andrea Bargnani scored 18 points in the first half but had just four in the second for Toronto, which had won eight of its previous nine home openers, and swept the Knicks in all four games last season.

(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.

Continue reading “NBA: 13 Game Recap(10/27)” »

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4-Way Trade: Rockets, Hornets, Pacers, Nets

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Posted 11 Aug 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, NBA, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets

Trevor Ariza was sent to the New Orleans Hornets and Darren Collison to the Indiana Pacers in a four-team, five-player trade Wednesday. In the trade, the Houston Rockets sent Ariza to the Hornets, who in turn sent Collison and James Posey to the Pacers.The Pacers sent Troy Murphy to the New Jersey Nets. And the Nets sent Courtney Lee to the Rockets.

Breakdown:

Darren Collison leaving the Hornets shows Chris Paul the organization is serious about keeping him. The addition of Ariza betters their core, but will this make CP3 happy? Hornets  also have completed trade of forward Julian Wright to Raptors for guard Marco Bellineli.

I like the Rockets this year. If Yao is healthy of course, then I love the Rockets. By trading Ariza for Courtney Lee, it breaks up the front court log jam and gives them a solid young guard. Essentially they just re-shuffled their overall team depth, which is strong, and cut $5 mill off the payroll. What could Morey be up too? This deal saves the Rockets $28 million on the life of the contract and roughly $10 million (when you factor in luxury tax payments) this season. Rockets also got $6 million trade exception. This team knows how to run a business. SALARY DUMP!

The Pacers wake up from the dead with this move. They have that much needed point guard in Collison, and are set up nicely for the summer of 11′ and 12′. The Pacers did take on the last two years and $13 million of Posey’s contract, but the deal also sliced another $4 million off the team’s overall payroll.

The Nets getting Troy Murphy gives them a ton of height. Not sure how all the Nets pieces will fit together, but Avery Johnson will figure it out. Murphy is also on the last year of his contract, which could make him an important trading chip for the Nets at the 2011 trade deadline.

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2010-2011 National TV NBA Schedule!

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Posted 10 Aug 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden St. Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trailblazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards

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:

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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).

Continue reading “2010-2011 National TV NBA Schedule!” »

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Chris Paul wants out!

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Posted 22 Jul 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic

After the whirlwind of free agency has finally died down, the New Orleans Hornets All-Star point guard Chris Paul is concerned with his teams current situation. “He wants out,” a source told CBS Sports. “He wants to play with another superstar. He wants to follow LeBron’s model of teaming up with other great players.”

CBS Sports reports that the point guard would prefer getting traded to the New York Knicks, the Orlando Magic or the Los Angeles Lakers. It added that if Paul has his way, he’s played his last game in a Hornets jersey.

Paul still has two years left on his contract, but he has voiced to the Hornets that if the team can’t put a competitive team on the court, he wants out, and who can blame him. The Hornets have hired a new coach, Monty Williams, a new general manager in Dell Demps, and now huge crisis is already upon them. Hornets have started a youth movement around Marcus Thornton and Darren Collison, who flourished as rookies amidst all the injuries last season. David West and Emeka Okafor are solid big men, and James Posey, and Peja Stojakovic are still good contributors. With a healthy Chris Paul the Hornets could challenge for one of the bottom 4 playoff spots, but a championship is out of the question.

Continue reading “Chris Paul wants out!” »

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