The Kobe Trade Hysteria

Gossip entertainment site TMZ.com recently caught up with Dallas Mavericks owner and Dancing with the Stars contestant, Mark Cuban. TMZ not only asked Cuban about his dance moves but also about his basketball team moves.

From TMZ.com:

"TMZ caught up with our favorite dancing fool in West Hollywood last night. The topic of conversation shifted from the Bossa Nova to basketball; would Cuban go after troubled Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant? Probably not, Cuban says, explaining, "You always talk, but you know this world -- nothing happens."

As for Kobe and the Lakers' recent losing ways, Cuban joked, "Doesn't break my heart. The less help they get, the better!" (Source: TMZ.com)

Cuban has stated that there will not be a Dirk Nowitski for Kobe trade. Of course the NBA's Eastern Conference wouldn't mind adding yet another West talent to its side. Detroit Free Press discusses the possible power shift a Kobe trade would bring to the East. Baltimore Sun discusses why the Chicago Bulls should pursue Kobe. Chicago Tribune says the Bulls don't need him. Right. Bringing Kobe to any squad immediately elevates their contender status beyond what it already was.

As for now, Kobe's locker is still in Los Angeles.

A Houston Comeback?

First Reggie Miller is contacted by the Boston Celtics about making an NBA comeback. Now it appears Allan Houston, former New York Knicks star, is also considering a return to the NBA.

From ESPN.com:

"Reggie Miller is not the only former All-Star shooting guard considering a comeback. Allan Houston, one of the deadliest jump shooters of the past 15 years, is also looking to return to the NBA.

"It's something I'd like to do,'' Houston said in a telephone interview Thursday morning. "It's just a matter of getting myself back in game shape and getting used to playing again.''

Houston, 36, was forced into retirement in October 2005 after an arthritic left knee limited him to just 70 games over the previous two seasons. In 2002-2003, his last full season, he led the Knicks and finished 10th in the NBA with a career-high 22.5 point scoring average.

Houston, who worked as an NBA analyst for ESPN last season, said he has been working out hard for more than a month and that his knee feels great. He recently played in high-caliber (though not NBA level) summer league games in New York and plans to work out in Las Vegas with a personal basketball trainer later this month.

He would not discuss which, if any, teams have shown interest in signing him, but sources say Dallas and Cleveland headline the list of interested clubs. Boston, which has contacted Miller about a comeback, Phoenix, Miami and perhaps San Antonio, are also teams that would be logical destinations."

While Houston is a good 6 years younger than Miller, but it's tough to say what type of shape either guy would arrive to a team in. You'd also have to weigh in Houston's injury to his knee which has plagued him in the past.

Houston took a trip this past July to Uganda, Africa. You can see video and info about his trip at his website. Check out allanhouston.com the official website for Allan Houston.

Reggie Considers Celts

It appears the Celtics are trying to get even more dominant in the Eastern Conference. Now there are rumors that they have had talks about bringing Reggie Miller in from retirement to come off the bench.

From ESPN.com:

"Reggie Miller says he is contemplating a return to the NBA, this time with the Boston Celtics.



Miller

Miller, who turns 42 on Aug. 24, played his entire 18-year career with the Indiana Pacers before retiring in 2005. Since his playing days ended he has worked as a television analyst for TNT.

"I'm always flattered when my name is mentioned as someone who can still help an NBA team win a championship," Miller said Wednesday in a statement relayed to The Associated Press by the TNT network. "I've had limited discussions with Celtics management about their roster and a potential role for me. At this time, I'm enjoying my role as an analyst with TNT."

Miller was all set to continue that job when Celtics general manager Danny Ainge and coach Doc Rivers asked him to think about joining their revamped team in a reserve role, playing about 15 minutes per game."

The Celtics recently added the services of Scott Pollard to provide some depth to their bench which was depleted. Adding a superstar like Miller would make the team even greater by far as it would give a solid backup shooter for Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. In addition, Reggie has been known to knock down huge game winning shots throughout his career. Having two sharpshooter three point specialists would be deadly to opponents. It might also improve Ray Allen even more, as the two would compete in practices through 3 point shootouts.

J. O'Neal a Laker or Pacer?

The latest back and forth word of mouth from Jermaine O'Neal on wanting to be a Laker and wanting to be a Pacer.

From Seattletimes.com:

"INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal has discounted Internet reports that he wants to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

"My preference is to play here and win here," O'Neal said in a telephone interview after returning from Los Angeles on Monday afternoon, attempting to deflate a brewing controversy that had brought clarifying statements from Pacers president Larry Bird and O'Neal's agent, Arn Tellem.

O'Neal appeared at — but did not play in — a charity basketball game Sunday hosted by league players Baron Davis and Paul Pierce. He talked with reporters from the Sports Illustrated and ESPN Web sites.

Both accounts quoted O'Neal expressing a desire to be traded to the Lakers.

"It's time for me to move on," O'Neal was quoted as saying in the ESPN story. "And the Lakers are the team I want Indiana to trade me to."

O'Neal added that the Pacers are "obviously" in a rebuilding mode, and he did not want to "take in five years of losses and downtime." He added that he also would favor a trade to New Jersey.

Bird issued a statement, repeating his claim O'Neal would be traded only if he brings "fair market value."

Tellem, in an e-mail to The Associated Press, denied that O'Neal wants out of Indiana.

"He hasn't requested a trade to the Lakers," Tellem wrote. "Any reports to the contrary are inaccurate."

O'Neal, 28, said he believes the Pacers can reach the playoffs next season with their current roster."

This looks alot like what Kobe Bryant was doing in Los Angeles, except Kobe never really mentioned wanting to go to Indiana..The latter of the reports, with O'Neal wanting to remain a Pacer seem accurate, but also think of the whole KG situation "not going to Boston" and then "BAM!" KG's a Celtic...In closing, it's great that O'Neal thinks they can reach the playoffs, but then what? O'Neal might be a deja vu situation of KG, after several years of disappointing playoff runs..

KG to Celtics Trade Rumor

The Kevin Garnett to the Celtics rumor is alive again. Reports are circulating about a blockbuster trade to bring KG into Beantown where he would join NBA All-star players Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.

From ESPN.com:

"But the latest incarnation of the trade is believed to include the following five Celtics for a total of $18,921,547: Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair and Ryan Gomes. If no other Celtics are added to the deal, Boston could only take back $23,751,934 in salary, meaning Garnett would have to consent to waiving nearly $5 million of his trade kicker ... $4,998,066 to be exact."

If this deal goes down, you'd have to put the Celtics as one of the top teams in the East and a viable contender for the NBA title. They would need to add some depth to their bench with all the players they'd lose in the trade, but those 3 definitely make for a top notch bunch of starting players. The inside presence of KG combined with the outside shooting of guys like Ray Allen and Paul Pierce would give the Celtics that inside-outside presence needed to win games, and alot of them. It might take 1 year to have the team fully gel, but it would definitely be a great move for both teams, even the T-Wolves.

You have to figure the T-Wolves are looking to rebuild right now and getting a group of young talent is a good move. The Celtics seem to be trying to please fans and return to the playoffs and the Celtics glory of title contention. Adding KG would do that.

NBA.com reports several sources are saying that the deal is official, you can read the story here. Local news reports have indicated it appears this deal is done, but no official word has been given by NBA.com, ESPN.com or other sources as of this entry.