Nitro

Melo's next if he doesn't sign the NJ extension. You don't [expletive] with Russians. R.I.P

He's in the best shape he's been in since 2004-2005, which was the season before he hit the weights hard and put on too much muscle, which flared up his back and didn't help with his knee issues. I do agree about the assertiveness, although I think he's really focusing on showing he can be a willing role player that plays within the confines of a system. I wish he'd be more assertive scoring the ball, but from what I've seen most Detroit fans think he's doing a tremendous job of running the 2nd string offense.

Out of curiousity, what were the maximum salary rules when Shaq signed that contract? I am not sure if there was a maximum salary restriction as MJ was making around $30M per season during the 2nd 3-peat. Yes, but he also went to a team that won 7 less games the prior season WITHOUT Shaq. It wasn't just the market attracting him, and I think the market is solely what is spurring these "Howard to LA" rumors. Read the last line of my post. The reason this rumor, if you can call it that, has any legs is because of Howard's personality and the MARKET in LA. This is still nearly 2 years away from happening, and the Magic just made some huge trades which Howard supposedly is very happy about, so I doubt he or any of his people are releasing the info that he "has his eyes on Los Angeles." IMO, it's people putting two and two together. He has a Hollywood type of personality, so for journalists it's an easy rumor to generate. It's a lot like the LeBron to NY/Brooklyn thing...they see him with Yankees caps, hanging out with Jay-Z and assume his ego would force him to take on the challenge of being the King of NY...obviously that didn't work out. Don't get me wrong, it wouldn't be a huge surprise if he ended up in LA. But these rumors bother me since there is no substance, nobody knows how half the league's rosters will look in 2012, and lastly...it's a year and a half away!! We had to deal with it for 2-3 years with the LeBron-to-NY rumors, and I really hope the Dwight-to-LA rumors don't get as crazy.

What does this have to do with anything? That contract was making him over $20M per year the last 3-4 seasons. I could have swore the Magic didn't go over $100M with their offer, but I guess I'm wrong. My bad. I don't think the Kobe hype had much influence on Shaq's decision. We are not talking about the hype LeBron received, where he was touted as the next Jordan in his Junior year and was the most obvious #1 selection in the last few decades. Kobe was taken at #13 in that draft, and while there was excitement around him, I don't think it swayed Shaq's decision. He went to a bigger market and team that won only 7 less games than the Magic did the previous season. As seen with NY throughout the last decade, I do think the whole "bigger market" factor is a bit overblown. Dwight's extension will run through his very best years, and I think he will go where he truly thinks he has the best shot at winning (unless Orlando wins a championship before 2012 or attracts another superstar to pair with Howard). That could very well be in LA, but I do think Howard's outgoing personality will give this rumor more legs than it deserves.

LINK Damn.

I believe Shaq was offered a contract worth about $20M more from LA than Orlando could offer. LA gutted their roster to get him. Dwight's situation will be a lot different than Shaq's was, although I am not quite sure what point you were trying to make here.

http://www.82games.com/1011/10MIA7.HTM This season, through 30 games James Jones has been assisted on all 69 of his FGM. Let that simmer. Mike Miller's return will be huge for this team.

Oh, on Yahoo it says the score is 22-0.

W-O-W 48 seconds left in the first and the score is Houston on top 22-0!!! Un-[expletive]ing believable. First Indiana going 19-20 or whatever in the 3rd quarter against Denver, and now this.

Tonight in Toronto T-Mac had 17pts, 7reb, 7ast, 1 TO, 3stl on 8-12 shooting in just 24min. :glasses:

Varejao would actually be a real nice fit on the Knicks alongside Amare, although I don't know if the Knicks would be willing to give up any of their prime trade bait since the whole Melo-to-Nets thing is starting to really heat up. Personally, if I were the Knicks I'd be willing to give up Fields and Randolph for Varejao. The Knicks would then need to explore a small trade for another SG, preferably a 3pt shooter who can defend. The Magic really need some size, so the Knicks could probably acquire a guy like Quentin Richardson for Turiaf (assuming the salaries matchup). I know Richardson is a natrual SF, but once Azubuike gets back he can slide over to the 3 spot behind Melo. That would leave Chandler and Gallo available for a Melo trade. After those trades, the lineup would roughly look like this... Felton/Douglas Richardson/Azubuike (when healthy) Melo/Walker Amare/[PF by committee] Varejao/Mozgov A Felton/Melo/Amare/Varajeo core is very nice and you can definitely build a contender around it.

Which you only need half a brain to know the answer to. I'm assuming you have half a brain, so you made this topic clearly to antagonize liberals and/or blacks, which is commonplace for you. If you do indeed have less than half a brain, then read my first post and you will have all the answers you need.

Read my last line or two. If you have other people fighting to have their race be represented by a month, the government will be forced to grant their request, abolish all "[blank] history" months, or combine them all races into one month (which would essentially be the happy medium). Either way, for the people like ECN who [expletive] about it, they should form an official movement to have it changed, or stop the [expletive]ing. If there was an official movement from all the people who are against the idea of black history month, the government will be forced to make changes in some form or another. But if all they do is [expletive] and moan without making an official stand, then they are just wasting their breath and sanity.

The point is this country kept black people as slaves for a very long time, segregated them from everyone else, and it was black people who made the strongest movement for civil rights. They have a rich history in helping to create equal rights for people of all race and ethnicity in this country, and they want their own month. I don't see the problem with it, even though I understand the opinion that other races and ethnicites should have a month devoted to them as well if they form a movement to make that officially happen. If they don't fight to make that happen then it is kind of ridiculous to [expletive] about it because black history month is just a positive acknowledgment of their history...that's IT. If people of other race feel so strongly about this, they should fight to have a month devoted to their race...if they do that, then the government would be forced to abolish black history month as official, or would accept the plea.

Including tonight, here are Dwight's last 4 games, all losses: @ DEN: 21 PTS, 14 REB, 2 BLK, 9-15 FG PHI: 26 PTS, 20 REB, 2 BLK, 8-18 FG @ ATL: 19 PTS, 20 REB, 2 BLK, 6-14 FG DAL: 26 PTS, 23 REB, 2 BLK, 11-17 FG In other words, Dwight's doing his job. He may not be racking up huge scoring games (stil averaging 23PPG on only about 16 shot attempts), but he's killing it on the boards and playing well defensively. He's been a superstar for years now...you don't get to the Finals with Hedo Turkoglu as your 2nd best player if you aren't a superstar. Anyway, the Magic were like 16-6 before half the team caught the flu, then that kind of killed the rhythm they had. Now they made these huge trades and had to play in Atlanta and then against the red-hot Mavs on back-to-back night. They will be fine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk_NRIlzyws HOLD OUT YOUR STOCKINGS, KIDS!!!

Well, we didn't give them 40 acres and a mule, so we might as well give them the shortest month of the year.

Why don't you drink? If it's because of the nausea, inability to drive and hangover, there are plenty of other goodies that will have you more outgoing and social. http://www.motifake.com/image/demotivational-poster/0808/cocaine-g-mon-demotivational-poster-1219087027.jpg

You also forgot Deron Williams, who has been the best PG in the NBA this season.

My bad, you're right, although it won't be visible from North America. After next year's total eclipse, there won't be another until 2014.

I'll go with Dirk. Former MVP, proven that he can lead a team to the Finals, incredibly efficient scorer, an underrated rebounder/defender/passer, and one of the best clutch performers in the league.

As great as his shooting is, I think his overall floor game will make a bigger impact. He's a very good ballhandler and passer, has a high IQ, and is also one of the best rebounding wings in the league. Off the dribble he will be the best player on the team besides Wade/James/Bosh, which I think will make a big difference to the offense.

It's the last TOTAL lunar eclipse before 2012.

Love this kid, he's Amare pre-microfracture but with a more complete game. His passing is really what has stood out to me the most besides, well, his insane athleticism.

They did. If I remember correctly, that was in 2006, and the East coach put them all in for like a 4min stretch which helped them cut into the lead and eventually prevent T-Mac from winning the MVP for the hometown fans...