They Still Haven’t Got A Pot To Pi_s In And A Window To Throw It Out Of But That’s What Makes The T’wolves, Oh So Funny ………

So it’s now come down to this ? He said ,”……..” And he said “…….” Which begs the question what the hell was going on within the Minnesota Timberwolves’ hierarchy to begin with ?

Ricky Rubio seen here during a shootaround for his new team in the Spanish basketball league FC Barcelona . picture appears courtesy of ap/ photo/ Manu Fernandez ...................

For a team that has fallen upon hard times, the way a hobo takes to the streets.These are some very indifferent times for the T’wolves. And coming off a disastrous season, where they finished a positively horrendous record of 24-58 in the Northwest division of the Western Conference. The Minnesota Timberwolves were hoping for something of a respite in terms of the NBA Draft.

They lauded over the fact that they’d drafted the young Spanish phenom Ricky Rubio. The player was taken by the team in the first round, as the fifth overall pick . And a great deal was to be expected of the player and the team once he was within camp. But it’s all easier said than done. Rubio was still under contract with his Spanish league team DKV Joventut . And simply, all that was needed was a buyout of the two years remaining on the player’s contract. To the tune of $6.5million they could’ve had the player within their ranks. That being said the prohibitive rule under which the NBA applies for players who are playing abroad professionally . And are then drafted , it meant that the pursuant team can only make an outlay not exceeding $500,000 without seeking further authorization from the league in order to acquire the player.

With that in mind the haggling and wrangling began between the two parties. Handling the team’s affairs for the Timberwolves, was their erstwhile Head of Basketball Operations David Kahn. It was Kahn , who made the decision to relieve then coach , Kevin McHale of his position at the end of last season. Kahn, felt it best, that the franchise as a whole move in a completely new direction. With the accent being on acquiring young talent and with that being at its core in terms of being a competitive franchise.

But it was also imperative that the team hire a coach that’d be able to communicate with a young roster of players. And though it has to be said that there are still some seasoned veterans on the team. Much of the load will be placed on such rising stars as Corey Brewer, Kevin Love, Al Jefferson , Ryan Gomes, rookies , Wayne Ellington, Ty Lawson, Johnny Flynn and Nick Calathes. That’s not to say that the veteran leadership of Chucky Atkins and Mark Blount won’t be called upon. But it will be youth movement on this Timberwolves’ team that’ll indeed have their very own baptism of fire .

Courtesy of Yahoo Sports and AP :

Rubio: NBA move too risky, complicated

BARCELONA-Spain(AP) Ricky Rubio wants to keep playing basketball in Spain, saying a move to the Minnesota Timberwolves would be too risky and complicate his life.

The 19 year old was sent from DKV Joventut to Barcelona on Tuesday after the Catalan club paid Rubio’s $5million buyout clause.

Rubio, the Timberwolves’ fifth overall pick in this year’s draft, agreed to a six year deal that included a buyout clause that allows him to leave for the NBA after two years.

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As alluded to earlier in this piece , Kahn had to seek out a coach whom he felt could best lead this team. And he sought out Los Angeles Lakers’ assistant coach , Kurt Rambis. Phil Jackson’s erstwhile assistant no doubt knew in effect that this may well be has one and only chance to finally coach a team. His previous tenure with the Lakers , albeit it a shortened one , didn’t prove to be all that successful. Now given a chance to prove himself, it would be an understatement to say that Rambis now faces something of an uphill battle. But it’s a battle that he appears only all too willing to take on. Rambis may well be only willing to impart the knowledge that made him such a character and something industrious player. Even if he lacked the talent of some of his more highly skilled teammates on those Showtime Lakers’ teams . That being said any improvement on this Timberwolves’ team, would be considered something of a success for their long tortured fans, who’ve been starved of success.

As to what we know awaits the Minnesota Timberwolves. The only thing that we’re now sure of , is that Rubio won’t be joining the team anytime soon. The player made Kahn and the Timberwolves’ organization that he’d rather remain in Europe to further hone his skills. To my mind , for want of a better word. It may well have meant that he didn’t feel his profile and image wouldn’t be magnified playing in such a small market, as in Minnesota. It’s not exactly one of the NBA powerhouses. And more likely than not, Rubio, may well have felt that his prerequisite skills wouldn’t be on display for all to see.

The player will remain in Spain , now playing for the Spanish league team Barcelona. One of the premier teams within the Spanish League. That being said, the Timberwolves still retain the NBA rights to the player. And should he fulfill his commitment to Spanish team over the course of the two years. Then in all probability, Rubio may ell seek to commence his NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves. But at this juncture, it’s only open to pure speculation and conjecture. As it’d appear that both sides are said to blaming one another for the apparent impasse.

In many ways Kahn had to have known the risks in trying to acquire the player. It was certainly common knowledge that Rubios wanted in effect to be drafted by a large market team. But there were no willing takers it would appear at the time. Albeit , that there were said to be rumblings that the New York Knicks might’ve shown some interest in the player. But it wasn’t to be , as they went elsewhere , in terms of their first round draft pick. Though nothing disparaging allegedly has been said between the two parties. Kahn hasn’t hide his disappointment in the choice made by the player. However, he’s stated that in two years he fully expects to see Rubio in Minnesota Timberwolves’ uniform. That being said if it is to be believed then Kahn initially feels that Rubio had reneged on joining the team.
If there was truly a zeal to acquire the player from the onset then obviously not enough was being done on the part of the Timberbwolves’ organization. It appears in retrospect that Kahn was waiting for some sort of fairy-godmother to swoop on down and assist him in acquiring the player.

In reality the Timberwolves as an organization has proven to us what we already know. They’re a poorly ran organization that possesses no real zeal for competition , much less dealing with the most acute of issues. They’d rather sit around and gaze at the world as it passes them by. In essence they’ve not a pot to pi_s in or a window to throw it out of. And the continuous excuses as to what ailed the franchise was always being made not only by their fans but also by its hierarchy. Is it any wonder that they’ve been mired in an abyss of sheer mediocrity for the last half a decade ?

Having One’s Cake And Eating It … Who Says There’s No Collusion In Sports ?

Unless you’ve had your head buried in the sand over the last few months. You may not have been aware that all four of the major professional sports governing bodies and the NCAA are prepared to challenge the states of Delaware and New Jersey in proposing a sport’s book gamling bill that they’re preparing in their respective legislatures.

On the face of it one might feel that MLB , NBA , NCAA , NHL and the NFL have nothing to worry about. Being as the fact that all four sports have a healthy relationship with the gaming industry , one way or another. In many cases, some of the four do , more than others. And without that relationship one could surmise that the relationship would be as such somewhat minute . Other than the fact that there are still indeed some well meaning and loyal fans to the respective professional franchises.

Gov Jack A Markell (D-Del) . The governor is seeking legislative bill to be passed in both houses whereing legalized gambling and most notably sports book betting will be allowable in the state of Delaware. However the four major pro sports governing bodies and the NCAA are seeking to challenge any bill passed by placing their own challgenge as to its legality in the Federal Court system. picture appears courtesy of afp/ Carol Hemmings ...........................

However , in light of this all each of the sporting bodies , headed by Bud Selig (MLB) , David Stern (NBA) , Gary Bettman (NHL), Myles Brand (NCAA) and Roger Goodell (NFL). For some reason each of the commissioners in question believe that should the legislation be passed it’d do more harm to the framework of sports in general . Than it would do good. I find that particular argument somewhat misguided , retarded but above lacking in basis in terms of a real argument.

Gov. Jon Corzine (D-New Jersey) . He, too, like his Democratic counterpart in Delaware would like to see a similar bill passed within both houses of the legislatiure in New Jersey. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo / Dwayne Osario ............................

Whereas over the years each of the sports in question have profitted greatly from the gaming industry and in particular the patrons wagering on the outcomes of their games. Granted that the real problem is in-fact illegal wagering and also that of the off-shore entities that the Federal Government has no jurisdiction over. But here we’re talking about two states’ governments that are proposing bills , that in large part there’d be a an agency overseeing the operations of the various entities that would seek to operate within their jurisdiction. It is not a threat to the dominance of the existence to any of the four governing sport’s bodies. But they’d have you believe that there is indeed a perceived threat to their existence. And the very fact that with this renewed effort by both Delaware and New Jersey , that there’d be some sort of mayhem caused.

Gov Arnold Schwarzaneggar (R-Ca). He now faces a budget shortfall within the state in excess of $24 billion (dollars) and the state is now issuing IOU's to pay its creditors as a way of staving off bankruptcy. The federal government's stimulus package won't even make a dent in the state's overall situation. So much for Schwarzaneggar having declared himself a fiscally and socially aware conservative. Which is it ? picture appears courtesy of afp/ Jorge Ayala .........................

Each year , tens of billions of dollars are wagered on sporting events up and down the country. And it seems to have somehow escaped the notice of these commissioners that without the chance for bettors to do this . Sports as we know it wouldn’t be the spectacle that it is. I don’t know if there’s some sort of puritanical bias behind the argument being put forth by the quintet. But I’d like to think that they’ve somehow outgrown that sort of archaic thinking and mindset. If anything , above all it’s downright hypocritical . Given the fact that a number of college as well as professional teams have marketing tie-ins with gaming establishments and casinos.

Rep. Heath Shuler (D-Nc) . The former NFL player and now Congressman opposes any such legislation that would legalize gambling and in particular sports book betting within the states of Delaware and Nevada. picture appears courtesy ap/photo/ Tiffany Warren ......................

The gambling industry in the US is worth upwards of between $30-$45billion dollars a year and employs close to 400,000 people. So to be of the belief that there isn’t some undue benefit to the government or a state agency would be redundant to say the very least. For many states across the country with the very fact that the harsh economic environment that many now find themelves. They are indeed looking to other revenue streams in order to facilitate their budget shortfalls. The state of California this year alone faces a $24bn budget deficit shortfall this year alone. Somehow the predisposition of their Governator Arnold Schwarzeneggar to blow everything up within his midst , in order to solve a problem. Well it appears that it doesn’t seem to be working as of now, for the citizens of California. Or as a matter of fact for the state employees who are being in some cases being placed on prolonged furloughs or fired from their positions.

Now as to the wish of both states to have this legislation passed. It seems even more outlandish that Congress would also seek to make its voice heard on the matter. Most suprising of all is the very fact that former NFL player and now Congressman Heath Shuler (D-NC) should come out in opposition to the proposals of both states. But it’s easy to understand the reason why , there. No lobbyist funds may have come betwee Shuler and him making a decision. But then I digress , not every federal legislator is corrupt. And the argument can also be pit forth that not every legislator is as altruistic as they’d have you believe.

Courtesy of USA Today:

Pro leagues, NCAA resist push by states to legalize betting ….

By Michael McCarthy and A J Perez of USA Today

It’s a sign of a lagging economy : American pro leagues and college and sports teams seeking new revenue through increasingly bold marketing relationships with gambling interests. It’s why team logos have begun appearing on state lottery tickets and why some basketball games have been played at casino hotels.

Now officials in Delaware and New Jersey, facing their own budget problems, say it’s time for a bolder move ,full scale legalized sports betting in states other than Nevada,currently the only place such activity is allowed. They are pushing hard to add legalized in-casino sports betting to their states gambling offerings , which include horse racing , lotteries , slot machines, and in Atlantic City – table games.

The plans are being resisted by the nation’s four major pro sports leagues- the NFL, the NBA , the NHL, and Major League Baseball- as well as the NCAA. Despite marketing arrangements that schools have with gambling, sports officials are asking a federal court to stop the Delaware effort, saying that widespread legalized betting would threaten the integrity of their sports by creating incentives for cheating and game-fixing.

That view is not unanimous among sports owners, however.

Joe Maloof, whose family owns the NBA’s Sacramento Kings and the WNBA’s Sacramento Monarchs as well as the Palms casino resort in Las Vegas, says well regulated sports gambling would help prevent such problems. cont’d ………… see below for further details concerning this article

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The test for both legislatures will be to see if the bill is passed. And then to see whether not it can withstand the challenge of a suit as to its legitimacy within the Federal Court system by the parties concerned. In this case Major League Baseball (MLB) ,the NBA, the NFL, the NHL and finally the NCAA. In large part all five have close ties to the gaming industry in some for another. But to now see them to try and deprive a state of a way formulating a revenue stream in order to stave off economic duress. Well to my mind it smacks of hypocrisy. When these are the very same entities engratiate themselves upon states and municipalities up and down the country in order to obtain lucrative tax breaks that facilitate the building of their arenas and that in effect also allows them to conduct their very business.

Something is inherently wrong here if they are indeed allowed to challenge the veracity of what both states are trying to do. No one has yet to challenge each of the five upon the basis of how they operate and conduct their businesses. But here they are trying to dictate and legislate how states of Delaware and New Jersey ought to conduct their own by seeking recourse through the legal system.

This is something that it is odious in nature . But even more it smacks of collusion and if nothing else it is also depriving the two states and its citizens their very rights govern themselves in an appropriate fashion.

What are your thoughts on this matter ? Below also is a poll that you can participate in should you choose to. I look forward to reading your comments with a keen interest as to your responses.

The Potential Is There For Something …..I Just Don’t Know What

Far be it for me to suggest that Allen Iverson has nothing to offer a team at this moment in time. But it’d appear that a player who’s now on the downside of what one might deem an illustrious career. It would probably be in his best interest to ride off into the sunset with his head held high. And let his legacy speak for itself. Rather than him now being ridiculed as the shell of the player he once was .

A seemingly happy Allen Iverson is introduced to the Detroit media having just been acquired by the Pistons in exchange for point guard Chauncey Billups who was traded to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for the former League MVP. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Gregory Shamus ............

Well at the end of the season Iverson became an unrestricted free agent. His tenure in Detroit proved to be a complete disappointment with the Detroit Pistons. Now very much his own man , though no longer an elite player. He now has to sit and wait for a team to show at least a modicum of interest in his talents. And for a player of Iverson’s undoubted talents, the days are long gone where’d be viewed as player that would command a king’s ransom for his services.

A smiling Allen Iverson in a Pistons' uniform. A rarity as such as his playing time was often pared due to recurring injuries and a loss of form . However on this occasion to be happy as his Pistons' team had just defeatd the Los Angeles Lakers 106-96 in a game played at the Staples Center in Los Angeles , California,. picture appears ap/photo/ Gus Ruelas ....................

These are stark and dire times economically and teams aren’t prepared to pay top dollar for marginally above average talent. Mid-level cap exemption status or not. The fall of a once great player now seems to be resonating with a number of fans across the league. The thought that we’re now seeing a player of Iverson’s caliber struggle to even find a team seems somewhat perplexing. Albeit that it may well have something to do with the player’s perceived character and his susceptibility to recurring injuries. But one thing for sure is that we all know is that as a player, in no way does Iverson lack heart ! He gives of himself and of his body, perhaps more than is actually required in the pursuit of victory.

Iverson as a Nugget playing at the team's home venue, the Pepsi Center in Denver , Colorado,. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Ryan Williams ............

Amongst the peers of his generation , perhaps only the ‘The Big Man’, ‘The Diesel’, Shaquille O’Neal played with as much heart as Iverson in his heyday on the basketball court. But this is no longer a veteran’s game. Albeit that cerebral players such as Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are said to be still at their peak. And those are the players from Iverson’s generation that we tend to associate him with.

And whilst we can contend that the failed experiment of Iverson’s tenure with the Denver Nuggets , playing alongside Carmelo Anthony , Kenyon Martin , J. R. Smith and Nene’ . But yet they could still not function as a cohesive unit , much less as a team. And for Nuggets’ coach George Karl , there was no end to the nightmare , as they set out on this doomed facsimile of an experiment. The Nuggets with Iverson in tow , was a team primarily built on the premise offense. Defense it would appear was never a part of their mindset. And it was understandable when the Nuggets as an organization sought to trade Iverson to the Pistons in exchange for hometown hero, Chauncey Billups , a Denver native. And in the end we all saw who got the better of that deal .

Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers seen here participating against the New Orleans Hornets in the NBA's Summer League. pictur appears courtesy of nbae/getty images/ Garret W Ellwod

The Denver Nuggets would indeed ascend whereas the Detroit Pistons, though barely having made it into the playoffs. They were jettisoned from postseason play like rancid garbage being thrown into the streets of New Delhi.

As is befitting a team and a player seemingly on the demise. The Detroit Pistons and Allen Iverson are at a crossroads as to their immediate futures. For the Pistons and their GM Joe Dumars . It is now about rebuilding a team and making them once again a perennial contender. Whereas for Iverson it’s about rebuilding his reputation and at the same time prove to any team, willing to take him. That he has indeed something still to offer a team, by way of his own contributions.

Amongst the teams or said team to be interested in Allen Iverson. It’s allegedly Donald Sterling’s Los Angeles Clippers. This couldn’t be perceived as a marriage made in heaven. But it may well have to do as far as Iverson’s career ambitions may well go.

Whilst on paper the team’s roster looks great with a mixture of seasoned veterans in Baron Davis , Marcus Camby, Ricky Davis, Zach Randolph and Chris Kaman. There’s also promising sophomore Eric Gordon and this year’s number #1 draft pick Blake Griffin to complement and round out the playing staff of this team. And as much as we’ve derided the Clippers over the years for their ineptitude. It has to be said that the possible addition to Iverson on this team. And the foundations could well be laid for a successful season.

Eric Gordon of th Clippers seen here playing against the Phoenix Suns in an NBA game from last season. It's hoped that Gordon and Bake Griffin will be viewed as the conerstone of the Clippers' long term future. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Anthony Kettering .............

But much of that percieved success would be predicated on the egos of some players being left at the door. It’s bad enough having the likes of Davis and his namesake Ricky Davis on the same team . In addition you’ve also got a malcontent and an enfant terrible in Zach Randolph added into the mix. That’s as volatile and combustible a mix as anyone would want to have to undertake as a coach of this team. Nevermind then adding Iverson into such an environment. Talk about a molotov cocktail . This may well be a Krakatoa type eruption waiting to happen. And in the midst of it all all you’ll have these two young players in Gordon and Griffin having to ingratiate themselves with their more experienced teammates.

It could either bring about a recipe for disaster. Or dare I say it , complete resounding success ? What Iverson can bring to this team as its elder statesman is a wise head and hopefully a calming influence to this team. But let’s not forget we are talking about the Los Angeles Clippers. Success for them as of late has been to play the entire regular season of 82 games and then to be mistakenly recognized as members of the Los Angeles Lakers. In reality the only thing these two teams have in common is that they share the same home venue and they both play in the Western Conference. As to comparing their competitive nature. That’s like comparing a highly priced bottle of vintage jeroboam champagne to a bottle of stale vinegar. It just doesn’t equate !

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The Potential Is There For Something…..I Just Don’t Know What

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The Birdman Can Still Fly High In Denver But Can He And The Nuggets Join The Mile High Club ?

The Denver Nuggets have resigned Chris Birdman Andersen to a 5 year deal . The deal itself is said to be worth in the region of $26m . And it’s a handsome reward for a player that seemingly resurrected his career with the Nuggets.

The high flying Chris Andersen who was resigned by the Denver Nuggets to a 5 year $26m contract. Anderson appreciatie of the commitment shown in him by the franchise. picture appears courtesy ap/photo/Mark Bartlestein ………

For coach George Karl and that of the Nuggets’ hierarchy it was a welcoming reward in the return of a fan favorite amongst the Denver crowd. He brought energy to the team’s home arena and the fans fed off that. And with his zany antics , erstwhile character and willingness to sacrifice his body in order to do the dirty work on the offensive and defensive end in terms of rebounding. It’s easy to understand why it is that the franchise were determined to retain the player.

And though the team fell short of their expectations , having been eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals 4-2 after a determined effort. It has to be said that this will be a team to be reckoned with next season. A year older but much more wiser one would hope. This augurs well for the franchise and their ultimate aim of winning an NBA championship.

Ty Lawson who was selected 18th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves is seen here with Nuggets' coach George Karl after the player was acquired by the team in a trade . Lawson will be the backup to point guards Chauncey Billups and Anthony Carter . But in all likelihood he's viewed as the heir apparent to Billups. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo / David Zabulowski ............

And with the experience of having a proven winner within their midst in point guard Chauncey Billups as a well as the maturation of Carmelo Anthony. It’s easy to see why this team may well be one of the few teams in the Western Conference who could give the Los Angeles Lakers a run for their money in defending their NBA title.

Carmelo Anthony (left), Chauncey Billups (center) and Nene Hilario of the Denver Nuggets are on the sidelines during the Western Conference quarter finals game played against the New Orleans Hornets at the Pepsi Center in Denver , Colorado. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Chris Farrior .............

Not lost in all of this has been the draft of the Nuggets. There’s been astute assessment in what their requirements were. And they went about picking up a very talented player. They may well have picked up the heir apparent to Billups in acquiring former Carolina Tar Heel Ty Lawson. The player was orginally taken 18th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves , who then dispatched his rights to the Nuggets via a trade. That in ofitself could well be a blessing in disguise for the team as a whole. With Lawson they get an intense and creative offensive player . Who’s also equally adept on the defensive side of the ball. And with the team’s roster almost seeminly unchanged . The cohesiveness that we saw throughout much of the regular season and into the earlier rounds of the playoffs ought to be still there as the new season beckons.

The aspirations of the franchise won’t at all be lost on the fans in Denver. They’ve shown their loyal support to the team throughout the regular season and then into the postseason itself. And even with the disappointment of the loss to the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. They could see the beginning of something fruitful as to the team’s play and the resolve shown.

Yahoo Sports.com reports: via AP Sports Writer Pat Graham …..

Anderson reaches 5-year deal to stay with Nuggets.

AP Sports Writer Pat Graham :
Denver (AP) Chris ‘Birdman’ Andersen has reached a 5 year deal to keep his high flying, shot blocking act with the Denver Nuggets , the team he revived his career with last season.

Andersen’s attorney, Mark Bryant , confirmed the agreement on Wednesday , saying it would be signed later in the day.

Andersen, who turned 31 on Tuesday could make up to $26m over the lifetime of a back-loaded contract that gives the Nuggets financial flexibility.

The Nuggets didn’t return phone calls.

Andersen will make close to $3.65 million in 2009-10, up from the $998,398 he made last season, when he averaged 6.4 points and 2.5 blocked shots in 20.6 minutes.

“You write the best scenario, think you’re dreaming and open youre eyes and it’s real,” Bryant said. “He’s very excited . They treated him as a priority.”

With his colorful tattoos and spiky hair, Andersen was an instant hit with the Denver fans, who’ve embraced his return to the court.

Andersen came back to the NBA in 2008 following a ban that lasted almost two years after he tested positive for an undisclosed “drug of abuse”.

The energetic forward known for his defensive disruption around the basket provided a spark off the bench as the Nuggets made a run to the Western Conference finals, where they fell short to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

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Gordon, Villanueva Agree To Terms With Pistons

Though free agents can’t officialy sign contracts with teams until July 8, the Detroit Pistons apparently want to get a head start. According to sources, the Pistons have agreed to terms with Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. Prior reports indicated that both were likely to sign with the Pistons, and now things are close to becoming official.

Detroit is desperate to rebuild after a disappointing and tumultous season. Just three games into the season, the team traded star point guard Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson. It was a move that was not well liked by the fans and most importantly the players. Iverson and shooting guard Rip Hamilton struggled to coexist in the starting lineup, and as a result head coach Michael Curry decided to bench Hamilton. It was another move that was not liked by players in the locker room, according to reports. When Iverson went down with a back injury, the team got things together again and were able to make the playoffs, only to be swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Team president Joe Dumars came under much criticism, and the Pistons now have to make moves in order to please the fan base. The first move came earlier this week, when the team fired Curry after just one season. The Pistons — with Iverson and Rasheed Wallace’s contracts off the books — have tons of cap room, and they are looking to deal.

Gordon and Villanueva are important signings for the team. Gordon is a pure scorer, and his ability was fully on display in the first round of the playoffs against the Celtics. Villanueva will be a solid presence down low. Details of the deals appear in the report:

The Detroit Pistons made the biggest early splash in free agency on Wednesday, agreeing to terms with Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva.

Former Bulls guard Gordon will receive a five-year, $55 million deal, while former Bucks forward Villanueva gets a five-year deal for $40 million, sources told ESPN.com’s Chris Broussard.

Gordon rejected deals from Chicago in excess of $50 million each of the past two seasons. Milwaukee elected to let the 24-year-old Villanueva become an unrestricted free agent earlier this week, after the Bucks determined that matching any restricted free-agent offers would move the team closer to the luxury tax threshold and limit changing the roster.

The Associated Press first reported the Villanueva signing.

Free agents can’t officially sign with new teams until July 8.

Bryant Staying With The Lakers

Was there ever any doubt that Kobe Bryant would stay with the Los Angeles Lakers? The Lakers are the team with which he has won four NBA championships. It’s where he has played his entire career and built his incredible resume and legacy. Plus, when asked about whether he would be leaving any time soon at the Lakers championship parade, he said he wasn’t leaving.

Despite all of those indications, some still believed that Bryant would exercise the early termination option in his contract and seek big money from the Lakers or another team. Instead, Bryant has decided not to opt out, but to try and work on an extension with the team at a later date. By not opting out, Bryant is giving the Lakers what he hopes to be the ability to resign Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom, both of whom are unrestricted free agents. Odom and Ariza were key contributors on the Lakers last season, and they should receive big contracts. Both have indicated that they want to remain with the Lakers, with Odom even going so far as to say that he is willing to take a paycut in order to remain in L.A. Because of Bryant’s decision not to opt out, the Lakers should have more money to devote to the pair. More from ESPN.com:

Kobe Bryant has chosen not to terminate the final two years of his contract and will remain with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Team spokesman John Black on Wednesday confirmed Bryant’s decision. The MVP of the NBA Finals had until Tuesday to become an unrestricted free agent.

Now the Lakers and Bryant’s agent will negotiate a contract extension. He has spent his entire 13-year career with the team, winning four NBA championships.

On June 19, Bryant said, “I’m not going anywhere. I know I ain’t going nowhere, so it’s just a waste of our breaths just talking about it.”

Bryant is scheduled to make $23 million next season.

The Los Angeles Times reported late Tuesday that Bryant will sign a three-year extension with the Lakers sometime this month. Bryant could make $47.8 million over the next two years and another $86 million to $91 million with the extension, with the difference depending on the future salary cap, the newspaper reported.

Vince Carter to the Magic?

As we get closer the NBA Draft tonight, trade rumors are flying everywhere. One rumor picking up steam is Vince Carter going to the Magic for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee. I’ll have some thoughts on this if it actually happens. For now, here’s the report from ESPN.com:

The New Jersey Nets are in serious talks with the Magic about a deal that will send Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson to Orlando for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee, two league sources told ESPN.com.

The talks have reached a point that a deal could be done by the end of the day Thursday, according to sources.

The trade would give the Magic even more star power on their quest to win an NBA championship. The addition of Carter to a lineup that already consists of All-Star players Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelsonwould make Orlando the favorite to win the Eastern Conference title next year if the franchise also finds a way to bring back Hedo Turkoglu, who will opt out of his contract this summer.

As for the Nets, the move is a cost-cutting measure. Both Alston and Battie are in the last year of their contracts, and trading for them would shave $16.5 million off New Jersey’s roster in the summer of 2010 and put the Nets well below the salary cap.

Timberwolves the Team to Watch on Draft Day

Whether it be the NFL or NBA draft, there is always one team to watch that will determine how everything falls into place. In this year’s NBA draft, that team is the Minnesota Timberwolves, which own four picks in the first-round. The Timberwolves already had picks 6, 18 and 28, and they were able to grab the 5th overall pick when they traded Mike Miller and Randy Foye to the Wizards. With so many picks, the options are limitless — and the possibility of affecting what happens with other teams in the draft is inevitable.

With so much ammunition, the Timberwolves have the perfect opportunity to move up a few spots tomorrow night. But it all depends on what players the T’Wolves are looking to add. If they want a center such as Hasheem Thabeet, they will likely have to trade up with Oklahoma City in order to get him. The Thunder, however, reportedly want Thabeet, so it will take a great offer from the T’Wolves to move up to that spot. If they want a player such as Ricky Rubio, James Harden and/or Tyreke Evans, they likely will not need to move up as all three are expected to be available at picks 5-6. Trading up for the No.1 overall pick is out of the question, as the Clippers have already indicated that they will select Blake Grifiin. Plus, Griffin is the only player in this draft that has been talked about going No.1, and the T’Wolves do not need a player of his type. With Al Jefferson and Kevin Love, they already set at the forward positions.

Minnesota general manager David Kahn will have to weigh all of the possibilities, and the decision on whom the T’Wolves will select must come down to what type of player they feel they need to compete. I feel that they need a bona fide wing player who can score the basketball — someone that you can count on late in the game to take over.

James Harden, a shooting guard out of Arizona State, is an option. Harden averaged over 20 points per game and college, and last year was named the Pac-10 Player of the Year. But he comes with some question marks. Though he was a prolific scorer in college, he tended to disappear at times, most notably in the second round of the NCAA tournament against Syracuse. There’s no question that Harden possesses the talent necessary to be a very good player in the NBA, but the fact that he didn’t step up for every game is a huge concern. The No.1 trait of the best players in the league is consistency, something he must develop. But if he does, he has the talent to be a top-10 player in the NBA.