3/3/12
Round Ball Review: Trade Rumors
Hope you enjoyed this. Remember to vote in our poll on the right to decide when our DNB Party will be at St Louis Wings in April. Last year we had a blast welcoming or was it booing Chris Bosh as he returned to Toronto.
2/13/12
The Starting 5 With Ryan Wolstat

It will be interesting to watch how this season plays out, the one thing that seems to be universal in talking to the media and in my own opinion, is the respect for Dwane Casey and the job he has done. Thanks to Ryan for taking the time to talk with us and remember to check on the site and on Twitter for our promotion working with MGD this week. Where you and a guest could join us in a VIP Box for the Bobcats and Raptors as I mentioned off the top of the interview.
2/24/11
"NBAz in 7 Dayz"- Trade Deadline Edition
Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly in talks with L.A. Clippers for Baron Davis (L.A. Times, TSN).
- Cavs get: Baron Davis (Guard), 2011 first-round pick.
- Clippers get: Mo Williams (Guard) and Jamario Moon (Forward)
THOUGHTS: Really? Wow. Double blow to Baron Davis. First he gets traded for another guard which says his skills pale in comparison to said player. Plus, his new home is with the worst team in the league? This is Baron's 12th season in the NBA. He averaged 12.8 points, 7 assists in 43 games for the Clippers - not the production L.A. was looking for from him.
Atlanta Hawks trade Mike Bibby to Washington Wizards for Kirk Hinrich.
- Hawks get: Kirk Hinrich (Guard), Hilton Armstrong (Forward).
- Wizards get: Mike Bibby (Guard), Jordan Crawford (Guard), Maurice Evans (Guard), 2011 first-round pick from Hawks
THOUGHTS: The Hawks are looking to upgrade for a playoff run. They are hoping Hinrich will be an improvement over Mike Bibby.
Golden State Warriors and New Jersey Nets make a trade involving Troy Murphy.
- Warriors get: Troy Murphy (Forward), 2012 second round pick from the Nets.
- Nets get: Brandon Wright (Forward), Dan Gadzuric (Center).
THOUGHTS: This is a move to plan for next season and free up cap space since neither side will be seriously playing for a playoff spot. I have read reports concerning Golden State looking to buy out Troy Murphy's contract and make him a free agent. Wright and Gadzuric are worth about $11 million together and both contracts will expire at the end of the season so this trade helped the Nets free up some salary cap space.
Charlotte Hornets acquire Carl Landry from the Sacramento Kings.
- Hornets get: Carl Landry (Forward).
- Kings get: Marcus Thorton and cash considerations.
THOUGHTS: Marcus Thorton is a solid player. He averaged about 20 points for the Hornets as a starter. Again, Sacramento looking to upgrade and rebuild.
New Jersey Nets welcome Deron Williams to their line-up.
- Nets get: Deron Williams (Guard).
- Jazz get: Derrick Favors (Forward), Devin Harris (Guard), 2011 first-round pick from the Nets, 2012 first-round pick from the Nets (this one was originally owned by the Warriors).
THOUGHTS: Just goes to show you that anything can happen when the NBA trade deadline is staring you in the face. This one was a surprise. Deron Williams becomes the key piece the Nets were looking for and get him cheap compared to what they were offering for Carlmelo Anthony. The Jazz unload Deron Williams contract which is up after 2012 and get Favors who is really coming into his own. I don't get too excited about lottery picks but based on the actual players traded alone, the Nets did well considering this was their consolation prize.
Carmelo Anthony goes to the New York Knicks.
- Knicks get: Carmelo Anthony (Forward), Chauncey Billups (Guard), Renaldo Blackman (Forward), Anthony Carter (Guard), Sheldon Williams (Center).
- Nuggets get: Wilson Chandler (Forward), Raymond Felton (Guard), Danilo Gallinari (Forward), Kosta Koufous (Center), Timofey Mozgov (Center), $3 million in cash, 2014 first-round pick from New York and 2012 & 2013 second round picks from New York (these picks were originally owned by Golden State).
- Timberwolves get: Eddy Curry (Center), Anthony Randolph (Forward), 2015 second round pick from the Nuggets, $3 million in cash.
THOUGHTS: As I said on Tuesday, whoever acquired Carmelo Anthony would be the party in this deal who emerged victorious. Carmelo and Chauncey seem to be making themselves at home in New York having already played one game with their new teammates and receiving a hero's welcome by fans.
James Johnson is the newest member of the Toronto Raptors.
- Bulls get: 2011 first-round pick from the Raptors (this one originally owned by the Heat).
- Raptors get: James Johnson (Forward).
THOUGHTS: Finally. The Raptors acquire a player who is excited and WANTS to be here. James Johnson was the 16th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft and had a hard time breaking into a regular spot on the Bull's roster. He is excited from going to a playoff contender to a rebuilding team because he feels the Raptors are going to make better use of his talents. Not a blockbuster trade for the Raptors but I say we give him a chance before passing judgment.
Thank-you for joining me today. Just a programming note, at this point in the season we are replacing "Behind Enemy Lines" with another edition of "NBAz in 7 Dayz so look for that every Thursday. Check back with us throughout the day before 3pm for more NBA trade deadline highlights. Then I will see you again on Tuesday for more "NBAz in 7 Dayz".
But wait....were not done. James here...I will be updating this page throughout the day with trades as they get confirmed and will be hanging out on The Score's Live Chat for Trade Deadline day being hosted by Holly Mackenzie and Scott Carefoot. It starts at 10am and goes till 4pm so feel free to click on this link and pop over there for trades as they happen and I will be updating here all day.
Kendrick Perkins THUNDER UP AND OUT of Boston
Boston Trades: Kendrick Perkins, Nat Robinson
OKC Trades: Jeff Green, Nenad Kristic
Thoughts- My Western Conference pick for the Finals just got a lot better. I have no clue why Boston does this deal and because I like the Thunder I am not asking any questions. OKC needed a legit center and they got one of the best defenders in the league at the position if not the best. Add 1 Dunk Contest Mascot to this trade.
Wallace Crashes In Portland
Portland Trades- Joel Przbilla and Dante Cunningham 2 1st round picks
Charlotte Trades- Gerald Wallace
Thoughts- Seems a pretty easy slam dunk win for the Blazers. Bobcats looking for cap space
Memphis Gets Battier Back
Houston Trades - Shane Battier
Memphis Trades- Hasheem Thabeet, 1st rd pick
Thoughts- The next Yao for Houston? Far from it and Memphis gets a nice vet in Shane who know Memphis already so will not be upset to be there.
PG Swap
Houston Trades- Aaron Brooks
Phx Trades - Dragic and 1st (maybe)
Thoughts- Brooks fell out of favour in Houston a Dragic may be ready to be a starter I see this as a win for Houston got rid of a problem and perhaps upgraded and they got rid of a problem. I never understand what the hell the Suns are doing and that Continues
CHANGE ON THIS TRADE NOW A 3-Way With OKC
Houston has sent Aaron Brooks to Phoenix for Goran Dragic and a first rounder
- Nazr Mohammed to OKC, Mo Pete and Dj White to Charlotte
Mayo To Indy
Indy Trades- Josh McRoberts and 1st round pick
Memphis Trades- O.J Mayo
Thoughts- Change of scenery was needed for Mayo this could prove to be a steal for the Pacers in the long run. McRoberts is a banger and a nice player but the talent and potential in this trade is going to Indy.
THIS DEAL HAS BEEN CALLED OFF AS INDY DID NOT GET IN BEFORE THE DEADLINE.
2/16/10
"Jiggly Bits" - Danielle de Graauw
The trade deadline - things to watch
We could talk about the rumours and speculate who will go where but really, it all boils down to this. With 30 games left in the season, the championship contenders are trading to get that final piece to an NBA Championship victory and everyone else is looking to make the rest of the season not so painfull. I really want you to think outside the box in the next week when the trade deadline comes and goes. This is how you can properly evaluate whether a trade was good or bad.
One - Don't just look at players, look at systems. This is really key. We can all get caught up in the emotion of whether Amar'e Stoudemire would be a good fit for Lebron James and the Cavs but this may not translate well on the court. There is a reason why coaches are fired over dismantling a team entirely. We can't just look at players and how they play together, we have to consider the systems coaches present and how it affects their game. I remember playing under one coach who pushed his defensive systems over offense and my game was remarkably different under the next coach who's philosophy was to keeps things even and simple. Look at the player and their style of play and see if it fits in the team's coaching style. A better predictor of a successful trade in my opinion.
Two - Remember the game is played OFF the court and on the court. You may think your favourite player is safe and may not be traded but don't get too comfortable. It's a fun game to watch and play but at the end of the day, the NBA is a mulit-million dollar business and the players are assets to be protected. This is this cold-hearted truth. I've been a fan of the NBA since I came out of the womb (and yes, the doctor wrapped me in purple and gold) so please don't get the impression this means I'm cold hearted. Consider this: Antoine Wright knows how a trade can come out of no where and disrupt a player's life. He also understands, I think more than any other Raptor, how cruel this business can be. He's making shots and playing the strong game that brought him to Toronto from the Mavs but I am sure he is fully aware that his expiring contract is pretty attractive to Raptors Execs who want to trim the budget. So look at contracts and how much it costs to keep a player on a team and how much value a player has.
Three - Be mindful of how a mid-season trade will affect the existing chemistry of a team. This is why I am almost positive Chris Bosh is safe. I know what I just said about games being played off the court but truthfully, the Raptors have a momemtum at home that can take them into the play-offs and the fans are really rallying around the team. A Bosh trade now can really break that momemtum. This is the hardest adjustment period for a team and the traded player. Players don't like it when you take away starters or players that mean alot to the team. And on the other hand, adjusting to new offensive and defensive systems make it a challenge for the player coming onto a new team. So consider all this in the next few days.
David and the "Stern" Press Conference
So David Stern calls a press conference during the NBA All-Star weekend and I'm thinking *yawn* big deal. Oh, so Team U.S.A. will compete at the Word Championships in Turkey? Ok. And the NBA is opening an office in Africa and is also looking at India and the Middle East? Cool - peaks my interest. But this is where it gets interesting. He announces the NBA is projected to loose $400 million dollars this year and ..wait for it...they are looking for a "sustainable business model" where every NBA team can compete. Oh yeah and he'd like the deal "if possibile please" before July 1st of this year. Before the free agency trade deadline? I am with Charles Barkley on this one - totally inappropriate to discuss during "the greatest pick-up game on earth" as Kobe Bryant describes All-Star weekend. So really, David Stern has admitted to the world the NBA hasn't learned anything from 1983. This was when the league and the Players Association made an agreement that saw the first revenue sharing plan in league history. Although Stern was not the NBA Comissioner at the time, he acted behind the scenes as a major player.
This is what really bothers me. I don't understand how anyone can get up there and essentially say the organization I represent is loosing $400 million dolllars and we want a deal asap. David Stern's argument is he just wanted to start discussions early. Seriously? The current deal expires in a year and a half, after the 2010 -2011 season. He says the NBA's books are open but I am really questioning where the loss is coming from. Is it from the NBA's books or the other businesses they own? If I were a player in the NBA, I'd be asking the same question.
"When the Game was Ours" - Larry Bird, Magic Johnson with Jackie MacMullan
Loved this book. It really made me appreciate how the landscape of the game has changed over the years. It described how some players like Boston Celtic M.L.Carr put himself and his family at risk just to play NBA basketball. He arrived in Boston as a free agent in 1979, a few years after Boston public schools were integrated by forced busing. And of course, it went into detail of the rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Gotta love how a commercial can bring two players together who couldn't stand each other up to that point. I was ten (you do the math) when that "Choose Your Weapon" campaign was born back in the late 80s and I am sure I would have been all over a pair of purple and gold Converse sneakers. So if you are an employee of Converse and are reading this, I wouldn't mind a pair if you have any left over. I'm a size 9.5.
2/19/09
Bosh Set To Return
There is zero buzz of the Raptors doing anything. But if they do something Dino Nation Blog will be on top of it. Deadline is just over an hour away. Nothing big has went done thus far. Rumours of a Shaq to Cleveland but they died off really fast. there have been a couple minor moves but nothing worth writing about at this point.
I will keep checking on things. Seeing as Obama is here, can we get a basketball deadline show please? Is that to much to ask? I mean they have like 12 hours of Hockey deadline stuff could we poor TSN 2less Raptor and NBA fans get a little coverage please?
2/17/09
Round Ball Review-Trade Deadline Show Part 1
Well I am sure we will hear more from the guys as trade deadline approaches. But it is true I am heading down to Toronto. Depending on when I get back I may check in with a late night edition of the blog. But regardless I will be back tomorrow to set us all up for the debut of Shawn Marion as a Raptor. He is said to be taking the # 31 so run out and get a jersey as it may be a collectable if Marion is only here for a short time.
2/13/09
We Done? - Trade Reaction Of Dino Blogger
Shawn Marion is not likely here long term. That being said he does like the city and is a guy who I had a chance to interview years ago and heard that from his own mouth. I will grant you this was in August when he was here for Vince Carter's Charity Game.
The real question for me is not if this was a good trade. Not if this will get the Raptors in the playoffs. Which by the way now that you have that conditional pick I don't think you really want Raptors to make it now. The question for me now becomes is are the Raptors done dealing. I am not convinced that they are done. We will see by next Thursday. However this was the deal the Raptors had to make it really is that simple. Do not get confused in thinking this was done for this season. It has nothing to do with that. It has everything to do with the 09/10 season.
The Raptors can now afford to be a player in 2009 a free agent class that has some players of interest in it. The Raptors will be one of a few group of teams with a chance to sign players. While everyone else sits and waits and dreams of how they can be the team that lands Lebron James or Wade even Bosh. While the Raptors can choose to use the space they have in 2009 or wait for 2010. They will be in a strong position to sign players in 2009 for better a deal.
So hopefully if you did not get it now you do. Raptors made a smart move for the future today. It just is not a move for the future of the next 2 months. Also it should be noted as the article title suggests. We done yet? Knowing Bryan Colangelo don't bank on it and I am not talking Marcus.
Update- Reaction To Trade From B.C- Friday 10pm
Ryan McNeill from Hoops Addict has some reaction from B.C in his article on the trade.
Hoops Addict On O'Neal/Marion Deal
Darren Rovell On NBA, CB4 and More
I hope you enjoyed this interview as much as I did in doing it. I have always enjoyed Darren's work and think he is great a what he does. You can check out his work on all sports not just the NBA at www.darrenrovell.com
He is also a regular guest as mentioned on Prime Time Sports. I hope to have Darren back in the future to talk about NBA issues from the business point of view. People keep telling me sports is a business after all. Combine that with the economic times we live in, makes sense to get someone who is an expert on these topics to give his take on how things are doing.