Sports From The Basketball Wizard Of Oz

Bulls Sign Korver, Waiting For Redick

2010-07-15T11:31:00.002-05:00

The Bulls signed Kyle Korver and are now waiting to see if the Orlando Magic are going to match the offer that the Bulls offered J.J Redick. It is most likely that the Magic will not match the offer because they just signed Q-Rich. Matt Barnes is also a likely Chicago target.

Boozer Signs With The Bulls

2010-07-09T10:27:00.002-05:00

On Thursday, former Utah Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer signed with the Chicago Bulls. He signed for 5 years and 75 million dollars. The Bulls still have about 19 million dollars left in cap space. Carlos is looking to bring sharp shooter Kyle Korver over to the Bulls as well.

The South Beach Trio

2010-07-09T10:22:00.003-05:00

The Miami Heat look like the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. I have a feeling that LeBron and Wade are going to fight over the ball in the clutch. I don't know why LeBron James would go to a team with no center or point guard. Eh, well, it's LeBron's choice, not mine.

Free Agency So Far

2010-07-07T10:54:00.003-05:00

Amare will sign with the New York Knicks

Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh will sign with the Miami Heat

Joe Johnson will sign with the Atlanta Hawks

Dirk Nowitzki will sign with the Dallas Mavericks

LeBron James will make his decision on Thurday on ESPN at 9:00 et

Coaching Update

2010-07-01T10:03:00.003-05:00

According to ESPN.com, former New Orleans Hornets and New Jersey Nets coach Byron Scott, has agreed to become the next coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Free Agency

2010-06-30T12:34:00.002-05:00

NBA Free Agency starts tonight! Where will LeBron, Bosh, and Wade land? Be sure to check back here for updates and check ESPN.com and NBA.com!

BDL Picture

2010-06-28T13:13:00.004-05:00

If you read Yahoo Sports NBA Blog; Ball Don't Lie, you will understand this post. As well as if you know the Timberwolves GM's past decisions.

So Long Kirk

2010-06-25T09:42:00.002-05:00

See ya Kirk. It looks like you are heading to the Wizards to play with John Wall and Arenas. So the Bulls gave away their starting shooting guard and their 17th pick for cap space??? Why not give Kirk a pay cut??? Heck, why not get rid of Deng??? This is why I hate Bulls off seasons. Last summer they got rid of Ben Gordon, now they got rid of Hinrich. So does that mean the Bulls have to sign Flip Murray to play shooting guard?

Post Draft Updates

2010-06-25T09:02:00.002-05:00

1. Bulls-Wizards: Chicago traded Kirk Hinrich and the rights to Kevin Seraphin to Washington for a future second-round draft pick.
2. Hornets-Thunder: New Orleans traded Morris Peterson and the rights to Cole Aldrich to Oklahoma City for the rights to Craig Brackins and Quincy Pondexter.
3. Timberwolves-Trail Blazers: Minnesota traded Ryan Gomes and the rights to Luke Babbitt to Portland for Martell Webster.
4. Thunder-Clippers: Oklahoma City traded Eric Bledsoe to the L.A. Clippers for a future protected first-round pick.
5. Timberwolves-Wizards: Minnesota traded the rights to Trevor Booker and Hamady Ndiaye to Washington for the rights to Lazar Hayward and Nemanja Bjelica.
6. Nets-Hawks: New Jersey traded the rights to Jordan Crawford and Tibor Pleiss to Atlanta for the rights to Damion Jones.
7. Grizzlies-Mavericks: Memphis traded the rights to Dominique Jones to Dallas for cash.
8. Hawks-Thunder: Atlanta traded the rights to Tibor Pleiss to Oklahoma City for financial considerations.
9. Heat-Thunder: Miami traded the rights to Latavious Williams to Oklahoma City for a 2011 protected second-round pick.
10. Mavericks-Raptors: Dallas traded the rights to Solomon Alabi to Toronto for a future second-round draft pick and financial considerations.
11. Thunder-Pacers: Oklahoma City traded the rights to Magnum Rolle (No. 51) to Indiana for the rights to Ryan Reid and cash considerations

Draft Updates

2010-06-24T21:33:00.003-05:00

There have been many swaps in the first round, like the Thunder, Hornets, Hawks, and Nets swapping picks. Please resort to ESPN.com and Yahoo.com/sports/nba for full draft coverage!

First Round Wrap Up

2010-06-24T21:23:00.003-05:00

1. Washington Wizards - John Wall - Kentucky
2. Philadelphia 76ers - Evan Turner - Ohio State

3. New Jersey Nets - Derrick Favors - Georgia Tech
4. Minnesota Timberwolves - Wesley Johnson - Syracuse
5. Sacramento Kings - DeMarcus Cousins - Kentucky
6. Golden State Warriors - Ekpe Udoh - Baylor
7. Detroit Pistons - Greg Monroe - Georgetown
8. Los Angeles Clippers - Al-Farouq Aminu - Wake Forest
9. Utah Jazz - Gordon Hayward - Butler
10. Indiana Pacers - Paul George - Fresno State
11. New Orleans Hornets - Cole Aldrich - Kansas
12. Memphis Grizzlies - Xavier Henry - Kansas
13. Toronto Raptors - Ed Davis - North Carolina
14. Houston Rockets - Patrick Patterson - Kentucky
15. Milwaukee Bucks - Larry Sanders - VCU
16. Minnesota Timberwolves - Luke Babbit - Nevada
17. Chicago Bulls - Kevin Seraphin - France
18. Oklahoma City Thunder - Eric Bledsoe - Kentucky
19. Boston Celtics - Avery Bradley - Texas
20. San Antonio Spurs - James Anderson - Oklahoma State
21. Oklahoma City Thunder - Craig Brackins - Iowa State
22. Portland Trail Blazers - Elliot Williams - Memphis
23. Minnesota Timberwolves - Trevor Booker - Clemson
24. Atlanta Hawks - Damion James - Texas
25. Memphis Grizzlies - Dominique Jones - South Florida
26. Oklahoma City Thunder - Quincy Pondexter - Washington
27. New Jersey Nets - Jordan Crawford - Xavier
28. Memphis Grizzlies - Greivis Vasquez - Maryland
29. Orlando Magic - Daniel Orton - Kentucky
30. Washington Wizards - Lazar Hayward - Marquette

Draft Update

2010-06-24T21:12:00.002-05:00

As soon as the first round is done, I will have the complete first round on the site! Stay tuned!

Draft Update

2010-06-24T19:06:00.002-05:00

The Draft is going perfectly so far. Wall, Turner, Favors, Johnson, and Cousins were taken 1-5. Also just some "breaking news", the Bulls traded Kirk Hinrich, their #17 pick, and some cash to the Wizards for a future draft pick.

Dradt Update

2010-06-24T18:39:00.002-05:00

John Wall was selected 1 overall in the 2010 NBA Draft! Congrats John Wall!

Draft Update

2010-06-24T14:39:00.002-05:00

Just an update: I will be posting the 1st round draft picks and the second round picks either tonight or tomorrow. Most likely the 1st round tonight. Updates all night!

NBA Draft

2010-06-24T09:57:00.002-05:00

The NBA Draft is tonight at 7:00 et on ESPN. John Wall is expected to be drafted #1 overall. Who you got?

NBA News Before The Draft And Free Agency

2010-06-23T19:31:00.002-05:00

The Bulls introduced "Tibbs" on Wednesday.

The Heat traded Daequan Cook and the No. 18 selection in Thursday’s draft to the Thunder for the No. 32 pick.

The Kings and the Sixers made trades with each other: Kings get Dalembert and the Sixers get Nocioni and Hawes.

The Warriors and Bucks made trades with each other: Warriors get Charlie Bell and Dan Gadzuric and the Bucks get Corey Maggette.

The Nets traded Chris Douglas-Roberts to the Bucks for a 2012 second-round pick.

Tony Parker and Chris Paul are both uncertain about their futures.

The Lakers are looking to sign Raja Bell.

Tom Thibodeau Introduced

2010-06-23T13:59:00.003-05:00

Tom Thibodeau was introduced as the new Chicago Bulls head coach. He said he hopes to turn Derrick Rose into the defensive player he should be and says the Bulls have a lot of weapons. He wants the Bulls to become a rebounding, low turnover, and defensive team. The NBA Draft takes place on Thursday and Free Agency starts on June 1st. Coach Thibodeau has a lot to do in a few days of becoming the Bulls head coach.

Bosh Not Waiting For LeBron

2010-06-18T19:17:00.003-05:00

As we've heard before, Chris Bosh said he wanted to wait until LeBron decided what team he is going to sign with. But now the tables have turned. Chris Bosh has now said that he wants to make his own decision and not wait until LeBron makes a decision. Does that mean if LeBron signs with the Bulls, Bosh will sign too? Or will Bosh go sign with Miami or New York? I am still doubting whether not I would want LeBron only on the Bulls or Joe Johnson/Bosh. But it's not up to me, its up to the teams and players. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Bosh-considering-Knicks;_ylt=ArOmcKEL7JQ_4qc0UvJipt.8vLYF?urn=nba,249456

Rubio Soon In A Timberwolves Jersey?

2010-06-18T19:02:00.003-05:00

As the NBA teams prepare for next weeks draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves are trying to get their top pick from last year to come. The Associated Press said some people think he "holds the key to turning around one of the most moribund franchises in the league." Ricky Rubio last year chose to stay in Spain rather than join the Wolves for 2 more season. Team president David Kahn and coach Kurt Rambis visited Rubio in Spain last month and have started trying to encourage him to come to the Wolves.

This has happened before in the NBA, for example the Spurs are still waiting for Tiago Splitter to come from Brazil after drafting him in 2007. Also Hedo Turkoglu and Peja Stojakovic all waited at least a year before signing with their NBA teams. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5303579

Interesting Comebacks

2010-06-18T11:18:00.002-05:00

Darius Miles is trying to make a comeback to the NBA after off-court issues and a year long knee injury. He is working out with the Charlotte Bobcats right now. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-miles-comebackattempt

Allen Iverson's manager said Iverson is planning a return to the NBA now that his ill daughter is now healthy and he feels better. Iverson is 35 years old, has an MVP, but no Championship.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Aiql7r9PcQ7B1_32zfS.O..8vLYF?slug=ap-76ers-iverson

This Season In Review

2010-06-18T10:49:00.003-05:00

This season was one of my favorite seasons. I was excited to watch Rose and Noah, Kobe and LeBron, and the new additions to the teams. Lets take a look at all of the awards and highlights of this season.

All-Star Weekend in Dallas:

Kevin Durant won the Horse Challenge

Tyreke Evans won Rookie Challenge MVP

Steve Nash won the Skills Challenge

Paul Pierce won the 3 Point Shootout

Nate Robinson won his 3rd NBA Sprite Slamdunk Contest

Dwayne Wade led the East to a victory in the All-Star Game and won the All-Star Game MVP

NBA Awards:

Tyreke Evans won the Rookie of the Year Award

Jamal Crawford won the 6th Man Award

Aaron Brooks won the Most Improved Player Award

Dwight Howard won the Defensive Player Award

LeBron James won the NBA MVP Award

NBA Finals:

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics to win back-to-back NBA Championships and won their 16th NBA Championship
Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher each won their 5th Championships

Phil Jackson won his 11th NBA Championship

Kobe Bryant won his 2nd NBA Finals MVP

Team LA

2010-06-18T10:17:00.003-05:00

Kobe Bryant: 5 NBA Championships (2 NBA Finals MVPs)

Derek Fisher: 5 NBA Championships

Pau Gasol: 2 NBA Championships

Lamar Odom: 2 NBA Championships

Andrew Bynum: 2 NBA Championsips

Luke Walton: 2 NBA Championships

Josh Powell: 2 NBA Championships

Adam Morrison: 2 NBA Championships

Shannon Brown: 2 NBA Championships

Jordan Farmar: 2 NBA Championships

Sasha Vujacic: 2 NBA Championships

DJ Mbenga: 2 NBA Championships

Ron Artest: 1 NBA Championship

Ron Artest Is A Champion At Last

2010-06-18T09:59:00.002-05:00

Ron Artest during one of his many postgame interviews called himself a coward. He was describing how he felt after the famous Palace Brawl. He said he was blessed to be put in this situation, but says he still feels like a coward when he sees his old teammates like Jermaine O'neal, Stephen Jackson, and Jamal Tinsley. But he can now enjoy that he has an NBA championship to add to his long and interesting career.

5 Times

2010-06-18T09:53:00.002-05:00

Kobe Bryant tried to steal the show, but instead his teammates did the work. Ron Artest had 20 points and 5 steals and Gasol had 19 points and 18 rebounds. The Lakers battled back from 13 down to win the title. It was a great game from about the 4 minute mark in the 3rd quarter into the 4th quarter.

Ron and Pierce got tangled up and both got double technicals. I think that incident got the Lakers fired up, and since then they played so good. Kobe said that this was the sweetest and hardest championship of them all.

Kobe Bryant - "I've got one more than Shaq, and you can take that to the bank."