Finally, Walt Gets His Candy (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

What a joyous morning. Pogo the stile for some really great news. (more…)

Would you be willing to part with any of our new acquisitions for Melo?

According to Chris Broussard’s twitter page, sources tell him that Melo’s preferred destination is with the New York Knicks.

Isiah also thinks it’s down to Chicago or New York.

Take this for what it’s worth, but the fact that Broussard didn’t throw out Chicago as well might actually mean this is true. In Isiah’s case he’s just talking just to talk.

With all the Melo rumors still swirling around one HAS to believe the Nuggets are going to trade him rather then lose him as a free agent this summer. This strategy sounds nice, but if I was I in this new GM’s shoes there is no way I’m trading my franchise player unless he specifically tells me he’s not re-signing, which I doubt he has.

Melo would obviously be a great fit here and would put up some outrageous offensive numbers, but at what cost? The new Nuggets GM is not just going to give Melo away, but he’s also made it clear he will be moved before Melo’s contract is over. This puts the Knicks in a really tough spot because if the Nuggets front office doesn’t have any interest in any of the Knicks pieces then the Knicks just have to hope Melo gets moved to a team like the Nuggets where he has no intention of signing an extension, which is pretty unlikely. Best case scenario right now is if the Knicks can get a third team involved with good young pieces and draft picks to sweeten the deal so the Knicks could ultimately obtain Melo.

Personally, the only players on the roster that would be off limits in a deal for Melo would be Randolph, Felton and Stoudemire. Notice I left Gallinari off because with Melo there would be no use or minutes for him.

I’d love to see the Knicks grab Melo, but it really just depends on the price.

Where is LeBron going? No, no, not in the picture, in free agency. (Source: Yardbarker.com)

Even President Obama is getting in on the action:

“He doesn’t want to tamper,” senior adviser to the president — and former Bulls season-ticket holder — David Axelrod said. “But as a Chicago fan, the president thinks LeBron would look great in a Bulls uniform.”

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Despite my post disagreeing with Bill Simmons‘ diminished assessment of LeBron, he does bring up some interesting points about free agency.  Actually, one point which he brings up as something that won’t bring a title, I think is the opposite and is the way that Cleveland can get LeBron to stay:
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Is Kobe eyeing the game clock or Father Time? (source: Yardbarker.com)

I posted this on the main page of FanSided:

With the Lakers/Thunder series tied at 2-2, and the winner of Game 5 historically taking the series like 85% of the time, the pressure is on Los Angeles tonight. Specifically Kobe Bean Bryant, aka the Black Mamba. In honor of the occasion, ESPN.com decided to nail the coffin on KB24’s grave by asking their writers six questions exploring what’s wrong with him. Let’s look at their responses and see where they’re spot-on and where they’re spot-off.

1. What’s wrong with Kobe?
Henry Abbott of TrueHoop writes:

This year, any time he’s called on to be truly explosive physically — dunk, block or beat a defender with raw speed — he doesn’t look like the guy he once was. I don’t know what’s wrong, but because it has happened quickly, I have to think it’s one of his many injuries, not just some age-induced slippage.

Several of the writers echo this sentiment, but there’s a key part wrong with it: this is not a new thing.  Kobe’s game has changed over the last three years as he’s aged.  He hasn’t been that explosive constant-driver-to-the-basket in a while.  As Chris Broussard correctly notes:

For the rest of my article, click here.

Wade's coming in for a landing. A free agent landing. (source: Yardbarker.com)

After ESPN’s focus on LeBron James’ free agency last week, this week they turn to Wade:

Henry Abbott, TrueHoop: Wade has complained openly about wanting to play with better teammates. The Heat have schemed blatantly to get major cap room. They are required to sign about a dozen more players. And there are tons of free agents on the market. It’s a lock the Heat will add lots of new talent. It’s not at all a lock, however, that one of those new players will be LeBron James or Chris Bosh. James, I think, will be in Cleveland, and deep-pocketed front offices in Chicago and New York will be pushing hard to add top-shelf talent. Most likely is that the Heat convince Wade to stay with a revamped roster in which he’s the only superstar … unless New York or Chicago can talk Wade into leaving.

First, let’s make it clear it’s less that Wade’s complained and more that he’s made it clear he wants to win.  ”Complaining” makes it sound like he’s some spoiled kid, but he’s said what any star should say: he wants a chance to play for the title during his prime.  While his buddy LeBron has been rather nebulous in his desires, Wade’s been pretty clear and forthright: he wants to stay in Miami as long as they’re competitive.  So while I think it’s extremely unlikely Wade will leave Miami, I gotta disagree with Abbott on his conclusion that Wade will remain there even if he’s the only star.

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