From Bill Ingram of HOOPSWORLD: Rumors have Theo Ratliff on the verge of signing with the Philadelphia 76ers to replace injured center Jason Smith, and if there’s a big man in the league who has more to prove than Kwame Brown it’s Ratliff. There was a time when Ratliff was thought to be the next great dominant [...]

Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon has had enough of the Bulls "stalling" on his contract, telling reporters yesterday at his Bowling Bash and Celebrity Fundraiser that in his mind he's played his last game as a Chicago Bull.

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If there was one prospective summer acquisition for the Celtics that really made me queasy, it was a certain point guard from Coney Island and cousin of a former Celtic.

Big sigh of relief on that account. While NBA executives aren't exactly known for being super-candid, all indications seem to be that the New York Knicks will in fact be keeping Stephon Marbury.

Team president Donnie Walsh met with season ticket holders this past week, and Newsday's Alan Hahn reported (http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/blog/2008/08/donnie_...) the following courtesy of a reader of his at the event:

Walsh said that Marbury has been a very good player in this league,  read more »

While the theft of Pau Gasol seemed like a deal that never should have been made, perhaps Chris Wallace was on to something. In the end, he ended up netting Javarris Crittenton, Darrell Arthur, Marc Gasol and a 2010 first...SoulHonky

The Philadelphia 76ers will lock up one of their core players Monday when the club is expected to sign swingman Andre Iguodala to a six-year contract extension.

Well, that was fun.  The American team showed the world tonight that they are indeed quite serious about winning the Gold.  This battle of the unbeaten was a blowout from the beginning. 

The US got off to a great start with LeBron and Carmelo hitting a couple of early 3's and Howard getting a couple of early dunks.  Kobe Bryant fought thru a Pau Gasol screen by knocking his Laker teammate to the floor, fullback style, before getting into early foul trouble.  But it helped set the tone and send a message that the US is not here to fool around.

The game was fairly close mid-way thru the first, but our guys have been able to increase their leads when they go to the bench.  That's because the US has Dwayne Wade, who has perhaps been the most determined and spectacular player on the team thus far.    He is the teams leading scorer, even while coming off the bench, shooting 73% from the field in the Olympics.   Wade is virtually everywhere on the court, in the passing lanes, diving on he floor, blocking shots, and rebounding.  He is really making things happen for the US.  read more »

Here's wondering if residences in NBA cities allow for ten-day leases.

Bobby Jones could certainly use a few.

As reported (http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/54016/20080815/miami_requests_wav...) by RealGM via press release:

The Miami Heat announced today that they have requested waivers on
forward Bobby Jones. Jones was claimed off waivers by the Heat on Aug.
5 after being waived by the New York Knicks on July 29. Jones, whose
first stint with the Heat began on Mar. 12, 2008 after signing a 10-day
contract, appeared in six games with Miami during the 2007-08 season
and averaged 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 23.8 minutes.

And that's not even the half of it.  read more »

Too much media attention or one great shot can make a player bigger than he should be. Yardbarker lists five overhyped players.