NBA 2012-2013 Thread

[Weasel]

if i was counting, i'd mention that the bell rings in 13 minutes.

consequently, you win

AJ on his end-of-the-day posting frenzy!

[DRiccio21]

[DRiccio21]

Agent Mike Conley Sr. said the Heat "never" asked about free agent Greg Oden.
Oden is rehabbing his five-time surgically repaired knees and hoping for a return in 2013-14. His name was linked to the Heat by ESPN on Thursday, but that looks like an erroneous report. "They have never made a single call about him," Conley said. Oden would likely have to accept a minimum contract, so the Heat could fit him under their air-tight salary cap if they desired. Related: Heat
Source: Miami Herald Jan 11 - 2:43 PM

[LetsGoPeay]

Kings to Seattle next season?

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-575 ... port-says/

Sacramento Kings may be sold to Seattle group, report says

SEATTLE Investor Chris Hansen has contacted the Maloof family about buying the Sacramento Kings, setting up the possibility of the NBA's return to Seattle.

Hansen's interest was confirmed Wednesday by people with knowledge of the situation. They spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because no deal has been reached.

One person said the Kings could sell for more than $500 million. The Kings' future in Sacramento has been uncertain because the Maloofs and the city haven't been able to come up with a long-term arena solution.

Yahoo! Sports first reported the discussions between the Kings and Hansen. Yahoo! reported a possible sale could land the Kings in Seattle for the 2013-14 season, where the team would play at KeyArena as a temporary home until a new arena is constructed.

"I know as much as you do," Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said when asked about the situation. "If it's true, ain't it cool?"

His counterpart in Sacramento thought the news anything but cool. At an afternoon news conference, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said Wednesday was significant because for the first time Kings fans know the team is for sale. Johnson said he would do all he could to try to find a buyer with a Sacramento connection to possibly purchase the team and keep it in California's capital city.

"We're going to fight, and we're used to being in this situation," he said.

Hansen, a Seattle native and San Francisco-based investor, reached agreement with local governments in Seattle last October on plans to build a $490 million arena near the city's other stadiums, CenturyLink Field and Safeco Field. As part of the agreement, no construction will begin until all environmental reviews are completed and a team has been secured.

Hansen's group is expected to pitch in $290 million in private investment toward the arena, along with helping to pay for transportation improvements in the area around the stadiums. The plans also call for the arena to be able to handle a future NHL franchise. The remaining $200 million in public financing would be paid back with rent money and admissions taxes from the arena, and if that money falls short, Hansen would be responsible for making up the rest. Other investors in the proposed arena include Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer and two members of the Nordstrom department store family.

Hansen's goal has been to return the SuperSonics to the Puget Sound after they were moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008. Asked in September if he could envision a team being in Seattle for the 2013 season, Hansen was cautious about finding an option that quickly.

The NBA had no comment. Representatives for Hansen did not return messages seeking comment. Any franchise looking to relocate must submit its plans to the NBA by March 1 and the move must be approved by the league.

"As we have said for nearly a year, we will not comment on rumors or speculation about the Sacramento Kings franchise," Maloof family spokesman Eric Rose said when contacted Wednesday by the AP.

The Kings' asking price would top the NBA-record $450 million the Golden State Warriors sold for in July 2010. Johnson said he's had past discussions with more than one group about possibly stepping forward as owners if the Kings were up for sale.

"All indications that I have seen and read and heard is they are exploring opportunities to sell the team, and that is public and that is the first I have ever heard," Johnson said. "We need to put ourselves in a position to find an ownership group and buyers to keep the team here in Sacramento."

Johnson said he had not spoken with any members of the Maloof family or NBA Commissioner David Stern on Wednesday.

CBSSports.com's Zach Harper notes that Stern has mentioned recently that he wants to bring a team back to the city of Seattle, where the Sonics/Thunder franchise once resided, before his tenure as NBA commissioner is done.

News of the discussions came a day after officials in Virginia Beach, Va., announced they were dropping their efforts to build a new arena. Virginia Beach had been reported as a relocation option for the Kings.

The Maloofs backed out of a tentative $391 million deal for a new downtown arena with Sacramento last year, reigniting fears the franchise could relocate. Johnson and the Kings broke off all negotiations in the summer with the Kings, saying the deal didn't make financial sense for the franchise.

In 2011, the Kings appeared determined to move to Anaheim before Johnson convinced the NBA to give the city one last chance to help finance an arena. At one point, Johnson seemed so certain the team was gone he called the process a "slow death" and compared the city's efforts to keep the Kings a "Hail Mary."

Johnson made a desperate pitch to the NBA Board of Governors in April 2011, promising league owners the city would find a way to help finance a new arena to replace the team's current outdated suburban facility. That pitch bought the Kings time, before the brokered deal between the city and the Maloofs fell apart last year.

Johnson said the Maloof family still must repay a $77 million loan to the city and other lenders.

While some players around the league took to Twitter on Wednesday to express their excitement about the possibility of the NBA returning to Seattle — especially those players from the Puget Sound area — others were more reserved.

"There's a part of me that's disappointed because Sacramento, I've enjoyed my times. I think Sacramento is a great town," said current Denver coach and former Seattle coach George Karl. "I'm not going to lie — I'm happy that Seattle is going to have a team more than Sacramento. But I am disappointed that Sacramento can't keep their team."

[ReignOnU]

No dog in the fight... but a team in Seattle seems more interesting and appealing.

[shel311]

The Hawks had 20 points at the half, 37 after 3, and have 49 points halfway through the 4th on 27% shooting from the field.

[sammy33]

Rather watch that than the Lakers...

[vicktim7]

The Hawks had 20 points at the half, 37 after 3, and have 49 points halfway through the 4th on 27% shooting from the field.

Falcons hangover.

[shel311]

Anyone watch Heat-Lakers last night?

I'm trying to figure out how Bosh starts at center, Joel Anthonly gets time at center, and Dwight Howard attempts 7 shots?

How is that possible?


I don't know what it is, but Howard always has these games here and there where he shoots 5 times, 8 times, that's unfathomable to continuously have those types of games when you're that talented, whether you have a post game or not.

[ChampDizzle]

[Cnasty]

Birdman signs with the Heat!

Chaaaaaaaampionship

[shel311]

Birdman in Miami full time. That should end well

[DRiccio21]

JR Smith‏@TheRealJRSmith

Wasnt quiet when Kanye tore it down last month! RT @KrisHumphries: Big game tonight! The Garden got really quiet on the way out! #Brooklyn

[sammy33]

*sighs*

I know no one cares, but as a Laker fan this just kills me. I can't drink enough beers to make this go away. Season can't end soon enough.

[WooPigSooie316]

JR Smith‏@TheRealJRSmith

Wasnt quiet when Kanye tore it down last month! RT @KrisHumphries: Big game tonight! The Garden got really quiet on the way out! #Brooklyn

That's awesome!

[WooPigSooie316]

*sighs*

I know no one cares, but as a Laker fan this just kills me. I can't drink enough beers to make this go away. Season can't end soon enough.

You're right, we don't care.

[swellvermin]

Timmy D with 24pts n 17rebs n 5ast

TP with 20pts n 8ast n 2 rebs


Keep it pushin fellas!

[cougnix]

They were stolen from us. We were lied to. Sacramento knew this was coming. Nobody stepped up and now a last ditch effort is going to hopefully go nowhere. Feel bad for Sacramento fans, but it is what it is.

[Quest4Gold]

Report: Hornets to become Pelicans



In New Orleans, the bird may be the word.


The New Orleans Hornets are prepared to announce they are changing their name to the New Orleans Pelicans, effective for the 2013-14 season, according to a Yahoo! Sports report.



Visiting the Hornets' team site sends you first to a large clock counting down to 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, the same time the franchise is set to hold a news conference.


"The Hornets are making a special announcement tomorrow at 3PM!," the site says.


The Hornets have planned to change their name since New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, who also owns the rights to the Pelicans nickname, bought the team in April.


The pelican is Louisiana's state bird and appears on both the state seal and flag. A New Orleans minor league baseball team held the Pelicans nickname in all but nine seasons from 1887-1959, and again in 1977.


The Hornets moved to New Orleans from Charlotte in 2002. When Benson bought the team earlier this year, he said he would like to change the name to something more fitting of Louisiana. His wife, Gayle, reiterated that idea and added that the franchise also would like to change the team colors from teal and purple to red, gold and navy blue. That color scheme is expected to be adopted by the rebranded Pelicans, according to the Yahoo! Sports report.

[shel311]

Championship!!