Marion for Lamar Odom? But I don't see that being any type of upgrade really for the Lakers. Odom would fit in great with the Suns though!

 

Marion is one of the best all around player's in the league. He will be an upgrade for whoever he ends up playing for.

Marion is one of the best all around player's in the league. He will be an upgrade for whoever he ends up playing for.

 

I just don't see him leaving Phoenix.

Marion is one of the best all around player's in the league. He will be an upgrade for whoever he ends up playing for.

 

But do you honestly see him and Kobe leading them back to the Finals?

But do you honestly see him and Kobe leading them back to the Finals?

 

I did not say that. I said he would be an upgrade. Do you not think Marion is a better player than Odom???

If there's a BGP fantasy basketball team I want in.

 

Me too!:dancingpa

 

[email protected] (Is it against the rules to post that?)

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=Marion&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1

Reality or fantasy? Matrix wouldn't mind joining Kobe

 

Shawn Marion was bringing the good news. If you're a Lakers fan.

 

"I'm definitely interested in the Lakers," the Phoenix Suns forward said.

 

More than that, he said he talked to Kobe Bryant, and Bryant "embraced it."

 

Said Marion: "He wants to make it happen."

 

If Bryant cares about what trades the Lakers make and thinks adding Marion would help, at least it's an indication that he's thinking about the Lakers as "we" not "them."

 

Still, it's hard to miss the irony of Marion's wanting to fulfill his desire to be traded by joining a guy who kicked off this summer's stream of trade wishes. Bryant's radiothon at the end of May started a trend followed by Jermaine O'Neal, Andrei Kirilenko and now Marion.

 

"My name has been mentioned in trades over and over," Marion said. "I'm tired of hearing about it. It's time for me to take the next step and leave.

 

"It's like a bad marriage. It's time to get up. I love my fans, I love the city, I love my teammates. I just think it's time for me to leave."

 

The simplest way for him to get to Los Angeles would be for the Lakers to send Lamar Odom to Phoenix. Their salaries are close enough (Marion is making $16 million this season, Odom $13 million) and the cost-conscious Suns would shave $3 million off their payroll.

Webber pondering Greek team's multi-million offer

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3040997

Webber has offer from Olympiacos of Greece

 

Chris Webber has a multi-million dollar contract offer on the table from Olympiacos of Greece, and he plans to decide by this weekend whether to accept it or wait on the sidelines for another chance at playing in the NBA.

 

Two sources familiar with the offer told ESPN.com that Olympiacos was offering a two-year deal that would net Webber between $10 million and $12 million, which would make him the highest-paid American player in Europe.

 

Webber has said he is leaning toward returning to the Detroit Pistons, although signing Webber prior to training camp, even for the veterans' minimum, would have cap ramifications that the Pistons want to avoid. Webber is said to be comfortable with the idea of waiting at least a month or two for the Pistons' roster issues to work themselves out, which would allow him to join them in midseason as he did in 2005-06.

 

Webber also spoke over the summer with the Dallas Mavericks, who believed he would be a good fit for their system. But the Mavs failed to hear anything resembling a commitment from Webber (or from P.J. Brown), and they've let Webber drop off their radar -- at least for the time being.

Houston to attempt NBA comeback with Knicks

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3057170

 

Allan Houston is back with the New York Knicks.

 

Houston re-signed with the Knicks on Wednesday after a two-year absence from the NBA. The team didn't disclose contract terms.

 

Coach Isiah Thomas said Wednesday he didn't expect Houston to be on the floor Thursday when the Knicks play their exhibition home opener against Maccabi Tel Aviv, but he does expect him to take part when the Knicks return to practice on Friday.

 

"After much thought and prayer, I have decided to return to the NBA as a member of the New York Knicks. I have worked extremely hard in the last year and a half to accomplish my dream of playing in the NBA again," Houston said in a team statement.

 

"After my wife and I were blessed with the birth of our fourth child last week, I realized that New York is where I am supposed to be, and the Knick uniform is the one I want to wear. I have seen the Garden in some of its best moments, and I truly believe that this team is on the verge of experiencing that again. This team is hungry and energetic. I hope to contribute in the weeks and months ahead."

 

With the maximum 15 players under contract, the Knicks don't necessarily have room for Houston. But if he can still play -- and guard Jamal Crawford said during workouts Houston proved he could -- Thomas would find a way to keep him.

Stoudamire reaches deal to solve pot case

http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/nba/story/10402483

 

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Lawyers for NBA player Damon Stoudamire and Pima County have reached an agreement to resolve his long-standing marijuana possession case.

 

Stoudamire, a former University of Arizona star who now plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, has been fighting misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia since July 2003.

 

He was arrested after a foil packet containing a half-ounce of marijuana allegedly fell from his pants while he was going through security at Tucson's airport.

 

Deputy Pima County Attorney Bruce Chalk said the case will be dismissed if Stoudamire provides proof of two more drug-free urine tests over the next six months, avoids any criminal convictions and reports any subsequent arrests immediately.

 

Sorry....No headband pics...

http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/10423403

Adam Morrison is likely done for the season

 

LOS ANGELES -- Charlotte Bobcats reserve forward Adam Morrison is likely done for the season after an MRI exam on Sunday revealed a torn ligament in his left knee.

 

The injury occurred with about 5½ minutes left in the third quarter of Saturday night's 113-93 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Morrison was attempting to defend Luke Walton on a drive to the basket and crumpled to the floor in severe pain while clutching his left knee.

 

"Our medical staff has had a chance to review the MRI, and they're saying right now they believe there is some sort of tear," coach Sam Vincent said Sunday, about an hour before the Bobcats took on Phoenix in the second day of the annual Staples Center shootout.

 

"Until they get in there and do whatever they do, who knows? But they are saying there's a good chance he will be out for the year. So I'm not counting on him playing," Vincent added.

 

Morrison, the third overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, was the top scorer in college basketball two seasons ago with Gonzaga -- averaging 28.1 points. As an NBA rookie, he averaged 11.8 points in 78 games. He was expected to play a significant role in a smaller lineup Vincent was going to employ once the season began. As one of the first two players off the bench, Morrison was expected to play about 20-25 minutes a game and contribute 14-16 points.