The Starting Five

According to a spokesperson for the Brooklyn Nets, the Orlando Magic have until today to complete a deal with them for Dwight Howard or they are pulling out of the running for the all-star center.

Now the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets are in the mix but Lakers center Andrew Bynum wants no parts of Orlando.

(Albany.com)

We all agree that the Magic organization and Howard are at the point of no return. If the latest scenario has Houston taking Bynum and the Lakers taking Howard, is it really worth trading Howard in the end? Nets center Brook Lopez isn’t crazy about Orlando either. I believe the Nets are done playing with Orlando – satisfied that they were able to keep Deron Williams and acquire Joe Johnson. But they are still trying to lure a third or even fourth team into the deal.

The Nets and Magic were hopeful the Cavaliers and Clippers would sign off on a four-team blockbuster that would have sent Howard, Richardson, Chris Duhon and Earl Clark to Brooklyn, with Orlando receiving Brook Lopez, Luke Walton, Damion Jones, Shelden Williams, Armon Johnson and three first-round picks — two from the Nets and a lottery-protected first-rounder from the Clippers. Sources said that the Cavaliers would have received Kris Humphries, Quentin Richardson, Sundiata Gaines, one future first-round pick from the Nets and $3 million in cash, with the Clippers taking in MarShon Brooks.

But there was a concern about players agreeing to sign and trade deals as well as Cavs owner Dan Gilbert falling under criticism for his role in assembling another power in the East. Something that he obviously is against.

There have been rumors about the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats and Golden State Warriors getting involved as well. I’m officially throwing the Philadelphia 76ers hat in the ring. I’m offering Andre Iguodala, Spencer Hawes, Nick Vucevic, Dorell Wright and a first and second round pick for Howard.

The Lineup:

National League pitching cools off American League bats in 8-0 shut out (ESPN).

Amputee ballers will not allow themselves to be held back (YouTube).

Here are the NBA summer league rosters (Hoops Hype).

Is JaVale McGee starting to take his game more seriously (Nugglove).

Pre-Order Public Enemy’s new album here (Apple ITunes).

Swedish billionaire’s wife found dead, son is in custody (CNN).

Professor Griff has a book and lecture tour in progress (Public Enemy.com).

The ten greatest wide receivers not named Jerry Rice (The Sports Fan Journal).

Drew Brees willing to sit out training camp (ESPN).

Justin Verlander is surely getting a lot of passes this morning after getting bombed and playing it off with non chalant comments post game (FOX). Yeah I know but FOX isn’t the only one (Yahoo). CC Sabathia would have been crushed. –Mizzo

Ghostface Killah’s verse is nothing short of genius

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 at 11:53 am and is filed under Blogroll. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.