Team USA Scrimmage

The White squad road to victory on the back Kevin Durant's 28 points in a 114-96 win over the Blue team. Durant, who has taken over a leadership role on this USA team was very impressive in the game, shooting 10-17 from the field, while adding 6 rebounds. Also logging solid performances for Team USA where Andre Iguodala, Eric Gordon, and Tyson Chandler.

In international play the physical nature of Iguodala would help raise him to elite status. For the White team Andre added 17 points, including perfect shooting from beyond the arc, on the way to victory. He will cause many match up problems at playing either the 2 or the 3 spot because he will be able to hold his own with the physical play overseas.

Perhaps the player who may have played his way onto the final roster after last night's performance is Eric Gordon. The lights out shooter notched 16 points, along with one eye-popping 26 footer that he launched after nobody came out to cover him. Another physical guard, Gordon would help in spreading the floor for play-makers such as Durant and Derrick Rose.

Tyson Chandler will most likely make the final roster, if for no other reason, because he is one of the only true big men available. He played well, contributing 13 points and 9 rebounds. At 7'1'', Chandler will look to add some much needed strength down low for the USA on both ends of the court.

The 19 man roster will be cut down to 14 or 15 names by Monday.

Chris Paul's Wish List

Could another "Big 3" be in the works? According to sources close to New Orleans point guard Chris Paul, he is asking to be traded to the New York Knicks to join Amare Stoudemire and perhaps Carmelo Anthony after his contract is up this coming season. Paul said he wants to compete against the "Big 3" in Miami. There is a 3 year, $65 million extention on the table for Carmelo, which he has until June 30th to sign. Otherwise, he would become a free agent after the 2011 season and would look to join the Knicks. Whatever happens, the NBA looks to have a very exciting season ahead of them.

2nd Half MLB Predictions

Here are my picks...
AL East Winner: Tampa Bay Rays
AL Central Winner: Chicago White Sox
AL West Winner: Texas Rangers
AL Wild Card Winner: New York Yankees
NL East Winner: Atlanta Braves
NL Central Winner: Cincinnati Reds
NL West Winner: San Diego Padres
NL Wild Card Winner: Colorado Rockies

If Tampa makes a move at the trade deadline, there are rumors of them making a move for Prince Fielder, I think the Rays could over take the defending World Champions. The Yankees bullpen is way too shaky for me to feel comfortable picking them to hold on to the division lead. Of the Yankees top 4 relievers not named Mariano, the lowest ERA is above 4. The other 3 relievers ERA's are above 5. In the East, I believe the Rockies will make a run at the Padres, but the starting pitching in San Diego will help them hold on to the division title. As far as a post-season prediction, I think the Yankees will get hot, and add some relief pitching at the deadline, and get back to the World Series. From the East, I see the Atlanta Braves making it through to the Series. In the end, the New York Yankees will repeate as champions.

NBA News and Notes

Zydrunas Ilgauskas will join the new "Big 3" down in South Beach. The veteran big man is expected to sign a 2-year deal.
Al Jefferson will be sent from Minnesota to the Utah Jazz in exchange for 2 future 1st round picks.
The Dallas Mavericks traded Eduaro Najera, Matt Carroll, and Erick Dampier to the Bobcats for Tyson Chandler and Alexis Ajinea.
Tony Allen agreed to a 2-year, $9.7 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Quentin Richardson has signed a 3-year, $7.5 million deal with Orlando.

Decision Done!!! Lebron to South Beach

The waiting, speculating, and rumors are over. Lebron James will become of a member of the Miami Heat.  He will be joining Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh with his new team.  This will bring together 3 of last season's top 9 scorers.  The summers biggest question has finally been answered.  My personal opinion on this move, and the free agency period as a whole will be posted tomorrow.  

Lebron Leaning Towards Miami

Accourding to NBA Insider Chris Broussard, Lebron James will become a member of the Miami Heat. His press conference is set for 9 p.m. ET this evening. If Lebron does join the Heat, he will be teaming up with Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade who made their decision to go to Miami earlier this week. If this new "Big 3" join forces, the Heat will have 3 of the 9 top scorers from the year before.

Also, Ray Allen will rejoin the Boston Celtics after agreeing to a 2-year, $20 million deal.

Boozer to Bulls, 2010-2011 Salary Cap Set

Carlos Boozer and the Chicago Bulls have agreed to a 5-year deal worth $80 million.
Kevin Durant has agreed to an extension worth $86 million over 5 years.
The NBA salary cap for 2010-2011 has been set at $58 million. This is about $2 million higher than teams expected it to be.
Lebron James will declare where he will be playing within the first 10 min. of his 9 p.m. ET interview Thursday on ESPN accourding to espn.com. The rest of the interview will consist of an extensive interview with Michael Wilbon and other ESPN personalities.

D-Wade, Bosh going to Miami

Accourding to Chris Broussard and a source close to the situation, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh will sign with the Miami Heat. Both are expected to sign a maximum contract. If Bosh signs with the Raptors and they work out a sign and trade, he could make $125 million over 6 years. However, if he signs directly with the Heat he could earn only $96 million over 5 years. This looks to set up the Heat as contenders in the East. With many of the pieces starting to fall into place, the NBA is now just waiting on Lebron.

Lebron James is set to make his decision at 9 p.m. tomorrow night.

Amare will Join the Knicks

It is a happy evening for basketball fans in New York.  After a decade of being the worst team in basketball, Knicks fans finally have something to cheer about.  Amare Stoudemire has reached a maximum contract deal worth $100 million over 5 years.  Adding a big presence down low may help New York add another big name free agent such as Dwayne Wade or Lebron James.  

Joe Johnson to resign with Atlanta

According to his agent, Joe Johnson will be resign with his current team, the Atlanta Hawks. This would be the 2nd big name free agent to stay at home, after Dirk decided to stay in Dallas yesterday. Johnson's maxiumum contract will be worth $119 million over 6 years. This is $27 million more than he could have gotten from any other team. The question remains, will more free agents follow in the footsteps of Johnson and Dirk by staying put? The answer should come within the next week as free agents declare their futures, and begin signing contracts come Thursday.

Dirk Staying in Dallas

According to espn.com, Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki has verbally agreed to a 4 year deal worth at least $80 million.  The deal also includes a no-trade clause. 

Lebron James met with the two final teams in part of his free agent meetings...the Chicago Bulls and his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers.  The decision is now up to The King, does he stay home and play with the Cavs, or does he move on to try and win a championship with another franchise.  Look for a decision within the next couple of days.  

Free Agent Update

I am sitting in the lobby of the historic Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago, yet I have yet to run into either D-Wade or Chris Bosh, both of whom had meetings today in Chicago.  However, I did have one celebrity encounter, I sat a table away from Bronson Arroyo at Ditka's Steakhouse.  My Cincinnati Reds are winners of 9 of there last 11 games!!! Go Reds.  

Now to free agent news...

After meeting with members of the Bulls front office in Chicago today, prized free agent Dwayne Wade appears to be leaning towards signing with them.  This would throw a possible monkey wrench in the plans of Lebron coming to Chicago.

An offer has been put on the table between the parties of the Dallas Mavericks and Dirk Nowitzki.  The offer could be worth up to $96 million over 4 years.  

Lebron James appears to have two different options on the table from the New York Knicks.  He can either sign a max contract deal, which would leave the Knicks the ability to sign 1 more max contract free agent, OR, James could agree to a 5 year deal worth $11.5 million per season.

Amare Stoudemire is closing in on a deal with the New York Knicks worth $100 million over 5 years.  This would be the third maximum contract offered during this free agent period (the first from Atlanta to Joe Johnson, the second being from NY to Lebron.)  

John Salmons has agreed to a 5 year deal worth $39 million with the Milwaukee Bucks.  

Paul Pierce

The Boston Celtics are set to resign one member of the "Big 3."  Just before 10:00 this morning, Paul Pierce agreed to a 4 year deal worth $61 million.  The 4th year is full of team and player options.  The Celtics have also been in communication with the agents for Brad Miller and David Lee.  With Rasheed retiring, and the health of Kendrick Perkins up in the air, the Celtics look to beef up their front line during the free agent period.

In other free agent news...Amir Johnson has agreed to a 5 year deal worth $34 million.  Also, Channing Frye will stay in Phoenix after agreeing to a 5 year deal worth $30 million.

Free Agent Update

Day 1 of the most anticipated summer in NBA history has shook out with a couple of deals already being offered, including one maximum contract already on the table.  Here are some of the new developments from today according to sources at espn.com.

Joe Johnson was the first big name free agent to meet with teams, starting with a 12:01 a.m. meeting with the Knicks.  However, his only offer on the table at the end of the day ended up being a maximum contract offer from his current team, the Atlanta Hawks, worth $119 million over 6 years.  He can not officially sign until July 8th, but most sources believe that he will resign with the Hawks.

Drew Gooden was offered, and plans to accept, a 5 year deal worth $32 million from the Milwaukee Bucks.  

Rudy Gay, a restricted free agent, is expected to accept a 5 year, $80 million deal from the Grizzlies.

Carmelo Anthony has been offered a 3 year $65 million contract extension by the Nuggets.

Darko Milicic has agreed to a 4 year deal worth $20 million deal with the Timberwolves.

Paul Pierce has begun contract negotiations with Boston.  The maximum Pierce can be offered is a 4 year deal worth $93 million due to the NBA's over-36 rule.  I believe that the Celtics will be able to resign Pierce.  

According to many sources, Amare Stoudemire will not return to Phoenix.  He has meetings with the Heat and Knicks coming up soon.  

As I gather more information I will continue to keep everyone updated!