New Album & The Beginning of Basketball Season

[Steve Williams]

The Warriors - Memphis game should be a great one. I plan to watch it.

Too bad Bogut is out for Golden State - they will need size to combat Gasol and Zach Randolph.

I'll be rooting for the Warriors I guess. Hate them less than I hate the Grizzlies now that Mark Jackson is not coaching Golden State.

I feel the GSW time has just about arrived and that they are the Cinderella team of the year

 

[FrantzM]

I feel the GSW time has just about arrived and that they are the Cinderella team of the year

Hardly Cinderella, they were 47-35 last year... They have been showing flashes of brilliance for a while. Now they are the best team in the NBA... I just worry they don't do an OKC imitation.. i-e look like they will be great for years a la Spurs then become a nonentity after a playoff or NBA Finals loss...

 

[jadis]

C's should be back Monte Ellis + some picks. And it would really do Dallas good to have a championship caliber PG.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports....-rondo-could-happen-sooner-rather-than-later/

Report: Mavericks trading for Rajon Rondo could happen ‘sooner rather than later’

Dan Feldman

Dec 18, 2014, 1:36 PM EST
9 Comments
Boston Celtics v Dallas Mavericks Getty Images

The Celtics are reportedly more willing to trade Rajon Rondo.

They’ve reportedly had substantive discussions with the Mavericks.

Boston general manager Danny Ainge confirmed trade talks.

Rondo is reportedly open to re-signing with Dallas.

This seems to be accelerating quickly. Just how quickly?

Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News:

The Dallas Mavericks’ pursuit of Boston’s Rajon Rondo has more traction beyond the stage of just testing the water or kicking the tires, a source said today.

the Mavericks are solidly in the mix and it appears this could happen sooner rather than later.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:

Rondo has repeatedly come up in trade rumors – he called it “a way of life” – without being dealt. But this time, the Celtics have a greater sense of urgency. Rondo will become a free agent after the season, and they risk losing him for nothing if they don’t trade him now.

Though the rebuilding Celtics are improving, they can’t offer Rondo the best team – or biggest market. Banking on Rondo’s loyalty to Boston might not be enough.

If they keep him past the trade deadline, the Celtics could offer Rondo the most money this summer, and that always helps. Rondo said he deserves a max contract, and he’s right. But I wonder how much of that is about respect rather than just dollars. If it’s the former, Boston’s advantage shrinks if other teams offer their (lower) max.

For the Mavericks, they’d prefer more time with Rondo to develop chemistry before the playoffs. Plus, Rondo would help them secure better postseason position in a packed Western Conference. Right now, Dallas is sixth, 1.5 games ahead of the seventh-place Spurs and 3.5 games behind the first-place Warriors.

Ainge is clearly trying to find the right moment to trade Rondo, or at least get the best Rondo offer on the table. The Celtics general manager could always pull back and try again to drum up interest before the trade deadline, but this latest round of discussion sure seems like it’s building toward something real.

 

[rblnr]

Looks like Rondo to Dallas happened. Great move for the Mavs, puts the team in play to win it all.

http://http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?storyId=12048931

Story says close. Read elsewhere it's done.

 

[jadis]

Looks like Rondo to Dallas happened. Great move for the Mavs, puts the team in play to win it all.

http://http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?storyId=12048931

Story says close. Read elsewhere it's done.

Mark Stein has the details. Boston gets Brendan Wright, Jameer Nelson, 1st and 2nd round picks. I'm fine with that.

Question is Rondo-Monte backcourt, can they jell? Monte is going to be the shooting guard now. As Rondo still can't shoot. But you've got an all-star/champion player who knows how how to dish and even defend. Dallas has really leveled up if this is finalized.

 

[rblnr]

Mark Stein has the details. Boston gets Brendan Wright, Jameer Nelson, 1st and 2nd round picks. I'm fine with that.

Question is Rondo-Monte backcourt, can they jell? Monte is going to be the shooting guard now. As Rondo still can't shoot. But you've got an all-star/champion player who knows how how to dish and even defend. Dallas has really leveled up if this is finalized.

Rondo/Monte will be fine as soon as Monte realizes how much easier Rondo makes the game for him. Carlisle will make sure this happens. Perfect pickup for a team with a) a limited window to win it all, b) enough firepower/scoring already and c) no true PG

 

[Steve Williams]

I agree Bob. Just sad the Lakers had nothing to offer cuz he would have improved the Lakers big time

 

[jadis]

Prior to the Dallas news, Lakers were reported to have offered Jordan Hill and a 1St round for Rondo AND Jeff Green. But it was declined. What a relief! Rumors about Jeff Green being shopped too. I hope for a big name like Marc gasol.

Worst part of the Lakers offer was the inclusion of Steve Nash!
Mercifully Danny had walked away by then.

 

[jadis]

It's official. Rondo has departed Bean town. Thanks for the memories.

 

[jadis]

Gerald Wallace for two 3rd round picks, anyone?

 

[rblnr]

I agree Bob. Just sad the Lakers had nothing to offer cuz he would have improved the Lakers big time

Definitely would have improved them but as you painfully know, Rondo never would go to the Lakers in their present state.

 

[rblnr]

Gerald Wallace for two 3rd round picks, anyone?

LOL. Heard Danny's throwing in a free hot dogs at TD Garden for a year too.

 

[jadis]

LOL. Heard Danny's throwing in a free hot dogs at TD Garden for a year too.

And a halftime promo wherein you get $10,000 even if you miss your half court shot.

 

[FrantzM]

More and more likely that the 2015 NBA Champions will be from the West.

 

[jadis]

Read that Houston was interested too but in terms of giving the best pieces, Dallas offers were the best for Ainge. Spurs still favorites, but I recall Dallas pushed them to 7 games last May and now better armed and equipped.

 

[rblnr]

He would have been great for either team. Among many other things, he'll give Chris Paul a lot of probs. when they play the Clips.

 

[JackD201]

Parker and Curry too

 

[rblnr]

Conley and Lillard too

 

[jadis]

And this Saturday night, hopefully Carlisle will suit up Rondo to start against the world champion Spurs!

Celtics trivia time. There are now 2 ex-Celtics in the Dallas organization, Rick Carlisle and Rondo. To make a little stretch, Donnie Nelson, Dallas' GM, is son of ex-Celtic Don Nelson, who was a former coach of Dallas.

Btw, Rondo is bringing in his league leading 11 assists per game into Dallas. Sometimes he ended up as the top rebounder of Boston too.

 

[jadis]

Heard from the play by play announcer of the Heat vs Wizards game now, that Rondo will play in their game against the Spurs on Saturday. Battle of Texas. Looking at the depth charts, it seems Dallas now has a shallow bench after giving up Wright, Jameer and Crowder who were in the Mavericks' rotation before the trade. Maybe Ray Allen is watching and eager to jump in and hit the game winning 3s again.