FreshHoops.com
The latest and freshest news from the world of the NBA.
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Andre Iguodala to LA for Lamar Odom and Luke Walton is being discussed, according to Ric Bucher of ESPN.
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Ron Artest is legally changing his name to Metta World Peace
According to TMZ, Ron Artest of the Los Angeles Lakers will legally change his name to Metta World Peace.
Here’s what the report said:
Yes, Ron is going the way of Cassius Clay, Lew Alcindor and Chad Johnson. Ron’s filed a petition in L.A. County Superior Court to change his name to — World Peace.
FYI, metta means loving, kindness, happiness and all that jazz.
We’re told Ron wants to put the new last name — Peace — on the back of his L.A. Lakers’ jersey.
These name changes are typically granted by a judge unless it would result in confusion or fraud.Interesting. Does this mean that Ron - I mean World Peace - will now throw flower petals into the air from the scorers table before tip-off?
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Kupchak: Lakers rumors driven by agents, no trades happening
Los Angeles Lakers General Manager, Mitch Kupchak, just told reporters that as of right now, none of the reported trade discussions are going to happen.
According to Mike Trudell, all of the trade rumors involving the Lakers have been driven by agents. He also said that other teams have been approaching the Lakers and have been coming up with trade proposals - it hasn’t been LA who have been initiating any trade talk.
Finally, he told reporters that he still wants to keep the core of the team together. Is Lamar Odom included in that “core”? You’d think so.
On another note, Kupchak said he expects Shannon Brown to explore free agency, like he did last year before being re-signed by the Lakers.
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Lakers picked Chukwudiebere Maduabum for Nuggets?
According to Chad Ford, the 58th pick in the draft by the Los Angeles Lakers was on behalf of the Denver Nuggets. They selected Chukwudiebere Maduabum with the pick.
It is currently unclear what the trade entails, but it will most likely just be an exchange for cash.
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He just pisses me off on the court. You stress him out and he might speak some Spanish to you and you’re like, ‘What are you talking about?’ I know you’re from Italy or somewhere, but his charisma and just the way he’s so poised, it just gets under my skin.Glen Davis on Kobe Bryant
(Source: iamagm.com)
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Chuck Person will be returning to the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant coach, according to Sam Amick.
Person was an assistant with the Lakers for the last two seasons, primarily brought in to help mentor his friend Ron Artest. He has since become somewhat of a defensive specialist on the team, and will be expected to continue that role for new head coach Mike Brown.
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The New York Knicks are only looking to offer a one-year deal to a center, according to the New York Post. That means that they will be out of the race this summer for players such as Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan and Samuel Dalembert.
So, who are the Knicks looking to sign as their starting center? It seems they may be looking in the direction of Kwame Brown.
*Stephen A. Smith voice* KWAME BROWN?!
Well yes, the ex-Laker and Pau Gasol trade piece may soon be starting for another legendary NBA team. The reasoning for this is so that the Knicks are in a great position cap-wise in the summer of 2012 when there is a potential free agent pool of players like Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Dwight Howard.
The report states that the only other real centers who could probably be had for a one-year deal are “Tony Battie, ex-Knick veteran Kurt Thomas, who filled in solidly in spots with the Bulls, Joel Pryzbilla, Aaron Gray and ancient Theo Ratliff.”
With some of those players being either too poorly conditioned to start, too old or retiring, maybe Kwame Brown is the best option - which can’t be a great thought for Knicks fans. It could all pay off in 2012 though if New York manages to land a big name in free agency to play alongside Amaré Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony.
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The Phoenix Suns made a qualifying offer to Aaron Brooks. However, it seems that the Sacramento Kings are also interested in his services and may be making a pitch to him to convince him to join the team, according to New York Daily News.
The Kings are in need a of a point guard now that Beno Udrih has been traded and they see Brooks as a player capable of being able to fill that void.
Don’t be surprised if other teams come out and make offers to Brooks too. It would make sense for the Los Angeles Lakers to make him an offer as they are currently in need of a quicker, younger point guard to replace Derek Fisher in the starting line-up who can also shoot the three. Brooks ticks all the boxes there and could probably be had for all or part of the MLE (as long as the MLE still exists after the new CBA) - the lure of being a starter for the Lakers would also have to be interesting for Brooks.
He had a fairly quiet season last year after being traded from the Houston Rockets to the Phoenix Suns. He spent most of the year on the bench too. The year before however he had career numbers of 19.6 ppg and 5.6 apg as a starter.
The latest and freshest news from the world of the NBA.
