Hoops Links News & Rumors

Nearly 29 years ago today, the Bulls signed their first-round pick out of UNC, Michael Jordan.  The shooting guard captured the Naismith and the Wooden College Player of the Year awards after his junior season in 1984 and opted to forgo his senior year in favor of the draft.  This was one underclassman who wasn’t overwhelmed by the jump to the pros and he had a pretty decent career for himself from that point forward.

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors? Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s look around the web..

• The Brooklyn Game gets you up to speed on the Kings.
• Nets Daily explains how Oscar Schmidt could have been a Net.
• Blog A Bull talks Derrick Rose and hype.
• Pounding The Rock goes inside the mind of Tim Duncan.
• Rufus On Fire revists Adam Morrison‘s tenure in Charlotte.
• Red94 asks what the best case scenario is for the Rockets.
• Liberty Ballers reflects on Tim Thomas, Chris Webber, and other busts in Philly.
• Golden State Of Mind has some thoughts on the Warriors’ offseason.
• Indy Cornrows is happy to see Paul George settled in at home.

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On this week in 1999, we saw one of the largest deals in NBA history go down.  Eleven players changed teams as the Grizzlies traded the rights to guard Steve Francis and forward Tony Massenburg to the Rockets for guard Michael Dickerson, forward/center Othella Harrington, forward Antoine Carr, guard Brent Price, a future Houston first round draft pick, and the Magic's 2000 second rounder. Meanwhile, Orlando traded forward Don MacLean to the Rockets, and received guard Lee Mayberry, forward Makhtar Ndiaye, guard Rodrick Rhodes, and forward Michael Smith from Vancouver. 

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors? Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the web..

• Yudelytics looked at the effects of the new NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Dime Magazine caught up with Hawks big man Al Horford.
• Posting And Toasting wonders what Andrea Bargnani can bring to the table.
• The Basketball Post tells us what to expect from this year's Eurobasket.
• Blog A Bull shows some love for Joakim Noah.
• Hardwood Paroxysm recaps the Suns' summer.
• Liberty Ballers makes the case for tanking.
• Rufus On Fire says the Bobcats have room to improve.
• Indy Cornrows asks if its title or bust for the Pacers.

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On this date in 1965, we learned that even legends can be petty.  Celtics star Bill Russell signed a contract as the NBA's highest paid player, making one dollar more than arch-rival Wilt Chamberlain.  Russell had threatened to retire if he didn't make more than the Big Dipper, so the C's gave him a $100,001 contract to top Wilt's $100K deal.

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors? Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the web..

• Yudelytics defends Brandon Knight's defense.
• Suite Sports asks if the Wolves overpaid for Nikola Pekovic.
• Dime Mag wonders if Michael Beasley will ever wake up.
• The Basketball Post previews the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship.
• Blog A Bull makes the case for Luol Deng as a stretch four.
• Hardwood Paroxysm asks if Allen Iverson was the best pound-for-pound player ever.
• Golden State Of Mind plays "What if?" with Monta Ellis.
• Pounding The Rock discusses the legacy of the 2012/13 Spurs.

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On this date in 1992, Celtics forward Larry Bird announced his retirement from the NBA after 13 seasons.  After walking away from the game, the future Hall of Famer joined Boston management as a special assistant to Celtics Senior Executive Vice President Dave Gavitt.

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors? Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the web..

• Blog A Bull implores you to give Derrick Rose's recovery some time.
• Bright Side Of The Sun grades Phoenix's small forwards.
• The Brooklyn Game updates us on the Nets.com domain name saga.
• Red94 has a Rockets blast from the past.
• Hardwood Paroxysm recaps the Blazers' offseason.
• Pounding The Rock sizes up the Spurs' competition.
• Rufus On Fire looks at some potential lineups.
• Golden State Of Mind talks life after Jarrett Jack.

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This week 13 years ago, the Lakers announced the retirement of Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jerry West and named Mitch Kupchak to succeed West in that position.  While Lakers fans aren't always on Kupchak's side, it's hard to argue with his overall results since taking the reins in 2000.  Under Kupchak's watch, the purple and gold have won four NBA titles (2001, 2002, 2009, 2010).  However, he'll have his work cut out for him going forward as the Lakers must perform well enough this season and get creative financially in order to be in the mix for the elite free agents in 2014.

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here's this week's look around the web..

• Rufus On Fire plays commissioner for a day.
• NBA Couchside uses advanced stats to forecast what's ahead for OKC.
• The Basketball Post breaks down the Blazers' signing of Mo Williams.
• Red94 compares James Harden and Dwight Howard to another standout Houston duo.
• Hardwood Paroxysm says it's time for Gordon Hayward to shine.
• The Brooklyn Game predicts what the upcoming season will hold for the new-look Nets.
• Pounding The Rock asks if the big three struggled as much as it seems.
• Blog A Bull breaks down Chicago's 2013/14 schedule.
• Bright Side Of The Sun wonders if Caron Butler is here to stay.

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Forty years ago, Julius Erving was traded by the Virginia Squires with Willie Sojourner to the New York Nets for George Carter, draft rights to Kermit Washington, and cash.  Erving and his magnificent afro would go on to lead the Nets to ABA titles in 1974 and 1976.

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here's this week's look around the web..

• Rufus On Fire discusses Gerald Henderson's value to the Bobcats.
• Pounding The Rock runs down the best of the rest, including Ivan Johnson.
• Hoops Addict says Dwight Howard has too much baggage.
• The Basketball Post updates us on the whereabouts of Maciej Lampe.
• Posting And Toasting looks at how Andrea Bargnani can help the Knicks.
• Hardwood Paroxysm wanted to know exactly who the Pistons are.
• Golden State Of Mind explains why Andre Iguodala is a fit for the Warriors.
• SLC Dunk asks if there are any worthwhile point guards left.

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On this week in 1988, the Hawks became the first NBA team to play in the Soviet Union when they defeated the Soviet Georgia All-Stars 85-84 in an exhibition game.  The game wasn't only a first in hoops history, it also dispelled the long held belief that in Soviet Russia, basketball shoots you.

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here's this week's look around the web..

• Pounding The Rock says the Spurs are the best in the West.
• The Basketball Post doesn't understand why the Hawks signed Pero Antic.
• Rufus On Fire looks at Kemba Walker and the new Bobcats' frontcourt.
• Raptors Republic says Toronto is set up to tank.
• Hoops Addict goes from the hardwood to the tables.
• Hardwood Paroxysm talks basketball and art.
• Liberty Ballers recaps the 76ers's summer league performance.
• Knickerblogger discusses Mike Woodson.
• The Brooklyn Game is stoked about Alan Anderson.

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This week 13 years ago, Isiah Thomas was named head coach of the Pacers, replacing Larry Bird, who stepped down following the 1999/00 season. Thomas was a 12-time All-Star and led the Pistons to two NBA championships and was the Finals MVP in 1990.  He also led Indiana to the NCAA title in 1981. As was the case with Bird, who was the 1997/98 NBA Coach of the Year, the Pacers’ job was Thomas’ first coaching experience.  Thomas would coach the Pacers for three years and later have two seasons at the helm with the Knicks, giving him a total coaching mark of 187-223.  

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here’s this week’s look around the web..

• Suite Sports looks at the good moves and bad moves of the summer.
• Hardwood Paroxysm talks Darnell Jackson and the value of age.
• The Brooklyn Game pits the new-look Nets against the Heat.
• Celtics Life has a former-C’s showdown between the Nets and the Clippers.
• NBA Couchside projects the Bulls’ season using advanced metrics. 
• Blog A Bull wonders why Nate Robinson can’t find a home.
• Rufus On Fire talks nepotism.
• Pounding The Rock wonders if the Spurs would consider Iman Shumpert.

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Roughly 45 years ago today, The 76ers traded Wilt Chamberlain to the Lakers for Darrell Imhoff, Archie Clark, and Jerry Chambers plus an undisclosed amount of cash.  Chamberlain would go on to average 17.7 PPG in his five final NBA seasons and help the Lakers win their first title in L.A. in 1972. 

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here's this week's look around the web..

• Soaring Down South looks at what Paul Millsap can bring to the Hawks.
• Silver Screen And Roll reflected on Metta World Peace's time in L.A.
• Pounding The Rock examines the enigma that is Tiago Splitter.
• Hoops Addict says Dwight Howard comes with too much baggage.
• Blog A Bull breaks down Chicago's Luol Deng dilemma.
• Bright Side Of The Sun has some questions about Phoenix's plan at the one-guard spot.
• Rufus On Fire gives us the state of the salary cap in Charlotte.
• Red94 sees major changes taking place after this summer's free agency period.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.

On this date in 1978, the NBA approved a franchise swap in which Buffalo Braves owner John Y. Brown and Harry Mangurian acquired the Celtics, while the Celtics owner Irv Levin got the Braves, who were later moved to San Diego to become the Clippers.

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here's this week's look around the web..

• True Sports Blog looks at the Warriors' crazy offseason after missing out on Dwight Howard.
• Wearing Film brings us a 2013 draft report card.
• Turnaround J runs down the second-tier free agents, including Greg Oden.
• Kingdome Of Seattle Sports is still hopeful that the NBA will return to Seattle.
• Red94 reflected on the Howard news the day after.
• The Dream Shake wonders if Kevin McHale can resurrect the Twin Towers in Houston.
• Pounding The Rock analyzes the Jeff Pendergraph pick up for the Spurs.
• Raptors HQ bid farewell to Andrea Bargnani.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.