Hoopshype

[Sources]

Multiple GM's have reported that it is overly obvious when the Lakers leak information these days. An "unnamed" source denies this. "When we leak stuff, no one knows it's us. Anyone could be talking about the Lakers, and they should be. We're the champs."

[Sources]

Hearing rumors that the Houston Rockets shameless GMOY plug in the middle of the night while the commissioner was asleep has cost him points in this race. One source close to the situation remarked "I don't get what he's trying to prove. It's not like he won his division, so are we supposed to be impressed you have a winning season finally?"

[Sources]

Rockets GM 78 has been fined an undisclosed amount for criticizing the officiating after Thursday's Game 1 loss to the Phoenix Suns. "Who calls a foul with 4 seconds left?" 78 was quoted as saying. The PBSL Head of Officiating stands by the foul called on Ilgauskas in a statement: "It was clear as day, Big Z made contact with the shooter. If it's a foul in the beginning of the game, it's a foul at the end of the game."

[Sources]

Sources say the Cavaliers are looking to draft Andrew Bynum to kick the draft off with a splash. One rival GM called that pick "a reach." A Western Conference GM agreed and added that Granger is the best player in the draft. "Everyone is gunning for Paul, but Granger is going to fall and make someone very happy."

[Sources]

Considered a "lock" by most around the league, some GMs feel the Kings might not be comfortable matching a max to Tyson Chandler. One notable GM stated "He's a 9-6-1 guy."

[Sources]

Lakers determined to get a player for their future. Not concerned with perceived "overpayment" or position of player.

[Sources]

Spurs have NOT maxed Ray Allen. Available to the highest bidder.

[Sources]

Pistons will not be major players in UFA.

[Sources]

Warriors looking for value more than talent.

[Sources]

Kobe has received a max from a record 10 teams.

[Sources]

After being ostracized by the league for not living up to potential, Jermaine O'Neal looks primed to receive another max.

[Sources]

Sources say rumors of max offers being floated to scare away completion for market offers has failed again.

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Footage of Blazers Drew Gooden during some early summer ball.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:14669734

[Sources]

Sources say that despite the 76ers championship last year and them overcoming a similar 3-1 deficit in the previous round, the GM of the Magic is not worried. Coltsguy was quoted as saying, 'We don't pay these players the highest salary in league history to lose a 3-1 lead to a guy that couldn't even get his starters off the bench last round.'

[Sources]

Sources say Tracy McGrady remains confident his team will prevail over the Nuggets. He was overheard in the locker room giving an impassioned speech to his team, 'Who we playin? NOBODY. Who can guard me? NOBODY. Who gonna stop us? NOBODY'

[Sources]

Sources say Kevin Garnett has been upset at the latest coaching changes. 'Randy Fryeing Livingston? When did this guy even make the team?' Also upset by the turnover-prone habits of starting center Jerome James Garnett mused, 'Just let me play these Queens by myself. I don't need no otha niggas gettin in my way and coughin up the ball.'

[Sources]

Sources say Ron Artest literally has no idea what the hell is going on. GM Quailman has been frustrated with his lack of awareness musing 'Sometimes it doesn't even feel like he knows what game we're playing. Coach has done a good job of simplifying things for him just saying 'Don't let ANYONE score the rock.'

[Sources]

Sources say Antawn Jameson is still in the Mavericks facility practicing jumpers unaware that his season is now over.

[Sources]

One big storyline of the offseason was the Magic and their all-time high cap number. One GM in the playoffs was quoted as saying "it's hard to feel bad about losing to a team that has double the salary cap." As the offseason begins, the Magic seem to be anxious about their high bill and unloading this offseason. However, they may face some difficulty with that: "Look as much fun as itd be to just pickoff the Magic assets, a few of us have gotten together and decided it'd be even better to freeze them out and watch them try to navigate around that high bill. It should make for some fun trade block updates" one anonymous GM was quoted.

[Sources]

Word on the street is that the Knicks are going to let Yao walk. "His best days are behind him and if you can't see that then have fun paying him to get overweight and occasionally dunk the basketball"

[Sources]

In a recent article with Dime Magazine, Matt Barnes was quoted, "Can't wait to get outta Toronto. We the North? More like We the ****ING SUCK." Doesn't sound like someone who plans to take a hometown discount.

[Sources]

Bucks GM Ian Quailman was spotted at a Milwaukee bar this morning, surrounded by a pile of Miller cans. When asked by reporters why he was so depressed, he became angry, "Another season with 2 power forwards and now I get to overpay both of them! I'm stuck with Samaki! I want him gone! I should never have traded Yao!"

[Sources]

Teams are already restructuring their organization in the "Unloadin' For Oden" race, also known as "Deflate For Durant" race. Look for tanking to be fierce and blatant this season. "It's going to be a **** show. We face it every year, but it's going to be similar to the season before the 2003 draft all over again."

[Sources]

The Blazers have 2 players on their roster and 3 RFA, all of which were picked up during their crazy asset fire sale last year. I talked to another GM about their precarious situation, "Ku is going to give those 3 guys a big payday, sell off Marbury for peanuts, and half-tank this year. Mark my words."