InGameNow

Amare Stoudemire Jealous of Lebron James - 2010 Love Birds

November 29th, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NBA

Amare Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns seems a tad jealous the Lebron James Free Agency tour that is the most discussed aspect on the NBA (despite being two years away). Amare too will be a free agent and he doesn’t seem too thrilled that no one is discussing his talent and next mega deal. When talking to Stephen A Smith of ESPN, he offered up those precise sentiments… and while he didn’t explicitly fawn over other geographies / teams (ie Lebron :: New York Knicks), it is clear that the best PF / Center on the market will entertain any and ever option:

Asked whether he thinks about his own availability in 2010, Stoudemire didn’t hesitate: “Absolutely! You have to look at those opportunities because this is a business and you want to explore every option. I guarantee you every owner will explore their options, especially when a player’s contract is up. So it’s the same for players. It’s definitely the same for me.

“As a player, you should look at the teams you might want to play for. The city you may want to live in. The system you may want to play in. The economy. The cost of living. Everything. It’s about what’s best for you.”

Lebron James to New York Knicks? But Cleveland Cavaliers are Good!

November 26th, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NBA

I am 100% sick the Lebron James to New York Knicks in 150 NBA games from now discussion… that simply will NOT die…. and will only get worse with each passing day (for the next 17 months).

But that’s why I was excited to read Bill Simmons post today saying, hold your horses Knicks fans and Cleveland natives. The Cavaliers are good - and are positioned to be really good. So why leave for the awful Knicks when you can compete for the championship now?

Why don’t more people realize that the Cavs, already really good, will be even better three months from now?

Only 5-to-1 odds to win the title? Really? Even in this crummy economy, with ticket sales about to drop through the basement, the Cavs can’t blow their LeBron Window for one reason: If they win a title, he might stay and save professional basketball in Cleveland. Money is no object. They don’t care. And given that they have $20 million worth of expiring contracts (Wally Z. plus Eric Snow) as well as two favorable contracts (Andy Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic), that means the following guys are in play for them: Mike Miller and Michael Redd (the two biggies), along with Josh Howard, Shawn Marion, Gerald Wallace, Jason Richardson, Rasheed Wallace, Brad Miller, Raja Bell, Leandro Barbosa and Antawn Jamison.

For instance, let’s say they traded Wally, J.J. Hickson and $3 million to Minnesota for Mike Miller, and $10 million worth of Brian Cardinal and Mark Madsen in 2010 … then they dealt Pavlovic, Snow and a 2009 No. 1 pick to Washington for Jamison and Darius Songaila’s mildly reprehensible contract. Two reasonable trades, right? Cleveland gets two blue-chippers; Minnesota and Washington save money, gain cap space and position themselves for 2009 (fantanking) and 2010 (the free agent bonanza). Wouldn’t the Cavs become the favorites if they landed Jamison AND Miller without giving up anyone in their top-eight? I’d be more scared as a Celtics fan if Mike Brown wasn’t in charge. The point is — they will definitely add one more elite guy and possibly two. Which means that our top three (Boston, Cleveland, Los Angeles) could end up being more loaded than any top three since 1993 (Chicago, New York, Phoenix). This is a good thing.

(The highlight of the second trade for me: I called my buddy House, a diehard Wiz fan, and opened the conversation with, “Would you trade Jamison and Songaila for …?” and before I could say the rest, he just started screaming, “YES! YES! YES! ABSOLUTELY! GIVE ME THE CAP SPACE!!! YES!!!!” Ladies and gentlemen, your 2009 Washington Wizards! OK, let’s give the readers a couple of questions.)

New York Knicks Rumors & Scores

Obama Tax Plan: Which Supporters Will Leave?

November 5th, 2008 | By Dan Winter Posted in NBA, Uncategorized

We all heard the debates between the two main candidates, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain. McCain favored giving tax breaks to corporations and an individuals, even the very rich, in hopes of sparking the economy by creating more spendable funds. Opponents claimed that these tax breaks simply help the rich and ignore the inequality between the rich and everyone else.

Barack Obama’s plan calls for the increase in tax rate for the top two tax brackets to 36% and 39%. So, one could ask, how does this tax plan effect some of Obama’s biggest supporters? InGameNow asked this question, and specifically for the ones that play in the National Basketball League. Does Obama’s tax plan spell doom for the NBA and mean that some of the league’s stars are going across the pond in coming years?

Greg Oden - The Portland Trail Blazers potential star is making $5.0 million in 2008. I say potential star because Oden has to be one of the most unlucky draft picks ever - two seasons, two injuries. One was season ending, we will see about this year’s. Speaking of ending, with Obama’s tax plan, is Oden’s attempt at playing professional basketball in the United States over? The election last night just increased Oden’s taxes by around $200,000. Well, at least he just loses a nice, new car. So, InGameNow says that Oden is…

Baron Davis - Where to begin? Baron is a huge Barack supporter, and even has written, “I know he said he’s gonna raise the taxes on the top income bracket, Gil, but if he uses that money to improve our schools then you won’t have to worry about some kids trying to sell pictures of your pool online cause they couldn’t get a better job. LOL” So, at least he knows what he is getting into. Even though his take home salary will decrease by around $450,000, Baron Davis is…

Tracy McGrady - McGrady is one of the best players in the league, but besides Adidas, Tracy isn’t the beneficiary of very many endorsement deals. Speaking of shoes, McGrady, along with Kevin Garnett, wore shoes last night in support of Obama. The problem is that Tracy is only the second most popular player on his team, behind Yao Ming, and probably the third most talked about (add Ron Artest to that list). With McGrady’s additional $845,000 in taxes, and the fact that his contract is up in 2010, Tracy McGrady will…

LeBron James - King James is soon to become the real King of the NBA. He is already one of the most dominating, all-around players in the United States. And Europe definitely wants him! But Bron-Bron is only 23 years old and making $14.4 million a year in salary. He is probably paid at least that in advertising, so he figures to take an additional tax bill of around $1.2 million. At that rate, InGameNow says Lebron will…

Kobe Bryant - So, now that we have predicted that Lebron takes the NBA Throne, that means that Kobe Bryant has to give it up. And let’s face it, Kobe is finally getting up there in years, has his Championship rings, and possibly another one on the way this year. So what do you do when you are forced to step down or take an estimated $1.7 million tax increase? A $50 million per year contract in Europe is a pretty good alternative. Therefore, we are sad to say it, but…

Give your insight and follow their movement at InGameNow:

LeBron and Kobe Not Discussing What Happened Last Night at The Taku Club in Beijing

August 10th, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NBA, Olympics

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, um, no comment,” responded Carmelo Anthony when asked about the “incident” last night at the Taku Club in Beijing where LeBron James and Kobe Bryant were supposedly “getting close”.  Observers report seeing the two comparing tattoos and touching each other awkwardly after one too many orders of bottle service to their private booth.  “No, they have not showed up to practice yet,” said USA basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski this morning.  “Yes, they’re the only two not here.”

Now Dwyane Wade Says He’d Play in Europe with Josh Childress

August 9th, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NBA

First Josh Childress signed with Olympiakos for $32.5 million over three years.

Then Lebron James said he’d play in Europe for $50 million a year.

Now Dwyane Wade says, he would go over as well.

“Look, a lot of guys like me got the [maximum contracts],” Wade said. “But the way his deal is structured Josh is making just about the same as I am after taxes. If LeBron can make what’s being thrown around, that’s crazy. “We never thought we’d be in a position like this, but we’ll see what’s going to happen in the next several years.”

Who goes to Europe First: Kobe Vs. Lebron

August 8th, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NBA, Uncategorized

I predict within 1 month after the Olympics a European Team will offer Lebron or Kobe a record deal.  50 Million is a bit much but I see an offer in the high 30’s being thrown out there.  One of them will take the offer, however it will cause David Stern to lift the salary cap in order to keep the NBA talent on the mainland.   Soon enough there will a televised European draft, talk about league competition.

All that said I predict Kobe Goes before LeBron, there is a lot of money on the table, just a matter of who decides to take it.