Bryantball
Basketball, Bryant style!

NEW YORK — Danny Granger led a rout of China Saturday in a preliminary matchup, scoring 22 points in the 98-51 win.

Eric Gordon added in 15 points, including three of the United States 11 3-pointers. Kevin Durant had 14, and Derrick Rose had 12.

The game showed 2 players that are likely to be cut heading into the World Championships in Turkey; Jeff Green and JaVale McGee were benched the entire scrimmage. If McGee is cut, Tyson Chandler will be the only true center on the squad.

The United States hope to make up for a lack of size with their speed and shooting.

China was lead by Yi Jianlian, of the Washington Wizards, who had 13 points.

NEW ORLEANS —Four NBA teams have agreed to a five-player trade that will send Trevor Ariza to the New Orleans Hornets and Darren Collison to the Indiana Pacers, two league sources said.

In the proposed deal, the Houston Rockets will send Ariza to the Hornets, who in turn will send Collison and James Posey to the Pacers.

The Pacers will send Troy Murphy to the New Jersey Nets. And the Nets will send Courtney Lee to the Rockets.

According to the sources, the Rockets, Hornets, Pacers and Nets have agreed to the details of the trade and are awaiting a trade call with the league this afternoon to make it official.

The Hornets didn’t stop there. NBA front office sources told ESPN.com’s Marc Stein that in a separate deal, the team agreed to send swingman Julian Wright to Toronto for Raptors guard Marco Belinelli. That deal, like the four-team trade, was also expected to be completed Wednesday.

The four-team deal could fill some long-term needs for the Hornets, Pacers and Nets, as well as provide needed salary relief for the Rockets.

For the Hornets, while moving Collison leaves the team without a credible backup for Chris Paul, the addition of Ariza gives them a young, athletic wing entering his prime.

The Hornets are hoping that the addition of Ariza addresses Paul’s concerns about the team’s commitment to winning by showing that they’re willing to spend money to get better. Ariza signed a six year, $35 million deal with the Rockets last summer.

For the Pacers, landing Collison gives them the young starting point guard they’ve been looking for and adds another piece to a young core of players including Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert and promising rookies Paul George and Lance Stephenson.

The Pacers did take on the last two years and $13 million of Posey’s contract, but the deal also sliced another $4 million off the team’s overall payroll.

In Murphy, the Nets get the veteran big man that new coach Avery Johnson has been coveting. Murphy is also on the last year of his contract, which could make him an important trading chip for the Nets at the 2011 trade deadline.

For the Rockets, the move is basically a large salary dump. This summer the Rockets spent a lot of cash signing Luis Scola, Kyle Lowry and Brad Miller to free agent contracts and their payroll ballooned. Before the trade, the team was bracing for a $8 million plus luxury tax hit. This deal saves them $28 million on the life of the contract and roughly $10 million (when you factor in luxury tax payments) this season.

CLEVELAND —— “I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF TITLED ‘KING’WINS ONE”

   Those were the words that came out of Cavs owner Dan Gilbert’s mouth the night of “The Decsion.” LeBron was called a quitter, a man who didn’t want to be just that, the man.

   Critics bash LeBron, saying that he couldn’t win as the man, hence joining the Dwyane Wade led Heat. Wade already has one championship under his belt in a Heat uniform.

   The greatest ever, Michael Jordan, said he “would never have called up Magic [Johnson] and Larry [Bird] and play with them.”

   But, honestly, who would’ve passed up on an opportunity to play with 2 of the top 10 NBA players?

   I agree with most critics, that LeBron was a jerk and low-life about the whole thing. For example, if you were to change teams, you wouldn’t have to file papers to change your number if you join another team. But LeBron did.
That caused Cleveland fans to believe he was staying.

   And the 1 hour special was a joke. Dissing his hometown on national television.

   But folks, face the truth, it was a chance nobody would’ve passed up.

INDIANAPOLIS — How long is the Pacers only star going to wait?

   Danny Granger is a great player, a solid option for the Pacers to score and take clutch shots. But with the only solid supporters being T.J. Ford (Indy wants him out) and Roy Hibbert, is Granger willing to wait? Granger averages 24 points and 5 rebounds per outing.

   Saddled be enourmous contracts, and GM Larry Bird being unwilling to take on the luxury tax, the Pacers roll through, or pardon me, lull through, another 30 win season and yet another year of Granger’s prime (27).

   But with $38 million vanishing after the upcoming season, will Bird be quick enough to snatch a supporting cast to complement DG?

   So, what should the Pacers do? Let’s take a look: 

Offseason (2011): PG: Sign Aaron Brooks to offer sheet and/or request a sign and trade that wold involve T.J. Ford and a 2nd round pick. Also resign A.J. Price and Telfair as backups. BACKUP PLANS: Conley (R), Barea.

SG: Sign Jason Richardson; trade Dahantay Jones and Brandon Rush to Oklahoma City for Thabo Sefalosha. BACKUP PLANS: Moon, A.Parker, Wafer.

SF: Go light on small forward because of Granger. Sign Marquis Daniels. BACKUP PLANS: R.Williams (R), M.Evans

PF: Hansborough needs a mentor. He won’t start early in the season, but give him time. Sign Carl Landry. BACKUP PLANS: Y.Jianlian (R), Ju.Howard

C: Roy Hibbert is the man at C. Sign Tyson Chandler BACKUP PLANS: K.Perkins, R.Hollins, N.Kristic

Keep Stephenson, George, and Rolle, and draft a PF to keep the roster at 15.

NEW YORK — The NBA will release its opening week and Christmas Day schedules during an hourlong TV special Tuesday.

   NBATV officials said Friday their network will host a program at 7 p.m. EDT, at which time it will unveil the slate of games for “Tip-off ’10,” plus the Christmas and Martin Luther King Jr. holidays.

   The full NBA schedule will be released on Aug. 10. This is the first time the league has released portions of it early.

   The reason is likely because of the anticipation for the debut and marquee games involving Miami’s new trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

MIAMI — Add Udonis Haslem to the list of players taking less money to play for the Miami Heat next season.

   Haslem signed a five-year deal Monday worth around $20 million, roughly $14 million less than he could have received if he accepted more lucrative offers from the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets.

   LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all took less money in their Heat deals last week to allow Miami the flexibility to sign certain players, and Haslem – Wade’s teammate for all seven of their pro seasons – was at the top of their collective wish list.

   “This is a combination of having a great opportunity to win, which is why we play this game, and an opportunity to still stay close to my family and be with my mother,” said Haslem, whose mother has been ill for some time. “And also, the opportunity to be a part of something special. We all play this game to win. I’ve never been a person driven by money.”

   Counting what James, Wade and Bosh elected to forego in their deals, Heat players have now signed for more than $60 million less than what they could have commanded under the collective bargaining agreement.

   “He is the epitome of what the Heat is about,” team president Pat Riley said. “He is our anchor, he is a true warrior and a great professional.”

   That’s why Wade reached out to Haslem constantly during the free-agent process, if only to remind him that was the case.

   “I would be changing my DNA if I left just for money,” Haslem said.

   A week ago, Haslem expected he would sign elsewhere, but then the combination of a $58 million salary cap ($2 million more than expected) and the decisions by James, Wade and Bosh to take less money made it possible for the Miami High grad to stay where he wanted.

OPINIONS: Great signing. Haslem is a gritty player and a great role player.

MIAMI — Mike Miller has joined the party. Miller officially signed with the Miami Heat.

   Miller’s agent, Arn Tellem, reported it on his blog. Miller will most likely be the 6th or 7th man for the Heat.

OPINIONS: Good signing by Miami. Miller will spread the floor.

CHICAGO — I’ll call my one shooter and raise you another.

   Or so went the Bulls’ gamble late Friday night, as sources said the Bulls reached agreement with restricted free agent J.J. Redick on a front loaded offer sheet of $20 million over three years.

   The Orlando Magic has seven days to match the offer.

   If the Magic do not match the offer, Redick goes to the Bulls.If the Magic match, Redick stays with Orlando and can be traded, but not to the Bulls.

   Although Redick had a disappointing start to his career, he still is a 39.2 percent career three point shooter. The presumption is the 6-4 Redick from Duke and the 6-7 Korver from Creighton would be a good sharpshooting pair on the perimeter to play off Derrick Rose’s penetration and Carlos Boozer’s post play.

   Redick likely would be the starter, which was appealing to him given Carter is ahead of him in Orlando, and would split time with Korver coming off the bench.

OPINIONS: Well this move certainly solves the 3pt shooting problem.

CHICAGO — My kingdom for a shooter?

   It wasn’t quite that, but sources close to the team said the Bulls reached an agreement on Friday with Utah’s Kyle Korver, one of the top perimeter shooters in the NBA, on a three-year deal valued at about $15 million.

   Korver will join former teammate Carlos Boozer, who agreed to terms with the Bulls earlier this week.

   Korver, 29, is a combo big guard/small forward who is a career 41 percent three-point shooter. He shot over 50 percent last season on threes for the Jazz and led the league.

   He’s not a classic pure shooting guard, but also at 6-7, an ideal wing player to spread the court for Boozer, which he did with the Jazz. It’s also part of the reason the Bulls liked the idea of adding Korver, in that he was famillar playing with and off Boozer.

OPINIONS: They were in dire need of a 2 guard that could shoot the ball, nice move. Expect another offer to a shooter soon.

OAKLAND —  New York Knicks forward David Lee got some good news, once LeBron James announced his intention to join the Miami Heat.

   Lee’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, said that Lee has agreed to a sign-and-trade worth $80 million over six years with the Golden State Warriors.

   “There was a lot of different ways this could have gone and I needed [the Knicks] to help,” Bartelstein said. “They were great about it.”

   The deal will send Lee to the Warriors for Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf and Kelenna Azubuike among others.

   Knicks GM Donnie Walsh has coveted Randolph for years and feels he’d give the team another long, athletic forward to pair with Amare Stoudemire and Danilo Gallinari in the frontcourt.

   A number of other teams including the Raptors, Suns, Timberwolves and Nets had made pitches to Lee in the past several days.

   “David loved his time in New York,” Bartelstein said. “They gave David an incredible opportunity the last few years.”

OPINIONS: Solid move on both sides. Gives GS a solid post threat while giving the Knicks some depth.

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his “decision” unlike anything ever “witnessed” in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE”

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our “motivation” to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that’s simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown “chosen one” sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And “who” we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called “curse” on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former “King” will be taking the “curse” with him down south. And until he does “right” by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day….

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue….

Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers

MIAMI — LeBron James will join the Miami Heat and complete Team Trinity.

  He announced in Connecticut that he was joining the team, and sent Cavs fans into disarray. They burned LeBron’s number 23 jersey and threw rocks at the mural that showed LeBron and said “We Are All Witnesses”

   Majority owner Dan Gilbert wasn’t afraid to show his disgust with James’ decision saying he “quit” during their playoff run this past season and that “Cavs fans don’t deserve this kind of betrayal”

   The contract is unknown.

OPINIONS: Great move, but it kills the Cavaliers. Heat are now large contenders.

NEW JERSEY — Forward Travis Outlaw has agreed to a five-year, $35 million deal with the Nets, his agent, Bill Duffy, told ESPN The Magazine’s Ric Bucher.

   The 25-year-old Outlaw averaged 8.7 points and 3.6 rebounds in 23 games for the Los Angeles Clippers after being acquired as part of a trade that sent Marcus Camby to the Portland Trail Blazers. In 11 games for Portland last season, Outlaw averaged 9.9 points and 3.5 rebounds.

   Asked what he thought about the signing, Ty Davis, a source within the Outlaw camp, said: “Love it man. He worked his butt off last summer hoping for a big contract, and now he got it. He’s a great player and [an] even better person, and he definitely deserves this!”

    “I think Outlaw deserves the contract. Maybe the money is a little high but it’s better than giving Rudy Gay $80 million,” Zach Harper of ESPN’s Truehoop said, “Outlaw can do a little bit of everything, isn’t afraid to take fourth quarter shots and makes them and is a good guy.”

   Drafted in the first round by Portland in 2003, Outlaw has averaged 9.5 points and 3.4 rebounds in seven NBA seasons.

OPINIONS: Great signing. Very good playmaker.

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics’ new Big Three will stay together to try for a second NBA title.

   Ray Allen confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday night that he has agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract to return to Boston. With Kevin Garnett under contract, Paul Pierce on the verge of a new four-year deal and coach Doc Rivers also agreeing to return, the Celtics can keep together the core of the 2008 NBA champions for at least two more years.

   Allen’s agent, Lon Babby, told the AP that the second year is a player option. NBA teams are not allowed to sign free agents until Thursday.

   The deal was first reported by ESPN.com’s Marc Stein.

   Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that Chicago, Cleveland, Miami and New York are among the teams that expressed strong interest in Allen, but the recent returns of Pierce and Rivers — after Boston’s unexpected run to the Finals and a narrow seven-game defeat to the Lakers — only increased Allen’s desire to return.

   Allen, who turns 35 this month, averaged 16.3 points last season as the Celtics reached the NBA finals for the second time in three years. After Boston lost to the Lakers, Allen said, “It’s obvious I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

   Allen joined the Celtics in the summer of 2007, joining with Pierce to lure Garnett to Boston to form a new Big Three that won an NBA title in its first season together. The next year, with Garnett injured, the Celtics lost in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

   With the team struggling at the All-Star break this year, general manager Danny Ainge considered trading Allen and trying to make the team younger by rebuilding around point guard Rajon Rondo. Instead, Ainge kept the core together and it rewarded him by returning to the Finals.

   Allen was inconsistent against the Lakers, hitting an NBA finals-record eight 3-pointers in Game 2, then going 0 for 16 from 3-point range over the next three games. But Rivers never wavered in his support, praising Allen’s defense and also the way he forces opponents to cover him wherever he is on the floor, opening up space for his teammates.

   The Celtics said he was their top priority in the offseason.

   But shortly after the finals ended, Pierce opted out of the final year of his contract, and Rivers discussed taking a sabbatical so he could spend more time with his family. When they both decided to return — Pierce agreed last week to a four-year deal worth a reported $61 million — all that was left was for Allen to re-sign.

   In a 14-year career for Milwaukee, Seattle and Boston, Allen is second all-time in 3-pointers and fifth among active players with 20,965 points.

OPINIONS: Good deal……good thing it’s only a 2 year deal, Allen is 34.

CHICAGO — A league source confirms that Utah Jazz free agent forward Carlos Boozer has agreed to a five-year, $80 million deal with the Chicago Bulls, giving the team some solace on the day that both Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade spurned its offers to come to the Windy City, and a 28-year-old power forward to team with point guard Derrick Rose and center Joakim Noah.

   The deal, which was first reported by ESPN, does not include any options for either side in the deal, the source said, meaning Boozer will be signed through the 2014-15 season once he officially signs the deal. Players can begin signing verbally agreed to contracts on Thursday.

   When the free agent negotiating period began last week Chicago looked in a strong position to acquire both Bosh and LeBron James, or Bosh and Wade, the Chicago native. But once Bosh decided Tuesday that he would not go to Chicago, and Wade opted to stay in Miami to play with him, the Bulls knew it would be next to impossible to woo James without having someone else already in tow, so they turned their attention to Boozer, the next-best power forward on the board. The source said Wednesday that the Bulls have no idea how the signing of Boozer will impact the decision of James, who is scheduled to announce where he is going Thursday night.

   The Bulls, like Miami, had tried mightily to get Boozer from Utah last summer in a trade, igniting weeks of speculation before Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor made it clear he would not give the veteran forward away and hoped to keep him. Utah turned down all offers for Boozer and kept him, and he responded with a great season, averaging 20.5 points and 11.2 rebounds, shooting a career-best 56.2 percent from the floor and finishing third in the league in defensive boards. The Jazz made the playoffs, but once again, Utah came up short against the Lakers, losing in four straight in the second round.

   If Utah does not eventually do a sign and trade deal with the Bulls for some combination of draft picks, cash and a trade exception, the Jazz will have nothing to show for its strong stance, which is likely to further irritate All-Star point guard Deron Williams. Williams was angry when the Jazz sent Ronnie Brewer to Memphis at the trade deadline for a protected first-round pick in 2011, despite his team’s management’s claim that the Jazz had a lot of players at the guard position and that the move could open up playing time for players like rookie guard Wes Matthews.

   On the court, Utah will plug Paul Millsap into Boozer’s position.

   Chicago had to come up with something after going all in to try and get two max-level free agents. The Bulls traded guard John Salmons to division rival Milwaukee at the trade deadline to get Salmons’s contract off their books, then made a Draft-day deal with Washington that will officially be announced tomorrow, with guard Kirk Hinrich and first-round pick Kevin Seraphin going to the Wizards for, essentially, nothing. Those moves cleared more than $32 million in cap room for Chicago, second only to New York leaguewide. Chicago still would have enough room after signing Boozer to target another high-profile free agent, almost certainly a shooting guard or wing player.

OPINIONS: Just in time. Great player, and puts them back in contention for LeBron.

MIAMI — Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will join the Miami Heat.

   ESPN’s Chris Broussard reported the pending move through independent sources.

   Whether LeBron James, the kingpin of this summer’s celebrated free agent class, will join them remains to be seen. James will announce his decision Thursday night at 9 ET during a one-hour special on ESPN.

   Wade and Bosh are expected to announce their decision on Wednesday, according to the source, and continue to lobby James, along with Heat president Pat Riley, to join them in Miami, despite the financial complexities involved for the Heat to make room for all three.

   Both players are expected to get the maximum amount allowable under the league’s collective bargaining agreement, though the addition of James could change the players’ salaries. Contracts cannot be officially signed until July 8.

   It was not immediately clear whether Bosh will sign with Miami outright or join the Heat through a sign-and-trade deal. Bosh could earn $125 million over six years via sign-and-trade, but only $96 million over five without it.

   “Either way, he’s definitely going to Miami,” the source said.

OPINIONS: Obviously a great move. Heat are almost contenders again.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Forward Kevin Durant is back for 5 years.

   The 6’9 forward from Texas has 4 years of experience with the Thunder, the oly team he’s ever known.

   “Exstension for 5 more years wit the thunder….God Is Great, me and my family came a long way…I love yall man forreal, this a blessing!” Durant said on Twitter.

    The extensions worth is $86 million.

   Durant and the Thunder have been in talks about the extension for weeks.  The NBA scoring leader last season, Durant is obviously excited to return to this up and coming Thunder squad.

   Agent Goodwin on Durant’s extension: “It’s a good opportunity for Kevin and his family. Its what his family wanted from Day One.”

ORLANDO — Free agent point guard Chris Duhon agreed to a four year, $15 million dollar contract with the Orlando Magic, his agent, Kevin Bradbury, told us.

   The 27-year-old Duhon was the starting point guard for the New York Knicks the last two seasons. He averaged 7.4 ppg and 5.6 apg last season for the Knicks.

   The Magic currently only had one point guard, Jameer Nelson, on the roster.

OPINIONS: Great signing. Adds good depth to the Magic. Duhon is a solid PG.

NEW YORK — The New York Knicks reached an agreement in principle Monday with free agent Amare Stoudemire after receiving assurances it would not be an impediment to their pursuit of LeBron James.

   The All-Star forward will receive a five-year, $99.7 million contract that will reunite him with coach Mike D’Antoni.

   Stoudamire is very excited to join the Knicks and will be good bait (along with his talent of course) to lure in max free agents.

   Amare continues to try to woo Carmelo Anthony to New York. Melo becomes a free agent next year.

OPINIONS: Great signing. Price a little high, but good first step.

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Hawks have inked a deal with free agent Joe Johnson to bring him back for 6 years.

   The contract is a max worth $119 million. Johnson was also muling over possibilities of playing in New York and Chicago.

   One big reason that Joe Johnson accepted was that Atlanta could offer $27 million more than any other team.

   Free agent center Shaquille O’Neal is also muling over a 2 year offer to join Atlanta.

OPINIONS: Overpaid for him. But they just wanted to resign him to keep their core intact.