Yardbarker: Earl Boykins

Rumors and Free Agent Updates - Looking For Centers Edition

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:43:58 -0500

After weeks of trying to make up their mind on whether to sign Petteri Koponen, the decision has been made. Koponen signed a four-year-contract with Italian team Virtus Bologna. This means that Koponen will not play with the Blazers next summer. He has played on their summer league team for the last two summers and they were considering signing him for this upcoming season, but as with so many others, Koponen will be going to Europe. His contract does have a good buyout clause so that if he wants to go to the NBA, it won't be prohibitive. In Bologna, Koponen will fight for playing time with former NBA point guard Earl Boykins. The Milwaukee Bucks can breathe again. In Australia's game against the US, Bogut heard a pop in his ankle and after the game, some Australian team officials were quite concerned about the injury. The Australian coach had said that the injury didn't look good. But Bogut underwent an MRI in China yesterday and the results showed that the injury was only minor. I am sure visions of Pau Gasol's broken foot were gong through the minds of the Bucks' powers that be. Glad to hear that he is ok. It took some red tape from the US government, but Iranian center Hamed Ehadadi has been cleared to sign with NBA teams. The NBA sent out an email on Wednesday to all 30 teams that they were free to enter into negotiations with the 7-foot-2 Iranian Olympian, as well as one of his teammates on Iran's national team: guard Mohammadsamad Nik Khahbahrami. Signing Khadadi would be ok for the Celtics, but they better stay away from the guard if they don't want to give Tommy a heart attack trying to pronounce it. Even with the clearance, the NBA ordered its teams Wednesday to contact the league office before signing either player to a contract. Rumor is that the Grizzlies are the most likely to sign Khadadi. Former Maverick and Clipper power forward, Nick Fazekas, is working out for the Spurs and has several teams interested in him. The Clippers originally gave him a qualifying offer, but later renounced his rights, making him an unrestricted free agent. If he doesn't get any offers from the NBA, he would consider playing in Europe next season. It seems as though someone would take a chance on a young 6'11" power forward who averaged 4.1 points (on 57.1 shooting) and 3.9 rebounds in 12 minutes per game last season. The Bulls recently re-signed Demetris Nichols,a 6'8" SG who played 11 games for the team last season, to a one-year, partially-guaranteed contract. Nichols was the team's second-leading scorer at the Orlando summer league, averaging 13.6 points. The Nichols signing brings the Bulls to 12 players under contract for next season. Ben Gordon's status with the team is still in question. He said last week that he felt he had played his last game as a Bull. But, there is nothing out there in the rumor mill to suggest that there are any sign and trade deals imminent or that he has any intent to go to Europe. The most likely scenario is still that he will take the Bulls' qualifying offer and try again next year. Free agent center Jamaal Magloire visited the Heat on Thursday and Center D.J. Mbenga has a workout scheduled for Monday. Mbenga averaged 1.4 points and 1.3 rebounds in 26 games with the Lakers last season and has said that he will likely choose between the Lakers and the Heat for this season. With Mark Blount as their main option at center, the Heat need all the help they can get. In discussing the opportunity in Miami, Mbenga's agents said that he is the perfect fit in size and the opposite style of Mark Blount. I guess that means he can hold onto the ball and actually tries to rebound. Veteran center Lorenzen Wright met with the Heat earlier this week and so they will choose between Wright, Mbenga and Magloire for their back up center spot. With the signing of Dorrell Wright, the Heat have 13 players under contract. They are planning to sign one of the centers they are working out and that will put them at 14. Chris Quinn has a qualifying offer that he can sign at any time and that makes 15. Alonzo Mourning is working out and plans to resign with the team and return by December. That puts them at 16. They also have a qualifying offer out to Kasib Powell and that will give them 17 players with guaranteed contracts. They will have to make some cuts or find a 3 for 1 trade somewhere. They may opt not to re-sign Mourning as well. He would make a nice late season pick up for the Celtics just as PJ Brown was last season, assuming he comes back healthy. As I write this, Spain and Lithuania are playing for a chance to advance to the gold medal game. When this game is over, the USA will face Argentina to try to exact a measure of revenge and face either Spain or Lithuania for gold. With the scare that the Bucks got from the injury to Bogut and memories of Gasol's broken foot a couple of years ago, teams are anxiously watching their players as they compete in the Olympics. Many players were discouraged by their teams from participating in the Olympics because even without an injury playing for much of the summer has to take a lot out of a player for the following season. Dwyane Wade has said that the grueling training schedule, exhibition tour and every-other-day schedule of games in Beijing has been energizing and that it won't affect his energy in the regular NBA season, even though it will be just over a month from the time the Olympics end until he has to report to training camp. I can't help but feel that he may feel differently about 70 games into the season. The Review Journal reports: Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce, hiding behind sunglasses and a big hat while playing blackjack at $500 a hand in the high roller salon at Wynn Las Vegas on Tuesday and Wednesday.Also in the house: Antoine Walker of the Memphis Grizzlies, with friends. So, Pierce is still out and about celebrating. Last year at this time he was in Boston with KG and Ray Allen along with most of the young players working on their games with a common goal of winning a championship. There have been reports of the Timberwolves and Nets all working out together to get a jump on the season. Yes, the Celtics won a championship, but they can't rest on their laurels if they expect to win again. Too many teams have improved considerably and they will all be aiming for the Celtics. They have only 2 months till the season starts and it is about time they get back to work and start thinking about next season instead of celebrating last season. I will be very surprised if the Celtics are as dominant this season because they don't have the hunger they had last season and it seems that the other teams they will face are the hungry ones. I wonder if Antoine is celebrating his trade to the Grizzlies?

Usain Bolts To Second Gold While NBA Legends Gather for Charity and Current NBA Players Lured to Europe

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:41:09 -0500

USAIN BOLTS THROUGH MY HEART "We have the best coffee on the planet. We have Bob Marley. And now we have Usain Bolt. We are overjoyed and overwhelmed" – Jamaican Minister of Information, Culture, Youth & Sports Olivia Grange. Usain Bolt broke former U.S. sprinter Michael Johnson's 12-year-old world

Shawn Kemp to Italy

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 17:20:33 -0500

Former Sonic Shawn Kemp, 40, has decided to come out of retirement and is the latest NBA player to sign with a European team. American players have started a trend this summer of signing with teams across the Atlantic. The money in Europe is plentiful for average NBA players. Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Childress left his NBA squad in July for a Greek team that will give him $20 million dollars in 3 years.

Some other NBA players that have signed with European teams include Earl Boykins, Carlos Arroyo, and former Gonzaga standout Dan Dickau. High school All-American Brandon Jennings will play in Europe this year to prepare for the NBA after failing to score high enough on his college exams to play for Arizona. Kobe Bryant has even joked to the press about playing overseas for $40 million a year.

Depleted

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:12:25 -0500

Josh Childress. Carlos Delfino. Bostjan Nachbar. Jorge Garbajosa. Flip Murray. Earl Boykins. Loren Woods. and now Dan Dickau. My only concern with all these defections is, who exactly is going to be available on my NBA fantasy league's waiver wire next season? By my last count, there are only like six or seven active Barrys [...]

Rumors and Free Agent Updates - Kobe is a Jerk Edition

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 09:07:02 -0500

With the ACL injury to Jason Smith, the Sixers will be looking for someone to fill in as a back up center and power forward since his season is pretty much over before it starts. The Sixers can offer just a minimum contract and word is that former Sixer (and Celtic) Theo Ratliff is high on their list to contact. Ratliff played in only 2 games in his year with the Celtics and he and his expiring contract were sent to Minnesota in the deal that brought KG to the Celtics. The Wolves cut him and he finished the season with Detroit. The Sixers were also interested in Francisco Elson but apparently he is heading for Milwaukee. A day after telling the Boston Globe he would consider a $50 million contract in Italy, Kobe told Yahoo Sports that he will not sign a contract extension with the Lakers before testing international waters. Bryant is signed through 2011 but can opt after next season. I really don't like Kobe Bryant and every season he gives me more not to like. First there was the rape charge. Then, last season there was the circus of him demanding out of LA. Now, he is going to try to hold them hostage again with a threat to play in Italy. All season he was talking about how his teammates were like brothers after he threw them all under the bus in the off season. Now, he is willing to leave them hanging if he gets enough money in Europe. Kobe has always been greedy. When the NBA voted to add the individual player maximums that came in with the 1999 collective bargaining agreement, Kobe was the only player who voted against it. Before then, teams could re-sign their own free agents to any amount under the "Larry Bird" exception. Afterward they were limited to a percentage of the salary cap. Many of the league's stars think about their teams and helping them to build a championship team. Look at Arenas. As much as I don't like him, he took less to help his team and you have to give it to him for that. Shaq did the same. Pierce stuck with a team that looked like it was going nowhere out of loyalty. Kobe has been all too willing to trash anyone in his way to accomplish his own agenda. Honestly, I hope he does go and then we won't have to see all those sappy bits trying to portray him as the perfect family man during every game. Even Laker fans should agree that his willingness to follow the money to Italy makes him a jerk. He is throwing the fans under the bus with this one as well. Manu Ginobili and Argentina lost their opener in Olympic play 79-75 to Linas Kleiza and Lithuania. Spain with Pau and Marc Gasol and Rudy Fernandez beat Greece 81-66 in opening play. Dirk Nowitski had 23 points and Chris Kaman had 24 as they led Germany to a 95-66 victory over Angola. I don't understand Kaman playing for Germany. He is a US citizen but because Dirk was able to get him a German passport, he is playing for Germany. I always thought you had to have more ties to a country than a passport to play for them in the Olympics. He had never been to Germany before agreeing to play for their Olympic team. Talk about bringing in a ringer. The USA women's team opened Olympic play with a 97-57 win over the Czech Republic. When I watched a part of the game, it looked like a layup drill for team USA. They also played pressure defense that would make Tom Thibodeau proud. President Bush was on hand to watch the US team win. Men tip off vs host team China at approximately 10:15 eastern time Sunday. The New Orleans Hornets have reportedly reached an agreement with reserve forward Ryan Bowen for a one year contract to bring him back for the 2008-09 season. Bowen will back up David West at the power forward spot. The Hornets have made it clear that they aren't interested in bringing back Jannero Pargo for what he is currently asking, but they are still considering making an offer to Bonzi Wells, although they haven't yet made him an offer. After making an offer to Josh Smith and losing out on him, the Grizzlies now have renounced their rights to free agents Casey Jacobsen and Andre Brown. Jacobsen is a 6-6 guard who has averaged 5.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in his career playing with Phoenix, New Orleans and Memphis. Brown is a 6-9 forward who averaged 2.7 points and 2.3 rebounds over 2 seasons with the Grizzlies. A renounced player no longer counts toward team salary, so teams use renouncement to gain cap room. After renouncing a player, the team is still permitted to re-sign them, but the team must either have enough salary cap room to fit the salary or sign them to a minimum salary. A team can still trade a renounced player in a sign-and-trade agreement. I wonder if they are fixing to make an offer to either Ben Gordon or Andre Iguodala. There is speculation that they might look to take Zach Randolph off the Knicks' hands. Memphis has Marc Gasol and Darko, but neither are legit low-post scorers like Randolph can be when he is motivated. Keep an eye on Memphis because they are the only team with significant cap space and it appears they are preparing for a big move. With European teams making advances toward the NBA's stars and offering obscene salaries that no NBA can match because they are hampered by a salary cap that European teams don't have to abide by, there have been questions whether the NBA will do away with the salary cap to allow teams to match these offers for their stars. David Stern says there is no way they will do away with the cap. So what about eliminating the cap? The source said there was "no chance." "We're paying out 57 percent of gross revenue right now, over $2 billion [per] year in salaries and a majority of our teams are losing money," the source said. "There will always be a star player or two who can get picked off, but no other league in the world can even pay a fraction of the amount in total salaries." There have also been rumblings about the NBA expanding to Europe and sources say that the possibility of the NBA in Europe is becoming increasingly realistic. Count me as skeptical. Travel would be a nightmare. NBA players are exhausted after an 82 game schedule now, imagine how they will feel if they have to add a few transatlantic flights to their schedule. I don't see it. Now that the Hawks have the Josh Smith contract saga completed with some help from the Grizzlies, they are looking to complete their roster. Two possibilities that have been mentioned are Jannero Pargo and Shaun Livingston. Livingston is a very intriguing player. He is still rehabbing from his knee injury and hasn't been cleared for any real basketball activities, but if he can play, he has the potential to be something special. One player they aren't interested in bringing back is Salim Stoudamire, who is considering options elsewhere. The Hawks were also interested in Francisco Elson, but as stated above, he is apparently headed for the Bucks. Earl Boykins, the league's shortest player at 5'5" has signed a $3.5 million contract with Virtus Bologna of the Italian League. He will the highest-paid player in Italy next season. He is the highest player in Italy, that is, until Kobe gets there. It is reported that he also will participate in the sponsorship and marketing income of the team, options forbidden in the NBA by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. This is the option that may get the attention of the big stars like Kobe and LeBron who are considering the leap to Europe for the big bucks. Ending on an upbeat Celtics' note. Celtics new center Patrick O'Bryant who was drafted ninth overall two years ago but has fallen well shy of expectations, has been spending a lot of time working out with assistant coach Clifford Ray at the team's Waltham practice facility. Dwight Howard gives credit to Ray for his game as did Celtics legend Robert Parish. If anyone can bring out this kid's potential, it is Clifford Ray.

THE AFTER PARTY

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:02:59 -0500

NBA players and the Pineapple Express
Ten Reasons LeBron James Should Go To Greece
LeBron considers Europe an option?
Team USA commercial by Nike

Earl Boykins inspires like these other short guys
K-Rod Should Win the MVP
The 10 Hottest Movie & TV Cheerleaders Of All Time
Part 3 of 8: NFC North Postcards

Possible Upsets For Top 10 College Football Teams
After the two-QB arrest week, Kentucky cuts one of them
Commissioner Gary Bettman and his 231 portraits in heroism
The 2008 Fantasy Female Draft

Create The Caption #259

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:03:16 -0500

(Usually) Everyday I'll throw out a photo from the AP or one of the bigger sites and you provide the caption. Hilarity ensues. I'm also adding a handful of links at the bottom of the page that you should check out each day.

Yesterday's Winners....

"I really don't know how many more of these we needed to have held to be named Titletown Of Press Conferences."- Anon

"I can't believe I'm missing Chmura's slumber party for this shit..."- mediocre (So wrong.)

"Lets face it, I could read the phone book right now, and you'd all carry it live waiting for me the get to the F section."- Anon

"The Packers offered me $200 to come out here and cancel this press conference. Had I known they were willing to go up to $20 million, I might have held out a little longer."- Dan

"Coors Light has run out of stock footage to cut up so..um yeah.. I guess I'm the guy now."- Anon

"It's a bowl cut. We are saving money to pay Brett the 20 mil."- The German Pope

"No, I don't know where Ari Fleischer is or when he will be here. All I know is that management has told me that I will be the starting spokesman for the Green Bay Packers. Until that changes, that is going to be my focus."- Anon

"Well, if it looks like I'm walking funny it's because I got a dozen reporters up my ass."- Ross

(Too many good ones to list. Bravo people.)
_______________________________________

Are you funny enough to create a caption for this photo of Rich Rod working out his Wolverins? (Let me have it.)

Daily Links:
A Look Into The NBA's 50-Win Standard (Hardwood Paroxysm)
The Sox Are One Click From An All-White Team (Wicked Good Sports)
No Way Lebron Goes To Europe (Waiting For Next Year)
Is Mort Cursing In This Clip? (Runway Ramblings)
Gatorade Is Helping Tiger's Knee Heal Faster? Really? (Sports by Brooks)
Earl Boykins Is The Latest NBAer To Head Overseas (Rumors and Rants)
A Rough Night For Relievers (Baseball Musings)
A Song For The GA Football Program (Ryan Parker Songs)
Amanda Beard Is Nekkid Again (Epic Carnival)
NFC North Training Camp Postcards (HHR)

Earl Boykins worth $3.5 million? An Italian team thinks so...

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:46:35 -0500

Earl Boykins has decided he's had enough of the National Basketball Association. Boykins has signed a one-year deal with the Italian club Vitus Bologna, worth $3.5 million.

Europe nabs Earl Boykins from NBA

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:28:00 -0500

It's official one more NBA player has obtained a job across the pond. Likeable, little man Earl Boykins signed a $3.5 million contract to play in Italy with Vitus Bologna. Boykins traveled the NBA trying to find a team that wouldn't hold him out of team practices after team security ...

Europe nabs Earl Boykins from NBA

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:28:00 -0500

Europe nabs Boykins from NBA

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:49:57 -0500

A trend is developing that has to be disturbing the long-running oligopoly of the NBA. Players are starting to flock to the Euro strengthened European leagues forgoing previously more lucritive contracts in the US. The latest is the little journeyman Earl Boykins. But with Earl, there is a more pressing question - Is he taller than the stack of money he is receiving?

Boykins to Italy, Arroyo to Israel...Does Anyone Like America?

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:50:47 -0500

More NBA players peacing out America and going abroad, Israel and Italy to be exact. Like honestly whats wrong with America come on, high gas prices, economic recession, the Giants won the Super Bowl and lets not forget Batman, he's doing his best to protect America from goons like Bush and Bin Lotto...Maybe Madonna told Arroyo about the Kaballah, Idk, but whatever Arroyo is doing its best for him....as for Boykins dudes getting money and probably jealous of Nate Robinson... Check out the articles....For more info...I didnt know Garbajaso left (Russia)...all around player he was Heres the Boykins article--> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3520898 But I'm wondering who really pays Arroyo, the Israeli team or the ridicoulous aid America gives to Israel...Politics aside, Arroyo was a pretty cool player to watch, reminded me of Chris Childss at best. Have fun in Israel and make a wish at the Wailing Wall that you never left America and if you have a chance ask Ehud Olmert if he can pass me some dough...As well Jewish Girls are pretty nice people and hot if you ask me...but then again too self centered....Boykins was so fun to watch, just wasnt given that many oppurtunities.... (Olmert if your politicaly ignorant is resigining from office after getting money/gifts from "people" in New York))..... First Video-->Arroyo Crossing Amare Second Video-->Boykins Doing HIm (Nas-I Know I can)

Has the NBA Emerged Atop the Officiating Scandal?

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:05:25 -0500

A Daily Babble Production That's the question that coursed its way through my ever-thick head on Sunday morning when, while perusing HoopsHype (http://hoopshype.com), I came across some news story about a former FBI agent believing Tim Donaghy told the truth - and realized I didn't care. It's not that I didn't care for specifically for the agent's opinion. It's that the whole of the Dongahy saga just doesn't seem to compel me anymore at this point. And I'm not sure I'm alone in that persuasion. A summer ago, it seemed like I was writing about this guy every other day. In fact, there was even a piece devoted to how there wasn't much the NBA could do about the situation except to try its best to ride it out. By and large, that's exactly what David Stern and his crew have been doing for the last year and change. Now, a year later, in the doggiest of the dog day periods of the NBA off-season (August: where Earl Boykins possibly going to Israel is news happens), despite the issues of Donaghy's sentencing and the revelations about Scott Foster coming out this off-season, the attention and reverence being paid the Donaghy...

Sunday Morning NBA Headlines

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:22:24 -0500

Earl Boykins may be the next NBA player to jump to Europe. Montegranaro is looking at bringing over the Mavs' Gerald Green. The Orlando Magic have re-signed C Adonal Foyle. Detroit re-signed backup SF Walter Herrmann. For specific links, check out the NBA DraftNation page.

Better NBA Ballers: Illinois vs. Ohio + Indiana

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:20:53 -0500

Illinois has KG, D. Wade, Iguodala, and Maggette. Ohio + Indiana has LeBron, Redd, Kev-Mart, and Conley. LeBron + 2 excellent shooters is a nice recipe, but if anyone can take them out, it's KG, Wade, and Iggy. Who will win? These 2 teams are facing off in my NBA State Tournament to see who represents the Midwest Region in the Final 4. Click to view the matchups and vote for which team you think would win. Voting ends on March 31st!