In the middle of the day today, Rampage Jackson apparently hit 2 cars and sped off in Newport Beach while driving his F-350 truck and talking on his cell phone without a hands-free device. While talking on your cell phone just became a ticketed offense in California, I'm pretty sure hit-and-run has been an ARRESTABLE ONE for quite some time. LOL

After hitting the 2 cars, the police received a call about a possible hit and run, spotted the vehicle and tried to pull him over (talking on his cell phone while driving with, now, a FLAT TIRE). He then led them on a high-speed pursuit even driving on the wrong side of the road, at one point.

The funniest part about this whole thing isn't even the fact hands-free thing… the truck, has a GIANT DECAL of him on the side of the car. (See below) *Thx to TMZ for the picture. Sad day for Rampage. Not only did he get his ass beat by a white boy last week and lose his belt, now it looks like "The Man" may take his freedom too.

I guess we should all be thankful that this didn't end in someone getting mowed over and/or costing money to shut the roads down to catch his silly ass.

My only question is: Why the hell didn't he just pull over? Especially since it's not exactly difficult at that point to track down the TRUCK if he WERE to get away? LOL. I'm hearing that there might be additional charges pending. Could one of those be DUI?

Dana White was said to be flying to John Wayne Airport in the OC and heading to the jail to post his bail.

Depending on whether you're on Team Ted Thompson or Team Brett Favre (which sounds like a good chant, wouldn't you agree?), everyone should watch and dissect this interview.

Brett states that in early conversations (regularly, every 2 wks after the season ended) McCarthy basically hounded him for an answer so they could figure out what direction they needed to go in for this coming season. Brett responded with "Boy Mikey, I'm kinda burned out right now. I just need some time…. Boy, it'd be nice if I could wait til training camp." McCarthy's response: "Well, we have a different direction we have to go in if you're not gonna be here." Brett admits to not being 100% committed at that point and all but owns his wishy-washy behavior in the matter since he clearly was still torn. He says that on March 3rd when he announced his retirement he DID still want to play but just wasn't 100% into it at that time. What that really breaks down to is anyone's guess. LOL He feels like he was forced to make the decision he made because he wasn't 100% committed to the idea of playing just yet and that they needed an answer right then and there and he didn't want to let the team down by holding them hostage over his decision.

Synopsis of June 20th phone call appears to be:

Brett talks to McCarthy and says "I'm thinking about coming back, what's your take on it?" amid the small talk. McCarthy's response: "WE'VE MOVED ON. I had to tell the team SOMETHIN'!" Brett responds with "You needed an answer in March and at that time, and a few weeks after, I DID say that I wasn't 100% committed but had I been able to wait until training camp, things would have been different." ……. To which McCarthy gives the C.Y.A response of "Why didn't you tell us that? We would have let you do it." (**I don't know about you but that answer smells worse than a baby elephant's diaper to me. See the paragraph above in which Brett already TOLD HIM months prior that he would "sure like to have til training camp" and was met with the "Well, we have a different direction we have to go in if you're not gonna be here" speech. Really Mike, you're gonna tell him"Oh sure we'd have let ya!"? Seriously?)

Favre goes on to state that he started to get the indication that his services were no longer needed when they started looking for QB's in free agency as well as when they picked up 2 QB's in the DRAFT. So Brett says "Where does that leave me, at this point?" … since he knows his only options were 1) trade him, 2) give him his helmet and say "Welcome Back, Brett!", or 3) Release him and let him go where he wants.

McCarthy response: "Well, playing HERE is not an option… but we can't envision you playing with another team." (**Wow… hmmmm … ok then …). He goes on to state to Brett that, by the Packers not trading him or releasing him, they're "protecting the legacy" that he's created in GB.

Favre admits that he is guilty of "retiring early" and for what it's worth, I can appreciate his candor in accepting the responsibility for the pickle he has put himself in as a result of his premature and hasty decision …. HOWEVER, McCarthy trying to say that they're not going to trade him or release him because they're trying to "protect his legacy" is complete bullsh*t. It's not his life nor his team and not his decision about what Brett's legacy should and will be.

I liken it to a parent never letting their child experience the world and completely sheltering them from the normal life that children live and the injuries they get and inflict upon one another because they are trying to "protect them from harm and the world's harshness." Sooner or later, they need to realize that it isn't THEIR life to run and the apron strings need to get cut for the good of EVERYONE INVOLVED. Children should spread their wings and go their own way much the way Brett Favre should be allowed to go wherever he wants if he's not wanted in Green Bay. He's earned it.

McCarthy tries to relay to Brett his experience of trading for Joe Montana during his stint at the KC Chiefs saying "he just wasn't the same after that". My reply to that is: Really, Mike? He wasn't the same? Granted, that 1st year he got injured but he DID take you to the Playoffs BOTH SEASONS.

While there are two sides to every story, I'm inclined to believe Brett's version that Team Ted Thompson & Co are withholding conversations and words that have been exchanged and only telling half the story to the public. Whether it is to save face or because they just don't believe it is anyone's business is anyone's guess.

Just when you thought Big Puma/Fat Elvis Lance Berkman had it goin on with his (now seemingly piddly) 8 launches beyond the fence, Feel Good Story Of The Season, Josh Hamilton (who I will now officially begin referring to as "Bam Bam Ham") spent a ridiculous half hour (roughly) pounding out pitches from Clay Council one by one into the outfield crowd.

In between pitches, toweling off the sweat and rehydration, Bam Bam decided to mingle with the munchkins around the baseline signing balls, bats, hats, etc and generally showing why he is now the new sweetheart of the MLB.

Bam Bam's newly set record now relegates Bobby Abreu's record of 24 in the first round of the derby to second place. Sadly Abreu is batting .274 with 10 home runs this season and I'm not sure he's hit 24 in a SEASON since that record was actually set. LOL

A-Rod opted out of taking part in the Home Run Derby and it's probably a good thing because I think he would have just embarassed himself (and I'm a Yankees fan, people!).

Yes, it exists ... and 2 die-hard cheesehead brothers (Adam and Erick Rolfson) have started the BringBrettFavreBack.com website/campaign. They will also be holding rallies at Lambeau Field EVERY SUINDAY until their demands are met. As you probably know, the Packers are owned by the City of Green Bay, so along with their rallies and cries of support, the brothers and their followers are also demanding a "Meeting Of The Stockholders" to determine what course of action the "people and the board" would like to take… in other words, the fans may get their way.

I have included the video footage from the rally (very entertaining) at the bottom of this article but in case it does not show up the address is:

http://www.cbs58.com/index.php?aid=3501

While it has been stated by the management and coaching staff that they have no plans to release Brett Favre and WILL keep him on the roster, he will be stuck playing back-up to Aaron Rodgers, should he choose to come back. I ask you, Packer People, is that fair? Is that RIGHT? Can Aaron Rodgers live up to the bar that has been set so high for him?

I personally don't think Aaron Rodgers is ready yet but then again, how can you BE ready until you're thrown into the deep end of the pool, right? Everyone has been comparing this whole thing to the Joe Montana "Come From Retirement" saga back in the early 90's and I have to agree that it is eerily similar... except for the fact that Favre is now going to be playing second fiddle while Montana was traded to the Chiefs and became THEIR go-to go (except when he was hurt). Granted, Brett Favre "wanted to go out on his terms" and he's not nursing some debilitating injury and coming back from said injury but the man has a few good years left in him, so why make him ride the bench when he still can bring the heat?

I think it's spiteful for the Packers to keep him on the roster and not play him as the starter since he has been their star for all but 2 years of his NFL career. ON THE OTHER HAND, I also think it was stupid and selfish for Favre to go out in a hail of tears and chants from the fans of "Hell No, Don't Let Brett Go" when he hastily announced his retirement. It was far too early for him to make that decision and now he regrets it. So will he have to pay the price for the premature decision he made?

It's a slippery slope but let's face it: Nobody is well-served by Brett Favre being a bench warmer. Let's just be real about that. Unfortunately, the Packers are trying to save face by keeping him around because if they let him go elsewhere and he has a killer year (and redeems that god awful interception that I believed would end up BEING his legacy if he DIDN'T return) then McCarthy & Thompson will be BURNED AT THE STAKE in the middle of the parking lot at Lambeau... and you know I'm not kidding. However, if they keep him, and he ends up blowing it again, they can relegate him to the bench and call it a day and be able to give the fans the "I Told You So" speech they've been preparing since the rumors and whispers began.

If you go to the website (BringBackBrettFavre.com) you can buy shirts, bumper stickers, and yard signs as well as cast your vote on what you think Brett should do amongst a host of other selections pertaining to the team and its management.

BE LOUD AND BE PROUD AND BE HEARD CHEESEHEADS!

**A million thanks to my research assistant, Cliff, a Wisconsin native and diehard Cheesehead who tracked down the footage of the rally for me. Thanks Cliffy! You are a stud and my rock!

Every interview I've watched or listened to has Elton Brand stating emphatically "It wasn't about the money." Clearly that is TRUE because he left a lot of money on the table to go to Philly instead of Golden State which was offering him a more financially lucrative deal (about $2M/yr more). So let's talk about that. What could it have been about, if not the money? He says that he felt "disrespected by the Clippers". So HOW did they "disrespect" him, you ask? I'll get to that theory in a minute.

I started the rumor that Brand was demanding 1) Guaranteed/Up-front Money AND/OR 2) A No-Trade Clause in his contract and I stand by it because it makes total sense. Now, anyone who knows about the Clippers knows about Donald Sterling and his renowned unwillingness to let go of two things: MONEY and POWER. Unfortunately, it appears that Elton went for the jugular in asking for BOTH. Was this the demise of the contract negotiations? I don't know. But I DO believe that one of those things was a factor and also was the way he used to buy himself time knowing that he was NEVER EVER going to get those demands out of Scrooge Sterling. First of all, he spent SEVENTY GAMES on the bench last season and hasn't earned that kind of "demand power" due to his diminished capacity and secondly because, let's face it, HE'S NOT KOBE BRYANT.... And the only person in the NBA with a no-trade clause IS KOBE. For Brand to have demanded that as a rider to his contract is not only absurd but INCREDIBLY BALLSY. The fact that Donald Sterling and the Clippers Organization was not going to be agree to those demands was what I believe perceived to be "disrespectful" to his so-called star quality. I'm just going to say this. He hasn't brought the Clippers any Championships and has no right to be demanding things like that when he can't bring it home single-handedly some nights the way people like Kobe, Lebron, or KG do on a REGULAR BASIS. That's all I'm gonna say about dat.

Also, now let's also address the so-called "charity move" Elton made by opting out of his contract so that the Clippers could free up some money to go and "get him some help", most likely in the way of a point guard. IF the rumors that I heard swirling long before he "so graciously" agreed to opt out are TRUE, he ACTUALLY didn't need to opt out AT ALL in the FIRST PLACE. My little birdies tell me that the Clippers had NO INTENTION of signing Shaun Livingston because he was a liability.....So his money was already in the kitty. Also, they were not planning on pursuing Corey Maggette and thus, his money was up for grabs as well. So let's do the math: That leaves roughly $14.2M for next season's payroll (in addition to what they already had opening up). That being said, considering they went out and got Da Boom Dizzle for $13m/yr, JUST LIKE ELTON ASKED, they still had $1.2+ leftover to throw into Elton's kitty. Elton STOOD to make $16,440,000 next yr if he'd had exercised his option and stayed with the Clips. INSTEAD, he chose to go to Philly for $15,959,000/yr (a half million less). CONCEIVABLY, considering the choices the Clippers MADE, they could've afforded to give him the $16.4m his option allowed for AND another $1.2m for a total of about $17.6m. So clearly it's not about the money.

Mike Dunleavy went on the record this morning on ESPN Radio saying that David Falk was trying to strong-arm the Clippers for $120M. Donald Sterling, responded by basically saying "Considering that injury, which could be career-threatening, I'm hesitant to be throwing around that much money. Let him play out the rest of his contract this season and if he proves himself and he's worth it, I have NO PROBLEM GIVING HIM THE MONEY." (I consider that to be a fair deal... you?) .....So Dunleavy relays this to Brand and Falk. THEN, Elton tells Dunleavy on the SIDE "Coach, my intention is to be here. It's always been to be here. If you can get Baron and get me $75m, I'll come back". So he sends that info along to Sterling and BossMan says "Ok, done deal". From that point on, Dunleavy suddenly couldn't get his texts, emails or phone calls returned.

SO WHY DID HE F**K OVER HIS BOY, BARON DAVIS, BY LETTING HIM LEAVE ALOTTTTTTT OF MONEY ON THE TABLE TO COME TO HIS (NOW WORTHLESS) TEAM ..... AND WHY DID HE LIE TO THE CLIPPERS?

Here's my take: He never had any intention of staying with the Clippers and he simply strung them along to buy time to find himself, what he considered to be a "CONTENDER TEAM" that would offer him somewhere in the same ballpark as the money he would get with the LAC but give him the opportunity to get some bling before his career went bust. But why would he burn his buddy and tell him to come to L.A. and "let's make magic" and then bone out at the last minute, burn the team, his friend and his reputation all because he THINKS he's going to have a better situation and a better shot at a title in Philly? One never knows but we DO know that Falk is the PuppetMaster here and everyone knows about the axe he has to grind with the Clippers for passing over Mike Bibby (his client) as the #1 pick "way back when".

I'm going to say this. I think Elton made one of the worst mistakes ever in abandoning Baron Davis, who I believe is one of the best point guards in the LEAGUE let alone the Western Conference. He thinks he's going to be find greener pastures and a shiny ring at the end of that rainbow but I think all he's going to find is a lot of regret and disappointment in his decision. I think he and Baron Davis could have made the team of the future (and definitely would have been a strong contender for the NOTORIOUSLY BRUTAL Western Conference Playoffs) if he had stuck around. I also think that he was very petty in trying to tie in those stupid little demands but like I said, I think it was all smoke and mirrors and even if Sterling HAD agreed to that, he'd STILL have jumped ship. This whole thing is more confusing than trying to understand a Czechoslovakian TRAIN SCHEDULE but I'm definitely on Team Dunleavy with this one.

Now here is where the rubber meets the road and the reason I wrote this in the first place. I don't care about Philly... and I don't care about the Clippers (sorry Johanna). But I DO LIKE BARON DAVIS and am really happy to see him in a better situation than the underappreciated nonsense he was subjected to up north (I know you agree with me Kath & Renee). HOWEVER, now that they have no Elton, no Maggette, a rookie shooting guard and a white boy playing center, the Clippers are kind of back at square one .... UNLESSSSSSS, they do, what I would consider a "Two Can Play At That Game" move by offering Andre Iguodala (who I ALSO think is an under-utilized player) an "offer he can't refuse" and poaching him for the Clippers. Many believe that Iggy was a big part of the reason he decided to go to Philly. Sources have said that Elton Brand believes he is the "missing link" to getting the 76ers over the hump in the Playoffs and putting themselves in contention for "That #1 Spot" in the East vs the Celtics. Somehow I don't see him being that "over the hump" kinda of addition that will make it happen, but that's a story for another time. The Clippers now OFFICIALLY have plenty of money to make it happen (Might I suggest $4.2m/yr?) and it would BURN PHILLY'S HOPES of putting together their version of the Dream Team to take on the Big Bad Boston Three Party.

My last suggestions would be to go grab 7 footer Mikki Moore (since it looks like the Dark Side Duo of him and Artest's days in SAC are numbered) for about $6m (maybe 7?), snag Robert Horry for backup at $4m, then grab Carl Landry from the Rockets for about $3m, move him to SF Then see if you can snag Mo Evans from ORL ... by then you'll be about $20m deep and you SHOULD have a fairly stacked squad in case of death or injury. Everyone loves Baron Davis. He's like Mikey Likes It. With lucrative offers and players that make sense together, there's no telling the kind of dynasty that could be created around B-Dizzle and the Lakers may end up having to share the Staples Center spotlight next season.

Alright... I normally wouldn't do this but because I hate all parties involved, all bets are off. LOL.

Canseco, (in a final "F*ck U A-Rod" attempt to get back at him for hitting on his wife) is going around telling the world that Madonna "BEGGED" him to knock her up and add 1 more Cuban bambino to her brood. She said that since having a child with Carlos Leon (which resulted in daughter Lourdes/Lola) she has wanted another Cuban child so that Lourdes could have a sibling of the same decent. Creepy? YEAH. REALLY CREEPY.

Read the interview. I don't think it holds water, personally. It sounds totally fabricated for his own ego but then again, what isn't with him? LOL

BTW, don't be surprised if Canseco goes and tries to romance his "vulnerable" wife now now that she appears to be fair game. I swear, this battle of egos is better than Don King vs. Donald Trump. ... Or Dana White vs. Mark Cuban. You choose. LOL

I'd just like to preface this by saying that this article is all my OPINION but it is based on FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE of what I have gathered from a situation that I am currently dealing with in regards to my AT&T/Cingular account.

On May 20th, apparently someone went into my account and changed my 2nd phone to not only be a completely different phone than what I had but also changed my features and add-ins that make my Blackberry function like a Blackberry. Now, I can tell you this. I wasn't even HERE on May 20th, I was in New Orleans covering game 7 of the Spurs/Hornets Semis. How that happened is still anyone's guess but you can do the math.

This brings me to the latest problem and what I consider to be the most devastating of all. Every single month, I call on the 24th or 25th of the month to extend my payment date to at or around the 10th of the following month. I repeat: EVERY SINGLE MONTH .... At or around the 10th and it is always a DOUBLE DIGIT DATE. I did so this past month (end of June) and requested for the new payment date (and was granted) to be July 11th (7-11, as it is very easy to remember). On July 8th, this past Tuesday, suddenly both of my phones stopped working. I called into Customer Care and was told "Oh yeah... I see that they physically WROTE OUT that you wanted the 11th and that it wasn't a problem but the person entered it in the drop-down bars as the 8th for some reason". (Keep in mind, that this is the THIRD TIME IN 10 MONTHS that this has happened). The girl apologizes profusely and even says "I'll give you an extra week as a courtesy for the error and I will reverse your fees right now and restore your phones immediately." I think, "GREAT!" , right? NOT

A half hour goes by and only one of my phones is working. I call back and they tell me that "Oh there seems to be a note here that you need to sign off on/agree to your terms and conditions. I guess you never did that back in OCTOBER when you got the phones". I proceed to say "let me get this straight. I've had these phones almost an entire year and I know that I did sign those T & C's and you're saying that even though I have called in EVERY SINGLE MONTH for the past 10 months that this so-called error message/alert for me to sign off on these things is just coming to light NOW?? BULLSHIT".

So they send me to the automated system required to "agree to the terms and conditions" and I'm thinking "Oh great..... this a veiled attempt to get me to sign on for a longer contract ... clearly it's going to look like I just activated this phone today but I'll do it and deal with that later." I get all the way to the part where I'm supposed to agree to the terms and get the "I'm sorry, due to an outstanding balance on your account, we are unable to process your request". Riiiiiiiiiiight. Clearly I'd just settled that issue an hour prior by them fixing what was THEIR SCREW-UP in the payment due date but that irrelevant because I now have to CALL BACK and sit on hold to explain that to the next "Customer Care" lackey I get on the line.

So I wait on hold another 15 minutes and get someone on the phone who tells me "Oh .. well, apparently it's an error message that we can't override so we're going to have to 'open up a case' and get someone to look into this." He also informs me that this "terms and conditions error message" is something that about HALF THEIR SUBSCRIBERS have had to deal with in the last 6 months. Apparently it just keeps "popping up" evne though AT&T already knows that the customers have agreed to the T & C's in the past when they actually ACTIVATED THE PHONES ORIGINALLY. I suggested "What if you just zero'd out my account, activated the phone/overrode the terms and conditions message and then recharged me for the amount so that I can go on with my life?" The guy (Mark) says "That sounds like a good idea, lemme try that." NOPE! Not gonna work. So he informs me that a "case worker" will be working on this and will call me to give me progress reports over the next few days and the issue should be resolved WITHIN THE NEXT 7 DAYS."

Ummm .. noooo ... That's totally unacceptable, I say. ... Since half the NBA has that phone number and now I look like the a**hole who didn't pay her bill and got her phone shut off. Meanwhile, in my backyard, Elton Brand has given a giant F-U to the city of Los Angeles, Donald Sterling chooses not to chase Corey Maggette and the Clippers Nation is all going "What the F!?!?". Apparently there is "nothing he can do" and it's out of his control because it appears to be some sort of "computer error" and possibly something that only the tech support or IT people can fix.

Over the next day I receive multiple phone calls from a woman named "Yolanda" who informs me their doing their best and on the 3rd phone call she leaves me a msg saying "Just dial *862 and agree to the terms and conditions and you should be all set. If that doesn't work, give us a call back and we'll transfer you/it to tech support". REALLY!??? REAAAAALLLY?!!? Cuz I already knew that the terms and conditions couldn't have been AGREED UPON YESTERDAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!". At this point I'm enraged because these peple are clearly just chasing their tails coming up with bogus solutions that have already been tried and noted in the account.

I call back and proceed to get the SAME run around and am told "We have to transfer this to a level BEYOND tech support because it appears to be out of even THEIR hands". GREAAAAAAAT, I say to myself.

The next day, I get a phone call from a very bitchy and hostile woman who seems to think she's got the Golden Solution to fix this whole thing. She says "Until that payment is made, we can't do anything." Oh reaaaaaaaaaaally? No, that's totally unacceptable. In fact, that's complete and total BULLSHIT. First of all, if it was about the payment, I wouldn't have use of EITHER PHONE. Second of all, you already ACKNOWLEDGED that you screwed up the ORIGINAL payment arrangement and P.S., the date I ORIGINALLY asked for isn't even til TOMORROW.. let alone the fact that it has now been pushed to a WEEK BEYOND THAT." Third of all, they already TRIED to zero out my account and make it current in order to override this "so called error message" and that clearly didn't do the trick ..... so, I told her to get me on the phone with a supervisor immediately because she's mistaken and I am not going to be held hostage for a mistake that THEY MADE. She informs me that a supervisor named David Hunt would be the one calling me back. It's been almost 24 hours and not a peep.

The moral of the story is this. 1+1 = 2 and where there is smoke, there is fire. Read between the lines in what Mark (the supervisor) told me about � the subscribers having to deal with this "inconvenience". I truly believe that there has been some kind of WORM or Trojan Horse sort of virus that has infiltrated the AT&T cellular accounts. Apparently they have had to go thru EVERY SINGLE ACCOUNT where this "terms and conditions error message" occurred ONE BY ONE and fix it. Why they haven't just created a "counter-worm" that knocks out this problem once and for all instead of doing it the long way, is totally beyond me. But if you look deep enough, something is definitely going on that they're not prepared to own up to just yet. Probably because it would create an enormous scandal, but I am not above telling people first hand what I see, what I know and what I'm experiencing.

I went into the AT&T store yesterday and got the phone number and email to the manager of the store and the district manager of customer service. I'll be speaking with them today and hopefully they can give me some answers (and maybe a straight story) as to why this is happening. Stay tuned.

Here's a little poll circulating the web on 5 options that have been suggested for the team name of the old Sonics/ New Oklahoma City Squad.

My thoughts/additions are:

1) The OK City Soldiers

2) The OK CIty Sailors (gay, I know... but hey, it's better than the Sabertooth Tigers that someone suggested - LOL)

3) The OK City Odd Men Out (*won't happen, but it's funny)

4) The OK City Oxen

5) The OK City Orangutans

6) The OK City Orbiters (they could get SPACEMEN as their mascot! That'd be SWEET)

7) The OK City Oscine (probably too fancy of a name for a redneck spot like OK though - LOL)

8) The OK City Ostriches (more Clay Bennett's style - LOL)

9) The OK City Otters (although not tough SOUNDING, it MIGHT work .. but it's kinda lame)

10) THE OK City Spotted Owls (save the owls! Not far from the old saying of Save Our Sonics! LOL)

Anybody wanna throw one in the pot?

Say it isn't SOOOOO!!!

GSW has offered Ronny $17m over 4 yrs to come join their team of doom under Don Nelson. I hope to god Jerry Buss pays to keep, what I believe, this under-utilized talent and all-around GREAT HUMAN BEING.

I don't know WHAT Chris Mullin is doing up there in Oak-Town by keeping Don Nelson who is undeniably one of the worst coaches in the Western Conference (2nd only to George Karl in Denver). He is clearly trying to rebuild his team after letting his star PG go but he NEEDS to be focusing on getting Monta Ellis back above and beyond all else as well as working the angle to get BOOBY GIBSON away from Cleveland. CLE's owners would have to pay the luxury tax to keep him (dollar for dollar) as would Jerry Buss & Family if they were to match Ronny's offer from GSW ... BTW, the Lakers have a week to match the GSW offer.

Only time will tell but clearly the Clippers are screwed and need to work on a rebuilding situation ASAP, as are GSW ... ironically these are BOTH teams that had Baron Davis on their roster within the last 60 days. LOL.

On a brighter side, Memphis still has a lot of cap room open to make some major acquisitions and who wouldn't wanna go play with Mr. Mustard? (... I mean, MAYO ... ) Who knows? Maybe they might actually be able to turn something around. I pray for both them and the Clippers but I have given up all hope on any redemption of Seattle making ANY sort of turn-around btwn now and 2010.

SPEAKING OF SEATTLE: Howard Schultz has filed a lawsuit basically citing FRAUD by Clay Bennett & Co saying that in buying the team, Bennett swore he'd make a good faith effort to keep the team in SEA at all costs. LOL .. Clearly we know he DIDN'T do that but what is even more shocking is who has come to the aid of Mr. Bennett & his Crop O' Cronies in joining forces against Senor Starbucks in trying to uphold the move to Oklahoma City. THE NBA! THE LEAGUE is trying to deflect this motion saying that it would (quote) "interfere with the stable operation of the franchise". Ohhhh .. OKAY. And moving the team to a NOTHING CITY in the middle of NOWHERE was not an interruption of stability for the people of the City of Seattle and ALL THE MEMBERS OF THAT TEAMS ENTIRE ORGANIZATION? PLEASE. Here's the story from ESPN if anyone wants to view it: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3480488

That's all for now. Stay tuned for any hail mary's that might come along in the musical chairs game of the NBA FREE AGENCY.

:-)

Word on the street (Marc Stein - ESPN, to be specific & The LA Times) is that Baron Davis is leaving A WHOLE LOTTA MONEY on the table to sign with THE CLIPPERS (yes, you heard me right) for 5 yrs and $65m. (sooo.. $13m/yr)

As you all well know, he could have exercised his (player) option with the Warriors to the tune of $17,180,000. However, in order to retain carry him on their cap at 150% of his 07-08 salary which equates to $24,660,000. (which, BY THE WAY, is more than Kobe makes, LOL). That left GSW with limited options if they were to keep him and who wants to stay somewhere they're not wanted and can't get playing time (exhibit A: Final Game Of The Season When Nelly Benched Him).

SOOOOO ... Boom Dizzle leaves a whole lot on the table says "Call Me A Clipper" to the tune of about HALF what he could have made if he'd have stayed at The GSW.

For what it's worth, I think this is a terrific move for him because he can turn anyone into a star. Look what he did for Monta Ellis! And now he will have the support of Phenom Eric Gordon (or as Petros Papadakis calls him "Long Winded Gordon" LOL)

I think this could be a new era for the Down & Out Clippers. For soooo long they've been the redheaded stepchildren in Los Angeles basketball and I think they might just have something worth watching if this deal goes through.

The Lakers, on the other hand, are probably going to be stuck with the same tired squad that couldn't get it outta first in the Finals unless my dream comes true and they trade Lamar & Vladi (and maybe Mihm, if he's actually DESIRED) for someone tough (AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, CONSISTENT) like Antonio McDyess.

I'm proud of Baron Davis. It's not often that you actually see "The Love Of The Game" and not the "Love Of The Money For PLAYING The Game" demonstrated and he clearly wants to be somewhere that he'll make a difference no matter what it costs him. HOORAY FOR BOOM DIZZLE...... FER SHIZZLE. :-)

(Sidenote: Kat, looks like you'll have to come to my hood to get your fill now! LOL)

I have it on good intel that Boom Dizzle is about t osay bye bye to the GSW and hello to free agency. Are the Clippers calling?

In other related new Elton Brand & Corey Maggette of the Clippers have also optioned out. No shocker there though. Eric Gordon Shmorden. He ain't gonna save the franchise and I'm sure these boys are tired of goin' doing with the ship night after night. CAN YA BLAME EM?

Not sure if this is a (last minute) play (BY ANY OF THEM) to get the Powers That Be in the front office to lock them down with a lucrative offer by the drop dead date/time of midnite tonight. Stay tuned!!!

......................Story developing

1) Chicago Bulls:

Should: Derrick Rose, Memphis

Will: Derrick Rose, Memphis

** What can I say, people? 50 million Elvis fans can't be wrong. LOL

2) Miami Heat

Should: Jerryd Bayless 6'3 Point Guard, Arizona

Will: Michael Beasley, 6'10 Power Fwd, Kansas State

** They'll move Shawn over to SF and have Beasley @ PF, most likely. However, in my opinion, if they could find a way to get a point guard and ditch Jason Williams, I think they'd be all set. His #'s have been dwindling for so long and he's just not worth his $8m. I don't think there's anyone that would take him though so MIA is stuck.

3) Minnesota T-Wolves



Should: Jerryd Bayless, 6'3 Point Guard, Arizona

Will: Brook Lopez, 7'0 Center, Stanford

**I could actually go either way on this one. They need height, toughness and they need good shooters. Only 3 people on their rosters are in double figures in pt scoring for the season. Brook Lopez is not only a good shooter but he's insanely tall. I think Bayless would be a great fit with the team dynamic and that he's a guy you could drop in and he'll run with it. Good luck to them either way. They need all the help they can get.

4) Los Angeles Clippers (from the Sonics)

Should: Jerryd Bayless, 6'3 Point Guard, Arizona

Will: OJ Mayonnaise, 6'4, Shooting Guard, USC

**I think I just made the day of all my Trojan ppl hearing that OJ Mustard will most likely be sticking around L.A. a little longer. I don't think he's better than Bayless, I just think he has better #'s, he's a sexy pick & a hometown boy who'll put asses in the seats so I think they'll go for him..I just got a text from one of the guys at ESPN saying that the deal of the Sonics and Clippers switching picks is contigent on OJ Mayo still being a FACTOR and not gobbled up by the time LAC gets their chance. All I can say is, I knew it, bitches. See my paragraph before. LOL That's the first smart thing I've seen Sterling do in a long time.



5) Memphis Grizzlies

Should: DJ White, 6'9, Power Fwd, Indiana

Will: Kevin Love, 6'10 Center, UCLA

**White is only an inch shorter than Love and has the toughness that I don't think K-Love can bring to the table. The Griz is full of enough soft players that it's time they shake things up a bit.

6) New York Knicks

Should: Jerryd Bayless, 6'3 Point Guard, Arizona

Will: Jerryd Bayless, 6'3 Point Guard, Arizona

*I think Jerryd would fit in better with the temperaments and what's going on with the Knicks as well as possibly be a good replacement for Steph if he can't get it together this yr. Bayless is more ready made.

7) Seattle SuperSonics

Should: Sean Singletary, 6'0, Point Guard, Virgina or DJ Augustin, 6'0 Point Guard, TX

Will: Sean Singletary, 6'0, Point Guard, Virgina (If they're smart)

**They need a pt guard and a center BAD but since Bennett's a moron, my money is on him to make some ridiculous random choice like Eric Gordon. Wait for it. LOL

8) Milwaukee Bucks

Should: Ryan Anderson, 6'10, Power Fwd, Cal Berkeley

Will: Ryan Anderson, 6'10, Power Fwd, Cal Berkeley

**The Bucks could use some tall & tough shooters/defenders. I hear Joe Alexander's name being floated around and he IS sort of the sexier pick since they went further in the tourney but I think Anderson is the better of the 2. No disrespect to Alexander. I think he's a stud. Just not the perfect fit for this squad. Either is awesome though and I don't think they could wrong either way.

9) Charlotte Bobcats

Should: Jason Thompson, 6'11, Power Fwd, Rider

Will: If they're SMART, they'll pick Jason Thompson. LOL

**Jason Thompson is going to be one of those sleepers. Even Jay Bilas has said it. I'm gonna love the "I told you so" on that one when it goes down, that's all I'm gonna say. LOL I have absolutely no clue in hell who Charlotte will pick because they've worked out half the Draft list. LOL. It could be anyone from Russell Westbrook (WHY, I'm not sure, this early) to Ryan Anderson, if he's still around. I've heard Jordan wants a little protégé to mold but if they're smart, they'll go with a combo shooter/defenseman to give the best of both worlds.

10) New Jersey Nets

Should: Roy Hibbert, 7'2, Center, Georgetown

Will: Danilo Gallinari, 6'9, Small Fwd, Italy

**I think I'm the only person who believes that Hibbert is a better pick here. Gallinari's #'s are impressive but I think that if they moved newly acquired Yi Jianlian into PF and picked up Hibbert to play Center, they'd be SET. Danilo is the sexy pick though so they'll most likely go with him.

11) Indiana Pacers

Should: Roy Hibbert, 7'2, Center, Georgetown

Will: Anthony Randolph, 6'11, Power Fwd.

**With the trade of Jermaine O'Neal having just taken place, they're left a little cold in the big man department. While I think Hibbert would fit IN better, I think they'll PICK Randolph because of his #'s being just SLIGHTLY better.

12) Sacramento Queens … I mean, KINGS

Should: DJ Augustin, 6'0 Point Guard, TX

Will: Richard Hendrix, 6'9, Power Fwd, Alabama

**DJ Augustin would be Bibby's replacement, which they need desperately if they don't keep Beno Udrih (who is a free agt & garbage to boot). Udrih's #'s DEFINITELY need to improve into the double digits this season if he's going to be worth anything to them. HOWEVER Artest has an option he hasn't exercised and I think he'll be leaving for greener pastures (if ya get my drift) and I'm not sure they'll be resigning Mikki Moore. That being said, a safe bet for either of those positions of height and skill would be Hendrix.

13) Portland Trailblazers

Should: DJ Augustin, 6'0 Point Guard, TX

Will: DJ Augustin, 6'0 Point Guard, TX

** I think DJ Augustin is tailor made for that team. Watch for them to light the joint up next yr.

14) Golden State Warriors

Should: Roy Hibbert, 7'2, Center, Georgetown

Will: Roy Hibbert, 7'2, Center, Georgetown (IF THEY ARE SMART)

**Oh MAAAAAAAAN. GSW will KICK ASSSSS next season (yes, Kat, we're gonna have to catch a game, girlfriend) if they can pull this one off. I will REALLY enjoy watching them set the West ablaze. Nelly had better figure out some defense though so they don't crash and burn again cuz that would be a goddamn shame.

15) PHX Suns

Should: Bo McCalebb, 6'0, Point Guard, New Orleans

Will: Donte Greene, 6'10, Small Forward, Syracuse

**I think that Bo has a little more experience and would make a great back up/heir apparent for Steve Nash in the coming years. I also think that he is possibly one of the more undiscovered talents yet to come. However, Grant Hill is nearing retirement and thus needing an heir apparent. I think Donte would fit nicely into the unit that the Suns have.

16) Philadelphia 76ers

Should: DJ White, 6'9, Power Fwd, Indiana

Will: DJ White, 6'9, Power Fwd, Indiana

**A sexy pick, a talented pick and a guy who will fit right in.

17) Toronto Raptors

Should: Reggie Williams, 6'5, Shooting Guard VMI

Will: Chris Douglas-Roberts, 6'6, Shooting Guard, Memphis

**I personally think that CDR is a big choker due to his performance in the Finals but Toronto will probably go with a sexy pick to renew the faith in the team and line the pockets of the owners now that the fans will come out in droves to see the prodigy in action. Reggie Williams is a much better choice, in my eyes for his #'s and sheer ability. Not to mention the fact that I think him and Chris Bosh will play off one another wonderfully.

18) Washington Wizards

Should: Marreese Speights, 6'10, Center/Power Forward, Florida

Will: James Gist, 6'9, Power Fwd, Maryland

*They're probably going to be looking to replace (or back-up, if they keep him), Hurricane Antawn. Speights is a better FIT but Gist has the better numbers.

19) Cleveland

Should: JaVale McGee, 7'0, Center, University of Nevada, Reno

Will: JaVale McGee, 7'0, Center, University of Nevada, Reno (IF THEY ARE SMART)

**Big Z is on the decline, as he is 32 yrs old and counting. The only reason I am choosing a center is because he's really the only one in that mix that I could see them replacing besides Wally Szcerbiak as HE is getting older as well. Varejao has decent enough numbers for him to move to the power fwd spot when Wally is out for good and that leaves Center or PF kinda open for a 2nd person. That being said, JaVale McGee had great #'s and he has a 33% 3 pt shot percentage for THIS season and 66% for LAST. The way I look at this is an exchange of like for like, should Big Z or Wally World hit the road, get too old, get themselves hurt and need a replacement.

20) Charlotte Bobcats

Should: Kosta Koufos, 7'0, Center, Ohio State

Will: Bo McCalebb, 6'0, Point Guard, New Orleans

** I hear rumors that they're looking for a PG to back up (possibly even replace, if they trade him) Raymond Felton. That being said, they could do a LOT WORSE than Bo McCalebb. Great numbers, experienced, quick & aggressive.

21) New Jersey Nets

Should: Chris Daniels, 7'0, Center, Texas A&M Corpus Christi

Will: Chris Daniels, 7'0, Center, Texas A&M Corpus Christi

** I think he fits into the dynamic perfectly and although Kosta Koufos from Ohio State has the TINIEST little edge on him in the numbers, I think Daniels is much more suited to this team.

22) Orlando Magic

Should: Eric Gordon, 6'4, Shooting Guard, Indiana

Will: Eric Gordon, 6'4, Shooting Guard, Indiana

**Great kid who I think would fit great into that lineup.

23) Utah Jazz

Should: Reggie Williams, 6'5, Shooting Guard, VMI

Will: Courtney Lee, 6'5, Shooting Guard, Western Kentucky

**Sadly they'd get another version of "Petrified Puppy" Mehmet Okur if they went for a center so my money is on a backup shooting guard, in case Ronnie Brewer's numbers don't come up, they trade him or he gets hurt. That being said, Courtney Lee is a good pick.. Reggie Williams has great /betternumbers but I think they want someone a little tougher so Lee is a more likely option.

24)Seattle Sonics

Should: Robin Lopez, 7'0, Center, Stanford

Will: Kosta Koufos, 7'0, Center, Ohio State

** If he's available, they'll go for him because they need a good center and his #'s are better than Robin Lopez ON PAPER. The problem is that I think Lopez is BETTER than Koufos because he kinda had to trade off for points and #'s with his brother. Had he not played second fiddle, his #'s would be just as high as his brother.

25) Houston Rockets

Should: Joe Alexander, 6'8, Small Fwd, West Virginia

Will: Joe Alexander, 6'8, Small Fwd, West Virginia

**He's a sexy pick and he's a TALENTED pick. They need a better SF to get double digit pts every night and Battier's just not getting it done. So, in lieu of trading him immediately, get him a backup in Alexander and let them fight it out for who get the better numbers.

26) San Antonio Spurs

Should: Robin Lopez, 7'0, Center, Stanford or Marreese Speights, 6'10, Center, Florida

Will: Robin Lopez, 7'0, Center, Stanford

**I think Lopez would fit in great with the strong but silent Spurs. They need height so they can give Tim Duncan more of a defensive presence and an ability to spend more time batting away balls and less time focused on having to carry the load in shooting. Robin Lopez is a great shooter and a great defender and would be a WONDERFUL compliment to Duncan in the low post.

27)Portland Trailblazers

Should: Aleks Maric, 6'11 Center, Nebraska or Trent Plaisted, 6'11, Center, BYU

Will: Tough call, I say Maric.

**Just in case Oden doesn't come back strong in the scoring department (or god forbid gets hurt AGAIN), they should have a safety net of heights and point scoring. That being said, my pick is Maric because his numbers are better. Plaisted came from a bigger name school that is known for their hoops and not football, and thus, he might be a sexier pick of the 2 …. Both of their #'s are about equal so they can't go wrong either way.

28) Memphis Grizzlies

Should: George Hill, 6'2, Point Guard, Indianapolis

Will: Russell Westbrook, 6'3, Point Guard, UCLA

**In a perfect world, I think they have seen how well Russell & K-Love play together and they'll keep a little Bruin-Union going in Memphis.

29) Detroit Pistons

Should: DeAndre Jordan, Center, 7'0, Texas A&M

Will: If they're smart, they'll take DeAndre Jordan

** Perfect personality for that little band of playground ballers. He's severely lacking in the pts department so hopefully they can afford to bring him along slowly.

30)Boston

**F*CK BOSTON. End of story. I refuse to comment.

It's Michael Vick's birthday .... Happy Birthday Mike. Enjoy your cupcake.

..........Not.

So as I'm sure you've heard.... Bennett just traded away the 4th pick in the Draft to the Clippers (giving him 7th pick now) for that and a 1st rd pick next yr... wherever that happens to fall.

Now more than ever I thoroughly believe that us Yardbarkers should start taking up a collection to BUY THE SONICS. Renee & I should work our real estate magic in acquiring and flipping some good real estate and we should start our own hedgefund in which all parties invested in the fund will then use said money to ACQUIRE THE SONICS from the GODDAWFUL owner Clay Bennett. I honestly never thought any owner could suck worse than Mark Cuban but this douchebag surely takes the cake by giving away DELONTE WEST and sticking Durant with a bunch of SCRUBS after he acquires him as the NUMBER ONE PICK.

The guy is clearly a moron and a joke I truly believe that we, a bunch of amateurs, could do a better job with the team even in a FANTASY LEAGUE let alone real life and the NBA.

All I know is that I feel even more sorry for the Sonics today than I did yesterday. Today is the end of the trial that will decide their fate as to whether they go follow Bennet and his cronies to Oklahoma ("NO NO NOKLAHOMA!!!", I say) or they have to honor their lease at Key Arena and stay in Seattle. If they stay in Seattle, I say we strike while the iron is hot.

WHO IS WITH ME?!!?!

I'm a small/medium jersey, Greg. Just in case you need to get it pulled out and ironed and stuff. :-) P.S. Your T-Blazers are gonna knock it outta the park next season regardless of who you get. Stay away from the pick-up ball. Vegas is right around the corner :-)