HoopsVibe's Breaking Down The NBA Blog regularly provides a snapshot of the best NBA stories you should be reading from the three dubyas. We call it Best of the Web ...

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: The Golden State Warriors are 3-8, but Monta Ellis provided a highlight last night by dunking on Tyrus Thomas of the Charlotte Bobcats.

Click the video, and get at us with thoughts in the comment box below.

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Ellis allegedly texted Smith "several times in a single day, late at night or in the early morning hours," using a "secret" telephone that was kept by an equipment manager with the team, the suit claims. The texts from Ellis included phrases like "I want to be with you," and "Hey Sexy," to which Smith responded with, "What do you want?" and "I am sleeping," the suit alleges.

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Glen Grunwald announced today that the Knicks have signed Baron Davis. Davis was waived by the Cavaliers last week under the league's amnesty provision.

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Kwame Brown has agreed to a one-year deal with the Warriors for $7 million. Brown played for the Bobcats in 10-11, where he had a bounce back season of sorts.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: What was the lockout for?

After all, the owners supposedly locked out the players for five months, in part, to stop marginal journeymen from receiving ridiculous contracts.

No more overpaying suspect talent like Gilbert Arenas, Eddy Curry, Jerome James, Rashard Lewis, and others.

Or, so we thought …

Today the Golden State Warriors signed marginal post Kwame Brown to a one-year contract for $7 million.

Sure, the term is short. Sure, seven footers regularly received $10 million per annum before the lockout. And sure, rookie coach Mark Jackson coveted Brown as a defensive anchor.

But the work stoppage was about ending the insanity. What was all this labour strife was really about?

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G-State was terrible last year with a 26-56 record to even worse for the 2010-2011 season because they lost bench depth in Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Morrow, CJ Watson, Corey Maggette, Ronny Turiaf, and Anthony Randolph. Warriors replaced the losses with Charlie Bell, Dan Gadzuric, Rodney Carney, Ekpe Udoh, and Dorrell Wright. David Lee is not quite Chris Webber, but he is definitely a known quantity.

The 2007 "We Believe" Warriors will take on the current Warriors in an exhibition game to be played October 29 at the San Jose State Event Center. Jason Richardson, Matt Barnes, Kelenna Azubuike and Anthony Morrow are confirmed for the team of former Warriors. Barnes is recruiting Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Four years ago, they shocked the world.

In the spring of 2007, the Golden State Warriors squeaked into the playoffs and proceeded to route the heavily favoured and first seeded Dallas Mavericks.

Such an upset is the thing of legends. It was the closest the Warriors came to respectability, and the Mavericks needed years to recover before winning a championship last June.

Regardless, the We Believe Warriors are planning an exhibition contest against the current Warriors for October 29th.

HoopsVibe has two We Believe videos. The first is a collection of highlights, while the second features a point guard poster-jobbing Andrei Kirelenko. 

Watch the videos and get at HoopsVibe News with thoughts in the comment box below.

(We Believe Mixtape) 

(B-Diddy on AK47.)

O.Sandor

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Blazers president Larry Miller has expressed a strong interest in former Golden State Warriors GM Chris Mullin, sources said. Mullin’s expected to talk with the Blazers too, sources said.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Chris Mullin’s career as an executive hasn’t been normal.

The sharpshooter revitalized the Golden State Warriors before getting stabbed in the back by Don Nelson, his former coach and the man he rescued from the sideline boss scrap heap.

Then Mullin was tabbed to take over the executive chair in New York from Donnie Walsh before dysfunctional owner James Dolan stepped-in. Walsh is out; Mullin won’t be leading the Knicks.

Now he’s linked to the Portland Trail Blazers, the organization that fired GM Kevin Pritchard moments before the 2010 NBA draft only to invite him to stay for the evening's festivities.

Pritchard’s replacement, Richie Cho, was pink-slipped after being on the job for less than a year. Cho was seen as too docile, low-key, and quiet.

Perhaps Mullin should pass on the Blazers‘ gig. Right now, they’re dysfunctional, and owner Paul Allen seems determined to meddle.

Life may be a little more normal in ESPN’s broadcast booth.

--Oly Sandor.

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"The playoffs run 57 days," he said. "For me, it was 56 days, 23 hours and lots of minutes of pure anxiety. I really didn't start to enjoy it until there were about 30 seconds left in the game . . . and it finally dawned on me that we had finally beaten the Evil Empire and all those doubts."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Mark Cuban wasn’t staying quiet forever.

The renegade owner of the Dallas Mavericks recently broke his silence and told reporters he took satisfaction in beating the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, who he dubbed the ’evil empire’.

Yes, there’s nothing like fuelling the fire of the Mavericks-Heat rivalry. Cuban, however, dumped a gallon of gasoline on it.

It’s all rather ironic considering Cuban’s Mavericks were public enemy number one in 2007 when they lost the Western Conference Quarter-Finals to the underdog Golden State Warriors.   

The tables have turned. For now, Cuban is on top. And he’s loving it.

--Oly Sandor.

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Jamie Foxx, Lady Gag and Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson are caught up in a scandal surrounding a multimillion-dollar international drug cartel, Star has learned exclusively.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: This isn’t the way Mark Jackson wanted to start his new gig as head coach of the Golden State Warriors.

Jackson, who recently left broadcasting to become head coach of the Warriors, has been connected to an alleged drug baron named Warren Braithwaite.

Braithwaite was arrested last spring for transporting a Sam’s Club amount of marijuana from Mexico to Arizona for the purpose of trafficking.

Around the same time, Braithwaite attended the Warriors’ press conference were they announced Jackson would be their new bench-boss.

There’s no evidence to suggest Jackson had knowledge of his friend’s activities. And Braithwaite also has other famous associates like actor Jamie Foxx and singer Lady Gaga.

That said, Joe Lacob, the Warriors' new owner, wanted to chart a fresh course for this downtrodden franchise. Jackson was his key hire; the franchise’s White Knight and Golden Boy.

Such headlines won’t go over well.

--Oly Sandor

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“According to a brief report from KGO-TV, during a Pro-Am game between Barnes’ Dream Team and East Bay at the Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco, Barnes punched a member of the East Bay team. But since an official didn’t catch the altercation, play continued after a break and Barnes was not ejected. As of Friday morning, it appears no one has posted a video of the punch, but one fan at the game did capture the incident’s aftermath and members of both teams retreating to their own benches.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Get in a fight. Hit the game-winning shot.

Players who can do both are rare. And this is the reason contenders covet Matt Barnes. One moment he's scrapping. The next he's a stone-cold assassin.    

Bottom line: top teams love Barnes' edge.

Remember, his 'edge’ made him a cult-hero with the ‘We Believe’ Golden State Warriors when they upset the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks.

Orlando Magic fans took to his 'edge’ when he declared viral jihad against Lamar Odom and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Those same Lakers showered him and his 'edge’ with praise when, as a member of the purple-and-gold, he went at the Mavs’ Jason Terry on-and-off court.

No team will publicly condone Barnes initiating a donnybrook at a Pro-Am match. Privately, behind closed doors, it's a different story.

Best of all, it wasn't a fan, right Mike Beasley? Watch the videos of Barnes’ altercation and game-winning shot and then get at HoopsVibe News with thoughts in the comment box below.

(Barnes scrapping.) 

(Barnes hits game-winning shot.)

--Oly Sandor.

“I don’t know about the talks he had with the front office or where they ended before the lockout, but as of right now, he’s still a Warrior,” Curry said of Ellis. “We want him with our team. He makes us better. And I think with a fresh start and all the new faces with the organization that will help him forget about the past and not really affect what is going on right now.

“I know there has been a lot of turmoil with him and the organization in the past. I can’t speak for him, but I think the new look of our organization will help him make a difference.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It would have been easy for Stephen Curry. Very easy.

Nearly two years ago, Monta Ellis ‘welcomed’ Curry to his first pro' training camp by telling reporters the two couldn’t form a backcourt for the Golden State Warriors.

Today, the Warriors have a new owner and coach. And today, they’re also shopping Ellis around the league.

Ellis has been linked to Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic, Andre Iguodala and the Philadelphia 76ers, and Lamar Odom and the Los Angeles Lakers.

He recently grew tired of the rumors and requested a trade.

Now Curry could have extracted a little revenge and kicked Ellis when he’s down. Or, he could have offered a terse 'no comment' when asked about the situation

Instead, Curry had Ellis’ back. He explained how the Warriors’ core want him to return and are inviting him to training sessions during the lockout.

Such maturity is the difference between Curry and Ellis. And such maturity is the reason the Warriors prefer Curry over Ellis.

--Oly Sandor.

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As a free agent, J-Rich has reached a critical point in his career: Does he sign with a team that can pay him the most money or take less to play with a contender?

Obviously, he would love to have the best of both worlds. He might be able to find that with the Chicago Bulls, who are in need of a quality starting shooting guard.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Is Jason Richardson the difference between the Chicago Bulls winning and losing the Eastern Conference?

The answer: at best, a maybe. Sure, Richardson is talented. Sure, he has range. Sure, he’s arguably the top free agent shooting-guard. And sure, the Bulls need a scorer.

Richardson is 31-years old, though. While still solid, he was deemed expendable by the Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Bobcats, and Phoenix Suns. His latest club, the Orlando Magic, have little interest in extending him.

A large part of this had to do with money. Charlotte and Phoenix, two smaller markets, had trouble swallowing Richardson’s big-ticket. For financial reasons, they cut ties.

A large part of this had to with skill. More and more, Richardson stopped using his athleticism to attack and defend, and seemed content on shooting three-pointers.

Who knows what role the off-court stuff played? Richardson was charged with Driving Under the Influence and reckless driving. Of course, there was also this.

Richardson is a risk. His value on the open market will be hard to gauge because of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

Chicago should ask Richardson for a contender discount. If he refuses, they should look elsewhere for their difference-maker.

--Oly Sandor.

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Williams has made no firm promises about staying in New Jersey but has said he likes the direction of the franchise under new owner Mikhail Prokhorov. The 27-year-old has likewise expressed optimism about the team's scheduled move to Brooklyn starting with the 2012-13 season and his potential role in luring other top players to the Nets. The Nets, sources said, intend to make a hard push for Howard in an attempt to convince Williams to commit long term.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The Collective Bargaining Agreement may change, but the NBA will always be a star’s league.

Take Deron Williams and the New Jersey Nets. The soon-to-be Brooklyn franchise mortgaged the farm to acquire Williams via trade, even though he can become a free agent in July of 2012.

Right now, Williams has leverage. Before signing a long-term extension with the Nets, he wants a co-star.

Enter Dwight Howard.

The massive five-man can also opt-out of his contract and become a free agent next summer. Howard, on paper, is the perfect running mate for Williams.

The two would form a lethal inside-outside combo, capable of rivalling most eastern foes. Their star power would match Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, who ply their trade with the crosstown New York Knicks.

Unfortunately, the Nets have competition. The Orlando Magic are desperate to keep their franchise face, while the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers have both made plays for Howard.

Getting Howard won't be easy. So re-signing Williams won’t be easy. But both are a must for the Nets.

--Oly Sandor.

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Without major roster changes in Oakland, Warriors' new lead assistant coach Mike Malone will be working with two guards who haven't consistently proved willing or able to stop dribble penetration, a center who hasn't shown up for the past two seasons and little depth. "Can you play defense with two small guards? It's a very interesting question, and I don't have a definite answer," Malone said. "Can they defend? Are they willing to defend? It could be hard to break those habits, but, if they want to win, they'll be willing."

Was able to confirm reports by the Houston Chronicle that the Rockets are indeed interested in acquiring Warriors center Andris Biedrins. Houston, with Yao Ming and Chuck Hayes as their expected center options next season, are in need of a big man since Yao’s ability to play again is still suspect and Chuck Hayes, while valiant and completely useful, is probably not a starting center on a playoff team.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Two stiffs for one quasi-stiff.

This is how most see reports the Houston Rockets want to send two stiffs, Jordan Hill and Hasheem Thabeet, to the Golden Warriors for one quasi-stiff, Andris Biedrins.

Hill and Thabeet aren’t NBA players. They’ll pursue their craft overseas when their rookie deals expire. Biedrins’ production nosedived after inking a $54 million extension.

Biedrins can still be productive, though. He needs one thing: change. A trade to Houston would jumpstart his career.

He’d be free -free from the pressure of living up to a big-ticket, free from the memory of Don Nelson and Keith Smart, and free from the soap opera that has been Golden State. 

A trade to Houston would allow him to focus on basketball -something he hasn‘t been able to do for years.

Best of all, there's an opportunity in Houston. The club is looking for a center because All-Star Yao Ming has foot troubles.

At 25, Biedrins’ career can be salvaged. It would help if this rumor became reality.

--Oly Sandor.

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A few days ago, it appeared as if the Warriors had decided to keep (Monta) Ellis despite some very attractive propositions. However, late yesterday, they were back to giving serious thought to moving him if the pitch blew them away. Word has it Ellis' agent, Jeff Fried, who did not return my call, informed management his client wants to be dealt.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: In today’s interconnected world of rumours and gossip, teams can’t explore trading stars without consequences.

The star will find out. He, or his people, will read it here, there, or everywhere online. He’ll read analysts’ opinions. He’ll read fans turning into E-Thugs and spewing venom in the comment section.

The relationship will break. The star and team will have to part. It’s inevitable. 

Take Monta Ellis and the Golden State Warriors. Ellis is a talent, who averaged 26 points per game on a bad Warriors squad in 2011.

New owner Joe Lacob has never been sold on Ellis, though. Lacob hired Mark Jackson to coach, who -surprise, surprise- isn’t sold on Ellis, either.

While publicly praising the combo guard’s skill, these two were privately shopping him. Of course, it didn’t stay private for long.

And the rumors became more intense. In fact, Ellis has been in more rumors than an infamous Hollywood actor, who believes he’s ‘winning’.

Talk radio, the internet, and even the more conservative print media has traded Ellis thousands of times. There was Ellis for Dwight Howard. There was Ellis for Lamar Odom. And there was also Ellis for Andre Iguodala.

Ellis, tired of the rumors, finally asked the Warriors to move him. Nobody knows what’s next for player or team, except the rumors will continue.

--Oly Sandor.

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The Dwight Howard sweepstakes have begun. Golden State offered Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins and Ekpe Udoh. Unlikely that'll get it done.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

The Golden State Warriors and Orlando Magic can deny rumors they’re considering swapping Monta Ellis for Dwight Howard. The evidence suggests otherwise, though.

New Warriors owner Joe Lacob, when he bought the club, didn’t give Ellis a ringing endorsement. While GM Larry Riley would only admit the team isn’t shopping their combo guard.

Lacob and rookie coach Mark Jackson want to change the losing culture surrounding the club. Right or wrong, fair or not, they may trade Ellis to achieve this.

Meanwhile, Howard has refused to sign an extension with the Magic. He wants to exercise a player’s option next July and become a free agent.

Howard knows Magic GM Otis Smith can’t let this occur. Not for a second. Smith, contrary to what he publicly claims, can’t risk his franchise face walking and getting nothing back.

So the clock is ticking. Like the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz with Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams, Smith has to cut a deal.  

It’s no shock the Warriors and Magic have talked trade. Here’s the real question: what happens next?

--Oly Sandor.

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In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Warriors General Manager Larry Riley said the team is not planning to trade Monta Ellis.“We are not shopping Monta Ellis,” Riley said.

The Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers have discussed a trade that would send the Warriors' leading scorer, Monta Ellis, to the 76ers for Andre Iguodala, according to league sources, including one with direct knowledge of Golden State's thinking.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Will a new coach, Mark Jackson, and owner, Joe Lacob, mean a new backcourt for the Golden State Warriors?

Well, rumors are again surfacing that the Warriors are looking to send combo guard Monta Ellis to the Philadelphia 76ers for the athletic Andre Iguodala.

No doubt about it, Ellis can play. However, there are doubts about whether he can continue playing with point guard Stephen Curry.

Ellis and Curry form one of the league’s smallest starting backcourts. And Jackson may wish to put his imprint on the Warriors by shipping out the prolific scorer for a more active, well rounded player –like Iguodala.

Meanwhile, the 76ers have again made their stat-stuffing swing available in hope of adding a first option on offense. And Ellis fits the bill.

Under normal circumstance, the bean counters in the front office would also like this trade.

Both players have three seasons left on their contracts. Ellis will earn $11 million per season, while Iguodala will earn slightly more at $14 million per season.

Reports indicate that Comcast, the wealthy holding company that owns the 76ers, are in talks to sell the club. All personnel moves may be put on hold.

Where there’s lots of smoke, there’s typically some sort of fire. Perhaps talks between the Warriors and 76ers become reality.

--Oly Sandor.

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The Warriors, who struggled defensively last season, could be looking for a defensive addition and might be willing to part with Ellis because guard Stephen Curry has blossomed into a legitimate NBA scorer.

The deal: A straight-up trade of Ellis ($11 million a year through 2013-14, with that last season being a player option) for Iguodala (approximately $56 million remaining through the 2013-14 season, with the last season being a player option).

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The Warriors are strongly considering hiring former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown, who demands air-tight defence from players.

If Brown is brought in, he’ll look to change the miniature backcourt of Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis. These two score in bunches, but opponents have a field day posting them up.

(Of course, there’s executive Jerry West and owner Joe Lacob. The Warriors’ new advisor might want to change things, while Lacob already mentioned breaking up this undersized duo.)  

Who should go: Curry or Ellis?

Well, reports indicate the Warriors would move Ellis, despite posting impressive scoring numbers and displaying a newfound maturity in 2011.

Forget Curry’s mediocre sophomore campaign. He can play. Most importantly, he’s more of a natural table-setter than Ellis.

This would surely matter to Brown, as he sees Curry and Ellis as point guards because of size.

 In 2011, the Warriors used an unorthodox backcourt. A new coach will bring changes. Time will tell if it is for the better.

--Oly Sandor.

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Jerry West, one of the most respected executives in NBA history, has agreed to join the Warriors front office in a non-decision-making, advisory role, multiple NBA sources confirmed tonight.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: He means business.

Since assuming control of the Golden State Warriors, Joe Lacob had talked about changing the club’s culture. Words are one thing. Actions, however, are different.

Today, Lacob took significant action towards changing the environment around a team that has only made the playoffs once in the last fifteen years or so.

He hired Jerry West. That’s right: ‘The Logo’ is heading to northern California. 

West was a Hall of Fame player and equally talented executive. For years, he was the brain behind the Los Angeles Lakers; from 2002-2007, he worked his magic on the Memphis Grizzlies; and now he’s advising the Warriors.

Don’t know what an advisor does? Fair enough.

Let’s be specific about West’s role with the Warriors: He'll play ‘Winston the Wolf’. 

Rewind to the mid nineties when Pulp Fiction was the rage. There’s a scene where John Travolta and Samuel L Jackson’s characters have a ‘problem’. In fact, they have a major ‘problem’. And ‘Winston the Wolf’, played by Harvey Keital, comes to the rescue.

('Pretty please with sugar on top'.)

This will be West’s role with the Warriors. Forget the blood and gore. Forget the criminal elements. And forget the linen closet. Like Pulp Fiction, Lacob has a problem, and West, advisor or not, has been brought in to solve it.

He could be the jolt the Warriors needs. Hopefully, it improves their record in 2012 and beyond.

--Oly Sandor.

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Golden State general manager Larry Riley expects the strong scoring but small backcourt of 6-foot-3 guards Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry to be in tact when next season begins, he told Yahoo! Sports.

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"I call Barnes the Charminator," said Terry. "You know what that is? That is a guy that's soft as Charmin' toilet paper. It's not only that he's a Pac-10 guy and he's a [UCLA] Bruin, and so you know we hate those guys -- us [Arizona] Wildcats, we hate Bruins. I don't care who you are. Whenever you don that uniform, I can't stand you, other than Reggie Miller. Barnes, I remember you when you were at Golden State, you're a journeyman. You put on that Laker uniform and you turn into Jerry West, Kareem, and Worthy, and Magic. Those are the real Lakers, not Barnes."

Barnes smiled when he was relayed Terry's comments after practice on Saturday afternoon. "I'm not worried about what he's talking about," Barnes said. "In Golden State we showed how to beat Dallas. You take it right to their chin and they back down. I don't see that nothing's changed since then so hopefully we see them again."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: In pro sports, there’s competitive hate between players and/or teams competing. This ends when the final buzzer sounds.

Then there’s personal hate, which is, well, personal. This doesn’t end when the final buzzer sounds. It carries over to the next game.  

Put Jason Terry of the Dallas Mavericks and Matt Barnes of the Los Angeles Lakers hate in the latter.

Recently, insults have flown between the super-subs, which included references to toilet paper, journeyman status, being a fake Laker and past playoff upsets.

The trigger for this war of words was Thursday’s dust up between the purple-and-gold and Team Cuban. So Barnes went there: he brought up the Golden State Warriors 2007 upset of the Dallas Mavericks.

The Warriors, of course, were the eighth seed, who squeaked into the playoffs with an end of season rally. They were supposed to roll over in round one.

They didn’t, though.

Instead, they used an up-tempo approach to shock Terry's Mavericks, who were the heavily-favoured, first-seed. The series was highly entertaining –provided you weren’t a Mavericks fan.

The loss was especially harsh for Terry's team. In 2006, they held a two game lead in the NBA Finals –and lost the championship to Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, and the Miami Heat.

All of this adds context to a possible playoff battle between Dallas and LA. Sports are at their best when there are multiple storylines and plots.

It never hurts when there’s good old fashioned hate, either.

--Oly Sandor.

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The Clippers could have traded Baron Davis and their number one pick in the 2011 NBA Draft that was used to acquire Mo Williams and Jamario Moon in a similar deal for the expiring contract of Yao Ming, according to Bill Simmons.

The Heat would like to sign Mike Bibby if the Wizards give him a buyout; Washington called it unlikely but hasn’t ruled it out. The Heat will explore Troy Murphy if he gets a buyout from Golden State (one report has Boston as the front-runner) and perhaps Indiana’s T.J. Ford, but he’s a poor three-point shooter.

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Meanwhile, Boston will continue to monitor the buyouts going on around the league with eyes toward adding as many as two more players with its available roster spots. All eyes seem to be on Troy Murphy, the sharpshooting big man who was traded to Golden State this week and could wind up available.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: As hard as it may be, the Boston Celtics have to get over Kendrick Perkins’ departure.

Sure, Perkins was their heart-and-soul, but trading the large five-man to the Oklahoma City Thunder was prudent -especially since the club weren’t prepared to extend him to the tune of $10 million per season.

Moving on means attempting to sign free agent Troy Murphy. The veteran was recently traded to the Golden State Warriors, who will buy him out.

All it will cost is money, specifically a pro-rated portion of the veteran’s minimum. And Murphy will contribute on the glass while stretching defenses with his outside range.

In fact, he’d have a similar role to former reserve Rasheed Wallace, who was with the Celtics in 2008 and 2009.

And Murphy will be motivated. He’d didn’t fit in New Jersey and ended up getting banished from the team by Nets coach Avery Johnson.

Such a situation has to appeal to a player’s sense of pride. So signing Murphy in a few weeks may help the Celtics' players, coaches, and fans forget Perkins.

--Oly Sandor.

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The Warriors and Nets are close to finalizing a multi-player trade, according to sources. Golden State will send Dan Gadzuric and Brandan Wright to New Jersey for Troy Murphy and a 2012 second round pick.

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If they're not, adding Jackson and the $19.3 million he is owed over the next two seasons wouldn't make sense for either party. "He's happy there," a confidant said of Jackson. "He loves the city of Charlotte, and he loves to play for one of the greatest players to play the game, Michael Jordan."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Well hallelujah. Stephen Jackson is ‘happy’ in Charlotte.

Apparently, the talented swing ‘loves’ the city of Charlotte and having Michael Jordan, the Bobcats’ owner, as his boss. So he wants to stay and fulfill the remaining two years and approximately $19 million on his contract.

There may not be a ‘happily ever after’, though.

Jackson often resmebles an impulsive teenager, changing his mind and word. Years ago, he turned down an extension from the world champion San Antonio Spurs to test the market and ended up with the lowly Atlanta Hawks.

More recently, he was enamoured with the Golden State Warriors and mad-scientist sideline boss Don Nelson. Then, like ‘Radio Raheem’ in Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing, the 'love became hate' and Jackson split from the Warriors and ‘Nellie’.

Of course, there’s another party in this relationship, the Bobcats. Jackson will become available if the club falls from the playoff race or if Jordan opts for long-term financial flexibility.

And Jackson's happiness won’t matter. Not one bit.

--Oly Sandor.

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The Cavaliers offered the Clippers guard Maurice Williams and forward Jamario Moon in exchange for guard Baron Davis earlier this offseason, according to a league source.

Cleveland, at the time, was desperate to please LeBron James, who eventually left for Miami as a free agent.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Desperate times, desperate measures.

This is the only way to describe reports the Cleveland Cavaliers tried to convince LeBron James to sign an extension by acquiring Baron Davis from the Los Angeles Clippers.

Davis wouldn’t have been enough. Not even close. Miami would still have won out for James' services.

After all, Davis - an overrated and overweight point guard - can’t compete with Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and the lure of South Beach.

If the Cavaliers had acquired Davis, they’d be on the hook for the remaining three years and $43 million of his contract. 

This, of course, would be problematic. James would be long gone. Davis would be bored, angry, and hibernating through the Ohio winter.

Davis is a sad story. He has such potential.

A few years ago, he was the toast of the NBA –leading his ‘We Believe’ Golden State Warriors to a playoff upset over the league-leading Dallas Mavericks.

And TNT Broadcaster Kenny Smith has gone on record saying Davis has the game to be a first team all-NBA player each year.

While this may be hyperbole, Davis should be better than he is.

Right now, he’s the problem for the Clippers -a team he picked as a free agent. And he’d have been a bigger problem for the Cavaliers, especially without James.

--Oly Sandor.

--Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.    

CSNBayArea.com cites two sources in reporting that Don Nelson is set to step down as head coach of the Warriors. Keith Smart will take over duties at the start of training camp. Smart is a longtime assistant coach in Golden State.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Finally, Don Nelson is out as coach of the Golden State Warriors. Frankly, it’s time.

For too long, he’s run the Warriors as his own private fiefdom. For too long, he has wrecked relationships with young and old players. And for too long, his antics have turned off the team’s loyal fans.

No more.

The club has new owners. Nelson is out. Veteran assistant Keith Smart is in. Look for Smart to energize his young, talented team. And look for the Warriors to finally start resembling a professional sports franchise.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

According to one report, the Nets are not willing to include Brook Lopez in an attempt to trade for Carmelo Anthony. But New Jersey's offer of Devin Harris, Derek Favors and draft picks may still give the Nuggets the best pieces in return for Anthony.

The Nuggets have had discussions with the Bulls that center around Luol Deng and Taj Gibson. The Warriors may offer Stephen Curry, Andris Biedrins and draft picks but are not sure that they will make Curry available. The Clippers are called a long shot with Chris Kaman and Eric Gordon the likely two targets whom Denver would look to acquire.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: When reading today's NBA news, you surely thought who is Anthony Tolliver? And why should I care if he's now with the Minnesota Timberwolves?

Well, you're not alone.

Yesterday, Tolliver signed with the lowly Wolves. It wasn't where he signed, but how he signed that made news. He announced his contract in a spoof to LeBron James, creating a short video called The Decision Part Deux.

Somehow, the news he was taking his talent 'north' didn't result in Warrior fans burning his jersey, his former owner pulling a Dan Gilbert and publishing a nasty letter on the club's website, or Jesse Jackson making comparisions that sparked a national outcry.

Nevertheless, The Decision Part Deux is still amusing. Watch the video and get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below. 

Since losing Tony Allen to the Grizzlies, the Celtics have warmed to the idea of signing Matt Barnes, according to an NBA source.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Losing Tony Allen may be a positive for the Boston Celtics.

While Allen's defensive game improved during the playoffs and in the NBA Finals, he had limits on offense. Defenders would slough off the athletic swing and dare him to fire away from the perimeter.

Matt Barnes is Allen's equal as a lockdown defender, but also stretches defense with his three-point range and intimidates. For instance, Barnes averaged 9 points per game last year with Orlando, mostly on a steady diet of outside shots.

However, the Mohawk's greatest asset is his intensity. In 2007, he was an integral part of the Golden State Warriors improbable upset of the Dallas Mavericks. And last season he declared viral jihad via twitter against the Los Angeles Lakers' Lamar Odom.

Barnes is reportedly announcing where he'll sign today. The mighty green-and-white is hoping he'll pick Boston and provide an upgrade on Allen. 

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

There are rumors of three-way trade discussions among Golden State, Minnesota and New York, in which Al Jefferson would be sent to the Warriors, David Lee to the Timberwolves, and Monta Ellis to the Knicks.

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An associate of former NBA player Manute Bol says Bol has died at a Virginia hospital, where he was being treated for severe kidney trouble and a painful skin condition known as Stevens-Johnsons Syndrome.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Manute Bol was a lovely character.

Tall, lanky, and personable, the 7-6 Bol was a favorite of teammates and fans for his shot blocking and unique form on his three point shot.

A fringe player for most of his 10 seasons with Golden State, Miami, Philadelphia, and Washington, Bol sits at 14th on the all-time blocks list.

However, Bol was an MVP in his native Sudan for his humanitarian work which promoted reconciliation in the war-torn African nation. And Bol was also part of the league going global, where teams started looking outside the United States for talent.

Rest In Peace to the lovable Manute.

(Manute Bol: One of a kind.)

Get at us with your memories of the 7-6 Sudanese post!

Oracle Corp. CEO Larry Ellison is among "more than a dozen" suitors who have submitted non-binding bids for the Warriors, a source close to the negotiations said Tuesday.

"He is a part of it," the source said.

According to another source, so are the San Francisco Giants, 24 Hour Fitness owner Mark Mastrov, an NFL owner, a former Lakers star and a group of prominent Chinese businesspeople, among others. Galatioto Sports Partners and Warriors owner Chris Cohan will choose the best prospects in the next week.

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HoopsVibe's Call: Give Larry Ellison a cape, tights, and Dwight Howard/Shaquille O'Neal's phone booth because he could be Superman and save the sorry Golden State Warriors.

Ellison, if approved as Golden State's owner, would bring something to The Bay that has been in short supply: sanity. Simply put, Cohan and Coach Don Nelson have ruined the Warriors. There's zero plan. Players, both past and present, have had significant issues with the club (see Baron Davis, Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson, and Al Harrington). Even their loyal fans are disgusted.

The right owner, Ellison, would surely hire the right basketball people -not Nelson and his group of faithful lackeys on the bench and in the front office. Talented youngsters like Andris Biedrins, Stephen Curry, and Ellis could then blossom with proper mentorship.

A change at the top would do Golden State good. It starts with Cohan cashing out as owner and being replaced with someone such as Ellison.

Is Cohan the problem with the Golden State Warriors? Does he have to sell for the team to turn things around? Get at us in the comment box below with thoughts.

Evans received 67 first-place votes (491 points) from a panel of 123 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Golden State’s Stephen Curry finished second with 391 points and Milwaukee’s Brandon Jennings finished third with 204 points. Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote.

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NBA spokesman Tim Frank says Dell Curry will be allowed to vote for all the other postseason awards, but the league did not want to put him in an awkward position with the rookie award. 

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