HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: This is the ‘hard-hitting’ news NBA fans have been waiting for.

The cameras caught New Jersey Nets power forward Kris Humphries declaring his celebrity fiancé Kim Kardashian the second most beautiful woman in the world.

For the record, Humphries believes his mom to be the most beautiful. This sounds sweet, but such a Hallmark moment might not fly with the powers that be known as the Kardashian clan.

If Kris and Kim is your thing, click the link, watch the video, and get us with thoughts in the comment box.

Seems that a guy like Dwight Howard, nearly 7-feet tall and answering to "Superman," would be a perfect fit at Comic-Con, where he talked about both his budding career as a voice over actor and his basketball future. What about the Lakers? "That's everybody's question," he told the "Kick" audience. "I am wearing purple ... but that's Rock's outfit." The Heat? "Never."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It would be like the Greasers combining forces with the Socs', or the Capulets breaking bread with the Montagues, or Paris Hilton ‘re-friending’ Kim Kardashian.

Or, like a want-to-be-superhero telling the Comic-Con masses he’d never join the villains, the bad guys, the capped-out Miami Heat.

Give Howard credit. He can charm a crowd -even if that crowd spends weekends playing D&D, Call of Duty, and comparing the old Star Wars trilogy to the new Star Wars trilogy.

However, this is bigger than Comic-Con. Howard’s current team, the Orlando Magic, hate the cross-state Heat. They hate Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade, known as the 'Three Kings'. And they hate arrogant Heat exec' Pat Riley.

There's little Howard can do. The NBA is locked-out. His Magic will lack the pieces, unless Gilbert Arenas and Hedo Turkoglu rediscover their past form, to topple the Eastern Conference champion Heat.

Howard will opt-out of his contract next July and likely join another superstar. Perhaps something happens with the Lakers -if Jerry Buss falls out of love with Andrew Bynum. Perhaps he links up with Deron Williams and the Nets.

One thing is certain: Howard would 'never' join Miami.

--Oly Sandor.

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Howard found out when the rest of us did: once the trades were completed. Turns out, Howard had a problem with that.

“I wanted to be more part of the process a little more,” Howard said in a radio interview with 790 The Zone in Atlanta. “I had to step out on the court and I wanted to make sure that the people I played with wanted to go out and play hard every night. My only issue was the fact that I didn’t really have a chance to be involved, but I think with the guys that we brought in we still have an excellent chance of winning, but we all have to be on the same page.”

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Williams tweeted the signature on his one-year contract with Besiktas late Friday night from his verified Twitter account. "Just made it official, headed to Turkey ...signed with Besiktas & @BJK_Basketbol," he wrote.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Deron Williams talks-the-talk and walks-the-walk.

Two weeks ago, Williams announced he was 'taking his talent' to Turkey because of the NBA lockout. Today, Williams made it official, signing a one-year, $5 million contract with Besiktas, which includes an escape clause if the lockout is resolved.

There’s no being ‘open to’ or considering. Williams, a man of his word, is gone. But keeping his word is risky.

Suppose Williams gets injured in Turkey. The New Jersey Nets, Williams’ NBA team, could void the remaining two-years and $34 million on his contract.

Williams has to consider the long-term. Next July, he can opt-out of his contract, hit the free agent market, and sign a multi-year deal for the maximum amount available.

Of course, an injury would change everything. Teams would think twice about tendering Williams an offer, especially since the new salary cap will be less forgiving of 'bad contracts'.

Williams deserves credit for taking the initiative to play basketball. Right now, few NBA superstars can say that.

--Oly Sandor.

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

Beşiktaş Cola Turka, briefly known as the team employing Allen Iverson (remember him?), has reportedly agreed to terms with another, perhaps more reliable American NBA baller. Turkey-based sports news outlet NTV Spor announced today that Deron Williams of the New Jersey Nets will joining the TBL club for the 2011-12 with an out clause, should the NBA lockout end. Williams stands to earn some $16 million with Mikhail Prokhorov’s team, should a season be played.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It was Europe or nothing. Europe won.

NBA owners have locked-out the players, so Deron Williams could ply his trade overseas or sit and wait for the dispute to be settled.

Not surprisingly, the star point-guard picked Europe, specifically Besiktas Cola of Turkey. Of course, this is the same club Allen Iverson recently suited up for.

Williams sees Europe as an opportunity to keep in shape, earn a salary, and play competitive basketball. If there’s an NBA season, he can opt-out and return to America.

There’s an obvious risk: injury. Williams could hurt himself while in Turkey, which would impact his career and earning power in the NBA.

Now Williams will get insurance for financial protection, but this doesn’t help the New Jersey Nets, the club that mortgaged their future to acquire him, in case of an injury.

Nevertheless, heading to Europe is Williams’ right, especially in this current environment of a lockout.

--Oly Sandor.

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

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.

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

Recently our big brothers at CraveOnline caught up with Deron Williams at SXSW and pressed him for his thoughts on the impending lockout and the parallels he sees between the NBA and NFL's respective situations. Check out the video below and let us know what you think by dropping a comment at the bottom of the page.

t only does Jigga have more Grammy Awards than any NBA owner, he’s also more involved than these “so-called” celebrity minority owners, according to Nets GM Billy King.

“I think a lot of those so-called guys that have parts of teams, they vanish,” King said. “There was one in Cleveland, what was his name? Usher. They haven’t seen him. I think Nelly in (Charlotte) – haven’t seen him. But Jay-Z, I think players see that it’s more of a passion for him, not just something he’s involved in.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: He’s better than Nelly and Usher. We’re talking minority owners, not music.

Word is Jay-Z, who has a small stake in the New Jersey Nets, is the top celebrity owner in the NBA.  Unlike Nelly, who is linked to the Charlotte Bobcats, and Usher, who has a percentage in the Cleveland Cavaliers, Jay-Z is actively involved.

This is hardly a surprise. Jay-Z is comfortable in both the boardroom and studio.

Remember, he was a key cog for Rocafella Records and clothes, and was once the head suit for legendary music label Def Jam Records. Over time, he has amassed a personal fortune of close to $400 million.

And Jay-Z is serious about his Nets. He’s involved in recruiting free agents, the new Brooklyn stadium, and all other aspects of the team. He does far more than show-up and sit courtside.

Expect Jay-Z to be a part of the turnaround with New Jersey.

--Oly Sandor.

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

"I would expect a Dwight trade this summer or before the next season starts, from what I'm hearing. Rose likes his core because it's the core he has. He's not opposed to the Bulls improving it." (Ric Bucher, ESPN)

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Teams who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.

So the Orlando Magic must give serious consideration to trading Dwight Howard or they risk losing another once-in-a-generation-center via free agency.

In the late nineties, Shaquille O’Neal, the Magic’s franchise face and the game’s most dominating player, left Orlando to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.

As a Laker, he won three straight championships. The Magic were forced to start over.

Howard, a free agent next summer, is rumored to be looking at bigger markets. He’s been linked to those same Lakers. He’s also been linked to the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets.

The Magic were in the mix to keep their smiling superstar until they blinked this year and changed their roster mid-season with a pair of questionable trades.

Hedo Turkoglu has been decent; however, GM Otis Smith’s gamble on Gilbert Arenas has failed. The Hibachi is out of propane, struggling with shot knees, high expectations that come with a big-ticket contract, and low confidence.

Smith has failed to find Howard a co-star. So Howard, if he wants a championship, will likely find his own co-stars elsewhere.

Smith, despite his denials, will have to be open to a trade. Unless he wants to repeat the past and lose Howard for nothing as a free agent.

--Oly Sandor.

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

Williams' contract expires after next season, and the Knicks could have the cap space to sign him. Anthony said. "I haven't seen it but he's going to be in New York too, so you'll see a lot more of that -- the competition thing. We got another Subway Series coming."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: His game has improved by leaps and bounds. He’s dating a celebrity. Best of all, he’s now connected with Digital Underground’s classic ‘The Humpty Dance’. 

Can life get any better for the New Jersey Nets' Kris Humphries? Click the video below and watch the Nets’ campaign to help Hump’ win Most Improved Player. 

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Is Hump' this year's MIP? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

He also just happens to be dating reality TV star Kim Kardashian. Calling it the “Kim Kardashian Effect”, many can’t help but notice the correlation between Humphries’ success this season and his recent romance. “You know, it’s interesting. Just being around her, seeing how hard she works, and everyone in her family and what they do, it’s motivating for me,” Humphries said. “I want to be the best that I can be. I wouldn’t say it’s the only reason I’ve had a great year, but it definitely factors into that.”

The NBA will investigate Jay-Z’s visit with the Kentucky basketball team after Sunday’s 76-69 win against North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament East Regional Final, reports CBSSports.com’s Ken Berger.

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Suns coach Alvin Gentry inserted center Marcin Gortat and swingman Jared Dudley into the starting lineup, putting Gortat into the spot of Robin Lopez, who had been groomed as a future franchise center, and Dudley in place of guard Vince Carter, who likely won't be with the Suns next season.

Gortat, 27, has received minutes and produced the numbers as if he were a starter and embraces the idea of a bigger role in the future. Sunday was his first start as a Suns center after receiving one previous start at power forward alongside Lopez.

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Not all the Lakers were upset with the league's decision. "I'm proud of him," Kobe Bryant said of Bynum. "He earned his stripes."  Bynum will need to be careful the rest of the regular season if he wants to avoid further discipline. He will be automatically suspended for one game if he commits another flagrant foul, type 2, before the end of the regular season. The Lakers were hoping for leniency from the league. Bynum isn't known as a rough player with an angry demeanor.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: If Andrew Bynum was worried about his flagrant foul on the Minnesota Timberwolves' Michael Beasley, he can stop.

Kobe Bryant has Bynum’s back. Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar and one of the game’s premier players, beamed like a proud parent when asked by reporters about Bynum’s foul and suspension.

Now Bryant obviously doesn’t want Beasley to get hurt. Other than that, he’s clearly thrilled with Bynum’s flagrant foul.

Consider the following: opposing teams will be hesitant to drive the lane against the Lakers; Bryant’s squad are finally playing their best with the playoffs fast approaching; Bynum is absolutely dominant in the paint.

It’s interesting to reflect on how far Bryant and Bynum have come. These two weren’t always tight.

In fact, Bynum often found himself on the wrong side of Bryant’s rage. Not long ago, the Black Mamba complained to two strangers outside a strip mall that the club didn't trade the seven-footer to the New Jersey Nets for Jason Kidd.

Two championships have a way of changing things. With Bynum plugging the middle, the Lakers have to be favoured to win a third.

Now wonder Bryant has Bynum’s back.  

--Oly Sandor.

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

Johnson on Wednesday stood by a claim he made Tuesday on the radio that there is "no doubt" the team will be able to re-sign point guard Deron Williams when he becomes a free agent. "I have no doubt and I'm really, really confident that we'll be able to re-sign him,"

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For months, New Jersey coveted Carmelo Anthony. "I always thought that if I got [Anthony], it would lead to my point guard," King said. "And I’ve always leaned to [Williams] a little more than the other one [Chris Paul] that people were talking about."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s a debate that has raged since both entered the league as lottery picks in 2005.

Who is the better point guard: Chris Paul or Deron Williams?

New Jersey Nets Executive Billy King apparently prefers the powerful Williams over the lightning-quick Paul. Of course, King just traded for Williams, so his opinion is hardly a surprise.

He has to support his newest addition.

However, there’s a legitimate case to be made for Williams. His bigger frame doesn’t wear down and suits the flex offensive sets that Coach Jerry Sloan ran with the Utah Jazz, while Paul’s smaller frame is more susceptible to injuries.

Paul and Williams are both free agents in 2012. Both should end up in New York. One will sign with the Knicks; one will sign with the Nets.

Then the ‘CP3’ versus ‘D-Will’ debate will move to another level.

--Oly Sandor.

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

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.

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

Jazz CEO Greg Miller said he made the move because of a "gut feeling" that he wouldn't be able to sign Williams to a long-term deal after next season. "If you look at what happened with Phoenix, Toronto and Cleveland ... they all lost their marquee player and had very little if anything to show for it," Miller said. "This trade allows us to be competitive now and beyond the 2012 season."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Could this be the trigger that pushes the NBA’s small market owners to demand wholesale changes to the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement and financial system?

Consider the Utah Jazz’s predicament. Their superstar and best player, Deron Williams, longed for bright lights, a big city, and a chance at a championship.

That wasn’t happening in Utah, so Williams likely informed management he was opting-out of his contract in July of 2012.

Translation: he was gone.

The Jazz could’ve spent the next sixteen months convincing Williams to stay. Of course, the end result wouldn’t have changed and the Jazz would’ve lost their prime asset without compensation.

Just like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors with LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

Or, the Jazz could’ve spent the next sixteen months negotiating a trade. They’d be daily fodder for pundits and fans on-line and on-air. Maybe Conan O’Brien would get in on the act.

Just like the Denver Nuggets with Carmelo Anthony.

Neither situation was appealing, which led to the Jazz suddenly shipping Williams to the Nets for Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, and a pair of first round draft picks.

The Jazz did well, especially when considering Williams held all the cards, possessed all the leverage, and was hell-bent on using it. They were also lucky, though, because the Nets were willing to trade after losing out on Carmelo Anthony.

In four months, they –and the other small market owners- will get revenge. Much to the chagrin of the players, they’ll demand a hard cap, revenue sharing, and franchise player tags.

No more Anthony, Bosh, James, and Williams holding them hostage. And the looming lockout will be nasty, bitter, and long.

--Oly Sandor.

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

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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More than half the NBA has called Denver about Nene's availability in trades, but the team's first order of business after trading Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks is convincing their offensively talented center to remain with the team. Nene is eligible to opt out of his contract this offseason, despite being owed $11.6 million for the 11-12 season.

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Carmelo Anthony has informed people close to him that he will not sign an extension with the Nets, according to sources.  Anthony has had a longstanding preference to play for the Knicks.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: New York Knicks or New Jersey Nets?

For months, Carmelo Anthony has been going back-and-forth on where he hopes the Denver Nuggets trade him. Anthony, of course, has considerable leverage because he can become a free agent at season’s end and pick where he plays.

A trade between Denver and New Jersey is now unlikely because reports are surfacing that Anthony told the Nets he wouldn’t sign an extension with them.

So the Knicks it is, apparently.

The Nets won’t mortgage the house, farm, and family compound in a trade for Anthony if he intends on crossing the Hudson River and signing with the rival Knicks. That would be a public relations disaster.

The Anthony saga is like a crime fiction novel –with twists and turns each day. Don’t completely count the Nets out.   

Today, the Knicks are the frontrunner. Tomorrow is anybody’s guess, however.

--Oly Sandor.

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The Knicks have improved their offer to Denver for Carmelo Anthony. New York is now putting Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Eddy Curry and a first round pick to Denver for Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and salary cap filler.

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The Nets and Nuggets reportedly have reached a tentative agreement on a trade that would send Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey. The deal is pending Anthony's agreement on a long-term contract extension with the Nets. The trade would send Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Sheldon Williams, Melvin Ely and Renaldo Balkman to New Jersey, and Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, Ben Uzoh and four first-round draft picks to Denver.

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Through his assistant, Mikhail Prokhorov apparently denied that the Nets have re-entered trade talks with the Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony.

"Mikhail has not changed his mind," the assistant wrote.When asked if that meant that New Jersey's owner is not interested in continuing his team's pursuit of Anthony, she replied as follows: What I said is what I said. Not what you said."

Reports surfaced on Wednesday and Thursday that the Nets were again engaged with Denver and the discussion was advancing.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: One minute Carmelo Anthony is on his way to the New Jersey Nets as part of a seven player blockbuster trade.

One minute later, the deal is off –and the Nets are maintaining their stance about not giving away the farm to the Denver Nuggets for Anthony.

What report to believe? Well, the truth is in the middle. On paper, a deal between the Nets and Nuggets makes sense.

Mikhail Prokhorov, also known as Russia’s richest man, needs to make headlines before his Nets bolt New Jersey and move into their new billion dollar Brooklyn digs.

Nothing would get the basketball world talking like the Nets acquiring and resigning Anthony, especially if they upstage the rival New York Knicks.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets know Anthony won’t sign an extension to stay in the Mile High City. They have to make a trade before the February 24th deadline.

If there’s no trade, the small forward will become a free agent at season’s end and head for New York. The Nuggets would get nothing back and become like the 2011 Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors post Chris Bosh.

In short, the Nuggets have to cut a trade. The Nets have the best assets.

Unfortunately, both teams know the other’s hand. And the Nuggets and Nets are determined to play hard ball with each other.

Perhaps a deal happens; perhaps not. These teams will have another conversation or two before the trade deadline passes.

Just don't either side to admit it. 

--Oly Sandor.

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

Several sources told Yahoo! Sports that Carmelo Anthony’s agent, Leon Rose, has recently begun informing teams that the All-Star forward is interested in signing a contract extension with only the New York Knicks.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Carmelo Anthony’s representatives are confirming the worst secret in sports. One way or another, the three-man will play for the New York Knicks.

Forget the Chicago Bulls or New Jersey Nets; same with the Denver Nuggets. Anthony has his heart set on Madison Square Garden.

The only thing left to be settled is when and how much: when will the All-Star suit up in New York? And how much will it cost the player and team?

Anthony’s representatives have hurt his trade value by making it known he’ll only sign an extension with the Knicks.

This changes Anthony’s situation, making him a two month rental for most teams since he can become a free agent in July. Perhaps a contender with a closing championship window, like Mark Cuban’s Dallas Mavericks, makes a deal before the February 24th trade deadline.

Perhaps the Knicks and Nuggets end this Melo-drama by swinging a deal before the deadline. The Knicks and Anthony would, of course, agree on an extension.

Here’s the most likely scenario: Anthony ends up waiting for the new Collective Bargaining Agreement to be settled, opts out of his contract and becomes a free agent, and promptly signs with the Knicks.

After all, why would the Knicks sacrifice young assets like Wilson Chandler and Landry Fields in a trade for Anthony when they can simply sign him this summer?

There is a twist. Signing with the Knicks as a free agent will cost Anthony. The new CBA will reduce the value of every NBA contract, including those given to superstars. Anthony will bank several million dollars if he can get to New York and agree to an extension before season’s end.

One way or another, Anthony will be a Knick. Timing and money are all that is left to be settled.

--Oly Sandor.

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

Kim Kardashian has baby fever and has hinted who she wants the father to be.

The 30-year-old reality star posted a childhood photo of her New Jersey Nets beau Kris Humphries on her Twitter feed Sunday with the accompanying caption, "I want my son to look like this!"

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: She sure is subtle.

So Kim Kardashian and New Jersey Net Kris Humphries are dating and considering pro-creating. Interesting, I guess.

While the HoopsVibe news team is never sure if this qualifies as ‘news’, we welcome your opinions on another Kardashian sister dating an NBA player.

Got thoughts? Get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Mikhail Prokhorov, owner of the Nets, announced at a Wednesday press conference that his team is ending negotiations on a trade to acquire Carmelo Anthony.

"It's been too long and too expensive," he said about the chase for Anthony. When asked if this was his final decision, he responded, "For sure." "It's my own decision," Prokhorov said. "(The Nuggets) had a very good proposal. They probably did their best to protect their interests."

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Carmelo Anthony isn't sure how things will end in Denver, but says he learned from LeBron James how not to leave a team. "I would never go about it the way LeBron did it," Anthony told Sports Illustrated Senior Writer Ian Thomsen.

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Uncharacteristically candid on the topic, Avery Johnson diffused reports stating Carmelo Anthony could join the Nets this coming week. "That's laughable," Johnson said about the reports. "It's straight comedy to me and that's the problem because we deal with this stuff everyday and I'm fine dealing with it, you know, but it's laughable. It's comedy.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: What can Avery Johnson say about Carmelo Anthony? After all, the New Jersey Nets’ sideline boss is in a no-win situation.

On the one hand, Johnson can’t admit the organization is trying to trade a third of the roster because the deal may not happen. And then Johnson would be stuck coaching players he tried to trade.

On the other hand, Johnson must be excited about the possibility of adding Anthony, Chauncey Billups, and Rip Hamilton to a roster that already has seven-footer Brook Lopez.

But again, he can’t say anything publicly about other teams’ players because that would be tampering.  Johnson is right, though. The Anthony saga is comedy. It’s laughable.

Sure, the Denver Nuggets’ swing is a talented, but the Nets seem a little too willing to put their season on hold to acquire him.

Hopefully, the Nets have a fallback. Anthony has mentioned more than once that his preference is to return home and play for the New York Knicks. He even called it the ‘ultimate’.

And Anthony has leverage in that he can opt-out of his contract at season’s end and sign with New York, the team of his choosing.

The situation is complicated for all involved, so Johnson has no choice but to laugh. In fact, it’s all he can do.

--Oly Sandor.

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

Without specifying either the Knicks or Nets, Carmelo Anthony said on Friday that his "ultimate" dream would be to play in New York. "That's like the ultimate dream at the end of the day," Anthony said. "Who wouldn't want to go back home to play?"

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: New York, New York.

After months of keeping quiet and letting the internet news-cycle run wild, Carmelo Anthony finally stated his dream was to return home to New York and play for the Knicks.

Fair enough. New York is familiar. The Knicks are pretty good. Madison Square Gardens is legendary. And the city also happens to be the media capital of the world.

Now the parties involved –the Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Anthony, and possibly a third team like the Memphis Grizzlies- need to make this happen.

No more talking. No more hints. No more anonymous sources. Lock yourselves in a room and agree on a deal.

Of course, the New Jersey Nets and all other suitors must back off. After all, Anthony is a free agent, meaning he can pick where he wants to play at season’s end.

So the Nets could trade for him and have him walk at season’s end to sign with the cross-town Knicks.

Hopefully, this scenario scares off the Nets. And hopefully, a resolution to this Melo’ drama is coming.

--Oly Sandor.

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

The Nets are "further along" in talks with the Nuggets on a blockbuster trade for Carmelo Anthony than they have been ever before, according to sources. A three-team deal involving the Pistons that would include at least 15 players could be completed as soon as this week.

Two sources confirmed to CBSSports.com Friday night that the Nets were trying to recruit the Pistons to enter a blockbuster three-team scenario in which New Jersey would've gotten Anthony and Chauncey Billups from the Nuggets and Richard Hamilton from the Pistons. The complicated and intriguing scenario was first reported by the The Record of Hackensack, N.J. 

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Not long ago, GM Joe Dumars was confident he could rebuild his Detroit Pistons on the fly.

The plan was simple enough: trade Chauncey Billups’ multi-year contract for Allen Iverson’s expiring contract; let Iverson’s contract come off-the-books; and ink a big-ticket free agent.

Then Detroit would be back. They’d have the horses to beat the Boston Celtics and win another championship.

Well, the plan never materialized. Instead of landing a big-ticket free agent, Dumars signed underachievers like Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. And instead of rebuilding on the fly, the Pistons have gotten worse.

They’re part of the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes. Only they aren’t competing for Anthony, the big-ticket piece they supposedly covet. They’ve been relegated to third team status.

Reports indicate the Pistons’ involvement will allow the Nets to get Anthony, and former Piston Billups, who Dumars originally dealt to the Denver Nuggets for Iverson three years ago.

Things have come full circle for Piston-nation. Rebuilding on the fly didn’t work. Now Dumars must tear the team he built down and start all over.

--Oly Sandor.

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

Despite reports that Carmelo Anthony doesn't want to play in Newark, the Nets haven't been told that and they continue to pursue the forward, according to multiple sources.

“Prokhorov is interesting, Jay-Z is interesting, the future of that organization is interesting,” Anthony said. “They’re moving to Brooklyn is interesting. There’s a lot there.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: I get the sense Carmelo Anthony is enjoying his moment in the sun.

For months, the spotlight has been on Anthony, his pending free agency, and where he’ll end up. The glare of that spotlight doesn’t affect him. In fact, it pleases him.

So Anthony tossed fuel on the New Jersey Nets fire, telling the Bergeron Record he finds the club’s owners, organization, and Brooklyn ‘interesting’.

Well, the feeling is mutual.

New Jersey has interest in Anthony. He’s a natural scorer. And his star power would help overshadow the Knicks when the team eventually crosses the river into Brooklyn.

However, Anthony won’t come cheap. The Denver Nuggets want Brook Lopez or Derrick Favors in a package that will include expiring contracts and draft picks.

Interest may not be enough to complete a trade. The speculation will continue, which means additional headlines and press for Anthony.

Something tells me he won’t have a problem with this. 

--Oly Sandor.

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If disenchanted Carmelo Anthony is still with the Denver Nuggets at trade time in February, look for the Timberwolves to make a serious run at him.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Delusional, crazy, and silly.

This is the only way to describe a reporter’s assertion that the Minnesota Timberwolves will, or should, chase Carmelo Anthony.

Anthony won’t ink an extension with Denver because they lack a co-superstar, play in a small market, and are thousands of miles from his home out east.

Consider the state of the Timberwolves: despite having young pieces, they lack a bonafide co-superstar; ‘The Frozen Tundra of Sota’ is the league’s version of Siberia; and Minnesota is far, far away from Anthony’s base of New York.

Of course, the Timberwolves can make a ‘run’ for the forward. They can even acquire him. However, they have zero chance at getting Anthony’s signature on a long-term extension.

So why bother? Think of the optics.

Suppose the Wolves pull off the impossible and land Anthony. They’d have to give the Nuggets young players, expiring contracts, and draft picks.

Come July 1st, Anthony walks as a free agent. In fact, he sprints away from Executive David Kahn and the Timberwolves.  

The forward will take less money to sign with the New York Knicks. Perhaps he’ll do the same for the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets, especially if it means ditching Minnesota.

The Timberwolves would then have nothing to show for this sad saga –nothing except the shame of losing a superstar. Their have-not status would again be clear for all to see.

Like I said, it’s delusional, crazy, and silly. Here’s hoping the Timberwolves invest their time in more worthwhile pursuits.

--Oly Sandor.

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

Carmelo Anthony denied that he has requested a trade and said he plans to keep his options open until the end of the season. "I'm leaving my options open. At the end of the season, I'll sit down with my team; I'll sit down with the Nuggets," Anthony said. "I've never said I wanted to be traded," he said. "I never once said anything about trade talk. There's been a lot of speculation going on."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Ah, the old innocent routine.

Nobody believes Carmelo Anthony's denials that he had any part in off-season trade talks. For months, speculation has surrounded the superstar on where the Denver Nuggets might deal him.

Today, he reported to the Nuggets’ training camp. And today, he played the-hear-no-evil, see-no-evil-card with the media.

What else could Anthony do?

The Nuggets spent all weekend trying to deal him to the New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, or Philadelphia 76ers. They failed.

So Anthony came to camp, where reporters peppered him with questions. They wanted to know his plans for the future. And he gave them nothing, except some song-and-dance about deciding at the end of the season.

It wasn’t believable. For now, it was enough.

--Oly Sandor.

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"We’ll see if he signs a reasonable extension and if he’s 100 percent happy that it’s where he wants to go," Bryant told Yahoo! Sports on Saturday. "If not, don’t make a move just to get out of the situation. ... Make sure it’s a move that you’re very happy in and you’re comfortable with."

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: The Black Mamba has spoken.

Kobe Bryant, the NBA’s greatest player and resident OG, recently advised Carmelo Anthony on his situation with the Denver Nuggets.

Bryant's opinion makes sense: too often, players hastily swap one bad situation for another. Instead of weighing their options, they force trades, and aren't better off.

Wherever Anthony lands, it must be right. He has to win. Big time.

While this situation isn’t The Decision Part Deux, it has cast the superstar forward in an unsavoury light. Many fans are sick of the hourly updates, constant speculation, and comments from Mrs. Anthony.

So Bryant’s point is a good one: whether Anthony ends up with the New York Knicks or New Jersey Nets, he has to be sure.

If he’s unsure, why bother?

Anthony would soon find himself in the same predicament a few years from now. He’d be losing, He'd be miserable. And he'd be searching for an exit strategy.

Perhaps Anthony is spending the weekend reflecting on Bryant’s words. And perhaps this explains his reservations about joining the Nets.

--Oly Sandor.

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The price that the Nets would pay for Anthony in what would be a multi-team trade would be steep.

Yahoo said the Nuggets wanted power forward Derrick Favours, the No. 3 pick overall in the draft, and a protected 2012 first-round pick the Nets received from Golden State.

The Utah Jazz and Charlotte Bobcats also would be involved in the trade and Yahoo reported that the Bobcats would get all-star point guard Devin Harris from the Nets.

Charlotte would send forward Boris Diaw to the Jazz, who would send forward Andrei Kirilenko to the Nuggets. The Nets would also get point guard D.J. Augustin from the Bobcats.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The prodigal son may or may not return to his place of birth.

Word is the Carmelo Anthony to the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets trade rumor has hit a snag. Such is life when dealing with a diva/superstar and a four-team blockbuster that’s more complicated than those derivative mortgages that ushered in the global recession.

Here are a few of the issues:

•    Anthony, who can become an unrestricted free agent in July, has yet to agree to a multi-year extension with the Nets. No extension. No deal.

•    Anthony also isn’t sold on the Nets. He’s desperate to play with superstar pal Chris Paul, who hits free agency in 2012.

•    The Denver Nuggets aren’t ready to cut ties with Anthony, their ling-time franchise face. Although there’s been little movement on an extension, the Nuggets may want another shot at convincing the forward to stay.

•    The Charlotte Bobcats are having second thoughts on including young point guard D.J. Augustine. Right now, the NBA is stacked with point guards, but Augustine could still develop.

Make no mistake about it, this hinges on Anthony. If he wants to be a Net, the deal happens. All involved will acommodate.

Like the Nuggets’ offence, the ball is in Melo's hands. Everyone is watching to see what he'll do.

--Oly Sandor.

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

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s not happening.

The New Jersey Nets are not trading Derrick Favors to the Denver Nuggets for embattled superstar Carmelo Anthony. The Nets love Favors’ upside, believing he could become an all-time great.

This development limits the soon-to-be Brooklyn squad’s ability to land Anthony. Remember, star big Brook Lopez is off the table. So the Nets have little to offer.

After all, Denver wants a young, blue-chip piece as part of any deal for Anthony. No Favors. No Lopez. No Anthony in New Jersey.

--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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