Boston 3-point specialist Ray Allen wants to play for either Miami of New York next year.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Damn Ray, the season isn't even over yet and you're making moves. 

Knicks sign 3 key off-season players to ensure they can compete.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: This will help, but don't plan on going to the Eastern Conference Finals NYC.

The NBA announced Wednesday that they are eliminating the center position from the All-Star lineup.  And in other news, Nets opening game tickets are $800 on average.

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  The times, they are a changin' in the National Basketball Association.

For the first time since the Knicks traded him to the Rockets this past summer, Jeremy Lin will be stepping on the court in New York City's Madison Square Garden.
 
Hoopsvibe's quick call:  Tonight's game could possibly be one of the most significant games of Jeremy Lin's career.

The Knicks have been struggling in the second round against the Pacers, and now JR Smith, the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year is taking the blame.

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  While Smith's production has significantly declined against the Pacers, he's not solely to blame.

The Knicks have one roster spot still open entering tomorrow’s season opener, and Carmelo Anthony hopes it eventually goes to his former Nuggets teammate Kenyon Martin, according to an NBA source.

Link

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Kenyon Martin will help, but only if the New York Knicks are serious about becoming more of a defensive team.

Martin, who is currently trying to untangle himself from a complicated contract with a Chinese club, is a blue-collar four-man.

His rebounding, defense, and athleticism would help the Knicks transition from Seven Seconds Or Less to a more traditional get-stops squad.

Of course, with a frontline of Anthony, Tyson Chandler, and Amar’e Stoudemire, Martin would get limited minutes off the bench. And there’s no telling if Martin, a confident and brash individual, would accept that.

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There are all kinds of people in that conversation. LeBron James has said he is the ringleader. Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson ... it's a who's who of this year's free agent class. In terms of having a lot at stake, those players are at the top of the list with the owners, staffs and fans of the various teams.

But there is another interested party no one has mentioned: Nike, and its affiliated Jordan brand.

That is a giant corporation with a lot of branding tied up in basketball, and specifically the footwear of the best basketball players in the world, including James, Bosh, Wade and Johnson as well as Amare Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitzki and dozens more who could change teams this year. Where they all end up will not just determine the fortunes of various NBA teams, but also the abilities of those players to inspire fans to buy shoes.

Link to article by Henry Abbott on ESPN Truehoop

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: While furthering The Swoosh may not be priority one, it will be a major priority.

Players like Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade view themselves as brands and value their lucrative relationships with Nike.

These players have people whose job is to figure out the impact playing for a certain team will have on sponsors. For instance, fact or fiction, much has been speculated about Nike wanting James in the world’s largest media market, New York City.

Clearly, The Great Free Agent Chase of 2010 is about the business of basketball, and not so much the game of basketball. 

Got thoughts on Nike’s role in the free agent summit?