Heard a had a lot of booo's and haters out there tonite...but thanks y'all give me more motivation to keep workin...Thanks

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: At least John Wall didn’t push a fan in the face.

Recently John Wall dominated a run in his home state of North Carolina, however, winning the game and scoring 36 points didn't sit well with the locals.

Wall was booed. Again and again. And for no good reason.

Thankfully, the Washington Wizards combo guard didn’t overreact. He did react like a star in the viral age, taking a shot or two at ‘the haters’ via twitter.

Fair enough.

It would be nice if Wall didn’t tweet a thing, though. His team won. He was the best player.

What else is there to say? What else matters?

Anyway, watch the video of Wall tearing up the NC Pro-Am and get at HoopsVibe News with thoughts in the comment box below. 

--Oly Sandor.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Anything Kevin Durant can do, Nick Young can do better.

Well, almost.

Durant obviously trumps Young, however, the Washington Wizards swing dropped a Durant-like 60 points in summer action with the Drew League.

(Quick aside: Durant had a mere 41 points yesterday at the Nike Pro City game.)

Anyway, click the link, 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.

I have seen this process firsthand. When I coached for the Clippers, I had to deal with Michael Olowokandi, a player who perfectly fit the description "talented but uncoachable." At practice, I would attempt to point out Mr. Olowokandi's faults to him, ones he constantly repeated and resulted in lost possessions for the team or personal fouls that sent him to the bench. His reaction to my attempts to correct his bad habits was to take my input as a personal insult and embarrassment. He told me point-blank that he would not be criticized in front of the team. He stuck to his word and, as a result, had very few successful moments on the court playing the way he wanted to play. He took his place on the list of athletically gifted washouts who have been in and out of the league in the past 10 years.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is right. Michael Olowokandi is one of many ‘athletically, gifted washouts’.

The problems start with the team. Not the players. Too many owners, executives, and coaches pay based on potential.

For instance, how many bigs, like Olowokandi, get $8-10 million per season because they’re big? That’s it. They’ve done nothing. They’ve achieved nothing. But they’re seven-feet, which makes them worthy of a contract that should offend.

Except it doesn’t offend. It’s the norm. Nobody blinks when Andrea Bargnani, Calvin Booth, Kwame Brown, Eddy Curry, Brendan Haywood, Kenyon Martin, Bryant Reeves, Tyrus Thomas, and dozens of other stiffs get theirs.

Or, how about the Washington Wizards bidding against themselves and doling out $111 million over six-years to combo guard Gilbert Arenas, despite The Hibachi having undergone three surgeries on his brittle knees?    

There are other absurd contracts. The money, of course, creates entitlement. It’s why Olowokandi believes he's above being coached, even when that coach is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, a former master in the paint, a world champion, and league MVP.

The ‘Skyhook’ is right. The ‘washout’ era needs to end. Hopefully, the new financial system changes the money and power teams give unproven and undeserving players.

--Oly Sandor.

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


 

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Dunk. Block. Plank. What else can I say?

Click the video and watch JaVale McGee, of the Washington Wizards, complete ‘The Circle of Life’ in an exhibition contest in the Philippines.

--Oly Sandor.

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

The Mavericks closed out the series on Sunday night with a 105-95 win in Game 6 before taking to South Beach club LIV to celebrate with the Larry O'Brien trophy.  On Monday, the Mavericks flew home to Dallas, where Stevenson was spotted wearing a Mavericks blue and white t-shirt with lettering that read: "Hey LeBron! How's my Dirk taste?"

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: To the victors go the spoils. It also means they get the last laugh.

Take DeShawn Stevenson, the controversial and outspoken guard for the world champion Dallas Mavericks. Stevenson, whose beef with LeBron James goes back to their days with the Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers, was unusually quiet during the NBA Finals.

Perhaps he didn’t want to make James mad. Perhaps he didn’t want to create a distraction. Perhaps he wanted to focus on winning.

Well, the Finals is over. The Mavericks won. And Stevenson is making up for lost time.

First, he called the Heat ‘classless’. Then he sported a t-shirt saying ‘Hey LeBron! How's my Dirk taste?’. The best part of his ‘t-shirt’: it had an HDTV logo on it, the company Mavericks owner Mark Cuban founded.

For now, Stevenson has bragging rights. And he's enjoying it.

--Oly Sandor.

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

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s one thing to miss a dunk. It’s another thing to miss a dunk and celebrate prematurely. It’s even worse to miss a dunk, celebrate prematurely, and inadvertently cause your teammate to travel.

The Boston Celtics’ Von Wafer did all three on one play against the Washington Wizards. Click the video below and get at HoopsVibe News with thoughts.

--Oly Sandor.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: JaVale McGee finally got a taste of his own medicine. For months, he's been leading the league in highlight reel blocks.

Yesterday, the tables were turned. The Charlotte Bobcats’ Dominic McGuire swatted the you-know-what out of McGee’s dunk attempt.

Like Chris Gatling with Shawn Kemp so many years ago (click here and see dunk #5) , the Washington Wizards’ post held no grudge and showed McGuire love. 

--Oly Sandor.

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

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Boys will be boys, I guess.

Tonight’s Miami Heat-Washington Wizards game was full of piss-and-vinegar due to a second quarter skirmish between first overall pick John Wall and veteran Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

Wall, who was clearly in the wrong, got ejected. Big ‘Z’ was also sent to the showers for his role in things.

This, however, wasn’t the interesting part.

JaVale McGee and Juwan Howard both rushed to defend teammates Wall and Ilgauskas. They engaged in a shoving match before being separated. Amazingly, the referees ejected Howard, but McGee escaped with only a technical foul.

How does this work? Did McGee’s mother give the zebras pecks on the cheek before the game like the recent Slam Dunk Contest?

Anyway, the rest of the game was competitive, full of testosterone, and highly entertaining. If you’re wondering, the Heat won 123-107 –much to the chagrin of a sold out Verizon Centre.

Watch the clip of Wednesday’s donnybrook and get at us with thoughts in the comment box below.

--Oly Sandor.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Revenge is best served cold. Or with a deadly swat.

About a month ago, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin topped the Washington Wizards’ JaVale McGee to win the Slam Dunk Contest.

Griffin won the competition with his memorable car leap, neutralizing McGee’s effort, which included having his mother give cheek pecks (and a little something more to Dr. J) to the judges.     

Last night McGee got revenge. Well, sort of. He swatted the you-know-what out of a Griffin shot attempt.

Of course, Griffin’s Clippers beat McGee’s Wizards in triple overtime. And the sure-fire Rookie of the Year candidate also dropped a triple-double in the victory.

McGee had his moment, though. Watch the clip and get at us with thoughts on his incredible block in the comment box below.

--Oly Sandor.

“I got a triple-double,” McGee said. “Who can say they got a triple-double? I’m not really worried about it.”

McGee said, if anything, he was upset that some tried to discredit his accomplishment by comparing it to other failed triple-double quests — such as the one eight years ago by Ricky Davis, who was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers when he attempted to rebound his own miss on his basket in order to get a triple-double in a win against Utah. Davis finished with 26 points, 12 assists, and 9 rebounds.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It wasn’t as bad as Andray Blatche or Ricky Davis. It was close, however.

This week, JaVale McGee got a triple-double. Sadly, the young post showed too much emotion when he achieved his statistical feat, especially since his Washington Wizards were getting blown out by the Chicago Bulls.

Clearly, there’s a problem with the working environment of the Wizards. Their young building blocks like Blatche and McGee seem overly concerned with ‘getting there’s’.

They seem to be suffering from what Pat Riley calls me-disease, spending too much time on individual goals like minutes, points, blocks and rebounds.

While winning, the only number that should matter in basketball, is an afterthought.

Worst of all, McGee is defiant. He doesn’t see the error of his ways. And he won’t admit to getting carried away or lost in the moment.

With players like Blatche and McGee, the Wizards will be hard pressed to turn things around.

--Oly Sandor.

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

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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The Atlanta Hawks tonight acquired guard Kirk Hinrich and center/forward Hilton Armstrong from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Mike Bibby, Maurice Evans, Jordan Crawford and Atlanta's 2011 first round draft pick.

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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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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: What’s worse? To get your ankles broken by an aging veteran or to have your teammates taunt you for it?

Welcome to J.J. Redick’s world. The former Duke star was mocked by his Orlando Magic brethren for getting crossed over by the Washington Wizards’ Kirk Hinrich.

While Hinrich isn’t exactly And1 material, Redick could still do without Jameer Nelson recreating the play –even if the Magic were up by 25 in the third quarter. 

--Oly Sandor.

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

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: There’s a new virus infecting the top shot blockers in the NBA. Just ask the Washington Wizards’ Javale McGee …

--Oly Sandor.

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

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It was nasty, even by youtube, poster-job standards.

Yesterday, Washington Wizards three-man Al Thornton, you may remember him from his days with the L.A. Clippers, threw down a vicious tomahawk jam over the Atlanta Hawks Zaza Pachulia.

Thornton’s jam drew an incredible reaction from the Verizon Centre fans and the Wizards bench. So watch the clip, form your own reaction, and get at us with thoughts in the comment box below.

(Even the stoic Yi is laughing!)

--Oly Sandor.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The block was nice. The autograph was better.

What am I talking about? Well, click the link, and watch Washington Wizards post Javale McGee reject Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose and then sign the ball.

--Oly Sandor.

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

"We'll still find ways to get better in some spots," Magic President of Basketball Operations Otis Smith said. "Losing the backup center is big. So, you need a little size for about probably five teams. That's really what it comes down to, so we'll probably address that over the next month or so."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The wheeling-and-dealing will continue.

On Saturday, the Orlando Magic overhauled their roster in separate trades with the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards.

The Magic dealt Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat, and Mickael Pietrus to the Suns for Earl Clark, Jason Richardson, and Hedo Turkoglu. Then they sent Rashard Lewis to the Wizards for Gilbert Arenas.

The Magic improved on the wing, but – after dealing Gortat – need a five-man to relieve superstar Dwight Howard.

Howard, despite winning The Defensive Player of the Year award, is prone to foul trouble. Things were so bad last year teammates nicknamed him ‘Foul On You’.

The Magic need a reserve center to bail Howard out when he's overzealous in the paint. A back-up for Howard will also help them compete with bigger contenders like the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Fortunately, the Magic have spare assets. Acquiring Arenas, Richardson, and Turkoglu has made wings J.J. Redick and ‘Q’ Richardson expendable.

A market exists for Redick, even though he’s having an off year and is on the books for an additional two seasons at a combined $12 million.

Richardson can defend and hit the three. Best of all, the veteran is signed through 2014 at a reasonable $2.5 million per annum.

Last weekend was just the beginning for the Magic. More moves are coming. If they’re serious about a championship, they’ll trade a wing for a post.

--Oly Sandor.

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

The Orlando Magic, already in serious trade talks with the Washington Wizards about acquiring Gilbert Arenas, have agreed to a deal in principle with the Phoenix Suns, according to league sources.

After the Wizards lost to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, Arenas privately told people that a deal could possibly be in the works with either Orlando or Charlotte. Word started to spread throughout Verizon Center that evening, but the talk initially was shut down by multiple league sources. The Magic realizes they have to make a move. They have to do something,`` said the source.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The NBA is a superstar’s league and the rest of us are living in it.

For instance, Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic’s MVP candidate, wants changes to the roster. The big post knows his team isn’t in the same class as the Boston Celtics or Miami Heat, so he’s pressing executive Otis Smith to make a trade.

Being a superstar’s league, Smith must appease. Currently, he’s scouring the trade market for something, anything to keep Howard happy.

And Gilbert Arenas’ name keeps popping up.

Yes, the guy with a rep’ for being more high maintenance than one of those housewives of Orange County. Yes, the brittle combo guard with one of the worst contracts in pro sports. Yes, the Washington Wizards want to part with their former superstar who has a history of injuries, hooliganism, and shenanigans.

Sure, Arenas can score. And sure, he has a relationship with Smith. But The Superstar Formerly Known As The Hibachi has never toned down his shot-first mentality for others.

In fact, Arenas has to be The Guy. He knows nothing else. It’s option one status or broke. Such a mentality and approach isn’t what Howard and the Magic need.

Smith needs to look for the best deal possible. With Arenas, he’d be making a deal for the sake of making a deal.

--Oly Sandor.

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

According to sources, talks have resurfaced between the Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards regarding a potential trade for guard Gilbert Arenas.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Like Anthony Robbins, the NBA is all about personal power -or the power of personal relationships. 

The Orlando Magic is the only team interested in controversial Washington Wizards’ guard Gilbert Arenas. The reason: Magic GM Otis Smith is a friend, mentor, and confidante to Arenas. 

In short, he still believes. Smith thinks Arenas, in the right circumstance, can recapture his past form and excel as a co-star next to super-post Dwight Howard.

 Perhaps he’s right. New scenery can do wonders.

However, Arenas has taken a great physical and emotional pounding. The knee surgeries have changed him. So has the fallout and suspension from bringing guns into the Wizards locker room. 

A new team, even one with a chance at a championship, may not be enough. 

But the Magic may have no other choice. Howard needs help if they are to compete with the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs for a championship.

 Friendship may result in Smith gambling on Arenas.

 --Oly Sandor.

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

Adam Morrison, whom Jordan selected with the third pick in 2006, has accepted a training camp invitation on a make-good contract with the Wizards, according to two league sources.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Forget the ‘Three Kings’ joining forces with the Miami Heat. Forget the Boston Celtics inking Shaquille O’Neal. And forget Amar’e Stoudemire signing with the New York Knicks.

Here’s the real news: Brian Cardinal and Adam Morrison have received training camp invites from the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards.

Cardinal may or may not make the Mavericks; however, Morrison – while he will never live up to the hype of being the third overall pick in the 2006 Draft - can still salvage his career. He's hoping to start over with the Washington Wizards.

The Moustache was a pure scorer in college. He also went against Kobe Bryant in practice. Anything is possible. 

--Oly Sandor.

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

The Wizards recently made a call to the Nuggets to check on the availability of Carmelo Anthony, according to a league source. The source added that the same phone call was made by "29 teams. Carmelo is pretty good."

Yahoo! Sports reported Thursday that following a conversation with Denver management, Anthony made it clear that he wants to be traded.

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The Bobcats have agreed to terms on a contract with Kwame Brown. Brown will earn the league-minimum under a one-year deal that will reunite him with Michael Jordan, who drafted him first overall in Washington.

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The Wizards will re-sign forward Josh Howard, according to a source. Washington acquired Howard along with Drew Gooden, James Singleton and Quinton Ross in a February trade with Dallas.

Howard will sign a one-year worth close to $4 million deal with the Wizards, Howard's consultant Derek Lafayette told Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports.

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Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has no plans of ever leaving Chicago. "I'm never [leaving]," he said, before punctuating that statement. "Never."

The Mavericks have agreed to terms on a six-year, $55 million contract with free-agent center Brendan Haywood, league sources have told Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports.

Dallas acquired Haywood at midseason in a trade with Washington.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Forget their 2010 post-season flameout.

Brendan Haywood provided size, length, and toughness during his half season audtion for the Dallas Mavericks, so it's little surprise Team Cuban rewarded the seven-footer with a multi-year deal.

After all, Haywood scrapped teammate Etan Thomas several times in practice when both were competing for the Washington Wizards' starting center position.

He'll continue to compete with the Mavericks in 2011, and won't get fat and/or happy with the security of a long-term contract.

Expect him to anchor the defense, as Dallas regroups after last year's playoff failure.

--Oly Sandor.

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

The Heat have offered Mike Miller a five-year deal, worth approximately $27 million-$30 million. Miami has given Miller a deadline of Thursday night to decide. Miller has been told by the Heat that they are 'confident' LeBron James will be joining the Heat.

The New Jersey Nets traded Yi Jianlian to the Washington Wizards for Quinton Ross on Tuesday.

The Nets sent the Wizards $3 million to complete the deal and also received the Wizards' trade exception, according to league sources.

Yi is scheduled to make $4 million next season. Ross is set to make $1.1 million. The Nets should now have roughly $30 million in cap space to spend after the move, according to sources.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: One team's junk is another team's treasure.

Cap space is king for the New Jersey Nets, as the club needs financial flexibility to sign free agents this summer. And trading Yi Jianlian saves the Nets $3 million and puts them on equal footing with the Chicago Bulls.

Instead of conserving cap space to take a run at a big ticket free agent, the Washington Wizards are taking a different approach. The Wizards are acquiring assets on the cheap from teams who need to cut payroll to compete in the Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and/or Dwyane Wade sweepstakes.

For instance, the Wizards scored Kirk Hinrich on draft day. The cost: assuming the combo guard's $9 million per season salary.

Hinrich can back-up both guard spots and mentor first overall pick John Wall, while Yi will fill in for - and hopefully replace - injured four-man Andray Blatche.

Expect a few more of these deals before the July 1st free agent market opens.

Got thoughts?       

The Celtics will be equipped on Thursday with their mid-level exception and all of the veteran minimum deals they can throw at people. Expect Mike Miller - the talented wing for the Washington Wizards who once played for Rivers - to be a target.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Could Mike Miller replace Ray Allen?

After years with Minnesota and Washington, Miller is desperate to join a contender like Boston. If healthy, the former Rookie of the Year will spread the floor with his shot, fit in on defense, and act like a professional.

In the words of Bob Barker, 'The Price is Right', too.

Miller, at best, will command mid-level exception money instead of the $10 million he earned last year.

Of course, re-signing Allen, also a free-agent, will be a priority for the Celtics. However, the green-and-white has concerns about offering a long-term deal because he turns 35 in July. Another team could a multi-year pact, though.

If Allen and Boston can't agree on term, Miller could start at shooting guard for the Eastern Conference champions.

Got thoughts?

Wizards forward Andray Blatche underwent successful surgery this evening to repair a fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. The procedure was performed by Dr. Ed Magur at Sibley Hospital in Washington, D.C. Blatche is expected to take approximately three months to return to basketball-related activities.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: John Wall is in. Andray Blatche is out –at least for three months.

Days after selecting Wall first overall in the 2010 NBA draft, the Washington Wizards announced that Blatche, their young power forward, is undergoing foot surgery.

Opinions are mixed on this. Blatche is talented, but troubled.

For instance, he averaged impressive numbers – 20 points and 8 rebounds per game –after replacing the departed Antawn Jamison in the starting line-up.

Blatche also showed that numbers –as in his individual numbers – were all he was concerned with.

The Wizards rarely won with him starting. He clashed with Coach Flip Saunders and, worst of all, exonerated Ricky Davis with his selfish quest for a triple-double. Perhaps, the less Blatche is around a rebuilding squad, the better.

Still, maybe Blatche has matured this summer. Maybe not.

Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how he fits with Wall in DC later this season.

Got thoughts? 

The Washington Wizards spoke with the Orlando Magic recently about a potential swap of Gilbert Arenas for Vince Carter, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.

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

Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith is close friends with Gilbert Arenas, and he advised the 'sharpshooter' during his recent issues stemming from bringing guns into the Washington Wizards' locker room.  

However, Smith doesn't want to mix their personal and professional relationship. This is wise. After all, Carter's contract is only guaranteed for one season. Then his $17 million salary comes off the books, while Arenas is still owed over $80 million.

Reports have Smith dangling Carter's expiring contract in front of the cash-strapped New Orleans Hornets. And he wants to get back superstar point guard Chris Paul.  

Also, new Wizards owner Ted Leonsis is pushing the organization and fans to re-embrace Arenas. The businessman who brought much life to a morbid Capitals franchise is excited about pairing Arenas with first overall pick John Wall. 

An interesting idea, however, The Hibachi and VC aren't trading places.

Got thoughts on Arenas for Carter?

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Before The Great Free Agent Chase of 2010 begins on July 1st, there's this thing called the NBA draft on Thursday.

Reports indicate this year's class is stacked with talented guards. Of course, John Wall is the consensus first overall pick and will likely wind up at the one-spot for the Washington Wizards. And word is the Philadelphia 76ers want athletic swing Evan Turner.

However, other great perimeter players are available and CNNSI has a video breakdown of the guards who'll be waiting in the green room for their names to be called by Commissioner David Stern.

So watch the clip and tell us what guard you like in the comment box below. 

Got thoughts?     

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!

Today, the NBA held their annual draft lottery in New Jersey. Below is the order those little white ping pong balls were pulled by some suit from league head office who wasn’t Commissioner/Corporal Stern.  

14: Houston Rockets.
13: Toronto Raptors.
12: Memphis Grizzlies.
11: New Orleans Hornets.
10: Indiana Pacers.
9: Utah Jazz.
8: Los Angeles Clippers.
7: Detroit Pistons.
6: Golden State Warriors.
5: Sacramento Kings.
4: Minnesota Timberwolves.
3: New Jersey Nets.
2: Philadelphia 76ers.
1: Washington Wizards.

HoopsVibe’s Quick Call: The Washington Wizards wanted a chance to rebuild and they’ll get it, courtesy of the NBA draft lottery.

The Wizards won the first overall pick and the right to select Kentucky point guard John Wall. Wall seems to have it all: athleticism, skill, and size.

Best of all, with Wall in the fold, the club now has the option to slide Gilbert Arenas to the two-spot when the controversial guard returns from suspension for turning the locker room into a good old fashion stand off.   

After all, there will be no trade market for Arenas. And buying him out would be an expensive proposition in this troubled economy.

So look for an Arenas-Wall backcourt in the nation’s capital next season, which should certainly be both interesting and entertaining.

Got thoughts on the Wizards winning the draft lottery and the right to draft John Wall? Let us know in the comment box below. 

A few minutes later, he re-emerged in a long-sleeve black T-shirt with a hood pulled low over his forehead. He hopped into a white Range Rover and drove off. 

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“One time we played in Washington. We played a five game series against the Bulls. It was the year they won 72 games. We lose all three games by a total of seven points. I saw Michael Jordan come into our locker room with a cigar, while it was lit, and said, ‘Who’s going to check me tonight?’ And we looked at Calbert Cheaney and we were laughing like little school kids knowing that Calbert Cheaney was going to get him, we knew it wasn’t a game for Mike. He was going to be there and he was going to be playing like he said. Game Three we get off the bus and Juwan (Howard) is from Chicago and used to workout there. I’ll never forget, Jordan was sitting on his Ferrari and Pippen was right there and they have a cigar lit. We get off the bus and we have to pass them with a lit cigar. You want to talk about posturing? Forget Phil Jackson. You got Michael Jordan there behind the scenes smoking a cigar before the game, letting us know that he’s the Red Auerbach before the game even started. It was almost like, ‘I lit the cigar. I’m celebrating already. This is just a formality, you guys getting on the court tonight.” 

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If the agreement is finalized, it would cement Leonsis's status as one of the most powerful figures in Washington business and sports. He would control a mid-Atlantic sports and entertainment empire spanning three professional leagues, and an arena that hosts everyone from presidents to rock bands, as well as performers including the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. 

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