why would rollie fingaz weep?

[cranrab]

Lakers talk with Nuggets about Camby
With Bryant pushing for change, the team looks at options -- and what it might have to give up.
By Mike Bresnahan
Times Staff Writer

June 2, 2007

It was all quiet on the Lakers' front, but not necessarily in their front office.

No statements were released by the organization and there were no public words Friday from Kobe Bryant, which meant relative silence for the first time in six days, at least on the exterior.

Behind the scenes, Lakers officials continued to chase their goals of getting better in the frontcourt and appeasing their unhappy superstar.

The Lakers have begun talks with the Denver Nuggets regarding center Marcus Camby, the NBA defensive player of the year, who has led the league in blocked shots the last two seasons.

Camby, 33, averaged 11.2 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks last season. He has a decent midrange jump shot and doesn't demand the ball often in the post, doing most of his scoring with outside shots and after offensive rebounds.

The Nuggets are reportedly trying to lower their payroll, which would make Lakers center Kwame Brown a possibility in trade talks, a league source said.

Brown has only one year left on his contract, for $9.1 million; Camby has three years and about $26 million left on his contract. The Lakers might have to add another low-salaried player or a draft pick to make such a deal more equitable for the Nuggets.

Camby and Brown have missed their share of games because of injuries. Camby has played more than 65 games in a season only three times in his 11-year career. Brown has averaged only 61 games a season in his first six years in the league.

The Lakers have also been in contact with Indiana regarding forward-center Jermaine O'Neal, a six-time All-Star. If the Lakers trade for O'Neal, they would likely have to part with Andrew Bynum or Lamar Odom, or perhaps both.

O'Neal, 28, averaged 19.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks last season, although the Pacers missed the playoffs for the first time in his seven years with Indiana. He has three years and $64.1 million left on his contract, numbers that could ultimately put the Lakers over the luxury-tax threshold.

The Lakers have two centers on their roster, Brown and Bynum. Chris Mihm becomes a free agent next month, although he might be re-signed at an inexpensive price after sitting out last season because of ankle problems.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

Yeah, I just read that. That indeed would be the dumbest move I've ever seen, Almost worthy of GTFOH status. I wouldn't do it at all even if Bynum was part of the deal..

The more pressing issue is re-signjing Steve Blake. But I think that leave Najera the odd man out.

Hopefully Denver management isn't as stupid as T-Wolves management.

Nuggets look to keep core
Chapman says salary cap issues remain unresolved
By Chris Dempsey
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 05/30/2007 11:22:22 PM MDT

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. - Nuggets coach George Karl says the organization knows it likely needs to dump salary this summer, but vice president Rex Chapman said no orders have been given to do so.

"There hasn't been any mandates given," Chapman said Wednesday during the NBA predraft camp. "We expect to see the same core of guys back next year that we had at the end of the season unless something crazy happens."

At the center of that core is Marcus Camby, who is thought to be the Nuggets' top trade option to get the team closer to the salary cap. The Nuggets may have to pay as much as $10 million in luxury tax next season if everything stays the same.

Chapman said there have been initial talks with owner Stan Kroenke about money matters, but nothing has been resolved.

"No, we haven't (come to a consensus) with the season just barely over," Chapman said. "We spent time with Stan recently. You know, Stan is committed to bringing a championship team to the Nuggets. We are still in the process of evaluating our team and this past year's team."

Karl disputes the notion that any moves the team makes have to begin with Camby, the NBA's defensive player of the year. The center is scheduled to make $9 million next season.

"Marcus Camby, to amateur cap guys looking on our salary structure, are saying 'Oh, Marcus, that's the one that can go,"' Karl said. "That's not us. We love Marcus. ... Are we aware that we might have to make some changes? Yeah. But there's a feeling out there that it's Marcus. What we want to do is get better, be stronger and respect the business side of basketball."

Asked specifically if Camby would be back on the team next season, Chapman said "I'd say the odds are pretty good."

Karl wants to add a veteran to the team, but that player can't be found at the predraft camp, where college and international players are working out in front of NBA personnel. The Nuggets don't have a pick in the June 28 draft, but are at the camp, in part, in case they deal for one.

"You've got to always be prepared," Chapman said. "We've got things we feel we can do to help the team progress. You've always got to keep your eyes open, and you've got to prepare like you've got picks just in the event that in some way we come up with a pick or two."

Even if the Nuggets stand pat with no draft picks, Karl said "there's probably one or two guys here that once the draft's over, we'll be calling up and trying to see if they want to come to our summer league.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

The funny thing is that if you trade them straight up for each other it works..

L.A. Lakers Trade Breakdown
Outgoing

Kwame Brown
6-11 C from Glynn Academy (HS)
8.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.8 apg in 27.6 minutes

Denver Trade Breakdown
Outgoing

Marcus Camby
6-11 C from Massachusetts
11.2 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 3.2 apg in 33.9 minutes



Successful Scenario
Due to Denver and L.A. Lakers being over the cap, the 25% trade rule is invoked. Denver and L.A. Lakers had to be no more than 125% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

 

[Havoc]

I am one that won't complain with that deal. Kwame Brown has his good nights and bad nights, but the good ones seem few and often far between.

Kwame "Stone Hands" Brown might be better in Denver where (with AI and Anthony) he may not be expected to score as much. I hate that they're going to experience a noticeable drog in rebounds, but at least we'll (the Lakers, of course) be better in the paint.

Now if someone could just get Bynum to take his job a little more seriously...

 

[cranrab]

miami should trade antoine walker to the fakers for kwame brown and this year's #19.

people talk about shaquille o'neal's $20M salary, but i think that's a fair price compared to the ridiculous $8.5M-$11M antoine walker will be getting each of the next 4 seasons.

if miami could dump that bloated hog (the contract, not necessarily antoine walker) onto the fakers, kwame brown plus a draft pick would be a steal, especially since kwame brown's contract expires next season.

then, if a guy like chris webber was interested in signing on the cheap, you got a decent (but slow) front court.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

Nuggets guard Smith hospitalized but OK after SUV crash
ESPN.com news services

MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith and another man were injured Saturday when the sport utility vehicle Smith was driving collided with a car.

According to a report in the Newark Star-Ledger, state police spokesman Sgt. Stephen Jones said Smith and Andre Bell were ejected from Smith's SUV in the crash.

The crash occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Stagecoach Road in Millstone Township.

ESPN.com's Andy Katz spoke with Nuggets front office executive Bret Bearup, who told Katz that the Nuggets have spoken to Smith. Bearup said that while Smith sustained bumps and bruises in the accident, his injuries are not life-threatening.

The Star-Ledger reports that Bell suffered serious head wounds and was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Hospital in Neptune, where he was listed in extremely serious condition Saturday night. Smith was also taken there via ambulance.

The driver of the second vehicle, as well as Carl Marshall, the second passenger in Smith's SUV, also were injured. They were taken to CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, but neither had serious injuries.

Marshall, a basketball player at Seton Hall, had just completed his senior season.

Smith's father, Earl, told the Star-Ledger that J.R. was "fine -- he was thrown from the vehicle, but there's no injuries. He was with two friends, coming home from a barber shop."

According to the police report, the accident happened after Smith's vehicle went around a vehicle stopped at a stop sign on Stillhouse Road where it intersects with Stagecoach Road in Millstone Township.

The police report said that after Smith continued into the intersection, his car was hit by another car, which had the right of way. The impact overturned Smith's SUV, tossing out Smith and Bell in the process.

Smith and Bell, according to the report, were not wearing seatbelts while the driver of the other car and Marshall were wearing seatbelts. The airbags in the other vehicle deployed.

The 21-year-old Smith was a star player at Lakewood High School and St. Benedict's Prep in New Jersey. He averaged 13.0 points in 63 games this season.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

Nuggets' DerMarr Johnson arrested

By Associated Press
June 9, 2007
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. — Police in this Denver suburb arrested Denver Nuggets reserve forward DerMarr Johnson early Saturday for resisting arrest and interfering with police.

Johnson and two women were encountered outside the Purple Martini nightclub about 1:30 a.m., said police spokeswoman Candy Valdez.

She said police had to taser the six-foot-nine, 210-pound Johnson to calm him down.

The women also were arrested for disturbing the peace.

All three were booked and released after getting summonses.

No one was available at the Nuggets' office Saturday to comment.

 

[xfactor]

Man injured in crash with Nuggets' player J.R. Smith dies
June 11, 2007

NEPTUNE, N.J. (AP) -- A New Jersey man who was thrown from Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith's sport utility vehicle when it overturned last weekend died Monday night in the hospital, state police said.

Andre Bell, 21, was sitting in the back seat of the vehicle Smith was driving when it went through a stop sign, collided with another car and flipped over at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Millstone Township.

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Bell, who was in a coma, died from head injuries at 6 p.m. at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, said state police spokesman Sgt. Stephen Jones.

Smith, 21, who was also thrown from the sport vehicle, remained at Jersey Shore on Monday with an injured left shoulder and numerous scratches, Jones said.

Neither Smith nor Bell were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, he said.

Nuggets spokesman Eric Sebastian said he did not know when Smith might be discharged.

"I think it's too early to say," Sebastian said. "From everything we hear, he's going to be OK."

Sebastian said he did not know if Smith would miss any training, but added, "We didn't hear anything that would indicate his career would be jeopardized in any way."

Smith has been issued two traffic tickets for failure to stop at stop sign and improper passing, Jones said. Both carry fines, though the amount was not immediately available.

A third person in Smith's car and the driver of the car he hit had only minor injuries.

Smith had been a star at Lakewood High School and St. Benedict's Prep in Newark before being the 18th overall pick of New Orleans in the 2004 NBA draft. He averaged 13.0 points in 63 games for Denver this past season.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

^^ The funny thing about this story is that I'm FROM Neptune and my grandfather does hospice at Jersey Shore.^^

I have to call him later to see what's going on with this. He usually does his visits to the terminally ill around noon everyday, so I'm pretty sure he knows something..

More news:

Nuggets' J.R. Smith had drivers' license suspended five times
The Associated Press
Article Last Updated: 06/12/2007 03:04:52 PM MDT

NEPTUNE, N.J.—The driver's license of Denver Nuggets' guard J.R. Smith, who was at the wheel in a weekend accident that claimed the life of a friend, had been suspended five times in less than a year, authorities said.

Smith's license was "in good standing" at the time of Saturday's crash, according to New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission spokesman Kevin Cranston. He said that Smith, 21, had paid all restoration fees and fines.

Smith's driving record was reported today in The Star Ledger of Newark.

Smith's friend, Andre Bell, died about 6 p.m. Monday night at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he and Smith had been taken following the crash in Millstone.

Bell, 21, of East Orange, suffered severe head injuries and had been in a coma.

Smith and Bell had been ejected when Smith's 2003 GMC Yukon went through a stop sign, collided with a Jaguar and flipped over at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, state police said. Neither man was wearing a seat belt.

Smith, of Millstone, was hospitalized with an injured left shoulder and numerous scratches. He was released from the hospital earlier today.

A third person in Smith's SUV and the driver of the car he hit had only minor injuries.

The investigation into the crash is continuing, but has already resulted in two tickets for Smith: failure to stop at stop sign and improper passing.

Smith amassed 27 points against his license from April 22, 2005, to Jan 10, 2006, with eight violations on seven different dates. The violations included five speeding citations. His most recent license suspension came on Feb. 7, 2006, Cranston said.

Smith had been a star at Lakewood High School and St. Benedict's Prep in Newark before being the 18th overall pick of New Orleans in the 2004 NBA draft. He averaged 13.0 points in 63 games for Denver this past season.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

Union reaches out to J.R. Smith
By Marc J. Spears
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 06/13/2007 11:06:03 PM MDT

The father of J.R. Smith, above, spoke to union boss. (The Denver Post)

Cleveland - Like the Nuggets, the National Basketball Players Association has tried to be supportive for Nuggets guard J.R. Smith, whose car accident Saturday led to the death of his friend Andre Bell. Smith escaped with minor injuries.

NBPA executive director Billy Hunter said Wednesday he spoke to Smith's father, Earl, via telephone to extend the organization's support. Hunter didn't seem concerned that J.R. Smith's contract, which pays $2.1 million in the final year next season with Denver, was in jeopardy.

"(Earl) said that J.R. was in reasonably good shape and he would hopefully fully recover from the accident," Hunter said. "I've reached out to his dad to let him know I was available, the union's available. Any way we can help him, we'd gladly do it.

"He's obviously covered by insurance. He has his contract. I can't think of any other ancillary issues that have arisen at this moment."

Smith could not be reached for comment.

NBPA president and Utah Jazz guard Derek Fisher said he planned to reach out to J.R. Smith in the near future to also offer support via e-mail, letter or a phone call. Fisher also expressed support for the Bell family.

"It's just sad, because guys in the league are like brothers even though we don't play on the same team," Fisher said. "With the loss of his friend, to his family you send condolences first. And from there, I'm sure for J.R., it's just traumatic, wishing he could have that five or 10 seconds back to maybe just stop or do something different. He'll probably live with that the rest of his life."

Smith was issued two summonses, one for failure to stop at a stop sign and another for improper passing. Smith and Bell were thrown from a sport utility vehicle that was hit by another car when Smith drove around a vehicle in front of him at a stop sign in Millstone Township, N.J.