The Houston Rockets extended a contract for the services of Memphis Grizzlies Center Marc Gasol.  The $55 Million Dollar 4 year deal is the most the Rockets can offer Gasol, as he is a restricted free agent.  Being a restricted free agent means that the Grizzlies have the option to match any offer received by Gasol and he has to stay if they do.  Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley told NBA.com on Sunday that his team would match the offer.

The Houston Rockets originally had arranged for a multi-team trade for Gasol’s older brother Pau but the move had been vetoed by the NBA. No stranger to trade talk involving the Gasol Family, the Los Angeles Lakers had previosuly traded their rights to Marc Gasol in order to secure the trade for the older Pau Gasol.  This is the first time in NBA history that one brother was traded for another.

Marc Gasol stands at 7’1 and has had an amazing run in his two seasons in the NBA.  He broke the Memphis Grizzlies franchise rookie record of the highest field goal percentage at the end of the season by shooting 53%. The previous record was held by his older brother Pau, who shot 51.8% from the field his rookie season.He will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

Do you agree with the decision to tender Marc Gasol a contract by the Houston Rockets?

Houston Rockets Make Offer To Marc Gasol is a post from: The Inquisitr

There is no denying that LeBron James is among the best basketball players that we have around. He may not have the championship ring to prove this but he can surely dunk and leave you in awe. Take this case from an exhibition game in Memphis where he pumped 43 points, including this awesome tomahawk dunk.

You may have seen him with that dunk before but for this woman, it was a dunk that deserves her congratulatory hand. She stood up, extended her hand to congratulate LeBron and got a cold hand. Actually, he acted as if he did not see her. Because of this, she made LeBron reach her hand so she can congratulate her.

Someone from Miami Heat should teach LeBron a thing or two about shaking hands, or maybe how to give a high-five. There are reports that the woman who stood up was his mom. Really? He cannot extend his arm even to his mom?

Someone Should Teach LeBron James How To Shake Hands is a post from: The Inquisitr

President Barack Obama is in top health, according to physical exam results released by White House Dr. Jeffrey C. Kuhlman.

“The president is in excellent health and fit for duty. All clinical data indicate he will remain so for the duration of his presidency.”

Obama, 50, is said to have improved his health, appearing to have quit smoking and pushing his cholesterol level to “ideal” levels.

According to the report, Obama’s total cholesterol level now stands at 193, compared to 209 in February 2010. His LDL (bad cholesterol) is now 110, down from 138 last year. The president at 6-foot-1 weighs 181.3 pounds and blood pressure at 107 over 71, within the normal range.

Obama plays golf and basketball to keep in shape, even sustaining lower lip laceration last year when he received an elbow. He is set to have his next physical exam in December 2012, after the November 6, 2012 presidential election.

It is good to know that your president is healthy and in excellent shape. As for the health of the economy, that is a different story.

Obama in Excellent Health is a post from: The Inquisitr

Labor negotiations broke down anew between NBA owners and players prompting Commissioner David Stern to cancel all November games. The Commissioner earlier canceled the first two weeks of the season. He now cited the impracticality of having a full season.

The negotiations earlier made some progress on salary cap issues. Talks broke down when both parties brought back the issue on revenue split. Team owners stood their ground at 50-50 split of revenues. Union president Derek Fisher and union executive director Billy Hunter wanted 52.5 percent. The last collective bargaining agreement had it at 57 percent in favor of the players.

With games for November gone, it is expected that losses for both parties will now begin to mount. No further talks have been scheduled.

Hunter said as he commented on the situation:

“We made a lot of concessions, but unfortunately at this time it’s not enough, and we’re not prepared or unable at this time to move any further.”

Union president Fisher added:

“We’re here, we’ve always been here, but today just wasn’t the day to try and finish this out.”

Do you think it’s still worth saving this year’s NBA season?

No NBA Games Until November 30 as Talks Break Down Anew is a post from: The Inquisitr

Allen Iverson wants back in the NBA – and he’s happy to play for anybody who will have him. But is there a team that would take such a gamble?

While he is a 10-time All-Star and former MVP, the 36-year-old Iverson last played in the league in February 2010, when he left the Philadelphia 76ers indefinitely, citing the need to attend to the health of his 4-year-old daughter. Iverson also blamed a messy divorce on his substandard performances in his last games for the Sixers.

Since his departure from Philadelphia, Iverson has played a season in Turkey with Beşiktaş, but now hopes for a NBA comeback. As he bluntly admitted to Yahoo! Sports: “I’ll play for anybody.” Reflecting on his patchy final two NBA seasons, Iverson added:

“Obviously, I was dealing with the situation with my daughter and going through a divorce, and I wasn’t there mentally. In my career those last couple years were so hard for me because I wasn’t there. During those 48 minutes on the basketball court, all I [ever] cared about was that time right there. Nothing else distracted me. But at times, I felt myself standing on the court just thinking about my daughter, thinking about the situation with me and my wife. I wasn’t giving [the teams] everything I had mentally.”

With his daughter back to health and divorce proceedings now running smoothly, Iverson thinks he is ready to return:

“Everything is fine. [My wife and I] are still going through the process, but it’s not like it was. [...] My kids are healthy. I don’t have anything to worry about but basketball.”

However, Iverson still has a knack for attracting attention to his off-court shenanigans. In recent years the press have reported that he has had financial, alcohol and gambling troubles, while earlier this year he swore at police officers after being stopped for having expired plates.

Iverson states that playing in Turkey made him miss “the highest level [of basketball] in the world,” and says he’d be happy to warm the bench occasionally if that “makes it easier for me”:

“Obviously, they might have some issues thinking I don’t want to help a team in a certain capacity. But that’s over with. All that was going on through an emotional time. It cost me to not play. I’m just willing to help any squad in any capacity.”

So, any takers?

Allen Iverson Will Play for Anybody. ANYBODY. is a post from: The Inquisitr

Are you looking forward to the NBA’s upcoming 2011-12 season? Then be warned: it might be starting a little later than you thought.

Originally scheduled to begin on November 1st (and with training camps scheduled for October 3rd), new reports suggests the National Basketball Association’s lockout will cause the season to start late. According to National Basketball Players’ Association (NBPA) Executive Director Billy Hunter, at least half of the upcoming season could be lost.

However, the stalemate between the two sides involved, the NBPA and the NBA owners, is no longer so cut and dry.

NBPA President and Los Angeles Lakers point guard Derek Fisher has now reported a division among the owners, who have different viewpoints on the two core issues, implementation of a hard salary cap and an improved revenue-sharing model.

Last week saw a meeting take place between the NBPA and the owners, in which the NBPA offered a new proposal. While the NBA Commissioner David Stern is refuting there has been a split, Fisher stated there was a “fundamental divide between the owners internally.”

Apparently the Phoenix Suns’ owner Robert Sarver and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ owner Dan Gilbert weren’t so keen on the new proposal from the players, while Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss and New York Knicks owner James Dolan supported the proposal.

Essentially, an extra hurdle to getting the season started on time has been created by this new disagreement. The clashing between owners is understandable – the players’ proposals will mean different things for small and large teams – but it’s not inconceivable that the entire 2011-12 NBA season could be lost.

[Image]

National Basketball Association Lockout is Here to Stay is a post from: The Inquisitr

Lebron James made his feelings clear earlier this afternoon in a post Miami Heat practice conference. When asked about comments by former Jordan teammate, Scottie Pippen, the King (Lebron) stated,

“I’m gracious, humbled by Scottie’s comments, especially with him being a teammate of his and seeing Michael on a day-to-day basis, but as far as me, I don’t know. I’m not going to sit here and say that I’m better than Jordan. I’m not better than Jordan.”

The specific comments he was referring to were made by Pippen during a recent ESPN interview on the Mike and Mike In the Morning Radio Show. He was quoted as saying,

“Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to play the game,” Pippen said Friday on “Mike & Mike In The Morning” on ESPN Radio. “But I may go as far as to say LeBron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game because he is so potent offensively that not only can he score at will but he keeps everybody involved.”

After the quote by Pippen went viral, he immediately hopped on Twitter to defend and clarify himself:

“For all of you that don’t know, I played the game you keep watching and cheering.”

“Don’t get me wrong, MJ was and is the greatest. But LeBron could by all means get to his level someday.”

“Every NBA generation has a new set of stars and LeBron is there as the best all around player in the game.”

Other NBA analysts have also chimed in on the situation. Former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy said:

“There is no doubt that LeBron is the best player in the game today. However, he is on a team that has incredible talent. … Michael played on great teams but he never came close to the level of talent around him.”

I’m definitely a Jordan fan myself, but I have to agree with Scottie on this one that LBJ can and will get to and surpass MJ at some point in his career. What say you?

Lebron James: “I’m Not Better Than Michael Jordan” is a post from: The Inquisitr

I realize that it is rather early in the day for the Moron Dept. post but seriously when I saw this thing come across in my feeds I knew we had the winner for the day.

What you are seeing above is the newest specialty television offering from a company called Hannspree and yes that is a 55-inch LCD flat panel that comes equipped with4 HDMI inputs as well as sporting support for 1080p at 120 Hz. Oh ya, and a stupid looking basketball type frame.

How much for this grotesque looking abomination?

Try $8,999.00 smackers.

Ya, I’m going to rush out and get in the line-up for this thing right now.

via CrunchGear.

[Moron Dept.] A 55-inch basketball television. Ya, Really. is a post from: The Inquisitr

Just like its 16-bit forebear, the 2010 remake of basketball classic NBA Jam will feature a ton of hidden characters, including its share of politicians.

There’s an even spread of Democrats and Republicans, including Obama, Palin, Dubya Bush, Dick Cheney, and Joe Biden. Neatly, there’s also a return for Bill Clinton, who appeared in the first Jam game in 1994 (and yeah, Hilary’s there). All good, clean fun, and I’m loving the technique of using hi-res 2D photos for the heads:

NBA Jam arrived on Wii earlier this week, incidentally, and seems to be getting a good response. If you want to dunk Palin as Obama on PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360, those versions are out later this year.

[Via YouTube]

[VIDEO] Boom-shaka-laka! Play as Obama, Palin, and friends in NBA Jam is a post from: The Inquisitr

It’s been more than seven years since Michael Jordan appeared in an NBA game, but there’s no doubt the basketball legend is as iconic as ever. Game developer 2K Sports certainly thinks so, because it chose Jordan as this year’s cover athlete for its flagship basketball game, NBA 2K11.

While the cover of these mega-selling annual sports games is normally graced by a current star, 2K11 will feature Jordan with his trademark tongue out. And because he’s Michael Jordan, His Airness gets to appear on the cover three times. Fair enough. I think the results are pretty striking.

“This could possibly be the most highly anticipated cover art in the history of sports games,” exaggerated Jason Argent, VP of marketing for 2K Sports and Director of Outlandish Claims.

“It’s exciting to see it all come together,” said the basketball legend himself. “I am looking forward to seeing the final product, but my kids might have to give me some lessons.”

NBA 2K11 is out October 5th for Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii, PC, and as an app on the iPhone.

[Via press release]

Tongue-y: Michael Jordan appears on cover of NBA 2K11 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Please allow me a moment to editorialize, and opine. I cannot stand the NBA; basketball was once my favorite sport. It is the sport I played the most growing up both with my friend and organized, but I just cannot stomach the state of the NBA circa 2010. This is such a me first league, with a laughable salary cap that allows retarded team owners to pay guys like Darko Millicic 20 million dollars over four years, and every other gut gets a 100 million dollar contract. All this money being spent in a league the claims poverty, and whose owners are ready to lock out the players yet again.

I can’t take it. This league allows one player, Lebron James, to hijack its entire off season. Every team is afraid to make a move as they continue to live under the delusion that they have a shot at the supposed greatest current NBA player. I find it pretty hard to swallow that King Lebron gets labeled the best player when he has no championship rings, and is incapable of leading a team to a title.

I liked guys like Isaiah Thomas, Michael Jordan, and maybe even Kobe Bryant who had the attitude that the season was a failure unless it ended with a championship parade. I remember as a kid watching Isaiah refuse to try on someone else’s ring until he had won one of his own. That guy was driven, almost to the point of madness. He would fight his own teammates if he perceived a weakness in one of them. Dude was a shark, and he brought home two NBA championships because of it.

In reading some NBA history it seems the NBA of today very much resembles the NBA of the 1970′s. A league that needed Larry Bird and Jordan to come in and save it from ruin. I don’t think things are that bad yet, but this is a league with a very bad image problem, and a bunch of really dumb franchise owners. Darko got 20 million bucks, really?

This is why I hate the NBA is a post from: The Inquisitr

Even an uneducated British oik like me knows that Michael Jordan is Kind Of A Big Deal when it comes to basketball, so here’s a fun rumor: the sporting legend could be appearing on the cover of NBA 2K11.

That’s according to ESPN’s sources, and if said moles are right, Jordan will become the first ever retired player to appear on the front of a NBA 2K title. ESPN also suggests Jordan will appear in the game itself in some capacity, though this is all at the rumor stage for now.

Jordan has a history with videogames, and not an entirely positive one. He’ll always be fondly remembered as one of the stars of the NBA Jam series, but many people forget he also starred in his own absolutely terrible game for the Super Nintendo in 1994, Michael Jordan: Chaos in the Windy City. I won’t forget, because I paid for that filth.

[ESPN, via Joystiq]

[RUMOR] Michael Jordan to star on cover of NBA 2K11? is a post from: The Inquisitr

Mega-publisher EA just announced plans to release a 21st Century remake of NBA Jam, the basketball videogame for people who aren’t that interested in basketball (me), but who are interested in videogames (again, me).

The original game was released in 1993, and its wacky, tongue-in-cheek brand of 2-on-2 basketball quickly ensured it was a hit. Rumors in recent days have mentioned a return for the series, and today EA confirmed the speculation was true – NBA Jam is getting relaunched later this year on Nintendo’s Wii console.

So what’s it going to bring? The press release isn’t packed with detail, though we are told it will feature “new game modes, characters and gameplay depth” and some fancy new visuals to boot (calm down, that’s the SNES version above). But to heck with all that: if it still has Big Head mode, I’m happy. Now let’s enjoy some old skool Jam:

[Via press release]

NBA Jam slam dunking on Wii in 2010 is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Lakers’ Shannon Brown pulled off an impressive play on the Warriors’ Mikki Moore during last night’s game.

A fan shouted down from the stands to Moore “you got dunked on!”

Moore replied, “it happens.”

Video: Shannon Brown dunk on Mikki Moore is a post from: The Inquisitr

NBA star, Baron Davis, had his laptop stolen recently. The laptop contained a bunch of ‘sensitive’ images and other media that Davis doesn’t want getting into the wrong hands. Like, you know, nekked pics showing up on some gossip site.

So what was this preventative action? Why, sending a threatening letter to online news outlets and blogs before they even have any of the files. Basically, Lawyers representing Davis are saying “don’t even THINK about even considering acquiring anything off that laptop or we’ll pummel you with litigation.”

How do we know this? William Bastone of the famed Smoking Gun website recieved the following letter from Davis’ attorneys. Of course, it’s marked as Confidential and Not For Publication. Ahem, yeah. You can click on the pic for the larger, more readable version.

Celebs lose a laptop or device with stuff on it they want kept private – we can understand how disturbing that can be since it’s happened to a lot of us normal folk too. But sending bloggers and news outlets threatening letters before they even have possession of the files, or maybe even before anyone knew about them… priceless.

Now we want them. Tip the Inquisitr using our contact form if you happen to know where we can get these tawdry temptations.

Read the whole silliness over at The Smoking Gun.

NBA Star Baron Davis makes preventative legal threats over stolen laptop is a post from: The Inquisitr

The San Antonio Spurs are taking no chances with Tony Parker’s troublesome ankle, calling him back mid-tournament from duties with the French national team after the point guard injured both his right thigh and ankle in a game with Austria.

Parker reluctantly boarded a trans-Atlantic flight for the Spurs medical staff to give him a full examination, after he ended up on crutches when he collided with an Austrian player in a qualifier for the European championships on July 23. A subsequent MRI exam, while negative, was apparently not good enough for the Spurs organisation, who it must be said have the small matter of a $66 million investment over six years into Parker.

The French national team put out a statement containing some comments from Parker. “Honestly, I don’t understand this decision, because of all the tests done with the French doctors and the Spurs,” he said.

“I am obligated to follow what my club wants me to do, but I hope to come back as soon as possible to participate in the qualification with the French national team.”

Parker has had previous injuries to the same ankle. He will return in time for the start of a six-team tournament that will decide the last qualifying team for next September’s Eurobasket event in Poland.

Tony Parker deserts French legion for Spurs medical is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Dallas Mavericks will acquire forward Shawn Marion in a trade deal with the Toronto Raptors, according to multiple reports.

The trade is believed to be not official yet, but is said to be happening. Unconfirmed reports say Marion agreed to a five-year, $40 million contract. The Raptors needed to trade Marion due to salary cap issues caused by their signing of Hedo Turkoglu from the Orlando Magic.

Several other players are reportedly part of the deal ESPN reported, including the Raptors’ Kris Humphries and Quincy Douby, the Mavericks’ Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George and Antoine Wright and the Grizzlies’ Greg Buckner. The Grizzlies will be getting Stackhouse, Douby and cash, sources said. George and Wright will end up in Toronto, according to the same sources. Humphries and Buckner are on their way to Dallas.

Marion will join Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard at the Mavericks, giving the team four former All-Stars, and one seriously loud mouthed owner.

Shawn Marion heading to the Dallas Mavericks is a post from: The Inquisitr

Former Pistons star forward Rasheed Wallace is reported to have agreed to play with the Boston Celtics.

According to reports, Wallace is expected to sign a two-year contract for the mid-level exception. The deal wont be formal until Wednesday, the first day NBA free agents can sign.

34 year old Wallace has played 1,009 games over 14 seasons with Washington, Portland, Atlanta and Detroit for an average of 15.0 points and 6.9 boards. In his last season with the Pistons, Wallace averaged 12 points and 7.4 rebounds in 66 games.

Rasheed Wallace heading to the Celtics is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Los Angeles Lakers have continued their rivalry with the Cleveland Cavaliers off the court in the NBA off-season, with 2009 ring-winner Trevor Ariza on the way out of LA, maybe to Cleveland, and Ron Artest possibly the subject of a tug-of-war between the two franchises as he leaves the Houston Rockets.

Ariza, who averaged 11.3 points and 4.2 rebounds and shot 50% from three-point range in the 2009 NBA playoffs, is reported to be unhappy with the base-level deal the Lakers are offering him as a free agent. While the Portland Trailblazers and Toronto Raptors are the only two NBA teams who are in a position to offer him more, Ariza is reported to be so annoyed with the Lakers that he would be willing to switch teams for the same money, with Cleveland itself one team that has showed interest in him.

Meanwhile, the Rockets’ Artest was reported to have met with Cavaliers star LeBron James at the BET Awards recently, fueling the Cavs’ interest in Artest to shore up their defensive weaknesses that saw them bundled out before reaching the 2009 finals against the Lakers. Houston TV is reporting that Houston is only offering Artest a one-year deal and Artest’s agent has confirmed that his player would talk with James or LA’s Kobe Bryant if approached.

Could we see a new trio of stars at either the Cavs or Lakers, like the Boston Celtics had in 2008 for their championship?

Trevor Ariza out, Ron Artest in for LA Lakers? is a post from: The Inquisitr

In a video that’s quickly making the web rounds, a stunning three-quarter court flip shot is pulled off by Brecksville-Broadview Heights Middle School student Aaron Shutway (some sources say it’s “Aaron Shumway”).

The kid makes the lucky shot from about 60 feet away, across a crowded court full of kids. Then he gets swarmed. Someone’s getting to second base tonight!

8th Grader’s unbelievable basketball shot is a post from: The Inquisitr