Serbia’s Nenad Krstic, from the Oklahoma City Thunder, was involved in a chaotic fight during a match with Greece.
The fight broke out during the last game of the Acropolis tournament, which was abandoned with 2:40 remaining and Greece leading by one point. The incident occurred just a week before the basketball world championship in Turkey, where both teams will play.

A stunned crowd of about 5,000 at the Athens Olympic Arena watched players from both teams exchange punches and kicks on the floor and in the tunnels leading to the dressing rooms. Two or three spectators entered the fray but were quickly shoved out of the arena.

The fight began when Greece forward Antonis Fotsis moved threateningly against Serbia guard Milos Teodosic, who had fouled him. Krstic grabbed Fotsis by the throat and threw a chair toward Sofoklis Schortsanitis, who was pursuing him. The chair hit Yannis Bouroussis, who had not played because of a hand injury, and left him with a bloody wound on the side of his head.

Serbia and Greece are scheduled to play in the basketball world championships beginning Aug. 28 in Turkey, although they are in separate groups for the preliminary round.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti about Krstic’s involvment in the fight:

“He recognizes that this is an unfortunate situation and he is regretful for his actions. He has apologized to the Greek national team and has reached out personally to specific members of the Greek team. He is looking forward to continuing his preparation for the world championships and representing his country.”

Maybe Krstic should consider a WWE career ?

The summer is not ready , but a lot of NBA trades happened so far. The question of the summer was Lebron where ? In the meantime we found out.  We gonna highlight the most important NBA trades of the summer and the changes in most of the teams , starting from worst to the best.

The Clippers re-signed Craig Smith and Rasual Butler and nabbed Randy Foye from Washington and Ryan Gomes from Minnesota. All three contracts were very economical and won’t put the Clippers in a financial bind. Foye will provide insurance if Baron Davis or Eric Gordon suffer injuries, while Smith, Butler and Gomes offer depth along the frontline.

San Antonio re-signed 3-point specialist in a move that made sense.  As long as Tim Duncan is on the roster, Bonner will be able to get away with playing power forward on the defensive end and make up for his defensive shortcomings with his jump shooting.
Jefferson opted out of his deal that would have paid him $15 million next season and re-upped with the Spurs for 4 years, $39 million. Still waiting to see if he will find a  role in the offense next season.

The Bobcats decided to resign Tyrus Thomas to a five-year, $40 million deal. Also Shaun Livingston and Sherron Collins, but neither player can be counted on to contribute great things.

The Bucks spent a whooping $72 million on John Salmons and Drew Gooden, two NBA veterans. Smart move ? ..Mmmmmhhh …

After losing Chris Bosh, the Raptors resigned Amir Johnson (to a five-year – $34 million contract !!!) and brought Linas Kleiza. Probably, hard to see the Raps fighting for playoffs in the next 3-4 years …. But at least they got rid of the Hedo .

In Minesotta, David Kahn filled a need at point guard with the dependable Luke Ridnour. Considering Jonny Flynn’s tenuous relationship with Kurt Rambis, four-years, $16 million looks like a good deal. Also, Darko Milicic a for-year $20 million deal.

In Cleveland, not much can be said . Seems that Joey Graham will replace Lebron’s position … ??!!??

In Atlanta, Joe Johnson will make more money that Lebron in Miami. Could he keep up the pace 20 + points for the next 6 years ? Will see. Except that nothing much.

The big fuss in New Jersey wasn’t that big really … Mikhail Prokhorov’s first investments were in Travis Outlaw, Jordan Farmar and Anthony Morrow, who received a combined $59 to take their collective talents to Brooklyn. All the big names have been missed.

Houston re-signed Luis Scola and Kyle Lowery and added Brad Miller to provide depth behind Yao. the Rockets failed to address the need for a shooting guard, where the fragile Kevin Martin can’t be expected to make it through the season.

The Suns lost Amare, but recovered good by re-signing sharpshooter Channing Frye, Hakim Warrick and Josh Childress to provide depth and acquired Hedo Turkgolu. For the center position, Robin Lopez is supposed to be the man ( big doubts on this one …)

Golden State added David Lee in a sign-and-trade, adding a proven NBA star capable of putting up ridiculous numbers in Nellie’s go-go system. They also signed Dorell Wright, who has never managed to reach his potential but still could, and added Jannero Pargo and popular summer league star Jeremy Lin.

No big moves for Orlando. The Magic matched the Bulls’ offer to restricted free agent J.J. Redick and snagged a pair of former Knicks in Quentin Richardson and Chris Duhon. Will probaly see another good run on the playoffs.

The Lakers signed Matt Barnes and Steve Blake , a move that provides two solid pieces for Phil Jackson and should improve the Lakers’ bench.  Derek Fisher and Shannon Brown re-signed and are joined by Theo Ratliff, who provides a slight upgrade over D.J. Mbenga.

In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki re-signed for less money, enabling the Mavs to overpay slightly to keep Brendan Haywood.
Mark Cuban’s team is constructed perfectly to compete against the Lakers and has a nice mix of veterans and promising young players.  The re-signing of Haywood and acquisition of Tyson Chandler could pay huge dividends, assuming both big men are able to stay healthy.

The Knicks are coming together … are they ?  Stoudemire’s game fits perfectly into the fast-paced pick-and-roll heavy offense and also the signing of Raymond Felton is a big plus.

Celtics got Shaq. Now…. more serious problems . In addition to adding Jermaine O’Neal, don’t forget Boston re-signed free agents Ray Allen and Paul Pierce to keep the dynasty together and prepare for another run at the NBA Finals. Also, Nate Robinson and Marquis Daniels resigned for a very deep bench.

After missing all the big free agents, Chicago managed to recover in a different way. Carlos Boozer gives the Bulls a post-scorer for the first time since Elton Brand and is a perfect second option behind Derrick Rose.
With Ronnie Brewer expected to start and Kyle Korver slated to come off the bench, that’s a strong perimeter shooting squad.

The dream is reunited in Miami : Wade, LeBron, Bosh. But, the Heat needed shooting, so they signed Mike Miller and Eddie House. They needed depth up front, so they re-signed Udonis Haslem, Joel Anthony and Jamaal Magloire and brought in Juwan Howard and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Those moves make Miami and deep and undeniably dangerous team when combined with the remarkable free agent coup.

I’m sure we’ll see more moves shortly. We’ll keep you posted and we’re anxious for a new  great NBA season.

The Golden State Warriors owner Chris Cohan reached an agreement to sell the franchise to Boston Celtics minority partner Joe Lacob and Mandalay Entertainment CEO Peter Guber, the Associated Press reported Thursday.  The team will change hands to the tune of $450 million, the most ever for an NBA team.  The previous record was $401 million with the 2001 sale of the Phoenix Suns.  Cohan originally bought the team in 1995 for $119 million but was forced to sell after financial difficulties relating to the sale of his previously owned cable company.

In 2009, Forbes estimated the Warriors franchise was worth $315 million based on their sport, market, stadium and brand management.  But, the good news for the team’s new owners is that in 2008 operating income is listed at $11.9 million and player expenses at $70 million while revenue was $113 million (difference of + $31.1 million).  Building-block stars like Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis along with recently acquired forward David Lee give the Warriors a bright future on the court.  The Warriors currently rank 21st in team payroll, a number likely to rise with the change in ownership.

None of this would have mattered had Cohan chose to sell the team to the runner up.  Oracle CEO Larry Ellision, who was considered the favorite to buy the team, has a fortune of an estimated $28 billion according to Forbes.  Cohan must have felt new owners Lacob and Guber will be more hands-on.

“Although I was the highest bidder, Chris Cohan decided to sell to someone else,” Ellision said. “In my experience this is a bit unusual. Nonetheless, I wish the Warriors and their fans nothing but success under their new ownership.”

Not that the team’s new owners are suffering in the dollars-and-cents department, but they are more likely to need a profit than Ellison.  Guber is a producer who was involved in movies such as “Rain Man,” “Batman,” and “The Color Purple.”  Lacob has been involved in sports websites and as previously mentioned, was a minority owner with the Boston Celtics.  Nothing quite like $28 billion there.

On a different note, the Warriors have agreed to send point guard C.J. Watson to the Chicago Bulls for a 2011 second-round pick, multiple team sources told the Bay Area News Group on Tuesday.

The deal was not complete as of press time.

Watson, a restricted free agent, signed a two-year, $7 million deal with the Warriors, who then traded him to the Bulls, a source said. Watson is expected to back up Bulls All-Star point guard Derrick Rose.

Lots of NBA rumors lately, and still no answer about Lebron’s new destination. There is no denying Lebron will make his money and lots of it, wherever he goes! However, being in NYC, he will make tons more! If he wins a championship in NYC he will make even more. Imagine if Michael Jordan called the garden home? He would of definitely have made more. NYC is the world stage! Its a global city. its the home of the United Nations, Center of commerce, Fashion, Marketing etc..It has the highest percentage of billionaires calling NYC their home. Lebron has the chance to rub elbows with the worlds movers and shakers in a daily basis with potential to make business deals for himself. If he wants a clothing brand and perfume business, he would be in the right place. What ever he wishes to do, He could do it because he has the name and the talent and calling NYC his home would give him even greater exposure in the global stage. If you listen the languages spoken in the Garden, you’ll hear many different languages.. Many of it is European!. NYC is the #1 tourist destination… Etc. It’s the real exposure actually being in Gotham that would tuly make King James a Global Icon and the Master of the Universe.

The focus of the New York Knicks‘ pitch to LeBron  (and a specially prepared report for the meeting): Hell yes it matters. Forbes got a hold of the PowerPoint that says, basically, you can only make $1 billion in New York. And you want to make $1 billion, don’t you? You are not going to make that in Miami and Cleveland, and probably not in Chicago. Why? Because we’re New York.

Lebron to NY

To come up with the numbers for the Knicks, Interbrand says it ran through 50,000 computer models of a potential LeBron career, using more than 200 variables like individual performance, fan demographics and championships. The report is light on the details of its methodology, but comes to this conclusion: LeBron has a 50% chance of earning at least $1 billion in New York. In Cleveland and Chicago the odds fall to 1%. The study put a 0% chance of LeBron making $1 billion playing for Miami.

I think the Knicks would be the best choice. They have a few roll players in Lee and Gallinari. They’re also close to landing Stoudemire… another roll player. If they get a decent point guard that would be a team to reckon with. And it’s also a team that LeBron can still call “his” team. Add this with the fact that NY makes the most sense monetarily and I’d say NY is definitely the place to be. I’d use the same argument for Chicago but do you really think he wants to build his legacy in the house that Jordan built?

Very possible that nobody cares how much money Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods made, except for their ex wives. But everybody knows how many championship rings, finals MVP Jordan has. Jordan didn’t earn the bulk of his money from his basketball salary, it was the endorsements. And people bought Air Jordans, well… because he’s a champion with 6 rings. So, no matter where he’s going, once the ring will come , the money will follow too.

The Lakers finished the season with one of their greatest moments ever, climbing back from a 13-point deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics, 83-79, to win Game 7 of the NBA Finals and clinch their second consecutive championship.
This is 16 franchise titles, perhaps none of them more difficult. This is five rings for Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher, absolutely none of them as hard. This is redemption for the Celtics’ 2008 Finals beating and it was a worthily  wait .

Bryant earned his fifth title with the Lakers, who repeated as NBA champions for the first time since winning three straight from 2000-02. Coach Phil Jackson added his 11th, matching Russell’s total and possibly putting a cap on his remarkable career if he decides to leave the Lakers.

Jackson won his fifth ring in Los Angeles to go with his half-dozen from Chicago. And it might be the last: Weary of the regular-season grind and facing a likely pay cut with the Lakers, Jackson hasn’t determined his future, though he previously said another title would make him more likely to chase an unprecedented fourth threepeat next season, when he’ll be 65.

The Celtics had never lost a Game 7 in the Finals. Despite nursing a lead through most of the night while holding the Lakers to ridiculously low shooting percentages until the final minutes, Boston couldn’t close it out on the coast, becoming only the seventh team to blow a 3-2 Finals lead after winning Game 5.

Boston concentrated its entire defense on preventing Kobe Bryant from getting to the rim. Kobe isolations were overplayed to one side of the court where a big defender was waiting. Guards would pinch off the wings, and screens/rolls would feature the big defender showing out on Bryant. With Bryant’s overdribbling forcing him into terrible shots, he finished a horrendous 6-24 from the floor with two assists and four turnovers and was a non-factor until the Celtics made mistakes down the stretch.

Bryant, the Finals MVP, scored 23 points despite 6-of-24 shooting, and the Lakers  won their 16th NBA championship Thursday night, dramatically rallying from a fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Celtics  83-79 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.The Lakers tied it at 61 on Artest’s three-point play with 7:29 left, and Bryant’s free throws 90 seconds later gave the Lakers their first lead of the second half. The Lakers forged ahead by five points before Bryant and Sasha Vujacic hit free throws in the final seconds to keep Los Angeles ahead by at least two points on every possession.

The Celtics had much more poise from the opening tip in Game 7, playing vicious defense that forced Los Angeles to miss 21 of its first 27 shots. Bryant and Gasol were a combined 6 for 26 in the first half. Indeed, the offensive heroes for the Lakers were Gasol, Odom, Fisher, and Artest. Never again should the Lakers supporting cast be questioned as unworthy of a championship. And a huge thumb up for Artest funny post game interview where he announced his upcoming single .

But forget how it looked early on, because history will. Bryant even did something Jerry West and Magic Johnson never could: He beat the hated Celtics in Game 7 of the Finals.
Kobe Bryant had 23 points on a rough shooting night, but the only number he cared about was his fifth championship ring, tying Lakers luminary Magic Johnson and moving to within one of Michael Jordan.

Congratulations Lakers ! See you next season !

Allen Iverson was the most dominant 6 foot player to ever play the game. At times, hes competitive nature got the best of him but many times that same drive made us all appreciate his style as his moves made us cover our mouths. He took the cross-over dribble to another level. “We talking about practice” remarks brought him negative attention, however he became the first rookie in history to score 40 points or more in four consecutive games. When the game was on the line AI was, “The Answer” .

Allen Iverson announced his retirement to Stephen A. Smith earlier in the day and we’ll discuss the legacy that A.I. leaves behind.

Stephen A. Smith just announced on ESPN that Allen Iverson had informed him of his upcoming retirement and we’ll discuss the career of A.I. before making our personal call on whether this was the right time for the scorer to hang them up.

It appeared earlier in the week that the New York Knicks were going to sign Allen Iverson but after it was announced that New York has no interest it appears that the retirement process is ready to begin.  Iverson will end his career as the 5th all-time leader in points scored per game at 27.1.  Allen also won the MVP award in the 2000-2001 season in which he lead his Philadelphia 76ers into the NBA Finals where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.

This seems like a perfect time for Allen Iverson to finally make the retirement jump despite the fact that he still has some gas left in the tank.  Teams want to use him in a reserve roll but Iverson believes he still deserves to be a starter and he’s apparently just not happy coming off the bench of help a team in that fashion.

Iverson is an excellent scorer but he’s never been the type of player that helps teams win championships and has shown he’s more interested in his personal statistics than anything else.  He’d love to have won an NBA championship before his retirement but the fact that he’s been unwilling to play a reserve roll or help his teammates in practice seems to indicate that he hasn’t figured out all the nuances of being a team player.

AI is one of the most misunderstood figures in sport. I appreciate his passion and love for the game, which you don’t see in all players. He sacrificed his body every game and played with so much heart. I hate to see him walk away so prematurely but I believe he’ll be back. Whatever criticism people have about AI, no one can say he doesn’t love the game.

It’s sad that Allen Iverson was forced into retirement when he still has tread left on the tires but many GMs are wising up and realizing that it is not in the team’s best interest to give minutes to me-first players like this.

  Stephen Jackson was traded to  Charlotte Bobcats in a deal that everyone knew it’s gonna happen. He’s averaging 16.6 points in nine games this season, after averaging 20.7 points and 6.5 assists last season.
The Bobcats sent shooting guard Raja Bell and forward Vladimir Radmanovic to the Warriors for Jackson and guard Acie Law.
Charlotte takes on Jackson’s contract, which has three years and $28 million left after this season. Golden State inherits Radmanovic’s deal, worth about $13.5 million over this season and next. Bell and Law are in the final year of their contracts.
With the worst offense in the league and failing to reach 80 points in five of its nine games so far, the Bobcats are averaging an NBA-low 82.4 points per game . Charlotte has been exchanging proposals with Golden State for some time. But the Bobcats were determined to make the deal without parting with playmaking big man Boris Diaw.

“He’s happy about the trade, delighted about the trade,” Jackson’s agent, Mark Stevens, told Sheridan. “This is what he wanted, a new start, and this gives him a chance to compete. Plus, he’s a huge fan of that team’s president, Michael Jordan.” Stevens also said Jackson was expected to be in uniform for the Bobcats on Monday night against Orlando.

Well, we heard this before – let’s for how long Jackson will stay in Charlotte, given that one of his motivations for asking out was the chance to play for a contender. .

No doubt that Allen Iverson is a special character in NBA. He was always been loved and hated by the fans. But, as most of the stars we tend to remember his good moments.

After the great times in Philly, Iverson went to Denver and won 50 games averaged 26.4 ppg, 7.1 apg on 46 percent shooting, and people still said he needed to score less. Despite being one of the best players in the league, the Denver Nuggets shipped him away and Chauncey Billups helped them get three more wins in an easier Western Conference, which lead to higher seeding.

Iverson went to Detroit and sacrificed by taking 14 shots per game, rarely touching the ball, playing 27 minutes a game and then being called washed-up. The Pistons lied to him and put him on the bench. Then they sent him home and he was being blacklisted.

Allen went to Memphis thinking he could prove people wrong and get signed by a contender next year. But he did not know that even the Grizzlies, the only team that believed in him, were also against him and thought it was okay to bring Iverson off the bench.

One game, he played 27 minutes for the Grizzlies, scored 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting and had seven assists. He did more than OJ Mayo and Michael Conley in fewer minutes. But he still remained on the bench. Iverson appeared in three games since returning from a hamstring injury and played off the bench each time.

Iverson left the team Saturday after receiving permission from Griz owner Michael Heisley to deal with a personal matter. The stress associated with a family issue plus Iverson’s frustration over playing a reserve role might spell the end of his 14-year NBA career, according to the source.

Heisley said he’s not been given any indication that Iverson might be leaning towards retirement, and still is holding out hope that the 10-time All-Star will return to Memphis. Hard to believe he is saying the truth …

A source close to Iverson confirmed the 34-year-old is indeed attending to a personal issue, and his discomfort with the Grizzlies also factored into the abrupt separation. Also, other sources are saying that he might be sick, having a serious affection.

As fans, we can only hope to see Iverson back in NBA and not a retired Iverson. As fans, we need the Answer.

The NBA season started last night with the Los Angeles LAkers winning against Clippers (no surprise here … huh ? ) and Celtics dominating and winning in Cleveland in front of the famous duo LeBron and Shaq.
We did not posted any previews of the season so far because it’s irrelevant to write something when it’s way to early and so many things can change. But now, that the NBA season has started we can overview what we have on the courts and what we can expect to see.

Looking at every division, there’s a few observations and also some predictions for the teams.

ATLANTIC DIVISION

1. Boston
2. Toronto
3. Philadelphia
4. New York
5. New Jersey

Raptors make the big splash with Hedo Turkoglu.
Nets jettison Vince Carter to save money for big splash in 2010.
Sixers get the oft-injured Elton Brand back as Andre Miller departs.
Boston’s Big Three another year older; does that make them wiser or more fragile? NO, but Wallace’s addition can only make them stronger.
Knicks treading water until they can make move on LeBron James. How patient are fans?
Who’s going to run the offence in Philly, or will they just look to score everything in transition? If Nets don’t get to Brooklyn, will Russian owner stick around?

Prediction :
Boston remains the cream of the crop and should win going away, but are there one or two other playoff teams coming out of the division? The pick here says one.

CENTRAL DIVISION

1. Cleveland
2. Chicago
3. Detroit
4. Milwaukee
5. Indiana

Cavs, exposed in the conference final last June, add Shaq and two former Raptors starters in Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker.
Pistons go all offence with Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon.
Bucks may hand reins to rookie point guard Brandon Jennings.
Will loss of Gordon cost the Bulls dearly, or is a healthy Luol Deng a good enough replacement?
Who’s the odd-man out in the Detroit offence, and will he be a happy camper?
Can Shaq and Zydrunas Ilgauskas really get along in Cleveland?
Will Mike Dunleavy be any help at all in Indy?
Who scores the points in Milwaukee?

Prediction :
Cleveland is the cream of the crop, but Chicago and Detroit should be in a dogfight for the bottom of the post-season roster. There may not be room for both of them.

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

1. Orlando
2. Atlanta
3. Washington
4. Miami
5. Charlotte

Jamal Crawford adds to a potent offence with the Hawks.
Vince Carter goes home to Orlando to replace the departed Turkoglu.
The Heat do nothing to keep Dwyane Wade happy.

Can the Magic keep shooting three-pointers as well as they did in last season’s run to final?
Can Dwight Howard shoot FTs well enough to stay in late-game situations?
Can the Wizards ever stay healthy?
Bobcats made late playoff run a year ago; can they do it again?

Prediction :
Magic might be the best team in the East and should cruise. If Wizards can get their act together under Flip Saunders, they might be able to win big time and challenge Atlanta .

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

1. San Antonio
2. Dallas
3. New Orleans
4. Houston
5. Memphis

Spurs load up for a run at Lakers by adding key front-liner Richard Jefferson and veteran backup big Antonio McDyess.
Mavs get Shawn Marion as running mate for Jason Kidd.
Hornets finally move Tyson Chandler.

Can Manu Ginobili remain healthy enough to really help the Spurs make a run?
How will Houston cope with no Yao Ming and, when he returns, a surgically repaired Tracy McGrady? Is Emeka Okafor just a more expensive version of Chandler for the Hornets?
Will trying to save money drive the Grizzlies further into oblivion ? and how can Iverson change the face of the Grizzlies ?

Prediction :
The Spurs will only be judged on whether they can legitimately challenge Lakers. The Mavs think they have championship potential but depth may be an issue. Hornets are no longer flavor of the month.

PACIFIC DIVISION

1. L.A. Lakers
2. Phoenix
3. L.A. Clippers
4. Golden State
5. Sacramento

Suns jettison Shaquille O’Neal, which should make for a more peaceful season.
Lakers make one huge move, adding Ron Artest.
Clips banking on rookie Blake Griffin making them relevant. Eventually, but certainly not now.

Is this the worst division in the league? Many would say yes, by a long shot.
How long until Stephen Jackson finally wiggles his way out of Golden State?
If Suns fall out of race quickly, will they look to move Steve Nash and rebuild?
How is Amare Stoudemire’s eye? Is he motivated enough?
Are the Kings still in the league?

Prediction :
The Lakers should have the division title sewn up sometime around the American Thanksgiving holiday. Clippers, Warriors, Kings should be making plans for draft lottery today and save themselves some time.

NORTHWEST DIVISION

1. Portland
2. Utah
3. Denver
4. Oklahoma City
5. Minnesota

Youthful Blazers pick up key veteran PG Andre Miller after losing Hedo Turkoglu.
Jazz stands pat with glut of big men with Paul Millsap and Carlos Boozer.
Conference finalist Nuggets let starting two-guard Dahntay Jones go to the Pacers.

Most competitive division? It’d be close, along with the Central.
Can Portland make the next move up the ladder, having tasted the post-season already?
Is Kevin Durant good enough to drag Thunder to legitimate playoff chase for first time?
Will Timberwolves rue the day they drafted two point guards back-to-back and let one stay in Spain?

Prediction :
If Blazers remain healthy and Andre Miller provides leadership, they should win division. Jazz may be distracted until they move Boozer in a trade.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ron Artest, Lakers
The defending champion Lakers in effect traded young up-and-comer Trevor Ariza for the mercurial Ron Artest in what has to be considered a gamble. Can he fly all season on the straight and narrow under the intense scrutiny of Los Angeles?

Shaquille O’Neal Cavaliers
Right now, Shaq’s all about the ring and trying to get one for LeBron James. But does he fit in Cleveland as a big man who likes to plant himself in the paint, precisely where James does his best work? An interesting combination, to say the least.

Vince Carter, Magic
At home and comfortable in Orlando, joining a team centred around Dwight Howard, with little pressure to be the top dog. Seems like a perfect situation for the ex-Raptor, who proved in New Jersey that he could still make the huge play when needed.

Richard Jefferson, Spurs
San Antonio stole him from Milwaukee in a move designed to save money for the Bucks. But if he’s the fourth offensive option with the Spurs behind Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, that’s a pretty high-powered offence. And he defends well, too.

Rasheed Wallace, Celtics
He’s in a secondary role with the powerful Celtics and gives them another talented big man who could ease the load on Kevin Garnett as he recovers from knee surgery. Motivated, Wallace is an excellent player; can the Celtics keep him interested all year?

STORIES TO WATCH

*Clearing the decks for 2010
It’s known as The Summer of LeBron, when James and a handful of other all-stars — Chris Bosh among them — can opt to become free agents. Every player move made during the season will be couched in terms of what it means financially next summer.

*What’s up in New Orleans?
It wasn’t too long ago that the Hornets were seen as one of the good young teams to watch. Now, all-star Chris Paul has lost some key players and friends, coach Bryon Scott’s in a lame-duck year and the Hornets are just another team. How will fans react?

*Being careful not to be sick
The league has mandated that any player showing signs of a flu needs to be tested for the H1N1 virus and kept away from the team. There will be more hand sanitizer than you can imagine around every franchise to help avoid spreading the virus.

TEAMS TO WATCH

Portland
The Trail Blazers were everyone’s darlings a year ago and they responded with a drive to the playoffs. Now the real work begins as they try to join the elite teams in the West and they won’t be able to sneak up on anyone.

Washington
The hits just keep on coming for the Wizards, who get oft-injured Gilbert Arenas back but will start the season with Antawn Jamison on the shelf. They added depth with Randy Foye and Mike Miller for new coach Flip Saunders.

Memphis
Watch ’em if you’re the type that likes a train wreck because the possibility exists. Toss shot-happy Zach Randolph and Allen Iverson into a mix that includes O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay and this could get ugly fast.

Oklahoma City
Are the Thunder this year’s Trail Blazers? Kevin Durant is a unique talent and with plenty of good young teammates around him like Jeff Green and a good young coach in Scott Brooks. This could be the up-and-coming team to watch this season.

Miami
With all the changes teams in the East made, the Heat were strangely silent, not giving Dwyane Wade any real help. Michael Beasley’s had off-the-court issues, Jermaine O’Neal could very well get injured and Miami could be in for a long year.

Since their beginnings in  1995 the Toronto Raptors ranged from horribly below average to slightly above average. Any chance of improvement this year?
Probably not, but this is without a doubt the most important season in franchise history.

Additions :Turkoglu, DeRozan, Jack, Belinelli, A. Wright, A. Johnson, Nesterovic, Evans, Weems

Losses: Marion, A. Parker, Kapono, Mensah-Bonsu, Ukic, J. Graham, Delfino

The Raptors GM Brian Colangelo left no doubt that he wasn’t afraid to overhaul the underachieving Raptors of last year. The core of Bosh, Bargnani, and Calderon remain. But other then that the remaining Raptors from ’08-09 won’t be seeing the floor.

For Raptors fans, watching Anthony Parker go was probably the hardest pill to swallow. Parker had been the Raptors best perimeter defender and had been the Raptors only real scoring threat from the 1 to 3 spots.

The thing is, Parker will probably be the only Raptor that fans will miss. The quality acquired far out ways what has been lost.

The addition of Hedo Turkoglu to the Raptors line up gives Raptor fans something to look forward to in the sense that he actually has the size and the skill to adequately defend most anyone at the three-spot. Coming off of a career season, it is likely Hedo’s numbers will decline, but offensively he gives the Raptors one thing they were lacking in years past: a SF capable of putting up a line of about 20 and 7 that is able to create a shot for himself (unlike Marion, who needs to have the shot set for him).

Jarret Jack gives the Raptors a backup to be confident in. Two years removed from the best point guard tandem in the league, Jack should provide a spark at PG and hopefully keep Jose down to about 33 MPG. Not to mention that Jack and Bosh already have one year together at Georgia Tech, so potentially a move to sway Bosh into signing an extension?

Belinelli, Wright, and DeRozan are the Raptors new possibilities at SG. Two of which have massive potential in the NBA. Whether Wright gets the start or the Raptors go with youth, the SG position will probably be the Raptors weakest this year. However, it should be the strongest in years to come. When you have a Rookie athletically being compared to Vince Carter, it is usually a sign that you can be confident in his abilities.

The rest of the additions are role guys, players who are going to go out. With a role in mind, do their job and be done with it. Don’t expect any real numbers from Evans and Nesterovic, but a few rebounds a game will certainly be there for both.

Looking forward for the next season is also Chris Bosh – most probable his last season in Canada.