My problem? Was the frequent usage of loyalty, something the Nets say they are but wait aren’t they the ones leaving their former home? The video does say “loyalty never goes away” in my mind that says something about the organization, if they were loyal why are they heading to a new home? Right?

“He’s a threat, OK?” Johnson said of Cuban after the Nets’ practice Monday night at SMU. “I know the guy. I think because of the success he’s had — and I know he got criticized a lot for quote-unquote having all those years where he didn’t win a championship — but he’s had some great success here that rivals any situation. So that’s a threat.” (Tim McMahon – ESPN Dallas)

ESPN even says that what makes Dallas even more of a threat is that Williams is had lots of success in the American Airlines Center. In ten career games he’s averaged 22.3 points on 50.3 shooting from the field. Not bad numbers at all. Deron’s also talked highly of the arena.

“I’ve always liked playing here,” he said. “This is one of my favorite arenas to play in, probably my favorite arena to play in. I just enjoy playing in it. I enjoy playing in front of my friends and family. It’s always good for them to get the chance to see me play.” (Tim McMahon – ESPN Dallas)

I never thought Deron would still be with the Nets when they make their move to Brooklyn. Now that we see what top level teams could be interested in his services then I think it’s even less likely that he makes it too Brooklyn in a Nets uniform.

The good thing he did last night though was not address the rumors.

“I’m just going to play out this season and look at my options after this season,” Williams said, repeating several variations of that statement during a five-minute session with the media. (Tim McMahon – ESPN Dallas)

@FredKerber: Nets not picking up DJames option, not extending Lopez

By no means does this decision mean that Lopez will not be with the Nets next season. The team can still negotiate with him during the off season and they start off with the upper hand. Brook will be a restricted free agent which means the team will have a chance to match any offer he receives.

Lopez hasn’t played a game yet this season due to a stress fracture in his foot but is on pace to return within the next two to four weeks. Rumor has it he’s been working very hard in the gym and his upper body is bigger then it has ever been.

Brook averaged 20.4 points, 6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game during the 2010-11 season, down the stretch those numbers spiked at 22.7 and 6.4 per. Every year he’s improved and if he’s coming back physically stronger then ever then I’d expect those numbers to jump more.

My thinking is he’ll be with the Nets next season. There’s just no way the team can let this young star walk as they’re about to make their big move to Brooklyn.

Derrick Rose led the Bulls on a fastbreak and hit Rip with a nice alley-oop pass which he caught and turned it into an easy mid-air layup.

Red Light District Hockey – Ranking all five Winter Classics
Los That Sports Blog – Video: Red Bull Follows Deron Williams From Game In New Jersey To Party In New York
Fight Hub TV – Oscar De La Hoya “Canelo Alvarez could do damage against a Mayweather Jr.”
Guyism – VIDEO: Supercut of pun-master movie reviewer Gene Shalit is hilariously bad

Unathletic Mag – This Is Why Fans Should Avoid Running Onto A Football Field (Video In Post)
Lost Letterman – UCLA Fan’s Marriage Proposal Rejected
Sports Talk Network – Terrell Suggs: “We dont need God on our sidelines”
Caged Insider – JDS: Lesnar was right to retire, Overeem aint number two

Philadelphia Sports Daily – Lurie Says Andy Reid Will Return
Crystal Ball Run – Urban Meyer To His Players: No Twitter For You
Moon Dog Sports – Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Should Hire Bill Polian
Fight of the Night – Alistair Overeem’s UFC Deal Includes Share Of The PPV Revenue

The Knicks, who are now pursuing a forward to play off the bench, have expressed interest former Nets player Travis Outlaw if he clears the amnesty waiver process, according to an NBA source.

The Knicks could offer Outlaw their $2.5 million exception that has already been turned down by Grant Hill, Jamal Crawford and Shawne WIlliams.

The Knicks are desperate for another bench player, especially with sixth man Billy Walker missing the past four practices with a groin strain.

“They have a shot (at Outlaw),” the source said.

Outlaw was the Nets’ amnesty cut Thursday. He was signed as a free agent in 2010 and did not find success with New Jersey.

Mike D’Antoni said the Knicks are looking less for a shooting guard and more at the 3 and 4 forward positions (New York Post)

While would have been happier with Shawne Williams back on the team, I’ll take Outlaw if it happens. He adds some more size and can play either of the forward positions. He’ll provide some much needed depth to a team that sorely needs it.

The only problem I have is that he’s another player who can contribute offensively but isn’t going to provide much on the defensive side of the ball. The one area where the Knicks really need improvement.

R

Crawford is one of the top available free agents, and according to a source close to the veteran shooting guard, he prefers returning to the New York area if he does not re-sign with the Atlanta Hawks. Miller, due to his location, has close ties to both the Knicks’ and Nets’ organizations. (NY Daily News)

The NY Daily News articles mentions the New Jersey Nets being a possibility and personally I think that’s probably his best option.

The Nets have plenty of cap room and a HUGE need for talent. Their offense absolutely blows, only scorer they have is point guard Deron Williams. The combination of these two will at least give them an explosive backcourt. It would also help open up the under the basket area for Brooks Lopez and Kris Humphries (if he returns) as teams would really have to guard the perimeter.

Adding Crawford to that trio would give the Nets a nice core for when they move to Brooklyn for the 2012-13 season. A year that the Nets would definitely want to transition from a 24 win cellar dweller to a playoff contender. It would also give them a chance to one up the Knicks, if they actually are interested.

In my opinion, the Knicks will kick their tires on it but nothing will happen. Only way they’ll be able to bring Crawford in is the mid level exception (which I highly doubt he would take) or a sign and trade. A sign and trade that would undoubtedly eat cap space and take away bargaining chips that they’d like to use for a Chris Paul or Dwight Howard.

Only thing for certain is this, if Crawford does return to New York there are no hard feelings for his trade to Golden State after just 11 games.

“Why not? I don’t think the trade was personal,” he said. “It was all about 2010 and the players you can possibly get. I love Atlanta. I want to work out an extension here, but if I become a free agent it’s not the end of the world.” (NY Daily News)

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The Scores Report – Albert Pujols to command $300 million?

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Steelers Chronicle – Steelers likely to without Pouncey for the Super Bowl
Total Pro Sports – Frozen Fisticuffs Fight Of The Night — Asham vs. Konopka

Black Sports Online – White Chocolate Jason Williams Leaves Orlando Magic Over Playing Time
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PSAMP – One More Steelers/COD Joint To Round It Out

@dempseypost: Melo on potentially meeting with New Jersey this week: “I’m having a meeting? I know nothing about that.”

Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post has an article up with a considerable amount of quotes from Carmelo. What I gathered from most of these were that Anthony really has no interest in talking to anyone right now. To me, he sounds like a guy ready to hit free agency and see where things go.

“I’ve never heard about that,” he said. “That’s news to me. I can’t talk to them people. The Denver Nuggets still pay me. I haven’t talked to anybody – Masai (Ujiri, Nuggets executive vice president of basketball operations) or Josh (Kroenke, team president) or any other teams. So for that speculation to be going around out there like that, that’s false.”

“I don’t want to talk to nobody,” Anthony said. “I let the front office handle that type of stuff. It ain’t my job to be talking to New Jersey, New York, Lakers, Dallas, no one. I still won’t step into something like that. I’ve seen a lot of people go through that.

“For me to sit here and say I want to talk to them or Masai or Josh gave them permission to talk to me, I think that’s false. If that was the case I’m pretty sure I would have gotten a phone call from Masai or Josh about that.”

Asked what he would do when he got the call from one of the Nuggets executives, Anthony said, “I haven’t gotten it yet.”

After reading all of that it really sounds like he doesn’t care about talking to anyone. What do you guys think?