Yao Ming's Absence: A Threat to the NBA's 2009-2010 Global Audience

Last October, the NBA announced it was laying off 80 people in the U.S., about 9% of its workforce, because of the slowing American economy.

About the same time, the league announced a massive program, with AEG, to "design, market, program and operate multi-purpose, NBA-style sports and entertainment arenas in major cities throughout Greater China." The press release also mentioned that "the NBA opened its Hong Kong office in 1992 and currently employs 100 people in four offices in greater China. NBA.com/China has become the most popular sports Web site in China."
Yao Ming
Yao Ming -- seen here in a poster at the NBA Store in Beijing -- tends to attract the NBA's biggest TV audiences. So what happens to the NBA if he doesn't play for a season?
(China Photos/Getty Images)


Meanwhile, in recent years, shoe companies have increasingly spent their most precious resource -- the off-season free time of their highly paid pitchmen like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul -- wooing Asian audiences.


It doesn't take an MBA to assess that the powers that be are betting big on international audiences, especially in China.


So, what happens if the single biggest driver of Chinese interest in the NBA is missing from the league, at a time when basketball is desperately in search of revenue?


I mentioned that my friend Max was bitten by a spider, nearly died, and in his recovery had all kinds of interesting thoughts, one of which inspired a post yesterday about NBA players who have played in the most games. (In the comments, IceKeenan wondered: "Dude had a near death experience, and it made him talk about Yao Ming?" In fact, IceKeenan, yes.)


Max asked me yesterday: If Yao Ming misses the entire NBA season, as expected, does that really mess with the NBA's bottom line?


Games featuring Yao have been, by various measures, perhaps the most watched in basketball history. China's love of the NBA has roughly tracked Yao Ming's NBA career, which began in 2002.


Is there any way to guess what the upcoming season's Yaolessness, due to his recent foot injury, might do to the NBA's popularity in his enormous and important home market?


Renjun Bao covers the NBA for China's Titan Media, and agreed to help shed some light on the issue. In response to my questions, he e-mailed:


Before Yao was drafted in 2002, indeed there were some NBA fans in China. Although I don't have statistics, I guess that the percentage of whole population who paid attention to the NBA was less than five percent. There were no national basketball newspaper at that time. There were three national basketball newspapers and tons of basketball magazines by around 2005.


It is safe to say the major reason is Yao.


Besides the printed media, TV and internet has more and more coverage on Yao, the Rockets and the NBA. Yao became the top celebrity in China and his team, the Rockets, have arguably become the most popular professional team among all sports in China. (That's why many players on that team get endorsement contracts from the Chinese companies.)


In 2008-2009, China Central Television (CCTV, the only state owned national TV in China) broadcast 39 NBA regular season games. 13 featured the Rockets, almost double the second most commonly shown teams, the Lakers and the Cavaliers, who were tied at seven apiece.


Again I don't have official data here, but I think at least 20% of whole population pays attention to the NBA, and I'd guess at least half of them do this because of Yao.


If basketball has not passed soccer to become the No. 1 sport in China, it's getting close. Before 2002, that idea would have sounded ridiculous.


It is not hard to predict that Yao's injury will impact the TV ratings here.


Renjun Bao estimates that the NBA's popularity in China has spread, during Yao's NBA career, from less than 5% to more than 20% of the population. These are guesses. But for the record, approximately 15% of the more than 1.3 billion people living in China would be about 200 million people. Or, roughly double a good TV audience for the Super Bowl. He further estimates that about half of them follow because of Yao Ming.


It's hard to imagine any sports league could cope with losing a Super Bowl's worth of supporters.


The notion that China's love of the NBA was driven mainly by Yao Ming's presence seems unimpeachable. The idea that, now that the NBA is already popular in China, fans might turn away in similar numbers, however, is more complicated.


Renjun Bao says several factors could mitigate a cooling of interest from Chinese sports fans while Yao is sidelined:


There are more and more Chinese elements involved in the NBA besides Yao Ming. Yi Jianlian's popularity will catch up a little bit next season. As you might know, a China born investor became a minor owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. CCTV is considering airing more Cavs games next season. Shaquille O'Neal, Baron Davis, Jason Kidd ... a lot of NBA players with China endorsement contracts are featured in the commercials on TV in China.


Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are two of the most popular international sports stars in China. All of these will remain despite Yao's injury. As a result, I don't think Yao's injury will bring inevitable damage to this market.


And of course, Yao's injury is not career ending, which will keep a lot of people's spirits up.


Last but not least, the NBA China branch is growing rapidly these days. I am sure they will do what they can to keep the game as popular as ever.


The NBA has shown some signs of feeling an economic pinch. A dip in basketball-related income. New ways for teams to borrow money, facilitated by the League. More teams talking about carrying shorter rosters, to save money.


Many people are looking for signs that such hard times could be coming to an end. A stock market rebound, for instance, could free up resources for owners, sponsors and ticket purchasers alike. Optimism in the real estate market could have a similar effect, as might a return to normalcy in credit markets.


But as far as the NBA is concerned, another key economic indicator to watch for is the return of Yao Ming.
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Bobcats and Hornets both get what they needed in trade

It’s very seldom that a trade fits in perfect with both teams. But in the Bobcats deal with the Hornets – moving Emeka Okafor to New Orleans for Tyson Chandler – both teams can say they’ve accomplished their goals.

The Bobcats get a player in Tyson Chandler who best fits the center position. When healthy, he’s a force at both ends of the floor. In his three years in New Orleans, Chandler averaged 10.2 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks and was a reliable inside target for Chris Paul to finish inside. His best seasons came in New Orleans in 2006-07 and 2007-08.

Chandler’s health has been in question over the last year and a half, but he’ll be ready to go for the Bobcats in 2009-10. A lingering toe injury nullified a trade between the Hornets and the Thunder at the trade deadline this past season. That was compounded by a nagging ankle sprain that sidelined him all but 45 games in 2008-09. Offseason corrective surgeries in both areas leave Chandler 100 percent ready to go at training camp with full flexibility in both areas.

Chandler is an outstanding rebounder, averaging no less than 8.3 per game over the last five years. He’s every bit the offensive rebounder that Emeka Okafor is with numbers that started at 4.4 per game in the 2004-05 season and were still at a representative 3.2 despite the injuries of last season. Not only is Chandler a reliable option in the post, but he’s exceptionally good at helping to generate second-chance shots.

Emeka Okafor is entering his sixth NBA season with a considerable upside in the areas of offensive development. He’ll fit in the Hornets style because he won’t place demands to have the ball in his hands, yet he’s still capable of posting a season double-double. He’s done it consistently for the last five years in Charlotte.

On the personal side, both of these young are outstanding community servants. I asked Hornets Media Relations Director Harold Kaufman to compare Tyson Chandler to someone I might relate to and he instantly said, “ P.J. Brown.” In two seasons in Charlotte, Brown was one of the most well-liked Hornets, as my daughter’s autographed #42 jersey attests.

It’s hard to see Emeka go, because in the beginning he was the most consistent positive element of an expansion franchise. But Tyson Chandler will bring an energy to the Bobcats at both ends that will definitely project them into the playoff race in the East

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Trade the whole team? Bobcats' Brown getting close

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The joke began circulating minutes after Michael Jordan hired Larry Brown: The demanding Hall of Fame coach will want to trade everybody on the Charlotte Bobcats' roster before opening night.

A little over a year later, Brown is more than halfway there.

Emeka Okafor became the latest ex-Bobcat under Brown - joining a growing list that includes Jason Richardson, Adam Morrison, Sean May, Jared Dudley and Matt Carroll. Tyson Chandler, acquired from New Orleans Tuesday for Okafor, becomes the 27th player to dot Charlotte's roster since the start of last season.

It's uncertain if the moves will be enough to make the Bobcats a playoff team in the improved Eastern Conference. But while Jordan and general manager Rod Higgins sign off on personnel moves, clearly Brown has been given plenty of power.

"The biggest thing when you're building a team and you don't necessarily have the depth of the more established teams, you've got to find guys that can play more than one position," Brown said. "That's what we're trying to do. If you look at our team, Boris Diaw can do that, Gerald Wallace can do that, Tyson can do that. I think the more guys that can be in that kind of situation the more flexibility you have."

No Bobcat has been sacred in Brown's record ninth NBA head coaching job. While the athletic Wallace has become a Brown favorite, he was nearly traded last summer. Top scorer Richardson and Dudley were dealt early last season for Diaw and Raja Bell. After two other in-season deals that sent poor Brown fits Morrison and Carroll packing, Brown turned to Okafor.

The expansion team's first draft pick brought consistency - he hasn't missed a game in two seasons and is good for a double-double nearly every night - but his flaws ate at Brown. While chiselled and in great shape, he's not a great athlete. He struggled against big centres and was a liability defending on the perimeter. He's not a good ballhandler, either.

For Brown, it was worth gambling that Chandler's history of toe and ankle problems won't limit him. Chandler is three inches taller and a better ballhandler. While he hasn't played much at power forward, Brown is adamant Chandler can fill in there, too.

"Some of the things Emeka does, maybe Tyson can't do in terms of being physically strong down low," Brown said. "But there are some things Tyson can do in terms of maybe getting out (defending) the pick-and-roll a little bit better, and being a little more mobile out on the perimeter that might be a plus."

Chandler, who has twice led the league in offensive rebounds, is eager to play for his fussy new boss.

"There are some coaches out there that I really feel highly about, and he's been one of them," Chandler said. "I think that he understands and knows how passionate I am about the game and winning and I know he is the same way."

Charlotte still has holes. Even if Chandler plays some power forward, there are few options behind Diaw after the injury-prone May signed with Sacramento. Higgins said talks with restricted free agent point guard Raymond Felton have "stalemated" after a meeting earlier this month in Las Vegas.

"Rod's statement is on point," Felton's agent, Kevin Bradbury, said Wednesday.

It's why the Bobcats, the lowest scoring team in the NBA last season, may not be through dealing.

"Teams that finished behind us, Washington and Toronto just to name a couple, have improved," Brown said. "Then the teams that finished ahead of us have gotten a whole lot better. So you've got to keep up."

The 68-year-old Brown's tinkering helped turn around New Jersey, San Antonio, Philadelphia and even the Los Angeles Clippers. He won an NBA title in Detroit and an NCAA title at Kansas.

Of course Brown's demands have created plenty of problems with players and management, too, highlighted by his ugly departure from New York in 2006.

It appears Brown is still getting along with Jordan, who has agreed to most of Brown's requests. That's created a roster that now includes only five players - Wallace, Felton, D.J. Augustin, Alexis Ajinca and Nazr Mohammed - who were in Cleveland for last season's opener.

"I think it's obvious when teams around you are improving," Brown said, "that you can't afford to stand pat."


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New Dallas Cowboys Stadium may draw largest NBA audience ever

Tickets for the highly anticipated 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend were sold out in less than 20 minutes on the Ticketmaster website on Tuesday. The hosts, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his Mavericks counterpart Mark Cuban will divide the weekend’s events.

The Rookie Challenge & 3-Point Shootout will be played at the Maverick’s home, the American Airlines Center, in the trendy Victory Park, with the main event, the All Star Game, at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

The last time the NBA All-Star weekend was in Dallas was 23 years and it was held at the Reunion Arena.

The 2010 NBA All-Star Game’s logo also reflects the collaboration between the two Dallas teams, which NBA commissioner David Stern labeled “the creation of one of the most memorable basketball events of all-time.”

The All-Star game’s logo includes a version of the Cowboys’ star along with the Mavericks blue and green colors.
Cuban had been skeptical in the past about hosting the event due to space constraints, fearing there wouldn’t be enough rooms for Maverick fan’s and NBA All-Star weekend spectators. The Grand opening of the $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX, has put an end to that skepticism.

The three million square foot venue seats 100,000 for special events, features a retractable glass ceiling roof, including the Cowboys’ trademark hole at the top of the dome and a 60-yard long video screen so a moment won’t be missed. The stadium, developed by HKS architects was built with the philosophy that “there isn’t any event it can’t handle,” and is the largest and most expensive stadium in the NFL.

The Cowboys played at Texas Stadium in nearby Irving for 35 years. This season will be their first their new home which has already been christened by some soccer events this summer.

The new venue has been the brainchild of Jones since purchasing the Cowboys in 1989 for $150 Million. Jones has worked on the plans for the stadium over the last eight years with HKS architect, Bryan Trubey. Jones’ vision was simply to create something more than a sports venue. He wanted to build what some in Dallas call “an entertainment empire.”

The Cowboys stadium is already the home of Super Bowl XLV, The Big 12 Championship games and the 2010 Cotton Bowl. The last time an All-Star game was played at a football stadium, was in 1996 at the San Antonio Spurs’ old home, the Alamodome.

This time around, Jones' architectural monster will blow that away amongst other things expected for the weekend as well.

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Los Angeles Clippers 101: Who would be on the 2009-2010 team right now?

There are currently 16 players that the Clippers either have under contract or that they could potentially re-sign before the 2009-2010 NBA season gets underway.

Those players are, in alphabetical order, Alex Acker, Marcus Camby, Mardy Collins, Baron Davis, Ricky Davis, Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin, Fred Jones, DeAndre Jordan, Chris Kaman, Mark Madsen, Steve Novak, Craig Smith, Mike Taylor, Sebastian Telfair and Al Thornton.

The NBA allows 12 players to be listed as active, with three listed as inactive, and it's expected that the 12 guys the Clippers will have ready to go on Opening Day of the 2009-2010 season, based upon contractual obligations and past contributions to the team and/or as another player on a different team, will be Camby, Baron Davis, Ricky Davis, Gordon, Griffin, Jordan, Kaman, Novak, Smith, Taylor, Telfair and Thornton.

And the remaining three inactive spots, if based on previous service to the Clipper franchise, would go to Acker, Collins and Jones, which would leave Madsen as the odd man out, unless he was released, traded or sent to L.A.'s NBDL affiliate, the Bakersfield Jam, just in case he was needed in an emergency later in the season.

Madsen would presumably be joined by not only the current members of the Jam, but summer-league hopefuls who still need to work on their games in order to be worthy of a spot on the Clips, such as Sean Banks, Dionte Christmas, Marcelus Kemp, Kyle McAlarney, Nik Caner-Medley and Kevinn Pinckney.


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Carter likes Orlando Magic's chances next year

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Vince Carter isn't looking to replace Dwight Howard as the face of the Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic.
Not even close. The recently acquired Carter just wants to fit with his new team and get the prize that has eluded him for a decade in the NBA -- a championship ring.

"I think we have a wonderful team," Carter said of the Magic during a break at his basketball camp. "On paper it's pretty darn good. It's the preparation and work we put in, and not becoming complacent."

Carter admitted on Wednesday that he was surprised by the June trade that sent him and forward Ryan Anderson from the New Jersey Nets to the Magic for center Tony Battie and guards Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston.

However, the thought of playing near his home and sharing the court with the likes of Howard, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson has rekindled the championship hopes that disappeared in New Jersey over the past two years with the trades that shipped Jason Kidd to Dallas and Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee.

The acquisition of Carter gives the Magic a proven go-to player who has averaged 23.5 points in his 10 NBA seasons. He is also a versatile scorer who can prevent opponents from focusing all their defensive efforts on stopping Howard's inside game.

The trade also gives Orlando, which lost to the Lakers in the NBA Finals in five games, an immediate replacement for Hedo Turkoglu, who was shipped to Toronto in a sign-and-trade deal.

The one thing Carter isn't looking to do is to be the focal point of the Magic, something that he has been throughout his career in Toronto and New Jersey.

"If you think about it, I never really said this is my team," Carter said of his four-plus seasons in New Jersey. "I said, 'I'm going to help this team win.' When I first got here, it was Jason's team. I just want to help make (Orlando) better. He (Howard) can be the face all he wants. My concern is more so just getting wins. I kind of leave that for people to say or debate on. I think for me, it's can Vince come in and do his part for the Orlando Magic? That's more so my goal."

What was a little odd was seeing Carter conduct his camp at the Nets' training facility on Wednesday. He had committed to the youth camp before the trade and the Nets allowed him to hold it.

But Carter enjoyed being back and seeing old friends. He talked to coach Lawrence Frank, Nets president Rod Thorn and a couple of former teammates.

The only regret he had was not finishing the job he started, which was to get the Nets a title.

"I mean, I worked my butt off to gain the trust of each and every player here and every staff member and really to instill the mentality and belief that we could win," Carter said. "I don't think we were expected to win as many games as we did. It was just creating a mentality and making it a habit."

Carter was the player the Nets counted on for scoring and leadership in recent years, and he said now it will probably fall to All-Star guard Devin Harris to fulfill the role.

"I mean, Devin can do it," Carter said. "He has seen it done and he's been around. It's just if he wants it. He has definitely established himself in the NBA as a player and that's the next level for him."

Carter spoke highly of the players the Nets acquired from Orlando, saying Lee was unbelievable, Battie was a proven veteran who has been to the championship round and that Alston is a great leader.

For the Nets to be successful next season, he said it will take a team effort in a year where not much is expected.

Carter did not know how the Nets would fare in the 2010 free agency market when LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade might all be available.

"It will be a great opportunity for somebody, maybe a guy who wants an opportunity to build a team around him and play with Devin," Carter said. "You give them another guy or another stud, anything can happen. I think it's possible. I really do."

For now, all Carter is thinking about is the Magic, admitting he still feels weird.

"It's hard to say Vince Carter, Orlando Magic right now," he said. "It won't be once we start doing things as a team."

Carter said that in terms of talent and on paper, the Magic have everything. They just have to work to make it happen.

"The target already is on the Magic because of what they accomplished," Carter said.




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Looking Toward NBA 2010

Looking Towards 2010: There is going to be a lot of hype about the 2010 NBA Free Agent class, it's been building for the better part of two years and in the next six months, it's going to get sillier and sillier as teams make moves to get as much cap space as possible. The interesting part of next summer is that not only will 140 plus free agents be available for potentially the highest bidder, but the 2010 Draft class is going to be fairly impressive as well. Here are some of the names to watch for:
John Wall: There is almost no doubt that John Wall is the top overall selection in the 2010 draft; he will be the focal point of Kentucky's new offense under John Calipari and unless the 6'3 Wall falls flat on his face (unlikely) he's the best of the bunch for 2010. Wall has impressive athleticism, is a fairly decent on the ball defender and has an array of moves with the ball. His YouTube video's look like Streetball tapes with wicked crossovers and step back jumpers, but scouts who have seen most of his high school games say he has the complete package to be a quality NBA point guard. Wall will be on a very big stage this year in Kentucky, he's going to be hard to miss.

Derrick Favors: Favors looks to be the top big man in the class. At 6'9 Favors looks to be part of a very impressive Georgia Tech team that could make some noise this year. Favors is a legit post player, although his footwork and post moves are somewhat limited. Favors is an incredible above-the-rim athlete and is a very exciting player to watch. Of all the players with hype, Favors is going to have to show some skills this season in order to be the first big man off the board next June. There is little doubt he's a lottery pick as he stands today, how high he goes will be greatly influenced on how well he plays this season at Tech. He too will have a tremendous spotlight and will be hard to miss.

Willie Warren: Willie could have been a first rounder in this year's draft but he opted for another year at Oklahoma. Warren was the second option with Blake Griffin last year and this will be his year to prove he's an elite NBA talent. Warren was at LeBron James' Skills camp this summer (site of the infamous dunk) and was one of the most impressive offensive players in attendance. At 6'4 Warren looks every bit the part of an impact scoring guard. He is a bit undersized for the NBA's two guard position so Warren will have to show he is an elite scorer like Ben Gordon or that he is a playmaker at the next level. Warren could have a very James Harden-type ride this season. Scouts know who he is and what he can do, now he just has to improve on his weaknesses (being a playmaker for others and better on the ball decision making) and stay healthy, if he can do both he'll be one of the top names called in June.

Patrick Patterson: Patrick tested the NBA waters this year and ultimately opted to return to Kentucky and should be another focal point for John Calipari's new system. The 6'8 Patterson is an amazing finisher around the rim and a decent post player, and was one of the most efficient players in the nation in the post. Patterson is shockingly right hand dominate – Synergy (the top video scouting tool) charts 90% of Patterson's offensive plays as coming from his right hand. A strong season at Kentucky could do wonders for Patterson's stock as he was considered one of the top post players this year, he will have a big stage to showcase his game and he could be a top 10 player next June, he could be the prime candidate to unseat Favors as the first Big Man off the board.

Greg Monroe: At 6'11 and 240, Greg Monroe is a long, athletic player and as this year's draft proved - with 6'11 Austin Daye going 15th to Detroit and 6'10 Earl Clark going #14 to Phoenix – the NBA is enamored with long, athletic players. Monroe was not a solid around the rim player last year which is likely why he opted for another year at Georgetown. Monroe has the dreaded "finesse" label which scouts use to say "not very tough." Greg will have to show some aggressiveness in his game this year and be a stronger finisher around the rim. If he can add that to his skill set already he should be a solid first round prospect this year and could go in that same 12 to 18 range other 6'11 players went this year.

Ed Davis: The North Carolina program will really be the Ed Davis show this year after losing three of their studs to the NBA. Davis was on the NBA radar last year, but really looks to be a focal point guy this year. Davis is a tremendous face up player and can shoot the ball pretty effectively. He'll need to showcase a wider range of skills to be a serious NBA prospect, but he should be someone to watch. At best Davis is a mid-first rounder, although if he does not show big improvements this year he may be best suited to stay out of the 2010 class as he could drop to other more proven players.

Al-Farouq Aminu: Al-Faroug may have missed his boat in opting to stay at Wake Forest for another year. His teammates James Johnson and Jeff Teague were first rounders this year and now Aminu is left without a big supporting cast. Aminu was also at LeBron James' Skill academy this summer and was underwhelming according to reports. Aminu is going to need a strong showing this season to stay among the top names in the class, but with less talent around him at Wake next season Aminu could be in for a long season.

Gani Lawal: Gani tested the NBA waters this summer and opted for another season at Georgia Tech where he'll share the front court with Derrick Favors, which means a lot of his games will be scrutinized more than last year. The biggest knock on Gani this year was consistency of his shots and ball handling. He is a monster around the rim and his knack for strong play in the post offsets his smaller frame (6'9 in shoes). Another strong season at Tech and Gani could cement himself as a legit first rounder; a breakout season at Tech could move him into the Top 15. The Detroit Pistons were very high on Gani in the draft process so don't be surprised if they are at every one of his games this season.

Solomon Alabi: Alabi looks to be among the top center prospects in the country, measuring in at over 7'1 and is coming along as a basketball player. The Nigerian-born Alabi had a reasonable season last year for a Florida State team that was near the top in the ACC. Alabi will have to show a lot of progress this season to be a serious prospect, but as previous drafts have proven, the NBA will draft project centers and Alabi could be one of those next June. Alabi is an extremely raw player, so marked improvement this season will likely be the measure on whether he's on track for the NBA. Alabi could be a player that needs two more seasons before heading to the NBA especially if Hasheem Thabeet (a good comparison player), this year's project, doesn't pan out.

Cole Aldrich: At 6'11 and a true center Cole is going be mentioned as a top-15 prospect all year. He sniffed at the NBA this summer but opted for another season at Kansas. The problem with Aldrich is he is simply big, is not overly skilled or polished, and is not the proven commodity that someone like Blake Griffin was this time last year. Aldrich needs a strong season at Kansas and to show that he has a skill set that not tied to being tall – improved footwork, a better offensive array and more fluidness to his game. Aldrich's name will be on the prospect lists, but his game does not translate well today, and improvement this year will go a long way toward proving if he can be a first round player. He is a guy to watch, he just may not be a guy taken in the first 15 picks.


The Latest: NBA training camp will open in less than 64 days, and several teams have yet to address their needs. The Toronto Raptors and Dallas Mavericks have been the busiest teams in the league with the Mavericks reaching a deal yesterday with Tim Thomas, and the Raptors seem poised to seal the deal with Carlos Delfino this week – both sides remain eager to get a deal done. Here are some notes for today:
Odom And The HEAT: Yesterday there was some confusion over whether Lamar Odom and the HEAT had actually met on Monday in L.A. A CBS2 report from L.A., suggested that HEAT president Pat Riley and star guard Dwayne Wade were meeting with Lamar Odom on Monday.

Dwyane Wade is said to be headed to Portland this week for Nike (Brand Jordan) endorsement meetings, which puts a meeting next Monday with Odom unlikely. HEAT sources say "the plan" was to meet with Odom Monday night, but no one seems to be able to confirm if the meeting did indeed take place.

The HEAT would not confirm if Riley did meet with Odom Monday, nor would the Lakers.

Sources close to the situation said yesterday that Odom and the Lakers were still talking and that they seemed to be closing in on a deal. The same sources said Lamar's stance was to try and get a deal done with the Lakers and would look to Miami as his plan B if the talks did not progress this week.

The HEAT are rumored to be closing in on a $1.9 million deal with point guard Jamaal Tinsley that would use their Bi-Annual exception, while leaving all of their $5.8 million median exception open for Odom should talks with the Lakers fall apart.
Carlos On Lock Down? Carlos Boozer is still the top trade target of the summer and he has been doing his part to try and make things difficult for the Jazz by adding pressure to get a deal done sooner than later. Boozer confessed yesterday that he was asked to not talk about the situation by the Jazz.

"I can't speak about it anymore," Boozer said to Waddle & Silvy on ESPN 1000 in Chicago. "I was asked to let my agent and the Jazz take care of the situation and I'm gonna leave it at that. I'll let them take care of it and you guys will probably hear something before I do."

"[My agent is] definitely trying to help the Jazz do what they want to do by talking to different teams and seeing what will make their team better."

"Obviously, I'd have liked for it to have been over, of course, but at the same time I know whatever happens is meant to be and I look forward to it," Boozer said. "I'm just working my butt off ready for a monster season. And I'm just looking forward to dominating in the NBA again."

"Everything lays in the Jazz's hands. I know they're doing their homework and their due diligence and I'm gonna step back and not speculate about what I see on TV or what I hear on the radio and just let them do what they're gonna do."

"If I was traded to Miami, I would welcome that. That's what I meant. I don't have a No. 1 destination," he said. "I'm looking forward to playing next season and I'm looking forward to whatever jersey I do put on... I'm very interested and looking forward to see what the Jazz do."
Hornets Took Their Time: Hornet's GM Jeff Bower was a popular guy during the Las Vegas Summer League, executive after executives stopped by to chat with Bower and it was clear Tyson Chandler with the topic of many of those chats. HOOPSWORLD joked with several of them after their chats asking "So what's Chandler gonna cost you?" - a joke that never got old. Yesterday Bower consummated his deal sending out Tyson Chandler for Emeka Okafor living up to the pledge he made several weeks ago, saying that the Hornets were not holding a fire sale that it was about improving and competing. Bower admitted that the Chandler deal had been on the table for some time, the decision to take on the $60 million owed to Okafor was considered thoroughly and Okafor's upside was deemed worth the investment.

"Emeka will bring is a physical presence in the low post, someone who can become a threat for us down low and in the paint," Bower said to John DeShazier of The Times-Picayune. "We think he's a very good individual defender on the ball on the blocks, as well as a strong defensive rebounder and offensive rebounder. (Those characteristics and) the consistency that he's shown -- over the past season for instance -- are all elements that we think he'll add to our team."

"I think it shows that we are interested in improving and that we are interested in competing in the Western Conference, and we are willing to pay the price to do that," Bower said. "I think this trade did accomplish a number of objectives, and that's something that's a byproduct of it.

"We see the teams around us and we hear the comments in the community, and we understand the passion that exists in this community -- now, especially -- for the Hornets. We're right with them. We all feel the same thing. We are committed to improving.

"The commitment that Mr. Shinn and his family have made to allow this trade to go forward shows that he's interested in building a winner, and that he's interested in competing, and that that's what he wants. That's the message that's delivered from the highest part of the organization, and it's our job to try and make that happen."
Warrick To Milwaukee?: Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix is reporting from his Twitter account, that free agent Hakim Warrick could be headed to the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Memphis Grizzlies recent rescinded their Qualifying Offer to Warrick making him an unrestricted free agent. Warrick's camp has said as many as six teams expressed interest in a multi-year deal. The Bucks are currently sitting on $68.5 million in salary commitments and have been clear that avoiding the Luxury tax would be a priority, suggesting that the Bucks may not be offering Warrick a sizable contract.

The Bucks also have the unresolved Ramon Sessions' situation to consider, word was they would match any contract offers under $5 million for Sessions, a Warrick deal would almost surely change those plans.

The Bucks can still clear $2 million off their cap by waiving Bruce Bowen's 50% guaranteed contract (valued at $4 million).
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2009-2010 NBA Schedule Seeps Out: Shaq Vs Kobe on Xmas...Again

For the fourth time in the last six years, Kobe will face Shaq on Christmas Day. Only this time, Shaq won't be the centerpiece of his team. This is all about Kobe and Lebron and what NBA officials are probably praying will be a foreshadowing of the NBA finals.

As for opening day, it's the new look Cavs taking on the old green men of Boston or what should really be called, "Battle of the 2009 Losers." Okay, I didn't have much time to come up with a more clever title, but you get the point.


Who should be playing the Lakers on Christmas Day?

Cavs Celtics Magic vote to see results Am I the only one who feels the Magic are being overlooked here? They did make it to the Finals. And if I remember correctly, they went through Boston and the Cavs to get there.

But the Magic have gotten this treatment before. We all remember the Kobe/Lebron puppets and the inevitable Lebron march to the finals hoopla that ended up being much ado about nothing.

Once again, the Magic are being overlooked. And they seem to thrive as the underdog. They used it to fuel a title run last year. And I wouldn't be surprised if they did it again this year. And before you go crying "Hedo" on me, Vince Carter plays his best when he's got a chip on his shoulder.

David Stern just gave him that chip.


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