Wade Guarantees Return by Season Opener

Six weeks after left knee surgery and two weeks away from court work, he (Dwyane Wade) is much closer to healthy now than he was during the 2012 playoffs. He guaranteed that he would be ready for the season opener Oct. 30 against the Celtics: “No question.”

Ibaka, Thunder Reach Terms On Extension

Oklahoma City forward Serge Ibaka has reached agreement on a four-year, $40-million plus contract extension, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
Ibaka, 22, could’ve been a restricted free agent next summer, and his deal now locks into place three of the Thunder’s core young stars — Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Ibaka.
This deal leaves the future uncertain for guard James Harden, who could command a maximum contract on the league market as a restricted free agent next summer. Along with the remainder of Kendrick Perkins three years and $27 million, the small-market Thunder will be hard-pressed to invest so much money into his payroll.
In his third NBA season in 2011-’12, Ibaka averaged 9.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game. He’s one of the league’s best rim protectors, and been rapidly developing his offensive game. Ibaka was a key player on Spain’s silver medal winning Olympic team this month in London.

James Joins Jordan on History List

LeBron (James) signed off with 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists and exchanged long, tight hugs with both (Mike) Krzyzewski and (Kevin) Durant before the final horn had even blown. Shortly thereafter, Coach K made an even bigger scene by jumping up and down on the medal stand.

“It’s been a great ride for me,” James said upon joining Michael Jordan on the short list of players to win a gold medal, an NBA championship and the MVP trophy in the same season.

“I could have never scripted it this way. A lot of people doubted us. They said we were too small. Like Chris (Paul) said, it’s not about size, it’s about heart. And I’m happy we have so much heart on our team.”

NBA BEATS - Just wanted to let it be known. As much as I respect Lebrons game he is nowhere near Michael Jordan. Jordan could shoot. Jordan could dunk. Lebron just dunks when the lane is open. Jordan went over people. Jordan was alot more fun to watch. I don't like watchin players that can't shoot. 

Stoudemire ‘Can’t Wait’ to Use New Moves

Six-time NBA All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire “can’t wait” to explore the moves he has learned from former Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon when he returns to play with the N.Y. Knicks.

Stoudemire has been in Houston for about a week working with the Hall of Fame center.

“It’s always room to improve as a player,” Stoudemire said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. “To want to be the best is always a common denominator for most players.

“So working with Hakeem, one of the best players to ever play the game, is a great opportunity for me. We are both very quick and athletic for our positions. So to learn from him will be a great advantage for me.”

Wade Rehab on Schedule; Ready by Camp?

Dwyane Wade’s recovery from knee surgery is right on schedule, and the All-Star guard expects to be ready to go when the Miami Heat open the defense of their NBA championship.

The way he was walking around London on Wednesday, it would have been tough to guess he had surgery a month ago.

“I feel good. Rehab is going very well,” Wade told The Associated Press. “I’m happy with it. I’m more encouraged than I was, obviously, when I knew I had to get surgery. So I’m happy.”

The Heat will open training camp in late September, and Wade said he expects to be fully ready to go when Miami opens the defense of its title against the Boston Celtics on Oct. 30. He even hopes to be ready for the start of camp.

Jermaine O’Neal Agrees to Join Suns

In the shadow cast by Superman’s arrival in Los Angeles, the timing of Jermaine O’Neal’s choice to commit to the Suns on Friday was unfortunate as an unrelated move.

Given the caliber of remaining NBA free-agent centers, O’Neal’s commitment to sign a one-year, $1.35 million contract with Phoenix could be fortuitous if — and it’s a huge if — O’Neal can be healthier than he has been for the later half of his 16-year career.

The Suns had only a backup center role and a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract to offer with a franchise that is in transition. The Suns came away with a six-time All-Star who is still only 33 years old because he entered the NBA out of high school.

The caveat is that the years’ wear and tear has cost O’Neal, who appeared in only 61 percent of his teams’ games over the past eight seasons. O’Neal’s past two seasons in Boston were limited to 49 games combined because of knee and wrist surgeries. O’Neal, who is 6 feet 11 and 255 pounds, was averaging 5.0 points and 5.4 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per game before his season-ending left wrist injury last season. O’Neal went to Germany this summer to receive the Orthokine treatment on both of his knees. Kobe Bryant, Alex Rodriguez and Grant Hill also have gone to Germany for Orthokine, which takes a patient’s blood and spins it in a centrifuge to make serum that is injected to combat inflammation.

Howard to Lakers Deal Complete - My Opinion

NBA BEATS - I like when big trades go down and relevant player move to a new team. I was starting to like the Lakers though and after this not so much. I wanted to see what Gasol and Kobe could do with Nash. I thought that was all they needed was a good point guard. Never really been a Howard fan. Like I said in earlier post I am not a Shaq and Howard type. I am more of a Olajuwon and Duncan type. I like skillfull bigs. Plus Howard and all that indecision. Nash is still the key acquisition the Lakers made this off season. I think the Lakers can get by Miami now. Just don't know about the Thunder. Because I think the Thunder still have the best player. If you read some of my earlier post you would know I am referring to Westbrook. Westbrook and his sidekick Durant I think can still get LA. But I would say LA is the favorite. I thought they were before Howard acquisition. Not that Howard will hurt them. I just think Gasol should have more space down low to do his thing. I would rather have Gasol than Howard. That is me though and I know the majority would not agree. And not that I think Andrew Bynum was that great. I am actually excited to see what he can do on a different team. Jason Richardson to. The trade was good for Bynum. I just think the Lakers would of been better with Bynum. When you have Kobe, Nash, and Gasol I think they needed  a guy that was willing to bow down and be the lazy big.  But throw in Howard who wants touches and the spotlight. I just think they took a small step backwords. Yeah they got better production from the 5 spot but I think you lost a little production from the 1,2,3, and especially 4 spots. 

A four-team trade that would send Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers is complete, multiple sources told ESPN on Thursday night.

A source with direct knowledge of the talks told ESPN.com’s Marc Stein the Lakers will receive Howard, the Denver Nuggets will acquire Andre Iguodala, the 76ers will receive Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson, and the Magic will get Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic and one protected future first-round pick from each of the three teams.

In addition, the Magic will be getting other pieces, including 76ers No. 1 draft pick Moe Harkless, a source told Stein.

Sources close to the process told Stein and ESPNLosAngeles.com’s Ramona Shelburne that a trade call with the league office has been scheduled for Friday to secure the necessary NBA approval to make the deal official.

Lakers forward Pau Gasol had been in and out of talks, sources told Shelburne, before ultimately being excluded.