Sports Links 07.21.08 - NBA

Here's hoping Obama's trip to Iraq doesn't inspire the completely blind response from the politician that McCain's trip did...

(image from Traitor Joe blog)

Around The Association:

+Responding to all of those signings by the CSKA Moscow and Khimki Moscow basketball clubs (just follow with me for a sec!), the Moscow Dynamo has signed Net free agent Bostjan Nachbar for $14.3 million/ 9 million euros.

And if anyone knows how to get the euro symbol as I type, let me know. Also of interest is this bit from the ESPN article:

Nachbar's deal follows a fast-developing worrisome trend for some NBA executives -- based in large part on the strength of the euro against the dollar -- of European-based teams being able to outbid their NBA counterparts for free agents.

+ Dave D'Alessandro reports that the Nets are hoping to sign-and-trade for Keyon Dooling, using the $3.3 million trade exception brought in from last winter's Jason Kidd trade to the Mavericks:

The trade gives the Nets a solid backcourt trio, with a feisty, long-armed third guard who can defend both spots effectively. But it also gives them 16 guaranteed contracts, so they have stepped up their efforts to move point guard Marcus Williams, who now becomes the odd man out again.

The most logical landing spot for Williams might be one of the many teams who have their own trade exceptions -- Seattle has two, in fact -- and wouldn't mind taking a chance on a work in progress with a $1.2 million price tag.

....Who is this "Seattle" he speaks of?

+Former Net Tamar Slay signed a deal with Air Avellino of Italy's Serie A league.

+Marcus Camby thinks being traded to the Clippers is the lowest point of his life. Apparently more for family issues and distance from Hartford (where the Camby Man is from)... but as far as finding new doctors, everyone knows you go to LA for the doctors.

+Knick guard Nate Robinson had his jersey retired... in the Las Vegas Summer League. As FanHouse puts it, that doers seem like a backhanded compliment.

+Speaking of which, the top ten summer league players (also from FanHouse): Bayless, Love, Anthony Randolph, Donte Green, Augustin, Mensa-Bonsu, Elton Brown, Mayo, Speights, Hickson. Maybe one day they will have their summer league jerseys retired.

+A good analysis from the Oklahoman of how the "Oklahoma Thunder" name could be accurate, could be inaccurate, and could be a bad idea - there is already an Oklahoma Thunder of the World Football League in Tulsa. Not that they are major, but it could cause brand confusion... and as we know, the NBA is heavily about its branding.