Apparently, Kaman might stick around a little longer.

[Bumped -R]So the talks are centered around Jordan Hill (craps pants) and Hasheem Thabeet. The teams have also talked about Patrick Patterson (Rohan craps pants) Jonny Flynn, and another dude who I won't mention because I'm to lazy to go back to the page. Also, the Knicks 1st MIGHT be in play, and I'd really like that. Oh yeah, the other dude was Terrence Williams.

We recently looked at a Stoudemire-KG swap that would have given New York just as much cap space. Don’t think Gilbert would also bite? Think again. Crazy as it may sound for an NBA owner in a small market, Gilbert has shown a willingness to dole out big money to accelerate the rebuilding process. In addition to the trade that swapped Mo Williams’ $17 million in remaining salary for Baron Davis’ $29 million (and eventually netted the Cavs the first overall pick), Gilbert attempted to trade for Richard Hamilton (again, acquiring both an undesirable contract in exchange for a 1st round pick as compensation) last year only to have the Pistons back out.

Yes, Amare’s contract is a huge gamble, especially considering his un-insurable knees. But with that said, he is a borderline top-15 talent in the league, a commodity usually not available for the low-low price of an expiring contract. IF the Knicks continue to struggle into March and IF Dwight Howard is still chilling like a villain (without an extension, that is) in Orlando…if you can buy into the Knicks looking to dump Stoudemire, the Cavs would be the perfect fit.

Encouraging news, whether it be lip service or not, from the team that said the contract extension talks have left no residual effects on the team.

‘We made good faith and amicable efforts to reach an agreement on a contract extension over the past few days,’ said Hornets General Manager Dell Demps. ‘Unfortunately, although close, we did not reach an agreement. Eric will be a restricted free agent this summer and we are optimistic and encouraged with the opportunity to sign Eric to a contract that will make him a member of the Hornets organization and community for years to come.’

Do it, Hornets.

[Bumped from the FanShots. This is pretty awesome - R]

I thought this was kind of interesting and could make a cool story. More importantly, there are people out there that still want to own the Hornets

The article is mostly about how the Clippers "deceived" Gordon and Kaman. But towards the end, there are great comments on the Hornets' front office by Gordon and Kaman.

This is our year! (Insert player here) gonna take off this year!
Every year every fan clamors about how this is the year. Some teams have real reasons for it. Clippers. Knicks. Heat. Mavericks. Some teams are used tot hat feeling. Spurs. Lakers. Celtics. And some lose that feeling before it starts. Kings. Warriors. Nets. But we are all champions before that first game and we all know exactly why. Well, let me be the one to further fan that preseason fire.

I have put together a list of teams players and whys for those players as to how that vaunted preseason championship will be won. So with further ado. Let your wildest dreams, run WILD.

But first, a reminder of what it looks like when THAT player does lead THAT team all the way.

2007 - San Antonio Spurs - Manu Ginobili - Fearless - Fight - Aggressive - Everything Greg Popovich would want in a player, Manu was in 2007 for the championship Spurs. His play signified what the Spurs were and won with.

2008 - Boston Celtics - Kevin Garnett - Focus - Passion - Immovable - No gimmes. No shooting for the other team after the whistle. No scoring on him. No way anyone could have beat the Celtics team that bought into KG's passion and D and played with it all year.

2009 - Los Angeles Lakers - Trevor Ariza - Chaos - Dunks - Defense - Ariza did and caused all three and seemed to never run out of energy. With Ariza contributing in a big way, The Lake Show were 3rd in 3 point percentage, 6th in Overall Defense and 2nd in steals and 4th in turnoevers caused on their way to the Ship.

2010 - Kobe Bryant - Never - Say - Quit - You can look at the Finals and see why the Lakers won it all. Kobe finally got, or made, his team play like him. He never let them quit and was as fierce on them as he was on the opponent. They took the Celtics best punch them knocked 'em out in 7.

2011 - Tyson Chandler - J.J. Barea - Big - Small - Underrated - Chandler and Barea were the odd couple that looked way different, play way different but signified the Mavs in the first ever Championship season. They played with confidence, played amazing under the radar and were chock full of intangibles.

So who are the guys that will be the ones to bring the game that their team will embody? Which one's will we be talking about if their team is the last one standing in June?

Less talk, more list.

View the list here:

http://harwoodandfields.blogspot.com/2011/12/this-is-our-year-insert-player-here.html

Okafor, Kaman, Landry and Ayon? That could be one hell of a front court

Hornets roster: To Have and Hive Not
. . .
5-on-5: With superstar Chris Paul out of town, will the Hornets have any buzz left?