Either way, Pat Riley is going to have a decision to make soon because free agent big man and former #1 overall pick Greg Oden is interested in taking his talents…

The Heat hasn’t called but “Greg has talked about Miami,” Conley said. “He has interest. He’s not retiring.” Oden, the No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft, has played just 82 career games for Portland (which released him in March) and averaged 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

The Herald

Big men tend to hang on forever because there just aren’t that many 7 foot athletic dudes walking around. They are all in the NBA or WWE. If Greg Oden can walk, the Heat should sign him. Period.

From the New York Daily News:

Toronto will be in direct competition with the Knicks for Steve Nash. But Nash is expected to look to sign with a bona fide contender, and the Knicks and Raptors don’t fit that description. The Raptors are also a potential landing spot for Jeremy Lin. They like him and what he’d do for their attendance, but Toronto would have to “back-load” an offer to the restricted free agent, paying him gazillions in the final couple of years of a deal, and hope that the Knicks would not match. According to league sources, that’s what the Raptors just might do if their Nash plan falls through. But considering that the Knicks have no other viable options at point guard, and Lin has been nothing short of a marketing dream, they’re seen as a lock to match any offer.

All of that is true and what else is true is Lebron James is currently the NBA’s reigning MVP, awarded today. A lot of pressure is on Lebron as he is currently the only player to win three MVP awards and zero championship rings. (Read Robert Littals piece on why Lebron must win championships to secure his legacy)

I believe Miami will get it done and end all of the “ringless King” jokes this season. If not, changes will be made in Miami. I don’t know if that means trading someone, but changes would be made.

Video below

Let’s get this correct. James Harden is a very, very, very good player. In a league where there are not many dynamic shooting guards not named Kobe or Dwayne, James has definitely set himself up to get a MAX contract next summer. Which is where this reporter was leading the line of questioning before Westbrook checked him.

The question is… who offers James that max? New York would have to find a way to dump Amare quickly, Dallas would have to resist signing Deron Williams this summer, and Orlando has to find a taker for Heo Turkoglu’s awful deal. That would eliminate all of the contenders? Would James take more money to go to an up and coming team?

Russell Westbrook would say no more questions for me bro.

“The Brooklyn Nets logos are another step we’ve made to usher the organization into a new era” -Nets part owner JAY Z

Photos of the Nets new logo below:

Don’t look for Larry Brown to save the day Bobcats fans. He just took a college job. If anyone is in the running you have to think it includes Mike D’Antoni and Nate McMillian for now. We will see what happens.

Hopefully the Bobcats win the lottery, draft Anthony Davis, get a good coach and turn the corner… otherwise they might as well contract this team.

PRESS RELEASE: Paul Silas Will Not Return as Head Coach of Charlotte Bobcats on.nba.com/JXjH3y

— Charlotte Bobcats (@bobcats) April 30, 2012

In the video above check out what you missed from the first week of the playoffs. Kevin Durant his a game winner, Chris Duhon busted out an epic troll dance, and Derrick Rose got injured.

I guess Anthony Davis is tired of the charade. He said to expect an announcement at the deadline for underclassmen to declare however today Davis along with four Kentucky teammates decided to declare for the NBA Draft today. The team which ran through the NCAA tournament with no real competition will have to reload after winning the 2012 NCAA Tournament.

The five players include Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marquis Teague, Terrence Jones, and Doron Lamb. Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist will be top five picks. All should be lottery picks when it is all said and done.

Benson is going through some issues with the Saints, so for his management group to have to take on the Hornets is going to be tough but I think this is good for the NBA. The people of New Orleans deserve to have a team, and hopefully Benson invests some money to get free agents. Resigning Eric Gordon will be priority number one.

The league reached a tentative agreement early Friday morning with New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson to buy the team for $338 million, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions.

There is no immediate word on if the Hornets branding will be vacated so that it may return to Charlotte.

In a recruiting shocker the #1 rated SF out of Las Vegas will be taking his talents to U-C-L-A (Childish Gambino voice).

He announced his decision on ESPN, citing that he loves all three schools but preferred the challenge to make UCLA a top team again. With the class they have coming in UCLA looks like they are back.