DAN SPORTSKIH NOVINARA: Bruno Kovačević održao lekciju Dezerterstvu...
BRUNO KOVAČEVIĆ & CRO-KOŠARKAŠKA REPKA: kada nema snijega, skijanja i skijašica, a nogometom vladaju huliganstvo i korupcija, košarci nenaklonjeni mediji su prisiljeni nedjeljni hljeb zaraditi (cheap) šutom s košarkaškog centra. Istog onog centra koji je prije 2 tjedna prigodom ključne utakmice finala domaćeg prvenstva na domaćoj TV bio pregažen Formulom 1. Naravno da odluke Vujčića i Giričeka nisu jednostrane i jednostavne, čak bi se usudio reći da su donesene za dobrobit svojih reprezentativnih kolega. Tko želi neka igra, tko ne želi neka ne igra, to je igračka demokracija, da slučajno ne presuši motivacija. Cjelina će uvijek biti veća nego zbroj djelova, pogotovo ako je trener Repeša, if you get my point..
"A i o onom komentaru Bruna Kovačevića bih rekao par rečenica. Mislim da je Hrvatska televizija zadnja koja ima pravo davati komentare o hrvatskoj košarci, jer ono što je hrvatska košarka dobila na Dnevniku, pljujući na mene i ostale, to je možda najviše što je dobila ove godine u tom terminu.
Ja mogu pogledati utakmice Cibone samo da ostanem budan cijelu noć, ali se uvijek nađu u ovim situacijama kada treba stati na stranu takve bezrazložne kritike i uspoređivanja nas s ljudima koji su dali živote za ovu državu.
I moj je otac bio branitelj i ujak mi je bio u ratu i znam jako dobro za što su se borili i izborili. Ponosan sam što su ti ljudi svima nama stvorili slobodu i što su i meni omogućili da mogu sjesti ispred vas i reći ono što mislim i ono što želim.
Onakvo jeftino kupovanje ljudskih emocija neka ide na dušu autoru kojega bih rado upitao koje su to njegove zasluge za hrvatski sport, osim što od njega prilično dobro živi?"
Three hundred and sixty five days away, there waits the most intriguing months of free agency in the history of the NBA. From Kevin Garnett to Gilbert Arenas to Shawn Marion to Paul Pierce to Jermaine O'Neal, a staggering list of the sport's stars are eligible to opt out of contracts and declare themselves free agents.
For this free agency cycle, which begins Sunday, there is a far more modest crop of candidates. While the top two players, Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups, have opted out of contracts, they are still expected to re-sign with the New Jersey Nets and Detroit Pistons, respectively. According to sources, the Nets are close to agreeing to a four-year, $60 million extension for Carter. Billups won't get a max-out deal with the Pistons, but he should count on a contract in the $10 million to $11 million a year range.
Without a lot of memorable signings on tap, this free agency cycle is more about facilitating blockbuster trades -- including the Minnesota Timberwolves' Garnett, the Indiana Pacers' O'Neal and the Phoenix Suns' Marion.
Here's a sprinkling of 10 free agents -- restricted and unrestricted -- who'll help shape the free agency period.
1. Rashard Lewis, Seattle SuperSonics (small forward, 27 years old, unrestricted). Ray Allen insists that Lewis probably won't want to stay now that he's been traded to the Boston Celtics, but the unloading of Allen's contract gives new general manager Sam Presti some flexibility with Lewis. Now, it's easier for the Sonics to take back a contract in a sign-and-trade deal for him. With cap space, the Orlando Magic is a serious contender to sign Lewis.
2. Gerald Wallace, Charlotte Bobcats (small forward, 24, unrestricted). Here is the test for Charlotte owner Bob Johnson: Is he willing to spend money to make the Bobcats elevate into Eastern Conference playoff contention? Michael Jordan and he keep saying so, but this is the test.
GERALD WALLACE G-FORCE MIX...
3. Darko Milicic, Orlando Magic (power forward, 22, restricted). Milicic's worth on the market will be interesting to gauge. Orlando would like to re-sign him, but it'll only go so far on matching an offer for him. If the Magic get into the game for Lewis, they'll have to make a hard choice on what Milicic is worth to them.
4. Anderson Varejao, Cleveland Cavaliers (power forward, 24, restricted). If a team is willing to overpay for him (perhaps the Memphis Grizzlies with their cap space), there's a chance the cap-strapped Cavaliers will balk at matching an offer to keep him.
5. Grant Hill, Orlando Magic (small forward, 34, unrestricted). Hill keeps saying that staying with the Magic is still a priority for him, but increasingly around the league there's a belief that he'll leave to chase a championship contender. The Suns are hot on his case, and the Pistons and San Antonio Spurs are expected to be strong suitors, too.
6. Mo Williams, Milwaukee Bucks (point guard, 24, unrestricted). The Bucks are determined to re-sign him, but Williams could turn out to be the best point guard prospect on market. This could be an expensive proposition for the Bucks, who can't afford to lose a burgeoning young talent that they developed.
7. Andres Nocioni, Chicago Bulls (small forward, 27, restricted). He's a Scott Skiles and fan favorite in Chicago, but a poor postseason didn't help his value. He plays relentlessly, and his offensive skills are often under-valued. He'll probably re-sign with Bulls, but he'll be pursued hard.
8. Luke Walton, Los Angeles Lakers (small forward, 27, unrestricted). Walton has long been perfect for Phil Jackson's triangle offense, but his value in sign-and-trade scenarios will be tempting to the Lakers. He's a SoCal kid, and his preference is to stay in L.A.
9. Jason Kapono, Miami Heat (shooting guard-small forward, 26, unrestricted). Kapono turned into one of the league's most accurate three-point shooters last season and proved he could make shots even with Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade off the floor. The Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets are possible spots, but the Heat will work hard to keep him.
10. Andray Blatche, Washington Wizards (power forward, 20, restricted). The Wizards believe Blatche, a preps-to-the-pros draft pick two years ago, is on the cusp of contributing on their front line. Other teams agree, and he could command a full mid-level exception.