After failing to sign David Lee and Paul Millsap, the Portland Trail Blazers finally made a splash in free agency by acquiring All-Star point guard Andre Miller. The two sides have agreed on a deal worth up to $21 million, $14 million of which is guaranteed with a $7 million team option.
Miller was offered a one year contract by his former team the Philadelphia 76ers, but reneged because he desired a long term deal above the league’s mid-level exception. Miller has found a team with a core of young talent that will help extend his career.
In Miller, Portland found the veteran point guard they have been looking for over the past few seasons. After missing out on Jason Kidd, Kirk Hinrich among others, the Blazers have found the anchor to their team. Miller will undoubtedly provide leadership off the court and rare toughness on the court.
Miller has played in a NBA high 530 straight games missing only three games throughout his career. His ability to play through the grind of the season year after year will help educate Portland’s young talent on how to play through pain. Miller will also help the Blazers take further steps away from their dark past filled with drugs and legal problems.
While the signing of Andre Miller will make the Portland Trail Blazers a playoff contender, it is highly unlikely they will be able to match up with other Western Conference powerhouses like the Lakers and Spurs.

Despite earlier reports, Minnesota’s first round pick, Ricky Rubio will not be staying in Spain for an additional year even if he and the Timberwolves are unable to reach a contractual agreement. Immediately after the draft, Rubio believed that he would be forced to stay another year in Spain because of his inability to pay the $8.2 million buyout.

Rubio was projected to be the second overall pick, but as he fell to number five he lost millions, making it more difficult to escape the contract with Joventut.

Almost two months after the draft, Ricky Rubio is still not pleased with the way his Spanish club has handled the situation, so Timberwolves’s GM Davis Kahn flew to Spain in an attempt to help settle the dilemma. According to NBA rules, Minnesota can only contribute $500,000 to the buyout, so the two sides have been not been able to come to a resolution.

Rubio’s future remains unclear, whether he will sign with the T’wolves, be traded to another NBA team or possibly sign with another Spanish ball club like Real Madrid or Barcelona.


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The Yankees have done to the Twins what the Red Sox have done to the Yankees thus far this season. This afternoon, the Yanks completed their sweep of the Twins in Minnesota en route to Anaheim, where the dreaded Angels are waiting.

It was when the Angels paid a visit to the Bronx in late April, where one of the worst streaks the Yankees have endured all season began. We shall see how much of an impact a banged up Vladimir Guerrero has and if Torii Hunter winds up on the disabled list which is most likely to happen. One things for sure; if the Yankees can win this series heading into the All-Star break, they truly have all the momentum in the world, going into the second half of the season.


Then there's that team in Queens. Tonight they lost the rubber match of their three-game series to Joe Torre's Los Angeles Dodgers. Once again, it was an inept offense coupled with another poor (or is it the expected) performance from start Livan Hernandez. Word on the street (or on the internet) is that the Pirates are looking to deal all-star second baseman Freddy Sanchez. Omar, make the call. Luis Castillo is nothing but a bench player. Just don't give up too much.

To add insult to injury (no pun intended), the Mets placed outfielder Fernando Martinez on the DL with knee inflammation. It was either the DL or a trip back to Buffalo (again), as the prized prospect has struggled in his first months in the big leagues.


---The Phillies are reportedly in serious talks with Pedro Martinez. I'm willing to bet that even if he does wind up signing in Philadelphia, it is not the last pitcher added to the Phillies' roster.

---Keep it up Kansas City. They have come from behind to take the lead on the Red Sox as Manny Delcarmen and Justin Masterson have been off. Obviously a Boston loss means a tie for first place in the AL East with the Yankees.

---It looks like Carlos Boozer will be on the move after all. A three-team trade looks to be in the works that would send the all-star forward to Chicago. Kirk Hinrich would go from Chicago to Portland and Tyrus Thomas would go from Chicago to Utah.


---This is officially the last mention of Brett Favre until there is a contract signed between him and the Minnesota Vikings. Apparently the Vikings' trainer was sent to Mississippi to work him out.


---Perennial hockey all-star Joe Sakic has officially retired from the game after 20 years. He was the active scoring leader and retires with 1,641 points (625 goals), which puts him eighth on the all-time scoring list.

It has become quite apparent that the powers in the Eastern Conference are in an arms race.


First, we start with the Detroit Pistons. After trading away Chauncey Billups in the middle of the season, the team fell apart, ending with a sweep at the hands of the Cavs in the first round of the playoffs. Enter Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. Signing both players gives them instant credibility. However, losing Rasheed Wallace defintely takes away some of their size and toughness. Look for them to shop either Tayshaun Prince or Rip Hamilton in an effort to get bigger. If they keep Hamilton, that will mean that the Pistons have three of UCONN's all-time best players on the same team. Certainly makes things easy for Huskies' Coach Jim Calhoun to keep up with former players...



Next are the Boston Celtics. Coming off of their championship year last season, the Celts were riddled with injuries, specifically to one of their franchise players, Kevin Garnett. The window might be closing on this group of players, but the truth is, that with a healthy Garnett, a focused Rajon Rondo and perhaps one more piece (Rasheed Wallace maybe?), this team's chances for a championship dramatically increase.


Of all the teams in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers have the most to re-gain. After losing just two games at home all regular season, and winning their first 8 playoff games by double digits, they lost in six games to the Orlando Magic. LeBron James finally had what he thought was enough to get the team and himself a title. However, it was not to be. The team has already acquired Shaquille O'Neal from Phoenix in a direct effort to help deal with the likes of Dwight Howard if (and perhaps when) the two teams meet again in the post-season. Rumors of the Cavs also going after Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza make this team even more intriguing. Stay tuned.

(UPDATE)Ron Artest signed with the Lakers last night, while Trevor Ariza signed with the Rockets. I guess Artest was thinking; 'if you can't beat them, join them'.



And finally, you have the Eastern Conference Champion, Orlando Magic. They too have already pulled off a huge trade, in acquiring Vince Carter from the New Jersey Nets, but they, like the Cavs, are not done yet. They are rumored to be very interested in Rasheed Wallace among other players. If the season started today, a lineup that consisted of Dwight Howard, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson would have to be considered tops. The jury is still out as to whether or not they will be able to bring back Hedo Turkoglu, who became the heart and soul of this team throughout the playoffs and who opted out of his contract. If they do not bring him back, they still have enough to compete, however, depending on what the other three teams do, they may not have enough without making a move.


And then there's the Knicks...Not much to say here until the Ricky Rubio situation is completely over. Jason Kidd being a possibility is good for talk-radio, but in the end, I don't see him leaving all of the money that Mark Cuban has already thrown at him, on the table.

Welcome to the Knicks, Jordan Hill. Certainly not the first draft pick by the Knicks to be booed, Hill didn't exactly get a standing ovation once his name was announced.

New York fans were and probably still are very bitter at the fact that they were just one pick away from Stephen Curry. Meanwhile, I think the Timberwolves just drafted ANOTHER guard. Interesting draft to say the least. Tonight, it is the NHL's turn.

ESPN is reporting that the Nets and Magic are close to a deal that would send Vince Carter to Orlando for Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee and Tony Battie. This obviously helps the Nets' financial situation as it clears a huge number off of their payroll. Alston and Battie are in the final years of the contracts and Courtney Lee could prove to be a nice match with Devin Harris in the backcourt.

As for the Magic, adding Carter into the mix that already has a star center (Dwight Howard) and emerging star guards (Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis would help their chances of winning a title next year significantly.


(UPDATE) Vince Carter has officially been traded to the Magic.

The Knicks have reportedly bought the Lakers' first-round pick (29th overall) for close to $3 million. The Knicks had been actively pursuing picks late in the first round. Expect a VERY busy day in the NBA. Another rumor that has begun swirling around the league as we head into tonight's draft is the Rockets sending Tracy McGrady, Aaron Brooks and Carl Landry to the Suns for Amare Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa.

The Suns have traded Shaq to the Cavs for Sasha Pavlovic, Ben Wallace and a 2nd round pick. A lot of this deal comes down to money more than anything else. As we said last night on the show, having a big body like Shaq can defintely help make a difference if LeBron and company face Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic again.

There may be such a thing as must-win games in June after all. Despite the Yankees only being one game out of first place going into tonight, they cannot afford to lose an eighth straight game to Boston for several reasons.

The Red Sox have gotten into the Yankees' head and they need to break out of the slump tonight with their ace CC Sabathia on the mound. Boston is a team the Yankees will most likely have to get past in order to make it to the World Series, and if they keep this pace up, it will be even that much harder.


As far as the Mets are concerned, I think their game tonight is close to a must-win, but won't kill them if they do not. Losing last night's game hurts a lot for many reasons, and a bounce-back performance tonight would do the team well headed into the Subway Series this weekend. Tim Redding on the mound doesn't help their chances any.


---Game four of the NBA Finals is on tongiht as well. Luckily with David Stern and the NBA preferring to schedule their playoff games so late, both baseball games will most likely be over by halftime.

LeBron James is unreal. He absolutely took over in the fourth quarter and led the Cavs to a 112-102 victory over Orlando, forcing a game six Saturday.


James finished with a triple-double and went on a tear in which he either scored or made the assist on 32 straight Cleveland points in the fourth quarter.


Give credit to the Magic, who were down big in the first half, came back to take the lead, then stuck with the Cavs until about four minutes were left in the game. Don't forget, Cleveland is a team that lost only two games all year long at home (one was the final game of the season when no one even dressed).


Expect nothing less on Saturday, as all five of these games have been a delight to watch. I am really looking forward to both Game 6's, starting tomorrow with Lakers-Nuggets.


---It was also pretty cool to see how many big-time sports celebrities were in attendance, and how into the game they were. CC Sabathia, A-Rod, Mariano and other Yankees were in attendance, enjoying their off day before starting their weekend series in Cleveland against the Indians. Brady Quinn and Ben Roethlisberger were other guys that TNT had shown in the crowd.