[46-36]History in the Making ※ Playoffs Preview!

[Lamrock]

Nice start to the season. You lost, but were competitive, and that's what counts. I could see Yi being like Odom was in your old Bulls story.

[Valor]

Nice start to the season. You lost, but were competitive, and that's what counts. I could see Yi being like Odom was in your old Bulls story.

Hahaha, if Yi Jianlian ever becomes that good, I'll buy his jersey and frame it on my wall

[Valor]

Bibby Agrees To Buyout With Wizards



The Wizards and Mike Bibby have agreed to a buyout, which
was formally announced by the team on Monday afternoon.

Marc J. Spears reports Bibby will give up his entire $6.2 million salary
for the 11-12 season.

Bibby is expected to receive interest from the Heat, amongst other
playoff contenders.

Heat Waive Carlos Arroyo



The Miami Heat announced today that they have requested
waivers on guard Carlos Arroyo.

The decision to waive Arroyo is believed to be a precusor to signing
Mike Bibby.

“This was a very difficult decision to make because Carlos has done a
great job for this team and this organization,” said Heat President Pat Riley.
“He is truly a first class individual and professional. We wish him nothing but
the best.”

Heat Sign Mike Bibby



The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed free agent
guard Mike Bibby.

“We want to welcome Mike Bibby as we continue to move into the direction
of our championship dreams,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “We feel Mike,
with his vast postseason experience, long range game and point guard abilities,
will give us a boost in the backcourt.”

Bibby agreed to give up the $6.2 million he was owed by the Wizards for next
season so that he could become a free agent and sign a league minimum contract
with the Heat.

The decision sent shock waves through the league.

"It is really not [anyone's] decision to make," Bibby said.

He has earned more than $100 million during his 13-year NBA career.

"I make the money, I decide what I do with it, it doesn't matter what anyone thinks
of it," Bibby said. "My financial stuff is my business. It is always tough to give up
money. I've won and lost in my career and I'm at a stage where I want to be happy."

Wizards Sign Carlos Arroyo



The Washington Wizards announced today that they have signed
free agent guard Carlos Arroyo.

Arroyo was waived by the Miami Heat in the process of them signing
free agent Mike Bibby, who agreed to a buyout with the Wizards earlier
this week after being traded from the Atlanta Hawks for Kirk Hinrich.

"With Bibby gone we need a backup for John Wall, and Carlos is one of
the better guards out there" said Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld

[George7]

Your team had a really good effort in the opening game Though you lose this is a nice first example of what the Panthers can do.

[Valor]

Your team had a really good effort in the opening game Though you lose this is a nice first example of what the Panthers can do.

Yup, I was impressed at how we were actually ahead for the most part until they blew it open in the third, end score isn't too ugly either. Good sign for the future?

[Valor]

Sorry everyone, life just took a wrong turn for me at the moment, nothing's going right...I'll be taking a break from the forums until things get better again, so both of my associations are going to go on hiatus.

Peace

[George7]

Valor, too bad Valor.Hoping things get better soon in anything that concerns you...

[Valor]

Valor, too bad Valor.Hoping things get better soon in anything that concerns you...

Thanks man, things are a lot better now, will continue the associations when I get my assignments done

[Valor]

Yi drops 50 as Panthers earn first victory
Game Story | Box Score | Team Stats | Player of the Game


Yi clinches the expansion franchises' first victory with this clutch shot over Grant Hill

Auckland, New Zealand - Down by 13 points heading into the fourth quarter and facing the prospect of watching the opening of their inaugural season with eight straight losses, Yi Jianlian and the New Zealand Panthers stepped up their play, and somehow came up with the win agianst the visiting Suns.

Yi scored 24 of his career high 50 points in the fourth quarter, including a 19 foot fadeaway to put the Panthers up by 3 with 23 seconds remaining and the Panthers made their free throws to snatch the first win in the expansion team's short history, 111-104.

Kirk Penney added a career high 18 points from off the bench while Darko Milicic had another impressive outing with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

"They played as though their lives depended on it and they got the win" said Steve Nash "Props to them, but we've got to hold onto our leads better"

Nash had 18 points and 9 assists for Phoenix while Vince Carter led the way with 23 points. Grant Hill added 14 points and 9 rebounds but the Suns were out-hustled by the Panthers all night long.

New Zealand had a 49-40 advantage on the glass and dived for loose balls whenever possible. This compensated for their 20 turnovers and the 0-14 fastbreak points deficit they had.

"We can't expect to grab a win like this everytime" said Panthers head coach Pero Cameron "We've got to play better on both sides and make better decisions with the ball"

New Zealand currently ranks last in turnovers, at an astonishing rate of 21.6 per contest. They are also the worst team on both sides of the floor and possesses a point differential of -20.6, exactly 6 points more than the 29th ranked Wizards.

On this night however, things went right for the Panthers.

The Suns ended the game with a 38% outing (34/89) from the field after shooting 44% in the first half while the Panthers did the opposite. Bouncing back from a 37% first half to go 51% for the game. They also went 4/7 from three point range in the second half after going 3/10 in the first.

Yi Jianlian had a lot to do with it.

Yi already had 19 points in the first half, but caught fire in the fourth quarter. He practically knocked down every shot he took as he finished the game having knocked down 17 of his 31 field goal attempts, including a 3 for 5 performance from beyond the arc. He also knocked down 13 of his 16 free throw attempts and grabbed 7 rebounds in his 38 minutes of play.

"I just didn't want to lose again" said Yi "Shot felt good for me in the second half so I kept shooting it. I'm glad we got the win"

Notes: Yi's previous career high was 31 points, which he tied in the previous game....Peja Stojakovic will be sidelined by a lower back strain suffered in the Panthers' previous game against the Kings by 1-2 weeks....The Suns are now 3-4 to start the season....




Game Highlights


Player of the Game Highlights

[hova-]

Wow @ Yi. Bad though that your franchise record in scoring will be held by such a scrub. I mean I don't see anybody topping it soon.

Finally a win and good to see this back. You really outhustled them in the end.

[Valor]

Wow @ Yi. Bad though that your franchise record in scoring will be held by such a scrub. I mean I don't see anybody topping it soon.

Finally a win and good to see this back. You really outhustled them in the end.

Yup, I don't think it's gonna be broken anytime soon.......it was just a miracle night for Yi
Thanks man, I'll try get some more updates soon

[kibaxx7]

Oh just saw this one. Great 4th for you man, never thought Yi would play like this.

[George7]

Nice victory!Are you going to turn Yi into a star??

[Martti.]

The worst franchise player ever.

[Valor]

Oh just saw this one. Great 4th for you man, never thought Yi would play like this.

I never thought so too

Nice victory!Are you going to turn Yi into a star??

Thanks man but I think this is just a one off

The worst franchise player ever.

He's not even my franchise player, but I agree hahahaha

[Martti.]

He's not even my franchise player, but I agree hahahaha

I forgot you had B-Scal.

[Houndy]

Yi went crazy

[Valor]

He's not even my franchise player, but I agree hahahaha

I forgot you had B-Scal.

'bout time you remember!

Yi went crazy

He was just nuts

[Justine.]

Wow, Yi hitting 50 Good job on the first win

[Valor]

Wow, Yi hitting 50 Good job on the first win

That was my reaction Thanks man

[Valor]

Chapter 3

"And the fans here go wild at the Panthers Arena as New Zealand will head into the All Star break with their win streak alive and well at 8." Mike Breen announced as confetti falls over him
"Honestly speaking, I would never have imagined this team to win 8 in a row like they just did" said Mark Jackson "They started the season 1-8 and really didn't look like they belong in the league, but give them credit. They are a young expansion team, and they played their heart out in recent times"
"Absolutely" Jeff Van Gundy agreed "I still don't think they can even have a shot at the playoffs this year, but this has been impressive"

Allowing a smile to creep onto his face, Panthers owner and general manager Leo Lai turned off the television and called for some coffee. It may be the NBA's annual weekend break for the players, but for management, this is where the work really begins.

✧✧✧✧✧

"So we have a deal then?" Lai asked as he waited anxiously
Shane Battier looked through the contract again and turned towards his agent, who nodded his head in approval
"Yes, thank you very much" said Battier as he signed his name on the dotted line "It's a pleasure working with you"
"No, the pleasure is mine." replied Lai as he shook Battier and his agent's hand "We are glad to have you for a few more years"
Battier and his agent got up to leave the office, walking past coach Pero Cameron on the way.

"Nice to see you Pero, lets get started" Lai waved Cameron to the seat in front of him
"First of all, well done on the win streak as of late, I'm very impressed" said Lai
"I'm proud of the way our guys played" replied Cameron "I have great confidence in them for the second half of the season"
"Well, confidence is not enough sometimes" Lai stated "What do you think our biggest concerns are?"
Cameron gave some thought "Defense and turnovers"
"Precisely, have you considered changing up your lineup a bit?"
"Who are you suggesting?" Cameron asked
"I think from the way he's been playing, Smush deserves to start over Patty" Lai said "Patrick has been just mediocre as a starting poing guard"
"Patty isn't going to like it" Cameron said "This will mess up the chemistry we've built"
"That won't be a problem, he won't be around to disagree on that" Lai waved it off
"You've made a deal" It wasn't a question.
"Sometimes, you've got to look at the future instead of being near-sighted" replied Lai "Get ready for the press conference tomorrow"

✧✧✧✧✧

"To say that this year's deadline was a relatively quiet one is an understatement" Ernie Johnson was saying "There has practially been no movement from any team save the Panthers"
"There was a lot of rumors flying around, but nothing happened in the end" Kenny Smith said "Everyone is concerned about the upcoming CBA thing and are scared to make moves"
"But what surprised me was that the Panthers did this deal" Charles Barkley butted in "They were 9-1 in their last 10 games, with an 8 game winning streak still alive; and that was including wins over quality playoff teams like the Lakers, Thunder and the Nuggets. I just don't get what they are thinking"
"You know what, for once I agree with you" Smith added "They just got worse on paper and on top of that, messed up their chemistry"
"So you don't think they can keep up their recent play after the break?" Ernie asked
"I didn't think they could play like this in the first place!" Kenny stated "and after this trade? No way they can keep winning"
"I guess only time will tell though" Ernie stated "Starting from tomorrow there will be thrilling events as the NBA All Star Weekend will be underway in Los Angeles!"
"We've got the Rookie Sophomore challenge, the Sprite Slam Dunk, the Footlocker three point shootout, and of course the annual NBA All Star Game" Johnson continued "Only here, on TNT. Stay tuned everybody"

"Damn right only time will tell" thought Lai as he left for the airport.

It was time to enjoy the festivities in LA.

[kibaxx7]

Never liked Mills Nice to see him leave.

[Fresh8]

Go Yi! And at the All-Star Break already?

Woo!

[Valor]

Never liked Mills Nice to see him leave.

Haha, I just can't use him effectively

Go Yi! And at the All-Star Break already?

Woo!

Yup, I'm fast-forwarding this season since IRL it's playoffs already, gonna do the all-star break then end of season, cover the playoffs and get into the offseason
Hope you guys won't mind and will enjoy the ride

[Valor]

Panthers Announce Shane Battier Extension


The New Zealand Panthers have signed forward Shane Battier to a multi-year
contract extension, Panthers Owner and President of Basketball Operations Leo Lai
announced on Wednesday. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Various media reports indicate the deal is worth $6.23 million over the next two seasons,
with a $3.52 million team option attached for a third year.

The 6'8" Duke graduate was selected sixth overall in the 2001 NBA Draft by the now defunct
Memphis Grizzlies. He was acquired by the Panthers from the Houston Rockets shortly following
the establishment of the Panthers franchise back in October 2010.

Named the team captain immediately upon his arrival, Battier has inserted his will and desire
to win into this young expansion franchise. With his defense and his on/off court leadership,
the Panthers have finally begun to improve as a team, winning 10 of their last 11 games and
are heading into the all-star break on an eight game winning streak.

"His attributes both on and off the court epitomize what we as an organization value and
look for from our players" Lai said "“He guards the best player on every team. His focus
and preparation for whoever he plays is unbelievable."

In the 54 games that has been played thus far this season, Battier holds averages of
8.5 points, 5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.

Knicks acquire Mills, Jeffries from New Zealand


The New York Knicks announced today that they have acquired guard Patrick
Mills and forward Jared Jeffries from the New Zealand Panthers in exchange for guards
Anthony Carter and Kelenna Azubuike.

Jeffries was traded from New York to Houston on trade deadline day last year to help clear
salary-cap room ahead of New York's summer free-agent pursuits, and was subsequently
selected with the 10th pick in the Panthers' expansion draft this past off-season while Mills
was selected with the 6th pick in the same expansion draft after spending his rookie season
with the Portland Trailblazers.

The Knicks are in need of front-court depth and Jeffries,defensive forward whom Mike D'Antoni
utilized abundantly in his first stint with the Knicks, is a perfect fit while Mills will help plug in
the void left behind at the backup point guard spot as Chauncey Billiups is out for the season
from a torn MCL.

For the Panthers, starting Patrick Mills at the point hasn't yielded brilliant results despite their
recent 8 game winning streak, unloading his long term contract and obtaining a veteran guard
in Anthony Carter should help boaster the team for both now and the future.

New Zealand is expected to buy-out Azubuike.