Tuesday, 26 October 2010

THROUGH THE WIRE: NEWS (10/27/10)

Feb. 12, 2010 - Dallas, United States - epa02028573 Tyreke Evans (back) goes for a rebound against Brandon Jennings (L) Anthony Morrow (C) and Kevin Love (top) during the first half of NBA All-Star Rookie Challenge game at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas, USA, 12 February 2010.

As the 2010/2011 NBA regular season tips off tonight the attention and news has shifter from player rumours and hype to transactions and injuries. There's been a lot of exorcisms going on in the league this week. Spirits have been raised for some teams in the league as certain year options on contracts have been exercised. The Chicago Bulls have exercised their fourth year option on All-Star Derrick Rose looking forward to watching their franchise player bloom. The Bulls also exercised third-year options on talents Taj Gibson and James Johnson meaning that the three of these players through to the 2011/201 2 season. Looks like these 'Baby Bulls' are going to grow up in Chi-town. Another young, franchise player is on the rise with his team as Brandon Jennings third year contract option has been exercised by the Milwaukee Bucks. This $2.5 million option keeps Jennings under Milwaukee armour to 2011/2012. Jennings at 21 is already been handed the reigns to these Bucks, in a few years this man may even have the keys to the city of Milwaukee. Jennings isn't the only star rookie extending his contract beyond his sophomore years.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Thunder fans celebrate after a Westbrook scored on a dunk against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game 4 of their NBA Western Conference playoff series in Oklahoma City, April 24, 2010. At right is Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. REUTERS/Bill Waugh (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

The Sacramento Kings have a fever and the only prescription is more Tyreke Evans. Expect the cowbells to be ringing even more in the Arco Arena as the reigning Rookie of the Year will be around in Sacramento through next season. Where after that surely he'll be the next King that's a highly coveted free agent. Sacto' have also exercised options on three players for more seasons in the Californian sun, Jason Thompson and Donte Greene for three, and two for Omri Casspi. Finally Oklahoma City have been the biggest exorcist in the league extending contracts on six of their players. Lead by star guard Russell Westbrook these players include, D.J. White, James Harden and Eric Maynor, Serge Ibaka and Byron Mullens. Four years where opted on Westbrook and D.J. while 3 years were given the rest.

Phoenix Suns' Channing Frye (R) battles for a loose ball with Portland Trail Blazers' Martell Webster during the first half of Game 2 of their NBA Western Conference playoff series in Phoenix April 20, 2010. REUTERS/Joshua Lott(UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

(Get a stretcher for Martell, and a room for these two)

Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Martell Webster is looking at getting out of the injury woods in 4-6 weeks after recovering from back surgery. Webster is a rising star who has been incredible for the Wolves especially in their beating of the LA Lakers in London. The do it all player looks to rebound from this setback and put it behind him as this T-Wolf and his Minnesota team look to surprise a lot of people this year. Meanwhile it looks like Gilbert Arenas crying wolf about injury hasn't paid off for everybody, namely him. Arenas is now actually injured. A sore right ankle should keep Gilbert out of the Washington Wizards season opener. That sounds like good news for Nick Young.

Argentina's Luis Scola (L) and Fabricio Oberto (R) congratulate each other after defeating Spain during their FIBA Basketball World Championship game in Istanbul, September 12, 2010. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (TURKEY - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

The Portland Trail Blazers are burning through frontcourt players right now. So many injuries have left Portland trailing that they've had to go back and forth in the free agent market. Portland have inked Fabricio Oberto to man the post while Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla recover from injuries. The Blazers also waived off the contract of Jeff Pendergraph. The forward was expected to supplement but has injured his knee and now Portland have to wish him the best but let him go. Veteran Oberto is a hard nosed forward who spent four seasons in San Antonio and the last in Washington. An Argentine native Fabricio won gold at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and bronze in Beijing in 2008. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

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