A New Letter From Dan Gilbert

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in a region 431 miles away from the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a brief, humble, unselfish build-up culminating with a national tweet of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports, entertainment, and probably the history of the universe.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘Klow7' WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank. (Then come to Quicken Loans to get the loan you will need to pay off your losses on that bet.)

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of another city’s very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels. As a matter of fact, I am on my way to Ace Hardware right now.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to-- Hold on folks, I’m getting a call from David Stern…

Wow, this is embarrassing. Apparently Mr. Lowry was a “restricted” free agent and had no control over the situation. Once Daryl Morey and the Rockets matched our $24 million offer, Kyle had no choice but to return to Houston. My apologies.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and slightly less darker day....

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU another angry letter in a silly font that you have long deserved and is long overdue....

Dan Gilbert


Majority Owner


Cleveland Cavaliers

An Open Letter to Randy Foye

You might remember a column Bill Simmons wrote before last year’s draft addressing Blake Griffin and his future with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Sports Guy outlined all of the horrible things that have happened to the Clippers franchise and its players. He summarized, “this went deeper than one person. This was karmic. This was creepy. This was like … they'd been hexed. Like they had built an arena on a sacred burial ground or something. And that's when I realized what happened. In a way, they did mess with a sacred burial ground. They messed with the Indians. And you don't mess with the Indians. Ever.”

The bad luck dates back to June 14, 1976, when Buffalo Braves owner Paul Synder decided to sell the team, and subsequently moved it to San Diego and later Los Angeles. With the cross country move, the franchise stripped itself of all affiliation with Native American heritage, and decided to rename the team the “Clippers”. That seems to be when the “curse” began. Simmons’ satirical column turned eerily prophetic when Blake Griffin suffered a stress fracture in his knee the day before the season started and missed his entire rookie year. I’m going to borrow the idea and write a letter to former Villanova Wildcat and new Los Angeles Clipper Randy Foye…

Dear Randy,

“Run. Just start running. Run for your life. Run like the star of a horror movie. Don't turn around. Run and keep running.”

You just signed a two year contract worth over $8 million with the Los Angeles Clippers. Congratulations, that’s a lot of money, but for the sake of your ACL’s maybe you should have considered somewhere else. You’re really pushing your luck, considering you already have a history of knee injury, missing half of the 2007-2008 season. Just take a look at some of the horrific injuries that have befallen the Clippers’ major draft/trade/free agent acquisitions over the years:

- 1977: A month after the Clippers traded for all star Tiny Archibald, he tore his Achilles and missed the entire season.

- 1979: Clippers signed free agent Bill Walton. He played 14 games for them in his first three years, and just 169 games through his six year contract with the team.

- 1980: Clippers drafted Michael Brooks ninth overall, and after three-plus seasons, he blew out his knee and never played another game for the Clippers.

- 1983: Clippers traded for Norm Nixon, who blew out his knee playing softball after three seasons, then thirteen months later he ruptured his Achilles tendon.

- 1983: Rookie of the Year Terry Cummings was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart arrhythmia.

- 1985: Rising star Derek Smith blew out his knee eleven games into the season and was never the same.

- 1986: Marques Johnson ruptured a disk in his neck after an accidental collision with his own teammate. It was a career-ending injury.

- 1988: #1 pick Danny Manning blew out his ACL after just 26 games with the Clippers.

- 1989: Ron Harper blew out his ACL 28 games after the Clippers traded for him.

- 1997: Leading scorer and rebounder Loy Vaught had season-ending back surgery.

- 2007: Elton Brand blew out his Achilles.

- 2007: Shaun Livingston suffered one of the most gruesome knee injuries ever caught on live TV.

Sure, you can compile bad luck and injury lists like this with just about every team in the NBA, but the difference is the Clippers haven’t had good luck in its history to counterbalance it. I’m sure you had other options, like the Nets, who will be playing in your hometown of Newark this season. Then again, you run the risk of getting banished to Siberia if Russian billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov isn’t pleased with your play. You could have gone across the river to boost your stats in Mike D’Antoni’s system. Or how about “taking your talents to South Beach” and joining the new Triumvirate to chase a ring or ten. You’d have to take a major pay cut, but I’m sure you’d be paid the difference under the table like the rest of the team inevitably will. You even could have returned to your first team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. GM David Kahn apparently has some kind of unhealthy infatuation with point guards that rivals only Jay Wright, so I’m sure he’d welcome you back.

Curses aside, the Clippers are actually a great fit basketball-wise for you, Randy, and the weather isn’t too bad in LA either. The team has some young talent with Blake Griffin, Eric Gordon, Ryan Gomes, and rookies Al-Farouq Aminu and Eric Bledsoe, plus veterans Baron Davis and Chris Kaman. You will likely be the first guard off the bench subbing in for Davis at the point or Gordon at the two.

“Again, I would start running right now. But if you choose to stay, I have an idea: Trek into the desert like Jim Morrison did in "The Doors," bring Gordon with you, drop some acid and try to connect with a Native American shaman. Or you could fly to Buffalo with Baron and Gordon, find some sacred ground and make some atonements. Maybe you could even bring a white buffalo with you. Just make sure you do something. This is bigger than you. And us.”

I don't really believe in curses, anyway. Or do I? No, I don't. But if there is a curse, let's hope you're the one to break it, or at least stay healthy for these next 2-3 years until you join a franchise that isn't cursed. Like the Cavs.

“Good luck breaking the Curse of the Sacred Buffalo.”

Sincerely,

Bill Simmons Tim Barry

NBA Free Agency Summit

It’s finally here… The Summer of 2010… NBA free agency. Teams have spent two years tanking and clearing salary cap space in hopes of signing them. That’s right, Randy Foye and Kyle Lowry are free agents for the first time in their young NBA careers, and they could be wearing new jerseys ( or new New Jersey jerseys) next year. What, you thought I was talking about someone else?

Randy Foye is coming off a tumultuous season with the Washington Wizards where he averaged 10.1 points and 3.3 assists per game (13 pts and 5 assists as a starter). There’s a good chance the former Wildcat will be playing for his third NBA team next fall, or fifth team if you count the draft-day trades in 2006. (Drafted 7th by Boston, rights traded to Portland, rights again traded to Minnesota for Brandon Roy, and last summer traded to Washington for Ricky Rubio). The Wizards still owe gunslinger Gilbert Arenas $80 million through 2014, and they just made a draft night trade to add point guard Kirk Hinrich. I’m sure they would love to shoot Arena’s contract off to another team, but if they are unable to, the Wizards are unlikely to match an offer made for Foye, who is a restricted free agent.

Dork Elvis, aka Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey, apparently sees in Kyle Lowry what Nova fans saw in the two years the Broadstreet Bulldog roamed the courts up and down the Main Line. Morey’s recent tweet: “Rockets fans, please send a message to Luis (@LScola4) and Kyle (@Klow7) letting them know much we want them back! http://twitpic.com/21iko5.” Kyle excelled off the bench as Aaron Brooks’ back-up at the point, averaging 9.1 points and 4.5 assists, and I’m sure both sides would love to stay together. However, on a per 48 minute basis, Lowry averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists. What if another team desperate for a point guard looked at those stats and offered Kyle a starting position? I think he’d have to take that opportunity.

So where could Kyle and Randy be heading if they leave their respective cities? Some teams with available cap space and vacancies at the point guard position are the New York Knicks and Miami Heat. The Indiana Pacers are looking for a new point guard, although they are already over the salary cap.

Scottie Reynolds is slated to play for the Phoenix Suns’ summer league team, but he isn’t guaranteed a spot on their big league roster next season. I hope things work out for him in the desert (Vegas, then Arizona) because there aren’t many better point guards to apprentice under than Steve Nash.

Tim Thomas could take a veterans’ minimum contract with a salary cap strapped team like the Miami Heat to chase a ring with Wade and Bosh (and LeBron?). If he doesn’t return to play for Mark Cuban in Dallas, Tim could be making his tenth team change in fourteen seasons, which has to be some kind of record. Personally, I’d like to see TT (that’s what I call him) join the Boston Celtics, just to see how Bill Simmons would react.

Malik Allen averaged 2 points and 2 rebounds in just under 9 minutes per game for the Denver Nuggets last season. At 32 years old, Allen can provide cheap veteran front court depth, something just about every team in the league can use.

As for Villanova's final representative in the NBA, Dante Cunningham is not a free agent and will be back in Portland for his second year. The Blazers liked what they saw from their second round draft pick and extended his contract through 2011.

Oh, yeah. Apparently there's another big free agent, although he did not attend Villanova. Some guy by the name of LeBron James. After tonight's primetime special, "The Decision", we'll finally know where the King will hold his court. As a Knicks fan, I'm hoping he comes to Madison Square Garden, erases the misfortunes of the Isiah Thomas era, and brings a title to New York. As a basketball fan, I would love to watch him team up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, forming the most dynamic trio in NBA history and creating must-see TV for 82+ nights a year. (How much is NBA League Pass?) As an American sports fan, I want him to stay in Cleveland and prove that loyalty still exists in sports, and that hometown fans truly matter to these multi-millionaire superstars.

Scottie Reynolds... The Next Mike Bibby?

As the Celtics and Lakers continue to battle in the Finals, the NBA Draft is quickly approaching. Dozens of young collegiate and international basketball stars are travelling around the country, working out for coaches, scouts, and GMs, hoping to be the next Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, Pau Gasol, or Kevin Garnett... heck even the next Adam Morrison. (Who wouldn't love to get paid $5,257,229 to cheer from the bench?) One such hopeful player is Villanova's own, Scottie Reynolds.

Most NBA draft experts project Scottie Reynolds to go in the second round or not at all. Scottie's draft stock was hurt by his uncharacteristically poor performance in this past year's NCAA Tournament: 4/26 FG (15%). He no doubt struggled in those last two games, but should that overshadow a first team All-American season? The hate seems to have gone too far for Scottie Reynolds' NBA prospects, and GMs should take notice because they won't want to be remembered as "the guy who passed on the next Mike Bibby".

Now you might be saying to yourself, "You're crazy! Mike Bibby wasthe second overall draft pick in 1998." Well, first of all, the Grizzlies (then in Vancouver) made a mistake drafting Bibby before Antwan Jamison, Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki, AND Paul Pierce. But at least it wasn't as bad the first overall pick that year by the Clippers (Michael Olowokandi). Now bear with me and take a closer look at these two players and you'll see just how similar Reynolds and Bibby actually are.

The Looks

They're about the same size (both listed as 6'2), and they're within five pounds of the same listed weight (Reynolds: 190 pounds and Bibby: 195 pounds). Neither is super quick or athletic, but they instead rely on craftiness, outside shooting, and high basketball IQ.

The Stats

Bibby (2 years): 15.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 45.6 FG%, 39 3P%, 73 FT%

Reynolds (4 years): 16 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 41.4 FG%, 37.2 3P%, 81.4 FT%

In his senior year, Scottie shot an almost identical 45.7% from the field and 38.5% from three. He also bumped his scoring up to 18.2 points per game. Albeit, at that age, Bibby was averaging 14.5 points and 8.1 assists per game in his second year in the NBA, but still, the stats are strikingly similar. Bibby's career NBA stats are: 15.8 points, 5.9 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 43.8 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 80.6 FT%... Not inconceivable for Reynolds. Also keep in mind, that despite all his success, Bibby has never made an All-star team.

The Wins

Both were McDonald's All-Americans in high school. Both were First Team AP All-Americans in college. Both of their college teams were sucessful. Bibby led Arizona to a National Championship with 20 points as a freshman in 1997. Sure, Reynolds' most recent NCAA Tournament was disappointing, but how can anyone forget his magical buzzer-beater in 2009 that sent Villanova to the Final Four.

The Rest

So far there's no indication that Scottie Reynolds can't mimic Mike Bibby's career, in which he has earned $100,176,673 and counting. The biggest lingering question about Reynolds' game is whether he can run an NBA team at the point guard position. Reynolds was never a huge assist guy in college, but that has more to do with Villanova's system and personnel. I don't see Reynolds ever routinely putting up double digit assists like Rajon Rondo, but I can absolutely see him being like Rondo's opposing point guard in the Finals, Derek Fisher. Like Bibby, Fisher has a very similar body and game to Reynolds (6'1, 200 lbs.). Fisher has never averaged more than five assists per game over his career, yet he has been the point guard on four championship teams. If you think I'm aiming too high with Bibby, then why can't Scottie Reynolds be the next Derek Fisher?

As Scottie Reynolds is watching the rest of the Finals, instead of dreaming of being the next Kobe Bryant, Rajon Rondo, or even Derek Fisher, maybe he should aim to be the next Glen Davis. I'm not suggesting he gain 100 pounds, but Scottie can learn a thing or two from Big Baby. Like Reynolds, Davis was a college star who led his team to a Final Four, yet saw his draft stock drop after a disappointing following year. He got drafted in the second round, but he didn't let that keep him down. Davis continued to work hard and improve his game, and now he is a game away from winning his second ring. So wake up NBA GMs, you don't want to miss this year's big sleeper... Scottie Reynolds.

The 2010 NBA Draft is June 24 at 7 p.m.

Must-See Dante Dunk

Dante Cunningham posterizes Amare Stoudamire.

Foye Caught in Arenas Circus

I knew I was taking a risk when I drafted Gilbert Arenas on my fantasy team, but I figured I would lose him to another knee injury, not a gun suspension. By now you know the story: Arenas and Javaris Crittenton had some kind of gambling dispute and Arenas brought guns into the team's locker room. Ever the jokester, Arenas tried to lighten the situation by playfully making gun gestures with his hands in a pregame huddle. Randy Foye had the misfortune of being caught in Arenas' vicinity during his antics and was fined $10,000 by the NBA. Being the upright citizen and proud Villanova grad that he is, Foye had all the right things to say afterward: "It was foolish, stupid, immature, but I've got to be a man and accept my penalty and I apologize to the fans and the organization for behaving in that manner."

It's unfair that Foye is being penalized for his teammate's actions, but in reality, this might be the best $10,000 Foye spends all year. For most of the season Foye was coming off the bench for Washington and was struggling to find consistent playing time. Now he replaces Arenas in the Wizards' rotation as the team's starting point guard, which is significant considering this is a contract year for Foye. Randy may lose $10,000 now, but he has an opportunity to showcase his talent this season and remake that 10k, plus a lot more, with a new contract over the summer. Foye is averaging 8 points this season, down from 16.3 last season, but he's scored 18 and 20 points in his first two games since Arenas was suspended indefinitely.

Blazers take Dante #33

Dante Cunningham was drafted with the third pick in the second round (33rd overall) by the Portland Trailblazers. This is a great fit for Dante; Portland is a very good young team with a core of Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Greg Oden. Congratulations and good luck to Dante in the League.

You're a Wizard, Randy

Randy Foye has been traded to the Washington Wizards along with Mike Miller for the #5 pick in the upcoming draft, Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila, and (pauses for spell check) Oleksiy Pecherov. All four Wildcats currently in the NBA have been traded over the past two years: Malik Allen from New Jersey to Dallas, Tim Thomas from LAC to NY and NY to Chicago, Kyle Lowry from Memphis to Houston, and Randy Foye from Minnesota to Washington. I'm surprised Minnesota is giving up on Randy Foye so soon, especially since his is coming off his best year as a pro (16.3 ppg, 4.3 apg). Minnesota has a new GM in David Kahn, who has no history with Foye and must really like a guard in this year's draft.

Trades are always difficult to handle as a player, but Randy must be happy to be heading back to the east coast. Washington was one of the worst teams in the NBA last season, but they were crippled by injuries. With a core of Caron Butler, Antwan Jamison, and a healthy Gilbert Arenas, Foye and Miller can help make the Wizards a playoff team again.

Scottie Doesn't Go (and neither does Jay)

Scottie Reynolds withdrew from the 2009 NBA Draft and will return for his senior season. He may have had a chance to get drafted in the second round, but you have to respect him for coming back. He now has a chance to break some school records and go down as one of the best Villanova players ever.

This news comes on the heels of a recent report that Jay Wright interviewed for the head coaching job with the Philadelphia 76ers, but quickly removed himself from consideration. This is great news for Wildcat fans. If he passed up the chance to coach his hometown NBA team, I don't see him leaving Villanova for any other position in the country, college or NBA. Maybe he'll change his mind if he wins a National Championship, but if that ever happens Jay will have my blessing to leave.

Lowry's Season Ends

The Houston Rockets took the #1 seed in the West, the L.A. Lakers, to seven games in the second round, despite losing Yao Ming after game 3 and despite not having Tracy McGrady at all. Kyle Lowry played a big part in keeping the Rockets alive. Watching him in these 2009 playoffs reminded me how much I loved watching him play at Villanova. He plays much bigger than his 6-foot stature and isn't afraid of anyone, even the great Kobe Bryant.

Lowry must lead the league in number of charges drawn per minute. And when one of his teammates draws a charge, he's the first one to sprint over and help them up.


Rockets GM Daryl Morey is lauded as a new-wave GM, a stats-guru who finds more value in the Shane Battier defensive-types. Kyle Lowry fits that mold, and he has helped make Morey look like a genius with his strong play since he joined the team at the trade deadline. After suffering in Memphis for his first two and a half years, Lowry proved how valuable he can be to a contender. Lowry must be loving life with his new teammates in Texas. Let's just hope Ron Artest's craziness isn't contagious.

Lowry, Rockets Advance to Second Round

Kyle Lowry has already done what Tracy McGrady couldn't in seven tries. The Houston Rockets defeated the Portland Trailblazers 4-2 to advance to the second round of the playoffs where they will meet Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. Lowry averaged 4.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.2 steals in 19.3 minutes per game in the first round series. His best game was game 2 at Portland when he score 10 points.

Scottie Declares for Draft

Scottie Reynolds has officially declared for the NBA draft, but he has not hired an agent and may still return to school. I can't say I'm not surprised. After the March 5th game against Providence I said this:

With all the hype surrounding the seniors, appreciating their achievements and bidding them farewell, kind of lost in the shuffle is Scottie Reynolds. For all we know the junior standout may have played his last game in the Pavilion. Right now I don't think his NBA draft stock is high enough to leave early, but if he leads Villanova to the Final Four averaging something like 20 points and 5 assists, he could propel himself into a first round pick.

Little did I know that he actually would lead his team to the Final Four, although he averaged just 13.4 points and 2 assists in the Tournament. With experts predicting this to be one of the weaker drafts in recent years, this might be Scottie's best opportunity to get drafted. Reynolds is what he is. I don't think he would improve his draft stock much with another year in school. Scottie's game reminds me of Mike Bibby. I don't know if he will be as successful in the league as Bibby, but he can be a solid back-up point guard (like Kyle Lowry) and bring some 3-point shooting off the bench. I fully support Scottie's decision to test the waters and I hope he does get drafted. He's done wonders for the program over the past three years, culminating in the school's first Final Four since 1985. Finally, with Corey Fisher ready to run the show and Maalik Wayns and Dominic Cheek coming to town, Scottie wouldn't exactly be leaving the team in shambles.

Lowry Prepares for Playoffs

Kyle Lowry ended the regular season on a high note with his best game as a Rocket: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists. Kyle will get his first taste of the NBA playoffs this weekend when Houston plays Portland in the first round. Lowry has played well for the Rockets off the bench, sharing point guard duties with Aaron Brooks. He finished the season with averages of 7.6 points, 3.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.9 steals.

Randy Foye had a great third season, but ran into a few injuries and the Timberwolves decided to shut him down for the final nine games. He averaged career highs in points (16.3) and assists (4.3). Foye scored a career-high 36 points on February 20 and dished a career-high 14 assists on November 23. He was averaging about 20 points per game over the last couple months of the season before the injuries. Randy has gotten better each year in the league, and that should continue next season when he gets back to full health.

Foye Injured

Randy Foye suffered a right ankle sprain in last nights game against the Washington Wizards. He landed awkwardly after jumping up to try to catch a high lob pass from Mike Miller. There is no timetable on how long he will be out yet. Foye had 15 points and 6 assists in the game before the injury. He is averaging 16.9 points and 4.5 assists on the season. At 18-45 and now without their top two scorers, Minnesota is moving into "tank mode" to improve thier lottery position; and therefore, they are unlikely to rush Foye back from the injury.

On the bright side, maybe the injury will give him more time to work on the Randy Foye Foundation. Head over to VUHoops for more info on that.

Lowry's Revenge

Kyle Lowry helped the Houston Rockets beat the Memphis Grizzlies 93-83 last night in his first against his former team since being traded at the deadline. Lowry just missed a double-double with 8 points and 9 assists. 

Last week Lowry faced former Villanova teammate Randy Foye for the first time in a Rockets uniform. Houston won 105-94. Lowry had 11 points and 3 assists, while Foye had 24 points and 4 assists. Lowry followed that by scoring 14 points at Utah. Since the trade, the Rockets are 8-2 and the Grizzlies are 1-7.

Lowry Links:

• From Memphis Commercial Appeal: Kyle talks about how it felt weird playing against the Grizzlies. He also says he is glad to have a defined role in Houston, and he talked about the new mindset he needs to play with after going from a lottery-bound team to a playoff-bound team. Overall he says, "I'm glad to be here and glad to have this opportunity." 

• From Memphis Commercial Appeal: Lowry talks about what he went through at the deadline. He received a phone call from Hakim Warrick and didn't believe him at first. After realizing it was true, he was excited to be going to a contender. He understood why Memphis chose to go with former lottery pick Mike Conley as their full-time point guard, and he was thankful for the time he spent in Memphis.

• From The Dream Shake: Houston fans are jumping on the Kyle Lowry bandwagon already. This blogger loves his "Bulldogginess" and his ability to draw fouls. 

• From Youtube: Highlights from Lowry's career in Memphis.

Foye Sets Career High; Lowry's Debut

Randy Foye scored a career high 36 points last night in a 112-105 loss vs. the Indiana Pacers. Here's a look at his stats from the game: 38 minutes, 13-23 FG, 5-8 3PT, 5-7 FT, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, 5 turnovers, 36 points. His previous career high was 33, which he set just ten days ago. Randy has been averaging 20 points a game for the past two months since moving to the shooting guard position, with Sebastian Telfair at the point. Foye has bumped his season averages up to 16.6 points per game and 4.6 assists per game. With Al Jefferson out for the season, Randy Foye is now the focal point of the offense, so you can expect to see more scoring outbursts like this over the next couple months.


In other NBA news, Kyle Lowry had 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 15 minutes in his Houston debut. He also had 4 turnovers, but that's to be expected in his first game in a new system with new teammates. As you can see in the picture, Lowry has chosen 7 as his new jersey number. He wore #13 his freshman year at Villanova, then switched to #1 for his sophomore season, and he continued to wear #1 in Memphis for two and a half seasons.

Lowry, Thomas Traded

Two former Villanova Wildcats were moved today at the NBA's trade deadline.

Kyle Lowry was involved in a three team trade between the Grizzlies, Rockets, and Magic. Lowry will be going to Houston with Brian Cook, Rafer Alston will go to Orlando, and Memphis will receive the Magic's first round pick. Lowry has seemingly been involved in trade rumors ever since the Grizzlies drafted Mike Conley in 2007. Frankly, I'm glad to see him get out of Memphis, a franchise going nowhere. Even with Tracy McGrady out for the season Houston is a playoff contender, and I've always believed Lowry would be more effective on a better team. He will be sharing point guard duties with Aaron Brooks and Luther Head. Kyle will also be reuniting with former Nova assistant coach Brett Gunning. Lowry made his return from an ankle injury Tuesday night. He is averaging 7.6 points and 3.6 assists on the season, with highs of 25 points and 12 assists.

Tim Thomas was traded from the New York Knicks, along with Jerome James and Anthony Roberson, to the Chicago Bulls for Larry Hugues. This is the second time this season Thomas has been traded, and it is the second time of his career that he's been traded from the Knicks to the Bulls (first in 2005). Tim is averaging 9.6 points and 3.5 rebounds on the season, with highs of 26 points and 11 rebounds.

Foye Scores 33

Randy Foye scored a career-high 33 points in a 110-102 loss to the Raptors Tuesday night. Here's a look at his stat line: 11-22 FG, 3-6 3PT, 8-8 FT, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 33 points, 40 minutes. His previous career-high was 32, which he's had twice. This comes in the T-Wolves' first game without center Al Jefferson who is out for the season with a torn ACL. Jefferson was the centerpeice of the team, and now without him Foye will have to pick up the slack. Foye said, "It was different because when I was driving the ball, usually like he's right there to hand it off. Usually we're always looking for him, usually he's our bail-out." I think we will see a lot more big games from Randy in the second half of the season.

Foye's Monster Block

Randy Foye with the huge swat on Danny Granger... (#4 on the top 10)

Foye finished with 19 points and 5 assists in the 116-111 T-Wolves win.

Lowry Injured

Kyle Lowry left last night's game against the Wizards in the second quarter with a sprained right ankle. It is unknown how long he will be out. 

Update: "Kyle Lowry will not play due to a grade-2 right ankle sprain. There is no timetable for his return."