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We've explained at length just how badly David Kahn has screwed up the potential dismissal of coach Kurt Rambis. How he's turned Rambis, who clearly is overmatched at head coaching at the NBA level, into a sympathetic figure by dragging his dismissal out. How no coach with Rambis' level of professionalism, no matter how poor his record, should be forced to endure what Rambis has gone through since the season ended three months ago. And how Kahn has absolutely no excuses for treating Rambis in this manner -- again, regardless of Rambis' poor record and/or acumen.

Well, it appears to be official. Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted on Tuesday that Rambis has been officially let go. Here's his message:

And here's our message, once again, to Kahn -- you screwed this up.

Rambis deserved another chance after his time with an out-of-shape and overly dramatic Lakers outfit from 1999, though he wasn't up to the task back then, and he wasn't the best choice for a coach, as it turns out, this time around, either. But Minnesota's last game was on April 13, and Rambis should have been fired the day after -- if not after the end of the 2009-10 season.

Instead, David, you ignored him for a spell and eventually fired him (in your own head) in June. In order to get some return on your owner's investment, you tried to shove a meaningless front office gig his way earlier this month, and then he refused.

You then waited nearly another three weeks after the June 22 "firing" before officially letting him go on July 12. And this, I'm sorry, is classless. Rambis should have been let go. But no coach, unless they're an outright and absolute jerk behind the scenes, deserves to be let go like this.

There are some things about the way David Kahn puts together basketball teams that are admirable. There are a lot of things he does that are funny. Most things, actually.

This is neither. This is just needless and wrong.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/David-Kahn-finally-fires-Kurt-Rambis?urn=nba-wp6332

Dwight Howard Gilbert Arenas LeBron James Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant's Asian tour continues

Source: http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2011/07/kobe-bryants-asian-tour-continues.html

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Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan last played an NBA game eight years and two months ago. He won his last Slam Dunk Contest 23 1/2 years ago, and he's two years away from turning 50 years of age.

Also, he can still dunk a basketball on a 10-foot goal. With ease, it should be noted.

Watch the video, which was taken at the Bobcats' fantasy camp for local kids and Charlotte season ticket holders:

And, in case you were also wondering, Jordan is still ridiculously, some would say needlessly, competitive. From the Charlotte Observer:

"I can still beat anybody in here - including my staff," Jordan says.

Same Mike -- from 2003, 1988, 1998, or any point you can name in between.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Video-Michael-Jordan-can-still-dunk-even-at-ag?urn=nba-wp6555

Gilbert Arenas LeBron James Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan

Q: If Mark Cuban can go from villain to media darling then why can’t LeBron? — Joe. A: Oh, I totally think that can happen and eventually will. I’d take it a step further than Cuban and point to Kobe, and all he went through in Colorado. And I don’t even think it has to do [...]

Source: http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_basketball_heat/2011/07/ask-ira-can-lebron-salvage-his-image-next-season.html

Monta Ellis Tim Duncan Manu Ginobili Tony Parker

Do you remember Desmond Mason? In the early part of the '00s, he gained some measure of fame as one of the NBA's best dunk contest participants and even took home the trophy in 2001. Otherwise, he was a perfectly serviceable shooting guard who averaged more than 10 points per game in six of his 10 seasons. Unfortunately, Mason was released by the Kings in the fall of 2009 and has yet to find his way back onto an NBA roster.

The good news is that Mason has moved on to a new profession. If things go well, Hollywood stardom may be in his future. From Jimmie Tramel for Tulsa World (via Deadspin and TBJ):

Mason said he has been cast to play a resident of an insane asylum in a movie being filmed in Oklahoma.

"Just Crazy Enough" is a family-friendly comedy about identical twins separated at birth. According to the film's website (tulsaworld.com/justcrazyenough ), one twin becomes a prominent psychiatrist and the other a lifelong mental patient. The psychiatrist ends up swapping places with a twin he knows nothing about.

Former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Chris Kattan will play the lead role and is adding to what Mason says is a funny script. Tweeted Kattan on July 3: "I was waiting for a physical comedy vehicle like this for a loooong time! Thanks Oklahoma and timing and universe."

Mason described his role as a "pretty big part." He said his character speaks only in cliches and won't hold a normal conversation with anyone.

"Throughout the course of the movie, they are asking me a bunch of questions and we are going through a lot of stuff and I am answering with random cliches that mean nothing," he said.

Wait, the Chris Kattan? From "Corky Romano"? I hope he does a bit as Mr. Peepers!

You can check out the film's website here. It may look like it was made in 1996, but I ensure you that "Just Crazy Enough" is a new movie sure to sweep next year's Oscars, assuming it ever picks up a distributor. Otherwise, it may become one of Hollywood's great lost films, up there with the missing footage from Orson Welles' "The Magnificent Ambersons."

BDL will continue to update you on the saga of "Just Crazy Enough." If things go well, Mason may become the next Rick Fox. That may sound hyperbolic, but the raw talent is there.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Ex-NBA-vet-stars-with-SNL-great-in-new-mental-in?urn=nba-wp6452

Dwyane Wade Larry Bird Magic Johnson Dr Jay

During his exit interview, Andrew Bynum spoke of a larger role in the Lakers offense. Over the last few seasons, he's noted a desire to make All-Star teams, and ascend into the league's elite. In the newest installment of The Triangle, we join with 710 ESPN's Dave Miller, asking how far along Bynum is in the process, and what he needs to do to make it happen.

One thing to consider: How Mike Brown handles any conflict between Bynum's ambition and the established pecking order on the Lakers will be interesting, and perhaps his first big test as L.A.'s new head coach.

It's one of a few issues-- including this week's report on Bynum's parking habits-- we kick around.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/21225/the-triangle-where-andrew-bynums-game-needs-growth

Dennis Rodman Scottie Pippen Chris Bosh Carmelo Anthony

When the Orlando Magic pulled off a pair of blockbuster trades with the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards in December, Dwight Howard was napping. No one on the Magic asked his opinion. No one asked if he was OK with the trades. Howard found out when the rest of us did: once the trades were [...]

Source: http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_magic/2011/07/dwight-howard-wanted-more-say-in-december-trades.html

Magic Johnson Dr Jay Dennis Rodman Scottie Pippen

Source: http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2011/7/18/2281672/slam-as-far-as-your-age-goes-i-think-people-forget-that-there-were

Kevin Garnett Ray Allen Paul Pierce Dwyane Wade

A look around the league and the web that covers it. It's also important to note that the rotation order and starting nods aren't always listed in order of importance. That's for you, dear reader, to figure out.

C: NBA.com. NBA brass taking player names and profiles off of the league's official website was an unnecessary, petty move that affects or merely inconveniences millions of people that have absolutely nothing to do with this lockout, but this Buffalo Braves home page is pretty cool.
PF: Sports Radio Interviews. Jim Gray doesn't get why people still speak of The Decision. OK, buddy.
SF: Wall Street Journal. NBA.com nearly doubled its ad revenue from the year before in 2010.
SG: Red 94. A very nice and poignant look at the retiring Yao Ming.
PG: Pioneer Press. Make no mistake (I don't) -- Kurt Rambis got himself fired.
6th: Nepean Funk. Another very cool look at Yao Ming.
7th: Negative Dunkalectics. What LeBron James can learn from Muhammad Ali.
8th: RaptorBlog. A nice clip of Lithuanian basketball fans enjoying their young team.
9th: Off the Dribble. Why Raymond Felton will eventually work in Portland.
10th: Crossover Chronicles. The estimable CSKA Moscow will not be hiring any NBA players during the lockout, and for good reason. They don't want the potential of their new players leaving their team mid-season, and that's something I can get behind.

Got a link or tip for Ball Don't Lie? Holler at me at KD_BDL_ED (at) yahoo.com, or follow me on Twitter.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/The-10-man-rotation-starring-the-Buffalo-Braves?urn=nba-wp6347

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The NBA has laid off 114 employees accounting for 11% of its workforce. The layoffs are not a direct result of the lockout but meant to attack the same underlying issue of expenses outstripping revenues.

Source: http://www.chicagonow.com/chicago-bulls-confidential/2011/07/nba-lays-off-11-percent-of-its-work-force/

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