Trade rumours suggest Raps are targeting Stojakovic. Meanwhile, some take aim at Kobe for his gun-wielding commercial.
There are people that have raised eyebrows over Kobe Bryant's commercial for the video game Black Ops: Call of Duty.
There are some that feel it's inappropriate for Bryant, because of the NBA's stance on image, to be part of this commercial that seems to advocate and glorify gun violence. Is NBA commissioner David Stern going to step in and do something or is he not concerned?
Some wonder how the man concerned with the image of the league -- to the point where the NBA has done everything from institute a dress code for players and coaches to giving the referees the power to give technical fouls to players and coaches who show any kind of negative emotions -- can ignore this ad? Didn't Stern once put the brakes on Allen Iverson’s rap album with explicit lyrics?
This is the NBA where a player caught with a gun (remember Gilbert Arenas' situation last season) or a DUI leads to tremendous negative fallout and here is Bryant in this commercial advocating violence. Here are a few opinions on it.
But then again, it is a video game and an ad that also features talk show host Jimmy Kimmel. Like it or not, Bryant is a role model. Maybe I'm old fashioned but anything that promotes or glorifies that kind of violence doesn't float my boat. I know it's just a video game but it's not my cup of tea. Knock yourself out with this one folks.
And then there's this rumour surronding a Raptors-Hornets trade. But just hang on a second Toronto fans. Nothing is official until the NBA looks it over and approves it. Rumours and deals get out there all the time and go different lengths down the road before they are either completed or quashed. Remember what happened this past summer when two deals fell apart for Toronto? So just hang on a second as everything is on hold until a trade call is made.
It’s good move salary-cap wise for both teams as Marcus Banks comes off the books this season, David Andersen's deal is done next season and Jarrett Jack will give the Hornets some point guard depth not to mention a guy who is reportedly good friends with Chris Paul.
The Raptors get a larger expiring deal in Peja Stojakovic which may lead to more money to spend next season, if there is a season, because the whole CBA negotiation is hovering like a cloud over the league. Toronto also gets some immediate three-point shooting help. If Stojakovic is healthy and has anything left in the tank, he may help boost Toronto's three-point shooting as they sit 28th overall. Last year, the Raptors finished the season as the seventh-best three-point shooting squad from a percentage standpoint.
In Jerryd Bayless they would get an extremely-competitive player who is very skilled. It would mark the second time that Jack has been traded for Bayless as it happened back in 2008. Bayless is a scorer from the guard position and has been considered to have a scoring guard's mentality in a point guard's body.
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