2015 NBA FREE AGENCY RECAP

      All-Star Power Forward, LaMarcus Aldridge, who for all intents and purposes was the biggest free agent on the market this offseason other than Lebron James, had finally settled on signing with the San Antonio Spurs. It was a reported max 4-year, $80 million agreement with a player option following the third year to perhaps take advantage of the new TV money that will substantially escalate player salaries in the near future.

With all due respect to the current 2015 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, this seismic signing sets up a very likely 'Clash of the Titans' between the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals. This is based on the assumption that pending free agents SF Lebron James and PF Tristan Thompson's likely stay in Cleveland. 

     Some other notable agreements that have taken place, which involved players changing teams, were DeAndre Jordan surprisingly leaving the Los Angeles Clippers in favor of the Dallas Mavericks for a max 4-year $80 million deal, and Greg Monroe's decision to bypass the New York Knicks to join the Milwaukee Bucks with a 3-year $50 million deal.  Here's a list of other significant agreements accross the league:

C Marc Gasol: 5-year, $100 million deal w/ Memphis Grizzlies
PF Kevin Love: 5-year, $110 million deal w/ Cleveland Cavaliers
SG Dywane Wade: 1-year, $20 million deal w/ Miami Heat
SF Kawhi Leonard: 5-year, $90 million deal w/ San Antonio Spurs
SG Jimmy Butler: 5-year, $90 million deal w/ Chicago Bulls
PF Draymond Green: 5-year, $85 million deal w/ Golden State Warriors
PG Goran Dragic: 5-year, $90 million deal w/ Miami Heat
C Brook Lopez: 3-year, $60 million deal w/ Brooklyn Nets
PF Paul Millsap: 3-year, $60 million deal w/ Atlanta Hawks
SF Demarre Carroll: 4-year, $60 million deal w/ Toronto Raptors
C Tyson Chandler: 4-year, $52 million deal w/ Phoenix Suns
SG Wesley Matthews: 4-year, $60 million deal w/ Dallas Mavericks
C Robin Lopez: 4-year, $54 million deal w/ New York KnicksR

Harlem Globetrotters Legend and Hall of Famer Marques Haynes Passes Away at 89....

PHOENIX, May 24, 2015  -- Legendary Harlem Globetrotter Marques Haynes – considered by many to be the greatest basketball dribbler of all-time – died of natural causes at 4:35 this morning in Plano, Texas, at the age of 89. He passed away peacefully with family and friends in his presence. Services are pending.

In a four-decade career, Haynes played in more than 12,000 games, traveled more than four million miles and entertained fans in nearly 100 countries during two stints with the Globetrotters (1947-53, 1972-79). His dribbling style would confuse and confound opponents and became one of the Globetrotters' most potent offensive weapons.

"The game of basketball has lost one of its most iconic figures," said Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider. "Marques was a pioneer, helping pave the way for people of all races to have opportunities to play basketball and for the sport to explode on a global scale. His unique and groundbreaking style of play set the tone for modern basketball as we know it; anyone involved with basketball worldwide is indebted to Marques. He was the consummate Globetrotter.  

"We will be dedicating our upcoming 90th anniversary tour in 2016 to Marques, and the team will wear a commemorative patch on our uniforms to salute the significant contributions he made to basketball and the Globetrotters," said Schneider.    

The acrobatic Haynes caught the attention of Harlem Globetrotters owner Abe Saperstein in 1946, during a game in which Langston defeated the Globetrotters, 74-70.  Following graduation, Haynes joined the Globetrotters and starred for the team when it defeated the George Mikan-led Minneapolis Lakers in 1948 (61-59) and in 1949 (49-45).  

In 1998, Haynes became the first player ever to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a Globetrotter. He has been enshrined into a total of six Halls of Fame, including NAIA (1985), Jim Thorpe (1993) and Langston University (1995). On Dec. 8, 2007, Langston University honored Haynes by dedicating its basketball court as "Marques Haynes Court."

Haynes received a Globetrotters "Legends" Ring and had his jersey (#20) retired as part of a 75th Anniversary black tie charity fund-raiser on Jan. 5, 2001, at Chicago's Fairmont Hotel. Only five Globetrotters jersey numbers have been retired in the team's storied history.

Haynes' basketball career began at Booker T. Washington High School in his hometown of Sand Springs, Okla., where he led the school to a high school national championship in 1941 and was named a Second Team Scholastic All-America that season. Haynes then starred collegiately at Langston University in Langston, Okla. (1942-46), where he was a four-time All-Conference selection and team MVP. Haynes led Langston in scoring all four years and guided the team to a 112-3 record, a mark that included a 59-game winning streak.

Sponsored by World Vision, Greyhound Lines and Baden Sports, The Harlem Globetrotters® are celebrating their 89th consecutive year, continuing a world famous tradition of ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry, and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that continues to thrill fans of all ages. Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation, the largest family-owned themed entertainment company in the U.S. Throughout their history, the Original Harlem Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 122 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans-among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents-over more than eight thrilling decades. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, and to purchase tickets and team merchandise, visit the Globetrotters' official Web site: www.harlemglobetrotters.com.

Source: PRNewswire

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All Star Sports to Hold Special Autograph Signing with Legendary Cleveland Cavaliers Players in Akron, OH...

It will be an event that all sports will remember. All Star Sports is presenting a special autograph signing with several legendary Cleveland Cavaliers players. 

Former players Campy Russell, Austin Carr, Jim Chones, and Bingo Smith will all be signing autographs Thursday, March 19, 2015 between the hours of 6:00pm and 7:30pm at the Summit Mall location of All Star Sports. Autograph pricing will range from $10 - $20, depending on the items being signed. 

Campy Russell played for the Cavs from 1974-1980, and again in 1984, while Jim Chones played from 1974-1979. Austin Carr played from 1971-1980 while Bingo Smith played from 1970 - 1979. 

For more information contact All Star Sports at 330-835-4007.