This edition of News and Rumors has a large focus on an NBA player’s complaint and his wish to leave to town. And as always, there are some nice tidbits.

Be Careful What You Wish For

If you were an NBA player, making tens of millions of dollars and you averaged a mere 11.3 points per game, would you demand a trade?

Ask Hedo Turkoglu, because apparently this is not a big deal to him.

Last summer, Hedo accepted a contract offer from the Portland Trailblazers. Then, he chose to back of that deal and go with the Toronto Raptors. Why these teams were fighting over him is beyond me, but Mr. Turkoglu got what he deserved. He is in a city he doesn’t want to be in, and he feels he has the right to complain despite dropping his production dramatically and becoming one of the most overpaid players in the game.

Who does Turkoglu think he is? He still has four years left on his five year $43.8 million contract and once Chris Bosh leaves he will be royally screwed. I have no qualms with the Raptors, but they need to put their foot down here. That franchise is going to be in the hole for years because of this move and the lack of Bosh in the lineup. If they can move Turkoglu, jump at it. For ANYTHING.

Tidbits:

• Reason # 13094 that I hate LeBron James: He shows up late at an amateur dunk contest in Cleveland and says nothing to anyone.
• Rod Thorn said he has a short list of about 6 candidates for the vacant head coaching spot on the Nets, and he is getting the interview ball rolling with Avery Johnson. Not feeling this one Rod, “Next.”
• It’s official, Antoine Walker is a bum. He filed for bankruptcy in Florida last week. His 2006 NBA championship ring is listed as an asset. I can’t wait til that is out of his possession, he NEVER deserved it.
• Zach Randolph’s longtime friend faces drug charges for drugs found in Randolph’s car. I’m not going to speculate that they are Randolph’s drugs, but nothing will make me say they’re not.
• Caron Butler says he wants to stay in Dallas and added, “We’re not that far off.” Well Caron, you were pretty far off from making the second round, so I’m not sure where you’re going with this one.

-Shooter