NBA Rumors: Dismissing the Most Ridiculous Rumors

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The 2012-13 NBA season is fast approaching, but while it runs towards us, let’s look at some of the most ridiculous rumors out there.

Usually, when a rumor conflicts with common sense, it is not the common sense that is incorrect. NBA rumors can come from nowhere, can be distorted through the chain of gossip or can even just be downright lies. The reason is relevant, but only in how it proves such a rumor false.

Each of the rumors in this slideshow has one of those problems. If it walks like a fib, quacks like a fib and acts like a fib, it is probably a ridiculous rumor that is not true.

James Harden Is Willing to Take Less Money to Stay

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James Harden is the lone big piece of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s future equation that is not locked up in a long-term deal. He is stating that he is willing to take less money to stay in Oklahoma.

According to Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman, a max contract is not Harden’s goal:

 

James Harden says he's still willing to sacrifice something to stay with the Thunder and says a max contract is not the goal.

— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) October 1, 2012

 

This is a ridiculous rumor. If Harden was willing to do what Serge Ibaka did and take less money over the next four years, then a deal would already have been done. Hopefully, for the Thunder’s sake, Harden is telling the truth, but it really does not make much sense given what has happened thus far.

Josh Smith Promises to Stop Annoying Us

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Fans have always been wary of Josh Smith’s propensity to launch three-pointers instead of using his athleticism to get to the rim. Now, he wants us to believe that those days are behind him.

According to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Smith will not be shooting as much from beyond the arc as he has in the past. Smith states that the reason is all of the good three-point shooters the team has added during the 2012 offseason.

No one should be buying this load of junk. Smith has fired up long-range shots his entire career, no matter who he was on the court with. Old habits die hard, so do not expect Smith to follow through with this statement.

Josh Howard Is Negotiating with Four Teams

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Josh Howard has fallen off the radar a bit in recent years, but he is a free agent now after a pretty good season with the Utah Jazz in 2011-12. Apparently, he is a fairly hot commodity.

According to Bill Oram of The Salt Lake Tribune, Howard is negotiating with four different teams. Those teams apparently include the New York Knicks and Utah Jazz.

Howard was a very good player at one time, but he is not this good anymore. It is hard to believe that this many teams really want him at this point in his career. This rings of a player trying to gain more leverage in negotiations with false information.

Jose Calderon Wants to Stay in Toronto

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Jose Calderon has likely lost his starting job with the Toronto Raptors thanks to the team acquiring point guard Kyle Lowry in the offseason. He says he is still happy in Canada though.

According to Doug Smith of the Toronto Star, Calderon is not worried about losing those minutes. He is toeing the company line for the Raptors, stating that he and Lowry are “just two more players for the Raptors.”

This is one of those examples when common sense and a rumor do not add up. Calderon averaged 8.8 assists per game last season, which ranked fourth in the NBA. There is no way he is satisfied with losing his starting job when the blame for losses can hardly be pointed at him.

Kenyon Martin Changed Mind on Accepting Minimum

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Kenyon Martin has been loud and clear that he believes he is worth more than the veteran’s minimum. However, it appears that his stance could be changing.

According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports, Martin is now willing to take the minimum in the right situation:

 

Kenyon Martin will only take minimum NBA contract in a "comfortable" team role,his agent Andy Miller tells Y! Nothing imminent with any team

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) September 27, 2012

 

Do not believe this for a second. Martin is a stubborn player, and that has benefited him as a tough defensive player in the league. However, it has hurt him as a free agent looking for a job. Even if he were willing to do this in the right situation, it is unlikely he would be flexible enough to find a “right” situation.