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All-Star Weekend is here!
Friday night kicks things off with the All-Star Celebrity Game.
Minnesota Timberwolves star forward Kevin Love may be injured, but he’s on the scene at All-Star weekend. He kept tabs on all of the the pre-game action by giving a play-by-play of participants’ fashion.
With the season approaching and the players gearing up for training camp, there’s not much to be done except discuss goals and aspirations for the upcoming season, as well as feelings about all that has happened over the summer. That’s exactly what today’s blog will contain plenty of – goals and feelings. See how Jose Calderon feels about backing up Kyle Lowry, why Doc Rivers blames himself for Ray Allen’s unhappiness, what Billy King thinks about the level of the Nets roster and much more below:
Chris Paul may play one preseason game before the start of the season as he recovers from an injured thumb, from Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles: “Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul went through basketball drills without a protective brace around his right thumb for the first time Monday, and said he anticipates playing in at least one preseason game and being ready for the Clippers’ season opener Oct. 30 versus the Memphis Grizzlies. ”Today was the first day they actually allowed me to shoot layups, so today was the best day ever,” Paul told ESPNLosAngeles.com. “I hope I get a preseason game in before the season. I probably have to start off the season wearing a brace, but I get to wear the brace less and less. I wear it when I go to sleep, but I’m on track. I go to rehab every single morning at 6:30 a.m.” Paul underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb last month after injuring it during Team USA’s training camp in Las Vegas back in July.”
Rasheed Wallace will have the choice to join the Knicks. Or don’t, according to Marc Berman of New York Post: “It’s up to Rasheed. The Knicks are willing to take a gamble on 6-foot-11 power forward Rasheed Wallace, who retired two seasons ago after finishing a disappointing one-year stint as a Celtic. But Wallace, who worked out with Knicks players Saturday at their training facility, still has not decided whether he is willing to dedicate himself to getting himself back in NBA shape at age 38. Clearly, he’s nowhere close now. Knicks coach Mike Woodson, who was on Larry Brown’s staff in 2004 when the Pistons won the title with Wallace as a linchpin, wants this to happen. The Knicks feel they have nothing to lose for the veteran’s minimum of $1.7 million.”
Lou Amundson had to choose the Timberwolves over the Knicks to ensure more playing time, according to Alan Hahn of MSG Network: “Amundson was concerned about being one of the last free agents standing this late in the offseason. With the reality of a veterans minimum staring him in the face, Amundson, a hustle, intangibles player best suited for a reserve role, knew he had to go where he can get enough burn to earn a better contract after this season. He wasn’t going to get that role here in New York, not with Carmelo Anthony expecting to get ticks at power forward when Amar’e Stoudemire goes to the bench. Amundson did have strong interest in playing in New York, but this wasn’t the best opportunity for him, and his career, right now.”
Kyrie Irving discussed a number of things with Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports, including his inability to do anything with his broken hand and what it meant to play against Team USA over the summer: “Kyrie Irving was back at the Cleveland Cavaliers’ practice facility on Monday, playing in his first five-on-five scrimmage since breaking his right hand more than two months ago… Irving improved his left-hand dribbling skills while he was sidelined, but he couldn’t do much with his right hand. ”I couldn’t tie my shoes,” Irving said. “I couldn’t put my belt on. There were a few things I couldn’t do. I couldn’t cook, open up juice. I had my best friend and my father with me all the time.”… Irving played well for the Select Team against Team USA during the Olympic training camp in early July. ”I came on a mission to prove that I was one of the best guards there,” Irving said of competing against Team USA this summer. “I came in wanting to show everybody why I was the No. 1 pick and the Rookie of the Year.”
Think Jose Calderon is upset about the acquisition of Kyle Lowry? Don’t expect to hear him say it, from Doug Smith of thestar.com: “I don’t know if we have to use that word (controversy) before even training camp,” said Calderon before flatly denying a summer report that he was put out by the acquisition of Lowry and wanted a trade from the only NBA team he’s ever played for. “I think we are just two more players for the Raptors team, we’re going to try to win games for the Raptors. “I think it’s just wanting to make a big thing before anything has started. It doesn’t matter, we have to win games, we want to make the playoffs. If he scores 20 points a game, I’ll be happy; it’s helping us win.”
Doc Rivers blames himself for the unhappiness of Ray Allen during his tenure as a Celtic, according to Jackie MacMullan of ESPN Boston: “At some point, the Boston Celtics needed to get over Ray Allen. Let’s just say Doc Rivers is there. ”I tell you what,” Rivers declared, “You give me [Rajon] Rondo and Avery [Bradley] andJason Terry and Courtney Lee and I’ll take that four-guard rotation over any other in the league.”… ”It’s just not right to put it all on Rondo,” Rivers said. “Ray didn’t leave because of Rondo. He left because of Ray.”He wanted the ball more. He wanted a bunch of different things. He didn’t feel loved. That doesn’t make Ray a bad guy.”I needed to take some responsibility for [his unhappiness]. I made some of the decisions on how we should use Ray, and I would say Ray played pretty well in the role we drew up for him. ”What it came down to was I felt I’d rather have the ball in Rajon’s hands. That was Ray’s problem, not Rajon’s. Rondo was the guy with the ball. It’s not his fault.”
Andrew Bynum of the Philadelphia 76ers
Andrew Bynum is feeling good after going through a knee procedure in Germany, according to Tom Moore of Phillyburbs.com: “New Sixers general manager Tony DiLeo confirmed that star center Andrew Bynum returned to the U.S. last week after receiving a plasma therapy injection in Germany. DiLeo said at his introductory news conference Monday that Bynum told the Sixers “he feels very good” and will be ready for next Tuesday’s start of training camp at Saint Joseph’s University. Bynum received the injection to reduce the inflammation in his occasionally troublesome knees. Bynum decided to fly to Europe for the procedure after former Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant raved about how much it helped his knees. In other Bynum news, DiLeo said the team and agent David Lee have yet to speak about a contract extension. Bynum, set to make $16.5 million this season, can become a free agent July 1.”
Brook Lopez is looking forward to proving the doubters wrong now that he is fully recovered from his foot issues, from Tim Bontemps of New York Post: “There has been plenty of debate about whether Brook Lopez is worthy of the four-year maximum contract he signed with the Nets as a restricted free agent this summer following an injury-plagued season. But now that Lopez has fully recovered from the pair of foot injuries that limited him to just five games last season, he’s ready for this season to get underway and for the chance to prove his doubters wrong. “I just can’t wait,” Lopez said yesterday at the opening of the Nets team shop at Barclays Center. “I’m glad that it was just talk and it has passed. For this moment, and for the foreseeable future, I’m here, and I’m excited to go out there with my comrades and play on the floor.”
Isiah Thomas may have a bad reputation as an executive, but he does his share of notable work off the court, from Scott Powers of ESPN Chicago: “Ninety to 95 percent of the people who are living in poverty in those situations, they’re kids going to schools, their parents are doing the right things,” Thomas said. “There’s a community of the church, community of aunts and uncles who are about contributing positively to society. ”Now, there is a fraction to be addressed, and we need to address that small minority that is in need and is doing harm to the community. We are all affected by it personally.” Thomas isn’t just saying Chicago needs help, he’s also trying to provide it. He has teamed up with St. Sabina on the South Side and father Michael Pfleger to create the PEACE basketball tournament, which will unite rival gang members through basketball in hopes of ceasing the violence between them. The tournament will be held at St. Sabina’s gymnasium from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday.”
Jason Terry wants to kill some teams, from A. Sherrod Blakely: “First group or second group, Terry’s focus this season remains the same. ”My mission is to kill; whether it’s the Heat, whether it’s the Lakers. Hopefully both. That’s my mission, and that’s what I’m here to do,” Terry said on Tuesday shortly before teeing off at the Fifth Annual USI Shamrock Classic which was hosted by the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation.”Gordon Hayward wants to be an All-Star
You know the NBA season is inching closer towards us when Power Rankings start to make an appearance. Chris Sheridan published his first Power Rankings of the upcoming season today, so feel free to go there and let him know what you think of how he ranked your team (I wasn’t thrilled about where he put my Warriors). Also, see what we learned about the NBA in the summer of 2012 in Jan Hubbard’s column.
In Tuesday’s news, you’ll find out just how highly Mark Jackson thinks of Reggie Miller, why Rajon Rondo got caught up in all the Jeremy Lin drama, what Taj Gibson expects from himself in the upcoming season and much more:
Mark Jackson said Reggie Miller is as good as any shooting guard ever, aside from Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, according to Mike Wells of Indianapolis Star: “Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson, who spent six seasons as Miller’s teammate with the Pacers, puts No. 31 near the top of the list once you remove a couple of guys named Jordan and Kobe. “When you take Michael Jordan and you take Kobe Bryant out of the discussion, he’s as good as any two-guard that has ever played the game,” Jackson said. That’s a pretty bold statement coming from Jackson when you think about the competition to be behind Jordan and Kobe.”
Taj Gibson appears to be ready to take on an expanded – including leadership – for the Rose-less Bulls, according to Scott Powers of ESPN Chicago: “Thibs already told me he wants my role to change, be more of a leader now,” Gibson said. “I worked out with him a lot during the summer. I worked out with him before the (Team) USA camp. He just wanted me to work out this whole year, build confidence and get better. He thinks I can do a lot more on and off the court. I’m ready to take that next step.” Gibson thought the next step was being more of an all-around player.”Just playing more solid, just coming in knocking down some 15-footers, back-to-the-basket play, a lot of stuff like that I’ve been working on during the offseason, a lot of stuff like that in the USA camp,” Gibson said.”
Kevin McHale made no secret of the fact that he wished the Rockets had more veterans in his interview with Jason Friedman of NBA.com: “I know this offseason didn’t go exactly the way you wanted it to. I know you would have loved to have acquired that stud, superstar caliber player in the middle to be the anchor of everything you want to do on both ends of the floor. I also know that going young in the NBA typically brings with it a unique set of challenges. That said, does the coach in you get excited by the energy and exuberance of these young guys, and the knowledge that you’re going to play a pivotal role in shaping their growth and approach to the NBA game? KM: It’s the team that we have. To be honest with you, I wish we had more veterans. I’m very competitive. I want to win. We can still win but it’s always much more difficult to win on a consistent basis in this league with young guys. But there is an exciting element of taking kids and teaching them how to play the right way in the NBA, teaching them how to be pros every single day, teaching them how to just get better on a daily basis and how to deal with the ups and downs of the NBA.”
Rajon Rondo dreamed of being an NFL player and discussed the importance of playing quarterback to shape him as a point guard, from Mathew Scott of South China Morning Post (H/T Kurt Helin): ”I didn’t watch a lot of NBA games growing up,” he says. “I watched the Green Bay Packers. I always had dreams of being an NFL player. I was a high school quarterback and I really think that has helped me become a leader on the basketball court. They are pretty much the same position. The quarterback is the guy who calls all the plays and gets all the attention and the same with the point guard in basketball. You have to hit the open man.” Basketball became a natural progression during high school as his skills – and his reputation – developed. ”I played all three sports growing up – basketball, football and baseball – but I narrowed it down after my first year of high school and realised then I had a chance of making the NBA,” says Rondo. “I was starting to dominate and I don’t want it to sound like I’ve got a big head but the competition around me was easy. At Oak Hill Academy, Josh Smith went straight to the NBA out of high school so I knew then that if I worked on my game I could make the NBA myself.”
In the same article, Rondo explained why he was also caught in the drama of “Linsanity” last season: “Rondo’s Asian trip comes hot on the heels of a visit by the man who gave the NBA one of the season’s great stories – one-time Knicks and now Houston guard Jeremy Lin. And as an opponent – and a fellow sportsman – Rondo says he, too, was caught in the pure drama of the situation as Lin went from undrafted unknown to superstar in a stint for the Knicks before he fell to injury. ”Well, it was almost the classic Cinderella story. The guy had a great opportunity and he seized his moment,” says Rondo. “That stretch of 15 to 20 games he played really well, until he got hurt. But in this league everyone wants a piece of everyone. When you go against one player, you want to see what he’s made of. ”So once Jeremy Lin got a lot of attention, every point guard now wants to go against him, just like every point guard wants to go against D.Rose and Chris Paul. So every night, the point guard position is tough. He deserved the attention as he played well.”
Pete Carril, the inventor of the Princeton Offense, believes the Lakers have the proper ingredients to make the Princeton offense work, from Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated: “SI.com: So Coachie, how do you see the Princeton offense fitting in L.A.? Carril: I imagine that if the [Lakers] guys want to do it, and [the coaches] can convince them that it’d better for them, I think they’ll do it. They have the right ingredients, all the passers. They have really good passers there. The only one I don’t really know much about as a passer is Howard. But [Pau] Gasol can pass and he can shoot, and of course Bryant and Nash can shoot, and whatever they call him now [Metta World Peace], I know he can pass. It all depends on Howard, and then what kind of bench they have. I know Jodie Meeks is a shooter. He makes shots. And Antawn Jamison is not a shooter, but he can play. Eddie knows all about him from having coached him in Washington. Generally speaking, that offense doesn’t work when two things are prevalent. One is when they treat it like a robotic thing. And the other is when they don’t want to do it.
Heat assistant coach and NBA legend Bob McAdoo believes the Thunder are still the team to beat in the West, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post: “We got to get there but I still feel OKC is the team to beat in the West,’’ the Hall of Famer said. “Everyone’s talking about how they got better but I still think they’re the team to beat. They’re still young and have the experience of a championship series.’’ Despite the buzz about the Lakers adding Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, McAdoo expects to see the Thunder again in The Finals if Miami gets through.”Mr. Obama calls his own campaign “The Heat”, compares Mitt Romney to “Jeremy Lin”
After trading away Chase Budinger yesterday, the Rockets made another trade today, from Adrian Wojnarowski: “The Houston Rockets have traded center Samuel Dalembert and the 14th pick in Thursday’s NBA draft to the Milwaukee Bucks for the 12th pick and three players, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. In addition to the 12th pick, the Rockets will receive guard Shaun Livingston and forwards Jon Leuer and Jon Brockman. The deal allows the Rockets to move up in the draft as they continue to try to compile assets for a possible trade for Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard or Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol. Houston now owns the 12th, 16th and 18th picks.”
Berger also updated his report about the Kings resisting an offer from the Rockets to move Tyreke Evans: “Among several avenues the Rockets are exploring would be a trade with Sacramento for the No. 5 pick in a deal that likely would send Tyreke Evans to Houston, sources said. The teams have discussed several scenarios, and while one person briefed on the talks described the deal as “getting close,” rival executives have gotten the strong impression that the Kings are streadfastly resisting the Rockets’ overtures.”
The Hawks are interested in Pau Gasol, according to Mike Bresnahan: “The Atlanta Hawks have been pursuing Pau Gasol, The Times has learned. Nothing imminent, but Josh Smith would be key piece going to Lakers.”
Some got duped about Kevin Garnett, but he still has yet to make a decision. Doc Rivers hopes for a return and plans to play him at center again next season: “I hope he comes back, and I think he will,” said the Celtics’ coach. “I have no basis for that. I just believe that he will.” Rivers added that Garnett and his people have been in contact with director of basketball operations Danny Ainge and are discussing the particulars. If Garnett does come back to the Celts, it’s likely he will again play in the middle. “Yeah, unless we get a center,” said Rivers with a laugh.”
According to Chris Broussard, the Warriors may have interest in Wilson Chandler: “Lots of teams calling Denver to trade for Nuggets’ young players. 1of several moves being discussed: Wil Chandler to G State for 7th pick”
Chris Paul believes the Clippers would have won the championship this season if not for the Chauncey Billups injury, from Christopher Dempsey: “I tell people all the time had Chauncey not got injured we was going to win the championship,” Paul said. And progress on his recruitment of Billups? “I think it’s going well,” Paul said. “The top priority now is to get him healthy. I think that was the toughest thing for me. When he got injured I was messed up because I know how hard he works and how much he loves to play. It feels a lot better now because I know how hard he’s been working and I know he’s going to be back.”LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on talk shows
Amare Stoudemire fined $50,000, Rockets trade Chase Budinger
If there is one thing athletes and celebrities can learn from the mistake Amare Stoudemire made over the past weekend, it’s to utilize the “block” button when encountering an unpleasant “fan” on twitter. In today’s news, you’ll find out just how much Stoudemire had to pay for his short-sighted decision, the Rockets grand plan and their subsequent trade with the Timberwolves, changes in the Pacers front office and much more.
Stoudemire was fined for the derogatory direct message he sent to a “fan” over the weekend on twitter, and apologized for the incident: “Amar’e Stoudemire was fined $50,000 Tuesday for using “offensive and derogatory language in a Twitter message. I am a huge supporter of civil rights for all people,” Stoudemire said in a statement. “I am disappointed in myself for my statement to a fan. I should have know better and there is no excuse.”
Brandon Roy is on the comeback trail, and the Bulls, Mavericks, Pacers and Timberwolves are the strongest suitors, according to Adrian Wojnarowski: “Roy’s recovery from chronic knee problems has been recently spurred by undergoing the platelet rich plasma therapy procedure that Lakers star Kobe Bryant popularized with NBA players, sources said. The blood spinning procedure gave profound relief to the knees of Bryant, Tracy McGrady and baseball star Alex Rodriguez.”
Adrian Wojnarowski reported early this morning of a trade between the Rockets and the Timberwolves: “As the Houston Rockets prepare for a run at Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, they’ve secured another top 20 pick in the NBA draft, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Rockets traded forward Chase Budinger to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 18th overall pick in the draft, giving Houston the 14th, 16th and 18th picks in Thursday’s draft. The Rockets included the rights to Israeli Lior Eliyahu in the deal with Minnesota.”Here’s some real news about Tyreke Evans, from Jonathan Givony: “Sources say Houston has an offer of Lowry, the #14 and #16 picks for Tyreke Evans and the #5 pick on the table. Up to Sacramento to decide.”
Steve Nash has shown interest in teams such as the Knicks and Raptors, but the Lakers are not on his list, from Mike Mazzeo: ”The truth is I’m a bit old school. For me, it would be hard to put on a Lakers jersey. That’s just the way it is,” Nash said. “You play against them so many times in the playoffs, and I just use them as an example, and I have the utmost respect for them and their organization. ”I kind of have that tendency (to try to beat the best teams), so it is strange, but as a free agent you’re free to go where you want, so I’d have to consider everything regardless of the past or the future.”
