The Memphis Grizzlies will try to clinch the final postseason spot available tonight when they play host to the Sacramento Kings.

Rookie forward-center DeMarcus Cousins is looking forward to the Kings' opportunity to "basically ruin (the opposition's) season. If we can't play for the playoffs, why let somebody else?"

The Memphis Grizzlies will try to clinch the final postseason spot available tonight when they play host to the Sacramento Kings.

Rookie forward-center DeMarcus Cousins is looking forward to the Kings' opportunity to "basically ruin (the opposition's) season. If we can't play for the playoffs, why let somebody else?"

The Memphis Grizzlies will try to clinch the final postseason spot available tonight when they play host to the Sacramento Kings.

Rookie forward-center DeMarcus Cousins is looking forward to the Kings' opportunity to "basically ruin (the opposition's) season. If we can't play for the playoffs, why let somebody else?"

The Houston Rockets have been playing tremendous basketball recently but still find themselves on the outside, looking in at the Western Conference playoff race as they get ready to host the Sacramento Kings at the Toyota Center.

Rookie forward-center DeMarcus Cousins is looking forward to the Kings' opportunity to "basically ruin (the opposition's) season. If we can't play for the playoffs, why let somebody else?"

The Houston Rockets have been playing tremendous basketball recently but still find themselves on the outside, looking in at the Western Conference playoff race as they get ready to host the Sacramento Kings at the Toyota Center.

Rookie forward-center DeMarcus Cousins is looking forward to the Kings' opportunity to "basically ruin (the opposition's) season. If we can't play for the playoffs, why let somebody else?"

The Houston Rockets have been playing tremendous basketball recently but still find themselves on the outside, looking in at the Western Conference playoff race as they get ready to host the Sacramento Kings at the Toyota Center.

Rookie forward-center DeMarcus Cousins is looking forward to the Kings' opportunity to "basically ruin (the opposition's) season. If we can't play for the playoffs, why let somebody else?"

The Houston Rockets have been playing tremendous basketball recently but still find themselves on the outside, looking in at the Western Conference playoff race as they get ready to host the Sacramento Kings at the Toyota Center.

Rookie forward-center DeMarcus Cousins is looking forward to the Kings' opportunity to "basically ruin (the opposition's) season. If we can't play for the playoffs, why let somebody else?"

In case you missed it, the Sacramento Kings are embracing the role of spoilers. From Jason Jones:

The Kings nicknamed themselves "The Spoilers" for their last trip, a 4-1 swing that included victories over three teams either already qualified for the playoffs or in position to reach the postseason with a late push. [...]


"Basically ruin their season," Kings rookie forward-center DeMarcus Cousins said. "If we can't play for the playoffs, why let somebody else?"

It's beautiful, really. The Kings went 6-10 in March, matching January's record. Sacramento had two wins in each of November and December (and, in three games, in October). As Jones notes in his story, the Kings fizzled out as the season wore on last year. This time? Sacramento's finishing strong as the talent and experience level allow.

In Houston, there's a team whose season could really be spoiled here. The Rockets have been busting up lots of opponents, including the Spurs, in their quest for the No. 8 spot. But Memphis and New Orleans have made it incredibly difficult on the Rockets, and it looks like Houston needs a miracle to catch either. (That miracle would be the Clippers tripping up the Grizz or the Hornets imploding. I'm not counting on either.) The Kings can make life even more difficult by spoiling the game tonight in Houston.

Check out HighTops' scouting report, please. Tip at 5:30; game threads at 5:30 and 7. Yeah Sacramento Kings!

REMINDER: Here We Build rally at Cesar Chavez Park at 5 PM. Moving to City Hall by 6. Rep your city!
 

Game stories The Times' Mike Bresnahan on the Lakers' loss in Chicago to start six games away from Staples Center. The Orange County Register's Kevin Ding on how the Lakers faded without Andrew Bynum and Theo Ratliff playing in Chicago. The Associated Press story on ESPNLos Angeles.com describes how the Chicago fans were shouting "MVP!" for Derrick Rose. Notebooks The Times' Mike Bresnahan on how Coach Phil Jackson kept his cool while likely coaching for the last time in Chicago. The Register's Kevin Ding on rookie forward-center Derrick Caracter attempting to play. Columns ESPNLosAngeles.com's Dave McMenamin on how the Lakers...

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed forward-center Brian Skinner (6-9, 255) to a contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today. A 12-year NBA veteran, Skinner has played in 605 games and holds career averages of 4.8 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 49.4 percent from the field. Skinner spent the 2009-10 season with the Los Angeles Clippers, [...]

Where does Glen Davis fit in on the Celtics this season? His guess is as good as yours.

With the additions of Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal, the Celtics boast one of the deepest front courts in the NBA, and once again Davis is relegated further down the bench.

For the fourth year forward-center, it's getting a little old.

"It's difficult," Davis said. "Because as a player you kind of don't understand where they're going, or how they're going, or what are they doing? No matter what I do - you know, I can play great - it's still not enough."

It seems as though Davis, who has always shown a lot of emotion on and off the court, takes the last two seasons' signings of Rasheed Wallace, and the O'Neal's personal.

"Coming into my second year, I did a really good job as far as becoming a better player," Davis said. "But it wasn't good enough for our team, so they went and got Rasheed Wallace. And I had to adjust again. Rasheed was more of the perimeter guy. I had to be more of the low block guy."

"You know I go from popping, hitting big shots to rolling to the basket a lot. That's what I needed to do for the team and that's what I did. Now this year we got fives [centers Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal], so I just have to know what my role is again this year."

What Davis fails to see is that his role on this team is quite defined actually: He's an energy guy. He does everything pretty well, and he does it with great energy and enthusiasm. What he isn't is a starter, although he'd like his role to be defined like the starters' roles on this team are.

"You want to know who you are on this team," Davis said. "[Rajon] Rondo knows he's the point guard. He's not going to go out there and try to score a thousand buckets. Ray [Allen] knows he's the shooter. Paul [Pierce] knows he's the three [small forward] guy. KG [Kevin Garnett], Perk [Kendrick Perkins], they all know their role. Their role has never changed since they've been on this team. My role has changed every year. So I just have to adjust again."

If Davis is going to play on contending teams for the rest of his career, he should get used to his role being defined as, well, undefined. Davis can't understand that his versatility and ability to play multiple positions multiple ways is something to be proud of. He will always be a superb player coming off the bench, but can he continue to accept that role?

This is a contract year for Davis, so it would make sense for him to want to see the court more. It is, after all, a business, and Davis didn't cash in the way he hoped he would prior to last season. That being said, he's not putting his own personal agenda ahead of the teams. So far, Davis has done pretty much all that has been asked of him, and claims that when he does in fact find his role on this year's team, he will accept it fully.

"The role that I would prefer to play is the role that they want me to play," Davis said. "If I have to pop, I'll pop. If I have to roll, I'll roll. Whatever I have to do I'm going to do it. That's what it's all about."

"Sacrificing yourself; sacrifice who you are for the greater good of the team. That's what I learned by playing with Doc and playing with all these veterans. I have to sacrifice myself in order to be a part of this team and I'm willing to do that."

Gregg Popovich looked at the cadre of 20-somethings in his huddle and needed one of those moments fit for a candy bar commercial. "Who are these guys?"

Tim Duncan, ever the timely comedian, introduced himself. "I'm Tim Duncan." On that dreadful 2008 night against the Miami Heat, Popovich, already coping with Manu Ginobili in street clothes, lost Tony Parker for several weeks. That forced the Spurs' sideline chief to trot out a lineup that resembled a collection of D-League All-Stars.

Roger Mason Jr. and Duncan were the lone regulars who played major minutes. Anthony Tolliver, Desmon Farmer, and several other youngsters auditioned for roster spots that night, and Jeff Van Gundy called the forced mix of developmental players and supporting cast members the "least talented in the league." If the Spurs appeared destined for the lottery, given their cursed injury luck, a humorous crack from the two mainstays provided a nice breeze.

When Popovich sees his entire roster together today for the first time since May, he might ask the question again. "Who are these guys?" This time, it won't be a joke.

In a page straight out of the "be careful what you wish for" book, the Spurs morphed from "older than dirt" to younger than Justin Bieber. The team's average age, 26.9, requires a second glance and maybe a pinch or a polite face slap. No longer the oldest bunch on the block, the new-look Spurs will cause a few observers to do some double takes.

 

 

Duncan is 34. Antonio McDyess is 35. Manu Ginobili is 33. Matt Bonner and Richard Jefferson turned 30 this year. Tony Parker is 28. Many of the remaining rotation cogs might need an ID to enter an R-rated flick or a drinking establishment. A look at the roster, courtesy of ESPN.com, offers proof.

NO.	NAME	POS	AGE	HT	WT	COLLEGE	2010 - 2011 SALARY
25	James Anderson	SG	21	6-6	215	Oklahoma State	$1,361,400
45	DeJuan Blair	F	21	6-7	265	Pittsburgh	$918,000
15	Matt Bonner	PF	30	6-10	240	Florida	$3,050,000
21	Tim Duncan	C	34	6-11	260	Wake Forest	$18,835,381
23	Alonzo Gee	SG	23	6-6	220	Alabama	$762,195
20	Manu Ginobili	SG	33	6-6	205		$11,854,584
3	George Hill	PG	24	6-2	180		$854,389
24	Richard Jefferson	SF	30	6-7	225	Arizona	$8,400,000
5	Curtis Jerrells	PG	23	6-1	195	Baylor	$762,195
34	Antonio McDyess	PF	36	6-9	245	Alabama	$4,860,000
0	Gary Neal	PG	25	6-4	210	Towson	$525,000
9	Tony Parker	PG	28	6-2	180		$13,500,000
22	Tiago Splitter	F	25	6-11	232		$3,400,000
2	Garrett Temple	G	24	6-6	190	LSU	$762,195

 

 

 

One player not on that list, James Gist, 23, will get every chance in training camp to secure a rotation spot, perhaps as Jefferson's chief backup. Two of the Spurs' three best players are closer to retirement, but does it matter? Popovich will need Duncan's routine excellence to advance in the playoffs. San Antonio is not special when Ginobili cannot deliver fireworks.

With a slimmer, younger, trimmer, and more athletic squad, Popovich has to like his chances of keeping Duncan and Ginobili fresh enough to make a difference when the postseason arrives. Of the players listed above, only Baylor University product Jerrells seems like a longshot to make the team. Gist could replace him, keeping the average age stationary.

GM R.C. Buford committed guaranteed money to Neal after his explosive shooting performance in the Las Vegas Summer League. The Spurs brass hopes Neal can shore up the team's slipping three-point accuracy. Buford and Popovich hired another 30-year-old sharpshooter to give him some camp competition. New Zealand's Kirk Penney, the second leading scorer in the 2010 FIBA World Championship, must cover up his matador defense and subpar athleticism with a flawless application of his sweet stroke.

Anderson, selected with the 20th pick, figures to gobble up some significant shooting guard minutes behind Ginobili and Hill. Gee and Neal, maybe Penney, will split the rest of the time at the position.

 

 

If Temple beats out Jerrells, he will become the third-string point guard, and on some nights, the second-string one. Shooting coach Chip Engelland and others helped Dejuan Blair prepare to slide to power forward. Blair tweaked his defense and his jumpshot.

Hill may start at shooting guard. His adhesive, stingy defense will help the Spurs flex a more consistent muscle on that end of the floor. The guess here is that Popovich elects to use Splitter as a reserve while he decides where and how the Brazilian forward-center fits in his new silver and black duds.

Many of these youngsters can jump higher, but they lack something that defined previous Spur outfits: experience. McDyess is the closest approximation of Robert Horry, though his clutch shot curriculum vitae pales in comparison. Neal and Anderson can only dream of accumulating Michael Finley's mileage.

Jacque Vaughn will coach from the bench instead of on the floor. Fabricio Oberto remains an NBA free agent, and the Spurs have not expressed any public interest in bringing him back. Buford traded Oberto, Kurt Thomas, and Bruce Bowen for Jefferson in a ballyhooed June 2009 transaction.

Those veterans, when called upon in pressure-packed moments, knew how and when to play. These kiddos could use a history book or two. Popovich might have quipped a few years ago that his regulars used to hang out with Davy Crockett. A mention of the legendary Texas name might draw a few blank stares from this crowd. Dave Crockett? They know David Guetta. Bowie or Gilmour might be a stretch for some.

Popovich, then, should not suffer from boredom. Some will test his mistake threshold. Others will try his patience. If it works, Popovich might make Duncan, Ginobili, and McDyess look younger. If the Spurs flop, the result might resemble toddlers circling an elderly group at a nursing home.

The stakes are as high as ever. The goal—contending for a title—is familiar. How and if the team, which convenes today, can get there remains unknown.

Who are these guys? Popovich, and the rest of us, will find out soon enough.

Lance Allred, First Deaf Player in NBA, Invited to Pacers Training Camp -- NBA FanHouse Lance Allred, the first legally deaf player to ever play in the NBA, has signed a contract with the Indiana Pacers and has already arrived in Indiana in preparation for training camp next week. "I arrived in Indiana (Sunday) night and had a good day of training for my first day," Allred told FanHouse. "(Tyler) Hansbrough and (Jeff) Foster are both out with injuries, and so I was very excited to come, knowing I would get some reps." Allred, a 6-foot-11 power forward-center, played in three games for the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2007-2008 season after being called-up from the NBA Development League's Idaho Stampede. After his initial 10-day contract, Allred was signed for the remainder of the regular season as well as the postseason, though didn't appear in any playoff games and was unable to make the team out of training camp the following season. Since then, the 29-year-old Allred played briefly in Italy sandwiched around two separate stints with the Stampede for which he's played in 156 career games. Allred's averaged 13.7 points and 8.4 rebounds in 27 minutes of playing time in his D-League career, developing from a sporadically used role player in 2006-2007 to the most consistent, fundamentally-sound big man in the D-League over the course of the following three seasons. The Weber State alum had originally signed to play for Khimik in the Ukrainian Superleague, but left the team before the season began. Allred's on-court achievements have actually probably been out-shined by the role he plays off the court, however, as his autobiography Longshot: The Adventures of a Deaf Fundamentalist Mormon Kid and His Journey to the NBA received critical acclaim for the open and honest look at his life and basketball career. Allred also maintains his blog and moonlights as a motivational speaker when not refining his basketball game.

Filed under: Pacers, NBA D-League

Lance Allred, the first legally deaf player to ever play in the NBA, has signed a contract with the Indiana Pacers and has already arrived in Indiana in preparation for training camp next week.

"I arrived in Indiana (Sunday) night and had a good day of training for my first day," Allred told FanHouse. "(Tyler) Hansbrough and (Jeff) Foster are both out with injuries, and so I was very excited to come, knowing I would get some reps."

Allred, a 6-foot-11 power forward-center, played in three games for the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2007-2008 season after being called-up from the NBA Development League's Idaho Stampede. After his initial 10-day contract, Allred was signed for the remainder of the regular season as well as the postseason, though didn't appear in any playoff games and was unable to make the team out of training camp the following season.

Since then, the 29-year-old Allred played briefly in Italy sandwiched around two separate stints with the Stampede for which he's played in 156 career games. Allred's averaged 13.7 points and 8.4 rebounds in 27 minutes of playing time in his D-League career, developing from a sporadically used role player in 2006-2007 to the most consistent, fundamentally-sound big man in the D-League over the course of the following three seasons.

 

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The Central Division is obviously a close two-way race between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Chicago Bulls.

But expect the Bulls to finish first. Especially if the late talk of Carmelo Anthony falls comfortably in place, as the disgruntled Denver Nuggets' star has recharged his desires to go elsewhere, and would be the salt-and-sugar to the team's solvent that finished third in their division the season prior.

Last year's 41-and-41 team saw fit to upgrade drastically this offseason at three key positions—Shooting Guard, Small Forward, and Power Forward.

Their welcome new additions are adding on rather than walking into, for a cast of players not far removed from an epic postseason battle against the 2008 Boston Celtics.

Carlos Boozer happens to be their marquee, who'll give Chicago a 20-and-10 player they haven't seen since Elton Brand, the 6-foot-8 Forward-Center who currently plays on another Eastern conference team—the Philadelphia 76ers.

Ronnie Brewer is their second major get, as he should come through in the clutch on the defensive side for many stops and allow Rose to play off the ball more confidently.

And while most midway fans are still in the blur on this signing, it is worth noting Brewer arguably played Kobe Bryant sd well as anyone in the past decade during a Jazz-Lakers playoff meet back in 2009.  

So, of course, the names aren't A-list but it rolls right into place for what Derrick Rose—the Point Guard—and Joakim Noah—the Center—needed.

But during their process of re-upping for this upcoming season, unfortunately, the Bulls continued to open the realm, replacing the era of post-Jordan, when the unquestionable leader of last year's team, Kirk Hinrich, was traded to the Washington Wizards apart
of a Draft day deal involving fiscal matters.

The 6'3" Kansas product split time at both Guard positions for most of his stint in Chicago. Though, fortunately, his contributions as captain will hardly be missed, with Boozer and Noah barking under the cylinder for 48 minutes.

So there you have it, this remodeled team is without a doubt on the uptick, specifically in partisan to their new found depth, added inches, and chemistry potential.

An All-Star campaign from Luol Deng, a three-point specialist in Kyle Korver, and Derrick Rose's eventual middle-of-the-season MVP chatter are well into General Manager Gar Forman's craving.

Predicted order of finish in the Central Division:

1. Chicago Bulls
2. Milwaukee Bucks
3. Indiana Pacers
4. Detroit Pistons
5. Cleveland Cavaliers

Commentary and analysis of yesterday's game one by......Lisa Leslie and Rick Mahorn? I'm glad they made up and all, but that combo still makes me blink.__________The All-WNBA first and second teams were announced today:2010 ALL-WNBA FIRST TEAM Player Team Position Points Lauren Jackson Seattle Storm Forward-Center 195 Tamika Catchings Indiana Fever Forward 191 Sylvia Fowles Chicago Sky Center 125 Cappie Pondexter New York Liberty Guard 193 Diana Taurasi Phoenix Mercury Guard 185 2010 ALL-WNBA SECOND TEAM Player Team Position Points Crystal Langhorne Washington Mystics Forward-Center 111 Angel McCoughtry Atlanta Dream Forward-Center 119 Tina Charles Connecticut Sun Center 86 Sue Bird Seattle Storm Guard 123 Katie Douglas Indiana Fever Guard 30 What a load of crap. Put McCoughtry and Charles on the first team and Fowles and Pondexter on the second and then it would be legit.__________The Seattle Storm took time out today to host a fitness clinic at magical Key Arena for an elementary school. Now that's my kinda field trip. Two more photos.__________W Pres Donna Orender says, among other things, that league play will begin June 4 next year and maintain a later start.__________Numerous coaches participated in the third annual 4Kay Golf Classic in Texas today. The event honors the late Kay Yow. I hope there's a good feature story to read somewhere tomorrow.__________Oregon assistant coach Kai Felton tweeted today that the scoreboard at the University's new arena is the second biggest in the nation. Who has the biggest? 'Cause that's pretty dang big.

We never tire of hightops, and this one from Le Coq Sportif is no exception. Originally designed by the French company for Chicago Bulls forward-center Joakim Noah back in May, the Joakim Noah Pro Model switches from an all-red shoe to a Frenchified blue/red/white colorway (with a flag, even). The limited-edition shoes went on sale [...]

The league announced the 2010 All-WNBA First Team today. Seattle Storm forward/center Lauren Jackson led all vote-getters with 195 points while New York Liberty guard Cappie Pondexter received 193 points. Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings finished third with 191 points. Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi and Chicago Sky center Sylvia Fowles round out the First Team with 185 and 125 points, respectively. Voting for the All-WNBA First and Second Teams was conducted by a panel of national and local sportswriters and broadcasters. Players were selected by position and received five points for each First Team vote and three points for each Second Team designation. This is Jackson’s seventh First Team selection and the fifth for Taurasi. Catchings has been selected to eight All-WNBA teams, including five First Teams. Pondexter and Fowles each earned their first appearance on the First Team. In honor of being named to the All-WNBA First and Second Teams, each player will receive a Tiffany & Co. designed trophy. In addition, $10,000 will be awarded to each member of the First Team, while each member of the Second Team will receive $5,000.   2010 ALL-WNBA FIRST TEAM Player Team Position Points Lauren Jackson Seattle Storm Forward-Center 195 Tamika Catchings Indiana Fever Forward 191 Sylvia Fowles Chicago Sky Center 125 Cappie Pondexter New York Liberty Guard 193 Diana Taurasi Phoenix Mercury Guard 185   2010 ALL-WNBA SECOND TEAM Player Team Position Points Crystal Langhorne Washington Mystics Forward-Center 111 Angel McCoughtry Atlanta Dream Forward-Center 119 Tina Charles Connecticut Sun Center 86 Sue Bird Seattle Storm Guard 123 Katie Douglas Indiana Fever Guard 30

Consequential basketball games in late August and September? FIBA bestows the sport's die-hard followers with the ultimate largesse every four years. The Summer Olympics fill in those two-year gaps. In the remaining summers, the organization uses regional clashes to determine the entrants for each competition. 

Late summer hoops matches cure monotony and build the brand. The 2010 World Championship has provided a respite from the deluge of exhausted offseason debates.

How many more articles can Bleacher Report members publish about LeBron James' tarnished image, Kobe Bryant's legacy, where Andrew Bynum ranks among the top centers, and a projected Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat NBA Finals?

I shudder at the thought.

The final scores matter--unlike in Las Vegas, where what happens on the UNLV Campus stays there--and the tournament winner can call itself the "world champion" without sounding pompous or uninformed. The gold medalist secures an automatic berth in the next Olympics. The field of contenders in Turkey hoping for that lone guaranteed pass to London is deep and unpredictable.

The host nation, the U,S., Spain, Greece, Argentina, Brazil, Serbia, and Lithuania will compete for three medals. Any of them, given the ideal elimination round path and a string of torrid shooting nights, could leave Istanbul with gold. American Idol's judging panel search would not be dicier if producers selected a replacement for Simon Cowell with a game of darts.

Tournament viewership also offers additional welfare to Americans and other pro basketball fanatics: the chance to watch some future NBA contributors hustle on the hardwood. Does your team of choice need a steady point guard with a stellar assist-to-turnover ratio? How about a seven-foot glass hound who espouses physicality?

A number of international participants signed with NBA clubs this summer and could impact the postseason and championship chases. Turkish center Omer Asik will back up Joakim Noah in Chicago. Turkish center Semih Erden figures to play spot minutes in Boston. Russian center Timofey Mozgov inked a three-year deal to tackle a reserve role in New York.

No overseas signee matters more than Brazilian forward-center Tiago Splitter. After a three-year wait, the two-time ACB League MVP decided to trade his Caja Laboral gig in Spain for one in San Antonio. The 2007 first-round draft pick will provide Tim Duncan with his finest frontcourt assistance since David Robinson.

A slew of national team standouts could join Asik, Erden, Mosgov, and Splitter in a few years. Ricky Rubio, the NBA prospect with the most intrigue, can abandon his F.C. Barcelona deal in 2011 and make the NBA jump. New York Times Reporter Pete Thamel called him "Spanish basketball's answer to Justin Bieber" in a piece on his popularity there.

The Minnesota Timberwolves selected the 19-year-old prodigious point guard with the fifth pick in the 2009 draft. Will he warm up Minneapolis, will GM David Kahn trade his rights before 2011, or will he play possum again and avoid the mega transition once more?

He earned the name "La Pistola" for his Pete Maravich-like craftiness with the rock. His ball-hawking defense has drawn rave reviews from Kahn, Kevin Durant, scouts, and his Spanish coaches. His playmaking has stupefied witnesses and hypnotized opponents.

Rubio's sheepish five-point, six-assist, three-rebound tournament average shows he's still a work in progress. He must learn to be more demonstrative and dominant in the endgame, and his jumpshot is shakier than a wooden ladder infested with termites. A player with a polished repertoire of off-the-dribble moves should also get to the line more.

His best game this week came against New Zealand: eight points, 11 assists, and three steals. Spain won that tussle 101-84.

Here are 10 other ballers who might crash the NBA's hardwoods before the end of the decade. This list does not include players with previous league experience a la Vassilis Spanoulis, Jackson Vroman, Juan Carlos Navarro, and Roko Ukic.

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In 2001, Michael Jordan, then the Washington Wizards' president of basketball operations, witnessed a workout of high school draft prospects Kwame Brown, Tyson Chandler, and Eddy Curry.

Jordan found himself wowed by Browns domination in one-on-one drills, so much so, in fact, that he made the 6'11" forward-center the first high school prospect to be selected with the No. 1 overall pick. 

The rest is history.

Brown has struggled throughout his NBA career, and during his time with Jordan, the two notoriously had a number of problems.

Furthermore, his selection is one of the main reasons for which Jordan was ultimately sent out of Washington. 

However, Jordan, now the majority owner and the managing member of basketball operations for the Charlotte Bobcats, has decided to reunite with Brown, signing the 270-pounder to a one-year, $1.3 million deal on August 23, 2010.

On the signing, Brown declared, "We're always going to be linked.  I might as well come here, right?"

Well, contrary to Brown's idea of this being a second chance to impress MJ, many expect him to continue to perform at a low level—which will only lead to more conflict between Brown and the all-time great.

So, therefore, it appears that this will, once again, be a failed marriage between Brown and Jordan.

But, throughout NBA history, there have certainly been worse duos, as both men have been able to continue to hold NBA employment. 

So, keeping that in mind, here are the 10 worst failed marriages in NBA history.

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< p> From the New York Liberty: New York Liberty point guard Leilani Mitchell was named the 2010 WNBA Most Improved Player of the Year presented by Kia Motors, the league announced today.  Mitchell received 29 out of 39 votes from a panel of local and national sportswriters and broadcasters, beating out other top candidates that included Atlanta Dream forward Angel McCoughtry, Indiana Fever center Jessica Davenport, and Washington Mystics forward-center Crystal Langhorne and forward Monique Currie. In her third WNBA season, Mitchell improved her overall performance across every major statistical category, including leading the WNBA in three-point field goal percentage (.486) and finishing second in total three-point field goals made (72).  Mitchell increased her scoring output by nearly seven points to 9.3 ppg from 2.4, and increased her assists to 3.8 apg from 2.4.  In addition, she tied for seventh in the league in steals (1.6 spg) and shot .441 from the field, up from .300 the previous season.  Acquired via trade from the Phoenix Mercury in May 2008, in exchange for the Liberty’s third round selection in 2009, Mitchell earned the starting point guard position during the 2010 preseason, and thrived in her new role.  After starting only seven games in her previous two seasons, the University of Utah product started all 34 games in 2010.  In the process, Mitchell helped guide the Liberty to a 22-12 (.647) record during the regular season, a nine-game improvement from the prior year, highlighted by a franchise-record 10-game winning streak and a No. 2 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.  Against Indiana on Aug. 17, Mitchell posted 19 points, three rebounds and five assists, along with making four out of five three-point attempts, in a key win against New York’s conference rival.  The following game she tallied 14 points, eight assists, and hit four out of six three-point attempts in another pivotal win against Tulsa on Aug. 19. In honor of being named the Most Improved Player of the Year presented by Kia Motors, Mitchell will receive $5,000 and a trophy specially designed by Tiffany & Co.

Former Jefferson High basketball standout Kevin Ford has signed a pro contact with Kolossos Rodou BC in Greece. Ford played college ball at Oral Roberts in Tulsa, Okla. As a senior last season, he averaged 12 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots per game. The 6-9, 250-pound forward-center ...

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The ex-wife of slain former NBA player Lorenzen Wright told police she saw him leave her home carrying money and a box of drugs the night he disappeared, according to court documents obtained Wednesday.

Sherra Wright said her ex-husband left her home at 10:30 p.m. on July 18 with the drugs, returned a short time later, then left again with an unspecified amount of money, said an affidavit for a search warrant by Memphis police Sgt. W.D. Merritt.

Before he left, Sherra Wright said she overheard her ex-husband on the telephone telling someone that he was going to "flip something for $110,000," the document said.

Sherra Wright said Lorenzen Wright left her home in a car with a person she said she could not identify. Hours later, police dispatchers received a 911 call from Wright's cell phone and heard noises like gunshots before the call was dropped.

Wright's body was found July 28 in woods outside Memphis. The 34-year-old had been missing for 10 days. No arrests have been made in the homicide and Memphis police will not discuss whether they have a motive or suspects in the shooting death.

The affidavit said Sherra Wright gave the statements to police in the Memphis suburb of Collierville, where she lives, on July 27 – five days after the former University of Memphis basketball star's mother filed a missing person report.

Sherra Wright also told police that her ex-husband owned a shotgun that he kept at her home and a handgun he kept inside the family van. A search of the home and the van failed to turn up the weapons, the affidavit said.

Police did find shell casings of different caliber bullets at the scene where Wright was shot, but they could not find Wright's cell phone.

The affidavit said police were going to use documents showing ownership of the two weapons to see if they match the bullet shell casings recovered at the crime scene.

Wright, a 6-foot-11 forward-center, played with five teams during his 13-year NBA career. He averaged 8 points and 6.4 rebounds in 778 career NBA games.

More on NBA

The Houston Rockets saved $10 million. The New Orleans Hornets can say they did more this summer than re-sign bench warmer Aaron Gray. Indiana Pacers President Larry Bird dealt for an  over-hyped point guard. The New Jersey Nets swapped a bricklayer for a jump shooting forward with the mobility of a brick.

When the dust settles, those might be the only good vibrations that emanate from the four-team trade completed Thursday involving the aforementioned squads. ESPN.com first reported the deal, which will send Trevor Ariza to New Orleans, Darren Collison, and James Posey to Indiana, Troy Murphy to New Jersey, and Courtney Lee to Houston.

The participating clubs are each waiting to snatch up the ideal impact pieces. The Hornets want to keep franchise player Chris Paul happy and in the Big Easy for the remainder of his contract and beyond. The moribund Pacers have sought better guard options than Brandon Rush and T.J. Ford. Mikhail Prokhorov, the Nets' new Russian billionaire owner, has pledged to field a championship roster within the next five years. The Rockets hope to assemble the perfect cast around a healthy Yao Ming.

Uh, fail.

Here's a look at why no one wins in this early August transaction.

 

Houston Rockets trade Ariza, welcome Lee

Trevor, we hardly knew ye.

GM Daryl Morey and coach Rick Adelman will regret not affording Ariza the chance to test drive his game alongside Yao. The front office expects the center to participate in all training camp activities.

Ariza began his first campaign in Houston in scorching fashion. He notched several 30 point games and showed the explosiveness that made him an attractive free agent buy. Given his championship experience and his relative youth, his contract was reasonable and far from a payroll handicap.

He devolved into a low-percentage trey bomber when opponents began to figure out the Yao-less Rockets' admirable but predictable schemes. His defense deteriorated to the point that Adelman wondered if the small forward had forgotten how to play it. He was a turnover machine in the endgame.

Yao's presence, however, could have minimized or eliminated those shortcomings.

Ariza switched from a team with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol to one with Luis Scola and Chuck Hayes at the forward and center spots, and no clear starter at the two. That makes a difference.

His ability to check quicker guards and forwards would have spared Yao early foul trouble during the All-Star's expected on-court recuperation. The double teams Yao commands coupled with a more commodious Scola would have opened up much better looks for Ariza. Bombs away.

Instead Rockets management threw a grenade in his direction and will not like the results. Lee plays earnest defense, but does not boast superior quickness or decision making to Ariza. Lee, too, racks up turnovers when he's asked to do too much.

His three-point accuracy on the hysterically bad Nets was comparable to Ariza's. He hit 34 percent of his treys. He doesn't slash to the basket as much and projects as a lesser playmaker.

The Rockets will save themselves from another luxury tax hit, but that does not qualify as a win for any team eyeing title contention if the net gain is worse than the player and contract surrendered.

 

Hornets trade Darren Collison and James Posey, welcome Ariza

New Orleans rookie GM Dell Demps will regret dumping Paul's potential backup and backcourt sidekick for the next decade. Collison's commendable run in place of the injured Paul showcased his versatility. He shot a reasonable percentage from distance, threw timely passew, drove with gusto, and delivered laudable defense. He was not, however, going to supplant CP3.

A team needs at least three starter-quality players at its strength positions. The L.A. Lakers employ Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom. Even journeyman Theo Ratliff started some games for the Charlotte Bobcats last year.

If Paul injures himself again—a real possibility—who will step in and run the offense? When Paul needs a few minutes of rest in a big game—a necessity for any star at any position no matter his age—who can Monty Williams trust to keep the ship from hitting a proverbial iceberg with the best player on the bench?

Collison and Marcus Thornton gave the Hornets and Paul a capable support tandem. The front office tried for years to find a worthy reserve point man. Jannero Pargo, Antonio Daniels, and Mike James failed. Why trade a great fit for that role now?

The Rockets boast more raw talent than the Hornets, and Ariza needs to play with as much raw talent as possible for his skills to shine. Posey had become an out-of-shape, oft-injured, and aging headache, but the urgency surrounding Paul's roster discontent might have lit one last fire.

Demps did not want his franchise's activity in the Summer of LeBron to read in the NBA history books: "re-signed scrub forward-center Aaron Gray." The Hornets also coveted wing help, given Peja Stojakovic's decline and increasingly creative choke artistry.

Stojakovic's contract, not Posey's, was the real problem. With Collison gone, Demps cannot package anyone attractive with the soft shooter without further hamstringing the roster.

 

Pacers trade Troy Murphy, welcome Darren Collison and Posey

I loved Collison as Paul's backup and as a potential first mate at shooting guard. He will not soon approximate Paul as a full-time starter at the one in Indiana. If he exposes me as an imbecile, I will apologize in a future column. I said sorry to Zach Randolph. Maybe I'll do the same with Collison.

Posey emerged as a clutch shooter and do-it-all role player in 2006 and 2008 with two championship squads in Miami and Boston. He played lock down, grimy defense on some of the league's best perimeter assassins, including Kobe Bryant. It says here the Celtics still feel the sting of his departure.

Why, then, is Posey now seen as damaged goods? He doesn't play hard for lottery teams, which the Pacers will surely be, and age has zapped much of the lateral quickness that allowed him to harangue Bryant just two years ago. Plus, Posey and Dahntay Jones alone cannot carry a defenseless roster back to respectability.

Bird will not regret losing Murphy, but he might wonder if he fetched the best return possible.

 

Nets trade Courtney Lee, welcome Troy Murphy

Lee misfired and made too many mistakes in his inaugural trial run as a starter, one season removed from a Finals berth as a key reserve. Like Ariza in Houston, though, he played on a team devoid of All-Stars for much of the year. Devin Harris spent much of that miserable jaunt in street clothes or in an all-around funk, and Brook Lopez has not shown enough to merit consideration as a star big fella.

No player on a 12 win roster should be untouchable. That goes without saying. But, Lee for Murphy?

The Pacers' overpriced sharpshooting forward can haul down rebounds in machine-like fashion, score a few put back baskets, and ride hot streaks beyond the arc. He is not an adept passer and is an atrocious defender. He gets abused in the post and could not guard his own shadow. A flower vase could amass 20 points against him.

It's hard to see how this softy will improve Jersey's still dismal prospects.

Filed under: Spurs, Euroleague, FanHouse Exclusive, ULEB

Saski Baskonia, the reigning champions of Spain's top basketball league, will visit the United States during the NBA preseason, and one of the team's matches will be against the Spurs, FanHouse has learned. Baskonia will play an exhibition against the Spurs in San Antonio on October 16.

The main draw, of course, will be Spurs rookie Tiago Splitter matching up against his old team. Splitter led Baskonia to the ACB championship last year. He was named the MVP of the Spanish league in each of the past two seasons, and was the Finals MVP last year. Baskonia defeated Ricky Rubio's Barcelona in the championship round in May to clinch the title.

Splitter, a 25-year-old 6'11 forward-center, is expected to be a big aid for San Antonio's frontline, which features an aging but effective Tim Duncan, shooter Matt Bonner, veteran Antonio McDyess and whirlwind kid DeJuan Blair. Depending on minutes, Splitter looks to be a prime challenger for the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

Baskonia will likely play at least one other game on its tour of the United States, though no dates have been officially announced.

 

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Filed under: Cavaliers, Celtics, Heat, Lakers, Suns, NBA Free Agents

Shaquille O'Neal signed with the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, making official what was widely reported a day earlier.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but ESPNBoston.com reported that O'Neal is seeking a two-year deal for the league's veteran minimum, which would pay him $1.4 million annually.

FanHouse was the first to report O'Neal's interest in the Celtics last month.

"It is not every day that you can add a player of Shaquille's caliber to your team," Celtics president Danny Ainge said. "His past experience speaks for itself, and we believe that he is a great fit for our roster."

That roster is brimming with experience, which, in NBA vernacular, means old.

Earlier this summer, the Celtics used their full mid-level exception to sign 31-year-old forward-center Jermaine O'Neal, a player whose skills have noticeably diminished thanks to injuries.

 

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Rookie Detroit Pistons forward-center Greg Monroe does not care for the spotlight. In high school, he preferred to do interviews away from teammates ...

DENVER (Reuters) - The Denver Nuggets have re-signed veteran guard Anthony Carter and signed free-agent forward-center Shelden Williams, the NBA team said Thursday.

DENVER, July 14 (UPI) -- Denver Nuggets forward-center Chris Andersen had surgery Wednesday to repair a torn ligament in his left ring finger.



Chris Andersen - Denver Nuggets - Sports - NBA - Kenyon Martin

The Denver Nuggets announced forward-center Chris Andersen underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn ligament in his left ring finger.

Source : Miami Herald (subscribe)

Explore : Miami Heat, NBA, Sport, US Sport

DaveKrieger: Oh good. RT @SpearsNBAYahoo Nuggets forward-center Chris Andersen had surgery Wednesday to repair a torn ligament in his left ring...

Filed under: Heat, Mavericks, Spurs, NBA Rumors, NBA Free Agents

The Mavericks missed out on just about every big name available this summer, largely thanks to a full payroll and more trade chips than free agent lures. But good free agents are still available if you look hard enough, and it looks like the bosses in Dallas found two of them.

The Mavericks are close to signing Spurs forward-center Ian Mahinmi for the bi-annual exception ($1.9 million), according to Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News. Mahinmi, a 23-year-old native of Rouen, France, never got much playing time under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, but made the most of what he did earn and performed superbly in his long 2007-08 NBA D-League stint. He expects to play for France along with Maverick guard Rodrigue Beaubois in the 2010 FIBA World Championships later this summer.

Dallas also has its full mid-level exception to use in free agency, and has reportedly offered it up to Heat forward Udonis Haslem, a tough defender (as resident Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki knows all too well). Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski reports the Mavericks have offered Haslem a three-year, $20 million deal; the most the new-fangled Heat can offer is a starting salary of $4.3 million, due to the signings of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Mike Miller. A three-year deal from Miami would only be worth about $14 million to Haslem.

 

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NEW YORK, July 5 (UPI) -- The New York Knicks and free agent forward-center Amare Stoudemire have come to terms on a contract, the team announced Monday.



New York Knicks - NEW YORK - Free agent - Amare Stoudemire - United States

Filed under: Bulls, Suns, NBA Rumors, NBA Transactions, NBA Free Agents

Phoenix couldn't find middle ground with eight-year Sun Amar'e Stoudemire despite months and months of negotiation. Consider today's news that Phoenix has reached a three-year, $12 million agreement with Hakim Warrick a full acknowledgment that Stoudemire's Suns career is over. John Gambadoro of Phoenix's 620 AM reported the contract figures after Yahoo!'s Marc Spears initially reported the deal. The contract will apparently have a fourth-year team option at $6 million.

Warrick, who spent four middling seasons with the Grizzlies before splitting last year between the Bucks and Bulls, joins a Phoenix frontcourt starring second-year center Robin Lopez and newly re-signed forward-center Channing Frye, who reportedly agreed to a five-year contract worth $30 million on Thursday.

Warrick will make much, much less than what Amar'e would have commanded. But Warrick also offers much, much less on the court. Whereas Amar'e scored in bunches at elite efficiency, Warrick scores decently on just above-average efficiency. Whereas Amar'e was a middling rebounder for a power forward, Warrick is a completely awful rebounder for a power forward. Whereas Amar'e was often a liability on defense, Warrick is typically just as bad.

 

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Filed under: Bucks, Clippers, NBA Rumors, NBA Transactions, NBA Free Agents

Drew Gooden, a journeyman power forward who spent last season between the Mavericks and Clippers, will sign a five-year mid-level exception deal worth $32 million with the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.

Gooden, who will turn 29 before the start of next season, becomes the first American player to reportedly reach an agreement since the official start of the 2010 NBA free agency period at midnight Thursday. The 6'10 forward-center finished 2009-10 in Los Angeles after being sent to Washington in the Caron Butler-Brendan Haywood-Josh Howard trade at midseason. Before Gooden played a single game for the Wizards, he was flipped to L.A. in an expanded Antawn Jamison deal that sent Al Thornton to D.C. and Sebastian Telfair to Cleveland.

If the contract is consummated, the Bucks would officially be Gooden's ninth team in a eight-year career. Gooden was drafted No. 4 overall in 2002 by the Grizzlies but traded to Cleveland during his rookie season. In 2004, he was traded to the Cavaliers. Since 2008, he has been traded to the Bulls, Kings and Clippers; he signed a midseason deal with the Spurs in 2009 and signed a one-year partially guaranteed deal with the Mavericks last summer.

 

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This is the 7th installment of the 2009-10 Phoenix Suns player report cards. We're using the old-school A-F system for continuity’s sake. Today the spotlight’s on Channing Frye.

 

For a Phoenix fan, Frye’s addition to the team in July last year was a very attractive prospect. Having attended St. Mary’s high school in the valley and then rocking his way to the NBA through the University of Arizona, Frye flew to Phoenix out of Portland as fast as he could and we welcomed him with open arms. Now we’re facing the possibility of his departure. It’s been one hell of a season for our 6’11" Forward-Center.

His first and maybe even last season with the Suns, summed up by the most important people in the basketball universe (the Bright Side readers), produces Frye’s final grade for the 2009-10 season.

Wil Cantrell had a chance to sit down for a Q&A; session with Ben from Blazer’s Edge just after Frye signed with the Suns. This helped us get an idea of what we could expect from Frye in the upcoming season. Most fans had mixed feelings about how he’d contribute to the team, but the general consensus was that of the "wait and see" variety. The season started average enough. Frye’s first game (preseason, Warriors) saw him manufacture the first six points on back-to-back triples with some long twos peppered in later in the half. Frye proved at once that all the summer talk about him being a floor-spacing jump shooter at the center spot was more than just talk, and we were excited to see what he’d bring to the table when the big guys started coming to dinner. After a great game against the Minnesota Timberwolves (Suns 3-0 lead at the start of the season), Frye said:

"It's early in the season so we will see how defenses start to play me. I think a lot of teams weren't going to play me as a shooter I thought I was, but now I'm kind of establishing that. I just need to continue working on my game and stay humble."

Maybe others thought they could push him around in the beginning, but we saw Frye’s defensive efforts essentially evolve before our eyes after Gentry put more pressure on him to rebound and defend. The pressure eventually led to his relegation to the bench, and as the defensive efforts stepped up, so did Frye’s feistiness.  Remember the Pacers game with the ejection? Things got heated with 46.7 seconds remaining in the third period when the Pacers' Earl Watson (read: punk-ass baby) appeared to push Frye. Danny Granger then took a swipe at Frye, who swung back. Roy Hibbert and Jason Richardson also joined the altercation. Technicals ensued. For more on Frye’s evolution, check out this practice report when Frye says:

 "I started out my career looking at the 17 footer, then it was the 3, now I'm kind of a hybrid. I'm just trying to slow down and play with confidence, which is tough sometimes since I'm a perfectionist."

Oh, and for those of you who like numbers and since we’re getting close to the grade:

Regular Season Stats:

GP: 81 GS: 41 MPG: 27.0 FG%: .451 3P%: .439

FT%: .810 RPG: 5.3 APG: 1.4 SPG: .8 BPG: .9 PPG: 11.2

Playoff Stats:

GP: 16 GS: 0 MPG: 27.2 FG%: .364 3P%: .349

FT%: .938 RPG: 5.6 APG: .9 SPG: .8 BPG: .6 PPG: 8.2

In Game 6 of the Lakers series, Frye had 13 rebounds and added 12 points off the bench. I personally breathed a sigh of relief. I would even go as far as to say it was his personal best game of the season, all things considered. I felt like he deserved a little detention or maybe some Saturday school after a few of those playoff games. That being said, although I’m a pretty firm believer in building a players’ confidence up as much as possible, I just can’t fake an A on Channing Frye. His playoff performance in the Lakers series tipped the scales. If he stays with us and completes some more of those extra credit assignments I mentioned before, his grade next season should shoot up to A status. ‘Til then…

Final Grade: B

Poll

What Grade Would You Give Channing Frye for the 2009-10 Season

• A+
• A-
• B+
• B
• B-
• C
• D
• F

  15 votes | Results

OnMilwaukee.com

Bucks select big men Sanders, Jordan and Gallon in NBA draft Boston Herald Sanders said he is ready to learn, and the Bucks are happy to give the 21-year-old power forward-center from Virginia Commonwealth his opportunity. ... Bucks get defensive with first-round selection of SandersJournal Times Bucks pick F Sanders at No. 15The Associated Press Friday Morning Wisconsin Sports ReportWMTV USA Today -Examiner.com -WSAU all 202 news articles »

Palm Beach Post

Bucks pick power forward Sanders in first round Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sanders said he is ready to learn, and the Bucks are happy to give the 21-year-old power forward-center from Virginia Commonwealth his opportunity. ... Bucks get defensive with first-round selection of SandersJournal Times Bucks pick F Sanders at No. 15The Associated Press Bucks pick F Sanders at No. 15USA Today Examiner.com -Richmond Times Dispatch -Bleacher Report all 183 news articles »

Filed under: Bucks, NBA Draft

Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be Oklahoma State Cowboys. Because it will dramatically impact their draft stock. See what I did there? It's a song, you see.

James Anderson is a stranger in a strange land. Well, rather, he's a guard-forward in a forward-center's land. As we talked about Monday, this year's draft is busting out the seams with forwards, combo-forwards, and forward-center prospects. The shooting guards have been shoved down to the last third of the first round, which means they could go very high if a team drafts at that need, or they could go very low if the perceived lack of elite talent buries them along with their fellow wing shooters.

The hesitation around Anderson, is, however, a bit bizarre.

As Draft Express pointed out, Anderson was second among all players in points per possession, as well as in possessions used. So basically, he was a hyper-efficient scorer that was used to utilizing lots of possessions. He was great in the pick-and-roll. He was great in creating his own shot. You know, pretty much all the things that help determine if you can be successful in at the two-guard. He was the Big 12 Player of the year, for cryin' out loud. 22.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists. And he's used to being a leader. Yet somehow, he finds himself at No.30 on DX's board. 30! Far be it from me to disagree with the fine work of DX, but it makes you wonder what's going on among scouts that's causing his plummet.

 

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Filed under: Bucks, NBA Draft

Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be Oklahoma State Cowboys. Because it will dramatically impact their draft stock. See what I did there? It's a song, you see.

James Anderson is a stranger in a strange land. Well, rather, he's a guard-forward in a forward-center's land. As we talked about Monday, this year's draft is busting out the seams with forwards, combo-forwards, and forward-center prospects. The shooting guards have been shoved down to the last third of the first round, which means they could go very high if a team drafts at that need, or they could go very low if the perceived lack of elite talent buries them along with their fellow wing shooters.

The hesitation around Anderson, is, however, a bit bizarre.

As Draft Express pointed out, Anderson was second among all players in points per possession, as well as in possessions used. So basically, he was a hyper-efficient scorer that was used to utilizing lots of possessions. He was great in the pick-and-roll. He was great in creating his own shot. You know, pretty much all the things that help determine if you can be successful in at the two-guard. He was the Big 12 Player of the year, for cryin' out loud. 22.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists. And he's used to being a leader. Yet somehow, he finds himself at No.30 on DX's board. 30! Far be it from me to disagree with the fine work of DX, but it makes you wonder what's going on among scouts that's causing his plummet.

 

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The Denver Nuggets announced forward-center Chris Andersen underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a partial tear of the patella tendon in his right knee.

Source : Miami Herald (subscribe)

Explore : Miami Heat, NBA, Sport, US Sport

Sacramento State signed the fifth player in its 2010-11 recruiting class Monday, landing 6-foot-4, 195-pound guard-forward Heath Hoffman from Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, Ill.

Hoffman averaged 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds last season. He joins guards Jackson Carbajal, Kendell Groom and Antoine Proctor and forward-center Konner Veteto in the Hornets' incoming class.

– John Schumacher

Folsom woman wins marathon

Folsom's Midori Sperandeo won the Eugene Marathon women's title Sunday in 2 hours 44 minutes and 21 seconds. Sacramento's Jenny Hitchings placed sixth in 2:51.21.

– John Schumacher

Aggie wins softball honor

UC Davis shortstop Elizabeth Santana was named the Big West Conference Softball Player of the Week, according to a UCD news release.

Santana went 7 for 11 in four games, scoring six runs.

• Sierra College advanced to the Northern California Super Regional with 6-0 and 9-1 wins over Mendocino, according to a Sierra College news release. Sam Baker threw a perfect game and hit a two-run homer in Saturday's 6-0 win. Baker also won Sunday's game.

UCD pitcher wins Big West award

UCD's Scott Lyman threw eight shutout innings in a 16-0 win over Cal State Northridge Sunday and was named Big West Pitcher of the Week for his efforts, according to a UCD news release.

Et cetera

Anton Stryhas (men's tennis) and Eryn Stubblefield (gymnastics) were named Sacramento State's Student-Athletes of the Year, according to the school's website. Kyle Beasley (men's soccer) and Kim Kemper (women's soccer) were the Scholar Athletes of the Year.

Sacramento State signed the fifth player in its 2010-11 recruiting class Monday, landing 6-foot-4, 195-pound guard-forward Heath Hoffman from Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, Ill.

Hoffman averaged 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds last season. He joins guards Jackson Carbajal, Kendell Groom and Antoine Proctor and forward-center Konner Veteto in the Hornets' incoming class.

One question that has been floating around Detroit and among its fanbase is whether Pistons forward-center Ben Wallace will return for the 2011 NBA season. Wallace has said publicly that he’ll wait until later to decide his future, but according to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press, he thinks that the big man will return [...]

Suns.com Suns sign FC Dwayne JonesUSA TodayPHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns on Monday signed forward-center Dwayne Jones, who was most recently a member of the Austin Toros of the NBA Development …Suns Sign Dwayne JonesRealGM.comPhoenix Suns sign Dwayne Jones, who led NBA Developmental League in reboundingAZ Central.comAustin's Dwane Jones Signs With Phoenix SunsOurSports Central (press [...]

Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said he was never concerned that Kobe Bryant would decide against signing a three-year extension. Bryant will be under contract with the Lakers through 2013-14 after signing an extension Friday. “There was always certainty that it would get done,” Kupchak said at a news conference before the Lakers' game against Utah. “I was never seriously concerned about maybe it breaking off and just going another direction. I suppose it was possible, but I never got that feeling.” Lakers forward-center Pau Gasol signed a three-year extension last December that would also keep him under contract through...

SCOUTING REPORT

HighTops is out of service, so you're stuck with me.

Minnesota has not won in March. I repeat, Minnesota has not won in March. Thirteen up and thirteen down, including a laugher in Sacramento on March 14, a game in which Tyreke Evans went for 29/9/11 with just two turnovers, a game in which Jason Thompson ably replicated the injured Kevin Love with 15/8 in 22 minutes off the bench.

The Wolves are sitting on 16 straight losses, actually, going back into February. This team is truly abominable: 29th in the league on offense, 28th on defense. The Wolves can rebound, and they don't foul much. Other than that? They rank in the bottom 10 in every other of the four factors on offense and defense. A-bom-in-a-ble.

The Kings have lost in Minnesota this season, and let's face it: no road game will be easy for the Kings. The Pacers game looked to be in hand in the first half, but we watched Indiana -- Indiana! -- put the screw the Kings and finish rolling. We watched the Nets destroy the Kings. We watched Boston run out to a 24-point lead, and the Cavs win without trying. Credit the Kings for playing hard, but the wins just ain't coming on the road.

Minnesota is the best chance to change that before the season's end.

KEY BATTLE

Jason Thompson vs. Darko Milicic. Spencer Hawes is a scratch, so Carl Landry and Al Jefferson shall occupy each other while Thompson battles Milicic. The battle between these fellows will come on the boards, where Darko is brawny and Thompson active. I suspect we'll also see J.T. attempting to pull Darko away from the rim to open up driving lanes for Tyreke Evans and Beno Udrih; I'm confident that will result in numerous long jumpers from our heroic forward-center. I think J.T. can have a solid game in this role, and look for Jon Brockman to get plenty of opportunity to pound Kevin Love.

BOLD PROCLAMATION

Jonny Flynn and Donte Greene will have several moments of jocular joking.

BOLD BROCKLAMATION

Evans loses his "rocks paper scissors" battle with Nessie for occupation of Joey Dorsey's vacant locker. Brockman fills the new space with bowling balls and apple fritters.

DETAILS

5PM PT tip. Two Game Threads (5, 6:15) and a post-gamer (7:45). Just a few more opportunities to watch Reke and friends this season. You know you'll miss Kings basketball a month from now, get it while you can!

Tony Gill plans to play basketball at the next level, and why not?

The Oakmont High School senior is 6-foot-8, highly skilled and can drain three-point shots all day.

The forward-center will put those attributes on display at 9 tonight at Arco Arena when the fourth-seeded Vikings (21-6) play top-seeded Fairfield (24-5) in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinal.

When his playing days are over, Gill could easily slip into a career in marketing or public relations. He is a walking, talking promoter of prep basketball – of his school in particular, and why it's so interesting, fun and refreshing.

Some of Gill's observations:

• On finishing second in the Vikings' last go-round before realignment in the meat-grinder Sierra Foothill League, recognized as the section's toughest: "We wanted a change (after finishing the previous season 1-10 in league). We wanted to make a statement this year, especially since most of us are seniors and this is the last year in the SFL."

• On reaching the D-II semifinals with league rivals Woodcreek and Rocklin: "Those are great teams, great programs. Rocklin is good every year, and even with the loss of Brendan Lane (to UCLA), Cody Kale and Tony Williams are having the best years of their careers. Woodcreek is an awesome team with Nik Milani and Mike Kurtz, who I admire and and watched improve so much over the last couple of years."

• On beating perennial basketball power Jesuit 83-70 in the quarterfinals at Oakmont: "They are a terrific team, with so much talent. They're very well-coached. They have great fans who come all the way out here (to Roseville) to support them. We played pretty well, gave them a run for their money and, fortunately, we were able to come out on top."

• On the growing fan support for a program that had five previous seasons without a winning record: "Have you seen our rooting section, 'The O-zone'? We've played in a lot of gyms, but ours is by the far the loudest. We're expecting a big turnout at Arco. All those people supporting you, cheering you, that makes playing special."

Oakmont coach Rick Campbell is the first to attest the Gill-led Vikings are special. He's been coaching at Oakmont since 1995 and has seen the highs and lows.

He was a junior varsity coach and assistant to Gary Donnell when Oakmont reached the D-III section finals in 1999 and 2000.

Campbell has had winning and losing teams since becoming head coach in the 2001-02 season, but he has never felt the kind of pressure that pushes coaches toward retirement when programs struggle.

"Knock on wood, but I've been pretty blessed with the kids and the parents we've had," Campbell said. "Whether we're having success or struggling, what we've tried to do is to look out for what is best for the kids. Of course, as a coach, if you had your way, you want to win every game."

Oakmont has won more games and advanced farther than any that Campbell has coached, and he says the reasons are simple: Talent and camaraderie.

In addition to team captain Gill, who averages 18.7 points and 10.5 rebounds, the Vikings have an emerging star in the supremely athletic J.T. Adenrele (11.4 points, nine rebounds, 3.8 blocks), a 6-6 junior forward; a smooth left-handed shooting point guard in 6-3 senior Fred Mobley (11.8 points, six assists); an outside shooting threat and lockdown defender in 6-2 senior guard Alex Ford (11.5 points); and a handful of ready-to-help role players led by 6-4 seniors Nathaniel Grady and Eric Marten.

"It's a nice group of kids," Campbell said. "They share the ball. They root for each other. They take pride in making the extra pass. As a coach, it's fun watching them do what they do."

Mobley says it's been the improvement by the whole team that has spurred Oakmont's turnaround from a 7-19 overall record.

"A lot of us had to do some growing, especially me," said Mobley, Ford's close friend and an All-SFL first-team wide receiver. "Accepting the team aspect of the game, that was one of my biggest problems last season, which as a point guard you can't do. Once I started doing that, everything got easier."

The Vikings have had to prove themselves all season, and tonight won't be any different. Fairfield is experienced, having played (and lost) in the past three D-II section championship games.

"We've got our work cut out for us," Campbell said. "Fairfield is athletic, tough and well-coached. It's going to be a good matchup of contrasting styles. Whoever can dictate tempo, it's probably going to go their way."

J.T. Adenrele, left, is an athletic 6-foot-6 junior who averages 11.4 points and nine rebounds for the Vikings. Senior Fred Mobley, above, is a left-handed point guard. He averages 11.8 points and six assists. CARL COSTAS ccostas@sacbee.com

Tony Gill plans to play basketball at the next level, and why not?

The Oakmont High School senior is 6-foot-8, highly skilled and can drain three-point shots all day.

The forward-center will put those attributes on display at 9 tonight at Arco Arena when the fourth-seeded Vikings (21-6) play top-seeded Fairfield (24-5) in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinal.

When his playing days are over, Gill could easily slip into a career in marketing or public relations. He is a walking, talking promoter of prep basketball – of his school in particular, and why it's so interesting, fun and refreshing.

Some of Gill's observations:

• On finishing second in the Vikings' last go-round before realignment in the meat-grinder Sierra Foothill League, recognized as the section's toughest: "We wanted a change (after finishing the previous season 1-10 in league). We wanted to make a statement this year, especially since most of us are seniors and this is the last year in the SFL."

• On reaching the D-II semifinals with league rivals Woodcreek and Rocklin: "Those are great teams, great programs. Rocklin is good every year, and even with the loss of Brendan Lane (to UCLA), Cody Kale and Tony Williams are having the best years of their careers. Woodcreek is an awesome team with Nik Milani and Mike Kurtz, who I admire and and watched improve so much over the last couple of years."

• On beating perennial basketball power Jesuit 83-70 in the quarterfinals at Oakmont: "They are a terrific team, with so much talent. They're very well-coached. They have great fans who come all the way out here (to Roseville) to support them. We played pretty well, gave them a run for their money and, fortunately, we were able to come out on top."

• On the growing fan support for a program that had five previous seasons without a winning record: "Have you seen our rooting section, 'The O-zone'? We've played in a lot of gyms, but ours is by the far the loudest. We're expecting a big turnout at Arco. All those people supporting you, cheering you, that makes playing special."

Oakmont coach Rick Campbell is the first to attest the Gill-led Vikings are special. He's been coaching at Oakmont since 1995 and has seen the highs and lows.

He was a junior varsity coach and assistant to Gary Donnell when Oakmont reached the D-III section finals in 1999 and 2000.

Campbell has had winning and losing teams since becoming head coach in the 2001-02 season, but he has never felt the kind of pressure that pushes coaches toward retirement when programs struggle.

"Knock on wood, but I've been pretty blessed with the kids and the parents we've had," Campbell said. "Whether we're having success or struggling, what we've tried to do is to look out for what is best for the kids. Of course, as a coach, if you had your way, you want to win every game."

Oakmont has won more games and advanced farther than any that Campbell has coached, and he says the reasons are simple: Talent and camaraderie.

In addition to team captain Gill, who averages 18.7 points and 10.5 rebounds, the Vikings have an emerging star in the supremely athletic J.T. Adenrele (11.4 points, nine rebounds, 3.8 blocks), a 6-6 junior forward; a smooth left-handed shooting point guard in 6-3 senior Fred Mobley (11.8 points, six assists); an outside shooting threat and lockdown defender in 6-2 senior guard Alex Ford (11.5 points); and a handful of ready-to-help role players led by 6-4 seniors Nathaniel Grady and Eric Marten.

"It's a nice group of kids," Campbell said. "They share the ball. They root for each other. They take pride in making the extra pass. As a coach, it's fun watching them do what they do."

Mobley says it's been the improvement by the whole team that has spurred Oakmont's turnaround from a 7-19 overall record.

"A lot of us had to do some growing, especially me," said Mobley, Ford's close friend and an All-SFL first-team wide receiver. "Accepting the team aspect of the game, that was one of my biggest problems last season, which as a point guard you can't do. Once I started doing that, everything got easier."

The Vikings have had to prove themselves all season, and tonight won't be any different. Fairfield is experienced, having played (and lost) in the past three D-II section championship games.

"We've got our work cut out for us," Campbell said. "Fairfield is athletic, tough and well-coached. It's going to be a good matchup of contrasting styles. Whoever can dictate tempo, it's probably going to go their way."

J.T. Adenrele, left, is an athletic 6-foot-6 junior who averages 11.4 points and nine rebounds for the Vikings. Senior Fred Mobley, above, is a left-handed point guard. He averages 11.8 points and six assists. CARL COSTAS ccostas@sacbee.com

• Bob Ford of The Philadelphia Inquirer: "Well, that was fun. The nonstop thrill ride that was Allen Iverson, Part II, came to an end yesterday when 76ers general manager Ed Stefanski announced that Iverson would miss the rest of this exciting NBA season. It was an oddly worded statement in a way, but what hasn't been odd about the team's whole misguided dalliance with the past?"
• Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "Observations from Tuesday’s 110-106 victory over the Warriors at AmericanAirlines Arena: Is there such a thing as an embarrassing victory? Face it, the Heat almost lost to a D-League team."
• Greg Cote of The Miami Herald: "Everything starts with No. 3. It was that way Tuesday night, when his 35 points carried the team. It has been such all season, as only on account of Dwyane Wade's individual brilliance is a bad team able to masquerade as mediocre. And it will remain all about him this summer, of course, with his franchise held hostage by his eventual decision. See what Wade sees when he looks around at comparable NBA superstars. He sees friendly rival LeBron James with the best record in basketball in Cleveland. He sees that draftmate Carmelo Anthony is in first place with Denver. He sees Kobe Bryant's Lakers, here Thursday, firing on all pistons. He sees those three with a combined 79-14 record at home. Wade sees that, then sees his own team struggling even at home to keep its head above water, struggling at home to defeat even a wounded, lowly Golden State. For Heat fans, summer can't get here soon enough. Then again, perhaps -- be careful what you wish for."
• Scott Cacciola of The Commercial-Appeal: "Hasheem Thabeet grabbed his sneakers and began wandering around the visitors locker room last Friday at Tulio Arena in Erie, Pa. He had just made his debut with the Dakota Wizards of the NBA Development League, but he was still finding his way. Where was the equipment bag for his sneakers? 'Hasheem, this is the D-League,' Wizards coach Rory White told him. 'And in the D-League, you carry your own sneakers.' If Thabeet suddenly felt thousands of miles removed from the trappings of the NBA lifestyle, then there would be more. Oh, so much more. How about folding up his 7-foot-3 frame on Monday afternoon and flying coach from Fort Wayne, Ind., to Detroit … and then from Detroit to Minneapolis … and then from Minneapolis to Bismarck, N.D.? Farewell, charter flights. 'It can be an eye-opener,' White said. The Grizzlies can only hope his whole D-League experience is humbling and not demoralizing, considering the high-profile circumstances of his arrival. So far, so good: On Sunday, in his second game with the Wizards, Thabeet – a rookie center and the highest draft pick ever assigned to the D-League – shot 8-of-10 from the field and finished with 19 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks in a 94-85 victory over the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. On Tuesday, he scored 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting and had 13 rebounds and four blocked shots in 31 minutes of action in the Wizards’ 102-81 victory over the Albuquerque Thunderbirds at the Bismarck Civic Center."
• Lou Babiarz of The Bismark Tribune: "Hasheem Thabeet -- the second overall pick in last year's NBA draft -- has played on much larger stages than the Bismarck Civic Center. But the 7-foot-3 rookie center, on assignment from the Memphis Grizzlies, admitted to some nerves at the start of his first D-League home game. 'A little bit, because you always want to be good in the first game at home,' he said. ... Thabeet brought the Civic Center crowd to its feet early in the second half with his play on both ends of the court. First he hit a nifty left-handed shot. Then after a Maurice Baker miss, Thabeet sprinted down the court and blocked an Antoine Agudio shot from behind. Finally, on Albuquerque's next possession, he smacked aside an offering by Shane Edwards. The potential that Thabeet showed in that sequence -- which lasted just more than a minute -- is why he was so highly drafted. 'That's what they're looking at (in Memphis), to see if he can do that on a consistent basis,' Rory White said. 'If he can do that on a consistent basis, he won't be coming back here.' "
• Michael Wilbon of The Washington Post: "With the chance to play, Andray Blatche is finally doing what the team has asked him to do for awhile. Word is he's in the weight room regularly, is practicing harder, trying on the defensive end. In the victory over the Nets the other night, Blatche became the first Washington player to have 15 baskets and 15 rebounds in a game since Tom Gugliotta did it for the Bullets in November of 1992. In that same game he became the first player this season to post numbers of at least 36 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocked shots in one game. Nobody had done it in a Bullets/Wizards uniform since Elvin Hayes 35 years ago. The pouting is over because Blatche doesn't have to worry that Wizards management, including the team's trainers, only worries about the star players. Hell, he is the star player. Yes, it's preposterous that Blatche thought that in the first place, but this is what talented kids, especially those who jump straight to the NBA from high school, think about when they don't immediately get all the minutes and shots they want. Simply, Blatche didn't know how to be a professional basketball player, which is to be blamed largely on the NBA for ever having allowed kids to make the jump in the first place. But all that seems so unnecessary to talk about now. With making the playoffs not an option and the team starting over from scratch, it's intriguing to follow a 23-year-old who is 6-foot-11 with this skill set. It's like finding a free agent in your own locker room."
• Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel: "When Jameer Nelson is at the top of his game -- and lately he has scaled to the apex -- the Magic are confident they are as good as anybody in the NBA. Memo from the court of public opinion: The Magic reached the Finals last June essentially without Nelson, who was injured the last half of the season and through the Eastern Conference Finals. Didn't Rafer Alston get them there as a temp? True enough. But as Rashard Lewis and other teammates remind us, the outcome of the Magic's title series against the Los Angeles Lakers might have been different (Lakers in five) if Nelson had been sound physically. Nelson had averaged 27.5 points and 6.5 assists per game against the Lakers and keyed the Magic's first-ever sweep of L.A. during the regular season. But he was a shell of himself as a back-up in the Finals (3.8 points, 2.8 assists per game), when he returned after sitting out about four months to recuperate from shoulder surgery. ... Some fans will always wonder how valuable Nelson is to the cause, especially when he's prone to injury, inconsistency and fits of turnovers. But his worth to the team likely has never been greater in this, his sixth NBA season. Why? Because Hedo Turkoglu is gone, having crossed the border to play."
• Chris Dempsey of The Denver Post: "At the beginning of the season, Oklahoma City was one of the hardest teams to get a read on. They had young talent, a young coach and took some major lumps last season. Well, the Thunder is dishing out the pain this year. If the playoffs started today? Yep, the Nuggets would face Oklahoma City. If the Nuggets aren’t careful, the young cubs could just take over in the Northwest Division. Winners of 12 of their last 14 -- a run started with a win over the Nuggets on Jan. 29 -- OKC is 2 ½ games behind the Nuggets ... and gaining fast. So just how good is Oklahoma City? Should the Nuggets be concerned about an upstart team still learning its NBA lessons? ... Yes, the Nuggets should be concerned, though they matchup with the Thunder pretty well. Oklahoma City’s success is built on the kind of solid foundation that gives any team staying power -- defense, rebounding, execution, star power. If you’re looking for chinks in the armor here are a couple: The Thunder has feasted on teams under .500, getting 21 of their 36 wins (58 percent) against that competition. They are 21-2 in such games. But in games against teams above .500, OKC is just 15-21. Against the Western Conference they are 18-17 and are 7-10 against teams in the West’s top eight. So they are still learning how to consistently beat the best and would likely need home court advantage to win a first-round playoff series this year."
• Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman: "The Thunder liked Tyreke Evans in the scouting process. Liked him a lot. But Evans needs the ball in his hands to be effective; the Sacramento offense runs through him. And rightly so. Evans gave defensive demon Thabo Sefolosha fits all night. But if you’ve got the ball in Evans’ hands, it’s not in Russell Westbrook’s, and who thinks that’s a good idea? 'Tyreke is as good as any rookie in the league right now,' said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. But 'we have a point guard. We have a very good point guard. We saw the improvement in Russell every day' last season. Thus the drafting of James Harden, who is not as flashy and might never make an All-Star team, while Evans will be one sooner than later. Compare them head-to-head, and Evans will get the better of it most nights. ... Yet the Thunder made the right pick; a 36-23 record says so. Harden is a good player who is going to get a lot better. He’s just what this team needed. Good outside shooter. Good playmaker. Fits in well with an already-established young hierarchy. 'Our organization did a great job getting James,' Westbrook said. 'I think they made the right pick.' "
• Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle: "According to Daryl Morey’s evaluations, Kevin Martin has been one of the NBA’s most efficient scorers in the last 30 years. He’s the only player who has shot 40 percent from the beyond 3-point line and averaged eight free-throw attempts a game in the course of an entire season. And he has done it in two of his six NBA seasons. When Morey went looking for a wing replacement for Tracy McGrady, Martin was prominent on his radar screen from the beginning. He let the Kings know early and often he was ready to deal if they were. On a side note, the Rockets very nearly traded for Amar’e Stoudemire in the final frantic minutes before the deadline. They’d removed Stoudemire from their list because he wouldn’t commit beyond the end of this season. Also, there are parts of his game that didn’t fit with what the Rockets want to do, and renting him for a few months would contradict every move Morey has made since learning Yao Ming wouldn’t play this season. Morey believed the Rockets couldn’t be competitive and exciting this season, but he wanted to position them to be a serious playoff team when Yao returned for 2010-11. Yet as the clock ticked down, the Suns began to lower the price. And lower it some more. And some more. The Rockets suddenly had a tough decision. They might suddenly be positioned for a playoff run this season with Stoudemire. They’d be worse off for next season, but winning now had some appeal. In the end, they took a pass and stuck with the blueprint."
• Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times: "A Sports Illustrated poll of 173 NBA players called Lakers forward Ron Artest the second dirtiest player in the league, behind only Toronto forward Reggie Evans. When told about it, Artest paused and thought about the question before he answered. 'I'm just aggressive,' he said. 'I don't know. I guess when I hit people, yeah, they feel it. But I don't think I'm dirty. I just think I just use my body.' Well, Artest was told, he doesn't really hit people. 'It's like a hit,' Artest responded. 'But it's not really a hit.' Artest received 13% of the vote while Evans received 21%. Kobe Bryant also made the list, finishing fifth with 4% of the vote. Sacramento forward Andres Nocioni was third with 6% and Cleveland forward-center Anderson Varejao was fourth with 5%."
• Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune: "Not that long ago, Darko Milicic ate hamburgers in the locker room before games because he knew there wasn't a prayer he'd play for the New York Knicks that night. Wednesday night, he is expected to start at center for the Timberwolves at Dallas while starter Al Jefferson serves a two-game team suspension because of his drunken-driving arrest last weekend. 'That's what happens in this league,' Wolves coach Kurt Rambis said. Milicic wore the black starter's jersey in practice Monday and Tuesday while Jefferson ran with the second unit because he will not play again until Monday's rematch with the Mavericks at Target Center. 'I'm kind of leaning that way,' Rambis said of starting Milicic in Jefferson's spot even though the 7-footer still isn't nearly in game shape. 'I'm not locked into it.' ... Milicic shrugged when asked if he's excited about going from a player exiled beyond the bench in New York to a starting role in his sixth game as a Timberwolf. 'It's just another game,' he said. 'It's too bad it happened: Al's a great guy and [Jefferson's two-game suspension] is sad. At this point, it's been just enough to make me tired.' "
• Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel: "The maddening NBA schedule continues to be a source of amusement for Magic coach Stan Van Gundy (anything more than amusement would be wasted breath or might draw a fine). Van Gundy wondered aloud why his team would be sent to Philadelphia for a game Monday night (the second game of a back-to-back). … head back to Orlando to play tonight … and then have to leave Thursday to return to the East Coast for a game Friday night in New Jersey. Van Gundy, tongue firmly in cheek, said that 'if you had a travel agent, you'd probably' go from Philadelphia to nearby New Jersey and play. 'But my man, Matt Winick, he thought it would be better to go home to Florida,' Van Gundy chuckled. Winick is in charge of putting together the schedules for all NBA teams. The answer that Winick usually gives to teams who complain about back-to-backs, bizarre time-zone travel, etc? The schedule depends largely on the availability of the league's arenas."
• Mike Wells of The Indianapolis Star: "I got a text message from a good friend back in Indy saying that Mark Boyle and Slick Leonard were very critical of T.J. Ford's nonchalant play. They didn't like how Ford was dogging it down court after missing a lay up and they didn't care for him laughing with Lakers guard Jordan Farmar on the court when the Pacers were getting blown out. The two referred to Ford as being 'unprofessional' and that he should be benched. I'm pretty sure Tuesday won't be the last time we see a Pacer looking like he doesn't care during a game."
• Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle: "For Reggie Williams, Sunday's whirlwind of emotion started in a Des Moines, Iowa, hotel. 'Coach called me down to his room, and I was thinking, 'What did I do wrong?' ' said Williams, who instead of being reprimanded, was informed that he was getting called up to the Warriors. 'My aunt couldn't speak, my father said he was buying 'NBA League Pass,' and my nerves have been jumping ever since.' Williams, who had 10 points, five rebounds and five assists, in his NBA debut Tuesday, is the Warriors' league-record-tying fifth NBA Development League call-up this season."
• Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle: "Aaron Brooks didn't know he had a 3-point shooting streak until it was 30 games long, the longest active streak in the NBA. He has since kept the streak going against the Jazz and Raptors and is five games from tying Luther Head's franchise record for consecutive games with at least one 3-pointer. 'I think that's about the coach giving me minutes, my teammates giving me good looks and my dead-eye accuracy,' Brooks said. Brooks leads the NBA with 149 3s and is making 39.4 percent of his attempts."
• Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic: "Guard Jason Richardson on getting over Sunday's missed dunk to tie at San Antonio with 41.8 seconds to go: 'I went to sleep about 5 a.m. (Monday) morning, watching the play over and over and I just woke up ... and was like, 'Hey, it's in the past. It's only one game and it's not going to dictate the rest of our future or dictate our playoff situations.' ' "
• Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News: "When Antonio McDyess had to be helped off the AT&T Center court Sunday after hyperextending his left knee, then walked back into the arena and back into the game, Popovich referred to him as “Willis,” a reference to Hall of Famer Willis Reed's dramatic entrance into Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals for the victorious New York Knicks. On Monday, it was Spurs guard Keith Bogans with a Willis Reed moment. Writhing in pain, Bogans left the floor in the third quarter after dislocating the ring finger on his left hand. He returned to the Spurs' bench in the fourth quarter, the finger having been manipulated back into its proper position and taped to the middle finger. He returned to the game and made his lone basket in the fourth quarter. McDyess tested his sore left knee before Monday's game and opted to sit out when he felt discomfort running. McDyess and Bogans were re-examined by team doctors. In both cases, no structural damage was found, and both are expected to be available for Friday's game at the AT&T Center against the Hornets."