I Love Basketball Game: July 2007

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Gooden in Warriors?

According to an informed league source, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors have recently had discussions about a possible Drew Gooden trade.

The Cavaliers, hoping to re-sign Anderson Varejao, currently have over $64-million worth of salaries committed for next season and are right up against the $67.865-million luxury tax threshold. Both Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic are restricted free-agents for Cleveland, giving the team the opportunity to match any offer given to either of them.

The Warriors possess a $9.9-million traded player exception that they received in the Draft Night deal for Jason Richardson. Should they send the TPE to Cleveland for Gooden, the Cavaliers will immediately be freed from Gooden's $6.4-million salary for next season, increasing the likelihood of bringing back their own free agents, Varejao and Pavlovic.

In need of a rebounding presence on the inside, the Warriors could use Gooden as a backup center to Andris Biedrins. His mobility and willingness to scrap for rebounds would be a welcome addition to a Warriors squad that was out muscled by the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Specific packages and players other than Gooden are not yet known.

The question for the Cavs then becomes whether Varejao is worth that much to them. If not, the Warriors may have stolen Varejao at a great cost. If so, the Warriors' Traded Player Exception looks like an absolutely wonderful chip for the Cavaliers now that Varejao is back. It is very difficult to justify starting Gooden in front of Varejao at that cost and it is equally difficult to do the same for Varejao starting in front of a $6.4-million Gooden. Plus, the Cavaliers would still have to work on a deal with Sasha Pavlovic.

KG about to become Celtic

According to the rumours, Kevin Garnett would be about to sign a contract of several years with Boston Celtics in exchange of Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Gerald Green and Sebastian Telfair. Negotiations had already taken place in June but they had not succeeded.

Annoncement official could take place on Monday. The deal would be already concluded between the two teams.

Garnett had refused the deal in June because it thought at the time Boston was not a rather solid team. Now that Ray Allen with signed, gives it is different.

One will thus find undoubtedly Garnett, Pierce and Ray Allen under the uniform of Celtics to the re-entry.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

5 Ball Stability Tips

Here are Some Tips for Balancing Ball Exercises:
1. Balance Ball Exercises
Balance ball exercises are fun, and the whole family can get involved. Balance ball exercises can include stretching, strength and resistance training. They also make great office chairs to build your abdominal muscles and help your internal balance. You can do push ups and even partner exercises with your balance ball.

2. Stability Ball Exercise
The stability or balance ball offers many different exercises for every level of fitness from beginner to professional athlete. Stability ball exercise is effective, gentle, and fun! They are particularly great for slow resistance muscle development and of course, balance, which helps basketball players stay light on their feet so they can weave around their opponents on the court.

3. Swiss Balance Ball
The Swiss balance ball offers workouts that specifically target certain areas of the body, like the back and the abs. They are very easy to use, and offer low impact exercise, too. They are great for fitness toning, and working specific body areas gently but effectively. Basketball is a high impact and intense sport and balance balls offer a low impact training option which can be a terrific break on the knees and joints.

4. Plyoball Medicine Ball
Medicine balls have been used for strength and resistance training for many years because they are extremely heavy and help build core strength and muscle. Today, many basketball players are learning about the benefits of the Plyoball Medicine Ball. These heavy balls also come with handles to help players develop ball stability exercises that will strengthen their hands, wrists, and fingers for better ball stability. Plyoballs come in a variety of styles and colors, right for any basketball training needs.

5. Heavy Workout Basketballs
Heavy Workout Basketballs bounce like normal basketballs, but are heavier to build up arm and finger strength and improve just about every aspect of the game. They help improve ball stability too, by building up the player's hands and fingers. Heavy workout basketballs come in regulation and intermediate sizes, and weigh two times as much as a normal basketball. Think of the arm strength and ease of ball handling that can come your way when you use resistance training with a heavy basketball.

Heat agrees to terms with guard Parker

The Heat concluded its nearly month-long search for a veteran point guard Friday when it agreed to terms with guard Smush Parker, two sources said. Parker started most of the past two years for the Lakers before losing his starting job late last season.

Parker, 26, is believed to have agreed to a two-year contract for a portion of the Heat's $5.35 million mid-level exception. The deal is contingent on Parker passing a physical on Monday.

Parker, 6-4, is considered a strong on-the-ball defender and skilled three-point shooter -- he shot 36.5 percent on threes last season (110 for 301) and gives Miami another outside threat to help compensate for the loss of small forward Jason Kapo no, who signed with Toronto. But Parker, who also can play shooting guard, is a below-average free-throw shooter (64.6 percent last season, 71 percent for his career) and always has had a poor assist-to-turnover ratio (2.9 career assist average, compared with 1.84 turnovers). His lo w assist numbers with the Lakers were partly a function of Phil Jackson's offense, according to a personnel director with another team.

Parker, who essentially replaces free agent Gary Payton on the Heat's roster, is expected to back up Jason Williams, who has one year left on his contract at $8.9 million. Williams missed 44 games the past two seasons with knee problems and other ailments.

A shooting guard at Fordham, Parker went undrafted in 2002. He became primarily a point guard in the pros and had stints with Cleveland, Detroit, Phoenix and a team in the Greek league.

A native of New York, Parker joined the Lakers in the summer of 2005, and emerged as a surprise starter, shooting 44.7 percent from the field and averaging 34 minutes, 11.5 points, 3.7 assists, 1.8 turnovers and 1.7 steals in 82 games, all starts .

Parker's numbers declined slightly last season (30 minutes, 43.6 percent from the field, 11.1 points, 2.8 assists, 1.9 turnovers, 1.5 steals). He lost his starting job to rookie Jordan Farmar for the final two games of the regular season and the playoffs.

In five playoff games against Phoenix, Parker shot 2 for 13 from the field and averaged just 11.8 minutes. The Lakers did not try to re-sign him, but the Clippers showed interest recently.

Parker's first name is Henry, but his father was nicknamed Smush, and Williams was given that nickname by his uncle, who died when Parker was 8.

The Heat turned to Parker after unsuccessful earlier attempts to acquire Mo Williams, who re-signed with Milwaukee, and Steve Francis, who joined Houston. Miami also spoke with free-agent point guards Steve Blake (who signed with Portland), Jason Hart (Utah) and Jannero Pargo (who's still unsigned). Other point guards still unsigned include Brevin Knight and Earl Boykins.

During the past week, the Heat also has been unable to pull off a trade for Houston's Rafer Alston (the Rockets were believed to want more than center Michael Doleac) or FC Barcelona combo guard Juan Carlos Navarro, whose rights are owned by the Washington Wizards. The Wizards have shown no interest in accepting a draft pick from the Heat for Navarro.

Fisher is hoping his infant daughter won't need more treatments

NBA veteran guard and former Jazz player Derek Fisher is hoping his infant daughter won't need more treatments.
In an interview with Today show's Matt Lauer, Fisher said the little girl has undergone surgery and three rounds of chemotherapy for retinoblastoma, a rare and potentially deadly cancer of the eye. Three rounds, he said, was identified as the "best number at her age to stick with for now."

In the next few days, Fisher said, they'll find out how effective the treatments have been, before starting to "transition" to Los Angeles, where he's rejoined the Lakers and where the 1-year-old will continue to be examined until she's 44 months old. Fisher was told that age marks the end of the most dangerous period for the cancer.

Tatum's twin, Drew, is also routinely checked for the eye condition but has shown no sign of it.

During the six-minute television interview, Fisher conceded that the decision to walk away from his $20 million contract with the Jazz was probably easier because he's an established player. "I think that early in your career when you're trying to establish yourself, when you're trying to set up financial security for you and your family, it's more difficult," he said.

But the "sacrifices you make for your family" are part of learning "how to be a husband, how to be a father," he said. "You just work it out. I am committed to providing for my family the best way I can, no matter what it takes."

He said he's thankful to the Jazz and the NBA for understanding his decision to seek a spot on a team closer to the treatment he and wife Candace have chosen for Tatum. When they first learned she had the tumor in her retina, they "went back and forth" on whether to make it public, because he's a private man, he told Lauer.

He revealed her disease because that was "something put in my heart by the man upstairs. Because, hopefully what it's done is allow children to have their lives saved, to have their eyes saved."
His daughter, he added, "is changing the world for the better."

Retinoblastoma strikes as many as 300 young children in the United States each year. A congenital condition, it can lead to blindness and, if it is untreated and moves into the brain, death. Doctors at Moran Eye Center and Primary Children's Medical Center say they see a handful of children in the Intermountain West diagnosed with the cancer each year. Often, the recommended treatment is removal of the eye.

Fishers chose a treatment that targets chemotherapy directly into the tumor, he told reporters earlier.

Tony Parker fixed price for the first two matches of France

After uncertainty on the presence of Boris Diaw, it is Tony Parker who will miss for the first two matches of France.

Indeed Tony felt a pain with ankle left at the time of the drive of Thursday evening, it acts just of a contusion, but staff immediately put Tony at rest, thus forcing it to give up taking part in the friendly meetings against Switzerland Saturday and Belgium on August 4.

“Tony felt a small pain with ankle yesterday with the drive. This morning, it had always a little badly and, by safety measure, one put it at rest and brought to pass a radio of control to Geneva”, explained Patrick Beesley, the sporting director of the team of France.

Dwyane Wade vs. LeBron James matchup

After three years, the NBA and ABC wisely concluded the novelty has worn off Shaq vs. Kobe/Heat vs. Lakers on Christmas. Instead, Word is the NBA will cuts the Heat play in Cleveland one Christmas, creating has Dwyane Wade vs. LeBron James matchup.

Tentative Though the schedule circulating is, Heat-Cavs is expected to Be one of two ABC games that day, has league said source. The Heat is tentatively set to open At home against Strait one Nov. 1.

The Heat is focusing one trades to find does not have guard, and talks continues with Houston regarding Rafer Alston (due $14.7 million during the next three years). Though Miami would move Michael Doleac, the Rockets are exploring what other teams would offer. Talks with Sacramento butt Mike Bibby cuts not materialized -- the Kings aren'y eager to take back ex-King Jason Williams.

Meanwhile, Washington has shown little interest in accepting has Heat draft pick for FC Barcelona combo guard Juan Carlos Navarro.

Bucks resigned a contract with Mo Williams

Bucks resigned a contract with the back free agent Mo Williams Tuesday.
After showing signs of steady improvements over his first three years in the NBA, Williams emerged have has legitimate backcourt scoring threat this past season, averaging career highs of 17.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 68 games.

The 6-1 guard reportedly has signal free-agent target of the Miami Heat, who are desperate to find has complementary scorer to flank Dwayne Wade and Shaquille O'Neal.

Williams returns to has talented Bucks TEAM which was ravaged by insult to on the way has 28-54 record this past season. Virtually every regular one the TEAM was sidelined by has length-term injury, including All-Star guard Michael Redd, center Andrew Bogut, forward Charlie Villanueva and swingman Bobby Simmons.

Even the 24-year-old Williams, who was one of the only Bucks consistently in the lineup, missed nine games in January while nursing has shoulder injury.

With 2003 second-round draft selection, Williams owns career averages of 11.3 points, 4.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 263 games with the Bucks and the Utah Jazz.

Desmond Mason is back with the Milwaukee Bucks

Desmond Mason decided to join Bucks by signing a two year old contract.
Mason, who reacted angrily when the Bucks traded him in 2005, said in A news conference Monday that He had could his differences with general Bucks manager Larry Harris behind him and was happy to Be back in Milwaukee -- city He and his family grew to has coils during his first stint with the TEAM.

Mason joined the Bucks have share of has blockbuster multiplayer trade in February 2003 that feels Ray Allen to Seattle. He thrived in Milwaukee, averaging 15.7 points and 4.5 rebounds in 190 games with the Bucks.

So when the TEAM traded Mason and has first-round pick to the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets for center Jamaal Magloire just before the start of the 2005-06 season, Mason called Harris has “snake in the grass” during has radio interview.

After closing the deal with Mason, the Bucks are expected to formally announce Tuesday that they cuts Re-signed guard Mo Williams, year unrestricted free agent who was courted by the Miami Heat. Milwaukee also signed reserve center Jake Voskuhl last week to provide depth behind 2005 No 1 pick Andrew Bogut.

That leaves the Bucks with one steam pressing offseason concern: Convincing No 6 draft pick Yi Jianlian to sign with the TEAM instead of sitting out and Re-entering the NBA draft next year.

Yi' S handlers cuts expressed concerns butt Milwaukee, including the city' S lack of has broad Chinese population.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Timberwolves held Kevin Garnett

Timberwolves held the star Kevin Garnett with the current of the investigations for a transfer before the NBA Draft, but Garnett expressed a preference to remain in Minnesota.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the draft, Taylor said Monday, a day after returning from a three-week honeymoon in China, that he never sought to trade Garnett, 31, but for the first time decided to listen more seriously to what teams had to offer.

The Wolves will continue to discuss trade scenarios, Taylor said, but they won't include Garnett.

The rumour in Las Vegas

The rumour in Las Vegas Sunday was as follows: official Chinese implied in “the business Yi Jianlian” becomes increasingly dissatisfied with the role of his agent daN Fegan and sound the incapacity to make place Yi in a team with a large Chinese population.

Bucks can take another step towards the fact of improving their relationship with Yi Jianlian, their first choice of Draft.

The rumour indicates that Harris and Dave Babcock, the “Player personal Director” could fly away for China to meet the 19 year old forward, his family and Official of Guangdong Ducks.

Warriors signed Marco Belinelli

The Goldens State Warriors signed a contract with Marco Belinelli, that Warriors chose with the 18th choice of the NBA Draft 2007, announced the Executive Vice-president of the operations Basketball, Chris Mullin.

Belinelli, a guard originating in Bologna, Italy, was a player of Golden State Warriors in NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where he posts an average of 22.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.5 master keys and 37.3 minutes in four matches, with 43.5% of success to the shootings of field and 44.4% to three points.

On July 7, the 21 year old player made his beginnings in a match of Warriors in Summer League against Hornets, by scored 37 points (14 of 20 shots with 2 points, 5 of 7 shots with 3 points, 4 of 6 shots with the free-throws), five rebounds, two assists and one steal in 40 minutes.

The Nets refused a deal for Jermaine O' Neal

On June 28, the night of the NBA Draft, the GM of the Nets Rod Thorn declared that it had received several “interesting” offers of transfer, including one, according to sources', was a méga transfer which would have sent Richard Jefferson, Nenad Krstic and Jason Collins in Pacers against Jermaine O' Neal.

Now, it appears the odds of the Nets making has major deal before the season begins in November are growing slim. Thorn said none of the trades He discussed with other executive just weeks ago are likely to happen, for now.

The O' Neal trade discussions could summarized again goal the Nets cuts already added has big man to to their roster who is expected to make has major impact. After Mikki Moore signed with Sacramento one Friday night, they signed free agent center Jamaal Magloire one Saturday. Magloire has one-time All-Star who averaged 13.6 points and 10.3 rebounds in 2003-04 with the Hornets. Magloire averaged 6.5 points and 6.1 rebounds last year for Portland.

[source]

Alonzo Mourning is coming back, one more time

Future Ending nearly three months of suspense butt his, the Miami Heat center said Sunday night At his annual Zo's Summer Groove charity game that he' ll play again next season -- has choice secret He kept to the end, insisting He was still deciding just hours before the actual announcement.

Truth was, Mourning's decision was made weeks ago. The Heat's reign have NBA champions ended with has first-round sweep this past season by the Chicago bulldozers, and he simply isn't willing to let that final be the chapter in the book he's writing one his career.

This was the third straight summer Mourning considered retirement before choosing to keep playing. Next season will Be his 15th in the NBA, not including has full year He missed with kidney problems that led to him getting has transplant in 2003.

Mourning averaged 8.6 points last season for the Heat, and his 5.44 blocks per 48 minutes led the NBA by has wide margin. He started more than half of Miami' S games last season while Shaquille O' Neal recovered from knee surgery, and the Heat clearly wanted him back -- especially since his $2.8 million salary for next season makes the seven-time All-Star has bargain.

Some of his teammates weren't surprised by the decision.

Heat forward Dorell Wright, who played in the charity game along with has list of NBA players that included Carlos Boozer, Sam Cassell and Damon Stoudamire, predicted before the game that Mourning would Be back, simply based one the weightlifting regimen he' D been following this offseason.

Mourning said repeatedly in recent weeks that Riley's status for next year would weigh heavily one his decision. Riley started has lengthy vacation this weekend and was not immediately available for how Sunday night, goal Mourning indicated that He expects the coach of five NBA champions to Be one the sideline again.

Mourning's return is the first offseason personal move that worked out to Miami's liking.

The Heat lost 3-point specialist Jason Kapono to Toronto in free agency, may see free agent forward James Posey sign elsewhere in the coming days, and Mourning said guard Gary Payton won't be coming back to Miami -- although neither NOR Payton the TEAM has publicly expressed those feelings.

Miami also missed out in its pursuit of Milwaukee not guard Mo Williams, who agreed to take has $52 million, six-year deal and stay with the Bucks. Mourning said he' S unquestionable the Heat will find help elsewhere before next season begins drank.

NBAPA considers appeal of seven-game suspensions

Have the NBA Players' Association considers whether to appeal the seven-game suspensions given to Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson for legal exits, the agent for Artest has stepped up support for his customer.

Mark Stevens, Artest' S agent, told the Sacramento Bee He will file year appeal one Artest' S behalf. Stevens was reached by phon in Kenya, where He, Artest, and player association director Billy Hunter are taking share in the union' S “Feeding One Million” campaign, helping distribute 11 million pounds of rice in Kenya.

In A statement released Sunday, Stevens said Artest' S punishment was “overly excessive.”

Both Artest and Jackson were suspended by the league Saturday without pay and are scheduled to miss the first seven games of next season. Artest would roofing stone has little more than $470,000 in salary, butt $50,000 more than Jackson.

Jackson released has statement through the Golden State Warriors saying He accepted his suspension. Drank the union, comparing the penalties to other recent suspensions given to players for off-the-court reasons, might take action.

[source]

Nate Robinson is MVP of this years' summer league

Nate Robinson, was elected NBA Summer Leagues' MVP in Las Vegas. With average 18.8 points and 6 assist per game, the young guard of Knicks towards a perfect record of five victories for zero defeats.

Robinson was officially awarded with the most outstanding player trophy following New York' S win over the Nuggets today. In that game, He had 24 points, five rebounds and two assists. Another typical day At the office.

Since the first day of Summer Leagues, Robinson seemed the leader on the ground and to distribute the balloon and to create opportunities for his team-mates while keeping a great offensive aggressiveness.

Darko Milicic joined Grizzlies

The GM of Memphis Grizzlies and Vice-president of the operations Basketball, Chris Wallace announced that the team had signed a contract with the free agent Darko Milicic. According to the policy of the team, the financial terms of the business were not revealed.

Milicic, which has played for four seasons in NBA, joined Grizzlies after having to play for Orlando Magics during one season and half.

It on average posted, in Florida, 7.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 master keys and 1.84 counter in 23.1 minutes by matches in 110 matches on the whole (17 times in the five of departure).

The last season (2006-07) with Magics, it posts the best averages of its career in almost each statistical category including the items (8.0), the rebounds (5.5), the master keys (1.1) and counter them (1.75) in 23.9 minutes per match.

In the first turn of the playoffs of Orlando against Strait, Milicic posts an average of 12.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in 28.8 minutes per match (four matches).

Steve Blake has left Denver Nuggets

Steve Blake has left Denver Nuggets, he has deal with Portland Trail Blazers.

The free-agent point guard said today he has agreed to a three-year deal with the Trail Blazers. Though a Florida native, Blake and his family make their offseason home in Portland.

Blake averaged 8.3 points and 6.6 assists in 49 games with the Nuggets last season. He was willing to return to Denver but opted for Portland have the Nuggets were one the rod of finalizing has contract with guard Chucky Atkins.

Blake, 27, made $1.33 million last season and was seeking a starting salary close to the NBA's $5.35 million midlevel exception.

In addition to having a home in Portland, Blake is familiar with the local NBA franchise. He averaged 8.2 points and 4.5 assists for the Blazers in 2005-06.

[source]

Monday, July 16, 2007

Greg Oden tonsils removed

Portland cement Trail Blazers rookie center Greg Oden had his tonsils removed Saturday.

The tonsillectomy was performed At The Vancouver Clinic in Vancouver, Wash., and the recovery time for the No 1 pick in last month' S NBA draft is expected to take two to three weeks, the Trail Blazers said.

Oden, 19, has been plagued by sore throats and had disorder breathing in the Las Vegas summer league last week. He averaged 9.5 points and 9.5 fouls in two games before getting shut down in preparation for the operation. Summer league rules allow 10 fouls before disqualification.

Oden will miss the U.S. national senior team' S minicamp July 20-22 in Las Vegas.

[source]

Stephen Jackson and Ron Artest suspended 7 matches

The NBA announced today that Stephen Jackson and Ron Artest were suspended.

Stephen Jackson of Warriors was suspended for seven matches without pay to have to plead guilty for criminal unconcern, in violation of the law of the Indiana State.

Jackson had used a weapon with fire, at the exit of a night club.

Ron Artest of Kings was suspended without pay for seven matches for his judgment for aggravated assault on his wife, in violation of the law of the State of California.

The two suspensions will start at the time of the first match of season NBA 2007-08.

A wound could draw aside Shawn Marion of USA Team

Suns All-Star Shawn Marion is leaning toward not participating in this summer' S the USA Basketball games due to foot bread.

Jerry Colangelo, managing director for the the USA men' S national senior TEAM, said Marion told him recently that He has been bothered by plantar fasciitis The condition often involves bread in the heel' S underside due to ignition.

Marion mentioned the possibility of attending this summer's camps, which begin when players Wednesday carry forward in Las Vegas for has minicamp that runs through July 22.

Have early have May, Marion told Colangelo that he was 50-50 one playing. Marion also pulled out of the USA Basketball's training camp before has World Championship TEAM was picked last summer because of has sore knee.

The Suns would still be represented by Amaré Stoudemire, plus Mike D'Antoni one the coaching staff.

Stackhouse prolongs with Mavs

Jerry Stackhouse has signed has three-year contract extension worth approximately $21 million, the Mavericks announced Friday.

Stackhouse, 32, has played three let us seasons with the Mavericks. He averaged 12.0 points and 2.8 assists in 67 games last season. He shot 42.8 bore from the field and has career-high 38.3 bore from three-point arranges while averaging 24.1 minutes per game.

Stackhouse agreed with the terms of the contract on July 5, but the conclusion of the business was announced only Friday.

Kings sign Mikki Moore

Mikki Moore agrees for a contract with Kings, leaving the Nets to join its eighth team in NBA.

Moore carried out a good campaign with the Nets last season, by posting his best season in career with 9.8 points and 5.1 rebounds, ensuring almost 61 percent of his shots, leader of the NBA for these statistics.

He began 55 matches for New Jersey by replacing Nenad Krstic wounded, providing energy and experiment, he helped the Nets has to reach the second turn of the playoffs.

Yi has shown interest in Sacramento

The dead-end between Bucks and Yi Jianlian enters his second week today, and among the details emerging Sacramento would be one of the preferred destinations of this Chinese forward, if it successful to force a transfer, The Bee has learned.

If discussions between Kings and Bucks intervened, information was not revealed.

The owner of Sacramento, Gavin Maloof, refused to comment on Wednesday evening makes it have looked at Yi and the Chinese national team to play against Boston Celtics during a match of Summer League with UNLV and the leaders of Milwaukee could not be joined.

The agent of Yi, dan Fegan, as declared as he did not want to make remarks, while hoping to avoid igniting an already difficult situation more.

Milwaukee general manager Larry Harris said he would not trade Yi, increasing the sense of a standoff that could last at least through the summer and very possibly into training camp in October. If the time does come that the Bucks change their stance, many teams with more to offer will show interest.

Rockets belong to the teams which are interested in Francis

Steve Francis, who has gone from the "Franchise" to a free agent, could be ready to bring his career back to where it began.

A few hours after Francis agreed to have his contract bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers, his agent, Jeff Fried, began talks with several teams — including the Rockets — to find him a home.

Fried declared that Francis, 30 years, is considering the Rockets, Mavericks, Heat, Lakers and Clippers, all of whom he said have shown interest or have been receptive to pursuing Francis.

The Rockets have five point guards under contract (not including Bob Sura, who is expected to retire.) But Fried said that if the team reshapes its roster through a trade, there could be a place for Francis in Houston.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey declined to comment about any interest in signing Francis.

He has said he is seeking a trade that would bring the Rockets a power forward.

The Rockets acquired Francis, 6-3, in an 11-player, three-team deal, then the largest in NBA history, in the months after the 1999 draft. He was traded to the Magic to acquire Tracy McGrady in 2004 and was sent the Knicks during the 2005-06 season.

Francis became a free agent after the Trail Blazers bought out the two years left on the contract he signed with the Rockets for roughly $30 million.

The Clippers have been aggressive in pursuing Francis, offering a chance to reunite him with friend and former teammate Cuttino Mobley, and friend and business partner Sam Cassell.

The Heat's top priority has been free agent Mo Williams, but if unable to sign him, could pursue Francis next, Fried said.

[source]

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Chauncey Billups resigned with Pistons

Chauncey Billups signed for $60 million, a five year old contract with the Pistons of Strait, it remains with the team with which it helped with reached five finales of Conference of continuation.

The contract is of a value of 46 million $ guaranteed on more than four years and includes/understands an option for the fifth year.

The president of the operations basketball of the Pistons, Joe Dumars stated that it was “very satisfied” to preserve Billups.

“We declared as of the beginning that the fact of resigning Chauncey was our priority and now we can advance by knowing that Chauncey will continue to carry out this team,” Dumars declared in The Associated Press Wednesday afternoon.

“One of the positions most difficult to fill is the position of leader of play and therefore it was urgent that we resign Chauncey.”

Lakers in negotiations to make return Derek Fisher

Lakers always seek a leader of senior play and Derek Fisher is somebody whom they take into account.
Lakers and the new agent of Fisher were in contact and try to negotiate a deal to make come Fisher to Los Angeles.

But the problem between Lakers and Fisher is how much money He wants and the amount of years He wants. It is the same resulting the Lakers cuts with free-agent guard Steve Blake.

Fisher is seeking has three-year deal worth $5 million in the first year and containing 8 bore raises for the next two, said sources. The Lakers, said sources, might Be willing to pay that amount.

It is less than the new mid-level exception that the NBA announced Tuesday At $5.36 million per season. If Fisher and the Lakers were to approved one has deal, it would not be for the full mid-level.

The Lakers aren't willing to give A five-year deal to Fisher, 33, who will Be entering his 12th season, because of his age.

Fisher became available after the Utah Jazz released him from the last three years of has guaranteed contract of $20,592,600 so that He edge concentrate one getting the best care for his 11-month-old daughter, who has cancer in her left eye.

Marc Gasol to stay in Spain

Marc Gasol, the youngest brother of Memphis Grizzlies' Center, Pau Gasol, will remain in Spain for the moment.

The 22-year-old center, drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 48th pick, said Wednesday He will spend another season with the Spanish club Akasvayu Girona.

“It is in my interest to continue in Girona because of their ambitious sporting project and the good atmosphere in the team,” declared by young Gasol.

The 7-foot-1 Marc Gasol, who helped Spain win the basketball world last year, was also chosen to play for the national TEAM in the European Championship in September.

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Belinelli scored 37 points for Warriors

Marco Belinelli, the 18th choice of Draft 2007, knew impressive beginnings for Warriors in the league of summer NBA, by scored 37 points in the victory of Warriors over Hornets on behalf of the second day of Summer League.

Belinelli posts one 14 out of 20 with the shootings of field, including one 5 out of 7 to 3 points, in victory 110-102 of its team.

Here are the player stats of the summer games [source: nba.com]

Bucks met Yi Jianlian, for the first time

The Milwaukee Bucks puts with draft pick Yi Jianlian for the first time in Las Vegas At the NBA' S Summer League starting there this week.

Yi and Bucks general manager Larry Harris and Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak puts for butt year hour At has hotel Thursday to get to know the 6-foot-11 power forward and begin lobbying him to sign with the team.

Yi scored 23 points and grabbed furnace rebounds in 28 minutes of 86-77 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. He had has stretch in the second half where he hit seven straight field goals. The 7-foot, 242-pound Yi had has two-handed dunk over Rudy Gay early in the second quarter!

Yi finished with seven fouls - summer league games allow 10 fouls before disqualification - and seven turnovers. Still, it was year improvement from earlier in the week when He struggled against the Dallas Mavericks, only scoring 11 points in a loss on Tuesday.

Oden fouls out in summer league beginning

The center of the Blazers, the first choice of the NBA Draft, collected three fast faults in the opening three minutes of his professional beginning Friday night in the Las Vegas summer league and fouled out with 10 fouls.

League rules allow 10 fouls before disqualification.

Oden, who battled foul disorder during his only season At Ohio State, had furnace fouls in the first half and was limited to furnace points in eight minutes. His woes continued in the third quarter have He picked up three early fouls, including offensive one for pushing off, in the opening 2:59.

The 7-foot, 250-pounder showed his potential late. He drew sympathy cheers for hitting has jumper with five minutes to play and followed with has monstrous block, goal was hardly the force inside Portland expects.

Durant scored 18 in summer-league beginning

Kevin Durant scored has game-high 18 points one 5-for-17 shooting in his NBA beginning, goal the Sonics suffered has 77-66 defeat to the Dallas Mavericks today in the Las Vegas summer league At the Thomas & Mack Center.

Durant, who was chosen No 2 in last week' S NBA draft, converted just 1 of 4 three-pointers and was 7 for 9 one free throws. He also had one rebound and one turnover in 29 and minutes 46 seconds.

Seattle's other rookie forward, Jeff Green, didn't fare have well in his first NBA action. The No. 5 draft pick had just seven points one 2-for-6 shooting. The 6-9 forward managed just one rebound and had three turnovers and eight assists in 28:57 minutes. Players cannot foul out in summer league games.

The Sonics (0-1) fell behind midway in the first quarter and never led for the remainder of the game. In Dallas, Rookie guard Maurice Ager scored has team-high 17 points for Dallas (1-0), which led 39-28 At halftime.

Kobe Bryant is excused at the GM of Lakers, Mitch Kupchak

Although he did not reconsider its request for transfer, Kobe Bryant softened a little his position, Thursday evening, by declaring that it was excused at the GM of Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, in person, for the way of which it expressed his feelings, five weeks ago.

“I just felt like have has man, it was important for me to tell him, “I'm sorry it came out that way,” Bryant said at has lightly attended news conference at Loyola Marymount, where he spoke mainly butt his camp for youngsters at the school this week.

Bryant said that while He could cuts called Kupchak, it was important He speak with him face-to-face.

When asked whether He still wanted out, Bryant replied: “I haven' T thought butt that in A long, long time. I' ve kind of stepped away from that. I' ve concentrated one TEAM the USA. What I say is what I say. We' ll just cuts to see where it goes.”

[source: sports.yahoo.com]

Yao likes the style of Adelman

Yao Ming thinks that the things well will function with Rick Adelman coaching the Houston Rockets because the rythme play of Adelman points out the Chinese national team game to him.

Hoping to end the team's recent history of postseason failures, Houston hired Adelman in May to replaces Jeff Van Gundy, Yao's first and only other coach in the NBA.

Adelman, favors has fast-paced, high-scoring offence in contrast to Van Gundy's more methodical, defensive approach.

Yao felt year emotional impact with Van Gundy's departure. It was Van Gundy who had pushed hardware to acquire Yao from his to form team, the Shanghai Sharks.

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Kevin Durant and Jeff Green will make their summer league debuts on Friday

Kevin Durant and Jeff Green, the second and fifth overall choices in last week's NBA draft, signed contracts with the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-9 Durant, just 18, is a forward who earned Associated Press college player of the year honors in his one season at Texas. He also won the Adolph Rupp Trophy, the Naismith Award and the Wooden Award.

The 6-9 Green, also a forward, played three seasons at Georgetown, averaging 13.2 points and 6.5 rebounds. Green, 21, was named to the AP All-America third team in 2006-07 and, as a junior, helped the Hoyas make their first NCAA Final Four appearance since 1985.

Both players are in Las Vegas for the NBA summer league and will make their professional debuts on Friday when the Sonics face the Dallas Mavericks.

Chinese Magic Johnson, Sun Yue

In 1979, the Los Angeles Lakers shocked no one when they selected Earvin "Magic" Johnson with the first pick in the NBA Draft. Twenty eight years later, the Lakers picked Magic again -- only this time they waited until the second round to acquire China's version, raising more than a few eyebrows in the process.

Sun Yue, affectionately known as the "Chinese Magic Johnson," does not come to the NBA with the same hype as Johnson -- at least not Stateside. There is no NCAA championship on Sun's résumé, and his personality will never be compared to the charismatic Johnson's. In fact, in many ways Sun is more Tony Parker than Johnson, as his girlfriend is one of China's top models. But whenever you have a point guard who looks like a power forward, the comparisons to Johnson are inevitable. Just ask Penny Hardaway.

What the 22-year-old Sun does bring is a pretty impressive skill set. Sun, along with countryman Yi Jianlian, is part of a new generation of Chinese basketball players, a flashy ball handler and aggressive dunker who at 6-9 towers over opponents at the point-guard position much the same way Johnson did two decades ago.

[source: si.com]

Yi seeking to another team

The Chinese agent of Yi Jianlian declares that it speaks in this moment with other teams for a possible transfer about Yi from Milwaukee.

Yi, the choice of Bukcs, refused to speak about the prospect to play for Milwaukee after it was selected in sixth position of the NBA Draft last week.

However, the agent of Yi, Yi Zhao Gang was quoted by the daily newspaper China Daily, announcing that it was already in contact with other franknesses which expressed an interest for 19 years the strong winger.

Agent daN Fegan pushed for Yi to go to has city with has heavy Asian influences. According to census dated, Milwaukee has little more than 1,200 Chinese residents.

Yi is in Dallas with the Clouded National Senior TEAM for two exhibition games. He said Monday that He was looking forward to playing against the Dallas Mavericks Summer TEAM one Tuesday. He declined for the second straight day to talk butt the NBA drank.

Yi courted controversy before the draft when access to his workouts was tightly restricted to just a few teams. There have even been questions about his true age, with some reports putting his birth year as early as 1984, partly because sports authorities are known to report their players as younger than they actually are to keep them eligible for junior competitions.

Yi's apparent disappointment with being picked by Milwaukee contrasted strikingly with fellow China national team member Sun Yue's delight at his selection by the Los Angeles Lakers. Sun was the 40th player selected.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Greg Oden signed with the Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers announced that they had signed Greg Oden, No 1 overall pick of the NBA Draft this year.

According to the agreement of the collective agreement of the work of the NBA, the contract of Oden will be two years, with options for the team for the third and the fourth season.

Oden, a 7-foot center from Ohio State, signed his contract Sunday and immediately started working out with the other players on Portland's summer league roster, impressing teammates with his powerful dunks and ability to block shots.

Oden, Aldridge and second-year guard Sergio Rodriguez headline Portland's Las Vegas Summer League team, which opens its five-game schedule Friday against the Boston Celtics.

The Trail Blazers also signed second-round picks Josh McRoberts, the forward from Duke, and Florida guard Taurean Green.

[source: sports.espn.go.com]

Derek Fisher terminates his contract

The back of Utah Jazz, Derek Fisher, terminated his contract Monday to deal with his/her 10 month old daughter, which has cancer.

The Utah Jazz agreed to release guard Derek Fisher from his contract Monday so he can concentrate on finding the best care for his 11-month-old daughter, who has cancer in her left eye.

Fisher said he wants to live in one of the six or seven cities being considered for Tatum's care.

He didn't rule out playing for another NBA team but emphasized that his daughter's health is his No. 1 priority.

Fisher and his wife, Candace, declared that they needed time to seek the best treatment for their daughter, Tatum.

Fisher fought to try to reconcile the basketball and the wellbeing of his daughter. In May, it spent one day to the hospital of New York, then returned by plane in Utah for a match of semi-final of the Western Conference against the Goldens delicious State Warriors.

He declined to identify the cities under consideration. Many NBA players work apart from their families, but it's not an option for him. He and Candace have four children.

Wiping away tears, Miller said Fisher "leaves a legacy" of leadership and toughness for Utah's young players.

Fisher doesn't want to retire but acknowledged it's a possibility.

Source: Sports.espn.go.com

Rashad Lewis will play in Orlando for next season

Rashard Lewis, one of the "free agent", the most coveted intersaison NBA, will leave Seattle and sign a contract with Orlando Magics.

The contract should range between $75 - $85 Million over 5 years.

To allow Lewis, it is possible that Orlando is obliged to refuse to resign Darko Milicic, now free agent also.

Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard have both recently expressed their desire to play the next season together.

After Ray Allen, now Lewis, the 2nd marker of Seattle last season which leaves the team.

Like all the other "free-agent" of transition, Lewis will have to wait on July 11 to officialize its transfer.

Nash declared with the media

Steve Nash declared with the media that it did not believe that Suns will complete a transfer to dispatch Amare Stoudemire and to acquire Kevin Garnett.

"I think that they are only words of negotiations" Nash said.

"The large transfer nowadays are really difficult to realize. Each team with this stage of the season will be open to discuss step badly of things, but actually it will probably not occur large thing." the captain of the team, Phoenix Suns, Steve Nash said.

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