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NBA.com: News

  • Ariza's move to Houston was about respect - The Houston Rockets, fresh off losing Ron Artest to the Los Angeles Lakers, have essentially swapped players by agreeing to terms with Lakers free agent forward Trevor Ariza, whom Artest will be replacing in Los Angeles. The deal will be for five years at the mid-level exception; based on last season's $5.585 million amount for the mid-level, Ariza would get around $32 million.
  • Source: Rockets agree on multiyear deal with Ariza - The Houston Rockets have reached a multiyear deal with free agent Trevor Ariza, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday night.
  • Artest going to Lakers - Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.
  • Gordon says Bulls never made offer - A day after jumping to Detroit, Ben Gordon told a Chicago radio station Thursday that the Bulls never made a contract offer even though general manager Gar Forman claimed re-signing him was their No. 1 priority.
  • Source: Rockets GM meeting with Lakers' F Ariza - A person close to the situation tells The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets are meeting with Los Angeles Lakers forward Trevor Ariza.
  • Kobe hasn't surpassed Jordan in Obama's eyes - Sorry, Kobe.
  • O'Neal ready to help lift Cavaliers to NBA title - Shaquille O'Neal has one purpose in Cleveland: Bring an NBA title to LeBron James and the Cavaliers.
  • NBA to tip off inaugural fan experience in India - The National Basketball Association (NBA), in partnership with the Basketball Federation of India, today tipped off NBA Jam, the league's first-ever fan event in India. Los Angeles Clippers guard Baron Davis and the New York Knicks City Dancers were on hand at Phoenix Hills Mall in Mumbai to tip off the three-city, seven-week free interactive basketball experience, which captures the excitement of the NBA through basketball activities, entertainment acts, and off-court events. The opening event will last until July 5 and then travel to seven malls across Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore.
  • Knicks center Curry sues former agent and manager - New York Knicks center Eddy Curry has filed a lawsuit against his former agent and business manager.
  • AP source: Pistons agree to deals with Gordon, Villanueva - The Detroit Pistons wanted to add talent and get younger this offseason.

Internet Media

Yahoo! Sports - NBA

  • Artest agrees to deal with Lakers (AP) -

    FILE - In this May 6, 2009, file photo, Houston Rockets forward Ron Artest(notes), right, has words for Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant(notes) during Game 2 of a second-round NBA playoff series in Los Angeles. Artest is joining Bryant and the Lakers. David Bauman, Artest's agent, told The Associated Press that the forward has verbally agreed to play for the NBA champions next season. Bauman said the final details are still being worked out, but could be finished as early as Thursday night, July 2, 2009.

    Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. David Bauman, Artest's agent, told The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets forward has verbally agreed to play for the NBA champions next season. Bauman said the final details are still being worked out, but could be finished as early as Thursday night.


  • Rockets, Ariza agree on multiyear deal (AP) - The Houston Rockets have reached a multiyear deal with free agent Trevor Ariza, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday night. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because NBA rules prohibit announcing free-agent deals until next week, said the Rockets offered Ariza the full mid-level exception for the first year, about $5.6 million.
  • Gordon: Bulls never made contract offer (AP) - A day after jumping to Detroit, Ben Gordon told a Chicago radio station Thursday that the Bulls never made a contract offer even though general manager Gar Forman claimed re-signing him was their No. 1 priority. "I mean they didn't pursue me at all. They didn't even make an offer so it was pretty much a one-man race," Gordon told ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago.
  • Bryant doesn't opt out of contract (AP) - Kobe Bryant insisted his contract status wouldn't be an issue, and he was right. Now the Los Angeles Lakers can turn their attention to some NBA champion teammates. Bryant chose not to terminate the final two years of his contract and will remain with the Lakers, the team he wanted to leave just two summers ago.
  • Knicks meet with Kidd, no offer made (AP) - Donnie Walsh says he will consider giving more than a one-year deal to a free agent, following a report that he plans to do that with Jason Kidd. ESPN.com, citing sources close to the process, reported Thursday that the Knicks would offer a three-year deal to the point guard. The Knicks hosted Kidd and his agent Wednesday on the first day of free agency and are hoping he'll leave Dallas to come...
  • Source: Rockets meet with Lakers F Ariza (AP) -

    -- FILE -- In this June 4, 2009, file photo, Orlando Magic forward Marcin Gortat(notes) (13) dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA basketball finals in Los Angeles. Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey showed up at Gortat's home in Orlando just after midnight (Eastern time) Wednesday, July 1, 2009, virtually the minute teams were officially allowed to begin negotiating with free agents.

    With question marks surrounding three of their top players, the Rockets met with Trevor Ariza on Thursday in hopes of bringing the Los Angeles Lakers forward to Houston, The Associated Press has learned. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey met with the free agent in Las Vegas, according to a person familiar with the situation who requested anonymity because the negotiations were ongoing.


  • Shaq proclaims he'll help Cavs win title (AP) - Laughing and loose, Shaq looked right at home. Shaquille O'Neal and his oversized persona debuted in Cleveland on Thursday with a stated goal for next season. His friend LeBron James craves a championship, and O'Neal is here to serve. "My motto is very simple," O'Neal said. "'Win a Ring for the King."' The 15-time All-Star center with four NBA titles was...
  • Turkoglu to visit with Trail Blazers (AP) - Free agent forward Hedo Turkoglu will visit this week with the Portland Trail Blazers, who are looking to bolster a young squad that made the playoffs for the first time since 2003 last season. In an e-mail to The Associated Press, agent Lon Babby says Turkoglu will be in Portland on Thursday. He did not elaborate.

Sporting News - NBA

Regional Media

Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Times - Lakers

  • Lakers get Artest; Ariza agrees with Rockets - L.A. and Houston essentially make a swap of free-agent forwards.

    In a free-agent swap of forwards, the Lakers reached an agreement with Houston Rockets forward Ron Artest and the Rockets have reached agreement with Trevor Ariza, The Times has learned.


  • Lakers are far apart with free agents Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom - Ariza isn't pleased with offer of $5.6 million a year. The situation for Odom, who is said to be seeking $10 million a year, is less clear.

    The Lakers had a near-perfect June, breezing through the NBA Finals in five games and capping it off with a victory parade and championship rally under sunny Southern California skies.


  • Kobe grants the Lakers a stay - Bryant decides not to opt out of contract and is expected to sign three-year extension on top of his two remaining years. Team makes contact with Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza.

    The annual free-agent scramble began for the Lakers when their most important player decided not to be part of it.


  • Bryant works steadily to build Kobe dynasty in China - According to the Wall Street Journal, Bryant has waged a 'deliberate campaign' to make inroads in the world's most populous country, including visits and charity work.

    Having conquered the NBA, Kobe Bryant has set his sights east, to the Far East -- China.


  • Will NBA teams be as tight as the economy? - The economic downturn, and a paucity of available top-tier players, could make it an uneventful summer for free-agent signings.

    Blame it on the economy. Or that so few NBA teams are far enough under the salary cap to sign an impact free agent. Or that many more big names -- LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh among them -- could be available next summer. Whatever the reason, free agency won't be a free-for-all when it starts Wednesday, even though Lakers fans might expect otherwise since forwards Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza are able to sign with any team that winks back at them. Here's a look at free agency around the league:


  • For real drama, look to the East - Kobe Bryant expects the Lakers to make another run, of course, but things are already heating up with the Cavaliers, Magic and Celtics.

    They don't make seasons like this one, or, at least, the NBA hadn't for a while.


  • Lakers sell two draft picks with an eye on free agents - They get $4.5 million and save a total of $6.2 million for selling two selections. General Manager Mitch Kupchak hopes the moves help in re-signing Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza.

    With one eye toward free agency and another toward the bank, the Lakers sold two of their picks in Thursday's NBA draft for a combined $4.5 million.


The Orange County Register - Lakers

The Los Angeles Times - Clippers

  • Clippers to trade Zach Randolph for Quentin Richardson - The move clears the way for No. 1 pick Blake Griffin and frees up salary-cap space for the 2010 season.

    Zach, we hardly knew ye.


  • It could be a low-key summer for Clippers - Team is unlikely to make a major play in free-agent market, Coach Mike Dunleavy says. Forward Steve Novak is given qualifying offer; guard Ricky Davis exercises contract option.

    Free agency started Tuesday night, and for the Clippers, it was a leisurely day, the majority of their dealings done by lunchtime.


  • Blake Griffin is working on fitting in - Overall top selection in the NBA draft is not wasting time trying to impress new teammates, especially the veterans.

    Thirty minutes before the Clippers introduce their No. 1 overall draft pick, Blake Griffin is in workout garb. He trots to center court at the Clippers' training facility in Playa Vista, where second-year guard Mike Taylor is putting up shots, sweating like he's cutting grass in a Texas summer.


  • Will NBA teams be as tight as the economy? - The economic downturn, and a paucity of available top-tier players, could make it an uneventful summer for free-agent signings.

    Blame it on the economy. Or that so few NBA teams are far enough under the salary cap to sign an impact free agent. Or that many more big names -- LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh among them -- could be available next summer. Whatever the reason, free agency won't be a free-for-all when it starts Wednesday, even though Lakers fans might expect otherwise since forwards Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza are able to sign with any team that winks back at them. Here's a look at free agency around the league:


  • For real drama, look to the East - Kobe Bryant expects the Lakers to make another run, of course, but things are already heating up with the Cavaliers, Magic and Celtics.

    They don't make seasons like this one, or, at least, the NBA hadn't for a while.


  • Clippers stay true to word and draft Blake Griffin - The consensus college player of the year from Oklahoma, who had 30 double-doubles last season and was considered by some to be the only sure thing in this draft, is taken No. 1 overall.

    Taking Blake Griffin with the No. 1 selection in the NBA draft was the incredibly simple move for the Clippers, the painfully easy open jumper, if you will.


  • Fans react to NBA draft - Clippers fans weigh in on the selection of Blake Griffin as the No.1 pick.

    Reactions from fans gathering at the ESPN Zone across from Staples Center to the selection of Blake Griffin as the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft.


New York

The New York Daily News - New York/New Jersey Basketball

  • Alston happy with Net gains - Barring a major traffic jam, Rafer Alston should be able to get from his new place of business in New Jersey to the borough he grew up in a lot quicker than Vince Carter can get from downtown Orlando to his hometown of Daytona Beach.
  • Kidd has three-hour meeting with Knicks - Jason Kidd met for three hours with Knicks officials early Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. Kidd, the veteran free agent point guard, gave Dallas the first crack at talking to him when he met with Mavs owner Mark Cuban just after midnight.
  • Newest Net Lee dealing with 'shock' of trade - When Courtney Lee was introduced Tuesday as one of the newest members of the Nets, it was even more obvious that he was not exactly thrilled to have been on the other end of the deal.
  • Lawrence: As freedom beckons, Marbury could use an assist - In what's mainly a warm-up act around here for next summer, free agency in the NBA opened at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, with Rasheed Wallace, Allen Iverson, Ron Artest, Jason Kidd and Ben Gordon topping the list of 150 free agents.
  • Midnight Mav-ness for Kidd and Knicks - By the time the Knicks take Jason Kidd on a tour of MSG Wednesday, Mark Cuban will have already made an offer to keep him in Dallas. Cuban confirmed to The News in an e-mail that he planned to meet with Kidd at 12:01 a.m.
  • Knicks not Kidd-ing around with Jason - A source told the News Monday that Jason Kidd is scheduled to sit down with Knicks president Donnie Walsh and head coach Mike D'Antoni early Wednesday. Kidd said in January that he would strongly consider signing with the Knicks.
  • Lopez prepares for life after VC, best buddy Anderson - With opposing defenses focusing so much on Vince Carter, Brook Lopez finished third in rookie of the year voting and was named to the all-rookie team. But like everyone else on the Nets, Lopez will now face a major adjustment with Carter no longer around.

The New York Post - Knicks

  • GRIZZ OUT OF DAVID HUNT; KNICKS TARGETING HILL -

    On the first day of free-agency, the Knicks received good news on David Lee, bad news on Jason Kidd and OK news on their new target, forward Grant Hill. Lee's most ardent suitor, Memphis, is out of the picture after trading former Knick Quentin...
  • MARBURY: STARS SHOULDN'T SIGN WITH KNICKS -

    Stephon Marbury, who becomes a free agent again today, believes star players should be cautious about signing with the Knicks because of Mike D'Antoni's offensive scheme and the way the organization treats people. "I wouldn't want to play in...
  • KNICKS MAY STRUGGLE TO GET POINT GUARDS -

    Dallas billionaire owner Mark Cuban confirmed his twitter feed he was meeting with Jason Kidd in New York at midnight last night when the free-agent market opened, another indication the Knicks' chances are bleak. One year after courting Chris...
  • KNICKS TO CLEAR UP LEE, NATE SITUATIONS -

    The agent for David Lee scoffed at speculation yesterday the Knicks' acquisitions of big men, first-rounder Jordan Hill and Darko Milicic, mean his rugged-rebounding client is done as a Knick. The shaky futures of restricted free agents Lee and...
  • KNICKS TAKING A SHOT IN THE DARKO -

    Darko Milicic is still in Serbia, where he and his wife, Zorana, are awaiting the birth of their first child this week. Sometime in August, the 7-foot-1 Milicic will arrive in New York to meet with the Knicks coaching staff as he attempts to...
  • IF MILICIC IS BEST WALSH CAN DO, HE DOESN'T DESERVE ALL THE PRAISE -

    IN 14 months as Knicks president, Donnie Walsh's claim to fame is erasing two bloated salaries belonging to Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford ($27.4M) from New York's 2010 payroll, therefore giving the team roughly $34M in "additional" cap space to...
  • RUBIO RECEIVES OVERSEAS OFFERS -

    A representative for Ricky Rubio's agency in Spain told The Post yesterday the 18-year-old flamboyant point-guard phenom is receiving offers this weekend to play for a club in Turkey and Real Madrid, which would decrease the likelihood of him...

The New York Post - Nets

  • NEW NET ALSTON OK GOING BACK TO BACKUP -

    When the Nets announced their draft-night trade -- acquiring Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie from Eastern champ Orlando for Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson -- an opposing coach asked about the trade gave a low whistle. "I don't know if...
  • NEW NET 'SHOCKED' BY TRADE -

    So you're on a Magic team that goes to the NBA Finals with Dwight Howard, a team that won 59 games, a team expected to win again next season. Then you get traded to the Nets, a team that's now expected to show up next season. "It was definitely a...
  • NETS BROOK INTO VINCE-LESS FUTURE -

    Brook Lopez saw the teammate who helped his rookie development most, Vince Carter, along with the player who became his closest friend on the team, Ryan Anderson, traded by the Nets in one move to Orlando. "It's definitely tough. Those were two...
  • NETS READY TO RUN WITH YOUTH MOVEMENT -

    The NBA is going smaller, quicker, more athletic. And with their most recent makeover, the Nets are trying to stay at least one step, if not a giant leap, ahead. So the Nets now have the start of a relay team with incumbent Devin Harris, draftee...
  • NETS' PICK WANTS TO MAKE SPLASH -

    A day after the Nets traded eight-time All-Star Vince Carter, the team's top draft pick was asked whether he felt pressured about being thrown into the rugged waters of the NBA. "I like to swim," former Louisville standout Terrence Williams said...
  • NETS DEAL VINCE, GET CAP SPACE -

    So after the Nets made another draft-night trade, sending Vince Carter to Orlando, one major question emerged: Who would be their lottery pick? Next year. The Nets, again looking to the future, got a good young player last night in Courtney...
  • NETS DRAFT WILLIAMS WITH 11TH PICK -

    Once Vince Carter was traded, the pick became a no-brainer. The Nets needed a wing player, preferably a do-it-all, versatile wing player. And they hope they got just that through the 11th pick in last night's NBA draft at the Garden's theater...

Boston

The Boston Globe - Celtics

  • Source: Rockets agree on multiyear deal with Ariza - The Houston Rockets have reached a multiyear deal with free agent Trevor Ariza, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday night.
  • Monarchs snap six-game losing streak - Rebekkah Brunson scored the go-ahead basket with 34 seconds left and blocked a key shot moments later, helping the Sacramento Monarchs snap a six-game losing streak with a 74-68 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday night.
  • Artest going to Lakers - Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. David Bauman, Artest's agent, told The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets forward has verbally agreed to play for the NBA champions next season. Bauman said the final details are still being worked out, but could be finished as early as Thursday night.
  • Defense, Sutton-Brown lead Fever past Connecticut - Indiana held Connecticut to just 30 points and 34 percent shooting in the first half. Fever coach Lin Dunn wasn't satisfied, urging her team to tighten its defense even more in the second.
  • Artest going to Lakers - Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. David Bauman, Artest's agent, told The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets forward has verbally agreed to play for the NBA champions next season. Bauman said the final details are still being worked out, but could be finished as early as Thursday night.
  • Gordon: Bulls never made offer - A day after jumping to Detroit, Ben Gordon says the Chicago Bulls never made a contract offer even though general manager Gar Forman said re-signing him was the No. 1 priority.
  • Walsh says he could give more than 1-year deal - Donnie Walsh says he will consider giving more than a one-year deal to a free agent, following a report that he plans to do that with Jason Kidd.

The Boston Herald - Celtics & NBA

  • Reports: Artest signing with Lakers - Ron Artest is heading to the Los Angeles Lakers, according to various media reports. The free-agent forward told CBSSports.com on Thursday that he was leaving the Houston...
  • Celtics make offer to Wallace - A Celtics delegation, spearheaded by the Big Three, met with Rasheed Wallace this afternoon in Detroit, according to two well-placed league sources close to the negotiations,...
  • Word from Obama: Kobe Bryant no match for Michael Jordan - WASHINGTON - Sorry, Kobe. President Barack Obama was asked straight out today: Kobe or Michael? As in, who's the best? Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, a four-time...
  • Leon Powe, Celtics say goodbyes - Based on what he has already overcome - homelessness and life in California's foster system as an adolescent, then two knee major surgeries before he ever reached the...
  • Thunder's B.J. Mullens overcomes tough times - OKLAHOMA CITY - B.J. Mullens has seen the worst and made the best of it. While he was growing up, his family bounced around to a dozen different homes with stops at a homeless...
  • Glen Davis monitors offers - Glen Davis' first free agent experience appears to be off to an expedient start. The Celtics forward's agent, John Hamilton, received what he termed "a...
  • Pistons take fast action - The Detroit Pistons are acting quickly to remake a former championship contender. The Pistons agreed to five-year contracts yesterday with Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva,...

Chicago

The Chicago Sun-Times - Bulls

  • Ben Gordon agrees to five-year deal with Pistons - The courtship was short. The contract was sweet. Ben Gordon's whirlwind trip to Detroit on Wednesday ended with the now former Bulls star verbally agreeing to a five-year, $55 million deal with the Pistons. Gordon, who led the Bulls in scoring each of the last four seasons, was wooed by Pistons president Joe Dumars when the two met throughout the day at the team's practice facility in Auburn Hills, Mich.
  • Has Ben: Time was up for one-dimensional star -

    Ben Gordon is moving to Detroit, and you just know he's going to explode for 40 points the next time the Bulls play the Pistons. And when he does, many angry Bulls fans will complain that he never should have been allowed to leave. How could John Paxson and Gar Forman let that happen? Natural born shooters are a rare commodity in today's NBA, and when you're lucky enough to have a guy who can shoot like Gordon, you must keep him.

Detroit

The Detroit Free Press - Pistons

  • VINCE ELLIS' BLOG: Doug Collins won't return to coach Pistons -

    Multiple media outlets are reporting that longtime NBA and former Pistons coach Doug Collins has pulled his name from consideration for the vacant Pistons head coaching job.

  • College teammates to be reunited with Pistons -

    Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars rolled up his sleeves on the first day of NBA free agency and grabbed two young up-and-coming players.

  • PHOTO GALLERY: Meet your newest Pistons -

    Find photos of your newest Pistons - guard Ben Gordon and forward Charlie Villanueva - in our photo galleries. Gordon's gallery can be accessed here, Villanueva's - as well as other Pistons-related galleries - are attached below.

  • Ben Gordon says Bulls never made offer -

    A day after jumping to Detroit, Ben Gordon told a Chicago radio station today that the Bulls never made a contract offer even though general manager Gar Forman claimed re-signing him was their No. 1 priority.

  • Summer league roster set -

    The Pistons released their summer league roster Wednesday and, as expected, recent draft picks Austin Daye, Jonas Jerebko and DaJuan Summers will take the floor when play begins July 10 in Las Vegas. The team will play five games over eight days.

  • Trading places: Chicago and Detroit -

    Do you like the swap? We get Ben Gordon, Chicago gets Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopecky. And it's not the first time the cities have shared talent. Such as: They have Scotty Bowman, which is starting to sound like a worse idea now that some Red Wings are following him there.

  • Chicago writer's view on free-agent moves involving Wings, Pistons -

    Once the dust settled on Wednesday, former Red Wing Marian Hossa was a Blackhawk and former Bulls guard Ben Gordon was a Piston.

Detroit News - Pistons

Philadelphia

Philly.com (The Inquirer & The Daily News) - Sixers

  • Source says Sixers, Miller won't reach deal soon - WHATEVER IS destined to happen in negotiations between the 76ers and free-agent point guard Andre Miller, one aspect came clearly into focus yesterday:
  • Hockey kids warm to advice from Sixers' Iguodala - Andre Iguodala doesn't know how to skate. He doesn't know the first thing about lacing up the skates or taping a hockey stick.
  • Pistons said to land Gordon, Villanueva - The Detroit Pistons have agreed in principle to contracts with free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, a source close to the negotiations said last night.
  • 76ers' GM focuses on Andre Miller situation - While 76ers forward Andre Iguodala did a crossover and talked to a group of campers yesterday at the Flyers Skate Zone in the Northeast, team president and general manager Ed Stefanski began working on a move of his own as NBA free agency got under way.
  • Pistons to sign Gordon, source says - The Detroit Pistons are acting quickly to remake a former championship contender. The Pistons agreed to 5-year contracts yesterday with Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told the Associated Press.
  • Bidding begins for Sixers to keep point guard Miller - LOOK, IF YOU can, into the future: Can you see unrestricted free agent Andre Miller in a 76ers uniform in 2009-10?
  • GM's options on Sixers limited - It seems funny but sad now that the Los Angeles Clippers were ticked off last July when the 76ers lured free agent Elton Brand away with an $80 million contract. The Clips thought they had Brand's word he would re-sign with them.

Dallas

Atlanta

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Hawks

Houston

The Houston Chronicle - Rockets

Miami

The Miami Herald - Heat

Phoenix

The Arizona Republic - Suns

Portland

San Francisco

San Antonio

The San Antonio Express-News - Spurs

  • The Chanifesto: Rockets’ hopes flare out fast - Lorne Chan: Signs of a bad NBA offseason: The Houston Rockets' general manager shows up at Marcin Gortat's doorstep at 12:01 a.m. Ron Artest agrees to a deal with the Lakers.
  • Blair's arrival fills a need for Spurs - DeJuan Blair is expected to contribute to the Spurs as a rookie, especially as a rebounder.
  • Spurs get in line to woo Wallace - Rasheed Wallace, considered to be the top free-agent target for a Spurs team in desperate search for a big man, got calls from the Spurs, Orlando, Cleveland, Boston and elsewhere in the first few minutes of free agency.
  • Agent: Artest mulling options in free agency - If LeBron James or Kobe Bryant are looking for a little help, Ron Artest is taking calls. The Rockets star forward, an unrestricted free agent, will consider a team’s chances of winning an NBA championship when deciding where he’ll bring his skills next season, his agent says.
  • Good players available, but just who’s buying? - Free agency opens in the NBA today, but there should be few fireworks this July. The blockbuster trades were last week, and the real free-agent bonanza is next year.
  • Finley stays; big, tall task left for Spurs - The trade last week that brought in Richard Jefferson from Milwaukee also sent forwards Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto packing. After Drew Gooden became a free agent Tuesday night, the Spurs enter July with just three big men under contract — Tim Duncan, Matt Bonner and Ian Mahinmi.
  • Rockets may want McDyess - Mike Monroe: Now we know why Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was trying to trade into the upper reaches of the draft on Thursday: The Rockets need healthy players.

Denver

The Denver Post - Nuggets

  • There's only one No. 7 in Colorado - One by one, the kids at Parker Fieldhouse strode to the table where a Chauncey Billups autograph awaited them on Wednesday.
  • Pistons make moves in free agency - The Pistons agreed to five-year contracts with Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva on Wednesday.
  • Nuggets in L.A. to get Birdman back - After the first official day of free-agent negotiations, there is optimism that the Nuggets will be able to sign unrestricted free agent Chris Andersen.
  • Victim's mom forgives J.R. Smith - Moments after J.R. Smith was sentenced to 30 days in jail, the mother of the man he accidentally killed in an auto accident approached Smith with tears in her eyes.
  • Jail time for Nuggets' J.R. Smith - Nuggets guard J.R. Smith will serve 30 days in jail and spend 500 hours talking to hospitalized children after pleading guilty Tuesday to reckless driving.
  • Pistons fire Curry after 39-43 season - The Pistons fired coach Michael Curry on Tuesday as the team started rebuilding from an unpopular trade, a sub-.500 record and an embarrassing first-round exit from the playoffs.
  • Krieger: Nuggets set to tip the cap - Barely a month removed from their best postseason run in a generation, the Nuggets look around to see their rivals re-arming.

Cleveland

Orlando

The Orlando Sentinel - Magic

Washington

The Washington Post - Wizzards

The Washington Times - NBA/WNBA

  • Curry fired by Pistons after first-round exit - From combined dispatches The Detroit Pistons fired coach Michael Curry on Tuesday as the team started rebuilding from an unpopular trade, a sub-.500 record and an embarrassing first-round exit from the playoffs that ended its six-year streak of making the conference finals. The Pistons went 39-43 and were swept in the postseason in four lopsided losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Joe Dumars, the team's president for basketball operations, said after that series Curry would return but changed his mind about the fate of his former Pistons teammate. "This was a difficult decision to make," Dumars said. "I want to thank ...

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  • First Down - WEDNESDAY'S BEST BET ON TELEVISION Have some tennis with your breakfast: Roger Federer vs. Ivo Karlovic in the Wimbledon quarterfinals. 7 a.m., ESPN2 NEWSMAKERS: WHO'S MAKING HEADLINES THIS WEEK JOEY LOGANO The Gibbs driver became the youngest (19) to win a Sprint Cup race last weekend in New Hampshire. MICHAEL CURRY Of course it was his fault Allen Iverson came in and killed the Pistons' season. Great work, Joe Dumars. TIM HOWARD The United States was oh-so-close to winning its first FIFA tournament -- thanks in large part to Howard. CHRIS PRONGER Dealt to the Flyers at the draft, the ...

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  • Beard hits jumper to give Mystics win - From combined dispatches MYSTICS 84, SILVER STARS 82: Alana Beard hit a 16-footer with 1.9 seconds left to help Washington win at San Antonio on Tuesday night. Washington won for the second time in five games since opening the season 3-0. Beard and Lindsey Harding led the Mystics with 19 points apiece. Beard picked up her fifth foul before the third quarter buzzer and went to the bench but came back a minute later when the Silver Stars trimmed a 12-point deficit to one. "I had some stupid fouls," Beard said. "Usually I play well when I have a couple ...

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  • Few moves expected early in free agency - Some big names will be out there. The big spenders will be harder to find. Free agency opens in the NBA on Wednesday, but there should be few fireworks this July. The blockbuster trades were last week, and the real free agent bonanza is next year. Financial difficulties, combined with the potential of one of the best classes ever in 2010, will have most teams keeping their checkbooks closed this summer. More than a dozen already have lined themselves up to be players when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire can all become available and may not ...

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  • Wizards wait to buy - Wednesday signals the beginning of the NBA's free agency period, and although teams are free to begin courting and negotiating with players, don't expect the Washington Wizards to spring into action. Instead, the Wizards are expected to wait, then comb the leftovers to add the final pieces to their roster. "We're going to start making calls, and we'll monitor the situation, but the teams like Detroit, Oklahoma City, Memphis and Portland - the teams with a lot of [salary] cap room - will be doing the big spending in free agency," Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said Tuesday. "The whole situation ...

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  • Yao's broken foot could end career - HOUSTON (AP) | Rockets center Yao Ming's broken left foot could be a "career-threatening" injury. Dr. Tom Clanton, the Houston Rockets' team physician, told the Houston Chronicle on Monday that Yao's injury "has the potential for him missing this next season and could be career-threatening." Yahoo Sports first reported the Rockets and Yao's representatives were concerned the 7-foot-6 All-Star would never play again. Yahoo Sports quoted "multiple league executives, officials close to Yao and two doctors with knowledge of the diagnoses." Yao suffered a hairline fracture of the tarsal navicular bone late in a May 8 playoff game against the ...

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  • UVa hoping it's not same old song - CHARLOTTESVILLE | Tony Bennett glanced around his spacious office a few weeks ago and approvingly ran down what distinguished his latest rebuilding project from his last. The new Virginia basketball coach sits in arguably the best conference in the country, works at one of the top schools in the nation and is far, far closer to a cluster of talent than he ever was when he won at remote Washington State. "There's a lot of things in place here," Bennett said, a theme he would return to a few more times. Not to mention that office, a part of the ...

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Salt Lake City

The Salt Lake Tribune - Jazz

Minneapolis

Toronto, Canada

The Globe and Mail - Basketball News

The Toronto Star - Raptors

  • Raps setting their sights on Knicks' big man Lee - The Raptors are widening their NBA free-agent search that now includes one of the more intriguing players on the market.
  • Kobe's sticking around with Lakers - Kobe Bryant is staying with the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, just like he said he would.
  • Raptors facing free-agent quandary - But the biggest question for the Raptors as the NBA free agency period approaches is Shawn Marion, an unrestricted free agent coming off a contract that paid him nearly $18 million.
  • Playoff flameout costs Michael Curry his job - The Detroit Pistons fired coach Michael Curry yesterday as the team started rebuilding from an unpopular trade, a sub-.500 record and an embarrassing first-round exit from the playoffs that ended its six-year streak of making it to the conference final.
  • Villanueva set free by Bucks - The Milwaukee Bucks have made qualifying offers to restricted free agent guard Ramon Sessions and forward Ersan Ilyasova, but won't make an offer to forward Charlie Villanueva – allowing one of their top scorers from last season to become an unrestricted free agent.
  • Yao Ming's foot injury could be 'career-threatening' - Rockets centre Yao Ming's broken left foot could be a "career-threatening" injury.
  • DeRozan driven to improve mother's health - It kills a kid to see a parent wracked with pain, to see suffering and know there's nothing he or she can do.

Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Star

  • Kroger joins sponsors - The Indiana Pacers and Fever announced a five-year sponsorship agreement with Kroger. Terms were not disclosed. The announcement featured the unveiling of a Kroger sign on the scoreboard at center court.
  • Kroger partners with Pacers, Fever - The Indiana Pacers and Fever announced a five-year sponsorship agreement with Kroger today. "In this tough economic market, this is a very good partnership for both of us," Pacers Sports and Entertainment president Jim Morris said.
  • Pacers' priorities start from within - The NBA's free agency period starts today, but the Indiana Pacers' shopping list is short. They have about $8 million to spend, and their priorities are to re-sign restricted free agent Jarrett Jack and stay below the luxury tax, expected to kick in at about $68 million next season.
  • Mad Ants keep D-League ties - The Fort Wayne Mad Ants will keep their NBA Developmental League affiliations with the Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks for the 2009-10 season.
  • Lengthy journey takes Robert Vaden to Oklahoma - Through it all, Robert Vaden's primary objective was to make it to the NBA. Thursday night, his dream came true when he was selected 54th overall by Charlotte. Minutes later, Oklahoma City paid cash to the Bobcats to acquire the rights to Vaden.
  • Hansbrough ready to shed wacko image - Team's newest player ready to shed wild college image.
  • A.J. Price appreciates chance with Pacers - As a second-round NBA draft pick, A.J. Price has a challenge to make the Indiana Pacers. But that's just a basketball challenge. He has faced far more.

Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Bucks

  • Bucks GM Hammond shows he wants to keep Sessions - Milwaukee Bucks general manager John Hammond reached out with a phone call to point guard Ramon Sessions immediately when the free agency period opened late Tuesday night (11:01 p.m. Milwaukee time).
  • Officials meet with Childress - Restricted free agent Josh Childress met with Milwaukee Bucks officials on Thursday for a getting-to-know-you session.
  • Jefferson discusses shock of trade to San Antonio - Former Milwaukee Bucks forward Richard Jefferson said he was shocked on a few levels when he learned he had been traded to the San Antonio Spurs, who did not have to lose Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli.
  • AP reports: Villanueva joins Pistons - The Associated Press reported tonight that former Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva has signed a five-year deal with the Detroit Pistons. The contract reportedly is worth at least $35 million.
  • Tale of tape on draft pick - However the taped phone conversation between Bucks draft pick Brandon Jennings and rapper Joe Budden came to be posted on the Web, it's not the kind of hello world moment you would choose to begin your NBA career.
  • Villanueva won't be back - The Milwaukee Bucks bid goodbye to Charlie Villanueva on Monday, keeping their fiscal options open while continuing to rebuild the team during the off-season.
  • Young forward shows promise - Finding a power forward in the draft would have been delightful for Milwaukee. Instead, the Bucks selected two guards. But Bucks general manager John Hammond did snare a promising power forward last week, when he acquired 22-year-old Amir Johnson from Detroit as part of the three-team deal that sent Richard Jefferson to San Antonio.

New Orleans

Sacramento

Charlotte

Memphis

The Memphis Commercial Appeal - Grizzlies

Oklahoma City

The Oklahoman - Thunder

  • Seattle columnist: Oklahoma City an OK place after all -

    OKLAHOMA CITY — Easiest assignment ever: Go to the town that abducted the Sonics and write some impressions.

    Or, in other words, sip some Hater-ade and let 'er rip.

    But a crazy thing happened on this disdainful mission.

    Read more on NewsOK.com

  • Former OSU standout Marcus Dove to play with Thunder summer league team - Former Oklahoma State forward Marcus Dove and former Midwest City High School standout DeAngelo Alexander are among the non-roster players scheduled to play with the Oklahoma City Thunder in summer leagues in Orlando and Las Vegas this month.

    Read more on NewsOK.com

  • Following the new teams - Compared to Charlotte (Bobcats), New Orleans and Memphis, the last three NBA teams that have relocated or became a start-up expansion team, Oklahoma City fared very well at the ticket office but struggled to win games.

    Read more on NewsOK.com

  • Contingency plan: Thunder was prepared - Preparing for a different ruling Four days before team chairman Clay Bennett announced a settlement would bring an NBA team to Oklahoma, Brian Byrnes was in Oklahoma City working on a contingency plan.

    On June 28, Byrnes arrived in Oklahoma City to develop a bare bones telemarketing system in case U.S. District Court Jude Marsha Pechman ruled in favor of Bennett and his group following a six-day trial.

    If Pechman ruled for the city of Seattle, Byrnes would return to Seattle.

    In a sudden turn, a settlement was reached the day before Pechman’s ruling.

    "The whole point was to hit the ground running if the team relocated,” Byrnes said.

    Read more on NewsOK.com

  • Thunder interested in Orlando free agent center Marcin Gortat -

    Add Marcin Gortat to Oklahoma City’s free-agent wish list.

    The Thunder has expressed legitimate interest in Orlando’s reserve center, making the restricted free agent one of a handful of players the team targeted as soon as free agency began late Tuesday night.

    Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti called Gortat’s agent, Guy Zucker, about 45 minutes after teams could begin negotiating with free agents at 11 p.m.

    Read more on NewsOK.com

  • Thunder enters preliminary talks with Utah's Paul Millsap -

    The Thunder has reached out to representatives for Paul Millsap, the Utah Jazz restricted free agent forward, according to a source with knowledge of negotiations.

    Oklahoma City entered into preliminary talks with Millsap's camp about 30 minutes into the start of free agency late Tuesday night.

    Read more on NewsOK.com

  • Shaquille O'Neal arrives in Cleveland -

    CLEVELAND — Shaquille O'Neal took his first look at his new basketball home.

    The 15-time All-Star center toured the Cavaliers' suburban practice facility and took his physical on Wednesday, one day before he is formally introduced as superstar LeBron James' newest teammate.

    O'Neal and a small group of associates met briefly with Cavs coach Mike Brown and others at the Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence, Ohio.

    Read more on NewsOK.com

Blogosphere

Starting Five

NBAMate

  • Forget Trevor, we got Ron - Ron Artest is going to be a Laker. The guy that almost came to blows with Kobe Bryant during the Lakers-Rockets series will now be his teammate. Kobe, you want to follow in MJ’s footsteps? You now officially have your Dennis Rodman. More thoughts on this move (and the Pistons signings) over the weekend, but for [...]
  • Curry Fired: The Dawn of Contact Basketball? - As most Detroit fans probably know by now, coach Curry has been given the axe after just one season. I have mixed emotions about this: part of me is wrapped that this horrific little experiment is over, but part of me is sad it couldn’t work out - I can’t help but feel Curry was [...]
  • Sunday Six Pack: RJ, Shaq and VC - ONE: Quite a few big trades/signings during the last week, so lets kick it off with the first major one: the three-team deal that sent Richard Jefferson to the Spurs. In a basketball talent sense, the Spurs lost practically nothing in this trade and gained quite a great deal. Thomas was a serviceable but aging [...]
  • Post-draft Patty - There’ll be more of this in tomorrow’s Sunday Six Pack, but for now here’s a few post-draft links about our own Patty Mills. And can I just say, how cool it is to be able to link to a bunch of Australian newspaper sites for a change. Every major paper around the country is running [...]
  • Q&A with the Draft Dude - As I do every year at this point when trying to make sense of draft day, I sent a few Q’s the way of our resident draft nut, Jobba. Listen to what the man says. RD: OK first off, were you surprised Patty Mills went that low? We all thought first 5-6 picks of the second [...]

Rising Stars

Hoops Adict

  • Toronto Should Consider Artest - All the buzz surrounding the Raptors this week has been over the team looking at signing Shawn Marion or Hedo Turkoglu. Maybe I’m being overly pessimistic, but I have to admit the infatuation with both players has left me confused. Why would the Raptors pay in the ballpark of $10 million annually for Marion when he’s [...]
  • Reflections On A Fallen Coach - My initial experience with now fired coach Michael Curry came back in November of 2008,  prior to the Wizards/Pistons matchup. He was about 10 minutes late for his pre-game press conference and when he finally emerged from the locker room he seemed a bit perturbed the waiting media had interrupted his pre-game routine. Still, he answered questions [...]
  • Dunleavy, Bosh And 2010 - Now that the 2008-09 season is completed, the hot topic surrounding the NBA is over what will happen during the summer of 2010. With prominent names such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Joe Johnson available to the highest bidder, it’s causing fans to drool over the idea of their favorite team being able [...]

Empty the Bench

  • Trading for Zach Randolph a New Low for Memphis Grizzlies - By: Brendan K. O’Grady Let’s just forget about objectivity for a moment: having spent three years and the better part of four seasons closely following the Memphis Grizzlies, I’m incapable of not having a biased opinion on the happenings of this franchise. They’re my secondary rooting interest, and I care. A lot. I want good things [...]
  • Ben Gordon Won’t Be Paid $55 Million to Back Up Richard Hamilton - Something’s gotta give in Detroit, and that something is one of the last remaining pieces of Detroit’s 2004 NBA Championship team leaving town: Richard Hamilton, who will soon be traded. I think. He has to be, right? Despite reports that GM Joe Dumars has stated he has no intentions of trading Hamilton, it doesn’t make much sense [...]
  • Open Letter to Milwaukee Bucks GM John Hammond: Stash Brandon Jennings in Italy - Brandon Jennings Photo Credit: Icon SMI By: Zachariah Blott Dear Mr. Hammond, I love the Bucks. I love our Christmasy green and red logo and stoic reindeer. I watch Michael Redd’s picturesque 3-point stroke in my sleep. I root for Andrew Bogut’s effort and every-once-in-a-blue-moon 20-rebound games. Because of this deep-seeded love, I implore you to not buy out [...]

Le Basketbawl

  • Is Vaccaro Right? Is College Basketball “Purgatory”? - We are going through a time of great change on our planet as we reach the end of the first decade since the new millennium. Here in the USA we have crossed a great threshold as we now have the first African-American President in our history. The entire world is shuddering collectively as we face the [...]
  • OMG He Has Created A Monster! Meet The Man Behind Dirge Nowitzki - Growing up I had two sets of friends; the guys who were into sports and the guys who were into music. I was the only kid who hung out with both groups. Forty years later I am basically the same person; I am still incredibly passionate about sports and music. And anytime I can meld those [...]
  • Some Body Paid 23 Grand For M.J.’s Locker! - I just had a flash back to the early 1970’s when your correspondent was still in high school. Do you remember the smell of your high school Gym locker? If it smelled anything like mine you certainly do! The odor that emanated from my locker would peel bark off trees, would make dogs keel over. [...]

First From the Bench

Slam Dunk Central

  • Could Tru-Warrior Be Headed To Cleveland? - While the Cavs have free agent options, it’s been somewhat quiet so far on the free agency market for the team. That very well may be changing. Brian Windhorst of the Plain Dealer broke the story earlier tonight that one of the Cavaliers first calls in free agency was to none other than NBA bad [...]
  • Black Mamba To Stay In L.A. - Last month Kobe Bryant got his first NBA Championship Title without former teammate Shaquille O’Neal. According to ESPN.com the man with the coolest nick-name in sports “Black Mamba” will be staying with the Los Angeles Lakers through next season as they are reporting he will not exercise an option that would allow him to become [...]
  • Hope Returns To Motown As Pistons Fire Michael Curry - The “Associated Press” reported Tuesday that the Detroit Pistons have terminated head coach Michael Curry after one season at the helm.  Curry who was brought in last Summer to lead the Pistons in a new direction did exactly that. Unfortunately down was not the direction that Team President Joe Dumars had in mind when he [...]

NBA Obsessed

  • Dumars lures Gordon to Detroit - NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball. Joe D has done it again. This time he has lured high scoring combo guard Ben Gordon to the Detroit Pistons for a reportedly 55 million buckaroos and 5 years. A hefty price, but well worth it. So what does Gordon bring [...]

    Post from: NBA Obsessed

  • Curry fired by Pistons - NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball. It was ultimately a player revolt and Coach Michael Curry was the victim. You see, in the NBA the players and especially the star players rule. Michael Curry was a rookie coach and a coach that had my doubts on his [...]

    Post from: NBA Obsessed

  • Who wants to play with LeBron? - NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball. Cleveland knows the clock is ticking and they want to do something about it. The clock is the time it takes to get to next year when LeBron James becomes a free agent and the whole state of Ohio holds its breath [...]

    Post from: NBA Obsessed

Give Me The Rock

  • The Return of Vinsanity? - Since I have yet to really wrap my head around Richard Jefferson in San Antonio, and I feel that not all the much is going to change in the fantasy world with Shaq in Cleveland (but if you’re interested, Points in the Paint is covering that one with much thoroughness)… I was left with really [...]
  • Give Me The Rock Fantasy Basketball Starts NOW! - I mean, if you want… Tired of boring fantasy basketball and want a Real NBA challenge? If so play the Real NBA with PASPNs Mock GM Game Fantasy players take over for an NBA team as of NBA Draft lottery 2009 and make trades, sign free agents, and then, based on your fictional offseason moves, compete in [...]
  • Is this the start of the real off-season? - Or do Shaq, RJ, and Vinsanity pretty much top anything else that’s going to happen this summer? Perhaps that question needs an actual poll… So, as the period of Free Agency dawns like a black cloud across the country, here’s the news… and it sure doesn’t seem as exciting as The Trades… Reputable news from CBS Sports. [...]

Both Teams Played Hard

  • Endtroducing: The 8th Seed - A few weeks back, the popular sports blog Hugging Harold Reynolds hosted a sportsblogging conference called Blogs With Balls right here in NYC. While attending something like that understandably sounds like a colossal exercise in dorkdom, I went and had a blast. Aside from enjoying the free Guinness that was flowing like wine, it gave [...]
  • Shaq, Diesel & Big Aristotle vs. Matrix, Odom, Big Ben, Butler, Grant, Farmar, Machine & Banks - …in the form of a color-coded infotainment graphic that contrasts the two sides’ cumulative career Playoff scoring totals. (Taken directly from SuperSonicSoul via TalkHoops)
  • “Your Apathy Speaks Volumes” - Unfortunately, this year’s NBA Draft day video from the Stephen A. Smith Heckling Society is sort of like the Godfather III of the series — we are all obligated to watch it and, ultimately, it’s not even horrible, but the bar had been set so high by its predecessors that you cannot be anything but [...]

Roy Jordan’s Picks’N Roll

  • NBA offseason = INSANITY - It’s been more exciting than the UFC 100 Fight Card during the offseason (okay, not really, but it’s been close). So far we have, including trades: -Ben Gordon and Charlie Villaneuva to Detroit for around $90 million -Vince Carter to Orlando -Richard Jefferson to San Antonio -Zach Randolph to Memphis -Carlos Boozer defies the offshore sportsbook odds and stays with [...]
  • UFC 100 already? - The UFC 100 fight card is out at the best online sportsbook in the industry, even though the event isn’t until July 11th in Las Vegas. The highlights of the card? The main event, of course, but since it’s the 100th UFC card, there are not one, but TWO big fights lined up. Lesnar Mir Odds: [...]
  • Lucas Glover? Really? - If you would have told me last week that Lucas Glover was one of your golf betting picks to win the US Open, I would have laughed right square in your face. But there he was on Monday, holding on down the stretch to win the 109th US Open that was plagued by rain throughout [...]

Good… Unfocused

Bob Ryan’s Blog

  • Goin' Green - There are many things I like about Sport, among them the discovery of a talent I had no idea existed. Now I don't want to exaggerate this. I don't want to go overboard. I don't want to get excessively...
  • Harder than you think - The job as a baseball color man isn't easy. Only the real good ones know how to strike the proper balance of insight, criticism, wit, etc. Jerry Remy has it, thanks in large part to his time alongside Sean McDonough. And last night, Dennis Eckersley showed he might have it as well.
  • Li'l Professor - That's what they called him. He was an odd sight in his time. NOBODY wore glasses and lived to tell about it in MLB, back in the day. Well, almost nobody. There was Dominic DiMaggio, Specs Toporcer, Walt Masterson...

Pickup Crews

Ball Don’t Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

  • Ron Artest to the Lakers? -


    How in the world does this work?

    Seriously, at any point during last year's Finals, was anyone telling themselves, "damn, the Lakers really need Ron Artest" ?!?

    Apparently, for whatever reason, the Lakers are close to a deal with Ron Artest.

    And it makes no sense.

    The triangle offense demands a presence that doesn't hold onto the ball. It's an exacting thing that asks for quick decisions and smart resolutions.

    Why Ron Artest, in any form, would have a place in this championship-driven mess? It boggles the mind.

    The Lakers don't need him. His off-court palatables hardly matter. The Laker offense begs for players whose hands don't stick to the ball, and Ron's hands stick to the ball like no other. He's the wrong idea. He's a wasted face. He's the wrong choice.

    Let that sink in.

    He's the wrong choice.

    The Lakers, as presented during June of 2009, had no flaws. Honestly, not a single flaw, outside of defending point guards.

    Artest, as great as he is, solves absolutely nothing.

    He's a fine player, and everyone knows his name, but the Lakers don't need him. He'll spin the radio chat show fodder funk to no end, but that means absolutely nothing. He's a defensive-minded small forward heading toward a team with small forward depth and a good defensive history.

    The Lakers don't need Ron Artest. It's a pity that his talents don't mind that apogee.

  • The 10-man rotation, starring Shaq's press conference -


    A look around the league and the web that covers it. It's also important to note that the rotation order and starting nods aren't always listed in order of importance. That's for you, dear reader, to figure out.

    C: Waiting For Next Year. "This surely wasn't your father's press conference."
    PF: Sports Radio Interviews. Richard Jefferson hints that Jason Kidd will sign with the Knicks.
    SF: Steady Burn. Ricky Davis cracks Mike's "Top Five 'Hot Dog' Athletes" list.
    SG: Celtics Hub. "I really hope Leon Powe knows how much Celtics fans like him and will miss him."
    PG: Khandor's Sports Blog. Hedo Turkoglu is not the answer for what ails the Raptors.
    6th: Doug Smith, Toronto Star. Jose Calderon and Chris Bosh take their game to Spain.
    7th: The Blowtorch. A brief recap of the No. 32 jersey throughout Clippers history.
    8th: NBA FanHouse. Ten players, under the age of 30, that are fighting for their NBA lives.
    9th: Blazers Blog. Greg Oden gets an 'A-plus' in summer workouts.
    10th: DMN. Eddie Sefko reports that the Dallas Mavericks have made an offer to Marcin Gortat.

    Got a tip/link for Ball Don't Lie? Hit me up at jeskeets@yahoo.ca or follow me on Twitter.

  • Wilt Chamberlain was so smooth, he bedded Barnes AND Noble -
    Admit it — you wish NBA players still dressed like this today. And if not, you certainly wish 'Sheed did.

Probasketballnews.com

  • NBA summer league rosters
  • Minors report - D-League affiliations detailed; Grand Rapids takes flight in ABA; Boo Jackson trying out with Pacers and Cavaliers; much more in Steve LeMaster's minors report.
  • Piston trickery - The signings of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva make all the manuevering by Pistons president Joe Dumars seem worthwhile. Sam Amico examines.
  • Free agent rankings - Ron Artest is still a beast and remains the top available small forward, writes Tony Mejia, who breaks down the top 10 free agents by position.
  • The latest stuff - Zach Randolph will be good for the Grizzlies, and Ron Artest may finally be good for L.A. That and much more in Sam Amico's notebook.

The Association

  • Thoughts on the Draft Day Trades - By Craig Kwasniewski I'm not really up on all the players drafted yesterday since the only NCAA hoops I watched all year was from the Las Vegas Hilton on the first weekend of March Maddness... Basically my knowledge on the...
  • LeBron Let's His Tee Shirt (Not His Game) Do the Talking - By Craig Kwasniewski Imagine the outrage if Kobe did this. Instead of having his game do the talking, LeBron decides again to let his shirt do all the talking instead (from TMZ.com)... This is the second time this week that...
  • Kobe Has a Lakers Flag on His Car?!?! - By Craig Kwasniewski Awww man... just when I thought getting a fourth title put him clear of all the critics and haters, Kobe puts a one of those damn Lakers flags on his ride. Dude, I'm a 10-year Lakers season...

Basketball.org

  • Draft Recap - 1.  Blake Griffin - Clippers - A pick so easy, a caveman could do it.  Far and away the best player in the draft this year and the obvious number one choice. 2.  Hasheem Thabeet - Grizzlies - Thabeet will add value on the defensive end from day one and I think he’ll be better offensively [...]
  • Mock Draft 2.0 - It’s less than 24 hours until the draft and I’m feverishly putting together a mock up of what will surely be one of the most intriguing drafts in years. There is no relatively no certainty after the Clippers select Blake Griffin with the #1 overall pick. Meaning no player is lock to go to any [...]
  • The Ultimate Sports Moment: Buzzer-Beating Jumper or Stanley Cup OT Goal? - The Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings square off tonight in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.  Why should sports fans outside of the blossoming metropoli of Pittsburgh and Detroit care?  Because the matchup sets up the pro sports landscape for the potential of one of the rarest of sports moments… a sudden-death championship win. Are [...]

NCAA Men Hoops

Yahoo! Sports - NCAA Men’s Hoops News

  • Holy Cross names ND's Kearney new coach (AP) - Sean Kearney is the new basketball coach at Holy Cross. The former Notre Dame assistant was named Thursday to succeed Ralph Willard, who resigned last month after 10 seasons to become Rick Pitino's associate head coach at Louisville. Kearney, 49, spent the last nine seasons as Mike Brey's associate head coach, serving as national recruiting coordinator.
  • Self: Henry brothers to play for Kansas (AP) - Kansas coach Bill Self's fence-mending trip worked: Xavier and C.J. Henry are still coming to Lawrence to play for the Jayhawks. A day after traveling to Oklahoma City for an air-clearing meeting with two of his prized recruits, Self said Wednesday that Xavier and C.J. will play for Kansas next season.
  • Butler-Hoyas, Indiana-Pitt in Jimmy V (AP) - Butler will meet Georgetown and Indiana will face Pittsburgh in this year's Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. The pairings for the Dec. 8 doubleheader were announced Wednesday. This will be the 15th annual Jimmy V Classic and the seventh played in New York City. The games are part of the fundraising effort for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, which is named for the late Jim Valvano,...
  • NCAA rejects Kelvin Sampson's appeal (AP) -

    In this photo taken on Feb. 19, 2008, Indiana coach Kelvin Sampson looks from from the bench during a college basketball game against Purdue in Bloomington, Ind. Indiana won 77-68. The NCAA said Tuesday June 30, 2009, that the NCAA Division I infractions Committee has upheld the violations stemming from more than 100 impermissible phone calls made while Sampson was coaching at Indiana.

    The NCAA is finished with the latest Kelvin Sampson saga. The NCAA on Tuesday rejected an appeal from the former Indiana basketball coach, who was slapped with five years of potential penalties for taking part in more than 100 impermissible calls to recruits while coaching the Hoosiers. The NCAA said its infractions committee upheld the violations found in the case, which prompted an overhaul at...


  • Tar Heels ink 10-year contract with Nike (AP) - The Tar Heels will wear the swoosh for the next nine years. University of North Carolina officials said Wednesday they have signed a 10-year contract for Nike to supply athletic equipment and apparel to its sports teams. The contract was signed in late May and made retroactive to July 1, 2008. The Beaverton, Ore.-based footwear maker will provide shoes, uniforms, balls, coaching gear and other...
  • Coach K: I won't leave Duke for Lakers (AP) -

    Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski responds to a question during a news conference in Durham, N.C., Tuesday, June 30, 2009. Krzyzewski said he is "not going to the Lakers" and that he won't leave Duke "until I leave coaching."

    Mike Krzyzewski made it clear: He's not ever going to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. During his annual summer meeting with reporters Tuesday, one of the first topics covered by the Duke coach was the simmering buzz that had him leaving the Blue Devils for the Lakers if Phil Jackson retires. "I'm not going to the Lakers.


  • UCLA to give longtime fans best seats (AP) - UCLA unveiled a point system to determine the pecking order by which fans get to choose their seats in a renovated Pauley Pavilion. The aging basketball arena is set to undergo a makeover in time for the 2012-13 season. The university announced a plan Tuesday that ranks ticket holders, giving credit to alumni, longtime season ticket holders and donors who help pay for the $185 million renovation.

Euroleague Hoops

Euroleague News

  • Montepaschi inks former champ Nikos Zisis - Former Euroleague champion Nikos Zisis is taking his game back to Italy after signing with Italian champion Montepaschi Siena. Zisis (195, 25) arrives from CSKA Moscow, where he spent the past two seasons. He helped CSKA win the 2008 Euroleague title and reach the title game last season. He also lifted a pair of Russian League trophies in his time in Moscow. Before that Zisis spent two seasons in Italy with Benetton Basket Treviso, winning the Italian League championship and one Italian SuperCup in 2006 and the Italian Cup in 2007. Zisis grew up at AEK Athens in his native Greece. He helped AEK win a Greek Cup title in 2001 and the Greek League trophy in 2002. He is a regular member of the Greek national team and helped Greece win the gold medal at EuroBasket 2005 and take a silver medal at the 2006 World Championships.
  • Lottomatica lands Crosariol, Minard - Help in both the front and backcourts came Lottomatica Roma's way on Thursday with the signings of big man Andrea Crosariol and guard Ricky Minard. Crosariol (210, 24) arrives from Air Avellino, where he averaged 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds over 10 Euroleague games last year in a part-time role of 12 minutes per night. His played 19.8 minutes per Italian League game, putting up 7.5 points and 5 rebounds. He had previously played for both Virtus Bologna and Roma in the 2007-08 Euroleague season. Crosiarol signed a four-year contract with Roma. Minard (194, 27) arrives on a two-year deal after having spent the same amount of time at Montegranaro, another Italian club. Minard last year put up 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 steals in 32 minutes per game in the Italian League.
  • Maccabi, Bluthenthal together again - Forward David Bluthenthal is back with Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv for a third time after the two sides signed a two-year deal. Bluthenthal (201, 29) first came to Maccabi in 2002 and helped the club win the 2004 Euroleague title. He then left, only to return in 2007 and help the club reach the 2008 Euroleague title game. He arrives from French club Le Mans, for whom he averaged 12.5 points in 10 Euroleague games last season. He helped Le Mans reach the French League semis and to win the Semaine des As title after Bluthenthal scored 17 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the final. Bluthenthal is one of the most prolific three-point shooters in Euroleague Basketball history. His career 43.2% success rate from downtown ranks 13th on the all-time charts. In addition to his three seasons with Maccabi, Bluthenthal has played for Dynamo St. Petersburg in Russia and Benetton Treviso, Virtus Bologna and Fortitudo Bologna in Italy as well as Le Mans.
  • Le Mans adds swingman Charles Lombahe-Kahudi - Le Mans Sarthe Basket has bolstered its squad with the signing of Charles Lombahe-Kahudi for the coming season. Lombahe-Kahudi (196, 22) is the older brother of one of the top prospects in the Le Mans system, teenage guard Henri Kahudi. Last year Lombahe-Kahudi played for Dijon where he averaged 3.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in 11 minutes per game. A native of the Congo, Lombahe-Kahudi began his career at Cholet Basket in 2005 and later spent two seasons with Evreux.
  • Orleans inks big men Vaty and Doellman - Entente Orleanaise Loiret continued to prepare itself for its debut foray into the Euroleague qualifying rounds with the addition of two big men. Promising French center Ludovic Vaty signed a two-year deal and big man Justin Doellman, last with Besancon, signed for one season. Vaty (206, 20) arrives from EB Pau-Orthez, where he had a brief taste of the Euroleague, taking part in seven games as a teenager in the 2006-07 season. Last season he averaged 11.6 points and 7.7 rebounds in the French League, establishing himself as one of the top young centers in French basketball. Doellman (206, 24) led Besancon last season with 14.7 points and 6 rebounds per game in his second season in France. He first arrived in the 2007-08 season to Cholet Basket with whom he won the Semaine des As.
  • Asvel Basket signs center Curtis Borchardt - Asvel Basket has signed center Curtis Borchardt to be the centerpiece of its frontline. Borchardt (210, 28) arrives at Asvel after four productive seasons in the Spanish League with CB Granada, during which he averaged a double-double. Last season he produced 12.3 points, led the Spanish League with 9.9 rebounds and placed third with 1.4 blocks per game in 26 appearances. Borchardt was a college star at Stanford University, before heading to the NBA to play for Utah. He came to Granada in December 2005 and became a fixture as the club’s star big man, though he has missed some time with foot injuries. At Asvel, Borchardt figures to team with the recently re-signed Ali Traore and Eric Campbell in the frontcourt as he makes his European competition debut.
  • Aris BSA candidate to replace Azovmash - The Euroleague has announced on Wednesday a possible change of teams in the qualifying round that will precede the upcoming 2009-10 regular season. Aris BSA of Thessaloniki, Greece is the candidate team that will be proposed in the next Euroleague Commercial Assets Assembly to replace Azomash Mairupol of Ukraine, which did not complete the registration requirements as called for in the Euroleague by-laws. Aris, one of the storied clubs of Greek basketball finished in fourth place in this season's Greek League and had reached the Top 16 in the Euroleague in consecutive seasons between 2006 and 2008.

Ball in Europe - European Basketball Blog

  • BallinEurope: End of one story and a new beginning - It has now been nearly two years since BallinEurope was launched in September 2007. We were three guys at the time and our goal was to change the landscape of European basketball blogging. Well, changing the landscape may sound huge, but in fact at that time, BallinEurope was the first ...
  • European domestic league champions, 2008/2009 - You can find here an overview of the various domestic league national champions in Europe. Andorra: AndBanc Austria: Kraftwerk Wels beats Gmunden 3-1 (MVP: Ricky Moore) Azerbaijan: Araz Nakchivan City beats Gala Baku 3-2 Belarus: Minsk 2006 beats Vitalyur 3-0 Belgium: Charleroi beats Mons 3-0 (MVP: Matt Walsh) Bosnia-Herzegovina: Siroki beats Bosna Sarajevo 2-0 Bulgaria: Lukoil beats ...
  • A few more notes on 2009/10 Euroleague teams - With the French playoffs finished and the German finals coming to an end, the last Euroleague teams will be known in the next few days. However, with still no official decision on the competition system for the next campaign, all this still cannot be considered definitive. With the French title going ...
  • BallinEurope for sale - We have built a strong brand with BallinEurope over the past two years, but since we are looking for new goals, BallinEurope is up for sale. BallinEurope is the main site for information regarding European basketball leagues, players and rumors within the Euroleague or any other competition. For that reason the ...
  • The final Brandon Jennings story - Jurica Golemac is a role player. Roberto Gabini was a leader in pectore, nearly a non-player captain. Are they worth much more than Brandon Jennings? From the viewpoint of the end of the season, the end of the story, it seems to be. To judge the Jennings experiment, we have ...
  • Two massive threes decide yesterday’s games - The European playoff series are coming to an end, and the playing levels increase. So it was no surprise to see some massive three point shots deciding games this week. First of all, the big surprise comes from Germany, where Telekom Baskets Bonn defeated ALBA Berlin in front of a new ...
  • CAI Zaragoza tops club ranking again - After the League Ranking published a few days ago that saw the ACB confirm its status as most popular league in terms of game attendance, the club rankings also see a repeat, with the presence of Spanish team CAI Zaragoza at the top of the table. The club rankings are dominated ...