Brewers RHP Gallardo robbed at gunpoint (AP)
Brewers RHP Gallardo robbed at gunpoint (AP)
Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo and clubhouse attendant Alex Sanchez were robbed at gunpoint early Friday, hours after Milwaukee’s ace pitched in a loss to the Dodgers. “It was a scary moment for me, obviously for me and Alex, and those are tough situations,” Gallardo said Friday afternoon, about 14 hours after the robbery occurred.
Oilers G Khabibulin found guilty of DUI (AP)
Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin has been found guilty on charges stemming from a DUI arrest in February. The decision was handed down Friday, and the four-time All-Star could face up to six months in jail when he is sentenced Tuesday. The 37-year-old played for Phoenix from 1996-99 and still has a home in Paradise Valley.
Nuggets hire Ujiri as general manager (AP)
The Denver Nuggets have hired a man with global basketball experience to manage a team that’s in a world of hurt: two big men sidelined, a player under police investigation and its superstar’s signature missing from a contract extension. Former Nuggets international scout Masai Ujiri, a native of Nigeria, was appointed the team’s new executive vice president of basketball operations on…
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Two grown-up Laker fans fight about a Facebook comment
Two grown-up Laker fans fight about a Facebook comment
In these all-too-short lives that we lead there are certain things worth fighting for. You know what I’m talking about — love, freedom, the right to party, getting zinged by a television host — the real big-ticket items. Coming to fisticuffs over such issues is totally understandable and often justified.To that inscrutable list of fightable offenses we must add another important concern that lives deep in all of our hearts — taking on people who disagree with you on the Internet. This, truly, is the final frontier. As Beatriz Valenzuela of the Victorville Daily Press reports, two adults in California are doing some important work to ensure these disputes do not go unpunished.A disparaging remark on Facebook about the Los Angeles Lakers sparked Wednesday’s brawl involving some 20 adults at a local kindergarten graduation, according to one participant.”This all started because of a Facebook comment between this other woman and my grandmother about the Lakers,” said Queiona Burt, 31, one of the women arrested following a brawl that broke out at a recent Puesta del Sol Elementary School kindergarten graduation. “But I want to apologize to the school and the community and say this is not what I’m about. I was trying to defend myself.”Thank you, kind souls. As a human who spends the majority of his days making basketball chatter on the World Wide Internet Superhighway, I appreciate the effort to ensure that hater-stomping becomes widely accepted around the globe. Thank you. Thank you so much.On the other hand, this is a grown-up fighting a grandma about something that happened on Facebook. This is not a Jay and Silent Bob movie that we are talking about, but real life. A real life that has flesh-and-blood fights about the Lakers because of Facebook. Five years ago, if I had come back from the future and told you this story, you wouldn’t even understand it, mostly because your mind would be blown by all the advances made in time traveling technology in just half of a decade. Nonetheless, I think this is a really good approach to solving disagreements online. In fact, starting this weekend I will begin a three-week tour to confront anyone who doesn’t think Brad Miller(notes) is the best goateed backup center in the NBA. Watch your back. (h/t Ted Williams’ Head)
Japan’s Sato wins first gold in Youth Olympics (AP)
Japan’s Yuka Sato won the first gold medal in the inaugural Youth Olympics, racing to a comfortable victory in the women’s triathlon on Sunday. Sato finished the race in 1 hour, 49 seconds. Australian Ellie Salthouse was second in 1:01:04 and American Kelly Whitley placed third in 1:01:48 seconds.
No timetable for return of Iowa’s Wegher (AP)
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says there’s no timetable for the return of sophomore running back Brandon Wegher, who has left the team for undisclosed personal issues. Ferentz did say he’s cautiously optimistic Wegher will rejoin the Hawkeyes this season. Wegher, who rushed for 641 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
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Programming note — BDL in NYC for the WBF
Programming note BDL in NYC for the WBF
While Kelly’s off enjoying being married, Ol’ Yertdawgs will be in New York City covering the World Basketball Festival. That means things are going to be a little different until the end of the week. Because of the timing of the events in NYC, I’ll have little posts here and there with all the different basketball things I can figure out. Interviews, videos, pictures — whatever turns up. That doesn’t make any sense now, but when you’re reading about me splitting a Cuban sandwich with JaVale McGee(notes) at 2 a.m., maybe it will. Of course I don’t really think that’ll happen because everyone knows JaVale McGee hates ham.But seriously, there will still be posts — both from me and Devine — but they won’t be on the same schedule you know and love. Friday is still unsure, since I’ll be traveling. Odds are Kelly will be back, Devine will be around and my way-too-long legs will hate being in a car. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Metaphorically.So just a heads-up, starting today things will be a little different. Change is good, people.
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Shaq looking for nickname with Celtics (AP)
Shaq looking for nickname with Celtics (AP)
Now that he’s signed with the Boston Celtics, Shaquille O’Neal is looking for a nickname that will fit in with his new city. The Celtics’ website trumpeted the signing of “The Big Shamrock” this week, when O’Neal signed a deal that will reportedly pay him the veterans’ minimum over the next two seasons.
Bradford makes fine first impression (AP)
Rookie quarterback Sam Bradford is making a fine first impression with the St. Louis Rams. In a controlled scrimmage Saturday night at Lindenwood University, before approximately 8,000 fans, the No. 1 overall pick directed the second team offense and unofficially went 7-for-9 for 94 yards and a touchdown in the live portion of the scrimmage.
NBA stars, Obama entertain troops (AP)
President Barack Obama pulled together an informal dream team of current and former basketball superstars Sunday. But only a few people got to see it. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and other NBA all-stars joined Obama in Washington to entertain wounded troops. The present-day stars were joined by some retired legends, including Bill Russell and Magic Johnson.
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Thunder rookie Aldrich signs contract (AP)
Thunder rookie Aldrich signs contract (AP)
Rookie center Cole Aldrich has signed his contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Aldrich was the No. 11 overall pick in the NBA draft in June before being traded from the New Orleans Hornets to the Thunder. He’s the first of the four rookies acquired by Oklahoma City on draft night to sign his contract.
Friday’s Womens National Basketball A Capsules (PA SportsTicker)
Tamika Catchings scored a season-high 30 points and hit the winning free throws to lead the Indiana Fever to a 95-93 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Friday night, snapping a three-game losing streak.
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The 10-man rotation, starring Ron Artest’s haircuts
The 10-man rotation, starring Ron Artest’s haircuts
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: How to Watch Sports. An infographic of every Ron Artest(notes) hairstyle from last season. Print immediately. PF: SBN. And here’s the highlights from Ron’s interview with ESPN the Magazine.SF: ProBasketballTalk. The first big game on next year’s schedule has leaked.SG: The Onion. “Several NBA Teams Interested in Shaq as a Person.”PG: HRO. Justin Timberlake will be the latest superstar to join the Heat. 6th: You Been Blinded. Twitter hates Daniel Tosh and LeBron James(notes) just about the same amount.7th: Uni Watch. If you collect old NBA stuff, check out these auctions. Some incredible finds.8th: TrueHoop. Amar’e Stoudemire’s(notes) search.9th: Salt City Hoops. Inside the Floppers’ Studio.10th: The Baseline. Get out of here, vuvuzelas.Got a link or tip for Ball Don’t Lie? Holler at me at trey.kerby (at) yahoo.com, or follow me on Twitter.
Oilers re-sign G Deslauriers for 1 year (AP)
The Edmonton Oilers re-signed goalie Jeff Deslauriers on Saturday, agreeing to a one-year contract. The 26-year-old Deslauriers was 16-28-4 last season with a 3.26 goals-against average and .901 save percentage, seeing extensive time after Nikolai Khabibulin injured his back. Edmonton drafted Deslauriers 31st overall in 2002.
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The 10-man rotation, starring unexpected comebacks
The 10-man rotation, starring unexpected comebacks
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: Celtics Town. If Penny Hardaway wants to come back, why not these guys?PF: The Basketball Jones. Man, Matt Bonner(notes) really does love sandwiches.SF: FanHouse. Trying to understand David Kahn’s moves is so hard.SG: Bulls Confidential. Now that J.J. Redick(notes) is staying with the Magic, what should the Bulls do?PG: Basketball Prospectus. Long-term contracts aren’t the best idea.6th: NBA Offseason. Big ups to Jeremy Lin, the Harvard point guard who balled out against John Wall(notes).7th: FreeDarko. The Miami Heat are already showing up in rap songs.8th: Cleveland Frowns. Dan Gilbert’s letter has been taken down. Good thing I printed it.9th: 48 Minutes of Hell. Tiago Splitter(notes) will fit in with the Spurs quite nicely.10th: The Painted Area. Omer Asik(notes) was cheap and more than worth it. Got a link or tip for Ball Don’t Lie? Holler at me at trey.kerby (at) yahoo.com, or follow me on Twitter.
Pondexter leads Liberty to OT win (AP)
Cappie Pondexter scored six of her game-high 24 points in overtime as the New York Liberty beat the Connecticut Sun 82-74 on Tuesday night. New York improved to 10-10, giving every team in the WNBA’s Eastern Conference a .500-or better record. Leilani Mitchell had 16 points and eight rebounds for the Liberty.
The Utah Jazz trade for Al Jefferson
Al Jefferson(notes) needs the ball. He needs the ball on the low left block, some space and room to move. He would prefer it — and this goes for both teammates and potential double-teamers on the other side — if you left him alone. Al Jefferson might be more of a center than a power forward, which is cool — this league can always use centers that aren’t awful. But he also has a devil of a time guarding centers. And power forwards, while we’re at it. And a combo featuring Jefferson and Paul Millsap(notes), despite its ability to score and rebound, smacks awfully heavily of the failed combo we saw in Minnesota with Jefferson and Kevin Love(notes). Al Jefferson is not the best screen-setter in the world, a result of too many offensive fouls picked up during his early years with the Boston Celtics. So he’s a bit hesitant and, as a result, whiffs a ton. This doesn’t exactly bode well for the Utah Jazz, who (as you may have heard) like to rely on the screen-and-roll quite a bit. Al Jefferson was recently traded to the Utah Jazz, by the way. And despite all the worries posted above, the Jazz and their fans should be absolutely giddy with the move. Why? Because they just picked up Al Jefferson for absolutely nothing. And if you have a chance to go after Al Jefferson for absolutely nothing, you go after that. Such a deal. So Al’s going to be with the Utah Jazz next season, and one can’t help but give the Jazz and their ownership loads and loads of credit. They play in Salt Lake City and despite that big arena full of fans and the NBA’s revenue sharing system, this isn’t a team in New York or Los Angeles. And yet, here the Jazz are, about to pay the luxury tax again. A fine power forward in Millsap already on board, and yet the Jazz still go out and use a trade exception and future draft picks to grab Al Jefferson. Another guy making eight figures next season. How Al fits is another story. As mentioned above, he’s not the typical screen-and-roll presence you usually see in a Jazz uniform. He’s almost better served as an undersized center, where all he has to do is set a screen off the ball to free a wing player on his way to the low post. In Jazzland, the power forwards are expected to be up top or on the elbow extended, ready to get in the way of the opposing point guard. Al really hasn’t ever had to do that. This shouldn’t prevent him from trying, though. Really, the first 60 games of next season should be used to disappoint onlookers and worm his way into getting comfortable with the system. Seriously, tick off the fans, Al. Step out of your comfort zone, set screens, try and develop a sense of chemistry and timing with Deron Williams(notes), and sometimes have to sit with two fouls and nine minutes left to go in the first quarter. Why? Because the Jazz already have Millsap, who knows how to work this. And they also boast Andrei Kirilenko(notes), who plays better at power forward, and is probably bashing his head against the wall right now wondering what he has to do to earn back those power forward minutes he worked so well with during 2003-04. The Jazz have room to tide you over, especially if it means you having the faith to toss everything out and try to work inside their system. And while the Jazz traded for you to play like Al Jefferson, and while what you’ve given teams on the court hasn’t led to your miserable career win/loss record, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a chance and try to submit to a system that could make you and your teammates bigger than the sum of their collective talents. A finely honed sense of rhythm and chemistry with teammates in May will be well worth all the groans from October to March. It takes a massive leap of faith, trust in your own abilities and trust in the mugs that observe this game. Because while Al Jefferson could be quite successful heading to that low block and working as usual, he and his team could be incredibly successful if he finds a way to work up top, flash away from the ball, make Deron Williams more dangerous and in turn open up myriad offensive opportunities for his teammates. That’s what the two-man game does, after all. At its best, it makes for great options for five guys at a time, even if just one guy touches the ball for the entire play. The Jazz just traded for Al Jefferson, and they only had to give up one fringe big man, some future draft picks and ask that the team’s ownership group pay a whole lot of money for the roster as currently established. It’s a fantastic move, even if the guy struggles to start the season. And the Timberwolves? Analysis? They’re a mess. They got Kosta Koufos(notes) in the deal, and he might be worth taking a look at, but they’ve completely wasted all the assets they’ve had come through Minnesota over the last few years. Al Jefferson and Kevin Love couldn’t play together, but this was the best deal possible? And this is when you make the deal? For a trade exception and picks? Such a waste. Al Jefferson? Don’t waste this. You have 82 games to work through before you hit the playoffs for the second time in your career, your first postseason trip as a starter. Work with Deron Williams and Jerry Sloan to be the guy that pushes this team over the top.
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More than zero teams are interested in signing Adam Morrison
More than zero teams are interested in signing Adam Morrison
Being a high lottery pick in the NBA draft virtually guarantees an NBA job for a long time. Even the biggest busts are always finding front offices willing to take a chance on a possible steal. How else can you explain Kwame Brown(notes) entering his 10th season in the NBA or Michael Olowokandi getting nine years? Heck, even Sam Bowie — the bustiest of all busts — played a decade in the league.With that in mind, it should be no surprise that teams with cap space would want to acquire the third pick in the 2006 draft. However, when you realize that the third pick that year was Adam Morrison(notes), and that he played a grand total of 241 minutes during last season, you kind of get a headache from the confusion. But apparently that’s what’s happening, because according to the Washington Post’s Michael Lee, Morrison is working out for teams left and right.The Wizards on Monday held a workout in Las Vegas for free agent forward Adam Morrison, the third overall pick of the 2006 NBA draft. According to a source at the Impact Sports facility, Wizards Coach Flip Saunders personally conducted the workout, running Morrison through a series of shooting drills. Scout Ed Tapscott was also in attendance according to a witness. [...]Another source confirmed the workout with Morrison but added, “nothing is imminent.” Morrison is expected to work out for the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.Good for Adam Morrison. He’s only 25, he’s been in the NBA for four seasons so he’s definitely going to be professional and won’t complain about playing time. Furthermore, his former Lakers teammates respect his game. Really. They really do, you guys. Stop laughing. However, inking Morrison — whether it be Washington, Chicago or somewhere else, he’ll get a contract — means that one less deserving D-League guy won’t get a chance. There are a hundred other leagues where Morrison can go and shoot jumpers over outreached hands, and he’d be good at it as long as he doesn’t have to create his own shot. He’s just a little too slow and a lot too non-athletic to make an impact in the NBA. Take a chance on someone who might really help the team, various NBA franchises. Then again, he did have a 21.5 PER in the 2010 playoffs. Plus he’s got two championship rings. Pedigrees like that don’t grow on vines.
David Stern chimes in on ‘The Decision’ and Dan Gilbert’s letter
While the NBA has been going crazy with trades and signings and, oh yeah, a basketball conglomerate being formed in southern Florida, David Stern has been keeping quiet. One must assume he was busy training with Pai Mei just to be ready for the upcoming season. But even though he’s remained basically silent throughout this summer’s free-agency process, it figured that Stern would soon enough be heard on anything and everything that has happened. Finally, Stern has surfaced, bringing with him a righteous, but congenial, fury befitting a man of his importance. First on Stern’s scorn list was “The Decision,” the very silly one-hour special dedicated to all things LeBron James(notes). From the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Brian Windhorst:”I would have advised [James] not to embark on what has become known as ‘The Decision,’” Stern said. “I think that the advice he received on this was poor. His performance was fine. His honesty and his integrity shine through. But this decision was ill-conceived, badly produced and poorly executed. Those who were interested were given our opinion prior to its airing.”That, my friends, is about the nicest way of saying “Wow, that was a terrifically bad hour of television and I feel dumber for having watched it” as there could possibly be. Stern covered all the bases — the concept, the actual show and its subject — in a scant few words, plus he let it be known that he was against it from the start. Very nice, even if Stern’s standards for a “fine” performance are quite low.Moving on, Stern also addressed Dan Gilbert’s now-famous letter to Cleveland fans. You know the one with all the random quotation marks and capitalization. Let’s just say David Stern is kind of a grammar nerd.”I think the remarks by Dan Gilbert, catalyzed as they may have been by a hurt with respect with the respect to his team and the people of Cleveland, though understandable, were ill-advised and imprudent,” Stern said.”I think Dan Gilbert is a good owner and I think he was completely correct in expressing his disappointment and his determination to win. In fact, if he wants to guarantee a championship, more power to him. I’m going to tune in to watch to see if he can do it. But you would read the rest of the statement to see where I think it was a little bit to the extreme and his follow-on interview.”Yes, we can all agree that caps-locking and bolding a championship guarantee is “a little bit to the extreme.” And Stern isn’t a fan of “the extreme” as evidence by his fining Gilbert a cool $100,000 for his outbursts. Ironically, that’s kind of extreme. Apparently David Stern is a big Alanis Morisette fan, but who isn’t?Even though he’s a couple months shy of his 68th birthday and has had the same job since 1984, it’s pretty obvious that David Stern’s still got it. Best not to mess with him.
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Liberty-Mercury Preview (AP)
Liberty-Mercury Preview (AP)
Winning two championships in three years wasn’t enough to keep Cappie Pondexter with the Phoenix Mercury. Now they look nothing like a title contender without her. Following an offseason trade which she wanted, Pondexter makes her return to Phoenix on Saturday night as she tries to help the New York Liberty extend her former team’s worst losing streak in seven years.
Suicide lines: Pierce coming back; Nuggets love ‘Melo
Each weekday morning, BDL serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your creme brulee. Steve Bulpett, Boston Herald: “Paul Pierce will remain a Celtic. The club has reached agreement with its captain on a new contract, according to sources. The deal is said to be for four years, with only the first three fully guaranteed. The papers cannot be signed or officially announced until next week. Pierce opted out of the final year of his previous contract and became an unrestricted free agent at 12:01 Thursday. But he took that route with the intention of re-signing with the Celtics in a deal that would help his own future and allow the club better maneuverability. The numbers were not available, but Pierce will in the 2010-11 season make significantly less that the $21,513,521 he was scheduled to receive. That will aid the Celtics’ position versus the luxury tax.”Benjamin Hochman, Denver Post: “The Should-Melo-sign? debate has consumed Denver sports talk this week, and the Nuggets did some talking of their own Thursday, even using the brow-raising ‘E’ word. Mark Warkentien, the team’s vice president of basketball operations, said by phone that he wants Carmelo Anthony(notes) to be like a John Elway. ‘Win a championship and play in one place forever,’ Warkentien said. ‘Bill Russell, David Robinson, you go to one place and you’re the brand. There’s a special category for that type of guy.’ Anthony is pondering a three-year contract extension worth around $65 million. The offer is good until next July 1. If Melo doesn’t sign, he will become a free agent that summer – the same time the owners and players are set to battle over a revised collective bargaining agreement, which could shake up the length and strength of player contracts. If Melo turns the team down this summer, the last resort could be trading him, a source told The Denver Post’s Mark Kiszla earlier this week.” John Reid, New Orleans Times-Picayune: “In a meeting last week, New Orleans Hornets Coach Monty Williams told forward Julian Wright(notes) that it would be beneficial for all of the team’s young players to play on its summer league team. Guards Darren Collison(notes) and Marcus Thornton(notes) will participate, along with draft picks Craig Brackins(notes) and Quincy Pondexter(notes), whom the Hornets acquired in a draft-night trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for their 11th overall pick, Cole Aldrich(notes), and veteran Morris Peterson(notes). Brackins and Pondexter will be added to the roster after the league approves the trade next week. However, despite Williams’ preference, Wright has decided not to participate. ‘You can’t make any of those guys play,’ Williams said Wednesday. ‘So it’s on him. It’s something that will tell me a lot about his approach.’” Dave McMenamin, ESPN: “The Lakers have opened discussions with free-agent swingman Mike Miller(notes), a source close to the situation said Thursday. Miller is a former NBA rookie of the year and sixth man of the year. He averaged 10.9 points on 50 percent shooting from the field and 48 percent shooting on 3-pointers for Washington last season, his 10th in the league. Miller would provide a sure outside stroke the Lakers have lacked and help shore up a bench unit that could lose up to 22.5 points a game in scoring if free agent reserves Shannon Brown(notes), Jordan Farmar(notes), Josh Powell(notes), D.J. Mbenga(notes) and Adam Morrison(notes) all leave for new horizons. Miller earned $9.8 million last season and would need to take a significant paycut to join the Lakers. With seven players under contract for next season and six roster spots to fill, the Lakers have begun to look to new personnel.” Mike Wells, Indianapolis Star: “The nickname ‘Born Ready’ is tattooed on Lance Stephenson’s(notes) right arm. He was anointed with that name by the public address announcer at Rucker Park in New York. He also starred in an online reality show of the same name. Stephenson appeared to be an eventual sure-fire lottery pick coming out of high school as New York City’s all-time leading scorer, but character issues on and off the court turned off some people. The Indiana Pacers are giving Stephenson, their second-round pick, a chance. But there’s a stipulation that comes with it. Stephenson has to be a model citizen because the Pacers will be watching him closely. The Pacers have spent the past few years cleaning up their public image and have no intention of letting one player set them back again. ‘Whoever said I have a bad attitude really doesn’t know me,’ Stephenson said Thursday. ‘I’m definitely a coachable player. That’s not me.’” Chris Tomasson, NBA FanHouse: “The drought has continued into free agency, with few top-line point guards available. The best available are Raymond Felton(notes), Derek Fisher(notes), Steve Blake(notes), Nate Robinson(notes), Chris Duhon(notes), Luke Ridnour(notes), Earl Watson(notes), Kyle Lowry(notes) and Jordan Farmar, with Felton and Fisher the only ones to have started 60 or more games last season. But Felton, of Charlotte, is looking for too much money and Fisher turns 36 next month and is likely to return to the Lakers. That is leaving Blake as a guy getting a lot more attention than one might expect. Sources say Blake, who averaged 7.3 points and 4.8 assists in 80 games last season with Portland and then with Clippers, is drawing the strongest interest from Orlando, New York and Toronto, with the Lakers and the Bobcats also being in the mix. With that in mind, Blake, 30, is said to be able to command a contract around the $4.93 million he made last season, something that might not be possible if it were a stronger point-guard class.” Michael Lee, Washington Post: “The Wizards likely won’t sign anyone right away, but on the first day of the free agent negotiating period, they reached out to several free agents to express interest in their services. According to multiple league sources, they have already contacted the representatives for Mike Miller, Josh Howard(notes), Josh Childress(notes), Travis Outlaw(notes), Rasual Butler(notes) and Ryan Gomes(notes), hoping to address their need for a veteran wing player. As it stands, Al Thornton(notes) and to a lesser extent, Nick Young(notes), are the only small forwards on the roster. Yi Jianlian(notes) could possibly play on the wing, but is probably better suited at power forward. Wizards owner Ted Leonsis wrote on his blog that the team ‘will be the tortoise’ and move slowly toward building a championship team, rather than put all of their hopes in luring a free agent that isn’t promised to go anywhere. ‘What happens to a fan base that has been promised a bunch of new max free agents, and then it doesn’t get them delivered?’ Leonsis writes. ‘It actually feels good to NOT be holding our collective breathe right now, doesn’t it?’ After getting Kirk Hinrich(notes), Yi and two draft picks, the Wizards don’t have much money left to make a major free agent acquisition. And, given the money that the so-called financially strapped owners have already started doling out, they could find themselves priced out in their pursuit of some of the players on their target list.” Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle: “The Rockets did, however, get one meeting in Chicago on Thursday, with coach Rick Adelman going to dinner with Miller, who played for Adelman in Sacramento. Miller, who has visited with Rockets coaches before games between the teams and every summer in Las Vegas, also met with Cleveland Cavaliers representatives. The Rockets have not made an offer. ‘We’ve talked conceptually,’ said Mark Bartlestein, Miller’s agent. ‘We’ve talked about the concept of what we want to do. (Miller’s history with Adelman) definitely plays a role. He has great respect for Rick. I think (the meeting) is Rick trying to talk about vision, talk about Brad and his role there. Anything can happen fast, sure. I don’t know, we’ll see. Let them get through the night and then Daryl and I will talk, tomorrow.’”
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Game to pay attention to: Lakers vs. Kings
Game to pay attention to: Lakers vs. Kings
Los Angeles Lakers at Sacramento As it was last night, there just aren’t a lot of healthy pairings tonight. Good team/bad team, good team/bad team. And the only thing that really comes close to two solid outfits going at it is a Spurs/Heat game that, well; I’m not telling you to pay attention to. Because I don’t hate you. Hold your nose and stay away. The Lakers and Kings should be a good show, though, even if it does turn one-sided after a spell (much like we expected the one-point Lakers/Warriors game from yesterday to, it should be noted). The Lakers just seem to toss out four dominant defensive nights (matched with iffy offense) with the opposite on both ends in a one-off, as we saw against Golden State last night. Golden State’s unorthodoxy doesn’t mean you can’t stop them from playing good offense – the Warriors are 13th in offensive efficiency after all, so someone must be shutting them down from time to time – it just smacked of another series of shrugged shoulders from the Lakers. The Lakers, who are down to fifth in defense now, by the way. I’m not going to tell you that another night of letting things go the other team’s way will result in a loss for the Lakers. Not with Kobe, not with Los Angeles’ talent. But it could be close, and I’ve got a good feeling this could be fun. Not unlike when these teams locked horns on New Year’s Day, er, night. Los Angeles Lakers: 49-18 93.5 possessions per game (ninth), 109.1 points scored per 100 possessions (10th), 102.7 points allowed per 100 possessions (fifth. They’ve dropped to fifth. Yikes.) Sacramento Kings: 23-44, 94.3 possessions per game (sixth), 105.9 points scored per 100 possessions (20th), 110 points allowed per 100 possessions (25th). All statistics courtesy basketball-reference.com.
Marbury wins Chinese All-Star game MVP in a crazy gold jersey
The last we heard from Stephon Marbury(notes), his Chinese expedition wasn’t going so well. 15 points and 0 for 6 from 3-point range in a loss and just 28 minutes. So basically, typical Stephon Marbury stats. Except in China, stats are supposed to be comically huge.It seems like Starbury has figured something out, because not ony did he get named to the All-Star team, he was even named MVP of the game. Ballin!The former Minnesota, New Jersey, Phoenix, New York Knicks and Boston point guard, twice an NBA All Star, scored 30 points at Beijing’s Wukesong Arena to lift his North team to a 133-121 victory over the South Sunday.More than just his scoring, it was his array of “no-look passes, alley-hoops and mid-court three-pointers” that won Marbury Most Valuable Player honors and rescued what had been “quite a dull game,” according to the Xinhua news agency. Dang, Steph. Mid-court three pointers? Never change. Naturally, Marbury played it cool because he always plays it cool.”I didn’t expect anything before the game,” Marbury, who plays for the Shanxi CBA team, said. “I just wanted to have fun here. But I do think I made some impact on this game.”You could say that. Mostly with the “alley-hoops.”Of course, Marbury’s team finished the season below .500 and out of the playoffs. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Behind the Box Score, where LeBron is exasperating
Cleveland 113, Detroit 101 I’m not sure when the Pistons learned to shoot, but they came alive against the Cavaliers on Tuesday, making a game of Detroit’s second night of a back-to-back and forcing LeBron James(notes) to take over late. There seemed to be something in Detroit’s step that just made things work for them. I don’t want to discredit the Pistons by telling you that Cleveland took possessions off defensively or in transition, but they did. That shouldn’t take away from a Piston offense that moved the ball quickly, and seemed to be relishing the fact that Cleveland wasn’t bumpin’ Detroit out of its sets early in a possession, as was the case against the Celtics on Monday night. Rip Hamilton scored more (24 points on four three-pointers), but Tayshaun Prince(notes) seemed to be all over the place offensively. 14 points, eight assists and seven boards for Prince, who is averaging 15 points and about eight combined assists and rebounds in March, after coming through with 14 points, six boards, and three and a half assists in February. It’s been a surprising, pleasant turnaround for Prince, whose career seemed dead in the water as he struggled through injuries earlier this season. The Pistons just couldn’t keep James down, late. Two of his daggers in the fourth quarter weren’t the best shots he could have taken (a long two and a pull-up three-pointer) and his fourth quarter block was likely a goaltend. Actually, it was a goaltend. Dig: But the final fourth quarter tally is pretty impressive: 15 points, three rebounds, four assists, a block. Or, what Tayshaun Prince averages per game in March. In about 34 minutes per game. 29 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists overall for James. *** Indiana 99, Charlotte 94 Both teams are pretty terrible offensively, and though the Bobcats cut down the deficit in these two areas as they made a game of this in the fourth quarter, the Pacers just had a few more makes, and fewer turnovers. Simple as that. The overall stats for Charlotte weren’t too terrible, based on that 27-point fourth quarter that saw them bring it down to a one-possession game, but Indiana owned a double-figure or near double-figure lead for most of the contest. Good pressure on the ball, good pressure on D.J. Augustin(notes) (who just isn’t a natural point, he makes his mind up on something before the play even starts, regardless of what unfolds), and Stephen Jackson(notes) had six turnovers all day. 26 points on 25 shots for Danny Granger(notes), who was either whomped in the face by Dahntay Jones(notes) or some combination of Charlotte Bobcats on an offensive rebound attempt in the game’s final minutes. Granger collapsed to the floor several times and will not play tonight. Troy Murphy(notes) had a double-double with five assists added. *** San Antonio 88, Miami 76 It was a tale of two hal … no, I’m not there yet. I’ll be there soon enough, but not just yet. Did the Heat expect that the Spurs would be out partying on South Beach the night before? Did they think they could sleep through the first quarter, assuming the Spurs would do the same, and pull out the victory later? For all we know, the Spurs were out until 3 a.m. with sand between their toes, but you know Gregg Popovich has some CIA-level hangover remedy on the ready. You know these guys are recovering quite nicely. So San Antonio trashed the Heat from the outset. Forced bad shots, I guess (that’s giving Miami credit; they took terrible shots, as well), forced turnovers, worked the court and kept the Heat on their toes on the other end. A 25-point lead, before the Spurs ran out of gas. Miami came back to make a game of it, but as all the other Spurs faded, Manu went Manu, keeping the Heat at arm’s length. 22 points on 14 shots for Ginobili. Not a lot of offensive standouts in this. Richard Jefferson(notes) notched 15 points but faded late, George Hill(notes) had 16 points and five assists while pressuring the Heat but managed to turn the ball over five times. As many times as Dwyane Wade(notes), who scored 28 points but missed 15 of 26 shots. *** Atlanta 108, New Jersey 84 He may have LeBron James (New York traded for Tracy McGrady(notes), which sent Carl Landry(notes) to the Kings, and made a starter out of him), Glen Davis(notes) (injured Shaquille O’Neal(notes), made a sometimes-starter out of Anderson Varejao(notes)), and Tony Parker(notes) (injured, Manu’s a starter now) to thank, but Jamal Crawford(notes) is well on his way to earning that Sixth Man of the Year award. Crawford was the difference, 16 points as the Hawks pulled away in the first half with him on the floor, nine in the second half to ensure an Atlanta victory, shooting 11-18 overall with no turnovers on the night. Fab performance. Truth be told, though he turned this close game into a laugher by halftime, the Hawks probably didn’t need Crawford to pull this out. New Jersey scored a miserable 93.3 points per 100 possessions and was playing without Devin Harris(notes). *** Memphis 104, Chicago 97 OK, to write BtBs, I have to flip around, so I don’t see everything. The pun that is coming up is unintended. And though the box score tells me that Flip Murray(notes) made nine shots in 19 attempts, I must have been around for the 10 that didn’t go in. The worst 10 shots I’ve seen tossed up East of the Mississippi River, mind you, save for Antoine Walker’s(notes) better efforts. The guy was terrible. Terrible, terrible shots. He scored 25 points, but he earned -512 Basketball Karma points with that night. The Bulls fielded a D-League roster, and I have to credit the team’s effort. The team got out to a strong start, watched as the varsity slowly beat its way back to a commanding lead on the JV crew, but Chicago (can we call this team “Chicago?” Do I have to?) managed to come back and make a game of it. Of course, bad Murray shots and three Jannero Pargo(notes) turnovers late sealed the deal for Memphis. Flip Murray, Jannero Pargo. On the Bulls. It’s like finding out Jim J. Bullock and Annie Potts are taking over for Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey on 30 Rock. The Grizzlies should have romped, but I can’t get too down on them for playing down to their competition. With Marc Gasol(notes) out they struggled for a steadying interior influence at time, though O.J. Mayo(notes) was needed with 24 points, Zach Randolph(notes) had 18 and 12, and Mike Conley(notes) filled in some open spaces and hit some tough shots at the end of the shot clock – 19 points, 10 assists, five steals. Acie Law(notes) had 18 points, Hakim Warrick(notes) came off the bench for 22 and only four rebounds, and seemingly every out of bounds play Vinny Del Negro drew up featured Brad Miller(notes) missing a three-pointer from the corner. *** Denver 97, Washington 87 Washington covered, which is why I never bet, and they’re to be commended for not only keeping things close early on (working with a two possession lead for most of the first half), but for keeping things from getting ugly, late. The Wizards didn’t let up, and playing their fifth game in sixth nights in the most physically demanding (literal) atmosphere in the NBA, that was quite the accomplishment. Denver’s good at basketball, though. It got a lot of help from the helpers (15 points on seven shots from Nene, good bench play), and Carmelo put up his typical 29 while pulling in 12 rebounds. Andray Blatche(notes) topped 20 again (23 points and eight rebounds; turned an ankle in the fourth quarter), but the Wiz missed 11 free throws and just didn’t have the legs to compete at this (again, literal) level. *** This is Ron Artest(notes), in Andrew Bynum’s(notes) way, again. How many times this year do I have to see Bynum post up eight feet from the hoop on the low left block, only to see Artest think it sane to then post up just below Bynum on the same block three feet from the hoop. It defies logic, spiraling from any template. And yet, the Lakers let him do it, likely thinking that they can put up with not playing their best because of Ron while still managing to win the title. Los Angeles Lakers 106, Sacramento 99 These Lakers want me to hate them. Pau Gasol(notes) and Andrew Bynum had complete and utter mismatches every time down court, they were playing well together and finishing expertly all game, and yet this does nothing to tame Kobe Bryant(notes) (10-26 shooting) and Derek Fisher(notes) (2-7 shooting)’s triggers. I know the Lakers have this regular season wrapped up, but they’re going to need these guys in the playoffs. They’re going to need them interested, on the court, ready to play defense, ready to help. But it’s Basketball 101 to feed the big man when he has it going, and Bryant just never gets that. Kobe had seven assists, he had a terrific game superficially with 30 points and nine boards as well, and he’s to be commended for finding both Bynum and Gasol open under the basket for dunks at times, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about giving the ball up early, making yourself a threat away from the rock, and watch as two of this league’s most talented (if not this league’s most talented) 7-footers go to work. 29 other teams would kill for just one of these two, and the Lakers boast both. How can they continue to ignore them? Oh, I know. One makes mistakes, and one’s soft. Guess what? Inconsistent and soft still score, board, pass, and block shots for you. Consistently. Unlike jump shots, which even for the greatest of shooters, are inconsistent. I just need, in a fourth quarter that sees Pau Gasol score 11 (4-4 shooting, four rebounds, an assist), more than 1-4 shooting, three assists, and two turnovers for Kobe. I know he knows the game. I need to see him act like he knows, that we know, that he knows. 28, 12 rebounds, four assists and a block for Gasol. 21, 12 rebounds, three blocks for Bynum. 21-28 shooting, or, 11 more field goal makes in two more attempts than Bryant. Even with the injuries, these Lakers could have been a 70-win team this year had they just committed to the offense, from the coaching staff on down. Ron, get out of the post. Kobe, stop shooting long jumpers. Bam. 70 wins. 25 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists for Tyreke Evans(notes). He had trouble finishing his scoop shots (7-19) in the paint amongst the trees, but otherwise it was a great performance for a rookie. The Kings just couldn’t hang with Los Angeles’ size. *** Phoenix 152, Minnesota 114 Longer, quicker, better, smarter, more talented, more interested, more in love with the game, more attuned to what comes next and what should come after that, 152 points. The Timberwolves don’t care. They entered the season bent on telling you about 2011-12, the coaching staff has made a series of questionable choices, and the team’s not all that good. The Suns are, and you can’t chalk these gaudy numbers up to pace. Though there were 101 possessions in this one, you do the math. The Suns topped the 150 points per 100 possession mark on Tuesday, and if that’s been done already this year, I am unaware. Seven turnovers for Phoenix. Seven. 101 possessions, 98 shots, 37 assists, so many chances to get it wrong … seven turnovers. In a game that saw them put up 152 points. Nuts. I watched it, I plan on watching it again on the archived League Pass Broadband setup, and I don’t really know what else to relay to you. The Suns would make a pass, someone would be open in an area that he’s known to score efficiently from, and then the Sun who caught the pass would score.
