Official NBA Thread

[daigong]

It's that time of year to get your asses kicked again!

Yahoo Fantasy BASKETBALL!! JPHiPBA 2010-11



Go here: http://basketball.fantasysports.yahoo.com

League ID: 8868
Password: rika

Using online live draft. Sun Oct 17 10:00pm EDT [ Add to My Calendar ], which is 48 days, 18 hours, and 43 minutes from now. Please arrive at least 10 minutes early since your draft will start promptly at the assigned time.

Custom League URL: http://basketball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/league/jphipba

[daigong]

crazy!! only from TMZ.

TMZ: TMZ has learned the New Orleans Saints are determined to get Los Angeles Lakers star Derek Fisher into their locker room for opening day … because they believe Fish holds the key to back-to-back championships.

Sources close to the deal tell TMZ that Derek “has been asked by the Saints to address the team before their home opener in N.O. on September 9.”

We’re told the team especially wants Derek to talk about what it takes to lock down consecutive championships “as he did with the Lakers.”

Fisher personally received calls from coaches and “other team staff” — and we’re told the courting worked … because Fisher agreed and will be in the Superdome to pump up the reigning  Super Bowl champs before they take the field.

Good for Fish!!! Fucking inspirational y'all should go pick up his book in stores now: http://www.amazon.com/Character-Driven-Life-Lessons-Basketball/dp/1416580530

[RatBastich]

Jay Vincent enters not guilty plea

Associated Press

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Court filings show a plea bargain is in the works for ex-Michigan State basketball star and retired NBA player Jay Vincent, who appeared in court Tuesday on charges in a $2 million Internet scam.

Vincent was silent in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids as a not-guilty plea to fraud and tax charges was entered on his behalf. But a judge also set a Sept. 28 hearing for him to change that plea.

Defense lawyer Charles Ford said there could be a guilty plea if it is in his "client's best interest." He declined further comment. The U.S. attorney's office declined to comment.

Vincent and an associate are accused of defrauding people by charging them to become certified as home inspectors.

He and Magic Johnson played on the 1979 Michigan State national championship team. From 1981-90, Vincent played for Dallas, Washington, Denver, San Antonio, the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia in the NBA.

[RatBastich]

Nuggets focusing on Carmelo Anthony

Associated Press

DENVER -- Now that the Denver Nuggets have their management team in place, they're developing a strategy to keep All-Star Carmelo Anthony in powder blue and gold.

At his introductory news conference Tuesday, Masai Ujiri, the team's new vice president of basketball operations, said he's been in contact with Anthony and will meet with him soon.

The Nuggets offered Anthony a three-year, $65 million extension through 2014, but if he rejects it, the team will have to consider trading the forward who has guided them to seven straight playoff berths.

[RatBastich]

Melo Sweepstakes (sorry) haven't started yet

By Marc Stein

They’ve already had one press conference in Denver this week, but that will almost certainly be the only one.

The Nuggets and new vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri, just introduced Tuesday to the local media, are not close to announcing a Carmelo Anthony trade.

Sorry to disappoint again: Anthony isn’t even on the market.

Not yet, anyway.

[RatBastich]

Carlos Boozer thinking big

By Nick Friedell
ESPNChicago.com

CHICAGO -- Chicago Bulls power forward Carlos Boozer has lofty expectations for his new team this season.



"A championship," he told ESPNChicago.com on Wednesday night after a Nike House of Hoops event. "I think a realistic goal for us is a championship. I think anything shorter than that we're setting ourselves up to be shorter than what we can reach. I think [we have] potential to be a championship-level team."


One of the reasons Boozer feels so confident is due to the fact that he gets to play with the Bulls' 21-year-old All-Star point guard, Derrick Rose.



"He's tight," Boozer said. "He can play. With our combination of what we have on our team, with myself in the post, with D. Rose at the point guard spot, Joakim [Noah] plugging that middle up, Luol Deng being very versatile on the wing, I think we have a team that can rival anybody. I think we'll be able to compete against every team in the league."


When it comes to Rose's progression specifically, Boozer isn't surprised at all that his new teammate is succeeding under the tutelage of his former college coach at Duke and current Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

"I think [Rose] went out there and made that team, proved to be the starter for that team," Boozer said. "Coach K loves him, of course, and they've been able to compete and have a chance to win. I think they're a game or two away from winning the gold and hopefully they can bring it back for us."



Boozer signed with the Bulls and became a teammate of Rose's only after the organization failed to land LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The veteran forward understands that he just endured a few crazed few months that were unlike any other in NBA history.


"It was that kind of a summer," he said. "You had so many big names going different places, or possibly going different places. Obviously, Miami's crazy right now down there on the beach; obviously, we're crazy coming up here. In New York, [there's] a little bit of a buzz with Amare [Stoudemire] going up there. So for us, it was one of those situations where this summer was looked to for so long, people were anticipating this summer, now that it's here, everybody signed, everybody's on their team, now it's time to play basketball."



Boozer is looking forward to doing just that, especially with Rose and Noah, since they were two of the biggest reasons he felt comfortable playing in Chicago.


"I'm very excited to be part of the team," he said. "[I'm] looking forward to get going. Looking forward to seeing how good we can be. We have to prove ourselves. I think on paper we look terrific. I think we have to put what we have on paper on the court, get in the lab, mix it up, see how we jell together and then go out there and prove to everybody how good we are."

[RatBastich]

Celtics to re-sign Delonte West

By Chris Forsberg
ESPNBoston.com

Danny Ainge acknowledged that trading Delonte West was one of the hardest decisions he's made as Boston's president of basketball operations, but three years later he's hoping West, like the players he was swapped for did in 2008, can help bring the team a championship.

Ainge confirmed Wednesday that the Celtics have signed West, adding the 6-foot-4 free-agent guard to Boston's impressive offseason haul.

The Boston Herald first reported the agreement.


"He was one of the toughest guys for me to trade," said Ainge, who sent West, Wally Szczerbiak, the No. 5 pick in the 2007 draft (Jeff Green), and a 2008 second-round pick (Trent Plaisted) to Seattle in exchange for Ray Allen and the No. 32 pick in the 2007 draft (Glen Davis).

[RatBastich]

Sources: John Lucas III to Bulls camp

By Marc Stein
ESPN.com

The Chicago Bulls have invited guard John Lucas III to training camp with a partially guaranteed one-year contract, according to sources close to the situation.

After spending last season in China playing for the Yao Ming-owned Shanghai Sharks, Lucas starred for Chicago's summer-league team in July and was described at the time by new Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau as an "ideal" choice to serve as a third point guard behind Derrick Rose and C.J. Watson.

The contract might not be signed until closer to the start of camp later this month, sources said, so the Bulls can retain roster flexibility in case a trade materializes in the next few weeks that would necessitate the use of the roster spot earmarked for Lucas.

But Lucas, sources said, has been invited to camp with the idea that he can make Chicago's opening night roster. Lucas' one-year deal for the league minimum would become fully guaranteed if the 28-year-old can stay on the Bulls' roster past Jan. 10.

The Bulls currently have 12 players under contract for 2010-11 and remain interested in adding another quality shooter.

One source with knowledge of the Bulls' thinking told ESPN.com that the club has not abandoned hope of trading for Portland's Rudy Fernandez, who has been made available by the Trail Blazers. The Bulls and Blazers have discussed a deal that would send Fernandez to Chicago, but it's believed that Portland continues to hold out for more than a future first-round pick in return for the Spaniard.

Lucas, son of longtime former NBA player and coach John Lucas, has played in the NBA with the Houston Rockets when Thibodeau was a Rockets assistant. Lucas then went to training camp last season with Miami before leaving for China and flourishing under Shanghai's American coach Bob Donewald Jr., who also doubles as coach of China's national team.

[RatBastich]

Hawks sign Etan Thomas

Associated Press

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks have signed free agent center Etan Thomas to add bulk in the frontcourt.

The 6-foot-10 Thomas spent most of his career with the Washington Wizards but finished last season with Oklahoma City. He's averaged 5.8 point and 4.8 rebounds per game over his eight-year career, which includes 74 starts.

Hawks coach Larry Drew says Thomas will add veteran leadership and physical toughness.

Terms of the contract were not released.

[RatBastich]

U.S. has 1st practice since worlds began

Associated Press

ISTANBUL -- After one lackluster victory during pool play, Mike Krzyzewski encountered some feistier competition in his news conference than the U.S. faced on the court.

"Why didn't the USA score more?" one reporter asked.

"Why isn't the team practicing?" questioned another.

Maybe the two issues were related.

The Americans finally got into the gym for practice Saturday, the first step in what they believe will be cleaner play during the elimination round of basketball's world championship.

[RatBastich]

Bucks sign rookie Darington Hobson

Associated Press

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Bucks have signed second-round draft pick Darington Hobson.

The 6-foot-7, 210-pound junior was taken 37th overall out of New Mexico in this year's draft.

Terms were not disclosed when the signing was announced Friday.

Hobson averaged 16.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists over three college seasons, the first two at Eastern Utah. Last season at New Mexico, Hobson averaged career-highs in rebounds (9.3) and assists (4.6) while scoring 15.9 points and shooting a career-best 36.1 percent from 3-point range (39-108).

Hobson was the Mountain West Conference's Newcomer of the Year and Player of the Year. He was also named a Third Team All-American by The Associated Press.

[RatBastich]

Turkey, Slovenia advance at worlds

ESPN.com news services

Turkey used a 21-4 run spanning the second and third quarters on Sunday to eliminate France from the basketball world championship with a 95-77 win.

Phoenix Suns forward Hedo Turkoglu scored 20 points and Sinan Guler added 17 for Turkey, which played its first tournament game in the new Sinan Erdem Dome. A nearly capacity crowd of 15,000 -- including 22 members of the Turkish national soccer team sitting courtside -- watched the home team make shoot 35 of 55 from the field in the round of 16 game.

Boris Diaw of the Charlotte Bobcats led France with 21 points, and Nando de Colo added 15.

Turkey plays Slovenia on Wednesday in the quarterfinals.

[RatBastich]

Chauncey Billups leads balanced effort as U.S. cruises

Associated Press

ISTANBUL -- Before it can win a world championship, the United States needed to start looking like a world champion.

Kevin Durant, Chauncey Billups and the rest of the Americans finally had that appearance Monday, powering into the quarterfinals with a 121-66 victory over Angola.

"Obviously we want to stay humble, but at the same time we have to know that we can do it," forward Kevin Love said. "We know regardless of what people are saying, that we still are the favorites and we should play and really act like it, too."

They did, opening the knockout round with a quick knockout.

[RatBastich]

Matt Barnes arrested in Sacramento

ESPN.com news services

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento County authorities say Los Angeles Lakers guard Matt Barnes has been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.

Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Tim Curran says deputies arrested Barnes after responding to what was termed an incomplete 911 call from a home around 4:16 p.m. Wednesday.

Deputies say both Barnes and the woman had visible injuries, but took Barnes into custody after determining he had been the primary aggressor.

The name of the woman was not released, but she was described by authorities as "a woman who lived with him and with whom he had a dating relationship."

Barnes was booked into the Sacramento County Jail on suspicion of domestic violence and maliciously obstructing the use of a telephone line.

He posted a $50,000 bond and was released. He is scheduled to be arraigned in court Monday.

Aaron Goodwin, Barnes' agent, reached in Turkey by ESPNLosAngeles.com, said in a text message that he was "getting the facts first from both parties" before commenting further.

"I plan to find out accurately what transpired, and go from there," Goodwin said via text.

Barnes, who attended UCLA, signed a two-year, $3.6 million contract with the Lakers in July.

[RatBastich]

FIBA discusses rules changes

By Chris Sheridan
ESPN.com

ISTANBUL -- The secretary general of FIBA, the governing body of international basketball, would like to see the NBA change its goaltending rules to allow players to knock the ball off the rim.

The official, Patrick Baumann, made the comment during a lunch meeting with eight selected American and European journalists Thursday before the final two quarterfinal games at the FIBA World Championship.

FIBA rules allow players to knock the ball off the rim after it touches the cylinder, whereas in the NBA that would constitute a goaltending violation.

Baumann also said the chances of Great Britain being awarded a spot in the 12-team field for the 2012 Olympics will be made next March during a meeting of the FIBA executive committee, but will be contingent in large part on the British Basketball Federation's road map toward building the growth of the sport for the long term.

FIBA will be instituting two rules changes at the conclusion of this tournament, abandoning the trapezoid lane in favor of an NBA-sized rectangular lane, and moving the 3-point line back by a half-meter (19½ inches) from its current distance of 20 feet, 6.1 inches.

Baumann said the next rule change FIBA wants to institute is widening the court by 50 centimeters on each side, in large part to create additional room for players to attempt 3-point shots from the corners. FIBA courts are slightly smaller than NBA courts, measuring 91 feet, 10 inches long (compared to 94 feet in the NBA) and 49 feet, 2½ inches wide (versus 50 feet in the NBA).

But Baumann, along with outgoing FIBA president Bob Elphinston of Australia and incoming president Yvan Mainini of France, said they are opposed to any changes in the number of timeouts (FIBA allows two per team in the first half and three in the second half, plus one in each overtime period) or the length of the game -- 40 minutes, as opposed to 48 in the NBA.

Baumann also said FIBA will continue to push the International Olympic committee to expand the field from 12 to 16 for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, along with making a push for adding 3-on-3 basketball as a separate competition.

FIBA has been trying for eight years to increase the size of the field, but has met resistance from the IOC, which wants to retain a limit of 10,500 athletes at the Olympic Games. Two sports, baseball and softball, have been dropped from the Olympics for 2012, while two other sports, golf and seven-man rugby, have been added.

"We think it makes perfect sense -- 16 for '16," Baumann said, adding that having four groups of four teams would actually shorten the amount of time needed to play the Olympic tournament by two days. "We're trying to enlarge the quality of the countries to play at the highest level, so that we have a more competitive field."

"There's a lot of politics in this environment," Baumann added. "But if you look around the world and get the statistics of what's the most popular sport in the age group 14-18, it's basketball across all genders. I don't think we have an issue on gaining hearts and minds; we do have a problem in turning those hearts and minds into the level of the structure that supports having 16 teams."

[RatBastich]

Coach: LeBron James welcome at game

Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State coach Jim Tressel wants LeBron James to feel welcome, even if many fans are still angry at the former Cleveland star's decision to bolt to the Miami Heat.

There has been speculation that James will attend the game between No. 12 Miami and second-ranked Ohio State on Saturday at Ohio Stadium. On some message boards and college football sites, angry fans have said they do not want James coming to the game.

Asked if James was still a sore subject for many fans, Tressel said Thursday that "sore subjects need to pass."

James has been texting with Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Pryor said Wednesday night that he hoped fans will take it easy on James if he comes to the game.

[RatBastich]

Source: Bulls discuss Carmelo Anthony

ESPNChicago.com

The Chicago Bulls are interested in trading for the Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony and are discussing internally including Joakim Noah as part of the deal, according to a league source.

According to the source, the Nuggets are hesitant to take back Luol Deng as part of a deal with the Bulls because Denver is leery of taking on long-term contracts with the collective bargaining agreement set to expire on June 30, 2011. Deng is two years into a six-year, $71 million contract.


Noah will make $3.1 million this season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. He would become a restricted free agent next season unless the Bulls extend his contract.


Yahoo! Sports reported Wednesday that an NBA source with knowledge of Anthony's wishes told him Anthony still hopes to convince Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri to trade him, and he prefers a move to the New York Knicks or Bulls.


The Nuggets offered Anthony a three-year, $65 million extension through 2014, but if he rejects it, the team will have to consider trading the forward who has guided them to seven straight playoff berths.


"I think I'm going to convince him to be a Nugget," Ujiri said on Aug. 31. "No, I don't know, I can't make a judgment on that. Like I said, it's a process and until he tells me that ... we want him back, the city wants him back, ownership wants him back."


Anthony has never come out and said he wanted to be traded, however.


At his basketball camp this summer, Anthony dismissed all the speculation of his impending departure from Denver: "I've been hearing that for five years. I'm a Denver Nugget. I'm here, I'm with the Nuggets. I don't become a free agent until next year, if I decide not to take that extension."


Anthony, 26, has averaged 24.7 points per game in his career, including 28.2 last season.

[RatBastich]

Durant scores 33 points as U.S. draws closer to FIBA gold

Associated Press

ISTANBUL -- Kevin Durant scored 33 points and the United States beat Russia 89-79 on Thursday to move within two wins of its first world championship since 1994.

The victory came on the 38th anniversary of the Soviet Union's win over the Americans for an Olympic gold medal, a game with such a controversial ending that the U.S. players refused to accept their silver medals.

Durant made sure there would be no worries at the finish of this one, shooting 11 of 19 while just missing Carmelo Anthony's world championship team record of 35 points set in 2006.

The U.S. will play either Lithuania or Argentina on Saturday. Host Turkey and Serbia will play in the other semifinal.

[RatBastich]

NBA opens office in Moscow

Associated Press

MOSCOW -- The NBA has opened an office in Russia, shortly after approving Mikhail Prokhorov as owner of the New Jersey Nets.

Deputy commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement Thursday, saying the league wanted to move closer to its fan base in Russia and Eastern Europe. Former NBC Universal executive Egor Borisov was also hired as vice president of development for the region.

The announcement came the day the U.S. beat Russia in the quarterfinals of basketball's world championship.

Prokhorov, a billionaire who became the NBA's first owner from outside North America, said he looks "forward to working together with the NBA to create more opportunities for boys and girls and students throughout Russia to become active basketball participants."

The NBA's Atlanta Hawks toured the Soviet Union in 1988, and Russian power CSKA Moscow will play three preseason games in the United States against NBA teams.

"This is a great time for the NBA to expand its presence in Russia, especially given Mikhail Prokhorov's commitment to further grow the sport in the country," Silver said in a statement.

The NBA now has offices in 16 worldwide markets.

[RatBastich]

Wiz camp starting with midnight practice

Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Midnight Madness in the NBA?

The Washington Wizards are stealing an idea from the colleges. They announced Thursday that their first practice at training camp will start at midnight on the morning of Sept. 28.

The Wizards say that the event will have all the fanfare associated with the college version: an open practice for the fans with player introductions and prizes.

It will be the first training camp for the Wizards under new owner Ted Leonsis, whose innovative marketing helped bring in new fans to the NHL's Washington Capitals.

It's also the first training camp for the Wizards at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. The team wanted a venue closer to Washington after training in Richmond, Va., for six years.