'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 38

[nasty daddy]

http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/go ... _TO_XAVIER

BROWN "DOUBTFUL" ON RETURN TO XAVIER
Derrick Brown has no intention of returning to Xavier.

The 6-foot-8 (with shoes), 229-pound Brown has worked out for Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago thus far and will remain in the Windy City for this week's pre-draft festivities.

According to sources close to the situation, Brown will likely sign with agent Bill Duffy. "I feel like I've done a lot of Xavier," he added. "But I don't feel as though I can increase my stock much with another year. I've been in school for four years and it's time to move on."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 527&lc=NBA

Pre-Draft Camp Tips-Off Minus Games
The NBA's Competition Committee voted in May of last year to eliminate the five-on-five games, a move that is taking affect this year.

Instead, the camp will consist of drills and workouts similar to the NFL combine.

George David, Detroit's director of player personnel, will be among the many NBA executives that attend the pre-draft camp. "Even though they're not playing games like they've done in the past," David said, "from the standpoint of the draft being only a few weeks away, you value every opportunity you have to be around the guys that you're thinking about selecting."

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4208252

Coach: Guard Oglesby leaving Clemson
Clemson sophomore guard Terrence Oglesby stunned head coach Oliver Purnell Tuesday by telling him that he was leaving the Tigers' program, signing with an agent and heading to play in Europe, Purnell told ESPN.com. Oglesby didn't declare for the NBA draft but will forego the final two seasons of his eligibility by becoming a pro in Europe. Oglesby, who has a duel citizenship with a Norwegian passport, can play as a European instead of an American. The news was first reported by boyshoopscout.com earlier Tuesday.

Oglesby averaged a third-best 13.2 points a game last season for the Tigers. "It's true that Terrence is leaving Clemson and the expectation that he's signing with someone in Europe," Purnell said. "It hasn't been finalized yet or he hasn't gotten an agent. But he felt there were opportunities out there for him in either Spain or Italy." Oglesby, who made 38.8 percent of his 3s, was considered one of the game changers if he got on a roll and hit a flurry of 3s. Oglesby played overseas last summer to be seen for a possible future contract, but it came sooner rather than later. Oglesby leaves Clemson on a bit of a downer. He was ejected for a flagrant elbow in an NCAA tournament first-round loss to Michigan. Oglesby played only 13 minutes and shot a mortal 1 of 8 from the field. Oglesby was in tears in the postgame locker room, visibly upset about letting his team down. At the time, in Kansas City, he vowed that he would make it up to his teammates next season after he couldn't help the Tigers in the three-point loss. "We lose shooting but we hope to be better defensively," said Purnell. "I was surprised by the European thing."

The Tigers could have lost leading scorer Trevor Booker to the draft, but he decided to return and not test the draft process. Booker is trying out for the World University Games team heading to Serbia this summer, which is coached by Wisconsin's Bo Ryan. Losing Oglesby means the Tigers will be without their top two scoring guards as second-leading scorer K.C. Rivers was a senior. Oglesby is the second underclassman within a week to sign with a European team instead of trying the NBA draft. Florida's Nick Calathes decided to sign with a Greek professional team, according to a source, instead of waiting for the NBA draft. Calathes did, though, declare for the draft, unlike Oglesby.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 527&lc=NBA

NBA Conspiracy, or Mere Coincidence?
During the regular season, (LeBron) James averaged only 1.7 fouls per game while playing an average of 37.7 minutes. That's remarkable. He also received 22 first-place votes for defensive player of the year, an award that normally requires physical, aggressive play. Yet James never had more than four fouls in any of the 81 games he played during the regular season.

The numbers don't make sense, and speak to a double standard. "There was (a recent) story in our paper, a headline about that very issue: 'Magic fans fear referees,' " Magic senior vice president Pat Williams said. "Isn't that something? Before a playoff series in Major League Baseball in October, you never read that headline, do you? 'Local fans worried about umpires' or 'Super Bowl hangs on the refs.' It never happens."

This is not to suggest the NBA is rigging games. They're not. But given the league's rich history of coincidence, it doesn't take much to get the conspiracy theorists buzzing. And at a time like this, it doesn't help that Nike is running commercials featuring Kobe and LeBron puppets, along with the inherent metaphor that somebody on high is pulling the strings.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 527&lc=NBA

Lakers Face Summer of Decisions
The Lakers will have five unrestricted free agents over the summer and many difficult decisions to make.

(Trevor) Ariza sits front and center in all of them.

The better he plays, the larger the market for his services will grow. And while the Lakers would undoubtedly like to keep the wiry Westchester High grad, the larger the market he finds, the less money there is for their other free agents: Lamar Odom, Shannon Brown, Josh Powell and DJ Mbenga. "When you play well, that normally is a good thing if you're going to be a free agent," (Mitch) Kupchak said. "It's all good, when guys play well I'm happy for them. It's a good problem to have. "There's nothing there that needs to be addressed right now. We're happy with his performance, we look at him as an important part of this team. The money thing will take care of itself during the offseason, when there's a market that's established."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/2009/playoffs2009/05 ... index.html

NBA rescinds Howard's sixth technical foul of Playoffs
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard had his technical foul from Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals rescinded by the NBA.

Howard was given his sixth technical of the Playoffs for taunting Anderson Varejao after a layup in the fourth quarter of the Magic's 116-114 overtime victory Tuesday night. Cleveland's forward had draped his arms around Howard in a failed attempt to stop him from scoring. The NBA announced it was rescinding the foul Wednesday. Under league rules, Howard would have been automatically suspended for one game if he received a seventh technical during the Playoffs.The Magic lead the Cavaliers 3-1 in the best-of-seven series. Game 5 is Thursday night in Cleveland.

Howard and Magic coach Stan Van Gundy were baffled by the technical Tuesday, saying after the game that Orlando's center had simply made a big basket and was enthusiastic in the moment. "I wasn't taunting Varejao or anything," Howard said after the game. "My thing, it was a tough play. He grabbed me around the neck and I made the shot." Howard already was suspended one game in the Magic's first-round series for his elbow on 76ers center Samuel Dalembert. Howard had joked after receiving his fifth technical foul of the postseason that he was going to start wearing thick elbow pads and duct tape his mouth."I might have to get some duct tape for real," Howard said after Game 4.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/05/27/will ... index.html

Prosecutors seek to jail Jayson Williams
Prosecutors on Wednesday asked a judge to sentence Jayson Williams for covering up a fatal shooting at his mansion in 2002 and cited the former NBA star's recent erratic behavior, including an assault arrest in North Carolina.

The four cover-up counts, which include witness and evidence tampering, carry a combined maximum sentence of 13 years in prison, but Williams is not expected to receive a term longer than five years, the maximum sentence for the most serious charge.

Williams' defense team says the shooting was an accident and that the gun misfired. Christofi's family received a reported $2.75 million settlement from Williams in 2003.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20090527/S ... ng+on+Pens

Pistons/NBA
• A snapshot of how Dwight Howard punished LeBron James and the Cavaliers in overtime of Game 4.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20090527/S ... ng+on+Pens

• Chauncey Billups is flourishing with his hometown Nuggets. Is this story old yet? One writer makes that case that Billups should have been the MVP.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20090527/S ... ng+on+Pens

When the Pistons head to predraft camp today, they'll have to scout without watching players actually play games.

[nasty daddy]

http://postingup.2dogs.com/member/blogt ... q=1&page=0

Ha ha Ha ha Cavs Fans wheres Hype?
LOL Ha Ha Ha ha, Im lovin the Orlando Magic right now, Im not even an Magic fan, I dont like they team what so ever, Dwight Howard is an elite player, but Im really feelin them stickin to the Cavs, Ha ha ha ha ha, did any one see the Overtime thrilla last night. im lovin Orlando stickin it to the Cavs, where's Hype? Where are the Cavs fans now, down 3-1. I just can't stop laughing. I know we will be back next year, in the mean time, im rooting for Chauncey and Mello, and hating the Cavs. Ha Ha Ha ha. Ahhhhh! you gotta love it! Go David Stern! So Much for the Showdown of Kobe and Labron! Im just happy, wheres all the pregame rituals, wheres all the showboating,did you know Labron played the whole second half and Overtime, with no time breaks, Whats up Mike dont you know a player cant play defense and score rebound assist and everything for 3 hours straight with no help. He aint A.I., well A.I. wasn't a good rebounder.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/ ... id=4210088

NBA rescinds technical on Howard
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard is back to two technical fouls away from suspension territory.The NBA announced Wednesday that it has rescinded Howard's sixth technical foul of the playoffs, which he was given for taunting Anderson Varejao after a layup in the fourth quarter of the Magic's 116-114 overtime victory Tuesday night. Cleveland's forward had draped his arms around Howard in a failed attempt to stop him from scoring.

Howard's total of technicals for the postseason is thus back down to five. Players receive a one-game suspension after reaching seven technical fouls and further one-game suspensions for every other technical thereafter.

Howard and Magic coach Stan Van Gundy expressed hope after Tuesday night's win -- which gave Orlando a 3-1 lead over the heavily favored Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals -- that the technical would be rescinded. They argued that Howard was unfairly punished for celebrating his layup after being wrapped up by Varejao and eventually forcing the ball in with his strength. "I wasn't taunting Varejao or anything," Howard said after the game. "My thing, it was a tough play. He grabbed me around the neck and I made the shot."

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4209200

Officials: Williams' conduct warrants jail
Prosecutors on Wednesday asked a judge to sentence Jayson Williams for covering up a fatal shooting at his mansion in 2002 and cited the former NBA star's recent erratic behavior, including an assault arrest in North Carolina.

Williams, 41, was acquitted of aggravated manslaughter in 2004 but convicted on four counts of trying to cover up the slaying of a hired driver at his mansion. The jury couldn't reach a verdict on a reckless manslaughter count, and state Superior Court Judge Edward M. Coleman has delayed sentencing pending Williams' retrial on that charge.

The four cover-up counts, which include witness and evidence tampering, carry a combined maximum sentence of 13 years in prison, but Williams is not expected to receive a term longer than five years, the maximum sentence for the most serious charge.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/ ... id=4208217

Williams' guarantee hurting
Mo Williams' Game 4 guarantee blew up like his swollen left eye.

Starting fast and fading late, Williams had 18 points but went scoreless in the fourth quarter and overtime as the Cleveland Cavaliers lost 116-114 Tuesday night to the Orlando Magic to go down 3-1 in the Eastern Conference finals. "I'm a leader on this team. Whatever I can do to spark this team and give us confidence, I'll do," Williams said. "If I have to take the heat, so be it."He finished 5 for 15 from the field, with eight of his points coming on free throws. Williams attempted only two shots after the third period, and like most of the Cavs, he leaned heavily on James. "I put the ball in LeBron's hands," Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "So he didn't defer. I went small. That's why he didn't get a ton of touches."

Magic point guard Rafer Alston said Williams' prediction was their biggest motivation."I had it in the back of my mind. I wanted to take it to him, and he wasn't even guarding me. LeBron was," Alston said.

[nasty daddy]

http://myespn.go.com/nba/truehoop

Donte Greene, World's Highest Paid Lifeguard
Hats off to the young King who is humble about the fact that he used his lifeguard training, and heroic instincts, to save a woman who fell off a boat over Memorial Day weekend.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketba ... foul_N.htm

NBA rescinds Howard's technical foul from Game 4
The NBA league office rescinded a technical foul called against Orlando Magic star center Dwight Howard in Game 4 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Taking away the technical foul is of great importance to the Magic because Howard goes back to having five technical fouls in these playoffs. A player is suspended the next game after picking up a seventh technical foul.

Howard was whistled for a technical foul — at the time his sixth technical foul — in the third quarter Tuesday night when he celebrated after converted a basket. Howard was grabbed around the shoulders and waist by Cleveland's Anderson Varejao and he exalted upon making the basket anyway.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sport ... 50947.html

James picks up option
Washington Wizards guard Mike James has picked up his player option for the 2009-10 season, agent Bernie Lee just informed me.

James averaged 9.6 points and 3.6 assists in 53 games (50 starts) for the Wizards last season after being acquired eight games into the year from New Orleans in a three-team deal that also garnered Washington Javaris Crittenton from Memphis while sending New Orleans guard Antonio Daniels and a second-round draft pick. The Grizzlies picked up a conditional draft pick that the Wizards had originally acquired in the deal that gave Memphis Juan Carlos Navarro.

James will earn $6.7 million this season. Because it is the final year of his contract, he could very well be included in a package should Wizards try to deal their fifth overall pick in next month's draft. "Mike greatly enjoyed his time in Washington after the trade in December of last year," said Lee. "The trade was exactly the re-energization that Mike's career needed, and with a summer of preparation and a full training camp, Mike looks forward to an even better season next year, filling whatever role Flip Saunders asks of him."

[nasty daddy]

http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... likel.html

Columnist: Chris Bosh has likely peaked
Is Chris Bosh really worth a maximum contract?National Post columnist Bruce Arthur has a thought-provoking column that suggests Chris Bosh might not be worth the maximum contract he appears in line to receive.

That, however, has become too true. Over the past four seasons, Bosh has reached an appreciable but almost dead flat numerical plateau. His points per game have been 22.5, 22.6, 22.3, and 22.7. His rebounding numbers have ranged between 8.7 and 10.7; his assist numbers between 2.5 and 2.6; his blocked shots between 1.0 and 1.3. He has shot between .487 and .505,with the number trending slightly downward each year; he has attempted 8.3, 8.6, 8.3, and 8.0 free throws per game. Oh, and he has missed 12, 13, 15 and five games, and the Raptors have not won a playoff series. In other words, he has become an all-star, a fine and respectable player, and a 6-foot-10 metronome. "I don't think he's going to get any better," says one NBA source who has scouted Bosh extensively. "I love him, but he is what he is -- he's a jump-shooting power forward."

Arthur looks at the current state of the playoffs and recognizes the remaining teams each have a "transcendent star." Although I think it's a bit of a stretch to comfortably apply the label to Carmelo Anthony at this point, Arthur argues Bosh will never be the type of player to take the last shot or simply will his team to victory. There's no doubt Bosh is a top-level talent, but he's a very safe talent, and even when surrounded with decent supporting cast in Toronto, he was never able to put the team on his back and lead the Raptors out of the first round of the NBA playoffs. A comparison could be made to Kevin Garnett's situation in Minnesota, but Bosh would not be joining a team that looks anything like the Celtic squad that landed Garnett. The Pistons don't have a single player on their current roster that is better than Paul Pierce or Ray Allen, and at least one or possibly both of the Pistons' top two players, Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Price, would be required in a deal to acquire Bosh. Unless the Pistons use their remaining cap space to land a cutthroat scorer, capable of taking the big shot in the closing minutes (Ben Gordon?), how much better would the team actually be?It's a debate worth having.

[nasty daddy]

http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... pects.html

Detroit Piston draft prospects arrive in Chicago
As more than 50 possible future NBA players head to Chicago for the NBA's pre-draft camp, team executives and scouts are set to get all the information they can obtain on the players they want to make part of their teams. Jonathan Givony of Draft Express previews the Chicago combines in a podcast interview with Draft Express President Joe Whelan. Givony goes through the first six selections of the draft and doesn't get to the Pistons, but he does provide some use information. Here are a couple transcribed questions and answers from the interview.

Joe Whelan: A lot of things are going to start to take shape,... take form this weekend at the pre-draft camp in Chicago, we'll start to get more of a sense of who is going to wind up where and which teams are going to be taking which picks and whether teams are going to be taking the most talented player available with their pick or if they are going to be looking to fill a need...Jonathan, every year this is a big topic of discussion, especially in the NBA draft. Do you take the best player available with your pick, or do you try to fill a need?
Now, obviously, one comparison that gets drawn a lot is the NFL versus the NBA. In the NFL you have so many specialized positions, that often times teams will take a need as opposed to the most talented player left on the board. In the NBA where a lot of time those positions start to blend together, that's not always the case. So I guess the first question, Jonathan, if you are a GM...are you taking the best player available or are you looking to fill a need, depending on the situation?

Jonathan Givony: I'm definitely identifying the most talented players in the draft and I'm ranking them one through sixty, and I don't really care if I have a point guard already that I drafted three years ago in the top five[of the NBA draft]. For example if you look at the Memphis Grizzlies, they drafted Mike Connelly at four, and that doesn't seem to be working out, so maybe you just cut your losses and take the most talented guy on the board instead of trying to spoon-feed him minutes again and again when obviously he's not the difference maker you thought he'd be. So I think this is more important in the NBA than any other sport because the NBA is such an individual sport. Really, [if you] look at the NBA playoffs right now, it's really a bunch of stars going at each other at every possession with a bunch of role players supporting them. And if you are going to miss on that star, and you only have one or two chances at getting that guy, you're missing out in a major way. So...I am definitely a best player available type guy. Others are more about need, I think it's going to be very interesting to see how this shakes out...

[nasty daddy]

http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... pects.html

That part of the interview started at around 6:40, and the whole podcast lasts almost 30 minutes. As I wrote above, the Pistons are not mentioned, but Givony does talk about a player(Austin Daye) the Pistons are projected to take in both the Draft Express and Chad Ford mock drafts.

Joe Whelan: Once individual workouts start kicking in, do you see any of these names[the top lottery picks], potentially taking any kind of a plummet towards the back end of the lottery or even further beyond that?
Jonathan Givony: Well, I think it would be less someone plummeting and more someone rising up and taking one of their spots and in turn knocking those guys down...Austin Daye, I mean in terms of pure talent you're not going to find a more skilled guy at 6'10... he can make shots...he can do a lot of different things.

As much skill and potential that Daye has, and he does have both, the fact that he's being talked about as a lottery pick shows just how much depth this years draft lacks in the big man department. NBADraft.net does not include Daye in their 2009 mock draft, presumably because he has yet to hire an agent and has hedged when asked if he plans on staying in the 2009 draft. But they do include him in their 2010 mock draft, where he is projected as the 37th overall pick. That's the 7th pick in the second round. That should give fans an idea just how bereft of talent the 2009 draft is in terms of big men, and shows why a team would take a more talented player.