'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol:12

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 927&lc=NBA

Eddie Gill and Awvee Storey have been added to the camp roster, which gives them 19 bodies.

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http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 927&lc=NBA

Aaron McKie is returning to the 76ers as an assistant coach and is expected to be introduced Monday, according to a team source familiar with the situation.

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http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-3 ... erees.html

A lot of people grew up watching or playing high school and college basketball. Me? I grew up watching NBA basketball. I believe this is why I simply do not notice the vast majority of travels. I think this might affect NBA referees, too. More than once we were showed video clips demonstrating block/charge or some other fine point of the game, and after watching it in slow-motion, the room was full of "travel" muttering. And on the big screen, in slow motion, once you focus on it, it was obvious. But the professionals leading the session hadn't even focused on it. One big instance of that: Remember that 20078 Eastern Conference Finals game which Cleveland lost in Detroit on a big no-call? LeBron James drove into the lane, and everyone in Ohio was just certain he was fouled by Rip Hamilton. But there was no call. In reviewing that play, we learned that it was in fact, in the league's view, a mistake. Indeed, it should have been a foul on Richard Hamilton, who initiated contact with his arms that affected James' would-be game-winner. Bernie Fryer refereed that game, and said that watching the video of that last play was "brutal ... not a happy ending for the referees ... the referees didn't get any sleep that night." But as we were watching it, the "travel" whispers echoed around the room, and we watched again and again, and pretty quickly, Fryer -- I give him a mountain of credit for honesty -- admitted that since it had been pointed out, he now believes the correct call would have been a travel. (You'd have to ask, though: Can anyone remember a superstar on the way to the hoop in crunch time ever getting called for a travel? I'm sure I have seen it, but I sure don't recall an instance.)

Just a personal observation: For whatever reason, Rip Hamilton showed up in several of these videos. And time and again, what he did looked clean at game speed. But in slow motion, just about every time he was involved, he was actually committing a foul.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 927&lc=NBA

Bulls general manager John Paxson believes the long-running Ben Gordon saga will end with Gordon accepting the one-year qualifying offer and becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Paxson said as much in an interview with the team's new radio voice, Chuck Swirsky, which is available at bulls.com. Paxson confirmed the sentiment in an e-mail.

"We've been so far apart for two summers, and the qualifying offer is a good one-year deal for Ben," Paxson said. "So yes, I do think that is what will happen."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nj.com/nets/index.ssf/2008/0 ... d_you.html

Eddie Gill and Awvee Storey have been added to the camp roster, which gives them 19 bodies.

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http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 927&lc=NBA

Houston Rockets forward Shane Battier will miss most of the preseason due to inflammation in his left foot, the team announced on Friday.

Battier underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs in May and was undergoing rehabilitation when he suffered the setback. He is expected to miss the next four weeks.

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http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 927&lc=NBA

Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird welcomed back a familiar face Friday after reaffirming his desire to rid the franchise of another one.

Bird said fan favorite Austin Croshere has been invited to camp but doesn't have a guaranteed contract and has to make the team. Croshere, a 6-9 forward who spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Pacers, played sparingly for Golden State last season.

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http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 927&lc=NBA

The Bulls released their training camp roster on Friday. It contains a former Illinois star and one very large question mark.

Three players were signed to pad the roster, including ex-Illini power forward Roger Powell. The others additions are 6-9 former Virginia forward Elton Brown and 6-2 guard Darius Washington, who preceded Derrick Rose as a Memphis point guard.

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http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 927&lc=NBA

The revelation - at least from Cheeks' words - that Iguodala might still remain at small forward, begs the question: If that's the case, who will start at shooting guard?

The options appear three-fold: Fourth-year guard Lou Williams, who until this season has been a sparkplug off the bench; free-agent Kareem Rush, who is known for his deft touch from beyond the arc; and Royal Ivey, a free-agent guard who signed with the club in July and has a reputation as a defensive stopper.

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http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball ... r_mission/

Garnett typically starts working out in mid-June in preparation for the season. His routine, however, changed after he led the Celtics to their first title in 22 years in 2008. Although Garnett's regimen was cut short by a month and a half, he will be in typically great shape for the 2008-09 season, and dreaming of another short summer.

"It's going to be the biggest challenge," Garnett said of repeating yesterday while promoting the NBA 2K9 video game. "But I'm telling you, man, I want to take time to enjoy these next four years. That's not to say I'm going to let up or anything like that. But I'm going to go at this [because] I like how this felt. I need a couple more short summers like this.

"Give me a couple more short summers where I feel like with this team, [we] set our mark. Every Celtics team sort of had their run, and its multiples. It's only right that we set our mark in this league like Timmy [Duncan] has done it with the Spurs, Kobe [Bryant] and Shaq [O'Neal] have done it [with the Lakers]. This is my opportunity to do that. I'm trying to take advantage of it fully right now."

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http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/six ... staff.html

Aaron McKie is returning to the 76ers as an assistant coach and is expected to be introduced Monday, according to a team source familiar with the situation.

McKie's status apparently was placed on hold when he was arrested in June on charges that he had lied on application forms to purchase a gun in Pennsylvania in April. Brian McMonagle, his attorney, called it "an honest mistake." McKie received probation in the case. McKie was a key figure with the 2000-01 Sixers who reached the NBA Finals, being named Sixth Man of the Year. He was waived Aug. 12, 2005, under the league's one-time-only amnesty provision, meaning that his salary would not count against the luxury-tax trigger point.

McKie will join a staff that includes Jim Lynam, John Loyer, Jeff Ruland and player development assistant Bernard Smith. *

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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/336/story/215616.html

Houston Rockets forward Shane Battier will miss most of the preseason due to inflammation in his left foot, the team announced on Friday.

Battier underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs in May and was undergoing rehabilitation when he suffered the setback. He is expected to miss the next four weeks.

He averaged 9.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 80 regular season games, including 78 starts, last season. The seven-year veteran, who played his first five seasons with Memphis and the past two with Houston, has averaged 10.3 points and 4.8 rebounds in 558 career games.

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http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238559&src=150

Bulls general manager John Paxson believes the long-running Ben Gordon saga will end with Gordon accepting the one-year qualifying offer and becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Paxson said as much in an interview with the team's new radio voice, Chuck Swirsky, which is available at bulls.com. Paxson confirmed the sentiment in an e-mail. "We've been so far apart for two summers, and the qualifying offer is a good one-year deal for Ben," Paxson said. "So yes, I do think that is what will happen."

If he accepts the qualifying offer, Gordon would be paid $6.4 million for the 2008-09 season with the Bulls. He could not be traded without his consent. Gordon, who has been working out regularly at the Berto Center, did not immediately return a phone message. The Bulls are thought to be offering a six-year deal worth around $59 million. The 6-foot-2 shooting guard has led the team in scoring for three straight years.

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http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 927&lc=NBA

Turk hopes this won't be his last summer with the town and the team he adores. He said Tuesday that he likely will opt out of his contract after the season to become a free agent, signaling the end of his six-year, $39-million deal with the Magic.

He could play out his final season in 2009-10 at $7.3 million. But he seemingly has gained enough leverage and equity after earning the NBA's most improved player award last season. He turns 30 next March, meaning this is likely his last shot at a lucrative long-term contract. "It does make sense (to opt out), actually," Turkoglu said, adding with a laugh, "I'd be one year younger. "I would love to stay in Orlando . . . but this is a business. My business is to play my game. If you don't play your game, you can't get a deal anywhere. Hopefully, Orlando will agree and we will sign, but we'll wait and see. It's hard to tell if I'm staying or leaving."

Magic General Manager Otis Smith said the club "would like to keep Turk" and expects to have several conversations before the February trade deadline with Lon Babby, Turkoglu's agent.

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http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... 8/SPORTS04

Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird welcomed back a familiar face Friday after reaffirming his desire to rid the franchise of another one.

Bird said fan favorite Austin Croshere has been invited to camp but doesn't have a guaranteed contract and has to make the team. Croshere, a 6-9 forward who spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Pacers, played sparingly for Golden State last season.

The Pacers have 16 players under contract, one more than the league maximum. Rosters must be set by Oct. 27, so the Pacers will have to release a player if they can't trade Tinsley by then. If Croshere makes the team, they'll have to release another player. The Pacers are looking at 2-for-1 trade scenarios.

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http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball ... tics_blog/

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Jason Williams announced his retirement from the NBA today, ending his 10-year career. Signed by the Clippers as a free agent on August 7, 2008, Williams did not appear in a game for Los Angeles. Williams enjoyed a 10-year NBA career that saw him take the court for three different teams, (Sacramento 1998-2001, Memphis 2001-2005 and Miami 2005-2008). A member of the NBA Champion Miami Heat in 2005-06, Williams started all 23 playoff games and averaged 9.3 points and 3.9 assists for Miami in helping to win the organization’s first title.

The West Virginia native leaves the NBA with career averages of 11.4 points, 6.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.4 rebounds while shooting 39.6 percent from the floor, 32.5 percent from three-point range and 81.6 percent from the foul line in 679 total games. Williams finishes his career with a 2.77 assist-to-turnover ratio. He enjoyed his best statistical season in 2001-02 when he averaged 14.8 points, 8.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds for Memphis. In his four seasons with the Grizzlies, Williams became the club’s all-time assists leader and all-time leader in three-point field goals attempted in addition to being named the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2002-03 season by Sports Illustrated when he finished tied for second in the league in assists per game.

Originally drafted with the seventh overall selection in the 1998 NBA Draft by Sacramento after one season at the University of Florida, Williams was named to the 1998-99 NBA All-Rookie Team following an electrifying first season that saw him average 12.8 points and 6.0 assists. Over the next nine seasons, Williams emerged as one of the most dependable point guards in the NBA, averaging double-figures in scoring and at least five assists per game in eight of his ten years in the league.

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http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/warrio ... liams.html

The Golden State Warriors have signed free agent center Justin Williams to a contract as a training camp invitee, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

Williams, 24, has appeared in 49 NBA games over the last two seasons, averaging a combined 3.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 9.3 minutes per contest with Sacramento (48 games) and Houston (one game). Last season, he began the campaign with the Kings and averaged 1.4 points and 2.2 rebounds in 22 games before being waived on February 16. The 6-10, 260-pound center subsequently signed a 10-day contract with Houston and appeared in one game for the Rockets.

Williams, who joined the Warriors prior to today’s first practice of training camp, will wear uniform #30. With the signing, Golden State currently has 18 players under contract.

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http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... nd_storey/

The New Jersey Nets have signed free agents Eddie Gill, Brian Hamilton, Julius Hodge and Awvee Storey, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today. Per team policy, terms of the agreements were not released.

Gill (6-0, 190), is appearing on the Nets training camp roster for the second straight year, as he spent the 2007 preseason with New Jersey, appearing in four games. During the 2007-08 season, he spent 13 games, including one start, with the Nets and averaged 2.9 points in 11.5 minutes. He was waived by New Jersey on 12/12 and then signed with the Seattle SuperSonics on 3/24, appearing in one contest. The five year NBA veteran has averaged 3.1 points and 1.1 assists in 181 career games with New Jersey, Memphis, Portland and Indiana. While playing for the Nets in 2001, he was credited with scoring the eight millionth point in NBA history during a game against the Boston Celtics on 4/15. Gill was selected as the Number One overall pick in the 2007 NBA Development League Draft by the Colorado 14ers. Gill averaged 18.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 2.2 steals in 38.4 minutes with Colorado and was selected to the 2008 D-League All-Star team.Hamilton (6-6, 200), who went undrafted out of Louisiana-Lafayette in 2005, spent the 2007-08 season with the Utah Flash of the D-League. Appearing in 49 games, including 34 starts, he averaged 10.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 31.2 minutes per contest. In 2005-06, Hamilton appeared in 10 games for the Pennsylvania Valley Dogs of the USBL and averaged 15.7 points while shooting .538 from the field.

Hodge (6-7, 210), is a two year pro who was selected 20th overall by Denver in the 2005 NBA Draft. The New York City native has appeared in 23 career games with Denver and Milwaukee, averaging 1.2 points and 0.7 rebounds in 4.2 minutes per game. Hodge is joining the Nets’ preseason roster after spending the 2007-08 season with four different teams. He signed with Italian Serie A team Cimberio Varese before transferring to fellow Serie A team Legea Scafati halfway through the season. He then signed with the Adelaide 36ers of the Australian NBL before returning to the states to play with the Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the D-League. Storey (6-6, 225), is a three year pro who spent the 2007-08 season with Milwaukee. The Arizona State alum has appeared in 60 career games, including one start, with New Jersey, Washington and Milwaukee and has averages of 2.4 points and 1.4 rebounds in 6.8 minutes. Storey saw action in 26 games for the Bucks, averaging 3.5 points and 2.1 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per contest. Storey was a member of the Washington Wizards for the 2005-06 season, appearing in 25 games, including one start, and tallying 1.7 points and 0.9 rebounds in 4.6 minutes. Storey debuted in the NBA with the Nets, playing in nine games for New Jersey during the 2004-05 season, averaging 0.9 points in 3.6 minutes per contest.

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http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3612580

The Charlotte Bobcats have laid off a significant number of their non-basketball operations staff after a consultant's report reflected overstaffing in relation to similar markets, the Charlotte Observer reported.

The Bobcats, who hired Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown in April to replace Sam Vincent after the team went 32-50, cut about 35 employees, according to the newspaper. "We looked at every piece of our business operation,'' team president Fred Whitfield said Friday afternoon.

The Bobcats were persuaded against shedding radio broadcasts -- in an effort to further cut costs -- by the NBA, the report said.

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http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2 ... artner=RSS

Danny Servick, the agent for Cleaves, confirmed Friday his client will sign with the Nuggets before training camp, which begins Tuesday. Cleaves, a six-year veteran, last played in the NBA in 2005-06.

Cleaves, scheduled to arrive in Denver on Friday afternoon, will sign a one-year nonguaranteed minimum contract. While Servick said Cleaves had been invited to Denver’s camp before it was known that Atkins would undergo right knee surgery Wednesday, his chances of at least starting the season with the Nuggets are now obviously better.

“The Nuggets have always kept in touch with me regarding Cleaves,’’ said Servick, noting Cleaves worked out with them in April 2007, when the Nuggets chose to sign point guard Anthony Carter instead, and also in the summer of 2007.