'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 27

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/index_main.html

The 2009 Pistons Care Telethon, benefiting Feed The Children, will take place on Wednesday, March 11. The Pistons are devoting the entire day, including their game and their broadcast, to raise money for charity

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20090221/S ... e+pressure

Stuckey buckles under defensive pressure
Several theories exist about the drop in production of Pistons second-year point guard Rodney Stuckey. There's the fatigue factor. A good chunk of last year's rookie season was taken from him because of a broken left hand, so this is really Stuckey's first full season as a pro. There is the question -- is he a natural point guard? At this stage in his development, he is more effective looking for his shot than spreading the wealth among others.

After watching him struggle with only three shots and two points in Thursday's 83-79 loss to the Spurs, coach Michael Curry added another one -- teams have focused their defensive efforts on Stuckey. "One thing I can tell you is that you can tell when we go into games that he is the focal point of opposing teams by the defenders that they're putting on him, and you can tell by the way they're covering him," Curry said.

Whenever Stuckey would execute a pick-and-roll, the Spurs would double-team him to force him to give up the ball. After once averaging a season-high 14.3 points earlier this season with games of 40 and 38 points, he is now at 13.4. Curry is confident Stuckey will work through it. "He'll learn and he'll keep learning and he'll keep getting better as he keeps on going," Curry said.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20090221/S ... e+pressure

TO THE MAX: One bright note in the Pistons' fifth straight loss Thursday was power forward Jason Maxiell. He provided hustle and was active with several dunks. He scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds in 25 minutes, prompting praise from Curry. "I thought Max's energy off the bench was great," Curry said. "As I always tell him, if he rebounds the basketball we can reward you with more minutes. "He came out and he did that for us."

Maxiell and Rip Hamilton were the only reserves used against the Spurs because the team will have a two-day break from games -- until Sunday at Cleveland. But Maxiell still talked in terms of the entire bench instead of his individual performance. "That's what we're supposed to provide from the bench with our performance so we can try to go deep in the playoffs," Maxiell said.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20090221/S ... e+pressure

PICK YOUR POISON: Folks might have been gnashing their teeth watching Spurs power forward Matt Bonner go 5-for-8 from the three-point line in scoring 15 points, but when you are facing Tony Parker and Tim Duncan, you got to give up something.

Just think about Rasheed Wallace's three-point shooting. He gets open looks because big men typically don't guard the three-point line well as they are protecting the basket. And with the Spurs, players constantly are protecting the hoop.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=16850

The Utah Jazz lost their patriarch on Friday, as team owner Larry H. Miller died at the age of 64 due to complications from type 2 diabetes. The team announced that Miller passed away at his home, surrounded by family members. "It is with great sadness that I offer condolences to Gail and the Miller family on behalf of the entire NBA family," NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement. "Larry's legacy extends beyond the NBA as he touched many lives in the Salt Lake City region through his business ventures and charitable endeavors. The NBA lost a great leader, colleague and friend today. We will miss him."

Miller had endured severe health problems recently and had both of his legs removed below the knee last month. The owner of the Jazz for the last 23 years, Miller first purchased 50 percent of the franchise in 1985, then took care of the remaining half just one year later and helped make the team an institution in Salt Lake City. "This is a sad day for me, our team, the fans of the Utah Jazz and the NBA," Jazz point guard Deron Williams said. "Mr. Miller was a terrific man and friend. He changed the lives of thousands of people. We have all been blessed by his generosity and love for this community, and I am blessed to call him my friend. He gave us a lot of joy and we will miss him."

He is one of the most prominent and well-known businessmen in the Salt Lake metro area, owning 39 auto dealerships and several movie theaters, among many other business ventures. He is survived by his wife Gail, four sons, one daughter and 21 grandchildren. "He meant so much to this state and this community," Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan said. "He'll always be in our hearts for what he's done. He's certainly someone we're all going to miss."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=16849

Lowry makes Rockets debut, while F Cook sits
Houston Rockets forward Brian Cook and guard Kyle Lowry were cleared to play in Friday's game against the Dallas Mavericks, though only one ultimately saw any action. The pair were sent to the Rockets in a three-team trade that sent point guard Rafer Alston to the Orlando Magic.

A first-round pick in 2006, Lowry came off the bench and logged 15 minutes, collecting six points, three rebounds and two assists while turning the ball over four times. He came in averaging 7.6 points in 49 games for the Memphis Grizzlies. "I liked him," Houston coach Rick Adelman said after the game. "He's another guy who will attack the basket, which I like."

The little-used Cook, who is averaging just 3.0 points in 21 games, did not play.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=16864

Celtics F Garnett out 2-3 weeks
The Boston Celtics will be without their emotional leader and defensive anchor for the next two to three weeks. According to multiple published reports late Friday night, All-Star forward Kevin Garnett was diagnosed with a posterior muscle strain in his right knee. Given the announced timetable for his return, Garnett would likely miss hotly anticipated showdowns against fellow Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland (March 6) and Orlando (March 8).

The veteran forward returned to Boston on Friday and was immediately examined, according to the Boston Herald, despite originally being scheduled to get checked out on Saturday afternoon. Garnett suffered the injury in the second quarter of Thursday's 90-85 loss to Utah on a non-contact play. With 1:56 left in the first half, he was chasing down a Jazz break and, after leaping in the air to contest a play, seemed to twist something in mid-air and deliberately landed on his good leg.

Garnett avoided putting any weight on the leg as he was helped to the locker room.He took the floor for warmups before the second half, but returned to the locker room and was shut down as a precaution. Garnett had eight points and two rebounds in just under 15 minutes. The 14-year veteran is averaging 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds in 53 games

[nasty daddy]

http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketbal ... 6642.story

Hughes, who will be the first player in Knicks history to wear No. 0, completed his physical but could not dress because the physicals were not completed on Chicago's end. The Bulls traded Hughes to the Knicks for Tim Thomas, Anthony Roberson and Jerome James, whose physical had to be waived because he is out with a ruptured Achilles. Hughes is expected to be available for Sunday's game in Toronto. Wilcox will wear No. 9

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.html

Garnett Set To Miss 2-3 Weeks
Celtics president Danny Ainge said early this morning that injured forward Kevin Garnett will be out 2-3 weeks with a posterior muscle strain of the right knee. The All-Star suffered the injury during the second quarter of Thursday's loss at Utah. "Rest and ice for KG," Ainge said. The Celtics could be interested in free agent forward-center Mikki Moore, who clears waivers on Monday after being cut by Sacramento, and Oklahoma City forward Joe Smith if he is ever waived. On free agents, Ainge said: "Nothing new."

[nasty daddy]

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

Celtics president Danny Ainge said early this morning that injured forward Kevin Garnett will be out 2-3 weeks with a posterior muscle strain of the right knee. The All-Star suffered the injury during the second quarter of Thursday's loss at Utah. "Rest and ice for KG," Ainge said.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.html

[b]The Hawks assigned guard Thomas Gardner to the NBA Development League Friday.

He will play for the Anaheim Arsenal, the D-League affiliate of the Hawks and the Los Angeles Clippers. Gardner, in his second season out of Missouri, has played in just five games this season and is averaging 1.6 points and 0.8 rebounds.

[nasty daddy]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_ba ... added.html

Familiar faces: Jason Williams is working toward league reinstatement, which remains an iffy proposition after he walked out on the Clippers contract he signed last summer.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports ... rdner.html

The Hawks assigned guard Thomas Gardner to the NBA Development League Friday.

He will play for the Anaheim Arsenal, the D-League affiliate of the Hawks and the Los Angeles Clippers. Gardner, in his second season out of Missouri, has played in just five games this season and is averaging 1.6 points and 0.8 rebounds.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_16596

General manager John Paxson has left the door open for Ben Gordon to remain with the Bulls. Gordon, who will be an unrestricted free agent July 1, turned down two long-term contract extensions. He rejected a five-year, $50 million offer in October 2007, and a six-year, $58 million offer last October. He signed a one-year qualifying offer of $6.4 million. "In our minds, we have not ruled out keeping Ben Gordon at all."

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3923700

Arrest made in Curry ex, baby deaths
Police said Saturday they had arrested a suspect in the slayings of the former girlfriend of New York Knicks' player Eddy Curry and their infant daughter. Police spokeswoman Laura Kubiak confirmed Saturday that one person was in custody. She said charges were pending. Kubiak said police believe the person under arrest killed Nova Henry, 24, and her 9-month-old daughter, Ava, who were found dead of multiple gunshot wounds in their apartment on Jan. 24. Curry was the biological father of Ava, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Henry was also the mother of the ex-Chicago Bull's 3-year-old son. The boy was found unharmed at the scene. Knicks spokesman Jonathan Supranowitz said by e-mail to The Associated Press that Curry had no comment. Kubiak said she could not confirm details of the arrest.

The Chicago Tribune reported Saturday that Henry's mother, Yolan Henry, said a detective informed her after midnight that a Chicago man, a more recent boyfriend of her daughter's, was in custody. "I feel relieved that I don't have to walk outside and wonder if he going to hurt my grandson," Yolan Henry told the newspaper. There was no immediate response Saturday to a call from The Associated Press seeking comment from a Yolan Henry in Chicago.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3923944

KG out 2-3 weeks with right knee strain
The Boston Celtics say forward Kevin Garnett will miss two to three weeks because of a strained muscle behind his right knee.

Garnett returned Friday to Boston after injuring the knee on the team's West Coast trip. Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss says Saturday that team doctor Brian McKeon diagnosed the muscle strain after tests and an MRI. "Rest and ice for KG," Celtics president Danny Ainge told The Boston Globe. Garnett injured his knee while going up for an alley-oop late in the first half of Boston's 90-85 loss to the Utah Jazz on Thursday. He landed gingerly and immediately motioned to the bench for a substitute.

After the game, the team decided to send him back to Boston as a precaution when the soreness in his knee persisted. The Celtics play in Phoenix on Sunday. Boston might pick up free agent forward-center Mikki Moore, who was cut by Sacramento, or Oklahoma City forward Joe Smith if he is ever waived, the Globe reported.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime ... -090221-22

Toe Jam
Tyson Chandler said he was "super shocked" when the doctor who operated on his toe two years ago when the Hornets were in Oklahoma City advised the Thunder to rescind their trade with New Orleans. He's not the only one.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/community/eton_090219.html

Dice Rolls into Eton
In these cost-conscious times, families across Michigan are getting stricter about spending. But even the most well planned budget is not immune from the unpredictability of life. Sudden expenses can be hard to swallow, especially for the parents of a child born with a learning disability.
At the Eton Academy in Birmingham, students from 1st to 12th grades receive specialized training and resources to help them work through their learning difference. A private school for which state financial aid is unavailable, many Eton families are unsure where next year’s tuition will come from. It is a frightening predicament, yet another consequence of the nation’s economic recession. “Our school is a private school but it’s a little different in that family don’t really choose to be here; they need to be here,” said Pete Pullen, the Head of School at Eton Academy. “It’s an expense that was not anticipated, so they never planned or saved for this. For pretty much all of our families it’s a challenge.” To help more families meet that challenge, Pullen decide to tweak an offer from the Pistons when they visited for their “Read to Achieve” tour stop Wednesday afternoon. At every stop on the tour - which will include more than 20 schools by season’s end - the Pistons and Detroit Free Press Gift of Reading Program have provided a $2,500 scholarship for a student and a $2,500 grant to the school. Pullen decided to forego the grant to have a second winner in the scholarship essay contest. He couldn’t be more pleased with the recipients, seventh-graders Caitlin Goyer and Ethan Perlman.

Caitlin is probably one of the hardest working students that we’ve ever had at Eton,” Pullen said. “There’s not a task she’s not willing to try and there’s not an assignment she’s not going to put her very best effort into completing. It’s really a school designed just for her.” Pullen said Ethan has worked hard to become a better classmate and practice the ideals of good sportsmanship everyday. “I think that’s probably what the judges of the contest saw, a lot of passion,” Pullen said, “and he’s turned that passion into a great understanding of what sportsmanship truly is.” Given the unique mission of Eton Academy - which helps students overcome learning differences such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), dyslexia and dysgraphia, a writing deficiency caused by motor-control difficulties regardless of reading ability - the Pistons did much more than their 13th library renovation at Eton in March 2007. The Pistons and Rock Financial outfitted a literacy lab with 10 desktop computers and software designed to aid students with learning differences. They also renovated a resource room, which is open to the public, so parents could learn more about learning differences and determine if their child could benefit from a school like Eton. For current students, however, nothing is more popular than the Live, Learn and Play Center, which includes a café for high schoolers, custom Pistons graphics splashed on the walls and beanbag chairs to snuggle into for extended reading time. IBM has provided the newest attraction, a Young Explorer machine that will help the school’s youngest students with reading comprehension.

This has transformed our entire school,” Pullen said. The school has increased the number of hours the librarian works to accommodate the demand of students and teachers, who spend at least one class period each week at the center. “That’s really important for kids who are challenged or having difficulty with reading,” Pullen added. “This really attracts them and makes this a really cool place for them to be.” The coolest place to be Wednesday afternoon was the gymnasium, where after a brief basketball clinic Pistons forward Antonio McDyess arrived to answer questions from students. He talked about his role models (his mother and grandmother) and his proudest NBA moment (reaching the NBA Finals with the Pistons in 2005). When asked what he would have done if he didn’t play in the NBA, McDyess said he’d like to be a teacher. “I know what you’re all saying,” he said. “’He’s 6-10, teaching school, writing on the blackboard?’ But, hey, that’s what I wanted to do.” McDyess also revealed he didn’t start playing basketball until 8th grade - when he grew from 5-foot-7 to 6-foot-4 in one summer. “None of my clothes fit,” he said, laughing. “You can be anything you want in life,” McDyess said, giving his last words of advice. “Anything’s possible.” The students saw that for themselves just a few moments earlier, when 11th grader Rontez Farley challenged McDyess to a free-throw shooting contest - and won, three shots to two.Beating a professional athlete at his own game? Anything’s possible, especially at Eton Academy.

[nasty daddy]

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

Shaquille O'Neal is not happy
Marc Stein is reporting on his Weekend Dime column that Shaquille O'Neal is not a happy man.

Whether it's the mere fact that his name was in deadline-day trade talks or that he wanted his trade to Cleveland to go through and it didn't, this much we know: Shaquille O'Neal is not happy. Shaq has launched one of his famed media strikes in the wake of the talks between the Suns and the Cavs, which ultimately did not deliver an O'Neal deal Thursday. Sources with knowledge of the Cavs' thinking insist they were seriously interested in acquiring Shaq. The deal didn't happen because Cleveland insisted on trading Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic to the Suns, which would have sliced only $5.5 million off the Phoenix payroll next season. The Suns were holding out for a package of Szczerbiak and Pavlovic, which would have erased nearly $20 million in 2009-10 obligations.

Stein writes that the idea of Shaq to the Cavs is not dead and that Cleveland likes the idea of putting Shaq with LeBron James and Mo Williams. Others believe that the cost, 21 million for Shaq and another 21 million to the NBA for the luxury tax, is far too high and Cleveland wouldn't take that much salary on.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime ... -090221-22

Have to correct some errant bookkeeping from yours truly in a trade-chatter column earlier this week.

The trade Detroit made to send Alex Acker to the Clippers for a future swap of second-round picks did better than get the Pistons within $20,000 of the luxury-tax threshold. It actually got them $479,649 under the $71.2 million tax line because, according to NBA front-office sources, $500,000 in potential All-Star bonuses to Rasheed Wallace and Richard Hamilton also will be dropping off Detroit's payroll along with Acker's $711,517 salary.

The Pistons were $731,868 over the NBA's tax line before shedding Acker's contract. But they now also will be able to shed the $250,000 bonuses in Wallace's and Hamilton's contracts, which were deemed "likely" bonuses and thus counted against Detroit's cap. Yet since neither made it to the All-Star Game, Detroit will get to subtract an additional (and crucial) $500,000 when the league does its official tax calculations in June.