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

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baske ... nt_gu.html

The hearing was brief, and when it ended, attorneys from both sides began buyout negotiations that led to Marbury dropping his grievance against the club. Although neither side would comment on the terms, it is believed that Marbury, who was scheduled to earn $20.9 million in the final year of his contract, agreed to forfeit approximately $2 million in order to gain his freedom. The deal could save the Knicks as much as $4 million with the luxury tax factored in.

If Marbury were to sign with the Celtics, as expected, he would receive the pro-rated veteran minimum of $1.3 million. Marbury has said for weeks that he has a verbal commitment from Boston. He can't sign a contract until tomorrow, but Tuesday's release allows him to be eligible for the postseason.

Marbury refused to discuss his future when he walked out of the Conde' Nast building in Times Square at approximately 2:20p.m. Marbury, smiling and bouncing as he crossed 42nd St., posed for pictures in the afternoon chill but would not talk to reporters.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime ... ime-090225

• NBA front-office sources say that the Kings, at this point, are not planning to waive Gooden, who is vowing to make his Sacramento debut Wednesday night against Charlotte even though he's been plagued recently by a groin injury. There is still time for a policy change here, but unlikely was the word in circulation as of late Tuesday night.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/b ... 0482.story

Magic SG Mickael Pietrus said he doesn't expect to play in tonight's game in New York against the Knicks, but would attempt to play Friday when the club hosts the Detroit Pistons.

Pietrus sustained a sprained right wrist Friday in Charlotte, N.C., against the Bobcats after falling on the court. He missed Tuesday night's game against the Chicago Bulls and last Sunday's home game against the Miami Heat. "It's feeling better, just stiff," he said.

It has been a nightmarish season for Pietrus because of injuries. Acquired as a free agent last summer from the Golden State Warriors, he has played in just 31 of the team's 56 games.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports ... 59687.html

Phoenix got a big scare when Nash made a 3-pointer with 4:07 remaining in the third. He hobbled off the court with what appeared to be an ailing right ankle. However, he returned early in the fourth period and quickly hit a 3. Nash played only two more minutes, then came out again.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=3588

Spurs sign Pops Mensah-Bonsu to 10-day contract
The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed free-agent forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu to a 10-day contract.

The 25-year-old Mensah-Bonsu had most recently been playing with the Austin Toros, the Spurs NBA D-League affiliate. In eight games with the Toros, he averaged 26.6 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.50 blocks in 39.8 minutes. His best game with the Toros came on 2/22 vs. Colorado where he had 39 points and 18 rebounds in 47 minutes. Mensah-Bonsu was signed by the Dallas Mavericks after going unpicked in the 2006 NBA Draft. During the 2006-07 season he appeared in 12 games with the Mavericks, averaging 2.4 points and 1.0 rebounds in 5.9 minutes. That season he also appeared in 26 games for the Fort Worth Flyers of the D-League, averaging 15.8 points and 10.4 rebounds in 30.7 minutes. Mensah-Bonsu was selected to the 2007 D-League All-Star Game where he captured MVP honors after scoring 30 points and grabbing 7 boards.

The 6-10, 240-pound forward was born in London and played collegiately at George Washington University. He spent four years with the Colonials finishing his career second on the school’s all-time blocks list (141) while earning Atlantic-10 All Conference First Teams honors during his senior year. Mensah-Bonsu will wear uniform #54.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=3586

NBA D-League expands to Portland, Maine
The NBA Development League has awarded an expansion team to Portland, Maine for the 2009-10 season, NBA D-League President Dan Reed announced today at a press conference at Portland High School. The team, which is the first expansion franchise awarded for the 2009-10 season, will play at the Portland Expo Center.

The franchise will be owned and operated by Maine Basketball, LLC, which is principally owned by Bill Ryan Sr., the chairman of TD Banknorth Group and Bill Ryan Jr., who owns and operates Oxford Plains Speedway. Jon Jennings, a partner in Maine Basketball, LLC and former Boston Celtics assistant coach, will serve as the team’s president and general manager. Today’s announcement, the NBA D-League’s first foray into New England, was held in front of the school’s student body while featuring Reed, Celtics Team President Rich Gotham, the Celtics Dancers, and a speech by the Portland High Student Body President Brian Furey. “Expansion to Portland is another example of the health and growth of the NBA D-League,” said Reed. “We are very pleased to add Bill Ryan Sr., Bill Ryan Jr., and Jon Jennings to our ownership ranks, as they bring a wealth of business, sports operations, and basketball experience on behalf of the team and the community. I’m confident that fans throughout the state of Maine will enjoy our world-class level of basketball featuring current and future NBA players, as well as appreciate the team’s family-friendly environment, affordable prices, and positive impact on the Portland and Maine community.” “I’m overjoyed to bring NBA D-League basketball to Portland,” said Jennings. “We’ve already established strong relationships with the people of this community, and we can’t wait to get underway next season. I know that this team will have a long and exciting future in Maine.”

Portland will be affiliated with two NBA team parent-clubs, which will be able to assign their first and second year players to the club a maximum of three times during a season. Thus far, the 2008-09 NBA D-League season has had 22 NBA players assigned on 24 occasions to NBA D-League affiliates as players continue to develop their game. An announcement regarding Portland’s NBA team affiliations will occur during the offseason.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=3587

Udonis Haslem still rocking cornrows
The Miami Herald (Michael Wallace) reports: With Allen Iverson’s recent decision to cut his hair and do away with braids after 12 years, Heat forward Udonis Haslem might have taken over as the NBA’s king of cornrows. Haslem has sported the look for the past eight years, which dates even before he entered the league in 2004. ”I might be the last man standing with them,” Haslem said Tuesday before the Heat faced Iverson’s Pistons. “If I ever do cut them, it won’t be during the season. It’ll be in the summer. I’d have to wait to see how my head is shaped. So if it’s messed up, I have all summer to grow it back.”

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11725

What's Next For Steph? The New York Knicks officially waived Stephon Marbury late in the day yesterday and mid-day Friday, Marbury will become an unrestricted free agent. Sources close to the situation say that Marbury will receive $4.5 million of the $6.4 million left on his deal with the Knicks, and he dropped his grievance regarding the $400,000 fine, putting the total savings at just $2.3 million according to sources. Marbury refused to comment to reporters saying he could not speak until Friday. It's believed Marbury has a verbal commitment with the Boston Celtics, however the Celtics refused to comment on the reports, but did confirm with Mikki Moore now under contract their attention would switch to point guard. It's believed Marbury will ink a deal with the Celtics for a prorated deal worth $1.3 million, meaning he'd earn roughly $390,000 for the balance of the season. There has been some commentary recently that suggests signing Marbury may be a dangerous risk for the defending NBA Champions, however with a cost of less than $400,000 if Marbury does not play good little soldier, his deal is easy enough to tear up. The Celtics are at home on Friday, and several media outlets are reporting that Marbury could be in the building versus Indiana, whether he'll be in uniform is something else.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11725

The Return Of Gilbert?: Washington Wizard's guard Gilbert Arenas came clean on his status this week, telling the Washington Post that he has been practicing at full speed with his team for several weeks, but is not yet ready to announce his return. "I'm out there feeling like the old Gilbert Arenas again," Arenas said to Ivan Carter and Michael Lee of the Washington Post. "I'm running, jumping, dunking, feeling good. No pain, no swelling. My balance is back, my speed is back. The only thing I have to get used to again is being around other bodies out there on the court. I'm working on getting my timing back. The only thing I'm not doing is playing in games."

Arenas isn't ready to announce when he'll return, saying he is trying to be smart this time and make sure his return is permanent, and that returning this season is still up in the air. "I don't want to promise that and I'm not even ready to think about that right now," said Arenas. "The way I look at it, I rushed back twice and got hurt again twice, so this time I'm going to take my time and make sure. I came back quick twice and it didn't work for me or the team. I'm just going to keep practicing on it, make sure it's all the way right and then go from there."

Gilbert said he asked his teammates to keep his workouts with the team a secret, saying he knew that once word got out that he was playing, that he'd then be expected to announce a return date. "I was thinking that as soon as people hear that I'm out there practicing, they're going to pressure me to get back in games and after what I went through last year, I don't want to risk that again," Arenas said. "I don't want another setback. That's why I just shut down and stayed quiet while working on getting the knee right." Arenas' contract pays him $14.6 million this season, he has five more years on his deal: 2009 - $16.1 million, 2010 - $17.7 million, 2011 - $19.2 million, 2012 is an Early Termination Year at $20.8 million with a final year worth $22.3 million.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/dleague/austin/mensa ... 90225.html

Austin’s Pops Mensah-Bonsu Called Up To San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu, of the Austin Toros, to a 10-day contract. Mensah-Bonsu becomes the 11th GATORADE Call-Up of the 2008-09 NBA Development League season and the 129th overall since the league began play in 2001.

In eight games with the Toros, Mensah-Bonsu averaged 26.6 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.50 blocks in 39.8 minutes. On February 22 vs. Colorado he had 39 points and 18 rebounds in 47 minutes. Mensah-Bonsu was signed by the Dallas Mavericks after going undrafted in the 2006 NBA Draft. During the 2006-07 season, he appeared in 12 games with the Mavericks, averaging 2.4 points and 1.0 rebounds in 5.9 minutes. That season he also appeared in 26 games for the Fort Worth Flyers of the D-League, averaging 15.8 points and 10.4 rebounds in 30.7 minutes. Mensah-Bonsu was selected to the 2007 D-League All-Star Game, where he captured MVP honors after scoring 30 points and grabbing seven boards.

The 6-10, 240-pound forward was born in London and played collegiately at George Washington University. He spent four years with the Colonials, finishing his career second on the school’s all-time blocks list (141) while earning Atlantic-10 All Conference First Teams honors during his senior year.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... _feb_24th/

Miami 103, Detroit 91
Team FIC Differential: Heat +19.1, Pistons -19.1

The Heat (30-26) used a key third quarter run to knock off the Pistons (27-28) on Tuesday night. Dwyane Wade starred with 31 points, 16 assists and 7 rebounds, Udonis Haslem posted 10 points and 11 boards, and rookie Michael Beasley poured in 11 points and 7 rebounds. Miami outrebounded Detroit by ten, and hit 51% of their shot attempts. Allen Iverson had a team-high 22 points, Tayshaun Prince tallied 18 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists, and Antonio McDyess added 17 points and 6 boards in the loss.

Game FIC Scores
Dwyane Wade, Miami – 27.9
Tayshaun Prince, Detroit – 16.9
Antonio McDyess, Detroit – 12.6
Jamario Moon, Miami – 12.5

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11729

Looking at the East Standings: If you haven't looked at the Eastern Conference standings in awhile, now might be a good time. While the East has three very good teams in the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and the Orlando Magic, only two other teams – the Atlanta Hawks and Miami HEAT – are currently over .500. That's right, three sub-.500 times are currently locked into the six, seven, and eight spots for the playoffs: Philadelphia and Detroit (one game under at .491), and Milwaukee (three games under at .475).

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11729

Bad Times in Detroit: The Detroit Pistons are a mess. That probably shouldn't be a huge surprise considering two of their better players (guards Allen Iverson and Rip Hamilton) – and over $30 million in salary – play the same position; they traded their leader (point guard Chauncey Billups) for one of those players; that same player sent the long-time starter at the position to the best; their rookie coach is being questioned; they put themselves in position to cut a lot of salary for this summer; and for the first time in years not every home game is a sellout. It's a long ways to fall for a franchise that so far this decade was one of the most consistent. They have lost seven in a row after last night's loss to Miami, and 17 of their last 23 games. For a team that for years prided itself on defense, newcomer Iverson says that's the team's problem. "Our whole thing is not on the offensive end," Iverson said. "We can't stop anybody. The way we're playing we have to shoot 60 percent to win a basketball game. Everybody's always going to look at the offensive end and scoring points. We scored enough points to win the basketball game. But we just can't get stops consistently. We can't get stops when we need them."

Now, we can all make the obvious comments about never thinking we'd hear the day Iverson would say they scored enough points and need to work harder on offense, but he's not necessarily the bad guy here. He didn't ask to be traded for Billups. Coach Michael Curry should have had Iverson coming off the bench instead of Hamilton, regardless of what the perceived or real ramifications might have been. Iverson may not have been happy with the decision, but it would have had a less overall effect on the team when compared to seeing Rip – who just signed a three-year extension right after the Billups trade he may be regretting – forced to the bench. Still, do Iverson's comments might have merit? The Pistons are giving up 96.4 points during those 17 losses and 94.3 (5th in the league) on the season, while scoring only 87.9 in those games and 93.1 (29th in the league) overall on the season. The differential of -1.2 points per game is 18th in the league. Defense doesn't seem to be the problem with the Pistons – it is the offense, despite Iverson's comments and perception. Of course, his comments were after last night's 103-91 loss, so maybe he feels 91 points is enough to win a basketball game in today's NBA, though statistics tell us that's not true.

Chances are it's not going to get much brighter in Detroit this season unless the players currently on the team change their approach. Coach Curry can't win the games by himself, so whatever he does plan-wise makes little difference if the players aren't executing. Curry may be in trouble with his job, but chances are executive Joe Dumars understands these dynamics as well as anyone else and is willing to allow Curry to prove himself next season as well. Next season is going to become the standard refrain for Pistons now. That's when they can cut the combined $34 million off the cap that represent Iverson and Rasheed Wallace and do more work on rebuilding the team around Rodney Stuckey, Tayshaun Prince, and Hamilton. With roughly $15 million or so in cap space available, the Pistons may come back to prominence fairly quickly.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_d ... nba,143904

Miami 103, Detroit 91
As it usually is with these two teams, this wasn't a fun watch. A night after going for 50, it was nice to see Dwyane Wade pull his yo-yo dribble out and work around the Pistons for 16 assists, with six turnovers, seven rebounds, and 31 points. Still, the Pistons are going through the motions most of the time, and that's always pretty frustrating to behold.

Rasheed Wallace (six points, six rebounds in almost 36 minutes) was another no-show, the team's backcourt defense was horrible, and though Tayshaun Prince had a stellar game (18 points, nine rebounds, eight assists), you got the feeling Miami should have won by 20.

The stats tell us otherwise. It's hard to beat any team in a game this slow (88 possessions) by 20, and in the end Miami did just fine. Jermaine O'Neal's 12-year obsession with his left hand continues, and he finished with 14 points and five rebounds in 31 minutes. Jamario Moon (12 points, six rebounds, zero turnovers, two steals in 31 minutes) played solid ball, and while I hated half of Daequan Cook's shots, more than half (6-11) went in. Cook finished with 18 points.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Chat.asp?CHAT_TOPICS_ID=167

Jeremy in UK: will Marbury gone now, will the Knicks look to add another guard or pick up Patwick Ewing Jr?

Steve Kyler: They are supposedly going to call up Chiek Samb... that was the word yesterday.

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http://www.hoopsworld.com/Chat.asp?CHAT_TOPICS_ID=167

Dave in Detroit, Michigan: Do you think Pistons will get rid of Michael Curry? Who do you think they are targeting in free agency this summer?

Steve Kyler: I think Curry is gone this summer, and I think they target Carlos Boozer, among others...

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=17029

Detroit (27-28) at New Orleans (33-22) 8:00 p.m. EST
The New Orleans Hornets may end up being thankful that the trade involving Tyson Chandler didn't work out. After earning a win in Chandler's return to the lineup, the Hornets try to make it two in a row on Wednesday when they host the slumping Detroit Pistons.

In a cost-cutting move, New Orleans traded the veteran center to the Oklahoma City Thunder for forwards Joe Smith, Chris Wilcox and the draft rights to DeVon Hardin on February 17, only to have the move rescinded and Chandler returned the next day after failing his physical.Following a 16-game absence due to a sprained left ankle, Chandler returned to the lineup Monday and scored 10 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter and added 10 rebounds as the Hornets snapped a two-game slide with a 112-105 win over the Sacramento Kings.

Chandler and New Orleans will aim to duplicate that performance against the Pistons, who suffered their seventh straight loss during a 103-91 setback to the Miami Heat on Tuesday. Detroit hadn't lost seven consecutive contests since February 21 to March 2, 2003 and will try to avoid its first eight-game drought since 1994-95.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=17030

Blazers C Oden to miss fifth straight game
The Portland Trail Blazers are frustrated - and perplexed - by Greg Oden's slow-healing left knee injury. The rookie center will miss his fifth straight game Wednesday when the Blazers visit the San Antonio Spurs. "I'm where everybody else is," Portland coach Nate McMillan told The Oregonian. "I get a daily update and we thought, everybody thought, that he would be moving by now, if not playing. But things just keep getting pushed back."

In a 105-98 loss at Golden State on February 12, Oden chipped his left kneecap when he collided with Warriors forward Corey Maggette. He fell to the floor in pain but played six more minutes after suffering the injury. "I just thought I would get some ice and get it over with," Oden said Tuesday. "It turned out to be something bigger."

According to The Oregonian, Oden also could miss Friday's contest at Minnesota. "It goes from day-to-day, then after the doctors look at him, it's a few more days," McMillan said.The top pick in the 2007 draft out of Ohio State, Oden missed all of last season following microfracture surgery on his right knee. Oden has played in 46 games this season, averaging 9.0 points and 7.2 rebounds.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=17031

Spurs sign F Mensah-Bonsu
The San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday signed forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu to a 10-day contract.

The 6-10, 240-pound Mensah-Bonsu appeared in eight games with Austin of the D-League this season, averaging 26.6 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.5 blocks.

During the 2006-07 season, Mensah-Bonsu appeared in 12 games with the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 2.4 points and 1.0 rebounds.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=17032

Spurs' Duncan has quadriceps tendinitis
San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan has been diagnosed with right quadriceps tendinitis and will miss Wednesday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Duncan, who also missed Tuesday's 93-76 win over Dallas, is listed as day-to-day.

San Antonio was without two of its top three players against Dallas, with guard Manu Ginobili out for the next few weeks thanks to a stress reaction in his right ankle. A perennial All-Star, Duncan leads the Spurs in scoring (20.7) and rebounding (10.7).

The Spurs also announced that center Fabricio Oberto suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left thumb Tuesday. He will be fitted with a splint and play against Portland.