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

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 522&lc=NBA

Bulls' New GM Makes Ben Gordon Priority
Unless a major trade suddenly materializes, this doesn't figure to be an especially busy offseason, but Forman's biggest task will be trying to re-sign shooting guard Ben Gordon.

''We like Ben,'' Forman said. ''Ben's a key, key component to our team. He's our kind of guy. He's got great makeup and character and a great work ethic, and obviously he's a very talented player.

''So our goal is to re-sign Ben Gordon. In the conversations that we've had, I think Ben wants to stay in Chicago and be with the Bulls. There are still a lot of steps until we get to that point in July, but that's certainly one of our goals.''

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20090522/S ... $1+million

Rip Hamilton sues former manager for $1 million
Pistons guard Rip Hamilton has filed a federal lawsuit accusing his former business manager, already at the center of recruiting allegations at the University of Connecticut, of stealing about $1 million from him. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District court in eastern Pennsylvania against 34-year-old Josh Nochimson of Glenview, Ill. It accuses Nochimson of using Hamilton's credit card to buy airline flights, game tickets and other items.

It also accuses Nochimson of using 1.4 million of Hamilton's American Express frequent flyer miles; failing to pay back $80,000 lent to Nochimson to repair a Maryland house; improperly transferring at least $3,000 from Hamilton's bank accounts into Nochimson's private account, and writing about $112,000 in unauthorized checks from Hamilton's bank account.

Hamilton is seeking more than $1 million in restitution, but his attorney, Alan Milstein, said the lawsuit is about more than that. "It's not like Mr. Hamilton is desperate for the money," Milstein said. " ...It's more just a sense of betrayal and justice." Nochimson's attorney, Matthew Leitman, said he has not seen the lawsuit and could not comment on it.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20090522/S ... $1+million

Pistons assistant Dave Cowens was named to the coaching staff for the USA Basketball men's national team program minicamp on July 22-25 in Las Vegas.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 522&lc=NBA

Grizzlies Leaning Toward Hasheem Thabeet?
Several sources told me that owner Michael Heisley loves (Hasheem) Thabeet. He wants the team to be tougher defensively and thinks Thabeet would give it the shot-blocking and size it desperately needs.

I'm told that the rest of the Grizzlies' front office is partial to (Ricky) Rubio, but as we've seen the past few years, Heisley runs the show in Memphis.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20090522/S ... $1+million

Detroit will be one of five cities to display scores from the NBA Finals in real time on digital billboards as part of an ESPN ad campaign. The other cities are Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and East Rutherford, N.J.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 522&lc=NBA

Wizards, Thunder to Swap Picks?
Look for the Thunder to be pretty active in trade discussions with the No. 3 pick. They like (Ricky) Rubio, but if they draft him, they'll have to move Russell Westbrook to the 2-guard position. I talked to Thunder head coach Scott Brooks on Tuesday, and he said that although he believes that Westbrook can play the 2, Westbrook wants to be a 1.

I think the challenge is that Westbrook is most effective when he has the ball in his hands and struggles more when forced to play off the ball. With Rubio and Kevin Durant likely to have the ball a lot in that offense, Westbrook would have to make an adjustment. When you factor in that neither Rubio nor Westbrook is an accomplished shooter yet, there is an issue.

That's why a couple of teams think the Thunder might be willing to trade down in the draft. Two league sources said the Wizards and Thunder already had discussions about a swap of the No. 3 pick for the No. 5 pick and the Wizards' 2008 first-rounder, JaVale McGee.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 522&lc=NBA

Howard Credits Junk Food for Play
Howard, who scored 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for the Magic, smiled and flexed his muscles as he sat in the locker room and credited his pre-game meal of two Quarter Pounders, a large order of fries and a large Sprite.

Not exactly the type of diet that will earn you a Wheaties endorsement. But hey, whatever works, right? So if the Cavaliers really want to slow down Howard, perhaps they'll make sure all the McDonald's in Northeast Ohio lock their doors before Game 2.

They may also want to put an end to all the pre-game hoopla at Quicken Loans Arena. That's because Howard said "all that bad crunk music before the game" also served as motivation.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 522&lc=NBA

Bucks Work Out Australian Prospect Ingles
Joe Ingles played with Andrew Bogut last summer when they were teammates for Australia in the 2008 Olympics.

But could they team up again with the Milwaukee Bucks?

The 6-foot-8 Ingles, who played last season with the South Melbourne Dragons in Australia's National Basketball League, is on a whirlwind American tour to showcase his skills. On Thursday, his latest stop was the Cousins Center as he took part in a six-player workout with the Bucks that also featured former University of Wisconsin standout Joe Krabbenhoft.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 522&lc=NBA

Bucks May Have Room to Maneuver in '10
Because the Bucks are up against the luxury tax, they can't afford to re-sign their own restricted free agents, much less think about taking on a star-size salary.

But in 2010-'11, they could be millions below the salary cap even if Michael Redd and Richard Jefferson are kept. Let's say they're contending with a healthy Andrew Bogut. Would Sen. Herb Kohl authorize a CC Sabathia-type move? Oh, you bet he would.

A pipe dream? Probably. But the Bucks have to think about at least putting themselves in a future position to swing for the fences.

[nasty daddy]

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

The Pistons are dead...RIP
We should have traded RIP 2 years ago...He is a 31 year old jump shooter who has had some injuries last year. He should have been traded rather than resigned when AI joined the team. This would have cleared up salary cap space. There is no room for him then and now its time to allow new growth in the organization. The team should have been an AI team last year and traded sheed as well. We should be drafting at least two lottery picks instead of none. How do the Pistons plan on luring a superstar to this dead organization? Its a repeat of the Bad Boys.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.probasketballnews.com/story/?storyid=482

East Notes: Howard credits, uh, diet for strong play in win
Following Orlando's 107-106 victory in Cleveland in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Dwight Howard revealed the secret to his success. Howard, who scored 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for the Magic, smiled and flexed his muscles as he sat in the locker room and credited his pre-game meal of two Quarter Pounders, a large order of fries and a large Sprite.

Not exactly the type of diet that will earn you a Wheaties endorsement. But hey, whatever works, right? So if the Cavaliers really want to slow down Howard, perhaps they'll make sure all the McDonald's in Northeast Ohio lock their doors before Game 2.

They may also want to put an end to all the pre-game hoopla at Quicken Loans Arena. That's because Howard said "all that bad crunk music before the game" also served as motivation. On a serious note, none of this stuff probably makes much of a difference for the Cavs -- who often looked helpless against a 6-foot-11 opponent whose body appears to have been chiseled from the side of Mount Rushmore.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 522&lc=NBA

Griz to Attend Rubio's Game, Interview Him
An Internet report that Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio may not want to play in Memphis remained just talk Thursday to the Grizzlies as team officials prepared to visit the potential No. 2 overall draft pick.

Griz general manager Chris Wallace and head coach Lionel Hollins will board a plane bound for Spain this afternoon so they can watch Rubio play Saturday in an ACB League playoff game.

Wallace referred to the trip as a routine scouting mission in which they also plan to interview the 18-year-old Rubio. "We're going to scout him. Lionel hasn't seen him, and I haven't seen him this year," said Wallace, who is seriously considering selecting Rubio since the Griz won the No. 2 pick during Tuesday's NBA draft lottery. "As for the rumors, we've not talked to the player or his family or his agent."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/jackson/ ... 22.article

Unless a major trade suddenly materializes, this doesn't figure to be an especially busy offseason, but Forman's biggest task will be trying to re-sign shooting guard Ben Gordon. ''We like Ben,'' Forman said. ''Ben's a key, key component to our team. He's our kind of guy. He's got great makeup and character and a great work ethic, and obviously he's a very talented player. ''So our goal is to re-sign Ben Gordon. In the conversations that we've had, I think Ben wants to stay in Chicago and be with the Bulls. There are still a lot of steps until we get to that point in July, but that's certainly one of our goals.''

Forman handled most of the negotiations with Gordon's agent, Raymond Brothers, the previous two summers without success, but he doesn't believe the failure to reach an agreement on a long-term deal will affect this summer's talks. ''Raymond understands, like I do, that every negotiation is a new negotiation,'' Forman said. ''Having read some of his comments and Ben's comments, I think they would say the same thing. It's going to be a new negotiation, but Ben will know that we would like to have him back.''

Because of NBA rules, the Bulls can't begin negotiating with Gordon until July.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/45801072.html

Bucks must get it right this time
By stockpiling those two assets, the Boston Celtics were able last season to make the Kevin Garnett trade that put them over the top. The Detroit Pistons exercised the same strategy in 2004 to get Rasheed Wallace and a title. That's how difference-making deals are done in the NBA.

Because the Bucks are up against the luxury tax, they can't afford to re-sign their own restricted free agents, much less think about taking on a star-size salary.

But in 2010-'11, they could be millions below the salary cap even if Michael Redd and Richard Jefferson are kept. Let's say they're contending with a healthy Andrew Bogut. Would Sen. Herb Kohl authorize a CC Sabathia-type move? Oh, you bet he would.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 522&lc=NBA

Cassell, Wittman Join Wizards Staff
Sam Cassell, who won three NBA titles in a 15-season career, announced his retirement as a player Thursday and immediately joined the coaching staff of the Washington Wizards.

Cassell and Randy Wittman, the former head coach of Cleveland and Minnesota, were hired as assistants to new Wizards coach Flip Saunders.

"After 15 seasons playing in this league, I have accomplished all that I have dreamed of as a player," Cassell said. "Now the time has come for to me to take my love for the game to the coaching ranks and pass on what I've learned. This team is loaded with talent, and it's a great way for me to start my coaching career."

[nasty daddy]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft200 ... aftWatch-0

• Clippers general manager and head coach Mike Dunleavy was pretty clear that the Clippers will take Blake Griffin with the No. 1 pick. "Clearly, we're taking Blake Griffin," Dunleavy told the Los Angeles Times in a telephone interview from Barcelona, Spain. "This guy is the No. 1 pick. We're extremely excited. He's the guy."

So what about all those rumblings that Dunleavy has a crush on Ricky Rubio? I think he still does. Although I have no doubt the Clippers will take Griffin at No. 1 if they keep the pick, a number of NBA GMs said they believe the Clippers will be open to offers for the No. 1 pick -- especially if they can secure the services of Rubio in the process.

[quote]A number of GMs continue to insist that the Clippers want to move Baron Davis and might be open to moving the pick to Memphis or Oklahoma City if either is willing to take on Davis' contract as part of the deal. Both teams will have the cap room this summer to make it happen.However, Clippers president Andy Roeser told me at the draft lottery that the rumors about moving Davis are bogus. I guess we'll see in the coming months.

/quote]

[nasty daddy]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft200 ... aftWatch-0

• As I first reported Tuesday night, the Grizzlies are strongly leaning toward selecting Hasheem Thabeet at No. 2.

The reason? Several sources told me that owner Michael Heisley loves Thabeet. He wants the team to be tougher defensively and thinks Thabeet would give it the shot-blocking and size it desperately needs.

I'm told that the rest of the Grizzlies' front office is partial to Rubio, but as we've seen the past few years, Heisley runs the show in Memphis.

[nasty daddy]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft200 ... aftWatch-0

• Look for the Thunder to be pretty active in trade discussions with the No. 3 pick. They like Rubio, but if they draft him, they'll have to move Russell Westbrook to the 2-guard position. I talked to Thunder head coach Scott Brooks on Tuesday, and he said that although he believes that Westbrook can play the 2, Westbrook wants to be a 1.

I think the challenge is that Westbrook is most effective when he has the ball in his hands and struggles more when forced to play off the ball. With Rubio and Kevin Durant likely to have the ball a lot in that offense, Westbrook would have to make an adjustment. When you factor in that neither Rubio nor Westbrook is an accomplished shooter yet, there is an issue. That's why a couple of teams think the Thunder might be willing to trade down in the draft. Two league sources said the Wizards and Thunder already had discussions about a swap of the No. 3 pick for the No. 5 pick and the Wizards' 2008 first-rounder, JaVale McGee.

The Wizards want Rubio but would settle for Thabeet if he's the one who falls. The Thunder would get a long, lanky shot-blocker in McGee and then could get another guy they like, Arizona State's James Harden, at No. 5.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/20 ... ith-rubio/

Grizzlies plan visit, talk with Spaniard Ricky Rubio
An Internet report that Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio may not want to play in Memphis remained just talk Thursday to the Grizzlies as team officials prepared to visit the potential No. 2 overall draft pick.

Wallace referred to the trip as a routine scouting mission in which they also plan to interview the 18-year-old Rubio. "We're going to scout him. Lionel hasn't seen him, and I haven't seen him this year," said Wallace, who is seriously considering selecting Rubio since the Griz won the No. 2 pick during Tuesday's NBA draft lottery. "As for the rumors, we've not talked to the player or his family or his agent."

Citing unnamed sources, Draftexpress.com reported Rubio's camp already has indicated that he's not interested in playing for Memphis or Oklahoma City. The report said Fegan wanted to steer Rubio to Los Angeles where the Clippers own the No. 1 pick.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 522&lc=NBA

J.R. Smith Hoping Rest Helps Strained Calf
J.R. Smith gutted through Game 2 the best he could with a strained right calf, and though he said he felt all right after the game, it was clear Smith wasn't in top form.

He began the game with a sleeve over the calf. He shed the sleeve — and an arm sleeve — at halftime in hopes of playing better, but it didn't work out.

Smith is hoping another day of rest does his body good.