Moderators: Cowology, theBigLip, Snakebites, dVs33
Tough ending.
With a cast covering his left forearm, Nene had a hard time getting dressed after the game.
The Nuggets center fractured his arm late in the fourth quarter and left the game with 6:13 to play. Afterward, the Brazilian would not talk to the media about the injury or how it happened.
Stoudemire Serious About Knicks in 2010
(Asks Post) "How serious will you consider the New York Knicks in 2010"?
(Answers Amare Stoudemire) "I will be totally serious about that, I spent a lot of my childhood there, I have a connection with the state, and I also love the entire coaching staff"
"I think Coach D'Antoni's doing a phenomenal job with the Knicks, NY's a great city, I follow them closely."
Stoudemire: 'I'm Better Than Chris Bosh'
Back in New York, ESPN Radio's Brandon Tierney had Amare Stoudemire on this morning and reiterated remarks about his desire to play for Mike D'Antoni in 2010 while boasting about being better than Chris Bosh. Stoudemire told The Post similar stuff during All-Star Weekend.
When Tierney asked Stoudemire if he's better than Bosh, the Suns forward said, "Oooh man, are you kidding me? Ask Chris Bosh that question."
So that's a yes? "No doubt about it, I'm better than Chris Bosh".
Thunder Serious About Taking Rubio?
What, then, will the Oklahoma City Thunder do with the third overall pick? The buzz being sent out by the team is that they might go shooting guard, and names like James Harden and DeMar DeRozan have been thrown out there for the media to feast upon. Yet while we've been in Chicago catching up with anyone and everyone in the NBA, we've learned that the Thunder are actually very seriously considering taking Ricky Rubio with the #3 and moving Russell Westbrook, who is a Brandon Roy type of point guard, over to his more natural position off the ball.
Keep in mind that this is the time of misdirection and distraction. NBA general managers don't want anyone to know who they really like, as that knowledge empowers a team above them to out-maneuver them by taking their player and then offering to trade him down for a lower pick and an additional asset. Most of the teams are just starting to truly understand who these players are, and this year more than any other in recent memory we'll see June workouts influence who teams ultimately choose at the draft.
If the draft were today, however, we're assured that the Thunder would most likely go with Rubio, improving what is already the best young nucleus in the NBA.
McGrady has surgery on shoulder
Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady has had his second surgery of the year, undergoing shoulder arthroscopy three months after having a microfracture procedure on his knee, the Houston Chronicle reported.
According to Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, the surgery Friday won't hamper McGrady's return to basketball activities amid rehabilitation for the knee operation. "It is not an issue that would keep him longer than the other rehab," Morey told the newspaper. "They cleaned up the shoulder. It is something we talked about for awhile and they had some time now."
McGrady had said last year his shoulder was arthritic and could require surgery after this season. "I wouldn't say it was necessary," Morey said. "But in getting some opinions, it was decided it was better to do it and to hopefully be pain-free when he gets back."
76ers, Jordan reach agreement for coaching job
The Philadelphia 76ers have found their next head coach, reaching an agreement in principle with Eddie Jordan to end a search that lasted nearly three weeks.
Jordan was offered the job on Friday and made the decision later that night to coach the Eastern Conference playoff team. He becomes the 22nd coach in franchise history and third since the start of last season.
The Wizards owe Jordan nearly $4 million next season and would have to pay the difference on the contract from Jordan's new team. The length of the contract and Jordan's salary were not immediately known.
Japan's Tabuse leaves national team
Former Phoenix Suns guard Yuta Tabuse is leaving the Japan national men's basketball team for another shot at the NBA.
Tabuse had been training with Japan's national team but decided to leave the squad and head to the United States after receiving an invitation to attend the Dallas Mavericks' summer camp next month. "I got the news all of a sudden and am happy I was able to get another opportunity," Tabuse said at a news conference Saturday.
Tabuse, 28, played briefly for the Suns in the 2004-05 season and is the only Japanese player to make it to the NBA. The 5-foot-9 point guard joined the Suns' training camp in 2004 and made the opening-night roster. He scored seven points in his first NBA game against the Atlanta Hawks but was waived by the Suns on Dec. 16, 2004.
Magic Practice Notes & Quotes
For much of the postseason, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy has noted that there has been lobbying going on in regard to technicals, flagrants and suspensions. "I'd like to see the focus stay on the unbelievable plays made by the players in this league," Van Gundy said before Game 5 in Cleveland.
LeBron James provided Van Gundy with enough unbelievable plays that night for a lifetime. But Van Gundy slipped into a lobbyist role for a bit after Magic practice on Saturday. He'd like to see his superstar, Dwight Howard, get the same chance as LeBron has to make great plays. "I don't think there's a player at his level in the history of the league who has been called for as many fouls," Van Gundy said. "He's fouled out four times in 31, 32 or whatever it is playoff games (editor's note: it's 31) and Tim Duncan has fouled out six times in a 190 playoffs games."
Actually, Duncan has only fouled out of four of his 160 postseason games, which is amazing in itself. Shaquille O'Neal has fouled out of 11 of his 201 postseason games.
Rose keeping quiet despite allegations of wrongdoing
The explosive point guard who led the Bulls to the Playoffs and won the Rookie of the Year award has come under a cloud cast by an NCAA investigation of major violations at Memphis during the only season he played there. That news was accompanied by media reports that someone at Chicago's Simeon Career Academy had temporarily changed a D to a C on his college transcript.
In a letter to Memphis, the NCAA says an unknown person took the SAT for a player -- with his knowledge -- and that the player used it to get admitted. The governing body says the athlete played for the Tigers in the 2007-08 season and the 2008 NCAA tournament. Only one person fits that description -- Rose.
Compounding his difficulties were the media reports that Rose was one of four Simeon athletes with a grade that got bumped up for a month -- long enough to be reflected on their transcripts. That maneuver was revealed in a report by the Chicago Public Schools' inspector general, which didn't identify the school or players who were involved.
Japan's Tabuse seeks another shot at NBA
Former Phoenix Suns guard Yuta Tabuse is leaving Japanese basketball for another shot at the NBA.
The 5-foot-9 player is the only Japanese to make it to the NBA. He had been training with Japan's national team, but the Dallas Mavericks invited him to their summer camp next month."I got the news all of a sudden and am happy I was able to get another opportunity," Tabuse said at a news conference Saturday.
Tabuse played briefly for Phoenix in the 2004-05 season. He joined the team in training camp that year and made the opening-night roster. He scored seven points against Atlanta in his first NBA game but was waived by the Suns on Dec. 16, 2004.
Jackson wants NBA transparency to improve game
Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson is still waiting for the NBA's new era of officiating "transparency" to improve the game.
Speaking before Friday night's Game 6 of the Western Conference finals against Denver -- a series beset by complaints about refereeing that included $50,000 in fines against the Lakers and their coach -- Jackson conceded how difficult it is to call an NBA game. "This is the dawn of a new age, we were told in the last two years," he said. "Transparency, a wonderful word, was going to be used, and we're looking for that to help us. In that regard, we want to use all these aspects, whether it's called credibility or accountability, and use it to improve everything that can happen to this game, because it's a great game."
Jackson was speaking about some of the changes the NBA has made in the wake of the scandal involving Tim Donaghy, the former NBA ref who is serving a 15-month sentence after confessing to betting on games and passing game information to gamblers. After Game 4 of the Lakers-Nuggets series, Jackson drew the fines for criticizing the refs for the 14-shot discrepancy in Denver's favor from the free throw line. He also complained about Nuggets guard Dahntay Jones being "unsportsmanlike" for tripping Kobe Bryant. Jones, not called for a foul on the play, was assessed a flagrant-1 foul the next day. After Game 5, some of the Nuggets were confused about inconsistent whistles that resulted in eight more fouls on them than the Lakers. Denver coach George Karl voiced mild complaints after Games 3 and 5 but nothing that has gotten him fined. He stayed away from critiquing the refs before Game 6. Veteran official Joe Crawford was assigned to Game 6, along with Mike Callahan and Mark Wunderlich.
Jordan's The One
That is because the 76ers' coaching search, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, ended tonight. The Daily News learned that the Sixers offered the job to Jordan, the former Sacramento and Washington coach who interviewed twice for the position.
According to the source, nothing official has been signed, but Jordan quickly accepted, and a contract is expected to be finalized, with a formal announcement coming Monday. The team announced the agreement later tonight, after the Daily News first reported it. “I saw first-hand the immense impact Eddie Jordan had in helping the Nets reach two NBA Finals and as the head coach in Washington, he consistently put his teams in a position to win on a nightly basis,” Sixers president/general manager Ed Stefanski said in a statement. “He embodies all the qualities I was looking for in the next head coach of the Sixers and we are very excited to have him in Philadelphia.”
Comcast SportsNet is reporting that the deal is for 3 years. The Wizards owe Jordan an estimated $4 million for 2009-10, which means that a setoff will be in place if the Sixers’ package starts at less than that.
Eddie Jordan will be next 76ers coach
Eddie Jordan will be the next coach of the 76ers after agreeing in principle to a contract Friday night.
A source close to the situation said Sixers president and general manager Ed Stefanski offered Jordan the job and that Jordan accepted.
He could sign the contract as soon as today. The Sixers are expected to hold a press conference Monday to officially announce the hiring.
Amare: Knicks should take me over Bosh
Back in New York, ESPN Radio's Brandon Tierney had Amare Stoudemire on this morning and reiterated remarks about his desire to play for Mike D'Antoni in 2010 while boasting about being better than Chris Bosh. Stoudemire told The Post similar stuff during All-Star Weekend.
[When Tierney asked Stoudemire if he's better than Bosh, the Suns forward said, "Oooh man, are you kidding me? Ask Chris Bosh that question."
So that's a yes? "No doubt about it, I'm better than Chris Bosh" "How serious will you consider the Knicks in 2010"? "I will be totally serious about that, I spent a lot of my childhood there, I have a connection with the state, and I also love the entire coaching staff" " I think Coach D'Antoni's doing a phenomenal job with the Knicks, NY's a great city, I follow them closely."
Despite ugly bruise, Delonte West is ready for action: Cavaliers Insider
There's an ugly bruise curling around Delonte West's right side above his hip, but he insists it looks worse than it feels.
He also insists he'll be ready to play tonight in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Orlando Magic. "My body stopped acting right at one point in the game. Any movement on my right side was affecting the area, and my body just wanted to stop running. So I had to make the decision to see what was going on and come out of the game."
West received treatment and rest Friday as the Cavs didn't practice. "It still hurts a little, but I'm moving around just fine," West said.
Grizzlies look at all options for draft
With less than a month to go before the draft, the Grizzlies are in exploratory mode with the No. 2 overall pick -- from trading up in order to pry No. 1-in-waiting Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers to moving down and acquiring an established NBA player. "We've had a good amount of activity, and it will increase the closer we get to draft night," said Wallace, the Grizzlies' general manager. "There's a different level of activity when you're at No. 2. You can say the draft starts when we pick."
Wallace would not respond to or acknowledge potential deals the Grizzlies are weighing. The pre-draft rumor mill, though, has the Grizzlies spinning in a number of directions: The New York Knicks offered to buy the Grizzlies' 27th pick for $3million, according to a source. The Griz turned down that proposal. The Knicks, according to speculation, also expressed interest in acquiring center Darko Milicic in a deal that could possibly include Quentin Richardson, whose $9.3 million contract expires after the 2009-10 season. Milicic will earn $7.5 million this upcoming season -- the last of a three-year, $21 million deal.
Oklahoma City and Sacramento are said to be interested in moving up from the third and fourth slots, respectively. Those teams have interest in Griffin and Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio. Would the Kings be willing to part with power forward Jason Thompson (a 2008 lottery pick) and the No. 4 selection for the chance to take Rubio? The Clippers have reportedly made teams aware that they aren't interested in trading the No. 1 overall pick. But there also are indications they might listen -- but that potential suitors must be willing to take troubled-but-productive forward Zach Randolph and the $33million left on his contract over the next two seasons. Dealing the second pick for an established NBA player and lower lottery selection or packaging their late first-rounder (27) and early second-round pick (35) to acquire a second lottery pick is of interest to the Griz. Either move would allow the Griz to pursue a couple of players they are high on, including projected top-10 prospects Tyreke Evans, the University of Memphis star, as well as Stephen Curry and Jonny Flynn. "We don't want to exclude anything. We're going to give everything a fair shot at being evaluated so we can do what's best for us on draft night," Wallace said. "I don't want to get locked into a particular transaction."
Wise isn't likely to be selected, many say
For more than a month, Nic Wise has kept mostly quiet while exploring the option of irrevocably entering the NBA draft.
Although team executives are not allowed to comment on underclassmen such as Wise who still have the option of returning to school, the league has sent out some signals that Wise faces long odds of being chosen in the June 25 draft. Wise has worked out for several teams individually, such as his hometown Houston Rockets and the nearby San Antonio Spurs, but he was not among the 52 players invited to the NBA's pre-draft combine this week. Invitations were given out based on team votes on players they would like to see.
As of now, Wise is not listed among the top 30 point guard prospects on the well-regarded Draft Express Web site, either. "He's not even in our database," said Jonathan Givony, Draft Express' president. "I don't think he's a draft prospect." Still, under the current rules, Wise has nothing to lose except time and a little of his own money. Players who have not signed with an agent can return to school, but they must remain academically eligible, and they must pay their own way to individual workouts.
A new leaf for Dennis Rodman? Yes, please
Perhaps the words ''you're fired'' knocked some sense into Dennis Rodman, as the ex-Celebrity Apprentice contender and basketball star was recently spotted playing -- gasp -- subtle -- at Crobar's week-old progeny hotspot Exit 66 in Fort Lauderdale. Wearing a simple black T-shirt and jeans, he traded his usual 20-person entourage for two buddies and was on his ''best'' behavior, only polishing off half a bottle of Jagermeister, although two bottles were offered.
Although he's generally seen surrounded by a bevy of women (and sometimes drag queen Elaine Lancaster), Rodman spent half the night with a blonde friend who perched right on his lap in the VIP section, only budging when Rodman asked co-owner Kenny Smith for a tour of the indoor/outdoor space. Although the deck was closed for the night, Rodman took over a cabanas next to the venue's Chiki Tiki pool and caught up with Smith before -- yes! -- paying his bill and leaving at 2:30 a.m.
Rumors are swirling that Rodman has agreed to enter an outpatient program at which he already sees a counselor for his addiction problems. Between this, the recent intervention by Lakers coach Phil Jackson and being let go on Celebrity Apprentice for his alcohol abuse, is Rodman turning over a new leaf that doesn't include sparkly leopard print? We hope so.
NBA great Allen Iverson was seen hanging out poolside at Shore Club while drinking beer and throwing friends into the pool on Sunday.
Lawal might return to Georgia Tech
Gani Lawal was presumed to be gone. Despite skill deficiencies and playing for a Georgia Tech team that finished with two ACC wins, the sophomore forward was expected to be drafted as a middle- to late-first-rounder.
But as the NBA draft combine concluded its basketball portion Friday afternoon at the Attack Athletics Training Center in Chicago (all that's left are interviews with teams Friday night and medical testing Saturday), Lawal sounded like a player who might head back to school, since there are no guarantees that he will be a lock for the top 20 in the first round. "There is a good chance," said Lawal, who averaged 15.1 ppg and 9.5 rpg, of going back to for his junior season. "I wanted to go through the process, and when June 15 comes [the deadline to withdraw], if I feel there is any doubt that I could go in the second round, then I'll go back to school."
In previous drafts, a player like Lawal might be able to secure a guarantee. But this draft has so many role players, and depending on whom you talk to, it might be hard for a team to promise it will take a player who could be interchangeable with someone else.