'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 42

[nasty daddy]

http://myespn.go.com/nba/truehoop

•Does Rasheed Wallace have the right temperament for the San Antonio Spurs? If I were to hesitate, his technicals wouldn't be the main reason. It would be because he has often shown a poor ability to handle big pressure games, with blown defensive assignments, disappearing acts on offense, and meltdowns. If things go well for the Spurs, they'll be in a lot of big games.

[nasty daddy]

http://myespn.go.com/nba/truehoop

•Michael Rosenberg of the Detroit Free Press: "No other general manager in the NBA has done it. And here is Joe Dumars, trying to do it twice. Dumars built the 2004 NBA champion Pistons without one sure Hall of Famer on the roster. How difficult is that? Those Pistons are the only team in the last 30 years to pull it off. Obviously, Dumars would love to have a Hall of Famer on his team. But they are hard to land. So instead, he is doing what he has done exceptionally well in the past: finding high-caliber, high-character, unappreciated talent that fits into a system, and -- this is crucial -- signing reasonable contracts to maintain flexibility. So Ben Gordon, the Chicago Bulls' best player, has agreed to become a Piston. Charlie Villanueva, a rising talent, has done so as well. Their arrivals put the Pistons back in the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference, and they allow Dumars to keep maneuvering until he has all the right pieces. Remember, he didn't add the final starter on the 2004 champs, Rasheed Wallace, until February of that season. "

[nasty daddy]

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball ... sheed.html

C's offer 'Sheed a contract
An NBA source said that the Celtics offered Pistons free agent F/C Rasheed Wallace a contract using the mid-level exception today during a three-hour meeting in Detroit.

The Celtics All-Star trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen, coach Doc Rivers, president Danny Ainge, and managing partner Wyc Grousbeck all attended the meeting. While interested, the source said Wallace was in no rush to make a decision.

Other teams projected to be interested in his services are Charlotte, San Antonio, Orlando, and Cleveland.

[nasty daddy]

http://greenstreet.weei.com/sports/bost ... -michigan/

Report: Celtics to meet with Wallace in Michigan
Gary Tanguay has reported Kevin Garnett, Doc Rivers, Danny Ainge, and Wyc Grousbeck are traveling to Michigan to meet with free agent Rasheed Wallace. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce may join them

Wallace has garnered interest from several championship contending teams since becoming an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breakin ... 24954.html

Miami Heat has contacted Iverson and Artest, insiders say
PROVEN OFFENSIVE THREAT
Iverson, a former league MVP who has averaged 27.1 points over 13 seasons, might be willing to accept an offer of one or two seasons in what is expected to be a tight market. He turned 34 last month and is coming off a rocky season in Detroit that ended with complaints about his role. He left the team before the playoffs to treat a back injury.

Although discussions with agent Leon Rose are believed to be in the initial stages, the Heat likely would be interested only if Iverson is willing to accept less than the full mid-level amount. Miami could also offer the $2 million veteran's exception.

Iverson has maintained a low profile since he left the Pistons. But he could address his future by next week in advance of his annual kids camp in Virginia.

[nasty daddy]

http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_n ... y-etc.html

With the backup power forward spot the obvious hole in the depth chart, Higgins has contacted agents for Antonio McDyess and Brandon Bass. Like most teams over the cap, the Bobcats are locked into exceptions as the only way to sign people. And like most teams, it sounds like the Bobcats are addressing free agency with a deliberate pace.

[nasty daddy]

http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_n ... y-etc.html

Higgins said he's not been in touch with agents for Allen Iverson or Rasheed Wallace.

[nasty daddy]

http://hoopshype.com/twitter.html

Eddie Johnson: Allen Iverson please swallow your pride and accept coming off the bench and be a role player for a top team. From All Star to 6th man is ok Over 2 hours ago.

[nasty daddy]

http://hoopshype.com/twitter.html

Charlie Villanueva: Deeeeeeetrooooooiiiiittttttt basketballllllllllllll Over 7 hours ago.

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Charlie Villanueva: Only 3 hour away from my family in Burlington Ontario, and Toronto, Love you CJ Over 7 hours ago.

[nasty daddy]

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Charlie Villanueva: Well I'm a Piston, long day yesterday, but got it done, God is good Over 7 hours ago.

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Allen Iverson: someone that knows how to best utilize my skills to make our team the very best that we can be. Over 8 hours ago.

[nasty daddy]

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Allen Iverson: my only preference will be to play for a coach that knows what I bring to the table and that I am going to bring it every night! Over 8 hours ago.

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Allen Iverson: I'm a Free Agent, healthy again, and capable of signing with any team Over 8 hours ago.

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Eddie Johnson: Ariza and Rasheed Wallace in Cleveland automatically makes them the favorite next year over Orlando, Lakers, Spurs and the Celtics Over 17 hours ago.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090702 ... work-to-do

McCosky: Dumars, Pistons have more work to do
OK, what now? The Pistons have agreements in place with Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. They have, probably a 50-50 chance of re-signing Antonio McDyess. They have three promising rookies -- Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko -- though none that are expected to contribute much next season. They have three potent scoring guards in Gordon, Richard Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey and an established and versatile small forward in Tayshaun Prince. The closest thing to a true point guard is Will Bynum. As far as legitimate post players, besides Villanueva (a more lethal perimeter player than post threat), they have Kwame Brown and Jason Maxiell. Oh, and they don't have a head coach or coaching staff.

Start there: Joe Dumars is probably going to hire former Dallas Mavericks head coach Avery Johnson soon, now that Doug Collins has withdrawn from consideration. It is likely that current assistants Darrell Walker and Pat Sullivan will be retained. Now back to the roster. Rumors persist that Dumars may trade either Hamilton or Prince for another, more post-oriented big man. The Jazz would consider sending Carlos Boozer and his expiring contract ($12.6 million) to the Pistons for Hamilton -- though his three-year, $35 million extension may give them pause. Dumars has said on more than one occasion that he wasn't thrilled with that prospect. For now, the plan is to keep Hamilton and feature the potent three-guard attack. But if McDyess signs elsewhere, Dumars may have to use his trade chips. It's hard to imagine the Pistons starting the season with Brown, Maxiell and Villanueva as their primary big men. Defensive rebounds would be scarce. Regardless, it is clear the new version of the Pistons will in no way resemble the teams from 2003-2008. This is going to be a team built on length, athleticism and versatility. It is going to play faster and be more offensive oriented. It is going to feature legitimate scoring threats at four positions. It's a team seemingly a better fit for the way the game is being played now. Even though Cleveland and Boston had some stingy defensive numbers last season, once the playoffs started, scoring went up. The games were being played in the upper 90s and early-100s. The days of beating teams 89-87 are over. Because of rules modifications, teams can't play the rugged defense the Pistons and Spurs played earlier in this decade.

Regardless, it is clear the new version of the Pistons will in no way resemble the teams from 2003-2008. This is going to be a team built on length, athleticism and versatility. It is going to play faster and be more offensive oriented. It is going to feature legitimate scoring threats at four positions. It's a team seemingly a better fit for the way the game is being played now. Even though Cleveland and Boston had some stingy defensive numbers last season, once the playoffs started, scoring went up. The games were being played in the upper 90s and early-100s. The days of beating teams 89-87 are over. Because of rules modifications, teams can't play the rugged defense the Pistons and Spurs played earlier in this decade. You need power forwards with skill, 6-10 guys that can score on the outside as well as create off the dribble. You need guards that can penetrate and you need scorers on the wings who can spread the defense. Mostly, you need proven scorers who can get their shots anywhere on the court against any kind of defense at any time in the game. In Gordon, the Pistons have that guy. So, the roster is by no means complete. There are holes, gaping holes, in the frontcourt. The team is, at least on paper, weaker defensively. But, all things considered, it was not a bad first day for Dumars and his rebuilding plan.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepubli ... s0702.html

Suns pursuing McDyess, other bigs
Suns General Manager Steve Kerr spent a few hours at Grant Hill's Orlando house Wednesday to begin re-recruiting him, and team personnel put in calls to free-agent big men Antonio McDyess, Channing Frye, Sean May, Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox.

Nobody can attest to the interest or the sales pitch better than McDyess or Hill. Beyond using some of the mid-level exception for Hill, the Suns will bank on their system, city, point guard Steve Nash and winning history to lure others with minimum contracts and maybe the biennial exception.

But the Suns are recruiting as a lottery team, albeit a 46-36 one. They will have a hard time competing with San Antonio, Boston, Cleveland and Atlanta for McDyess. Boston is interested in Wilcox. Denver talked to Frye at midnight Wednesday. Fabricio Oberto, waived by Detroit, could be of interest to the Suns once he clears waivers Tuesday.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

Celtics continue to recruit Wallace
Here’s how badly the Boston Celtics believe Rasheed Wallace(notes) can be the difference in winning an 18th NBA championship next season: Coach Doc Rivers and the Big Three have made a recruiting trip to woo him, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Celtics are targeting Wallace with the midlevel exception and sources say the team – which could be willing to pay a steep luxury tax – is also pursuing Phoenix’s Grant Hill(notes). The Celtics sent Rivers, Kevin Garnett(notes), Paul Pierce(notes) and Ray Allen(notes) to encourage Wallace to sign with them. Garnett and Wallace have a close relationship.

Wallace, who turns 35 in September, is the free agent power forward that most of the contenders covet, including Cleveland, Orlando, San Antonio and Dallas.

[nasty daddy]

http://hoopshype.com/twitter_media.html

Chris Vernon: I have goofed about Iverson, but this much is true... he would sell more tickets and merch than any player in Grizzlies history within a wk 47 minutes ago.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spur ... llace.html

Spurs get in line to woo Wallace
The Spurs put in a call to representatives for Rasheed Wallace not long after NBA free agency opened at 11:01 on Tuesday night.

Wallace, considered to be the top free-agent target for a Spurs team in desperate search for a big man, fielded similar calls from Orlando, Cleveland, Boston and elsewhere in the first few minutes of free agency.

All of the above teams, including the Spurs, can make Wallace approximately the same offer, a short-term deal starting at the mid-level exception, expected to be worth around $5.6 million.