'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol:12

[nasty daddy]

http://www.wnba.com/games/20080928/NYLDET/gameinfo.html

Deanna Nolan scored nine of her 22 points in the fourth quarter Sunday, and the Detroit Shock staved off elimination with a 64-55 victory over the New York Liberty in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. The game was moved from the Palace of Auburn Hills to Eastern Michigan University because of a scheduling conflict. Game 3 is Monday, also in Ypsilanti.

The Shock trailed by seven points going into the fourth, but outscored New York 25-9 in the final 10 minutes to give themselves a chance to advance to their third straight WNBA final.Detroit star Plenette Pierson played 24 minutes seven days after dislocating her shoulder in Game 2 against Indiana. Wearing a large brace, she scored 10 points and added four rebounds. Katie Smith added 11 points for Detroit, while Taj McWillaims-Franklin had six points and 11 rebounds. Shameka Christon led the Liberty with 16 points, the only New York player in double figures.

Both teams struggled in the first half, shooting under 35 percent, but the Liberty hit enough 3-pointers to take a 27-25 halftime lead. New York used an 8-1 run to go ahead 44-36 late in the third and were still up 46-39 going into the final quarter. The Shock started the fourth with a 11-3 run, including seven points from Nolan, to take a 50-49 lead with 6:48 to play. Detroit continued the pressure and made it 58-52 on Smith's 3-pointer with 4:22 left. It was the second time the Shock hosted New York in a postseason game away from the Palace of Auburn Hills. They lost a first-round game in 2004 to the Liberty at Joe Louis Arena.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/?/base/ ... xml&coll=1

CHANDLER HELD OUT: After complaining of minor soreness in his big toe last week, Hornets starting center Tyson Chandler was held out from participating in most of the conditioning drills Saturday.

Chandler participated in a five-on-five halfcourt scrimmage and did other drills, but he spent a significant portion of practice on a stationary bike, Scott said.

Chandler initially injured his toe during the regular-season finale against the Dallas Mavericks this past April. He aggravated it during the Hornets' second-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs. In July, Chandler could not practice with the U.S. Olympic Basketball team because his big toe remained inflamed. "We will bring him along gradually just to make sure we keep that toe under control," Scott said.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=10082

Will a backup point guard emerge in San Antonio?: All signs point to Tony Parker having the best season of his career. He's become one of the captains of this team and with Manu Ginobili out he knows it's largely up to him to keep the Spurs in the chase. However, Parker cannot play 48 minutes a night. If he's going to stay fresh and be healthy come playoff time he's going to need a solid backup. Right now it's questionable if the Spurs have the personnel to give Parker an adequate amount of rest each game. Not including Tony Parker their point guard rotation consists of rookie George Hill, veteran Jacque Vaughn, and Salim Stoudamire.

Because the Spurs have very little to offer in a trade it's up to one of those three players to take the role and run with it. Ideally it would be George Hill, but coming from a small mid-major school to the NBA is quite a big leap and the rookie did not overly impress in summer league. Even at 33 Jacque Vaughn can still manage the game and defend, but he doesn't make plays and he's an offensive liability. The odds are really against Stoudamire to make it through camp, unless he just completely shoots the lights out.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=10082

Today, it's the point guards' turn. First, though, something worth mentioning: point guards aren't what they used to be. There's been a movement in the NBA towards point guard play that emphasizes the lead guard's ability to not only set the table for those around him, but to also score when asked to. Although the "pure point guard" still exists, most on this list are the "pure point guard" plus so much more. The bottom line for a point guard, though, is to lead his team to bring victories to his squad. With that out of the way, on to the rankings ..

6. Chauncey Billups – Detroit Pistons: When the Detroit Pistons put Chauncey Billups on the block this summer, plenty of squads had interest in him, but the Pistons couldn't find a package to their liking. Since signing a big contract, Billups has lost some of the luster on the "Mr. Big Shot" reputation he developed, but there's no doubt that the team has seen tremendous success under his steady leadership. Despite supposedly declining abilities, Billups still averaged 17.0 points and 6.8 assists per game last season and shot .448 from the field and is poised for another steady year with basically the same numbers.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=10083

Knicks GM Walsh Quietly Battled Cancer: A quiet story in the New York Post recently made mention that four days after the 2008 NBA draft, Kincks GM Donnie Walsh had surgery on his tongue to remove some cancerous cells.

Then in the following weeks, despite wondering how the biopsy would come back or if the cells had spread (not mention dealing with immediately quitting smoking), he pushed through one of the busiest times of the year for a general manager. Very respectable, but even more so that he didn't make a big deal out of it.

He's doing much better now, but it's rather grounding to know that those in high places are affected by cancer, too. But then, Paul Newman's family can attest to that as well.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=10083

Bibby Potentially on the Move Again?: The Hawks didn't have to give up much to get Mike Bibby at last season's trade deadline, but now there's a possibility that he and his $15.5 million expiring contract could be moved again at this year's deadline.

He's still an extremely talented, serviceable point guard, but depending on where the Hawks are in February they may decide to deal him for parts for fear of losing him to free agency for nothing. The team is not currently trying to move him, but it'll be something to watch if the Hawks don't play as well this year as they did last year.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=10083

Deadline Approacheth for Gordon and Marbury: Just like we said a few weeks ago, Bulls brass is "hopeful" that holdout guard Ben Gordon will be ready for camp, but they are not "optimistic." With Media Day in Chicago just a day away, Gordon still has not signed an extension or the $6.4 million dollar one-year tender. Something tells me that when I'm in Deerfield, Illinois tomorrow night at the Bulls' practice facility, #7 won't be among the masses of media. But I could be wrong. I'll let everyone know as soon as I get there.

As for Stephon Marbury, newspapers are still printing conflicting stories about him coming to camp and him being bought out. Here's the dealio—unless Marbury agrees to buy out for significantly less than his $21 million contract, he'll be a Knick this year (until he is potentially traded as a gigantic expiring contract). Teams like Miami would love him at a bargain price, but they're probably not going to get their shot at that. In other words, you can stop reading headlines that have Marbury going to a thousand different teams until you receive news that he's signed the buyout.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/1271451.html

The Kings unveiled a new look for the 2008-09 season Saturday with modeling provided by some players, including Francisco García, top, and Jason Thompson, bottom. The difference, however, is more in the feel than the look. "They are much lighter," Beno Udrih said. "I like the colors … and they are a little different than last year. They say 'Sacramento' on (the home jersey) and not 'Kings.' I don't know how they will be when we sweat, but for right now, they're great."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.need4sheed.com/2008/09/anton ... thern.html

This has got to be one of my favorite experiences interacting with one of The Pistons. I took my nephew to the Pistons season ticket holders crew party last season with video camera in hand. You know how Amir responded when I asked for a Need4Sheed shout out, but the experience I had with Antonio McDyess makes me smile to this day.

Keep in mind that Dyess is my nephew Joes' favorite Piston, as you can tell by his declaration while shaking his hand, but what comes next will make anyone a Dyess fan.

Seems Antonio and Maxiell feel just about the same about Sheed.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... 137G0F.DTL

Morrow a hit: For better or worse, undrafted rookie Anthony Morrow is Nelson's new training camp darling.

Morrow signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Warriors after shooting 74 percent from three-point range in summer league and being named MVP of the Rocky Mountain Revue in July.

And he's remained hot. Nelson, whose previous camp favorites have included Dajuan Wagner and Marco Belinelli, has called Morrow the best shooter on the roster. "Maybe on a lot of teams," Nelson added. "The guy makes every shot. He's unbelievable. You kind of wonder how a guy like that slips through."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_12100

Asked if he fears that Williams and Boozer could be hindered by lingering Olympic fatigue, Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor chuckles like a business executive who is supremely confident in his product. "Deron is 24 and Carlos is 27," O'Connor said. "So we feel they will respond from the physical standpoint. . . . Mentally, I would hope they understand that we have a chance to be a pretty good basketball team and they are guys who have to be two of the leaders."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_12100

For better or worse, undrafted rookie Anthony Morrow is Nelson's new training camp darling.

Morrow signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Warriors after shooting 74 percent from three-point range in summer league and being named MVP of the Rocky Mountain Revue in July.

And he's remained hot. Nelson, whose previous camp favorites have included Dajuan Wagner and Marco Belinelli, has called Morrow the best shooter on the roster. "Maybe on a lot of teams," Nelson added. "The guy makes every shot. He's unbelievable. You kind of wonder how a guy like that slips through."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/ ... ve_er.html

Detroit Pistons coach Michael Curry understands he has inherited a team that plays good defense, which consistently puts it among the NBA's best in just about every major statistical category. But that statistical consistency hasn't always translated into consistent play defensively, which is among the changes Curry hopes to begin making when training camp officially kicks off Tuesday."Let's understand, our guys have been really good over the last six, seven years (defensively). But we've had problems at times maintaining that consistently and playing at a high level," Curry said.

Whether it's the playoffs or the regular season, playing good defense always is a goal. But veteran teams such as the Pistons understand its value increases significantly the deeper you get into the postseason. And for Detroit, a deep playoff run isn't a goal -- it's an expectation. "The bar has been raised really high," Curry concedes. "But you don't raise that bar high because you want to be a really good team. It's because these guys have played really well and they compete at a high level. What we have to do is we do all the little things so we can play at that higher level consistently."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/ ... ve_er.html

Saunders sighting :Former Pistons coach Flip Saunders, who was fired by Detroit over the summer, will spend time at the Washington Wizards training camp. Every year, Wizards coach Eddie Jordan invites a coach or coaches to training camp.

In addition to Saunders, Jordan also invited Hall of Fame coach K.C. Jones to speak to his players.

Washington all-star forward Caron Butler spent time talking to Saunders about defense -- specifically, how Saunders approached defending him and "what were some of the things you (Saunders) focused on," Butler told reporters. "And he (Saunders) said, 'We just hoped that you had a bad night.' "Last season, Butler averaged 20.3 points per game. But against the Pistons, he averaged 15 points per game.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/ ... ve_er.html

Still no guarantee:Former Pistons draft pick Alex Acker is expected to be the only player in Detroit's training camp without a guaranteed contract.

The Pistons drafted the 6-foot-5 combo guard with the last pick (60th overall) in the 2005 NBA draft. He appeared in five games as a rookie in 2005-2006, averaging 1.8 points and one rebound per game.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/spo ... 28409.html

The Rockets completed one last piece of off-season business on Sunday, reaching agreement on a contract with rookie center/forward Joey Dorsey on the eve of players’ reporting for Tuesday’s start of training camp. Dorsey is expected to sign a four-year, $3.5 million contract, with each of the last two seasons at the team’s option.

The deal, using a portion of the mid-level exception money left available after the signing of Carl Landry, will avoid a repeat of the protracted restricted free agent negotiations with Landry.

Though Dorsey was chosen with the third pick of the second round, the contract was structured similar to a first-round draft choice. The difference is that the Rockets will have the option to pick up another season of the contract after the second and third seasons, rather than before those seasons as with first-round picks. The Rockets acquired Dorsey with a Portland Trail Blazers pick they had acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies. The Rockets expect Dorsey, the Conference-USA Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and as a senior, to be able to contribute quickly. Though just 6-7, the Rockets hope his strength and long reach will allow him to work in the backup center rotation. With the Rockets’ trade of first-round pick Donte’ Greene to the Sacramento Kings to acquire Ron Artest and with Maarty Leunen to play overseas, Dorsey is expected to be the Rockets’ only rookie.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 929&lc=NBA

Curry told his players they will be spending time with strength and conditioning coach Arnie Kander every day, either before or after practice.

"We aren't going to just run guys into the ground," he said. "The vets and the heavy-minutes guys might not do as much on the court on some days, but strength and conditioning and player development is going to be a fixture. If you do it every day, then your conditioning is going to build as the season goes on and we will be sharp throughout the year."

Curry is also a proponent of daily drill work. Drill stations, similar to what college and high school programs use, will be a staple of Pistons practices. No skill is too fundamental or mundane for drill work -- even for a veteran team.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 929&lc=NBA

Power forward Michael Ruffin will return to the Bulls on a non-guaranteed contract.

Originally a second-round pick of the Bulls in 1999, the 6-foot-8 Ruffin spent the first two years of his pro career in Chicago and has since played with Philadelphia, Utah, Washington and Milwaukee. He also logged two seasons in the Spanish league.

Ruffin is a strong, athletic rebounder who has never been renowned for his scoring ability. His best NBA season was 2000-01 with the Bulls, when he averaged 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 points. The soft-spoken Denver native was an electrical engineering major at Tulsa and collects exotic animals.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... 929&lc=NBA

Kendrick Perkins, recovering from the third shoulder surgery of his young career, is not ready for full contact, though Danny Ainge indicated yesterday the Celtics center should be ready once the exhibition games start.

“Perk will do everything in camp except live contact for the first week,” the team’s director of basketball operations said. “Then we will progressively add things on as the second week goes on, to the point where we’re hopeful that by the third week we’re hopeful he’ll do everything, including playing in exhibition games.”

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_12104

Forward Udonis Haslem, who has a sprained ligament between his big toe and the second toe of his left foot, went through drills at this morning's practice, the second workout of training camp.

"The real test is when I start cutting and running," Haslem said.