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The 10-man rotation, starring old Canadians
by J.E. Skeets
6 Oct 2008 at 3:00pm
A look around the league and the web that covers it. It's also important to note that the rotation order and starting nods aren't always listed in order of importance. That's for you, dear reader, to figure out.C: East Valley Tribune. Nash wants to play two more seasons beyond his contract — that'd take him to 38.PF: Lakers Blog (OC). Luke Walton tells his story of being stalked by an El Segundo woman for the past year.SF: Cavs.com, via Dime. Delonte West calls the Internet "The Devil." I call it "home."SG: FirstCuts. Bobcats rookie point guard D.J. Augustin has joined the Jordan Brand. You're next, Larry.PG: FanHouse. Blogger most likely to be interviewed on Larry King Live — Tom Ziller. NBA player? Josh Howard.6th: Supersonicsoul. Sarah Palin, Bill Walton. Bill Walton, Sarah Palin.7th: Cuzoogle. NBA motivational posters. (We so need to make this our next BDL Photoshop contest.)8th: Examiner. "If Stephen Jackson is the face of the Warriors' franchise, at least it just got prettier." Wow.9th: D.C. Sports Bog. Dee Brown — version 2.0 — and his European hip hop career. Where you at T-Nes?10th: The Plain Dealer. Doug Collins hearts LeBron: "We probably, in our lifetimes, haven't spent an hour together. But for some reason you connect with certain guys, and I just feel like I, through the years, connected with him. I don't want to speak for him, but from my standpoint, I felt a real connection."

Photo of the Day: Honey, they shrunk Mehmet Okur
by J.E. Skeets
6 Oct 2008 at 2:30pm

Not many people know this, but Utah coach Jerry Sloan doubles as a "nutty scientist" during the off-season, working on top secret things such as weakside help and machines which miniaturize objects. Unfortunately for Jazz fans, Okur just had to be snooping around Sloan's lab while Deron Williams and the boys were playing baseball in the backyard ...

You have no idea how upset I am that I missed the brilliant/scary media day photo festivities. What a horrible week to go on vacation.



Too much Rod Benson: The Parker brothers $22,000 bet
by Rod Benson
6 Oct 2008 at 1:40pm

TJ Parker (goatee'd, right) had major knee surgery before I got out here to France, so he was confined to his bedroom for the majority of my first few weeks out here. One of our first real meetings finally occurred when it was time for us to take our team photo. TJ was fresh off of his crutches so he was able to participate.

We were all in the locker room with our jerseys on, about to go out for our pictures, when I noticed that TJ still had his ugly, old Chicago Cubs hat on. It wasn't a big deal, I guess. He could take it off and put it away in a matter of three seconds, but something seemed off about the situation. Something made me think that he didn't want to take it off.

Ricardo Greer interrupted my thought process.

"You better get some water on that hair, TJ. You look like that dude from Desperate Housewives regardless."

"I know man, but for 20 G's, you'd do it too," TJ replied.

I was confused until he took off the hat. That's when I saw how awkward he looked. It wasn't that he's an awkward looking guy, it's that clearly he was not designed to have long hair. Horses were not designed to have paws, Shaq was not designed to wear size 10 shoes, and TJ Parker was not designed to have long hair. I'd say anything longer than a half-inch is way too long, personally.

Well, I had to ask why he wouldn't just grab some Wahl hair trimmers and knock that hair level down a notch. He explained to me that his brother, Tony, bet him 15,000 Euros ($22,000) that he couldn't go six months without cutting his hair.

At first I thought that was ridiculous. Then I looked back up at TJ's hair. I realized that if I had millions and millions, I might just pay 20k to see my little brother wear hot pink sunglasses for six months. Considering the fact that TJ looks equally as funny with long hair, and that it should get worse as time goes on, I can absolutely see the laugh value in this bet.

So, I decided that every month I'll post the hair-growth update right here, for everyone's laughing pleasure. TJ doesn't have a problem with it so don't feel bad for laughing. After one month of growth, I decided that Ricardo was right; TJ definitely does look like Carlos from Desperate Housewives.

Rod Benson is a Cal grad and former D-Leaguer who plays for SLUC Nancy, the reigning French league champion. When he's not busy critiquing hair, he blogs one or two times a week on Ball Don't Lie. Read his archive, pay a visit to TooMuchRodBenson.com and always support the Boom Tho movement.



Create-a-caption: Whack-A-Beasley
by J.E. Skeets
6 Oct 2008 at 12:50pm
Michael Beasley scored 16 points in his preseason debut on Sunday, dropping 13 in the third Q, but Rodney Stuckey and the Pistons ruined his fun by topping the Heat 95-91 in overtime. Beasley couldn't bare to watch. Best caption wins a small stuffed animal, which can be traded up for a larger stuffed animal should you win Tuesday's CaC contest. That, or two tickets to see Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Your choice. Good luck.After the jump, nothing. You're all winners in my eyes today!

Site announcement, via fax: I'm back
by J.E. Skeets
6 Oct 2008 at 12:20pm

After nine days in glorious Copenhagen and Amsterdam, one would think returning home to a dingy breakfast nook that doubles as an "office" would be a bit of a bummer. But, frankly, I'm happy to be back. Honestly, there's only so much street pølser and psychedelic mushrooms one can eat. (I keed, I keed. STAY IN SCHOOL, KIDS! JUST SAY NO TO DANISH HOTDOGS!)

Now, as I'm sure you can imagine, I had very little connectivity while I was off looking at Van Gogh and Rembrandt masterpieces, so I have almost no idea what happened in the NBA over the last week or so. (Is Jamaal Tinsley still a Pacer? He is? OK, good. How about Rik Smits?) If I repeat anything that KD posted over the last few days, I apologize. I should be back up to speed tomorrow morning if I don't drown in dirty laundry.

But hey, good news: we're something like three weeks away from opening night (!), the preseason and Tyson Chandler's skinny ankle is already rockin' and — WHOA BOY — a thousand team previews. Nice. (Ours are on the way shortly.)

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that it's good to be back, folks. I missed you. Let's blog.



Create-a-reason: Kevin Love's trick shots
by Kelly Dwyer
6 Oct 2008 at 11:40am

By now you've probably seen this video of Timberwolves rookie Kevin Love throwing in trick shot after trick shot.

(HT: FanHouse)

What hasn't been discussed is why, exactly, Love keeps making these crazy things? Now it's time for you, the reader, to tell us why.

Is it because he's able to get next on a court by his lonesome, make shot after shot, and annoy the hell out of the five waiting to play in back of him? Black Magic? Dirty Ju-Ju? Stolen Laundry? Did I make that last one up? You bet!

Either way, in the comments, tell us why you think Love is so freakishly proficient.



The Blog Association: Phoenix Suns
by Kelly Dwyer
6 Oct 2008 at 11:00am
Almost three years ago to the, um, year, Deadspin's Will Leitch set out to salute the most outstanding blogs for each NBA team. He called it "Blogdom's Best." So cute. But a lot has changed in the last few years - Ballhype, Blog World, RSS feeds! - so we here at Ball Don't Lie have decided to take a second look. This afternoon: the best Phoenix Suns blogs. 

The Suns as we knew them might be dead, dead, dead; and in their place is a team that's normal, normal, normal, and that pains a bit. Quite a bit. Let's stop thinking about it.

Instead, let's think about one of the better blogging communities out there, and not even including a fine MSM blog when it comes to Paul Coro's neck of the woods.

3. (TIE) Black Jesus Disciples and Sons of Steve Nash - Another cop-out, but these blogs are prolific, quite funny, not afraid to rip the team, but prone to ripping for a rip job's sake. Either way, I wanted to get both links up there.

2. The Rising Suns - Been around for a spell, and one of the best. This can be a truly hilarious blog at times without losing the insight.

1. Bright Side of the Sun - A fantastic blog, one of those has-everything stops that really never lets up. Great writing, an intelligent community, funny Photoshop work, just spot-on all around.

If you would like to nominate a specific team blog for selection, let us know right here.



The Internets are alive: Shaun Livingston
by Kelly Dwyer
6 Oct 2008 at 10:00am
After a whirlwind tour of every NBA team's message board (usual thread title, "What about Shaun Livingston?"), the former Clipper point man has signed a two-year deal with the Miami Heat. Ligaments undisclosed. 

Sun-Sentinel: "Three days after Heat President Pat Riley insisted the potential addition of Livingston was a "dead issue," Riley added the type of tall ballhandler he has coveted since his days guiding Magic Johnson with the Lakers."

ShamSports.com: "Having already waived Stephane Lasme and Bobby Jones earlier this summer, and signing Jason Richards and David Padgett straight after summer league, the Heat kept on playing the signing game, bringing in Eddie Basden, Matt Walsh, Omar Barlett and Tre Kelley for camp.

Since then, the Heat have brought in Shaun Livingston, waiving Kelley to open up the spot. Kelley must have been real bad, because Richards - the other excess point guard on the roster - has suffered a season ending knee injury and won't play this year. Yet somehow the Heat would still rather have him than Kelley."

LA Times: "Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy said that the ball was in Livingston's court, and even though Williams retired, the organization did not make another offer. Instead, the team remained an interested observer with Livingston talking to Portland, Minnesota and Miami."

Peninsula Is Mightier: "I wish it was as simple as sliding the above-depicted player into the Heat lineup. That player would be an ideal fit at an unsettled position and make Miami a significantly better team.

But we're not getting that player. We don't know what player we're getting, but it's not that one. I could guess, but that would be irresponsible and a waste of your time and mine. I can only say that I welcome Livingston to the squad and look forward to seeing what he can do."

Ira Winderman: "But look at it this way: The Heat's 2009 first-round pick will go to Minnesota to complete last October's lamentable acquisition of Ricky Davis. The only way the Heat retains it in 2009 is if it is among the first 10 selections (and even that would require a certain amount of lottery luck). So for a relative pittance, it essentially gets its 2009 first-round pick early, a player who comes with many question marks (just as most draft picks do)."



Don't treat Shaun Livingston like he's ready, please
by Kelly Dwyer
6 Oct 2008 at 9:00am

There's little point in trying to articulate and put into words just how fascinating a prospect Shaun Livingston was during the 2004-05 season. Highlight packages like these miss the point.

Partially because a well-placed tenor solo goes longer toward trying to express just how brilliant this kid's prospects look, but mostly because I've tried, several times, including more than a few times during these recent summer months. You just can't put your fingers around it. 

What we can try, as a poor replacement, is attempt to convince you to give this kid a miss during the 2008-09 season. Sure, the Miami Heat saw fit to sign him for the upcoming term, while the Timberwolves and others saw fit to show interest, but we (the backers, the punters, those in between) have to remember that this kid's rehab is not finished.

As late as 2006-07, his last full season with the Los Angeles Clippers, Livingston was still trying to develop the sort of upper and lower body strength needed to not only become a starting-quality NBA guard (criticisms that have rightfully dogged him since his pre-draft workouts in 2004), but someone who could be counted on to play half an NBA game 65 times over the course of a season.

That was two years ago, and though the Clippers were and are a skinflint organization when it comes to bulking up in the strength and training department, it's going to take more than a change of practice court scenery for Livingston to turn things around.

That doesn't mean that he can't turn it around, or that 82 percent of basketball junkies out there wouldn't give 82 percent of their kidneys to see this kid working at full strength, but it's going to be another season of underwater work and treadmill time. That's just how things are going to flow, so we'd like to ask that we wait a while before presuming that the "finished" label works with Mr. Livingston. Apologies for repeating myself, but partially because it would depress the hell out of your humble narrator, and mainly because it wouldn't be true, even next June.

The Heat needs help at point guard. Mario Chalmers has been so underrated since his June selection by Miami that it's gotten to the point where people have convinced themselves that he'll be a starting-quality NBA point man this year, thereby rendering him overrated. Chalmers can be an All-Star by his third year for all we know, but things have gotten a little out of hand at this point.

Marcus Banks is still trying to throw footballs over mountains, Chris Quinn and his wispy little mustache are still trying to park in the players' parking lot without being asked for ID, and beyond all jokes, that's still a passable enough rotation. Not great, certainly with holes, but not worth fretting terribly over. Not when Dwyane Wade is going to lead the team in assists anyway.

So as a fourth guard, let's remind ourselves not to rail when he doesn't see but 14 minutes in a month, or can't see the court in a 30-point win or loss. This is still a rebuilding year, those legs (among other body parts) have to work themselves into passable NBA shape, and the guy just turned 23.

There's time. Let's give it to him.



The Blog Association: Sacramento Kings
by Kelly Dwyer
6 Oct 2008 at 8:00am
Almost three years ago to the, um, year, Deadspin's Will Leitch set out to salute the most outstanding blogs for each NBA team. He called it "Blogdom's Best." So cute. But a lot has changed in the last few years - Ballhype, Blog World, RSS feeds! - so we here at Ball Don't Lie have decided to take a second look. This morning: the best Sacramento Kings blogs. 

Say this for the Sacramento Kings: we expect them to be in the playoffs.

That, in itself, is huge. We're but a scant few years removed from Eddie Jordan calling Bobby Hurley his opening night starter, Mitch Richmond playing an entire year as trade bait, and a somewhat youthful Anthony Johnson turning into the team's biggest surprise.

What followed that turn happened to be eight consecutive seasons of postseason play, and the establishment (yay!) of expectations. And though the squad appears to be in the midst of a bit of young/old flux at this point, the Kings still seem a step away from playing in May again. When someone or something takes that next step, click over here for the breakdown ...

3. Blog Squad - Don't get turned off by the name (though I almost wrote it as "BLOG SQUAD!", just to be a prat), there is quite a bunch to glean from this site. Specifically the work of Daniel Shapiro, the team's S+T guy, alongside Kings.com beat man Andrew Nicholson and moonlighting Chicago Sky forward Kayte Christensen.

2. Kings Blog and Q&A - Most MSM newspaper blogs rely solely on the work of the typically-overworked beat writer to augment his newspaper work with blog posts featuring, mainly, what didn't fit in his or her gamer or notes column. Some newspaper blogs feature the work of the paper's NBA columnist. I can't think of any other that offer any insight from the paper's general columnist. KB+Q&A eschews tradition, and goes with all three.

Somehow, this one offers the fine work of the Sacramento Bee's sports troika, without seeming like the scribes in question are fighting for space. As important and insightful as it is unorthodox.

1. Sactown Royalty - We already talked a bit about how good Tom Ziller is, and we meant it, so mind the gap between stats-heavy tomes and spot-on team-based analysis, and the second mention.

Not only is TZ's best work included on SR, the site is also home to one of the smarter and funnier hoops communities out there. A major part of le grande blog revolution of 2005, Sactown Royalty shows no sign of letting up.

If you would like to nominate a specific team blog for selection, let us know right here.



BDL Camp Chat '08!
by Kelly Dwyer
3 Oct 2008 at 2:45pm

I'm more than a little embarrassed at the fact that I whiffed on all these DVDs, it was nice to put another callous on my thumb and watch a few old games, but I typed up years worth of "observations," and none of them are worth your time.

So let's chat. It's been a bit of an interactive day here at BDL, and with camp finally starting, why not drop in for a late afternoon, TGIF-sort of deal? Start at four, and take it until the whistle blows at 5. See you then.



The Blog Association: Los Angeles Lakers
by Kelly Dwyer
3 Oct 2008 at 12:35pm
Almost three years ago to the, um, year, Deadspin's Will Leitch set out to salute the most outstanding blogs for each NBA team. He called it "Blogdom's Best." So cute. But a lot has changed in the last few years - Ballhype, Blog World, RSS feeds! - so we here at Ball Don't Lie have decided to take a second look. This afternoon: the best Los Angeles Lakers blogs. 

The Lakers are awesome, they might win 70 games this year if everyone stays healthy (and that always happens), and they boast one of the best players of the last 20 years.

Big city, big success, polarizing stars, tall chairs, Chris Mihm, whew. Somebody better be writing this stuff down.

3. The Lakers Nation - An up and comer, kids. Look out.

2. Lakers Blog - They think I'm a hater (and they can't defend that, because while I didn't read that post, I did hit CTRL-F and searched for the word "hater," and found it. Check and mate), but the brothers Kamenetzky run a fabulous MSM blog. Always coming through with the sort of posts I love to write and love to read from others.

1. Forum Blue and Gold - It's a great thing when a team as prominent and important and as successful as the Lakers has a blog that lives up to the franchise's exalted stature. I don't want to sound too breathless in describing Kurt's work, but anyone who's ever read a game preview, or his nuanced (nuance like you wouldn't believe, bro-tha) takes, or the way he turns a phrase and then uses actual evidence to support it ... it's an amazing thing, this site.

We're lucky to have it.

If you would like to nominate a specific team blog for selection, let us know right here.



Create-a-memoir: NBA in six words, go!
by Kelly Dwyer
3 Oct 2008 at 9:30am

I really love this. 

Jon from TWolvesBlog.com has put together a series of six-word memoirs regarding his favorite team.

Not sure what a six-word memoir is? We'll let the editors of Not Quite What I Was Planning tell it:

"Legend has it that Hemingway was once challenged to write a story in only six words. His response? ‘For sale: baby shoes, never worn.'"

That's both incredibly messed-up and very cool. Of course, I could have just said "Hemingway-ish," but I wanted to use six words. Starting with "incredibly." Cut me some slack.

Anyway, Jon wrote his own list, which is a must read. My favorite?

"Mark Madsen: HUSTLE RUN HUSTLE EFFORT FAIL BENCH"

Beautiful. And now it's your turn.

Below is a series of random NBA types, all ready to be six-worded. They can be incredibly lame (Coby Karl: Bangs are fine but not really), or incredibly lame (Michael Redd: You have two hands not one), so let's get to work. Winners gets a John Bryson photograph of Hemingway kicking a beer can that, for whatever reason, has never been scanned and uploaded into the internets.

Antoine Walker

Brent Barry

Larry Brown

LaMarcus Aldridge

Mike D'Antoni

Ben Wallace

Jamaal Tinsley

Joakim Noah

Create-a-mascot: Thunder is no more
by Kelly Dwyer
3 Oct 2008 at 8:30am

The Oklahoma City Thunder are fully operational these days, which means the likely end for a Golden State Warriors mascot that never really made any sense, because Thunder the mascot hardly brought a lot of joy to Mudville. 

On Thursday, Warriors Prez Robert Rowell told this to the AP:

"We're clearly going to do something to accommodate Oklahoma City and not have our mascot named Thunder. For the sake of not making things confusing, we're going to do something. We just have to figure out a good exit strategy." 

Exit strategy? You try to work those into important things, like sneaking out of some miserable dinner party or your girlfriend's ex's art exhibit. But Thunder? Just pull the plug.

We're not going to tell you that the men behind the Thunder suit didn't try their hardest, but the mascot's first appearance came in a season that saw the Warriors lose 14 of its first 15 games, and Latrell Sprewell choke his coach.

Or, choke him out of an initial burst of rage, and then attack him later in a premeditated move. Also, Felton Spencer.

So its 11-year run has hardly been what dreams are made of. Which is why we need a new mascot for the Warriors, and because (for whatever reason) the team has decided that an actual warrior won't work, we're asking you to try this two different ways.

First, is to take the Family Guy approach famously lampooned on South Park a few years ago. Two random descriptions followed by an equally random persona. So, "Bleached-Blonde Bolshevik Panda" or "Albanian Syphilitic Taxi Driver" works. Give it a try.

Secondly, after the three-pronged approach, you can throw out a simple suggestion. "The Lightning" or "The Felton," or my favorite, "The Stig."

We'll list the winners next week, with the top three winning a rubber chicken.



Photo of the Day: Keep it level, Julian
by Kelly Dwyer
3 Oct 2008 at 8:00am

Julian Wright arrives at Hornets camp with two boxes of broke-ass doughnuts. His teammates must love him. 



Knicks C Curry practices for first time (AP)
6 Oct 2008 at 4:33pm
New York Knicks center Eddy Curry practiced for the first time this season Monday after he was sidelined last week because of a bacterial infection. Curry missed the Knicks' entire training camp in Saratoga Springs, leaving his hotel room only for visits to Saratoga Hospital. That cost him valuable time as he tries to grasp new coach Mike D'Antoni's system.

Mavericks hire Westphal as executive VP (AP)
6 Oct 2008 at 4:52pm
Former NBA head coach Paul Westphal was hired as the Mavericks' executive vice president of basketball operations on Monday. Westphal, who was a Dallas assistant coach last season, will assist general manager Donnie Nelson and work in scouting. When Westphal was hired before last season to be on former coach Avery Johnson's staff he had been out of the NBA since being fired as Seattle's coach 15...

Heat's Beasley scores 16 in debut (AP)
5 Oct 2008 at 9:28pm

Miami Heat's David Padgett, left, dunks against Detroit Pistons' Jason Maxiell during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008, in Miami. The Pistons won in overtime 95-91.

Michael Beasley only wanted to see a movie. So on Saturday night, he left his new house in the Coconut Grove section of Miami, headed to a nearby theater and tried to get tickets for "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist." Small problem: Word of the Heat first-rounder's presence leaked, and the 19-year-old was quickly mobbed by dozens of people.



Hornets' Chandler OK after ankle sprain (AP)
5 Oct 2008 at 9:14pm
Hornets center Tyson Chandler sprained his right ankle in the first quarter of New Orleans' preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night. Chandler sat out the rest of the game, but returned to the bench in his warmups to watch the second half and stood without apparent pain to chat with teammates during timeouts.

Rivers happy with Celtics training camp (AP)
5 Oct 2008 at 5:26pm
Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers canceled training camp practice scheduled for Monday, saying he wants to give the defending NBA champions a day off before they prepare for their first preseason game. Boston takes on the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday at the University of Massachusetts' flagship campus in Amherst.

Heat sign PG Shaun Livingston (AP)
3 Oct 2008 at 3:40pm

In this Jan. 31, 2007 file photo, Los Angeles Clippers' Shaun Livingston goes up for a shot as he is fouled by Chicago Bulls' Kirk Hinrich during the second half of an NBA basketball game  in Los Angeles.  The Miami Heat are giving  Livingston a second chance at an NBA career. The free agent point guard signed a two-year contract with the Heat on Friday, Oct. 3, 2008, the first significant step in what he hopes is a comeback from a serious injury to his left knee 19 months ago.

Shaun Livingston has never seen the gruesome video of himself grabbing a loose ball near midcourt, dribbling three times, going in for a layup attempt and having his left knee shred on the landing. He doesn't intend to watch it anytime soon, either. "I'm not focusing on the past. I'm just really looking forward," Livingston said.



Refs report: No crimes beyond Donaghy (AP)
3 Oct 2008 at 3:22am

In this July 29, 2008 file photo, former NBA referee Tim Donaghy exits Brooklyn federal court following his sentencing in New York.  A review of the NBA's officiating program found no evidence of illegal activity by any referee other than Donaghy, though it recommended significant changes for monitoring gambling and game integrity. The report, compiled over 14 months by former federal prosecutor Lawrence Pedowitz and released Thursday Oct. 2, 2008, called for the creation of a

Tim Donaghy is in prison, and David Stern doesn't want anyone else in the NBA to get in trouble because of gambling. So Stern responded to a report on NBA referees Thursday by vowing to build the "most effective possible system" to monitor illegal activity and preserve the game's integrity. "The best we can do is do the best we can, and that's all we can do.



Mourning's biography a worthy read
6 Oct 2008 at 3:23am

By Alonzo Mourning with Dan Wetzel A kidney transplant recipient, dedicated charitable worker, man of faith and NBA all-star, Alonzo Mourning has a story worth telling, and worth reading about.



Mihm's role for Lakers up in air
6 Oct 2008 at 3:22am

Chris Mihm's role is undefined. He might play significant minutes this season, but he might not.



Dallas Mavericks shooting for better 3-point percentage
6 Oct 2008 at 3:21am

Oct. 5--UNIVERSITY PARK -- Shooting 3-pointers in the NBA used to be for finesse teams, which was a euphemism for soft teams.



Ellis appears -- with foot in cast
6 Oct 2008 at 3:21am

Guess who showed up to training camp? Warriors guard Monta Ellis joined his team for the first time since severely injuring his left ankle last month.



Hornets' Chandler hurts ankle
6 Oct 2008 at 3:20am

New Orleans Hornets center Tyson Chandler left Sunday's preseason game against the Golden State Warriors with an ankle injury.




If Stephen Jackson is the face of the Warriors' franchise, at least it just g...
6 Oct 2008 at 3:19am

With Stephen Jackson working on a contract extension, pretty soon he very well may be the face of the Warriors' franchise.



Duncan and the downward dog?
6 Oct 2008 at 3:19am

Jeff McDonald: Duncan and the downward dog? When the doors finally opened and the media was let into the Spurs practice gym Sunday afternoon, we stumbled upon a strange sight.



Bell adjusts to Suns' new system
6 Oct 2008 at 3:18am

Nobody had a more inquisitive Suns training camp than guard Raja Bell , whose inquiring mind was emblematic of how much the Suns' inner workings have shifted under new coach Terry Porter .



3,000 fans watch Bobcats scrimmage in Wilmington
6 Oct 2008 at 3:18am

Published: Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 9:11 p.m. Last Modified: Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 9:22 p.m. Sean May found himself in a tight spot while defending a fastbreak drill Sunday night prior to the Charlotte ...



Hornets win preseason opener over Warriors
6 Oct 2008 at 3:17am

David West scored 19 points, Hilton Armstrong added 14, and the New Orleans Hornets won their preseason opener, 106-103 over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night.




Artest set to play wherever needed for Rockets
6 Oct 2008 at 3:17am

Ron Artest is the rare NBA player who can lead his team in scoring and the prowess to be a top-notch defender.



Rockets Notes: Scola finding his legs
6 Oct 2008 at 3:17am

Scola did, however, need to regain some conditioning and timing when he reported to training camp last week.



Rookie Hickson doesn't back down
6 Oct 2008 at 3:16am

J.J. Hickson knows that he's a rookie. How so? By the fact that he's been made to endure one training camp ritual already - picking up doughnuts for Cavaliers veterans.



Brandon Bass can represent Dallas Mavericks well on and off court
6 Oct 2008 at 3:16am

By JEFF CAPLAN From the moment he arrived last year as an untapped package of brawn and desire, Brandon Bass' practice routine has never wavered.



Pavlovic hoping for big year with the Cavaliers
6 Oct 2008 at 3:13am

Sasha Pavlovic and Wally Szczerbiak are similar players with different approaches vying for the same position.



Adande: Heavy burden on Bynum's big shoulders
by J.A. Adande
3 Oct 2008 at 2:31pm
Now that he's fully healthy, expectations for the Lakers' Andrew Bynum are through the roof, J.A. Adande writes.

Report on NBA refs released; Stern vows action
by ESPN.com news services
3 Oct 2008 at 1:09am
A review of the NBA's officiating program has made recommendations for significant changes, but found no evidence of illegal activity by any referees other than Tim Donaghy.

Knicks' Curry practices with team for first time
by Associated Press
6 Oct 2008 at 4:40pm
New York Knicks center Eddy Curry practiced for the first time this season Monday after he was sidelined last week because of a bacterial infection.

Hornets' Chandler sprains ankle against Warriors
by Associated Press
5 Oct 2008 at 9:19pm
Hornets center Tyson Chandler sprained his right ankle in the first quarter of New Orleans' preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night.

NBA looking to expand its usage of instant replay
by Marc Stein
4 Oct 2008 at 3:35pm
NBA teams were asked Friday to vote on two new proposals that, if passed, will noticeably expand the use of instant replay starting this season.

Rivers calls C's rookie Walker 'pleasant surprise'
by Associated Press
5 Oct 2008 at 5:53pm
Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers canceled training camp practice scheduled for Monday, saying he wants to give the defending NBA champions a day off before they prepare for their first preseason game.

Knicks' Jeffries out up to 2 months with broken leg
by Associated Press
4 Oct 2008 at 5:32pm
Knicks forward Jared Jeffries fractured his left fibula at practice Thursday and is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks.

Stoudemire poked in eye, suffers partially torn iris
by ESPN.com news services
3 Oct 2008 at 8:42pm
Suns forward Amare Stoudemire missed practice Thursday with a partially torn iris after being poked in the eye during practice Wednesday.

Nuggets deny they've traded for Pacers' Tinsley
by John Hollinger
3 Oct 2008 at 3:49pm
A reported deal sending Pacers guard Jamaal Tinsley to the Nuggets for Steven Hunter and Chucky Atkins did not happen, according to a Nuggets team executive.

Bulls forward Noah to miss 5 days with eye injury
by Associated Press
3 Oct 2008 at 12:06pm
Bulls forward Joakim Noah is out with an eye injury.

Heat give ex-Clipper Livingston a second chance
by Associated Press
3 Oct 2008 at 4:04pm
The Miami Heat are giving Shaun Livingston a second chance at an NBA career.

One and done? Gordon signs Bulls' qualifying offer
by Associated Press
2 Oct 2008 at 10:09am
Ben Gordon signed a one-year qualifying offer from the Bulls on Wednesday.

False alarm: Blazers' Oden OK after rolling ankle
by Associated Press
1 Oct 2008 at 12:22pm
Portland center Greg Oden is OK after rolling his right ankle during the first day of training camp.

No. 1 fan: Bobcats' Wallace impressing Brown
by Associated Press
1 Oct 2008 at 4:55pm
Gerald Wallace is impressing Larry Brown in Charlotte.

Warriors, Ellis' agent to discuss possible discipline
by Associated Press
1 Oct 2008 at 6:48pm
The Golden State Warriors plan to meet with the representative for point guard Monta Ellis next week to discuss any potential disciplinary action or fine because of his mo-ped-related ankle injury.

Hornets can't rest on laurels
6 Oct 2008 at 12:56pm
The Hornets have a bright future, but for that future to remain in New Orleans, Mike Kahn says they can't afford any lapses.

Q&A: Playing Odom off the bench could help Lakers
5 Oct 2008 at 7:54pm
With Trevor Ariza back, the Lakers could be bringing Lamar Odom off the bench. Charley Rosen says it's a good move in his latest Q&A.

Spurs will need fresh legs for title chase
4 Oct 2008 at 6:40pm
Manu's hurt and the other key Spurs aren't getting any younger. A fourth title in seven years seems unlikely, Dusty Garza says.

NBA's top 10 power forwards
3 Oct 2008 at 11:40am
Amare Stoudemire keeps getting better, but he's still a notch behind KG and Timmy as Mike Kahn ranks the top 10 power forwards.

Eye injury sidelines Suns' Stoudemire
4 Oct 2008 at 7:25am
Center-forward Amare Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns may miss two weeks or more of practice because of a torn iris in his right eye, The Arizona Republic reported Friday.

Chandler sprains right ankle
5 Oct 2008 at 9:35pm
Hornets center Tyson Chandler sprained his right ankle in the first quarter of New Orleans' preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night. A Hornets spokesman said Chandler was not expected to return. The injury occurred under the Hornets' basket after Chandler stepped into the lane to help defend a drive by C.J. Watson. Chandler appeared to turn his ankle as he landed and immediately dropped to the floor, lying on his back until trainers helped him to the locker room.

Knicks' Curry begins practice after missing a week
6 Oct 2008 at 5:44pm
New York Knicks center Eddy Curry practiced for the first time this season Monday after he was sidelined last week because of a bacterial infection. Curry missed the Knicks' entire training camp in Saratoga Springs, leaving his hotel room only for visits to Saratoga Hospital. That cost him valuable time as he tries to grasp new coach Mike D'Antoni's system. "It was tough," Curry said.

Mavericks hire Westphal as executive VP
6 Oct 2008 at 5:57pm
Former NBA head coach Paul Westphal was hired as the Mavericks' executive vice president of basketball operations on Monday. Westphal, who was a Dallas assistant coach last season, will assist general manager Donnie Nelson and work in scouting. When Westphal was hired before last season to be on former coach Avery Johnson's staff he had been out of the NBA since being fired as Seattle's coach 15 games into the 2000-01 season.

Pacers won't comment on reported Tinsley deal
3 Oct 2008 at 3:51pm
The Indiana Pacers declined to comment Friday on a report that point guard Jamaal Tinsley would be traded to Denver for Steven Hunter and Chucky Atkins. Pacers president Larry Bird downplayed the report, which appeared in Friday's New York Post, saying the team wouldn't comment on "trade rumors" involving any of its players. Hunter's agent, Mark Bartelstein, denied his client was involved in the reported deal. "There's nothing happening with that trade," Bartelstein told The Associated Press.

Mayo Emerges for Grizzlies
O.J. Mayo wants his game to speak at a high volume. And the Grizzlies like the tone from their 6-5 rookie guard after one week of training camp.

Heat's Beasley Gets His Space in Exhibition
To opposing defenses, Beasley has never been a secondary concern. On a team with Dwyane Wade and Shawn Marion and a smattering of shooters, Beasley will be all of those things. It means he will have more space, more freedom, than he has ever been accustomed to. And it seems to work for him.

Bulls' Ben Gordon Hurts Toe
Ben Gordon missed a portion of the Bulls' three-hour-15-minute practice Monday after jamming his toe. Gordon also is nursing a sore ankle, although coach Vinny Del Negro said neither injury is serious and Gordon hasn't sat for an entire practice.

Dalembert Poised for Big Season
When Samuel Dalembert said, "I expect to be an all-star this year"one week ago at Sixers media day, a few writers raised their eyebrows. Several of Dalembert's teammates and coach Maurice Cheeks said they understand why the Sixers' starting center would say it.

Knicks Coach Calls Nate Robinson 'Scary Athletic'
From the ASSOCIATED PRESS, "even though Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni isn't ready to determine his rotation, he liked what he saw from Nate Robinson during New York's first week of practice. 'I'm really surprised with him and how good he is,' D'Antoni said of the 5-foot-9 guard after the team broke training camp at Skidmore College on Saturday. 'He can play a lot of systems, but I do think that the way we want to play an open court, that will benefit him as much or more than anybody. 'He's just -- he is athletic as can be. He's scary athletic, and fast.'"

Jameer Nelson Ready for Bigger Role With Orlando Magic
In the ORLANDO SENTINEL, Brian Schmitz writes "everyone has acknowledged the obvious. Jameer Nelson is on the spot. His teammates feel it. "There's most definitely a lot on Jameer," forward Rashard Lewis said."We had guys like Carlos [Arroyo] and Keyon [Dooling] playing behind Jameer for a reason . . . to kind of hold him up," General Manager Otis Smith said. "I don't think we're at that point anymore. We're at the point where he should be comfortable as your starter."

Interview With Larry Bird
Check out an interview with Celtics legend and current Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird.

Hornets' Tyson Chandler Sprains Right Ankle
Hornets center Tyson Chandler sprained his right ankle in the first quarter of New Orleans' preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night.

Stuckey, Pistons Spoil Beasley's Preseason Opener
Rodney Stuckey scored 23 points, including two jumpers in the final 8.8 seconds of regulation, and the Detroit Pistons scored the first six points of overtime on the way to beating the Miami Heat 95-91 Sunday night in the exhibition opener for both clubs.

Hornets Win Preseason Opener Over Warriors
David West scored 19 points, Hilton Armstrong added 14, and the New Orleans Hornets won their preseason opener, 106-103 over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night.

Shock Rout Silver Stars for Third WNBA Title in Six Years
The Detroit Shock completed a stunning three-game sweep of the San Antonio Silver Stars with Sunday's 76-60 victory at Eastern Michigan University.

Hoops Fans Thrilled To Get Up Close with Raptors
Tickets to the Raptors' intrasquad game at the Ravens' Nest in Carleton University sold out in 25 minutes as 1,864 fans filled the gym to see Canada's only NBA team put on a show.

Celtics Wearing the Banner of Unity
William C. Rhoden writes in the New York Times that as Boston gathers in Newport, R.I., to begin their title defense, Kevin Garnett and the Celtics still stress selfless basketball above all else.

D'Antoni Praises Robinson as Knicks Break Camp
Even though Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni isn't ready to determine his rotation, he liked what he saw from Nate Robinson during New York's first week of practice.

Heat Waive Matt Walsh
The Miami Heat announced Saturday that they have requested waivers on Matt Walsh. The 6'6”, 205-pound forward, was signed by the Heat as a free agent on September 26.