NBA Review - The World's Greatest Basketball Confederation

An exciting of review of the world's greatest, best entertain and attractive spectators by professional and courageous players with able articulated coaches: The NBA

"With the sale of the Seattle SuperSonics not yet concluded, the team and forward Rashard Lewis have decided to place on hold their discussions for a contract extension until after the ownership change is official. Lewis is eligible for a two-year, $25 million extension that would carry him through the 2010-11 season, essentially assuring that he will be with the Sonics through the prime of his career. He could have signed an extension Sunday.

"Meanwhile, Sund said the Sonics and forward Nick Collison have decided not to discuss an extension on his rookie contract until after this season, in part because there is so much uncertainty about Collison's future in Seattle.

"A report in Georgia Today, a European Newspaper, quotes forward Nikoloz Tskitishvili as saying he is going to sign a contract with the Sonics once the season ends for the Georgia national team.

"Yotam Halperin, the Sonics' second-round pick from Israel, is on the verge of signing a three-year contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv with a buyout clause that would allow him to leave for the NBA.

"As useful as Peja Stojackovic and his career 18.4-point scoring average is for the Hornets on offense, he does little to shore up their vulnerable perimeter defense. The knock on Stojakovic, the small forward and former three-time all star whom the Hornets acquired this summer from Indiana, has always been his poor defense. Stojakovic's addition immediately gives the Hornets a legitimate scoring threat and go-to guy down the stretch. But his near $64-million price tag doesn't include him grinding out defensive stops." Oklahoman

"I think everybody in this league that's a great offensive player gets a reputation for not being a very good defensive player," said Hornets coach Byron Scott. "I've seen Peja guard Dirk Nowitzki and guard him pretty well a couple of years ago when he was in Sacramento in the playoffs. "He's not a bad defensive player. The things that Peja has going for him is, No. 1 he's experienced and No. 2, he's smart." Oklahoman

"(Byron) Scott has said that he would play Stojakovic at shooting guard and Desmond Mason at small forward. But that might not be the solution either, though, with Kobe Bryant, Richard Hamilton, Ray Allen, Dwyane Wade, Vince Carter, Michael Redd and Jason Richardson headlining the league's shooting guards." Oklahoman

"MTV VJ LaLa Vazquez and her fiancé, NBA star Carmelo Anthony, are expecting their first child together in March, Vazquez's rep, Jack Ketsoyan, confirms exclusively to PEOPLE. This will be the first child for both. The couple, engaged since Christmas Day 2004, plan to wed after the baby's birth." People

"Don't expect the Trail Blazers to join the NBA trend of pushing the tempo and spreading the floor this season. Instead, Blazers coach Nate McMillan said fans should prepare to watch a big, bruising Blazers team that will concentrate on halfcourt execution. "We are a totally different team than we were last year," McMillan said. "And the style of play I wanted to play last year, I think we have to change it somewhat this year." Oregonian

"I don't know if we are going to be capable of running like I would like to," McMillan said. "I think if you have the bigs we have currently, then we have to be a team that will pound you and be good in halfcourt execution. And defensively, I think we should be a physical team." Oregonian

"McMillan said he will look to use rookie Brandon Roy some at point guard this season, primarily because the position is dangerously thin in both experience and health." Oregonian

"McMillan said Jarrett Jack, in his second season, will be the starter, but McMillan is unsure what he has in rookie Sergio Rodriguez and newly acquired Dan Dickau, who is coming off a major Achilles' heel injury." Oregonian

"Who does McMillan envision being the starter (between Joel Przybilla and Jamaal Magloire at center)? "I don't know . . . Joel," McMillan said. "Joel is the guy at our five spot. He did a good job for us last year before he was injured. Magloire can certainly play that, and he can score, but right now I would say Joel." Oregonian

"Late Sunday night, Joel Przybilla arrived back in town, along with his wife Noelle and their son Anthony, who's seven months old. They are thrilled to be back, and will spend the next couple of days getting settled in their new house. I talked to Noelle last night as they were wading around in boxes, exploring the new home. The first thing on their agenda is going to get Anthony a crib. They rented a home last season, not knowing where they'd be following Joel's free-agent season. They are much happier now, with the five-year contract, and were able to purchase rather than rent." Blazers.com

"As soon as they start getting things unpacked, Joel will be heading for the practice facility to take part in some conditioning. (Przybilla) has been working out back in Milwaukee, and once again this summer included boxing in his off-season workout program. He loved what it did for his footwork and balance. He's eager to get started working out with his teammates." Blazers.com

"The pounding ball comes from Blazers guard Martell Webster, who is dribbling through traffic for a layup. The squeaking is the sneakers of Jarrett Jack, the newly appointed starter at point guard, who is burning rubber with sharp cuts. And the clamorous thunder is from forward Travis Outlaw, who is finishing a fast break with a rim-rattling dunk." Oregonian

"They are three of nine Blazers players who have adhered to a request from McMillan to report to Portland by Sept. 5 for pre-training camp activities that include daily scrimmages and workouts with strength and conditioning coach Bobby Medina." Oregonian

"It starts with that guy right there," (Juan) Dixon said, pointing to McMillan, who came out of his office to watch the end of a scrimmage. "He told guys at the end of the season he wanted us back by a certain date, and the turnout has been great. I think guys are showing the coaches and the organization that we are dedicated to turning this around, that we want to win." Oregonian

"McMillan's plea at the end of last season for the players to report early was complemented by director of player personnel Kevin Pritchard, who spread word to NBA players that the Blazers would hold an open gym, or "run," as players call it. As a result, NBA players who reside in Portland in the offseason such as Indiana forward Jermaine O'Neal, Toronto guard Fred Jones, New Orleans guard Desmond Mason, and Blake (now with Milwaukee), have taken part in the games." Oregonian

"Don't be surprised if former Los Angeles Laker Michael Cooper is soon hired as coach of the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA if he can't land the coach/general manager job with the Chicago Sky. Chicago coach Dave Cowens resigned to become an assistant to former Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders with the Detroit Pistons." St. Paul Pioneer Press

"A little birdie says Timberwolves assistant manager of public relations Paul Thompson is leaving to pursue a position with a non-profit organization." St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Former Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald reportedly is a candidate to join the New York Knicks front office. According to the New York Daily News, Grunwald is "the leading candidate" to be hired by president/head coach Isiah Thomas prior to the beginning of the NBA regular season." Toronto Sun

"Grunwald and Thomas have been acquaintances since their playing days at the University of Indiana. Following his stellar NBA career, Thomas hired Grunwald with the expansion Raptors." Toronto Sun

"Although the Daily News suggests Grunwald could be hired in New York, there is no guarantee he would agree to relocate to the Big Apple, as he has turned down positions in the past outside of the Toronto area." Toronto Sun

"With most needs met, an open roster spot and two weeks until training camp begins, the Bulls have the luxury of working out a wide variety of players to see if something strikes their fancy. But few could have imagined this: Shawn Kemp will visit the Berto Center this week." Chicago Tribune

"The Bulls also are expected to look at former Orlando center Andrew DeClercq." Chicago Tribune

"Luke Schenscher, who averaged 1.8 points and 1.5 rebounds in 20 games with the Bulls last season, is the leading candidate to fill the final roster spot." Chicago Tribune

"The NBA and its TV and marketing partners are finalizing efforts for the 2006-07 season, but teams such as the Nets and Rockets already are putting their stars out front in new campaigns. The Nets next week will break their first TV effort in about four years, "Bring It," via BrandBuzz, New York, with Jason Kidd and Vince Carter. In Houston, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady get top billing in "Live It," handled in-house, now rolling out." BrandWeek

"Only a third of the NBA's 30 teams spent more than $1 million on media in 2005, per Nielsen Monitor-Plus, mostly on regional efforts, led by the Los Angeles Clippers ($3.1 million) and Chicago Bulls ($3 million). Both the Nets ($1.1 million) and Rockets ($2 million) topped that plateau and figure to do so again this year." BrandWeek

"The Nets effort has celebrity elements to it, as Marv Albert does voiceovers and Jay-Z, a part owner of the team, provides the music with "Moment of Clarity" from his The Black Album CD. In "Vince," Carter is seen in the weight room. "I put in 16 hour days, I do thousands of reps," he says. "I play tired. I play sick. I play hurt." It ends with Carter saying, "I give everything I have . . . because I'm not the only one who does," as the entire team heads onto the court." BrandWeek

"Rik Smits calls it "reliving my childhood." More accurately, it's his childhood in overdrive. The former Indiana Pacers center has rebounded from basketball to motorcycle racing, from packed arenas and globally televised competition to more leisurely, anonymous competitions in the countryside. It's just a hobby, but it's a hobby that entails more than 100 motorcycles housed in two massive garages, a trailer, a 40-foot recreational vehicle and miles of trails on his properties in Zionsville, Indianapolis and Brown County." Indianapolis Star

"Smits rode small motorcycles as a kid in his native Holland and got his first motocross bike when he was 12. He never raced, but some of his friends did. "I was always wishing that I could, too," he said. "That's where a lot of this comes from." Indianapolis Star

"Smits collected classic cars throughout his NBA career, tinkering with them in his free time. He once had about 20 but is down to three at his Zionsville home and a few others at his summer residence in upstate New York." Indianapolis Star

"Smits kept going, and has no plans to stop. He competed in about 30 events two years ago, from Texas to New Mexico to Florida to Arizona, but is competing less often now because of his daughter Jasmine's involvement in softball tournaments. Sometimes his family goes with him. Occasionally his 9-year-old son, Derrik, races, too." Indianapolis Star

"Surprise visitor Nick Collison walked through the northwest tunnel of Allen Fieldhouse late Friday afternoon and shaded his eyes as he looked around the renovated basketball palace. "It's a lot brighter in here now," exclaimed the fourth-year Seattle SuperSonics power forward, in the building for the first time since the lighting was intensified a year ago. "I haven't been in here since the new scoreboard went up. Everything's painted. It looks great." Lawrence Journal World

"I've been working hard, been (in Seattle) most of the summer trying to get stronger and work on my game," said Collison, who will be a restricted free agent after this season, the team having the right to match any offer tossed Collison's way by another organization." Lawrence Journal World

Collison: "I played all right last year. I don't think I had a great year. Hopefully, I'll play better this year. I'm just looking for a little more consistency. It was an up-and-down year, but I'm ready to get going again." Lawrence Journal World

Editorial: "The top officials at the Bradley Center, who to their credit have never lost touch with the times, are now exploring a multimillion-dollar redevelopment of their facility and the land around it to bring in new revenue and keep their tenants, in particular the Milwaukee Bucks, who recently agreed to a new lease. The Bradley Center officials, including Ulice Payne Jr., chairman of the board, and Steve Costello, president and CEO, deserve kudos for their vision and their sense of timing. The alternative to improving the Bradley Center is to build another arena, which center officials realize would be a hard sell in this town since their building is only 18 years old and in terrific shape." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Editorial: "Bradley officials have hired consultants and are expected to meet with them later this month. Payne says he hopes that by this time next year, a plan will be in place, one that will rely on private, not public, funding - a wise choice - and may include a surcharge on all tickets for Bradley Center events, including games, to help pay for the improvements. That seems fair since the surcharge would be a genuine user fee. Exploring renovation of the Bradley Center brings officials there full circle, which is not a bad thing. About five years ago, they were looking at a $75 million renovation but later dropped the idea. Because current plans are so tentative, no price tag has been mentioned." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"In October, BET's adult-focused companion channel BET 'J' will launch a new reality show based on the life of NBA star Doug Christie and his wife Jackie entitled CHRISTIES COMMITTED. Often misunderstood, their relationship is one that will keep viewers mystified, entertained and in awe. As married couples go, there are perhaps none who live, love and manage life in the pro sports limelight like Doug and Jackie Christie." Viacom
"About 120 players entered the poker tournament, including the No. 1 celebrity in the world, Michael Jordan, but not including Ewing or Scott (Scott told me that he didn't play, but that his 19-year-old daughter loves Hold 'em). I busted out when I limped in with Q-10, two others limped in behind me, and the flop came down Qc-10c-9d. I bet the flop and was called by one player, and then Phan moved me all-in. I "insta-called" his bet, and Phan rolled over the 8c-2c. He needed a club for a flush or a jack for a straight. The first card off was the Jc, and the next card off just plain added insult to injury; it was the 9c and made Phan a straight flush! Phan came all the way to Minneapolis to bust me, but I still bought Dom and Cristal for him at the club ("Karma") later that night." Lawrence Journal World

"When Jordan made it down to the final two players, he was all-in with A-7 vs. his opponents Q-9. He needed the A-7 to stand up (he was about a 57 percent favorite), and if it did, then he would have a huge chip lead. The flop came down 8-7-6, and now the player with the Q-9 needed a five, a nine, a ten, or a queen. It was a dangerous flop for Jordan, but the next card was a seven, and now he only had to hold off a five or a 10 on the last card. The last card was a jack, and Jordan went on to win the title, the trophy, and the $25,000 first place prize, which he promptly donated right back to the Trent Tucker Charity, along with the $50,000 he paid for the custom made "chopper" motorcycle he bought for his friend Mr. Oakley." Lawrence Journal World

"Jordan was definitely on cloud nine when he won, and who wouldn't have been? He told me that that is his first Hold 'em tournament win, but he is a man who collects titles, so watch out poker world!" Lawrence Journal World

"The Nets better make sure that Mikki Moore, a 7-0 reserve center/forward in his second tour of duty with the club, does not bring snakes on a plane. "I have three boa constrictors, one python and one alligator. I had three alligators but two of them died during all the traveling from team to team," Moore told our Fred Kerber." New York Post

Mikki Moore: "The alligator's name is Bosco. My brother and cousin named him that. My girl named one of the snakes Peaches because it's an Albino Burmese python and it starts off a peachy-yellow color. And the biggest Columbian Red-tail boa I have is 7 feet or 8 feet and it's all green so my girlfriend named it Dollar Bill. The others I don't have names for." New York Post

"The Timberwolves' Eddie Griffin, who recently was sued after a traffic accident, said the people involved have been calling his lawyer and the Wolves asking for up to $250,000 to drop the case. Griffin said he is starting new and hopes to have a better season than he has had in the past. "I'm out there every day working with the coaches ... and I'm trying to eat right, trying to lose 10-15 pounds, and then I should be all right," he said." Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Daniel Santiago, a 7-1 center on the Puerto Rico basketball team at the recent world championships, is one of the free agents who will be in training camp with the Wolves." Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Craig Smith, the Wolves' second-round draft choice from Boston College, broke his wrist in the NCAA regional semifinal at the Metrodome vs. Villanova, had surgery and was sidelined for four months. (Smith) is healthy now, is working out daily at Target Center and has impressed coaches with his ability to rebound." Minneapolis Star Tribune

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