Knicks Interested In Rasheed Wallace?
According to Ric Bucher of ESPN.com, Rasheed Wallace has been working out with Marcus Camby and Kurt Thomas at the Knicks practice facility, adding that the team is "considering" him (Twitter link).
Wallace has not played in an NBA game since June 2010 and officially announced his retirement in August of that year. This past February, there was a report which suggested that the he was planning to sign with the Lakers and had also been linked to the Heat around March, but neither situation materialized.
The 6'11 forward has some previous ties with current Knicks head coach Mike Woodson, who had been an assistant coach under Larry Brown when the Pistons won the NBA title in 2003-04. Should Wallace be invited to training camp, the recently-turned 38-year-old would be the fourth eldest player on the roster, behind Kurt Thomas (set to turn 40 in October), Jason Kidd (39), and Marcus Camby, who is older by about six months.
Odds & Ends: Aguilar, Hettsheimeir, Lakers
- Mavericks veteran Dirk Nowitzki is excited about the team's offseason additions and says that anything is possible if the chemistry is right, according to Eddie Sefko of SportsDay DFW.
- Kendrick Perkins doesn't think that he nor any of his Thunder teammates need to personally intervene in order to influence James Harden's contract negotiations, believing that his decision will be affected just by returning to training camp and seeing his "family" again (John Rohde of NewsOK reports).
- HoopsWorld provides their season preview of the Lakers, who enter the 2012-13 season with a collection of superstar talent and championship aspirations. According to Eric Pincus, the Lakers' powerfully talented lineup along with improved depth gives them the opportunity to compete at the highest level. On the flip side, Pincus writes that age is definitely not on their side and wonders if Mike Brown has the personality to lead this team to a championship.
- Brian Geltzeiler of SheridanHoops.com offers his thoughts on hot topics that he's been asked about on Twitter and the radio, namely about his projections for the Bulls this season, the idea that Ray Allen's addition to the Heat makes them unbeatable, and if the new CBA is having its desired effect.
New York Notes: Shumpert, Brooks
We're about 40 more days away from Brooklyn hosting their home opener against the Knicks, which should be one of the more exciting games to start the regular season. The NBA has not seen both of these teams make the post-season simultaneously since the 2003-04 playoffs, in which the regional rivals met in the first round. We've got some links to relay, including two that include young guards who could find themselves matched up against each other in a competitive cross-town rivalry for several years to come. Here's what we've heard out of New York tonight:
- Nate Taylor of the New York Times' Off the Dribble blog writes that Knicks guard Iman Shumpert has been walking without a brace or a limp, which gives some indication that his rehabilitation this summer has been progressing well.
- Ben Couch of BrooklynNets.com presents a comprehensive piece about MarShon Brooks that chronicles his journey to the NBA, the ebbs and flows of his rookie season, his experience during this year's Orlando Summer Pro League, and his preparation for a sophomore campaign with the Nets.
- Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York talks about the dynamic duo that the Knicks have with Tyson Chandler and Marcus Camby. In a second piece, Zwerling explores the key qualities of having Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd as part of their point guard rotation.
- Nets GM Billy King, who team owner Mikhail Prokhorov believes will win GM of the year, talks about his thought process while constructing this current roster and the challenges that it entailed (Roderick Boone of Newsday reports).
Waiters On Irving, Playoffs, Expectations
Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld shed some light on Dion Waiters, who was selected with Cleveland's fourth overall pick in this year's draft. The former Syracuse standout averaged 12.3 PPG in three games during the Las Vegas Summer League and drew praise last month from head coach Byron Scott for appearing to have improved his conditioning level since then. Waiters says that he is now in Cleveland working out with teammates and is determined to prove that the Cavaliers made the right decision in drafting him. Here are some more of the highlights from Waiters' interview with HoopsWorld.
On being able to play along side Kyrie Irving:
“Potential wise, the sky is the limit for us…We’re still young and we’re still getting better every day. We’re building on the bond that we already had. Coming out of high school together, we clicked right away and we were always together. We met in tenth grade and from that day on, we’ve been close friends. When we get on the court, it’s all about how we can make each other better. We’re going to push each other.”
On how his game will adapt to the NBA:
“I think [my game translates well to the NBA]. There’s more space and you have to be able to break your man down and get to the basket, which I can do well.”
Regarding his expectations for the Cavaliers this season:
“Hopefully we can make the playoffs…We want to achieve that. We have to work our way up to that next level. That’s the main thing. For us to do that, it’ll take hard work, dedication and sacrifice. Everybody has one goal in mind and that’s to make the playoffs. We’re young, but we’re going to do whatever it takes to get there and keep building off of each other. Hopefully we can get there.”
On the Rookie of the Year award:
“I try not to talk about my personal goals, but that’s definitely one of mine…Making the playoffs is the biggest thing, but I’m definitely thinking about [winning Rookie of the Year]. I have to put the work in and earn it though. It’s not just going to be given to me. I have to earn it and that’s something that I’m going to try to do, game in and game out.”
Odds & Ends: Tolliver, Rubio, Knicks
Anthony Tolliver has been working out with several Timberwolves players, namely Brandon Roy and Chase Budinger (Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune tweets). Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (via Twitter) looks at it as a sign that Tolliver "badly" wants to remain in Minnesota next year. In another tweet, Zgoda caught Nikola Pekovic's thoughts regarding Ricky Rubio, saying that while the Spanish point guard looks good and hopes to be running again next week, he is still aiming for a return in December. We've had quite a bit of updates tonight, so be sure to check out the newest tidbits from around the league here..
- Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com tweets that Trail Blazers guard Elliot Williams is scheduled to undergo surgery on Friday to repair a ruptured achilles tendon.
- Justin Verrier of ESPN talks about Chris Bosh's willingness to continue playing center after contributing to a successful title run at that position with the Heat.
- Free agent Maurice Evans remains confident in the leadership ability he can bring to a team, says Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. Although a source suggested that the Wizards offered him a position in their front office, Evans says that he believes he still has value as a player.
- ESPN's Chris Broussard writes that Hakeem Olajuwon is slated to visit with the Knicks for several days next week to continue working out with Amare Stoudemire in addition to helping Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, and Marcus Camby. On another matter, Tracy McGrady's health looked "good" during his workout with the team (Ian Begley of ESPN New York tweets).
- According to Mike Trudell of Lakers.com, Dwight Howard's rehab is going well, although he won't be ready for the start of training camp or the start of pre-season. Earlier, Kevin Ding of The Orange County Register reported (via Twitter) that the Lakers were expected to make an announcement today regarding an update of Howard's recovery from back surgery.
Southwest Notes: Spurs, Mavericks, Cuban, Davis
Mike Monroe of Spurs Nation interestingly points out that eleven NBA teams either have a coach, general manager, or both that have strong ties to the Spurs franchise. Former San Antonio assistant GM and current Thunder GM Sam Presti acknowledged t RC Buford, Gregg Popovich, and owner Pete Holt and the important role they played in his development as a front office executive, saying, "(They) have created an infrastructure that has afforded many of us tremendous learning and development opportunities…It is important to acknowledge that they generally have an even more profound impact on their people on a personal level than simply professionally.”
Here are other rumblings from the Southwest Division tonight…
- Eddie Sefko of SportsDayDFW writes that both Chris Kaman and O.J. Mayo are ready to take advantage of their new opportunity with the Mavericks. Mayo has already started working out with head coach Rick Carlisle for the last month.
- Sefko also documented some thoughts from Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who implied that it's refreshing to observe practices and finally see centers on the team, namely Kaman and Elton Brand, being able to knock down a mid-range jump shot. Cuban also commented on the Lakers, adding that he's not sure "if all their guys want to be there."
- Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated relayed Maurice Evans' take on Hornets number one pick Anthony Davis, saying that the hype surrounding the former Kentucky star has been "over the top" (Sulia link).
Dileo Being Considered For 76ers’ GM Position
John Mitchell of Philly.com reports that Tony DiLeo is a lead candidate to eventually replace Rod Thorn as the general manager of the 76ers. Dileo, who is currently the team's senior vice president of basketball operations, reportedly impressed the franchise with the role he played in assisting Thorn build the team around Andrew Bynum this summer. Although there is not timeline as to when Philadelphia looks to name a general manager, Thorn's contract is set to expire after the upcoming season where he will then transfer to an advisory role with the franchise.
Other candidates that had been mentioned for the position included Mike Zarren, former Trail Blazers assistant GM Tom Penn, and former Hornets GM Jeff Bower. In late August, Zarren had withdrawn his name from consideration, and Mitchell also mentions that the team has cooled on Penn.
Derrick Rose On Rehab, Bulls’ Offseason
Andrew Seligman of the Associated Press (via the Star Tribune) hears that Derrick Rose's surgically repaired knee is getting better and that he has been able to start jumping just "a couple of days ago." The Bulls guard recently unveiled his new sneaker and apparel line with Adidas, where both he and his older brother Reggie later spoke glowingly about his progression this summer. On a related note, Adam Fluck of Bulls.com recently caught up with the former MVP to ask him about his recovery and thoughts on the Chicago's acquisitions this offseason. Here are more highlights from the interview..
On the overall development of his rehab:
“I got through the hard part I think…At first, I couldn’t believe it at all. But now, I have a lot of confidence in myself…I appreciate everything—bending my leg, getting rid of my crutches and braces, sleeping without the brace..I could go on and on, but I know where I’ve come from and I’ll never forget that. That’s why I say it’s going to make me a better player…My rehab is good, my leg is getting a lot stronger and I’m able to run a little bit more. My body is feeling good. I’m in a peaceful place right now.”
"I don’t know what to expect (when I return), I just know it’s going to be something good. It won’t just surprise you; it’s going to surprise me as well.”
On the Bulls re-acquiring Kirk Hinrich:
"…knowing what kind of player he is, as well as the type of person that he is—he’s a guy who wants to win. You’ve got to go with that, if anything. I’m the same way where I want to win at everything. So I know that I’m going to have somebody back there who is going to be fighting with me.”
Regarding the large influx of new reserves and the departure of many teammates:
“I’m going to miss those guys knowing what we went through those two years together…We were the ones that helped build this Bulls image—we played hard. For them to be gone, I’ll definitely miss them, but it’s the league and things change. We’ve got to work with the guys that we have now. We’re still young, we’re hungry and we want to win. I’m with my teammates no matter what.”
Suns Not Pursuing Barbosa
Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic tweets that although Leandro Barbosa says he has talked to the Suns, the team is not currently pursuing him. The Brazilian guard has also been recently linked to the Lakers and Nets, and whereas Steve Nash has apparently been working to recruit his old Phoenix running mate to Los Angeles, Howard Beck of the New York Times reported on Tuesday that the possibility of Brooklyn had become unlikely.
Barbosa was a member of the Suns from 2003-04 through the middle of the 2009-10 season, winning the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award in 2007. Last year, he averaged 11.1 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 1.5 APG between the Raptors and Pacers.
Poll: First-Round Home Court In The East?
Chicago, Miami, Indiana, and Atlanta finished with the top four records in the East last season. Interestingly enough, although the Atlantic Division champion Celtics were awarded the fourth seed in the playoffs, they did not have homecourt advantage in their first round series against the fifth-seeded Hawks, who had one more regular season win than Boston.
A significant amount of roster changes with several teams in the East could have a major effect on the playoff landscape, including Dwight Howard's move to the West along with Derrick Rose's recovery from injury. Having said that, which Eastern Conference team that did not finish with homecourt advantage in the first round last season has the best chance of doing so in 2012-13?