Hoops Links: Brown, Blair, Suns, Nuggets
On this date in 1993, Michael Jordan announced his retirement from the NBA. Well, his first retirement, anyway. The league's biggest star shocked the world when he called a press conference to announce that he was stepping away from the game and he would later disclose that it was largely shaped by the tragic murder of his father than summer. James R. Jordan Sr. always envisioned his son as a Major League Baseball player and months later, MJ would ink a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox. Of course, Jordan didn't quite flourish in baseball and his time away from the hardwood proved to be short-lived as he returned to the Bulls in the 1994/95 season.
If you have a great blog piece that you think we should feature in Hoops Links, then send it to me at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the blogosphere..
- Rufus On Fire remembers Kwame Brown's comeback in Charlotte.
- Pounding The Rock wonders if DeJuan Blair can put the distractions aside this season.
- Bright Side Of The Sun is ready for some rebuilding.
- Wages Of Wins thinks that the Nuggets will be strong if they go with the right rotation.
- The NBA Geek sees a big step forward for the T'Wolves this year.
- Stepien Rules looks at Dion Waiters' chances at a Rookie of the Year bid.
- The Basketball Post previews the 2012/13 NCAA season.
- The NBA Mistress sees Andre Iguodala as a defensive difference-maker for Denver.
- Smooth's Hoops, meanwhile, doesn't like the Iguodala deal for the Nuggets.
- Hardwood Paroxysm talks San Diego Clippers basketball.
- NBA 24 7 365 breaks down the Celtics' exhibition against Fenerbahce Ulker.
- SBNation brings us the story of SlamBall.
- Raptors Republic wants to see some trades in Toronto.
- Hoops Addict believes that the Nets will need defense to win this year.
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Odds & Ends: Ginobili, Smith, Knicks, Fields
Earlier this week, Manu Ginobili told reporters that if he continues playing beyond this season, he absolutely wants it to be in San Antonio. The 35-year-old will make over $14MM in 2012/13 but sounds willing to take a pay cut, as teammate Tim Duncan did, to help keep the club under the tax threshold. The Spurs tend to keep things quiet when it comes to contract extensions and Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld wouldn't be surprised to see the team suddenly announce that they've reached agreement with the veteran. The interest is obviously mutual, which should allow for an agreement to be struck before next summer. Here's more from around the league..
- In his latest mailbag, Sam Smith of NBA.com writes that he doesn't see the Hawks making the playoffs and doesn't see Josh Smith staying quiet for long. Hawks General Manager Danny Ferry recently said that the forward wants to remain in Atlanta but wasn't optimistic about working out an extension with him as he can get a larger deal by first hitting the open market.
- Knicks coach Mike Woodson believes that the team's greatly improved depth this season will be key to their success, writes Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com. The Knicks are currently looking to see what Rasheed Wallace has left in the tank and could conceivably give Josh Howard a look if they trim their camp roster down from the maximum of 20.
- Offseason acquisition Landry Fields could fill the same "glue guy" role for the Raptors as Jorge Garbajosa did in the past, writes Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun. Fields inked a lucrative three-year, $18.7MM deal with Toronto over the summer.
Stephen Jackson Wants Contract Extension
Last season, Stephen Jackson forced his mid-season exit from Milwaukee as he demanded a contract extension from the club. Now with San Antonio, Jackson says that he is still hoping to land an extension to his deal which expires after the 2012/13 season, writes Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News.
“I want it, but I can’t control it,” said the 34-year-old. “Every day when I walk in here I’m hoping they’ll call me in and say, ‘Jack, here’s your extension.’“
Jackson went on to say that he won’t let the contract situation or his off-the-bench role affect his play going into this season. While the veteran’s demands for a contract extension ultimately pushed the Bucks to send him to Golden State as a part of the Monta Ellis blockbuster, his deteriorating relationship with coach Scott Skiles also played a measurable role in his exit.
The small forward arrived in San Antonio two days later, where coach Gregg Popovich informed him that an extension was not in the works. Jackson is set to earn $10MM in the final year of his pact.
Joe Johnson Denies Asking For Trade
When speaking with reporters yesterday, Nets shooting guard Joe Johnson wanted to set the record straight and make it clear that he never asked out of Atlanta, writes Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com. Johnson came to the Nets in July after the club bowed out of the Dwight Howard sweepstakes.
“Everybody thinks I made this trade,” Johnson said. “I had nothing to do with it. “Every time I run into somebody when I’m in Atlanta, they ask me, ‘Why did you leave?’ I didn’t have nothing to do with it. I’m just glad that I came to a great organization and a team who wants to win.”
While the Hawks have gone to the playoffs in five consecutive seasons, Johnson & Co. were unable to advance beyond the conference semifinals. Last season, Atlanta was bounced in the first round 4-2 by the Celtics. Now, Johnson finds himself in Brooklyn as one-half of what could be the NBA's best starting backcourt.
Royce White Absent From Rockets Camp
FRIDAY, 10:33am: White said he has the team’s blessing to travel to a large part of the season’s schedule via bus and will join the Rockets for practice on Monday in Houston, writes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. The situation is obviously unique and the two sides may have to wait out a long process to get the arrangement approved by the league and the NBPA.
“We’ll go forward in a good faith deal between me and Rockets, and I’m totally comfortable with that,” said White. “We can find a way to get it into writing at some point. We do have a letter between us. It’s an agreement, not in contract form, but those are technicalities."
By traveling immediately after practices and games, White says that he will be able to maintain his normal sleeping schedule while still arriving in the next city on time for pre-game preparations.
THURSDAY, 11:06am: In an interview with Myron Medcalf of ESPN.com, White said that he hopes to work out an agreement with the Rockets which will allow him to travel to some road games via bus. The forward added that he is willing to purchase the bus and assume liability.
WEDNESDAY, 10:43pm: White won't be back at Rockets camp until the team gives him "something in writing" about its plans to deal with his anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, according to a statement from his publicist, Myron Medcalf of ESPN.com reports.
8:33pm: Mark Berman of Fox 26 explains in a full story that White will not be back by Thursday, but is still close to doing so.
8:30pm: Berman deleted his original tweet, replacing it with another that removes the reference to White not reporting to camp tomorrow, so it appears he might be back by then.
8:21pm: White met with team officials today, and it went well, Berman hears (Twitter link). He won't report to camp tomorrow, but he appears close to rejoining the Rockets, according to Berman.
TUESDAY, 9:47pm: White has told Mark Berman of Fox 26 (via Twitter) that his absence is related to his anxiety troubles.
9:36pm: The Rockets released a one-line release from Morey stating, “We are committed to Royce's long term success and we will continue to support him now and going forward.”
5:41pm: The Rockets training camp is underway with two-a-day practices in session, but rookie Royce White has yet to report for unknown reasons. Houston brass has declined to comment on the matter but the club appears to be unhappy with the situation, writes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
General Manager Daryl Morey and coach Kevin McHale did not give a timetable for White's return or an indication of what has caused the no-show. However, the 16th overall pick has been open about his anxiety troubles in the past and recently spoke about his fear of flying, which he said he was working on with doctors.
White, 21, was an All-American for Iowa State last season but chose to hire an agent and enter the NBA Draft in advance of what would have been his junior season. The power forward was initially set to play for Tubby Smith at Minnesota but was suspended for the entirety of his first season for an off-the-court indiscretion. White was set to sign with Kentucky after that, but could not bring himself to board the plane for his scheduled trip, according to Myron Medcalf of ESPN.com.
Calderon Plans To Continue In The NBA
Prior to joining the Raptors as a 24-year-old rookie in 2005, Jose Calderon made a name for himself playing professionally in Spain for six years. The point guard now faces an uncertain future in Toronto as he is being asked to play behind offseason acquisition Kyle Lowry as he enters his walk year. Despite that, Calderon told Spanish radio station Onda Cero that he plans on staying in the NBA beyond this season.
"I will stay in the NBA for sure, although you can never say that 100 percent sure. I will probably stay at least three or four more years in the league, maybe two or three more, I don't know," Calderon said (translation via HoopsHype).
When asked about Calderon as a trade candidate earlier this week, Raps president Bryan Colangelo said that nothing is imminent but he will explore every avenue to upgrade the roster. Meanwhile, coach Dwane Casey says that he isn't likely to get the veteran extra minutes by playing him alongside Lowry.
Manning, Hardaway To Be Part Owners Of Grizzlies
A source close to incoming Grizzlies owner Robert Pera confirmed to Darren Rovell of ESPN (via Twitter) that Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning will be a part owner of the club. The news was first reported by Chris Vernon of 92.9 FM ESPN in Memphis (via Twitter). Vernon later tweeted that former NBA player Penny Hardaway will also be involved in local ownership.
Manning and Hardaway both join actor/musician Justin Timberlake in the group, which is set to take control from Michael Heisley. Timberlake's stake in the franchise is not yet known, but he is said to be making a "meaningful investment" in the club.
The current Denver Broncos quarterback has obvious ties to the area as he was the star of the Tennesee Volunteers football program before being taken No. 1 by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1998 draft. Manning may be the first active athlete in one of the four major sports leagues to have a stake in a franchise in another league. Hardaway is a Memphis native and attended the University of Memphis before heading to the NBA.
Odds & Ends: Ilyasova, Stevenson, Thunder, Calipari
After inking a lucrative five-year deal, Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova vows that he won't rest on his laurels, writes Gery Woelfel of the Journal Times. While some players have let themselves go after getting money similar to his guaranteed $31.6MM over four years (with an $8.4MM option for year five), Ilyasova plans to do just the opposite. “It doesn’t work that way for me,” Ilyasova said. “That’s not my nature. The thing with this contract … there comes responsibility with it. People are expecting more, so that’s why I spent the summer working with a coach to try and improve myself.” More from around the Association..
- Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider subscription req'd) writes that a full NBA minor league system would make the draft deeper and help unearth a player like Jeremy Lin more quickly. Currently, NBA teams keep a database of between 100 and 150 players that they actively scout with the idea of narrowing the board down to 60 players. A deeper draft would obviously make use of more scouting reports.
- Hawks veteran DeShawn Stevenson was excited to join the club after coming over in the Joe Johnson trade, writes Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. While Atlanta is stocked with shooters, Stevenson is quick to note that he also played with a similar cast in Dallas.
- J.A. Adande of ESPN.com runs down ten things to watch for in the Western Conference this season. Adande cautions that this could be the end of the Thunder as we know them with James Harden's contract situation in limbo. Adande opines that it would make sense for Oklahoma City to lock up Harden, look to win a title with the current group, and trade him down the road.
- Kentucky coach John Calipari told 106.7 the Fan in Washington D.C. that he has no plans to ever return to the NBA, writes Chris Fedor of Sports Radio Interviews. Calipari's last stint in the league came with the Nets where his top achievement was taking the team to the playoffs in the 1997/98 season.
- If Derek Fisher and Raja Bell land in NBA rotations, they are likely to be victims of the new flopping rules, tweets John Hollinger of ESPN.com. Fisher is currently a free agent while Bell continues to work on reaching a buyout agreement with the Jazz.
Pacific Notes: Griffin, Suns, Lakers, Nash
With training camps underway, the biggest story in the league doesn't concern last-minute signings or roster battles, but rather the new anti-flopping rules. While the idea has been largely cheered by NBA fans, the NBPA is less-than-enthused by the idea and has filed a grievance against it. Here's a look at what Clippers star Blake Griffin had to say about it plus more out of the Pacific..
- Griffin believes that the anti-flopping legislation is little more than an attempt at a cash grab by the league, writes Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports. Ultimately, the Clippers forward doesn't see the fines changing the way the game is played. "I guess it's good in a sense that it stops any of it from happening," Griffin said. "But now you're telling me if it's Game 7 of the NBA Finals and a guy has a chance to make a play he's going to be like, 'Well, do I want this $10,000 or do I want a championship?'"
- The Suns will have to search for their identity in the wake of Steve Nash's departure, writes Tom Ziller of SB Nation. While the Magic have been widely talked about as the league's worst team, Ziller believes that the new-look Suns may not be far behind.
- Meanwhile, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld looks at how Nash might fit in with the Lakers this season. The point guard will celebrate his 39th birthday in February and has managed to stay remarkably healthy throughout his career, but his age may ultimately catch up to him.
Northwest Notes: Aldridge, Nuggets, Thunder
Here's a look at some items out of the Northwest Division..
- A free agent in 2015, Blazers big man LaMarcus Aldridge says that he's happy with the direction of the organization, writes Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge. "I'm fine with it," Aldridge said. "We have some guys who are really, really good. They're young. Give them one or two years and we should be good to go." The 27-year-old has yet to advance in the playoffs with Portland and finds himself without a bonafide No. 2 star to play with as he enters his prime.
- For the first time in three years, the Nuggets could go four months without a significant roster overhaul, writes Matt Moore of CBSSports.com. It remains to be seen how long that will last, however, with Ty Lawson in line for an extension, Andre Iguodala holding an option for 2013/14, and GM Masai Ujiri in a contract year.
- Thunder guard Daequan Cook doesn't expect James Harden's contract talk to be a distraction for the team this season, writes Susan Bible of HoopsWorld. Earlier this week, Harden says that he's confident that he'll get a deal done with Oklahoma City.
- After a slow rookie season, Derrick Williams appears to be on the right track heading int0 2012/13, writes Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press. The Timberwolves reportedly tried to trade the former Arizona star and two first-round picks to the Blazers over the summer for Nicolas Batum.