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Wednesday, September 9

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Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade said Wednesday he won't sign a long-term extension with the Heat and will revisit his future with the team as a free agent next summer. Speaking from the Chicago-area church he bought for his mother two years ago, Wade said he and agent Henry Thomas told the Heat it would be best to hold off a decision until after the 2009-10 season. Miami Herald

``Yeah, that's no longer a conversation we're really having right now,'' Wade told The Miami Herald at a function to kick off his Wade's World weekend of charity events. ``We've talked about it all summer. We know where they are -- they know where we are. We both want the best. But the focus is only on trying to get better than we were last year. And then we'll get back to the table and look at everything.'' Miami Herald

Wade's comments came a day after Heat president Pat Riley said he would not push the franchise's marquee player to sign an extension during the season, and that he understood Wade's decision to wait. ``Nothing has happened,'' Riley said during a preseason news conference Tuesday regarding the inactivity since Wade was offered the extension July 12. ``We're just going to ride the wave -- probably until [next] July.'' Miami Herald

Wade grew up a huge Bulls fan, idolized Michael Jordan and left Converse this summer to sign with Nike's Jordan brand. Wade's charity foundation, his family and his agent are all based in Chicago. Wade even acknowledged Wednesday he probably fueled speculation of a potential homecoming when he recently closed on a $1.4 million townhouse in the Windy City. ``Me buying a place in Chicago, that's supposed to mean more than what it is,'' Wade said. ``I just sort of laugh at it, all the speculation.'' Miami Herald

Chief among them would be whether the Heat rebuilds a roster next season capable of competing for a championship. Whether Riley, 64, stays on to run the franchise would be another factor, Wade said. Riley has been working under a contract set to expire next summer. Riley has said he would like to stay and that he and owner Micky Arison would only need a ``hand-shake'' agreement for him to continue. ``Those are all things we'll talk about next summer,'' Wade said. ``It's not just basketball. It's other things involved, too. His future. My future. That's what I told them. But right now, we're going to focus on basketball and take care of that other business at the end of the season.'' Miami Herald

The New Orleans Hornets have traded Antonio Daniels and a future second-round draft pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Bobby Brown and Darius Songaila, a league source told Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday afternoon. The trade removes about $1.3 million off the Hornets’ payroll. Brown played well for New Orleans in the 2008 Las Vegas summer league. Yahoo! Sports

Allen Iverson announced Wednesday morning that he is indeed joining the Memphis Grizzlies. Via his Twitter feed, Iverson wrote: "God Chose Memphis as the place that I will continue my career." ESPN.com

Allen Iverson: God Chose Memphis as the place that I will continue my career. I met with Mr. Heinsley, Chris Wallace and my next head coach Lionel Hollins. Twitter.com

Allen Iverson: I feel that they are committed to developing a winner and I know that I can help them to accomplish that. I feel that I can trust them. 38 minutes ago. Twitter.com

Marc Stein: Grizzlies just announced that a "major announcement" tomorrow at 11 local time is open to the public at FedEx Forum. Twitter.com

Allen Iverson will sign a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies in the next 24 to 48 hours, ending a summer-long pursuit of a team that wanted the 34-year-old's game and cache and would provide him an opportunity for the playing time he still desperately covets. The contract will have incentives that could make the deal larger, but the Grizzlies will not renounce their rights to guard Juan Carlos Navarro, which would have freed up another $900,000 in salary cap room. NBA.com

Reached by telephone Wednesday, Heisley said that Iverson verbally committed to the Grizzlies late Tuesday evening. "He told us he was very interested in playing with the young team we've assembled," Heisley said. "He thought he could help us win and he was looking forward to helping the young players, and helping them to develop. Frankly, I'm ecstatic to have him." NBA.com

Signing a one-year deal will make Iverson an unrestricted free agent next summer, joining a strong free agent class. But Iverson would likely have to wait again next summer like he did this one, as teams line up to woo younger stars like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. "We know it's going to be difficult for us to keep him past next year," Heisley said. "But he told us we shouldn't think he's going to just jump at the next opportunity. We have to win." NBA.com

Iverson said a back injury made it impossible for him to play, and the Pistons concurred, though it also coincided with then-coach Michael Curry's decision to bring Iverson off the bench in favor of starter Richard Hamilton. Iverson chafed at the role and said he would rather retire than come off the bench in the future. Heisley said that he was giving Iverson a clean slate. "I don't buy into all of the stuff that's gone on," he said. "I'm not saying none of it happened. Some of it did...but I know Allen is an excellent player. He's going to the Hall of Fame. Pau [Gasol, the former Grizzlies star forward and current Laker] might someday. The city of Memphis is going to be ecstatic to have him. We've never had a Hall of Famer, a guy of Allen's stature playing in Memphis. I feel Allen is going to be outstanding for us." NBA.com

But Iverson remains one of the league's most popular and iconic players. His Pistons jersey was the fifth-highest seller among individual jerseys at the NBA Store in New York last season, trailing only Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Chris Paul and Kevin Garnett. And Heisley believes that Iverson will fit right in with Memphians and not overwhelm them with his outsized personality. "I think Allen will get the kind of attention in Memphis that he did in Philadelphia," Heisley said. "I think he will be a major, major figure in the city. I think Allen will do the right things. I think people will be very surprised around the league." NBA.com

Speaking of which, the latest LeBron to the Knicks rumor I’ve heard is that Cablevision - which owns the Knicks but not the Daily News - will circumvent the salary cap by giving LeBron his own channel. I don't know exactly how that will work but that's what I've heard. As of today, I say there is a 90 percent chance LeBron is coming to New York ... and 100 percent chance that I won't be watching the LeBron channel. New York Daily News

Gery Woelfel: John Hammond says Bucks will use all 7 days to decide whether to match Twolves offer 4 Ramon Sessions. Twitter.com

Stephon Marbury: Retire. LOL. They need for you to think I'm going to do that because they know I'm focused and ready to play this year count me in for 5 yrs. Twitter.com

Stephon Marbury: Don't believe the hype someone is trying to build off of saying I said or wrote that I wasn't going to play. Sorry no box for me. LoL. Twitter.com

Paul Harris will get his shot in the NBA. Harris has been invited to the Utah Jazz training camp. Harris, the former Niagara Falls High School star, took part in the Minnesota Timberwolves summer league, but was not invited by the team to their training camp. WIVB.com

The Golden State Warriors have re-signed restricted free agent guard C.J. Watson to a contract, the team announced today. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced, however it's believed to be a one-year contract. San Jose Mercury News

Rodney Carney has circled back to the 76ers. "It's a little weird to be traded away and then to come back,'' the 6-7 guard-forward said after agreeing to the terms of a one-year contract earlier in the week. All indications suggest that he will sign for $855,189, the NBA minimum for a player credited with three years of experience. He became an unrestricted free agent after the Minnesota Timberwolves declined picking up his option, which would have been worth $2,539,936. Philadelphia Daily News

Michael Redd is back on the court, and that is good news for the Milwaukee Bucks. The 30-year-old shooting guard is encouraged with his progress six months after undergoing surgery in early March, to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Redd worked out with teammates at the Cousins Center on Wednesday and said he “could see the light.” He suffered the injury in a Jan. 24 game against Sacramento and played in just 33 games last season. Redd underwent surgery on March 3. The Bucks were 17-32 without him in the lineup on the way to a 34-48 record. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

"It was dark that first week after surgery, that first night,” Redd said. “I’ve been working hard every day, knowing there is more for me to explore, there’s another chapter in my career.” Bucks strength and conditioning coach Jeff Macy has worked with Redd this week and been impressed. “He’s pretty much at an advanced stage of returning to play,” Macy said. “Physically, he’s very strong right now. He’s making the transition from machine-based conditioning. He’s more on his feet now.” Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Sekou Smith: Mo Evans has his Conan thing going. Dude hit the weights and is yoked up. He's ready for the UFC if this NBA thing doesn't last forever. Twitter.com

Heat president Pat Riley said Tuesday that the ``reports on Jermaine O'Neal'' -- who is working with noted trainer Tim Grover -- ``are very good'' and said newcomer Quentin Richardson, besides being a dangerous streak shooter, ``might be one of our best post-up players. He's in great shape. I've seen the pounds melt off.'' Riley considers Richardson a shooting guard but knows the Heat needs him at small forward. Miami Herald

With Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook, you seem to have the makings of a tight-knit trio. Do you try to bond off the court? Kevin Durant: Our bond off the court is like a brotherhood. Whatever city we go to, we all go to the mall and to the movies. We make sure we are around each other at all times because we're like family, so we have to watch each other's backs. That will help us out on the floor in the long run. SI.com

You clearly have been working on a lot of those small things. How did you make such a significant jump last season in your production and efficiency? KD: As time has gone on, I've gotten more comfortable with the game and things have started to come a little easier for me. My teammates have helped out a lot as well, encouraging me and teaching me things. SI.com

Where did your reputation start? Bruce Bowen: “It all started when all the things were started to be said about me back in the day in Miami. People started saying things like, ‘He keeps hitting my elbow here, he’s doing this, he keeps doing that,’ and I said, ‘Wow, if they’re sitting out there worrying about me hitting their elbow or any other thing, then they’re paying more attention to things that aren’t a part of the game.’ And, so if I have that advantage going in already, you best believe as soon as you come in, I’m gonna put my hand on your shoulder or something to get you to react to the officials and start saying things like, ‘Bruce keeps doing this, Bruce keeps doing that.” Sports Radio Interviews

In some ways, were you a “dirty” player? Bowen: “It depends who you ask. (Host: I’m asking you.) You ask me, I’m gonna tell you no. There’s only one incident where I can say was calculated and that was the time I kicked Ray. I kicked Ray after I drew the charge but I didn’t like what took place with the charge and I did something which was not right, I kicked him while he was right there in front of me and I was reprimanded for that. But all the other things that took place, it was more of a buildup of who I had become as far as a tough nosed defender, where people started to say I was crossing the line. And, it was unfortunate because a lot of the guys that were saying these things were all-stars, and part of it was they didn’t like me guarding them. They didn’t like the fact that after they maybe scored three baskets in a row, I’ma dig deeper; I’ma come in and make sure this next basket, if you score, is gonna be harder than the other two.” Sports Radio Interviews

Ronny Turiaf had a double-double and Tony Parker added 17 points Wednesday to help France to a 69-64 win over defending champion Russia at the European basketball championship. Golden State Warriors center Turiaf had 18 points and 14 rebounds and Charlotte Bobcats forward Boris Diaw added 19 points. Parker, the San Antonio Spurs point guard, had 23 points in Tuesday's win against Latvia. ESPN.com

Ruby Sutton has a distinct pet peeve when it comes to the subject of her former pupil, Michael Jordan: the oft-told story of how he was “cut” from the Laney High varsity basketball team as a sophomore, spurring him to greatness. “Back then, (most) 10th-graders played JV; that's just the way it was. Nobody ever ‘cut' Michael Jordan,” Sutton, who still teaches physical education, said this month, shaking her head as she retold the story for at least the 100th time. “Him not making the varsity that year was not his motivator – he was motivated well before that. He just always wanted to be the best.” Charlotte Observer

Robbins' most famous son is going to lend a hand to the poverty-stricken town's cash-strapped library. Coatney said she was contacted Tuesday by a representative of Wade's foundation. "It's very exciting," Coatney said this morning. "I don't know what they're going to do, but I'm hoping it's enough to take us through October." Last month, Robbins library staffers and patrons gathered on the library's front lawn and made a public plea to President Obama for help. At the time, Coatney said the library was running out of cash and would need about $70,000, or the library would close by the end of August. Chicago Sun-Times

Brought together by Oregon coach Chip Kelly and school officials, suspended running back LeGarrette Blount spoke with former NBA forward Kermit Washington, who punched Rudy Tomjanovich in an on-court brawl in 1977. Washington's punch, which nearly killed Tomjanovich, resonates as one of the most notable examples of violence in sports, along with Ron Artest's meltdown in a brawl between the Pacers and Pistons in 2004, and NHL right wing Tie Domi's sucker punch that knocked out Ulf Samuelsson. AP

McCants has been an unrestricted free agent this summer and hopes to turn things around. He’ll likely do this as a member of the Denver Nuggets, Charlotte Bobcats, or Miami Heat, who have shown significant interest in the guard. “I’ve talked with Charlotte and I’m working out with them next week. I worked out for Denver and I’m waiting on them and Miami has offered me a spot in training camp,” says McCants. RealGM

“Denver is also up there because of Coach [George] Karl and the chance to play for a contender,” he says. RealGM

Stop us if you've heard this before, but there's clearly a market for reporting the inevitable: A source indicated that restricted free agent David Lee and the Knicks could have a one-year deal hammered out by the end of the week. Newsday

It is likely that the team's other restricted free agent, Nate Robinson, may soon follow. Donnie Walsh would not confirm anything was imminent, but he did tell us here at the Fix that the situation with both restricteds is "at the point where we should start talking real numbers." Newsday

Lee's agent, Mark Bartelstein, also gave no indication of an impending deal, but did say, "We hope something gets done soon." Both Walsh and Bartelstein have both already publicly acknowledged a mutual interest in negotiating a one-year deal if a sign-and-trade could not be completed.Bartelstein had some scenarios outlined but none were of interest to the Knicks, who wanted to keep Lee all along. Newsday

The 76ers have agreed to terms with forward Rodney Carney, according to a source familiar with the situation. Carney, a 6-foot-6 forward, has agreed to a one-year deal for the fourth-year minimum of $855,189, giving the Sixers 13 players under contract for the 2009-10 season. Carney, who played collegiately at Memphis, played his first two professional seasons with the Sixers, from 2006 to 2008. Philadelphia Inquirer

Carlos Arroyo: "I don't want to go to training camp to try and make a team. That would be a little uncomfortable. I want to sign something now." Primera Hora

Expect Kahn to make at least one more trade — perhaps as soon as Wednesday involving an expiring contract(s) — to get the roster into what he deems better competitive shape before training camp begins Sept. 29 in Mankato. Minneapolis Star Tribune

The Portland Trail Blazers signed rookie forward Jeff Pendergraph on Tuesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, per team policy. Pendergraph is scheduled today for surgery to correct a left hip impingement. A timetable for his return will be determined afterward, but the rookie is expected to miss a significant portion of the team’s upcoming 2009-10 season. Columbian

We're only talking about a major player in the franchise's future plans being monitored and theoretically modified at a Houston rehab center designated for violators of the NBA's substance-abuse rules. "I trust the fact that this guy, you put him in a gym, you put him in a weight room, you get him out there on the floor, you get him in shape, that he's going to produce big numbers for you," Riley said. "The last thing I'm going to do now is judge him harshly based on what's happened. I just go back to the premise of what I believe in, which is that he can be a major factor for our team, and I'm going to continue to show that kind of faith and belief in him." Palm Beach post

"We've got a team where we hope that Daequan (Cook) and Mario (Chalmers) and Beeze (Beasley) are going to improve double what they did last year," said Riley, "and that we're going to get the performances out of Jermaine (O'Neal) and Dwyane and Udonis (Haslem) that we can expect because they're veteran players." Put that all together, Riley said, and the Heat will be "very competitive" this season. Palm Beach Post

For instance, he might not spend all of his loot next summer on any one particular star, such as Toronto's Chris Bosh. "If you go back to the last time that we had significant (cap) room," said Riley, "we were able to sign Alonzo Mourning, Juwan Howard, P.J. Brown, Dan Majerle and Tim Hardaway, all in one year. Why do I want to take a big chunk of money and give it to one guy? Why wouldn't I want to spread it around to get two or three starters that fit better?" Palm Beach Post

New Pistons guard Ben Gordon spoke with HoopsHype.com about his time in Chicago, when he knew it was over for him in the Windy City, and how he sees the situation in Detroit. Gordon told the Web site that he had a feeling the Bulls didn't want him back and when he made the visit to Detroit, he made up his mind to become a Piston. Detroit Free Press

After eight straight seasons in the playoffs, the Pistons don't have the lofty expectations of years past. Gordon said that's fine. "It’s very clear that the position in which Detroit now is a rebuilding stage. If you look at the team all the way back to 2004, when they won the championship, every year since the team has been competitive. Last season, they took a dip. Joe Dumars realized there were some changes that needed to be made. He kept some of the guys of the team that helped win the championship, but all the while it was time to get some new blood and get ready for another run. It’s only right and natural that we’re under the radar right now cause we’ve got to prove ourselves and establish ourselves. It’s not going to happen in one year, like I said. This is something that we’re trying to build over the next few years," Gordon said. Detroit Free Press

McCants describes himself as “a winner” so the constant losing and rebuilding was a test for him. Surrounded mainly by other young players in the tough Western Conference, McCants’ two stops since being drafted haven’t given him much of a chance to showcase his talents. “There are a lot of things that I can do that people haven’t seen yet because of the situations I’ve been in,” McCants told RealGM’s Alex Kennedy. RealGM

Sekou Smith: Word is Melo and Steph Curry will be in the gym in the morning. Guess I'll be heading back downtown for another look. Twitter.com

Roger Mason: Just finished workouts. Had a good battle with JR Smith today. Kyle Lowry me, rudy gay. vs C.Billups, JR Smith, Tay Prince,Damon Jones. Twitter.com

Perhaps sensing a need for more leadership on a younger team (or without any coaching going on now), Nash is being more vocal on the floor. He talked a few times to teammates about switches on defense and what they needed to be doing. Nash openly has not been much of a vocal leader, always hoping that his hard work and unselfish play was enough of a lead for others to follow. Arizona Republic

Clark guarded Stoudemire and did not back down at all. Stoudemire got his points but Clark played him physically, again showing he can be a versatile defender to guard a big man or a wing. Arizona Republic

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Eric Pincus: I got it confirmed - Jordan Farmar has changed his jersey number to #1. Twitter.com

South Africa was Howard's second overseas trip in what's been a very busy summer — he's shot a movie in New York and done sponsor functions in Vancouver, B.C., and China. His schedule won't let up much when he returns to the United States. He'll have two commercial shoots, another movie shoot, this one in Los Angeles, and a photo shoot with ESPN. But for a few days he got away from all that during the NBA and FIBA's Basketball without Borders program. "Just watching on TV everybody gets this false impression of what Africa is until you get a chance to actually be here," said Howard, who had never been to Africa. "It's a very beautiful place. The people here are great. You know, I wish everybody could experience what I experienced." Orlando Sentinel

"We're looking to grow the game of basketball, to help teach it to more young people, give them the experience and teaching both on-court basketball skills and life skills that are necessary for success," said Kathleen Behrens, the NBA executive vice president of social responsibility and player programs. "Secondly, it's really to also create an experience for our players." Orlando Sentinel

Mbah a Moute, a Cameroonian rookie with the Milwaukee Bucks last season, was back in Africa last week as the first alumnus of the camp, which is part of the N.B.A.’s Basketball Without Borders program, to return to it as an N.B.A. player and counselor. “The kids here are not like Americans because to them the N.B.A. is so far away,” said Mbah a Moute, a 6-foot-8 forward. “I remember that feeling. Even though some Africans have made it, you can’t actually grasp the possibility until you leave the continent.” New York Times

But the debate -- Jordan or Chamberlain; maybe Russell or Robertson? -- can take place anywhere, any time. And likely will into eternity. "For my money, Michael is the best of all-time," said former Bulls assistant Johnny Bach, who may be a bit biased. "How could he not be? Chicago Tribune

"Jordan is unquestionably my No. 1 guy, and I don't even think it's something you can debate anymore," said Sam Smith of Bulls.com. Chicago Tribune

"Nobody has done anything remotely equal to what Jordan did," Smith said. "If you look at the greatest winner, that's Russell. But he played with six or seven Hall of Famers. Jordan played with what is likely to be one other (Scottie Pippen) and certainly no one even remotely close to even consistent All-Star consideration. Chicago Tribune

Gordon eventually might join the British national team, but he told Hoopshype.com he had other priorities this summer. "I'm definitely on board to play for Great Britain," he said. "But I didn't want to make a commitment as far as when I was going to play until I felt I was totally committed to that cause. "I want to go there when I'm ready, and this summer to me was about getting situated and moving from Chicago to Detroit. I wanted to have everything in order in my life before going overseas and representing the country." Detroit Free Press

Firstly Great Britain were told they had to win promotion out of Europe's Division B, which the did. Then they were told they had to win promotion out of Division One, which they did last summer two years ahead of FIBA's expectations. At that point Great Britain expected to receive an official letter of confirmation but still it didn't drop through the letter box. And then, as they arrived in Warsaw this week, came the painful realisation, that that were still on probation, an intolerable situation for Great Britain who have the Games to plan for and an exercise in goal post moving that also sets new levels in procrastination and dare one say deviousness. Your correspondent, like GB, has singularly failed to get a straight answer from anybody at FIBA this week. Some look as if they would rather stick needles in their eyes than address the question. Telegraph

Great Britain do have some powerful allies at FIBA. The USA, who move as one with he NBA, are fully on board and the likes of Spain and Australia understand fully how staging an Olympics must be used to transform a nation's sporting culture. But there are enemies as well, often small proud team and countries where Basketball is the national sport. They take a much more parochial view and all they see is a situation where the new kids on the block - GB - will make it much more difficult for them to qualify for big competitions such at the Olympics and the World and European championships, the lifeblood of their game. In the corridors of power they are clearly resisting like hell. Telegraph

Bill Belichick lauded Celtics coach Doc Rivers yesterday for addressing the team Monday as part of an NFL-sponsored life-skills presentation, saying it was “one of the best presentations that we have heard,’’ Belichick said. “He was awesome and talked about a lot of things that he had dealt with and experienced through his career, from not making the basketball team in the fifth grade - or whatever it was - to being an All-American in high school, to going to college [at Marquette], to being a point guard in the NBA, to having some injuries he had to deal with, losing championship games as a player to winning them as a coach.’’ Boston Globe

“I know a lot of us took notes, either wrote them down or mentally took them and then wrote them down, things that he said that really struck a chord and hit home. I’d say when you look at Doc, there are very few people [who] have done what he’s done and experienced what he’s experienced in his life. He’s a remarkable man.’’ Boston Globe

When Stockton was named to the original Dream Team in 1992, he got the roster spot many thought would go to Thomas. For that reason and others, Stockton's selection of Thomas as his presenter was a huge surprise -- at least to outsiders. "First of all, he set a huge standard for all little guys," Stockton said. "At the time, the NBA was going toward bigger and bigger guards. But he showed everyone that little guys could play, too." Salt Lake Tribune

"I ran up against him once in high school and he changed my entire view of basketball," Stockton said. "We played in an AAU tournament and I have never seen anything like it." Beyond the game, Thomas caught Stockton's attention with some good deeds. "He's done some things behind the scenes that people don't know about," Stockton said. "I'm certainly not going to talk about them now ... but he's shown a lot of class." Salt Lake Tribune

Sloan's selection of Barkley as his presenter was only slightly less surprising than Stockton's choice of Thomas. For Sloan, the reason was simple. "The biggest thing, I guess, is that my [late] wife Bobbye was a big fan of his," Sloan explained. "At the [1992] All-Star Game in Orlando, she saw him stand there for an hour or so and sign autographs. "That's when she became a fan. Other than John and Karl [Malone], he was her favorite player." Salt Lake Tribune

Ring legend Oscar de la Hoya won a five round decision over hoops legend Shaquille O’ Neal in a five-round boxing exhibition before a star-studded crowd at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. The bout took place on the latest installment of “Shaq VS,” the new ABC series starring NBA superstar Shaquille O’ Neal. Shaq, who coined himself “Manny Shaqquiao” for the exhibition, got boxing tips from Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach while “The Golden Boy” was trained by Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins. FightNews.com

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