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Saturday, September 12

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Ray Allen said Friday night that he would like to negotiate a contract extension with the Celtics beyond this season. Allen, who turned 34 in July, is entering the final year of a five-year, $85 million deal he signed with the team formally known as the Seattle SuperSonics. Allen will earn $19.7 million this season. “Of course, but it will be dealt with in its time,” said Allen, when asked whether he would like to play more years in Boston. “My job doesn’t change. I gotta go out and do the same things. We get paid to play basketball. We’re all in a great situation so we can’t look past this year.” Boston Globe

“We’re excited. Being veteran players, we all know what we’re playing for and the feeling we had in ’08, we want to get back to that,” he said. “And Rasheed (Wallace) wants to get back to the feeling when he won a championship as well. So it’s not about individuals, we know we’ve got to come together collectively as a team and try to find the best chemistry to make this thing work so we can be that dominant team like we were in ’08.’ Boston Globe

Asked if the Bulls would be his No. 1 destination should he leave Miami next year, Wade replied, "If I disclose that kind of information, the articles this season aren't as exciting anymore. Speculation is not the same. You guys ain't going to have nothing to talk about me." Then asked what would keep him Miami, Wade provided this answer: "Well, first of all I love the organization. I love what it stands for, from the owner Mickey Arison on down. It's a first class organization. We've had some good times in Miami. I love the weather. It's become home for me for the past six years. Hey, it's not my fault Miami drafted me at No. 5 (in 2003) and Chicago did not move up (from No. 7)." Arlington Heights Daily Herald

Matt Harpring, a former high school quarterback, plays basketball with a football mentality. He hurls his body all over place. If he gets hurt, he just rubs some dirt on his injury. OK, with dirt hard to find in a basketball arena, perhaps he rubs chalk on it. With that in mind, it's no surprise the injury-riddled Utah Jazz forward doesn't want to retire. "I would love to play (this season),'' Harpring, 33, said in an interview Friday with FanHouse. "I would love to play until I'm 50.'' FanHouse.com

But some of that might be out of his hands. Harpring said he will have his Jazz physical on Monday, and doctors will have a say in whether he can continue to play. "We'll see once I get up there,'' Harpring said from his offseason home in Atlanta about going to Salt Lake City. "We'll have some MRIs and I'll talk to (doctors)... There's been talk over the past couple of years of whether I'm going to play (the next season).'' FanHouse.com

Harpring seems willing to endure pain when training camp starts in two weeks if doctors clear him to play. He's scheduled to make $6.5 million in the final year of his contract. "We've got a good team,'' Harpring said. "We've got a lot of good talent... But it's one of those things where I've got to take my physical and we'll see (about playing a 12th season).'' FanHouse.com

But then David Kahn, the Timberwolves' president, struck out in his quest to convince No. 5 pick Ricky Rubio to leave Spain for the NBA. After the Wolves reached a buyout agreement with his Spanish team a little more than a week ago, Rubio backed out, opting to stay and play closer to home, at least for the next two years. That opened the door for the Wolves' offer to Sessions, who snapped it up after a summer of waiting. He joins a young and rebuilding team in Minnesota. "[It's] basically a dream come true,'' Sessions said from Miami in a phone interview with the Sun News of Myrtle Beach, S.C. "I was losing sleep over it early on. Minnesota is a great organization. I'm excited about the opportunity." Minneapolis Star Tribune

Earlier in the summer, Sessions and Wells had serious discussions with the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers but never received an offer sheet from either team. The Knicks had needs in the backcourt but did not want to take away cap space for the summer of 2010, when they hope to be a serious player in the LeBron James free-agent sweepstakes. Signing Sessions would have put the Bucks over the luxury tax level of $69.92 million this season, and Hammond has long indicated he would not exceed the tax level. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Wells said Sessions is eager to join the Timberwolves, who have made wholesale changes this summer under team president David Kahn. But Wells indicated Sessions felt no ill will toward the Bucks, who selected him 56th overall in the 2007 draft and gave him a chance to become a pro player. Sessions set a Bucks' franchise record with 24 assists in a game against Chicago late in his rookie season, and he scored 44 points against Allen Iverson and the Detroit Pistons in a game at the Bradley Center last season. "He was accustomed to Milwaukee," Wells said. "You won't hear me or Ramon saying anything negative about Milwaukee. John Hammond has been helpful throughout the process." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

The Milwaukee Bucks chose not to match the Timberwolves' offer sheet for guard Ramon Sessions, allowing the restricted free agent to officially join the club. Milwaukee had until 4 p.m. Friday to hold onto Sessions after the Wolves extended an offer sheet to him on Sept. 4. The Bucks' decision boosted the Wolves' efforts to upgrade the roster for new coach Kurt Rambis. Sessions, a second-year veteran from Nevada-Reno, started 39 games last season for Milwaukee. He averaged 12.4 points and 5.4 assists in 79 games and scored a career-high 44 points in a Feb. 7 game against Detroit. "Ramon has already demonstrated the ability to play significant minutes at the NBA level, yet is only 23," Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn said. "We believe, like our team, his best days are ahead of him." St. Paul Pioneer Press

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The Knicks signed a point guard and power forward yesterday, but neither of them was David Lee nor Nate Robinson. To fill out their training-camp roster, Donnie Walsh added free agent Celtics point guard Gabe Pruitt and forward Warren Carter, who played on the Knicks summer-league team. Both signed non-guaranteed contracts and are not locks to make the team, particularly Carter, who played in Turkey last season. New York Post

Humble and reflective earlier in the day, Michael Jordan showed again Friday night why his competitive fire never will be extinguished as he officially entered the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Jordan nearly trash-talked his way through his acceptance speech, thanking all those slights -- real and perceived -- for adding "wood to the fire" and motivating him in his unparalleled career. He then closed with a tantalizing thought. "One time you might look up and see me playing the game at 50," Jordan said, drawing chuckles. "Oh, don't laugh. Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion." Chicago Tribune

Jordan also told a story about how he battled Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf to let him return late in his second NBA season after missing much of the year with a broken foot. The Bulls were hesitant to let Jordan play that year because there was a 10 percent chance he could reinjure the foot. ''Jerry said, 'If you had a headache and there were 10 [Tylenol] tablets and one of them contained cyanide, what would you do?''' Jordan said. ''I said, 'How bad is the headache?''' Soon after Jordan was back on the court. He also ''thanked'' Isiah Thomas (for allegedly orchestrating the freeze out of Jordan in his first All-Star Game), Pat Riley, Jeff Van Gundy (''The little guy who took over for Riley''), Bryon Russell and other opponents for adding wood to the fire. Jordan had only kind words for his teammates -- Scottie Pippen, Toni Kukoc, Steve Kerr, Charles Oakley and Dennis Rodman attended -- and coach Phil Jackson. Chicago Sun-Times

But Jordan couldn't resist taking a shot at former general manager Jerry Krause over his ''protest'' by not attending the ceremony. ''Jerry Krause is not here,'' he said. ''I don't know who invited him. I didn't.'' Chicago Sun-Times

Jordan insisted during a press conference that the weekend wasn't just about him, but he was clearly the star before a crowd that included former teammates Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. "He makes one big shot and everybody thinks he's kind of cool," Stockton joked. "I don't get it." Jordan cried before beginning his acceptance speech, then entertained the crowd with memories of any slights that inspired him to get to basketball's birthplace: • The coach who cut him from the varsity as a North Carolina schoolboy. "I wanted to make sure you understood: You made a mistake, dude." Arlington Heights Daily Herald

It is quite possible, the Celtics general manager suggested, that some of Jordan’s 63 points in that 1986 playoff game against the Celts were a vendetta. A golfing vendetta. Jordan and Ainge, then a Celtics guard, had become friendly and would play golf together during the summer or when the teams met. “I actually played golf with him the day before that game,” said Ainge. “I think we played at Framingham Country Club.” “And I beat him,” Ainge continued, “so when he was scoring all those points late in the game, I wondered if he was taking it out on me,” he added with a laugh. Boston Herald

“M.J. was introduced as the greatest player ever and he’s still standing there trying to settle scores,” one Hall of Famer said privately later. Yahoo! Sports

Jordan didn’t hurt his image with the NBA community, as much as he reminded them of it. “That’s who Michael is,” one high-ranking team executive said. “It wasn’t like he was out of character. There’s no one else who could’ve gotten away with what he did tonight. But it was Michael, and everyone just goes along.” Yahoo! Sports

Robinson addressed the audience Friday with typical humility and eloquence. He thanked most of the major influences in his life and career, including his parents, his wife, friends and teammates from the U.S. Naval Academy, and the entire Spurs organization. He saved a special recognition for a special Spurs teammate. “Timmy, my man,” Robinson said, gazing at Tim Duncan in the audience, in a group that included Spurs owner Peter Holt, head coach Gregg Popovich and general manager R.C. Buford. “The greatest power forward ever to play the game, in my opinion.” San Antonio Express-News

Popovich was equally impressed, but said a Robinson stunt before his first Spurs practice convinced him fully of Robinson's potential for greatness. “Just imagine him as a young man, walking in the gym, and doing a handstand, from one end of the court to the other, at 7-1 or 7-2, whatever he is,” Popovich said. “Then, he runs the sprints and beats everybody. Then, they're throwing balls up to him and he's dunking over everybody ... “It took only one practice, and everybody knew it was a different deal. And that's when the Spurs started winning again: when David arrived.” San Antonio Express-News

Jordan said Friday that one day in Monte Carlo — attended by just a handful of media — might have been the best game he ever played in. There were 10 Hall of Famers going at it for pride. Jordan said, privately, he couldn't understand why Robinson didn't live for this as the others did. Jordan called Robinson “The Negotiator” then because Jordan thought he analyzed too much. Robinson cared about basketball. He liked winning, too, which made for a faith-based joke Friday night. Then, he asked if anyone in the audience had ever gotten on his knees to really pray for something. To Robinson, that's what he did for Tim Duncan. San Antonio Express-News

Stockton, considered by many the greatest true point guard in NBA history, thanked family and friends who traveled thousands of miles, even from Hawaii and Alaska, for this event. "Just to support me," he said. Stockton thinks that's the real reason they came, at least. "I almost started laughing there," he said, "because I think they actually came to see Michael." The star-studded audience at Symphony Hall roared in laughter. "He makes one big shot," Stockton continued about Jordan, "and everybody thinks he's kind of cool." Turns out, Stockton is almost as good at delivering jokes as he is timely assists. Deseret News

Stockton thanked his family, friends, coaches and teammates for their support during his journey to the Hall of Fame. He told his father, Jack, that "... you are my idol. You always have been and always will be." Stockton's voice broke when he mentioned his late mother. "... She deserved to be here," he said. Stockton credited boyhood games of 1-on-1 with his older brother, Steve, for sharpening his competitive stills. "He was the ideal big brother," Stockton said. "He knew when to rough me up and when to dust me off." Salt Lake Tribune

Malone did not attend the Hall of Fame induction because of an illness in his family, but Stockton said he planned to have his tuxedo cleaned and pressed so his teammate can use it next year, when he becomes eligible for the Hall of Fame. "He was our best player for 18 years," Stockton said. "He took a lot of attention off me. ... I wish he was here to take a little attention off me tonight." Stockton's voice also cracked when he spoke of Larry Miller, the late owner of the Jazz who died in February. "He turned the Jazz into a winner ... because that's who he was," said Stockton. Salt Lake Tribune

While setting crushing picks and scraping and scrapping on the court with bigger guys, John Stockton's elbows and forearms never met an opponent's chest they didn't like. He was physical, for sure. But dirty — even the dirtiest in the league, as some suggested? Don't count Michael Jordan among the dissers. "I wouldn't say that Stockton was the dirtiest player in the league ... I could name a few other ones," Jordan said with a chuckle Friday during a Basketball Hall of Fame press conference on the day of Class of 2009's enshrinement. Sorry. Jordan did not, however, name those names. He did, however, defend and praise Stockton's all-out play. "You can say he's dirty. I say he's a tough, hard-nosed type of guy that played with every inch of his body, physically and mentally," Jordan said. Deseret News

Funny, that's nearly the same thing Stockton said about his coach. "Now coach Sloan is what the NBA should be about — commitment to your teammate, your coaches, your organization and the game of basketball," Stockton said. "He's never asked for credit; in fact, he avoids it. His record speaks for itself. He's created an environment where his teams can win, and they do. I was fortunate to play for you, coach. Congratulations again." Sloan's coaching career came about when his playing days ended thanks to a knee injury. Fulfilling his old coach's wish, Sloan accepted the job as the Evansville head coach. Because of personal reasons, however, he resigned after five days. It's hard for Sloan to talk about that fateful decision, but he recalled Friday how that team suffered a horrific tragedy. Months after he'd departed and joined Chicago's staff, the Evansville team's plane crashed, killing everybody on board. "That incident on Dec. 13, 1977, made me realize there are a lot more things more important than basketball," Sloan said, "even though I love this game, and I'll always be grateful for what it's given me." Deseret News

Deron Williams: Watching coach Sloan's speech had it on TiVo! He really hates getting compliments and accolades! Twitter.com

Chris Littman: Word from the NBA on Vecsey: "We do not have a transcript and due to some inappropriate language a decision was made not to post it." Twitter.com

J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker received an unexpected helping hand on Friday while hosting a basketball clinic at the Young Achievers Pilot School in Mattapan. Actress Cameron Diaz, who is in the area to film the upcoming “The Untitled Wichita Project,” stopped in to help build flower beds for the U.S. National Day of Service and Remembrance. “We had a great day helping to improve the school through many projects,” Walker said. “I was very impressed with the dedication of employees from the Celtics, Harvard Pilgrim and City Year. Teaming up for this day of service has really made a difference in the school’s community.” WEEI

Phoenix Suns star Steve Nash will carry the 2010 Winter Olympics torch during a portion of its 45,000-kilometre, cross-country journey to Vancouver. Nash, a Victoria native, has confirmed his participation, according to numerous reports. Thousands of people will run a portion of the route over 106 days, culminating in the lighting of the cauldron at B.C. Place in Vancouver. The Olympics are Feb. 12 to 28 in Vancouver and Whistler, B.C., followed by the Paralympics from March 12 to 21. National Post

Mike Trudell: Sasha Vujacic just completed a workout with strength coach Chip Schaefer. Powell & Morrison have been in frequently all week as well. Twitter.com

Matt Steinmetz: Warriors will add Scott Roth as asst. coach. He was W's D-League coach at Bakersfield last year. Twitter.com

The addition of Allen Iverson to the Memphis Grizzlies has resulted the biggest boom in ticket sales seen in the history of the team. Iverson, as the newest member of the Memphis Grizzlies, he brings experience, talent, charisma, and he puts butts in the seats. "The last 48 hours it has been our biggest two days of sales since we started here," says Dennis O'Connor, Vice President of Ticket Sales for the Memphis Grizzlies. MyFOX Sports

Danko says many of his regulars were on the fence about renewing season tickers, but the addition of AI made them quick to re-up. "No brainer," says Danko. "The fans have been dying for someone marquis, somebody to come into the market and play for the Grizzlies." MyFOX Sports

Since Carmelo Anthony was selected in the 2003 NBA draft, he regularly has been compared to LeBron James. But Anthony has gotten some bragging rights. James doesn't have a building named after him. Anthony does. The Denver Nuggets star forward is scheduled to be on hand Sept. 24 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Syracuse's Carmelo Anthony Center. "Everyone's going to just call it the Melo Center," Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said Friday in an interview with FanHouse. FanHouse.com

"We couldn't have done it without Melo giving his $3 million and getting it started," said Boeheim, who will begin the move into the new facility Sept. 22. "After that, another lady gave $2 million.... A former player (George Hicker, who played in the 1960s and made his money in real estate) gave $1 million. Two others gave $1.5 million. But it wouldn't have gotten started (without Anthony)." FanHouse.com

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