HoopsHype.com Rumors

Monday, September 21

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Free-agent swingman Keith Bogans will sign a one-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs, sources confirmed Monday to FanHouse. Bogans, a solid defensive player, is being looked at as an heir apparent to Bruce Bowen, who retired recently after being San Antonio's perimeter defensive stopper throughout much of the decade. The Spurs had been grooming Ime Udoka for that role, but they are electing not to bring him back as a free agent after he played two seasons with the team. FanHouse.com

Bogans, who will sign a guaranteed deal worth the minimum of $1.03 million, last season averaged 6.0 points for Milwaukee. He has a 7.5 average over six seasons. Bogans also had been looked at by the Denver Nuggets. However, the Nuggets have had a contract offer out the past few weeks on guard Flip Murray and are continuing to wait on him. FanHouse.com

Sources have told FanHouse that Murray has been offered the minimum of $1.1 million by the Nuggets. He is hoping to get the biannual exception of $1.99 million, but indications are the Nuggets, who are over the luxury-tax threshold, are unwilling to spend that much. Murray also is being looked at by Charlotte. It remains to be seen if the Bobcats might come up with an offer that could pry Murray away from Denver. FanHouse.com

I'd place the odds at 60-40 that Felton plays this season on the one-year, $5.5 million qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent next summer. Charlotte Observer

Don't be surprised if Stephen Graham, twin brother of Toronto Raptor Joey Graham, is in training camp with the Bobcats. After playing for the Indiana Pacers last season, Graham has been working out here, and coach Larry Brown likes the kind of mid-size athlete Graham is. Charlotte Observer

In responses to the league's demands, Julie Davis, the wife of veteran NBA official Marc Davis, wrote this letter to the National Basketball Referees Association executive board to provide a family's perspective. FanHouse obtained a copy of the letter from the NBRA. "These past few weeks have been a very trying time for our family, as I am sure they have been for the families for all of the 57 NBA referees. The stress of worrying about a lockout has been, at times, overwhelming. We have three small children to feed, clothe, and educate. Like most American families, we have a mortgage and bills to pay. These bills do not know what the word "lockout" means. "What has been most disheartening, however, is accepting the fact that the sacrifices that all of our families make year in and year out appear to be meaningless to the NBA and David Stern. The 'offers' made by the NBA are insulting to our families. FanHouse.com

The Cavaliers are still working through the situation with Delonte West, but now they are doing it in person. According to league sources, West came to Cleveland over the weekend and has spoken to team officials. Where things go from here, however, is still unclear. The team, which made a brief statement last Friday, declined to comment Monday. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Most of the Cavs are already in Cleveland and have been working out at the Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence. Shaquille O'Neal and Anderson Varejao are expected in town this week. LeBron James has been working out there on and off as he travels to promote his upcoming movie, book and the release of his new shoe. The tour ends this weekend in Los Angeles. Cleveland Plain Dealer

For the first time in more than a month, Michael Beasley played a home game Monday. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra confirmed that the second-year forward joined teammates for an informal workout on the team's practice court at AmericanAirlines Arena a day after returning from an extended stay at a Houston substance-abuse rehab center. "He looks good. He looked good. He's fit," Spoelstra said. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

"This has been a learning experience," Spoelstra said, "and hopefully it'll be a positive one as we move forward." Spoelstra said more than an issue of trust is now at play. "I like to use the word 'investment,' " the second-year coach said."We've invested in Mike, not just financially, but emotionally and everything else. We've invested our time with him and have tried to develop him as much as we can, on and off the court, this summer." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Kenyon Martin on what they learned from the playoff run: “That you have to play on a consistent basis throughout the regular season and just better your position. Just learn from the things we did right last year and learn from things we did wrong, but we had a great run. I think guys know that we were right there and everybody in that locker room and in the organization feels we were a better team than the Lakers. Everybody feels we were a better team than the Lakers and no one can tell me anything different. No one.” Sports Radio Interviews

Kenyon Martin on the Mark Cuban incident: “I have no words for Mark Cuban. He apologized to my mom and that’s all he had to do. I’m a grown man. I’m not gonna lose any sleep if you don’t apologize to me or if I never seen you again in life. He apologized to my mom and that’s all he had to do. Just move on from it. He has a team to run down there and I have a job to kick their butt every time we play them.” Sports Radio Interviews

President Donnie Nelson had an interesting comment during the introductory news conference for the new Mavericks, and it immediately perked up the ears of media members. As he was describing some of the strategic advantages of having Shawn Marion on board, Nelson said: "It excites me to have our quarterback back and to have Shawn Marion on one wing and Josh Howard on the other. You got a runner like no other in Drew Gooden that can get up and down the court with the best of them. You got Dirk, who knows how to play the game a little bit. And then you got Erick Dampier coming off the bench and giving you that role that you need.'' Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Where is Kris Humphries? I’m told he won’t be here. Nothing bad, I don’t think. The Mavs like him, he likes the Mavs, and a source who watched a recent AAC-basement scrimmage is raving to me about Humphries’ motor. (Echoing some of what Ro Blackman says here.) Apparently, Humphries’ schedule zigged when it should’ve zagged. Meaning, he forgot there was a press conference today. DallasBasketball.com

Before you start going over the idea in your head, Nelson clarified his comment later. He was speaking more to the versatility the Mavericks have with Dampier, Gooden, Dirk and perhaps even Tim Thomas or Marion at the center spot against certain teams. And his words had nothing to do with the minutes clause in Dampier's contract that, if reached, would guarantee the seventh year on his contract. He hasn't hit that clause in five years, by the way. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Sekou Smith: JCrawford in the building. Court is just heating up. Still no sign of Joe Johnson. Twitter.com

Ben Golliver: Brandon Roy and Travis Outlaw working out in Blazers PF. B Roy shooting jumpers off pick and rolls. Looks NOTICEABLY lighter. Twitter.com

Rookie Gerald Henderson looks very much as I anticipated -- he plays long for a shooting guard and has good defensive instincts. His offense is limited; oponents are going to challenge him to make jump shots, knowing his strength is driving to the rim. Charlotte Observer

Kenyon Martin on how long it’s been since he’s been healthy: “My legs feel great. I’m tellin’ everybody this summer that I got my hops back. Just coming back from the surgeries and doing everything to build up my leg strength and my core strength and things like that I think helped in order for me to get to this point where I am now. I haven’t felt this great in some years. At least five years since I’ve been here. (Host: Almost back to New Jersey?) Yeah, like maybe my fourth or fifth year in the league, I’ve always been dealing with something. Whether it was a severe case of tendinitis or microfracture surgeries, two of them, just time and time again it was always something. Now I don’t have anything to worry about, I can just let the little bruises and stuff heal and just get on the court and concentrate on basketball.” Sports Radio Interviews

In an interview with the CBC's Peter Mansbridge, transcribed on the Canadian NBeh.ca blog (get it?), Steve Nash talks about when the Grizzlies left Vancouver: I think the Vancouver situation is unfair and I think Vancouver deserves a team. It's one of the premier cities in the world and in North America. I think the team was unfairly taken and I think the commissioner would probably agree with that -- at the time it was probably difficult for him to feel that way, but they had one general manager in the history of the franchise and they never succeeded. I think the city deserved another chance -- another general manager, some fresh blood, an opportunity to succeed, and see how the fans and corporate sponsors responded. I thought that the fans were great considering they were a losing franchise, perennially so. It's a shame and I think all of the players feel that way. ESPN.com

At last check, the Bobcats still didn't have a local radio home for the coming season. I think the most logical landing spot is WFNZ, but that was also the case in past seasons. Working out an arrangement with WFNZ is complicated by pre-existing commitments to North Carolina and Charlotte 49ers broadcasts. Charlotte Observer

Looks like Khloe Kardashian may be running down the aisle. The reality star plans to marry her NBA player beau Lamar Odom on Sunday in the Los Angeles, California, area, sources confirm to People magazine. People

Former NBA player Jerome "Pooh" Richardson reluctantly testified Monday that his close friend, a Philadelphia police officer, tipped him about an imminent drug raid involving his half-sister. Richardson, 43, testified under a grant of immunity about two phone calls around 3 a.m. from childhood friend Rickie Durham in August 2005. Durham told him the FBI was about to take down a drug kingpin and take the sister down too, he testified. Richardson said he quickly called his sister at the New Jersey home she shared with the drug dealer and told her to "leave right now." ESPN.com

Although the Golden State Warriors sent two second-round picks to the New Jersey Nets in order to delay giving up a first-rounder to New Jersey, that doesn’t mean Stephen Jackson is leaving the Bay Area anytime soon. The Warriors were able to push back the delivery of a previously traded, lottery-protected first-round pick one year to 2012, NBA sources told Yahoo! Sports. The pick had been sent to the Nets in July 2008 in exchange for guard Marcus Williams, who signed with the Memphis Grizzlies as a free agent this offseason. Yahoo! Sports

For agreeing to delay receiving the first-rounder from Golden State, the Nets will acquire two future second-round picks from the Warriors. The first-round pick originally was lottery protected in 2011. It now has lesser protection for 2012, though sources did not reveal in detail the exact level of protection. The move allows the Warriors more time and flexibility to package their 2011 first-round pick in a deal, if they so choose. A source, however, said Golden State currently does not have any potential trades on the horizon – including anything involving disgruntled forward Jackson. Yahoo! Sports

While a source said the Warriors are open to dealing Jackson, his contract – with four years and $35 million remaining – makes moving him difficult. Yahoo! Sports

Allen Iverson was present at the Finals of the Eurobasket 2009 and as it was expected he gathered a lot of media attention. The NBA star was asked whether he had an offer from Olympiakos this summer and his answer was 'yes'. Iverson was asked by Greek newspaper 'Goal' whether he had an offer from Olympiakos and he said it's true but he had to turn down the offer. He also said that it was difficult for him at the time to bring his family to Europe so he preferred to stay for another season in the States. Iverson said that he still has lots of fuel in his tank and he is certainly not closing any doors. 'I might come over to play in Europe one day' were his last words. The Hoop

Heat forward Michael Beasley returned Sunday to South Florida after his release from a Houston substance-abuse center earlier in the day. Beasley, who was moved into an inpatient facility last month after violating his NBA-imposed substance-abuse program, is expected to work out with teammates Monday morning at AmericanAirlines Arena. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Former NBA player John Lucas, who dealt with substance-abuse problems during his career and now operates a treatment program in Houston, was not directly involved in Beasley's treatment. He declined comment Sunday, saying, "I can't, per the Heat, say anything." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Two referees who were fired by the N.B.A. have been asked to officiate games while the league navigates a labor standoff with its regular referees. The two former referees, Michael Henderson and Robbie Robinson, are among 44 replacements invited to attend training camp this week, according to a list obtained by The New York Times. Both men were fired earlier this decade. New York Times

Henderson’s return is sure to spark controversy. In February 2004, referees rushed to his defense after the N.B.A. publicly censured him for a blown call and suspended him for three games. In a protest orchestrated by the referees union, 28 referees wore their jerseys inside-out and scrawled Henderson’s number, 62, on the back. Henderson was fired in 2005 after four seasons with the league. Robinson worked three seasons in the N.B.A. before he was let go in 2007. New York Times

Allen Iverson: I saw Marc Gasol yesterday in Poland at Eurobasketball Semifinals. He looked good. I can't wait to take the court with him and the rest. Twitter.com

Allen Iverson: I just finished photo op with Thierre Henry. We first met 3 years ago here in Barcelona. Spain just won the Eurobasketball Championship! Twitter.com

Can you provide the latest feedback on the progress of my boy Patrick O'Bryant? A: Not really actually. He’s in town working out; saw him in the ACC the other day and they hope he can find some kind of energy and effort that allows him to take advantage of his physical gifts. But, with the presence of Amir Johnson, I think O’Bryant’s probably on quite a short leash. Toronto Star

Charlotte Bobcats forward Boris Diaw did sprain an ankle while playing for the French national team over the weekend. But after speaking with Diaw, coach Larry Brown doesn't sound particularly concerned about the injury. Diaw told Brown he planned to get an MRI as a precaution, but that he didn't think it was severe. Brown said he kidded Diaw that this was a plot to get out of training camp. Actually, Brown said he always planned to limit Diaw's minutes this preseason because Diaw played so much summer basketball, helping France qualify for the World Championships next year. Charlotte Observer

After suffering three concussions in less than a month last season, Brian Scalabrine wants to play it safe. That’s why he chose not to play at all this summer. “I didn’t play any basketball,” Scalabrine told WEEI.com last week at the USI Shamrock Classic. “I didn’t want to risk getting a concussion in that environment. So I just didn’t play any basketball and then I’ve been playing since I got back here.” WEEI.com

While these injuries kept Scalabrine off the courts this summer, he won’t let them hold him back this season. “We’re just going to take it day by day and see what happens,” he said. “The only time you’re really going to know is until you take a blow. It’s going to happen one time or another, just how I respond to it is going to be key.” WEEI.com

Spain out-rebound their rivals 42-24 and shoot 59%. Easy. Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson presenting the All-Tournament team prizes (Teodosic, Spanoulis, Fernandez, Lorbek and P. Gasol) and the MVP award - to Pau Gasol. But it is Juan Carlos Navarro who raises the bauble that matters most as the red and yellow fanaticos celebrate. “I’m so proud of my team-mates and grateful to all the coaching staff that got us to this point,” said Gasol “I’m so happy to help Spain win this title for the first time. We started the tournament slowly and we were not playing collectively. “But the last five and a half games we have played amazingly well. We came together when it mattered – at the end of the championships.” Britball

"After we lost against Turkey we started to get together - we were aware that we weren't playing collectively," said Gasol, who won the NBA title with the Lakers in June. "We just said we had to get back to playing the way we know how. "Then against Lithuania we went 25-15 down I think it was, but then we went on a 23-0 run. We played excellently at the end of the championships and that's when the winning matters." BBC.co.uk

Serbia's veteran coach Dusan Ivkovic bemoaned his side's inability to cope with the pressure of the final. "I think we were found out a little bit in a pressure situation - for the first time in the tournament we couldn't handle the pressure," said Ivkovic. "To be sure, our target is to put together a team that will play well at the Olympic Games in London. We came here with the objective of qualifying for the World Championships in Turkey and we've achieved that." BBC.co.uk

Instead of calling in a favor with the organization he represented for a decade, the former NBA All-Star told reporters at his ‘Showdown in Downtown’ charity soccer game in Vancouver that he wouldn’t play at next summer’s tournament and reiterated that his international career is likely finished. “I think that (playing in Turkey) is a real long shot,” said Nash. “I have so many commitments already and my commitment to the Suns. Something would have to give and I don’t know if I could make it through physically and mentally. Like I said, five or six years ago, my time with the national team is probably over.” HoopsVibe.com

During visits with players in their hometowns this summer, taking trips ranging from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles, Brooks stressed improving defensively is his No. 1 priority. "That’s the one part we have to do is get consistent on the defensive end,” said Jeff Green. "Sometimes we were lackadaisical on the defensive end, myself included. If we get consistent at that, work well together as a team, with a training camp under our belt, that will help us a lot.” Oklahoman

Former fan favorite Desmond Mason, an NBA veteran who recently signed with Sacramento, said a full training camp is invaluable, especially for a young coach like Brooks. "He was put in a tough situation,” Mason said. "He already put in some things last season. But now he can put in his entire system. More repetitions will help. It becomes like breathing where everyone works together as a unit. You could see that late in the season.” Oklahoman

Nate McMillan on whether he has a new perspective on coaching and the game: For me, I try to live life to the fullest. And I take every day and try and get as much as I can out of each and every day. I went on that vacation, and I came back and I got back to Portland, and it was time to start focusing on the team and what we wanted to accomplish this season and our goals. Columbian

Rick Sund: Now, we wouldn't have beaten Cleveland in the series, but had we been healthy, we would have gotten a better barometer as to where we stood. That said, we knew we needed to add some experience. Josh Smith is under 25 years old, Horford is under 25, Marvin is under 25, and Jeff Teague is under 22. That is where our new veterans like Jamal Crawford and Joe Smith come in, and even Jason Collins to a degree. Unlike some teams with deeper pockets, we can't carry 15 guys. We have to get it done with nine or 10 guys, so we're vulnerable in that sense. But we really like the guys we have. We needed to get more experienced and we've done that. HoopsHype.com

How important was it to re-sign free agents Mike Bibby, Zaza Pachulia and Marvin Williams? Rick Sund: The success of our ball club is the sum of all our parts. Everybody contributes in a different way. So it was important to re-sign all of them. We have an All-Star-caliber player in Joe Johnson, and everyone else has to fit in. We have a lot of good guys and a strong starting five, and Mike and Marvin are a big part of that. Zaza is great off the bench and could probably start for some teams. We won 47 games and were a legitimate playoff team. So it was important to keep our key parts in place. HoopsHype.com

The New York Knicks are the first NBA franchise to install LED courtside technology that aims to drive advertising revenue while adding more dynamic messaging during games at Madison Square Garden. Sports Business Journal

One of the coaches on your show said you had potential as a football player with your size and athleticism. If the Cleveland Browns offer you $5 million dollars to play tight end next summer, would you do it? Shaq: Yes I would do it. Without a doubt. And you think you could handle the football workout regimen? Shaq: Oh I know I could handle it. I could do it. Orlando Sentinel

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Arash Markazi: LeBron James may have been bummed that his Cowboys lost but at least he got to play catch with his friends on the field after the game. Twitter.com

Brian Windhorst: LeBron a true Cowboys fan and has been for years. As for much discussed Yankee hats...well, I'd bet he can't name their starting rotation. Twitter.com

50 Cent and Steve Nash of the NBA's Phoenix Suns will star in an upcoming ad for Vitaminwater. The commercial promotes a new campaign in which customers can create their own Vitaminwater flavors through a page on Facebook.com. In the commercial, Nash and 50 parody late night infomercials. "We all remember the old game: vitamins, water, repeat. Then we gave you Vitaminwater and changed the game!" says Nash. "Have you ever wanted to make your own flavor of Vitaminwater but you didn't want to deal with the mess, the stress, the legal ramifications?" RTTNews.com

Maurice Ager: I love to make hip-hop and R&B beats. To clarify, I would like to think I'm not just another athlete experimenting with music (although my former teammate Jerry Stackhouse really can sing). Since my freshman year in college, I've been making beats for various artists ranging from local rappers in my hometown of Detroit, Michigan to mainstream performers that you'll see on television. I've made more than 1,000 tracks in the last seven years. Music truly is a great outlet for me. At my home in Dallas I even have a mini-studio constructed. Nothing like a good few hours with my keyboard and a music-editing program like Fruity Loops. HoopsWorld.com

Rudy Gay: Hold up Lamar Odom is getting married to her? Twitter.com

Paralyzed former Wake Forest and NBA player Rodney Rogers was honored before the Demon Deacons' football game against Elon. Wearing a black Wake Forest jersey, the wheelchair-bound Rogers received a standing ovation as his career highlights were shown. Accompanied by former Wake basketball coach Dave Odom, Rogers was mobbed by the players as they ran onto the field. ESPN.com

LeRoy Ellis once blocked Wilt Chamberlain's shot. "I was sorry I did and would never do it again," the former Lakers center says, laughing. "He must have dunked on me the next five times down. He just went bang, bang, bang. "I said to myself, 'Dang, you should have let a sleeping giant lie,' because he just went to town on me." Los Angeles Times

For the affable Ellis, this qualifies as a sweet memory. Cancer has ravaged his body. "It's kind of a terminal deal," the father of five says from his home in Columbia City, Ore., about 30 miles north of Portland. "The doctor is very candid. He said the only thing I really have to look forward to is getting worse." Los Angeles Times

Ellis, who averaged career highs of 15.9 points and 12.3 rebounds for the Portland Trail Blazers during their inaugural 1970-71 season, moved back to Oregon from Los Angeles after Lee, the youngest of his three sons, was slain 11 years ago. His wife, Vera, says a positive outlook keeps him engaged. "He's the most awesome person I've ever met or known," she says. "He's very thankful for everything and every day, so he's been an inspiration to me. At first, this devastating news was like somebody trying to knock me down, but LeRoy handles it so well that you've got to hang in there and keep going." Los Angeles Times

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