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Sunday, September 27

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Anthony now seems comfortable in Denver. He loves the team assembled around him, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he signed a three-year extension next summer. “I’d really have to think about it as far as an extension goes,” he said. “I’m home.” Yahoo! Sports

Anthony acknowledged fears of a possible lockout in 2011; the uncertain terms of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement could spur him to sign an extension next summer. He also said he’d like to be chosen as the Nuggets’ representative to the Players Association this season. “Nobody wants to go into the lockout,” said Anthony, now represented by agent Leon Rose, who counts James and Allen Iverson among his other clients. “The good is I don’t have to deal with that free-agency circus next year; the bad is we don’t know what the CBA is going to be like or what the NBA is going to do,” he added. “This season and throughout, I’m going to be at the meetings and I’m going to voice my opinion about the situations. I don’t think anyone can afford [a lockout]. The NBA can’t afford that. I don’t think the players can afford that – nobody. We need basketball.” Yahoo! Sports

Interestingly, both Calderon and teammate Andrea Bargnani expressed confidence yesterday that if the Raptors play well this season and qualify for the playoffs, Chris Bosh will stay in Toronto after his current deal expires at the end of the season. "I'm not worried about (Bosh leaving)," Bargnani said. "He loves Toronto." "He said to me, and he's a good friend," added Calderon, "that he's happy in Toronto." Toronto Sun

Forward Melvin Ely is the obvious eyebrow-raiser in the bunch, as the player taken 12th overall in 2002 by the Clippers is yet another log thrown upon this bonfire of Kings' camp competition. The big man hardly came up big in his last two seasons in New Orleans (83 games played combined, approximately 12 minutes per in both seasons), and the irony here is that former Kings forward Ike Diogu was essentially signed by the Hornets this summer to fill the role Ely was hired to fill. Sacramento Bee

The Portland Trailblazers have signed guard Donell Taylor to a non-guaranteed contract for training camp, sources tell RealGM's Alex Kennedy. RealGM.com

Former Notre Dame Prep standout Will Blalock is expected to attend training camp with New Jersey. Blalock had a 14-game stint with Detroit in 2006-07. Boston Globe

At the apex of disappointment, just after the Turkoglu deal fell through, Pritchard invited his entire management staff — and their families — to his home on Oswego Lake. He barbecued. Folks hopped in Pritchard’s boat and cruised the lake. Kids chased each other and played in the water. Conversations involved everything but their depressing predicament as everyone soaked in a beautifully sunny Northwest summer day. And the next day? “We got back in the office the next morning and started battling it out again,” Pritchard said. “The one thing you want to do at that point in time is make sure everyone knows how much they are appreciated and know that tomorrow we’re going to get working again. It was out of our control. Life is going to give you good and give you bad. When times are good, everything’s fine. When things turn tough, that’s when you can really find what you’re made of and what the organization’s made of.” Oregonian

Pritchard refused to divulge any details about the behind-the-scenes happenings with Turkoglu. But the sentiment around One Center Court is that if Turkoglu truly did not want to play for the Blazers, they’re glad they discovered so before signing him to a lucrative deal. “If we took criticism, that’s fine,” Pritchard said. “Because the end result, I’m fine with.” Oregonian

Obviously, the big move was Vince in, Turk out. Was it more of a financial matter not to re-sign Turk? Otis Smith: It all came down to getting better. I don't think it came down to financial for us. Ownership said do whatever it takes to put a winner on the floor. I think we did that. Orlando Sentinel

Other than an all-star resume, what does Carter give you that Turk did not? Otis Smith: I thought my core guys needed to be able to walk into a gym and see Vince Carter shooting at the other end and say, 'Now we got help. Now we got a guy who can do it.' I thought that was as big for their psyches as anything else. Orlando Sentinel

Did you ever have any doubt this summer that you would get David Lee and Nate Robinson re-signed before training camp? Walsh: If you had told me at the beginning of the year that these guys wouldn't get offer sheets and that they would be willing to sign one-year contracts, which is what we felt was all we could offer, I would have said it was doubtful. But then I think the league kind of froze when the economic numbers came out. So it was not a good market for them, and that opened the door for us and we got it done. Sporting News

Where do you stand now in terms of your grand plan for 2010? Do you have max room under the cap? Walsh: We have the most room in the league. There are eight teams between 10 to 20 million, and four teams over 20. The last time I looked, we had more room than anybody. I think that's good. We're No. 1. But all that depends on what happens with the revenues this year, so you just don't know. Sporting News

Teams such as Memphis and Oklahoma City have adopted the philosophy of rejuvenating through the draft and savvy free agent signings. Kahn, however, believes the Timberwolves can use their eventual cap space - only about $25 million is committed to salaries in 2010-11 - to procure a premium free agent or trade for a player in his prime. “I think next summer free agency will become very important to us,’’ he said. “We will have a lot of room, whether it means a player being traded to us because we’re under the cap or we’re able to sign a player. I do expect us to be a player next summer in free agency.’’ Boston Globe

“Assuming Ricky comes to us two years from now, he will be 20, and I’m not too worried about him having lost it at age 20,’’ Kahn said. “Whether Ricky ultimately comes to us in a couple of years or whether we choose to trade him - and I’m not saying we will - I’m saying no matter how it plays out, it was the right thing for the team and the long-term future.’’ Boston Globe

Chris Wallace was struck by the silence. There was a stillness that he found disconcerting at The Westin Buckhead Atlanta on Sept. 7. Even the hotel's posh restaurant, The Palm, was closed for Labor Day. If nothing else, Wallace and the rest of the Grizzlies' brain trust were guaranteed an unexpected, almost unprecedented level of privacy for their meeting that night with Allen Iverson, who arrived at the hotel by himself, without an entourage, wearing sneakers, jean shorts, an oversized white T-shirt and a New York Mets baseball cap. No one hassled him in the lobby, because no one was around. Memphis Commercial Appeal

But there was nothing to hide from the public by then, not really anyway. It was more or less a formality -- one that Wallace, the Grizzlies' general manager, likened to a prenup, though this was the first time he had met Iverson face-to-face. And in a conference room on the fourth floor, they sat across from each other at a large oval table, Wallace flanked by owner Michael Heisley and coach Lionel Hollins, Iverson sipping from a bottle of water. During their two-hour meeting, there was an understanding that each party sought something important from the other. The Grizzlies, the faltering franchise, wanted a veteran star. Iverson, the fading icon, wanted another shot. And it became ever more clear as the minutes ticked away that this was going to happen, that Iverson would agree to a one-year deal. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Before then, he worked out with Snow at the Atlanta Hawks practice facility for a couple of weeks, but was largely limited to shooting drills because he was a man without a contract. He wanted to avoid injury. His prospects were perilous enough without spraining an ankle. "It was disappointing," Snow said in a telephone interview. "I think he was most upset from the standpoint of not being able to place his family, not being able to move and get settled and get his kids in school. That's the thing that was hardest on him." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Even Heisley retreated from his earlier position that he hoped to recruit Iverson to back up point guard Mike Conley, a position that softened as talks grew more serious. Heisley, Hollins and Wallace agreed before arriving in Atlanta that they would not even broach the subject during their meeting with Iverson, but they were to make no promises either. Hollins told Iverson that he would see how the pieces fit during camp. More than anything, the lengthy meeting featured a strange dance. The Grizzlies sold their product, their roster rife with up-and-coming stars. At the same time, Iverson kept selling himself -- his desire to compete, his ability to mentor younger players, his hope of leading a team deep into the playoffs. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Despite the circus-like atmosphere (or maybe because of it), Wallace could sense that Iverson was genuinely touched. According to those close to him, Iverson is sensitive about how he is perceived and portrayed. He reads what is written, hears what is said. He has an inability to ignore the tabloids, a vulnerability that stems from the time he was incarcerated as a teenager for his alleged role in a brawl at a bowling alley. He faced an onslaught of negative press, felt vilified and grew guarded -- a leeriness that has persisted through 14 NBA seasons. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Center from Senegal Mouhamed Sene signed an annual contract with French team Hyeres-Toulon. The player spent the last three seasons in NBA playing 47 games and averaging 2.2ppg and 1.6rpg. Sportando.net

According to a source, as of Friday Delonte West was expected to be with the Cavs when they start training camp on Monday. The team has said nothing about the guard following his arrest last week for gun possession in Maryland. Because it is an ongoing criminal case, it is doubtful West will say much about the incident to the media. Much of the concern is over West's mental state, which is a highly private matter. Cleveland Plain Dealer

For the second straight day and fourth time overall, Derrick Rose defended his role in the SAT scandal that ultimately cost Memphis its 2008 NCAA Final Four berth. Rose again said he took the test and for the first time, explained that he took it one time in Michigan because he was staying with his Aunt there. "[Cheating] is not even in my background or in my family's background," Rose said. "My mother and family wanted me to get my education. So I'm not worried about that. I just want to worry about the season and put that behind me." Chicago Tribune

Maybe 11 a.m. was too early for the groom-to-be. Perhaps there were some last-minute wedding details to be tended to Saturday, such finding the right tux, getting a blood test or making sure the flowers are ordered. Whatever it was it kept Lamar Odom from appearing at the Upper Deck store in Huntington Beach, where the Lakers star was scheduled to sign autographs. Instead, the more than 200 fans who waited more than an hour received signed paraphenalia by Josh Powell, who jettisoned down to Orange County and filled in for Odom. Thumbs up for Powell, thumbs down for Odom. Orange County Register

Ron Artest didn’t disappoint the line of fans that snaked around the building. He urged store personnel to get out of the way and bring in the fans. “That’s why we’re here,” Artest said. “Let ‘em in.” Watch for more on how Artest is spending his final weekend before training camp opens. On Sunday, he is bowling with fans and Monday, he goes dog-walking. Oh, and yes, Odom’s wedding is on his schedule. Orange County Register

Weatherspoon and Powell were hired to work only until Aug. 31, so the past 20-something days Curry has been on his own. One would think after three months Curry would know exactly what do to maintain the level of fitness -- if not improve on it -- between then and when camp opens on Tuesday. According to Walsh's number, Curry dropped one more pound since the end of August. He has been at the MSG Training Center for about two weeks now and this week started participating in full court scrimmages with his teammates. I heard from several people within the team that Curry didn't spend too much time actually playing in the games. And he pulled out of one with a hamstring tweak. Newsday

Through most of it was Anthony's right-hand man, trainer Idan Ravin, who helped Anthony maintain his workouts. "Some days it could be an hour, some days it could be 2 1/2 hours," Ravin said. "It was just kind of depending on what kind of time he had in the day. At that level, superstar athletes, their offseason responsibilities are out of control. But the really great players always find time and carve time out throughout the day to get done what they have to get done." Denver Post

And, according to Ravin — who worked with several NBA players during the summer, including Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Joe Johnson, Jason Richardson and Stephen Curry — Anthony always kept his focus. "I think that's part of what makes Melo great, his commitment to the process," Ravin said. "Every day he'd find time, whether it was first thing in the morning or the last thing at night. He knows that was the most important thing to him, that's what he loves to do. And he has 18-hour days, there's no doubt about it. People think it's the offseason, it's vacation. No. The only difference is you don't play any regular-season games." Denver Post

On Friday, coach Stan Van Gundy finally asked him to stop. He doesn't want Carter fitting in. He wants him standing out. "I don't want him stepping on the court thinking about fitting in. He can fit in, in the locker room. We didn't bring him here to be a guy who is just moving the ball,'' Van Gundy said. "We want him attacking. I want the guy who has been so good all these years. I want all his greatness." FanHouse.com

Carter chuckled Friday when told about Van Gundy's remarks. He is a seven-time All-Star with a career scoring average of 23.5 points. The Magic gave up promising Courtney Lee, veteran Tony Battie and point guard Rafer Alston to get him. The Magic lost Hedo Turkoglu to free agency this summer, and they want Carter to more than replace him. The Magic, like a majority of NBA teams, open training camp this Tuesday. "Yes, he (Van Gundy) has told me, he wants the guy who beat him in the past, the guy who scored 42 on him," Carter said Friday. "He said he wants it each and every night. I told him I can still be that guy. But I also said I didn't care if I averaged 23-25 points a game. I want to average 55 -60 wins a season." FanHouse.com

"The timing is perfect for me. I've wanted this opportunity since I came into the league. In my 11 years, I've seen it all, done it all, been through it all. My game has matured," he said. "Now I want to win it all." FanHouse.com

A suppression of egos will be crucial, and a carefully devised minute-sharing system is necessary. Since Crawford and Teague are new to the mix, training camp is their time to carve out their respective niches. Crawford insists that won't be a problem. "They already have great chemistry, and I don’t want to mess that up," he said. "I'm probably going to shock some people with my passing. I love to be the set-up man, so I can work in whatever capacity coach needs me to. What I do know is that you can have all the talent in the world, but if the chemistry isn’t right, you won't go anywhere. I've lived through that before in New York. So we have to come in and blend right to help get it done." Atlanta Journal-Constitution

But both play the same position, so Jazz coach Jerry Sloan must find ample time for both — Boozer enough to live up to his NBA All-Star billing of seasons past and to enhance his trade value, and Millsap enough to live up to the deal Utah agreed to sensing that sooner or later he'd be the franchise's full-time starting power forward. How, oh how, can coach juggle the two without one going splat? Easy, suggests Sloan, whose club opened its 2009 training camp with two practices Saturday. "I'm not going to play either one of them," he cracked. "That way I won't have that headache." Deseret Morning News

Both, at least for now, publicly express satisfaction with whatever arrangement Sloan settles upon. Millsap, as he's apt, quietly and loyally walks the company line. "I feel like we've got a better chance to go further in the playoffs, and with Carlos coming back he's a good add to our team," he said. "You know, Carlos has proven he can play basketball, and playing behind him another year or two or however long it's gonna be — it's good for me, better for me," added Millsap, who admitted to wearing down physically a bit when logging extensive minutes while Boozer was injured and out. "I'm gonna try to continue to learn from him." Deseret Morning News

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After missing an average of 18 games over the last five years because of injuries, Kirilenko has bulked up during the summer. He reported to training camp weight at 240 pounds, to the astonishment of at least one teammate. "I was really shocked when I saw him," Memo Okur said. "I heard -- because I got here a month ago to start working out -- that he weighed more. Somebody told me he gained like 20 or 25 pounds and I was like, 'Did he?' " Salt Lake Tribune

From there, Kirilenko took over. "I've been a couple of months in France -- working out, lifting, [doing] a lot of core stuff," he said. "... I'm ready right now." Those around him are hopeful. "He took the knowledge he gained from Dr. Elliott, went home and trained very hard, which is nice to see," McKown said. "That doesn't mean he hasn't trained hard in the past. But he hasn't trained this hard and this smart, I don't think." Salt Lake Tribune

May talked at length about his reputation as a human balloon, capable of growing and shrinking with a few hefty breaths during his playing career. To his credit, he couldn't have been classier chatting about the topic. He's seen the chatter, heard the critics, knows about all the jokes, and shrugs his burly shoulders at all of it. The microfracture surgery, May said, was solely to blame for his tipping 300 pounds in 2008. It's life in the 260s now, with nothing but excitement about what he can do without the unwelcome weight. "The stigma has always followed me," May said. "But the one thing is, you've never heard me get upset about it, never heard me (complain) about it. You've just never heard that from me because I don't care. It doesn't bother me. "I know me. I know my game. People who watch me play - If you didn't even hear a weight and you watched me play, you wouldn't think that he's too heavy. But as soon as you hear a number, this connotation comes in your head. It's just been that way." Sacramento Bee

"I was heavier at (University of North) Carolina, like 270," May said. "(The focus on weight) is also with the knee surgery, that scares them. When Sacramento came to me (about his weight clause), My agent asked me, 'Do you care if they put a weight clause in your contract?' I was like, 'I don't care, as long as it's not something where he's got to be 245.' I'll never get to 245. I haven't been that since eighth grade. I just don't care (about the clause). I want to play basketball." Sacramento Bee

In early January, Brown made it clear to the then-270-pound May that he wouldn't play until he was no more than 260. Though he lost 30 pounds in two and a half months, he fell just short of finding the floor. "I was 261, and you're telling me you're not going to play a guy who's over a pound?" May said. "That tells me there were other circumstances, that it wasn't about the weight … I wasn't out of shape last season." Brown disputes the notion that one pound was the difference in May's season. "I don't buy (May's recollection about) 261 when I told him to get to 260," Brown said. "I think I'm a little more reasonable than that … I really attribute (May's weight struggles) to a kid coming off a serious knee injury. I think the time (this summer) that he has put in and the condition he's in, all good things are in front of him." Sacramento Bee

Although hardly a "Sandy Koufax moment," Kings rookie Omri Casspi will not participate in the opening day of training camp - basically known as media availability day - because Monday is also Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish faith/culture. The famous Dodger lefthander, most baseball fans will recall, refused to pitch Game One of the 1965 World Series because it conflicted with Yom Kippur. Casspi, who will become the first Israeli to play in the league when he suits up on opening night, has been in town the past few weeks scrimmaging and training at the Kings practice site. Sacramento Bee

Tim Duncan has lost 15 pounds, as well as Jack Nies. The longtime NBA ref has retired. Duncan has also lost pain in his knees. This summer, he returned to his first sport, swimming, when he hasn't been on an anti-gravity treadmill that was recently added to the Spurs' practice facility. He didn't play five-man basketball until this month, and then for a handful of days. San Antonio Express-News

Brian Windhorst: Spent some time yesterday with Andy Varejao. Never seen him in better spirits. Thanks to big $ new deal, Brazil winning FIBA Americas. Twitter.com

First let me say that LeBron is very dedicated in the off-season. He makes a point to always have a place and a time to do workouts in his schedule, which all of his sponsors and promoters must follow before they schedule anything. However, this summer was the first time in three years that he didn't play for Team USA and he didn't get the same structured, high-level competition. Because of that, it is possible he could be dealing with a little rust in the preseason and that is a legit issue. Over the last few years, Mike Brown has held LeBron out of some workouts to give him extra rest. This year, that strategy might be altered a bit. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Memphis Grizzlies rookie center Hasheem Thabeet, the second pick in June's NBA Draft out of UCONN, went to a different kind of school Friday and Saturday. Thabeet and his agents asked Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon for a personal workout and the two got together for a pair of sessions in the Houston area. Thabeet's goal was to sharpen his skills and tap into the knowledge of one of greatest centers of all-time and who better to work with than Olajuwon. "It's always a joy for me when a great, potential talent would like to improve their footwork," Olajuwon said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. It's a huge compliment for me that somebody realized the value of their post moves and trying to pattern their game after my game." MyFoxHouston.com

Rudy Gay: A lady just asked me have I ever thought of basketball for college. Damn we need more TV games! Twitter.com

Charlie Villanueva: Great feedback by all. I don't think Twitter or anything similar will ever replace the media, its just another source feed. Twitter.com

The 6-foot-3 Williams credits pumping iron for helping him increase his weight by five pounds — from 207 to 212 — while keeping his body-fat rate at an uber-low 4 percent. Williams says he "actually lifted heavier" this summer than he's done since his college days at Illinois. "I feel a lot stronger," he said. "Hopefully, that will help me throughout the season. Hopefully, I can maintain that." Deseret Morning News

Williams also focused on increasing the strength of his ankle. It bothered him all last season and forced him to miss the first part of the year after he severely sprained it in preseason. After a two-month rest period following the Jazz's first-round playoff exit, Williams did strength and balance exercises to fortify his weakened ankle. Deseret Morning News

Josh Smith still had stitches in his left hand late last week. But the heavy gauze wrap that he sported in the days immediately after cutting his hand open during a pickup game two weeks ago had vanished. "I've still got my Frankenstein going," Smith said with a smile as he wiggled his fingers so his stitches could be viewed. "I'm just waiting to get [these stitches out] and get it all done so I can get out there for camp. It's healing up fine, though." Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Meanwhile, James is excited about a movie project he has signed on to do called "Fantasy Basketball Camp," a comedy in which he will play himself. It is scheduled to be filmed next summer. That could have significant effects on his schedule. One, with filming occupying his off-season, James may look to wrap up his free agency decision quickly in July. Which will probably be somewhat a relief for all parties concerned. Second, it puts his status with USA Basketball in question. Team USA is going to take part in the World Championships next September in Turkey. They were counting on James to play, but it isn't clear whether the timeframe will enable him to shoot the movie and get his preparations in with Team USA. The movie is set in Las Vegas and that is where Team USA will prepare for the event, so it is possible James could work both into his schedule. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Jackson thinks this Lakers team can repeat too, and, no, it doesn't get easier. "I've been telling them [this players] that it's always harder to do it twice," Jackson said last week. "It's a challenge physically, it's a challenge mentally because everybody's prepared for you, and you're coming off a long season. "You've done extraneous things [Editor's note: such as Pau Gasol's playing for Spain in the recently concluded European tournament] and the drive's not there. But we are perfectly capable of doing this again." Los Angeles Times

"I've got 10 or 11 guys I know I can trust out there with a game on the line," Woodson said. "That makes all the difference in the world from a coaching standpoint because hopefully now we won't get caught in the situation we were in during that Cleveland series when guys are hurt and we don't have an answer for it. Adding Crawford, Teague, Smith and Collins would surely be able to step in if, heaven forbid, someone goes down, and they can hold the line." Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"I don't give a damn about the contract situation; that doesn't fuel me, " Scott said last week, a few days before the team's training camp begins Tuesday in Lafayette. "What fuels me is winning. . . . I'm still competing. I kind of love this situation. I'm not trying to sound cocky, but I know I'm good at what I do. I'm very confident in what I do as a basketball coach, and I know I'm going to be coaching. I think guys scared of this type of pressure shouldn't be in the business, and I've been in it long enough as a player, so this is nothing new to me. When it's all said and done, I want to be here when David West and Chris Paul decide to retire." New Orleans Times-Picayune

Even Scott's business manager, Brian McInerney, admits that all the chips are on the table this season. McInerney said it's the first time Scott has entered a season with the Hornets without at least an extra year remaining on his contract. McInerney negotiated Scott's extension in 2008 after he was selected the league's Coach of the Year, fresh off the Hornets' appearance in the Western Conference semifinals. "He'll be available either on the open market or he'll be available for the Hornets, " McInerney said. "Either way, he's got to have a good year, and that's going to make him very focused. But the negotiation of any multiyear contract or a professional service of any kind at this point in a recession is better for both sides that discussions do not take place until absolutely necessary." New Orleans Times-Picayune

"I'm not going to lie," Bogut said of playing under Skiles, who previously coached the Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls. "It was an adjustment for me and everybody else. It was a whole new system. "The way he coaches in the NBA is very unique, with the way he runs sets and defensive schemes. You kind of feel ahead of things right now as a returning player; most of the guys know the system." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Bogut laughed when thinking of the quick hook he received in that exhibition game against the Golden State Warriors. "You figure out quickly that it's not personal," Bogut said. "In this league a lot of guys would take it personal and have a falling out with him. He has no hidden agendas. He doesn't play favorites. If you're not playing the way he expects you to play, you're not going to play. "I got taken out in China with 11 minutes 30 seconds left in the first quarter. The good thing about coach is, you make a mistake and one of the assistants will come and tell you what to do, and you'll go straight back in. He won't sit you for three or four quarters to punish you." Bogut laughed when thinking of the quick hook he received in that exhibition game against the Golden State Warriors. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

With a slight build and limited athleticism, Spoelstra's relentless attention to detail is what allowed him to become one of the best high school point guards in Oregon and a starter at the University of Portland. It's also what has helped Spoelstra, a player who never saw as much as an NBA training camp, become a head coach in the NBA. Miami Herald

Compare that with a gifted athlete who can hardly explain his own success, and it starts to make sense how a guy who once was cut from the Global Basketball Association is now guiding a superstar such as Dwyane Wade through an NBA season. ``Erik was one of those guys that, if the ball didn't go in perfect, he had to shoot a couple more, just to get a feel for the ball,'' said Stoudamire, now a coach with the Memphis Grizzlies. ``As a youngster, I kind of envied that work ethic that he had.'' Miami Herald

Spoelstra still carries that compulsive mentality with him. He occasionally gets mocked for it. But he can live with that. ``We even got the point where we were filming every one of our workouts,'' Spoelstra said. ``And right after a workout, I was watching the workout and the assistant coaches were walking down the hall. They were all laughing like, `Are you kidding?' ``I don't know if the obsessive compulsiveness is good or bad. Sometimes I'm embarrassed by it. But I think at the end of the day some of the biggest improvements are the little details.'' Miami Herald

David Kahn not only has remade the team’s roster, coaching staff and is swapping out fabrics and furniture in the team’s new weight room and players’ lounge. He also has swapped personnel around in the team’s front office, promoting Fred Hoiberg from assistant general manager to vice president of basketball operations. Hoiberg will oversee the department’s daily operations and report directly to Kahn. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

While he ascends, general manager Jim Stack has returned home to Chicago and will become a regional scout along with former assistant coach Dean Cooper. Kahn elected to move personnel around to different jobs rather than send employees with contracts home to collect their money. Former assistant coach Jerry Sichting becomes the director of pro player scouting and will oversee scouting NBA players as the team approaches next summer’s awaited free-agency period. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Although the Wolves didn’t get Rubio, who decided to sign with FC Barcelona for at least two seasons, Kahn thinks they have changed the direction of the franchise. “I think what we’re trying to establish is a brand-new culture of being incredibly hard-working, organized, and prepared,’’ he said. “We want to be as hard working a team as any team in the league. “I don’t sense that people here have the feel that, ‘Oh, if only Kevin were here . . .’ even though I know he’s still a very fine player. I think a lot of this year is about developing a running, up-tempo style that Kurt will coach, and developing some young pieces.’’ Boston Globe

But there are incidents and business practices in Prokhorov’s past that need to be examined, because while the 6-7 Russian tycoon may be astute when it comes to basketball, nobody knows how he is at hurdling, or sprinting, against the clock. The hurdles here, after all, aren’t like the ones he has vaulted so easily back home, where a favorable relationship with a repressive government can bury your competitors and make you a billionaire before you’re 32. “The question arises, at least from here in Moscow: Does the NBA commissioner think it’s his duty to do what it considered due diligence?” asked John Helmer, a former Carter Administration official who has run an acclaimed business news service in Russia since 1989. “And in the United States — particularly in New York State — you have to believe that an oligarch is open to investigation.” Newark Star-Ledger

And can Prokhorov overcome these hurdles and generate additional funding for Barclays Center by Dec. 31, which is the day Bruce Ratner’s Brooklyn dream turns into a pumpkin if the two partners cannot secure the financing for the $800 million arena? “There are no obstacles this guy can’t overcome,” predicts David Vanterpool, a former NBA journeyman who played or coached on Prokhorov’s CSKA Moscow team for four seasons. “He wouldn’t be involved in this if he didn’t already know how it’s going to turn out. That’s how shrewd he is: He understands the future as well as most of us understand the present. That keeps him five steps ahead of everyone else.” Newark Star-Ledger

The average Nets fan cares not a whit about Prokhorov’s fantastically successful affiliations with Norilsk Nickel, or Polyus Gold, or Renaissance Capital, or the Onexim Group. They may not even care that the athletic, 44-year-old bachelor is known as the “wildest child of the oligarch set” by Fortune Magazine readers, or that there is a video currently floating around the internet of him doing a back flip on a Jet Ski. Newark Star-Ledger

“He stays on the side and made decisions with a cool head,” Kirilenko said. “He’s never emotional about it, probably because he’s played the game most of his life and understands it so well.” “A lot of what I read, people are equating him to a James Bond character — a lot of mystery, a lot of things about him,” Vanterpool said with a laugh. “But he’s a guy who enjoys his life and has been blessed with a lot of wealth and intelligence. Newark Star-Ledger

In addition, Stern loves the idea of adding another multimillionaire to the NBA war chest. The league is suffering financially, with more than half the teams losing money, according to Stern. Likewise, a major reason Stern would like to see a team back in Seattle is the possible ownership of Microsoft mogul Steve Ballmer. Boston Globe

Locked out NBA referees Danny Crawford and Marc Davis will stay in shape by working three fall-league high school games at the Bulls-Sox Academy in Lisle on Sunday night. Arlington Heights Daily Herald

This roller-coaster period in their lives is chronicled in a new documentary, "More Than a Game," which opens in New York on Friday. "I don't wish that on nobody," said the 6-foot-8 James, lounging back in a leather boardroom chair at the Four Seasons Hotel last week. Now 24, James goes one on one with a reporter without breaking a sweat. But back then ... "No kid should have to go through that," said James. "My friends never made me feel like I was the King James or the Chosen One or whatever they was calling me those days. That was special. That kept me humble." New York Daily News

These days, the NBA star can afford weekly haircuts at his home's private barbershop. But Howard, 23, also likes to mingle with other customers at the Eatonville shop, a favorite of several other Magic players'. So perhaps it made sense that little fanfare was made when Howard decided to invest in Fades to Fro's. He and Jones want to expand the Eatonville business and bring Fades to Fro's to other parts of Central Florida. They will start with some renovations to the shop to add "a little touch of class," Jones said. "Being one of the athletes that you can relate to -- you can actually touch -- he's just trying to help me with the vision I have for myself and the shop and the community," said Jones, who has owned barbershops in Eatonville since 2002. Orlando Sentinel

"My goal is to be more in the community... whatever is going to create a positive atmosphere," Jones said. Howard's manager and cousin Kevin Samples -- also a Fades to Fro's customer -- called it "the beginning of a great business relationship." Orlando Sentinel

The bank foreclosure on Curry's $3.7M Chicago home, which came public in late June, is in the process of being settled. A result of this, however, moved Curry to take action against his former agent, Lamont Carter, who handled most of Curry's financial affairs. (Sheriffs are apparently still trying to serve Carter with the lawsuit, while the rest of us wonder how the hell anyone in the mid-2000s ever would agree to a mortage rate of 10 percent. 10 percent!I guarantee that bank was never in trouble when the recession hit.) Newsday

Six people accused of breaking into the home of former NBA player Cliff Robinson have drawn sentences ranging from probation to 36 months in prison. While the family was gone and the house was for sale last winter, thieves made at least six hauls worth more than $100,000 in items such as all-terrain vehicles, bass guitars, a $1,200 Gucci purse and dozens of designer shoes. Oregonian

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