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Tuesday, September 29

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Hawks captain and All-Star Joe Johnson said he will not sign a contract extension with the Hawks and will play out the final year of his contract this season. Johnson will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Hawks extended a four-year, $60-plus million contract offer to Johnson this summer. But Johnson said he decided not to sign the extension after mulling it over during the offseason. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"My sole focus right now is on this team and what we're trying to accomplish this season," Johnson said. "I have some goals set for this season for my team and I have some individual goals set for myself as well. I really feel like this team is ready to take that step to the next level. I also feel like I can be one of the elite players in this league, I feel like I'm right there, so it's going to be an exciting year." Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Joe Freeman: Paul Allen on contract negotiations with LA: "We have made some progress there. So, yeah, I am optimistic." Twitter.com

Rafer Alston denied the story that he wants to play for Miami or New York. It’s true he probably would put up better numbers, in a contract year, with the Knicks, but the Nets need him here, especially since Dooling may not return until after the regular season starts. “You didn't hear a quote come from me,” Alston said. “It was a weird story. For somebody to put that out there right before camp, I immediately called in and told them that story didn’t come from me. First of all, I've never been that type of guy to one, demand to be moved or even want out of anything. I think I'm one of the most grateful guys even to have a job and to have played this long in this league.” Bergen Record

The Nets have three roster invites: guard Will Blalock, who played for the Pistons a few years back, forward Bennet Davis, who was with the D-League’s Utah Flash last year, and Brian Hamilton, also a former member of the Flash. With 15 guys with guaranteed deals they're likely showcasing themselves for other teams. Bergen Record

Amara Sy wasn't finally signed by the Dallas Mavericks because of visa issues. Basket USA

Of all the moves made by all of the ambitious contenders in the offseason, the most important deal may be one the Celtics declined to pursue. "We weren't close to trading him," Celtics president Danny Ainge said of point guard Rajon Rondo. SI.com

"When somebody calls, it's my job to find out what options we do have for all of the players," Ainge said. The truth, however, is that the Celtics initiated some of the trade talk -- as several league sources have told me -- to help them gauge Rondo's value. "He's not a perfect player, but he's a lot better than all these other [potential replacements]," Ainge said. "We really weren't close to making a deal for him. We will be really glad that we weren't." SI.com

"There were conversations," acknowledged Ainge of trade talks involving Rondo, "because there are conversations with everybody. And why his conversations get brought up in the media and some other conversations don't is an interesting thing. Maybe because there were some draft picks involved and it was around draft time and all that." SI.com

A day after he claimed he just wanted to focus on basketball following an arrest on gun possession, he couldn't even do that on the first day of training camp. West did not report to practice at the Cleveland Clinic Courts this morning and his absence was unexcused. "On a personal note, you always hope he's doing well," Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "But I have to continue looking forward and coaching this team. Whether it is Delonte or somebody else, if they miss practice and it is unexcused it will be handled internally." Brown said team general manager Danny Ferry was handling the issue. He said he wasn't aware if Ferry or anyone else from the team had been in contact with West. "We have to try as best we can to maintain that bunker mentality and not let outside influences take us off course," Brown said. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Kirilenko, who plays for the Utah Jazz and will be headed to Europe for a pair of preseason games, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Tuesday that O'Neal's move to join James with the Cleveland Cavaliers is going to cause havoc around the league. "That's the poison union," Kirilenko said. "I mean poison in a good way. They're going to poison the rest of us." AP

West, who faces a Nov. 20 court date in Maryland for recent weapons charges, did not get permission from team officials to skip the workout. The team practices again Tuesday evening, but it’s not known if West will be in attendance. “Delonte is not here,” coach Mike Brown said. “I’ve got 19 other guys that I have to get ready for the season. Whoever is here, I have to coach.” Chronicle-Telegram

Gilbert Arenas on feeling the backlash from Wizards fans: “I just think with the whole contract thing and me being injured. It’s just like anything. What have you done for me lately? Instead of just sitting around talking and entertaining, people want to see basketball again.” Sports Radio Interviews

Gilbert Arenas on whether he feared his career was over: “That’s the way life is. That’s the way the NBA is. That’s the way careers are. There are players like (Michael) Jordan who play their full career, same thing with Kobe (Bryant) and same thing with hopefully LeBron (James). Then there’s some people who got hurt and don’t make it. (Host: Is that fear there?) I don’t fear it anymore. When I first got hurt and the second time I got injured I’m looking at it like ‘lame, my career is going down the drain just from this injury.’ At the end of the day you just have to keep playing with your love until you can’t do it anymore.” Sports Radio Interviews

Gilbert Arenas on the Wizards bringing in Flip Saunders as Head Coach: “I don’t want to bash the last coach, but the first time I talked to Flip (Saunders) was the longest I talked to a coach since I left Golden State in that 45 minute conversation with him and that was the longest I spoke to a coach. (Host: Was that when he came out to Chicago?) No it was when he first got here. We were in the locker room and it caught me off guard because usually you’re so used to saying ‘hey, alright bye.’ Then going to practice and never really having that conversation. To sit there and talk for 45 minutes I was like in awe.” Sports Radio Interviews

I arrived in Richmond a short while ago, but I quickly realized that the place to be last night was at the team hotel, where Flip Saunders hired hypnotist John-Ivan Palmer to play mind games with the players. Palmer describes himself as "the World's Fastest and Funniest Hypnotist" and he apparently has worked with Saunders before when Saunders was with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Washington Post

"That was funny. Wow," said Butler, who added that JaVale McGee recorded everything on his camera phone (when is that video going up?). "The only thing that could top that was David Blaine or Criss Angel or something like that." Washington Post

Stevenson then tapped the new tattoo of a crack on the top of his head and started laughing. "He couldn't crack me," Stevenson said. "I told you that's the only thing you're getting right here." Asked if he literally couldn't feel his face, Stevenson busted into laughter and stumbled away. The man who said on Monday that he might retire his patented move of waving his hand in front of his face said, "No. I couldn't feel my face." Stevenson also gave another explanation of the backward "P" on his face, again explaining that he was a fan of the Pirates and Barry Bonds growing up. But why is it backward? Washington Post

Mike Miller wasn't willing to give the inside scoop on what happened. "It's like the commercial, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What happens in hypnotism stays in hypnotism," Miller said with a laugh. But after asking a few more players, I got the inside scoop. It sounded like a great team-building exercise, as he invited DeShawn Stevenson, Gilbert Arenas, Nick Young, Mike James, Caron Butler and even Wizards Vice President of Basketball Administration Tommy Sheppard to the stage. You can probably guess which player succumbed to the hypnosis and was most entertaining. Yep? Nick Young. Washington Post

Two quick Lakers questions: How do you guys look on paper? Ron Artest: On paper, we are the best team in the history of basketball. On paper. Would you be shocked if you didn't win the championship this year? It would be a shock but obviously you have to respect all the teams. But I think that if we don't win, it's going to be pretty surprising. Lastly, any marital advice for your buddy Lamar Odom? Yeah, keep that love bubbling. Him and Khloe are in love right now and I'm so happy for both of them. They got to keep that fire burning all the time. Vibe

Odom did talk about the Lakers trying to repeat as NBA champions. He talked about winning his first NBA title, when the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in five games. But so much still was about his wedding. "It was real," Odom said about his wedding ceremony. "It's crazy how perception works in America when you're looking at things from the outside. 'It [the wedding] might be off, it might be on.' But anybody that was there will tell you that it was a beautiful event and it was real." Los Angeles Times

Eric Pincus: seriously the mob following LO around is absurd. Twitter.com

Bynum, who has had problems with his right and left knee the last two seasons, said he might wear a brace on both knees this season. Bynum missed 46 games during the 2007-08 season with a left knee injury. He missed 32 games last season with a torn ligament in his right knee. Bynum came back this season and played in the playoffs, but he was not the same player. "Everything is fine with the knee," Bynum said Tuesday during the Lakers' media at the team's training facility. "The knee is 100%. I'll have to wear a brace for the rest of my career." Los Angeles Times

Pau Gasol insists that he is feeling refreshed and rested despite a second consecutive busy summer. Gasol led Spain to a gold medal in the European Championships earlier this month. He also said the finger injury he suffered while training for the tournament is no longer bothering him. Riverside Press-Enterprise

Kobe Bryant said he is as rested as he's been in a long time heading into the season because he had no Team USA obligations this summer. Riverside Press-Enterprise

Steve Nash about the legit chances of winning championship in Phoenix with the team they have: “Of course as a competitor I want to win a championship and it pains me to say right now, I am not sure if we are a championship caliber team. Whatever our potential is I want to fight for that every day and hopefully that will get us in the upper echelon” Sports Radio Interviews

For the second training camp in a row, the Mavericks had a marquee visitor. After Reggie Miller stopped by to speak to the team last fall, legendary big man Kevin McHale spoke at the team dinner Monday night and was at practice this morning. He's going to stick around all week to lend his expertise. "For the first day of practice, I was very impressed,'' McHale said of the Mavericks. "They're a veteran team. It should be a very exciting year down here. "They have the ability to play big, play small and (Drew) Gooden and (Shawn) Marion give them a whole different look.'' Fort Worth Star-Telegram

The heart and soul of the Mavericks had his own heart and soul dragged through a meat grinder in a messy and public breakup that took a heavy toll on a fiercely guarded man. Nowitzki didn't let it show, especially in the arena where he makes his living, but the wounds run deep and may never completely heal. "I was really not the kind of guy that walked around trusting everybody, anyways, but it still happened," Nowitzki said Monday on the eve of his 12th NBA training camp. "It is what it is. I'm not going to change who I am. "I always have fun with people. I like being around people here and there. I don't know if it's going to change me a lot. Obviously my goal is still to have family here sooner or later. I better start trusting somebody soon." NBA.com

"It was a huge shock," he said. "I had to deal with it. The first two or three days you go through all the emotions. It's a little bit of a roller coaster -- you're sad, you're mad, you're angry, disappointed -- it all goes through your head, but I still had a job to do." NBA.com

"It showed me that I'm mentally tougher than a lot of people think," he said. "I played through that, I played through injuries and I always felt like I was pretty tough. I might not be the most physically tough player, but mentally I'm right up there." Nowitzki found some solace in a comfortably worn piece of leather before 20,000 strangers. "It wasn't easy, for sure," he said. "All you think about is just that one thing, but more than anything basketball was almost a little bit of an escape. For an hour-and-a-half or two hours in the day I'm doing what I love to do. The Playoffs still going on kind of helped me in a way. It almost made me feel like there was nothing going on." NBA.com

On the topic of text messaging, Vince Carter knew exactly where I was headed when I brought up texts from Stan. But he wasn't as startled by it as Matt Barnes was. Apparently Nets coach Lawrence Frank would text at all hours of the day and night. Every other day, Carter said. Orlando Sentinel

Felton and others are talking a lot about running more this season. This is a team with the speed to run the break, particularly when you add Tyson Chandler's athleticism at center. Brown is all for that, if the wing players are motivated to get out in front of the point guard to make running efficient. We'll see. Charlotte Observer

George Thomas: Anderson Varejao has changed his jumpshot. Looks less awkward. Twitter.com

Curry ran up and down the floor without much difficulty (by his standards, anyhow), although he said he still feels something in the right calf he tweaked a week ago. It's the first time he's run fullcourt in a week since that injury plus a hamstring tweak. D'Antoni, though, expects him to get some minutes in Sunday's preseason opener. Bergen Record

The three most important faces inside the gym at Skidmore College today were - in order of importance - William Wesley, Danilo Gallinari and Eddy Curry. The Knicks need all three if Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni hope to crack the 41-win barrier sometime before 2020. Wesley, know as “World Wide Wes” is one of the movers and shakers in NBA circles. He has a close relationship with Donnie Walsh, who asked Wesley to oversee Curry’s off-season workout program. More importantly, Wesley is also an advisor/confidant/friend of LeBron James. New York Daily News

The Orlando Magic have reportedly handed general manager Otis Smith and head coach Stan Van Gundy contract extensions. The Orlando Sentinel is reporting the Magic picked up the options on their existing pacts, with Van Gundy retained through next season and Smith through the 2011-12 campaign. FanIQ

Wallace, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, was pleased that Kuester's first practice involved him emphasizing the need for strong play defensively. "There’s not a team in this league, regardless of what people might think or people might say, that can’t score the basketball," Wallace said. "But the good teams are the ones that can do both; can score and get stops. Some nights, you can’t really control if that ball goes in the basket or not. But you can always control your defensive energy; you can get up and pressure guys, make their job tough. you can control that." Booth Newspapers

How have you seen the organization change under Larry Miller? Paul Allen: “Well Larry’s done a great job helping the franchise reconnect with the community and the fans. The sellouts and all those aspects of how the business has gone really, in our financials, really reflect that. Not that there isn’t room for further improvement, but he’s done a great job.” What are your expectations for the team this season? “They’re high. I think, obviously, the minimum expectation would be to get out of the first round of the playoffs. Now where we go after that, I think that will be a great story as the season unfolds.” Oregonian

Are you optimistic that you will work out an extension with LaMarcus Aldridge by end of month? “We have made some progress there. So, yeah, I am optimistic.” Oregonian

As you go forward, how do you balance the finances of this franchise? You’ve got ongoing negotiations with Aldridge and multiple players in contract years and Greg Oden’s contract will come up soon. “That’s something you have to look at very carefully and look at all the financial projections and then you may, down the road, you may have some very tough decisions about whether you extend players and for how long and the total amounts. So, yeah, that’s something you look at very carefully. You look at some of the very successful franchises, they’ve managed to figure out how to do that and still have a very successful franchise.” Oregonian

Are you happy with the offseason, getting Brandon Roy locked up and signing Andre Miller? “Yeah. There are always challenges in the offseason. Some of these contracts are very important to have the right structure for the franchise, so they may end up taking longer than you might think initially. But that’s just part of running a franchise. So I think it’s been a very significant offseason. We’ve had some ups and downs, but I think we’re in a great place now." Oregonian

Would you be disappointed if this team didn’t make the playoffs? “If we didn’t make the playoffs? Yeah, we’d all be disappointed. I think everyone in the franchise would be disappointed if we didn’t make the playoffs.” Oregonian

Adrian Wojnarowski: NBA chastises refs further in memo: "Earlier in the negotiations, NBRA representatives reneged on previously agreed-upon concessions..." Twitter.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: NBA's RIck Buchanan told teams in memo: "This is not the first time that commitments made by the NBRA's negotiators were not met." Twitter.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: NBA plans to further inform teams about replacement refs later today, league office has told them. Twitter.com

The referees are locked out again, and their union and the NBA have been unable to reach a deal since the contract expired Sept. 1. Both sides said they have made concessions, but they remain at odds mainly over pension, retirement and severance packages. Portions of the negotiations have been acrimonious as the sides strive to resolve their issues by the start of the regular season Oct. 27. Lamell McMorris, the union's chief negotiator and spokesman, took himself out of negotiations Monday and general counsel Brian Lam is now in charge. The NBA players' union supports the regular referees. "Players throughout the league are concerned that the use of replacement referees could compromise the integrity of our games," Derek Fisher, the National Basketball Players Association president and Los Angeles Lakers guard, said in a statement. "Our fans deserve the best product that we can put on the court and that includes having the best referees. Anything less is unacceptable to our union and our members." USA Today

The D-League training program has produced every NBA official hired since 2002, according to the league, and 30% of the league's officials have D-League experience. "They're coming out of our pipeline. They've been trained by our supervisors," said Litvin, who added there will be closer monitoring of replacement referees this time than in 1995. "We've got an observer in every one of our arenas," Litvin said. "So if there's a referee who can't cut it at that level, that's it, he won't be scheduled for any more games. We didn't have that kind of oversight in '95." The referees' union, not surprisingly, doesn't share the NBA's optimism. "The NBA referees are eager to get back to work," the union's Lloyd Pierson said. "We've been in communication with the NBA, and we're doing everything possible to get a contract done. The NBA referees are the best in the world, and the coaches, players and fans all deserve to have them out there." USA Today

Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown has been around long enough to have experienced replacement referees twice in the NBA. He's hoping to avoid a third such experience. The league has locked out its refs in a labor dispute, and the NBA is gathering up replacements from the developmental league, the WNBA, etc. Brown says you don't realize how good NBA refs are until they're absent. "If you talk to all the players and all the coaches, we might have differences (with certain referees) but you realize how good those guys really are. They work their (butts) off to be great at it,'' Brown said. "So it's a very difficult thing for me, personally. I've been with a lot of those guys my whole career. I've watched them get better. "If we're going to get young (refs) coming in, I don't know if they're ready -- just like our (rookies).'' Charlotte Observer

The film, which feels more like a heartfelt coming of age sports movie than a documentary, started out as writer/director Kristopher Belman's college project and turned into what would become a seven-year venture for the Akron, Ohio, native. After much hesitation, Belman got the OK from James' coach, Dru Joyce II, to film a closed practice one day. One day turned in to two, and then three. "They never said 'hey, you gotta stop coming,' but they never said you can come either and then after awhile I was kinda like an unofficial member of the team that couldn't play basketball," Belman says. "In a lot of ways I felt like that kid in 'Almost Famous.'" Soon Belman realized he had stumbled on a larger and much more compelling story than a 10-minute student project, a story of friendship, childhood struggles and the journey of future NBA superstar LeBron James' national-championship winning senior season of high school, which became riddled with controversy as the expense of unmatched fame. ESPN.com

The Panini Group, the NBA's exclusive trading card partner, has signed four-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers as its official company spokesman and global trading card ambassador. Bryant's exclusive multi-year agreement with Panini includes autographs, memorabilia, and a joint charitable component. The deal is a landmark one for the trading-card industry and will help to re-energize the basketball collectibles market both in the United States and Internationally. NBA.com

Do you feel there's extra pressure for you to be the go-to guy on this team, considering the fact you've played in the NBA and this is a first-year franchise? Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf: I don't feel that at all on this team. Coach Benoit and (assistant) coach (Kazuto) Aono have made it clear they want everybody to be successful. Of course, we know that on certain nights some guys are going to be hotter than other guys, that's just how the game fluctuates. I can be hot in the first quarter, somebody else might get hot, and then I might be hot again in the fourth quarter. Everything ends up in a triangle (our offense). If we run the right plays, you can have balanced scoring across the board night in and night out. Japan Times

Are you an avid follower of the NBA nowadays? Abdul-Rauf: No. Even when I was playing, I really wasn't an avid follower, definitely not now. The game for me is not the same for me as when I came out. Honestly, I think in some cases it's watered down. I don't think the skill level is where it used to be. I was fortunate to come through the league when Magic (Johnson), (Larry) Bird and Joe Dumars played, and I played against Dale Ellis when nailing down the jump shot, hitting free throws, setting guys up and executing pick-and-rolls were vital. (Many players are in the league) for eight, nine years and still can't improve on a mid-range jump shot. That's a travesty: make all that money and not make any improvements. (He lists Denver guard Chauncey Billups, Pistons guard Richard Hamilton and Hornets guard Chris Paul as players he enjoys watching from time to time.) Japan Times

A New Jersey prosecutor who heads the office that tried Jayson Williams for manslaughter says he reacted with "anger and disappointment" when he found out that an investigator had used a racial slur to describe the former NBA star. But Hunterdon County Prosecutor J. Patrick Barnes says he didn't think to try and remove former Capt. William Hunt, who is white, from the case. Barnes testified Tuesday in state Superior Court. Williams' defense team is seeking to show that the investigation was racially biased. AP

Hunt, who was the highest-ranking investigator in the prosecutor's office in 2002, said he used the racial slur in frustration while watching Williams handle a firearm on a video and hearing about his alleged treatment of Christofi before the shooting. Hunt said he knew the word was harmful. “Do you believe the use of that term under any circumstance is appropriate for a law enforcement officer?” Williams' attorney William Martin asked. “No sir,” Hunt said. Newark Star-Ledger

Jonathan Abrams: Monta Ellis may ask out of the Warriors too soon, via some1 in his camp. Still bitterness on both sides from the mo-ped fiasco. Twitter.com

Though it figures to be a hot topic of conversation all season, LeBron James did not want to talk about his contract situation Monday. After announcing in August he would not sign an extension this summer, he has been asked about his contract repeatedly during his worldwide media tour promoting his new shoe, book and movie. "Next summer is next summer," James said. "When it's time to deal with it, I'll deal with it." Cleveland Plain Dealer

The same went for Shaquille O'Neal, who is on the final year of his deal and repeatedly brought up his desire for a new contract during his first news conference as a Cav in June. In fact, O'Neal vowed not to discuss his deal or James' this season. "I won't mention my situation, I won't mention his situation, I'll just come play," O'Neal said. "My mother told me not to say anything about it because I've been the luckiest athlete in the world. I've had three great deals in one career, so if I can get one more, good. If not, I'll try something else." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Now, as he enters the final year of a contract that will have him as the highest-paid player in the league this season ($23 million), there is some sentiment that McGrady could most valuable as a trade commodity to the Rockets this season. "I answer that question the same for every player," Morey said. "If there's a chance to upgrade, we're going ti have to look at it this year." McGrady shrugs off any such thoughts. "I'm not worried about it contract-wise," he said. "It's more important for me, for myself. I don't have to prove to nobody that I still got it. I'm here to prove to myself that I'm capable of coming back from this injury and being the type of player I want to be. If I do that, the contract takes care of itself. That's not why I'm doing it. Not at all." NBA.com

When asked how talks were coming, Rondo said, “Ask my agent. “I don’t really think about that, I just try to focus on camp,’’ he said. “If it’s going to happen it’s going to happen. If not, I’ll play it out. I want to be wherever I’m wanted the next 10 years. If Danny wants me, I’ll be here the next 10 years.’’ Boston Globe

“Our intention is to have Rondo as our franchise point guard for a decade,’’ he said. “And I think Rondo wants to be here for a long time as well. So these things are just about dollar amounts. But it has no bearing on where we are with him, how we feel about him, or our intentions. It’s just, we may do something in October and we may do something next summer - we’ll have the ability to match. Just play that by ear.’’ Boston Globe

Ainge said he met with Rondo and his agent, Bill Duffy, last week and had a “great conversation.’’ Rondo said, “I have sat down with Danny, but we didn’t speak about contract, we talked about expectations for the season. I try to focus on trying to get a ring. Got to get one this year. I don’t think [the contract] will be on my mind; I won’t allow it to affect me when I play. But, of course, everyone wants security and it would be great if I could sign now. But the focus is the ring. I’ll let my agent handle the contract and just play.’’ Boston Globe

LaMarcus Aldridge expressed displeasure and confusion Monday afternoon at the unresolved status of his contract negotiations with the Trail Blazers. Speaking publicly for the first time since negotiations started in July, Aldridge said at the team's annual media day that he was stunned the Blazers had not signed him to a long-term contract, particularly considering the prominent role he has played in helping transform the franchise into a Western Conference power. "I didn't think it would take this long," Aldridge said. "I thought that after what we did last year, having 54 wins and after the big change that's happened ... here, I just felt like it wouldn't be this hard to get it done. But it is. I can't say that I'm happy about it." Oregonian

Aldridge refused to say if he was optimistic a deal would get done before the deadline, but he did offer one dose of optimism for Blazers fans. "The contract (situation) is not going to affect my training or my games or anything like that," he said. "I can tell you all and all the fans that I'm about playing basketball, I'm about winning. So I'm going to play hard and I'm always going to do what I do. I'm going to be the same guy." Oregonian

What are your personal expectations? Travis Outlaw: I know it's my contract year. That's not my biggest focus. My biggest focus is I want to win. I want to get back to the playoffs. I want to have that same feeling again. Try to overcome last year's playoffs. I want to get back to that same situation. BlazersEdge.com

Memphis Grizzlies guard Marko Jaric is expected to seek a contract buyout from the Grizzlies if a team willing to trade for Jaric can't be found, his agent said Monday. The Grizzlies announced earlier Monday that they have given agent Bill Duffy permission to search for a new home for Jaric after the sides mutually agreed that the 30-year-old would not attend Memphis' training camp in Birmingham, Ala, or play in preseason games. ESPN.com

In 53 games, Jaric averaged just 2.6 points in 11.4 minutes per game and shot 33.1 percent from the field. "This is pretty much a mutual thing," Jaric's agent, Bill Duffy, said Monday. "Very much cooperative between the Grizzlies and us. We would also likely consider a buyout if a trade is not tenable. This just gives us freedom to look around." ESPN.com

Rookie Lester Hudson, who has worked out patiently all summer without a contract, walked onto the floor with a new one-year deal in hand. “I was very anxious about it,” he said. “But it’s a great feeling. I got to work out with all of the guys on this team.” Hudson appears to be the last guard - and the 15th man - on the roster. Boston Herald

The Celtics begin training camp with 16 players, one over the maximum, after the signings of second-round pick Lester Hudson and free agent forward Michael Sweetney. Still recovering from offseason foot surgery, Tony Allen isn’t ready to go full tilt yet. Worcester Telegram

Florent Pietrus is not going to the NBA, according to the president of Valencia Basket. Marca.com

During his media availability Monday, Brown was asked about what the Bobcats could have done for a backup power forward. Brown mentioned that Drew Gooden was available. Brown mentioned that Hakim Warrick was available. Brown mentioned that Antonio McDyess was available. You'll notice that none of those players are on the Bobcats roster as training camp starts here Tuesday morning. What does that tell you about the Bobcats' commitment to winning? Charlotte Observer

Atkins, who became a free agent after accepting a buyout agreement from Minnesota last week, said playing time was not a major factor in his decision to return to Detroit. “I’m 35, and I’m coming off a situation where I’ve been injured for the last two years,” said Atkins who was limited to just 32 games last season. “This will be my first training camp in three years. I needed to come to training camp and play and get my feet back wet. Whatever happens, happens. It’s a long season. “I’m happy to be back and I’m ready.” Michigan Live

The Lakers signed four forwards today, including former UCLA standout Michael Fey, boosting their roster to 17 players for the start of training camp Tuesday. The NBA champions also signed Tony Gaffney, Mickael Gelabale and David Monds. Los Angeles Daily News

Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith is not the most forthcoming GM in the league, in fact most would say he is downright dishonest at times. Yesterday during Magic media day Otis was called out on his repeated off-season misdirection with regards to the contract of Marcin Gortat, and all but admitted he using the press and says he will continue to do so to meet his own ends. "I don't think I mislead anybody as it relates to the backup center thing," said Smith in response to questions about why he "lied" about Marcin Gortat. "I think early on in the process I think what I was saying was actually accurate. " "I woke up one morning and started laughing. I talked to ownership and said let's do it a different way and they agreed, so from that stand point you don't just let him walk out the door." HoopsWorld.com

While Smith will generally engage the media openly, he also admits he doesn't spend much time reading anyone, explaining that he has two staffers that review materials and provide him what he "needs to see" "I generally don't read what y'all write, and that's just the truth. I have said this before; it just distorts my thought process. You just can't read all that crap out there and think that it's true..." HoopsWorld.com

Despite a track record that says if Otis says one thing, you can almost bet on the opposite, Smith says if the media asks him the right question, he'll be honest; he's just not helping anyone do their job and enjoys making the media squirm. "If you ask the right question, I'll give you the right answer, but if you're going to dance, like you all have a tendency to do, I am gonna dance too. I am pretty good at dancin'." HoopsWorld.com

Stoudemire is on the fifth representation team of his career, dropping Charles Grantham as his agent after a year and hiring Happy Walters. Arizona Republic

Stephen Jackson, speaking publicly for the first time since demanding a trade last month, stood by his statements and probably managed to avoid another league fine while discussing a variety of topics Monday. "What I said is how I feel, point blank. That's not going to change," Jackson said. "It doesn't feel good to me, that ever since I've been here, I've been a big part of getting this organization back to a winning attitude - if not the biggest part - and every year, I've lost somebody who helped me get to that. ... "It feels like I'm next. It feels like we're not getting better." San Francisco Chronicle

Jackson said his relationship with Rowell has changed, and that he arrived in Oakland just in time for media day so no one would ask him to read a statement. "I'm not a puppet," Jackson said. "I didn't want anybody to throw some piece of paper in my face and say, 'You need to say this to save face.' I'm not doing that. That would be going against all the stuff I stand for and why people respect me in this league and call me the ultimate teammate." San Francisco Chronicle

"I don't have a regret about anything I've done. I don't have a regret about going in the stands with Ron Artest." -- Stephen Jackson

"He could have not shown up today, but he's here and that shows his leadership and his accountability to his teammates," forward Corey Maggette said. "I guarantee you that Tuesday morning, when we come in for practice, Jack will be here and will be working on things that will help us win," Turiaf said. "He's the ultimate competitor. He wants to win every single game, every single shooting drill, everything. I can look you straight in the eyes and tell you that this will not become anything controversial among the players." San Francisco Chronicle

LeBron said he didn’t talk to Shaq that night but the two talked the next day. “He just told me to keep working hard,” LeBron said. “That’s what I remembered.” Now that Shaq and LeBron are together, Shaq said he doesn’t know why there’s talk about whether or not these two superstars can coexist. He said that won’t be an issue at all. “Every great team with a 1-2 punch, the big man has always been that other guy,” Shaq said. Akron Beacon Journal

Brian Windhorst: Shaq on his uniform shorts being a bit too small on day 1: "My shorts were kind of Brad Daugherty-ish." Twitter.com

Lewis will open the regular season serving his 10-game suspension for violating the NBA's Anti-Drug Agreement last spring. He tested positive for a banned substance (commonly known as DHEA) that was found in an over-the-counter supplement he was taking. "I still feel like I did nothing wrong,'' he said. "I've received more support than negative feedback. It's only 10 games in an 82-game season. It's not going to make or break us. When Game 11 comes, I'll be ready to go.'' FanHouse.com

The Magic have been laying the groundwork for what became a repeated statement today from virtually everyone associated with the team - newly acquired Vince Carter is not being brought to Orlando to change his game. "I am still going to be me," explained Vince Carter. "Coach Van Gundy told me Day 1, he said 'just be the guy you have been for eleven years' and that's what I am going to do. "This is probably the best team from top to bottom that I have ever been on. This is exciting and why this is going to be a special year for me. "I guess the days of me sitting in the second row at playoff games are over; because I get to play in them, I think I can bring something to the team... we'll see what happens." HoopsWorld.com

Dwight is also not concerned about his point guard returning from injury either. "Jameer just wants to play. He wants to win. The way he got to that level is because we won games, because we sacrificed and that's what it takes. He is not worried about getting to the All-Star game or having big numbers, Jameer wants to get back to the championship. That's all of our goals." HoopsWorld.com

JJ Redick said his favorite website was www.hoopshype.com and said he believes 90% of the league reads it daily. Twitter.com

Boston swingman Bill Walker played one year at Kansas State with Michael Beasley and the two are close friends. Walker said he is confident his buddy will return stronger after a recent stint in a rehabilitation center. "I talked to him before he went in and I don't think he has a problem at all," Walker said. "He probably made the wrong choice with that picture leaked on the Internet somehow. It was a bad choice. I think he's paid for it and I think it will just make him better. He's one of those guys who's highly motivated. People have criticized him his whole life, about him being lazy when he was coming up. He's not a lazy guy at all. "This is really going to light a fire under him. I'm looking forward to seeing him play." Boston Globe

When asked if starting was important to him, the person who deflected controversy, guarded his true feelings and concealed his passion to the point some wondered if it existed last season, replied emphatically: "It's very important to me. I love Joel (Przybilla) to death, but look, I want that starting spot," Oden said. Oregonian

"I see a different person," general manager Kevin Pritchard said. "He's willing to smile now and we know Greg cares. You can see that he cares. I think the key is that he doesn't feel the weight of the world on his shoulders, that he can be Greg Oden (and) he doesn't have to be anybody else." Oregonian

There's no question that a looser, less stressed and seemingly liberated Oden roamed the Rose Garden on Monday. So where did this transformation come from? It all started on June 16, when assistant coach Bill Bayno arrived in Columbus, Ohio, to put Oden through a relentless and meticulous offseason workout. Four times a week, twice a day, Oden underwent a series of rigorous basketball drills designed to expand his offensive game, polish his shot-blocking and rebounding ability and improve his conditioning. Oregonian

Morning sessions lasted roughly 90 minutes and always concluded with Oden running full-court sprints and stairs. Then, in the evening, Oden would return to the gymnasium for pickup games, where he would experiment with the tools he had been working on with Bayno. "I killed him -- just killed him," Bayno said. "I mean I pushed him really hard and he never batted an eye. He accepted it, took it, and enjoyed it. I'm telling you, he's made a ton of progress." Oregonian

Nicolas Batum, last season's starter at small forward, admitted Monday that his ambition was to start. Moments later, however, when Martell Webster spoke, he relayed a different message. After starting two seasons ago and missing virtually all of last season with a foot injury, Webster said starting is not his primary concern. "I don't blame (Batum), that's great motivation," Webster said. "For me, that's just not where my mind is this year, for this team. For me it's just going out there and doing what I'm capable of doing and whatever it is that coach asks me. I don't care about the starting position. That doesn't mean much to me. Most importantly to me ... is being on the court when the buzzer rings. I want to finish games." Oregonian

Miller on Monday didn't exactly come across as a contented player - and that was well before he was bombarded in 72 different ways about McMillan naming Steve Blake as the starting point guard on Day 1 of camp. Turns out, Miller wasn't just frosty with the media, but Blazers employees as well. He was none too happy about having to take a physical for the second time since his July signing, and rather irritated about some of the stops players have to make during their media-day tour. He had done much of these promotional spots in July, he figured. So a day that started for most players at 2 p.m. started at 10 a.m. for Miller and extended well past 3 p.m. Oregonian

Still, for how transparent his displeasure was Monday _ which on this team makes him stick out - Miller said all the right things. He said Blake being the starter meant nothing on Day 1 of camp. And really, he said, all he wants to do is play. I’m dismissing Monday as Miller having a bad day. As an accomplished veteran, he should be afforded some respect in regards to some of the tasks for which he had to wait around. And I can understand what appears to be a lukewarm (at best) opinion of the media. A lot of guys just don’t like dealing with reporters/bloggers/etc. Oregonian

“And we still have Blake,’’ Roy said. “Right now, I am extremely comfortable playing with Steve Blake. I know what he wants, I know he knows where to get me (the ball), and I think that's why coach says he is going to start Blake, until we can build a chemistry. But I always go back to this: I am comfortable playing with Steve Blake.’’ Oregonian

Every person I’ve ran into who has met Juwan Howard for the first time can’t contain how impressed they are with him. He is a wise man who is very comfortable with himself. I still say he will be quoted more than he plays this season, though. Oregonian

Is this the best roster since you've been on the Blazers? Travis Outlaw: We got a lot more veterans on the team. That means a lot more people are going to speak up so much Nate yelling at us so much. You feel better with your teammate yelling at you than the coach yelling at you. I don't know why. I feel like I've gotta go if he's mad. BlazersEdge.com

Eddy Curry seems to be a new man. “Physically and mentally I’m doing well,” he said during the Knicks’ Media Day on Monday. “I can’t even believe this day is here. It kind of came fast, but I’m ready.” Following a season in which he totaled just 12 minutes in three games due to knee problems that ultimately affected his conditioning, the 6-foot-11 center stuck to an intense workout regimen over the summer and weighed in at a respectable 317 pounds when he arrived in New York two weeks ago. He is clearly in the best shape he’s been in since 2007-08, when he averaged 26 minutes in 59 games. “I didn’t really have a goal in mind,” Curry said of his offseason workout plan. “I just wanted to keep working out, I wanted to take as much pressure off my knees and I wanted to try to find my rhythm.” Knicks.com

There were times last season when Eddy Curry didn't think he could do it. His car would pull into the players' parking lot at the Knicks' practice facility and he would wonder how he was going to do his job, how he was going to get through another basketball practice when all he wanted to do was be with his family. "I had to come in here and almost fake it," he said yesterday. "All I thought of is the stuff I was dealing with off the court." Newsday

“I think Eddy has basically worked on his body the whole summer and worked very hard,” Knicks President Donnie Walsh said. “He’s put himself in a position to come into training camp, but he hasn’t played NBA basketball. He hasn’t gone up and down the court at the speed you’ll go even in practice in the NBA. I think it’s going to take him time to get back into the flow. He hasn’t played in an NBA game in one and a half years, so that may take some time. Knicks.com

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Some Suns found Terry Porter hard to follow as their coach and Shaquille O'Neal difficult to have around as a teammate last season. Both are gone, moved out by the Suns' volition. Happiness moved into the vacancy. Removed from the dread of being labeled underachievers and playing an unfamiliar style, the Suns' spirits took off Monday with their charter flight to San Diego for the start of a six-day training camp Tuesday. Arizona Republic

"It's got to be better," Nash said of the atmosphere after a season of unrest, meetings, self-pity and disappointment. "We have to have a better vision from the outset. When you're not clear on who you are, it's hard to have a great chemistry. Last year, we had a lot of uncertainty. This year, we're going to be much clearer on who we are and how we have to play and that's going to allow us to build a chemistry and belief in one another. Arizona Republic

The latter comes out of O'Neal's absence. His persona is far bigger than him, casting a shadow and influence over everything that was as hard to move as his feet on screen-and-roll defense. "He's a dominating personality, which I love, and someone who forces his will on everything," forward Jared Dudley said. "With him, you either love it or hate it. There's no middle." Kerr said the attention O'Neal demands can be overwhelming. "That's probably refreshing for the guys to have something more manageable and fresher," Kerr said. "It gives us an opportunity to forge our own identity." Arizona Republic

Suns' head coach Alvin Gentry is giving the nod to Frye, which is something he confirmed to the assembled media on Monday. "I would say that if I had to do it today that Channing probably will be the starting center," Gentry said. "But we will go to camp and that will take care of itself." FanHouse.com

Sixers president Ed Stefanski and head coach Eddie Jordan have referred to starting center Samuel Dalembert as the guy who'll be the "X factor" if the Sixers are to be a playoff team in the Eastern Conference. But that wasn't wasn’t enough to appease Dalembert at Monday's media day. “I’ve been hearing that for so many years,” Dalembert said. “You can go out there and choose five of my games and see why I don’t produce – you cannot produce when you’re not on the floor. It’s tough to be the X factor of the team not knowing if you’re going to play 12 minutes or 17 minutes. “All I wanted to do was be the best at what I do, which is rebounding and defense. Me starting and not playing the second quarter and fourth quarter for 14 games in a row (last season) when you’re supposed to be the X factor, it’s tough to buy that.” PhillyBurbs.com

Maybe J.R. Smith will start. Maybe he won’t. This was never a clear-cut decision. Even should be in the eyes of Smith’s biggest fans, it isn’t with the person who matters most – his coach. And this is what Nuggets coach George Karl says on the subject of inserting J.R. Smith into the starting lineup this season: “I’ve never said that J.R is gonna start. I said that we would go to that avenue, that’s the next step for J.R. My general thought is I think we’re more into keeping the bench together. And the bench being Chris (Andersen), (Anthony Carter) and J.R., and messing with the starting lineup (rather) than messing with both.” Denver Post

Now that the politically correct answer was on the record, Dalembert was asked whether he was happy to still be here, in light of his trade request last season. "You ask to make a change for reasons, and obviously we talked about it, and it's not a secret or anything like that," he said. "I have nothing against anybody. You just got to do what you got to do." Philadelphia Daily News

When asked whether he hoped to be traded this summer, his response was: "I'm not going to talk about hoping. I mean, we talked to nobody. I just let my agent take care of that." Philadelphia Daily News

A candid, borderline cheerful Beno discussed the abominable 17-win season with Sacramento media Monday. And his opinion on what went wrong was impossible to misinterpret: blame coaches Reggie Theus and Kenny Natt. "Sometimes last season, I didn't know if I was a small forward or a point guard," the 6'3 Udrih said. "We were definitely confused. We didn't have roles." FanHouse.com

Udrih insisted Monday that coaches never really put the team -- or the ball -- in his hands. "As a point guard, am I just supposed to dribble past half-court and pass the ball? That's how it happened, because everyone wanted the ball, and the coach didn't set roles," Udrih said. "Coaches have to set roles." FanHouse.com

"I just see Sergio [Rodriguez] and I as being the real point guards, the pure point guards," Udrih said. "I see Tyreke as playing the one and the two, as a combination." Kings coach Paul Westphal wouldn't commit to a starter at the position, though Evans starting at point guard during Vegas Summer League and Kevin Martin is the incumbent at two-guard. FanHouse.com

"I think we've added some really nice pieces," agrees Dirk Nowitzki. "I think Shawn Marion should give us more options athletically, especially defensively on the wings. We've always had trouble guarding the scoring three and two-guards. Drew Gooden is solid on both ends of the floor. With Tim Thomas, we were in the bottom five or six in three-point shooting last season and he can help us in that area. I think Quinton Ross is a solid defender at the two spot, and I've heard Frenchy (Roddy Beaubois) is pretty fast, though I haven't seen him play. I'll check him out and see what he's got during camp. I'm excited. I haven't played . . .this is my first summer off in the last eleven or twelve years, so I'm looking forward to playing again, and practicing and competing." HoopsWorld.com

Shawn Marion and Jason Kidd played together in Phoenix, and Marion was quick to say he was amazed at how old Kidd has gotten. Kidd shot back, joking, of course, that he was glad Marion has learned to express himself, saying it will make his job easier. The chemistry between the two is absolutely palpable. They're going to be fun to watch this season. HoopsWorld.com

Gay, known for his dry sense of humor, was in mid-season form -- a good sign considering how rough things got last winter. He acknowledged as much. When a reporter asked Mayo whether any of his teammates exhibited poor body language last season, Gay interjected. "I think he's talking about me," he said, causing Mayo to laugh. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Mayo and Gay downplayed their own rumored rift. Mayo said they spent a lot of time together this summer, practicing and lifting and forming more of a bond. Mayo said last season was difficult for everyone involved. "We hated losing," Mayo said. "We just kept losing and kept losing. But we had an opportunity to work out right after the season, and I think it's going to be a really good year for us. The offseason additions were great, and the work we put it was great." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Rodney Stuckey, on whether he was overwhelmed at times last season in dealing with the Richard Hamilton and Allen Iverson drama, coupled with then-head coach Michael Curry wanting him to be more aggressive. “Yeah. That pretty much sums up the whole season last year. I was overwhelmed, confused. But hey, it’s part of growing up and being a man. That’s how it’s going to be sometimes. I think a lot of guys are happy that’s in the past, and we’re just looking ahead to the future.” Pistons.com

Baron Davis looks fantastic, a shadow of his 2008 self. How did he get in such good shape over the summer? “Crack,” Davis said in jest, before attributing his svelte physique to a summer regimen that had him either in the gym or in Asia — both sure-fire ways to drop LBs. Nobody professes to be more excited about Davis’ conditioning than Mike Dunleavy. “At times last season I thought — because of conditioning — that he got tired and settled for too many 3-point shots,” Dunleavy said. “I’ve been in the gym with him and he’s worked all summer.” ClipperBlog.com

When asked how he’d respond if he were consigned to the second unit as the proverbial “energy guy off the bench,” Al Thornton took a long, long, long pause, as if he’d never even considered the prospect that such a thing were even possible. Al Thornton is probably the most agreeable, chill, easy-going personality you’ll come into contact with in the Clippers’ locker room, but he’s still a competitor and the idea of not starting was greeted with consternation. A resigned sigh followed that lengthy pause and then, after a false start or two, Al, like a child being forced to apologize to his sibling, said that he’d accept the role if it were truly for “the betterment of the team.” ClipperBlog.com

This last gem Fesenko gave me about one reason he's gonna be improved this season: "I changed a lot of things in my life - in my out of the court life - so I think it will help me a lot." Now picture a big smile on his face. "I have a girlfriend now. WOOO!" (Here's where I personally thank Kevin O'Connor and the Jazz brass for keeping Fesenko around for another year.) Deseret Morning News

Charlie Villanueva was a top-10 pick coming out of the University of Connecticut in 2005, and has averaged double figures scoring every season with limited playing time. Despite those lofty on-the-court accomplishments, it’s Villanueva’s postings on a social networking site (twitter.com) that have made him one of the league’s more popular players. “Twitter is all fun and games,” said Villanueva, who as of Monday evening had more than 59,000 people following him on twitter.com. “It’s a way to stay connected with the fans. The fans deserve that, and I have a good time doing it.” Michigan Live

The Bucks are banning the use of Twitter any time a player is at the team's St. Francis practice facility, the Bradley Center or any road arena, coach Scott Skiles said Monday at the team's media day. "Their free time is their free time and their work time is their work time," Skiles said. "I don't think there's anything unreasonable about that." USA Today

Jonny Flynn: Jus arrived in Mankato. An exotic island with tropical weather and the clearest ocean you would ever see. Nah im in MN. I think I seen snow. Twitter.com

However, professional leagues have been cracking down of late on exactly when players can use social networking sites such as twitter.com. The NFL has established rules for use of the social networking site, and the NBA is reportedly set to announce its own rules on social networking sites this week. “That’s the Villanueva rule,” quipped Villanueva, who garnered national attention last season in Milwaukee when he used the social networking site during halftime of a game. Pistons.com

While his teammates open training camp Tuesday for the 2009-10 NBA season, McGrady will continue rehabilitation on his surgically repaired left knee. "Listen, I won't make the mistake I made last year," he said. Twelve months ago, McGrady sat at the same table, behind the same microphone and the same bank of TV lights and vowed to struggle through lingering pain in the same knee that had undergone surgery the previous spring. NBA.com

"It was in my head from the time I left and until the end of the season," McGrady said. "That is embedded in my head, no question. "I think going through last year made me re-focus. Going through that injury and going through everything about last season, I got frustrated. When you've got to deal with injuries like that, it's hard to love the game of basketball. It's hard to get up in the morning and go play the game, because you can't be yourself. And that's how it was last year. It was hard for me to come here knowing that 'I can't be me.' That was the toughest thing about it. I know I'm better than that. NBA.com

Everyone is in agreement, according to Morey. “He wants to be 100 percent when he gets back,” Morey said. “He wants to be able to go on back-to-backs, to be able to fit in with the up-tempo style we're doing. He wants to be 100 percent. We want him 100 percent.” McGrady rushed back onto the court in 2008-09, and, as he said Monday, “all hell fell loose.” Houston Chronicle

McGrady believes he might have dispelled a nagging myth along the way. “He had to apologize to me,” McGrady said of Grover, whose high-profile clients include Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Gilbert Arenas and Dwyane Wade. “You can read a lot in the press about ballplayers, read things on the Internet about how hard they work. You just don't do some of the things I've done on the basketball court without working hard. I don't give a damn about how much talent you have. You have to work hard. That's the huge misconception about myself. Houston Chronicle

Garnett said that scrimmage last week left him "huffing and puffing." But, he added, "It's like riding a bike; it comes back to you." "I feel pretty good," he said. "I don't like to take time off. But it was for good reasons. My leg is right on schedule to where it's supposed to be and mentally I'm refreshed. I think everybody is. "I think the fact of how we got ousted last year against Orlando is still fresh in our minds and I'm sure (coach) Doc (Rivers) is going to use that for some motivational tips this year throughout the year. Other than that, I think everybody here is pretty much ready to go." Boston Globe

While some players from the 2008 Olympic gold-medal team already have committed to play in next summer's world championships, James said he wasn't sure yet. He has committed to filming a movie next summer. Utah's Deron Williams said he would play and already has a schedule of events from USA Basketball. James said his schedule wasn't set. "We haven't finished all the logistics of when the movie will be shot, and if I decide to play on the team next summer when I'll have to report," James said. "I don't have an answer right now." Cleveland Plain Dealer

His is the most influential question without an answer, and so Geoff Petrie didn't flinch in the slightest when it was asked. The Kings basketball president knows he has one year left on his contract and no extension on his desk. He also knows that he's not about to start negotiations through the media. "It's really not an issue right now, I don't think, of much consequence," Petrie said at today's media day. "The job I have today is the most important job and it's not something I really spend a lot of time thinking about. Our relationship (betweeen him and Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof) is really strong. We've been through so much together through the years. To me, it's a non-issue. It's obviously a bridge that has to be crossed, but right now it's a bridge too far." Sacramento Bee

Hawkins’ desire now has turned into a discipleship of sorts by teaching a current Blazers roster – both young and old alike - about the realities of NBA life and life after the NBA. Hersey, 42, actually reached out to Vice President of Basketball Operations, Tom Penn - a person Hersey’s known since their college days – months ago about a position within the organization. At that point, Hersey was at a time in his life where he was interested in returning to the league having spent the last year as an assistant basketball coach for his son's team, Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear, Arizona and he was optimistic the Blazers might eventually have something in store for him. When Tom called Hersey over the summer and invited him to Portland for an interview with Tom, General Manager Kevin Pritchard, Head Coach Nate McMillan and even President Larry Miller, Hersey knew it was meant to be. Beyond the Beat

The Blazers however wanted to be sure Hawkins was committed. “A lot of guys who have played before, the one thing you wonder is, are they ready to work? These guys enjoy themselves but they do work and they work extremely hard,” Hawkins explained. “You don’t put together a team like this without working at it.” Beyond the Beat

For Hawkins – a devout Christian – his faith helped guide him through his journey in the league, a path often filled with the difficulties of the NBA lifestyle. “It’s extremely difficult,” Hawkins admitted. “Just the reputations of the league with everyone going out to strip clubs and you have to hear all of that stuff. The temptation is out there. That’s where having people to hold you accountable really comes into play and was fortunate to have those kind of guys across the league and you sort of look out for one another. The one thing I learned is, if you don’t put yourself in those kinds of situations where temptation is around you, then you don’t have to worry about it. That’s what I did. “After I left Charles Barkley in Philly, I didn’t really go out at all,” Hawkins said laughing. Beyond the Beat

The New Jersey Nets made a big splash last week with the announcement of Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov’s intention to buy controlling interest in the franchise. But in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing released late Friday afternoon, the news was much grimmer: Revenue from Nets ticket sales declined by nearly one-third last season. The filing — detailing the bottom line of Nets Sports and Entertainment LLC — demonstrated that while announced Nets attendance figures were similar in 2007-08 and 2008-09, the ticket sale revenue nosedived to $25.9 million from $37.4 million. Bergen Record

The NBA made another offer to its locked-out referees last Friday, and the refs' lead negotiator removed himself from the talks Monday after that offer was narrowly voted down by the union's executive board, ESPN.com has learned. The latest offer from the league was made Friday at a previously undisclosed bargaining session in Philadelphia. Sources familiar with the discussions said the union's five-man executive board met Sunday in Washington and turned down the proposal in a 3-2 vote, leading to the announcement Monday of the departure of lead negotiator Lamell McMorris from the talks. ESPN.com

One source told ESPN.com that the NBA made concessions Friday in two of the three areas in which the sides have been unable to reach agreement -- severance payments for referees who retire, and the number of game assignments that would be given to officials from the D-League and the WNBA. ESPN.com

But there was no budging from the NBA on a proposed change to the referees' pension plan, and the executive board of Steve Javie, Bob Delaney, Joey Crawford, Bill Spooner and Bennett Salvatore voted it down 3-2. ESPN.com

Ron Artest: My manager pitch a reality show to BET. They said I was to GHETTO.:) More than some hard core Rappers. Twitter.com

While Boylan is thrilled being a svelte 182 pounds now, he is hardly thrilled by the way he lost it. The 54-year-old Boylan was told back in May that had tongue cancer. “I had a sore throat for almost a year; it just kept bothering me,’’ Boylan said. “I went to a couple of different doctors and they weren’t sure what it was. “Finally, after a real frustrating time of not knowing exactly what was causing the problem, I had a MRI done and they discovered it.’’ Racine Journal-Times

Doctors found a tumor at the base of Boylan’s tongue, but were baffled at its origin. Boylan doesn’t smoke and his family doesn’t have any history of cancer. “It’s kind of a freaky thing because they didn’t know what caused it,’’ said Boylan, who gained local notoriety when he started at point guard on Marquette University’s NCAA championship team in 1977. “The doctor said it was kind of a perfect storm.’’ Racine Journal-Times

Boylan had a CT scan two weeks ago and was understandably relieved to learn he is cancer free. Boylan said he feels great and is excited about the upcoming season. Suffice to say, Boylan is ecstatic his “bad dream’’ is over. “It’s very shocking when the words are said to you that you have cancer,’’ Boylan said. “You go into some kind of unbelievable mode of not understanding why this was happening. “It’s not an easy journey; it’s a tough journey.’’ Racine Journal-Times

Kwame Brown is excited to get back into the flow of playing, if for no other reason than to take his mind off of what has been a difficult and trying summer. His mother, Joyce Brown, passed away this summer. “It’s hard to lose a rock like she was in my family,” said Brown, who is the seventh of eight children. “I kind of had to put the stone face on and do most of my crying in private. It’s tough. She meant so much to everyone in our family.” Pistons.com

Cavaliers guard Delonte West met with the media Monday, but he did not shed much light on the Sept. 17 incident in which he was arrested near his home in Washington, D.C., and charged with two counts of having a concealed handgun on his person, which is a misdemeanor in Maryland. West's first court date isn't until Nov. 20. "You have to respect the legal process," West said, repeating similar comments by Cavs GM Danny Ferry and coach Mike Brown. "I understand there [are] a lot of questions. Right now what I want to focus on is this team and playing basketball. Once details come out surrounding the situation, you'll see that it is not as big as some are making it. It is bad timing right before training camp, unfortunately, but all we can do is focus on basketball right now." Cleveland Plain Dealer

"I'm back taking my meds and everything," he said. "I'm focused on basketball. I'm dealing with some issues. I get highs and get lows. But all the last year I've been consistent being in a nice . . . routine. I was in a routine that I got out of this summer. I got away from it. "But just coming back here, driving into Cleveland, it was like getting a breath of fresh air." Cleveland Plain Dealer

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