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Wednesday, September 30

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The one minor glitch Tuesday -- Kobe Bryant still hasn't signed a contract extension -- wasn't a central issue, even though Bryant declined to answer questions about it. Informal negotiations have already begun, and the Lakers are secure in their belief that a new deal will be signed. For now, Bryant is under contract this season for $23 million and next season for $24.8 million. He can become a free agent by opting out next July, an unlikely possibility because of the expected success of the Lakers and the unpredictable NBA economic climate, where there might not be enough palatable offers for a player scheduled to earn as much as Bryant in the 2010-11 season. Los Angeles Times

Eric Pincus: Lakers signed another guard btw - Thomas Kelati from Wash State - make good contract. Twitter.com

During an interview in New York to promote the "More than a Game" movie release, LeBron James said, "I'm very excited to be here in New York, I love New York ... you know, couldn't be better than to be in the Mecca of basketball and that's New York City." The interviewer then asked James, "And we know you said you loved playing at MSG, how about next summer?" James responded, "We'll see when it gets here, all right," and ended the interview. RealGM

Short on healthy bodies to play the wing positions in training camp, the Rockets reached agreement with Romel Beck, a 6-8 guard/forward who has starred with the Mexican National team. Beck, 27, played at UNLV and professionally in Italy before a stint in the Mexican League. He spent one season in the NBA Development League and played with the San Antonio Spurs summer league team. Houston Chronicle

Darnell Mayberry: As expected, forward Mike Harris has been added to the Thunder's training camp roster. Twitter.com

The 76ers have signed free-agent power forward Rashad Jones-Jennings to the training camp roster. Jones-Jennings went undrafted out of Arkansas-Little Rock in 2007. That year, he led the nation in rebounding. Last season, Jones-Jennings played for FC Bayern Munchen of the German League. Philadelphia Inquirer

So Lee said he was relieved when he and the Knicks agreed last week on a one-year deal for $7 million, even though it was nowhere close to the duration and size of contract he was seeking. "With the economy and a lot of the more complicated aspects of restricted free agency, it was kind of like a perfect storm against me for getting something long-term done,'' Lee said Monday on the eve of training camp at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. "At the same time, I completely understand what the Knicks are doing.'' Sporting News

"I'm not sure how it's going to work," Knicks president Donnie Walsh said. "I've never been part of a season like this before. I know this: We have to play with a team concept. That's a must." SI.com

Delonte West is still absent without leave and the Cavaliers are busy moving on. West skipped this morning's practice, making him 0-for-3 on the preseason. The team isn't sure about the evening practice, either. Cavs coach Mike Brown said general manager Danny Ferry has spoken at length with West over the last two days. Cleveland Plain Dealer

The enigmatic and troubled guard faced the media a little more than a week after being arrested on gun charges. While it’s easy to paint this as a player who’s aloof and selfish even, his teammates said that’s not the case. ‘’Basketball has nothing to do with what’s going on, so he needs to take as much time as he needs and when he comes back we’re going to welcome him the way we’ve always done,’’ LeBron James said. ‘’When he gets back it’s going to be as if he was always here.’’ Akron Beacon Journal

‘’We’ve been around this block before with Delonte, so we know how to handle it,’’ James said. Point guard Mo Williams said that the basketball court is West’s respite from his reality, a place where he finds solace. For that reason, they remain patient. ‘’Outside of basketball, he struggles with things,’’ he said. Akron Beacon Journal

Brian Windhorst: LeBron on trying to call Delonte: "We've tried...We don't know if he has his phone. You don't look into it. Either he answers or he doesn't." Twitter.com

Jameer Nelson played three years at St. Joseph's with Delonte West, toiling endlessly in practice and forming a strong bond, not to mention a prolific backcourt. Never once did he know or suspect that West was dealing with mood disorders or depression. "People don’t look at us as having problems because we are professional athletes," Nelson said Wednesday after practicing with the Orlando Magic. "They look at us as the guys that go out there on the basketball court. We have outside life as well, and things can go on in your life that would trigger you to act a certain way. We’re human just like anybody else." CBSSports.com

Nelson said he spoke on the phone with West several times during the summer, and nothing seemed wrong. "He seemed well," Nelson said. "But you can never tell over the phone how somebody is doing." CBSSports.com

"He's in my prayers," Nelson said. "I know this about Delonte: He’s a strong person and he's a great person. I don’t want anybody to think because of what’s going on and what happened to him that he’s a bad person. He’s a great person, and people need to understand that." CBSSports.com

Unfortunately, injuries struck soon thereafter and Hardaway never realized his dream of winning a title. Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas was similarly brilliant early in his career, but has been sidelined by similar injuries. He says he hopes to avoid the fate of Hardaway, his favorite player. "When you read papers and things like that, I'm the one who's getting surgeries, I'm the one who's going through pain and I'm the one that's going through the rehab," Arenas said in a recent interview with 106.7 The Fan in DC. "As much as you guys are mad, I'm sitting here mad too about the whole situation. At the end of the day, it happens. That's where I got my mind to. It happens to people. Some people get hurt and some people get back their careers. My favorite player Penny (Hardaway) never gained his career back, but players like Grant Hill got to play again so hopefully I can keep moving too." HoopsWorld

"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. 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." HoopsWorld

Mike Jones: Flip Saunders on Gil: "He's gone three practices in 24 hours and I don't see any ill effects. He looks good." Twitter.com

Dominic McGuire was especially pleased to have the training camp schedule at his disposal at all times. It spares him from having to call teammates Nick Young and Andray Blatche. "Usually, I call Nick or Andray even though they're not always reliable when it comes to that stuff," McGuire said. "What time we got to get on the bus? Now I just reach over. Touch. 'Oh, we got to get on the bus at 9:15?' I love 'em. I don't have to depend on false information anymore." Washington Post

Phil Jackson on Odom's fitness: "Literally he is in better shape than he has been in before (coming into camp)." Odom credits boxing. Twitter.com

Tina Cervasio: Al Harrington sez he will step up more as a leader this yr, getting teammates involved, spreading floor & being vocal on &off court. Twitter.com

As it turns out, Chalmers (pictured at left with coach Erik Spoelsta) said he never was placed into the league's substance-abuse program, despite being fined $20,000 for that seminar violation. Instead, his only punishment was having to repeat the symposium in August. Beasley, who was fined $50,000 for that same incident in Rye Brook, N.Y., due to initially concealing his participation, found himself placed in the NBA's substance-abuse program last season. "I was never in the program," Chalmers said during Wednesday's second day of training camp at AmericanAirlines Arena. "Not at all." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

A third strike in the NBA's marijuana program mandates an automatic five-game suspension, with Beasley indicating last week that he is at that threshold should there be another violation. With Chalmers not in the program, a potential suspension is not presently at issue. "I really didn't hear my name mentioned too much with it," Chalmers said. "They just said what happened in New York. So I really didn't hear too much until I got back here." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

He also served three years as an assistant coach for the German national team, and in his opinion, Smith, Webber and Charles Barkley need to do a little homework. Blackman is so passionate on the subject of Dirk that he talks non-stop for minutes at a time. "It all goes down to the cultural aspects," Blackman said. "What people have to understand is Dirk is intensely competitive and intensely confident. But the way he shows it is not the way an American street kid will show it. I grew up in that lifestyle just like Kenny, but Dirk shows his in a completely different way. It's hard for all the jungle warriors to understand that kind of confidence he exudes and how he goes about it because it's just completely different. CBSSports.com

"In the German culture, everything is internal. It's not that are not feeling it or thinking about those types of things, it's just that they don't display it in an arrogant or boastful way. You can't tell me and you won't tell me that Dirk is not an intensely confident, competitive player. But it's almost like everybody is waiting for him to have this macho-man display and a street-cred moment and then everybody will leave him alone. "It's a funny situation with him that they just will not accept how great he is for dropping 25 and 12 every single night and whupping every player who tries to guard him. It's like you can show that greatness but you have to be a macho man to do it. He just doesn't play the macho side of it." CBSSports.com

Manu Ginobili: First full practice in almost 6 months, Wow, It felt good! Twitter.com

Marc Berman: Rookie Toney Douglas, after poor summer league, looking just fine in first two days of camp. Rookie Jordan Hill? Don't expect much. Twitter.com

Let's talk a little about twitter. Ron Artest is a little active, some people might say overactive maybe. Are you ever going to be involved on twitter and what do you think about it? BRYANT: I don't see myself really twittering too much. If I had something to say, I'd probably just ask Ron to write it for me. CNBC.com

The New Orleans Hornets’ biggest offseason acquisition Emeka Okafor was held out of contact work for the second consecutive day because of soreness below his knee, Hornets Coach Byron Scott said after Wednesday’s practice. “We’re just trying to limit him right now, but we will find out a little more tomorrow,’’ Scott said. “We have some concerns of something that he did this summer so we just want to make sure he’s OK before we try to put him through a full day of practice.’’ New Orleans Times-Picayune

Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown said Wednesday he doesn’t anticipate using center Tyson Chandler or power forward Boris Diaw in any of the first four preseason exhibitions. Chandler is coming back from off-season ankle and toe surgery, performed before the trade to the Bobcats. Diaw sprained an ankle while playing for the French national team earlier this month. Neither injury is considered serious. In fact, Chandler says he feels better than he anticipated, after participating in a few drills in the first two days of training camp. But Brown will take the conservative approach with two projected starters. Charlotte Observer

As predictable as Saratoga being the Mecca of horse racing every August, Knicks star-crossed center Eddy Curry pulled up lame last night at Skidmore College. Curry's comeback took a disheartening turn when he strained his right calf during the first scrimmage of training camp while battling for a rebound, jeopardizing his availability for the rest of the week and casting an early pall on Camp Saratoga. Coach Mike D'Antoni said he hopes Curry will return to practice in two days, but the 317-pound center historically is a slow healer. After playing just three games for a total of 12 minutes last season while battling knee and weight problems, Curry arrived at camp 40 pounds lighter, but apparently not light enough. New York Post

"I'm definitely frustrated but not discouraged," Curry said. "I don't think it's serious. I don't think it's anything to worry about too bad." After ripping a rebound from David Lee, Curry made an outlet pass and hobbled off the court as play continued. Curry was met by trainers on the sidelines. After a few minutes, he limped to the locker room, missing the final hour of scrimmage. Curry later emerged with his lower right leg bandaged. Curry had gotten through the morning practice unscathed, but it was a light session without scrimmages. New York Post

Swingman Bill Walker left practice Wednesday and is headed for Boston to get an MRI on his surgically repaired right knee. Walker tore his left ACL while at Kansas State and then hurt the right knee in a workout with the Golden State Warriors in July 2008 and then had surgery a few weeks later. Walker, who played 29 games last season with the Celtics and also spent time in the NBDL, likely won't play a significant role early in the season. It is uncertain when Walker will return to training camp. Boston Globe

Tyreke Evans will have an MRI on his strained left knee. He injured the knee yesterday during the team's practice. "He just took a step he didn't like," said Kings coach Paul Westphal. Sacramento Bee

The Rifleman, Chuck Person, has joined the Lakers as a special assistant coach for training camp. Twitter.com

Tim Kawakami: On Cohan's Warriors sale prospects: I hear franchise's real value is dropping like a stone, no way Cohan gets anything near asking price. Twitter.com

The NBA, fearful of the damage an H1N1 flu outbreak could wreak on the league, has passed down an anti-handshake directive. Players and coaches have been asked to greet each other via more sanitary means of contact, like fist pounding, or maybe chest bumps. One can only imagine what Utah’s Jerry Sloan thinks about this. “No handshaking,” Doc Rivers said. “I think it’s a good thing. A fist pound is just great.” Boston Herald

Brandt Anderen the owner of the NBADL's Utah Flash, saw a chance to continue to milk Russell's comments for publicity. He has offered to host a match at halftime of his team's Dec. 7 game between Jordan and Russell, putting up $100,000 for charity. Ehlo is seeing all of this and rolling his eyes. "I would tell Bryon, 'Just let it go,''' Ehlo said in an interview with FanHouse. "It happened, and it's a great memory. But you don't want him to go out and embarrass you, and let it happen twice.'' FanHouse

Ehlo said he's never talked to Russell, a swingman who played from 1993-2006, about being on the wrong end of Jordan shots. If were to talk to him any time soon, he would tell Russell he doesn't stand a chance against Jordan even though His Airness, at 46, is eight years older and was called "overweight.'' by Ehlo. Wait a minute. Overweight? "He looked a little bit thick in his suit,'' Ehlo said of Jordan, later adding that Ehlo weighs a svelte 202 pounds, six under his playing weight. FanHouse

Carmelo Anthony has committed to play in the World Championships in Turkey next year, the Denver Nuggets star told FanHouse on Tuesday. Anthony said he made up his mind late last season that he wanted to return to Team USA for the event after winning an Olympic gold medal in Beijing in 2008. He told USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo that, but Colangelo didn't consider his answer binding until the two spoke earlier this month at the Hall of Fame inductions in Springfield, Mass. FanHouse

"I just told Jerry that I was down,'' said Anthony, who also reiterated to FanHouse on Tuesday his desire to play in the 2012 Olympics in London. "He asked me again. I just told him that I was in. There wasn't really nothing to it. He asked me what I thought. He asked me about the team. I told him I was in.'' FanHouse

"Everybody committed to it," Anthony said, referring to many of his Olympic gold medal-winning teammates. "Jerry Colangelo cornered me one day. Can't say no to him. It'll be great." Denver Post

"That's what he said,'' Colangelo, who is overseas in preparation for Friday's announcement in Copenhagen on whether his native Chicago will land the 2016 Olympics, said Tuesday in a brief interview with FanHouse. FanHouse

At age 32, Ginobili is entering the final season of his contract. Spurs general manager R.C. Buford says there is no firm timetable for talking to Ginobili about a new one. “It could happen during the season, or it might happen after,” Buford said. “We'll just have to see.” San Antonio Express-News

Blazers president Larry Miller said the team will continue to attempt to sign forward LaMarcus Aldridge to a contract extension. "I'm sure he's a little frustrated," Miller said. "Again, this is a process and we're going through it." Columbian

The Cavaliers had considered the possibility of trading West, sources said, but his recent instability makes that an improbable scenario. Yahoo! Sports

Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey issued the following statement today regarding the team’s decision not to sign guard Rashad McCants to its training camp roster: “Unfortunately, Rashad is still recovering from an abdominal injury that would have made it very difficult for him to earn a spot on our roster. We were looking forward to seeing him compete with the mix of guards we have in camp, but he simply would not have been completely healthy. We are open to taking another look at him down the line when his condition improves.” NBA.com

The Houston Rockets will have four players competing for their final open roster spot when they complete the signing of swingman Romel Beck, which is scheduled to happen Wednesday. Sources close to the situation say Beck has been lined up to fill the vacancy in Houston's training camp created when the Rockets elected not to go through with their intended signing of Rashad McCants. ESPN.com

Guard Brent Barry has not reported. The Rockets do not expect any announcement until the end of the preseason, giving them more time to seek a trade or complete a buyout on the second year of his contract. Houston Chronicle

There was a lot of speculation that Lee was not pleased to be leaving a title contender (Orlando) for a lottery team, but the second-year guard explained that being traded is tough no matter where you're going. "I talked to Ryan Anderson and he was disappointed (to be going from New Jersey to Orlando), but he was going to a better situation," said Lee of one of the players he was traded for. "Anybody gets traded—it's a shocker. But this is home now and I'm looking forward to the season." HoopsWorld

Morris Almond: I think I'm done with the D-League. I've done what I can do with there. I've left my mark there. Just bein' in Utah [with the Jazz] I didn't have the opportunity to play, because we had a stacked team, had a good team, a Hall-of-Fame coach [Jerry Sloan], in a tough conference. Third Quarter Collapse

West hit a new low Tuesday on the first day of training camp, skipping both of the team's workouts. The absences were unexcused and caught the team off-guard after West reported to Monday's media day. It has now left the Cavs immersed in a gray area of how to proceed with their talented but troubled guard. Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Delonte is in Cleveland," Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry said in a statement. "He is addressing a personal matter and did not attend practice." According to a source, West was in his home for the day and did not leave to come to practice. There was no indication whether West was planning on coming to today's workouts. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Beyond the fact that he’s in his Cleveland apartment, one associate said, the reason for West’s absence is still a source of speculation for Cavs general manager Danny Ferry and coach Mike Brown. West attended the Cavs’ media day availability Monday but was an unexcused no-show for both of Tuesday’s practices at the team’s facility in suburban Cleveland. Yahoo! Sports

There's little doubt that West was an integral part of last year's team, but the Cavs are focused on ensuring there are no distractions to derail what could be a run at a championship. ''We have to have a bunker mentality,'' Brown said. ''The reality of it is, with the addition of Shaq, with the addition of the other people we have, there are going to be a lot of distractions. We have to try as best we can to maintain that bunker mentality by not allowing outside influences to take us off course. ''I have to continue to look forward and coach this team and not allow us to get sidetracked. Whether it's Delonte or someone else, if they miss practice and it's an unexcused practice, that will be handled internally.'' Akron Beacon Journal

Ellis certainly didn't backtrack from his comments from the previous day, but he did acknowledge that, yes, there might be times a smallish, quick-ish backcourt of Ellis-Curry could be used. But it's not like he was embracing the idea. "Basically, what it is is that the only way we can play together is matchups," Ellis said after the team's morning practice. "That's the only way. Point blank." FanHouse

Nelson made certain to leave plenty of wiggle room when it came to how much that twosome would play together, likely knowing full-well that it might not be the best strategy in the world to announce that Ellis and Curry would be starting opening night. "Certainly matchups will determine that," Nelson said. "We're pretty small in the backcourt. We can't expect them to play together when we play the Lakers when one of them would have to guard Kobe (Bryant) or something like that. But there will be plenty of times where they will play together, and that's a matchup situation. FanHouse

Coach Don Nelson talked to Ellis about his previous comments, and they agreed that teams with big shooting guards will make an Ellis-Curry backcourt improbable. Ellis "didn't say anything that was untrue," Nelson said. "There will be plenty of times that they won't be able to play with each other. I wouldn't put them in a situation in which they couldn't compete." San Francisco Chronicle

"Not at all," Curry said. "He's been here. He has experience. I don't know anything about what it's like to play in an NBA game or anything like that. He knows how to win, what's it's going to take. If that's what he sees then there's got to be some kind of validity to it. But it all comes down to what coach Nelson wants." FanHouse

With the Jazz having opted to bring him back, Boozer was asked if he thought fans eventually would be supportive. "Honestly, I don't know," he said. "I hope they support me. I hope the fans support me. I love our fans. I hope they know that I'm happy to be here, love being here. I'm going to bust my tail for them and give them everything I've got and prove everything on the court." Salt Lake Tribune

Sloan said Tuesday that no decision had been made. He was asked whether Millsap was better equipped to play as a reserve than Boozer. "I don't know who's better equipped," Sloan said. "I think they both can make a contribution. If they come and play hard, we won't have any trouble getting them in the game." Salt Lake Tribune

No team does drama better than the Lakers, and that’s why the rest of the NBA once again needs to fear them. Cirque du L.A.? It’s just back for another run with a couple new cast members. “Everything,” Kobe said, “will be smooth.” Yahoo! Sports

“Maybe sometimes after guys have won, it becomes more difficult to push yourself beyond your comfort zone,” Lakers guard Derek Fisher(notes) said. “I think that’s where Ron will be the biggest asset for us. I don’t think there will be a day this season where he allows other people to take a day off.” Say this much for Artest: He’ll keep things interesting. He’s already taken to L.A.’s celebrity scene while also endearing himself to Lakers fans with his man-of-the-people approach. Want to go bowling with Ron-Ron? Just tweet him and ask. “You have to welcome the distractions,” Artest said. Said Jackson: “We’ll have to keep his activity level monitored.” Yahoo! Sports

Between back-to-back NBA Finals appearances, a European championship this past summer and a berth in the title game at the Beijing Olympics, Gasol hasn't taken more than a few weeks off since summer 2007. "I feel privileged to have been able to do that," Gasol said. "It's a lot of basketball, absolutely, but I think my passion for the game and me working my body and trying to get my breaks here or there, I've been doing fine. I hope my body continues to hold up and I can perform the way I've been performing." Riverside Press-Enterprise

Arash Markazi: Lakers gone Hollywood. Half of the Lakers' 12-man roster has their own publicists, including DJ Mbenga. Yes, DJ Mbenga. Twitter.com

Monday, Roy drew a small line in the Blake-Miller debate, saying he feels extremely comfortable playing with Blake. Tuesday, Roy stated Blake's selfless style makes him feel limitless on the court. "I hadn't played with that in a while," Roy said. "I was playing with point guards — the new-school point guard, who is aggressive and is kind of looking for his (points). But, you know, I played with Blake and I was like, 'Oh, OK. This is great.' " Columbian

"If what you're looking for is to be in the magazines and be on ESPN all the time, then you're going to play to score and you're going to play to be flashy," Blake said. "That's not what I play for." Columbian

“All these bad experiences made me kind of lose confidence,” Milicic said. “I’m not going to say I lost the love for the game, but the confidence was a little bit lost during those first years of not playing. I thought, ‘Why am I here when I’m not playing?’ “Not playing for a long time just doesn’t help you at all. When you get in a game after those kinds of years it’s tough because things happen in the game that have never happened to you before so you’re kind of lost and you’re trying to find yourself.” Knicks.com

The Knicks main offseason major acquisition was Milicic, who was obtained from Memphis on draft day in exchange for guard Quentin Richardson. For Milicic, it was a dream come true when he received the call that he was dealt to the Knicks. “I dreamed to be part of the New York Knicks at the beginning of my career," he said. "I think every player wants to be part of the New York Knicks. This is a big organization, a big team, and I love New York. I’m glad to be here.” Knicks.com

Michael Lee: DeShawn Stevenson said the "P" tattoo on his face is backward so he can see it in the mirror "It's my life, it's my face, I'm looking at it" Twitter.com

Iverson, 34, raced around the court with the energy of a 24-year-old. Randolph looked fit, forcefully pushing his power forward counterparts with a frame that’s dropped 18 pounds. Memphis Commercial Appeal

It seemed like an innocuous question, the kind one might pose to any acquaintance one hasn't seen since April. “Hey Manu,” someone asked a certain Spurs guard earlier this week, “how was your summer?” Manu Ginobili was quick with the answer. “Winter,” he corrected. “It was a lot of winter.” Ginobili spent most of what North America would call summer at home in Argentina, where the seasons are flip-flopped and winter comes in May. San Antonio Express-News

Alvin Gentry can't stop calling Channing Frye "Tyson," as in Tyson Chandler. Channing? Chandler? I guess. Whatever the reason, it's hilarious because it keeps happening. At one point, Gentry started stomping the Jenny Craig Pavilion floor in the middle of practice as if he was furious with something the Suns had done. Turns out, he had just called him Tyson again. Suns.com heard Frye respond, "It's OK, Coach Hollins." Arizona Republic

How did Jack spend his summer besides training? Taking classes at Georgia Tech, where he says he is looking forward to finishing up his degree. Court Surfing / The Score

The Nets are in search of thousands of minor victories and getting Harris to take the lead—albeit not successfully—is very much appreciated. "Devin is a very, very bright person," said Frank. "He asserted himself. I like how he took guys aside. He wasn't afraid to be verbal. Devin is very intelligent, and he gets it. But leading is the hardest thing because, regardless of what is going on anywhere... you've got to be the same guy every day. "He has it in him," Frank continued. "I think he can be a very, very good leader." HoopsWorld

Mohammed, who appeared in just four of the Charlotte Bobcats' final 32 games, started taking that personally. "When you don't play, people think you can't play. That (ticks) me off," Mohammed said. "People were saying things about me as if I quit or I don't want to play or I can't play. Anyone who knows me knows I would never quit and I always work hard. Not many people put in more time working out than me. Whether it's lifting, biking, whatever, I come early and I leave late." Charlotte Observer

"I didn't work this hard to not play this year. I really want to play and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get on the court," Mohammed said. "I do understand Tyson (Chandler) is the starting center. But I can help the team as a backup." Charlotte Observer

Diop said he lost about 15 pounds this summer, down to about 270. "They want me to be skinnier," Diop said of the coaches. "I can't be any skinnier or (opponents will) push me around." Diop came to Charlotte badly out of shape last winter, following the trade from the Dallas Mavericks. He'd played little for the Mavs. Charlotte Observer

Clippers' General Manager and Coach Mike Dunleavy said Griffin could be out for five to six days, adding: "However long it takes for the bruise to go down. So we'll just see." Griffin, who was the No. 1 overall pick at the NBA draft in June, wasn't hobbling and in noticeable pain during a brief chat with reporters at the team's practice facility in Playa Vista. Los Angeles Times

Garnett was not just grinning yesterday, following his first official practice since surgery. He was the gregarious, guffawing Garnett. Patellas and popliteus tendons were forgotten. Garnett trained at full speed, along with everyone else, through about three-quarters of the two-hour workout. “He looked great,’’ Rivers said. “I took him out with about 75 percent of practice gone and just told him to sit down. He didn’t like that, obviously. “I just think we’re going to be together, hopefully, until mid-June. No use wearing him out in one day. He looked great. Actually, for a first practice I thought it was terrific. When he’s on the floor, you know he’s on the floor and makes a difference with everybody.’’ Boston Globe

Rivers clearly wants to have Garnett pace himself during the preseason, and the two differed on how that was accomplished yesterday. “I thought Doc tried to kill me a little bit,’’ Garnett said. “But, you know, first day of camp, it went well.’’ Told that Rivers said he was reluctant to be removed, Garnett laughed and said, “If he says so.’’ Rivers insisted that Garnett resisted. “I struggled getting him off the floor,’’ Rivers said. “He didn’t want to get off the floor.’’ Boston Globe

Eddy Curry almost made it through a full day of practice. The oft-injured center limped off the court tonight after straining his right calf. He was taken back to the training room by the Knicks' physical therapist Dave Hancock. Earlier in the day, after the Knicks' first practice on Tuesday morning, team president Donnie Walsh remarked it was the first time he had ever seen Curry go through a full practice. Apparently he spoke too soon. New York Daily News

Walsh even asked Wesley to personally oversee Eddy Curry's offseason workout program. Despite the Knicks' extensive - and expensive - roster of assistant coaches and fitness trainers, Walsh took the unprecedented step of outsourcing Curry's training regime. Wesley is not a paid employee of the Knicks. He does, however, work with the agent for both Curry and LeBron, Leon Rose, having grown up with Rose in South Jersey. When Curry returned to New York 40 pounds lighter earlier this month and began scrimmaging with teammates, Wesley was at his side at Knicks practice in Greenburgh, N.Y. New York Daily News

The Bulls suffered their first significant injury of the 2009-10 season Tuesday when team physician Brian Cole determined Aaron Gray has a stress fracture of his left fibula. An MRI confirmed Cole's diagnosis. Gray is expected to miss six to eight weeks. Chicago Tribune

Alexander watched both of the Bucks' practices from the sideline Tuesday on the opening day of training camp due to a strained hamstring that he suffered a week ago. It was a scene similar to last season, when Alexander missed extended time in camp due to a stomach injury. It was an injury that set his rookie season back for some time. According to coach Scott Skiles, Alexander's injury will be re-evaluated in a few days. "It's nothing major," Alexander said after the afternoon practice. "It's getting better and it really feels fine. It's preventative (to sit out), so a few more days of rest and I'll be fine." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Great Britain coach Chris Finch is to leave Belgian club Mons after two seasons to take charge of NBA D-League side, Rio Grande Vipers - the farm team for the Houston Rockets. The shock move, on the eve of the new campaign, comes just months after the 38-year-old American spent time on the summer league staff of the Dallas Mavericks. Britball

Allen was sick at the end of last season. His skin looked gray. His eyes were sunken. He shuffled around during the Blazers-Rockets playoff series, sometimes with a doctor alongside him. There were whispers inside the organization about his heart, which had undergone a prior valve surgery. Then, Allen's seats were empty for Game 6 in Houston, and he didn't appear in the locker room after the loss, either. So the Blazers summer search for a small forward felt insignificant compared to the crisis the team would have at ownership should Allen not be around. Oregonian

While the front office was chasing free agents, and while the players were working on their games this summer, something more significant was going down -- Allen went underwent another heart surgery. "I'm fine, finally," Allen said Tuesday. "I'm much, much better. I hit a few bumps in the road. "Your health ... is the most important thing in the world, isn't it?" Oregonian

Team owner Michael Heisley put a different spin on that slogan today before the Griz began two-a-day training camp practices. United, Heisley says, the Griz return to the postseason. “We‘ve got a team that can be in the playoffs if we play as a team,” Heisley said while watching the Grizzlies’ morning workout on the campus of Birmingham-Southern College. Memphis Commercial Appeal

“I know I’m going to be held a lot more accountable,” Heisley said. “I don’t want to downgrade (general manager) Chris Wallace or Lionel. Allen Iverson is here because of me and Zach Randolph is here because of me. O.J. Mayo is here because of me and Chris because I don’t think that was what the majority of people in the room were talking about doing (in 2008). I’m the guy who is going to take the heat on (No. 2 overall pick) Hasheem Thabeet. I don’t have any problem with that. The reality is if we start winning then people will be happy.” Memphis Commercial Appeal

Anyone who has spent ten seconds thinking about the Nets recently probably had Mikhail Prokhorov on their mind. Pending league approval, the Russian billionaire will become the majority owner; and while some might not notice a difference, others are thinking about what deeper pockets could mean for the franchise. "I can't speak for everybody, but me personally, yeah it affects us," said Keyon Dooling. "It affects how an organization is run. It affects the budget. It affects everything. Why wouldn't it affect you? Leadership starts at the top. And if you have a leader that is committed and has the money and has the resources to make this team an elite team, of course it makes a difference. Anybody who says otherwise would be fooling themselves." HoopsWorld

"I was raised to just focus on what you can control," explained coach Lawrence Frank. "Those things happen all the time… We have a job to do and that's it." HoopsWorld

The Knicks are trying out some interesting technical advancements this year. Each player wears a monitor on their body that measures heartrate, which can tell trainers which players may need a break and which may need to go Emeril and kick it up and notch. It also - incredibly - reads the sweat drops to see what nutrients each player is losing, which tells the trainers what each player specifically needs in their recovery drinks. Nate Robinson's read "lithium ion". Newsday

Mark Cuban: Step Twins comes to Mavs camp. Jake Voskuhl and Big Al Whitley are definitely twin brothers from different mothers. The jokes are flying. Twitter.com

The NBA told its teams in a memo Tuesday that it was proceeding forward with plans to use replacement officials in the upcoming season after referees shot down the latest offer from the league. Locked out NBA referees voted 43-14 to decline the league's proposal, and a changed vote by one member of the union's executive board played a major role in scuttling the deal, ESPN.com learned Tuesday. ESPN.com

Sources told ESPN.com that executive board members Joey Crawford, Bob Delaney and Bill Spooner initially voted to accept the proposal, while officials Steve Javie and Bennett Salvatore gave it a thumbs-down. But Spooner then switched his vote, the sources said, and the entire body of refs voted 43-14 to decline -- a sequence of events that prompted lead negotiator Lamell McMorris to announce Monday that he was withdrawing from the talks. Negotiations for the union are now in the hands of McMorris' associate, Brian Lam, and as of 8 p.m. ET Tuesday there had been no further discussions between the league and the union. ESPN.com

Also, referees with fewer than 10 years of service who chose to retire during the proposed two-year labor agreement would be eligible for severance payments from $50,000 to $100,000. The NBA's earlier offers on severance payments excluded that group. "On Friday of last week, we reached an agreement in principal on the terms of a new two-year collective bargaining agreement with the negotiators for the National Basketball Referees Association," the league told teams in a memo that was obtained by ESPN.com and other news organizations. "On Sunday night, the membership of the NBRA voted to reject that agreement. As a result, we have no expectation of concluding a timely labor contract with the NBRA, and are proceeding with replacement referees." ESPN.com

Portions of the negotiations have been acrimonious as the sides strive to resolve their issues by the start of the regular season Oct. 27. The league thought it had reached agreement Friday on a two-year deal, the Associated Press reported. But once presented to the referees on Sunday, the deal was voted down. "The union voted overwhelmingly to reject the contract," the union's Lloyd Pierson said. USA Today

The Nuggets play Thursday at Utah, the first night of preseason games and the first game with replacement refs, who are working because the NBA locked out its own refs over a contract dispute. "I think there will be more emotion in the games, more verbal confrontation," Nuggets coach George Karl said Tuesday. "I think for the players, at least for the first four to six (preseason) games, not worry about it. Play through it, understand we'll get some good whistles and some bad whistles." Denver Post

"I joked the other day with [Tim Grgurich] and Jamahl Mosley,'' the Denver Nuggets feisty forward said about talking to a pair of assistant coaches. "I'm going to get suspended in the first month of the season. I'm going to have 15 technicals in the first month just for the simple fact [replacement officials] don't know how I run my mouth. They don't know how I approach the game.'' FanHouse

"If they want the extra benefits, I don't know why they can't get it,'' Martin said. "Give [the officials that] in order to keep the game the same way. Because the game is going to be terrible with those replacements. "It will be terrible. I believe guys will get more technicals. But that's probably what [the NBA is] looking for, more money. There are going to be more ejections. Tempers are going to be even worse. Attitudes are going to be even worse.'' FanHouse

"It's going to be pretty bad,'' Martin said of NBA games. "The replacement refs, there's no way they're used to the pace of the game. ... The guys, except the rookies, they know the guys [in the NBA]. They know how to call the game if I'm playing, if Chauncey [Billups, a Denver guard] is playing, if [Allen Iverson, a Memphis guard] is playing. They know because we've been around. FanHouse

A new policy during Raptors workouts and practises forbids the use of cell phones and Blackberry's by those in attendance. Apparently, the rule applies to all media and team personnel, including general manager Bryan Colangelo, whose blackberry, some believe, is surgically attached to his hand. Colangelo admits he has been offered a little more leeway than most. "I can check for messages and sneak a quick peek but if I have to reply to anything, I'm just like everyone else. I have to get (out of the gym)," he said. Toronto Sun

ESPN has secured a multi-year deal to show live NBA games, programming and classic content in the UK and Ireland. Under the multi-channel arrangement, ESPN will show up to three live matches per week during the season in standard and high definition, including one game at Sunday primetime. It will also carry NBA All-Star Games and action from the season playoffs and final. Digital Spy

Odom did shed some light on why he married Kardashian less than a month after meeting the reality television star; a decision that not only shocked the media and his teammates but his family as well. "Doing it so fast there was a lot of family members who couldn't even agree, so I could imagine what it would look like to the outside person who isn't involved in my life every day," Odom said. "But I fell in love, and the reason I knew that I was in love was how I felt when I wasn't with her or [the thought that] she was no longer in my life. I've never had a problem meeting women but I finally met the one that I knew if I had lost her, it would hurt the most." SI.com

Lamar Odom: “I’ve been a rock star. I’ve been on my own since I was 16. Doing it so fast, there were a lot of family members that couldn’t even agree, so I can imagine what it would look like to the person that is not involved in my life everyday. But I fell in love and the reason that I knew I was in love was because I knew how I felt when I wasn’t with that person or if she was no longer in my life.” “I’ve been in LA for 10 years. I’ve never had a problem meeting women. The first team I was on they never won a game and people thought they would win a game because they had me on the team. I was like oh man, and he’s not ugly…like him.” Sports Radio Interviews

Lamar Odom: “Whether a woman works at Burger King or she was a model that we all know by name…it never was a problem. But I finally met the one that I knew if I had lost her, it would hurt the most.” Sports Radio Interviews

“This thing with Lamar is a new thing that I don’t think any of us have dealt with or fully understand,” Fisher said. “So it will be interesting. I think the key part for us is to make this a sanctuary for Lamar when he’s with us. … And allow him those several hours out of the day to just be Lamar and not have to be the guy … with a camera in his face.” Yahoo! Sports

Artest seems to love the attention. With the typical media presence in Los Angeles, he should be sated day to day. While some players try to avoid talking to reporters - Ron seeks it out. He spoke about being hungry for a title. Ron acknowledged he could be considered a risk for the Lakers but any long-term relationship there's risk. "You can ask anyone who got married and got divorced. There are some people paying $100 million dollars." HoopsWorld

Artest praised his "big brother" Odom on his wedding, "It was meant to be. He married a beautiful young lady and she married a great man." While Ron wouldn't take credit for setting up Lamar and Khloe, apparently it was at one of Artest's events - "So I won't run away from the credit," joked Ron. HoopsWorld

Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas has adopted two young boys from his native Lithuania. This summer, Ilgauskas and his wife, Jennifer, adopted the 4- and 5-year-old brothers from an orphanage in Ilgauskas' hometown of Kaunas, Lithuania. The 7-foot-3 center said the two children, Povilas and Deividas, do not speak any English and are adjusting to life in the U.S. ESPN.com

The boys are adjusting beautifully to their new lives, even if they're struggling a bit with the geography. After pulling out of the Ilgauskas' driveway one day, they wanted to know if they were still in America. "It's a big country," Ilgauskas assured them. Cleveland Plain Dealer

A former detective in the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office admitted yesterday that he used a racial epithet to describe former NBA star Jayson Williams while the officer was investigating the fatal shooting of a limousine driver at Williams' Alexandria Township estate in 2002. Testifying in Superior Court in Somerville during a hearing in which Williams' defense team is attempting to show the investigation and prosecution were tainted by racial bias, former Capt. William Hunt said he called Williams "a street n----r." Newark Star-Ledger

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