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Sunday, October 4

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I've been told by someone who should know that Felton turned down a long-term contract from the Bobcats that would have paid him about $7million a season. Barring a huge improvement in his performance, I don't know that anyone will offer him more than that next summer. More pertinent, I find it a reach that the Bobcats would offer him more next summer. This is a team, after all, that has projected losing as much as $30 million a season the next three years. Charlotte Observer

With the team already in the middle of their warmups and having been introduced individually, Bosh came out to his own introduction and a rousing welcome. What soon followed were chants of "Re-sign, re-sign" which elicited a knowing smile and wave from Bosh and a thumbs up from Jarrett Jack who was on the floor running drills. Toronto Sun

What's the best road city in the NBA? Chris Bosh: New York. Toronto Star

It seemed an obvious enough question. Rio de Janeiro was just named host for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Is Denver Nuggets' center Nene, a native of Brazil, expecting to then play for his home country? "In seven years, I'm retired in seven years,'' Nene said in an interview Saturday with FanHouse. FanHouse

Nene, entering the fourth year of a six-year, $60 million contract, said he doesn't want to be a player who chases money. He plans to retire at a relatively young age to devote his life to God is the Answer, his Christian church in Brazil. "Every year gets harder,'' said Nene, who vows to play at least five more NBA seasons, but offered no guarantee of even a sixth. "By seven, I'll stop. I won't go for more than seven because I have other goals. I have like a deal for my pastor. I want to get involved with the church right here in Brazil. "If my financial situation is stable, why am I going to (want to) have more money? I'm not crazy for money. I think the best I can do is with the church ... I can help with things with my testimony.'' FanHouse

Nene has had a number of injuries, including being lost for all but one game in 2005-06 due to a torn ACL. He has defended a lawsuit brought by his ex-manager, has fired an agent and has been through a divorce. He was married again earlier this year to a Colorado native. "I can use my testimony to change people's lives,'' he said. "I can speak about what I've been through, all my injuries, being a cancer survivor, things like my ex-agent (Michael Coyne) and my ex-manager (Joe Santos, who lost a case against Nene in 2007 that sought several million dollars). I speak of all those things.'' FanHouse

The Warriors, I’m told, were really close to officially picking up Wright’s option. They were definitely going to do it, but were waiting as a matter of safe practice. But once he came into camp looking good, it was a no-brainer. Now, not so sure. Of course, this is the very reason they waited, for the just in case, I think. Do you pick up his option? If Wright misses six months, he won’t return until March. And even then, he won’t be 100 percent. He will certainly be out of shape and rusty. So you can count this season as a wash. Which means, you are going into 2010-11 with the same questions/concerns about Wright that exist this season, and that’s assuming that shoulder is ever right again. Contra Costa Times

Brian T. Smith: Blazers coach McMillan said he expects Ime Udoka and Jarron Collins to stay with team through remainder of preseason. Twitter.com

According to Udoka, McMillan told him this summer that if things worked out and he earned a place with the Blazers, Udoka could be the best 12th man in the league. "You just have to be ready," Udoka said. "And I’m confident in pretty much every situation." Columbian

West stayed at Cleveland Clinic Courts and had a private workout. "I made the decision not to rush things and be patient," Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry said, talking about West's troubles over the last week for the first time. Cleveland Plain Dealer

"From a basketball perspective, getting him in shape and ready to roll is very important. I think that was probably the right step for him today. I think he's going in the right direction." Though he said he's spent quite a bit of time talking to West this week, Ferry declined to discuss what kept the guard from making the team's first four practices of training camp. However, those absences remain unexcused and West is in line for a hefty fine from the team. "I don't know if [last Tuesday] was the right time for him to come," Ferry said. "We've communicated a lot over the last couple days and I think things are going in a positive direction." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Artest said he was told about Mark Cuban's comments by his "Twitter friends," in which the Dallas Mavericks owner suggested that Artest would upset the Lakers' chemistry. "I talked to Kobe [Bryant] about it," Artest said. "He said that's what happens when you're a Laker." On an ESPN radio interview in Dallas, Cuban said: "Could you imagine? Ron Artest has got the ball and Kobe's standing there, 'Throw me the ball.' Thank you, Ron Artest." Los Angeles Times

Artest viewed Cuban's comments as entertainment. "As long as you can play basketball, work hard, come to work every day, get your training in, get your extra work in, I think it's important that the fans get entertained," Artest said. "It's important that Mark Cuban says stuff like that. It's great for the fans. It's something to read and it keeps it interesting. "Nobody is really getting hurt. It's just words. I think the fans like that. That's why I love this game." Los Angeles Times

"Of course I wasn't happy, just like every fan of mine wasn't happy and every Lakers fan wasn't happy," Vujacic said of his Finals flameout. "I'm trying to find my game again." Orange County Register

Pat Croce, the former president of the Philadelphia 76ers, tied his fortunes to Iverson for five seasons, and Iverson scored tons of points and led the team to the brink of an NBA championship. But Croce said he was skeptical when he learned that Iverson had signed with the Grizzlies. Asked if Iverson, at this stage of his career, could change and accept more of a team-oriented role, Croce said: "I just don't see how." "Listen, I love the guy," he added in a telephone interview. "I know him, I know his family, and I want to see him do well. I'd dreamed that he and I would be on a championship float together. That was our goal. But I don't believe people change. Maybe now, as a senior ambassador for the league, he'll help lead those younger guys. But something about Allen -- when you're not winning, he'll take it upon himself to try to win. And I've seen that all his life." Memphis Commercial Appeal

So, in order to avoid potential embarrassment, he sought to be the best at everything he did, whether that meant winning at Monopoly or catching more fish. And then there was basketball, where it became obvious that he possessed innate, almost superhuman gifts. "When you go back into his history, sports was his outlet," Croce said. "He didn't have anything else at home -- he barely had a home. And that was the only way he could excel in life. It was his ticket to living a good life, to living a better life than he had." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Croce recalled how Iverson would give his teammates in Philadelphia two chances. Miss an open jumper? OK, that was forgivable. But misfire again, after he deemed you worthy of another of his passes? Well, things would change after that because he believed he could do it better himself. What matters most to Iverson is winning, Croce said. And he is absolutely willing to distribute the ball if he has confidence in his teammates. "Oh, he'll pass the ball, but you better damn well score," Croce said. "We used to say that he was the sun, and the stars circled around him." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Sebastian recalled one game when the Nuggets were set to play the Lakers and Iverson was interviewed before the tip. The reporter wanted him to weigh in on the great debate: Who was the best player in the NBA, Kobe Bryant or LeBron James? Iverson looked at the reporter as if he were from Neptune. "I just remember A.I. kind of saying, 'I'm not ready to concede that anyone is better than me,'" Sebastian said. "That mentality is probably what's enabled him to be so good for so long. And you can't just turn that off and say, 'I'm not the greatest player in the game, I'm a team's fourth option.' Because I bet he still believes he's the best player in the NBA." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Teammates and coaches have praised Miller for his superb passing ability, on-court leadership and veteran savvy. Early indications suggest that he is going to be an asset for this team, if not a force that helps propel the Blazers to a playoff run. But as positive as the on-court reports have been, Miller’s off-the-court demeanor has raised an equal number of eyebrows. After a frosty media day introduction, Miller has gone out of his way to make it clear that he is in Portland to work, not to build relationships. “I come to practice and go home,” Miller said. “I practice and put in the time, talk to guys during practice and keep going. If it was college, then maybe that would be different. But this is a professional environment … a business. That’s just how I get down.” Oregonian

On a team full of big personalities and outgoing dispositions, the Blazers’ new point guard is a polar opposite. After practices last week, Miller draped a large towel over his head, shielding the sides of his face, during interviews. And when he answered questions, Miller spoke in a quiet, deliberate manner, often looking toward the ground as he talked. Miller is reserved and quiet by nature and extremely guarded about his personal life. After the first week of practice, Miller and All-Star Brandon Roy had not yet had an extended conversation off the court. During an early practice, coach Nate McMillan asked Miller a question and he answered softly and dispassionately, prompting McMillan to prod Miller to go further with his answer. “When they first told me they signed him, they said, ‘He’s (ital)really(ital) quiet off the court,’” Roy said. “And that’s how he is around the team. He’ll come in, say, ‘Hey, what’s up?’ And then he probably won’t say another word.” Oregonian

What do you like to do off the court Andre? “Nothing. I just hang by myself. I don’t tell people what I do.” But Portland is a basketball-crazy town that loves its Blazers. People want to know as much as they can about the players on the team. “If they want to know what I do, they can go pull up some … previous columns,” he said, referring to newspaper stories that have been written about him during his career. “I’ve been playing 10 years so if they need to know anything, there’s been articles written before. I do the same stuff I’ve been doing ever since I was little. Nothing’s changed.” Oregonian

Jamison said he has no problem carrying a heavy workload, but at the same time he has no problem playing reduced minutes if it means his backup, Andray Blatche, is playing well and helping the Wizards to victory. "I look forward to giving these guys the opportunity and me sitting down the last couple minutes of the fourth quarter because we're winning games. That's what it's all about," Jamison said. "It's not about having an ego with some of the big guys with Caron and Gilbert. We realize the overall picture is not All-Star Game or making the playoffs. Washington Times

Joe Freeman: Bayless is last player on practice court, which is common. Getting up extra shots with coaches. I can tell his J is much more fluid now. Twitter.com

The two players MD'A said he most enjoyed watching were Darko Milicic and rookie Toney Douglas, both because of their defense: Douglas' "tenacity" and Darko's footwork, which surprised MD'A. Both could be in that 8-10-player bag, although almost certainly neither will start. Bergen Record

Inside of today's Kenyon Martin, the YouTube Kenyon Martin has yearned to be set free. That, says Martin, will happen this season. He insists his legs feel the best they have since his first season with the Nuggets in 2004, and vows it will most notably be reflected in earth-shattering dunks. "I'm going to let Melo have his dunk back," Martin joked. "I'm going to get back to my dunk, where I'm swinging off that rim." Denver Post

I’ll just say the Quincy Douby is not shy about getting up a shot. Couple of times he shot it so early in possessions, the coaches were kind of getting on him to move the ball. But if you're him, wouldn't you have a tendency to do too much so you can impress? Toronto Star

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Friday the club has the talent to win the title: “It comes down to how well they play together, and if we can get that right, if they’re willing to want to get that right, they have a shot at it.’’ Wallace insists he’s a good teammate and his past antics and current reputation won’t pollute the Celtics’ title chances. “[People think] I’m off the rocker, that’s how it is,’’ he said. “I have no problem with that. Guys have different perceptions of me on other teams, and coaches, too. ‘Aww, Wallace is a hothead and this and that.’ Boston Globe

Now he stands as the 16th member of the Celtics - sort of like being the fifth Beatle - hoping for an opportunity to return to the league. Sweetney, always a player with weight issues, is well above his previous playing weight. At Media Day, he looked uncomfortable with the spotlight. Wearing uniform No. 45, he lumbered through the Celtics’ practice facility in Waltham, unhappily posing for pictures, then walked to the locker room when it was over. There is still much work to do. Sweetney took the first step by signing a training camp contract with the Celtics, but the NBA is not so forgiving, especially when players eat their way out of the league or appear apathetic. Sweetney was guilty of both. Boston Globe

After two seasons, the Bulls made no effort to bring him back, declining his fifth-year option. It was over for Sweetney, and his mind wasn’t focused on NBA success. “First year, I just had some personal stuff going on in my family,’’ he said. “And the second year, I was pretty much down in Miami working out at FIU [Florida International University] trying to get myself together. “I played basketball all my life and then I get to a situation where I wasn’t playing,’’ he said. “It was hard for me to get a gauge of the workout plan and doing all that other stuff not knowing. Obviously those two years of me not playing in New York, I never knew I was going to play, so I was, ‘OK, do I work out?’ I didn’t.’’ Boston Globe

Sweetney strained a hamstring during the Celtics’ summer league session in Orlando, and while he is effective when practicing, his lack of conditioning is apparent. “He can play, but conditioning is always going to be a factor,’’ Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “But Michael Sweetney’s an NBA player. There’s no doubt about it. He has great feel around the basket. “By mid-practice, he takes a dip. The first half of practice, he looks really good, and then right when fatigue happens, he’s gone. And that’s expected.’’ Boston Globe

After the Nuggets' shootaround Saturday morning, the Belgrade team walked into the gym, and as Slavko Vranes walked by, Denver's Kenyon Martin's jaw dropped south as he screamed: "You a big mother!" Indeed, Vranes is big. The center stands 7-feet-6, the same height as Houston's Yao Ming. Vranes shook the hands of numerous Nuggets, including Andersen, who said: "He's about 8-4. Where do you grow these dudes?" Denver Post

Kevin Garnett said last night his knee is 100 percent pain free following the Celtics’ scrimmage at Salve Regina University. Garnett, coming off right knee surgery to remove a bone spur, looked nimble running the court and even made a nifty pass to Rajon Rondo for a layup. “I anticipated being a lot more sore than what I was going to be,’’ he said. “I’m not even thinking about the injury when I’m playing. Things I am doing now, I couldn’t do four, five days ago. Every day I’m getting stronger and every day I am getting better." Boston Globe

Kevin Garnett again looked fine. “Actually better than I expected,” Garnett said when asked to take stock of his week. “I anticipated it to be a lot more sore. I had my days, and sitting and talking to other guys, they were just as sore as I was, so I kind of felt at home. To be honest with everybody here, I’m not even thinking about the injury when I’m playing. I do all my stuff that I’m supposed to do. I don’t play around with my workouts. Even when I’m in my room, I do the calisthenics that I’m supposed to do. I get my proper treatment. It’s all prevention.” Boston Herald

Javaris Crittenton didn't know what to expect when he had an MRI on Friday, but he knew that the pain in his left foot had become so unbearable that he couldn't push through any longer. After arguably his best practice this week, Crittenton was shut down for the final minutes of practice. And, after the MRI revealed what he already knew -- that he had a double bone bruise and a strained tendon -- Crittenton had to accept that he would be out of action for at least two weeks. "It's frustrating," said Crittenton, who originally hurt himself playing in the Atlanta Pro Am league in late July. "I wanted to come out because it's training camp and we got a lot of guards. We got to compete. But it's one of those injuries, you've got to give it time and let it heal, because if you keep playing on it, it could be a potential surgery or it keeps nagging you throughout the season, then I can't play. I decided to sit it out and let it heal." Washington Post

You didn't play this past summer for your national team at the FIBA European Championships, so what are you plans when your homeland hosts FIBA's World Championships next summer? Mehmet Okur: It's too early to talk about next year. (But) it's gonna be in Turkey. Definitely I want to be there. Deseret News

Sasha Vujacic on playing for Slovenia: "I haven't played for them for a long time. They had assured me that some things had changed, but once I got there, once I saw that basically nothing changed, I was sad that I couldn't help and do that for Slovenia. Life goes on. It wasn't meant to be. It's behind me. My only focus now is on the Lakers and how well I can do. Just something that I thought had changed, but nothing changed." Los Angeles Daily News

Sirius Satellite Radio is currently in discussions about having Nate Robinson host his own show. Newsday

What fans don’t know, and Wallace doesn’t bother to publicize, is that he is one of the more giving NBA players in the community. In Detroit, he adopted Kettering High School and donated school supplies, computers, and book bags. “I just do a lot of things in the community for the kids, especially out in the D [Detroit] that can’t afford all this stuff,’’ Wallace said. “I like to work under the radar, I don’t do it for the pub, I don’t necessarily do it for the TV and this and that. I just go out there and do it for the necessity of that family or the kids.’’ Boston Globe

But when he gets his 6-foot-11-inch frame out of that SUV, with the unkempt beard and scowl on his face, Wallace exudes intimidation. That is the idea. “A lot,’’ was his response when asked how many people believe he is a grouchy dude. “But that’s how I like it though, honestly. It keeps the riff-raff away. It keeps all the negative people away. “Yeah, that’s fine with me, because you know, I’m not mean to kids. Kids are innocent. But sometimes that’s how the adults play you, ‘Hey Johnny, go over there and ask him for an autograph,’ knowing I am not going to say no. The only time I said no is if I am with my kids or my family.’’ Boston Globe

What's one of the most dangerous things you've ever done as a kid? Chris Paul: Talked back to my mom and dad. Miami Herald

Can you tell us an embarrassing experience as a kid? Chris Paul: I got a butt whooping in front of my class. My dad literally whooped me in front of my class. Miami Herald

Luol Deng's favorite early memory of London is an unexpected one. "When we lived in Egypt, the teachers were allowed to hit you if you didn't do your homework, got a question wrong, spoke in class, sat in the wrong seat or if you were late," Deng said in a lengthy interview recently at the Berto Center. "When I first got to England, people said you don't get hit in school. You get detentions. "I was like, 'If I speak to a friend in class, all I have to do is stay 30 minutes after?' Honestly, I think that was the most exciting part. I just knew I would never get hit again." Chicago Tribune

The E. Koreen Haircut Escapade? It went off okay in the end. The start was pretty scary, they took the sides right down to the scalp and when he left midcourt, he looked so bad I figured he’d go in the back and curl up in the fetal position and cry. But the pro barber they brought in – a last minute sub for Paul Elliott that was a very good idea – cleaned him up during the second half and while he doesn’t look quite like Fabian, he looks marginally presentable. And lots of money was raised. Toronto Star

Baltimore City Police officials confirm that the brother of NBA star Carmelo Anthony was beaten by a group of men outside a bar in the city. According to a police report, the incident took place at around midnight on September 20, outside the Isis Lounge at in the 200-block of Park Avenue near Saratoga Street. WJZ

A witness told police that the victim and the witness walked out of the bar, and the victim was jumped by 10-20 men. Another witness told police that there were only nine men and one woman involved in the incident. A third witness who got off a bus at the intersection claimed to see 15 to 20 men beating the victim and one of them shouting, "where's my $100," at the victim. Police say the victim was taken to Shock Trauma, where he was admitted in critical condition. The victim's current condition is not known. WJZ

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