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Saturday, October 10

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Now, add Chris Bosh to the latter group as 2008 Olympians are deciding if they want to play for Team USA in next year's World Championships. The Toronto star forward said he isn't ready to commit to going to Turkey for the event. He might not want to play next summer if his contract situation is unsettled. "I don't know, with the possibility of becoming a free agent next year,'' Bosh said in an interview with FanHouse prior to Friday night's preseason game at Minnesota. "It's a whole bunch of things that haven't been addressed yet. ... It was fun playing in the Olympics, but it's going to take some time, though. I'm sure I'll be better able to assess the situation after the season. ... But I'm definitely considering it.'' FanHouse

"For the national team, (contracts are) always an issue going into competition,'' said Bosh, expected to make his preseason debut against the Timberwolves after missing the first two games with a strained left hamstring. "I know Jose (Calderon, the Raptors point guard in the summer of 2008) didn't even start practicing with the (Spanish) national team until he signed his contract. It's all about priorities and USA Basketball is right up there. But I've got to have a job.'' FanHouse

Bosh, with the salary cap likely going down and with the possibly of having to take a pay cut, might decide to not opt out of his contract, putting free agency off until 2011. Or he could sign a contract extension by June 30. "I'm not sure,'' said Bosh, who at one point said he wouldn't consider a contract extension but now hasn't ruled it out after Toronto's strong summer. "Bryan (Colangelo, Toronto's general manager) and me haven't talked about it. We haven't even addressed it. ... We'll see how everything plays out.'' FanHouse

"(I was happy) with the aggressive nature Bryan showed with the moves,'' said Bosh, a four-time All-Star making $15.78 million this season. "Instead of saving money for next year, we locked down some guys who have a lot of potential and we got some good guys like Hedo and Jarrett Jack and a lot of good role players that can help us. It looks a little more promising, but we got to do some work.'' FanHouse

In the meantime, Bosh will continue to be bombarded with questions about his future. But he doesn't believe it will be a distraction. "No, I'm used to it,'' he said. "It's been a part of my life for a year now. ... It's not really a distraction. It's only what you make it. So I'm taking everything in a positive matter, and focusing in on this season, and not focusing in on next year.'' FanHouse

Even all the way over here in Spain, Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer — on the block all summer, and perhaps still — could not dodge trade talk. Boozer was asked after Utah's preseason win over Spanish League power forward Real Madrid on Thursday, by a Spanish reporter, about the Jazz's concerted efforts to deal him the past season. "I'm happy to be in Utah," Boozer said during a formal postgame news conference. "Nothing happened this summer. There was a lot of talk, a lot of speculation, of course. "But it's behind us," he added. "It's behind me, it's behind the organization. I'm very happy to be in Utah, they're very happy to have me, and if we stay together we can have a very good team." Deseret News

It makes for smart bookkeeping, though not necessarily great esprit de corps. The Knicks have become a collection of place holders and mercenaries — temp workers hired to keep the locker room warm for James. They are acutely aware of their transitory status. “It’s a business, man,” Robinson said. “If I’m here next year, I’m here. If I’m not, I’m not. There’s nothing I can do about it.” New York Times

A couple notes of clarification on the prospect of Golden State dealing Stephen Jackson to Cleveland in a swap featuring Zydrunas Ilgauskas, as introduced earlier Friday in this piece from the Contra Costa Times and brought to our attention, as always, by the boys at HoopsHype: Multiple plugged-in sources insist that these are not active discussions. It's no secret that the Warriors did make several calls before the season to gauge Captain Jack's value after Jackson's bombshell about wanting to be dealt to the Cavs, Knicks or one of the three Texas teams. But Golden State's talks with Cleveland were "nothing substantive," according to one source. ESPN.com

A theoretical Cavs-Warriors deal headlined by Jackson and Ilgauskas -- who's in the final year of his contract at $11.5 million -- would only provide Golden State with payroll relief. That's a big deal, but the Warriors would ideally like to bring back at least one player for the future (with a reasonable contract) if they're going to part with someone as important as Jackson, whereas I get the feeling that Cleveland is likely only willing to part with the likes of Daniel Gibson or Delonte West in addition to Ilgauskas. ESPN.com

Zydrunas Ilgauskas isn't oblivious to trade rumors. He probably reads "HoopsHype.com" every morning like everyone else. The Cavaliers center isn't putting much stock in the Contra Costa Times report that the Golden State Warriors have offered guard Stephen Jackson and another player for his services. But he realizes it could happen. "I'd rather stay here," he said. "This is a business. When I come to that bridge, I'll cross it. "Shaq got traded three times. If it happens, life goes on. You deal with it and you move on." News-Herald

But there's a subplot to the story. The 34-year-old could retire after this season. "I didn't say I was going to retire," Ilgauskas said. "There's always a chance. There are injuries and everything else. We'll see how I feel at the end of the season. "I'll be a free agent, so my contract is up. Who knows what is going to happen here? I'll decide at the end of the year if I feel like playing and see what kind of opportunities are out there." News-Herald

''I've been traded, I think, let me see? Seventy-five times? Seventy-seven times since I've been here,'' he joked. ''After that, you become numb to that. ''I would obviously like to stay here, but this is a business. If it comes or not, when I get to that bridge, I'll cross it. I've expressed my desire to always stay with this team especially now that we have a chance to win.'' Akron Beacon Journal

Going into his 12th season, Ilgauskas has endured bad seasons and multiple foot surgeries. ''I don't know what I'm going to do, that's what I said,'' he said of his future. ''My guess is we'll see how the season is and how I feel at the end of it.'' Akron Beacon Journal

Ilgauskas has been in Cleveland since he was drafted in 1996. He's not campaigning to pick up and move now. "I would love to finish here," he said. "I expressed my desire to stay with this team, especially now that we have a chance to win." News-Herald

And should the Cavs win a championship, a realistic possibility heading into the season, it would appear to represent the perfect way for Ilgauskas to go out. ''No, it will depend on how I feel and what I want to do more than anything else,'' he said. ''A championship will not play a big part in it.'' Akron Beacon Journal

For Ilgauskas' part, though, he wants to keep his options open. He's not making any promises either way, just as he knows the Cavaliers aren't making any promises that he'll finish his career in Cleveland. "This is a business," Ilgauskas said. He knows one thing for sure, though. His new role as father won't play a part in his decision. "Either [the boys] will come to the games, or we'll watch the games on TV," Ilgauskas said, laughing. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Brown knows it will have to happen eventually, but the Cavs' coach isn't in a particular hurry to trim his roster. He said he's seen something positive from the entire roster of training camp invitees. Akron Beacon Journal

Did you get the contract you were expecting this summer or were you expecting a little bit more? Paul Millsap: It’s hard to say with the economy we’re at. I mean, the contract I got is great. I’m pleased with it. It’s more than what I expected I was going to get in the market we’re in. HoopsHype.com

Harrington had to wait until late August before getting a relatively modest four-year, $35.3 million deal with the Indiana Pacers. “At the end of the day, statwise, I was the best free agent that summer,” Harrington said. “But Ben Wallace got paid more than me, before me.” New York Times

He’s also looking forward to quieter summers. “For the first time going through it - you know, your name’s being brought up in trade rumors - it’s difficult to go through as an individual,” Rondo said. “Nobody wants to get traded, but that’s the nature of the game. Nobody’s guaranteed to stay in one particular place their entire career. I’ve got living examples. I’ve got two future Hall of Famers that have been traded. Ray (Allen)’s been traded (three) times, and Kevin (Garnett)’s been traded. So anyone’s tradeable.” Then again, those two were dealt because their teams weren’t ready to win. If Rondo adds “consistent” to his other attributes, he’s going nowhere. Boston Herald

Gilder, Rodgers nor Taylor are crunching numbers even though they are vying for positions that are well accounted for. Taylor, a point guard, is trying to prove he is worthy of putting in the backcourt mix with Mike Conley, Marcus Williams, O.J. Mayo and Allen Iverson. So far, the Griz are impressed by Taylor's change-of-direction ability and competitive spirit. "That's all I do. Whether it's Allen Iverson or Mike Conley, whether it's a guy who is established or not established, I'm going to compete as hard as I can," said Taylor, who played in the NBA last season with the Los Angeles Clippers. "I just play to my strengths and make as few turnovers as I can and as few mistakes I can. That, and playing my hardest." Taylor spoke while taking a short break to hydrate. Like his counterparts, Taylor didn't want to take anything for granted. "It's a new slate," he said. "I've got to show them my best. That's all I can control." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Two players who have impressed Rivers are Michael Sweetney and Marquis Daniels. Sweetney scored 10 points in eight minutes against the Rockets Wednesday. The concern is keeping the 275-pounder in shape. “He’s an NBA player,’’ Rivers said. “There’s no doubt about it. He has to get in better shape. But he clearly has NBA skills. I wouldn’t want to guard Sweet in the post.’’ Daniels led the team in assists against the Rockets. “He makes plays that point guards only make and he does it naturally,’’ Rivers said. Boston Globe

The Atlanta Hawks announced Friday they have picked up the 2010-11 option on center Al Horford. The 23-year-old averaged 11.5 points and 9.3 rebounds over 67 games during the 2008-09 campaign and helped the Hawks reach the Eastern Conference semifinals before being swept by Cleveland. Sports Network

Manu Ginobili: Today we play Olimpiakos. I almost became one of them in 2000. Twitter.com

Rumors were abound in the press area on Tuesday about an incident with West prior to the game, where the guard and the media had some sort of issue in the pregame in the Cavs locker room, and in the end, he never made it on to the court. Examiner.com

Is the atmosphere on the team affected in any way by all the speculation about Carlos Boozer? Paul Millsap: Not at all. We don’t really think about it until people bring it up. We forget about it when we get on the court. That’s just not our business. We get on the court and we play basketball. HoopsHype.com

You said this summer you were expecting to be a starter this season. Maybe that’s not going to happen. How do you take that? Paul Millsap: It’s not a big deal to me. Starting or not starting, we’re still going to have a good team. I’m still going to be a major part of this team. Even if I come off the bench, I’m still gonna play a lot of minutes. Starting or not is not really going to affect the way I approach the game or anything like that. HoopsHype.com

You were drafted in the second round. I guess that had to give you extra motivation to succeed in the league. Is that right? Paul Millsap: Absolutely. I mean, I still keep a chip on my shoulder. I’m trying to make teams pay for that. Still got a point to prove. People still don’t think I should be where I’m at right now, so I always keep a chip on my shoulder. HoopsHype.com

Boozer was asked about playing with Deron Williams and for coach Jerry Sloan , as well as about the notion that the Lakers and Boston Celtics seem almost scripted to meet in this season's NBA Finals. "They're two of the last champions of our NBA," Boozer said, "and I understand why everybody thinks they're going to meet again. But we're competitors and we want to be in the championship just as bad as they do." Salt Lake Tribune

Suspended by the NBA for the first two games of the regular season because of his skirmish with Detroit Pistons rookie forward Jonas Jerebko in Monday's loss in Detroit, Miami Heat backup center Jamaal Magloire said Friday he was surprised to be termed the aggressor. Jerebko received only a one-game suspension. "I don't think in that play there was an aggressor," Magloire said. "We both pursued a ball. We're both intense players and those things happen." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Jerebko, 22, a second-round draft pick from Sweden, was given a one-game suspension for an altercation with Miami Heat center Jamaal Magloire during Monday night's exhibition game when both players were charged with striking each other in the face. The suspension is for the first game of the season, Oct. 28 at Memphis. Jerebko said he and his agent would discuss the possibility of appealing the suspension. "I don't think I did anything wrong," said Jerebko after practice Friday. "I'm used to a more physical game, where the referees let you be more aggressive." Jerebko was talking of his days playing in the Swedish and Italian leagues in 2004-08. "They (the refs) let it go, let you use more hands on the body," said Jerebko. Detroit Free Press

Two days later, Shannon Brown’s dunk over Mikki Moore of the Warriors on Wednesday was still generating discussion. And Web hits. “You guys know how high tech I am,” Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said Friday before the same two teams met at the Forum. “On YouTube, I noticed there were 70,000 views of that, so that means something to somebody.” At last check of the Web site, the total views had grown to more than 150,000 of the various versions of Brown’s slam. “To me, it’s still two points,” said Jackson, an old fuddy-duddy. “It does send a message. The message simply is we’re gonna come to the basket.” Orange County Register

The Nets are still unsure what to expect from Sean Williams this year — no matter whether he finds playing time at center or power forward — but some believe he has crossed an important barrier in his career. “I think he realizes there’s only so many chances you get in the league,” said teammate Jarvis Hayes, “and that it’s a privilege to play in the NBA, not a right. I would think he gets that. I sure hope so.’’ "But he’s a crazy talented guy if he gets it all together.” Newark Star-Ledger

After that hard foul by Hollins, Bosh turned and had words with the Minnesota rookie, not something he's been known to do. "That's really a point of emphasis that I want to concentrate on this year, to stay inside and get more rebounds, get more second chance opportunities," said Bosh. "That kills teams when you do that. And I want to get more rebounds, plain and simple." The whole "body-change" that Bosh undertook this summer gave him about 15 extra pounds on his now 250-pound frame and a noticeably larger upper body. But not at the expense of agility. "We tackled all those issues," he said. "These were our goals: We want to gain `x' amount of pounds but we want to have an intensity to the workouts and we're going to work on different elements to make sure you don't slow down, that you actually speed up. It was hard work." Toronto Star

With the Magic having pulled off a rarity – adding five new pieces to a team that got within three victories of a championship last June – Lewis felt it necessary to inform the team what it would take to accomplish its ultimate goal this season. "We have a lot of new pieces, but I really think that we're a better team now," Lewis said. "But what I tried to express to the team was that with as much talent as we have around here, the word this season will be 'sacrifice.' "I might make the most money of anybody on the team, but I've sacrificed for the good of the team each of the last two years. It's not about you or how many points you can score; it's about the team winning games. I just feel like if I could go out there and sacrifice then anybody can do it. So 'sacrifice,' will be a big word for us this season." HoopsWorld

"This team is full of good guys," Dwight said. "Everybody's willing to sacrifice whatever they have to sacrifice for the team. And for me and Jameer, our job is to get the guys who haven't been here for a while, get them accustomed to our team. I really think the chemistry will be fine, especially when you have one of the silliest guys in the world on your team." HoopsWorld

Magic center Dwight Howard's infamous "body" shots in the current issue of ESPN The Magazine turned out to be more hype than substance. Of the dozen or so athletes featured, Dwight is actually the least exposed of the bunch. Ironically for those that cover the Magic, this is actually how we see Dwight more times than not. HoopsWorld

D'Antoni, who already has promoted Gallinari's importance to the team's success this season, said Friday that he expects "a big bump up" from Chandler, who averaged 14.4 points per game last season, his second in the NBA. "He has unlimited talent and unlimited ability," D'Antoni said. "He's learning the game and he's getting more comfortable as he goes along. We're expecting him to keep progressing, and where his limit is, I don't know where it is. I think he'll have a better year than last year, that's safe to say." Newsday

And yet, a shocking piece of news: The Thunder have, over the last two years, consistently performed worse than normal when Durant is on the floor. Any way you slice the +/- numbers, he's one of the Thunder's worst players. You read that correctly. Kevin Durant, uniformly regarded as an out-of-this-world NBA player, has been killing his team. Sometimes +/- can punish players simply for being on bad teams, but this is more than that. Mavericks' statistical expert Wayne Winston's in-depth lineup data shows that every one of Durant's key teammates -- Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, Nick Collison -- gets better, in many cases far better, results playing with less heralded teammates Thabo Sefolosha or Kyle Weaver while Durant sits. In fact, almost nobody on the Thunder has a +/- rating as poor as Durant's. Winston rates Durant's performance "in the lowest 10% of all NBA players." ESPN.com

The first line of analysis, of any player, are real experts: People who assess talent for a living. Three out of three I talked to shrug. If you are trying to tell me that Kevin Durant is somehow a terrible player, they say, go ahead. But don't expect me to listen to you. They are unanimously emphatic that Durant is an absolute gem of a keeper. You can't teach size and mobility. It's hard to teach that kind of feel for getting the ball in the hole. There are times in games when nothing matters more than being able to reliably create your own shot and he already has that. The things he doesn't have -- and nobody denies they exist -- can and will be learned. Players who start their careers like Durant, and keep working, tend to improve dramatically, they say. ESPN.com

Kevin Arnovitz: Someone in the Clips locker room erased "Oden" on the dry erase board and wrote "OL-DEN" Twitter.com

As far as seeing the sights, the players were on their own and didn't have an abundance of free time. "Everyone did their own thing," Deng said. "We only had Monday and I went to see my family." "The best thing I did was take a trip to go shopping," Pargo said. "It gave me a chance to interact with the people over there - cabdrivers, people on the street. I asked their opinion of people from the U.S and got the impression they don't think too highly of us in London." Was Pargo able to win over the hearts and minds of any Londoners? "I tried to be myself and be the nice person I am," he said. "I'm sure I'm not going to change their opinion, but maybe let them see there are good people all over the world." Arlington Heights Daily Herald

Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie didn't want to speculate about just how much time Francisco Garcia could miss with what he called a broken right wrist. And, well, there's hidden point there: there's plenty of time to get into that. He'll be gone awhile because of a fluke injury on a physioball that burst during an exercise and will require surgery tomorrow morning. It was something that has certainly happened before but not always with an athlete whose healthy presence means so much to the company that's paying him $5.8 million this season. There was an outpouring of sympathy at Kings practice today, where Petrie decided to address the situation in our darkened media room. Sacramento Bee

Last spring, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 3 million exercise balls manufactured by EB Brands based on 47 reports of unexpected explosions. I have no idea what brand the Kings use. Sactownroyalty.com

Before Friday’s preseason game against the New York Knicks, Doc Rivers explained the current state of Kevin Garnett’s recovery from knee surgery. “He’s healthy. He has zero knee pain, but he does have shin splints and aches and all that stuff,” he said. “So you’ve got to watch that, especially during preseason.” WEEI

You got tangled with Jared Jeffries in the second quarter, what happened? Kevin Garnett: "He kicked me in the calf. That didn't help things but a little hot pack here and there and some ice and I thought I finished the game pretty well. (To Paul Pierce) Did I look like I was hurt? Pierce: "You looked like you got kicked in the calf.: KG: So I got kicked in the calf, so if you got kicked in the calf, that's what you would look like. But from performance and reacting, I thought defensively, it didn't stop anything. I thought Al (Harrington) did a very good job of attacking, being very, very aggressive coming off the dribble, which tests the reaction in my leg. I thought I did a decent job with that. He's a scorer. When he's attacking like that, he's like a bull, he goes to the rack really hard. As opposed to years when I played him, it's nothing out of the ordinary, so it wasn't nothing to throw the caution flag or nothing like that. I just got kicked. It is a contact sport and I thought I played through it pretty well." Boston Globe

Pierce caught David Lee with an errant elbow on a pass and Lee needed five stitches above his left eye to close the gash. Pierce, who has had run-ins with the Knicks in the past, went over to Lee on the bench to apologize. Newsday

Third-year forward Brandan Wright underwent successful surgery on his left shoulder, the team announced. The procedure — performed by Dr. James Andrews in Gulf Breeze, Fla. — repaired a torn labrum. Wright's shoulder will be immobilized for up to six weeks, after which he will be re-evaluated before going to the next phase of his rehabilitation. Contra Costa Times

Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva likely will miss his third consecutive game on Sunday because of a hamstring injury. Detroit News

For a moment, the Wizards tried to stave off flashbacks of last season, when they were without Haywood for 76 games because of a torn ligament in his wrist. "When Brendan went down, I'm not going to lie - I was scared," forward Andray Blatche said. "I thought, 'Oh, not again.' " Haywood got up and missed both foul shots, unable to put pressure on the foot, and then gingerly made his way down the court. Four minutes later he headed to the bench, then went back to the locker room with trainer Eric Waters. A short time later the Wizards, who fell 123-115, announced the center had sprained his right ankle and would not return. Haywood's status for Sunday's preseason game at Toronto is questionable, but coach Flip Saunders said it was unlikely Haywood would play. Washington Times

How's your relationship with Minnesota and the NBA? Ricky Rubio: Good, I have to be thankful to David Kahn because he made a great effort so that I could go there. When he left, he wished my luck and told me he hoped I would play in Minnesota one day. El Periodico

How was camp with the U.S. team the past summer? Did you enjoy the experience. Paul Millsap: It was a great experience. I would love to be on that team. I would love to travel the world and play basketball. Overall, it was a great experience for me to pay with those guys out there and just get a look. HoopsHype.com

Tongue cancer robbed Jim Boylan of his taste buds, 25 pounds and many hours of sleep lost to worrying. What the disease didn't take from the former Bulls' assistant and interim head coach was his passion for life and his sense of humor. "It's an interesting way to diet," Boylan said with a chuckle during a Friday phone interview. Boylan, who now assists Scott Skiles in Milwaukee, whom the Bulls face in a Saturday preseason game in Green Bay, Wis., can afford to exhale a bit these days. On Sept. 15, roughly four months after doctors made their initial diagnosis, a CT scan showed Boylan to be cancer-free. Another important scan comes in November, but doctors and Boylan are confident the coach has recorded his most important victory. "I feel really, really good," Boylan said. "It's fun to be coaching again." Chicago Tribune

How would you describe your working relationship with EVP of Basketball Operations John Paxson now on a day in, day out basis? Gar Forman: “It’s very similar to how it has always been. John and I have great communication between us and we’re very open. There is a trust level that has been established from working together over the years. We talk a number of times on a daily basis on a number of subjects. We’re working towards the same goals, and that is doing what is best for our team from both the short-term and long-term perspective.” Bulls.com

This is the guy who could someday be remembered – perhaps reviled – as the general manager who couldn't re-sign James. I asked Ferry how often he thinks about that. It was the one instance in a half-hour interview when he dodged a question. “I've enjoyed every minute of it,'' Ferry said of being James' general manager, “and hopefully that lasts another 15 years more.'' Charlotte Observer

Shocking bit of news: Wayne Winston, the Indiana University professor I have quoted extensively in the last couple of weeks, and has been Mark Cubans' statistical consultant for the last nine years, just told me that his contract with the Mavericks has not been renewed. He assures me it's not related to his spilling the beans to TrueHoop. Winston has a professor job, and a book that just came out, and says he has not yet put much thought into whether or not he'll pursue work with other teams. ESPN.com

Phil Jackson revealed before Friday's game that the Lakers will travel to Pau Gasol's hometown of Barcelona for a preseason game next year. A Lakers spokesman confirmed the team is in discussions to make the trip but said it has not been finalized yet. Riverside Press-Enterprise

With the South Bay already working to land major league baseball and football teams, San Jose officials now are formalizing a list of principles for negotiations to bring a professional basketball team to HP Pavilion. On Friday, Greg Jamison, chief executive of Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment, which manages the Pavilion and owns the San Jose Sharks hockey team, said his company has talked to "a number of teams'' over the last year about relocating to San Jose. But a source familiar with the situation said Jamison in recent months has met with the owners of the Sacramento Kings, who are looking for an alternative to aging Arco Arena. Though it's far from certain that the Kings will ever play a game in San Jose, things have apparently moved far enough ahead that the San Jose City Council as early as month's end will vote on a "memorandum of understanding" that would guide negotiations with any National Basketball Association team. San Jose Mercury News

And while he wouldn't confirm details, Jamison did allow that "this time, we are truly talking about what we can do to step up and be ready in the event a team would want to come here.'' Tim Frank, vice president of basketball communications for the NBA, said late Friday the league was not aware of a pending move by any team to San Jose. But Paul Krutko, San Jose's chief development officer, said the city has an existing agreement with Jamison's group that "has always contemplated — or talked about — a shared aspiration to attract an NBA team." San Jose Mercury News

Among other stipulations, the team must generate a "significant economic benefit'' to San Jose and have a positive impact on the city's general fund. Krutko said those would be "the same type of principles we are looking at in the negotiations'' with an NBA team. But Krutko stressed that the circumstances at this point are speculative until the council signs off on the memorandum a team actually offers to move here. The city has been through this drill before. In 2006, Jamison's group teamed with Oracle Chief Executive Larry Ellison in an unsuccessful attempt to buy the Seattle SuperSonics, with the goal of moving the franchise to the South Bay; the team eventually moved to Oklahoma City. And there are territorial rights to consider, much like those between A's and the San Francisco Giants, who are adamantly opposed to surrendering their rights to Santa Clara County. Any talk of an NBA franchise for San Jose is tempered by the fact that the Warriors play only 36 miles from HP Pavilion. A majority of the league's 30 owners would have to approve a move by the Kings to the South Bay, and strong opposition from the Warriors is a given. San Jose Mercury News

The core of the dynamic Phoenix Mercury is a trio as talented as any in the game. No wonder they win WNBA championships. Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter and Penny Taylor — who led the team to its 2007 title — did it again in 2009, when the Mercury held off a late rally by the tenacious Indiana Fever for a 94-86 victory in the deciding Game 5 Friday night. League and finals MVP Taurasi scored 26 points, Pondexter had 24, and Taylor made two crucial free throws with 37.7 seconds left for the Mercury, who won the last two games to take the intense series 3-2. "This is what we do, we make big plays," Taurasi said, holding a towel over her head in the champagne-drenched locker room. "We have people that step up and love to live the moment. It's a great team, great team." AP

Among those in attendance at Friday's game were former NBA coach and player Doug Collins, the Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald and Tim Hightower and Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon. Arizona Republic

Stephon Marbury: I uploaded a YouTube video -- Stephon Marbury eats and swallos Vaseline for his sore thro. Twitter.com

A couple of years back, Connor caught the eye of Mateen Cleaves, the former Flint prep standout, All-America point guard and first-round NBA draft pick. The two started hanging out, and eventually Cleaves agreed to come aboard as Connor's manager. "I'm all in with this," Cleaves says. So are the ex-Michigan State hoops star's friends. Lions linebacker Julian Peterson, also a former Spartan, is going to hand out Connor's latest CD, "The Calling, Pt. 2," to his Detroit teammates. Cleaves, who won the NCAA championship with the Spartans in 2000, also has current members of the Michigan State basketball team listening to Connor. He brought his protege to Spartan Stadium on Oct. 3 for the football game against Michigan. They sat with Spartans hoops coach Tom Izzo. It's all part of Cleaves' strategy to get Connor's music "in people's ears." "Our whole focus right now is trying to create a buzz - getting him heard, getting him in front of people, getting him some shows," Cleaves said during an interview at his health club outside Flint. AP

Cleaves, 32, who earned millions as a member of the Pistons, Kings, Cavaliers and Sonics, even knocked on car windows on Detroit's Belle Isle and handed out Connor CDs to anyone who would accept them. Those who know him say Cleaves is as fired up about his new career as he was about his old one. "He's showing all 32 teeth when he talks about Jon Connor," Peterson says. "He is as excited about this as he was when they won the national championship." AP

Cleaves says a few record companies have called him about Connor, but no offer's come in yet. "We really think that Jon is good enough right now to go in and get a deal. Right now. But we want to set ourselves up for THE deal," Cleaves says. Both men say they're supremely confident it's going to happen. "When I was coming up and I was so focused on making it to the NBA, (it) is just like him being so focused on being one of the best and getting Grammys," Cleaves says. "You got so many people telling you, 'It's only one in a million that can do that.' We laugh. We're gonna be that one in a million." AP

NBA star Doug Christie and his wife, author and designer, Jackie, send their congratulations to President Barack Obama for winning the Nobel Peace Prize, only the fourth U.S. president ever to receive this high honor. The Christies are proud to honor the president for creating a new positive climate and understanding on his quest for world peace. "We must all, continue to support our Chief of Staff and honor him as he moves us into a great new era," said Doug Christie. PRNewswire

Ray Allen discussed the announcement with friends, and was in the locker room as it became a talking point for some of his teammates, but in the end, he believed the honor was cause for celebration more than debate. “Regardless of what he deserves or what he doesn’t deserve, it’s an honor that anybody gets that award. You have to celebrate whatever person gets that award,’’ he said. Boston Globe

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