HoopsHype.com Rumors

Thursday, October 15

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Tim Kawakami: NBA source: Stephen Jackson's value is so low teams are asking about Warriors' unprotected #1 and still want to dump bad money on W's. Twitter.com

"He may have maybe four years left," Barnes said. "We had a really promising team in Golden State there and they blew that whole team up and he’s kind of left over in a rebuilding situation. I know he wants nothing more than to win. I just think right now you kind of want to keep your temper down and not really cause a big riff, but I think he wants to win. I think that’s where all this is coming from." Orlando Sentinel

"I know with our team we had a really special team, really tight knit group," Barnes said. "We had three captains me, Baron and Steve. I think we took great pride in that because we had a good team and everyone was on the same page and everyone got along. I think now that everyone’s kind of going in different directions and the team’s not as good, it may not mean as much now." Orlando Sentinel

Read a pretty provocative item on HoopsHype on Wednesday about Paul Pierce saying he’s prepared “to re-work his contract to keep players in Boston.” Which would be a rather helpful development given that Ray Allen is in the final year of his contract and hoping for a new one, while Rajon Rondo remains hopeful of landing a contract extension this month before the Oct. 31 deadline. Only one problem. Restructuring contracts in the NBA can only happen when a team is under the salary cap and almost never happen even then. The Celtics, of course, are more than $14 million over the luxury-tax line this season, so it’s somewhat of a moot point in this case. ESPN.com

Pierce, though, would have two options if he wants to save the Celts some money: 1) The 2008 NBA Finals MVP can sign an extension at any time over the next two seasons that kicks in starting with 2011-12, but league rules say that the first-year salary in a new deal can only be reduced by a maximum of 10.5 percent from the $21.5 million Pierce is owed in 2010-11. That means the starting salary in an extension could only drop to $19.3 million. 2) Pierce could take the unlikely and rarely seen step of opting out of his contract after this season, leaving next season’s $21.5 million on the table and signing a long-term deal at a reduced rate. ESPN.com

Pierce has said repeatedly this week that he doesn’t plan to give his future deep thought until after the season. After digging out the actual clip from his conversation with Celtics sideline reporter Greg Dickerson, it must be noted that Pierce himself never used the word “rework” -- that came from someone else’s Twitter feed -- but did re-iterate that he hopes to “retire a Celtic” and reveal that he wants “to do what’s best for the team.” Said Pierce: “If it means me doing whatever to keep guys here and makin’ this team stronger next year . . . then I’m willing to do it.” Said Pierce: “If it means me doing whatever to keep guys here and makin’ this team stronger next year . . . then I’m willing to do it.” ESPN.com

Then there is McGrady, whose return could radically alter the roles, rotations and expectations for the Rockets. "Tracy is a wild card," Adelman admitted. "Last year, we didn't know whether he could practice or play from one game to the next, and we could do it that way because we had Yao and Ron. But this year, we can't. Right now, they say he could be back in December or it could be later. I just want to see how he plays at both ends. "If he can come back and play like he did before, we are a different team, a team others have to worry about. He is a guy we can go to down the stretch, and our other guys can play around him. When he was healthy, he was our playmaker; he got into the middle of the floor and made the game easier for others. But if he can't do that this year, he's not going to help us because of what we are doing with Aaron and Trevor. So, yeah, I'm trying to evaluate how much he can help us, and that's tough." SI.com

It's so difficult that Adelman finds himself on both sides of the argument. "Even at 70 percent, he might be more help than hindrance," he said, before later adding, "If he can't go all-out, it affects the way we are competing as a team and we won't get to the spot where we are successful." Adelman could say only one thing for certain about his seven-time All-Star with the near-$23 million expiring contract: "Tracy is an unknown." SI.com

Maurice Ager: Now as you may have read (or not…), I'm unable to play in ACB League games until my teammate, Josh Asselin, receives his Spanish citizenship. See, ACB teams can only have two non-European players and until Josh gets his paperwork approved we have three (myself, Earl Calloway and Josh), meaning one has to sit. Earl being our only true point guard and Josh being a very valuable piece at a shallow position (post) leaves me patiently waiting (due to our depth at guard). Not to worry though, as I still grind it out every day in practice, working on improving my weaknesses and staying game-ready (especially since we usually practice twice a day). Ultimately, it won't be too long until I'm playing league games. HoopsWorld

Maurice Ager: While on the topic of games, the style of play in the ACB is quite different than the NBA. Teams here play more methodical and regimented, relying on intricate half-court sets while defensively, they play suffocating D for 24 seconds, making you pay for the smallest of mistakes. There is more of a reliance on hitting open jump shots here too, since it is more difficult to penetrate and get to the basket (there is no defensive three second rule here). There is not much one-on-one basketball here, either. It reminds me of Big Ten basketball, with obviously, a much higher talent level. Final scores will rarely flirt with three digits and if a player gets off for about 15 points, which is a solid offensive game. As compared to the NBA, where scoring in the teens is considered an average night for a starter. HoopsWorld

LeBron James, Darnell Jackson and Coby Karl have all tested positive for Influenza A, according to Cleveland Cavaliers spokesman Tad Carper, and the team will treat them as if they have H1N1. H1N1 is a strain of Influenza A. Carper said this afternoon that the Cleveland Cavaliers entire traveling party would be treated with medication in an effort to prevent speard of the virus. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Brian Windhorst: Cavs injury list has...wait for it...11 names not counting D. West. 6 have flu, strain is same as H1N1 but tests on that still out. Twitter.com

Brian Windhorst: Add JJ Hickson to list of the flu bitten. Will not travel. Jeez, I don't even want to go into locker rm. Instead, I'll just get on a plane. Twitter.com

Marion missed the preseason opener due to the injury, then played in the past two games. He came out early in the second half of Sunday's game against Memphis after experiencing more pain and has not practiced since. Marion said the team's medical staff told him he would need to sit out at least seven to 10 days. "If you don't let it heal completely, it will linger," Marion said. "I don't want it to linger. I came back the first time and tried to play through it a little bit, but it was still bothering. I was fighting through it and actually tweaked it a little bit more and it started hurting worse." ESPN.com

"I want to just play through this, but it's one of those injuries that they tell me if I don't let it heal completely it will keep lingering," Marion tells HOOPSWORLD. "I don't want it to linger. When I came back the first time it was still hurting me a little bit, but I was trying to fight through it and I actually tweaked it a little bit more and it started hurting more. Now I'm just working on rehabbing and working on my conditioning." HoopsWorld

Portland Trail Blazers guard Rudy Fernandez has been listed as day-to-day, according to the team. Fernandez, who was pulled out of Wednesday's game against the Phoenix Suns with back spasms, did not make the trip with the Blazers for tonight's road contest against the Utah Jazz. The second-year guard played 9 minutes, 6 seconds and was scoreless in Portland's 110-104 loss to Phoenix at Memorial Coliseum. Fernandez, who backs up starting shooting guard Brandon Roy, has had a quiet preseason. Columbian

On how extensive the background check was when he was attempting to buy the Dallas Mavericks, and on how aware he was of how rigorous the process was: “You know, they didn’t tell me specifically but I sure heard from a whole lot of friends I hadn’t heard from in a long time and from former business associates who said people were calling them asking about me. So I don’t know all the details and for new owners who have come in since me, I haven’t asked what we do, so I couldn’t really tell you in depth what the specifics are.” Sports Radio Interviews

Mark Cuban on the replacement refs in the NBA: “I want to see the traditional - the old refs - come back. They’ve worked their butts off and given a lot of blood, sweat and tears and so have their families to the NBA. So I want to see them come back, but I think everybody expected the replacement refs just to crash and burn and they haven’t. The three games that we’ve had, they’ve done a really, really good job. There’s no agenda, there’s no game management, it’s just call the game the best you can and to me that’s refreshing.” Sports Radio Interviews

How about this campaign. A pizza parlor in Saint Catharines, ON wants Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal to visit, and if he does, the parlor will donate money to charity. The Boston Pen Pizza Centre is using Twitter and Facebook to help persuade Shaq. On its Facebook page the company says: I want to start a group that is SO big that I can send him the link and he'll have no choice but to come for a drink and visit us here at the Pen Centre. If Shaq agrees that he'll visit, I'll donate 10% of sales from that day to the Niagara Peninsula Children's Centre, a charity near and dear to my heart. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Caron Butler made it into Washingtonian's October issue, featuring 18 of Washington's most stylish individuals. Several of the other individuals are featured in a video of the photo shoot, and I'm pretty sure that I've never heard of any of them. Also, Mike Wise's invitation apparently got lost in the mail. Worth noting: Caron always, always, always wins the title of Best Dressed Wizard. Washington Post

A U.S. congressman is asking NBA Commissioner David Stern why the league participated in games with a visiting Greek team that has allegedly breached contracts with former NBA players. Rep. Peter King, a New York Republican, noted that the Greek club Olympiakos has outstanding U.S. federal court judgments against it. Former NBA player Chris Morris won a judgment against the Greek club, as did his agent, Tom McLaughlin. King also asks Stern in the letter this week what the league is doing to ensure the fair treatment of American players overseas. The NBA declined to comment on the letter. AP

With an Oct. 31 deadline nearing, general manager Kevin Pritchard said Wednesday the Trail Blazers and star forward LaMarcus Aldridge are "moving toward a deal" in which Aldridge would be a Blazer long term. After negotiating since July 1, Pritchard said talks with Aldridge's agent, Arn Tellem, took a decided turn for the better this week. "There has been movement," Pritchard said. "But I don't want to get the cart before the horse because I want to do this right. I want to make sure we are staying on the right path. But I feel like we are moving toward a deal. Now that doesn't mean we are going to get a deal done. Negotiations ebb and flow all the time, so I want to be cautious with that. But I'm optimistic, I really am." Oregonian

Earlier in the day, at the team's shootaround, Aldridge also expressed optimism. "Arn told me they have been talking every day, and there has been progress, that communication has picked up a lot," Aldridge said. "So that's a good thing that they are talking more. He said things were going better." Oregonian

How can the Warriors trade Jackson if they're the only team gullible enough to commit so much money to such a flammable player? But they do have to move him. That's not up for debate. "We're still going to try to accommodate him," coach Don Nelson tepidly said this week of Jackson's trade wish. "But it's not that easy to do." San Jose Mercury News

For now, NBA sources say that the Warriors are highly motivated to trade Jackson but have only received laughable offers — lousy teams looking to dump gargantuan contracts. The No. 1 and maybe the only realistic goal for Robert Rowell, Larry Riley and crew: Do not duplicate what the Warriors did in 1999 when they panicked and sent Latrell Sprewell to the New York Knicks for multiple foul contracts. San Jose Mercury News

So, Jackson returned to practice and told his bosses he no longer wants to be a captain. Warriors general manager Larry Riley has been working the phones for a trade, but there’s nothing out there. Privately, the Warriors have said they’ve just been offered “garbage” for Jackson and four years and $35 million left on his contract. Yahoo! Sports

For now, the Warriors are privately griping that Jackson’s belligerence could dramatically impact Monta Ellis, the player whom management believes can be most easily influenced, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

The Warriors are stuck with Jackson and his contract, and deservedly so. Behind the back of now deposed GM Chris Mullin, Golden State’s meddlesome president Robert Rowell cut a contract extension directly with Jackson. Those close to Jackson believe Rowell convinced Jackson to terminate his high-powered agent, Dan Fegan, and do a deal directly with ownership. As much as ever now, Jackson could use Fegan’s stewardship, but he’s on his own. Yahoo! Sports

The Warriors had lost Baron Davis to free agency in the summer of 2007, and Mullin knew that spring’s historic playoff run was a vapor, that the franchise would be wise to move Jax with his value peaked. Mullin had a trade in the works to an Eastern Conference team, but was told to forget it. Rowell told the GM that Jackson was untouchable, and then rewarded Jackson with a cap-crippling $28 million extension to make him the face of the franchise. Yahoo! Sports

The Warriors picked up their options on Randolph and Brandan Wright, guaranteeing Randolph's third season and Wright's fourth. The decision to pick up Randolph's option was a no-brainer. Wright's was not so easy since he suffered a separated shoulder. But after a successful surgery, the Warriors are confident Wright will recover. The Warriors haven't released a timetable for his return, but Nelson said Wednesday that Wright has "got to sit out another year, but he's certainly worthy of that extension." San Jose Mercury News

Hughes reiterated Wednesday that he believes LeBron James, the Knicks' primary free agent target, will re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers when James becomes a free agent next summer. "I still feel that way," Hughes said following the Knicks' practice in Greenburgh, N.Y. "He's got a good opportunity to win there. And I know a lot of people talk about him playing in a big market, but he just wants to win a ring. It's not about playing in a big market." New York Daily News

Hughes speaks regularly to his former teammate with the Cavs and maintains that James is content with the direction of the club. Hughes was with Cleveland when James reached his first NBA Finals in 2007. After the Cavs were eliminated by Orlando in the Eastern Conference Finals last May, the club acquired Shaquille O'Neal, Anthony Parker, Leon Powe and Jamario Moon. Like LeBron, Hughes will also become a free agent next summer, but his future and present for that matter remain unsettled. Hughes is versatile enough to play three positions, but with the Knicks committed to their younger players - Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Nate Robinson and Toney Douglas - and with Mike D'Antoni committed to using a shorter rotation, Hughes could be the odd man out. New York Daily News

One would think it's a no-brainer for the Cavaliers to pick up the option year on power forward J.J. Hickson's contract. But his agent, Andy Miller, hasn't heard a word from the Cavs. "I've not had any conversations regarding J.J.'s extension," Miller said. "I have no indication what they're going to do. "Either they don't intend to pick it up or it's a fait accompli (French for done deal)." News-Herald

The 6-foot-9, 242-pound Hickson, the Cavs' leading scorer in the preseason at 14.3 points per game heading into Wednesday's game, has been kept in the dark about the option year. "I haven't heard anything," he said. News-Herald

The Wolves must decide by Halloween night whether to pick up Pecherov's fourth-year, $2.38 million option, a decision Kahn is unlikely to make on a player about whom so many questions still remain. "This is a new step in my career," said Pecherov, who played Wednesday with his left wrist wrapped for protection. "The last two years, I didn't really have a chance to show my skills, to show everybody I can play basketball. I'm looking forward to getting a chance here." Minneapolis Star Tribune

Graham, 27, has impressed Nuggets coach George Karl so much that Karl has already talked about fitting the 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward in the rotation during J.R. Smith's seven-game suspension when the season starts. Those decisions are still to be determined, but what is clear is how much Karl likes the hard- working, rough-and-tumble Graham. "There's a 'how we played' last year that I don't think any of us want to change," Karl said. "Joey has that Dahntay Jones personality. They are different players, going to do it in different ways. But from the standpoint of courage and toughness and the Denver Nuggets desire to defend, Joey has those personalities." Denver Post

If Graham makes the team, his one-year contract would become guaranteed on Jan. 10. But Graham isn't thinking about that right now. The former Oklahoma State standout is simply trying to earn his way onto the roster. "All I can do is control the things that I can control and leave the rest up to the Lord," Graham said. "I can control coming out here playing hard every day in practice and playing hard in the game. Hopefully I can show them that I do deserve to be on this team." Denver Post

Veteran guard Damon Jones, who made a habit over the years of calling himself the "best shooter in the world," is going international. fter playing sparingly last season with the Milwaukee Bucks, Jones has signed a one-year deal with Napoli in Italy's top division, according to agent Andy Bountogianis of Cleveland-based Mark Termini Associates. ESPN.com

Darnell Mayberry: Just spoke with DeVon Hardin. He told me he'll be in Tulsa this season playing with the 66ers. Twitter.com

Eric Devendorf is considering his playing options, including opportunities to play professionally in Europe as well as the NBA Development League, according to his agent. Devendorf is mulling offers in both Greece and Turkey, Chris Luchey, Devendorf's agent, wrote in a text message Wednesday. Luchey also wrote that Devendorf is considering the possibility of remaining in the United States to play in the NBDL. Syracuse.com

In Paul Millsap’s case, however, I think there was a significant amount of concern after he signed his four-year, $32 million offer sheet this summer with Portland. “Everybody around me, I had to keep them level,” Millsap said. “They were a little frustrated, a little nervous. I tried to keep them calm. . . .I just kept myself occupied. I got myself away from anything that would bring that up.” Salt Lake Tribune

The 6-9 Warrick played primarily off the bench for the Grizzlies last season, but he still averaged 11.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest while appearing in all 82 regular-season games. So it was a bit of a jolt when the Grizzlies let him become an unrestricted free agent. Warrick was taken by Memphis with the 19th pick in the 2005 draft. "I'm not going to say it was shocking. It's just being there all four years and I expected to re-sign," he said. "It was kind of disappointing." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Josh, you seem to have paved a new avenue for NBA players. Do you think we will continue to see established NBA players leave for Europe? Josh Childress: I think so. I think that guys feel more comfortable with the jump after I moved over and after Von moved over. I know a lot of guys are worried about the financial aspect, whether they’re going to get their money, but that’s something I didn’t have a problem with. I only see it as a positive for guys. It’s another option and when you have options it makes your life a little easier. NBADraft.net

Josh, what surprised you the most about your first season in Europe? Josh Childress: It was more difficult to play there than I expected. It was very physical. The style of play is a lot slower. It’s a different style of basketball. You appreciate all styles of basketball after being over there. You appreciate Spanish basketball, French, Isreali, Greek. They’re all different, but you learn to appreciate them all. NBADraft.net

Yes, they tried. Jackson says now he never cared about the title of captain, but that isn’t true. He loved the legitimacy that it lent to a wayward career. Back then, Jax and I were sitting in a New York City gymnasium where he talked about the moment that Nelson had called him with word of his promotion. “Coach, you’re going to make me cry,” Jackson told him. Yahoo! Sports

Mostly, Jackson remembered that on the afternoon of Nellie’s phone call, “My whole day stopped. It was like I just won a championship.” Jackson popped champagne with some friends and celebrated the honor with style. Jackson would tell me that day, “It’s amazing that an older white guy understands me more than anybody I’ve been around in my whole life. He sees through all the tattoos and all the stuff people say about me. He knows how I love the game.” Yahoo! Sports

So, Jackson expresses his disappointment in his teammates for not having his back. Imagine he was expecting at least them to publicly say how Kobe was playing dirty, if not voice their disapproval in the coaching staff’s handling of him, if not break Kobe off a hard foul or sharp words. JACKSON: “Nobody reacted but me so the team didn’t have a reaction. It was only me standing up for myself. I don’t think anybody else stood up for me. But if the shoe was on the other foot, I would have stood up for somebody on my team. And they didn’t do the same for me.” Contra Costa Times

Jackson took his beef with Kobe to a public level. I don’t think he’s ever been a fan of Kobe. Especially to an official street dude like Jax, Bryant isn’t going to get the benefit of the doubt. So if he really called Jax young fella (though they’re the same age), better believe Jax really didn’t like that. In essence, Jax got dissed by a suburbanite. On top of what he thought was some dirty play. JACKSON: “I’m not going to bow down. I’m not a fan of Kobe. I’m not somebody who looks up to him. I’m a grown man myself. So when I go out there and play the game, I play the game. I feel like I’m just as good as him. I might not get the publicity or notoriety he gets, but I feel like I can play with anybody in the NBA any given night.” Contra Costa Times

Yes, you read that right. Jax said he’s as good as Kobe. See, that is machismo taking over. But he did qualify it. By the end of the quote, he was clearly saying that he feel like he can match-up with Kobe and even give him the business. JACKSON: “I think everybody should feel like that. Everybody should be a competitor and I don’t back down from anybody. I’ve never been like that and I’m not going to start today. … It ain’t envy. I ain’t jealous of anybody. At the end of the day I’m still blessed to be in this game, taking care of my family. I think it’s just the fact that what’s fair is fair and I want to be treated fair as a man. Just like anybody else would.” Contra Costa Times

Al Harrington shook his head with a wry smile and recalled how a year ago, it was he who was making headlines with the Warriors in a clash with Don Nelson. Now it's Harrington's close friend, Stephen Jackson, battling wits with Nellie, though in this case, Jackson is the instigator. "I'm just happy to be away from it," Harrington said after the Knicks' practice Wednesday at the MSG Training Center. "I feel for Jack, I just hope whatever he does he does it the right way and doesn't cost himself any more money." Newsday

"His reasoning was . . . they had built something so nice and it was going in the right direction and now look at the team," Harrington said. "He's frustrated about that. He wants to win. You can't be mad at somebody for wanting to win." Newsday

"The greatest did it before -- Kobe, the greatest to ever play the game -- and he won a championship after that" demand, Artest said. "He wanted to win. He didn't want out; he wanted to win. Stephen Jackson probably isn't as talented as the greatest, but he has got as much heart." Los Angeles Times

Artest, of course, knows Stephen Jackson well. It was Jackson who rushed into the stands in Detroit to fight alongside Artest when the two were playing for the Indiana Pacers. Artest was suspended for the remainder of the season, while Jackson was slapped with a 30-game suspension. “We probably would have had about two or three championships,” Artest said. “But someone else got ‘em and you move on.” Yahoo! Sports

I think this ties into a different issue. Nellie has commented about Monta’s lack of conditioning. He said earlier that Ellis didn’t come into camp in the best shape. Wednesday, he added the line about how Ellis had to push his conditioning to be ready in two weeks. It sounds to me like Nelson has an idea of where Monta should be physically, conditioning wise, in order to be most effective when the season begins. And he was saying, I think, Ellis isn’t at that point yet, but he expects him to be there when the season begins on October 28. Contra Costa Times

This photo produced a funny moment in practice. I asked Randolph about this photo, which if he’d seen it. I phrased the question as did he see the picture in which he is Liston and Baron Davis is Ali. RANDOLPH: “Why I gotta be Sonny Liston? Why I can’t be Ali?” Clearly, Randolph hadn’t seen the picture. So I explained it was of him on the ground and Baron over him, looking down at him, grimacing. RANDOLPH: “Oh, I was on the ground? (pause) I was selling the call.” So, I pulled up the picture on my iPhone off WarriorsWorld.net so Randolph could see it. He walked to the side so he could look at it privately. He laughed. Especially while he was reading the thread. Contra Costa Times

“It depends on what God thinks about you,” Artest said. “That is what Steve always tells me and what I’ve always told him. What does God think about you? Not what [NBA commissioner] David Stern think about you. What does God think about you? Not what does Pepsi-Cola think about you or corporate America or suburban America think about you? Not what the ticketholders think about you. What does God think about you? That’s what matters.” Yahoo! Sports

After the Wizards got off the plane, one of the airport workers greeted each player on the Wizards, but scoffed when he saw Stevenson. Stevenson said the guy told him, "I hate you." Stevenson responded with some unmentionables. Butler can vouch for the incident. "Obviously, it ain't dead," Butler said of the rivalry. Washington Post

Caron Butler: You know this has been kind of a different preseason for us in Washington. We had a coaching change and that obviously affects the whole thing. Besides, I see a more focused team this time around. I mean, this locker room is still unlike any other I’ve been in the NBA in that guys are real fun, we have a good time and root for each other. But it’s a little different from years past. I definitely think we’re a championship contender now and my teammates do too, so there’s a more serious approach to things that maybe wasn’t there before. Not as many jokes and laughs as in previous seasons. HoopsHype.com

Caron Butler: With Gilbert, myself, Jamison, DeShawn, Haywood, Mike Miller, Randy Foye, Oberto (nice pickup) and the rest of the guys, I think we have more than enough to compete with the big dogs in the East. Now we just have to get it done. Boston and Orlando would be great to beat, but you know I have a special place in my heart for Cleveland for putting us out all those years in the playoffs. HoopsHype.com

Caron Butler: It’s a good rivalry we have with them, but there’s no actual hate. I wasn’t raised to hate nobody. I respect LeBron James and the rest of them. In fact, I speak with LBJ often. That said, I tell you right now that Mike Miller, whom I love, has to take those LeBron shoes off. That’s just not acceptable around here. You heard that, Mike! HoopsHype.com

Guard Delonte West remained absent from the team. Instead of sitting on the bench at Wednesday night's game at Quicken Loans Area, West worked out with coaches at Cleveland Clinic Courts. West is expected to travel with the team to Texas, but his status remains uncertain. Akron Beacon Journal

Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko has left the team to return to his native Russia and tend to a personal, undisclosed family matter there. The absence is "excused," a team spokesman said. Kirilenko will miss the Jazz's exhibition games Thursday night at home vs. Portland and on Saturday against the Clippers in Los Angeles. Deseret News

Following up on a session initially put together by Heat guard Dwyane Wade, Beasley found himself responding Tuesday night to a posted comment relating to his substance-abuse issues this summer. As he read the comment on the live video feed, teammates Daequan Cook and Mario Chalmers, who were in his room participating in the live Internet stream at the time, grew quiet. In response to a snarky comment of knowing how to hide his stash, Beasley playfully responded about how true that was. Comments from those viewing the stream followed ripping the initial commenter about trying to lure Beasley into such a response. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Before Wednesday's game, when asked if he would have been better off simply avoiding a reply, the second-year forward acknowledged with a smile, "you're right." Beasley, who followed up with a brilliant 24-point performance, said the gathering that eventually grew to include as many as 10 teammates was in his room, but that the chat and video session were not on his computer. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

76ers rookie Jrue Holiday received a DNP-Coach's Decision last night against the New York Knicks. He was the only player suited up that didn't get in the game. After today's practice, Sixers coach Eddie Jordan talked about not playing Holiday. He said he felt bad he didn't get him in the game. His reasoning was that New York's guards -- Chris Duhon, Nate Robinson, etc. -- were playing at a high, intense level. Higher than is usual for a pre-season game. Jordan said he didn't feel comfortable tossing Holiday into that situation. It sounded like he was uncomfortable with it not because of potential mistakes/turnovers, but moreso to preserve Holiday's psyche. Philadelphia Inquirer

Jordan said before today's practice he addressed some "behavior" issues from last night's game. Some "exhibited frustration" by his players. Jordan said that as the team's leader he thought it important to quickly talk about some of these things ... early in the season. On this point, I have to agree with him. It seemed in the second quarter -- when things really weren't going well -- that some unnamed Sixers were having less than positive energy. In fact, that's a term Jordan used: don't bring negative energy to the court. On one play, I believe it was the second quarter, Willie Green and Andre Iguodala went up for the same rebound. Iguodala snatched it from Green -- barely -- but when he came down, he glared at Green then stole a look to the Sixers bench as if to say, "what's he doing trying to take that rebound from me?" (That's how the interaction looked from press row, about 10 yards away.) I'm assuming these are the types of interactions that Jordan would want to eliminate. Awesome that he's addressing them so early. Philadelphia Inquirer

Walton's role seemed less certain after two exhibition games in which he played only a handful of minutes, however. Jackson did nothing to settle the issue when asked why Walton played so little in the exhibition opener last week against Golden State. "Cuz," Jackson said. "Cuz why?" a reporter asked. "Just cuz," Jackson said, smiling cryptically. Whittier Daily News

"I wanted to come into training camp with a new perspective and a new attitude," Vujacic said. "I think I was overdoing it last year. Everybody was telling me I was shooting too much and putting too much pressure on myself. I always believe that hard work pays off, but I just didn't know how to manage that." Riverside Press-Enterprise

Casspi, 21, first was noticed by the Kings when he played for the World Select Team at the 2007 Nike Hoop Summit in Memphis, Tenn. They were impressed by his athleticism and smarts. But Casspi wasn’t ready to enter the NBA then, primarily because he was busy serving his required three years in the Israeli army. He was discharged shortly before last June’s draft. “He was a sniper in the Israeli army, so how much pressure can be on him now?” said Scotty Sterling, the Kings’ scouting director. “He wasn’t in combat, but he said they taught him to shoot a rifle. But he said he’d rather shoot a basketball than a rifle.” Jewish Journal

Casspi quickly corrects the record, saying he wasn’t a sniper. Still, the story has been making the rounds. “I don’t know where that rumor started,” Casspi said. “I wasn’t a sniper. It’s not true. I was in basic training. But I did hold a gun, and I shot a lot.” Jewish Journal

It sure looks like, at least for now, that Rambis has concluded that Jonny Flynn and Ramon Sessions can’t play together. At least he hasn’t played them together yet in three preseason games and says he doesn’t like the way they looked together in practice scrimmages. If they can’t play some together, how’s this going to work with them splitting time. Neither’s going to be happy playing 24 minutes a game, which is what they roughly played tonight (Flynn 23:43, Sessions, 24:17). You gotta believe that at some point he has to put them together just to keep everybody happy. Minneapolis Star Tribune

Karl said Carmelo Anthony has been particularly solid with his leadership in October. Anthony also scored 45 points in the Nuggets’ last exhibition game – a win over Indiana in Beijing. “I think Melo is growing into that role, more so by his approach and his actions more than just his words,” Karl said. “And the culture. Our culture of who we pick up and who we trade for, I think we’re a little more aware of guys that like to be in the gym.” Denver Post

Saw a video of you on YouTube in a shooting contest with MJ at a camp. How much interaction do you have with Jordan himself? Carmelo Anthony: I have a lot of interaction with him. We talk over text a lot. Whenever I see him, we sit down and talk. Sometimes we talk about business, sometimes we talk about sports, other times we talk about whatever’s going on in the world at the moment. Freshness Mag

And it would be an exaggeration to say that he is indispensable. But he is beginning his third year as a Boston Celtic for the very simple reason that he is a specialist who knows exactly who he is and who he isn’t, and that clearly appeals to Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers. “Boy, he can shoot, and he scares the hell out of other teams,’’ declares Rivers. “He used to scare the hell out of me when I was coaching elsewhere. I kid him that he’s on the All-Scare Team.’’ Boston Globe

“First of all, I fell in love with Eddie when he was in college,’’ Ainge says. It seems that Eddie House was playing for Arizona State while Danny was playing and coaching in Phoenix. “I watched him play at Arizona State. He’s definitely a guy I’d pay to watch play. And I followed his NBA career closely.’’ Boston Globe

Until Wednesday, Jefferson said his role had been akin to that of a 29-year-old rookie instead of a veteran going into his ninth season. “I'm just like a rookie out here, trying to find my way, learn the plays, learn the system, learn the timing, get to know their games,” he said. “The more you do that, and the more we play, the more aggressive I can be.” San Antonio Express-News

Three players, including LeBron James, sat out Wednesday's preseason game with the Washington Wizards at The Q with flu-like symptoms. The players first started getting ill on Tuesday when James was sent home from practice. James, Darnell Jackson and Coby Karl were all kept away from the team. As a matter of precaution and procedure, all three will be tested for the H1N1 flu virus. Cavs coach Mike Brown said the team wasn't worried and said that one of his sons also has the flu, which has been going around in area schools and colleges. Cleveland Plain Dealer

The Wizards are being optimistic, perhaps too optimistic about the prospects of Antawn Jamison, who injured his right shoulder while fouling Cleveland's Zydrunas Ilgauskas and was forced to leave with 4 minutes, 34 seconds left in the first period. The moment Jamison's arm came down after his train wreck collision with Ilgauskas, it looked like a serious injury; the kind that has ruined many a season in Washington in recent years. Jamison said his arm went numb and lost sensation in his fingers. "It scared me a little bit. It scared me because I didn't have any feeling," Jamison said after the game, while wearing a navy blue sling that matched perfectly with his powder blue sweater and navy pants. He joked afterward that it almost like he planned it. Washington Post

At least Jamison could smile afterward, because the sight of him storming through the tunnel and toward the locker room frightened almost every player on the bench, especially those who have been in town to see injuries to Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood, among others, send seasons sinking. "I'm not even used to the history of being on the sideline with guys going down, but I heard some guys say, 'Aw, not again,' " Randy Foye said after the game. Washington Post

"I won't say it popped out, but it did some moving," Jamison said. "I didn't hear anything pop. I just knew when it happened it was something serious." Said Flip Saunders, "Antawn is pretty tough. For him to be out an extended period is going to take a lot. Right now, it's all speculation, we'll have to wait and see." Washington Post

Speaking of Rose, he plans to try to suit up for Thursday’s practice, but it’d be a surprise if he’s cleared to do so. The guard is lamenting his absence for rhythmic reasons, as well as conditioning issues. “I need to get out there to help us all get into a rhythm,” Rose said. “We need to gel quickly. “I’ve been doing conditioning stuff on the bike and swimming but there’s nothing like playing. I need to get in game shape. I’m going to warm up and tape Thursday and put on my ankle brace and see how it goes from there.” Chicago Tribune

Harris has a slight groin strain, and while he'll miss tomorrow's preseason game against the Knicks, he claims he should return by Sunday or Monday and play in next Wednesday's home rematch. That is, assuming he doesn't injure something else, never a sure bet with Harris, who had already hurt both ankles this preseason. "[I've never had] small nagging ones like this. Usually I'm like the big hurt," said Harris, aware these nagging injuries can linger. "Exactly; that's why we're taking the time now to let it heal. I'd rather have it Oct. 14 than have it anytime after the 28th. We're taking the time now to let it heal and rest as we move forward." New York Post

The inactivity is by design. Coach Nate McMillan has limited the playing time of Fernandez and Nicolas Batum due to their participation in the European Championships in September. Fernandez teamed with Pau Gasol to lead their native Spain to the title; Batum was a key figure as France finished fifth. Portland Tribune

“Rudy played all summer long,” says McMillan, in his fifth season with Portland. “He could get into December and be fatigued. It still may happen, but I’m going to cut his minutes as much as possible through the preseason.” Fernandez seems OK with it. “I like to play,” he says. “But it’s the preseason, and it was a long summer for me. He prefers to rest me, because it’s a long (regular) season – 82 games.” Portland Tribune

Rudy Fernandez: The first preseason games have been a little weird. I haven’t been able to play a lot because of my back problems that don’t allow me to be at my 100%. The summer has been busy and intense, and the NBA preseason started without time to rest after the European Championships, and the NBA is very physically demanding. These days, coach McMillan wants me to rest and get healthy to be better for start of the season. I hope to get well from the back pains soon and be ready for the NBA season start. Rudy Fernandez

Sidelined since camp opened more than two weeks ago by a severely sprained ankle, veteran forward Nick Collison was asked if he’s concerned with the season opener less than two weeks away. "I haven’t even practiced, yet, so I’m definitely going to be behind,” Collison said. "Yeah, I’m concerned. I’ll be fine eventually. You never want to be behind. But you also want to be 100 percent. I’m doing pretty good with the pain. It’s the explosiveness is what I don’t have.” Oklahoman

Isaiah Thomas of Tacoma said he is looking forward to his sophomore season at the University of Washington, while also admitting that it might be his last. “Whatever God has in his plan, that’s what is going to happen,” Thomas said Wednesday. “If the opportunity (to go to the NBA) is there, I’ve got to take it. If it’s there and it’s wide open and they’re talking about first round, you’ve got to look at that. But if it’s not, why not come back to college? It’s the best four years of your life.” The Olympian

Marc J. Spears: China officials pleaded to David Stern to no avail to allow Yi to play in upcoming China Games, source close to the Nets forward said. Twitter.com

The NBA has fined Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown $60,000 for his actions surrounding his ejection from an exhibition game on Monday. The NBA fined the Bobcats an additional $60,000 on Wednesday. Brown was hit with two technical fouls by replacement referee Kevin Scott, then lingered on the court after being ejected in the third quarter. Scott called for security before Brown left for the locker room on his own accord. ESPN.com

The Cavs coaching staff has the many of the same faces but in new roles this season. When John Kuester left to become the Detroit Pistons' head coach, he took video coordinator Steve Hetzel with him. Brown did not directly replace Kuester but altered his staff and made a couple hires. Mike Malone was named offensive coordinator, Melvin Hunt defensive coordinator and Chris Jent was promoted from development director to assistant coach. Bryant Moore and Lloyd Pierce, who had other positions with the team, were promoted to co-directors of development. Fans will get used to seeing them sitting behind the bench each game with veteran assistant Hank Egan. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Also the Cavs hired Neal Meyer, who was an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers for the last six seasons, to run the video department. Brown also brought in Jordi Fernandez, a young Spaniard who has worked with many European players, as an operations assistant. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Sixers fans in the Philadelphia area could watch live games on the Internet this basketball season for the first time, as long as they pay an extra fee that runs about $20 a month. Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, which carries Sixers regular-season games on cable TV, might announce the details of the new service by the start of the season Oct. 28. Some negotiations were still taking place, sources said. Although out-of-market pro sports games have been available online through the sports leagues, regional sports networks were slow to stream local pro games because of fears the Internet would cannibalize TV viewing. Philadelphia Inquirer

Walking through the Prado last week in Spain, it was noted that perhaps one Jazz player might - - might - - have taken the time to tour the famous art museum while the team was in Madrid as part of its European trip. Unfortunately, that would be Jarron Collins, who was not re-signed by the Jazz as a free agent and headed to training camp with Portland. Turns out, Collins has been to the Prado, having visited Madrid a couple of summers ago with his wife. He was one of the NBA’s most intellectual players, and from a beat writer’s perspective, he already is distinctly missed. Salt Lake Tribune

Chris Vernon: Just talked to antonio burks at grizz game- he is doin good- cant walk but is rehabbin 3x a wk. Twitter.com

Long before the Cavaliers selected James with the No. 1 overall draft pick, long before he helped the United States win a gold medal in the Beijing Olympics, won the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award and Nike made him a multimillionaire, LeBron James was friends with Travis, Willie McGee, Dru Joyce III and Sian Cotton. "That's why I love them. They keep me humble," James says. Washington Post

"Honestly, that first practice, seeing the boys interact, their relationship was so unique. I thought I had something bigger than a 10-minute class project," said Belman, an Akron native who also incorporated home videos, personal photos and current interviews to complete the film. "From the get-go, when I pitched the vision, I said, 'This is a friendship story,' " Belman said. Washington Post

Adidas, very much an underdog in the category, is continuing its full-court press into the basketball arena today with a campaign featuring NBA All-Stars Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose with the theme "Celebrating basketball as a brotherhood." The campaign, via 180 Los Angeles, includes a TV spot showing Rose and Howard along with Kevin Garnett, Chauncey Billups, Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady and Josh Smith playing on an ethereal, all-white court with each repeating variations of the sentiment "It's on me..." (For example, "It's on me to rise up.") The ads continue a theme Adidas introduced in 2007 with a campaign featuring Garnett, Billups, Duncan, McGrady, Howard and Gilbert Arenas around the theme "Basketball is a brotherhood." AdWeek

NBA star Chris Bosh has always been known for his scoring, but following a recent legal victory he spearheaded, many may soon credit him with an assist. Bosh, a popular, 25-year-old power forward who plays for the Toronto Raptors (seen here with Raptors coach Jay Triano), recently won an intellectual property dispute over a website name, allowing him to own the site chrisbosh.com and opening the door for hundreds of other athletes to take control of their own sites. Wall Street Journal

In this particular case, Bosh alleged that Luis Zavala was wrongfully using his name — and the names of about 800 other athletes and celebrities — as web domain names. The biggest celebrity included in the cybersquat was Britney Spears. The sports figures ranged from college basketball players to NBA All-Stars like Phoenix’s Amare Stoudemire and Orlando’s Rashard Lewis. There were also several sites under the names of players from the University of Notre Dame and University of North Carolina basketball teams, including Tyler Hansbrough. To scroll the entire list, click here. Because domain names can help generate visibility, there can be a great deal of money attached to using someone else’s name for a domain name, Bosh’s attorney, Brian Heidelberger, said. “We’d guess that [Zavala] made a pretty significant amount,” said Heidelberger of Winston & Strawn. Wall Street Journal

Heidelberger said his client wasn’t necessarily angry — just interested in getting his name back. “That was the main thing he wanted,” he said. “And when he knew there was an opportunity to help out all these other people, too, he decided to push for that.” Bosh’s legal team argued that Zavala was able to garner so many domain names because he kept tabs on highly touted players from a young age, hoping they’d blossom to the point where there’d be demand for a personal website. Indeed, Zavala had several websites that took on the names of high-school basketball players. Wall Street Journal

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