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Saturday, October 24

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Wally Szczerbiak is thinking about retirement, his father Walter said on a Spanish talk radio show. "Wally is retiring probably. He saw the doctor the other day and decided to undergo surgery. He is leaning toward retiring," said Walter on 'Tirando a Fallar'. Marca.com

Walter Szczerbiak: "He wants to play with his kids, he wants to play golf when he's done playing basketball and if he keeps playing maybe he won't be able to do it." ES Radio

"This isn't chaos," Gentry tells his team at practice. "We have to be organized. . . . If we're mentally tired, we're dead." Regardless of the conditioning and yelling, the Suns are happy to have their system back. Scoring should come easily to a starting unit and sixth man built to play this way, now that free agent Channing Frye was added to spread the floor as a long-range shooting center. "The Nash-and-Stoudemire era is not over yet," Stoudemire said. "We're still here. We're still improving. We're still getting better as a unit. We're bringing the Phoenix Suns team with us. I'll tell you what: We're definitely focusing in on the defensive end and it's going to show this season." Arizona Republic

Will the 2009-10 Suns be Kerr's revenge? Or just another regret? "A successful season for us is if we really re-develop our identity not just as a running team, but playing hard and playing together and really coming together as a team," said Kerr, the Suns' general manager. "I'd be really surprised if that didn't happen. I think the circumstances are right." Arizona Republic

There has been some buzz around the NBA that Denver is interested in Golden State's Stephen Jackson, but an NBA source said there haven't been any significant conversations about acquiring the forward. Even if Denver wanted him, he would be difficult to acquire. The trade exception is now at $7.4 million, which is less than Jackson's $7.6 contract, so Denver couldn't use the exception to get Jackson. Denver Post

Forgive me for the sensational headline -- I must admit to twisting the NBA commissioner's words just a tiny bit. But in an interview with reelsportsfan.com, David Stern revealed he's just like the millions of fans in Ohio who hope to see LeBron James re-sign with the Cavaliers. "He hasn't won anything yet, but he may be the best player to descend to this planet," Stern said of James, later adding, "Michael [Jordan] might dispute that, but he's got a lot of canvas yet upon which to paint. And I have no doubt the picture is going to be beautiful." When asked if Stern had any idea where James may finish his career, he replied, "None whatsoever -- although I hope it's in Cleveland." FanHouse

In an interview with the Versus show "The Sports Take," NBA Commissioner David Stern had a strong opinion about the man he gave the Most Valuable Player Award to last spring. "You know, he hasn't won anything yet, but he may be the best player ever to descend to this planet," Stern said. "It's a delight to watch him. It's a delight to watch him grow, to see his width and breadth, in terms of his interest and capacities. He's a great kid and a great player. He may be the best player ever to have played. "Michael [Jordan] might dispute that, but [James] has a lot of canvas yet on which to paint. I have no doubt the picture is going to be beautiful." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Say thank you, Cleveland. TNT analyst Reggie Miller says he hopes LeBron James will stay with the Cavs after his contract expires next summer. "You're talking to a small-market guy who, for 18 years, was in one place in Indiana," Miller said, referring to himself, during a preseason conference call with NBA reporters from around the country on Thursday afternoon. "Personally, in my opinion, I want LeBron to stay in Cleveland. I think it's better for the league when you have superstars in smaller markets -- like Brett Favre in Green Bay. "You don't always have to be in L.A. or New York to get all the endorsements and be a superstar. Peyton Manning has been the face of the NFL and he's in Indianapolis." Cleveland Plain Dealer

With his agent unable to find a suitable trade for his client, the Wolves today reached a modest contract buyout with and requested waivers on veteran guard Antonio Daniels, who told David Kahn the week before training camp that he preferred to play elsewhere. That elsewhere could be a contender like Cleveland. Since Daniels was acquired primarily in a salary-cap bookkeeping deal that shed Darius Songaila’s contract, Kahn agreed to let his agent find another deal. Daniels stayed home when the team reported to training camp in Mankato nearly a month ago. Minneapolis Star Tribune

The Cavaliers have been in contact with veteran point guard Antonio Daniels, a league source said. Daniels, 34, was waived on Friday by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He won't clear waivers until Tuesday. The Columbus native agreed to a buyout of his $6.6 million contract with the Timberwolves. The 6-foot-4, 205-pounder has averaged 7.6 points and 3.4 assists in his 12-year career. Agent Tony Dutt didn't return a phone message. A source said Daniels would like to sign for the veteran's minimum of $1,306,455, guaranteed for the year. Daniels, who attended Bowling Green, can play both guard spots. News-Herald

For the second consecutive year, forward Jawad Williams has defied the odds and made his hometown team. Plus guard Coby Karl appears to be close to making Cavaliers history. The Cavs made their final preseason cuts Thursday, and Williams and Karl are in line to be on the opening-night roster when the team takes on the Boston Celtics on Tuesday at The Q. The team released point guards Andre Barrett and Russell Robinson and forward Darryl Watkins. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Karl earned a spot on the 15-man roster, but he might not be in Cleveland long term. "It's one day at a time," Karl said. "I know that's very cliche. But that's the position I'm in. "I did make the cut to 15 players. At the same time — free agency, a two-for-one trade — I could be gone the next day. I hope to get to the first game and take it from there. This team is unique. I feel I can contribute." News-Herald

The Cavs waived point guards Russell Robinson and Andre Barrett and center Darryl Watkins on Thursday. "Russell made a nice run late," Brown said. "He showed a sense of toughness. His defense was good." Barrett came down with the flu, which hurt his chances to make the team. Guard Coby Karl earned the final spot. "It came down to Andre and Coby," Brown said. "They both did some (good) things. Each one of them deserved to play." News-Herald

Yet Westphal has even fewer reserve options with any size than his predecessors did, although that could change. Agent Mark Bartelstein said he has spoken to the Kings about Voskuhl, a 6-11 center who was waived by Dallas on Wednesday. The Kings appear to have some interest, but there remains a hesitance to retain the league limit of 15 players unless the addition is significant. Sacramento Bee

Because veteran center Jarron Collins was waived by Portland on Thursday, his 48-hour waiver period extends to the weekend and means his next destination will be unknown until Monday. The Suns have interest in Collins, but a claim by them would fall 17th in the waiver order, based on last season's records. Arizona Republic

By the time Bobby Jackson took the podium to formally announce his retirement, it seemed as if there wasn't all that much to say. He had talked publicly about hanging up the sneakers and putting on the suit, making the Friday press conference a mere formality. Wrong. The former Kings guard and one of the organization's most popular players showed once again why fans have always found him so endearing. Heart. And lots of it. Jackson's farewell became an emotional one when he began discussing how his late mother, Sarah, wasn't there to see the man he'd become after she died of cancer in 2003. Sacramento Bee

Van Gundy acknowledges that Adonal Foyle's recent arthroscopic knee surgery helps F Linton Johnson III's chances of staying on the Magic roster once the preseason ends. But Van Gundy stresses that no decision has been made. "What he's added so far is he's a real high-energy guy who works hard all the time," Van Gundy said of Johnson. Orlando Sentinel

The first was his weight, which got him out of the league and had him looking to hook on with a club. He played well here, but his chances were killed by the fact the Celts already have the maximum number of players with guaranteed contracts. “I don’t know,” Rivers said when asked if Sweetney might be seen here again. “Right now we have 15 players. I do think he’s an NBA player. I have no doubt about that.” As for whether the Celts considered moving another player to make room for Sweetney, Rivers said, “No, I mean, we liked him enough that we would have loved to keep him, but we’ve got 15 guys. The numbers didn’t help him at all.” Boston Herald

Adrian Wojnarowski: LaMarcus Aldridge $65 mil. extension figures: '10-11: $10.7 mil; '11-12: $11.8 mil; '12-13: $13 mil; '13-14: $14.1 mil; '14-15: $15.2 mil. Twitter.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: Aldridge incentives include attainable --- and not so -- money like reaching playoffs, etc., that could push deal to $70 million. Twitter.com

Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge said he feels "blessed" after signing a five-year, $65 million contract extension with the team Thursday. "I've always tried to focus on the season, but now that it's over with, I can focus on what I need to do for this team," he said. Aldridge is under contract with the Blazers through the 2012-13 season. Oregonian

The Rockets took their last step toward trimming their roster to the limit of 15 players Friday, waiving Brent Barry, who has not been with the team since last season. The Rockets had reached an agreement with Barry on a buyout of the remaining season on his deal. He did not join the team in camp. A 14-year veteran, Barry, 37, has not announced his retirement but has begun work with NBA TV. Barry had one season and $2.063 million left on his contract. Barry averaged 3.7 points and 1.4 assists in 56 games last season, his one season with the Rockets after a career highlighted by two titles with the Spurs. If he does not play again, he, his brother, Jon, and their father, Hall of Famer Rick Barry, will have all completed their careers with the Rockets. Houston Chronicle

Mike Wells: DeJuan Blair said he thought the Pacers were going to draft him at No. 13. Twitter.com

Andre Miller on people's knee-jerk reaction to him coming off the bench: I think I'll handle it fine. I haven't made a big fuss about it. It hasn't affected how I practice. It's just different. I didn't think it would happen at this point in my career, knowing that I think I'm still peaking. But that's a part of the business. I'm not making a big deal out of it. Columbian

Andre Miller on whether it makes it rough because he's had a pretty good preseason: Actually, I don't think I have. ... Nah, I don't think so. I haven't even touched a part of my game where I'll get at once the season starts going. I haven't even — for me, team-wise, I don't think we've even played to the potential. We had a couple guys hurt. And if you want to get to that second or third round, and you look at our preseason, it really wasn't a good overall preseason, individually and team-wise for everybody. That's just me being critical; other people might feel differently. Individual-wise, I don't think I — you can say it was decent, but it wasn't to the level that I thought it was for me. Columbian

Andre Miller on whether there are any teammates he's bonded with: I'm observing everybody. I like Jerryd Bayless. I like his work ethic. He's a hard worker. I don't say much. I observe. I might say something every now and then. But I just try to rub off, as far as my habits. Columbian

Roy said he is confident he and Miller will eventually form a chemistry, but as of today, he feels more comfortable with Blake. "Coming into the season, a lot of people had their doubts about me and Andre, and I wondered too," Roy said. "But I didn't think it would happen right away. And that's why I'm not panicking that it hasn't happened yet, or that we haven't clicked yet. To be honest I expected it. Because we are similar. I've come to realization that I'm better with the basketball, that's my strength. And I'm looking at it, and Andre's strength is with the basketball. So, I think it will work ... I just don't know how soon." Oregonian

Leading up to his 14th Lakers season, the Newport Coast resident sat down for an exclusive interview with the Register to explain that he has been more repaired than reformed. "Circumstances," Bryant said. "I really haven't changed much." But Bryant did acknowledge one thing has turned around completely. Upon sharing it, he tried to add dismissively that it's "just something personal for me." He has come to care more what others think of him. "I'm more in tune with it. I pay more attention to it. I have a greater sense of responsibility for it," he said. "It's all a part of how you are going to be remembered as a basketball player when it's all said and done. I care about it significantly more now than I did in the past." Orange County Register

If Bryant cares more about the rest of us now, it then makes sense that we can more readily connect with him. Moreover, we connect far better with a guy having to scale a mountain for a fourth NBA championship than someone seemingly waltzing to those first three titles in 2000-02. "I've been through so much," Bryant said. "We didn't make the playoffs (in 2005); we went through down-and-out times. I think me having the intestinal fortitude to try to get us back to the top – and having to fight through so many different things – makes it a different kind of emotion as opposed to me being 20 years old, just coming in here and winning a championship." Orange County Register

"Emotionally, I'll always feel like the underdog – just because I've been that way my whole life," Bryant said. "So it's just something that has become a part of me – that mentality that just stays." Asked how he could possibly still feel like the underdog now, Bryant recalls some whispers back in 2000 about the Lakers benefiting in their first title run from San Antonio missing injured Tim Duncan. Bryant narrows his eyes now to lock in on anyone who might remember Boston lost Kevin Garnett to injury and soon its title defense last spring. "So it's time to prove ourselves all over again," Bryant said. Orange County Register

This success addiction was at the root of Bryant's last controversy: his 2007 trade demand. "The only thing I regret was how public it had to become," he said. "It was something that I'd been dealing with internally for quite some time and me wanting them to make moves, as was said to me (upon re-signing in 2004). Those things were not happening, it felt like I was just out there showcasing and doing my individual thing, and they had no aspirations to spend money to try to bring a championship here. "So I felt like something had to be said so we could get the ball rolling here. Get people to start talking about it, and the city becomes a little more impatient with the situation, and hopefully we'll get something done. And to their credit, they made a great acquisition in Pau (Gasol) and another great acquisition in Trevor (Ariza). They went out this summer and spent the money to get Ron (Artest) and locked in Lamar (Odom). To their credit, they did the right things." Orange County Register

"It's funny to me when people talk about the notion of making other players better, and they talk about just passing them the ball. It's just the most ignorant comment I've ever heard in my life. No, there are other things that have to come into play besides getting assists. "It's helping them get the championship mentality and attitude and work ethic and drive and persistence. All that goes into it. It's not just passing somebody the ball, and wow, he hit a shot; I made him better. "If the effort is there, I can respect that, I can understand that, and it helps me be more patient, because I know that they're trying. When guys aren't trying or guys are just out there (screwing) up and not giving the effort, I feel like killing 'em. Same as always. "If you don't give the effort, I'm done with you. You might as well go play someplace else." Orange County Register

It’s L.A., where success stories are only outnumbered by comebacks and revivals. Artest is the Lakers’ lone offseason acquisition and the defending world champions hope he is the final piece for a repeat. “We have the talent to do it and I think we’re good enough,’’ All-Star guard Kobe Bryant said. “We’re still the chaser because we’re trying to chase another championship. We’re not worried about what the other teams were doing. We weren’t worried about them last year. We were chasing after the trophy. That doesn’t change. I want another one. This year has nothing to do with last year.’’ Boston Globe

Arash Markazi: Odom on the fight with Birdman: "I let him bust me in the mouth one time down the court, but twice? No." Twitter.com

And at 29, he said he is mentally geared to play a secondary role and has pushed aside the selfishness that has plagued his career. “Playing for a team that has chances to win again is really encouraging,’’ he said. “The last couple of years I was a very bad teammate. It was all me. It had nothing to do with the teams I played on. I just had a big ego and had to control it and now I’m able to control it. I still have an ego, but now I kind of have fun with it. That’s the difference now.’’ Boston Globe

“I was talking to my sports psychologist and I was trying to figure out a way to stay together, not put a lot of pressure on myself,’’ he said. “When I got here, I thought it was going to be on me. Before I met everybody, I felt I really had to do it. Now that I have been around the organization and team, I realize that we’re going to do this together. Always have fun but stay hungry. Find that balance.’’ Boston Globe

According to the NBA office, there will be no further action taken against any Cavs or Celtics players following the skirmish at halftime Wednesday night in Columbus. Mo Williams and Shelden Williams were given technical fouls for pushing, and several players left the bench area but because it was halftime, they were going to the locker room. Cleveland Plain Dealer

There are some who see this change as a direct response to the "crab dribble" controversy that erupted last season when Cleveland superstar LeBron James was called for traveling late in a game when making a jump-stop move that he had used since high school. "It is kind of funny that this rule comes up the summer that whole deal," Hawks forward Josh Smith said. "I'm not saying they did this for LeBron, but I could see where people would connect those dots." Atlanta Journal-Constitution

With 8:19 left in the fourth quarter, Drew Gooden and Pops Mensah-Bonsu got tangled up and after the Rockets' forward ended up on the floor, he got up and got into Gooden's face. Gooden quickly shoved Pops out of the way and there were a few tense moments. The referee crew quickly called technicals and gave Gooden the thumb. At least, that's what it looked like to everybody. Gooden headed to the locker room and took off wristbands and things of that ilk. Then, the refs came to the scorer's table and said there was a loose-ball foul, a double-technical foul and no ejection. Dallas Morning News

Teams are fouling Orlando Magic C Dwight Howard when he has the basketball near the basket and looks like he's ready to shoot. Howard concedes that he sometimes fights frustration when teams employ the tactic. "I think I've just got to play through it," Howard said. "Coach, he allows guys to do the same thing in practice, so I've just got to get used to it. It's tough, because you've got people hanging on you, pulling at you, slapping at you, whatever, the whole game. You try to stay calm, but sometimes you just want to react. But you've got to do what's best for the team." Orlando Sentinel

Now he's Chicago's starting center, and rightfully so. His game has improved. He's a better ball player, and he's ready to roll. "I'm feeling like I'm in a lot better shape," Noah said before the Bulls' last preseason game Friday night. "In my first two years in the NBA I really experienced a lot, and I feel like I'm just in a better routine right now. I'm really excited for the season to start." HoopsWorld

Head coach Vinny Del Negro has noticed the difference. Regarding Noah's maturation and improved game, he said, "The second half of last year after he became a little more consistent in his preparation of things, we saw the advantage of his doing that. He had some success, had a better summer, and came into camp in shape. "He works hard," Del Negro continued. "We've seen him improve, so that will work out well for him." HoopsWorld

And few players in the NBA are as good at Twittering as Villanueva or, better yet, have the following Villanueva has through the social networking site. "Twitter is all fun and games," said Villanueva, screen name CV31, who has become one of the more high-profile NBA players to tweet. "It's just a way to stay connected with the fans. The fans deserve that." The connection between Villanueva and NBA fans worldwide certainly is there. He had 60,629 followers as of Friday and has posted 2,129 tweets. "It's something I enjoy to do," said Villanueva, 25. Detroit News

Little did he know those few sentences would make him a media topic for weeks on end. "People who didn't know who Charlie Villanueva was, they do now," he said. For what it's worth, Villanueva did "step up" his game. He had a team-high 19 points as Milwaukee wound up defeating Boston, 86-77. But the publicity afterward was something Villanueva never could have imagined. "I didn't even mean to get that much attention," he said. "I don't know how it happened. Coach (Scott) Skiles called me into his office and I was like, 'How did he know that?' Everybody picked it up, all the media people." Detroit News

Chris Douglas-Roberts: Yes! I woke up to hate messages. People actually wake up & say "before I brush my teeth,let me go hate on CDR." Ahhhhh. Life is great! Twitter.com

Mike James: What will I miss about the game when I'm done? The game itself. Not the perks, locker room. I will miss the show. There is no better game. Twitter.com

They are forced to start yet another season with a sidelined all-star after an MRI exam on Thursday revealed that Jamison would miss an additional three to five weeks after sustaining a shoulder subluxation last week in Cleveland. "The most important thing is, it's a long season. It's not anything that's going to prevent me from finishing off the season, as long as I take of my body and mind," Jamison said after the Wizards lost, 93-70, in their preseason finale against the Chicago Bulls. "I just got to do what I do as far as rehab and get ready as quickly as possible." Washington Post

"I'm not sure we're snakebitten. I just think now it's unfortunate," center Brendan Haywood said. "But at least it's nothing to where he'll miss the whole season. We've dealt with injuries the past couple of years, and this year is no different." Jamison called himself "a quick healer" shortly after he suffered the injury while contesting a shot by Cleveland center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. He had another MRI after the swelling subsided in his arm and he has already regained most of the range of motion in his arm. "I feel great," said Jamison, who has started dribbling, although he hasn't been cleared to shoot. "The biggest thing for me, even though I feel great, is to still continue to work. I feel good lifting, dribbling the ball and they wont let me shoot yet. I'll do whatever the doctors tell me to do." Washington Post

Pau Gasol's strained right hamstring hasn't improved and it has left him unsure whether he'll be ready to play when the Lakers open the season Tuesday night. Gasol missed the last six exhibition games, the hamstring not getting any better after he tried to practice Wednesday. "Obviously, there is a real injury with my hamstring," Gasol said. "We tried to practice a couple of days ago and it got a little worse, it got a little irritated, aggravated. So we just stepped backward. Right now we just try to let it heal so I can go back out there." Los Angeles Times

This past offseason, there was some disagreement among Celtics management on the issue of Tyronn Lue. Some wanted to sign the 11-year veteran point guard as a free agent, but eventually the club gave the final roster spot to second-round draft pick Lester Hudson. Lue, as it turned out, made the team anyway. Yesterday, he was introduced as the C’s director of basketball development, an assistant coach of sorts whose role will become more clear as he continues to work with the club. Boston Herald

“If I wasn’t going to play here, then I wasn’t going to play,” Lue said. “I’ve been sitting on this (offer from the Celtics) for about a month. I was going to just take some time off, but once you get away it can be hard to get back in. This is a great situation for me.” Boston Herald

But the Celtics have changed that schedule. No more morning shootarounds on game days, practices starting at noon. Sleeping in is in. Coach Doc Rivers made the switch after weighing the advice of sleep medicine specialist Dr. Charles A. Czeisler of Harvard Medical School and Brigham & Women’s Hospital. “Later practice is all right, whatever Doc wants, man,’’ Garnett said after practice yesterday afternoon. “Ain’t my cup of tea. I don’t sleep anyway. It’s good, you’ve got to find good in everything, if that means sleep till 8:30 or 9, so be it.’’ Boston Globe

“What we are trying to do is leverage the power of sleep,’’ said Czeisler, who pioneered sleep study in the 1970s. “As pro athletes, they spend so much time trying to practice and master the skills of the game - and sleep turns out to be a very critical part of the process. There is evidence that you can significantly improve free throw percentage and reaction speed if you optimize levels of sleep.’’ Boston Globe

The Pacers have upset many people with their decision to fire longtime player/employee Mel Daniels. The Pacers didn't give an explanation other than sending out a brief, bizarre statement from team president Larry Bird that said: "Mel was a great basketball player who helped make the Pacers a well-known franchise and we wish him well." Indianapolis Star

I've talked to several people intimately involved in this sad and ugly affair, some on the record and some off, and what emerges is a muddied picture of a franchise that is like most businesses: There's a lot of nastiness and infighting inside the Conseco Fieldhouse walls. The main event was Daniels against Pacers general manager David Morway, a 15-round heavyweight fight that was getting bloodier by the day. Their only bond was a mutual antipathy for one another. Indianapolis Star

There was Daniels against Jim O'Brien. It was an open secret that Daniels didn't have a very high regard for O'Brien. Several people believed that a Peter Vecsey-produced story this week in the New York Post -- a story that quoted a Pacers insider suggesting Larry Bird would retire at season's end and the players were less than thrilled at O'Brien's recent extension -- came courtesy of Daniels. (For the record, Daniels denied talking to Vecsey for that story). There was Daniels against Pacers director of scouting Joe Ash. I'm told on many occasions, Daniels loudly expressed his contrary opinions on potential draftees -- although, on some occasions, Daniels was proven correct. Indianapolis Star

For all the recent talk of Joe and Gavin Maloof's patience regarding the lack of a modern arena for the Kings, the team's co-owners won't have the ultimate say about how long they can wait for a new venue. That point was underscored in a conference call with NBA Commissioner David Stern. "I don't think I would expect the board of governors to be eternally patient on this subject, given the fact that the NCAA … recently declared that it would not see Arco Arena as a place that they would have a regional tournament," Stern said. "I'm cheered by the Maloofs' optimism and attitude, but at some point reality will take hold, and I'm hopeful that that reality is a plan for a new building." Sacramento Bee

It's a done deal: The regular NBA refs will be back for the start of the regular season. A nearly monthlong lockout of the league's 57 referees effectively ended Friday night when they approved, on a voice vote, the collective bargaining deal that was agreed to in principle Tuesday. "We are pleased to reach this agreement," NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement. "The negotiations extended further than either side had hoped, but when our regular season tips off on Tuesday we'll have the best referees in the world officiating our games." ESPN.com

League officials claimed that teams had given positive feedback on the replacement refs throughout the preseason. But despite official reminders from the league office that fines would be issued for criticizing the officials, several high-profile coaches -- including Larry Brown and Stan Van Gundy -- were fined for expressing their opinions about the quality of the officiating. Earlier this month, Lakers coach Phil Jackson -- a serial referee agitator -- walked a fine line between poking fun at the replacement refs and violating the NBA's policy on criticizing them. "They're interesting to look at," Jackson said after a recent game. "I always kind of wonder what their profession is -- dog catchers, office managers. They're moonlighting." CBSSports.com

Stern also acknowledged on the call that the referees' negotiators had invited him back to the negotiating table earlier in the week after the two sides had engaged quietly in an encouraging resumption in talks last week. Stern agreed, according to sources, only due to the stipulation that the referees' executive board -- comprised of five veterans refs -- would get behind any agreement that was reached. Earlier in the process, negotiators for the NBA and the referees' union had agreed to a deal, only to have it rejected overwhelmingly in a vote by the refs. CBSSports.com

Magic, whose personality was a greater gift even than his game, has led a charmed life. When he messed up, it slid into the mist of history. Thomas was every bit as engaging. If it wasn't a good idea to be between Thomas and something he wanted, he wasn't just charitable but messianic. At 25, he promoted No Crime in Detroit Day, going into lawless neighborhoods to make personal pleas to gang leaders. As NBA Players Assn. president, Thomas was the last of the stars to run the union for the little guys in the tradition of Oscar Robertson. Los Angeles Times

With the Lakers and Pistons going head-to-head in the 1988 and 1989 Finals, Johnson and Thomas became enemies on the floor . . . and off, for Lakers coach Pat Riley, who raged privately when Johnson exchanged kisses on the cheek with Thomas before games. Perhaps fearing Riley would go into a coma if he heard Johnson had gone to the hospital in the middle of the night when Thomas' son was born during the 1988 Finals, Magic took a pass on that one, stinging Isiah. In Game 5 of that series, they shoved each other and had to be held apart. Los Angeles Times

Johnson's friends thought Thomas was envious. Isiah lived for the day he could be Magic II, or Isiah I . . . just as Bird and Magic lived for the day they were up and the other wasn't. If superstar friendships are often equal parts love and hate, Johnson started one way and went the other with both Thomas and Bird. What remained of the friendship was shattered in 1991, when Johnson was told Thomas was spreading the rumor Johnson was gay. Insiders have known the story for years. I heard it off the record from all the principals, except Magic. I never believed it as presented, and still don't. Los Angeles Times

“I still have it in me,” Rider told Yahoo! Sports. “I still have something left in the tank. It’s still in my blood. My juices still flow. “I know I can still ball.” Yahoo! Sports

Rider, who grew up in Alameda, Calif., even once missed a meeting with the Oakland mayor that would have led to the city naming a gym after him and opening up a midnight basketball program in his honor. “I’m upset that my career didn’t go as long as it should have went,” Rider said. “Looking back at it, I would have changed some things.” Yahoo! Sports

“J.R. was the type of player who wanted to do things his way, and if his way didn’t match with the system sometimes there was a conflict,” Shaquille O’Neal said. “Whenever you go to a new team, you have to go with that system. If you don’t go with that system, then they oust you. He was a hell of a player and if he would have been a system-type baller then he’d probably still be here today.” Yahoo! Sports

After the Nuggets cut him, Rider was certain another NBA or overseas team would eventually give him a chance. Nothing materialized. “I thought they were trying to politic me out [the NBA],” Rider said. Yahoo! Sports

After returning to the East Bay, Rider’s life went from bad to worse. His mother, Donna, suffered a heart ailment and – after what Rider claims was a misdiagnosis – slipped into a coma and eventually was taken off life support. Rider considered Donna his best friend. Once, after Rider was ejected during a game in Minnesota, she walked onto the court, told him to be quiet and ushered him to the locker room. “We were talking one day looking out at the ocean from the house I got for her in Alameda,” Rider said. “Then the next day I get a call at 2 in the morning saying she is in the hospital. I never talked to her again, man. “I was blaming myself because I’m not playing and she’s used to going to games. I was like, ‘Screw the world.’ ” Yahoo! Sports

Rider eventually pled guilty to several charges, including felony cocaine possession and evading an officer. He received a seven-month sentence in Marin County jail, and says he served half the time. “It was the ultimate low point of my life,” Rider said. “…There were no visitors. No one down for me. No letters. I had fake friends. They left me for dead. I’ve been there for so many people. I co-signed to pay for homes. I paid for weddings. But when I was struggling, no one was there for me.” Yahoo! Sports

So how is Rider doing financially now? “That’s not public,” Rider said. “That’s no one’s business whether I drive my Bentley to practice or ride with one of the coaches. I’m able to eat, able to feed myself and feed my family.” Yahoo! Sports

Hoping to restart his career, Rider contacted Joe Lee, a Washington-based agent who represents several players in the minor leagues and overseas. Lee, who has a law-enforcement background, was skeptical of Rider’s sincerity. “I gave him a test to see if he’d be on time calling me back and to see if he’d do the things I wanted him to do,” Lee said. “And we went on for about two good weeks and he was on time all the time.” Yahoo! Sports

Rider also thinks he’s still good enough to prove he can at least play overseas, where he could land a better contract. “Money is green everywhere,” he said. “I have a gift and I feel like I got to do what I got to do. God gave me a gift, and I feel like I should be able to play basketball for as long as I possibly can.” Yahoo! Sports

"Anchorman” received two votes for best movie, but Nenad Krstic had the most unique answer: "Lepa Selo Lepa Gore.” "It’s a Serbian movie,” Krstic said. "A comedy. You would need subtitles.” Oklahoman

From what I’ve heard, GP has a desire to get back into the League as a coach which is why he won’t be appearing on NBA TV this season. Certainly there’s some honor in that seeing as nobody was crazy enough to believe he had a career in television anyway, but it really is sad that we won’t get to “hang out” with him on NBA TV anymore. Oh well, thank God for YouTube. I can’t believe that it’s over, though. It feels, as Jay-Z would say, like “It Was All a Dream.” SLAM

In my opinion, Ahmad Rashad, Chris Webber and Gary Payton were the most entertaining guys on TV and made Fan Night one of my favorite shows to watch. In fact, I thought those three guys were a better cast than TNT’s Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley in terms of pure comedy. Yeah, I like good basketball analysis, but I also like to watch real people talk about real things in a real way. So starting next week there will be no more Ahmad and GP on Fan Night. As Chuck would say, “That’s turrible!” But what makes the news even “worser,” was who the network decided to replace Ahmad and Gary with; Ernie Johnson and Kevin McHale? So now the Tuesday night on-air talent will be EJ, CWebb and Kevin McHale. Could there be an odder trio on television? SLAM

LeBron James made an unsurprising appearance on stage during a few songs. He sort of bounced behind Jay-Z while singing along. It looked like LeBron and some friends had seats on stage off to the right. The encore was long and included some of my favorite songs such as "Can I Get A....", "Big Pimpin", and "Hard Knock Life". I think I would of refused to leave the venue if I didn't hear these songs. After talking to the crowd and addressing specific fans he ended the show with "Young Forever". jay-zjournal.com

It looked like rehabbed Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley had drifted back into the danger zone, passing out in front of a table filled with open bottles of beer. But team officials claim there's more to these pictures than meets the eye. TMZ

The photos were taken Oct. 10, after the NBA star and a female companion boarded a boat in Miami Beach during the Columbus Day Regatta. We called team officials for an explanation --due to the fact that Beasley just emerged from a stint in substance-abuse rehab last month -- and boy did they give us one: TMZ spoke with Miami Heat exec Tim Donovan, who told us it was all part of a "fishing trip arranged by the team ... Michael was not drinking at all ... except for water and purple Gatorade." TMZ

Former Temple basketball star Dionte Christmas was released from police custody on bail early yesterday following his arrest Thursday on felony firearm charges. Christmas, who was cut earlier in the week by the 76ers, was driving on the 1400 block of Nedro Avenue in the city's Ogontz section about 7:30 p.m. when Highway Patrol officers pulled him over for allegedly driving erratically, Police Department spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore said. Philadelphia Inquirer

Christmas, who was charged with two counts of firearms violations, was arraigned about 4:30 a.m. and his bail was set at $10,000, officials said. He was released shortly after that. The case is being investigated by Northwest Detectives. Ownership of the gun was still being determined yesterday, but Christmas' agent, Andre Buck, said it does not belong to Christmas. Speights, who was with the Sixers for last night's preseason game against the New Jersey Nets in Queens, N.Y., was not made available to comment on the matter by the Sixers. "It's a serious and unfortunate situation," Buck said. "We hope to get it resolved quickly. It's a situation where a really good kid made a mistake. . . . What's most upsetting is driving without a license in this case could lead to a bigger problem. It has escalated because of alleged possession of a firearm." Philadelphia Inquirer

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