HoopsHype.com Rumors

Tuesday, November 3

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There hasn't been nearly the hype around Wade's potential departure that there has been for LeBron's. Why? One, most people in the league believe Wade wants to re-sign in Miami. And two, Wade turns 28 in January. He's not the young franchise cornerstone LeBron is. ESPN.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: Annual breakdown of Rondo's $55 million deal: '10-11: $9.09 mil; '11-12: $10.04 mil; '12-13: $11 million; '13-14: $11.9; '14-15: $12.9. Twitter.com

Former NBA player Robert Traylor has signed with Napoli of Italy. Basketnet.it

The NBA is investigating the incident that occurred post-game Saturday night in Los Angeles during which Drew Gooden is accused of using a homophobic slur. A league spokesman said the situation is being reviewed, even as more details come out. Dallas Morning News

A Mavericks' source said today that Gooden is not the person who made the remark after the game directed at Clippers fans who were seated near the Mavericks' bench during the game. Dallas Morning News

A team source denied accusations that Dallas Mavericks center/forward Drew Gooden used a homosexual slur to insult a couple of Los Angeles Clippers fans Saturday night. The NBA is reviewing the incident, according to league spokesman Tim Frank. ESPN.com

"After the game we went to the souvenir shop and my friend said he wanted to check if one of the kiosks had a particular jersey he was looking for, so he headed back through the stadium and I followed a few feet behind," Wylde told the Web site. "I saw him look shocked and turn to me, then I heard from Drew Gooden who was surrounded by three or four guys walking past me and pointing to me, 'There's that other faggot.' He had said, 'There's that faggot' about my friend and that's why he turned to me shocked. It was completely unsolicited. We said nothing to him during the game, or in the hallway. He just called us both 'faggots' because he's a bigoted spoiled bully." ESPN.com

"I personally think Drew is kind of covering his tracks right now," Wylde said. "I'm 100 percent confident he said it. I basically just want to make sure that this doesn't happen in the future, because God forbid he says it to the wrong person." ESPN.com

"For the record, I heard their heckling during the game, some was funny, some not as innocent as they want to make it sound," Cuban wrote in an e-mail to the Web site. "That doesn't excuse any homophobic commentary from anyone, but it does make me want to get confirmation. This wouldn't be the first time I received an accusatory email that turned out not to be factual because someone wanted to make a point of some sort to or about a 'repulsive millionaire.' Based on some of their heckling towards our players during the game, there could be some other motivation in their communications with us. "In terms of how I deal with it internally, it's just as wrong to accuse someone of being homophobic as it is to make homophobic comments. I will deal with this privately and whatever we find or actions we take will stay private." ESPN.com

"We were saying ridiculous stuff but nothing hateful or hurtful," said Wylde, who didn't recall getting any reaction from Gooden during the game. "We were yelling silly stuff. Nothing vulgar, nothing offensive." ESPN.com

Hearing about his amazing unrealized potential does not sit well with Thomas. "Sometimes it [ticks] me off because nobody else is with me in the gym," he said the other day. "They don't know what I'm doing. They don't see what goes on in practice. But people are going to say what they want to say, so it doesn't matter." And as for that endless raw ability? "I don't see it as a burden," he said. "I work so whatever happens after that, all you can do is work and play." ESPN.com

But Thomas has a history of pouting when things don't go his way, and it's obvious he has always seen himself as more swingman than post player, which he has played and will continue to play at times. "That's what I am," Thomas said when asked whether he prefers the perimeter role. "My senior year in high school, I was 6-6 [he started high school at 5-foot-6], and I never played in the post. But I just want to be on the floor. I can make stuff happen from any spot on the floor. As long as I'm on the floor, it's OK. I don't really get caught up with what position I am. But in actuality, that's what I am." ESPN.com

Hughes' rise is staggering. After shooting a combined 1 for 23 in the preseason, he appeared on the Stephon Marbury track of an expensive buyout. Hughes makes $14 million in the final year of his contract. "I probably haven't had anyone handle it better than he handled it," said D'Antoni, who went on to take a dig at Marbury. "He was terrific. Very professional. Never down. Never blaming anybody. It's funny: If you do the right things, the right things happen." New York Post

Before the game, D'Antoni announced cold-shooting Jared Jeffries would be taken out for Hughes. "I worked hard, I stayed in the gym," Hughes said. "In the preseason, I just didn't have a feel for the game. The regular season is where everything counts." New York Post

Had Stephon Marbury stayed longer at the Knicks game Saturday night, he might have broken into a chant: "Fire D'Antoni!" Marbury had no complaints that Garden security did not let him stay in a first-row courtside seat during Saturday night's home opener, but still has a beef with the Knicks head coach, feeling Mike D'Antoni should be fired in favor of Mark Jackson. New York Post

"They don't play no defense," Marbury told The Post yesterday. "The coaching is horrible. Horrendous. They need a new coach, and I'm speaking as a fan and New Yorker. They say good coaches get the most out of players and win games. I don't see it. Mike needs to coach a team with three All-Stars." New York Post

"They should give the job to Mark Jackson," said Marbury, who is family friends with the Jacksons. "Why couldn't he get that job? Fresh blood, St. John's alumni. He would've coached defense. Even Herb Williams would've. "I'm tired of hearing LeBron James may come and be the savior. What about fans who come out, see the game now and pay money to see the games? If he don't come, then what?" New York Post

Or ask DeShawn Stevenson, described as "the most loved man in Cleveland" by the Plain Dealer's Branson Wright. "Cleveland Cavalier fans, I do NOT like y'all," Stevenson said, directly into the camera. Washington Post

If you're into the rivalry thing, watch this video, in which Stevenson affirms that is is actually a rivalry and says "it makes the game more interesting, the fans want to come see people go to battles like boxing, so if i was retired and saw two good teams go at it, I would go watch." He's also asked what Cleveland fans think of him. "They probably want to see me go to my grave, I don't know, but I really don't care," he said. Washington Post

Thornton, who was a combined four for 18 in back-to-back losses at Utah on Friday and at home against Dallas on Saturday, was supplanted by Rasual Butler, who had 12 points against Minnesota, including eight in the fourth quarter. "You also have to take into consideration the personnel he's playing against," Dunleavy said. "He's had four pretty rough customers: [Ron] Artest in the first game, Grant Hill in the second game, [Andrei] Kirilenko the third game, and then [Shawn] Marion in the fourth game. "All those guys, other than maybe Grant Hill, are bigger and stronger than he is. I think it's too early to jump the gun on it." Los Angeles Times

Hardwood Paroxysm is now publishing lists of those NBA players who get their shots blocked the most. Gerald Wallace takes the cake so far, having been blocked a mighty ten times in four games. That's a mind-blowing 18.5% of his field goal attempts. ESPN.com

As a thank you for funding their trip to a tournament in Perth, Australia, the DetEksi Basketball League's All-Star team placed a special message on the backs of the jerseys: "Kevin Martin for NBA All-Star." You can see it in the above photo, courtesy of DBL Indoensia/Jawa Pos. If you'll remember, Martin gifted his $15,000 NBA stipend over to the DBL after his visit to Surabaya, Indonesia, to serve as a coach for a training camp for Indonesia's top 24 boy and top 24 girl players. The cash allowed the DBL All-Star team to participate in the Perth tournament. The squad did win a game in Australia, defeating the Western Australia All-Stars on Oct. 24. Sactown Royalty

Kobe Bryant missed the Lakers shootaround Tuesday afternoon at the Ford Center with flu-like systoms but Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Kobe “usually plays in these type situations,” adding he’s just taking a little “R&R.” Pau Gasol, sidelined by a hamstring injury, will not play. If Kobe and Gasol are both out the Thunder might have a legitimate shot at upsetting the defending champions in the Ford Center. Watching the Lakers Friday night at home in a loss to Dallas, you would have sworn you were watching the Clippers, not the Lakers. They were that bad. Oklahoman

Carter said he went through treatment on his ankle all day on Monday and even went through a light workout with the Magic’s assistant coaches. He was able to run drills in Tuesday morning’s shootaround, but those didn’t involve full-court work. Carter said a definitive decision won’t be made on his playing status for tonight’s 7:30 p.m. game against the Pistons until roughly 90 minutes before tipoff. ``It’s better, but we’ll see. I don’t know yet either (whether he’s playing or not),’’ Carter said somewhat cryptically. ``I value the trainer’s opinions, but I’ll go through all of the (stuff) that they are going to put me through before the game and see what happens.’’ Magic.com

The Nets just released this regarding Yi Jianlian: “An MRI performed today on Nets forward Yi Jianlian confirmed a Grade 1 sprain of the medial collateral ligament of the right knee. Yi will begin rehabilitation immediately. There is no timetable for his return.” It’s obviously better than it could have been, but Yi still will miss some time. According to some medical websites we perused, we’ve read 1-2 weeks and 2-4 weeks. Figure at least two weeks and hope for the best. Bergen Record

Scoring and shooting are historically at their lowest in the first month of the NBA season and then steadily climb. But that's not the way this season has started. To greet the new type of rims rolled in by the league last month, league-wide scoring has risen by nearly five points through the first seven days of the regular season compared to last season. Teams are averaging a hearty 99.96 points per game, up from 95.17 during the same span in 2008-09. So what gives? Conclusions are difficult to draw just a week into a regular season that spans some six months, but teams are undeniably taking more 3-pointers with each passing year. A few new teams every season tend to decide they want to play at a faster pace and the general trend throughout the league finds coaches working 3s into their offenses and practice routines more than ever. ESPN.com

Atlanta, Houston, Memphis and Milwaukee are prime examples of teams that have upped the tempo of their offenses this season to contribute to the scoring increase, while Phoenix and Philadelphia -- teams that eventually ran freely in 2008-09 -- started last season at a much more measured pace. Less clear, though, is what sort of impact on leaguewide scoring, if any, can be traced to the new -- and some say more forgiving -- rims ushered in at the start of exhibition play in early October. The league switched rim manufactures for the 2009-10 season, introducing a new Spalding basket system that includes the "Arena Pro 180 Goal" rim, which breaks away at both the front and sides. Previous collapsible rims used in the NBA broke away only from the front. "I would liken these new rims to the ones found on the playgrounds that we grew up on," Houston Rockets forward Shane Battier said. "If you miss on the back iron, it deadens the rebound. If you miss on the front rim, it gives the rebound spring and your chances of rolling the ball in are better." ESPN.com

Yet league officials are adamant that the most significant change to the NBA's rims since the 1981 introduction of breakaway rims was made purely for safety reasons -- just as in '81 -- as opposed to any potential scoring benefit. Rims with more give on the sides, they say, are beneficial for players when they drive to the basket. Spalding's rims also feature a "tube-tie net system" designed to prevent players' fingers from getting caught in the hooks used on old rims as well as new padding at the base of the rim to help limit scrapes and bruises from the rim. NBA spokesman Tim Frank said Wednesday that the size, material and tension (elasticity) of the rims has not changed from last season. "We upgraded to the 180-degree breakaway rim to improve safety and reduce the risk of players injuring or straining their bodies, hands, wrists or fingers," Frank said. "We're always looking for products that are safer without tangibly changing the game." ESPN.com

Added Suns president Steve Kerr, who ranks as the NBA's No. 2 all-time shooter from 3-point range with a lifetime percentage of .454: "I don't think the rims are a factor. I would say that the increase of 3-point-shooting big men, continuing adjustments to the rules against handchecking and more teams seeing the success some teams have had by playing more up-tempo and copying that are the major factors." Kerr points to the example of new Suns power forward Channing Frye, who sank only 20 3-pointers in his first four seasons as a pro but had already drained 13 triples entering Tuesday's game at Miami because he's now playing in a system where he's encouraged to take them. ESPN.com

ESPN.com has also learned that one Eastern Conference team was so unnerved by the rim change during the preseason that it considered pursuing a grievance through the players' union, reminiscent of the 2006-07 season when NBA commissioner David Stern eventually abolished use of a new composite ball after two months and switched back to the old leather ball after numerous player complaints. The league office, however, says it has received no formal complaints about the rims from any team. The new rims -- tested at the 2009 All-Star Game in Phoenix and in the second half of the D-League's 2008-09 season -- were rolled in at the start of the preseason in early October, although their presence was not officially announced until a news release was issued last Friday by Spalding. Said Nash: "I feel like they have no impact." ESPN.com

On Saturday, a bat found his or her way into the San Antonio Spurs game. (Some speculate that the animal didn't just fly in by accident.) The bat, of course, did what anybody would do in such a terrifying, unfamiliar situation—try to get the heck out of there—which, naturally, delayed the game. Until, that is, Spurs guard Manu Ginobili smacked the bat out of the air and slammed the animal into the hardwood court. Sports blogs across the 'net have been replaying the video of Manu in action as they celebrate his quick reflexes. Here's our take on it: To bludgeon a 4-ounce animal to death, it takes either a small man or a totally unthinking one—with no respect or consideration for lives humbler than his own. This is a time when athletes in particular need to be on their best behavior around any animal and show that they have brains and a heart, not just reactionary brawn. PETA.org

Tony Parker: Hello! I've invested this year in the French club ASVEL. My little brother, TJ, joined the club this summer. Twitter.com

During an interview following Monday's practice, Derrick Rose mentioned that he'd like to be an actor someday and his first choice for a role would be in a comedy opposite someone like Chicago-area native Vince Vaughn. Rose is almost abnormally quiet, so acting seems like an odd interest. But Rose did a nice job in his television spot with "The Office" star Rainn Wilson, another North Shore native. Arlington Heights Daily Herald

Delonte West is finally back on the court for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but his legal problems in Maryland are getting more complicated. Prince George’s County (Md.) State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey announced today that West was indicted by a grand jury on a wide array of weapons counts, more expansive than the two-gun possession charges police applied when he was arrested following a traffic stop Sept. 17 outside of Washington, D.C. West has been indicted on two counts of carrying a dangerous weapon, two counts of carrying a handgun, two counts of transporting a handgun, and one count of reckless driving and one count of negligent driving. If convicted, West could face up to three years for each of the six gun charges and a $2,500 fine per offense. Delonte West is finally back on the court for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but his legal problems in Maryland are getting more complicated. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Los Angeles Clippers owner and real estate mogul Donald Sterling has agreed to pay a record $2.725 million to settle allegations by the government that he refused to rent apartments to Hispanics, blacks and to families with children, the Justice Department announced Tuesday. The Justice Department sued Sterling in August 2006 for allegations of housing discrimination in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles. Other defendants were Sterling’s wife, Rochelle, and the Sterling Family Trust. The defendants allegedly made statements to employees indicating that African-Americans and Hispanics were not desirable tenants. Yahoo! Sports

“The magnitude of this settlement should send a message to all landlords that we will vigorously pursue violations of the Fair Housing Act,” Thomas Perez, assistant attorney general for the civil rights division, said in a statement. Yahoo! Sports

Phil Lumpkin, longtime boys basketball coach at O'Dea High School and a former NBA player, died over the weekend, principal Brother Dominic Murray confirmed Monday morning. The news was announced on the school's Web site.School administrators were concerned when Mr. Lumpkin, 57, didn't come to school or answer phone calls Monday morning after being diagnosed with pneumonia and missing work last week. His body was found by school officials Monday morning. American Chronicle

School administrators were concerned when Mr. Lumpkin, 57, didn't come to school or answer phone calls Monday morning after being diagnosed with pneumonia and missing work last week. His body was found by school officials Monday morning. "It's tough," said Franklin boys basketball coach Jason Kerr, who spent five years as an assistant under Mr. Lumpkin. "I spent about 2 1/2 hours up at O'Dea today and you kind of go through the mix of emotions about the sorrow of losing a friend, and the loss overall to the basketball community that's occurred and just the tragic part of the suddenness of it all. There are probably a lot of people who wish they had another chance to at least say goodbye to him or say some words to him." American Chronicle

The NBA is reviewing a confrontation between point guards Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul after Sunday night's game between the Celtics and Hornets, CBSSports.com has learned. Each player got a technical foul after a tussle under the basket, then they exchanged words after the final buzzer and had to be separated. Paul made an unsuccessful attempt to finish the discussion with Rondo in the Celtics' locker room afterward. Boston won 97-87. CBSSports.com

So, here was Rondo surrounded with an embarrassment of point guard riches – K.G., Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, a championship banner and a fat, new $55 million contract. Rondo felt emboldened, eager to engage Paul. The procession of trash talk, sources said, pushed into the personal when Rondo was heard to tell Paul, “I’ve got a ring, and you’re never gonna win one.” Yahoo! Sports

As they traded technical fouls at the Boston Garden, as emotions escalated, sources said Rondo declared that Paul wished he could be him, suggesting that his frustration dripped with envy. On the way to the locker room, Hornets coach Byron Scott heard Paul insist that Rondo “is gonna respect me as a man,” and soon Paul started on his way down the corridor to tell the Celtics point guard himself. Yahoo! Sports

Several coaches prevented Paul from getting close to Rondo outside the Celtics’ locker room, but the overriding theme of Paul’s rage was easily understood: Before you talk trash again, feel free to walk a mile in my Brand Jordan’s. “If Rondo had to trade in K.G., Pierce, Ray and Rasheed for the guys that Chris plays with [in New Orleans], I guarantee that you wouldn’t be seeing Rondo get a $55 million contract,” one Hornets source said. Yahoo! Sports

Against the Knicks, Paul and Harrington were scrambling for a loose ball midway through the fourth when Harrington felt something striking him on the back of his head. Replays appeared to show it was Paul, swiping in the direction of the loose ball. "That was nothing. I dove for the ball, and I think he thought I fouled him, so he was like frustrated -- I don't know what he thought, but it wasn't nothing I was worried about or nothing nobody should review or anything like that," Harrington said. ESPN.com

Paul's version: "When he dove for the ball it was like he grabbed my legs, and I just couldn't get to the ball. I was trying to get to the ball because I had just had the turnover." ESPN.com

They’re trying, but Paul knows that his general manager, Jeff Bower, has to trim $3 million off the payroll to dodge the luxury tax. The Hornets can’t win a playoff series as constructed, and deep down Paul understands his greatness is born of his passing and playmaking, born of elevating those around him. He can score, but that’ll never be the way the Hornets win with him. “I’m a point guard,” he said. “I can’t score the ball like Carmelo, LeBron and D-Wade. At the end of the day, it’s always going to be a team thing with us, with me getting guys involved.” Yahoo! Sports

"There’s enough in this locker room to win, he will tell you, even if deep down he has his own doubts. Yet, he understands he has to convince his teammates that he believes to ever have a chance to get the most out of them. “Hey, I’m going to be a team guy,” he said. “Anytime something happens, I’m going to have my guys’ backs. …When I talk to Jeff [Bower], it’s all about, ‘What can we do with the guys that we have?’ ” Yahoo! Sports

When asked how difficult mediocrity could get for him this season, asked how he would ever stand for it, Paul said, “Let me say this: I want to win.” His eyes were wide now, and he wanted his point understood. “I … want … to … win. Whatever it takes me to do, I’m going to find a way.” Yahoo! Sports

Paul is not a happy man with his team now 1-3, and here's why. "When we talk right now, me, coach (Byron Scott) and (general manager) Jeff Bower, it's all about what can we do with the guys we have," Paul said. "I mean we have guys that are capable of doing anything anyone else does in this league. We've just got to find it. "Every team has an identity, a style of play they have. We have to find out if we're going to be a fast team, are we going to be a slow-down team, are we going to run a set every time? We just have to find out what our identity is." ESPN.com

Gay appears on the surface to be the most available, given owner Michael Heisley's penny pinching ways -- but a source in Memphis says, short of a major regression from Gay this season, there's no way they'll let him walk away next summer. Gay was looking for a contract in the $12 million per season range according to sources. The Grizzles were offering him one in the $10 million per season range. They're really not THAT far apart. ESPN.com

Chad Ford: One NBA exec tweets me that Gay made a mistake. Says new CBA won't be kind to him. Twitter.com

Chad Ford: His quote: "$12 mil is a ****load of money for a guy like Gay. I can't believe guys like him are turning down 50 mil." Twitter.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: One rival front office executive believes rejection of deal -- along with O.J. Mayo friction -- makes Rudy Gay a candidate to be traded. Twitter.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: FYI: That was no suggestion that Memphis has any known desire to move Gay. Just speculation by a rival GM-type that it could come to that. Twitter.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: The Grizzlies never raised offer beyond $10 million-plus a year, source says, Gay stayed firm on want for $12 mil. per, and that was that. Twitter.com

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Sergio Rodriguez: "I'm not thinking about returning to Europe because the NBA season has just begun and what I want is to enjoy this year, have a good time and help this team win. And when next year comes, we'll see, but so far I'm very happy with the way things are going." Marca.com

Chris Tomasson: Executive Mark Warkentien tells FanHouse "highly unlikely'' Denver will use $7.4 million trade exception before it expires Tuesday Nov. 3. Twitter.com

Kahn said Monday's moves haven't painted the team into a corner. "I don't want this to be some sort of signal that we will trade Corey, because I don't believe that, but I do believe this is a trader's league right now," he said. "And I believe as we demonstrated this summer, you can move players if need be. So I don't look at this decision today on Nov. 3 as saying, 'This is the cap number we'll have next summer.' "I believe there are all kinds of possibilities that can occur with this team, particularly when you frame it from the standpoint that Kurt and I are still ... have a lot of evaluation and learning to do about this team." St. Paul Pioneer Press

During a Sunday afternoon phone conversation between Bill Duffy, the agent for Rajon Rondo, and Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge, the two hashed out a five-year, $55 million contract extension for Rondo, ensuring he will stay in Boston well into the next decade and exempting him from the uncertainty of free agency. Boston Globe

As a restricted free agent next summer, Rondo would have been the most talented point guard on the market, luring teams with salary cap space to make possibly pricier bids and forcing the Celtics to match. But Rondo didn’t want to leave a situation he is comfortable in, and a team that has embraced him, to take that chance. “Sure you go into the free agent market and maybe he could have earned more money,’’ Duffy said yesterday. “The grass is always greener on the other side. But I also look at this as his second contract and he’ll be in his prime when this contract expires, so there’s still more ahead. If we were shortsighted, maybe we go to a better situation, perhaps more money. But if it’s not the right fit, you’ll suffer later.’’ Boston Globe

Take me through the decision process to come to Dallas. Why did you fell the Mavericks were the right fit for you? Shawn Marion: It wasn't really a decision. There wasn't but a few teams making moves this summer. That's basically what it boiled down to. I've been wanting to get to the Mavs for [a while], so when the opportunity came up, that's what happened. SI.com

Did the lack of demand surprise you? Shawn Marion: I knew the economy would have an effect, and they say it's going to affect next summer, too. Realistically, a lot of teams are doing what they have to do to clear up [salary-cap] space for players that they'll probably never get. I was just trying to get in the best situation I can. SI.com

John Hollinger: Balkman extension details: Base is 3 yrs at $1.675M per. Bonus $ for 1100 min & 42 wins, more for 1250 min & 42 wins. Twitter.com

The Timberwolves exercised contract options on guard/forward Corey Brewer and forward Kevin Love before Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers, keeping both players from becoming free agents after the season. For now, Brewer and Love are under contract through the 2010-11 season. The Wolves exercised the fourth-year option on Brewer and the third-year option on Love. "It's always good to have a guaranteed deal for next season; at least you know you'll have a job," Brewer said. "I want to be a Timberwolf. I feel like we're building something good here." St. Paul Pioneer Press

Pecherov, a 7-foot forward who got his first start in Sunday's loss at Phoenix, is earning $1.5 million and becomes a free agent after the season. He said he wasn't upset by the team's decision. "Not at all," he said. "I want to be here. I'm still excited about this season coming up. I just want to play basketball and have some fun, you know. I feel like I have an opportunity here to play and be part of the team." St. Paul Pioneer Press

Joe Alexander's future with the Milwaukee Bucks became even more clouded Monday when the team declined to pick up the third-year option on his rookie-scale contract. Bucks general manager John Hammond confirmed that he had spoken to the second-year forward and told him the news. The team faced a Monday deadline on whether to renew Alexander's contract for the 2010-'11 season. By declining the $2.76 million option, the Bucks are making Alexander an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

The old saying in the NBA goes, “After three years, you are who you are.” Some teams, though, don’t have the patience to wait that much time to get returns on their draft investments. Joe Alexander of the Milwaukee Bucks was one of the victims this week, becoming the highest pick ever not to have a rookie contract option picked up. It’s probably devastating news for a young player… and with a reason. At least, based on history. Research shows that first-round picks that didn’t get options of their first NBA contract picked up usually don’t last long in the league after that first deal expires. HoopsHype.com

Probably not a big surprise, but these are the numbers… Of all the NBA players drafted in the first round between 2003 and 2007, 24 became free agents sooner than expected after having contract options declined. Among that group, only eight remain in the league today. Those would be Marcus Banks, Antoine Wright, Shelden Williams, Patrick O’Bryant, Shannon Brown, Quincy Douby, Rodney Carney and Marcus Williams. Only Brown and Banks, who has barely ever played the past two years, have a contract in place for next season. HoopsHype.com

I just heard that former University of Utah star Luke Nevill has sent his paper work to the NBA Developmental League office and, barring unforeseen circumstances, will start the season with the Utah Flash. Salt Lake Tribune

Heckling by Los Angeles Clippers fans may have led to the Mavericks' Drew Gooden making some allegedly insensitive comments during Saturday's game at Staples Center. Gooden did not play in the game and was dressed in street clothes behind the bench. According to Outsports.com, a Web site devoted to gay issues in sports, Gooden yelled a homophobic slur at a pair of fans seated near the Mavericks' bench. Gooden yelled the slur at actor Chris Wylde, who is not gay and was attending the game with a friend, the Web site reported. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban would not comment, but according to the Web site, he told Wylde in an e-mail that the team would deal with Gooden internally. Dallas Morning News

Cuban also sent an e-mail to the Web site saying that some of the heckling was not as innocent as fans suggested, although he added that even so, it doesn't excuse homophobic commentary. The NBA office has not gotten involved yet but typically investigates such matters. Dallas Morning News

But after the contest, Iverson seemed upset at the questioning of the media that he's a possible reserve player in the league. "I am not a reserve basketball player. I've never been a reserve all my life and I'm not going to start looking at myself as a reserve," he said. "That's something for the media to talk about. It's only a big issue when the media talks about it. The subject never came up in my career until everything happened in Detroit last year. No one talked about me being a sub or anything like that until last year. In all of the other years of my career it never came up. I've been a starter on All-Star teams, Olympic teams and NBA Finals teams. It's just a big deal now." Miami Herald

"I had no problems (with the hamstring)," Iverson said afterward. "I had a problem with my butt from sitting on that bench so long. That's the only thing I got a problem with." FanHouse

Hollins said afterward he doesn't think a three-guard lineup with Mike Conley, O.J. Mayo and Iverson will work. It's got too many defensive deficiencies, according to the coach. Maybe so. But Iverson already seems to be putting the pressure on. When asked how he felt out there, Iverson responded: "It felt like me. I've been playing basketball 26 years. That's what I do. I'm a professional at it. It felt like me." FanHouse

Sloan, meanwhile, called out his team in so many ways after the game, I couldn’t even get them all in my game story. “In our scouting report this morning, we said, ‘You don’t take these guys lightly because they’re good, they’re playing hard and they have no issues,’” Sloan said. “You see them play and watch them play, they’re having fun, and we’re struggling. “If we don’t get a call in our direction, we feel like the world’s against us and then we make two or three more mistakes. So we’ve got to fight through that. See who we are.” Salt Lake Tribune

Sloan was asked to clarify his remarks about taking the Rockets lightly. “Did you just see them run by us?” Sloan said. “How many times did they dribble past whoever theywanted to dribble past? I mean, if you aren’t going to defend, it’s pretty tough to have a chance to win.” Salt Lake Tribune

Deron Williams: All I can say is bad game!!! And the beautiful thing about the NBA is there is 82 games! Twitter.com

Former Cuyahoga Heights star Flip Saunders is Washington's new coach, and former Cavs coach Randy Wittman is his top assistant. Mike Miller has taken over as the starting shooting guard in place of Stevenson. So when the teams renew acquaintances, it likely won't be quite as heated as it has been. "It doesn't feel the same as it was in the playoffs a few years ago," admitted Cavs coach Mike Brown. Cleveland Plain Dealer

"I think they would say it's a rivalry," Williams said of the Wizards. "I think it's a big game, obviously, for us, without question. We know they're a very good team. They've got Gil back at 100 percent. He's playing well. They have a talented ball club. We look at it as a big game. Probably there's a little more edge to it than a regular game. They're going to be more intense. We're going to be more intense because we want to win. But rivalry? I would say Boston is more of a rival, in my opinion." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Said Williams, "As far as talk is concerned, we don't talk, we play. There's nothing to talk about, to be honest. It's a basketball game. It's the fifth game of the year. I think we're more concerned about ourselves than Washington." Cleveland Plain Dealer

As Bulls practice ended Monday, veteran Lindsey Hunter stepped up and directed some pointed advice toward Tyrus Thomas in front of all his teammates and coaches. It's the kind of behind-the-scenes leadership that occurs countless times throughout an NBA season. This instance stood out for two reasons. It came on the heels of Thomas, according to team sources, taking exception to coach Vinny Del Negro harping on him for failing to rotate defensively. And it followed Thomas again falling out of the fourth-quarter rotation. Chicago Tribune

Nevertheless, it's clear Thomas continues to struggle with earning the trust of Del Negro. "We were a step slow defensively on our rotations, and that's something we've been working on a lot," Del Negro said generally. Chicago Tribune

Thomas declined to address his lack of playing time after the game Sunday but talked generally about his situation during a pregame interview that centered on him not receiving a contract extension by Monday's deadline. "I feel like I work hard enough and do enough extra to be what I want to be at the end of the day," Thomas said. Chicago Tribune

"When push comes to shove, we've just got to give him the ball and get out of the way,'' Nuggets guard Anthony Carter said about Anthony, who is shooting 53.6 percent and Sunday became the first Denver player to score 40 points in consecutive games since Michael Adams in January 1991. FanHouse

As expected, there was no blowback following those remarks by Chris Douglas-Roberts after the loss at Washington, because every last man knew that most of his observations were on the mark. "There’s nothing to talk about. It’s pretty much understood," said Douglas-Roberts, who called his team out not retaliating after he incurred a hard foul. "I didn’t say anything about injuring nobody. That’s the unwritten rule; you got to protect each other. They gave us two hard ones, we didn’t give them any. That’s a sign of weakness in the NBA." "Indeed," said point guard Rafer Alston. "That’s something we talked about before the season started. It’s about protecting the paint and protecting a teammate. You can’t let guys walk in for layups. They were just walking to the basket on us, with nobody there. When we drove, they contested the shot hard or fouled. That’s the way you do it." Newark Star-Ledger

The feel-good story of the night belonged to Hughes, who was 8 for 13 from the field. He was out of the rotation to start the season and received the first opening-night DNP-CD (did not play — coach’s decision) of his 12-year career. Last season, he reacted angrily when he was benched by the Chicago Bulls — paving the way for his trade to New York. But he was content to wait this time. “I knew how hard I worked; I kind of figured that my chance would come,” he said. “So I wasn’t too frustrated. I wanted to be out there, but I wanted to handle it the right way.” New York Times

Matt Steinmetz: Sorry to obsess but looks like Gerald Wallace went another 44 minutes tonight without an assist. That's 171 minutes without one this year. Twitter.com

''I just have to get in the rhythm,'' Rose said. ''My ankle is fine, just stiff. It gets frustrating during the games. As you can see, I'm the last to leave [practice]. Yeah, I'm in a hurry. I'm just trying to get my rhythm back. That's the big thing. ''I'm getting myself back in playing shape. Even though I didn't make many shots [Sunday in Miami], I was able to attack the basket, which is something I didn't do in the first two games. I thought I shot the ball well today in practice. The fluid on my ankle is gone. I have to make sure it doesn't get reinjured.'' Chicago Sun-Times

Bucks guard Brandon Jennings, who played overseas for a year after high school, will renew an old AAU rivalry with Rose. ''Milwaukee is a good team, and I know Brandon is a good point guard,'' Rose said. ''We lost to him at AAU. You see [prized prospect] Jeremy Tyler is playing overseas. For me, it was hard going away to Memphis [for a year of college] because I was missing my family. I couldn't do that. Big ups to him. ''The thing about [playing in the NBA] is that it's fun. You get to play the sport you love and travel all over and meet people.'' Chicago Sun-Times

“I think Goran’s improving,” Nash said. “Goran’s got the tools, he just needs the confidence and comfort. I think this year he’s going to struggle at times, but I think you’re going to see big improvement from him, and you’ve got to be patient. Valley Of The Suns

The Lakers revealed on Monday that Pau Gasol recently underwent a sonogram that showed a possible tear in his injured right hamstring. Gasol had an MRI taken on his hamstring on Monday morning, though results will not be available until today. The All-Star forward traveled with the Lakers for their games in Oklahoma City tonight and in Houston on Wednesday, but he is not expected to play. "The last diagnostic test we did showed he had a slight tear, so we wanted to see what that progress was," Jackson said. "I think it's going to turn out really well." Riverside Press-Enterprise

Devin Harris was examined by one of the Chicago Bulls’ team physicians Monday, and the team merely said it was confirmed that the Nets point guard has a strained groin. No news is good news, apparently. The coach didn’t even want to reveal that much, initially. "I spoke to Devin, we texted back and forth, Timmy spoke a little with the doctor," Lawrence Frank said, referring to trainer Tim Walsh. "Once we put it all together, we’ll say something. . . Probably tomorrow we’ll have our ducks in a row." Newark Star-Ledger

One teammate that that will play there one day is Ricky Rubio. I had never traveled with a rock star until now. To me, Ricky’s nickname is Rock Star. When I got drafted to New York, I played with Latrell Sprewell and I thought that was something. Everybody wanted a piece of Spree, everybody wanted an autograph, but there’s no comparison on the attention Ricky commands. It doesn’t matter where we’re at. Anywhere in Spain, in Europe… We can be in Turkey, everywhere. That’s why I call him the Rock Star, because I actually see people crying over him. I’ve never seen it! Girls crying! People want pictures, they come to the hotel to find him… It’s unbelievable. And he’s such a good kid though. He handles all these situations so well. His parents did a great job raising him because he’s such a humble and nice kid. He’s special. HoopsHype.com

Georgia Tech forward Gani Lawal had two months to decide whether to leave school early for the NBA last spring. If he were facing that decision at the end of this season, he would have closer to two weeks. The NCAA changed the deadline this year. Underclassmen will have until May 8 to withdraw from the NBA draft without losing their eligibility, five weeks earlier than last year's June 15 deadline. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

For a player such as Lawal, who spent more than two weeks in late May and early June traveling to NBA cities for workouts and the pre-draft combine before deciding to stay at Tech, it would eliminate much of the face-to-face feedback he found so valuable in making his decision. "It helped me," Lawal said. "I used it for what it's put in place for. That's why I don't agree with the new rule." Neither does Maryland senior Greivis Vazquez, who waited until June 15 before withdrawing from the 2009 draft. "Now you're not going to have time to work out with teams," Vazquez said. "Now you're really going to have to stay in or stay out." Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Arsenal director Stan Kroenke has moved nearer to the stage when he would have to make an offer for the entire stockholding of the club. The US billionaire has bought another 427 shares in Arsenal's holding company, at a cost of £3.6m ($5.86m), taking his shareholding to 29.6%. BBC

Johnson said Monday he wasn't surprised by Thomas' reaction to the book. "No surprise, that's just a part of life," Johnson said. "Isiah's got to worry now about his Florida team and his life going on, and I've got to worry about my businesses. We both move on and keep going." Los Angeles Daily News

Later in a conference call with reporters to promote the book, Johnson, whose Lakers beat Thomas' Pistons in the seven-game 1988 Finals but lost to them in four straight in the '89 championship, continued: "It was time (for this to come out). There was a time when we had an incredible relationship. We used to do everything together back in those days, and then it faded. Those two championship (meetings) had something to do with it. Then we went in opposite directions from there. "But even today, I want Isiah to be successful in what he does, even though it's not the same friendship that it used to be. Sometimes, what happens (in the past) has to be revealed." Los Angeles Daily News

Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic is praising Cavaliers star LeBron James for his latest contributions to the community. LeBron's State Farm King for Kids Bikeathon raised $130,000 this past August. The LeBron James Family Foundation delivered checks last month of $65,000 each to the Akron Urban League and Akron Area YMCA. "This shows once again LeBron's commitment to his hometown," said Mayor Plusquellic. "He continues to be a role model for our youth - not only in terms of his accomplishments on the court, but off the court as well." WKYC.com

LeBron donated another 400 bicycles to children ages 9 to 14. The children were nominated based on merit and character to ride in special invitational down Main Street. LeBron also donated a new KIA auto to the Akron Urban League. The car was part of his MVP award from the NBA. WKYC.com

Manu Ginobili: Just wanted to give you guys an update on the bat situation. As many of you already know, it wasn't a great idea. Not only for the fact that bats are great part of the ecosystem, but also, because some carry rabies, which is an incurable disease. That's why I had to get vaccinated today (and it wasn't just one shot!). Only 0.5% to 3% of the bat populations carry the disease, but If you can't find the animal, it's not recommended to take any risks, it can kill you! Since after the incident, the usher took it outside and the bat flew away (not lying!), there was no way of knowing if he was infected or not, so I had to do the safe thing. Facebook

If all goes according to plan, Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose won't have to make a decision on his post-NBA career for at least another decade. But Rose already has an idea of what he wants to do once his on-court days are over. Derrick Rose is a big fan of Vince Vaughn and loves his recent movie "Couples Retreat." "You will probably see me in some movies or something," Rose said after practice Monday. What kind of character would he play? "I really don't know," he said. "I love what's his name? Vince? -- Vince Vaughn. The dry humor. It seems like he's serious about everything, but he's funny. That would be me right there." ESPN.com

He may be in the movies, just don't count on him being an action hero. "No athletic, running, jumping on stuff like Jackie Chan," Rose joked. "None of that." In the meantime, Rose said he has really enjoyed life as an NBA star. "It's fun," Rose said. "You get to play a sport that you love playing. You get to travel everywhere and meet people and meet famous people. Network, outside of basketball, you get to network with people, so that if you're done playing basketball, you can have a career or something else. It's just fun." ESPN.com

Lou Williams was stunned to hear that when Pearl Jam performed the final concert at the Spectrum on Saturday night, they referred to him before performing the song "Sweet Lew." Williams said someone stopped him in a Wawa and told him about it. Philadelphia Daily News

How much money did you make in the NBA? Sam Jones: "That's personal. Look it up, if you want, but I made $7,500 that first season (1959-60) with a $1,500 bonus. That was a lot of money back then." FanHouse

You ever go to see the Celtics play? Sam Jones: "No. It's a new regime, new owners, new management. People ask me why I never go back. I tell them, `I don't go places where I'm not invited to go.' I won't push myself on anyone. It doesn't bother me at all. You work for someone, and when you're finished, you're finished.'' FanHouse

It's hard for me to fathom this disconnect between the Celtics and guys like you who made the franchise what it is today. Explain. Sam Jones: "We don't have reunions, so there is no connection between the old and the new. There is no follow up on history. If you don't want to be bothered, then I don't want to be bothered, either. I have my peace of mind." FanHouse

Go back to the racism you saw. What was it like with the Celtics? Sam Jones: "Red (Auerbach) was so far ahead of his time. People didn't realize how far ahead he was. He hired the first black coach (Russell). He was the first in the league to start five black players. He drafted the first black player (Chuck Cooper). Boston did a lot of things to advance integration into the NBA, even though people say Boston is a racist city. At least the Celtics did something different. I think Walter Brown (the owner) had something to do with it. He wanted the best players, and he didn't care if they was blue, black, brown, white or yellow. He went against the rules of the NBA.'' FanHouse

You think today's players appreciate what you went through? Sam Jones: "What do you think?'' FanHouse

Are players today better than they were in your day? Sam Jones: "I think they're in better condition. I don't know if their intelligence is better.'' FanHouse

Tim Donaghy's tumultuous journey through the federal prison system, which he says included a beatdown from an inmate who claimed to have New York mob connections, finally is coming to an end. The Havertown-bred former NBA referee is scheduled to be released tomorrow from the Hernando County (Fla.) Jail, where he's finishing a 13-month prison term for his part in a gambling scandal that triggered an avalanche of negative publicity for the league. Philadelphia Daily News

"I've dealt with a lot of felons and I think he is sincerely repentant and contrite,'' said Pat Berdan, of Executive Prison Consultants, a firm that has been assisting Donaghy in prison. "I see no intent, not even a hint of it, of revenge or retaliation or attempting to put the NBA in their place or anything like that,'' Berdan said. "He is quite remorseful about the whole thing.'' Philadelphia Daily News

The NBA, which previously has denied similar allegations that Donaghy has made through his lawyer in court filings, said last week that it would review the new allegations contained in his book. Yesterday, Lauro said that he would "demand'' that Deadspin cease publishing book excerpts. "We're going to take steps to stop that from happening. It's his property and it's being used improperly now, so the first step is to get this to stop," Lauro said, declining to specify whether that would include a lawsuit. Deadspin's editor, A.J. Daulerio, declined to comment last night. Berdan said Donaghy is looking for a new book publisher, but no deal is imminent. Philadelphia Daily News

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