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Friday, November 6

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Andre Miller has zero starts in his first five games as a Blazer and is averaging just 25 minutes, only adding to the suspicion held by several rival executives that the Blazers signed Miller purely to make sure they acquired a tradable asset with their salary-cap space after failed free-agent bids for Hedo Turkoglu and Paul Millsap. ESPN.com

Heard it from someone plugged into the Team USA scene this week. From a prominent player agent. From an Eastern Conference team official, too. Move Miami up your list. That's the advice I'm getting more and more. No doctorate required to understand the thinking, either: Miami's combination of Dwyane Wade, Pat Riley, sufficient cap space to sign one max player and the bonus attraction of South Beach adds up to an offer LeBron might not be able to refuse. ESPN.com

The long-held assumption around the league called for Riley -- forever married to the idea that you win nothing without a dominant big man -- to try to sign Bosh away from Toronto to partner with D-Wade, helped along by the fact that Bosh and Wade are both represented by Chicago-based agent Henry Thomas. Yet one source close to the situation told ESPN.com on Thursday night that the theory is outdated. The source is further convinced that Bosh isn't even looking at Miami and that Riley is definitely dreaming of a Wade-and-LeBron combo. ESPN.com

Dan asked Stern if he wants LeBron James to stay in Cleveland or go elsewhere. "I believe as a system, that it should favor the incumbent team in re-signing the player, whoever that player is," Stern said. Stern said because of that, he'd like LeBron to stay in Cleveland, even if that's not necessarily the popular choice. SI.com

Devin Harris is a 26-year-old point guard coming off his first trip to the All-Star Game. And James, I'm told, has rated Harris highly since he began to develop in Dallas. Brook Lopez, meanwhile, is a 21-year-old center who -- no joke -- would conceivably be the No. 2 overall pick if we let teams redo the 2008 draft. ESPN.com

The truth is that James has been begging the Cavaliers to pair him with a fellow superstar like O'Neal. "Shaq's a guy that you can really deflect things off to him and he knows how to handle it," James told me in preseason. "So it's great to have his personality not only on the court but off the court, also. "Sometimes you need that, no matter how big your shoulders are. Every now and then you want a little break (from being the only star on the team), and I think I get that with Shaq. But at the same time I'm not going to lessen what I think my job is -- to continue to be the same leader I am, the same guy that I am. But he's going to take pressure off me without me asking to do that, and you've got to respect that." SI.com

Sources with knowledge of the talks say the Lakers continue to meet with Bryant’s camp and that both sides fully expect the deal to get done, though neither wants to commit to a firm timetable. The initial hope was that the extension would be completed by the start of the season. Bryant is scheduled to make $23 million this season and $24.8 million next season. He can opt of the final season to become a free agent in July. He is eligible to sign a three-year extension that could pay him more than $90 million, depending on the league’s salary-cap figures. Yahoo! Sports

Before totaling 27 points and 14 rebounds in Utah’s runaway victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, Carlos Boozer had already drawn the ire of Jazz fans for the team’s struggles. Still, league sources say the Jazz don’t appear to be engaged in any substantive trade talks for the power forward. Yahoo! Sports

One NBA general manager said the Philadelphia 76ers are still actively trying to move center Samuel Dalembert. A league source said the Sixers contacted the Warriors to see if they had any interest in Dalembert, but talks never progressed. The Warriors are still trying to trade Stephen Jackson but have yet to field a suitable offer. The Cavaliers remain interested in the veteran swingman. Yahoo! Sports

Last week, the Suns exercised their option for next season on Dudley. Another year in Phoenix is welcomed by Dudley. “It’s perfect,” he said. “We’ve got stars on the team, which I love to play with, and a great city. Our games are sold out at home. Coming from Charlotte to this is like night and day. And for me, you’re playing with guys that are older veterans so for me it’s good to have the young and old. I love it.” Boston Herald

Taylor said the plan is to evaluate the talent at the end of the year -- the five players they kept and the others they brought in. Regarding the salary cap, Taylor said, "we've got ourselves in a situation next year where we're low enough so that we could go out and try to bring in a free agent, and in this particular case I'm talking about maybe a free agent that has some star quality and experience." Minneapolis Star Tribune

Rajon Rondo officially signed his five-year, $55 million extension with the Celtics about four hours before the NBA’s deadline. Rondo, however, was also facing his own time crunch. He wanted the Celtics to hurry up and fax the contract papers to him at his hotel in Philadelphia so he could attend Game 5 of the World Series. The Celtics were in Philadelphia on Monday night for a game Tuesday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Yahoo! Sports

Iverson can ponder what might have been when the Grizzlies visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. Back in July, the Clippers seriously contemplated offering him a one-year contract paying up to $4 million so he could be a “Vinnie Johnson-type” player, a source with knowledge of the talks said. Denver Nuggets assistant Tim Grgurich, who was considered for a job on Mike Dunleavy’s staff over the offseason, also strongly recommended Iverson to the franchise. Yahoo! Sports

The Clippers, however, were concerned about how Iverson’s addition would affect the development of second-year shooting guard Eric Gordon, along with other chemistry issues. The Clippers cooled on the idea after Iverson told Dunleavy in a phone conversation that he would have a serious problem with coming off the bench. Yahoo! Sports

Given the shooting in a downtown Orlando office building today, I asked Magic spokesman Joel Glass about the status of tonight's Magic game against the Detroit Pistons at Amway Arena. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. "We are monitoring the situation," Glass said. If there is any news to report, we'll have it here on the Magic blog. Orlando Sentinel

After things went bad with the Detroit Pistons, did you feel like you needed to sell the Grizzlies on signing you? Iverson: Nah. I talked with them and had a conversation with them about what I wanted for the rest of my career, what I can do for the squad. But I’m not playing basketball no more to make money or anything like that or fame. I’ve been there and did that. I just want to be happy doing what I love to do. If I felt I had to sell myself or sell out to be somebody that I’m not, then I wouldn’t do it anymore. I’d be playing at the YMCA. Yahoo! Sports

Can you envision the day you walk away from the NBA? Iverson: Hell yeah. I got a wife and five kids. I definitely can see myself walking away from basketball, walking away from [the media]. I don’t have to talk to y’all every [expletive] day. There is a lot of y’all I don’t dislike, a lot of y’all I love. But there is a lot of y’all I hate. But I understand that media people just do their job. Nobody wants to hear no positive Allen Iverson story about me giving out turkeys, doing something for the Boys & Girls Club. They want to hear stories about A.I. cursing the coach out and stuff like that. That positive [stuff] don’t sell.” Yahoo! Sports

Can you describe how free agency went for you this past offseason? Iverson: It was horrible just not knowing where I was going to be or where my family was going to be – my kids and my wife not knowing. It was just a bad experience. It was an experience that I thought was going to be a good one, but it wasn’t. It was tough on me. When you get bad-mouthed by certain people, then it makes it that much more difficult. I understand. I’ve heard a lot of different things since the summer passed. If you get bad-mouthed in this league by certain people, it’s hard to get over that – especially the stories that I heard about who I am as a person off the court and who I am in my teammates’ eyes. At times, it used to bother me. But I’ve heard so many of them now that I don’t even think about it no more. Yahoo! Sports

What would you say to those that say you lost a step? Iverson: Just watch. Just watch. You know what’s crazy about that? I’ve averaged 27 points my whole career. You see All-Star players that let a couple years go by and then they make it again. But you never hear after they don’t make it one year that they lost a step. To the world, that one bad [last] season, 17-[points]-and five-[assists] mark, people hear that and say, “A.I. had an awful season.” But you have guys with 17-and-five making it to the All-Star Game and people saying they had the greatest season ever. That’s what frustrates me because the people that have a chance to discuss it don’t look at it that way. They only look at it like I went to a team that was already established. You got Tayshaun [Prince], you got Rip [Hamilton], you got ‘Sheed [Wallace] and you got the young boy, [Rodney] Stuckey, that’s trying to make his way. And the Denver situation? You saw how many guys we had. We had ‘Melo [Carmelo Anthony(notes)], Nene, Marcus [Camby], Kenyon [Martin] and everybody, and my scoring goes down three, four [points] and they say, “He’s losing a step.” It’s just going to be like that. That criticism will always be there for me. But if I can accept the praise, I damn sure can accept the criticism. Yahoo! Sports

What's your response when people say you and Rudy [Gay] can't work [as a tandem] or when people say the Iverson thing will never work? OJ Mayo: Don't listen to it. Those are just the people that don't want to see the Memphis Grizzlies succeed, all these basketball gurus. … I think we've got an opportunity to make some noise in the West. ESPN.com

So what's a realistic ceiling for this team this year? OJ Mayo: We got a chance [at the playoffs]. I think so. I think that's very realistic. But what do you think, Mr. Stein? I've read some of your columns. You don't think we'll be too good. ESPN.com

One of the brothers, John Mardoyan of Los Angeles, read the Outsports story that detailed the accusation against Gooden from a game on Halloween in which Clippers fan Chris Wylde said Gooden called him and his friend “faggots.” Gooden did not comment on Wylde’s charge, while a team source told local reporters that it was one of Gooden’s friends who used the slur. Mardoyan posted this comment on the article: When I heard about this story, I just had to comment on it, because I had a very similar incident with Drew Gooden at the Clippers Vs. Bulls game last year. I was sitting at the section where the visiting team enters the locker room, and Gooden was injured so he wasn’t dressed, he was kind of walking back and forth through the hallway, so I just looked down at him and told him, “You Suck Gooden”, just regular heckling you know. Then he turned to me and said, “You suck dick, you fuckin faggot, you suck that guys dick right there”, pointing at my brother. I am not gay, but it was still very offensive. I know the other guy is not lying because this really happened to me. Please expose this story and DREW GOODEN for what he is, a homophobe. OutSports.com

I spoke with John and his brother Michael, who say their interaction with Gooden occurred around halftime of the Jan. 28, 2009, Bulls vs. Clippers game at Staples Center. The brothers say they are not gay. They said the incident with Gooden, then with the Bulls, lasted about a minute. While John said he did yell, “Gooden, you suck,” he was angry when the player kept it going. John says Gooden suggested that John enjoyed male-to-male oral sex and used a closed fist pumping near his mouth to simulate the act. OutSports.com

Who is Ron Artest? The tough, hard-nosed enforcer who solidifies the L.A. lineup to lock up back-to-back titles? Or the unreliable crack in the foundation that will ultimately bring the house down? "He's different," said teammate Kobe Bryant. "Ron hasn't been outspoken at all," said coach Phil Jackson. NBA.com

When asked if he regretted spending last season in Houston, Artest replied, "Yeah, I do. I've been blessed to get to play basketball. But one percent tells me I wish I could have gone somewhere else so I could have exercised my Bird rights. That hurt me a lot. But I still managed to get a good contract -- maybe $20 million off --- but God is still good, he's still taking care of my family. So everything is OK." NBA.com

Throw in the fact that three players poised to see heavy minutes — Chris Bosh, Hedo Turkoglu and Antoine Wright — missed significant stretches of the preseason, and it makes it extra tough for a point guard to gain chemistry with his new teammates. “I think he’s just trying to adjust to their style of play as well as fit himself into the equation as well,” Jack explained to the media this week. “I keep telling him to relax and shoot the ball when he’s open. To just be aggressive and make his normal plays. It’s going to come with time.” SLAM

The face of the franchise, Chris Bosh, isn’t worried about Calderon’s start to the season. Instead, he chalks up his relatively slow start to being caught in a slump at a time when the media will dwell on it. “He’s only human,” explained Bosh, when asked about Calderon only dishing out one assist on Wednesday. “We’re all going to go through slumps whether it’s at the beginning, middle or end of the season. He just has to keep his head up and keep working to get out of it. Slumps happen. I know he wants to play well every game but it’s not going to happen every game.” SLAM

It wasn’t until Thursday morning that Durant recuperated from the repulsive feeling of what he later realized was the toughest loss of his young career. "I had the game in my hands twice — and I didn’t come through,” said a more talkative Durant on Thursday, after also being tightlipped to reporters following the game. "But people told me that great players have a short memory. So that’s what I have to learn how to do.” Oklahoman

But after Tuesday’s showing, a significant sidebar has become Durant’s ability to finish games. It’s a story line that played out throughout last season and one Durant wasn’t supposed to be addressing just four games into 2009-10. The difference, though, between then and now is Durant isn’t as caught up with simply hitting the game-winner. He’s come back determined to make the right play when the game is on the line. "There is a big difference,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "That’s one of the things that it takes time to develop. You can’t expect a young player who is a terrific offensive player to make great plays every time down the court, because they’re going to go to their natural instincts. And Kevin is naturally gifted as a scorer. But when we’re playing good basketball we’re using his ability to attract that extra defender so he can make plays on the weak side and for our other shooters.” Oklahoman

Chuck Hayes is the most remarkable player on the NBA's most remarkable team. How's that for an opening sentence? Good one, huh? Don't believe me? Let's check in at Toyota Center and run it past some people who should know. “Luis Scola and I were talking in the weight room this morning,” Shane Battier said, “and we both agreed Chuck Hayes is our favorite player in the NBA.” Houston Chronicle

How so? “It's pretty amazing what he does,” Battier said. “He's a huge reason we've been one of the best defensive teams in the league the last few years.” How about you, Carl Landry? Do you love Hayes as much as the rest of us? “He's the perfect player,” Landry said. “He rebounds, plays defense, takes charges, gets steals. He does the dirty work.” Houston Chronicle

“I just feel like someone that has to keep on improving,” Dudley said this morning at shootaround. “Usually, underdogs are like that. You’ve always got to show that you can stay in this league and for me, that’s been throughout my whole career, my whole life, and I don’t mind it. I kind of embrace it.” Boston Globe

“I knew going from college to the NBA my role was going to change,” said Dudley, who stopped by the Heights yesterday to watch the Eagles practice. “Everybody knew that. You have to be able to hit the outside jump shot consistently in this league for a wing to be able to play. I think one of my roles in this league is to be a spacer. I think defensively, for me to get more playing time and to stay in this league for 10 to 12 years, you have to be able to not only be a good defender but have that be your specialty.” Boston Globe

Brandon Jennings joined WSSP in Milwaukee with the Big Show to talk about his time spent over in Europe, what he learned from playing overseas, whether he expected this kind of start to his rookie campaign, playing in Milwaukee and who his top five point guard in the NBA are. (Note: After listening to his first response, I decided it would be best to remove the “you know’s” from the transcript because I counted six of them in the first sentence and needed to take off my shoes to count the rest of them in the next response. The total tally of you know’s by Brandon Jennings in this interview is a whopping 113!) Sports Radio Interviews

The Sacramento Kings, already struggling with long-term injuries in the backcourt, will now be without their best player, guard Kevin Martin, for about eight weeks after Martin has surgery on Monday to repair a broken wrist, according to a league source. NBA.com

Martin initially injured his left wrist on Monday, when he scored 48 points, after he got tangled up with Memphis's Allen Iverson during the Kings' 127-116 victory over the Grizzlies. He played in Wednesday's 113-105 loss to the Hawks, scoring 29 points in 40 minutes, but an MRI taken Thursday revealed Martin had a nondisplaced hairline fracture of the navicular bone. He was given the option of surgery or putting his wrist in a cast, each of which would cost him up to two months, or try to continue playing in pain. NBA.com

The Bulls announced Friday afternoon that Tyrus Thomas will undergo surgery on Saturday to repair a fractured radius in his left forearm. Thomas suffered the injury while doing pull-ups during a Friday weightlifting session and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Rookie Taj Gibson will start his third straight game for Thomas on Saturday against the Bobcats. "Tyrus tweaked his arm, and he's pretty sore," coach Vinny Del Negro said following practice and before X-rays revealed the fracture. "It's unfortunate." Chicago Tribune

The Cavaliers have been advised that the value of the franchise would plummet by more than $100 million -- $150 million was one figure I've heard -- if James were to leave Cleveland. That's why they've created an environment designed to hold onto him. They've built a new practice facility while steadily improving the roster around him, and if they need to make another trade at the February deadline to further space the floor around James and O'Neal, then they'll surely pursue it. SI.com

While it is widely assumed (as noted in Box 1) that the Nets have to end up in Brooklyn to have any shot of keeping their hopes alive in the LeBron James Sweepstakes -- have to -- it was stressed to me this week by one plugged-in source that the same does not apply to would-be Russian billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov. The early word is that Prokhorov, whose eventual approval by fellow NBA owners is also widely assumed, is determined to be the Nets' majority owner. So determined that he apparently wants to take over even if the franchise can't extricate itself from New Jersey. ESPN.com

Bryon Russell thinks he’s lined up enough cash and TV interest to lure Michael Jordan into a one-on-one exhibition. Jordan called out Russell during his Hall of Fame speech, saying the former Utah Jazz swingman motivated him with his trash-talking. He challenged Russell, saying: “From this day forward, if I ever see him in shorts, I’m coming at him.” Yahoo! Sports

Russell responded by telling Yahoo! Sports he would play Jordan anytime. Russell now says he has substantial financial backing to stage a public one-on-one game, but declined to give details. He hopes to talk to Jordan soon in person and seek his approval. “I am hoping it can get done because everybody wants to see it,” Russell said to Yahoo! Sports. “I wasn’t the one that called me out. I’m just returning the favor. I think people will fall in love with it to see M.J. and Bryon going at it again. Yahoo! Sports

A film and television production company started by former NBA player Dale Davis is moving from Pittsburgh to suburban Detroit. Allen Park-based Unity Studios announced Friday that Davis' WAR Entertainment plans a full slate of productions next year. WAR's first project is a children's show to be filmed this winter at Unity Studios. A feature film about basketball will begin shooting in the spring. Chicago Tribune

Stern said they can't do anything about Tim Donaghy's book. He hasn't read the whole book. "I have read the excerpts that were on Deadspin," Stern said. SI.com

Stern said the one thing that he already takes exception to is the idea the league mandated officials alter the outcome of games. Stern said that's just not true. SI.com

Hornets Owner George Shinn announced today that he has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer but remains healthy, optimistic and committed to maintain his regular schedule that includes serving the New Orleans community and leading the organization to championship performance on and off the court. Charlotte Observer

Apparently there's no need to wish that much bad luck on the Cavaliers. A source close to Dan Gilbert claims the Cavs chairman is terrified anything less than a second trip to The Finals will result in LeBron's exiting stage east to New York. New York Post

On Friday, the Cavaliers will make their one and only visit to Madison Square Garden this season to play the Knicks. Naturally, much of the pregame discussion was about the chances of James jumping to New York as a free agent next summer. I figured it was a good chance to ask, “What about the Bulls?” “I’ve thought about playing everywhere,” James answered. “Every team in the NBA, I’ve thought about playing at one time in my life.” Arlington Heights Daily Herald

“Even the Clippers?” someone asked. “Everywhere. At one point in my life, I’ve thought about playing for every NBA team," James continued. "All of them.” Arlington Heights Daily Herald

What will he tell the media in New York on Friday? LeBron: "There will be a lot of intensity, the fact that we only play there once. July 1 is right around the corner, so it will be exciting. I'm looking forward to winning an NBA championship here. It is going to be a long season and I can't think about what is going to happen July 1 or after that or what I'm going to do. We'll see what happens, I've never given any indication I'll leave Cleveland or be somewhere else. It doesn't matter where I'll be, I'm good enough to help a team win basketball games." Cleveland Plain Dealer

“I’ll say the same thing every time,” James said. “When July 1 gets here, I’m going to approach it like a businessman and approach it the best way that fits LeBron and his family. “But I’ve been a Cav for seven years now and I’ve never given any indication of leaving. For me to say, ‘I’m not going to be a Knick and I’m going to be a Cav.’ Or ‘I’m not going to be a Cav, I’m going to be a Knick’ – I’m not going to do that right now because I did a three-year contract for a reason. That was to leave my options open.” Arlington Heights Daily Herald

Wouldn't it be better for the league if the Knicks were title contenders? LeBron: "You look at history. It is like the Yankees. The big time franchises that have a lot of history, it is hard for the fans to look at what they've been looking at the last few years. Because they know the history of what has gone into the Garden. So I can understand that as a fan and I know because I know the history of the game. "I think the league is doing just fine, but with the Knicks being good, the Celtics being good, the Lakers being good, it makes the league that much better. I'm talking as a fan now, please understand that." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Does he enjoy all of this teasing? LeBron: "I don't tease, I've never teased the New York media by saying I was coming to New York or playing for the Knicks. I say the same thing every time. When July 1 gets here, I'm going to approach it like a businessman and approach it for the best fit for LeBron and his family. "I've been a Cav for seven years now and I've never given any indication I was leaving. For me to say I'm not going to be a Knick, I'm going to be a Cav or I'm going to be a Knick, I'm not going to be a Cav, I'm not going to do that. I did the three-year contract for a reason, I'm going to leave my options open." Cleveland Plain Dealer

If the Cavs were sitting here with Mo Williams, Anderson Varejao, Anthony Parker, Delonte West and a couple of centers who might be in their final NBA season – would anybody be saying Cleveland is a place where LeBron has the best chance of winning? “I feel like it doesn’t matter where I’ll be, I’m good enough to try to help the team win basketball games,” James said. “I’m looking forward to winning an NBA championship here. It’s going to be a long season and I can’t think about hat’s going to happen July 1 or after that when I decide what I’m going to do.” Arlington Heights Daily Herald

Former Cav Larry Hughes admitted the players joke about the media's preoccupation with James. "We have fun with it," said Hughes, now the Knicks starting shooting guard who earlier this season predicted James would stay in Cleveland. "All the comments we hear the media make, we exaggerate and be sarcastic with it. Like if we have a bad meal on the plane, we'll say, 'Hey, the meal would be better if 'Bron was here." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Walsh, too, said he tries to avoid being drawn into free agency questions from reporters or fans. "No matter what you say, there's a feeling that you're just looking to next summer, and that hasn't been true at all," he said. "I know where it's coming from, but there's very little you can do about it. I'm talking to you now and saying I'm not even thinking about that right now. I don't care if I say that to 100 people, they'll say, 'He's waiting for next year.' " Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Really, I’m not sure it would impact him that much from a marketing and merchandise standpoint,” said Darin David, an account director for Millsport, a Dallas-based sports marketing and consulting firm. New York Times

David Falk, the onetime superagent who represented Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning, said, “I don’t think that where you are physically situated is nearly as important as it was 20 years ago.” New York Times

A shoe company like Nike, which endorses James, will sometimes offer more money to athletes in larger markets. But it is no longer a given. The more likely bump in income would come through royalties. “He’s not going to get paid by where he lives,” Falk said. “He’s going to get paid by how much he sells.” New York Times

What sort of team do you prefer? Alston: I like a team with more experienced players. Dealing with experienced players is much easier. These guys (Nets’ players) are simply too young, They have yet to figure out a lot of the basics. When I was traded to Orlando, the team consisted of mostly experienced players, Hedo Turkoglu, Lewis…so many experienced players, pretty easy to play with. Just by playing against them in training, I have a clear picture of how they like to catch the ball, where they like to be on court. But some of these guys (Nets’ players) have not played a full season. Some are second-year players, some first-year rookies. They are still developing. I have to figure out their habits. That’s not easy. NetsDaily

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Dampier's value to the Mavericks past this season is probably as trade bait. A team can deal for Dampier next summer and cut him without paying a penny because of the creative wording of his contract, making him a valuable commodity in the NBA economy. Essentially, Dampier's contract provides the Mavs the flexibility to be significant players for an impact free agent via the sign-and-trade route. "He's a smart guy. He knows how to do math," said owner Mark Cuban, who insists that Dampier has fulfilled his expectations. "I don't think there's any reason to have to go in and discuss it with him." ESPN.com

But the big man bristles at the suggestion that he's more motivated this season than the previous five with the Mavericks. Dampier points out that he's made more than enough money to live comfortably for the rest of his life. "It's not on my mind, because I don't have to do anything else," Dampier said. "If I don't want to play anymore, I can go home and sit and watch TV. Obviously, I'm going to continue to play, whether it's here or somewhere else." ESPN.com

I really, really like Utah's draft. They got probably the best big man in the pool with Garrett Siler, then addressed their need for a point guard by taking Orien Greene, who's out to prove his pro career isn't a total disaster, and Jason Richards, who picked up a ton of assists in college. Kevin Goffney could be interesting as well, as he's a good rebounder for a swingman, and I like their late pick of Alain LaRoche, another swingman-type who made over 68 percent of his field goals playing in Finland last year. Ridiculous Upside

How much longer is basketball in your future? Eduardo Najera: I don’t know. Whenever I can’t compete, that’s the bottom line. I think that whenever I can’t compete, I can’t move like I want to, then that will be time for me to walk away. But right now I feel that I can run with everybody. Denver Post

Memphis needs help at power forward with second-year player Darrell Arthur out up to four months with a pectoral tear. Although no signing is imminent, Chris Richard, a 6-9 journeyman out of Florida, is a person of interest for the Grizzlies. Richard last played for Minnesota during the 2007-08 season. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Antoni Daimiel: Real Madrid has expressed interest in former Mavericks swingman Gerald Green. Twitter.com

While the Blazers center agreed that the team's 2-3 start is unacceptable, he had an irritated message sprinkled with expletives for all the talking heads and Nervous Nellies: Relax. "It's been five games, man," Oden said, his brow furrowed. "You hear the talk of everybody flipping out, people saying 'It's not the same' ... It's five games. We will get over this within a (bleeping) week. Yeah, we should have won some of those games, but that's in the past. Move on. We will get it back." Oregonian

When carelessness reared its head during Thursday's practice, Oden huddled the team for an impromptu speech about turnovers and effort. "Things were going bad," LaMarcus Aldridge said. "And he was sincere. He's not a loud guy, but he was trying to be motivational. Saying we can't have any of that anymore." It was the second instance in the young season in which Oden has tried to exert leadership on the team. "I was just telling us to have a better practice," Oden said. "There was a couple of turnovers going on, and I was like, 'We have to get it together.' It just needed to be done. Ain't no big deal. I just wanted to get everyone going." Oregonian

“I never looked back,’’ Garnett said after the game. “I have some family that still lives here. Other than that, when a new situation comes open, a new page in my book opens, I just try to embrace that and go forward. Apply the things in my past to my future and move on. “I can’t sit back and worry about things that happened in the past. Boston Globe

“So many different changes [to the building], it’s not even the same tunnel,’’ he said. “So many changes I can’t even relate to, so there’s no need to dig into that part of it, at all. Faces are different in the crowd. “Someday, I feel at some point, the team is going to have to be put together by the city. The city is not going to allow that to be subpar or anything average. Sometimes, I think, at some point, basketball is going to have to go to another level and I think the people will speak out. “But my focus is on Boston and being in the New England area. I’ll play a couple more years and they’ll set me down.’’ Boston Globe

You have played with both Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian. Compared with Yao, is Yi Jianlian… Alston: Yi is very quiet! Very much different from Yao. Everyone knows Yao is a funny guy, very talkative and loves to joke. But I must say that Yao is the most hardworking player I’ve ever seen. Yao Ming would be on the court two hours before team shootaround session, which means he had warmed up for two and a half hour before games started. Of course, Yi is very hardworking too. They are both very gracious persons. NetsDaily

So do you think being introverted is a problem? Alston: I feel Yi tends to be more negative when things do not go well. Yao does not take things to heart that much. If Yao doesn’t play well for this game, he will work harder and bounce back in the next game. NetsDaily

In the locker room after the game, both LeBron and Shaquille O'Neal were pretty much at peace. They both feel like the Cavs are hurting themselves and that they'll work things out in time. Neither of them showed the slightest bit of distress whatsoever. In fact, both were in perky moods. Shaq did play reasonably well tonight with 14 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. He's getting burned at times on rebounds because of his lack of lateral speed but this isn't breaking news and it isn't fatal. But in many of the halfcourt sets the Cavs ran for him, he was ineffective. He turned the ball over and didn't set up his teammates well. In other words, the exact opposite from what happened Tuesday. Cleveland Plain Dealer

The Cavs have already lost their second home game, something they didn't do last season until the final day, in dropping to 3-3. "I think we're still learning," James said. "I think defensively with a new team you can always be on the same page...On the offensive end, it takes a little longer." The Cavs are showing that now, having been hot and cold in each of their six games. Still, O'Neal said it's not yet time to panic. "We have a lot of resolve," he said. "In the three games we've lost, we pretty much beat ourselves by what we're not doing. Once we master that, we'll be fine." NBA.com

And while the Bulls often made the rim cringe with fear, the Cavs were even worse, making 40.7 percent of their field-goal attempts and shooting just 60 percent on free throws. "In a one-point game, we shot 60 percent from the free-throw line," Brown said. "We had our chances and we didn't pull it out. That's why every night, no matter who you play, it's going to be a dog fight." NBA.com

Teammate Shaquille O'Neal couldn't help teasing James about what he will face in New York and offered the superstar an incentive to announce his intentions Thursday night before game time. ''Five million if you do it right now,'' O'Neal teased. ''No way. I'm not doing that,'' James replied laughing. ''Ten million. Cash. In a bag at your house,'' the Cavs center countered. O'Neal finally walked off into the training room as he chuckled to himself. Akron Beacon Journal

Caron Butler: I’m not down about the losses or the injuries. My teammate Brendan Haywood was wondering the other day about our team possibly being cursed, looking at all the things we’ve had to go through. I have to disagree with Brendan. There’s no curse here. Stuff just happens. Especially when you’re a team that competes hard and plays with great effort, you’re going to have situations with guys going down to injuries. We’ve had a bad run health-wise, that’s true. But that can’t last forever. We’re going to have Antawn Jamison back soon and with the way Gilbert Arenas is playing, we’ll be good. HoopsHype.com

Caron Butler: Gil said earlier this week that I needed to be more of a catch-and-shoot player in this system with Flip Saunders now in town. You know what? I’m going to adapt to any situation. If it’s about coming off screens, catching and shooting now, I’ll do that. HoopsHype.com

Caron Butler: The last few years, I’ve been among the league leaders in minutes played. I’m probably among the league leaders in minutes slept too. I’m a guy that’s big on naps. On game day, I routinely get naps of two and a half or three hours before heading to the gym. It helps you out a lot as far as getting your mind fresh and being energized for the game. HoopsHype.com

Caron Butler: The most tattooed player on the team has to be DeShawn Stevenson. He had that much talked-about Abraham Lincoln tattoo on the neck this summer. That’s crazy to a lot of people, but not to me. I respect him if he wants to do that. It’s a way for him to celebrate what Lincoln did with the slaves. Myself, if I had to get a tattoo of a president, that would probably be Barack Obama. I’m a big supporter, but you probably know that already. HoopsHype.com

Caron Butler: I feel bad a about the Allen Iverson situation in Memphis. I just wish him the best. To me, he’s one of the best ever to play the game. Besides, he’s a really good dude. I’ve been in the NBA for a while and that gives you the chance to know a lot of guys. And he’s one of the guys that I really respect. I looked at him growing up because of the way he handled adversity, which in a way helped me handle my own. I saw what happened to him – getting incarcerated and then blossoming to become what he is today. I went through a lot of the things he had to go through, so he was an inspiration. I truly have a great deal of respect for him. HoopsHype.com

In training camp, you said you didn’t think you’d win the Rookie of the Year award. But considering how well you’ve played, have you changed your mind? Brandon Jennings: I’m still not changing my mind. It’s only been three games. It’s too early. We still got 79 games to go. And, you know what? It’s not really one of my goals this year. One of my goals is just to get to the playoffs. HoopsHype.com

Your head coach, Scott Skiles, was once a pretty good point guard himself. How often do you and Skiles talk about the point guard position? Brandon Jennings: Almost every day. We watch film before and after almost every practice. Sometimes, I’ll come in early to watch film on certain situations where I didn’t do good the night before. HoopsHype.com

Is there anything that Skiles has said that has really hit home with you? Brandon Jennings: Basically, he said if you aren’t playing defense, you aren’t playing at all. That’s one of the main things that I’m trying to get better at every day. I think I’m doing a better job of keeping guys in front of me. HoopsHype.com

Dampier's bosses and teammates are quick to point out all the things he does that don't show up in the box score. Dirk Nowitzki, in particular, mentions how much easier Dampier makes his life by defending the opponents' top interior scorers and serving as one of the NBA's best screen-setters. "If you take him off this team, we're not going anywhere," Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson said. "I know in the locker room and in 29 other front offices he's appreciated. He's a true big man who can rebound and block shots. Those guys who have the experience that he's got are hard to find." ESPN.com

It has been that kind of a start to the season for Calderon, the normally steady, sharp-shooting starter. "I think I can get better on both ends of the floor. Offence and defence have got to be much better," Calderon said yesterday. "It's only four games into the season, I've given my best. It's not going really good right now." That is a bit of an understatement. Despite healing from a hamstring injury that limited him last year, he has been as slow as ever on the defensive end of the floor. National Post

Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy said on Thursday --- an off-day for his team --- that he will start suspended forward Rashard Lewis the very game he becomes eligible. There'll be no easing Lewis into the lineup. Lewis, suspended by the league for the first 10 games of the season for taking a banned supplement, can play on Nov. 16 against the Charlotte Bobcats at home. "I'm starting him the first game --- for who, I don't know," Van Gundy said. "It's like when we got Rafer (Alston) at midseason last year. When you know a guy is going to be there long term, you don't mess around." Orlando Sentinel

The poor performance was brought into focus by the first good game from Jarrett Jack, Calderon's backup. "I don't know if he's playing as well as he'd like right now, but he's playing at a very high energy level for sure," Raptors coach Jay Triano said. "A lot of [Calderon's struggles] may have to do with the rust and with the fact for the first time in his career, [he has] taken a five-month period of time away from competitive basketball." National Post

Nets fans looking for good news on the Devin Harris front are hereby forewarned: Don't continue reading this story. The NBA's only winless team, already hit with more injuries than most teams get in a half a season, learned Thursday that Harris will be out at least another six games due to a strained groin, if not longer. Returning from getting a second opinion in Chicago, the Nets' top player admitted he could be done for the final 12 games of November. "It could two to four weeks," he said, referring to the healing process and full recovery. "But I'm leaning more towards the two." New York Daily News

Antawn Jamison took another step in his rehabilitation Thursday, reporting no problems after participating in noncontact drills for about 45 minutes at an optional practice before the Washington Wizards boarded a plane to Indiana for Friday's game against the Pacers. "I've been shooting and going hard. No limitations as far as shot numbers or range or anything of that nature," Jamison said afterward. "It's just no contact - they don't want me getting hit or pushing or shoving. But we haven't had any limitations as far as drills, running, shooting or anything like that." Washington Times

Jamison said he is encouraged by the way his body has responded. "Whatever the coaching staff wants me to do, I can do it," he said. "It's just sticking with the timetable as far as no contact and things of that nature. I feel pretty good though." Washington Times

With an agonizing decision to make and a broken left wrist to deal with, Kevin Martin hopes a good night's sleep can help him come to a decision. Martin could miss six-to-eight weeks after an MRI of his left wrist showed a non-displaced hairline fracture of the navicular bone. Martin has three options to deal with this injury: 1. He can have his wrist put in a cast for six-to-eight weeks. 2. He can have surgery with screws inserted and miss eight weeks. 3. He could try to play through the pain, like he did Wednesday night against Atlanta. "I'm going to turn the phone of early tonight and get some good sleep on it and I'll to make a decision on it tomorrow," Martin said. Sacramento Bee

Ginobili received his second set of rabies shots Thursday, part of a preventative vaccination regimen stemming from last week's bat incident. He said the first set of injections, received Monday, gave him a mild fever for the first 24 hours. Ginobili reported no ill effects before Thursday's game. Though he still is due three more sets of shots, Ginobili was looking still looking on the bright side of the ordeal. San Antonio Express-News

Rockets forward Chase Budinger, out with a sprained left ankle, predicted he will be ready to play tonight against Oklahoma City. Coach Rick Adelman guessed he won't. Budinger missed Wednesday's game against the Lakers and was held out of practice Thursday but participated in shooting drills. “I felt great at shootaround today,” Budinger said. “Hopefully, I'll keep getting better tomorrow and be ready to play. It was tough (to sit out), especially playing against the Lakers. I wanted to be out there. The last time I missed a game was in high school.” Adelman was not so sure. “I actually don't expect him to play tomorrow after watching him today,” Adelman said. “But he's young (21), so maybe that makes a difference.” Houston Chronicle

Chris Vernon: Sonny Vaccaro on the show just now- there are at least 10 kids from the nxt 2 classes thinking about goin overseas (like Jennings). Twitter.com

If there ever will be a female NBA head coach in my lifetime, I'm thinking Nancy Lieberman has got a shot. Lieberman took the first step toward that Thursday when she was named head coach of the Dallas Mavericks' D-League team in Frisco, Texas, that will begin play next season. "If I am successful, I'm sure that I will be looked at (by the NBA),'' Lieberman, while on her way to her press conference to be introduced, told FanHouse by phone. "If I'm not successful, I won't be.'' FanHouse

"I'm aspiring to be the best coach I can be,'' said Lieberman, 51, who has been an ESPN NBA analyst in recent seasons but has stepped down from that position to concentrate on next season's coaching gig. It was the same way when the Hall of Famer was a player. She made the 1976 U.S. Olympic team at 17, starred at Old Dominion and was a top pro. When there weren't U.S. women's leagues in which to star, she battled the guys. Lieberman made history by playing against men in the United States Basketball League with the Springfield (Mass.) Fame in 1986. She also played against NBA players in summer leagues, being coached by Pat Riley in a 1980 Los Angeles league and by Frank Layden in a 1986 Salt Lake City league. "I've always been a pioneer,'' she said. FanHouse

"The players want to have instruction, and I'm sure they will (have no problem with her being a woman),'' said Lieberman, who long has lived in the Dallas area and said she was approached about the job a "few months ago'' by Donnie Nelson, the D-team's part-owner and a Mavericks executive. "It's like in the (sports media) business. There are woman sports editors who are able to do the job.'' FanHouse

And last week, reports surfaced that Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck was upset over Davis’ actions and was trying to take back some of his salary. An article on Yahoo! Sports indicated Grousbeck’s consideration of suspension had less to do with discipline and more to do with money. Days later the Celtics committed $55 million to Rajon Rondo over the next five years. Coupling the money owed to an injured Davis with their recent spending spree on Rondo, is Grousbeck concerned about the team’s finances? At least publicly the answer is no. “On the contrary, we are on course to set a new record for revenues thanks to our fantastic fan support and support from our sponsors and broadcast partners,” he told WEEI.com via email. “We appreciate everything they have done to support the team.” WEEI

Regardless of their financial commitments, Grousbeck remains confident the organization is prepared to continue its pursuit for another championship. Said Grousbeck, “I thank the fans and sponsors and will do everything I can to keep a winning team on the floor.” WEEI

What is your vision for the casino's place in downtown Cleveland? Gilbert: We have to get it right for downtown Cleveland. We've got to get every single interested party's feedback. The more information the better, from the restaurant people, the hotel people, the city, security, police, downtown businesses; get best practices and information from other cities that have casinos. You don't often get a blank sheet of paper and the ability to just start from scratch and have a mandate to do it. . . . If the casino is going to be there anyway, we might as well do it in a way that benefits the most people and benefits the city. And that's not in conflict with profitability, because at the end of the day, that's how that casino will be the most profitable, in my view. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Do you want to clarify your gambling arrest in 1981, when you were in college? (At the urging of TruthPAC, a retired Michigan State Police investigator came to Columbus last week to say that Gilbert ran a bookmaking operation and threatened indebted student gamblers with violence.) Gilbert: He lied through his teeth. . . . That's a complete fabrication. Threatening people with violence? That's just ridiculous. . . . What I said at the City Club is what happened. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Asked about the change before Thursday's game at Utah, coach Gregg Popovich has he hadn't heard anything about it. Neither had many of his players. “I didn't know,” Roger Mason Jr. said. “I really have noticed anything different.” Added Matt Bonner: “The last six or seven times I dunked, I didn't notice anything, either.” San Antonio Express-News

Think Glen Davis' dream of playing in the NFL is crazy? There was a time when it might not have seemed so outlandish. Jill White, the athletic director at University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge, La., recalled watching the Boston Celtics forward dominate the gridiron during his early years of high school. "I'm going to tell you, Glen was a beast," White said. "He could do anything he wanted on the field. I can remember one game, he had people hanging all over him, maybe four different guys trying to take him down and he was just dragging them all along." ESPN.com

Chris Dudley's free throw shots were always iffy propositions. Now the former Portland Trail Blazer is in a new arena taking aim at a governor's chair — and Oregon's Republicans think he can score. Dudley hasn't formally announced a bid for the post, but he filed paperwork last week to create a campaign committee. "I'll make a decision soon and report back. One way or another, I intend to help change Oregon for the better," he said in a statement. AP

"He's a solid guy, and Oregonians know that," says state Republican Chairman Bob Tiernan. "If Dudley wins the primary, the Democrats are going to be in trouble, because he would be a breakout candidate. He is somebody who is dramatically different." AP

Suns Ring of Honor member and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is engaged to District of Columbia Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, according to The Washington Post's gossip blog Rhee confirmed it for the bloggers in this entry. Arizona Republic

Dallas police say they expect the number of prostitutes in the region to sharply rise for this February's NBA All-Star game and again for the 2011 Super Bowl XLV, both of which will be held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. At the National Prostitute Diversion Conference today, Sgt. Louis Felini said between 50,000 and 100,000 prostitutes could be in the metroplex for the Super Bowl. Felini noted that there is no way to truly predict the number of women who will come to the area for the purpose of prostitution. Dallas Morning News

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: It really disheartened me to see the violence at Fort Hood. Muslims are not taught to behave like this. Twitter.com

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: re Fort Hood: I hope that my fellow Americans can distinguish between deranged individuals & law abiding citizens no matter their religion. Twitter.com

In his 23 years as an NBA executive, Walsh said he'd never seen anything like the focus on next summer's free-agent class. In fact, he spent most of his career in Indiana, where superstar Reggie Miller played his entire career. Walsh was constantly afraid he'd lose Miller. "I always thought New York was going to try to get him," he said with a smile. Cleveland Plain Dealer

The Richardson Police Department is requesting a ruling from the Attorney General's office to withhold all but basic information related to the Sunday arrest of Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Ronald "Popeye" Jones, who suffered facial injuries while struggling with officers. The police department has not released video of the arrest, as requested by ESPNDallas.com and other media outlets. ESPN.com

Jones was arrested for driving while intoxicated after five witnesses called police to report that he was erratically driving his gray/blue GMC Yukon. According to an incident report released Thursday, Jones was arrested in the parking lot of a gas station at 100 South Greenville Avenue, where he suffered facial injuries after resisting arrest. The incident report states that Jones resisted when officers attempted to handcuff him, attempting to pull his arms toward the front of his body. After failing to comply with officers' instructions, Jones was taken to the ground, according to the report. "Officers were finally able to handcuff Jones using two sets of handcuffs," the report read. "Even while handcuffed Jones attempted to grab at Officer Marshall's leg. While taking Jones into custody he received several scrapes from the concrete to his face." ESPN.com

Sacramento Kings forward Andres Nocioni has apologized for his arrest early this morning on suspicion of drunk driving. In a statement released by the Kings this afternoon, Nocioni says, "I made a mistake and I'm very sorry for my lapse in judgment." Nocioni, 29, was arrested by Sacramento police and booked into Sacramento County Jail at 3:30 a.m., a posting on the Sacramento County Jail Web site shows. He was released this morning on $1,482 bail. Sacramento Bee

If convicted of driving under the influence, Nocioni could face sanctions from the NBA, based on precedent from earlier this season when Phoenix guard Jason Richardson was suspended for two games by the NBA after pleading guilty to DUI charges. Petrie said the Kings will wait for the outcome of the judicial process and the NBA's decision on potential fines and or suspension before taking action. "This experience now becomes a life lesson learned the hard way," Petrie said in his statement. Sacramento Bee

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