HoopsHype.com Rumors

Owner Dan Gilbert has been unhappy with the Cavs’ lack of defensive improvement over the past three years, one team source said, speaking on condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation, and Gilbert was the driving force behind the firing. The Cavs were never supposed to win this season, but Gilbert told the Beacon Journal during training camp that this was an important year to see progress. “I don’t even know what the definition of that is,” Gilbert said in October. “But you’ll know it when you see it.” Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Dan Gilbert, Training Camp 

Dirk Nowitzki didn’t score more than 20 points in a game during his first month of action this season, but he believes he’s on the path back to his norm. “Basically with me not having training camp, training camp’s almost over,” said Nowitzki, whose right knee started swelling at the beginning of camp, leading him to undergo arthroscopic surgery Oct. 19. “Four weeks and hopefully I can get back in a rhythm a little better.” Recent history suggests Nowitzki is right to think he’ll return to being an All-Star-caliber player soon. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Training Camp 

Could more have been done to improve the players' health before training camp? One team executive believes the NBA should consider rules that would enable franchises to have more oversight on players' training methods during the offseason. "You would love to see the team who pays the player have, if not complete control, at least consensual agreement over who the player works with,'' the team executive said. "Let the team have some oversight of that, so that the team can say, 'No, we don't want you dealing with this person.' Somehow we need to have it written into the contract so that if something happens and it's not under team supervision, then it's going to be an issue.'' SI.com

Owners, Training Camp 

Agents often hire trainers to work with the players they represent. In turn, the teams then routinely accuse agents of providing training or medical advice that is not necessarily in the best interest of the player. This is a complicated issue for the same reason that everyday, non-athletic patients in all walks of life are advised to seek out opinions from multiple doctors. "When it comes to medicine,'' an NBA general manager said, "you can get anyone anywhere to tell you what you want to hear.'' SI.com

Owners, Training Camp 

The issues of Gordon, Granger, Wall and Bynum are all different from one another. The team executive who is proposing new rules doesn't claim to understand the individual circumstances of each case, and he isn't accusing the players of behaving wrongly. Instead, he is calling for the teams -- who are paying those five players a combined $49.6 million in guaranteed salary this season -- to have more control over the health of the players in whom they invest so greatly. SI.com

Owners, Training Camp 

Said the GM: "The players don't want to spend $35,000 a month on a personal trainer -- but if you don't give them somebody to work out with, then they'll go out and spend the $35,000. I do think this is a problem. But I don't think it's a huge epidemic.'' The rival team executive disagrees. "I believe it's coming," he said of a demand for new rules. "Too many things keep happening.'' SI.com

Owners, Training Camp 

MT: Finally, do you have any quick hitters of things that stood out in training camp? Kupchak: I think you saw some flashes of good play from Jodie Meeks, both with his shooting and the other things he can do like get to the bucket to draw fouls and play defense. I think Devin Ebanks had a good preseason and continues to develop. Sacre has been a pleasant surprise. And with Antawn Jamison, I've seen no decline in his athleticism, which you wonder about when you get older guys. NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Devin Ebanks, Antawn Jamison, Jodie Meeks, Training Camp 

Denver coach George Karl is the first to acknowledge McGee's ability. After practice Sunday, Karl said McGee is the team's most talented center, period. But he also said a couple of things that can safely be classified as a lukewarm endorsement of McGee's preseason performance. "I'm not happy, and I'm not disappointed," Karl said. "With my big guys in training camp, I've been waiting for separation — you know, who's going to take the responsibility. The guy, in my opinion, who has separated is Kosta. JaVale is our most talented big and Kosta is our most fundamental big." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Training Camp 

Rookie small forward Wesley Witherspoon remains on the Spurs’ camp roster for now but is expected to be waived and ticketed for the Development League, most likely the Austin Toros, before the start of the season. It is the same fate probably awaiting another rookie forward, Alabama’s JaMychal Green, who the Spurs signed recently in hopes of bolstering their D-League affiliate. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Wesley Witherspoon, Training Camp 

James Harden, the Thunder guard, NBA’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year (though he started Tuesday night) and Olympic gold medalist, wanted no part of the question. After being bombarded since the beginning of training camp about his own looming deadline for a long-term contract extension, he understandably didn’t feel right commenting about former Pac-10 (now the Pac-12) rival Taj Gibson’s similar situation. CSN Chicago

Oklahoma City Thunder, James Harden, Taj Gibson, Training Camp 

Rookie small forward Wesley Witherspoon remains on the Spurs’ training camp roster, despite the fact that he did not travel with the team on its most recent road trip. Another rookie forward, Alabama’s JaMychal Green, has signed with the Spurs but is not practicing with the team. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Wesley Witherspoon, JaMychal Green, Training Camp 

Olympiacos is interested in Dionte Chrismtas, as reported by Sport24.gr. The American guard was just released by the Celtics during the NBA training camp. Sportando

Boston Celtics, Dionte Christmas, Training Camp 

An Internet report last week had Jerome Jordan's bags packed and checked for China. But the 7-foot center was busy trying to navigate how to simply land in Memphis. Jordan spent the past week of Grizzlies training camp making a strong case for a spot on the roster. So any rumor that Jordan had agreed to other employment was news to him. "I know my agent has been talking to a bunch of teams. You know, as a worst-case scenario," Jordan said. "I don't know if there's a deal, per se, in China. But it's about making it in the NBA this year. I'm about trying to make it in the league and establish myself. I want to be around a long time." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Jerome Jordan, China, Training Camp 

I caught up with center Johan Petro who expressed some frustration about finding his role with the Hawks. The veteran, who has played with the Sonics, Nuggets and Nets, has seen limited action during the preseason. He has appeared in only three of the six exhibition games and logged a total of 35 minutes. “I don’t know,” Petro said when I asked how training camp was going so far. “To be honest with you I don’t know. I’m still trying to figure out what my place is with this team. I’m still trying to figure out my role. I’m still trying to figure out a lot of stuff. “Not difficult, but more frustrating more than anything else. It’s part of the business I understand. I’m new coming in to the team. Personally, I just have to stick to what I know how to do, stick to my principles and try to give to the team as much as possible. You have to adjust. I really trying to work on the differences that this team has compared to where I was before.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Johan Petro, Training Camp 

Jeff McDonald: Pop pregame hinting strongly that race for Spurs' 15th roster spot down to Eddy Curry and Derrick Brown. Twitter @JMcDonald_SAEN

San Antonio Spurs, Eddy Curry, Derrick Brown, Training Camp 

The Los Angeles Lakers have waived Ronnie Aguilar and Reeves Nelson, it was announced on Saturday. NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Reeves Nelson, Training Camp, Ronnie Aguilar 

Ben Golliver: Blazers GM Neil Olshey on roster cuts: "We're going to take as long as possible. Some of it is strategic." Wants guys for Idaho Stampede Twitter @blazersedge

Portland Trail Blazers, Neil Olshey, Training Camp 

There is a leader in the competition for the backup point guard position with the Cavaliers, but coach Byron Scott won’t divulge who it is and he certainly isn’t ready to name a winner in the race between Donald Sloan and Jeremy Pargo. With about a week left in training camp, one of the looming decisions is whether to carry two or three point guards. The Cavs must release two more players before the start of the season, but those cuts aren’t expected to come until after Tuesday’s preseason finale. Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Donald Sloan, Jeremy Pargo, Training Camp 

Collins didn't mention any names after the Sixers rallied behind the strong play of Nick Young (team-high 21 points) and Maalik Wayns (18 points), but it was clear that he is talking about big men such as Kwame Brown, who looks to be north of 280 pounds, and second-year forward Lavoy Allen. Allen's conditioning is not where the Sixers want it to be, and missing three days of training camp last week while awaiting the birth of his child didn't help matters. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Kwame Brown, Nick Young, Doug Collins, Maalik Wayns, Lavoy Allen, Training Camp 

Andrea Bargnani has not looked right in Toronto’s first two pre-season contests. The team’s leading scorer has a pretty reasonable explanation as to why: “I’m still not 100%,” Bargnani told the media on Thursday, ahead of Friday’s game against Detroit. “Everybody is a little fatigued right now, but we’re still in training camp and we’re going to be all right for the (regular season opener against Indiana on Halloween). Toronto Sun

Toronto Raptors, Andrea Bargnani, Training Camp