Arenas working hard, shed 20 lbs, (JapanAir says: watch out for him in the MVP race )
Gilbert Arenas has reportedly been working out feverishly in Orlando.
Washington's star has been adhering to a new workout plan that he designed during the final week of the regular season.
Michael Lee of the Washington Post writes that Arenas may have already lost 20 pounds in the past month.
The guard held an individual workout with new Wizards coach Flip Saunders just two days after he was hired, and the workouts have reportedly continued.
Via Washington Post
Mavericks seriously eyeing fifth pick from Wizards again, wantJordan Hill, willing to part with JET or Howard?
TheMavericks are said to be interested in the fifth pick and the prospect of drafting Jordan Hill. The teams have made nice in the past, mostrecently in the swap that secured Jamison in 2004. The Mavericks also were kind enough to relieve the Wizards of Juwan Howard in 2001.
Washington Times
TheMavericks apparently are willing to part with either Jason Terry or Josh Howard to sweeten a potential deal. The Mavericks would be obligated toaccept an expiring contract of the Wizards, the one belonging to either the Poet or Mike James. The chatter involving the Wizards is refreshing, seeing as howit conveys a modicum of hope.
Washington Times
Chances of Childress returning are slim.
Three separate sources have informed the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Josh Childress is not expected to return to the NBA for the 2009-10 season.
The dynamics of his situation in the NBA haven't changed from last summer. He's still a restricted free agent and would be subject to dealing with aHawks organization that couldn't get a deal done with him last summer.
"I don't know why he would come back," a Western Conference scout told me. "There's so much uncertainty in the league this summer.Teams are holding back because of the economy and plotting for the summer of 2010. Plus, he's still bound by restricted free agency, which means hecan't really come back and shop around for the best situation. If the Hawks didn't get a deal done with him last summer I don't see any way theyget one done now. No way."
Via Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Top prospect Ricky Rubio sues Euro team.
On Tuesday, according to the Spanish news agency EFE, Ricky Rubio sued DKV Joventut after learning that it had transferred the rights to his buyout toHacienda, the Spanish version of the Internal Revenue Service.
The rights were sold to satisfy a debt Joventut had with Hacienda.
Leopoldo Hinjos, Rubio's lawyer, claims that the team did not inform his client that his rights were about to be ceded to a third party. The team saysthat representatives of Hacienda went to Joventut's offices and demanded a guarantee to cover the outstanding debt.
Rubio has challenged the 4.75 million Euro (approximately $6.6 million) buyout, which climbs to 5.75 million Euros after June 30. Rubio made 70,000 Euroslast season (about $97,000) and is scheduled to make 125,000 Euros next season (about $175,000). Rubio's father Esteban told ESPN's Chad Nielsen onMonday that the buyout is disproportionate to his salary.
Via ESPN
Tim Donaghy, welcome to the real world; former ref beaten by man connected to themob.
Tim Donaghy, the former NBA referee, will be released from prison on June 17th. Donaghy, convicted for betting on professional basketball is serving a15-month sentence at the federal prison camp in Pensacola, Florida.
Donaghy's release date has recently been in question due to concerns about his medical condition. Donaghy was injured during an assault in November of2008. During the assault, another inmate claiming ties to the New York mob beat Donaghy with a heavy object. Donaghy suffered severe knee and leg injuries thatwill require surgery.
Via PressReleasePoint.com
Kurt Rambis turned down the Kings job, Westphal takes thereigns.
The Sacramento Kingsoffered their coaching job to two candidates on an eventful Tuesday in the NBA, ultimately reaching an agreement with Paul Westphal after Los Angeles Lakersassistant coach Kurt Rambis turned the job down. League coaching sources told ESPN.com that the Kings made a formal offer to Rambis hours beforethe Lakers' 108-104 loss to the Orlando Magic in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
ESPN.com
Westphal's deal is incentive-laden.
Sources say Westphal'sdeal with the Kings is incentive-laden based on the team's win total. Sacramento had the league's worst record this season at 17-65,costing Reggie Theus his job in mid-December after 1½ seasons as coach, with the Kings at 6-18. Interim replacement Kenny Natt posted a record of 11-47.
ESPN.com
Rambis getting strong consideration to succeed Phil. May be why he turned downKings job.
One factor is Rambis' long association with the franchise that thrust him into prominence as a rookie with the unmistakable black glasses in 1981-82.
Another is the widely held expectation inLakers circles that Rambis will receive strong consideration to succeed Lakers coach Phil Jackson when the 63-year-old finally decides to end his Hall of Famecoaching career.
ESPN.com
Zaza still likes ATL, but realizes his price tag could fluctuate.
Pachulia clearly wants to come back here. He said as much during our conversation last week. But he's been here before, in free agent land, so he knowswhat a player wants doesn't always jive with the reality of his situation. Unlike when the Hawks nabbed him from Milwaukee four years ago, teams aren'tspending as freely as they were then.
Still, Pachulia was abargain four years ago at $4 million per season. He's a bargain at that price now if the Hawks can swing it. But with the lack of quality bigs runningaround the league these days, that $4 million price tag might not be enough to retain Pachulia's services.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Manu realizes why he hasn't gotten his extension, talks future of Spurs.
"In SanAntonio they have not sat down with me to discuss an extension. I have a year to go on my current contract. I do not know what they want to do. I will wait andwill continue to play. Contract talks were suspended after the Olympics," he notes. The trip to Beijing had no lasting consequence on hisrelationship with the team: "I know the owner was not happy. But they did not mention a word to me. [Coach] Popovich understands my position. He said hewould have done the same thing as I did. I do not think there is anything broken between us. I would prefer to stay in San Antonio for the rest of my career.But, if anything has to change, I will grab my bags and go elsewhere."
Ole
"A year ago I thought this would be impossible and today I believe there is a chance, it could happen ... This year is very strategic,with teams clearing their payrolls so they can sign free agents in 2010 and perhaps some teams would rather trade you than lose you and remain empty-handed." It will also be up to the Spurs if Manu can continue playing with them.
"Changeis inevitable on a team, but you do not have to change everything. I believe that if we are all healthy, we can contend," he analyzed. And he confirmedthis when he described his ideal teammates: "I want those who know how to play by my side ... I would rather have them be experienced and have a highbasketball IQ, even if they are a step slower." Ole
Cavs doing the naughty, not supposed to talk deals with Sheed.
Several reports over the last few days around the Internet have linked the Cavs to big men. As the team is certainly in the market for them, these reports areprobably the first of many. A report from Slam Magazine, a New York-based basketball publication, on Monday said the Cavs have opened negotiations with Pistonsfree agent center Rasheed Wallace on a two-year contract at $10 million per season.
This is impossibleand illegal; the Cavs do not have salary cap space to sign any player to a $10 million contract and any talks cannot begin until July 1.
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Phil Jackson admits it should have been basket interference
The hot topic before Game 3 Tuesday night was still Courtney Lee's missed layup at the end of regulation in Game 2, with Lakers coach Phil Jacksonadvancing the story by saying he believed basket interference should have been called on Pau Gasol.
"Basketinterference according to the rules, yeah," Jackson said.
CBSSports.com
Cavs could be interested in a S+T for Zach Randolph?
It is likely the Cavs will contact Wallace at that time, as he's probably going to be on their list of free agent targets. But he willnot get a $10 million contract from the Cavs or likely any team in the NBA.
The other part of thereport said the Cavs would be interested in a "sign-and-trade" deal for Zach Randolph of the Los Angeles Clippers. Randolph is not a free agent, socalling it a sign-and-trade situation would seem to invalidate the entire report. When you consider the misinformation on the Cavs' capposition, the report seems even more off base -- though it got quite a bit of attention on the Internet and some television programs on Monday.
Cleveland PlainDealer
Bucher twitter slams Lakers, Kobe, and Stan Van Gundy
RicBucher: Gotta love SVG. 4Q he yelled:"You've got to fight!" Then went mute.
Then slammed his clipboard. Then swatted Hedo on the !$%. Timeoutover.
Twitter.com
Ric Bucher: Kobe lit up Bynum in last timeout:"Get your head in the f***ing game!" Silence from Bynum. Luke gave same message in softer tones.
Twitter.com
NBA first round prospect is a NikeTalker, apperantly.
Terrence Williams: Workout for the Wizards, just me an one other dude.
(I don't no who it is) but I'm going at his neckpause.
Twitter.com
Tim Donaghy to be released on the 17th of June.
FormerNBA referee Tim Donaghy will be released from prison on June 17, 2009. Donaghy, convicted for betting on professional basketball is serving a15-month sentence at the federal prison camp in Pensacola, Florida.
PressReleasePoint
That's it for the news today kiddies... Will update with any new info as it comes.
