- 39,232
- 42,557
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2006
This assessment of the Lakers' rookie swingman Sun Yue comes from a veteran NBA executive, who has scouted hundreds of players both internationally and in the United States. "He has a nice feel for the game (and) he's a decent passer, with good size. However, he lacks quickness and toughness and doesn't shoot the ball well, with range. He is a below-average athlete." According to this NBA source, Sun is not a NBA-caliber player at this juncture and would not figure to be much of a factor with the Lakers this season, if he were to make the team. Orange County Register
Lakers guard Coby Karl was in Las Vegas last week participating in the annual Tim Grgurich skills camp. Asked how Karl looked, a veteran NBA coach responded, "He did what he does best - he made shots."Karl, who split the 2007-2008 season playing with the Lakers and their D-League team, the Los Angeles Defenders, is signed through the 2008-2009 season but it is with a team option that the Lakers have not yet decided to exercise. Orange County Register
[h2]Pacers Haven't Begun Negotiating WithGranger[/h2]
Aug 11, 2008 3:45 PM EST
The Indiana Pacers have the option toextend the contract of forward Danny Granger this summer, but have not opened up discussions yet.
"We haven't actually started that process yet," General Manager David Morway told RealGM's Andrew Perna last week. "We have untilOctober to do that, and I'm sure we will have conversations. Danny is a young player that we hope to build with, but we haven't even begunyet."
Granger averaged 19.6 points and 6.1 rebounds for Indiana last season and has quickly become the face of the franchise.
Agent Mark Bartelstein told the Indianapolis Star in July that Granger is interested in remaining with the Pacers over the long-term.
"He's excited about being a part of the community, and he's excited about being a part of the rebuilding of the Pacers," Bartelstein toldthe Star.
In addition to leading Indiana in scoring last season, Granger hit 40.4% of the 423 three-pointers he attempted in 2007-08. He also made 85.2% of his freethrows while missing just two games all year.
Via AndrewPerna/RealGM
Indiana Pacers
Read the FullStory Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets
[h2]Artest Trade Three Days Away[/h2]
Aug 11, 2008 11:58 PM EST
Donte Greene's contract iseligible to be traded in only three days, allowing the deal with Sacramento involving Ron Artest and the Houston Rockets to finally go through.
Since Greene had signed a rookie contract with the Rockets, he could not be traded for 30 days.
The Rockets and Kings agreed to a deal involving Artest, Patrick Ewing Jr., and Sean Singletary from Sacramento in exchange for Bobby Jackson, Greene, a No.1 draft pick next season, and cash.
ViaRealGM
Houston Rockets, SacramentoKings
Read the FullStory Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets
[h2]Kobe's Jersey The Top Seller InChina[/h2]
Aug 12, 2008 11:12 AM EST
For the second consecutive season,Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers had the top selling NBA jersey in China. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, members of the 2008 NBA Champion Boston Celtics,moved into the top five on this year's list.
Garnett, who had the most popular jersey in the U.S. this season, moved up to second this year in China. The Houston Rockets' Tracy McGrady ranked thirdfor the second consecutive season. Pierce, The Finals MVP, whose jersey was not in the top 10 last season moved up to fourth. The Denver Nuggets' AllenIverson dropped from second on last year's list to fifth to round out the top five. China's Yao Ming from the Houston Rockets, ranked 10th on the list,down from six last year.
Via PressRelease
Los Angeles Lakers
Read the FullStory Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets
[h2]Felton Is Buying Into Brown's System[/h2]
Aug 12, 2008 11:07 AM EST
Bobcats point guard Raymond Feltonhas bought into new coach Larry Brown's system and is taking his role as co-captain very seriously, according to HoopsWorld.
"I've had several meetings with Coach Brown," Felton told HOOPSWORLD. "There's been good meetings. There's been meetings of,'I'm going to be very demanding of you Raymond. You're the captain. You're the leader of this team along with J-Rich (Jason Richardson) andGerald (Wallace), so I'm demanding a lot from you. I'm expecting a lot from you. I'm expecting you to lead these guys.' So I'm putting allthat on my shoulders. I'm looking forward to it."
There has been some speculation that rookie D.J. Augustin could challenge Felton for the team's starting job, but the incumbent doesn't appearworried.
"That means a lot," he said of Augustin. "You've got a kid coming off the bench when the team isn't going to lose a beat. He's agreat player."
ViaHoopsWorld
Charlotte Bobcats
Read the FullStory Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets
[h2]Suns Will Look At Stoudamire, WilksIf Dragic Stays[/h2]
Aug 12, 2008 11:01 AM EST
The Suns are expected to take a lookat free agent point guards Damon Stoudamire and Mike Wilks if 2008 draft pick Goran Dragic opts to stay in Europe, according to The Arizona Republic.
Dragic is still under contract with Tau Ceramica, which means he'd have to negotiate a buyout in order to play for the Suns this season.
Via TheArizona Republic
Phoenix Suns
Read the FullStory Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets
[h2]U.S. Improves To 2-0 With Win OverAngola[/h2]
Aug 12, 2008 10:52 AM EST
The United States improved to 2-0 inBeijing with a win over Angola on Tuesday, according to NBC.com.
Dwyane Wade led the team with 19 points and 5 rebounds, while Dwight Howard tallied 14 points and 2 blocks in the victory.
The U.S. took a 28-point lead into the fourth quarter, but Angola was able to trim seven points off the lead with a strong fourth quarter.
Carlos Morais led Angola in defeat with 24 points, but struggled through 10 turnovers.
ViaNBC.com
General Basketball
Read the FullStory Discuss Send Feedback
[h2]Gasol Leads Spain To Huge ComebackWin Over China[/h2]
Aug 12, 2008 8:02 AM EST
China led comfortably all gameagainst medal favorites Spain, but let a big lead disappear in the fourth quarter then lost Yao Ming in overtime before finally falling to the experiencedSpaniards by 10 points, 85-75.
Pau Gasol was huge for Spain, finishing with 29 points and 8 rebounds, while Rudy Fernandez would have had Portland fans smiling with 21 points, 8 reboundsand 6 assists. Youngster Ricky Rubio was terrific defensively, making life difficult for the Chinese point guards.
Lui Wei led the Chinese with 19 points, including 4-7 from behind the three point arc, while Zhu Fangyu was also strong from distance, finishing 5-8 fromthree for 15 points.
Yao Ming had 11 points and 9 rebounds before fouling out, while Yi Jianlian had 9 rebounds and only four points.
ViaRealGM
General Basketball, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers
Read the FullStory Discuss Send Feedback
[h2]Suns Still Confident They Can LandDragic[/h2]
Aug 11, 2008 11:15 PM EST
Despite most believing it to be along shot at best, the Phoenix Suns are still confident they'll be able to get point guard Goran Dragic in uniform this season, and according to a reportby the East Valley Tribune, they'll know one way or another by the end of the week.
While the Suns remain confident, Dragic again told a media outlet that he'll be staying at Tau.
Dragic told Marca.com that he's not coming to the Suns and will stay with Tau, where he has two years remaining on his contract with a buyout for $1.5million at the end of this season.
"I need to play basketball (with Tau), to train hard under the orders of (head coach) Dusko Ivanovic and improve my game," Dragic said in atranslated quote.
Should Dragic stay in Europe, Jannero Pargo may be an option. Pargo has been mulling over a $2 million offer from the San Antonio Spurs for over a week,according to the Tribune, and this may be because of the potential interest from the Suns.
Via EastValley Tribune
Phoenix Suns, San AntonioSpurs
Read the FullStory Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets
[h2]Hawks Sign Gardner, Hunter To Deals[/h2]
Aug 11, 2008 9:11 PM EST
The Atlanta Hawks have signed freeagents Thomas Gardner and Othello Hunter to contracts, announced today by General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms of the agreements were notdisclosed.
"Both players played well in our mini-camp and summer league," said Sund. "Thomas is a solid shooter with range who has the ability to scorein bunches. Othello is an athletic power forward who runs the floor really well."
A 6-5 guard, Gardner averaged a team-high 16.3 ppg (sixth in the tourney), along with 2.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, and 1.5 spg during the Rocky Mountain Revue, hitting.480 FG's (.467 3FGs) and .750 FTs. The Missouri product played in four games last season with the Chicago Bulls, averaging 5.3 ppg and 1.0 rpg.
During the 2006-07 campaign, Gardner saw action in Belgium with Verviers-Pepinster and helped lead the club to the Belgian Cup semifinals. He played threeseasons at Mizzou, tallying 19.7 ppg as a junior for the Tigers. Thomas Earl Gardner was born February 8, 1985 in Portland, Oregon.
Hunter, an undrafted rookie big man from Ohio State, put up 13.2 ppg, a team-best 6.2 rpg, 2.0 apg and 1.2 spg in five Hawks summer league contests. Heplayed in 76 career games for the Buckeyes, averaging 7.8 ppg and 5.5 rpg (.583 FG%). Nearly half of his 415 career rebounds were on the offensive glass(17.
He finished second in the Big Ten in field goal percentage as a senior (.596), and equaled the seventh-best single-season mark in OSU history. Tegba OthelloHunter was born May 28, 1986 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
"We saw Thomas play last year and monitored him with the Bulls and overseas," said Hawks' Assistant GM/Director of Player Personnel DavidPendergraft. "He was one of the first guys we invited to our summer program, and he really performed well. He's a shot maker who can add a spark offour bench."
"We really liked the progression Othello has made, from Ohio State to Portsmouth to Orlando, and continuing in our mini-camp and summer league,"Pendergraft said. "His competitiveness, athleticism and professionalism have impressed us, and if he continues to advance, he has a chance to be an assetto our organization."
Via PressRelease
Atlanta Hawks
Read the FullStory Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets
[h2]OKC Acquires Kyle Weaver[/h2]
Aug 11, 2008 7:51 PM EST
The Oklahoma City NBA franchiseacquired guard Kyle Weaver in a trade with the Charlotte Bobcats, it was announced today by the team's General Manager Sam Presti. Weaver was selected 38thoverall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Bobcats. In exchange for Weaver, Oklahoma City sent New Jersey's 2009 2nd round pick to Charlotte. Oklahoma City heldNew Jersey's second round pick following a July 2006 trade which sent Mikki Moore to the Nets. "We're pleased to add Kyle Weaver to ourorganization," Presti said. "He is a young player with a defensive mentality and team-first approach to the game. We are excited to add thesequalities to our team in Oklahoma City."
Via PressRelease
Oklahoma City, New JerseyNets
Read the FullStory Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets
[h2]Detroit Re-Signs Herrmann[/h2]
Aug 11, 2008 7:01 PM EST
The Detroit Pistons re-signed forwardWalter Herrmann on Monday.
"He is a player with tremendous work ethic and showed last year that he is a player that can contribute," Pistons President of BasketballOperations Joe Dumars said in a statement.
ViaESPN
Detroit Pistons
Read the FullStory Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets
[h2]Hawks' Smith Glad Contract Is Done[/h2]
Aug 11, 2008 4:26 PM EST
Atlanta forward Josh Smith isthrilled that he has signed a new contract with the Hawks and is ready to focus on other things, according to HoopsHype.
"It's more relief and happiness. I'm just glad it's over," Smith of Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype. "Now I can move on, look forward,and focus on being a better player and teammate."
The Hawks matched a $58 million offer sheet that Smith signed with the Grizzles, keeping him in Atlanta.
"I was actually real anxious. I wanted to get it over with. But I understand it takes time because, you know, that's negotiations," he said."I was anxious more than any other thing."
Even though Smith expected the Hawks to match the offer sheet, he was aware that he could have moved to Memphis.
"Anything is possible," Smith added. "I signed it, right? I know they was saying they were going to match, but you never know what couldhappen. So I was very realistic about the situation."
ViaHoopsHype
Atlanta Hawks
Read the FullStory Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets
[h2]Bryant: I'd Go To Italy For $50M[/h2]
Aug 11, 2008 4:17 PM EST
Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant claimsthat he would consider playing in Italy for $50 million a year when he becomes a free agent next season, according to The Orange County Register.
"I'd go. I'd probably go," Bryant said when asked by a reporter if he would think about playing in Europe for an outrageous contract."Like Milan or something like that, where I grew up."
Bryant's claim seems a little more substantial than that of LeBron James, who also claims he'd play overseas for $50 million a year, if only becauseof Bryant's history in Europe.
He spent a majority of his childhood in Italy while his father Joe was playing professional ball overseas.
Via TheOrange County Register
Los Angeles Lakers
Read the FullStory Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets
[h2]Presti: NBA Isn't Worried About EuropeYet[/h2]
Aug 11, 2008 4:11 PM EST
Oklahoma City General Manager SamPresti doesn't believe that the NBA should be worried about the trend of players jumping overseas just yet, according to The Oklahoman.
"Every situation is different and until you learn more about what each player's objectives are it's hard to make a determination," Prestisaid in an interview with the paper.
"I think the NBA is obviously a very strong league. It's got tremendous players in it," Presti added. "I'm sure that the folks in theleague are aware of it. But I think it still remains that the best basketball in the world is being played in our arenas every night."
Josh Childress seemed to start a trend last month when he signed a $30 million deal for three years to play for the Olympiakos of Greece. Since news of thesigning hit on July 23, several players have bolted to Europe.
Via TheOklahoman
Oklahoma City
Read the FullStory Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets
[h2]Cavs Owners Rips Media On LeBronDeparture Stories[/h2]
Aug 11, 2008 1:54 PM EST
Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cavaliers,was critical of the media for the way they have portrayed the possibility of LeBron James leaving the Cavaliers via free agency.
"The reason this thing is where it's at," Gilbert said, "is that we've got a bunch of bored, East Coast sports writers who havenothing to do because the offseason is a few months away, and the Olympics [hadn't] started yet."
"The undertone to the whole thing that I wonder is, why him?" Gilbert said. "Why not Dwyane Wade? Why not Chris Bosh? Why not whoever else iscoming due?"
"The only thing you can come up with is there are certain writers, or people who live on the East or West Coast, who think that Cleveland, Ohio, is nota good enough place for a superstar of LeBron's caliber to spend his career."
"Despite the quality of the franchise, the quality of life in the Midwest, the fans - it's a complete slap in the face from people who do not livein Cleveland, Ohio, to Cleveland, Ohio."
"That's probably my biggest problem with the whole thing."
"If he were playing for the Lakers or the Knicks or the Nets or Miami, what they consider glamour teams, I don't think there would be any of thistalk. And the proof of it is there because there's not talk of any of these other stars."
ViaBeacon-Journal
Cleveland Cavaliers
Read the FullStory Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets
