Rockets Hold Off Late-Rallying Lakers

Team	1	2	3	4					Full Time
Rockets	16	27	27	25					95
Lakers	25	18	19	31					93

Houston 95, L.A. Lakers 93

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 30 (AP) -- Rick Adelman's first game as the Houston Rockets' coach was a winning one. Kobe Bryant made it a nervous one.

Bryant scored 45 points, 18 in the fourth quarter, but Shane Battier made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left in the Rockets' 95-93 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.

Booed before the game, Bryant won back the fans - and nearly the game.

"Overall, I thought it obviously was a good win,'' Adelman said after the Rockets squandered a late 14-point lead. "We just didn't finish it very well, but the second half we were pretty solid until the last few minutes. It's hard when Bryant keeps getting on the line and the clock stops.''

Tracy McGrady scored 30 points and Yao Ming had 25 points and 12 rebounds for the Rockets.

Bryant and his old backcourt mate, Derek Fisher, almost pulled it out. After Bryant got the Lakers close, Fisher hit a jumper to cap a 13-0 run that tied it at 92 with 13 seconds remaining.

Battier followed with his 3-pointer, then fouled Bryant before he could get off a shot with 1.3 seconds on the clock.

"He's hit big shots in the past, so it's good it went to him,'' Adelman said of Battier. "We wanted to foul before he (Bryant) took the shot and we definitely did that. He hadn't even turned around yet when Shane fouled him.''

Bryant was given two free throws despite his protest that he was beyond the arc trying to shoot and should have gotten three. He made the first and intentionally missed the second. The rebound came back to him, but the ball was knocked out of his hands as time expired.

Bryant, who over the summer called the Lakers' front office a mess and asked to be traded, drew some boos during pregame introductions, but most of the fans in the sellout crowd of 18,997 were on their feet cheering when he led the team's comeback.

"I understand where they're coming from, but they really don't know the entire situation because I just keep my mouth shut -- as I should,'' Bryant said. "They shouldn't worry about it, just focus on watching us play and watching us do what we do, and the business side of it should remain behind closed doors.

"But it was good to see them come back to normal later in the game.''

He said it wasn't difficult for the Lakers to leave any problems off the court.

"When we're playing in a game, we just focus on one another and the bonds that we have,'' Bryant said. "It has nothing to do with (trade) speculation or business or anything like that.

"Business a lot of times can cloud the game and take the fun out of the game if you allow it to. And that's something that I won't allow to happen.''

After things quieted down at training camp, Lakers owner Jerry Buss stirred them up again by saying he would listen to trade offers for Bryant.

Fisher, who rejoined the team this summer, scored 17. He and Bryant were the only Lakers in double figures.

Bryant was 13-of-32 from the field and 18-of-27 from the line. The Lakers missed 18 of their 45 free throws.

The Rockets had a busy offseason, with Adelman's replacing Jeff Van Gundy just one of a number of changes. They added point guards Mike James and Steve Francis, and power forward Luis Scola of Argentina, with that trio figuring to fit well in Adelman's up-tempo offense. James had 13 points, Scola played 9 minutes and didn't score, and Francis didn't play.

Bryant, wearing a sleeve on his right arm to keep his injured wrist from stiffening up, as usual made a number of spectacular plays in the loss. In the first quarter, he drove, scooped the ball left-handed under Yao's arms, off the glass and into the hoop.

Bryant also did some playmaking, including a drive when he dropped the ball off to the trailing Ronny Turiaf and Turiaf dunked to bring a roar from the crowd.

Notes: The Lakers lost 27 of their last 43 games last season to finish 42-40, then the Phoenix Suns eliminated them in five games in the first round of the playoffs. ... Adelman, asked about Bryant before the game, joked, "I personally was kind of hoping that they made a move today, but they didn't, so I expect the best out of him and I expect the best out of the Lakers. But I can't worry about them. I have enough problems of my own.'' ... Los Angeles was without its second-leading scorer from last season, F Lamar Odom. He's still recuperating from the shoulder surgery he had last May.

source : NBA.com

Boozer, Jazz Roll Past Warriors In Season Opener

Team	1	2	3	4					Full Time
Jazz	28	34	24	31					117
Warriors	30	21	21	24					96

Utah 117, Golden State 96

OAKLAND, October 30 (AP) -- Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams shouldn't expect invitations to Baron Davis' opulent birthday bash or Stephen Jackson's homecoming party.

The Utah Jazz stars have ruined every celebration they've attended in the Bay Area recently.

Boozer had 32 points and 15 rebounds, Williams added 24 points and the Jazz jumped right back into last season's playoff form with a 117-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.

Ronnie Brewer scored 18 points and Paul Millsap added 16 for the Jazz, who reached the Western Conference finals last spring with a five-game victory over Golden State in the second round. The defeat ended the eighth-seeded Warriors' unlikely playoff run and crushed the hopes of fans who waited 13 years for a team worth cheering.

"We know they wanted payback from us ending their season,'' said Williams, who also had eight assists. "We didn't try to get into a track race with them, because they would win that. We just kept it to our pace and drove them into the ground.''

Five months later in both clubs' season opener, the Jazz still had too many of the qualities lacked by the flashy Warriors, whose raucous sellout crowd was quieted well before the final buzzer.

Boozer and Williams even managed to impress their notoriously hard-to-please coach.

"You know how hard it is to play in their building and how excited their fans are, so it was a good win in that respect,'' Jerry Sloan said. "I thought we played a lot better than I had originally anticipated. We have some size advantages, and Boozer was able to show his strength inside.''

Utah scored relentlessly in the paint, outrebounded the Warriors 56-37 and constantly capitalized on Golden State's mistakes. The Jazz led through most of the final three quarters, coolly turning back Baron Davis' attempts to start a fourth-quarter rally.

Davis had 25 points and 10 assists for the Warriors, who ended a 13-year playoff drought and upset the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks last season before bowing out to the Jazz. Mickael Pietrus and Monta Ellis scored 17 points apiece, but the Warriors were outclassed on both ends of the court.

"They had their way with us,'' coach Don Nelson said. "They're big and strong at all five positions, and they bullied us around. ... We played one good quarter, and that was the end of us. We missed Jackson for sure, but I don't know if he was a game-breaker.''

Golden State's hopes for another winning season are tempered by a nasty early schedule. Nelson knows the Warriors could be in for a slow start while Jackson is suspended during a seven-game opening stretch that features five opponents who won at least 50 games last season.

The Warriors' vocal swingman will be out until their trip to Toronto on Nov. 18 for the start of a five-game road trip. He pleaded guilty to a felony charge of criminal recklessness after firing a gun into the air outside an Indianapolis strip club.

"We have to be a scrappy team (without Jackson),'' Davis said. "That's what made us successful. Guys have to step up. We're not too worried. We just have to go back to the drawing board. Last year, we lost our first game, too.''

Kelenna Azubuike started in Jackson's spot, scoring 11 points.

Brewer, Utah's first-round pick in 2006, made a strong debut in his new job as the Jazz's starting shooting guard. He scored eight points in the third quarter as Utah repelled Golden State's final serious rally.

"He really played a great game,'' Boozer said. "He was playing hard on both ends, getting big baskets, and his defense got us rolling.''

But as usual, the Jazz relied on Boozer and Williams, who recently were named permanent team captains by Sloan. Williams played tough defense on Davis and showed John Stockton-style tenacity with the ball, crashing to the court with regularity.

Boozer scored 18 points in the first half, and the Jazz ran off 10 straight points to start an 18-2 run early in the second quarter. Golden State trimmed the lead to six points early in the third, but Utah made a 17-7 run led by Boozer and Brewer.

Notes: Oracle Arena swayed for 10 seconds during a 5.6 earthquake centered in nearby San Jose, but most fans didn't seem to notice. ... Utah G Matt Harpring played eight minutes despite an ankle injury, scoring one point. ... Warriors rookie Marco Belinelli had six points in his NBA debut. Brandan Wright, the eighth overall pick acquired by Golden State in a trade that sent longtime Warriors G Jason Richardson to Charlotte, began the season on the inactive list - and Nelson doesn't expect him to get off it any time soon. ... The clubs meet again Saturday night in Utah. The Jazz won't visit Oakland again this season.

source : NBA.com

Spurs Good For Openers Against Blazers

Team	1	2	3	4					Full TIme
Trail Blazers	26	23	28	20					97
Spurs	29	30	22	25					106

San Antonio 106, Portland 97

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 30 (AP) -- If only this one night, exacting San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich would give his players a break.

With their newest championship banner hanging high above the sellout crowd and the players looking like kids in a candy store as they examined their shiny new championship rings, it was understandably a challenge for the team to buckle down for a regular old basketball game.

The Spurs eventually did, beating the Portland Trail Blazers 106-97 Tuesday night. And even Popovich was willing to overlook the occasional lack of concentration.

"I think the ring ceremony is always a little bit emotional and always a lot of fun,'' Popovich said. "It probably keeps you from being your best as far as focus is concerned.''

But losing focus to the point of losing a game is just not the Spurs' style.

"It's always a special game when you play after a ring ceremony,'' Tony Parker said. "It's great memories. But we're back to work and ready to defend our title.''

Aside from the win and the rings, there was other news to please Popovich. Star Tim Duncan had reached an agreement to stay until the end of the 2011-12 season and likely finish his career in Texas.

Duncan had 24 points and 13 rebounds as the Spurs got their title defense off to a successful start. Parker added 19 points for the Spurs and Manu Ginobili had 16 points and eight assists off the bench.

LaMarcus Aldridge led the Trail Blazers with 27 points. Martell Webster added 21 and Joel Przybilla contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds for Portland.

"We played a very talented team, a very young team. I think they're going to be pretty good,'' Parker said. "They played a tough game. They stayed in the game, and we didn't shoot the ball well from outside.''

Aldridge said he's using the Spurs as motivation.

"I was so pumped and I was so excited because I feel one day we are going to be in that position where we're going to win and get our rings one night,'' he said. "I felt like tonight was our first step in that direction.''

Despite the long-awaited ring ceremony to kick things off, the game didn't have quite the excitement that was anticipated when it was announced the Spurs would open against the Trail Blazers, who drafted Greg Oden with the No. 1 overall pick. Oden had microfracture knee surgery this summer, ending his first season before practice even began.

"We were definitely looking forward to having Greg,'' Webster said. "That doesn't stop our journey. Our journey is to get to the playoffs. ... Can't say anything about championships. Mostly, we want to take this one game at a time.''

With Oden out, it only seemed appropriate that this night would be all about the Spurs.

And it was, with the Spurs controlling the game until the Trail Blazers threatened with about two minutes to play in the fourth quarter. Aldridge's basket brought the Blazers within three points, the closest they'd been all quarter, with 2:01 left.

Parker made it 100-95 for San Antonio, then a goaltending call against Aldridge gave Parker another basket, putting the Spurs up 102-95 with 1:07 to play.

Brandon Roy, last season's Rookie of the Year, hit one of two free throws to make it 102-96. But another goaltending call, this time against Przybilla, gave Duncan a basket and the Spurs a 104-96 lead with 36 ticks on the clock.

"We fought the whole game, came back in the fourth quarter,'' Webster said. "We were so close, we just let that slip out of our hands.''

Brent Barry had 12 points for San Antonio. Travis Outlaw scored 11 for Portland.

After the night's highlight, the ring ceremony, it was back to square one: 82 games, make that 81 now, to go before the Spurs can even start thinking about repeating for the first time.

Parker got off to a good start, racing up and down the court and scoring 11 points in the first quarter on 4-of-5 shooting. He and Duncan had rested often during the preseason, and in the first quarter they played with all the energy they had apparently stored up during the layoff. The Spurs were up 29-26 after the first quarter and extended their lead to as many as 16 points in the second, going up 55-39 off Duncan's layup with 4:31 to go.

The Trail Blazers cut the lead in the third, though, as they outscored the Spurs 28-22. They got as close as 79-77 as Webster hit a 3-pointer with 33 seconds to play. The Spurs ended the quarter up 81-77.

Ginobili dunked with just over 10 minutes to go to give San Antonio a six-point lead, then followed with a layup 26 seconds later to put the Spurs up 88-80.

Notes: The accolades just kept coming for the Spurs. Popovich received a 2007 Distinguished Graduate Award from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. Popovich graduated from the Academy in 1970 and played basketball all four years he spent there. He later served as assistant coach of the Academy's basketball team for six years. ... Darius Washington, a Spurs' training camp invitee who impressed his way onto the team, played backup point guard to Parker and hit a 3-pointer early in the fourth that put San Antonio up 84-77. ... Portland shot 50 percent from the field but had 17 turnovers.

source : NBA.com

Stern to Unveil Plans For Community Service Events

The NBA's All-Star weekend is going to be a working vacation.

With the festivities heading to New Orleans this season, the league is planning an All-Star day of service on that Friday to kick off events.

NBA commissioner David Stern will announce those plans at a news conference Wednesday before the New Orleans Hornets host the Sacramento Kings that night. The game is the first of the Hornets' full-time return to New Orleans after they spent most of the past two seasons in Oklahoma City following Hurricane Katrina.

"We'll be announcing the specifics of the campaign (Wednesday) when I go there, we have a community event,'' Stern said while attending the season opener in San Antonio. "But we're in, we're in for a lot. We're proud that our team is going back. We're equally proud that they're ahead in sponsorships and ticket sales of where they were pre-Katrina.

"And we think that sports has a role to play both with what we can give back, what we can build, but also what we can do to sort of improve the morale of the community and let the kids of New Orleans know that they're very much in our minds as they go to school and their families try to have a normal life.''

Every NBA team that visits New Orleans during the regular season will participate in a community activity. Through its NBA Cares program, the league and its players plan to create 40 learning or playing centers.

The NBA and its players have contributed more than $15 million to the Gulf Region, along with helping construct 35 homes and five playgrounds.

All-Star weekend is scheduled for Feb. 15-17. More than 2,500 current and former players, along with other NBA family members are expected to participate in the All-Star weekend service event.

The Friday events of All-Star weekend usually include player sessions with the media and the rookie game.

source : NBA.com

Spurs Collect Fourth Championship Rings Before Opener

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 30 (AP) -- A lone spotlight beamed down on the center of the court at the AT&T Center on Tuesday, highlighting in all its golden glory the San Antonio Spurs' latest championship trophy.

"San Antonio: Where dynasties happen,'' NBA commissioner David Stern said.

And with that the Spurs held the final celebration of their fourth title in nine seasons before getting started on defending it in the season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Demonstrating the team-first attitude Stern said the Spurs embody, the team's rings -- 14-karat gold and bearing almost 4.5 carats of diamonds -- were handed out first to the coaches, then to players in alphabetical order.

"You know better than I do that your Spurs play with a team-first and a community-first attitude,'' Stern said. "That has made them the apple of your eye and has also make them four-time NBA champions.''

The Spurs swept LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games for the title. The celebration in San Antonio lasted several days, culminating with a parade along the city's famed River Walk and a party at the Alamodome.

The handmade rings -- with diamonds in round, princess and baguette shapes -- say "NBA Champions'' on the face and show the team's spur logo. In all, 21 rings were doled out in the pregame ceremony Tuesday. Eleven players from last year's team are returning this season.

"It's beautiful. It's a very nice ring, one of our best,'' Tim Duncan said after the Spurs beat Portland 106-97.

On one side of the ring is the Spurs' playoff record of 16-4, the NBA logo and the player's number and name. On the other side is the year, 2007, and a hammer splitting a rock.

"You are truly the best fans in the NBA,'' Duncan told the cheering crowd during the ceremony.

After getting their rings, several players showed their sparkling fists off to fans and closely examined their new diamond-encrusted hardware. It was the seventh ring for veteran Robert Horry and the fourth for Duncan, but for several players, such as veteran Michael Finley, it was their first.

Perhaps the greatest cheer from the audience came at the close of the ring ceremony, when high in the rafters of the arena a black veil was slowly retracted from the bottom up to reveal the Spurs' newest championship banner.

source : NBA.com

Nets Are Threat With Added Depth

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Oct. 30 (AP) -- Being out of the spotlight in the Eastern Conference is just fine with the New Jersey Nets.

Let the new-look Celtics, the young Bulls, and LeBron James and his Cavaliers have all the attention heading into the season.

The Nets believe that with Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson and a two-deep rotation at every position, they have more than enough to make the playoffs for a seventh straight season and to challenge for a third trip to the NBA finals since 2002.

With the season opener against Chicago on tap for Wednesday night, Kidd went so far as to say this is the best team that he has played on, other than the U.S. team that qualified for the Olympics this past summer.

His boldness is linked to the combination of talent and ambition -- veterans playing for contracts mixed with young players working hard to earn more minutes.

"There's a lot of pieces that I'm very excited about,'' the eight-time All-Star point guard said. "If we can be consistent throughout the long haul, then hopefully we'll be the team at the top -- and not just the top of the Atlantic, but the top of the Eastern Conference.''

There are some who think the Nets are on the downward cycle after posting a 41-41 record last season and being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by James and company.

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source : NBA.com

It's Not Just Three For The Show

The Celtics' new star trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce is on the cover of Sports Illustrated's and ESPN the Magazine's NBA previews, not the reigning champion Spurs. ESPN sent a private jet for the three to film commercials in Bristol, Conn., NBA's Inside Stuff interviewed them in Rome, and TNT's John Thompson flew to New York to ask them questions. There are 19 Celtics games scheduled for ESPN, TNT, and NBATV, with more nationally televised contests possible. The majority of home games are sold out, their jerseys are flying off the shelves, and their slogan this season is the far-from-shy "THINK BIG."

Yes, green is the new color of the NBA, even though today's Celtics have yet to play a real game together. Boston's heralded trio and coach Doc Rivers, however, won't believe the hype.

"There is nothing I can do about it," Rivers said. "I don't do the picking. We haven't done anything. We haven't proven anything. We can't look further than the next day."

Said Allen: "Every year there is going to be somebody, whether it's commercials or on the cover of magazines. And every year there is going to be a new segment of shoes coming out, a new segment of commercials coming out. It's just part of the business.

"We just know that at every year at a certain time we have certain things to take care of. People are going to speculate how they want about who is going to finish where. At some point the ball is going to go up and you have to start winning."

While the NBA season officially starts tonight, the ball doesn't officially go up for the Celtics until Friday against Washington at TD Banknorth Garden. Sure, the hype may be out of control. But the excitement and potential for greatness is legitimate.

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source : boston.com

Pavlovic Ends Holdout, Agrees To Three-Year Deal With Cavs

The Cleveland Cavaliers and restricted free agent Sasha Pavlovic have agreed to a three-year deal, Pavlovic's agent Marc Cornstein told ESPN.com.

Cornstein refused to give the numbers on the contract.

"Sasha is very excited to be returning to the Cavs," Cornstein said. "I believe he can help the Cavs build on the success they had last year."

The two sides had been at a standstill for much of the summer. Cornstein said that there was little movement until the last few days when Cleveland began to put a more serious offer on the table.

"Cleveland made great strides in the last few days to show how much they truely value Sasha and to ensure that we closed on this deal for the start of the season," Cornstein said.


When will he return to the Cavs?

Pavlovic is in Serbia at the moment and is preparing to return to the United States. He'll likely return to Cleveland on Wednesday but it's unlikely he'll play.

When his contract gets done, Cornstein said Pavlovic is ready to play.

"He's been working out twice a day with a personal coach. He'll be in excellent condition. Once everything is official he'll be ready to go."

The Cavs' other restricted free agent holdout, Anderson Varejao, remains unsigned with sources close to the negotiations claiming that the two sides are still far apart with little movement over the last week.

The Cavs struggled in the preseason without Pavlovic and Varejao. The team posted a 1-6 record and was blown out in the past few games.

The team's struggles, combined with a lack of offseason moves by Cavs GM Danny Ferry, led to LeBron James complaining publicly about the state of the team last week in a Q&A with the Akron Beacon Journal's Brian Windhorst.

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source : sports.espn.go.com

Randy Foye Medical Update

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that guard Randy Foye has suffered a stress reaction of his left patella (knee cap). On Monday, Foye received an MRI and a CT Scan, which revealed the injury. Foye will be out indefinitely.

Foye, a second-year guard from Villanova, earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2006-07. The seventh overall pick of the 2006 NBA Draft, Foye played in all 82 games for the Wolves, including 12 starts. He averaged 10.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg and 2.8 apg in 22.9 mpg, becoming the first Wolves rookie double-digit scorer since Wally Szczerbiak.

Foye finished 19th in the league in free throw accuracy at 85.4%, breaking Christian Laettner's franchise rookie record (83.5%). He finished the season strong by averaging 15.4 ppg while shooting 52.9% in April. In the 2007 preseason, Foye appeared in three games (two starts) and averaged 17.3 minutes per game.

source : NBA.com

Juwan Howard Coming, Cleveland Opener, Moe Ager Extended

The Mavericks picked up some much-needed frontline help by agreeing to terms on a free-agent contract with Juwan Howard on Tuesday. The deal, however, can’t be completed until Howard clears waivers Wednesday afternoon, but both sides have agreed in principle.

Howard (6-9, 253) hit the open market after Minnesota bought out his contract Monday. He should join the Mavs on the current two-game road trip, perhaps as early as the season opener Wednesday night at Cleveland. Dallas is at Atlanta on Friday.

The power forward has averaged 16.1 points and 7.1 rebounds over his 12-year career, including a stint in Dallas over parts of two seasons (2000-01 and ’01-02). He started 38 games with Houston last season, averaging 9.7 points and 5.9 rebounds.

“Juwan was too big of an opportunity to pass up,” president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson told mavs.com. “Juwan is a winner, he’s a leader and he knows the Maverick way.

“He can swing from the ‘4’ to ‘5,’ so it gives us tremendous flexibility on the frontline.”

Howard should join the rotation immediately backing up Gana Diop and Dirk Nowitzki up front. The Mavs were in need of help inside, especially with Erick Dampier out with a shoulder injury. Brandon Bass was the only other healthy big man with NBA experience on the roster.

The team made room for Howard by releasing four-year center DJ Mbenga, who recently returned from a knee injury. Mbenga (7-0, 240) played three seasons in Dallas and holds career averages of 1.3 points and 0.9 rebounds in 79 games.

Mbenga played in 21 games last season before suffering a torn right ACL on Feb. 7. His only action of the preseason was in the finale against Chicago. Mbenga recorded five rebounds, two blocked shots and an assist in 12 minutes of action.

“DJ needs an opportunity to play and develop,” Nelson said. “We appreciate everything he’s done for us and he’s been a big part of our success. We’re hopeful that with playing time, whether it’s in the NBA or Europe, he’ll be able to join our team in the future.”

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source : NBA.com

Spurs: It's Out With Old Season, In With New

Two years ago, Spurs guard Brent Barry celebrated his first NBA championship ring with a gesture quite progressive and European.

He kissed the man who gave it to him — that would be commissioner David Stern — squarely on the cheek.

As far as famous kisses go, it wasn't exactly Rhett and Scarlett in "Gone With the Wind."

"It was like kissing my grandmother," Barry recalled this week.

Fair warning to Stern: Barry has been preparing his encore for two years. When you hand him his second ring prior to the Spurs' season-opener against Portland tonight, you might want to duck.

Or run.

No matter what Barry has in store, it ought to be an interesting night indeed.

Spurs players will collect their rings. A fourth NBA championship banner will be raised to the AT&T Center rafters. Kisses may or may not be exchanged.

The past will be celebrated. And just as quickly, it will be forgotten.

Tonight's ring ceremony marks the official end of the Spurs' 2007 championship party. By the time it's over, a new task — a new season — will be at hand.

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source : mysanantonio.com

Bynum's Got Game -- At Least Half Of It

Andrew Bynum is getting pretty good at slamming the ball through the hoop. Now all he has to do is remember there's another hoop at the other end of the court as well.

They don't play half-court basketball in the NBA.

Starting his third season in the league, the Lakers' 20-year-old center finished up the exhibition season Friday with his best offensive game. He hit seven of 10 shots from the floor against the Sacramento Kings and totaled 18 points and seven rebounds in 23 minutes.

His progress on defense, however, continues to lag.

"It's harder on defense because you've got to anticipate, you've got to see what's coming," said Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Laker Hall of Fame center who serves as Bynum's personal coach. "Offense is more spontaneous. That's stuff you learn in fifth and sixth grade, but he's trying to learn it now."

Especially his transition defense, from scorer to defender.

"He takes a little bit of time to celebrate," Abdul-Jabbar said. "You see him smile. He's stoked about it, but hey, I wish was 19 or 20. I'd be having the same kind of fun.

"He's starting to recognize opportunities in the game, starting to gain wisdom about the game that you get from minutes [of playing time]."

Those minutes were nonexistent in college, which Bynum skipped to turn pro. He was the youngest player ever drafted, taken by the Lakers at 17 with the 10th pick in 2005.

"He never played a whole season in high school," Abdul-Jabbar said. "My first season of organized ball was fourth grade. His was 10th grade. That's six years. When you're young like that, it's crucial. It's harder to develop when you're older.

"He's at point now where he sees how he can use his physical gifts to affect the game and he's doing a better job of it."

Along with his lessons on the court, Bynum has been learning some harsh realities about life in the NBA. His name was prominent in off-season trade rumors and prominent as well in an infamous amateur video in which Kobe Bryant endorsed a Bynum trade if it would help the club.

Bynum just shrugs his large shoulders at such talk. Just another reminder he's not in high school anymore.

source : latimes.com

Terry Score Late 3-Pointer Lifts Mavericks Past Kings

Team	1	2	3	4					Full Time
Mavericks	18	26	27	30					101
Kings	25	21	28	25					99

Dallas 101, Sacramento 99

LAS CRUCES, N.M., Oct. 17 (AP) -- Jason Terry made a 3-pointer with four seconds left to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 101-99 victory over the Sacramento Kings in a preseason game on Tuesday night.

Sacramento led for much of the night, but the Mavericks were 9-of-17 from the field in the fourth quarter and got 11 points from forward Dirk Nowitzki to pull out the win. Nowitzki led the Mavericks (2-2) with 23 points and Terry added 15. Jerry Stackhouse finished with 17 points and Devin Harris had 11.

The game featured the return of former New Mexico State men's coach Reggie Theus, who went 41-23 during his two years in Las Cruces and led the Aggies to the NCAA tournament this past March before signing on with the Kings.

Sacramento took a 99-98 lead with 11 seconds left on two free throws by John Salmons after three lead changes and six ties in the final quarter.

"We did some good things tonight,'' Terry said. "We're still trying to get the kinks out and get some new people involved in what we are doing. But we made some strides tonight.''

Dallas outrebounded Sacramento 44-29 and was 31-of-37 from the free throw line. Sacramento missed 14-of-42 from the line.

Mike Bibby scored 21 points to lead five Kings in double figures. Forward Ron Artest added 19 points, Kevin Martin had 17, Brad Miller 16 and Salmons chipped in 10.

"We did some good things and we can build on those,'' Theus said. "We were the worst rebounding team in the NBA last year and got beat tonight. We also need to hit our free throws. This was a good game for us. We got people some needed work and they responded.''

Sacramento led 25-18 after the first quarter and 46-44 at halftime. The Kings shot 55 percent in the first quarter and got 11 points from Martin and 10 from Bibby to lead the way in the opening 24 minutes.

source : NBA.com

Iverson, Anthony Golden For Nuggets

Team	1	2	3	4					Full Time
Nuggets	26	23	33	22					104
Bucks	22	21	15	20					78

Denver 104, Milwaukee 78

GREEN BAY, Wis., Oct. 16 (AP) -- Allen Iverson scored 22 points to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 104-78 exhibition victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night at Green Bay's Resch Center.

Carmelo Anthony added 16 points for the Nuggets, who never trailed. Denver led 55-50 early in the third quarter before going on a 15-0 run.

Charlie Bell led Milwaukee with 17 points, all in the first half.

Denver forward Kenyon Martin played in his first game since Nov. 3, 2006, after surgical repairs on his right knee. He started and finished with 11 points and five rebounds.

"It just felt good to be back out there on the court with the team, man. Just get back out there, and when you get up and down the court you try not to be too excited because it's still the preseason,'' Martin said. "But you still feel good. Those guys know what I can do. I played with those guys before so they know I can do. It just feels good to be a part of it.''

Bucks rookie first-round draft choice Yi Jianlian of China finished with nine points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes.

Yi played the entire first quarter and saw only eight minutes of action the rest of the way, despite the crowd's chants of "We want Yi!''

Although Yi has showed flashes of his talent and has a good touch, he looks much more comfortable on the perimeter than in the paint and he acknowledged that he still needs to get stronger with the ball.

"Inside is my weak point. I need to protect the ball better and get stronger so we can play better inside,'' Yi said through his translator, Yi Wan.

source : NBA.com

Hawks Pull Away To Top Timberwolves

Team	1	2	3	4					Full Time
Timberwolves	23	19	28	7					77
Hawks	31	29	20	23					103

Atlanta 103, Minnesota 77

ATLANTA, Oct. 16 (AP) -- Zaza Pachulia scored 16 points to lead six players in double figures, and the Atlanta Hawks held Minnesota scoreless for the first 9:35 of the fourth quarter and beat the Timberwolves 103-77 on Tuesday night.

Al Jefferson, acquired from the Boston Celtics in the Kevin Garnett trade, had 20 points and 15 rebounds for the Timberwolves (1-3).

Marvin Williams scored 15 points and rookie Al Horford grabbed 10 rebounds for Atlanta (4-1). The Hawks led 60-42 at halftime, with Pachulia scoring all his points in the first half.

The Timberwolves cut the deficit to 80-70 after three quarters, but Atlanta's 21-0 run to start the fourth quarter put away the game. Minnesota finally scored on Gerald Green's jumper with 2:25 left, and wound up scoring seven points in the final period.

Craig Smith had 14 points for Minnesota.

Notes Hawks rookie Acie Law underwent an MRI on his sprained left wrist just before the game; results were not immediately available. Fellow point guard Speedy Claxton, recovering from offseason knee surgery, is not even able to practice with the team. ... Wolves F Ryan Gomes' sprained left foot, sustained in the second quarter of Monday night's loss at Memphis, swelled overnight. He was not available.

source : NBA.com

Bryant Misses Practice For Third Straight Day

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Oct. 16 (AP) -- Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant sat out practice for the third straight day Tuesday, then denied a report that he had cleaned out his locker - a story carried by several local news outlets.

Bryant spoke for less than two minutes in the parking lot of the team's practice facility. Previously, he had said very little to reporters since Jerry Buss stated last week in Honolulu that he "would certainly listen'' to trade offers for the NBA's scoring leader.

"I don't know, talk to Mitch and Mr. Buss about that,'' Bryant replied when asked if he had played his final game for the Lakers, referring to general manager Mitch Kupchak and the team's owner. "I'm just getting ready. If I'm here, I'm ready to strap it up.''

Bryant asked to be traded 4 1/2 months ago, then avoided speaking about the Lakers until the beginning of training camp Oct. 1, when he talked more positively, saying he was looking forward to the season.

"My job is to play the game and get ready to play the game,'' he said Tuesday. "That's what I'm doing. I guess people are just intrigued by what's going on around here. I understand that. I have a job to do. One thing I said at training camp was that I didn't want this to be a distraction.''

When asked whether he was unsettled by recent events, Bryant said: "It's our understanding not to bring up the situation and not talk about it. We just wanted to keep things quiet and go about our business. It kind of caught me off guard a little bit.

"We've just got to get back to basics and get ready and go from there. It's my job to play basketball. It's not my job to worry about what management is doing or this, that or the other thing. I'm going to be ready and let them do their jobs.''

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Bryant sat out practice Tuesday "by mutual agreement.''

"He's in the training room,'' Jackson said. "I think that's about all I'll say. He asked me about resting his legs, but I think he's OK.''

Jackson said he didn't know whether Bryant would play Thursday night when the Lakers face the Seattle SuperSonics in Bakersfield - the first of six exhibition games in nine days. The coach also said he didn't know if Bryant would accompany the team if he doesn't play.

Jackson said he couldn't comment when asked if Bryant had played his final game as a member of the Lakers.

"I don't know that at all. Who knows that? There's certain things that have to be discussed and I think they will be,'' Jackson said. "There's nothing imminent. I'm on the inside of this, so I know all the statements before you ask the questions. We can't project anything right now. I think there's a certain progression of things we have to go through.''

Bryant has four years, worth $88.6 million, left on his contract, but can terminate the deal in two years, leaving $47.8 million on the table.

source : NBA.com

Stojakovic Plays Only Four Minutes Due To Stiffness

Hornets Coach Byron Scott said his plan was to play Peja Stojakovic about 24 minutes during Monday night's preseason game against the Indiana Pacers.

But Stojakovic played only four minutes after complaining of muscle stiffness. After he shot an airball on his only attempt, Stojakovic went to the bench for the remainder of the game.

Stojakovic missed all but the first 13 games last season after requiring season-ending back surgery.

"It wasn't his back, he was just stiff,'' Scott said. "I think again, he's had one day off that he's taken since the start of training camp, which was two weeks ago. He was just stiff with his legs and everything and he took the rest of the night off.''

source : blog.nola.com

NBA China Games To Reach 209 Countries

All Three Games to Air Nationwide in ChinaNEW YORK, October 16, 2007 – The NBA China Games 2007, featuring three exhibition games between the Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Team China All-Stars in Shanghai and Macao from October 17-20, is a global event that will be televised in 209 countries in 13 languages.

In China, the China Games will air nationwide on CCTV5 while the Shanghai Media Group (SMG) and Guangdong TV (GDTV) will air each of the games locally in Shanghai and the Guangdong province, respectively. In the U.S, the games will air on NBA TV and ESPN2.

Over 200 media members will attend each game in Shanghai and Macao and bring the action back to fans throughout China and around the world. There will be 23 television and radio networks and websites on-site including three who will be calling the game live from commentary positions.

In addition to traditional radio and television broadcasting, NBA fans will be able to experience the Shanghai game in High Definition format on SiTV. The games will also be available through a range of digital platforms and devices, including NBA.com/China and, for the first time, on mobile phones via cn.nba.com as well as through Internet Protocol Television on SMG's BesTV channel.

Special China Games programming will be available throughout China on NBA Zhi Zao (Chinese translation of Made in the NBA), the NBA's popular weekly show that combines the lifestyle of basketball with Chinese popular culture. The show will fuse these elements through pre-game, halftime and post-game interviews with players from both teams, locker room access and interviews with Chinese celebrity guests Jet Li and Karen Mok. Chinese celebrity personalities David Wu and Wang Guan will be the onsite commentators for the broadcast.

NBA.com/china will provide comprehensive coverage of the China Games including live streaming of all three games through the league’s partnership with Sohu.com. Website reporters will go on-camera to give fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the China Games. Fans were given the chance to interact directly with All-Stars LeBron James (Cleveland) and Rashard Lewis (Orlando) through live fan chats. A China Games mini-site launched in September that features a video section with team highlights, a 2004 China Games recap and player vignettes.

The NBA will host the first-ever live, simultaneous HD viewing parties in China. The viewing parties, broadcast on Shanghai Interactive Television Co. (SiTV) and SMG, will take place in Shanghai and Beijing with a capacity of 800 and 300, respectively, and feature appearances from A-list Chinese artists such as actor Jet Li, recording artist Fan Fan and Zhou Bichang - winner from China’s most popular talent search competition, “Super Girls,” an appearance from NBA legend Darryl Dawkins and a two-way feed between the arena and the viewing party in Shanghai.

"The China Games is the most comprehensive event the NBA has ever staged in China and the fan interest throughout China and around the world has been tremendous,” said Heidi Ueberroth, NBA President of Global Marketing Partnerships and International Business Operations. “Between complete coverage from our global network of television partners and new digital initiatives we hope to offer as many fans as possible the chance to enjoy the NBA China Games 2007.”

NBA China Games 2007 will tip off on Oct. 17 with a game between the Cavaliers and the Magic in Shanghai at the Qizhong Forest Sports City arena. The event will then head to Macao where there will be two games at the new Venetian Arena. On Oct. 18, the Magic will take on the Team China All-Stars, and a rematch between the Magic and the Cavaliers will take place on Oct. 20.

Last season the NBA added 24 TV partners in China and currently has relationships with 51 TV stations that provided NBA programming to 34 million viewers per week and more than 1.2 billion viewers for the 2006-07 season. With 300 million people playing basketball in China, approximately 80% of males 15-24 in the top 11 cities of China considering themselves NBA fans and 20% of traffic to NBA.com coming from China, basketball is rapidly growing in popularity. The league maintains marketing partnerships in China with 20 of the world’s leading brands and makes products available to fans in more than 50,000 locations. The NBA is conducting more than 170 special events in 112 cities in Greater China including the NBA China Games 2007.

source : NBA.com

LeBron James, Dwight Howard Big -- Even In China

SHANGHAI - The swarm was collapsing around Dwight Howard, the flashbulbs were setting his rippling muscles aglow and he was backed up against a dingy gymnasium wall.

Then, in an instant, the NBA's Next Big Thing reacted like someone well beyond his 21 years and solved a situation stickier than gum on a shoe.

"Ni Hao, everybody, Ni Hao," Howard said with a wide, toothy grin, welcoming the mass of Chinese media that had surrounded him Monday at a practice court in the Lu Wan District of Shanghai.

The Orlando Magic center's graceful reaction speaks deeply to a good-natured, aww-shucks persona that has somehow remained grounded as his stardom has continued to rise.

But Howard's deft resolution of a conflict is also a learned trait, one he picked up after spending much of the past two summers with Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James. He and James have much in common, what with them being the top picks from the 2003 and 2004 NBA Drafts and their love for competing at video games. And by watching how James, a worldwide marketing conglomeration unto himself, deals with the attention he attracts everywhere he goes has helped Howard handle similar circumstances.

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source : floridatoday.com

Barbosa, Suns Rout Jazz

Team	1	2	3	4					Full Time
Jazz	21	20	34	26					101
Suns	28	30	39	27					124

Phoenix 124, Utah 101

PHOENIX, Oct. 16 (AP) -- Leandro Barbosa scored 24 points and Raja Bell added 20 as the Phoenix Suns beat the Utah Jazz 124-101 in a preseason game Monday night.

Six players scored in double figures for the Suns, who won for the second time in three games.

Shawn Marion had 16 points, Grant Hill scored 14 and Steve Nash added 12 points and seven assists for the Suns, who shot 61.5 percent from beyond the 3-point line.

Phoenix was again without Amare Stoudemire, who is recovering from offseason arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

Carlos Boozer, making his first appearance after missing most of training camp while tending to his ill son, scored 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting in 13 minutes for the Jazz (2-2), while Paul Millsap had 16 points and Ronnie Brewer added 15.

Utah led by four points in the opening minutes but the Suns took the lead for good at 16-14 on a fastbreak layup by Barbosa with 3:37 to play in the first quarter.

Bell, who was 5-of-6 from the 3-point line and 8-of-10 from the field, scored 21 in an 11-minute span of the second and third quarters as Phoenix extended a seven-point lead to as many as 35.

Millsap's dunk pulled the Jazz within 42-35 with 5:27 left in the first half, but Bell hit two 3-pointers and scored eight points to key a 16-6 run as Phoenix opened a 58-41 halftime lead.

Bell scored 13 points as the Suns opened the third quarter on a 22-9 run to take an 80-50 lead with 6:50 remaining in the third quarter.

source : NBA.com

Diogu Paces Indiana To Win Over New Orleans

Team	1	2	3	4					Full Time
Pacers	29	33	37	18					117
Hornets	23	29	22	30					104

Indiana 117, New Orleans 104

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 15 (AP) -- Ike Diogu had a perfect shooting night and scored 19 points to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 117-104 preseason victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Monday night.

Diogu, a second-year reserve from Arizona State, was 7-of-7 from the field and hit all five of his free throws in 24 minutes.

All of Indiana's starters scored in double figures, led by Troy Murphy, who had 14 points and fouled out in the third quarter. Murphy, a center with outside range, hit consecutive 3-pointers in the third quarter to give Indiana an 84-63 lead. He also hit a 3-pointer in the first half.

Jermaine O'Neal scored 10 of his 13 points in the first half to help Indiana take a 62-52 lead. Danny Granger had 13 points, while Mike Dunleavy and Jamaal Tinsley both added 10 for the Pacers.

Adam Haluska, a second-round draft pick out of Iowa, led the Hornets with 20 points. He hit three 3-pointers in improving his preseason scoring average to 16.0.

David West led New Orleans' starters with 14 points, while Morris Peterson had 11 points and Tyson Chandler 10. Chris Paul had nine assists in 20 minutes.

Pacers guard Marquis Daniels missed the game with a bruised left knee.

New Orleans' Peja Stojakovic, returning from back surgery that caused him to miss most of last season, played only four minutes, missing his only shot.

The game was the first in New Orleans for the Hornets since their return to the city over the summer. They spent parts of the last two season in Oklahoma City, where they moved temporarily after Hurricane Katrina. The announced attendance was 7,736.

source : NBA.com

Grizzlies Rally To Beat Timberwolves

Team	1	2	3	4					Full Time
Timberwolves	31	30	14	18					93
Grizzlies	28	19	24	30					101

Memphis 101, Minnesota 93

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 15 (AP) -- Juan Carlos Navarro and Rudy Gay both scored 22 points and the Memphis Grizzlies used a fourth-quarter rally to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 101-93 on Monday night.

Mike Miller added 14 points for the Grizzlies, while Darko Milicic finished with 10.

Al Jefferson and Marko Jaric both scored 17 points to lead Minnesota with Jefferson also grabbing 15 rebounds. Rashad McCants added 15 points and Ricky Davis had 14, all in the first half, for the Timberwolves.

Memphis went on a 15-0 run in the fourth quarter to take a 98-86 lead. Gay had six points in the stretch, including an alley-oop dunk off a fastbreak that started with a Minnesota turnover.

The Timberwolves went more than 6 minutes without scoring until McCants' layup with 1:19 left.

Navarro keyed the fourth-quarter comeback with consecutive 3-pointers that tied the game at 81.

But Memphis would not overtake the Timberwolves until Kyle Lowry scored from the lane with 6 minutes left for an 87-86 lead.

The Timberwolves led by as many as 16 points in the first half as Jefferson scored 13 points, hitting all four shots from the field, and grabbing 12 rebounds in 13 minutes.

Minnesota shot 56 percent from the field in taking a 61-47 halftime lead.

Despite promises of a faster pace from the Grizzlies under new coach Marc Iavaroni, the Timberwolves outscored Memphis 10-0 on fastbreak points in the first quarter.

Memphis did show its running ability early in the second half, cutting the lead to 67-63. But the Grizzlies also missed opportunities during the stretch as Pau Gasol muffed a dunk, Gay missed a layup and a tip, and Miller misfired on an open 3-pointer on the break.

source : NBA.com

Wallace, Morrison Lead Bobcats Past Nets

Team	1	2	3	4					Full Time
Nets	21	25	15	25					86
Bobcats	17	15	39	25					96

Charlotte 96, New Jersey 86

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 15 (AP) -- Gerald Wallace scored 12 of his 20 points from the foul line to lead the Charlotte Bobcats to a 96-86 exhibition win over the New Jersey Nets on Monday night.

Adam Morrison and Matt Carroll added 15 points each and rookie Jermareo Davidson scored 14 for the Bobcats, who rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit.

Bostjan Nachbar scored 19 points for New Jersey, while Vince Carter had 13 points in 22 minutes in his preseason debut. Richard Jefferson added 11.

The Nets' biggest concern was their growing injury list.

Jason Kidd, who hurt his back in practice Sunday, and Darrell Armstrong, who injured his left foot in the shootaround Monday, did not play.

X-rays were negative for Armstrong and there is no timetable for his return. Coach Lawrence Frank said Kidd could be out for a few days.

"He had a back problem last year, so it's going to take some time,'' Frank said. "He's been to a chiropractor the past two days, so he's very stiff. Even if it was a regular season game, he couldn't play.''

Antoine Wright, who sprained his left ankle in the Nets' win in Philadelphia Friday, also did not play. Nenad Krstic is still rehabbing his left knee and did not suit up.

Davidson and Morrison keyed a 31-7 run that gave Charlotte a 10-point lead heading to the fourth quarter. The Nets got within four late, but no closer, with Wallace hitting 4 of 5 free throws late.

Carroll started in place of Jason Richardson, who missed his second straight game to be with his fiancee, who gave birth to a boy earlier Monday. Rookie Jared Dudley (sprained toe) also sat out.

Center Primoz Brezec, who reported to the team late last week after missing the first two weeks of practice to deal with a family matter, was in street clothes. Coach Sam Vincent said Brezec could play in weekend exhibition games in Los Angeles.

Rookie Sean Williams had four points and five rebounds, including a thunderous putback dunk in his Nets' debut. But Williams also committed four fouls in 13 minutes. He was benched from New Jersey's opening exhibition game after showing up late for the shootaround.

Nachbar, who scored 35 points in the Nets' first game, hit only 4 of 14 shots, but hit all 10 of his free throws.

source : NBA.com

Bulls' Deng Getting Time At Guard

Having 6-9 forward Luol Deng get some minutes at guard was in Bulls coach Scott Skiles' plans.

Just not this quickly.

But nagging injuries to shooting guards Ben Gordon (sprained left ankle) and Thabo Sefolosha (right hamstring) have sped up the experiment, with Deng spending stretches of the first two preseason games at the position.

Skiles suggested the transition was more difficult for the rest of the team than it was for Deng, the Bulls' starting small forward.

''Lu didn't do anything to hurt himself,'' Skiles said after practice Sunday. ''The other guys I don't know were cognizant that he was in the game at the two, which is a little bit scary because it's been twice already.

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source : suntimes.com

Suns Hoping Trio Works Way Into Rotation

The Suns aren’t counting on Sean Marks to play 27 minutes a night like he did in Saturday’s 111-106 preseason loss to New Orleans.

Read Jerry Brown's blog, Rim Shots

Marcus Banks isn’t likely to log 24 minutes often, and rookie D.J. Strawberry doesn’t figure to get 20.

But Phoenix coach Mike D’Antoni would like to have all three players on call for rotation minutes behind the Suns’ top seven regulars — all of whom he views as starter quality. But in order to do that, the reserves need to keep the tempo and the level of play high.

Marks had good numbers (14 points, seven rebounds and three assists) against the Hornets. He was on the floor when the Suns whittled a 20-point New Orleans lead to three over the final seven minutes of the first half.

Banks and Strawberry joined him in the fourth quarter when Phoenix wiped out a 10-point deficit and forged a two-point lead on a Banks 3-pointer with four minutes left.

But the trio was also on the floor when the Suns ran out of gas down the stretch, when Phoenix went scoreless over the final 2:35 and didn’t have a field goal over the final 3:10.

“Those are guys, some of those guys, who are going to be in our rotation but they need to play well to stay in the rotation,” D’Antoni said. “I thought Marcus did a good job and Marks had good spots. Sean shoots the ball well, but he has to get in better shape. He was laboring a little bit.”

“Overall I think we have to get in a little better shape. Our defense cost us the game.”

Marks will have more help in the post soon. Brian Skinner, back after missing a week with a knee bruise, should get more than the four minutes he played Saturday when the Suns host the Utah Jazz tonight. And Amaré Stoudemire is a week away from rejoining practice following arthroscopic knee surgery on Oct. 1.

He could be playing by Oct. 25, when the Suns close their preseason schedule with back-to-back games against Denver (in Phoenix) and Seattle (in Vancouver).

source : eastvalleytribune.com

Cassell Willing But Is He Able?

OAKLAND -- He'll blow 38 candles out on his birthday cake next month. He suffered through aches and pains all last season. He has won championships and has little left to prove in the NBA.

Still, Sam Cassell, the Clippers' enigmatic court leader, would like to announce he's back. And not only for this year either. Be it with the Clippers or another NBA franchise.

Cassell, beginning his 15th season, is in the final year of a two-year, $13-million contract. He played in only 58 games last season and became basketball's version of a pinch-hitter toward the end of it, informing Coach Mike Dunleavy whether he could play mere moments before tipoffs.

Take it away, Sam:

"It was tough last year," Cassell said. "You see some of the guys struggling and I know how to get all these guys their shots and how to get them to play at a higher level."

"But I feel a lot better this year. A little bruised in the knee. But my back is fine. My abdominal muscle is fine. Everything else is fine.

"I'm definitely coming back next year. I don't want to be a starter, though. Maybe come off the bench and play 20 or 25 minutes. If the Clippers would welcome me back, I would have no problems here."

Cassell has long envisioned coaching after his career ends and said he also wouldn't mind playing a final season for a franchise where an assistant's job would be waiting afterward.

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source : latimes.com

Former Heat Player Alec Kessler Dies

Former Heat forward Alec Kessler died Saturday of an apparent heart attack after he collapsed during a pickup basketball game.

Kessler was pronounced dead at Gulf Breeze Hospital in Pensacola, according to a release from the University of Georgia, where he starred in the late 1980s. He was 40.

Kessler played for the Heat from 1990 until 1994 and averaged 5.2 and 3.6 rebounds in 210 games. He was a member of the Heat's early 1990s teams that included Rony Seikaly, Grant Long, Glen Rice and current Heat assistant Keith Askins.

Kessler retired from the NBA shortly after his time with the Heat to attend medical school, and he had been working as an orthopedic surgeon. The Heat released a statement offering condolences over Kessler's ''sudden and untimely'' death.

''Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family,'' the team said.

Kessler is survived by his wife Rhea, and sons Nicholas and Christopher.

CLOSING THE GAP

Three consecutive preseason losses to Southeast Division rivals provided the Heat an idea of just how tough winning a fourth consecutive division title might be this season.

The Heat lost Wednesday to the Hawks, Friday to the Magic and Saturday to the Bobcats. All three made major offseason additions through the draft or free agency.

The Heat did not face Magic forward Rashard Lewis (ankle injury) or Bobcats guard Jason Richardson (excused for the birth of his child). But Heat forward Udonis Haslem said the upgrades were noticeable.

''It's not going to be a situation where in years past we kind of ran away with the division and everyone was chasing us,'' he said. ``It'll come down to the last few games.''

CONFIDENCE BOOST

First-round draft pick Daequan Cook said his confidence is growing with each preseason game. He led the Heat with 10 points in Saturday's loss to the Bobcats.

But Cook said he still has plenty of work to do to gain coach Pat Riley's trust and earn a spot in the rotation. Cook is a long shot among the candidates to fill in at shooting guard until Dwyane Wade returns from offseason knee and shoulder surgeries.

''Coach is giving me a lot of time and a lot of looks and I'm just trying to show what I can do,'' Cook said.

``It's intense for me right now because I want to show that I am capable of playing this season.''

source : miamiherald.com

Distractions Behind Him, Jefferson's Rready To Rock

Never did Richard Jefferson want or need to get away from basketball and New Jersey more than he did when last season ended.

And he almost was told not to come back.


Looking to upgrade, the Nets nearly sent Jefferson to Indiana -- who wanted to ship him elsewhere -- in a package for Jermaine O'Neal, or Charlotte in a three-team trade for Lamar Odom.

Jefferson understands the business and accepts it. The trade reports were nothing compared to the personal, professional and physical issues Jefferson endured during his sixth season as a Net.

His body was never right, and neither was his game, because of a right-ankle injury that he elected to have surgery on in January.

Some Nets felt Jefferson, who often has played hurt, could have kept playing on his ankle, which helped lead to a strain in the locker room.

Tabloid-like rumors and stories also floated about Jefferson. Then during the Cleveland playoff series, Jefferson lost his grandmother.

When the Cavs ousted the Nets, the small forward simply needed to get away.

"There were so many things on and off the court, personal and business, that I was ready to get over and done with," Jefferson said.

"This is such a funny game in the sense that people forget quickly what you normally do and what you consistently do and they only look at what you've been doing that season. There were so many distractions. It's good to have that part over and done with it.

"You understand you can't be in this position, in this area, making the kind of money on the type of team we're on without having people gossip about you or talk about you.

"It wasn't a matter of that. It was just one thing after another. So it was good to get to the summer, relax, get healthy again, start working out and get back to the part of the game you love so much."

When he left, though, it appeared Jefferson wouldn't be back.

Days after the season ended, assistant coach Ryan Krueger, a staunch Jefferson supporter and confidant, was fired. Then the trade talk started with Jefferson as the centerpiece.

But Jefferson focused on getting right. He rested the ankle and then, for the first time, went to Tim Grgurich's camp in Las Vegas to work on his game.

Jefferson returned to the Nets feeling better about himself, the team and looking to follow Jason Kidd's lead.

Last year, "He was as close to being traded as anybody could have been," Jefferson said. "What does he do? He comes out and has one of the best playoffs a point guard has ever had. Even though he was almost traded, he was still the ultimate professional. He was still out there competing at the highest level.

"How can I come out here and not give my all or worry about that stuff? You have to come out here and play basketball and enjoy it to the max."

The Nets have seen a difference. Bostjan Nachbar said Jefferson looks more "determined" and "motivated" than last year.

"I'm pretty sure he wanted to take some time away and think about some things," Nachbar said. "I'm happy to see him back here. Whatever he did in the summer helped."

Jefferson remains a big part of the Nets' plans. The change back to a motion offense was partly because of him. But Jefferson knows he still could be traded at any time.

If he is, Jefferson said he will have special memories for "being part of a group that really started a franchise."

source : northjersey.com

Thornton Leads Clippers Over Warriors

Team	1	2	3	4					Full Time
Clippers	22	36	23	18					99
Warriors	14	25	23	27					89

L.A. Clippers 99, Golden State 89

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 13 (AP) -- Al Thornton made his first eight shots, and scored 18 of his 24 points in the second quarter to help the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors 99-89 in an NBA preseason game Sunday night.

Corey Maggette added 18 points and 14 rebounds, Ruben Patterson had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Sam Cassell had 11 points in the Clippers' first win in three games.

Al Harrington scored 17 points to lead the Warriors, who lost for the first time in three games. Baron Davis added 14 points, and Troy Hudson had 15.

Thornton, the Clippers' first-round draft pick, played sparingly after playing over 30 minutes in each of the first two games. He combined with Patterson to score 26 of the Clippers' 36 second-quarter points. They were 12-of-15 over that span while the rest of the team was 3-of-7.

Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy drew a technical foul in the game's first 4 minutes, and center Chris Kaman was whistled for one late in the second quarter.

The Warriors shot 31 percent in the first half, including a 4-of-19 effort in the first quarter, while Los Angeles was 20-of-37 for 54 percent.

source : NBA.com

Jamison Leads Wizards Past 76ers

Team	1	2	3	4					Full Time
Wizards	31	10	25	20					86
76ers	25	14	21	20					80

Washington 86, Philadelphia 80

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 14 (AP) -- Antawn Jamison scored 17 points and Roger Mason added 11 to help the Washington Wizards to an 86-80 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in an NBA preseason game Sunday night.

Andre Iguodala and Louis Williams each had 13 points for Philadelphia, which missed 13 of 33 free throws in the game.

The Wizards never trailed until two free throws by Andre Miller gave the 76ers a 60-59 edge with 1:30 left in the third period.

Washington led 66-60 at the end of three quarters but went on a 7-2 run to start the fourth quarter to take a 73-62 advantage with 8:20 remaining on two free throws by Andray Blatche.

The 76ers rallied behind Williams to close to 77-75 with 3 minutes left, but a three-point play by rookie Nick Young ended the threat.

Philadelphia center Samuel Dalembert, recovering from a stress fracture in his left foot, missed his second straight game. Coach Maurice Cheeks said Dalembert will not travel to Utah for the 76ers' next game on Wednesday.

"We'll keep monitoring him, and if he's still sore after 10 days, then we'll be a lot more concerned,'' Cheeks said.

source : NBA.com

Doctor Lets Curry Return To Knicks Lineup

GREENBURGH, N.Y. - The Knicks considered themselves lucky when Eddy Curry was diagnosed with only a torn labrum in his right shoulder a week ago today. They got another pleasant surprise yesterday when their starting center was cleared to practice a week earlier than expected.

Curry was re-evaluated by the Knicks' orthopedist, Dr. Answorth Allen, who cleared him to resume contact drills today with a protective brace on the injured shoulder. Barring any setbacks, Curry said he plans to suit up Wednesday for a preseason game against the Celtics, and coach Isiah Thomas confirmed that Curry is expected back in the lineup.

"I'm back," Curry said after some light shooting and non-contact drills at the MSG Training Center. "Put that in bold print: 'I'm back.' "
Curry, who was injured when he banged into forward David Lee during training camp in Charleston, S.C., still has some hurdles to clear before the Knicks can completely exhale. Allen told Curry that his shoulder "should be back to normal, pretty much," with the caveat that he needs to remain injury-free for the next couple of weeks.

Curry will test out the brace, which serves as protective gear and also works the rotator cuff muscles during the normal basketball movement, for the first time today. Allen prescribed the brace for approximately two weeks, after which Curry either will switch to another brace or go brace-free.

"I'm very thrilled, because when I first got the MRI back, they told me, 'You've got a torn labrum and everybody responds differently,'" Curry said. "'This could be something that's minor, something that you get over real quick, or it could be a little longer.'"

Curry said the shoulder is pain-free but admitted feeling some instability in the joint when he widens his grip on bench-press exercises.

Thomas clearly was relieved by the news, but he didn't paint nearly as optimistic a picture with regard to backup center Jerome James. James continued to lumber around the practice court while gingerly attempting non-contact shooting drills, apparently with a severe case of knee tendinitis.

Asked if James might return Wednesday against the Celtics, Thomas couldn't hide a sarcastic grin when he responded, "I doubt that." Thomas quickly reiterated that James' injury is "legit" but refused to specify what is wrong.

"I don't know the medical terminology and all that stuff, but I know he hasn't been cleared by our doctors to get out on the floor and play," Thomas said. "It's a legit injury, and if it wasn't legit, my demeanor would be totally different."

source : newsday.com

Hayes Helps Pistons Edge Nuggets

Team	1	2	3	4					Full Time
Nuggets	20	34	25	27					106
Pistons	29	34	16	30					109

Detroit 109, Denver 106

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 14 (AP) -- Jarvis Hayes scored 24 points and Tayshaun Prince added 19 points to help the Detroit Pistons beat the Denver Nuggets 109-106 in a preseason game Sunday.

The Nuggets were missing most of their top players, including Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin and Nene.

Detroit had its full lineup, but guard Richard Hamilton left the game midway through the third quarter after spraining his left ankle while going for a rebound. Chauncey Billups added 16 points and Jason Maxiell had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Pistons.

Michigan native Anthony Roberson led the Nuggets with 20 points, while Bobby Jones scored 17 and Von Wafer added 16. Marcus Camby was the only Denver starter to reach double figures, finishing with 10 points and 16 rebounds.

Detroit led by as many as 13 in the first half, and had a 63-54 halftime advantage. Prince had 17 of his 19 in the first half.

Denver, though, rallied in the third quarter, tying the game at 74 on Camby's fast-break dunk with 3 minutes left. The game was deadlocked at 79 going into the fourth, and stayed close throughout the period. Roberson's jumper pulled Denver within 105-104 with 27.6 seconds left.

Maxiell made it 107-104 with two free throws, and Roberson missed a tying 3-pointer before rookie Rodney Stuckey clinched the game from the line.

source : NBA.com