News From Around The World: September 25

09/25/12

Written by: DHawes22

September 25

Trail Blazers TV: September 24 Trail Blazers Courtside

Blazersedge: Freeman: Blazers Coach Terry Stotts Sets Pre-Camp Starting Lineup
"Stotts says the Blazers starting lineup entering camp will be: Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, [LaMarcus Aldridge] and J.J. Hickson."

Blazersedge: Transcript: Blazers G Nolan Smith Interviewed On Courtside
"I actually feel comfortable at both right now. I've been playing the one in pickup games against [Lillard], coming off screens, making plays for myself and for my teammates. At the same time, I know when I get on that wing alongside of him that's when I'm even freer, I get to run the court and think about putting that ball through the hole. Wherever [the coaches] feel like I can help the team best is where I'm going to feel comfortable."

Trail Blazers: Aldridge: Lillard Is A 'Must Watch'
"Needless to say, if expectations weren't high enough for the rookie out of Weber State, they are out of this stratosphere right now. But he'll have his shot right out of the gate to live up to the hype as the Trail Blazers take on the Lakers, Thunder, Rockets, Clippers, and Spurs in an 11-day span to kick off the season. What that means for Dame is head-to-head matchups against Steve Nash, Russell Westbrook, Jeremy Lin, Chris Paul, and Tony Parker. That's only two Most Valuable Player awards and 19 total combined All-Star appearances between the group. No big deal. Talk about jumping into the deep end, feet first. But if any rookie is ready to take on the gantlet, it's Lillard. And like the media, Rip City can't wait to see what's in store. "

Trail Blazers: Will-osophy: 'That's MY House'
"It's just how you put things in perspective. Ever since I was young, I wanted to provide for my family, for myself. Being able to do things for my mom and my family, that's a wonderful feeling. Those are the things that drive me, give me motivation to work on my game and work extra hard to be as good as I can be, because I know how it feels to be that kid that doesn't have anything or no one thinks you're that good."

Trail Blazers: Nicolas Batum Sees Something Else
"What I'm mad about is what I showed to people about myself, what I showed about the game, about France, everything," said Batum. "I feel bad about it because that's not me. I'm human. I lost it. I just lost it. You don't want this type of action. I can't do it. You can't see that on the court. If the (International Basketball) Federation or the Olympics want to suspend me a couple games or fine me, I'm okay with that. I won't say anything."

Rip City Project: Can The Portland Trail Blazers Escape the Northwest?
"That leaves the Portland Trail Blazers seemingly at the bottom of the totem pole in the Northwest. A team that’s starting two rookies, and likely featuring a third with Elliot Williams’ oh-so unfortunate injury, the Blazers look light years away from playoff, let alone championship contention in the foreseeable future. Damian Lillard looks promising, Meyers Leonard is clearly a project and Will Barton could very well be a steal in the draft, but the team’s inability to pick up free agents this off-season has put them in quite the predicament going forward. Yes, Roy Hibbert would’ve been nice, and yes they grossly overpaid to match the T’Wolves’ offer sheet on Nic Batum, but there were still avenues they could’ve explored to plug holes in the roster until a permanent solution appeared."

Blazersedge: WATCH: Adam Morrison Tears It Up At 2012 Las Vegas Summer League
"Here are some 2012 Las Vegas Summer League highlights of Portland Trail Blazers camp invite Adam Morrison playing for the Los Angeles Clippers against the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers."

Ball Don't Lie: Seattle City Council votes in favor of new arena deal
"Plus, Seattle can't get an NBA team until one becomes available. Expansion seems unlikely, and finding a preexisting team willing to move, such as the Sacramento Kings, introduces a host of ethical questions related to the city's own loss of the Sonics. After that experience, could the city really do the same to another NBA town that identifies strongly with its team? And if they would, what does that say about the worthiness of the cause?"

Ball Don't Lie: Bad team branding update: The Magic and Bobcats have hot new slogans
"Like the Magic's new identifier, the Bobcats' slogan points toward the future — they even make a point in their release of noting that the words are italicized, because they're pointed forward, get it? — but it also makes an important connection to the past. "Tougher than last year. Faster than last year. Stronger than last year." We're going to be better than last year, because oh, man, that was the worst — we know you hated going through that, fans, and believe me, we hated going through it, too."

Ball Don't Lie: Jose Calderon is making the best of his uneasy status with the Raptors … again
"As we talked about two and a half months ago, Marc Stein of ESPN reported that Calderon and his representatives didn't exactly demand a trade to any available team earlier in the offseason. Rather, they hoped the team would deal Calderon to a squad that had enough cap space to take him on, and also the amnesty clause still available to use on Jose; kind of limiting Toronto's options to Dallas and possibly Charlotte (who once traded for Jose, before medical issues got in the way). This deal would allow Calderon to pick his next NBA team (or head into international waters) while still making $10.6 million US during 2012-13 regardless of where he ended up."

Ball Don't Lie: Stephen Jackson tells NYC radio hosts he doesn’t work out in the summer, thinks most NBA rappers are wack and *much* more (VIDEO)
"I been doing it so long, so when I go to training camp, I take those three weeks to get in shape," Jackson told Yee. "I really don't do too much to my body, so ..."... so only touching a basketball once over the span of four months really isn't that big a deal. Got it. (That sound you just heard was Spurs coach Gregg Popovich grinding down another set of teeth. That's OK, though; he has five rows behind the front one, ready to rotate forward as needed for predation.)"

The Basketball Jones: Video: Dirk Nowitkzi on outer space
"Sure, the upshot of this whole thing is that the Mavericks are sending a Dirk Nowitzki bobblehead in to the very nearest reaches of outer space with a camera — which is a pretty chill idea, by the way — but the important thing is that you get to listen to Dirk Nowitzki describe outer space and that is basically why the internet exists. He’s our generation’s Carl Sagan, just with better hair."

The Basketball Jones: Snoop Dogg thanks David Stern for the Lakers getting Dwight Howard
"Yeah, maybe it cost the Lakers a season of Kobe Bryant’s prime, suffering through having to play with two jerks who are only in the top five at their positions instead of just one of them alongside a top five player in the league, but I think they’ll agree that this whole situation worked out just fine, as it tends to for the Lakers. Even when things don’t work out for the Lakers, they still work out for the Lakers. If Snoop Dogg can see through the haze to realize that’s the case, it must be true."

The Basketball Jones: Chris Paul loves shooting layups
"All he really needs, and I think this is actually completely honest, is to be able to play basketball. A guy like Chris Paul is wired in a way that taking basketball away from him, even if it’s just for a month, is the same as cutting his legs off and forcing him to watch an endless Adam Sandler marathon made up of only movies he’s made in the past five years. Getting that wrist brace off and being allowed to get some shots up is like getting a pair of metal legs and turning off the DVD player, except on his arms and something that is a better analogy than this."

DIME: The Top 10 Ballhandlers Since 2000
"Nash was a master of running pick-n-rolls, so good at reading the defense and knowing exactly when he should dish it off or keep it himself. Phoenix nearly won a championship with an offense that completely revolved around Nash’s instincts. His handle made Amar’e Stoudemire. It revived Tim Thomas. It discovered Raja Bell and Leandro Barbosa. Stockton was the first to introduce America to the pick-n-roll, but Nash supercharged it."

DIME: DeMarcus Cousins Is Following The Andrew Bynum Blueprint
"Yet because the Kings traded for new people to build around Cousins – namely, firing head coach Paul Westphal (51-120 in two seasons), hiring Keith Smart, and bringing in point guard Aaron Brooks – suggests management is hoping (albeit by their last thread) Cousins can become their franchise player, seeing his development more as a priority than a problem."

DIME: Doin’ It NFL-Style: The Top 10 Worst Calls In Basketball History
"Crawford will make yet another appearance here — one even more blatantly wrong, if you can believe it — but this phantom foul on Marcus Camby 12 feet from Steve Nash in the 2010 NBA Playoffs deserves its own meditation. There’s a minuscule chance that Crawford is actually our first artist-referee and, like Picasso, sees possibilities where no one else does. It’s more likely, however, that he blew the whistle out of instinct and couldn’t own up that he whistled inadvertently."

SLAM Via CSNNE: Jason Terry Plans To Destroy Lakers, Heat
"His value becomes even greater when you consider Bradley (shoulders) is expected to miss the first couple months of the season, in addition to Ray Allen opting to sign with the Miami Heat instead of returning to Boston. Terry isn’t putting much thought into who he is replacing, or the team he left behind in Dallas. “Another opportunity to win a championship, that’s what it’s all about,” Terry said. “There’s no other motive but to go out and win, and win it all.”

SLAM via Journal-Sentinel: Milwaukee Bucks Signed Marquis Daniels
“The Bucks confirmed Tuesday they have come to terms with veteran guard Marquis Daniels to fill the 15th and final spot on the roster. [...] ‘The signing of Marquis gives us another veteran presence on our team,’ said Bucks general manager John Hammond. ‘Marquis has nine years of NBA experience and has been part of winning organizations. He can defend multiple positions and is a reliable offensive player.’"

ESPN: Denver Nuggets: 2012-13 roster
"Offensively, Iguodala is a true point forward -- for the second year in a row, he had the best pure point rating among non-point guards, and his 6.1 assists per 40 minutes led the team. His defense helped here as well, as often he'd make the steal or rebound that ignited a break and then threw the pass that completed it."

Sporting News: Rasheed Wallace will sign with Knicks if he wants to, agent says
"Wallace, 38, last played with the Boston Celtics in the 2009-10 season. A four-time All-Star, he played 15 NBA seasons, averaging 14.6 points and 6.7 rebounds. The height of Wallace’s career came with the Portland Trail Blazers and Detroit Pistons; he won his lone NBA title with Detroit in 2004—Woodson, perhaps not coincidentally, was an assistant on that staff. "

ESPN Boston: Late December return for Bradley?
"Honestly, at this point I am used to Russell Westbrook looking like this and have maybe even been brainwashed a little in to liking his outfits. Well, not that black shirt with a jellyfish or whatever that is that’s on the far right, but everything else is fine. For him, at least. I guess this what Westbrook is going to look like for a little bit, so we might as well embrace it. And even though he got called some pretty horrible things, he looks like he’s having fun, so that’s nice."

The Basketball Jones: Brad Miller and Jared Jeffries killed an alligator
"Not even close,'' Rivers told ESPNBoston.com. "I don't like to put a time limit on injuries, but I don't think you'll see him before December -- and there's a chance it could be closer to January.''

ESPN LA: Steve Blake out after puncturing foot
"The backup point guard is entering his third season with the team, but hasn't performed to expectations upon being signed. Last season, Blake averaged 5.2 ppg, 3.3 assists and 33.5 percent from 3-point range in just over 23 minutes per game. He also missed 13 games with a rib injury. His production, however, did pick up a bit during the playoffs, highlighted by a 19 point performance in the decisive Game 7 of the opening round series against the Denver Nuggets. "

Sports Illustrated: Storylines to watch in 2012-13
"Of course I'm looking forward to seeing top-three picks Anthony Davis (New Orleans), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Charlotte) and Bradley Beal (Washington), but the real intrigue starts at No. 4: Dion Waiters. The Cavaliers surprisingly selected the high-scoring Syracuse reserve, who just weeks earlier was pegged as a mid-to-late first-round pick by most evaluators. Then he showed up slightly overweight for Las Vegas summer league in July, offering mostly underwhelming performances in three games while not being able to play with new teammate Kyrie Irving. The top pick in the 2011 draft broke his hand at a Cavaliers practice in mid-July but is expected to be ready for training camp."

Sports Illustrated: A poignant moment for a humble superstar; more news and notes
"At an event to launch his Adidas shoe and clothing line, the former MVP showed the kind of humanity and humility that even the most disenchanted of sports fans would have to find endearing. Rose, who isn't expected to return from his May 12 ACL surgery until late this season, broke down in tears after a video of his long rehabilitation process was shown to the attending crowd. Adidas vice president Lawrence Norman had handed Rose the floor during the presentation, and the words were supposed to keep flowing. Instead, Rose sat silent -- wiping his eyes, staring at the floor -- for nearly 30 seconds before sharing the root of all this unfiltered emotion."

Sports Illustrated: Suns' Frye out with enlarged heart
"Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle, primarily affecting the left ventricle, which becomes enlarged and can't pump blood to the body with as much force as a healthy heart, according to mayoclinc.com."

Trail Blazers: Weekend Plan: Specially Designed For Families And The Busy Nine-To-Fiver
"Built for the family-oriented fan with a busy work-week, the 12-game Weekend Pack maximizes the thrill-factor while keeping the competitions to Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A smattering of Western Conference rivals and Eastern Conference visitors during one-offs and key home stands, you can get your hands on this schedule-friendly pack for as low as $11/game and $52/game in the lower bowl."

Trail Blazers: The Rivals Plan: Two LAs, Oklahoma City And The Return Of Roy
"The smallest of the four big ticket plans, the eight game Rivals Pack packs a big punch. You’ll be in the building and eating a corndog while others are wondering how to get their hands on a way to see the return of Brandon Roy and the sure to sell out L.A. Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder."

Trail Blazers: Why The Value Plan Makes 'Cents' For You
"The Value Pack starts at just $5 a game. That’s 12 games for as low as $60! Talk about some serious bang for your buck. But that’s not even the best part about this ticket plan. Four of the 12 games take place in the month of January. And there is absolutely no better place to be during an Oregon winter’s night than inside the raucous Rose Garden. Not to mention this pack gets you into the arena to see some of the league’s biggest names and brightest young stars such as Dwight Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, Kyrie Irving, John Wall, and Rudy Gay."

Trail Blazers: Big Games Plan: 12 Of The Biggest Games
"This game has it all. Season opener, at home, against the loathe-inducing Lakers, in Steve Nash's first game in purple and gold and it's on Halloween night! Any game against the Lakers at the Rose Garden is going to be a lively one, but the confluence of circumstances in this particular game sets the stage for one of the all-time season openers in Trail Blazers history."