Thomas Asks Curry to Stop Being So Nice Thursday, October 26, 2006
Shaquille O'Neal, as he is wont to do, recently mused about potential heirs to his sizable throne. He named three: Orlando's Dwight Howard, Houston's Yao Ming and Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire.
"When age does its thing," O'Neal told The South Florida Sun-Sentinel, "one of them will become the new master."
Notably missing from the list of Shaq-sanctioned apprentices was the player once known as "Baby Shaq." Eddy Curry once wore that mantle, a tribute to his Shaq-like combination of brawn and athleticism. Physically, he remains the closest approximation of O'Neal in the N.B.A.
It is Curry's personality, it seems, that is denying him All-Star votes and a spot in Master O'Neal's elite school for ninja centers. And so it was that Tuesday night, in the third quarter of a Knicks exhibition game against the 76ers, Coach Isiah Thomas grabbed Curry and told him, essentially, to be more manly.
"He's a big man; he's a nice man," Thomas said. "But there needs to come a time when it's 'Don't play with Eddy.' We want him to really have a presence out on the floor." Thomas clarified that by "presence," he meant "his manliness."
At a glance, the 23-year-old Curry cuts an imposing figure: 6 feet 11 inches, 285 pounds, his bulging muscles outlined with tattoos. But the tattoos might as well be of bunnies and daisies.
There is no apparent snarl. Curry is unfailingly polite, good-humored and kind — all fine attributes. But Thomas would like Curry to leave the kindness for Sunday afternoon strolls in the park and bring a little malice to the basketball court.
Thomas said that Curry did not need to pummel anyone or break any rules, but that he had to adopt a posture that intimidated opponents.
"He's such a big man that he, like Shaq, is officiated differently," Thomas said. "Because they're so big, players get away with an extra pull and an extra hit and an extra push. And he's got to get to the point where he's not depending on the official to stop that guy from holding him and putting his hands on him. He's depending on himself to say, 'The next time you put your hands on me, I'm going to put my hands on you.' Then it stops."
There are times when Curry seems primed to dominate a game. He posts up deep, overpowers or zips past his defender and goes strong to the rim, scoring four or five baskets in short order. But those streaks often sputter when opponents start slapping and hacking, leaving Curry frustrated and the Knicks looking elsewhere to score.
So what Thomas wants — and what the Knicks badly need — is for Curry to find a little attitude, and mental toughness, to go with his considerable strength and skill set. This is a sermon that Curry, going into his sixth pro season, has heard many times. But the impromptu chat Tuesday night was a first since Thomas became his coach.
"He doesn't want anybody to feel like they can touch me out there," Curry said. "He wants them to feel like if they touch me, they're going to get hurt. I've got to find a way to portray that, legally, so I'm not drawing fouls."
Thomas said that O'Neal and Patrick Ewing also got pushed around as young players before developing an edge.
"There's a certain aura that big people eventually grow into," Thomas said. "It takes a while before they get it. You grow into that guy all of a sudden where everybody walks into the gym and they go, 'I don't think I want to mess with him.' "
Curry is shooting .707 from the field (29 for 41) and averaging 14.8 points in the preseason. He has been more aggressive on the post and quicker to drive the lane. But as often happened last season, his teammates sometimes forget about him. That rarely happens to O'Neal, who demands the ball and respect.
"We've got to do a better job of recognizing when we've got a big man hot," Thomas said.
Curry admitted that his mellow persona could be a detriment on the court. But he is working on it.
"It's tough, but I've just got to kind of develop two personalities," he said. "I've got to be able to go out there and be one person, and once the game is over I've got to be another person."
Asked how he might create that alter ego, Curry quipped, "I'm going to take some acting classes."
REBOUNDS
The Knicks fortified their frontcourt by signing center Kelvin Cato. A nine-year veteran, Cato split last season between Orlando and Detroit but played sparingly in both places and was not re-signed by the Pistons. Cato has a career average of 1.29 blocks a game and could fill the Knicks' need for a defensive-minded big man. Jerome James was expected to fill that role but has been sidelined all month because of plantar fasciitis. He is likely to miss the season opener Nov. 1. Cato said he had other offers but chose the Knicks in part because of his friendship with Steve Francis. The two spent six seasons as teammates, in Houston and Orlando. ... The Knicks exercised contract options on Channing Frye, David Lee and Nate Robinson, locking them up through the 2007-8 season. ... The Knicks waived their four training-camp invitees — Elton Brown, Paul Miller, Nikoloz Tskitishvili and Milone Clark.
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Sale of Sonics gets NBA's OK Wednesday, October 25, 2006
In a posh Manhattan hotel boardroom surrounded by former colleagues, a few friends and a once-cynical commissioner, Clay Bennett received a rousing ovation from NBA owners who unanimously approved his bid to purchase the Sonics and Storm and welcomed him back into their basketball fraternity.
"Clay was greeted by a round of applause, which is an unusual endorsement in a professional sports league," said commissioner David Stern.
Bennett declined to address arena issues and personnel matters until the $350 million sale becomes final on Oct. 31, when all funds have been transferred between his Professional Basketball Club [PBC] and The Basketball Club of Seattle.
After hearing the vote of overwhelming support from his peers, Bennett sent a text message to his wife Louise and business partners that read: "It's ours."
This isn't his first major purchase. He has bought and sold nearly $1 billion in real estate and built a fortune as an investment capitalist in Oklahoma City.
Even still, acquiring the basketball teams made him pause.
"It's just such a unique business in that there's so many facets," Bennett said. "It's the athletic experience, it's business, it's sales and marketing. It's running a company and relating with a community. All of that on a national platform, and at the end of the day, the NBA is really a global business.
"To be honest, I was concerned about all of the owners having an understanding of our objectives and just accepting us. Clearly the circumstances are unique."
The Times has learned that the PBC assumed $81 million in debt from the former ownership group and will settle the remainder of the $350 million balance with a cash payment of $250 million and $19 million borrowed from the NBA.
According to league documents, the PBC is an Oklahoma City-based consortium that consists of four primary owners, four minority owners and a total of 12 investors.
Bennett, the PBC chairman and controlling owner, joins Aubrey McClendon, Tom Ward and Jeffrey Records, who represents the family-controlled Huntington group, as the four with largest ownership stakes. Each paid $50 million for a 20 percent share. Records' investment is $27.1 million and the families of his sisters Kathryn Ryan and Martha Records each paid $11.45 million.
The minority ownership, which was added 10 days ago, includes William Cameron and Lynda Cameron, who paid $20 million for an 8 percent share. Everett Dobson and Bob Howard invested $10 million each (4 percent), as did husband/wife Domer ("Jay") and Janis Scaramucci.
Not only is Bennett the face of the ownership group, he also has executive decision-making power for basketball and non-basketball issues and serves as chairman for an initial five-year term.
He declined to speak specifically about the ownership structure except to say, "We're just all partners."
According to an NBA source, the league had deep concerns about the financial stability of the new ownership group when Edward Evans, a controlling member with a 20 percent stake, withdrew from it.
Evans had been the lead negotiator in the deal and sat on a podium next to Bennett, former Sonics chairman Howard Schultz and president Wally Walker when the agreement was announced July 18.
Efforts to reach Evans were unsuccessful.
"He advised me that he had another business opportunity that he wanted to pursue," Bennett said. "His contribution to the process was very important and he remains a friend to the group. The deal, as any deal does, evolved in a degree in terms of roles and at the end of the day, this is where we all agreed to be. It's all very positive."
Having been approved by NBA owners, Bennett is seeking approval from Sonics fans and state lawmakers, many of who believe he'll make good on threats to move the team to Oklahoma City unless he finds a suitable replacement for KeyArena.
"I have sort of a sense of optimism," Stern said. "Although Clay and his ownership are based in Oklahoma City, almost from the first day that Clay started looking at Seattle as an investment and as a purchase, he stressed to me the vibrancy of the Seattle market and the revenue streams that could be available there and its jumping-off status to Asia.
"I went from skeptic in a way to getting on line and saying, 'OK, I understand what you see here.' But of course, the larger investment that they're making is going to be dependent on a new building."
If Bennett moves the Sonics, he'll pay a relocation fee, and Stern said Seattle shouldn't expect another franchise unless the city builds an arena.
Bennett chose to remain silent on the arena discussion other than to say that he's committed to the area. He promised to unveil his arena plans within 30 days, but said, "We're more focused on it being done right than setting a date and putting something out there."
He declined to discuss possible negotiations with forward Rashard Lewis, eligible for a two-year, $25 million extension, guard Luke Ridnour, coach Bob Hill and Walker.
Bennett acknowledged that contract talks with Ridnour are at the top of his list because the Sonics must sign him to an extension by Oct. 31 or he becomes a restricted free agent in the offseason.
"We're working with the league and trying to accommodate a decision-making process which would allow us to respond and be involved in that decision," Bennett said.
Even though Bennett, 46, and Stern share a 20-plus year friendship, the new Sonics owner doesn't expect any preferential treatment.
"Clay did call me to say he was about to purchase the Sonics and I said smarter people have done dumber things," Stern joked. "I think that was my quote. I said, 'OK, you're on your own here.' But I couldn't have been happier. I said that's great. When Hurricane Katrina hit, I reached out to two people in Oklahoma City. One was the mayor, the other one was Clay."
Bennett's wife's family, the Gaylords, owned a minority stake in the San Antonio Spurs, and Bennett served on the Board of Governors from 1992-97 as a representative of the Spurs.
During that time, Bennett nurtured friendships with Sacramento owners Joe and Gavin Maloof, Phoenix CEO Jerry Colangelo and Peter Holt, who purchased the Gaylord family's interest in the Spurs.
"Being in that room, surrounded by all of them, it's energizing," Bennett said. "All are very successful, diverse in their fields of work and in their personal experiences, certainly geographically, and with varied levels of experience in the league.
"Some have been in it a long, long time, and some are new. It was an energizing platform, and I feel a part of a sense of wanting to rise to the occasion and wanting to be a contributing member to that. Certainly I'm going to be thoughtful and slow in how I emerge into that group."
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Stun your Defender with this Half Crossover move
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Bulls' go-go-go-go-getter Tuesday, October 24, 2006
During their shared rookie seasons, Ben Gordon once spent a light-hearted moment wondering what the naturally caffeinated Andres Nocioni would be like on the energy drink Red Bull.
"He'd probably run through the backboard," Gordon said during the 2004-05 season.
Though no scientific study can prove it, Gordon's guess can't be far off. At least according to testimony from Spurs center Fabricio Oberto, who has known Nocioni for more than 10 years.
"If you think he has energy now, you should've seen him before," Oberto said, laughing. "He was running, trying to dunk over everybody. He was way more wild before. We used to have to tell him to slow down because he had so much energy. We thought he would run through the wall."
Whether he's playing for the Argentine national team, in the NBA or in a pickup game, Nocioni knows only one speed and one style. That's why his trademark intensity doesn't need to be fueled by sugar or caffeine.
But even without the aid of Red Bull, Nocioni's style has spread the impact of a red Bulls uniform, especially in the shared homeland of Nocioni, Oberto and fellow Spur Manu Ginobili.
"Before, everybody followed the Spurs," Oberto said. "Now they've started following the Bulls because of 'Chapu.' In the playoffs, people were cheering for him and cheering for the Bulls. It was really important in Argentina."
Julian Mozo, who writes for the Argentine sports daily Ole, also has followed this transformation for the man nicknamed Chapu, after a Mexican cartoon character.
"He jumped in popularity because of his great season with the Bulls and also because he played very well in Japan [at the world championships]," Mozo said via e-mail. "Manu is more of a star, but Chapu is also loved here because of his guts, his aggressive style.
"Every Argentine wants to be like Chapu. Here, as in every country, talent is important. But Argentina is special because maybe it's more important to play with heart, risking your body if necessary. Chapu is special in this matter."
Nocioni's ascension even in his homeland is yet another byproduct of the comfort level he has reached entering his third season in Chicago. No longer struggling to learn the language or make travel plans for his family, Nocioni is picking up where he left off last postseason.
That's when he centered himself more squarely in the national spotlight after a dominant playoff series against Miami in which he averaged 22.3 points and 8.8 rebounds.
"We all knew what kind of competitor he was and his attitude for the game," Ginobili said. "I didn't have any doubts he would be an important player in the NBA. But now he has adapted to the league.
"He was already a great player. But his rookie year here, he didn't speak a word of English. He didn't know what the coaches wanted or how the league worked. It takes time."
Ginobili is the unquestioned star of the Argentine national team, which won a shocking gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics and came within a Nocioni missed three-pointer of making the world basketball championship final. But his national teammates have long known what the NBA is starting to see with more consistency.
"He's a really important guy for our group and for any group," Oberto said. "He's always positive. Every possession, every second, he gives himself completely. This is the way to play. His desire to win is so great that he can give that sort of energy to other guys."
Nocioni, 26, reacts to such compliments with a look of almost absolute disgust. Then he waves his hand, as if to brush them away. Always his own hardest critic, Nocioni acts like he's still the naïve player who first arrived for 2004 training camp with a translator.
But in a quieter moment, Nocioni lets his guard down. He admits having his wife and almost-2-year-old son living with him in America has calmed him. He admits his ability to understand and speak the language more efficiently has helped him.
"I am just more comfortable here now," Nocioni said. "It's much better for me."
Ginobili talks of a more mature Nocioni, although Bulls teammates who insist he's one of the goofier players behind the scenes might disagree. But for any changes Nocioni might've undergone off the court, his on-the-court demeanor is status quo.
Embarrassed by his 40.1 percent shooting in his rookie season, Nocioni changed his footwork and raised it to 46.1 percent last season. This summer, Nocioni saved a photo of himself missing a wide-open three-pointer in Argentina's semifinal loss to Spain to serve as motivation.
"I need to keep my head in the game," he said. "I always can get better. This I know. I want to improve because I want to win for the Chicago Bulls. I won't stop trying until we do."
posted by Brandon Schenz @ 9:51 AM,
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3 Essential Ingredients to Perfect Passing Monday, October 23, 2006
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posted by Brandon Schenz @ 9:35 AM,
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Jeffries out 6-to-8 weeks Wednesday, October 18, 2006
The prognosis for Jared Jeffries is as bad as Isiah Thomas feared, and the short-term forecast for the Knicks doesn't sound much better.
Jeffries, who signed a five-year, $30 million contract in August, will be out six to eight weeks with a non-displaced left wrist fracture, the Knicks announced yesterday. A team official called Jeffries' timetable conservative, but even if the fifth-year pro returns in early December, he will miss at least one-quarter of the season.
"It's definitely a setback, but we can't let that be an excuse," Knicks president and coach Isiah Thomas said before last night's 116-108 win over the Celtics. "When he comes back and is ready to play, then we'll try to plug him in as quickly as we can. But right now our job is to improve and get ourselves ready to play in an unmerciful league."
Jeffries, who spent the first four years of his career in Washington, was projected to be a key part of Thomas' plan this season. The Knicks wanted to start the 6-10 Jeffries at small forward and use him as a defensive stopper against some of the league's elite swingmen. In November, the Knicks will twice face Tracy McGrady, Paul Pierce and LeBron James and will also see Kevin Garnett and Carmelo Anthony.
"It's frustrating, but it could have been worse," Jeffries said. "It's not the end of the world."
Jeffries suffered the injury to his non-shooting hand during the first half of Friday's game against the Nets but didn't have an MRI until Sunday. The following day he visited a hand specialist who informed Jeffries that while surgery would not be required, he may need two months to heal.
"I think it's very conservative, but we'll see," he said. "That's their opinion and I respect that, but I'm going to do my best to get back."
Thomas has several options to replace Jeffries since the Knicks have an abundance of small forwards. Jalen Rose, who as recently as last week didn't have a role on the team, started last night against Boston but only because Pierce didn't play. Had Pierce dressed, Thomas was prepared to start Quentin Richardson, who was one of the Knicks' best defensive players last season. The Knicks tried desperately to trade Richardson during the off-season.
Thomas admitted that there "may not be a lot of run left in (Rose's) body" and hinted that he would likely come off the bench because he is not a strong defensive player.
"He's respected out on the floor for his offensive game," Thomas said. "On the other end, he will have some deficiencies, but my job as a coach and the players' job as teammates is to kind of help him in those areas he's deficient at."
Thomas said that first-round pick Renaldo Balkman is under consideration, but it's more likely that second-year forward David Lee will get a chance to crack the starting lineup. Lee started several games last season at small forward and is similar to Jeffries in that he thinks defense first and doesn't need plays run for him.
Notebook
ALLAN APPROVES: Allan Houston attended yesterday's practice and revealed that Jeffries called him over the summer to inform him of his desire to wear No. 20....Jamal Crawford scored 22 points and Eddy Curry added 19 as the Knicks improved to 3-0 in the preseason.
posted by Brandon Schenz @ 6:42 AM,
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House Undergoes Successful Arthroscopic Surgery Tuesday, October 17, 2006
New Jersey Nets guard Eddie House underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on Monday, October 16, to remove torn lateral meniscus from his left knee, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today. The surgery was performed by Dr. David Altchek and Dr. Riley Williams III at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.
House, acquired by the Nets as a free agent on August 17, 2006, will begin rehabilitation immediately. There is no timetable for his return.
House, a 6-1 guard out of Arizona State, averaged a career high 9.8 points for Phoenix during the 2005-06 season to go along with 1.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists on .422 (320-759) from the field and .389 (123-316) from three in 81 contests. A six-year NBA veteran, House holds career averages of 7.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 378 contests.
The former second round pick (37th overall) of the Miami Heat in the 2000 NBA Draft has played for six separate teams during his NBA career including Miami, L.A. Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns.
posted by Brandon Schenz @ 5:49 AM,
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NBA Fantasy Tip Monday, October 16, 2006
When you head into your draft, you have two lists. One is your targets. These are easy. Which group of players are you targeting at each position? Quite possibly the most important list, however, is your sleepers. These are the players you are looking to take later than they should go for whatever reason. Here is a list of sleepers, catered to different sized leagues. Let's have at it...
Light Nap
Players you should know about by now, but will last too long in your draft:
Deep Sleep
Players you may know about, but who are ready for a break-out season
- Marvin Williams, F - ATL
- Darko Milicic, FC - ORL
- Andre Iguodala, GF - PHI
- Brandon Roy, G - POR
- Troy Murphy, PF - GSW
- Charlie Villanueva, F - MIL
- Chris Wilcox, FC - SEA
- Channing Frye, FC - NYK
- Deron Williams, PG - UTA
- Randy Foye, G-MIN
Coma
Players you may only draft late or in deep leagues
- Mike Dunleavy, SF - GSW
- Kwame Brown, FC - LAL
- Nene, FC - DEN
- Nazr Mohammed, C - DET
- Rudy Gay, F - MEM
- Martell Webster, GF - POR
- Shaun Livingston, PG - LAC
- Devin Harris, PG - DAL
- J.R. Smith, SG - DEN
- Mickael Pietrus, GF - GSW
- Antonio McDyess, PF - NKY
- Shelden Williams, F - ATL
- Rajon Rondo, G - BOS
- Anthony Parker, SG - TOR
- Anderson Varejao, FC - CLE
- Jarrett Jack, PG - POR
posted by Brandon Schenz @ 8:24 PM,
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Marcus Camby and the Denver Nuggets Friday, October 13, 2006
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NBA TV followed Marcus Camby and the Denver Nuggets through Real Training Camp on Thursday. Click here to check out the
Training Camp Gallery from Denver. Today, catch Real Training Camp: Blazers Live from Portland at 1:00 pm ET on NBA TV.
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NBA Live '07 Now Available Thursday, October 12, 2006
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Livingston Is Key to a Big Season
SANTA BARBARA — This could be the beginning of another significant step for the Clippers and Shaun Livingston.
The team made strides last season, enjoying the best season in franchise history, and the 6-foot-7 Livingston played a key role in his second year in the NBA. The Clippers look to Livingston to do more with the stakes even higher, and he said he likes their thinking.
"It's going to be a big year for the team, that's the most important thing, but I want it to be a big contribution year from me," Livingston said after practice Wednesday at Santa Barbara City College.
"My mentality about the game, what I expect from myself, is just different than what it used to be. I've learned a lot and just know what to expect."
It was high expectations that prompted the Clippers to select Livingston out of high school with the fourth pick in the 2004 draft.
The Clippers envisioned Livingston becoming an All-Star point guard because of his passing, court vision and instincts, and he showed positive signs in his rookie season, but was sidelined for 52 games because of knee and shoulder injuries.
Last season, Livingston sat out training camp and 21 games because of a stress reaction in his lower back. He appeared timid on his return, prompting Coach Mike Dunleavy to encourage Livingston to get his head together.
By the end of the regular season, Livingston was comfortable again and "doing all the things we were counting on him to do," Dunleavy said. "He also defends, and that's always going to earn you minutes, so he's definitely a big part of this team."
In an effort to play a full 82-game schedule this season, Livingston has added muscle, saying he weighs "around 200 pounds" after playing at about 190 last season. He also worked on his jumper throughout the summer.
"Just actually starting the season off, being healthy in training camp, is big for me," he said.
Point guard Sam Cassell signed a two-year contract extension in the off-season and is still listed as a starter, but Livingston could move ahead of Cassell this season.
"He's going to be the guy taking the torch, so it's very important for him to be healthy," swingman Corey Maggette said of Livingston. "It's up to Coach Dunleavy when the torch will be passed officially, but everyone knows this team needs Shaun."
Work could begin Nov. 1 on the team's proposed state-of-the-art Westside practice facility and be completed in time for next season's training camp, Dunleavy said.
"I kind of feel like you could get a pyramid built before we get this practice facility done," Dunleavy said. "The longer we don't have that practice facility the more it hurts our team."
Cassell (strained left calf) and Tim Thomas (sore lower back) sat out practice for the second consecutive day.
posted by Brandon Schenz @ 1:49 PM,
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3 Steps to a Killer Crossover Wednesday, October 11, 2006
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posted by Brandon Schenz @ 6:16 AM,
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Your 3 Responsibilities as Pass Receiver Wednesday, October 04, 2006
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