- Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee: "'I understand what Yao said, but I'm still ghetto,' said Artest, who will earn $7.4 million next season and be a free agent next summer. 'That's not going to change. I'm never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don't think he's ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture. Once Yao Ming gets to know me, he'll understand what I'm about. If you go back to the brawl, that's a culture issue right there. Somebody was disrespecting me, so he's got to understand where I'm coming from. People that know me know that Ron Artest never changed.' Which might not be considered a healthy revelation for the Rockets."
- Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee (in this post, Artest is also quoted saying he has spoken to Yao and they are on the same page): "No one expects Tracy McGrady or Yao Ming to be the ones willing to stand up to Artest, but don't be surprised if Rafer Alston occasionally plays that role. Not only do Ron and Rafer go all the way back to their shared New York upbringing, but Alston was possibly the most outspoken critic among his colleagues after the 2004 brawl."
- Jay Mariotti of the Chicago Sun-Times: "'A lot can happen in the next two years,' Wade said a few days ago. The Bulls should interpret that as an invitation. With Rose on his rookie deal and Deng the only contracted player approaching a maximum level, Reinsdorf and general manager John Paxson should begin the complex process of clearing out cap space so they can pursue Wade in earnest."
- Monte Poole of the Contra Costa Times: "Moving Monta Ellis to the point, where ball-handling and passing are paramount, would expose weaknesses he has been able to hide. It would compromise his natural gifts. Disrupt his flow. Might even puncture his spirit. Aware of this but reluctant to admit it, Warriors honchos Chris Mullin and Don Nelson knew they were doomed without a true point guard. So they traded for Williams. Their least-publicized offseason acquisition is, on paper, the most essential."
- Scott Taylor of the Deseret News: "At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Utah Jazz will have its three brightest stars competing for their national teams -- quite an honor to have a quarter of its 12-member roster featured on the world's largest stage, but also a worry that an injury or extended wear and tear during the NBA's offseason could adversely impact the prospects of the franchise's upcoming season and the short- and long-term availability of its cornerstone players. It's one thing to welcome back to EnergySolutions Arena the likes of U.S. team members Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer or Russia standout Andrei Kirilenko sporting Summer Games medals. It's another to have them come back sporting crutches, a cast, a scar, a limp or a lingering ailment -- or simply just being worse for wear."
- Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer: "Need a new Facebook friend? How about LeBron James? The Cavaliers superstar has posted his official page on the popular social Web site."
- Geoffrey C. Arnold of The Oregonian: "According to Realgm.com, Unics Kazan, a team in the Russian Basketball Super League, has offered to pay Dan Dickau $4 million a season for two years. ... 'Sometimes, players get caught up in the, 'I'm an NBA player and I'm only going to play in the NBA,' ego thing,' said Dickau, who called the Realgm.com report an Internet rumor. 'If there's a situation that's better -- career-wise and financially -- you hope you could put your ego on the backburner and make the best decision.' Dickau's agent, Mark Bartlestein, said a number of NBA and European teams are interested in the point guard. 'There's some folks we've spoken to in Russia,' Bartlestein said. 'There are a number of high-level teams that are pursuing him.'"
- Bob Finnan of The News-Herald: "J.R. Bremer has joined the latest craze in professional basketball: Playing in Europe. Bremer, a Cleveland Heights native and former Cavaliers guard, has signed a two-year, $5 million deal with Moscow Dynamo Triumph."
- Eric Koreen of The National Post: "With the announcement that the Toronto Raptors will host CSKA Moscow on Oct. 14, Canada's lone franchise in the National Basketball Association will have played a team from overseas in five straight pre-seasons. But playing the best that Europe has to offer has not always been a fun proposition for the Raptors. In seven games, the Raptors have lost twice, including a landmark loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2005. And Moscow, the defending Euroleague champions, should provide Toronto a stiff test."
Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted
Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
TRUEHOOP CONTRIBUTORS
Henry AbbottTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
J.A. AdandeTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Kevin ArnovitzTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Chris BroussardTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Chad FordTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
John HollingerTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Chris SheridanTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
Marc SteinTrueHoop ESPN Archive |
