- Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee: After starting his own conversation on culture in July before heading for Houston, Ron Artest weighed in the racial element of Howard's comments. 'I think Josh Howards comment is a reflection on education. I think the schools need to teach deeper in the history classes and make the students aware of racism but also teach them that all people are not bad. I can relate to not feeling wanted by my own country at times but as I dug deeper I realized that America is divided and we need leaders to bring America closer together. An example where I felt unwanted by my country was when I didn't get a chance to tryout for my national team. I believed it was because my history. I hope he overcomes this."
- Mike Wise of The Washington Post: "On crutches again, about to spend more time in physical therapy than he will in a gym, Gilbert Arenas actually doesn't comprehend the fuss and worry. ... It's not -- unless a three-time all-star, who made the post-Michael Jordan Wizards matter, hadn't somehow morphed into the most maddening and confounding issue surrounding Washington's pro basketball team. It's why the news made most fans collectively moan, 'Here we go again.' ... Bottom line, this is a minor surgical procedure. After all the drama, the feeling here is Arenas will return with much of the same explosiveness and again work his game and mesh with Caron Butler and his teammates. The idea that the player who lit up the arena and gave the District's hoopheads hope is now crippling its future simply because he's on crutches months after signing a $111 million deal and will be out for probably yet another month? It just goes to show what he meant to everyone in the first place."
- Chris McCosky of The Detroit News: "Both Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo raved about how different the atmosphere is around the practice facility. 'Our head coach believes in us 110 percent and he's going to give us the opportunity to showcase our talent,' Stuckey said. 'Things are different around the practice facility, a lot more upbeat. With Michael (Currry) around, there's just a whole different vibe. It's a lot of fun and we can't wait to get started. Afflalo put it this way: 'It's just about consistent behavior and having consistent habits all year long. If you build inconsistent habits in your intensity and the way you play the game and rely on your talent level to bail you out -- it can hurt you at the end. I know Coach Curry focuses on playing the game hard every day and when you do that you have no excuses at playoff time.'"
- John Reid of The Times-Picayune: "With the opening of training camp set for next Saturday, Hornets point guard Chris Paul admits he was unable to avoid a hectic offseason. From his participation on the U.S. Olympic basketball team to making sure his charity Winston-Salem Weekend events go forth without a hitch, Paul has been working non-stop since May 19 when the Hornets were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the playoffs. 'It's been my toughest summer because it's been the longest, including the playoffs and then going right into the Olympics,' Paul said Wednesday. ... Partly due to his extensive travel schedule, Paul said he had no clue about Hurricane Gustav approaching the Louisiana coast last month. Paul said he arrived in New Orleans only to evacuate the next day."
- Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News: "If there's any doubt about whether Derrick Rose is going to be a stud for the Chicago Bulls, all you have to do is listen to his college coach to understand that the future is huge for the rookie point guard. 'I told him, if you want to do what's right for you and your family, you should go (to the NBA),' said John Calipari. 'If you want to do what's right for me and my family, you should stay one more year.'"
- Keith Langlois for Pistons.com: "Dave Cowens said he got the same sense from Kwame Brown that I did when he spoke to reporters shortly after signing with the Pistons in late July -- that he feels at ease for perhaps the first time in his career after bearing the weight of expectation that comes with being the No. 1 overall pick, as Brown was in 2001. 'I get the sense he's happy to be here and just wants to help and doesn't feel like he's got a lot of pressure on him. He shouldn't feel that way, anyway. We play a game. He's got certain skills and you go out there and do what you do and have fun with it. He's been around long enough now that I think he understands that.'"
- Chris Dempsey of The Denver Post: "If you liked Eduardo Najera, chances are you are going to love Renaldo Balkman. The Nuggets' newest energy guy is described by J.R. Smith as being 'like Eddie, but more athletic.' And hairy. Balkman's trademark dreadlocks flow down his back. Balkman chatted with staff writer Chris Dempsey on Wednesday about being in Denver and loving patty melts. Q: So your nickname is 'Kool,' with a 'K.' Why? A: Because I'm cool."
- Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic: "The arena is now political rather than sporting. The cheap shots come in speeches rather than in the paint. His mission can only get half of his city behind him. Kevin Johnson is seven weeks away from a Sacramento mayoral runoff election with two-term incumbent Heather Fargo. Yet, on Tuesday, he was 5 miles west of the arena that used to give him unanimous support as a Suns star. Johnson flew into Phoenix solely to speak to seventh- and eighth-grade students at Alfred F. Garcia School and promote Phoenix Teaching Fellows, a first-year program that recruits and trains career changers and recent graduates to be teachers in the Murphy and Phoenix Elementary School Districts' high-need classrooms."
- Jody Genessy of the Deseret News: "Though the Jazz have not yet released a full roster for their five-day session, Gerry McNamara has accepted an invitation to train with them at their upcoming Boise-based camp, his agent confirmed Wednesday. ... Bill Neff, the guard's agent, said McNamara is excited to train with the Jazz, which he calls 'one of the five best teams in the league.' He knows, however, the Jazz's point-guard cupboard is already well stocked, with Deron Williams, Brevin Knight and Ronnie Price all under contract for 2008-09."
- Fran Blinebury of the Houston Chronicle: "Houston Rockets players and staff will join the Hurricane Ike relief effort by distributing food and toiletry items at the University of Houston's Point of Distribution (POD) site at Robertson Stadium on Thursday. Team owner Leslie Alexander and the Rockets organization, working with Feed the Children, have purchased three semi trucks loaded with pre-packaged, non-perishable food and essential toiletry supplies
that will be distributed to area residents."
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