- Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press: "Timberwolves President David Kahn has made a second trip to Spain to try to learn more about what it will take to get Ricky Rubio, the team's No. 1 draft pick, to Minnesota. It's still unclear whether the 18-year-old point guard could get out of his DKV Joventut Barcelona team's contract, which includes a $6.6 million buyout, in time for Wolves training camp in October. But the Wolves, as the Vikings did this week with quarterback Brett Favre, would allow Rubio to come to training camp late. That's because Rubio has started practicing with the Spanish national team and would be in shape. It's expected to be several more weeks before the Wolves learn whether they will have Rubio for the coming season. But Rubio has indicated to Kahn that he's willing to come to Minnesota if the buyout issue can be resolved. Right now, the issue is money. On his most recent trip to Barcelona, Kahn met with DKV Joventut management and set up a communication line between Rubio and new Wolves coach Kurt Rambis."
- Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel: "The first game is still more than two months away and already the Orlando Magic are playing the disrespect card. During a news conference to introduce newly acquired point guard Jason Williams Thursday, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, try as he might, just couldn't help himself when a reporter asked about the Magic already being dissed in the national media. 'For a team that went to the Finals, we really haven't gotten the respect teams normally do,' Van Gundy said. 'Based upon what we did last year, I think our players do feel a little underappreciated and under respected.' Van Gundy pointed to a perceived slight by ABC, which usually puts the two Finals teams from the year before in the prime 3 p.m. slot on Christmas day. This year, it'll be the Los Angeles and Cleveland in the prime slot while the Magic play the Celtics in the prelim game."
- Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel: "Carlos Delfino clearly was relieved to be back in the NBA, after being released last week from a multiyear contract he signed with Khimki prior to last season. The global financial downturn had a profound impact on a number of teams in the Russian-A Superleague, making it difficult for them to meet their financial obligations. 'When I signed the contract, it was a great situation for me,' Delfino said. 'I could play on the (Argentine) national team and play in the Olympics, and it paid off with a bronze medal. But after the long season and all the problems, I was a little disappointed about it.' ... He expects to have an opportunity for significant playing time, with the Bucks seeking to fill the small forward spot so ably handled by veteran Richard Jefferson a year ago."
- Steve Luhm of The Salt Lake Tribune: "After discussing why he likes Kevin O'Connor's job performance, Greg Miller talked at length about reading 'trade stories' that appear in the web edition of the paper and the comments that other readers/Jazz fans post underneath them. His usual reaction? With all due respect, they should leave the wheeling and dealing to O'Connor because that's his business. 'In my opinion, the [comments] I've read -- about 85 or 90 percent of them -- are about things that people know nothing about,' Miller said. 'There are a handful of things that makes sense -- some suggestions that are even doable. But most of them are completely ridiculous. The thing that I've learned reading those things is that anybody can have an opinion but, when it comes to actually executing it, they don't know how difficult that is. And that's what Kevin does -- day in and day out.' Miller noted that just because trades aren't finalized doesn't mean O'Connor hasn't been working."
- Martin Frank of The News Journal: "Well, we don't know the answer to that question. But we do know that Jameer Nelson can hit as he hit a home run Thursday while he and many of his Orlando Magic took batting practice before the Phillies' game. Nelson, a native of Chester, Pa., has invited his teammates up to his hometown in each of the past four summers so they can spend some time together, work out a little and enjoy themselves. On Thursday, that meant spending time at the Phillies game. Dwight Howard, by the way, didn't make the trip. But Vince Carter did, so did Rashard Lewis, and so did former Sixer Matt Barnes, who hit some shots that bounced to the fence. Mostly, they talked to some of the Phillies' players, such as Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins. The Magic, of course, knocked out the Sixers in the first round of the playoffs last April. The Magic made it all the way to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Lakers. The Sixers open their season in Orlando against the Magic."
- Pat Disabato of the Southtown Star: "It may be disputed whether our own Dwyane Wade, at the ripe old age of 27, deserves inclusion on the list of the NBA's all-time greatest players. What cannot be debated is his standing in Southland lore. D-Wade is the Greatest Athlete in Southland history. Quite a statement, for sure, considering the decorated athletes the region has produced through the years. What separates Wade from the competition is this: He has dominated while the NBA's talent level has never been deeper or more diverse. Unlike Thornton graduate Lou Boudreau, whose baseball career occurred primarily against white competition, the NBA welcomes the best talent in the world. There's no disputing the accomplishments of Quinn Buckner, who boasts team championships at all levels of competition, including Olympic. But Buckner was surrounded by quality teammates and was never required or, as far as the NBA goes, capable of being the go-to offensive force. Wade always has been that guy."
- Sam Amick of The Sacramento Bee: "For three days during Kevin Martin's visit to Indonesia this week, the Kings shooting guard kept hearing the same question from that country's media chronicling the rare visit from an NBA player. 'They'd ask what advice I had for the kids, and I always said, 'If you work hard, you get rewards,' ' Martin said. 'That's what they need to hear, because if you see the surroundings there, it's like any other third-world (country). It's just tough. We just don't know how good we have it.' On the final day of Martin's visit, he made sure his advice rang true. 'When I was giving my farewell speech, the kids were there, too, and I said, I always told you if you work hard, you get rewarded, so the NBA paid me $15,000 to go over here … and they (the kids) worked harder than me for those three days so I didn't see how I deserved that. I just wanted to set an example for them and donated the money back to the DBL.' "
- Clint O'Connor of The Plain Dealer: "Although it will forever be known as The LeBron Ja
mes Documentary, 'More Than a Game' is really about five close friends. It's a touching film, almost a home movie at times, looking at loyalty, boys becoming men, a coach-father figure, the media and the chemistry of basketball teammates who evolve from a ragtag travel team riding minivan caravans to national glory at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron. But it's taking its sweet time arriving in theaters. Thursday night was another sneak peek, this one at the Akron Civic Theatre for about 600 family, friends and invited guests. The public will have to wait until Oct. 2 when Lionsgate releases 'More Than a Game' in four select cities: New York, Los Angeles, Cleveland and Akron. And yes, this is the first time Cleveland and Akron have ranked on the 'select cities' list. The rest of the country won't see the film until it expands to theaters nationwide in mid-October."
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