“The Sonics have made clear they’re attempting to leave after this coming season”
The Seattle SuperSonics may not try to escape their lease at KeyArena through arbitration, a federal judge said Monday. via CBS SportsLine
“When he came to Australia … he mentioned the Wiggles while he was onstage”
The Wiggles are used to rubbing shoulders with celebrities. After all, Jerry Seinfeld, Robert De Niro, Sarah Jessica Parker and Shaquille O’Neal are among the stars who have brought their progeny backstage at … via 102.9 CKDS-FM
“It is not like defense will have left me”
Ricky Davis and Mark Blount say they understand and accept their roles for the Heat. They also thanked the Heat for bringing them from rebuilding Minnesota to what could be a contender to win the Eastern Conference. ‘This is about the best time of my career to just come out and be competitive,’ said Davis, expected to be a top scorer as Dwyane Wade recovers from injuries. ‘It was kind of an honor for those guys to pick me to come down and help out,’ said Blount, a reserve center who also could back up Udonis Haslem at power forward. Davis and Blount practiced with the Heat on Saturday after being held out the previous day as the trade was officially completed. Coach Pat Riley said it was a ‘learning day’ designed to help the new additions catch up before the Nov. 1 opener. ‘We’ll keep the package limited for the week or so, but I think they will pick it up quickly,’ Riley said. Some of it was familiar to Davis from playing under Riley in 2000-01; he said it wouldn’t take long to learn the rest. Davis said he also expects an easy transition to playing with center Shaquille O’Neal now and Wade later. ‘We definitely have a ‘big three,'’ Davis said. ‘Hopefully we can all jell together.’ Read more
“I don’t see any reason with a core of Howard, Dirk, Terry and Harris - if the window is ticking away, it’s still pretty open.”
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News esefko@dallasnews.com Twenty-one years ago, a young superstar was coming off his first trip to the NBA Finals, where his team had lost to Larry Bird and the Boston … via The Dallas Morning News
Who says nobody cares about the preseason? Heat guard Jason Williams just got ejected from tonight’s game for arguing with the referees. via San Antonio Express-News
Bulls preview: Chicago all grown up, but lacks final piece Kobe Bryant might soon walk into the United Center, throw on his No. via CBS SportsLine
Death of the Traditional Center? Posted by Todd Spehr on 10.23.2007 As the NBA goes smaller and faster, the traditional center is becoming a thing of the past. via 411mania.com
“At one point, I had the butterflies and was very nervous doing certain things. Now I’m back to where it’s coming to me natural.”
Grizzlies guard Mike Conley laughed at the comment, if only because he knew better. via South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Jerry Buss has already shown that he’ll part with superstars. Yet upon hearing that the Los Angeles Lakers owner would consider trading Kobe Bryant, even Shaquille O’Neal was shocked. via Contra Costa Times
Wherever Kobe Bryant ends up - Chicago, New York and Dallas the early favorites - the ownership and front office will be obligated to designate it as his team. via The Washington Times
“I was hoping that there would at least be a couple to start with”
When first-grade teacher Bridgett Anderson decided to start an exercise class at Oak Glen Elementary School, she didn’t expect much of a response from students. via The Times
“We like to think we’re one of the largest cities in the state, and an NBA preseason game should be played here every year”
In the NBA, the players don’t come much bigger than Shaquille O’Neal. Saturday night, he was in Greensboro as the pros returned to town after a five-year break. via WFMY 2 Greensboro
“Even on makes, if you can get it out of the basket and throw it in fast enough, [Williams] can still get the ball up fast and get some quick baskets in transition”
Since the Heat spent much of its summer looking for his theoretical replacement, it might be difficult to remember just how valuable point guard Jason Williams is to the team when healthy. Williams provided a reminder during the Heat’s exhibition loss to the Hawks on Wednesday. The Heat showed it’s a more dynamic team when Williams can run without pain and is in control of the offense. ‘I thought we really got it going,’ coach Pat Riley said. ‘He was pushing it, dishing it. I am not caught up in his field-goal percentage and what he is scoring. But we had a lot of energy as a team early. ‘He is running well. He is running freely. I think we have just got to keep giving him time.’ Williams makes the Heat go when healthy, but that has been a problem for the past two seasons. He missed 21 games last season due to nagging knee and abdomen injuries, and didn’t have his normal explosiveness when he played games at less than full health. Read more
“He listened very carefully for 30, 45 minutes”
Buss: Kobe not untouchable The Associated Press HONOLULU — Jerry Buss has already shown that he’ll part with superstars. via Kentucky.com
“I felt really comfortable. … The other guys tell me, when it’s in the bonus you’ve got to be more aggressive, because it’s two free throws every time.”
Rookie Rodney Stuckey, talking to the media during training camp, was to make his debut against Miami in an exhibition game Monday night. via Detroit Free Press
