News for Friday, October 14th...

[JMarkJohns]

From Insidehoops.com

Preseason Game Results

Hornets 100, Nuggets 90 -- The AP reports: Rasual Butler had 19 points and eight rebounds to lead the New Orleans Hornets to a 100-90 victory over the Denver Nuggets in the first preseason game for both teams Thursday night. The Hornets will play 35 of their 41 regular season home games in Oklahoma City as the city of New Orleans continues to recover from the effects of Hurricane Katrina. The New Orleans Arena sustained extensive water damage from the hurricane and will take months to repair. But even if New Orleans is ready to welcome the team back before the 2005-06 season ends, the Hornets are locked into their 35 dates at the 19,675-seat Ford Center. Bostjan Nachbar added 16 points and J.R. Smith had 12 for New Orleans. First-round draft choice Chris Paul had six points and seven assists. Carmelo Anthony led Denver with 17 points. DeMarr Johnson had 15 for the Nuggets who shot 40 percent.

Pacers 99, Jazz 92 -- The AP reports: Rookie Sarunas Jasikevicius made Ron Artest's first home appearance a whole lot sweeter. Jasikevicius, a 29-year-old Lithuanian who played college ball at Maryland, had 13 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter Thursday night as the Indiana Pacers came from behind and beat the Utah Jazz 99-92. ``I'm beginning to feel comfortable, but I'm still a long ways off,'' said Jasikevicius, who played the past seven years in Europe and signed with Indiana as a free agent in August. ``I am a rookie as an old man. I'm just trying to get my rhythm, get in shape, fit in and help this team to win,'' he said. Jasikevicius hit 6-of-9 shots, added three rebounds and a team-high four assists.

Wizards 95, Spurs 91 -- The AP reports: Jarvis Hayes scored 19 points and the Washington Wizards spoiled San Antonio star Tim Duncan's college homecoming with a 95-91 exhibition victory over the Spurs Thursday night. Duncan, a three-time All-American and national player of the year at Wake Forest, was honored by city officials on ``Tim Duncan Day.'' He received a key to the city, and had Deacon Drive, which runs by Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, renamed ``Tim Duncan Drive.'' However, Duncan struggled from the start, not scoring his first points until the 3:06 mark of the second quarter off a short, one-handed jumper from the baseline. He played just 23 minutes, and finished with four points and 13 rebounds.

Nets 95, Bobcats 76 -- The AP reports: Richard Jefferson and Jason Kidd scored 10 points apiece to lead the New Jersey Nets over the shorthanded Charlotte Bobcats 95-76 in a preseason game Thursday night. The Nets, who held the Bobcats to 31 percent shooting, won despite committing 22 turnovers. Antonio Meeking scored 14 points and fellow rookie Raymond Felton added 10 for Charlotte.

Pistons 95, Bucks 88 -- The AP reports: Chauncey Billups scored 16 points and Darko Milicic added 10 points and nine rebounds helping the Detroit Pistons beat the Milwaukee Bucks 95-88 in a preseason game Thursday night. Tayshaun Prince added 10 points for Detroit while Ben Wallace had eight points and 13 rebounds. Maurice Williams led the Bucks with 19 points, while former Michigan State star Charlie Bell, who last played in the NBA in 2002, had 12.


Preseason Game Schedule
All times Eastern

Philadelphia @ Cleveland 7:30pm
Toronto @ Boston - Verizon Arena, Manchester, NH 7:30pm FSNE
Minnesota @ Indiana 8:00pm
Memphis @ Miami - Coliseo de Puerto Rico, San Juan 8:30pm NBATV
Phoenix @ Seattle 10:30pm
Sacramento @ L.A. Clippers 10:30pm CSN-SAC


Preseason Game of the Day

Today, we go with Memphis at Miami. Both teams have major chemistry experiments to conduct. The Grizzlies are learning to mix Damon Stoudamire, Eddie Jones and Bobby Jackson in with last season's forwards -- minus Stromile Swift. On the Heat, Jason Williams, James Posey and Antoine Walker are learning to play with Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal. Both teams are interesting to watch right now as they develop. Of course, it's preseason, so the starters on both squads will likely play limited minutes.


National NBA Stories

The AP reports: Cavaliers All-Star forward LeBron James was expected to spend a second night in the hospital Thursday after undergoing tests for chest pain the team said was from a strained muscle. On the advice of Cavaliers doctors, James was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday after pain on the left side of his chest worsened after practice. He underwent a series of tests Thursday, and general manager Danny Ferry said James was likely to be kept overnight because he had a fever. Ferry said tests on James have not shown anything abnormal, and his understanding is that James' heart ``is not an issue.'' ``They're going to test everything,'' Ferry said. ``There are no red flags.''

The AP reports: Jermaine O'Neal was scratched from the Indiana Pacers lineup before a 99-92 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night, the second straight preseason game he has missed because of a bruise to his right thigh. O'Neal, who was celebrating his 27th birthday, played in only 44 games last season becauese of injuries to his shoulder and foot and a 15-game suspension by the NBA for his part in the brawl with Detroit fans last November. He bruised his thigh during practice last week, although the injury is not considered serious.

The AP reports: Minnesota's Wally Szczerbiak has a sprained right foot, but X-rays on the seventh-year swingman showed no further damage on Thursday. Szczerbiak got hurt in the third quarter of Wednesday night's exhibition game against Milwaukee.

Fanball reports: Mavericks veteran guard Doug Christie is taking third-year swingman Marquis Daniels under his wing in an effort to help the youngster take the next step. Christie first noticed Daniels potential during their playoff series two seasons ago, but despite an effort made to workout together, certain factors prevented it from happening until the two player found themselves on the same team this season. "I've learned a lot of tricks from watching him," Daniels told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I'm trying to find new pointers every day, and watching him play defense, I want to apply that to my game."

Fanball reports: The Clippers are happy with their decision to draft forward Yaroslav Korolev, but feel the best way to approach his rookie season is to gradually work him into the game plan. Korolev has impressed coaches thus far, most notably with his passing, but the Clippers would like to avoid "situations that are detrimental to his development," head coach Mike Dunleavy told the Los Angeles Times. "As he grows and deserves more opportunities, then that's the way we'll go, but he's blended in pretty well."


Today's Birthdays

Happy birthday to Jim Jackson (1970) and Fred Hoiberg (1972).


Today in NBA History

October 14, 1970: Bob Lanier made his debut for the Detroit Pistons at the Seattle SuperSonics. The Pistons won 123-117.

October 14, 1970: Nate Archibald made his debut for the Cincinnati Royals at home against New York. The Knicks won 128-104.

[JMarkJohns]

Interesting....

CENTER OF CONTENTION

BIG MISTAKE? Knicks president Isiah Thomas was all smiles when introducing Jerome James a little more than two months ago, but Peter Vecsey warns coach Larry Brown may not want the center.


October 14, 2005 -- HOW many of Isiah Thomas' Knicks do you suppose meet Larry Brown's coaching criteria? An educated guess is, maybe Malik Rose, whose aggression generally makes up for lack of size and mental mistakes.

David Lee might also qualify despite his lowly rookie status. From what I saw of him at the Las Vegas summer tournament, he has what it takes to become a taller version of Dave DeBusschere minus the major-league pitching arm and outpost accuracy, though he'll respectfully debate that second point.

Citing anyone else would be an implausible stretch of my celebrated liberality. Certainly not Eddy Curry, at least not until he proves he's willing to act like a grown-up rebounder and sweat on a regular basis. Meaning today's roster is guaranteed to translate into tomorrow's transaction list.

First on Brown's "Be Gone, Satan," Wish List is side of beef Jerome James, one rib shy of 300 pounds. That's 15 more than Larry's Law allows. Late last week, say sources, the Knicks intensified their full court press to pry Theo Ratliff from the Blazers. I have too much respect for Portland president Steve Patterson and GM John Nash to think that's humanly possible.

Dumping the 7-foot James and his five-year $30 million endowment won't be easy, but it's not hopeless. It's not as if he's in danger of shrinking. What's more, this is the dream-weaving NBA where $6M per is only an average salary.

Still, you've got to wonder why Thomas would gamble so much (relative to the real world) on someone so suspect who turns 30 on Nov. 17, yet never faked so much as a move on 6-11, 240-pound Zaza Pachulia. What was the problem? Too young (21)? Only two years of experience (all good) at Orlando and Milwaukee? Doesn't come with enough baggage? Too physical? Couldn't pronounce his name? Asked for too little?

Billy Knight has made his disproportionate share of mistakes since becoming Hawks GM, but signing Zaza to a four-year $16M offer sheet isn't one of them. He may never impact the standings, but he was a sensational pickup for a team desperate for inside offensive and defensive punishment.

As evidenced by Pachulia's first exhibition game's numbers — 17 points (5-7 FG, 8-10 FT), six rebounds, two assists, 28 minutes — his promise is undeniable, except to those like Doubting Thomas who don't believe anything unless they place their hands in the wounds. On the other hand, count Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal as staunch supporters.

Safe to say, regardless of Eddy Curry's arrival in New York, had Isiah Thomas done the shrewd thing and imported Zaza Pachulia, he would've qualified as Larry Brown's type of player.

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Yesterday's announcement of Duke's Mike Krzyzewski as coach of the 2006 World Games and 2008 Olympics makes official what we've known for some time: NBA coaches can't coach against the diverse and constantly changing zone defenses employed by international competition. Yet to be formally broadcast is the fact Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, who played and coached in Italy, will be the lead assistant.

Thus ends the dismal reign of Carolina coaches. George Karl finished sixth in the World Games in '02. Larry Brown, assisted by Roy Williams, finished third in '04, losing three times, the first time pro players had been beaten in the Olympics since they began participating in 1992. And Gregg Popovich, who thinks he's a Carolina guy, was an assistant on both teams.

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Just when you thought the market on hospital-corner contracts was cornered by Isiah Thomas, there comes word Amare Stoudemire — he of the ink-ain't-dry, maxed-out, five-year, $73 million extension — is out for at least four months.

That's Amare, fifth in the league in scoring (26 points per) a year ago and ineradicably penciled in as my MVP for this season. After he underwent microsurgery Tuesday to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, the Suns admitted they knew of the injury, but did not realize the extent of same.

By the time Amare returns, the Suns are almost guaranteed to be out of contention. Bryan Colangelo is already beginning to rebuild his roster and his reputation. * Sources say the Suns' GM plans to re-sign former fan favorite and noted people person Jerrod Mustaf. * false.... just a joke....

*

Ron Artest returned to the playing floor Tuesday as the Pacers began their pre-season schedule at the Continental Breakfast Arena. "I'm going to continue playing hard and out of control, like a wild animal that needs to be caged in," he informed the media.

Evidently, Artest is out to become the first player to lead the league in rebounds and rabies.
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This may be one reason why Antonio Davis hasn't been waived. If the Blazers want a big-man for this year, he's the best option, as Davis can fill in for the year, but his large contract is done at year's end. freeing up CAP space, or, more likely, he becomes a hot commodity around te trade deadline in an attempt to pry away a center from some team looking to dump salary (i.e. Philly, Boston, New Orleans, Utah, Memphis)...

Throw in some future firsts and this deal has no reason to get done, unless the Blazers are so enamored with Ratliff's 8-8-3 for 12 million per for the next three years. Davis, in the same minutes can giave a double-double.

[JMarkJohns]

SIXERS: Iguodala suffering from tendonitis
by Fanball Staff - Fanball.com
Friday, October 14, 2005

- - - News - - -
Sixers forward Andre Iguodala sat out Thursday's practice, according to Philadelphia Inquirer. Iguodala, who missed the second half of the game against the Spurs, has tendonitis in his right knee.

- - - Views - - -
Iguodala is a star in the making. He's a well-rounded player who scores, distributes the rock, and mops up the boards. Don't let this injury scare you away from taking him on draft day.

[JMarkJohns]

Originally Posted by From Insidehoops.com

Preseason Game Schedule
All times Eastern

...
Phoenix @ Seattle 10:30pm...

Lou, Indo... they play tonight, no TV...