by Fresh8 on Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:37 pm
The story so far...
Byrant Unsure On Future With Lakers
May 10, 2010
LOS ANGELES (AP) – “There is a distinct possibility that I will not be a Laker to finish my career,” Kobe Bryant told media. With the announcement that head coach Phil Jackson has decided to retire, Bryant’s statements could not come at a worse time. It is reported that Bryant became very unhappy with the team for letting Lamar Odom walk off the team. Odom, meanwhile, became a non-regular on the Grizzlies before being traded to New York.
“I don’t know where this franchise is going,” Bryant said, “I need to know if we are on the same page.” Following Bryant’s comments, Pau Gasol delivered the same sentiments. Gasol addressed Spanish media upon returning to his home country. “I feel like the Lakers are not focusing on now and are looking forward to the future. I can understand if Kobe wants to go somewhere else to win, that’s how I feel too.”
Rumour has it that the Lakers stars believe that the franchise is catering too much to the needs of up and coming C Andrew Bynum. Classy veteran PG Derek Fisher was quoted off-record earlier in the season, “Andrew is talented but he has not done anything. That’s why I am unsure why the franchise gives so much weight to him.”
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Popovich: Gray Could Turn A Franchise Around
May 12, 2010
SAN ANTONIO (AP) – San Anotnio Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich has coached both David Robinson and Tim Duncan in his time. So when he says a certain prospect has the qualities to change the fortunes of any team, you better sit up and listen. Popovich heaped praised on TCU prospect Jay Gray, a PF who has been compared to the Spurs’ legend Tim Duncan.
“Sure, I see what you guys see too,” the 61 year old coach states, “Gray is big, he is strong, and from what I saw of him on some tape, he also has a well-grounded game. I can see the comparisons to Tim and I do agree. I don’t want to put any pressure on him but I do believe he can come in and help a team straight away.”
Praise doesn’t come easy from Popovich so Gray might be the real deal. After averaging close to 25 ppg, 15 rpg, and 2.5 bpg, the standout big man has been working out for several potential lottery teams. The Sacramento Kings are said to be the main suitors because they want to match Gray up with All-Stars Moses Chara and Kevin Martin. Other teams that are interested include the Memphis Grizzlies, LA Clippers, Charlotte Bobcats, and New York Knicks.
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Chris Hova: Buyout An Issue
May 12, 2010
BERLIN (AP) – Highly touted prospect Chris Hova will have to convince teams that he is worth his buyout from his current contract at his European club ALBA Berlin. Hova stated that he thought his team would waive his buyout conditions because he had been there his whole life but the club has stated that they want compensation should their star PG leave for the United States.
Hova is regarded as the most NBA-ready PG out of the trio of exciting PG prospects: Ray Lliach, Aaron Karl, and himself. “This is disappointing,” Hova says, “I don’t want this to affect my draft ranking.” Hova has been listed on many mock drafts to be a number one, two, or three pick. His agent, Dan Fegan, recently admitted that his client’s draft position would rely on whether the team selecting would need a PG.
He also made a veiled threat to the Memphis Grizzlies not to take Hova should the opportunity arise, “The Grizzlies already have Mike Conley so they don’t need to choose my client. But if they had to pick a point guard, I would suggest they select Aaron Karl.”
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New Jersey Nets Excited About Draft
May 13, 2010
NEW JERSEY (AP) – The New Jersey Nets don’t need to wait for the lottery because the upcoming NBA Draft is full of talent at the positions they need to fill: SF and SG. Nets front office staff are licking their lips in anticipation, as one of them described the upcoming draft pool as, “the equivalent of an all-you-can-eat buffet. You can choose any SF or SG and they will have a great chance of becoming something great.”
The Nets have franchise PG Barney Steele running the show and also have money to spend in the upcoming Summer with plenty of guys coming off-contract. PF Yi Jianlian features boldly in the franchise’s plans and the team wants to pick a scorer to compliment the duo. UCLA SG Jeremy Mason rates high on the Nets’ ‘want’ list.
“Mason has the scoring ability to be a top notch NBA player,” an executive stated, “We let of Vince Carter because he was getting older. Mason is going to be just as exciting as Carter. He’s like Carter but with a better attitude.”
The best part is that the Nets hold two lottery picks in the lottery. One of them is theirs and the other one is the New York Knicks; acquired in the Vince Carter trade.
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Detroit’s Golden Era Over?
May 13, 2010
DETROIT (AP) – After a demoralizing series defeat to arch-rivals the Boston Celtics, the Detroit Pistons seem like a broken organization. A season ending injury to Allen Iverson started the team’s downward spiral and although Detroit was able to last six games against the Celtics, the result was never in doubt. What made issues worse was Rasheed Wallace breaking his hand in the decisive sixth game.
With the postseason behind them, the Pistons are trying to look ahead to see what they could do to keep themselves at the top of the Eastern Conference. However, time has seen to run out on the club with their stars Iverson, Wallace, and Rip Hamilton all in their 30s. Although the Pistons’ bench of Sasha Vujacic and Luther Head were quite a revelation for the side, the Motown club needs some more size and presence in the paint for them to compete again next season.
Although the Pistons are very interested in TCU product Justin Gray, the team does not have the necessary pieces to move up to any one of the top three picks in the upcoming Draft. Other potential forwards for the side would like to add to their team are La Salle’s Leo Chase, compared by many to former Piston Dennis Rodman, and China’s Mingyu Li, who has suddenly exploded onto the Draft scene thanks to his performance for the Chinese national team last Summer. It is unknown whether the Pistons would have a chance to pick Chase with the 28th pick in the Draft but Li is expected to be a late first round pick.
Wallace has been scheduled to have surgery on his hand in the coming days.
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Mason: I Want To Play With Bogut
May 15, 2010
MILWAUKEE (AP) – If the ping pong balls fall Milwaukee’s way, Australian SG Jeremy Mason may get to play for his favorite team and play alongside fellow Aussie C Andrew Bogut. When posed the scenario, Mason beamed, “It couldn’t be any better if that happened.”
The Bucks are expected to be searching for a PG though as they are happy with the production of SG Michael Redd. That puts Mason on the bubble. “They need to do what’s best for them,” Mason said in between drills for the Bucks, “I’m just here (at the workout) to show what I can offer and hopefully they will like that.”
Mason’s Bruins team mate James Carter was also at the workout, drawing criticism for being lazy and his attitude. One of the coaching staff stated, “The two UCLA guys are like day and night. The rude one just really gets on your nerves. Based on talent, the rude one might actually better but who wants to play with someone like that?”
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Last edited by
Fresh8 on Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:25 pm, edited 2 times in total.