Terreno Deportivo Dwight Howard Wants to Join U.S. Olympic team Again
Dwight Howard and his Olympic gold medal have been nearly inseparable since the Beijing Games.
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Damon Stoudamire Still Looking for a Team
Jason Friedman of ROCKETS.com writes, “These scrimmages are fascinating to watch; especially when you focus on the battles taking place at the point guard position. Brooks is there, of course, as is the newly acquired D.J. Strawberry. But things get really interesting when other players who call Houston home during the offseason show up. Damon Stoudamire especially has impressed, showing off some of the skills which once earned him the nickname “Mighty Mouse”during his halcyon days in Toronto and Portland. He’s obviously put in major work to get into prime playing shape and has made no secret that he’s hungry for an opportunity to prove he can still play quality minutes for a contender.”
nba.com/rockets/news/Stoudamirersquos_Search-281577-34.html?rss=t
Bennett: Thunder Logo ‘is Classic’
In THE OKLAHOMAN, Mike Baldwin writes “with ?thunderstruck’ blaring over speakers inside Leadership Square, NBA players Desmond Mason and Damien Wilkins and a group of kids unveiled the Thunder logo Wednesday afternoon. While there was little suspense in recent weeks that Thunder would be Oklahoma City’s new NBA team’s nickname, there was one element of surprise ? the team’s primary background color is sky blue. ?We think the logo is classic in its style,’ said team chairman Clay Bennett. “We think it’s powerful in its design. We think it evokes energy. We think the word Thunder is displayed with simplicity and dignity. And the colors represent much about Oklahoma. ?Our primary color blue is the color of our state flag. This is very much an Oklahoma organization. The sunset is red and orange. Not too red. Not too orange. And the beautiful sun is reflected by yellow.’”
Deng Stars as Great Britain Almost Shock Israel
In the LONDON TIMES, Ian Whittell writes “Great Britain came within half a second of pulling off the biggest upset in their history last night before losing their opening qualifying game for the 2009 European Championship finals 102-92 to Israel in overtime. Luol Deng, the Chicago Bulls star, was magnificent as he scored 30 points after only two practices with the team. Unfortunately he fouled out in the extra period along with Pops Mensah-Bonsu, the former NBA forward, and the veteran Nate Reinking. Joel Freeland, the 21-year-old centre who was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers, of the NBA, two years ago, gave Deng superb support with 14 points and nine rebounds, while Israel were led by Tapiro, who scored 27 points. ”
timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article4670272.ece?rss=tru
Vince Carter’s Message to NBA Stars of the Future: Education
In the TELEGRAPH, Andrew Hooper writes “Vince Carter, the dynamic Olympic gold medallist who has survived a decade at the top of the professional game, was on a whistle-stop tour to promote the NBA Live pre-season matches taking place across Europe next month and the league’s new junior programme. On Oct 12, Carter and his team-mates will take on the Miami Heat at a sold-out O2 Arena in London, where close to 20,000 fans will sample a taste of the razzmatazz of the NBA. But far from revelling in its glamour and riches, Carter’s message to the kids of Lambeth sounds more like that old line from Tony Blair: education, education, education. ?First comes the student, then the athlete,’ Carter, sporting a gargantuan track suit, tells his wide-eyed audience at the Larkhall Park basketball court in the south London borough. ?The money you can make in the NBA is nothing compared to the riches that you can achieve through education.’”
telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/basketball/2676753/Vince-Carter
Cavs Looking to Add Big Man
In the AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, Brian Windhorst writes “the Cavaliers might be close to adding another piece to their roster. Looking for depth and experience on their front line, a league source said, the team is near a deal with veteran big man Lorenzen Wright. A contract could be completed in the next few days. The Cavs talked to him last summer before he signed with the Hawks and later was traded. The 6-foot-11 veteran of 12 NBA seasons can play forward or center and has been a solid rebounder during his career. His career averages are 8.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. If a contract is completed, Wright would be an insurance policy for the Cavs, who have been down a big man since trading Joe Smith in a package for point guard Mo Williams last month.?
Manu Ginobili Has Successful Surgery
The San Antonio Spurs announced that earlier today Manu Ginobili underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to correct a posterior impingement of his left ankle.
Heat Waives Stephane Lasme
The Miami Heat announced today that they have requested waivers on forward Stephane Lasme. The 6′8″forward was originally signed to a 10-day contract by the Heat on Mar. 21, 2008.
Donyell Marshall Glad to Be with the 76ers
Donyell Marshall grew up rooting for Dr. J and the Philadelphia 76ers. Now, he has a chance to finish his career with them. “It was something that I always dreamed of doing since I was a little kid watching the Sixers win the championship in ‘83,” Marshall said Wednesday.
Basketball without Borders Africa: Day One Recap
On day one of Basketball without Borders Africa 2008, the NBA players and coaches were introduced to the history of South Africa and the community of Johannesburg with visits to the Apartheid Museum and Cotlands pediatric AIDS hospice.
Bucks to Be Affiliated With D-League’s Mad Ants
The Milwaukee Bucks have joined the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers as the NBA parent clubs for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League for the 2008-09 season, the National Basketball Association announced today.
McCarville, Willis Have Career Nights as Liberty Ground Comets
From the ASSOCIATED PRESS, “Janel McCarville scored a career-high 33 points and Lisa Willis added a career-high 19 to help the New York Liberty beat the Houston Comets 90-87 in overtime Tuesday night, snapping the Comets’ eight game home win streak. The Liberty (16-12) blew 10- and seven-point leads in the fourth period and overtime, respectively, but McCarville and Willis teamed up to push New York past the Comets (14-15). Ashley Battle hit a 24-foot 3-pointer with 46.7 seconds left in overtime to give the Liberty the lead for good after the Comets rallied from seven points down in the extra period.?
Drexler to Present Olajuwon at Hall of Fame
From the ASSOCIATED PRESS, “former Houston Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon will have a familiar person by his side when he is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday. Olajuwon has asked Clyde Drexler to be his presenter ? a task that involves simply standing by his side during the induction. ?For Hakeem to ask me to be with him on this special day is quite special,’ Drexler said. Drexler and Olajuwon were teammates when the Houston Cougars made it to the NCAA championship game in 1983. In 1995, they also were teammates when the Houston Rockets won their second straight NBA title. ?Hakeem has been like a brother to me since the first time I met him when he came over from Nigeria,’ Drexler said in an interview.”
dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D92V17RG1.html?rss
Riley’s Hall of Fame Party Underway
In the PALM BEACH POST, Chris Perkins writes “Pat Riley traveled to Springfield, Mass., with a group of friends and family Tuesday for this week’s Hall of Fame induction. Riley’s wife, Chris, and Riley’s close friend Ed Maull, also a member of the Heat’s front office, have apparently planned quite an itinerary when it comes to parties, receptions and things of that nature. ?It’s like the inauguration,’ Riley joked last week. Riley will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony Friday night, but festivities will go on through the weekend. Riley is being inducted along with Patrick Ewing, Akeem Olajuwon, Adrian Dantley, Dick Vitale, Cathy Rush and Bill Davidson. Some excerpts from Riley last week: Riley will never, ever say he’s 100 percent retired from coaching. But as far as coaching in the NBA, he’s done. “Unless it had to do internationally, with the Olympics or something like that, I don’t think there’s any question I?ve seen my last practice, my last game.?”
palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/Heat/entri
Tabuse Still Has Eyes on NBA Return
From the YOMIURI SHIMBUN, “Yuta Tabuse’s desire to play in the NBA again hasn’t waned. But playing in Japan will give him the valuable playing time that he never got in three years in the NBA Development League and sharpen his game for another shot at the top. ?My desire to once again try for the NBA has not changed,’ Tabuse said at a press conference Tuesday in Tokyo. ?I played three years in the development league, but I felt I needed a change of surroundings. I spent most of the time on the bench and I wanted to play more.’ Tabuse will get plenty of court time with the Link Tochigi Brex, the newest member of the Japan Basketball League with whom he signed a two-year contract. Tabuse, the only Japanese native to play in the NBA after appearing in four games with the Phoenix Suns in 2004, will be reunited with his high school coach, Mitsuhiko Kato.?
Q&A With New Rocket D.J. Strawberry
The draft is done. The free agent frenzy and Olympics are, too. Preseason is still more than a month away. Yep, we’ve officially entered hoops hibernation. So to get you through the basketball void, Rockets.com will spend the next few weeks catching up with various members of the team to find out what they’ve been up to this summer. The tour continues today as we introduce you the newest member of the team, D.J. Strawberry.
nba.com/rockets/news/Catching_up_with_DJ_Strawber-281388-34.html?
Heat Add Center Jamaal Magloire
The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed free agent center Jamaal Magloire. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We are very fortunate to be able to come to terms with Jamaal Magliore,”said HEAT President Pat Riley. “We feel that he will dramatically support our post position. He is an excellent rebounder with a big body. On the defensive end he will plug up the paint and the offensive end he can score. We feel that this is definitely the right place for him to re-energize his career.”
nba.com/heat/news/heat_sign_jamaal_magloire_080902.html?rss=true
Sixers Bring in Veteran Donyell Marshall
Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the team has signed free-agent forward Donyell Marshall. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed. “Donyell Marshall has proven time and time again his value as a player in this league,”Stefanski said. “We believe his ability to stretch defenses with his perimeter shooting will prove to be a great asset for our team and we look forward to having him back home in Philadelphia.”
nba.com/sixers/news/donyell_marshall_sign_080902.html?rss=true
Beijing Blog: Wrapping it All Up
NBA.com’s John Schuhmann is back from Beijing and has had proper time to offer some perspective on the men’s and women’s Olympic basketball competitions, including a terrific gold medal game between the U.S. and Spain.
NBA TV, ESPN Classic to Air Hall of Fame Ceremony
NBA TV and ESPN Classic will present live the enshrinement ceremonies for the Class of 2008 into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame when the networks simulcast the event from Springfield, Mass., on Friday, Sept. 8, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET.