The Fundamentals

Docksquad Sports:  MJ’s New Girl (Hat tip: BallHype)

The World Of Isaac:  The Charles Barkley Golf Swing Bonanza (Hat tip: BallHype)

Trevor Smith of Hoops Addict:  “Barry has never had the notoriety of a pure shooter in the way that Ray Allen has. Observers have long canonized Allen’s textbook mechanics and stroke: his jumper is a thing of absolute beauty and his name is the most common reply to the question, “Who has the best jump shot in basketball?”  But, if we remove the aesthetic component of his form and look exclusively at percentages, does Allen fall short of Barry, Nash and others?”

Jody Genessy of DeseretNews.com:  “Still, there’s no doubt the Jazz would have preferred to ink Williams for a couple more years.  But if your star point guard is questioning the team’s future – and he’s not without reason to do so, considering Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur, Kyle Korver and Jerry Sloan could all be gone after next season – then this could give management all the more reason to be proactive in keeping him surrounded by plenty of talent.”

Sam Amick of The Sacramento Bee:  “After failing a drug test for a third time due to marijuana use, Miller will miss the first five games of this coming season and lose approximately $693,000 of his $11.3 million salary. Miller - who came into town yesterday to see the Kings summer league team in action - confirmed that the failed test took place near the end of the Kings’ regular season.  We caught up by phone this afternoon while he was watching his toddler daughter, Anniston, back in his condo at the Palms.”

Ian Thomsen of CNNSI.com:  “Several factors are working against Miles’ comeback. He must miss the first 10 games of next season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. The news of his negative drug test was revealed to every team in a letter from the league, and the information was leaked to The Oregonian. Based on the length of his first-time suspension, teams are assuming that Miles tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug.”

Kevin Arnovitz of ClipperBlog:  “If you remember the Clippers’ opener from last season, then you have an idea of Azubuike’s range, and springs.  Filling in for a suspended Stephen Jackson, Azubuike went 12-17 from the field, 7-7 from the line, 2-3 from the arc, with 8 rebounds and 0 turns.   Last season, he became a much better finisher — though his 3P% fell off.  I don’t have a feel for his defensive game because Don Nelson doesn’t really require one, but he’s got the length and quickness to defend. Azubuike would likely play off the bench for the Clips. though I can imagine his starting ahead of Mobley in situations that demanded athleticism over precision.”

Steve Springer of The Los Angeles Times:  “Good enough to be the fifth pick in this year’s NBA draft. Good enough to be exchanged for O.J. Mayo as part of an eight-player deal between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Memphis Grizzlies on draft night.  But is he big enough at 6 feet 10, strong enough at 255 pounds and defined enough with a frame that contained 15% to 16% body fat a few months ago to play power forward in the NBA? And even, when necessary, to fill in at center?”

J.E. Skeets of Ball Don’t Lie:  Interview With Greg Oden