Marc Berman of the New York Post: “Isiah did not commit a crime and was never questioning the integrity of the police. He never mentioned the police. We all know Isiah often has trouble grasping the truth and he gave his own vague, convoluted version. My brief interview with him – which last 55 seconds according to my cell phone – came before he realized there was an internet report claiming he was taken to the hospital for an overdose. Isiah was possibly naive in not realizing an incident that involves the police is public record and probably thought he was in his rights to protect his privacy and spin like he always spins. Would you want to admit something like that to the world if you didn’t have to?”
Wendell Maxey OF HOOPSWORLD: “When the Portland Trail Blazers open their regular season against the Los Angeles at the Staples Center on Tuesday night, rookie small forward Nicolas Batum will have more on his mind than either starting or coming off the bench for Portland. He’ll surely be thinking of his Dad.Henry Batum had a dream for his son – to play in the NBA. A 6-7 forward, Henry played 10 years professionally in France until a tragic event on the court took his life in his early thirties. Henry died at the free-throw line of a massive heart attack.”
CelticsBlog: Bob Cousy’s Life, Career, and the Birth of Big-Time Basketball
Doug Smith of the Toronto Star: “‘You go through the motions, you’re just here to be here, you’re here because you have to be here,’ Bosh said yesterday of his past penchant for so-so Raptor practices. ‘I only took it as getting better during drills and stuff like that, doing one-on-one stuff.’ But something’s clicked for the 24-year-old these days, maybe it’s the natural maturation process, maybe it’s the hangover from a summer spent with the true greats of the game. Whatever it is, the man in charge has noticed and wants everyone else to, too. ‘His practices are unbelievable, unbelievable,’ Sam Mitchell said. ‘In the past, Chris would just come in … not go through the motions but just do enough. Now, everything, every possession, every play is 100 per cent all out. I used to tell him all the time, the difference between Kevin Garnett and 95, 98 per cent of the league is Kevin played like he practised. And Chris is getting it, I think the light came on.’”
Brian Hendrickson of the Columbian: “Fernandez holds the potential to do for the Blazers’ reserve unit what rookie center Greg Oden is expected to do for the starters, adding a new dimension to an already effective lineup. He provides a dynamic threat as a scorer and passer to a unit that was viewed as a key to last season’s success. With Fernandez, the reserves could be explosive on fast breaks. But they could also attack with kickouts to Channing Frye or Sergio Rodriguez in half-court sets, set up one-on-one plays to Travis Outlaw, or run Fernandez off pick and rolls to capitalize on his exceptional court vision and passing skills. ‘He’s a playmaker,’ Outlaw said of Fernandez’s affect on the bench. ‘He picks up the tempo. When he comes in there’s going to be energy. He can spread the floor and shoot the three very well. And his passing game is crazy.’ That potential comes as no surprise, though. Fernandez twice led DKV Joventut Badalona in scoring during his European career, and helped the Spanish National Team win medals at the 2006 World Championships (gold) and 2008 Olympics (silver). He also showed the Blazers that, despite his star status, he could accept a role off the bench when he agreed to start last summer’s Olympic gold-medal game as a reserve.” [Via InsideHoops]
Alan Hahn of Newsday: “Patrick said he feels so at ease because he’s used to being around a pro locker room, especially this one. He grew up at the feet of his father and teammates such as Charles Oakley, Derek Harper and Herb Williams. You remember that crew . . . pretty good group to learn from.
‘I’ve been around a lot of pros, I’ve been around some of the guys and I’ve been around this organization for a long time; I’m comfortable in that sense,’ Ewing Jr. said. ‘And I feel I’m a real down to earth person. I don’t really come off as a cocky guy, I’m not cocky at all, actually. I’m just real friendly, I like to get along with people. I don’t have problems with anyone.’ Just then Zach Randolph, whose locker is next to Ewing’s, butted in with, ‘He’s a great guy. Junior’s my man . . . Hey, you call Daddy yet?’ They both laughed. ‘Nah man,’ Ewing said sheepishly. ‘Oh Daddy, Daddy!’ Zach chimed. ‘I got two dunks today! They was chanting my name!’”
Sam Smith of Bulls.com: “Is that Nellie’s knife sticking out of Chris Mullin’s back. He wouldn’t be the first. I vastly enjoy Nelson’s coaching style, but the reason he’s not in the Hall of Fame as he moves to become the winningest NBA coach of all time is the way he’s undermined his sponsors. Early advovates Wayne Embry and Norm Sonju don’t speak to him anymore. He’s been in lawsuits with virtually all his bosses, the latest Mark Cuban. It was Warriors general manager Mullin who brought Nelson back despite a previous ugly dispute and suit with Warriors owner Chris Cohan. Mullin has done amagnificent job in bringing back the Warriors and making going to their games one of the league’s best experiences. But now team president Robert Rowell, seemingly with Nelson’s support as Nelson now has an extension and Mullin doesn’t, has taken more control. And already making a mess of things.”
- Late, short edition of the Fundamentals today, my apologies. Check out the Weekend Fundamentals for more recommended reading.
