» August 5, 2009 3:53 PM | By Brandon Hoffman
- Brian Kamenetzky: “I’m curious to see if the media run-up to the Christmas Day against the Cavs will be Kobe vs. Shaq or Kobe vs. LeBron. If talent vs. talent is the measuring stick it should be the latter, but given how Shaq is likely to place himself in front of a camera or nine- I’m picturing an enormous red suit, jaunty hat, and songs about St. Shaqolas- it’ll likely be the former.”
- The Sacramento Bee’s Ailene Voisin files a report from Tel Aviv, Israel, which is home to Kings forward Omri Casspi, the first Israeli to be selected in the first round of the draft: “While people can debate the issues regarding any deadly political conflict, and undoubtedly will continue to do, there can be no minimizing the devastaing impact on the children. For example: In the dusty city of Sedorot that is located a mere 45 minutes south of Tel Aviv – and from higher peaks that afford sweeping views of Palestinian neighborhoods in Gaza – Israeli children are rarely allowed to play outside for fear of mortar or rocket shelling. Though attacks have subsided during the past several months, virtually every house has shed-sized concrete bomb shelters in the front or back yards. When children become restless, parents accompany the youngsters to a large indoor community sports “playground” that features everything from a mini-basketball court to a mutlipurpose room where dances and parties are held. The overhanging roof of the structure isn’t secure enough to withstand bombing, but all along the interior, there are numerous anterooms reinforced with 1 1/2 feet of concrete walls. Inside, kids can be seen playing video games, studying on computers, kicking soccer balls, among other things, while their parents participate or observe from a nearby coffee bar/seating area. It wasn’t until I visited the “playground” that I truly grasped the significance of the timing element: The alarm system only offers a 15-second warning before an attack. Understandly, parents want to keep their children close. The one outdoor park for the kids ingenuously attempts to disguise bomb shelters as concrete dragons and other animals.”
- Sekou Smith of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Might the Hawks be interested in keeping captain and All-Star Joe Johnson off of the robust free agent market of 2010? It seems so. Multiple sources have confirmed that Hawks general manager Rick Sund is on an extended trip to the left coast, and part of his itinerary includes time in Los Angeles for face-to-face talks about a contract extension with Johnson’s camp (I mentioned this on Twitter late last night after hearing for sure that this was going on). A three-time All-Star, Johnson is heading into the final year of the five-year, $70 million deal he signed in August 2005 (which if traced back, you will realize was the rebirth of the franchise that has since made the playoffs in back-to-back years). With superstars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh headlining next summer’s free agent crop, several teams are lining up to be major players. And that means more competition for the Hawks, were they to let Johnson get to next summer as an unrestricted free agent.”
- Warriors Summer League Coach Scott Fields on Anthony Randolph: “I bet he has put on 15-18 pounds of muscle since last year. Of course, last year he came into the draft and was only a freshman and played one year at LSU and was long and lanky. Of course, he’s still long and very athletic but you could see how he matured physically in that one year and the discipline and dedication that he has had with his physical fitness. He’s taking it stronger to the basket this year, the way he penetrates and gets to the basket; he was able to take a few knocks easier than last year when he was knocked off balance a lot. He got to the rack, drew the contact and still finished several plays this year that last year he was not able to finish.”
- Matt Steinmetz reports that Baron Davis, Kevin Love, Anthony Morrow, C.J. Watson, Eric Gordon, Javaris Crittenton, Brandon Jennings, Hasheem Thabeet, James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, Jonny Flynn and Austin Daye have participated in NBA assistant coach Tim Grgurich’s widely respected summer camp this week.
Category: Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Points in the Paint, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz
Tags: Allen Iverson, Anthony Morrow, Anthony Randolph, Austin Daye, Baron Davis, Brandon Jennings, C.J. Watson, DeMar DeRozan, Deron Williams, Eric Gordon, Hasheem Thabeet, Isiah Thomas, James Harden, Jason Terry, Javaris Crittenton, Joe Johnson, Jonny Flynn, Kevin Love, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Mike Brown, Omri Casspi, Ron Artest, Shaquille O'Neal, Stephon Marbury
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