Howard Beck of The New York Times: “To prepare for their first home game of the preseason, the Knicks are sleeping in. Call it an unscientific experiment to find a link between circadian rhythms and shooting rhythm. Coach Mike D’Antoni, ever the nonconformist, is eliminating the morning shootaround for all home games this season, starting with Tuesday’s exhibition against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Knicks instead will gather for an afternoon meeting and walk-through at Madison Square Garden. The change saves everyone from having to commute twice in a day, first to the team’s Westchester training center (for the shootaround), then to Midtown (for the game). It also gives players a little more time to shake off the cobwebs. So rather than roust themselves for a groggy gathering at 10 a.m., the Knicks will have the morning to themselves. They must report to the Garden by 3:30 p.m. ‘Just trying to get them with more energy,’ said D’Antoni, whose frantic offensive style depends on lively legs. ‘We’ll see how it works out.’ The morning shootaround is a time-honored N.B.A. tradition. It serves a dual function: to prepare for the game and to give party-minded players an incentive to get to bed early. Whether it works is a matter of some debate.”
Mike McGraw of the Arlington Heights Daily Herald: “Some teams look good on paper. The Bulls sound as though things are shaping up for a strong season. Since training camp began, players have been emphasizing how well they’ve gotten along. No doubt, the locker room is louder and livelier than it’s been in the past. Excessive laughter could be heard in the hallways even after a mundane Monday practice at the Berto Center. ‘The practices are fun,’ Joakim Noah said. ‘We’re having a great time together.’ Maybe that’s a good sign. The Detroit Pistons, which played for the conference championship six straight years from 2003-08, are probably the best recent example of a team that got along well and carried a strong chemistry onto the court. Veteran guard Lindsey Hunter played on championship teams with the Pistons and Lakers. He’s seen what works and gave the current Bulls a strong review. ‘It’s like family and that’s how you want it,’ Hunter said. ‘It’s hard to get that, too, by the way. It’s really hard to get. It takes time to develop that and you have to put the right personalities in place where egos won’t come into play and if anybody has one, you have enough guys to put him in line. I think we really have the makings of having that special type of chemistry.’”
Marcus Thompson II of the Contra Costa Times: “With his two-game suspension coming to an end, forward Stephen Jackson said Monday he is ready to rejoin the Warriors and return to his role as arguably the team’s best all-around player. But, by no means, should that be deemed as happiness. ‘I’ve got no choice but to go out there,’ Jackson said in a phone interview. ‘I’m just going to do my job. I don’t want to be fake. I’m just going to go and play basketball and handle my business.’ Team president Robert Rowell couldn’t be reached for comment. General manager Larry Riley declined to speak on the matter, aside from what the team released in Saturday’s suspension announcement. But he and coach Don Nelson are scheduled to meet with Jackson before today’s practice. The three are expected to converse about how to move forward, especially considering that a trade involving Jackson is unlikely. Jackson said when he hits the court he still will be the guy who averaged 20.7 points, 6.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game last season. But clearly his feelings about playing for the Warriors haven’t changed.”
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel: “His 10-game suspension approaching in a couple of weeks, Rashard Lewis has figured out how he can still feel part of the team … while, uh, actually not being with the team. How? Sweat. And sweat some more. Lewis plans on pedaling his bike from the comfort of his living room while watching the Orlando Magic play games on TV. ‘I have a cycle bike and I’m going to prop it up and ride it at home while I watch us play,’ he said before the Magic defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 102-83 on Monday night at FedExForum. ‘I’ll just do it for about a half or so. I don’t know what I’m going to do when we’re on the road. Can I get an exercise bike in my room?’ Lewis, exiled for taking a performance-enhancement supplement, is banned from the arena. But he can still practice and travel with the club and attend shootarounds, so it’s not like he can’t get any cardiovascular exercise. Why do your Lance Armstrong impersonation during the game? ‘It’s … game-night,’ Lewis shrugged, not needing to explain anymore. ‘It’s nothing like playing in the game, but …’”
Jeff Eisenberg of the Riverside Press Enterprise: “It took Phil Jackson a mere two words to sum up the impact Lamar Odom’s chaotic summer has had on his play during the first two weeks of training camp. ‘Absolutely nothing,’ the Lakers coach said. Questions about Odom’s focus and commitment to basketball have dogged the veteran forward since his whirlwind marriage to reality TV star Khloe Kardashian last month thrust him into the showbiz spotlight. Hollywood reporters descended on Odom on the first day of training camp and paparazzi have hounded him whenever he ventures out into public, snapping photos or shooting video of him leaving the gym, mingling at parties or going out to eat. Odom scoffs at the idea this could be distracting for him, noting with a smile that he’s ‘been through a lot worse than marriage.’ The death of his beloved grandmother and infant son didn’t derail his career, he says, so he’s pretty sure a ring on his finger and a few extra cameras in his face won’t either.”
Steve Luhm of The Salt Lake Tribune: “Andrei Kirilenko spent the summer adding 20 pounds to his wiry frame, hoping the extra bulk would improve his ability to play inside and avoid injuries that have cost him 91 games over the last five seasons. Kirilenko’s concern is the extra weight will cost him some quickness and agility. But so far, so good. Prior to Monday morning’s practice, Kirilenko said, ‘I feel a little different, to be honest. But I am moving as fast as before, I think. It is not bothering me that way, which is good.’ In the Jazz’s first three exhibition games, Kirilenko averages seven points in 18 minutes. ‘When I go inside, it is definitely helpful,’ he said. ‘Every time you go into a screen or in for a layup, I can feel a bit stronger in the shoulders.’ Defensively, Kirilenko feels more capable of standing his ground against bigger opponents, like Denver’s Carmelo Anthony . ‘Carmelo is always very strong,’ Kirilenko said. ‘He likes to be strong going inside. But I was able to hold my position against him. Not every time. But for the most part. That is a good indication I am stronger.’”
Ray Richardson of the Pioneer Press: “Timberwolves forward Ryan Gomes had a wide-eyed look on his face when he saw Al Jefferson do something he never had seen his teammate do. Jefferson was trailing a fast break in a scrimmage during Monday’s practice at Target Center. He was beyond the free-throw circle when the ball was passed back to him. Jefferson did a pump fake, took one dribble and drove the rest of the way to the basket for a layup. ‘You can expect quicker moves off the block from Al with the weight loss,’ Gomes said. ‘We’ve seen it a number of times already.’ Jefferson’s Subway diet in the offseason — which helped him lose 31 pounds — has given him a quicker first step at the power forward position and turned him into a role model for people with weight-loss issues. Jefferson, 24, attracted interest from the local American Heart Association, which is partnering with the five-year veteran for a six-week program known as ‘Get Healthy With Big Al.’ Jefferson helps kick off the program, aimed at school kids in the Twin Cities, with an appearance today at Andersen Elementary School in South Minneapolis. The program stirs memories for Jefferson, who called himself a ‘chubby kid’ while growing up in Prentiss, Miss.”
Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel: “If Brandon Jennings, the No. 10 overall pick in the June draft, had a highway sign posted about him, it would say ‘Under Construction.’ ‘He’s had stretches in all three games, which is typical, where he’s looked really good for certain minutes,’ Skiles said of Jennings. ‘You’ve got to be blind not to see the ability. Then he’s had some rough patches as well where he runs out of gas a little bit. This is what these games are for, to get a guy like him as ready as we can get him for when the real stuff rolls around.’ Jennings has admitted to being fatigued at times, and Skiles pointed out there are plenty of demands on the 6-foot-1 Jennings’ mind and body during the eight-game preseason schedule. ‘We’re asking him to do more than he’s ever done,’ Skiles said. ‘We’re asking him to get up in the backcourt and pressure people. He’s dealing with 7-footers trying to screen him all the time and big bodies. At the same time we want him to push the ball on offense. He’s not in a position right now to play 14 or 15 consecutive minutes yet at that high a level.’”
Sekou Smith of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Al Horford’s name is rarely mentioned by Hawks coach Mike Woodson. In two plus years with the Hawks Woodson said he hasn’t had to worry about his starting center doing anything other than what’s asked of him. And this season, you can count on him being asked to do a whole lot more, particularly on the offensive end of the floor. ‘I know one thing,’ Woodson said. ‘I have to get him more touches to the point where he’s more of a threat. Between him and Zaza [Pachulia], we need to be able to muster at least 20 points a night. If we can get Al at about 12 or 13 points and double digit rebounds and Zaza somewhere around eight to 10 points, then we’re talking.’ Horford prepared this summer for more work on the offensive end than he’s had in his first two seasons, when he had been more of a situational post scorer than a featured performer. Scoring points, however, isn’t his main concern. ‘I think I’ve got to get after it a little more,’ Horford said after scoring eight points and grabbing six rebounds in just 19 minutes in the Hawks’ 107-90 preseason win over Charlotte Monday night at Philips Arena. ‘A lot of times I’ve been focusing so hard on holding it down in the post for our team that I haven’t focused as much on offense.”
Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald: “Never let it be said Kevin Garnett doesn’t take requests. A day after his coach noted an aspect of his game that’s been missing, KG made like a DJ and spun the tune. ‘I think he’s getting stronger and stronger,’ said Doc Rivers. ‘The only thing left is today he caught a lob and dunked. An amazing dunk. Everybody was like, oh, we haven’t seen that. I made the comment yesterday that the only part lacking is that he’s not as explosive yet. When he did it, he yelled out, ‘Oh, I can do it.’ So that was good to see.’ The rejuvenated Celtic was ready when asked about it later. ‘I think Doc’s been waiting for me to grow wings and fly,’ he said. ‘I’m telling him just be patient. The wings are coming. They’re coming.’ That Garnett’s humor is back also is a good sign things are all right with his surgically repaired right knee.”
Terry Foster of The Detroit News: “Ben Wallace walks around with short cropped hair and a braided goatee instead of the trademark Afro. Big Ben always has marched to the beat of a different drummer. And during that march through the NBA he’s also been able to do what few were willing to do. Wallace established himself by defending and shot-blocking. He has the offensive game of a man on stilts, but became the Pistons’ spiritual leader in ways few could. The days of Wallace carrying a team on his back are over. There are too many miles on his legs as he begins his second tour of duty with the Pistons. But Wallace said he’s healthy and able to practice what he preaches again. That’s why he is ready to assume his role as a leader, even though it won’t be as ‘the leader’ he was during his first stint with the Pistons from 2000-06.”
Kate Fagan of the Philadelphia Inquirer: “After yesterday’s practice, 76ers coach Eddie Jordan said he asked Thaddeus Young how he felt about New York City. Young responded that all cities are ‘about the same to me.’ ‘Really? New York isn’t more special?’ ‘Not really, they’re all about the same to me,’ Young repeated. Recounting the story, Jordan laughed. ‘So, yeah . . . he’s low-maintenance,’ Jordan said. ‘I don’t worry about Thad.’ Yesterday, the Sixers practiced at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine before traveling to New York, where they will play their fourth preseason game tonight against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Sixers are 3-0 in the preseason. Five exhibition games remain before the regular-season opener Oct. 28 at Orlando. Young, in his third NBA season, is averaging 9.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Last season, he averaged 15.3 points per game. Still, Young seems about as low-maintenance on the court as he is off of it: snagging offensive boards, scoring in transition, picking up buckets on broken-down plays.”
Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee: “Spencer Hawes spent the offseason focusing on getting stronger. He’s already demonstrated he can score from the perimeter. The third-year pro has already noticed he can get away with more with the extra size. ‘It feels a lot different,’ Hawes said. ‘Being able to bully guys a lot more and get to where I want to go, especially down low.’ Coach Paul Westphal said hard work and nature (Hawes is only 21) have contributed to Hawes’ improved strength. Westphal, however, doesn’t want Hawes to abandon his outside shooting. ‘Our offense calls for a lot of interchanges where you might be down low in one part of the offense and if you don’t get the ball you gravitate up to the top and someone else comes in low,’ Westphal said. ‘There are plenty of opportunities for everybody, both perimeter and in the post if they can get open.’”
Doug Smith of the Toronto Star: “Waste collectors may take offence, but when Amir Johnson describes his contribution to the Raptors, he speaks with respect. ‘I play to my strengths and one thing I do is play hard every time I come on the floor,’ the team’s emerging backup big man said yesterday. ‘That’s what I try to do, run the floor, block shots and do all the little garbageman stuff.’ That ‘little garbageman stuff ‘ has made Johnson one of the most pleasant surprises for the team as it reached the halfway point of the NBA pre-season. The 6-foot-9 forward-centre has brought a measure of athleticism to Toronto’s frontline that had been sorely lacking in recent history. He’s shown a willingness to get to loose balls and take up space in the paint and protects the rim as well as anyone on the team. He’s still raw, but at just 22 years old, there’s lots of promise there.”
Joe Freeman of The Oregonian: “The lingering debate about the starting lineup and the nostalgia surrounding Wednesday night’s exhibition game at Memorial Coliseum have provided a convenient distraction for the Trail Blazers at a time when a more pertinent issue has surfaced. Coach Nate McMillan has emphasized defense throughout the preseason — and, really, for the better part of the last 13 months — but three games into the exhibition schedule, he’s still searching for the intensity, execution and desire required to catapult this team into becoming a defensive force. ‘That is where I think I’m most disappointed — in the commitment there and … focus,’ McMillan said, referring to his team’s defensive play thus far. ‘Not only have we talked about it, we know that that is where we need to improve and part of (practice) was working on that. The guys gotta commit to that. It can’t be a sometimes thing.’ At the heart of the Blazers’ defensive woes is plain old-fashioned one-on-one grit. McMillan uttered the phrase ‘controlling the ball’ too many times to count Monday, after the team’s two-hour practice, shining focus on an issue that is developing into a liability.”
Ken Berger of CBSSports.com: “Nearly a month after the NBA formally locked out its referees, we have the strongest evidence yet that the old refs will be back any minute now. The evidence? Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and bane of David Stern’s existence, actually likes the replacement referees. He likes them a lot. ‘I hope they get a deal done,’ Cuban told CBSSports.com. ‘But I’m fine with the ones we have. I actually like these referees better.’ If I’m a replacement ref, that’s the worst possible news. You know what they say … with friends like Cuban … Despite the ramifications of this rare olive branch extended by Cuban, a notorious ref basher who has been fined upwards of $1.5 million over the years for criticizing the league, the net result through more than 40 preseason games has been a win-win for the replacements. The longer the preseason goes on without any major episodes of incompetence, the worse things look for the real guys.”
Jerry Crowe of the Los Angeles Times: “At the House That Wilt Built, the spirit of the outsized original owner still reverberates. Ten years after Wilt Chamberlain was found dead of heart failure in the upstairs bedroom, ownership of the hilltop hideaway in Bel-Air has changed hands twice, but the memory of the former Lakers center has been respectfully preserved even as much of the interior has been reconsidered and remodeled. Many of what Chamberlain once called his home’s ‘kinky details’ are gone, among them a mirrored ceiling in the master bedroom that retracted to reveal open sky and a Cleopatra-inspired sunken bathtub that sat at the foot of the bed. A downstairs ‘playroom,’ where Chamberlain had a wall-to-wall water bed floor, is just another room, sans water bed. And the moat swimming pool, though still accessible through an opening in the living room floor, has been divided into three smaller bodies, a lap pool built into the middle. Which is not to say that the former playboy’s paradise has been turned into anything resembling a traditional home. With its five-story living room, 200 tons of stonework, soaring redwood beams and five-foot-thick, 14-foot-high, 2,000-pound front door, the triangular temple is still spectacular.”
