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#Post#: 461--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: Phill23
Date: July 10, 2012, 1:26 pm
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Source: Hawks Enter Howard Trade Talks
The Hawks have engaged the Magic in trade talks involving
(Dwight) Howard, according to a person with knowledge of the
discussions. That person did not want to be identified because
the teams involved have not discussed the negotiations publicly.
The Hawks could offer Orlando better players than the Nets. But
Atlanta could run the risk of trading away valuable assets only
to lose Howard in free agency when his contract expires after
next season.
Howard has given no indication he’s willing to commit beyond
next season to any team other than Brooklyn. He recently told
Yahoo Sports that if a team other than the Nets acquired him, he
planned to play out his contract and become a free agent next
summer.
#Post#: 462--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: Phill23
Date: July 10, 2012, 1:27 pm
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Roy Hopes to Start for Timberwolves
The Timberwolves, meanwhile, have had a hole to fill at the
2-guard position for some time. Wesley Johnson, Martell Webster
and Wayne Ellington haven’t proven to be the answer, and point
guard Luke Ridnour was even shifted out of position to fill the
void last season.
(Brandon) Roy said that he met with Timberwolves executives and
coach Rick Adelman for hours in advance of his decision to sign
with Minnesota. While his role wasn’t in great detail, Roy said
he was approaching the season like he would any other during his
career and he didn’t sound like he has any intention of being a
bit player.
“I didn’t make any demands or ask a question about starting,” he
said of his meeting with Adelman. “I just always feel it’s going
to be hard to keep me out of the starting lineup. That’s just my
mentality as a player and how I feel right now.”
“And not just be in the starting lineup,” he added, chuckling.
“Maybe get a few plays called for me. I just plan to work hard
and put coach in a position where he has to play me.”
#Post#: 463--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: Phill23
Date: July 10, 2012, 1:29 pm
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J.R. Smith to Re-Sign with Knicks
Free agent J.R. Smith has agreed to return to the New York
Knicks.
The veteran shooting guard will sign a two-year contract worth
$2.8 million, two league sources told ESPNNewYork.com. The deal
is guaranteed for the first season and contains a player option
for the second season.
“I have decided to re-sign with the Knicks. I just felt that,
despite my other options, New York is the best situation for
me,” Smith said in a statement released to ESPNNewYork.com.
“Coach (Mike) Woodson showed a lot of faith and trust in me last
season, as did (Knicks owner) Mr. (James) Dolan and the
organization.
#Post#: 485--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: Phill23
Date: October 1, 2012, 12:04 pm
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Trade Talk Taking Toll on Jose Calderon?
Jose Calderon faces his eighth season in the NBA with the same
professionalism as always, but with more uncertainty than ever.
On the persistent rumors of transfer, is blunt: “There comes a
time when you wonder why your name always comes up and not the
other. Finally has never happened, but suffice to say anything
to the end of something happening. I have never requested the
transfer because I am very happy in Toronto. “ He added:
“Everyone would like to feel more valued, but in the NBA
everything is different. I’m trying to do my best for the team
and there are other things they value.
“Bryan (Colangelo) has come out saying that I am a candidate to
be traded because I have a very important contract and I’m in my
last year. (They) said the latter more than anything else.”
#Post#: 486--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: Phill23
Date: October 1, 2012, 12:06 pm
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James Harden Destined to Become RFA?
Now, with the Thunder kicking off the 2012-13 season with media
day on Monday, we’ve reached crunch time on (James) Harden’s
contract negotiations. The two sides have just 30 days to reach
a deal. But as the clock continues to tick, it’s starting to
look like Harden is destined to become a restricted free agent
and let the open market determine his value.
The sensational sixth man who once sounded so sure he would
sacrifice something to stay with the team that drafted him now
appears ready to ride out this stalemate.
If he does, that could effectively spell the end of Harden’s
time in OKC.
Harden is believed to be seeking a max contract, and it’s common
knowledge that he would be all but guaranteed to receive one
from another team next summer. But it’s also been
well-documented how the Thunder can’t venture into that
territory, which means if this deadline comes and goes, Harden
will soon be headed elsewhere unless he has a massive change of
heart.
#Post#: 487--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: Phill23
Date: October 1, 2012, 12:08 pm
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Evans Expects to Turn Corner This Season
His (Tyreke Evans) potential remains an enigma, with his
progress seemingly stuck on pause following a stellar rookie
campaign in 2009-10. But as he prepares to embark on a decisive
fourth NBA season, Evans is confident that 2012-13 is the year
he finally turns the corner.
“I think it’s going to be a great season for me,” said the Kings
guard in a phone interview from his hometown of Chester, Pa. on
Wednesday. “I can’t wait. I’m excited.”
The 23-year-old guard/forward says he’s worked all summer long
building trust in his jumper. He’s focused on certain shot
mechanics, like the position of the ball before release and
jumping straight up and down as opposed to fading away.
“I can feel it (the improvement),” said Evans of his growing
confidence in his jumper. “Even when I miss one, I know I can
shoot it again and I can make the second one.”
#Post#: 489--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: Phill23
Date: October 1, 2012, 12:11 pm
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Nicolas Batum Poised for Breakout Season?
Fans have been hearing about (Nicolas) Batum’s “potential” ever
since he arrived from France four seasons ago and surprisingly
landed a starting job as a rookie. But the 6-8 small forward no
longer can use “potential” as a crutch. After a public and
sometimes acrimonious free agent negotiation process last
summer, the $45 million man has to bear the weight of
expectations for the first time in his career.
Batum averaged 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists last
season. Those numbers aren’t good enough for a player in Batum’s
new tax bracket. The promising news is that those scoring and
rebounding numbers are career highs, and Batum has increased his
scoring in each of his first four seasons in the NBA. He could
be poised for a breakout.
#Post#: 491--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: Phill23
Date: October 1, 2012, 12:14 pm
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Dirk Still Processing Loss of Kidd, Terry
Dirk Nowitzki has a good feeling about the Mavericks’ changes
from last season, but he admits training camp has a different
look.
He said he still is getting over the fact that Jason Kidd and
Jason Terry aren’t on the team. Kidd will open camp with New
York today and Terry is with the Celtics.
“I was obviously disappointed the way July started,” Nowitzki
said. “First, Deron [Williams] didn’t come and then J-Kidd and
Jet left, obviously, two warriors that have been through a lot
of stuff with me and we won the championship together. They were
like brothers to me. So it was tough to see those guys go
somewhere else. It’s going to be weird to see them in different
uniforms, for sure.”
#Post#: 496--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: Phill23
Date: October 2, 2012, 12:18 pm
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Josh Smith A Hawk, For Now
Josh Smith may not hear the groans from the Philips Arena crowd
when he squares up to take a 3-pointer this season.
“You haven’t seen the roster?” Smith turned around a reporter’s
question about his long-range shooting plans on a rebuilt Hawks
roster. “We’ve got Kyle Korver, Devin Harris, Louis Williams,
Anthony Morrow, Anthony Tolliver. Am I missing anyone? Jeff
Teague. … So there we go. That answers that question. I didn’t
even say my name did I? Call me mid-range shawty.”
Smith is one of only five returning players from last season’s
team as practice begin Tuesday for the 2012-13 season. He
remained as the Hawks, under the direction of new general
manager Danny Ferry, rebuilt a franchise that made the playoffs
five straight seasons. Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams are no
longer here. Smith is the longest-tenured Hawk and enters his
ninth season, all with his hometown team after being drafted in
2004 out of high school.
It wasn’t a guarantee he would remain in Atlanta. Smith heard
his name come up in one trade rumor after another. Then again,
he’s used to it.
Smith, 26, is entering the final year of his contract and will
become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Ferry told the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution that it is “unlikely” the two sides
will reach a new deal before the offseason. It doesn’t mean
Smith is playing his last season in Atlanta. He could sign an
extension before June 30, but it would be for a maximum of three
years. After that date he could sign a new contract for a
maximum of five years and worth just under $100 million. There
is risk involved, for player and coach, but one both sides are
willing to make.
“My mindset is making it to the playoffs,” Smith said. “I’m not
worrying about any contract discussions. I think the team and I
are on the same page. We know what we are going to do. My main
concern is making the playoffs and winning basketball games.”
#Post#: 497--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: Phill23
Date: October 2, 2012, 12:19 pm
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Zach Randolph: ‘My Knee is 100 Percent’
Zach Randolph heard the same question everywhere he went during
the offseason. The Grizzlies’ power forward heard it again in
FedExForum on Monday afternoon.
So, big fella, how is your knee?
Randolph just smiled as he held court during the Grizzlies’
annual media day.
“My knee is 100 percent,” Randolph said, “and I feel good. It’s
a new season. I’m turning the page.”
The book on Randolph last season was that he had no lift, could
no longer gobble up rebounds in bunches or bully opponents in
the paint. That was after the 31-year-old veteran returned from
a knee injury (a partially torn MCL) that cost him 38 games and
cut down his confidence.
“Man, working out has made me feel better,” Randolph said. “I
know that I can do what I used to do. … I expect big things from
myself.”
Randolph returned to an approach to health and fitness called
“chameleon training” with University of Memphis strength coach
Frank Matrisciano. Suddenly, Randolph was back to climbing pipes
that extend from the floor to the ceiling for upper-body
training, carrying heavy balls up and down stairs and running in
a sand pit with a 30-pound ball.
“Frank works every muscle in your body,” Randolph said. “It’s
just tearing down fat and building up muscle. … I tell these
young players, I’m 31. I’ve got two max contracts and I’m still
working out hard with Frank, running stairs. That’s how
dedicated I am. I want to be the best. I’m not just satisfied.”
Griz coach Lionel Hollins lauds Randolph’s commitment to
excellence.
“It’s difficult to compare where he is now to then. It’s like
night and day,” Hollins said. “The key is not losing
conditioning and not gaining weight.”
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