Lakers trade SF Jumaine Jones to the Bobcats for a conditional 2nd round pick…which means 6’7” Devin Green, an undrafted free agent rookie out of Hampton University, will probably make the Lakers…I only saw Green once on a late night game on ESPN2 when he put 33 points on William & Mary college…and he was 1st team all-MEAC in College…
All-Star forward Grant Hill was expected to miss three to six weeks after he has surgery for a sports hernia.
Bucks GM Larry Harris attributes his team’s initial interest in newly aquired C Jamaal Magloire to reading hoopshype.com: "It's the Bible of the NBA. One of those things that everybody reads." This past weekend, Harris was on hoopshype.com when he read about the Magloire on the block rumors. "I didn't know if they were true but it piqued my interest. We'd struggled rebounding-wise in the preseason and could use another big." Come Monday, Harris calls the Hornets:"I called and made a reference to [the rumors] and said, 'Is there any truth to what I'm reading?' They said 'Nah, but we're feeling it out about him.' Within 48 hours, we had a deal."
Still working on the all Head-case team…and taking suggestions…
Did you see this? This dude Brian Diesbourg was selected from nearly 200,000 online entries in a contest sponsored by Wendy's with a chance to kick a 50 yard field goal for $1 milllion….and he makes it…After missing field goal tries from 20, 30 and 40 yards, to warm up I guess, the guy drills it from 50 yards at halftime of the Toronto-Hamilton game last night win $1 million…After missing wide right from 20, 30 and 40 yards, Diesbourg kicked a perfect 50 yard field goal that just cleared the crossbar…after which he was mobbed by Argos players…oh and he will be paid $25,000 a year for 40 years to equal a million…
Loser: French golfer Jean Van de Velde, who blew the British Open six years ago on the final hole, will attempt to enter next year's women's British Open. "I'll even wear a kilt and shave my legs," he said Thursday after shooting a 7-over-par 78 in the first round of the Volvo Masters. The 39-year-old Frenchman is upset with a recent policy set by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club to allow women to qualify for next year's British Open. "My whole point is where do we draw the line?" Van de Velde asked, and called the rule change a farce. "If we accept that women can enter our tournaments, then it applies that men can play with women," he said. The Frenchman said he would get an application and attempt to qualify.
1) Marty Burns of Si.com thinks Charlie V is alright:
Proving ground - Thick-skinned Villanueva eager to embarrass critics
It was Raptors rookie forward Charlie Villanueva's welcome-to-the-NBA moment. He was playing pickup ball with several NBA players at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla., last August when Hawks veteran forward Al Harrington decided to have some fun at his expense. "He was just saying, 'Give me the ball. I'm going to take this rookie. He can't guard me,'" Villanueva recalls. "You know, typical NBA stuff." The two went at it hard during the ensuing game, according to Villanueva, with each making plays on the other and talking smack. With Chauncey Billups, Jared Jeffries and a few of his Raptors teammates looking on, Villanueva held his own. When it was over, the 6-foot-9 Harrington came over to the 6-11 Villanueva and shook his hand. "He said good job, keep working hard," Villanueva said. "It definitely gave me confidence.'" Villanueva now hopes to silence skeptics of a different sort. Ever since being selected with the No. 7 pick last June, the former UConn star has heard a torrent of complaints from the media and pundits. Villanueva, critics say, is too soft, too moody and not a hard worker. He plays the same position as Chris Bosh. He never should have been drafted that high. Guess what? Villanueva currently leads all rookies during the preseason in scoring (16.9 points) while adding 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and .86 blocks in 30.3 minutes per game. He had 19 points (on 8-of-12 shooting) to go with five boards in just 25 minutes Monday night against the Blazers. Last week he had 24 points and seven rebounds in an OT victory over the Nets, including three clutch free throws in the final seconds to send the game into the extra session. "I think people are seeing why we took Charlie with the seventh pick," Raptors coach Sam Mitchell says. "He's a multitalented guy, he works hard, he can play three positions and he's getting better every game. If you look at the numbers he's putting up and the different ways we are using him this kid has a chance to be a very good basketball player." Villanueva is definitely playing with a chip on his shoulder. He admits he was ticked off by the criticisms he received on draft night. He remembers every word Dick Vitale and the other experts on ESPN said about him. He recalls getting on a plane to Toronto the next day and seeing a local newspaper ripping his selection. His agent, Billy Ceisler, has since had the newspaper framed and hung in Villanueva's apartment.
"It hurt," says Villanueva, who had been watching the ESPN telecast with his family. "It was my big day, you know. Getting drafted was something I'd dreamed about. To hear all those negative comments was tough." "But I decided it was just going to make me work harder. I feel I've got something to prove." What the critics failed to mention about Villanueva on draft night was that he was only 20 years old and that he had been making progress. UConn observers say his work ethic had improved under coach Jim Calhoun's strict hand. They note he was always a willing passer and good teammate. He averaged 13.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while helping lead the Huskies to the NCAA Tournament semifinals. As for his talent, there was never any question. Tall and rangy, Villanueva can handle the ball, shoot from outside and work effectively around the basket. At Blair Academy prep school in New Jersey, where he teamed with Bulls forward Luol Deng to win two state titles, he emerged as one of the top prospects in the country. He almost turned pro right out of high school but opted to go to Connecticut instead. Another thing the Raptors liked about Villanueva was that he had a reputation as a good kid. The son of Dominican immigrants, he grew up on some of the rougher streets of Queens, N.Y. His mom, Doris, worked as a custodian to help pay his tuition to Blair. Yet despite the temptations of gangs and drugs, Villanueva and his older brothers managed to steer clear. One of those brothers, Rob, is living with him in Toronto while he makes his transition. It was on those rough streets, in fact, that Villanueva learned how to stand up for himself. As a 13-year-old he was diagnosed with alopecia areata, a skin disease resulting in hair loss everywhere on body. He says he endured taunts and teasing throughout his teenage years, helping him develop a thick hide. "It was tough for me," Villanueva recalls. "I was 10 years old and little by little I started losing my hair, getting bald spots. I was worried because I didn't know what it was. "Kids made fun of me a lot. It was pretty bad. I was really really insecure. Fortunately, I was able to use basketball as a tool to forget about it and to motivate me." Villanueva still has to improve his defense and rebounding, and he has to prove he'll continue to work hard during the dog days of February and March. He also could find himself stuck on the bench if Bosh gets worn out at center and needs to return to his natural power forward position. But as he showed this summer in his encounter with Harrington, he's not going to back down to a challenge. "We just picked teams and matched up," Villanueva recalls. "Next thing I know he was demanding the ball. He saw that I was a rookie and thought he could take advantage of me. But I battled back, and I held my own. "Like I said, it was typical NBA stuff. We went at it for awhile. I fought and he fought. There was no animosity or anything. Just two guys out there competing. Looking back, it was a good experience for me." Villanueva can only hope it was the first of many successful mano-a-mano battles in his NBA career. Charlie Villanueva isn't the only rookie opening eyes this preseason.
2) Here's a look at four other first-round picks not named Bogut or Williams who have been impressive in training camp:
Chris Paul, Hornets: A trendy pick for Rookie of the Year, the little guard from Wake Forest leads all first-year players in assists (6.8) while chipping in 9.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals. He also has posted a 3.41 assist/turnover ratio and shot 58.3 percent from downtown (seven-of-12). He had 26 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals in Sunday's loss to the Nuggets.
Channing Frye, Knicks: The 6-foot-11 power forward from Arizona, drafted No. 8 overall, is averaging 11.2 points (on 52.8 percent shooting), 4.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in just 19.3 minutes per game. He had 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two assists in Saturday's win over the Spurs. Even Larry Brown might have to find time for this rookie if he keeps it up.
Rashad McCants, T'wolves: No first-year player has a better opportunity, and this 6-4 shooting guard from North Carolina, drafted No. 14 overall, is trying to make the most of it. He's averaging 11.9 points while shooting 47.1 percent from downtown (eight-of-17). His defense still needs work and he has struggled with foul trouble, but he looks like a keeper.
Danny Granger, Pacers: Could be the steal of the draft. Selected No. 17 overall out of New Mexico, the 6-8 forward leads all rookies in rebounds (7.3) while adding 11.0 points, 1.5 assists and .83 steals in 26.2 minutes per game. Though he hasn't shot well from the floor (40.4 percent), his defense has been more than solid. He had 19 points and 15 boards in a win last week over the Spurs.
3) Peter Vescey of the New York Post is a little upset with Byron Scott:
TRADING BARBS WITH BYE-RON - GREAT SCOTT! Former Nets coach Byron Scott seems out of touch while leading the Hornets.
October 28, 2005 -- WHEN Byron Scott was continuously, catatonically propped up on the sidelines of the Continental Breakfast Arena, I benignly described him as "a tripod in a three-piece suit." Apparently, that assessment from this hack journalist wasn't exclusive. Lord Bye-Ron, you may recall, was jettisoned by Jersey just after the mid-point of the season before last. Not even the Nets' 101-63 regular-season record during the previous two — highlighted by a Final Frolic in 2003 — was enough to save Scott. Quite simply, his resume was no match for his reputation. Finally, after endlessly ignoring how harmful to his team's health his coach had become, Nets president Rod Thorn made his Dread Scott Decision in favor of no-experience Lawrence Frankincense who nearly went undefeated for the remainder of the season, that's how giddy Jason & The Argonauts were to see Bye-Ron beheaded. Scott, by all accounts, was (choose one): a) A lazy lump; b) Dangerously smug; c) Out-coached and simply out of it; d) Any combination thereof. No sweat. After a short stint as one of the ABC/ESPN talking headaches, Bye-Ron, validating his permanent parking place in America, "earned" a second chance. Scott took over as head coach of the New Orleans Hornets prior to the 2004-2005 season . . . and promptly guided them to a franchise-worst 18-64 record. (Author's aside: And you wonder why God created TiVo. Shortly after Bye-Ron took the Hornets' gig, that high priest of hoops, Stephen A(nal) Smith, asked Scott on-air why he accepted THAT job. Because, Anal retentive, no one entrusted with a franchise worth a damn would give Scott the time of Todd Day.) Of course, even a hack journalist like myself realizes Scott's talent pool in the Big Easy isn't nearly what it was in the Big East Rutherford. Regardless, the '04-'05 Hornets managed to distinguish themselves, averaging a bottom-of-the-FM dial (as well as bottom of the NBA) 88.4 points per game while held under triple figures a staggering 73 times. The team lost its first eight games and began last season 2-29 mostly minus Baron Davis, Jamaal Magloire and, of course, Jamal Mashburn. In fact, seeing this cabal cavort, you'd have thought FEMA would have been barreling toward the Bayou a year ago. As putrid of they were/are, the Hornets did/do have some marketable members. Chief among them: Magloire, who, despite missing 59 games last season (fractured right ring finger and back spasms), was an '04 All-Star. The Toronto native, entering his sixth season, was actively sought by the Raptors prior to last June's draft (the price of two No. 1s, management felt, was too stiff) and remained a coveted commodity during this past offseason. Yours truly, the hack journalist, had the temerity to type such blasphemy into last Sunday's column. Sources had told me there was ongoing trade conversation with numerous teams re Magloire. Bye-Ron responded by telling the local (temporary digs of Oklahoma City) and New Orleans media that I have no clue what I'm talking about and never have. Three days later, Magloire was traded to the Bucks for former Oklahoma State standout Desmond Mason, an '06 first-rounder and cash. Jim Bower, a recent GM replacement for the terminated Allan Bristow (the club erroneously announced he left for medical reasons), openly admits the Bucks' offer was just one of many proposals. In fact — perish the thought — the Hornets had actually initiated some of the discussions. Meaning, either Bye-Ron is completely out of the loop or he's terminally fruit loops. Either way, he ought to consider coming off the golf course more often or, at the least, subscribe to The Post on line so he can keep up to date with what his team is trying to do. "What I meant to say," Scott hedged, "is we wouldn't trade Magloire for Jackie Mason. And another thing; Malcolm-Jamal Warner isn't going anywhere." Don't get me wrong; I'm not all that upset with Bye-Ron. I figure, when the disingenuous diss you, it's all good. Moreover, his judgment of me isn't entirely wrong, it has a measure of truth to it. After all, I was the first to put his name out there for a head coaching job when he was briefly a Kings assistant. Both the Pacers and Nets showed interest. Like Donnie Walsh and Thorn I thought Scott was a hard worker and a straight shooter. Clearly, I did not know what I was talking about.
4) Drew Kerr and Jane Slusark of The Daily Iowan with the sad tail of a player too talented never too have made it, but apparently too much of a bas guy:
Pierre Pierce, from the beginning to saga's end - From stardom to a cell?
WESTMONT, Ill. - The yellowed planks and collapsible bleachers running up and down the Westmont High School gymnasium still resonate with the screeching sneakers and heavy pounding of Pierre Pierce. It was in this small town surrounded by Chicagoland that Pierce ballooned into a local legend who shattered school records with his undeniable on-court presence and threw an entire town into an unprecedented basketball frenzy. When Pierce, now 22, walked across Westmont's graduation stage in the spring of 2001, he was a hometown luminary headed to a Division I school and on the cusp of a much-coveted NBA future. But Pierce's idyllic image and much anticipated basketball success was shattered last February when he popped up in front-page news photos again - hands shackled behind his back and somberly striding into an Iowa courtroom. The 6-4, 185-pound Iowa guard had done it again. Just two short years removed from a season spent on the sidelines as he fought rape charges that resulted with a lesser assault conviction, Pierce was back in court, fighting fresh charges of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, third-degree burglary, false imprisonment, and criminal mischief. Combined, the charges - which stem from a late-night West Des Moines altercation with his then-significant other - originally threatened to lock up the 22-year-old Pierce for more than a half century and got him forever booted from the Hawkeye basketball family. Pierce can receive no more than nine years in prison when he is sentenced today, thanks to a plea agreement that allowed the former guard to plead guilty to lesser charges. But while Pierce may have to cut his losses in the court of law, his case in the court of public opinion has produced much more sour results. His near-immediate expulsion from the team showed how unwilling the UI was to associate itself with a seemingly sinking ship. When the NBA draft rolled around in June, few professional teams flirted with the risk of signing a player on trial. But was there anything in Pierce's pre-Hawkeye past that could have indicated such legal trouble? Asking Pierce's hometown associates - the neighbors, coaches, teammates, and classmates he spent his adolescence with - does little to nail down his moral, experiential, or personal beliefs. But one possible common theme emerges from the dialogue: No one can quite understand how a kid, with so much talent, so much ambition, and so much to lose, could fall so far, so fast.
A HISTORY OF SUCCESS - Lucille Pierce gave birth to her second of four sons on June 7, 1983. She and husband Maurice Pierce named him Pierre, a name with French origins meaning reliable. From the beginning, he was destined to be a star. By the third grade, Pierce was already dribbling between his legs and making the shots other kids could only dream about. "He was like the Michael Jordan of youth basketball," recalled longtime teammate Jody Urbas. "I remember one time he looked at me and said, very seriously, 'I was born with a ball in my hands.' " As Pierce's talent became increasingly apparent, so too did Maurice Pierce's resolve to make him a star. The now 43-year-old construction supervisor enrolled Pierce in so many basketball camps and leagues, the pair would often find themselves running out the door of one game just in time to make it to the next. By the time Pierce completed eighth grade, he was getting calls from private schools in the area, all promising him more exposure. But - in what many call a sign of his devotion not only to basketball but to his Westmont teammates - Pierce stayed home. When he entered high school, it was with the same five-man squad he'd played with for almost five years. "If you were slacking and [Pierce] knew it, then he would make sure he's guarding you or switch over to you and take the ball," said former teammate Matt Forzley, now a UI senior who chronicled much of Pierce's meteoric rise in the high-school basketball world. "If you weren't working your hardest, he'd make you look silly when he'd steal it and dunk it on you." With Pierre leading the way, nearly everyone thought a state title was in sight. But something changed during Pierce's senior year. During the season that led up to the team's fourth-place finish - the best in school history - it was Pierce who got the photo and was given the credit in the sports pages. When reporters pulled players to the sidelines during practices, it was usually to talk about their superstar teammate. In one short year, it went from "The Team" to "Pierce's Team." "College coaches such as DePauls's Pat Kennedy, Illinois's Lon Kruger, and Iowa's Steve Alford, stopping by the gym made Westmont the place to see basketball in the western suburbs," reads a 2001 story in the local Westmont Progress. "By the end of the season, not many people in the Chicagoland area didn't know who Pierce and the Sentinels were." But Pierce was averse to all the lavish attention, said one former coach. "This was a player who, aside from the court, tried to distance himself from all the hubbub," said Ron Gunter, the assistant boys' basketball coach at Westmont High School. "He really just wasn't into the limelight all that much." Maurice Pierce also described his superstar son as a "loner" and someone whose determination on the court preceded any flirtation with celebrity. "He was a young man who was very focused, very respectful, and not easily influenced," Maurice Pierce said. "He was motivated, you know. He knew right from wrong and made the right choices."
INCREASED EXPECTATIONS - The success also increased expectations on the team, and the four-year varsity starter, who holds all-time Westmont records for career points, rebounds, assists, and steals, was often the one to assume the bulk of the pressure. To make sure he was ready, Pierre began a basketball diet of monumental proportions that included an hour before school, practice after, a thousand jumpers with the coach following that, and then - if he had energy left - a pickup game at Blackhawk Park. While many say Pierce subjected himself to this seemingly obsessive regimen willingly, two undeniable influences certainly had a hand in seeing Pierce excel: His father, who was a silent and reserved staple at nearly every game, and Steven Dimovski, the head basketball coach at Westmont High School. For Maurice Pierce, who himself played college basketball, many say keeping Pierce on the court was a way to keep his son from falling into the lifestyle that his four-year-older brother had. Tyler and Chris, younger brothers who served as ball boys during Pierce's high-school career and "really admire" their older standout brother, were kept in the game for similar reasons. But Pierce's older brother, Kevin, now 26, doesn't come up much in conversation. Most interviewed said they either didn't know him or saw him fewer than five times total. Pierce's own father would only say, "He has his own agenda." But court records and calls to the Illinois Department of Corrections reveals much about the seemingly troubled Kevin Pierce. The tattoo-covered Kevin has a host of convictions dating back to 1996 - the most recent is for possession of a stolen vehicle and delivery of cocaine in 2003, and he is now on parole. And if the patriarch's $15,000 investment into Pierce's most recent case - in which prominent Des Moines attorney Alfredo Parrish came to the rescue once again - is indicative of his commitment to second-born son, then Kevin Pierce's use of a public defender is equally as telling. Meanwhile, for Dimovski, people say Pierce was a golden ticket - a chance for the then-coach to really make his mark on Westmont basketball. Pierce was the obvious favorite, and the camaraderie between him and Dimovski was unquestionably better than with any other player, teammates said. But the relationship took an interesting turn when, in 2000, Dimovski was kicked out of the district after tracking down a female student outside of school, making suggestive comments that finally prompted her to complain. Dimovski's actions ultimately landed him on the Illinois sex-offender registry - an online, mug-shot fate that Pierce may face here in Iowa. The combination of brother Kevin Pierce and Dimovski raises the inevitable question: How exactly did Pierce's those around him influenced his behavior? While misguidance may have induced Pierce's legal woes, his father and former Westmont High School Principal Jay Sabatino both shied away from making the connection. "There were a whole host of players on that team with Dimovski, and none of them turned around and did anything like this," Sabatino said. Still, the alleged preferential treatment may have bloated Pierce's ego and given him a sense of infallibility. All ardent Pierce fans, his teachers would allow him to leave campus for lunch and skip class, former classmate Nicole Jankowski said. Pierce could talk back to teachers, and they would respond by trying to play it off as a joke - something no other student could have gotten away with. "He went from a regular, everyday kid to like the school superstar," said Jankowski, who attended both junior and senior high with Pierce. Rumors also surfaced about the possibility of sexual promiscuity. Pierce had a steady girlfriend, but she would often become upset over his flirtatious behavior, Jankowski said. "He would offer girls rides home before the game, and then, later on, he would be like, 'Well what do I get out of it?' " said Jankowski, now 22. Players, too, noticed Pierce's attitude evolving as he started idolizing such NBA stars as Philadelphia 76er Allen Iverson. "It was a thug thing," Urbas, the former teammate, recalled. "He took on this image with all these tattoos and the Ebonics slang, acting like a hard ass, just pushing people around who were smaller than he was. "It was like he thought they were inferior to him. I know a lot of people feel differently from the way I do, but they don't know what I do." When the team finally did make the trip to state, the whole school was in an unprecedented frenzy. Tickets were scalped and school was dismissed to allow students - many of whom painted No. 3 on their cheeks or T-shirts - to travel to the game. But the trip to Aurora, Ill., included more than just basketball. Jankowski, for example, recalls numerous players, including Pierce, who broke curfew and tried to get into strip clubs while there. Local sports reporters for the Westmont Progress added that the rumor mill was in full swing following the tournament. In the wee hours before the crucial tournament game, Pierce teammate Brandon Steadman had broken curfew - and he was not alone, according to Progress sports reporter Dawn Parker. Pierce was with Steadman, and girls were involved in their early morning carousing. Talk of a naked cheerleader also surfaced, Parker alleged. "This was somewhat of a pattern," she said. "Things happened but were covered up because of who he was." Still, whatever happened on the trip was not mentioned much when the players returned. Instead, the team's 3-foot trophy made its way into the most prominent trophy case in the building, where it remains today. Pierce was named MVP for the fourth year in a row, and signing day came and went without mention of any wrongdoing. Sabatino, who considers himself a Pierce family friend, still defends the former Westmont star's character and said the allegations about any questionable behavior are completely out of line. "Look, the last thing I would do is tell Steve [Alford] that this is a blue-chip player knowing he was a screwball," said Sabatino, who has since left the district. "I would have told him if I thought he couldn't keep him out of jail." But for now, it seems that's just what is going to happen.
5) Jack MacCallum of SI.com with an interesting read on his “coaching” stint with the Suns:
Hot seat - SI's Jack McCallum takes a turn coaching the Suns
After a day of hanging with the Phoenix Suns coaches for a Sports Illustrated story (appearing in this week's issue), I was telling a colleague of mine what I had seen and heard, and he said, "You should hang around longer and turn it into a book." I laughed, but he was correct. In 25 years at SI, I've never worked on a story that was so hard for me to condense into the allotted space ... and they gave me a lot of space. Anyway, here are some of the "outtakes" from the piece, which is about being an assistant coach during the first five days of preseason practice. I spent 12 hours a day with coach Mike D'Antoni and assistants Marc Iavaroni, Alvin Gentry, Phil Weber, Dan D'Antoni and Todd Quinter, and during that time they asked me to go off the record only about half a dozen times.
Oct. 1: America West Arena, Phoenix - I arrived three days before the start of camp, but the coaches had been meeting off and on all summer. By now, they have picked up the intricacies of the new, sophisticated digital machinery in the basketball offices (with the exception of Dan, Mike's brother, who was officially hired on July 1). "It was either pay for this," says Mike, waving his hand at the screen, "or pay for Joe Johnson. We went with the technology." Everyone laughs. But only soft of. Finding a way to replace the multi-talented Johnson, who defected to the Atlanta Hawks in the off-season, was the Suns' primary worry going into camp.
Oct. 2: America West Arena - We were on the practice court discussing what drills to use during the opening of two-a-days when the discussion moved to defending a curl off a stack, a pet play run by every team but most lethally by the Detroit Pistons. Typically, Rip Hamilton comes hustling around a double screen set along the lane and can usually catch and get a jump shot inside of 15 feet. "Or Rip comes off and finds Chauncey Billups right here," says Gentry, striding to a position near the 3-point line. "I never got that about Detroit," I say. "With all their talent, why didn't they score in triple figures?" Because if you don't pass the ball five or six times a possession," says Gentry, "you're not playing the right way." Gentry, like virtually every NBA coach, has a deep and abiding respect for Larry Brown, but can't resist taking a gentle swipe at Brown's mantra.
Oct. 3: Westin, Tucson - I traveled with the team to camp at the University of Arizona. After check-in, tradition calls for the team dinner, a low-key affair. But one thing surprised me: The extent to which D'Antoni and assistant general manager Dave Griffin stressed keeping appointments with doctors, trainers and the community relations people. Missing a mandatory appearance can cost a player as much as $20,000.
Oct. 4: McKale Center, University of Arizona - After the first session of two-a-days, the assistants called me over for a kind of shooting initiation. I made 10 in a row from the foul line. "Hey, I'm an old white guy," I say. "Of course I can shoot." But Weber instructs me to shoot on the move, and, after I miss two in a row, he brings over his patented heavy ball, instructing me on how to follow through. "You should listen to Phil," says Gentry. "He has taken many an average shooter and turned him into a below-average shooter."
Oct. 5: McKale Center - Steve Kerr, the TNT commentator and now a Suns' advisor, visits practice, and for reasons that escape me I bet Gentry $20 that Kerr, shooting cold in street clothes, can't make five-of-10 3-pointers. "You so lost that bet," says Gentry. I talked Kerr into it and he promptly rolled up his sleeves and drained five of his first eight from the left corner, costing me 20. (I tried to recoup my money the next day by betting that Kerr couldn't make six-of-10 free throws left-handed. He made eight.) "Your per diem management," says Gentry, "is in shambles."
Oct. 6: Westin - At the morning meeting before practice, Mike says, "Today, we'll run St. Agnes." The coaches all laugh. St. Agnes is a run and shoot drill favored by Weber, the most common target for the insults of his colleagues. It's a running joke that D'Antoni puts St. Agnes on the schedule but never gets to it. "It's like that fifth guest on the old Johnny Carson show that they never had time for," says Gentry.
Oct. 7: Westin - Suns' majority owner Robert Sarver almost runs over Gentry in the breezeway outside the hotel. "Go ahead," says Gentry, "I always wanted to own an NBA team." "Not today you don't," rejoined Sarver. It was a great line that masked a serious situation. The Suns has just discovered that an Arizona team doctor had examined Amaré Stoudemire's throbbing left knee and determined that he could be out for nine months. (At this writing, Stoudemire, who had arthroscopic surgery on Oct. 11, is expected to be out until February.)
Oct. 8: McKale Center - Veteran NBA referee Jack Nies was waiting in the classroom to deliver the annual mandatory preseason rules discussion. The session provides welcome relief since the early days of camp were such an unceasing immersion into one's own team. Nies ran video to highlight the difficulty of making the borderline calls (block-charge, for example) and also to go over the NBA's new areas of emphasis, traveling being one of them. "You won't be able to hop, then take two steps this year," says Mies. Vince Carter, say a half dozen voices at once. A discussion about flopping (deliberately falling down so as to draw a charge) came up. The Suns aren't known to do it much (a cynic might say you have to guard people before you can flop) and hate it when others do. "Jack, it's hard to get that charging call if you don't accentuate the fall," says Mike. "That means that certain guys -- let's say Ginobili -- really accentuate and always get it." As if by magic, a clip from the 2005 Finals comes on the screen, and everyone howls when the Spurs' Manu Ginobili draws a charge on Detroit's Lindsey Hunter, recoiling so forcefully that it looks as if he's been propelled from a catapult. The climax to my week was the game-conditions intrasquad scrimmage before some 7,000 fans at the McKale Center. (It finished in an 83-83 tie.) I've seen hundreds of games from press row but watching it just a few feet closer to the action is a completely different experience. You really feel the ebb and flow, the changes in momentum, the disappointment when a stratagem fails and the elation when something works. One of my most vivid memories was watching point guard Steve Nash wave to his adorable twin daughters in the stands, then, when play resumes, immediately hit a driving layup. That ability to turn it on is something that stamps the great athletes. A few days ago I got an e-mail from Gentry. "We really miss your input on the key decisions," he wrote. "Like what time to go to Starbucks and where to have dinner."
6) Chris Broussard of ESPN.com thinks AI needs to pull back a bit:
We have seen the ads everywhere: "A decade later and stronger than ever.'' The pint-sized Allen Iverson has certainly defied the odds, earning just about every individual award possible and becoming a global icon without compromising his street style. It's unbelievable that last year -- in his ninth season of banging and bumping and playing high-octane basketball -- Iverson could have one of his best campaigns ever, averaging 30.7 ppg and a career-best 7.9 apg. To put Iverson's nine-year scoring frenzy in perspective, recognize that Nate "Tiny'' Archibald, the player most comparable to A.I., had just four full seasons of really phenomenal ball (where he averaged more than 24 ppg). So Iverson's place in history is secure. He's a first-ballot Hall of Famer and a top 50 superstar. But while the 30-year-old A.I. could probably score more than 27 ppg for two, maybe three, more years, now is the time for him to pull back. For the Philadelphia 76ers to maximize their potential this season, Iverson must stop dominating the ball. This year's Sixers have too much talent elsewhere to stand around and watch A.I. dribble, drive, elevate and either shoot or kick out a pass because he couldn't get a shot off. It's not contender talent mind you, just playoff talent, perhaps enough to challenge the Nets for the Atlantic Division crown. It was necessary back in the day for A.I. to do all the scoring in Philly because Larry Brown wisely put a collection of hard-nosed, defensive-minded pitbulls around him, as well as some spot-up shooters (i.e. Aaron McKie). They did the dirty work while A.I. handled the fun stuff. But now, Philly has a couple of thoroughbreds, guys who can create offense on their own. But they will never realize their potential if A.I. does it all. The other A.I., Andre Iguodala, is a star-in-waiting. He can go crazy this season if A.I. spreads the wealth. John Salmons is another wicked athlete who could do damage if given the chance. Kyle Korver's a terrific shooter, and Chris Webber (though not the CWebb of old) is still the best-passing big man in the game. Throw in the ever-improving Samuel Dalembert, who's fast becoming a defensive menace, and you've got a solid ball club. A.I. should still be the Sixers' leading scorer, averaging 20-plus a game. But if he drops down 8 points from 30, Webber puts in 18 a night, Iguodala scores 16 and Salmons 15, the Sixers will be much better off. That's the wise move, in my opinion. Then the ad could also say, "A decade later and smarter than ever.''
7) Yoni Cohen of FOXSports.com thinks the old beasts are back:
Once-storied programs are poised for return
In the early and mid-1980s, Georgetown, Houston, and Indiana were college basketball's elite. Twenty-some years later, the Hoyas, Cougars and Hoosiers are primed for a return to glory ... or at least to the NCAA tournament.In 1981, Indiana won the national championship. In 1982, Georgetown was favored, but fell in the final seconds. In 1983, Houston was favored, but lost at the buzzer. In 1984, Georgetown defeated Houston and cut down the nets. In 1985, Georgetown again lost in the finals. In 1987, Indiana once more won the national championship. In the process, Georgetown's Patrick Ewing and John Thompson, Houston's Akeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler and Indiana's Isiah Thomas, Steve Alford and Bobby Knight popularized the NCAA tournament. Houston's surprise loss in 1983 and Georgetown's shocking defeat in 1985, perhaps the two greatest upsets in college basketball history, established the NCAA tournament as the most exhilarating event in sports. Never again would the national championship be broadcast on the same night as the Academy Awards. More recently, all three programs have fallen on hard times. "Phi Slamma Jamma" has been grounded since 1992. "Hoya Paranoia" has not overtaken March Madness since 2001. The Hoosiers have not had a season on the brink since 2003. This year, however, Georgetown grey, Houston red and Indiana crimson should be back in style come March Madness.
Georgetown - In his first year on his father's throne, John Thompson III all but made the "Princeton Offense" a misnomer. Though last season's Hoyas played at a pace marginally faster than did the Tigers, Georgetown scored more and gave up fewer points per possession than Princeton. Not only did last year's Hoyas shoot from behind the arc with greater accuracy than did the Tigers, Georgetown also distributed more assists per game than did Thompson's alma mater and former employer. The result of the Hoyas' steep learning curve? Sixteen victories before Valentine's Day ... but only one conference win thereafter. Last year's club hit a wall, one that this year's edition will run right through. Stud forward Brandon Bowman re-thought his early entry into the NBA draft and is back to score in bunches. Versatile Big East Co-Freshman of the Year Jeff Green returns to serve as a role model for young players everywhere; last year he shot 40 percent from behind the arc, 50 percent from the field and 70 percent from the charity stripe. Senior point guard Ashanti Cook, a double-digit scorer, practiced with 7-2 center Roy Hibbert this summer, further acclimating each to the other's game. Hibbert, fast becoming a Thompson favorite, should be much more of a factor. Swingman Darrel Owens was granted an additional year of eligibility. After collecting nearly as many points in the Big East tournament and NIT as he did during the rest of the season, Owens could well be poised for a breakout campaign. Add four well-regarded recruits to the mix and the Hoyas have the makings of a Big East contender. Need additional evidence that what's old is new at Georgetown? Pat Ewing Jr. recently opted to play for John Thompson III. (The school from which Ewing Jr. transferred? Indiana. The hometown of KRIV, the television station that first reported Pat's relocation? Houston).
Houston - Think coaches aren't difference-makers? Think again. In 2003-04, Ray McCallum's last year at the helm, the Cougars lost 18 games. In 2004-05, "Turnaround Tom" Penders' first year on the bench, Houston won 18 contests — with more or less the same cast of characters. In McCallum's final season, the Cougars committed more turnovers per possession than did 131 clubs. In Penders' inaugural campaign? Fewer than all but 12 teams. In McCallum's final year, Houston forced fewer turnovers per possession than did 197 squads. In Penders' first season? More than all but one — Air Force. Four starters and eight lettermen return for this year's Cougars squad, including prolific scoring guard and preseason All-Conference USA pick Lanny Smith, experienced senior forward Ramon Dyer and defensive specialist Brian Latham. Equally as significant, Penders rid Houston of four non-contributors over the spring and fall. In their place, the Cougars welcome seven recruits, including Jahmar Thorpe, undersized at 6-foot-6 but packing strength enough for two, Richard Young, a junior college All-American, and Emmanuel Adeife, a 6-10 center who adds much needed size. Further, Conference USA's realignment well positions Houston to secure an NCAA tournament bid; five of the seven teams that defeated the Cougars in league play last year have moved on. Though Houston no longer has Louisville to surprise, as the Cougars did last January, smart scheduling on Penders' behalf affords his club opportunities for several quality wins, LSU, Arizona and UNLV among them, but few damaging losses. Need additional evidence that what's old is new at Houston? Michael Young, a member of "Phi Slamma Jamma" with Olajuwon and Drexler, is back with the Cougars as an assistant.
Indiana - All-SEC transfer Marco Killingsworth, a behemoth on the boards, and Big Ten Freshman of the Year D.J. White, versatile and efficient, will anchor what should be among the best frontcourts in the country. Versatile swingman Robert Vaden returns to score, rebound and distribute. Highly touted guard A.J. Ratliff, a significant three-point threat, could have a breakout sophomore campaign with defenses collapsing on Killingsworth and White. Senior point guard Marshall Strickland will, thanks to his experience, provide continuity without getting flustered down the stretch. Equally as important, this year's Hoosiers will have the depth last year's club sorely lacked. European import Cem Dinc, a multi-talented 6-10 forward-center, can play inside and out. Look for him to occasionally stretch opposing defenses by setting up on the perimeter. Should Dinc, Killingsworth or White get into foul trouble, Mike Davis can call on Ben Allen, an Australian product from the same program that produced Andrew Bogut. Lightning-quick junior college guard Earl Calloway is ready to contribute immediately, as is Auburn transfer Lewis Monroe. Both provide Indiana depth and flexibility in the backcourt. This season, the Hoosiers opted against scheduling their own demise. Last year's Indiana squad, though 10-6 in conference, was excluded from March Madness thanks in large part to a sub-.500 non-conference record. The cause of such mediocrity? Consecutive December games against North Carolina, Connecticut, Notre Dame, Kentucky, Missouri and Charlotte, all RPI top 75 teams. Though this year's Hoosiers again play Charlotte, Connecticut and Kentucky, and Duke in North Carolina's stead, not a single primetime contest is within a week of any other, affording Indiana the opportunity to regroup and recalibrate. Need additional evidence that what's old is new at Indiana? Mike Davis Jr. is a member of this year's Hoosiers, much as was Pat Knight from 1991-95.
All-Star forward Grant Hill was expected to miss three to six weeks after he has surgery for a sports hernia.
Bucks GM Larry Harris attributes his team’s initial interest in newly aquired C Jamaal Magloire to reading hoopshype.com: "It's the Bible of the NBA. One of those things that everybody reads." This past weekend, Harris was on hoopshype.com when he read about the Magloire on the block rumors. "I didn't know if they were true but it piqued my interest. We'd struggled rebounding-wise in the preseason and could use another big." Come Monday, Harris calls the Hornets:"I called and made a reference to [the rumors] and said, 'Is there any truth to what I'm reading?' They said 'Nah, but we're feeling it out about him.' Within 48 hours, we had a deal."
Still working on the all Head-case team…and taking suggestions…
Did you see this? This dude Brian Diesbourg was selected from nearly 200,000 online entries in a contest sponsored by Wendy's with a chance to kick a 50 yard field goal for $1 milllion….and he makes it…After missing field goal tries from 20, 30 and 40 yards, to warm up I guess, the guy drills it from 50 yards at halftime of the Toronto-Hamilton game last night win $1 million…After missing wide right from 20, 30 and 40 yards, Diesbourg kicked a perfect 50 yard field goal that just cleared the crossbar…after which he was mobbed by Argos players…oh and he will be paid $25,000 a year for 40 years to equal a million…
Loser: French golfer Jean Van de Velde, who blew the British Open six years ago on the final hole, will attempt to enter next year's women's British Open. "I'll even wear a kilt and shave my legs," he said Thursday after shooting a 7-over-par 78 in the first round of the Volvo Masters. The 39-year-old Frenchman is upset with a recent policy set by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club to allow women to qualify for next year's British Open. "My whole point is where do we draw the line?" Van de Velde asked, and called the rule change a farce. "If we accept that women can enter our tournaments, then it applies that men can play with women," he said. The Frenchman said he would get an application and attempt to qualify.
1) Marty Burns of Si.com thinks Charlie V is alright:
Proving ground - Thick-skinned Villanueva eager to embarrass critics
It was Raptors rookie forward Charlie Villanueva's welcome-to-the-NBA moment. He was playing pickup ball with several NBA players at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla., last August when Hawks veteran forward Al Harrington decided to have some fun at his expense. "He was just saying, 'Give me the ball. I'm going to take this rookie. He can't guard me,'" Villanueva recalls. "You know, typical NBA stuff." The two went at it hard during the ensuing game, according to Villanueva, with each making plays on the other and talking smack. With Chauncey Billups, Jared Jeffries and a few of his Raptors teammates looking on, Villanueva held his own. When it was over, the 6-foot-9 Harrington came over to the 6-11 Villanueva and shook his hand. "He said good job, keep working hard," Villanueva said. "It definitely gave me confidence.'" Villanueva now hopes to silence skeptics of a different sort. Ever since being selected with the No. 7 pick last June, the former UConn star has heard a torrent of complaints from the media and pundits. Villanueva, critics say, is too soft, too moody and not a hard worker. He plays the same position as Chris Bosh. He never should have been drafted that high. Guess what? Villanueva currently leads all rookies during the preseason in scoring (16.9 points) while adding 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and .86 blocks in 30.3 minutes per game. He had 19 points (on 8-of-12 shooting) to go with five boards in just 25 minutes Monday night against the Blazers. Last week he had 24 points and seven rebounds in an OT victory over the Nets, including three clutch free throws in the final seconds to send the game into the extra session. "I think people are seeing why we took Charlie with the seventh pick," Raptors coach Sam Mitchell says. "He's a multitalented guy, he works hard, he can play three positions and he's getting better every game. If you look at the numbers he's putting up and the different ways we are using him this kid has a chance to be a very good basketball player." Villanueva is definitely playing with a chip on his shoulder. He admits he was ticked off by the criticisms he received on draft night. He remembers every word Dick Vitale and the other experts on ESPN said about him. He recalls getting on a plane to Toronto the next day and seeing a local newspaper ripping his selection. His agent, Billy Ceisler, has since had the newspaper framed and hung in Villanueva's apartment.
"It hurt," says Villanueva, who had been watching the ESPN telecast with his family. "It was my big day, you know. Getting drafted was something I'd dreamed about. To hear all those negative comments was tough." "But I decided it was just going to make me work harder. I feel I've got something to prove." What the critics failed to mention about Villanueva on draft night was that he was only 20 years old and that he had been making progress. UConn observers say his work ethic had improved under coach Jim Calhoun's strict hand. They note he was always a willing passer and good teammate. He averaged 13.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while helping lead the Huskies to the NCAA Tournament semifinals. As for his talent, there was never any question. Tall and rangy, Villanueva can handle the ball, shoot from outside and work effectively around the basket. At Blair Academy prep school in New Jersey, where he teamed with Bulls forward Luol Deng to win two state titles, he emerged as one of the top prospects in the country. He almost turned pro right out of high school but opted to go to Connecticut instead. Another thing the Raptors liked about Villanueva was that he had a reputation as a good kid. The son of Dominican immigrants, he grew up on some of the rougher streets of Queens, N.Y. His mom, Doris, worked as a custodian to help pay his tuition to Blair. Yet despite the temptations of gangs and drugs, Villanueva and his older brothers managed to steer clear. One of those brothers, Rob, is living with him in Toronto while he makes his transition. It was on those rough streets, in fact, that Villanueva learned how to stand up for himself. As a 13-year-old he was diagnosed with alopecia areata, a skin disease resulting in hair loss everywhere on body. He says he endured taunts and teasing throughout his teenage years, helping him develop a thick hide. "It was tough for me," Villanueva recalls. "I was 10 years old and little by little I started losing my hair, getting bald spots. I was worried because I didn't know what it was. "Kids made fun of me a lot. It was pretty bad. I was really really insecure. Fortunately, I was able to use basketball as a tool to forget about it and to motivate me." Villanueva still has to improve his defense and rebounding, and he has to prove he'll continue to work hard during the dog days of February and March. He also could find himself stuck on the bench if Bosh gets worn out at center and needs to return to his natural power forward position. But as he showed this summer in his encounter with Harrington, he's not going to back down to a challenge. "We just picked teams and matched up," Villanueva recalls. "Next thing I know he was demanding the ball. He saw that I was a rookie and thought he could take advantage of me. But I battled back, and I held my own. "Like I said, it was typical NBA stuff. We went at it for awhile. I fought and he fought. There was no animosity or anything. Just two guys out there competing. Looking back, it was a good experience for me." Villanueva can only hope it was the first of many successful mano-a-mano battles in his NBA career. Charlie Villanueva isn't the only rookie opening eyes this preseason.
2) Here's a look at four other first-round picks not named Bogut or Williams who have been impressive in training camp:
Chris Paul, Hornets: A trendy pick for Rookie of the Year, the little guard from Wake Forest leads all first-year players in assists (6.8) while chipping in 9.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals. He also has posted a 3.41 assist/turnover ratio and shot 58.3 percent from downtown (seven-of-12). He had 26 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals in Sunday's loss to the Nuggets.
Channing Frye, Knicks: The 6-foot-11 power forward from Arizona, drafted No. 8 overall, is averaging 11.2 points (on 52.8 percent shooting), 4.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in just 19.3 minutes per game. He had 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two assists in Saturday's win over the Spurs. Even Larry Brown might have to find time for this rookie if he keeps it up.
Rashad McCants, T'wolves: No first-year player has a better opportunity, and this 6-4 shooting guard from North Carolina, drafted No. 14 overall, is trying to make the most of it. He's averaging 11.9 points while shooting 47.1 percent from downtown (eight-of-17). His defense still needs work and he has struggled with foul trouble, but he looks like a keeper.
Danny Granger, Pacers: Could be the steal of the draft. Selected No. 17 overall out of New Mexico, the 6-8 forward leads all rookies in rebounds (7.3) while adding 11.0 points, 1.5 assists and .83 steals in 26.2 minutes per game. Though he hasn't shot well from the floor (40.4 percent), his defense has been more than solid. He had 19 points and 15 boards in a win last week over the Spurs.
3) Peter Vescey of the New York Post is a little upset with Byron Scott:
TRADING BARBS WITH BYE-RON - GREAT SCOTT! Former Nets coach Byron Scott seems out of touch while leading the Hornets.
October 28, 2005 -- WHEN Byron Scott was continuously, catatonically propped up on the sidelines of the Continental Breakfast Arena, I benignly described him as "a tripod in a three-piece suit." Apparently, that assessment from this hack journalist wasn't exclusive. Lord Bye-Ron, you may recall, was jettisoned by Jersey just after the mid-point of the season before last. Not even the Nets' 101-63 regular-season record during the previous two — highlighted by a Final Frolic in 2003 — was enough to save Scott. Quite simply, his resume was no match for his reputation. Finally, after endlessly ignoring how harmful to his team's health his coach had become, Nets president Rod Thorn made his Dread Scott Decision in favor of no-experience Lawrence Frankincense who nearly went undefeated for the remainder of the season, that's how giddy Jason & The Argonauts were to see Bye-Ron beheaded. Scott, by all accounts, was (choose one): a) A lazy lump; b) Dangerously smug; c) Out-coached and simply out of it; d) Any combination thereof. No sweat. After a short stint as one of the ABC/ESPN talking headaches, Bye-Ron, validating his permanent parking place in America, "earned" a second chance. Scott took over as head coach of the New Orleans Hornets prior to the 2004-2005 season . . . and promptly guided them to a franchise-worst 18-64 record. (Author's aside: And you wonder why God created TiVo. Shortly after Bye-Ron took the Hornets' gig, that high priest of hoops, Stephen A(nal) Smith, asked Scott on-air why he accepted THAT job. Because, Anal retentive, no one entrusted with a franchise worth a damn would give Scott the time of Todd Day.) Of course, even a hack journalist like myself realizes Scott's talent pool in the Big Easy isn't nearly what it was in the Big East Rutherford. Regardless, the '04-'05 Hornets managed to distinguish themselves, averaging a bottom-of-the-FM dial (as well as bottom of the NBA) 88.4 points per game while held under triple figures a staggering 73 times. The team lost its first eight games and began last season 2-29 mostly minus Baron Davis, Jamaal Magloire and, of course, Jamal Mashburn. In fact, seeing this cabal cavort, you'd have thought FEMA would have been barreling toward the Bayou a year ago. As putrid of they were/are, the Hornets did/do have some marketable members. Chief among them: Magloire, who, despite missing 59 games last season (fractured right ring finger and back spasms), was an '04 All-Star. The Toronto native, entering his sixth season, was actively sought by the Raptors prior to last June's draft (the price of two No. 1s, management felt, was too stiff) and remained a coveted commodity during this past offseason. Yours truly, the hack journalist, had the temerity to type such blasphemy into last Sunday's column. Sources had told me there was ongoing trade conversation with numerous teams re Magloire. Bye-Ron responded by telling the local (temporary digs of Oklahoma City) and New Orleans media that I have no clue what I'm talking about and never have. Three days later, Magloire was traded to the Bucks for former Oklahoma State standout Desmond Mason, an '06 first-rounder and cash. Jim Bower, a recent GM replacement for the terminated Allan Bristow (the club erroneously announced he left for medical reasons), openly admits the Bucks' offer was just one of many proposals. In fact — perish the thought — the Hornets had actually initiated some of the discussions. Meaning, either Bye-Ron is completely out of the loop or he's terminally fruit loops. Either way, he ought to consider coming off the golf course more often or, at the least, subscribe to The Post on line so he can keep up to date with what his team is trying to do. "What I meant to say," Scott hedged, "is we wouldn't trade Magloire for Jackie Mason. And another thing; Malcolm-Jamal Warner isn't going anywhere." Don't get me wrong; I'm not all that upset with Bye-Ron. I figure, when the disingenuous diss you, it's all good. Moreover, his judgment of me isn't entirely wrong, it has a measure of truth to it. After all, I was the first to put his name out there for a head coaching job when he was briefly a Kings assistant. Both the Pacers and Nets showed interest. Like Donnie Walsh and Thorn I thought Scott was a hard worker and a straight shooter. Clearly, I did not know what I was talking about.
4) Drew Kerr and Jane Slusark of The Daily Iowan with the sad tail of a player too talented never too have made it, but apparently too much of a bas guy:
Pierre Pierce, from the beginning to saga's end - From stardom to a cell?
WESTMONT, Ill. - The yellowed planks and collapsible bleachers running up and down the Westmont High School gymnasium still resonate with the screeching sneakers and heavy pounding of Pierre Pierce. It was in this small town surrounded by Chicagoland that Pierce ballooned into a local legend who shattered school records with his undeniable on-court presence and threw an entire town into an unprecedented basketball frenzy. When Pierce, now 22, walked across Westmont's graduation stage in the spring of 2001, he was a hometown luminary headed to a Division I school and on the cusp of a much-coveted NBA future. But Pierce's idyllic image and much anticipated basketball success was shattered last February when he popped up in front-page news photos again - hands shackled behind his back and somberly striding into an Iowa courtroom. The 6-4, 185-pound Iowa guard had done it again. Just two short years removed from a season spent on the sidelines as he fought rape charges that resulted with a lesser assault conviction, Pierce was back in court, fighting fresh charges of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, third-degree burglary, false imprisonment, and criminal mischief. Combined, the charges - which stem from a late-night West Des Moines altercation with his then-significant other - originally threatened to lock up the 22-year-old Pierce for more than a half century and got him forever booted from the Hawkeye basketball family. Pierce can receive no more than nine years in prison when he is sentenced today, thanks to a plea agreement that allowed the former guard to plead guilty to lesser charges. But while Pierce may have to cut his losses in the court of law, his case in the court of public opinion has produced much more sour results. His near-immediate expulsion from the team showed how unwilling the UI was to associate itself with a seemingly sinking ship. When the NBA draft rolled around in June, few professional teams flirted with the risk of signing a player on trial. But was there anything in Pierce's pre-Hawkeye past that could have indicated such legal trouble? Asking Pierce's hometown associates - the neighbors, coaches, teammates, and classmates he spent his adolescence with - does little to nail down his moral, experiential, or personal beliefs. But one possible common theme emerges from the dialogue: No one can quite understand how a kid, with so much talent, so much ambition, and so much to lose, could fall so far, so fast.
A HISTORY OF SUCCESS - Lucille Pierce gave birth to her second of four sons on June 7, 1983. She and husband Maurice Pierce named him Pierre, a name with French origins meaning reliable. From the beginning, he was destined to be a star. By the third grade, Pierce was already dribbling between his legs and making the shots other kids could only dream about. "He was like the Michael Jordan of youth basketball," recalled longtime teammate Jody Urbas. "I remember one time he looked at me and said, very seriously, 'I was born with a ball in my hands.' " As Pierce's talent became increasingly apparent, so too did Maurice Pierce's resolve to make him a star. The now 43-year-old construction supervisor enrolled Pierce in so many basketball camps and leagues, the pair would often find themselves running out the door of one game just in time to make it to the next. By the time Pierce completed eighth grade, he was getting calls from private schools in the area, all promising him more exposure. But - in what many call a sign of his devotion not only to basketball but to his Westmont teammates - Pierce stayed home. When he entered high school, it was with the same five-man squad he'd played with for almost five years. "If you were slacking and [Pierce] knew it, then he would make sure he's guarding you or switch over to you and take the ball," said former teammate Matt Forzley, now a UI senior who chronicled much of Pierce's meteoric rise in the high-school basketball world. "If you weren't working your hardest, he'd make you look silly when he'd steal it and dunk it on you." With Pierre leading the way, nearly everyone thought a state title was in sight. But something changed during Pierce's senior year. During the season that led up to the team's fourth-place finish - the best in school history - it was Pierce who got the photo and was given the credit in the sports pages. When reporters pulled players to the sidelines during practices, it was usually to talk about their superstar teammate. In one short year, it went from "The Team" to "Pierce's Team." "College coaches such as DePauls's Pat Kennedy, Illinois's Lon Kruger, and Iowa's Steve Alford, stopping by the gym made Westmont the place to see basketball in the western suburbs," reads a 2001 story in the local Westmont Progress. "By the end of the season, not many people in the Chicagoland area didn't know who Pierce and the Sentinels were." But Pierce was averse to all the lavish attention, said one former coach. "This was a player who, aside from the court, tried to distance himself from all the hubbub," said Ron Gunter, the assistant boys' basketball coach at Westmont High School. "He really just wasn't into the limelight all that much." Maurice Pierce also described his superstar son as a "loner" and someone whose determination on the court preceded any flirtation with celebrity. "He was a young man who was very focused, very respectful, and not easily influenced," Maurice Pierce said. "He was motivated, you know. He knew right from wrong and made the right choices."
INCREASED EXPECTATIONS - The success also increased expectations on the team, and the four-year varsity starter, who holds all-time Westmont records for career points, rebounds, assists, and steals, was often the one to assume the bulk of the pressure. To make sure he was ready, Pierre began a basketball diet of monumental proportions that included an hour before school, practice after, a thousand jumpers with the coach following that, and then - if he had energy left - a pickup game at Blackhawk Park. While many say Pierce subjected himself to this seemingly obsessive regimen willingly, two undeniable influences certainly had a hand in seeing Pierce excel: His father, who was a silent and reserved staple at nearly every game, and Steven Dimovski, the head basketball coach at Westmont High School. For Maurice Pierce, who himself played college basketball, many say keeping Pierce on the court was a way to keep his son from falling into the lifestyle that his four-year-older brother had. Tyler and Chris, younger brothers who served as ball boys during Pierce's high-school career and "really admire" their older standout brother, were kept in the game for similar reasons. But Pierce's older brother, Kevin, now 26, doesn't come up much in conversation. Most interviewed said they either didn't know him or saw him fewer than five times total. Pierce's own father would only say, "He has his own agenda." But court records and calls to the Illinois Department of Corrections reveals much about the seemingly troubled Kevin Pierce. The tattoo-covered Kevin has a host of convictions dating back to 1996 - the most recent is for possession of a stolen vehicle and delivery of cocaine in 2003, and he is now on parole. And if the patriarch's $15,000 investment into Pierce's most recent case - in which prominent Des Moines attorney Alfredo Parrish came to the rescue once again - is indicative of his commitment to second-born son, then Kevin Pierce's use of a public defender is equally as telling. Meanwhile, for Dimovski, people say Pierce was a golden ticket - a chance for the then-coach to really make his mark on Westmont basketball. Pierce was the obvious favorite, and the camaraderie between him and Dimovski was unquestionably better than with any other player, teammates said. But the relationship took an interesting turn when, in 2000, Dimovski was kicked out of the district after tracking down a female student outside of school, making suggestive comments that finally prompted her to complain. Dimovski's actions ultimately landed him on the Illinois sex-offender registry - an online, mug-shot fate that Pierce may face here in Iowa. The combination of brother Kevin Pierce and Dimovski raises the inevitable question: How exactly did Pierce's those around him influenced his behavior? While misguidance may have induced Pierce's legal woes, his father and former Westmont High School Principal Jay Sabatino both shied away from making the connection. "There were a whole host of players on that team with Dimovski, and none of them turned around and did anything like this," Sabatino said. Still, the alleged preferential treatment may have bloated Pierce's ego and given him a sense of infallibility. All ardent Pierce fans, his teachers would allow him to leave campus for lunch and skip class, former classmate Nicole Jankowski said. Pierce could talk back to teachers, and they would respond by trying to play it off as a joke - something no other student could have gotten away with. "He went from a regular, everyday kid to like the school superstar," said Jankowski, who attended both junior and senior high with Pierce. Rumors also surfaced about the possibility of sexual promiscuity. Pierce had a steady girlfriend, but she would often become upset over his flirtatious behavior, Jankowski said. "He would offer girls rides home before the game, and then, later on, he would be like, 'Well what do I get out of it?' " said Jankowski, now 22. Players, too, noticed Pierce's attitude evolving as he started idolizing such NBA stars as Philadelphia 76er Allen Iverson. "It was a thug thing," Urbas, the former teammate, recalled. "He took on this image with all these tattoos and the Ebonics slang, acting like a hard ass, just pushing people around who were smaller than he was. "It was like he thought they were inferior to him. I know a lot of people feel differently from the way I do, but they don't know what I do." When the team finally did make the trip to state, the whole school was in an unprecedented frenzy. Tickets were scalped and school was dismissed to allow students - many of whom painted No. 3 on their cheeks or T-shirts - to travel to the game. But the trip to Aurora, Ill., included more than just basketball. Jankowski, for example, recalls numerous players, including Pierce, who broke curfew and tried to get into strip clubs while there. Local sports reporters for the Westmont Progress added that the rumor mill was in full swing following the tournament. In the wee hours before the crucial tournament game, Pierce teammate Brandon Steadman had broken curfew - and he was not alone, according to Progress sports reporter Dawn Parker. Pierce was with Steadman, and girls were involved in their early morning carousing. Talk of a naked cheerleader also surfaced, Parker alleged. "This was somewhat of a pattern," she said. "Things happened but were covered up because of who he was." Still, whatever happened on the trip was not mentioned much when the players returned. Instead, the team's 3-foot trophy made its way into the most prominent trophy case in the building, where it remains today. Pierce was named MVP for the fourth year in a row, and signing day came and went without mention of any wrongdoing. Sabatino, who considers himself a Pierce family friend, still defends the former Westmont star's character and said the allegations about any questionable behavior are completely out of line. "Look, the last thing I would do is tell Steve [Alford] that this is a blue-chip player knowing he was a screwball," said Sabatino, who has since left the district. "I would have told him if I thought he couldn't keep him out of jail." But for now, it seems that's just what is going to happen.
5) Jack MacCallum of SI.com with an interesting read on his “coaching” stint with the Suns:
Hot seat - SI's Jack McCallum takes a turn coaching the Suns
After a day of hanging with the Phoenix Suns coaches for a Sports Illustrated story (appearing in this week's issue), I was telling a colleague of mine what I had seen and heard, and he said, "You should hang around longer and turn it into a book." I laughed, but he was correct. In 25 years at SI, I've never worked on a story that was so hard for me to condense into the allotted space ... and they gave me a lot of space. Anyway, here are some of the "outtakes" from the piece, which is about being an assistant coach during the first five days of preseason practice. I spent 12 hours a day with coach Mike D'Antoni and assistants Marc Iavaroni, Alvin Gentry, Phil Weber, Dan D'Antoni and Todd Quinter, and during that time they asked me to go off the record only about half a dozen times.
Oct. 1: America West Arena, Phoenix - I arrived three days before the start of camp, but the coaches had been meeting off and on all summer. By now, they have picked up the intricacies of the new, sophisticated digital machinery in the basketball offices (with the exception of Dan, Mike's brother, who was officially hired on July 1). "It was either pay for this," says Mike, waving his hand at the screen, "or pay for Joe Johnson. We went with the technology." Everyone laughs. But only soft of. Finding a way to replace the multi-talented Johnson, who defected to the Atlanta Hawks in the off-season, was the Suns' primary worry going into camp.
Oct. 2: America West Arena - We were on the practice court discussing what drills to use during the opening of two-a-days when the discussion moved to defending a curl off a stack, a pet play run by every team but most lethally by the Detroit Pistons. Typically, Rip Hamilton comes hustling around a double screen set along the lane and can usually catch and get a jump shot inside of 15 feet. "Or Rip comes off and finds Chauncey Billups right here," says Gentry, striding to a position near the 3-point line. "I never got that about Detroit," I say. "With all their talent, why didn't they score in triple figures?" Because if you don't pass the ball five or six times a possession," says Gentry, "you're not playing the right way." Gentry, like virtually every NBA coach, has a deep and abiding respect for Larry Brown, but can't resist taking a gentle swipe at Brown's mantra.
Oct. 3: Westin, Tucson - I traveled with the team to camp at the University of Arizona. After check-in, tradition calls for the team dinner, a low-key affair. But one thing surprised me: The extent to which D'Antoni and assistant general manager Dave Griffin stressed keeping appointments with doctors, trainers and the community relations people. Missing a mandatory appearance can cost a player as much as $20,000.
Oct. 4: McKale Center, University of Arizona - After the first session of two-a-days, the assistants called me over for a kind of shooting initiation. I made 10 in a row from the foul line. "Hey, I'm an old white guy," I say. "Of course I can shoot." But Weber instructs me to shoot on the move, and, after I miss two in a row, he brings over his patented heavy ball, instructing me on how to follow through. "You should listen to Phil," says Gentry. "He has taken many an average shooter and turned him into a below-average shooter."
Oct. 5: McKale Center - Steve Kerr, the TNT commentator and now a Suns' advisor, visits practice, and for reasons that escape me I bet Gentry $20 that Kerr, shooting cold in street clothes, can't make five-of-10 3-pointers. "You so lost that bet," says Gentry. I talked Kerr into it and he promptly rolled up his sleeves and drained five of his first eight from the left corner, costing me 20. (I tried to recoup my money the next day by betting that Kerr couldn't make six-of-10 free throws left-handed. He made eight.) "Your per diem management," says Gentry, "is in shambles."
Oct. 6: Westin - At the morning meeting before practice, Mike says, "Today, we'll run St. Agnes." The coaches all laugh. St. Agnes is a run and shoot drill favored by Weber, the most common target for the insults of his colleagues. It's a running joke that D'Antoni puts St. Agnes on the schedule but never gets to it. "It's like that fifth guest on the old Johnny Carson show that they never had time for," says Gentry.
Oct. 7: Westin - Suns' majority owner Robert Sarver almost runs over Gentry in the breezeway outside the hotel. "Go ahead," says Gentry, "I always wanted to own an NBA team." "Not today you don't," rejoined Sarver. It was a great line that masked a serious situation. The Suns has just discovered that an Arizona team doctor had examined Amaré Stoudemire's throbbing left knee and determined that he could be out for nine months. (At this writing, Stoudemire, who had arthroscopic surgery on Oct. 11, is expected to be out until February.)
Oct. 8: McKale Center - Veteran NBA referee Jack Nies was waiting in the classroom to deliver the annual mandatory preseason rules discussion. The session provides welcome relief since the early days of camp were such an unceasing immersion into one's own team. Nies ran video to highlight the difficulty of making the borderline calls (block-charge, for example) and also to go over the NBA's new areas of emphasis, traveling being one of them. "You won't be able to hop, then take two steps this year," says Mies. Vince Carter, say a half dozen voices at once. A discussion about flopping (deliberately falling down so as to draw a charge) came up. The Suns aren't known to do it much (a cynic might say you have to guard people before you can flop) and hate it when others do. "Jack, it's hard to get that charging call if you don't accentuate the fall," says Mike. "That means that certain guys -- let's say Ginobili -- really accentuate and always get it." As if by magic, a clip from the 2005 Finals comes on the screen, and everyone howls when the Spurs' Manu Ginobili draws a charge on Detroit's Lindsey Hunter, recoiling so forcefully that it looks as if he's been propelled from a catapult. The climax to my week was the game-conditions intrasquad scrimmage before some 7,000 fans at the McKale Center. (It finished in an 83-83 tie.) I've seen hundreds of games from press row but watching it just a few feet closer to the action is a completely different experience. You really feel the ebb and flow, the changes in momentum, the disappointment when a stratagem fails and the elation when something works. One of my most vivid memories was watching point guard Steve Nash wave to his adorable twin daughters in the stands, then, when play resumes, immediately hit a driving layup. That ability to turn it on is something that stamps the great athletes. A few days ago I got an e-mail from Gentry. "We really miss your input on the key decisions," he wrote. "Like what time to go to Starbucks and where to have dinner."
6) Chris Broussard of ESPN.com thinks AI needs to pull back a bit:
We have seen the ads everywhere: "A decade later and stronger than ever.'' The pint-sized Allen Iverson has certainly defied the odds, earning just about every individual award possible and becoming a global icon without compromising his street style. It's unbelievable that last year -- in his ninth season of banging and bumping and playing high-octane basketball -- Iverson could have one of his best campaigns ever, averaging 30.7 ppg and a career-best 7.9 apg. To put Iverson's nine-year scoring frenzy in perspective, recognize that Nate "Tiny'' Archibald, the player most comparable to A.I., had just four full seasons of really phenomenal ball (where he averaged more than 24 ppg). So Iverson's place in history is secure. He's a first-ballot Hall of Famer and a top 50 superstar. But while the 30-year-old A.I. could probably score more than 27 ppg for two, maybe three, more years, now is the time for him to pull back. For the Philadelphia 76ers to maximize their potential this season, Iverson must stop dominating the ball. This year's Sixers have too much talent elsewhere to stand around and watch A.I. dribble, drive, elevate and either shoot or kick out a pass because he couldn't get a shot off. It's not contender talent mind you, just playoff talent, perhaps enough to challenge the Nets for the Atlantic Division crown. It was necessary back in the day for A.I. to do all the scoring in Philly because Larry Brown wisely put a collection of hard-nosed, defensive-minded pitbulls around him, as well as some spot-up shooters (i.e. Aaron McKie). They did the dirty work while A.I. handled the fun stuff. But now, Philly has a couple of thoroughbreds, guys who can create offense on their own. But they will never realize their potential if A.I. does it all. The other A.I., Andre Iguodala, is a star-in-waiting. He can go crazy this season if A.I. spreads the wealth. John Salmons is another wicked athlete who could do damage if given the chance. Kyle Korver's a terrific shooter, and Chris Webber (though not the CWebb of old) is still the best-passing big man in the game. Throw in the ever-improving Samuel Dalembert, who's fast becoming a defensive menace, and you've got a solid ball club. A.I. should still be the Sixers' leading scorer, averaging 20-plus a game. But if he drops down 8 points from 30, Webber puts in 18 a night, Iguodala scores 16 and Salmons 15, the Sixers will be much better off. That's the wise move, in my opinion. Then the ad could also say, "A decade later and smarter than ever.''
7) Yoni Cohen of FOXSports.com thinks the old beasts are back:
Once-storied programs are poised for return
In the early and mid-1980s, Georgetown, Houston, and Indiana were college basketball's elite. Twenty-some years later, the Hoyas, Cougars and Hoosiers are primed for a return to glory ... or at least to the NCAA tournament.In 1981, Indiana won the national championship. In 1982, Georgetown was favored, but fell in the final seconds. In 1983, Houston was favored, but lost at the buzzer. In 1984, Georgetown defeated Houston and cut down the nets. In 1985, Georgetown again lost in the finals. In 1987, Indiana once more won the national championship. In the process, Georgetown's Patrick Ewing and John Thompson, Houston's Akeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler and Indiana's Isiah Thomas, Steve Alford and Bobby Knight popularized the NCAA tournament. Houston's surprise loss in 1983 and Georgetown's shocking defeat in 1985, perhaps the two greatest upsets in college basketball history, established the NCAA tournament as the most exhilarating event in sports. Never again would the national championship be broadcast on the same night as the Academy Awards. More recently, all three programs have fallen on hard times. "Phi Slamma Jamma" has been grounded since 1992. "Hoya Paranoia" has not overtaken March Madness since 2001. The Hoosiers have not had a season on the brink since 2003. This year, however, Georgetown grey, Houston red and Indiana crimson should be back in style come March Madness.
Georgetown - In his first year on his father's throne, John Thompson III all but made the "Princeton Offense" a misnomer. Though last season's Hoyas played at a pace marginally faster than did the Tigers, Georgetown scored more and gave up fewer points per possession than Princeton. Not only did last year's Hoyas shoot from behind the arc with greater accuracy than did the Tigers, Georgetown also distributed more assists per game than did Thompson's alma mater and former employer. The result of the Hoyas' steep learning curve? Sixteen victories before Valentine's Day ... but only one conference win thereafter. Last year's club hit a wall, one that this year's edition will run right through. Stud forward Brandon Bowman re-thought his early entry into the NBA draft and is back to score in bunches. Versatile Big East Co-Freshman of the Year Jeff Green returns to serve as a role model for young players everywhere; last year he shot 40 percent from behind the arc, 50 percent from the field and 70 percent from the charity stripe. Senior point guard Ashanti Cook, a double-digit scorer, practiced with 7-2 center Roy Hibbert this summer, further acclimating each to the other's game. Hibbert, fast becoming a Thompson favorite, should be much more of a factor. Swingman Darrel Owens was granted an additional year of eligibility. After collecting nearly as many points in the Big East tournament and NIT as he did during the rest of the season, Owens could well be poised for a breakout campaign. Add four well-regarded recruits to the mix and the Hoyas have the makings of a Big East contender. Need additional evidence that what's old is new at Georgetown? Pat Ewing Jr. recently opted to play for John Thompson III. (The school from which Ewing Jr. transferred? Indiana. The hometown of KRIV, the television station that first reported Pat's relocation? Houston).
Houston - Think coaches aren't difference-makers? Think again. In 2003-04, Ray McCallum's last year at the helm, the Cougars lost 18 games. In 2004-05, "Turnaround Tom" Penders' first year on the bench, Houston won 18 contests — with more or less the same cast of characters. In McCallum's final season, the Cougars committed more turnovers per possession than did 131 clubs. In Penders' inaugural campaign? Fewer than all but 12 teams. In McCallum's final year, Houston forced fewer turnovers per possession than did 197 squads. In Penders' first season? More than all but one — Air Force. Four starters and eight lettermen return for this year's Cougars squad, including prolific scoring guard and preseason All-Conference USA pick Lanny Smith, experienced senior forward Ramon Dyer and defensive specialist Brian Latham. Equally as significant, Penders rid Houston of four non-contributors over the spring and fall. In their place, the Cougars welcome seven recruits, including Jahmar Thorpe, undersized at 6-foot-6 but packing strength enough for two, Richard Young, a junior college All-American, and Emmanuel Adeife, a 6-10 center who adds much needed size. Further, Conference USA's realignment well positions Houston to secure an NCAA tournament bid; five of the seven teams that defeated the Cougars in league play last year have moved on. Though Houston no longer has Louisville to surprise, as the Cougars did last January, smart scheduling on Penders' behalf affords his club opportunities for several quality wins, LSU, Arizona and UNLV among them, but few damaging losses. Need additional evidence that what's old is new at Houston? Michael Young, a member of "Phi Slamma Jamma" with Olajuwon and Drexler, is back with the Cougars as an assistant.
Indiana - All-SEC transfer Marco Killingsworth, a behemoth on the boards, and Big Ten Freshman of the Year D.J. White, versatile and efficient, will anchor what should be among the best frontcourts in the country. Versatile swingman Robert Vaden returns to score, rebound and distribute. Highly touted guard A.J. Ratliff, a significant three-point threat, could have a breakout sophomore campaign with defenses collapsing on Killingsworth and White. Senior point guard Marshall Strickland will, thanks to his experience, provide continuity without getting flustered down the stretch. Equally as important, this year's Hoosiers will have the depth last year's club sorely lacked. European import Cem Dinc, a multi-talented 6-10 forward-center, can play inside and out. Look for him to occasionally stretch opposing defenses by setting up on the perimeter. Should Dinc, Killingsworth or White get into foul trouble, Mike Davis can call on Ben Allen, an Australian product from the same program that produced Andrew Bogut. Lightning-quick junior college guard Earl Calloway is ready to contribute immediately, as is Auburn transfer Lewis Monroe. Both provide Indiana depth and flexibility in the backcourt. This season, the Hoosiers opted against scheduling their own demise. Last year's Indiana squad, though 10-6 in conference, was excluded from March Madness thanks in large part to a sub-.500 non-conference record. The cause of such mediocrity? Consecutive December games against North Carolina, Connecticut, Notre Dame, Kentucky, Missouri and Charlotte, all RPI top 75 teams. Though this year's Hoosiers again play Charlotte, Connecticut and Kentucky, and Duke in North Carolina's stead, not a single primetime contest is within a week of any other, affording Indiana the opportunity to regroup and recalibrate. Need additional evidence that what's old is new at Indiana? Mike Davis Jr. is a member of this year's Hoosiers, much as was Pat Knight from 1991-95.
posted by Cornback at
9:23 a.m.
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