Former locker room snoop and KO-spooning hotel buddy Michael Curry has been chosen NBA vice president of basketball operations.
Curry, who has been the vice president for the NBA development league the past 11 months, will continue to oversee the D-League's programs.
"Michael is widely respected by teams and players in both the NBA and the D-League for his knowledge of the game and his leadership qualities," said Joel Litvin, the NBA head of league and basketball operations. Curry majored in finance at Georgia Southern and earned a masters in sports management from Virginia Commonwealth in 2001.
Nuggets traded SF and Registered Sex Offender Rueben Patterson to the Bucks for PF Joe Smith…the Nuggets are also pursuing free agent Sf Bonzi Wells…good thing they got rid of Patterson…if they brought Wells in and added him to Kenyon Martin and Rueben Patterson, and then combined them with coach George Karl, they would lead the league in crazy for sure…
The Al Harrington sweepstakes are heating up with the Lakers, Nuggets and Warriors joining the Pacers as suitors for the free agent PF…
Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash, who loves soccer, trained with MLS’ New York Red Bulls yesterday…The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Nash blended right into the Red Bulls' usual practice on the freshly laid sod at Giants Stadium. Half-seriously, Red Bulls coach Bruce Arena warned midfielders Danny O'Rourke and Dema Kovalenko — who has broken two opponents' legs and was acquired from D.C. United on Thursday — not to tackle Nash because he didn't "want to send back the MVP of the NBA in an ambulance." Nash was treated gingerly, like a red-jerseyed quarterback. But when O'Rourke asked Nash to join in a postpractice two-touch drill, he accepted with childlike glee. "I had a blast," said Nash, who supports Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, and now the Red Bulls. "It's a dream come true for me. I'm just a converted soccer player." Born in South Africa, Nash played youth soccer in Vancouver but switched to basketball in eighth grade. He was swayed by childhood friends and the mystique of Michael Jordan, whose shoe commercials were constantly on television. Yet Nash, who also played prep soccer, said winning the provincial championship is "one of my fondest memories in sports." He'd hoped to play both sports at Santa Clara University, but that idea was quickly nixed by the basketball coach. Nash's father, John, played professional soccer in South Africa and England. His brother, Martin, a former midfielder for the Canadian national team, is currently with the Vancouver Whitecaps in the United Soccer Leagues' first division.
Isaih Thomas has now admitted to touching and kissing Anucha Browne Sanders, the former Knicks executive who has filed a sexual harassment and wrongful dismissal suit against Thomas and the Knicks…
1) From Jason Quick of the Oregonian reports that Jamaal Magloire is talking leadership:
Magloire brings playoff minutes, 'pride' to Blazers - The veteran of six seasons, who will play center and forward, promises to be a leader
It won't be known until after October's training camp where the Trail Blazers' latest acquisition -- big man Jamaal Magloire -- fits best on a team that returns starters at both of his positions. In the meantime, Magloire on Thursday left no gray area as to what type of player the Blazers received when they acquired him from Milwaukee for Steve Blake, Brian Skinner and Ha Seung Jin. "They are getting a soldier," Magloire said in his first public appearance since the July 31 trade. "They are getting somebody who generally wants to win and has a lot of pride. You guys will see that." Already, Magloire has perhaps the most accomplished resume of any Blazers player. He is the team's only player to be named an All-Star (he was an Eastern Conference reserve with the Hornets in the 2003-04 season), and his 36 career playoff games are more than any other Blazers player (Raef LaFrentz has played in 35). "First and foremost, I want to lead this team," Magloire, 28, said. "Being in the playoffs in five of my six years -- that's the one thing I can do, is lead by example and not words. What separates me from everybody else is the fact I will do whatever it takes to win games." Magloire is 6-foot-11 and 265 pounds and has played primarily center during his six-year career. But he said the Blazers' front office has told him it intends for him to play both center and power forward next season, which is the final year of his contract. In playing both positions, Magloire will have to share time with returning starters Zach Randolph at power forward and Joel Przybilla at center. "I'm very excited for the opportunity to play two positions," Magloire said. "The biggest thing with me is being out there playing. I want that opportunity and I won't settle for less." Blazers President Steve Patterson said coach Nate McMillan will determine where and how much each player will play.
If anything, Magloire has fortified a Blazers front line that last season was the worst in the NBA in rebounding and was often pushed around. He ranked 10th in the league in rebounding last season at 9.5 a game and has averaged 7.8 rebounds in six NBA seasons with the Hornets and Milwaukee. Along with his rebounding, Magloire relishes his reputation as a player who does what he calls the "dirty work." He says he won't be shy about diving on the floor for a loose ball, or taking a charge or backing up a teammate if an opponent gets physical. Patterson said Magloire is a perfect fit for the Blazers because he has a balance of talent and character. Magloire is one of the most active NBA players in charity work, donating money and supplies over the years to the New Orleans Children's Hospital, Hurricane Katrina relief and the effort to combat the SARS virus in Canada. He also holds clinics for underprivileged youth in Canada and Trinidad and Tobago, and sponsors five youth basketball teams, a men's summer basketball league and a barbecue as part of a Caribbean gala in Toronto. "There is a lot riding on my shoulders. A lot of kids look at me as a role model, and I take that very seriously. I just want to help kids in any which way I can," Magloire said. There was a time when some questioned whether Magloire had the makeup to be such a positive influence. While he was in college at Kentucky, Magloire was suspended three times in a span of 10 months, including a four-game suspension after he was in a car that was pulled over in Louisville, Ky. One of the passengers, a high school teammate, was charged and later pleaded guilty to marijuana possession, and another, a Toronto man in his 50s, was charged with possession of heroin. Magloire also head-butted a player at Maryland, trampled a mascot, slammed a Louisville player to the floor at the end of a game and missed a team-imposed curfew. "When I was in college, I was a lot younger," Magloire said. "As the years go on, you get older and you mature." On a Blazers team that again figures to be one of the youngest in the NBA, Magloire will be asked to be a leader -- something McMillan begged for at season's end. "I have had a lot of captains that just talk and have never led by example," Magloire said. "You can say, 'Come on, we've got to work hard, we've got to do better, we have to do this, that,' but sometimes it's empty words. I don't want to come across as being one of those types of people."
2) Antonio Williams of Scouts Inc. thinks the little things really matter:
Top 10 small moves that matter most
Most of the offseason headlines are made when players like Ben Wallace and Peja Stojakovic switch uniforms, of course. But when it comes to wins and losses, small, smart moves can make a big difference, too. Here are the 10 moves that should have the largest impact at the lowest cost.
1. Mavericks sign Devean George - Dallas, fresh off its first appearance in the NBA Finals, bolstered its roster by adding the former Laker. The Mavericks had to spend only $4.2 million over two seasons to sign George. George, who won three NBA championships with Los Angeles, will provide the Mavericks with another playoff-tested perimeter defender to complement Dallas' potent offensive weapons: Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry. George has the ability to slide into the starting lineup, if needed, and defend at the shooting guard and small forward positions. George can make 3-pointers and stretch the opposing defense, though the Mavericks do not need a lot of scoring from him. George's energy and enthusiasm should also come in handy for the Mavericks.
2. Nuggets acquire J.R. Smith - Denver picked up Smith from Chicago and had to part only with a player it did not intend to keep in Howard Eisley and two second-round picks. Smith proved early last season that when given playing time he can score in the NBA. He played 26.5 minutes per game for the New Orleans Hornets in November and December last season, scoring 11.5 points. Smith has the athleticism and scoring ability the Nuggets have lacked from the shooting guard position for the last two seasons. Smith also wants to prove that the Hornets made a mistake by not playing him. After the strong start last season, he played in just 30 games the rest of the season and averaged just 11 minutes per game. He was traded to Chicago in July, then promptly shipped to Denver. Smith has the potential to develop into one of the better young scorers in the NBA. If coach George Karl can find a way to channel Smith's energies on defense, the Nuggets might have found, at a cheap price, the shooting-guard that will help take some of the burden off Carmelo Anthony. Smith still plays on his rookie contract.
3. Pacers acquire Marquis Daniels - In their efforts to gain more youth and athleticism, the Pacers traded for the multitalented Daniels, while giving up only a player who did not fit into their plans: Austin Croshere. Injuries and decreased playing time have hindered Daniels the last two seasons. The Pacers will give Daniels the chance to return to his form of the 2003-04 season, when he displayed his versatility on both sides of the ball.
Daniels has the ability to penetrate and score, and he can give the Pacers significant minutes at both guard positions as well as small forward.
4. Pistons sign Ronald Murray - After losing to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals and losing Wallace to Chicago in free agency, the Pistons had to make some changes to both their roster and team philosophy. Flip Murray will fit right into the more up-tempo offensive game that head coach Flip Saunders will employ this year. Acquiring Murray at the relatively cheap price of a two-year, $3.6 million contract will provide Detroit with the scoring combo guard it needs off the bench. Murray has the ability to score in bunches and will provide much-needed relief for both Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton.
5. Mavericks acquire Anthony Johnson - In trading Darrell Armstrong, Rawle Marshall and Josh Powell to the Indiana Pacers for Johnson, Dallas picked up a very solid point guard and had to part only with Armstrong's leadership and two young players who were buried on the bench. Johnson plays as a true point guard, which will complement the scoring skills of Jason Terry and Devin Harris on the Mavericks' roster. Johnson's extensive playoff experience with New Jersey and Indiana can only help a Dallas team with championship aspirations. As the starter in place of the injured Jamaal Tinsley in last spring's playoffs, Johnson averaged 20 points and 5.2 assists per game for Indiana. Johnson also will help Dallas defensively.
6. Wizards sign DeShawn Stevenson - For the second consecutive season, the Wizards had to replace a player who got a significant offer from another team. Last offseason, the Wizards did not enter into a bidding war with Cleveland for Larry Hughes and rebounded nicely by adding Caron Butler. This offseason, instead of matching the five-year, $30 million offer Jared Jeffries received from the Knicks, Washington signed Stevenson at a fraction of the cost. Stevenson has great athleticism and penetrating ability -- he should fit right into the Washington's up-tempo motion attack. He will provide the Wizards with a defender off the bench at the shooting guard position, allowing Antonio Daniels to play more minutes as the backup point guard.
7. Raptors sign Fred Jones - After John Salmons backed out of an agreement with the team, the Raptors recovered nicely by adding Jones. At three years and $11 million, Jones comes cheaper than the deal Salmons nearly signed. The former slam-dunk champion has the explosiveness and athleticism that could enable him to flourish in the up-tempo system GM Bryan Colangelo wants to incorporate in Toronto. Like a great number of players, Jones has shown he can produce in the NBA when given significant minutes. Jones had a good stretch for the Pacers during the 2004-05 season, when he played extensively due to the suspensions related to the infamous brawl in Detroit. In Jones, the Raptors could have an electrifying scorer to pair with new point guard T.J. Ford in the backcourt.
8. Spurs sign Jackie Butler and Francisco Elson - After trading the unwanted contract of Rasho Nesterovic and not re-signing Nazr Mohammed, the Spurs needed to replenish the center position behind Tim Duncan. They did so by signing restricted free agents Butler from the Knicks and Elson from the Nuggets. At a combined $13 million, San Antonio will not pay nearly as much for Butler and Elson as they would have for Nesterovic and Mohammed. Both players are younger and more athletic than Nesterovic and Mohammed, and both will work the boards with aggression and do a decent job as shot blockers while Duncan handles the heavy lifting in the post. When given the minutes, Butler and Elson have shown they can play as serviceable centers in the NBA.
9. Lakers acquire Maurice Evans - The Lakers, in need of more perimeter scoring after their playoff implosion, acquired shooting guard Evans from the Detroit Pistons for the draft rights to 2006 second-round pick Cheick Samb. Though Samb has the potential to develop, he probably will not help the Pistons in the near future, while Evans should pay immediate dividends for the Lakers. Evans did not play much in Detroit this past season, after having a very solid 2004-05 campaign with the Sacramento Kings. Los Angeles will give Evans every chance to provide the Lakers with a viable scoring option off the bench, which the Lakers sorely lacked last season. The physical Evans also plays decent defense, as the Lakers will look to lessen the load on Kobe Bryant next season.
10. Magic re-sign Trevor Ariza - Ariza, acquired from the New York Knicks in the Steve Francis trade-deadline deal last February, plays with great energy, particularly on the defensive end. He has the potential to develop into a defensive stopper in the league. Ariza also has the athleticism that teams love to see in small forwards. He still needs to develop his jump shot and ballhandling as he continues to mature, but Ariza has the chance to develop as part of the young core in Orlando that includes Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Darko Milicic.
3) From the AP, the other Eddie Johnson is pissed…and he should be:
The other Eddie Johnson - Eddie Johnson dealing with case of mistaken identity
Eddie Johnson still is getting over what he calls the worst day of his life. He scratched his way out of the Cabrini-Green housing project in Chicago, fashioned a long and successful NBA career, turned that into an opportunity on TV and built a reputation as an all-around good guy who loves to work with kids. His worst scrape with the law involved a couple of traffic tickets. Now he's dealing with a case of mistaken identity that shocked him and his friends and, he fears, may have permanently sullied his reputation. "Devastating. Hard to explain," Johnson said Thursday. Eddie Johnson was mistaken in some media reports for another Eddie Johnson -- a retired 10-year NBA player from Florida who was arrested Tuesday night and charged with sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl. The Eddie Johnson who had nothing to do with that hideous accusation is a former Illinois star who went on to a 17-year career with the Kings, Suns, Rockets and other teams. But when some media reports about the alleged crime included his bio information and file photo linked on the Internet, his phone started ringing. "The thing that disappointed me the most is some people were overzealous enough to think it was me and attack me with a ferocity I can't comprehend," Johnson said in a telephone interview from his home in Phoenix. "That's the part that didn't allow me to sleep last night. That's the part that forced me to reach out to as many people as I could and say 'Shame on you, that's not me."' Edward Arnet Johnson is 6-foot-8, does color commentary on Suns telecasts during the season, gives motivational speeches and runs basketball clinics for youngsters. He has a DVD that teaches kids how to shoot the jumper. He retired from the NBA in 1999 and is 47. "He called me really upset about it," said Charles Barkley, a former teammate of Johnson's, who wanted to help him set the record straight. "It's a tough situation. He was on vacation in Hawaii. He gets back and the first thing he knows, he's dealing with this. And he's such a good dude. It's an unfortunate situation." Edward "Fast Eddie" Johnson, Jr. -- the one being held in a Florida jail on sexual battery and burglary charges -- is a 6-foot-2, two-time NBA All-Star who played most of his career in Atlanta. An Auburn alum, he retired in 1987 and is 51. "I feel bad for Eddie Johnson of Phoenix and I feel really badly for Eddie Johnson of Auburn, because he never got his life together," Barkley said. When Eddie Johnson of Phoenix was still playing and Eddie Johnson of Auburn was retired and getting into frequent trouble with the law, there was little problem differentiating between the two. "There'd be a news story about Eddie Johnson, but they knew it wasn't me, because I was on the court and in the box score," said Eddie Johnson of Phoenix. Now that they're both out of the game -- and especially during the offseason, when Johnson isn't on TV -- the chances are better for a misunderstanding like the one that occurred this week. Eddie Johnson of Phoenix said his goal Thursday and for the next several days was to get the word out about who he really is -- and isn't. "My name is everything," he said. "I don't fault the other Eddie Johnson for having that name. I think it's a great name. He just doesn't happen to be a great guy."
Curry, who has been the vice president for the NBA development league the past 11 months, will continue to oversee the D-League's programs.
"Michael is widely respected by teams and players in both the NBA and the D-League for his knowledge of the game and his leadership qualities," said Joel Litvin, the NBA head of league and basketball operations. Curry majored in finance at Georgia Southern and earned a masters in sports management from Virginia Commonwealth in 2001.
Nuggets traded SF and Registered Sex Offender Rueben Patterson to the Bucks for PF Joe Smith…the Nuggets are also pursuing free agent Sf Bonzi Wells…good thing they got rid of Patterson…if they brought Wells in and added him to Kenyon Martin and Rueben Patterson, and then combined them with coach George Karl, they would lead the league in crazy for sure…
The Al Harrington sweepstakes are heating up with the Lakers, Nuggets and Warriors joining the Pacers as suitors for the free agent PF…
Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash, who loves soccer, trained with MLS’ New York Red Bulls yesterday…The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Nash blended right into the Red Bulls' usual practice on the freshly laid sod at Giants Stadium. Half-seriously, Red Bulls coach Bruce Arena warned midfielders Danny O'Rourke and Dema Kovalenko — who has broken two opponents' legs and was acquired from D.C. United on Thursday — not to tackle Nash because he didn't "want to send back the MVP of the NBA in an ambulance." Nash was treated gingerly, like a red-jerseyed quarterback. But when O'Rourke asked Nash to join in a postpractice two-touch drill, he accepted with childlike glee. "I had a blast," said Nash, who supports Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, and now the Red Bulls. "It's a dream come true for me. I'm just a converted soccer player." Born in South Africa, Nash played youth soccer in Vancouver but switched to basketball in eighth grade. He was swayed by childhood friends and the mystique of Michael Jordan, whose shoe commercials were constantly on television. Yet Nash, who also played prep soccer, said winning the provincial championship is "one of my fondest memories in sports." He'd hoped to play both sports at Santa Clara University, but that idea was quickly nixed by the basketball coach. Nash's father, John, played professional soccer in South Africa and England. His brother, Martin, a former midfielder for the Canadian national team, is currently with the Vancouver Whitecaps in the United Soccer Leagues' first division.
Isaih Thomas has now admitted to touching and kissing Anucha Browne Sanders, the former Knicks executive who has filed a sexual harassment and wrongful dismissal suit against Thomas and the Knicks…
1) From Jason Quick of the Oregonian reports that Jamaal Magloire is talking leadership:
Magloire brings playoff minutes, 'pride' to Blazers - The veteran of six seasons, who will play center and forward, promises to be a leader
It won't be known until after October's training camp where the Trail Blazers' latest acquisition -- big man Jamaal Magloire -- fits best on a team that returns starters at both of his positions. In the meantime, Magloire on Thursday left no gray area as to what type of player the Blazers received when they acquired him from Milwaukee for Steve Blake, Brian Skinner and Ha Seung Jin. "They are getting a soldier," Magloire said in his first public appearance since the July 31 trade. "They are getting somebody who generally wants to win and has a lot of pride. You guys will see that." Already, Magloire has perhaps the most accomplished resume of any Blazers player. He is the team's only player to be named an All-Star (he was an Eastern Conference reserve with the Hornets in the 2003-04 season), and his 36 career playoff games are more than any other Blazers player (Raef LaFrentz has played in 35). "First and foremost, I want to lead this team," Magloire, 28, said. "Being in the playoffs in five of my six years -- that's the one thing I can do, is lead by example and not words. What separates me from everybody else is the fact I will do whatever it takes to win games." Magloire is 6-foot-11 and 265 pounds and has played primarily center during his six-year career. But he said the Blazers' front office has told him it intends for him to play both center and power forward next season, which is the final year of his contract. In playing both positions, Magloire will have to share time with returning starters Zach Randolph at power forward and Joel Przybilla at center. "I'm very excited for the opportunity to play two positions," Magloire said. "The biggest thing with me is being out there playing. I want that opportunity and I won't settle for less." Blazers President Steve Patterson said coach Nate McMillan will determine where and how much each player will play.
If anything, Magloire has fortified a Blazers front line that last season was the worst in the NBA in rebounding and was often pushed around. He ranked 10th in the league in rebounding last season at 9.5 a game and has averaged 7.8 rebounds in six NBA seasons with the Hornets and Milwaukee. Along with his rebounding, Magloire relishes his reputation as a player who does what he calls the "dirty work." He says he won't be shy about diving on the floor for a loose ball, or taking a charge or backing up a teammate if an opponent gets physical. Patterson said Magloire is a perfect fit for the Blazers because he has a balance of talent and character. Magloire is one of the most active NBA players in charity work, donating money and supplies over the years to the New Orleans Children's Hospital, Hurricane Katrina relief and the effort to combat the SARS virus in Canada. He also holds clinics for underprivileged youth in Canada and Trinidad and Tobago, and sponsors five youth basketball teams, a men's summer basketball league and a barbecue as part of a Caribbean gala in Toronto. "There is a lot riding on my shoulders. A lot of kids look at me as a role model, and I take that very seriously. I just want to help kids in any which way I can," Magloire said. There was a time when some questioned whether Magloire had the makeup to be such a positive influence. While he was in college at Kentucky, Magloire was suspended three times in a span of 10 months, including a four-game suspension after he was in a car that was pulled over in Louisville, Ky. One of the passengers, a high school teammate, was charged and later pleaded guilty to marijuana possession, and another, a Toronto man in his 50s, was charged with possession of heroin. Magloire also head-butted a player at Maryland, trampled a mascot, slammed a Louisville player to the floor at the end of a game and missed a team-imposed curfew. "When I was in college, I was a lot younger," Magloire said. "As the years go on, you get older and you mature." On a Blazers team that again figures to be one of the youngest in the NBA, Magloire will be asked to be a leader -- something McMillan begged for at season's end. "I have had a lot of captains that just talk and have never led by example," Magloire said. "You can say, 'Come on, we've got to work hard, we've got to do better, we have to do this, that,' but sometimes it's empty words. I don't want to come across as being one of those types of people."
2) Antonio Williams of Scouts Inc. thinks the little things really matter:
Top 10 small moves that matter most
Most of the offseason headlines are made when players like Ben Wallace and Peja Stojakovic switch uniforms, of course. But when it comes to wins and losses, small, smart moves can make a big difference, too. Here are the 10 moves that should have the largest impact at the lowest cost.
1. Mavericks sign Devean George - Dallas, fresh off its first appearance in the NBA Finals, bolstered its roster by adding the former Laker. The Mavericks had to spend only $4.2 million over two seasons to sign George. George, who won three NBA championships with Los Angeles, will provide the Mavericks with another playoff-tested perimeter defender to complement Dallas' potent offensive weapons: Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry. George has the ability to slide into the starting lineup, if needed, and defend at the shooting guard and small forward positions. George can make 3-pointers and stretch the opposing defense, though the Mavericks do not need a lot of scoring from him. George's energy and enthusiasm should also come in handy for the Mavericks.
2. Nuggets acquire J.R. Smith - Denver picked up Smith from Chicago and had to part only with a player it did not intend to keep in Howard Eisley and two second-round picks. Smith proved early last season that when given playing time he can score in the NBA. He played 26.5 minutes per game for the New Orleans Hornets in November and December last season, scoring 11.5 points. Smith has the athleticism and scoring ability the Nuggets have lacked from the shooting guard position for the last two seasons. Smith also wants to prove that the Hornets made a mistake by not playing him. After the strong start last season, he played in just 30 games the rest of the season and averaged just 11 minutes per game. He was traded to Chicago in July, then promptly shipped to Denver. Smith has the potential to develop into one of the better young scorers in the NBA. If coach George Karl can find a way to channel Smith's energies on defense, the Nuggets might have found, at a cheap price, the shooting-guard that will help take some of the burden off Carmelo Anthony. Smith still plays on his rookie contract.
3. Pacers acquire Marquis Daniels - In their efforts to gain more youth and athleticism, the Pacers traded for the multitalented Daniels, while giving up only a player who did not fit into their plans: Austin Croshere. Injuries and decreased playing time have hindered Daniels the last two seasons. The Pacers will give Daniels the chance to return to his form of the 2003-04 season, when he displayed his versatility on both sides of the ball.
Daniels has the ability to penetrate and score, and he can give the Pacers significant minutes at both guard positions as well as small forward.
4. Pistons sign Ronald Murray - After losing to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals and losing Wallace to Chicago in free agency, the Pistons had to make some changes to both their roster and team philosophy. Flip Murray will fit right into the more up-tempo offensive game that head coach Flip Saunders will employ this year. Acquiring Murray at the relatively cheap price of a two-year, $3.6 million contract will provide Detroit with the scoring combo guard it needs off the bench. Murray has the ability to score in bunches and will provide much-needed relief for both Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton.
5. Mavericks acquire Anthony Johnson - In trading Darrell Armstrong, Rawle Marshall and Josh Powell to the Indiana Pacers for Johnson, Dallas picked up a very solid point guard and had to part only with Armstrong's leadership and two young players who were buried on the bench. Johnson plays as a true point guard, which will complement the scoring skills of Jason Terry and Devin Harris on the Mavericks' roster. Johnson's extensive playoff experience with New Jersey and Indiana can only help a Dallas team with championship aspirations. As the starter in place of the injured Jamaal Tinsley in last spring's playoffs, Johnson averaged 20 points and 5.2 assists per game for Indiana. Johnson also will help Dallas defensively.
6. Wizards sign DeShawn Stevenson - For the second consecutive season, the Wizards had to replace a player who got a significant offer from another team. Last offseason, the Wizards did not enter into a bidding war with Cleveland for Larry Hughes and rebounded nicely by adding Caron Butler. This offseason, instead of matching the five-year, $30 million offer Jared Jeffries received from the Knicks, Washington signed Stevenson at a fraction of the cost. Stevenson has great athleticism and penetrating ability -- he should fit right into the Washington's up-tempo motion attack. He will provide the Wizards with a defender off the bench at the shooting guard position, allowing Antonio Daniels to play more minutes as the backup point guard.
7. Raptors sign Fred Jones - After John Salmons backed out of an agreement with the team, the Raptors recovered nicely by adding Jones. At three years and $11 million, Jones comes cheaper than the deal Salmons nearly signed. The former slam-dunk champion has the explosiveness and athleticism that could enable him to flourish in the up-tempo system GM Bryan Colangelo wants to incorporate in Toronto. Like a great number of players, Jones has shown he can produce in the NBA when given significant minutes. Jones had a good stretch for the Pacers during the 2004-05 season, when he played extensively due to the suspensions related to the infamous brawl in Detroit. In Jones, the Raptors could have an electrifying scorer to pair with new point guard T.J. Ford in the backcourt.
8. Spurs sign Jackie Butler and Francisco Elson - After trading the unwanted contract of Rasho Nesterovic and not re-signing Nazr Mohammed, the Spurs needed to replenish the center position behind Tim Duncan. They did so by signing restricted free agents Butler from the Knicks and Elson from the Nuggets. At a combined $13 million, San Antonio will not pay nearly as much for Butler and Elson as they would have for Nesterovic and Mohammed. Both players are younger and more athletic than Nesterovic and Mohammed, and both will work the boards with aggression and do a decent job as shot blockers while Duncan handles the heavy lifting in the post. When given the minutes, Butler and Elson have shown they can play as serviceable centers in the NBA.
9. Lakers acquire Maurice Evans - The Lakers, in need of more perimeter scoring after their playoff implosion, acquired shooting guard Evans from the Detroit Pistons for the draft rights to 2006 second-round pick Cheick Samb. Though Samb has the potential to develop, he probably will not help the Pistons in the near future, while Evans should pay immediate dividends for the Lakers. Evans did not play much in Detroit this past season, after having a very solid 2004-05 campaign with the Sacramento Kings. Los Angeles will give Evans every chance to provide the Lakers with a viable scoring option off the bench, which the Lakers sorely lacked last season. The physical Evans also plays decent defense, as the Lakers will look to lessen the load on Kobe Bryant next season.
10. Magic re-sign Trevor Ariza - Ariza, acquired from the New York Knicks in the Steve Francis trade-deadline deal last February, plays with great energy, particularly on the defensive end. He has the potential to develop into a defensive stopper in the league. Ariza also has the athleticism that teams love to see in small forwards. He still needs to develop his jump shot and ballhandling as he continues to mature, but Ariza has the chance to develop as part of the young core in Orlando that includes Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Darko Milicic.
3) From the AP, the other Eddie Johnson is pissed…and he should be:
The other Eddie Johnson - Eddie Johnson dealing with case of mistaken identity
Eddie Johnson still is getting over what he calls the worst day of his life. He scratched his way out of the Cabrini-Green housing project in Chicago, fashioned a long and successful NBA career, turned that into an opportunity on TV and built a reputation as an all-around good guy who loves to work with kids. His worst scrape with the law involved a couple of traffic tickets. Now he's dealing with a case of mistaken identity that shocked him and his friends and, he fears, may have permanently sullied his reputation. "Devastating. Hard to explain," Johnson said Thursday. Eddie Johnson was mistaken in some media reports for another Eddie Johnson -- a retired 10-year NBA player from Florida who was arrested Tuesday night and charged with sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl. The Eddie Johnson who had nothing to do with that hideous accusation is a former Illinois star who went on to a 17-year career with the Kings, Suns, Rockets and other teams. But when some media reports about the alleged crime included his bio information and file photo linked on the Internet, his phone started ringing. "The thing that disappointed me the most is some people were overzealous enough to think it was me and attack me with a ferocity I can't comprehend," Johnson said in a telephone interview from his home in Phoenix. "That's the part that didn't allow me to sleep last night. That's the part that forced me to reach out to as many people as I could and say 'Shame on you, that's not me."' Edward Arnet Johnson is 6-foot-8, does color commentary on Suns telecasts during the season, gives motivational speeches and runs basketball clinics for youngsters. He has a DVD that teaches kids how to shoot the jumper. He retired from the NBA in 1999 and is 47. "He called me really upset about it," said Charles Barkley, a former teammate of Johnson's, who wanted to help him set the record straight. "It's a tough situation. He was on vacation in Hawaii. He gets back and the first thing he knows, he's dealing with this. And he's such a good dude. It's an unfortunate situation." Edward "Fast Eddie" Johnson, Jr. -- the one being held in a Florida jail on sexual battery and burglary charges -- is a 6-foot-2, two-time NBA All-Star who played most of his career in Atlanta. An Auburn alum, he retired in 1987 and is 51. "I feel bad for Eddie Johnson of Phoenix and I feel really badly for Eddie Johnson of Auburn, because he never got his life together," Barkley said. When Eddie Johnson of Phoenix was still playing and Eddie Johnson of Auburn was retired and getting into frequent trouble with the law, there was little problem differentiating between the two. "There'd be a news story about Eddie Johnson, but they knew it wasn't me, because I was on the court and in the box score," said Eddie Johnson of Phoenix. Now that they're both out of the game -- and especially during the offseason, when Johnson isn't on TV -- the chances are better for a misunderstanding like the one that occurred this week. Eddie Johnson of Phoenix said his goal Thursday and for the next several days was to get the word out about who he really is -- and isn't. "My name is everything," he said. "I don't fault the other Eddie Johnson for having that name. I think it's a great name. He just doesn't happen to be a great guy."
posted by Cornback at
9:42 a.m.
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