Bill Bradley's coach at Princeton, and former coach of the Lakers, Butch Van Breda Kolff, died. In Roland Lazenby's book "The Show," Jerry West remembers Van Breda Kolff's arrival in Los Angeles: "O Lord, was there ever changes. Not only in style but also in the attitude surrounding the team. There was a volatile person who pretty much said what he thought. He felt that was the way to do it. You cannot do that at the professional level. He was a purist." The same book also remembers the coach as someone who would stop by players' rooms and sip beer, "talking basketball for hours," writes Lazenby, "until they begged him to let them get some sleep."
If you had to name the celebrity least likely to miss a chance to suit up in some kind of NBA celebrity game (it could happen!) Jamie Foxx would be a very solid choice. If celebrities are invited on to the court, the man is there. And I guess the practice is paying off. This is from a blog on the Great American Country website: "While recording at Nashville's Blackbird Studios, Jamie challenged the members of Rascal Flatts to a basketball competition, with $20 on the line for each basket. Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus learned pretty quickly they had no chance against Jamie, but Joe Don Rooney was a little more stubborn. He ended up losing all the money he had on him that day to Jamie."
Ruben Patterson shuts down perimeter players and shoots a high percentage from the floor. But he has not been one of the first free agents snapped up. Think that has anything to do with his criminal record?
J.E. Skeets watching a timeout in last night's game: "What in hell could the Venezuelan guys possibly be saying to each other in the huddle? 'Try harder?'"
Gilbert Arenas said Richard Jefferson is the third best player from Arizona. Is he right? And who's second, Mike Bibby? Andre Iguodala? David Berri investigates.
SonicsCentral's Brian Robinson: "60 days later I ask: How much are we missing Ray Allen? At the time of the trade I stated that, while there would be a blow to fan interest it was clear that the tandem of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis had never captured the imagination of this city the way that Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton had. While Allen was respected and generally liked, he was not loved. Time seems to be bearing out this theory as fans have basically not mentioned Allen in a month. While the reality of his absence will likely sink in as the season approaches it is likely to be all but lost in the frenzy as Kevin Durant prepares to make his Seattle debut. Durant, the 18 year old phenom from Texas will assume the role of star vacated by Allen while the centerpiece of the Allen trade, rookie Jeff Green will quietly be expected to fill some very big shoes."
Wait, Heat fans want to trade Udonis Haslem? One of the only top Heat players who is not a ballhog, is on Dwyane Wade's schedule, and is reasonably priced?
No kidding, I have been thinking that it would be great to get in touch with some NBA players and have them send us some home video of themselves being parents. Then we could edit all together and make little -- hopefully touching. insightful, and maybe funny -- videos for Father's Day or something. Then I learned that, minus the humor, Dickey Simpkins beat us to the punch.
Jay Aych of the Painted Area on Brazil's first game: "[Leandro] Barbosa was basically a one-man wrecking crew on offense for Brazil. He dropped 30 of Brazil's 75, with Tiago Splitter (12 & 9rebs) the only other player in double digits. Barbosa was not shy, chucking up 26 shots all over the court, probably rushing a few, but he did damage with jumpers & unstoppable drives. He also did a nice job creating for others off the bounce & his speed led to 11 ft attempts (9/11)."
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