Jason Friedman of the Houston Press quotes Shane Battier on his self image: "I want people to think I'm as slow and un-athletic as possible. Every time I step on that floor, I want people to think I don't belong in the NBA. I think that gives me an advantage. ... Trust me, I'm not physically imposing, and I will still say I'm slow and un-athletic. So that's my story and I'm sticking to it."
NBA referee Bob Delaney takes the video cameras to the site on the Jersey Waterfront where, as a young undercover state trooper, he ran a sham trucking company as part of a successful plan to ensnare the mob.
In Portland, everybody is really excited that one of the best players in Europe, Rudy Fernandez, is said to be on his way next year. In a new interview, however, Fernandez says he's worried about that Nate McMillan has kept Sergio Rodriguez on the bench, and hasn't made up his mind yet about whether or not he'll come to the NBA (where he would likely make much less money, at least initially). With important games left to play in Europe, however, is there any chance he'd tell the media he was certain to leave?
TrueHoop reader Tim -- I'm telling you, this guy watches the Spurs closer than anyone I know -- emails: "Over the past decade I've watched the Spurs as closely as anyone, and now, for the first time in a decade, I'm increasingly of the opinion that Father Time has turned a sly grin their way. They're playing hard, but they look old. They routinely get beat to loose balls; their rotations are late; their lift is flat. Perhaps, they'll fool everyone again and turn it on late, but I'm not holding my breath. Thankfully, they have some ability to partially reload this summer (full MLE, Splitter, Mahinmi, Udoka a year in, draft pick) and to fully reload in 2010. But I will say this, their nearly flawless front office might never live down the Luis Scola trade. 20-20 hindsight says that was an unforgivable blunder. It's an odd feeling, but this is the first season I've ever considered whether or not it would be better for them to simply miss the playoffs and hit the lottery -- not so much for the draft pick, but so that their horses can rest. They'd be right back in the thick of it next year."
Did you notice (as TrueHoop reader Michael did) that the new potential lease agreement between the Sonics and Oklahoma City has an attendance-based escape clause for the Sonics? I'm not sure at what point it'll be clear that the stadium financing model is in bad shape, but can we all agree that if that clause is ever exercised we're all in trouble? If the Sonics make it to Oklahoma City, they ought to be locked there for a very long time.
NetsDaily has long profiled the kinds of players Rod Thorn's front office has drafted. With exceptions, of course, they tend to be tall for their position, not the youngest in the draft, good defenders, high IQ, and solid citizens. Many of them are not their college team's first options. Those and other trends, according to Nets Daily, point to certain players this time around: "Assume they'll look at a swingman unless someone else dramatically better slips to them. I think we're looking at Chase Budinger of Arizona, OJ Mayo of USC, Chris Douglas-Roberts of Memphis, maybe Tyler Smith of Tennessee. I guess UCLA's Russell Westbrook is a possibility as well. Overseas, that could mean someone like Nicolas Batum of France or if they get a high pick in the lottery, Danilo Gallinari of Italy."
There have been rumors before about Donnie Walsh as a candidate to run the Knicks. But now the Daily News is adding some flight records to the conversation, reporting that James Dolan's private plane has been traveling in a manner consistent with meetings between Walsh and Dolan. (Could be anything, of course, but I love the cloak and dagger.) Neither side will confirm much of anything, but Walsh's agent says Walsh is open to talking to the Knicks.
John Hollinger's Playoff Odds predicts Denver will beat out Golden State for the last spot in the West, while the Lakers and Rockets are projected to be first and second. The Jazz, Hornets, Spurs, Mavericks, Suns, Nuggets, and Warriors are all expected to finish within four games of each other. Also, Atlanta, Chicago, and Indiana are all seen as more likely than New Jersey to make the playoffs.
Clipperblog: "For whatever reason, though, it's universally accepted that the threshold for a foul is elevated to aggravated assault in a game's closing seconds. Basketball referees swallow their whistles and let 'the players decide the game.' And by and large, that's the way we like it. So when Cuttino Mobley's foul on Antawn Jamison with :02.2 seconds, it's incomprehensible. Here's what happens: The Clips lead 100-97. DeShawn Stevenson inbounds the ball on the far side to Jamison outside the arc. Jamison, covered by Mobley, catches the inbound, spins 180 degrees clockwise to square up for the 3PA. Cat has his left hand on Jamison's right hip. But as Jamison sets and elevates for the shot, Cat actually removes his hand. As Jamison releases the ball, there's absolutely no contact between the two players. But Olandis Poole whistles Cat for the foul and Jamison goes to the line, and hits three of three. Clipperblog rarely brings officiating into the conversation. But I don't think it's a stretch to suggest that if this situation were to play itself out 100 times, the defender would be whistled for the foul maybe twice."
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