John Hammond is apparently joining Ed Stefanski in the club of people who reportedly turned down overtures for years but eventually decided to take over their own NBA teams instead of being second bananas. Hammond, who has long worked with Joe Dumars in Detroit, is said to be taking over the Bucks.
Sixer chairman Ed Snider says Maurice Cheeks is unquestionably the coach of the year. Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News understands the argument, but then wonders -- why, then, did Cheeks just get a measly one-year extension to his expiring contract?
Gilbert Arenas, on his NBA.com blog: "I remember when I made the prediction at the beginning of the year that we would beat Boston, everybody laughed at me after we lost. They had their little shorts giggles. I'm glad you guys giggled, because I'm going to be giggling the whole summer now. I think we're the only team in the league to beat them three times this season. So, giggle giggle giggle back. You all were so quick to kill me, but five months later I got the last laugh. Three out of four. HA!"
Something from the current ESPN the Magazine that kind of blows my mind: "Here's a tidbit that will make the rest of the league cower: LeBron might be getting bigger. Two years ago -- also late in the season -- he felt tightness in his back. Turned out, he was growing (half an inch, to be exact). Now he has the same pain in the same place."
Don Nelson wants the NBA to examine the playoff seeding system, so that teams like his Warriors would be safely in. Geoff Lepper of the Contra Costa Times: "It's too late to save whichever team fails to survive the current eighth-place Western Conference cage match, be it the Warriors or the Denver Nuggets. But Golden State coach Don Nelson wants the NBA to make sure no future team suffers such an undeserving fate as winning 47 or more games and nevertheless going home in mid-April. 'I hope the league makes some adjustments, at least talks about the issues,' Nelson said. 'Combine everybody and just take the top 16 teams would be probably the most fair thing. ... I think with our own (charter) airlines, (cross-country) trips aren't like they used to be. So what's the difference if you have to play the East a little more? Play everybody as (equally) as you can and take the top 16 and let's go. That's what I'd do.'"
Fantasy Junkie on Golden State of Mind: "Did Nellie Get Outcoached? This is one question I've been pondering since the game ended. Karl made his adjustment - switching from man D to zone and pulling Anthony Carter. Nellie's team didn't really seem to make any adjustments. They struggled against the zone D for 3 full quarters and didn't change up their offense. Usually against a zone D, you overload one side or you get the ball to a good passer in the middle of the zone. Neither of those happened tonight. The screens stopped coming while the turnovers mounted. Leads me to believe Karl outcoached Nellie. What do you think?"
Joanne C. Gerstner of The Detroit News: "What sets Rasheed Wallace apart is his ability to defend centers and forwards, taking on everything from slashers to big bangers. And he's also kept his emotions in check, with only 12 technicals. 'I think he's the most underrated defender in basketball,' Pistons guard Chauncey Billups said. 'I really do. He does it all. He contains, he contests shots, quick hands down low, position-wise he's heavy, so you just can't back him down.' Wallace, when told of the praise, did the expected -- tersely shot it down. 'I don't care, it doesn't matter to me,' Wallace said."
Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News: "Wednesday night was a big evening for Mavericks' director of player personnel Amadou Gallo Fall, who created the SEEDS academy -- Sports for Education and Economic Development in Senegal. Organizers of the group, along with Mavericks players and NBA dignitaries, hosted a packed fundraising party at Ghostbar atop the W Hotel. 'We teach the game, but the most important thing is to use basketball to engage these kids in healthy life choices,' Fall said. 'They get educated. It's not necessarily about coming here. They can make it there. We just want to empower these kids to become global citizens. And the league is very supportive.'"
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