Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News: "The arrival of Elton Brand, who was thought to be in Washington, D.C. yesterday, will create a major buzz in the area. But medical reports notwithstanding, the Sixers also have to hope he never becomes their Achilles' heel. Yes, there's a pun in there, but there also should be at least a small measure of caution. Brand, 29, is coming back from surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles' tendon; he returned to play the final eight games of last season with the Clippers, starting six times."
Mark Heisler of the Los Angeles Times: "Gee, why do these things keep happening to the Clippers? I know what you're thinking, but they didn't lose Elton Brand because owner Donald T. Sterling couldn't be reached or wouldn't come up with the money. It looks as if they lost Brand because he wanted out, which came as a shock since he always seemed true Clippers red, white and blue. On the other hand, Brand was a Clipper for seven seasons so even if it was the best time in their history, think how many bad days he saw as opposed to good days. ... Technically, Brand took a bigger offer from the 76ers, $82 million to the Clippers' $75 million. However, with Sterling giving his basketball people a blank check, the Clippers were going to dump enough players to get to $81 million. That offer was never relayed to Brand. The Clippers say at the end, agent David Falk stopped returning their calls. Whether the imperious Falk, who once represented Michael Jordan, did this for revenge or just because it felt good is a mystery. He did once vow to get the Clippers for not taking his client, Mike Bibby, with the No. 1 pick in the 1998 draft."
Ramona Shelburne of the Los Angeles Daily News: "Two league sources told the Daily News that by the end of negotiations with Brand, the Clippers had offered more than $80 million dollars over five seasons. 'I don't understand how this could've happened,' one source said. 'It clearly wasn't the money, because (the Clippers) came very close to what Philly offered.' ... A league source said that the Clippers would immediately make a push for Atlanta forward Josh Smith, but he is a restricted free agent and Atlanta can match any offer sheet he signs."
Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News: "If he could go back in time ... knowing what he knows now ... would Baron opt out of his Warriors deal again? Probably. Hey, $65M is $65M and the Warriors were not going to pay him that. Plus, Baron always wanted to go back to LA eventually, why not do it as the conquering, rich hero? (Even if it's without Brand.) But it's an interesting thought. With the Warriors, he had a $6.8M more in salary for this season, he had his buddies Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington, and he had a dynamite young scorer in Monta Ellis to help him out. Plus, Baron had a coach in Don Nelson who had for two seasons been his main supporter. Don't know if that would've lasted into a third season, but it's better to have a guy like that than not to have it."
Sekou Smith of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "It was pure serendipity at work for the Hawks (with a little Reality-TV by Elton Brand -- the mantra for all during free agency tends to be 'Show Me the Money' and despite reports elsewhere I'm told the Sixers offer was by far the most lucrative for Brand, who opted for money and the best chance to win quickly. Remember the Sixers made the playoffs last year and the Warriors and Clippers did not). That leaves Smith and Childress still on the market, technically, but more likely than ever to return to the Hawks at a price the club likes as opposed to a price dictated by a team flush with cash to spend on free agents. No one is going to be scared of the Clippers (notorious for their penny pinching ways in the past) coming after their players. They'll simply match offers and keep it moving."
K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune: "Until Derrick Rose jammed the right knee that has been plagued by tendinitis and sat for the final 7 minutes 58 seconds of the Bulls' 89-84 victory over the Pacers on Tuesday night, the point guard had played all but 3:10. So much for bringing Rose along slowly, as management has claimed it will do. 'Summer league is for Derrick,' coach Vinny Del Negro said. 'We're going to ride him.'"
Tony Mejia for The Oklahoman: "On July 4, while most people were scouting out fireworks, Sam Presti found himself in Austin, watching Kevin Durant work out as if the regular season were weeks away instead of months away. Durant was in two-a-day mode, waking at 6:30 to lift weights, then shooting around in the afternoon. Durant has a problem: He's a workaholic. From Oklahoma City's perspective, when you're watching a team being built from the ground up, it's a good problem to have. 'I just can't come to the gym and sit on the sidelines,' Durant admitted. 'It was a bonehead move on my part not to bring my shoes.' That problem was easily rectified. Durant received his size 18s early Tuesday and was ready to go once tip-off began, joining the starting lineup. Durant had gotten his way."
Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal: "With 'Dedication' tattooed on his left bicep and 'Sacrifice' on his right, O.J. Mayo stood at the center of attention. With his play, the Grizzlies' highly touted draft pick suggested yet another word. 'Smooth.' That's how new teammate Mike Conley described Mayo's game. Griz general manager Chris Wallace used the word, too, in a separate conversation. It's too soon to say whether Mayo's transition from USC to the No. 3 overall draft pick to NBA action will be smooth. But Mayo largely made a silky first impression Tuesday during the Grizzlies' summer mini-camp."
Steve Campbell of the Houston Chronicle: "Morey is confident that he can put together a deal to add an impact player as the trading deadline approaches. If Morey can't pull it off, if he doesn't manage to upgrade the team noticeably, he'll have a lot of explaining to do."
Michael Grange of The Globe and Mail: "This afternoon the Toronto Raptors will introduce Jermaine O'Neal, their newly acquired centre. Who exactly he is and what he will bring to the franchise will likely remain a mystery until the season starts in November. Is O'Neal an injury-plagued fading star destined to be a drag on the bottom line? Or a still potent veteran determined to extend the prime of his career and help the Raptors win their first playoff series in six years? Trainer Joe Abunassar, who has been working with O'Neal daily in Las Vegas since May 15, bets on the latter as O'Neal attempts to rebound from a lost season and a 'best thing for everyone' divorce from the Indiana Pacers."
Anthony Cotton of The Denver Post: "Carmelo Anthony says he's waking up these days with chills -- not the kind associated with a sense of dread from what troubles may be lurking under his bed or around the corner, but rather from joy at the hundreds of eager faces waiting to see him each morning. 'It touches my heart, knowing I can put a smile on these kids' faces,' the Nuggets forward said Tuesday from his annual basketball camp in Lakewood. And, after months of turmoil and drama, both on and off the court, Anthony says he's feeling pretty happy, too. Anthony, saying it was 'time for a change,' announced he has signed with a new marketing firm, New York-based The Agency."
Jim Moore of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer: "Sonics employees have been told to not discuss the team's move to Oklahoma City with the media, and Kevin Calabro is still under contract through the end of September. He hopes people will understand why he's speaking out. 'I suppose I should be muzzling myself and painting a rosy picture, but I can't do that,' he said. 'It's not honest.' The voice of the Sonics since 1987, Calabro sounded mad and mystified during an 85-minute interview. If someone's upset by his comments, he's not going to Oklahoma City anyway. The Sonics wanted him to, and offered him 'top, top dollar,' but Calabro didn't want to leave because he loves it here. He has a wife and four kids, ranging in age from 23 to 12, and he'd never see them if he tried to commute to Oklahoma City."
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