Quick word on Bulls 'downgrades' going into the season
If I say it's too early to worry about season previews...is it also too early to proactively dismiss some points from those season previews? Here's how I spin some conventional wisdom: The Bulls have a rookie coach: The Bulls now have a coach who the players don't hate. They also have someone who…
August 14, 2008, 11:45 PM ET from Blog a Bull
Donnie Walsh Speaks!
Donnie Walsh had a “town forum” with Knicks season ticket holders. Here, courtesy of NYKnicks.com, is video from that event (you may have to click on the piece to see the embedded video)… Thanks to TDM for the heads up! And thanks to Alah Hahn’s awesome Knicks blog on…
August 14, 2008, 10:30 PM ET from KnickerBlogger.Net
Gasol caught in offensive photo
The Spanish basketball team is drawing a little heat this week for a promotional photo in which they all stretched their faces to slant their eyes. Making jokes about slanted eyes might not be the best preparation for a trip to Beijing. Who is doing public relations for the team?
August 14, 2008, 9:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Spanish women’s team is stupid too
A picture is word a thousand reprimands. Click here to see the equally offensive Spanish men’s team photo.
August 14, 2008, 9:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Get them while they’re hot
The line snaked well down the street, as 1,000 fans lined up this week for the grand opening of the first NBA store to open in Beijing, China. In all likelihood, a large contingent rushed in as soon as the doors opened to the section where the Kobe Bryant jerseys hung. For the second consecutive…
August 14, 2008, 9:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Powell is a Laker
Lakers spokesman John Black just confirmed that journeyman forward Josh Powell has been signed by the Lakers. The 6-foot-9 Powell spent the 2007-2008 season with the Clippers, primarily as a backup forward. However, he started extensively late in the season, when starting center Chris Kaman missed…
August 14, 2008, 8:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Internet reaction harsh for Pau
Let’s hope Pau Gasol doesn’t have access to a computer in the Olympic Village. He’s getting killed on the net. Gasol and his teammates posed for a picture pulling back their faces to created slanted eyes, and since then, the reaction hasn’t been too kind. Apparently, saying…
August 14, 2008, 7:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Powell a Laker?
The well-traveled sojourns of journeyman forward Josh Powell are about to continue, according to a report by Hoopshype.com. Powell, who spent the 2007-2008 season with the Clippers, is said to be set to sign a contract to play with the Lakers this coming season. (more…)
August 14, 2008, 7:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
USA Basketball Game 3: USA 92 - Greece 69
This was the United States’ first big test, and the passed it easily (although certainly still with some room for improvement). It truly did appear as though Coach K spent all his free time (and a good deal of his official time for Team USA) developing a way to beat Greece, as he came up [...]
August 14, 2008, 5:00 PM ET from KnickerBlogger.Net
Maybe this Sun Yue kid can play after all
It’s too bad you can’t play against Angola every day. The “Chinese Magic” Sun Yue, who recently agreed to terms with the Lakers, didn’t miss a shot when China beat Angola 85-68 in Olympic basketball. Sun was 4-for-4 from the floor. He hit two three-pointers and…
August 14, 2008, 3:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
That’s the Kobe we know
Stunning dunks, great passes in traffic, stifling defense. Kobe Bryant had it all going today. Team USA punked Greece by 23, avenging losses in Athens and the World Championships. Spain, and its band of politically incorrect hoopsters, will play USA on Saturday. Against Greece, Kobe tossed in 18…
August 14, 2008, 3:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Could Kobe jump overseas?
Art Thompson III, a longtime reporter for the Register, went out and found a world-traveling basketball player to find out if it’s realistic that Kobe Bryant could walk away from the NBA if some European team paid him $50 million. Jason Crowe, once a teammate of Paul Pierce at Inglewood…
August 14, 2008, 3:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Gasol says he was forced into offensive picture
Pau Gasol knew it was wrong, and he did it only after a sponsor insisted. That’s his response to criticism over the photo where he and his Spanish teammates are shown pulling back their faces to create slanted eyes — all in preparation for their trip to China. “Some of us didn’t feel…
August 14, 2008, 2:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Maybe Paul Pierce is the best player in the world
Who kidnapped Kobe Bryant? Isn’t he the NBA’s reigning MVP? Today, mighty Angola couldn’t match Team USA, but they handled Kobe Bryant like he was an NBA bench-warmer. Bryant made four of 13 shots from the floor and clanked all eight of his three-point attempts. He finished with…
August 14, 2008, 2:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Gasol caught in offensive photo
The Spanish basketball team is drawing a little heat this week for a promotional photo in which they all stretched their faces to slant their eyes. Making jokes about slanted eyes might not be the best preparation for a trip to Beijing. Who is doing public relations for the team?
August 14, 2008, 2:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Spanish women’s team is stupid too
A picture is word a thousand reprimands.
August 14, 2008, 2:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Get them while they’re hot
The line snaked well down the street, as 1,000 fans lined up this week for the grand opening of the first NBA store to open in Beijing, China. In all likelihood, a large contingent rushed in as soon as the doors opened to the section where the Kobe Bryant jerseys hung. For the second consecutive…
August 14, 2008, 2:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Insider’s opinion
This assessment of the Lakers’ rookie swingman Sun Yue comes from a veteran NBA executive who has scouted hundreds of players both internationally and in the United States. “He has a nice feel for the game (and) he’s a decent passer, with good size. However, he lacks quickness and…
August 14, 2008, 2:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Internet reaction harsh for Pau
Let’s hope Pau Gasol doesn’t have access to a computer in the Olympic Village. He’s getting killed on the net. Gasol and his teammates posed for a picture pulling back their faces to created slanted eyes, and since then, the reaction hasn’t been too kind. Bill Plaschke…
August 14, 2008, 1:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Putting in work
Lakers guard Coby Karl was in Las Vegas last week participating in the annual Tim Grgurich skills camp. Asked how Karl looked, a veteran NBA coach responded, “He did what he does best - he made shots.” Karl, who split the 2007-2008 season playing with the Lakers and their D-League team…
August 14, 2008, 1:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Maybe this Sun Yue kid can play after all
It’s too bad you can’t play against Angola every day. The “Chinese Magic” Sun Yue, who recently agreed to terms with the Lakers, didn’t miss a shot when China beat Angola 85-68 in Olympic basketball. Sun was 4-for-4 from the floor. He hit two three-pointers and…
August 14, 2008, 1:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
That’s the Kobe we know
Stunning dunks, great passes in traffic, stifling defense. Kobe Bryant had it all going today. Team USA punked Greece by 23, avenging losses in Athens and the World Championships. Spain, and its band of politically incorrect hoopsters, will play USA on Saturday. Against Greece, Kobe tossed in 18…
August 14, 2008, 1:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Re-thinking old labels
Positions are extremely arbitrary in the NBA. LeBron James is as big as Karl Malone but makes plays like Isiah Thomas … and yet he’s a “small forward?” David Sparks takes arbitrary out of the equation by assigning descriptive labels strictly according to stats — and…
August 14, 2008, 12:30 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Flip to ATL
Forget Russia, former Piston Flip Murray is going to Atlanta.
August 14, 2008, 12:15 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Herrmann Retturnns
We knew it was going to happen two weeks ago, but the Pistons finally made the formal announcement: Walter Herrmann has re-signed.
August 14, 2008, 12:00 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Great minds …
… either a) think alike; or b) regurgitate DBB. [Update: … or c) sometimes jump the gun. Of all the times I’ve suspected my ideas being appropriated by other writers and media outlets, this was a poor example to use to air my frustration. For one, the subject matter is hardly…
August 14, 2008, 11:45 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Pistons haiku contest
Longtime readers of this site know that every now and then the comments section will break into spontaneous haiku. It hasn’t happened in a while, but if the poetry bug is starting to bite, head over to Pistonscast for their haiku contest.
August 14, 2008, 11:30 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Flip Murray to Russia?
Former Piston Flip Murray may be cashing in his dollars for ruples: “A source said free-agent guard Flip Murray has been approached by Dynamo Moscow. The former Cavs guard had drawn some interest from Cleveland, but that was before the Cavs signed Tarence Kinsey. Dallas and Washington have…
August 14, 2008, 11:15 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Monday’s Layup Drill
I’ve been busy so a few of these are old, but in case you missed them … The last few summers, the word everyone has liked to use when talking about the Pistons has been “complacency.” What’s the new buzz word? “Accountable.” Lindsey Hunter is using it,…
August 14, 2008, 11:00 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Who used to collect basketball cards?
I grew up collecting basketball cards. In other words, I grew up a nerd. I eventually stopped, but after reading about Andrew and Brian from Empty the Bench getting back in the habit, I may have to go buy a box myself.
August 14, 2008, 10:45 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Pistons release 2008-09 schedule
The NBA released its schedule today. Just like last year, the Pistons need their A-game early: their first 12 games will feature eight road games, including a trip out West and a home/away set with the Celtics. All in all there are 14 nationally-televised games, though that doesn’t yet…
August 14, 2008, 10:30 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Kwame Brown speaks
As mentioned by several readers in the comments of a previous post, Kwame Brown spoke to reporters on Tuesday during an introductory conference call. If you’ve already made up your mind about his signing, nothing he says in August will change your mind, but at the very least he deserves…
August 14, 2008, 10:15 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Carlos Arroyo moves to Israel
Carlos Arroyo officially joins Maccabi Tel-Aviv: “Sources in Israel said Arroyo will receive an estimated $2.5 million net next season — roughly the equivalent of a $5 million NBA salary after taxes — as part of a three-year contract. The deal includes an opt-out provision that…
August 14, 2008, 09:45 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Pre-pre-season rankings, now with 100% less logic
I rarely pay attention to preseason rankings, but seeing as it’s the middle of August without much happening in Pistonsville, I’m going to make an exception. So, Marty Burns of Sports Illustrated, what say you about the East? 1. Boston 2. Cleveland 3. Magic Bold! You bumped Detroit…
August 14, 2008, 09:30 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Stuckey and Afflalo locked up
File this under “the least surprising news of the summer”: the Pistons officially exercised their team options on Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo, extending them through 2009-10.
August 14, 2008, 04:30 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Walter Herrmann will in fact return
We asked the question yesterday, and the Detroit Free Press confirms the answer today: Walter Herrmann agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Pistons. He’ll presumably serve as the primary backup small forward, though if the playoffs are any indication, I imagine we’ll occasionally…
August 14, 2008, 04:15 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Weddings and beards
Speaking of Antonio McDyess and weddings … here’s Dyess and Rip Hamilton at Mo Evans’ wedding earlier this summer. Seriously, if the only thing Rip Hamilton accomplished this summer was growing that impressive beard, it’s been a successful offseason. (via Need4Sheed)
August 14, 2008, 04:00 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Antonio’s wedding
Random link of the day: pictures from Antonio McDyess’ wedding, which took place in Jalisco, Mexico last summer. Hat-tip to DBB reader Garrett, who knows a thing or two about wedding pictures.
August 14, 2008, 03:45 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Re-thinking old labels
Positions are extremely arbitrary in the NBA. LeBron James is as big as Karl Malone but makes plays like Isiah Thomas … and yet he’s a “small forward?” David Sparks takes arbitrary out of the equation by assigning descriptive labels strictly according to stats — and…
August 14, 2008, 03:30 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Introducing James Posey
It's said that fans have a tendency to overrate their own teams players - a tendency that General Managers can fall into as well. Part of this is due to watching those players every day and developing attachments to pieces and parts of their game. I love West's baseline…
August 14, 2008, 03:00 AM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
Tyson Chandler
Several weeks ago I was sucking up all the basketball related news I could find and stumbled across a bunch of comments at Ira Winderman's Sun-Sentinel Heat Blog. To my surprise someone there had brought up my Evaluation of Peja's defense from earlier in the year, sparking…
August 14, 2008, 02:45 AM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
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