2008 NBA Playoffs

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Chauncey Billups plans aggressive approach
By Chris Silva / Pistons Notebook
Thursday, May 22, 2008

Chauncey Billups said he was hopeful.

Not hopeful he will be healthy, which he said he is, but hopeful that he will be able to do the things he normally is capable of doing in tonight’s Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics [team stats].

“I will look to probably be a lot more aggressive and try to see if I can do that,” Billups said before yesterday’s practice at Emerson College.

In Game 1, Billups saw his first action in nearly two weeks, since he strained his right hamstring in Game 3 against Orlando. He finished with nine points on six shots and two assists.

Billups said he felt good yesterday morning and didn’t experience any side effects from playing. Asked about a possible relapse, Billups said, “I don’t know. I’m not really worried about that. I’m willing to do whatever I’ve got to do.”

Truth hurts

The Pistons must find a way to stop Paul Pierce [stats] from taking the ball to the basket, which he did repeatedly in Game 1.

“When you have a player of that caliber that can turn the corner and make plays, you’ve got to try to get the ball out of his hand, or his first couple dribbles got to be away from the basket,” Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince said. “Pretty much on the majority of those pick-and-rolls we didn’t do that.”

Pierce made three layups, went 4-for-6 from the free throw line and dished six assists Tuesday. Prince, who was the primary defender on Pierce, said it wasn’t just Pierce’s quick first step that allowed him to create, but his ability to anticipate how a play will develop, as well.

“That’s why from a defensive standpoint, when a player like that can make some decisions, you’ve got to be the one to make a decision for him,” Prince said. “You can’t let him dictate it and then . . . try to defend that after the fact. As a defense, you’ve really got to dictate the tempo with him, and then if other guys are starting to make things happen, then we’ll have to make adjustments after that.”

Burst and bust

Rasheed Wallace scored all 11 of his points in two quick bursts in Game 1. He had six points in a 1:11 stretch in the second quarter and five points in a 1:39 span in the fourth. Aside from that, Wallace, who shot 3-for-12 from the field, was quiet offensively.

The Pistons want to get their versatile big man more involved tonight, but NBA Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Garnett isn’t the only Celtic standing in the way.

“They’re playing him with KG, they’ve got a guy at the elbow, they’ve got a guy coming behind if he is to get by KG, so you’ve got to be able to create ways to shoot the ball,” Billups said. “You can’t just iso him down there. He’s too good defensively.”

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Expect a better Billups

By Chris McCosky
The Detroit News / May 22, 2008

Rajon Rondo had some in the media a little worried after Game 1 when he skipped out without talking.
related content
Celtics vs. Pistons
today's stories

* Celtics' Garnett sees a lot of himself in Wallace
* necn video The Celtics talk about tonight's Game 2
* globe 10.0 What can we expect in Game 2 tonight?
* Bob Ryan For record, these four are best
* Celtics Notebook Beware the danger game
* Pistons notebook Celtics' Rondo expects a better Billups
* discuss Share your thoughts on tonight's Game 2
* Ex-Celtic Gomes maintains rooting interest

game by game

* game 1 Celtics 88, Pistons 79 | Photos
* series snapshot Celtics-Pistons schedule

more stories like this

"My throat was hurting me, was bothering me, and I was tired; no big deal," he said yesterday.

His performance Tuesday night was a big deal. His 11 points, 7 assists, and 5 steals got the better of Chauncey Billups and the Pistons.

"Coach [Doc ] Rivers told me to use my quickness and my speed to attack Chauncey and put pressure on him up the court," Rondo said. "You know, he was going to try to back me down, but other than that, he hasn't checked me at the other end."

Rip Hamilton guarded Rondo most of the time in Game 1, but Rondo expects a different beast in tonight's Game 2.

"I'm sure he'll come back and be very aggressive," Rondo said of Billups, "but I'm going to hold my ground and try to be aggressive."

Rondo has been unfazed by the pundits saying there is a huge mismatch at point guard in this series, favoring the Pistons.

"I haven't done much in this league, and Chauncey is a great player and he's proven himself," Rondo said. "I don't feel any pressure at all because my teammates have my back, but then again, it comes down to the point guards who run the team. So I'll just try to go out there and run my team, let Paul [ Pierce], Ray [ Allen], and [Kevin Garnett] make the plays."

Adjustment game
The Celtics expect the Pistons to alter their defense in Game 2, particularly against the pick-and-roll.

"Obviously, they're going to try to keep us from dribble penetration," said Rivers, whose team scored 44 points in the paint in Game 1. "I guarantee you that's one of the adjustments. But there's only so many things you can do, and then when they do it, we have to adjust to it. We'll be ready."

No worse for wear
Billups said his tender hamstring did not suffer any setbacks in Game 1. "I am not worried about that," he said. "I am willing to do what I need to do."

Hamilton, however, said the Pistons need to lighten some of Billups's workload.

"If you watch our offense, 80 percent of the time it starts with the ball in Chauncey's hands," Hamilton said. "We have to put him in a situation where he can come out and catch the ball and not have to spend a whole lot of energy bringing it up the court."

Hamilton suggested that he or Prince could bring the ball up.

"[Boston] is so aggressive on the strong side of the ball," said Hamilton. "Chauncey has to spend so much energy bringing it up, then when he comes off he's facing a loaded-up defense. Once he gets out of that, there's seven or eight seconds on the shot clock."

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Beware the danger game
Rivers warns of letdown at home

By Christopher L. Gasper
Globe Staff / May 22, 2008

WALTHAM - Many thought that with the Pistons going a week between series and the Celtics having to go seven games to dispatch the Cavaliers, then turning around two days later and starting the Eastern Conference finals, Boston was at a disadvantage. But that proved to be false as the Celtics took Game 1, 88-79, Tuesday night.

However, coach Doc Rivers, speaking after practice yesterday, sounded the letdown alarm for Game 2, saying his team will have to raise its game tonight to head to Detroit with a 2-0 lead and move to 10-0 at home in the playoffs.

"I wasn't concerned about Game 1 whether we were going to play or not. I just thought the intensity of a Game 7, the quick turnaround was in our favor," said Rivers. "This is the game, Game 2, I've always thought that for the home team is the danger game because of that false sense of security. We have to come out with great intensity.

"Detroit will be better. Chauncey Billups will be better, so will Rasheed [ Wallace]. We have to be ready for that, but we can be ready as well."

The Pistons, who practiced yesterday at Emerson College, agreed with Rivers - they'll be better in Game 2.

"We turned the ball over too much. We beat ourselves," said coach Flip Saunders. "We came off a playoff low of three turnovers and have seven turnovers in the third quarter. When it's a close game and we turn it over seven times, we don't give ourselves a chance."

Rivers lauded the crowd at TD Banknorth Garden, but the Celtics know they can't rely on home-court advantage to carry them against a team such as Detroit.

"You don't want to come out and think the same thing is going to happen, that you're going to get the same results," said Ray Allen. "The away team is thinking we just want to get one of two and they'll get home court switching to their favor."

With Boston winless on the road in the postseason (0-6), winning tonight takes on greater importance.

"Hopefully, things will stay well at home and [we'll] see what this series brings to us as far as our road [record]," said Paul Pierce.

Standing by their man
Rivers and several Celtics, including Kevin Garnett, professed no concern about the prolonged shooting slump of Allen, who was 3 for 10 and finished with 9 points in Game 1 and is shooting 38 percent for the playoffs.

He is shooting just 33 percent in his last 10 games, during which he is 6 for 38 (15.8 percent) on 3-pointers. Allen said with his shot flagging, he's looking to take the ball to the basket more.

"I'm not worried about it. I'm really not," said Rivers. "The thought is to win games. We're winning games and Ray is making plays. He got great looks [Tuesday] night and they didn't go in, but you can see him getting more comfortable."

However, coach Doc Rivers, speaking after practice yesterday, sounded the letdown alarm for Game 2, saying his team will have to raise its game tonight to head to Detroit with a 2-0 lead and move to 10-0 at home in the playoffs.

"I wasn't concerned about Game 1 whether we were going to play or not. I just thought the intensity of a Game 7, the quick turnaround was in our favor," said Rivers. "This is the game, Game 2, I've always thought that for the home team is the danger game because of that false sense of security. We have to come out with great intensity.

"Detroit will be better. Chauncey Billups will be better, so will Rasheed [ Wallace]. We have to be ready for that, but we can be ready as well."

The Pistons, who practiced yesterday at Emerson College, agreed with Rivers - they'll be better in Game 2.

"We turned the ball over too much. We beat ourselves," said coach Flip Saunders. "We came off a playoff low of three turnovers and have seven turnovers in the third quarter. When it's a close game and we turn it over seven times, we don't give ourselves a chance."

Rivers lauded the crowd at TD Banknorth Garden, but the Celtics know they can't rely on home-court advantage to carry them against a team such as Detroit.

"You don't want to come out and think the same thing is going to happen, that you're going to get the same results," said Ray Allen. "The away team is thinking we just want to get one of two and they'll get home court switching to their favor."

With Boston winless on the road in the postseason (0-6), winning tonight takes on greater importance.

"Hopefully, things will stay well at home and [we'll] see what this series brings to us as far as our road [record]," said Paul Pierce.

Standing by their man
Rivers and several Celtics, including Kevin Garnett, professed no concern about the prolonged shooting slump of Allen, who was 3 for 10 and finished with 9 points in Game 1 and is shooting 38 percent for the playoffs.

He is shooting just 33 percent in his last 10 games, during which he is 6 for 38 (15.8 percent) on 3-pointers. Allen said with his shot flagging, he's looking to take the ball to the basket more.

"I'm not worried about it. I'm really not," said Rivers. "The thought is to win games. We're winning games and Ray is making plays. He got great looks [Tuesday] night and they didn't go in, but you can see him getting more comfortable."

Garnett pointed to the defensive job Allen did on Richard Hamilton in Game 1, holding Hamilton to 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting. "I'm sure it's not his first shooting slump and it's not his last," said Garnett. "I'm not worried about it. He's a basketball player. He's making plays for other guys. He's not one-dimensional."

Cassell ready, willing
Isn't this series why the Celtics signed point guard Sam Cassell? It didn't seem that way in Game 1, when Cassell registered his third straight Did Not Play - coach's decision.

"I've just got to stay sharp, but it was definitely surprising," Cassell said. "I didn't talk to Doc [Tuesday]. But I'll talk to him. What can I say? I'm not complaining. We won. We got a step closer. But it's definitely surprising.

"I've matured. Five years ago, it would have definitely been a problem. But five years ago, I would have been playing, I would have been starting. I can't look at it that way."

Rivers acknowledged it's not easy benching a veteran of Cassell's caliber.

"It is hard emotionally because you know who he is, what he's done, and what he's capable of, so that's a little harder," said Rivers. "It's tough. He's a good guy. He understands. You just know that at some point he's going to help us."

Great expectations
Rajon Rondo got the better of his matchup with Billups in Game 1, but he expects Billups, who was playing his first game since straining his right hamstring against Orlando May 7, to be more aggressive tonight. "He shot six times [Tuesday]. Maybe his hamstring was bothering him, but I'm sure he'll be more aggressive [tonight]," said Rondo . . . Billups said the Pistons have to do a better job of containing Pierce and Garnett, who combined for 48 points in Game 1. "On the pick-and-rolls, at the point of attack, we have to be a lot more aggressive, especially with Paul. He played good, and he's a great player, but he had it a little too easy," said Billups. "KG played well. They're great players and they're going to figure out a way of being effective, but I think we have to make them work a lot harder than that." . . . Talk about detailed scouting. Saunders said that according to the Pistons' count via video, Garnett set 53 on-the-ball screens in game 1.

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Spurs-Lakers notebook: Champion Air won't carry Spurs

Web Posted: 05/22/2008 12:29 AM CDT

By Tom Orsborn and Mike Monroe
[e-mail]

LOS ANGELES — The Spurs have flown their last flight with Champion Air.

Team chairman Peter Holt said the league assured him Tuesday another carrier would transport the Spurs to San Antonio after Game 2 of the Western Conference finals Friday and would also fly them to the rest of their road playoff games.

Word of the change came less than 24 hours after the Spurs spent seven hours on a tarmac in New Orleans after mechanical problems grounded the Boeing 727 provided to the team by Champion, which declared bankruptcy in March and is set to ground its 16-plane fleet May 31.

“The league called the next morning and said they were working on it right away,” Holt said. “They said they would find us another airplane that (it) will be with you as long as you are in the playoffs. That’s another thing we didn’t want to have to do, keep switching.”

Holt said he made it clear to the league they were done with Champion. The league arranges for the Spurs’ carrier, but the team foots the bill.

“We just told them we obviously don’t have any faith or trust any more (in Champion),” Holt said. “I don’t know if it is a safety issue, as much as we don’t want to be stuck again, especially with us playing every other day from this point on.”

Holt said he hasn’t spoken to anyone from Champion.

“Not interested in Champion,” Holt said. “We’re done.”

Different perspective: What’s it like spending 11 hours onboard an aircraft after you have expended most of your energy in Game 7 of a playoff series?

“Not fun,” Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said.

But Ginobili had a different take on the ordeal that followed the Spurs’ victory Monday night than most of his teammates. He played three seasons in the Italian League, where long bus rides were commonplace.

“It’s not the first time it happened to me,” he said. “I’ve slept many times on buses, so it was not much of a difference.”

Some of his teammates, Ginobili said with a smile, have had it too easy.

“They are spoiled,” he said. “I’ve spent 20 hours on a bus. So it’s no big thing. Probably never the day before a game. That’s kind of different, but it happened, and we’ve just got to face it.”

Long-range struggles: The Spurs hit just 25 percent (5 of 20) of their 3-point shots Wednesday night, including only 18 percent (2 of 11) in the second half. In their 12 previous games this postseason, they had connected on 38 percent from beyond the arc.

“We got away from our game plan,” forward Robert Horry said. “Sometimes when you get up by 20 like we did in the third quarter, you look for too many knockout blows by shooting 3s. Down the stretch, we should have worked it inside to Tim (Duncan) and stopped shooting jumpers.”

Horry said it was surprising that a veteran club made such poor decisions after gaining a commanding lead.

“We took a lot of jumpers and didn’t play smart at all,” Horry said. “We have got to be smarter than that. We are a veteran team. We should know we have to go inside-out first, and we did a lot of outside-in this game.”

Against the odds: With Wednesday’s 89-85 loss, the Spurs are 7-1 this postseason when holding an opponent to 99 points or less. During the regular season, the Spurs finished 50-16 when limiting teams to 99 points or less and 33-7 when holding them to 89 points or less.

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Contrasting NBA predictions
SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin M. Henson
Friday, May 23, 2008
philstar.com


Former PBA import Tony Lang, who was in Manila last weekend, predicted Boston and the Los Angeles Lakers to advance to the NBA Finals.

“That’s how the NBA wants it,” said Lang. “My heart tells me the Lakers will win but my head tells me it’s Boston.”

Lang, 36, is now an assistant coach with the Nagoya Dolphins in the Japanese league. He played 143 games for Phoenix, Cleveland, Miami, Toronto and Philadelphia in the NBA from 1994 to 2000. In 2001, the former Duke star led Red Bull to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup title and won Best Import honors. The next year, he was back to play two conferences for the Barakos.

Lang played on two NCAA championship teams and was Phoenix’ second round pick in the 1994 draft where the top three choices were Glenn Robinson, Jason Kidd and Grant Hill. The valedictorian at LeFlore High in Mobile, Alabama, Lang teamed up with another former PBA import Ron Hale five years for Nagoya then retired to coach. He now lives eight months of the year in Japan with his family. Last season, Nagoya’s imports were Jerald Honeycutt and Johnnie Taylor, both ex-PBA imports.

“I’ll always have fond memories of the PBA,” said Lang despite being unceremoniously cut in the middle of the 2002 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

Lang, who is now at least 10 pounds over his playing weight, said he hung up his sneakers after injuring his knee in Japan. His long-time import partner Hale is still active but is sidelined with an injury at the moment.

A player who’s begging to come back to the PBA is Honeycutt. “He’s still going strong,” said Lang. “He told me he’s ready to play in the PBA again.”

* * *

In contrast, former Coca-Cola import George (Gee) Gervin Jr. picked Detroit and San Antonio to play in the Finals.

“Boston’s too banged up from playing two seven-game series,” said Gervin. “I like Detroit because that’s where I’m from. But I also like San Antonio because that’s where I live. In the end, it’ll be San Antonio winning the title.”

Gervin is torn between Detroit and San Antonio. He was born in Detroit and played for the Detroit Dogs when the team won the American Basketball Association (ABA) title with his father George Sr. (the Iceman) as coach in 2001.

Gervin said he joins the Spurs training camp every summer and has become good friends with the coaching staff, including Chip Engelland. His father was a long-time San Antonio star and lives in a 30-acre ranch just outside the city. The Iceman played 12 years for San Antonio, three in the ABA and nine in the NBA. He once shot 33 points in a single quarter and led the NBA in scoring in four seasons.

Gervin played seven games for the Tigers and was served his walking papers last Sunday when coach Binky Favis’ original choice as Jason Dixon’s partner became available. Gervin is scheduled to leave Manila for Sweden, where he has played the last four years, this morning. His replacement Donald Copeland will suit up against Red Bull today.

A bachelor, the 31-year-old Gervin has a girlfriend from Belarus waiting for him in Sweden.

By the way, the Boston-Detroit and Los Angeles-San Antonio series and the looming NBA Finals will be shown live on C/S-RPN with same-day, prime-time replays on Global Destiny cable’s BTV (Basketball TV) channel. The NBA games, from this point on, will be aired exclusively by Solar.

* * *

Liga Pilipinas will be introduced to fans and media at a “soft” opening in Cebu and Taguig this weekend.

Liga president Noli Eala said a four-day preseason tournament for southern teams will be held in Cebu starting tomorrow. A similar four-day affair will be staged for northern squads in Taguig starting Sunday.

Teams will be allowed to use players of their choice without getting clearance from Liga officials. But once the regular season begins on June 11, each team will be required to enlist at least eight homegrown players in a 14-man roster.

“The preseason games will be a gauge of how ready we are,” said Eala. “It’s our dry-run. We’ll also test our pool of referees under Perry Martinez’ supervision. We’ve hired 28 referees for the south and 18 for the north.”

Eala said NBN will be the carrying network for the preseason games, providing air time and production. Two networks will likely be tapped for the regular season – NBN and possibly, IBC. “We’ll be using broadband transmission, not microwave facilities, so we expect to be more efficient,” he added.

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Pistons steal road game against Celtics

May 22, 2008

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Richard Hamilton scored 25 points as the Detroit Pistons handed the Boston Celtics their first home loss of the postseason with a 103-97 victory in Game Two of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday.

Chauncey Billups added 19 points for the Pistons, who evened the best-of-seven matchup at 1-1 heading into Game Three in Detroit on Saturday.

The Celtics, who trailed for the first time entering the fourth quarter at home this postseason, cut their deficit to two points on Ray Allen's jumper with 4:36 left but would get no closer.

Allen broke out of a prolonged slump in this one, scoring 25 points on 9-of-16 shooting for Boston, which is 9-1 at TD Banknorth Garden in the postseason but still is aiming for its first road triumph.

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May 23, 2008, 12:46AM
NBA PLAYOFFS
Pistons hand Celtics first home playoff loss
Hamilton nets 25 as Boston's reign on own court ends

Associated Press

BOSTON — Home wins are no longer good enough for the Boston Celtics. The road to the NBA finals in the Eastern Conference now goes through Detroit.

Richard Hamilton bounced back from a poor series opener with 25 points, and the Pistons beat Boston 103-97 Thursday night, tying the conference finals at one game apiece and seizing the home-court advantage that has meant everything to the Celtics.

"It is even," Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace said. "We don't sit back and say, 'Oh, look. They are undefeated at home,' or 'They didn't win a game on the road.' ... A lot of the teams they played in the postseason and the regular season were scared of them, as far as KG and Ray and Paul. They are good players, but we have good players, also."

Kevin Garnett had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Celtics, who lost at home for the first time since March 24 against Phoenix. No team has reached the finals without a road victory, and there's no longer a chance for Boston to be the first.

"I fully believe, and I've said many times, at some point we're going to have to win on the road," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "We've gotten away with it thus far. That's been taken away. And if we want what we want, we have to win on the road, and that's just the way it is."

Chauncey Billups had 19 points and seven assists, and his rookie backup, Rodney Stuckey hit some clutch jumpers in the fourth quarter and added 13 points for the Pistons, who host Game 3 on Saturday.

"We're geeked about getting back to our home court," Hamilton said. "The fans are excited, and now it's our job to take care of home court."

Paul Pierce scored 26 points for the Celtics, who had won 15 straight at home and gone 9-0 in the playoffs. But the only record that matters now is 0-6 — their playoff road mark.

Ray Allen broke out of a shooting slump with 25 points, his best performance in three months. But he was limited to 29 minutes by foul trouble, picking up his fifth foul with 3:09 left in the third quarter after his flurry had given Boston the lead.

The Pistons were rusty in Game 1 but found their groove in the second quarter of this one, shooting 49 percent against the league's best defensive team.

The Pistons led 86-75 after Stuckey's jumper with 8:05 left. Allen had seven points, including his first 3-pointer since Game 5 of the second round, during a 13-4 run that cut it to 90-88 with 4:39 to play.

Later, Boston was down four and forced Detroit to call time with the shot clock about to run out, but then blew the defensive assignment and left Billups alone for a layup on the inbounds. Detroit led 100-94 with 18 seconds left.

Another 3 by Allen cut it to three, but Wallace hit a free throw on the other end. The Pistons were 28-of-32 (87.5 percent) from the line.

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A look at Bulls' draft possibilitites
By Mike McGraw | Daily Herald Staff

Published: 5/23/2008 12:13 AM

Perhaps one of the other 29 NBA teams will decide which player the Bulls choose with the first pick of the NBA draft.

General manager John Paxson suggested on Wednesday that trade opportunities for the team's existing players could help determine whether the Bulls ultimately favor Memphis point guard Derrick Rose or Kansas State power forward Michael Beasley on June 26.

Both draft candidates would fill a glaring need for the Bulls, either a dynamic point guard or an interior scorer.

"That's all part of the process," Paxson said. "That's evaluating and looking around the league and seeing if maybe there's a way to address one of those needs through a trade and addressing the other one through the draft."

With Paxson's words in mind, here's a look at how the Bulls might be able to remodel their roster to fit with whichever player becomes the No. 1 pick, beginning with Rose.

Crowded house

The upside to drafting Rose is the Bulls would get a talented floor leader who is taller than Chris Paul and more athletic than Deron Williams.

The downside is another piece would be added to an already overcrowded backcourt. When last season ended, it was clear the Bulls needed to subtract a guard, because sharing minutes between Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Larry Hughes and Thabo Sefolosha didn't work well for anyone. None of the four played particularly well after the Feb. 21 trade brought Hughes from Cleveland.

The Bulls probably won't want to part with Sefolosha's potential, so that leaves the other three. Gordon is a restricted free agent who would have to agree to any trade, as well as salary terms with the new team. Also, losing their best outside shooter while the league moves to a higher-scoring style is a questionable strategy for the Bulls.

Large contracts for Hinrich (four years, $36.5 million) and Hughes (two years, $26.5 million) could discourage potential suitors. Chris Duhon is an unrestricted free agent who most likely won't return, though it isn't out of the question.

"I do know we've got young players that do have some value in the league as I've talked to people in the past," Paxson said. "We'll see where it goes."

Thinking big

If the Bulls are thinking blockbuster, a good place to start would be Denver's Carmelo Anthony, the league's fourth-leading scorer at 25.7 points.

Anthony's agent, Calvin Andrews, told both Denver papers Wednesday that his client is not being shopped. But the Nuggets need some sort of makeover. Despite the league's third-highest payroll, Denver barely made the postseason and is 4-20 in playoff games since Anthony arrived in 2003.

Maybe acquiring Hinrich and Luol Deng in a sign-and-trade would help the Nuggets establish some semblance of a defensive identity. Another player such as center Stephen Hunter would have to go to the Bulls to make the salaries add up.

Anthony would be an interesting addition for the Bulls because he's a top-notch scorer who gets to the foul line and can play inside.

If that doesn't work, what about Hinrich and Drew Gooden to the Clippers for Elton Brand? The Clippers could lose Brand next year in free agency, so they might want something now in return. The bad news is the former Bulls' No. 1 pick played just eight games last season because of a torn Achilles.

Another power forward who may be available is Charlotte's Emeka Okafor, a restricted free agent. The Bobcats don't have a great need for more guards, however. Hinrich could conceivably go to Seattle for his college roommate, Nick Collison, plus project center Johan Petro.

Three directions

There figures to be less interest in Hughes, since he hasn't played particularly well after leaving Washington in 2005. But here's an idea that should work, if the Bulls need to thin the backcourt: Hughes to New York for Malik Rose and Jared Jeffries.

The money left on the contracts involved is virtually even, but the deal works for the Knicks because it moves them one step closer to having cap room in 2010. Hughes' deal expires in 2010, while Jeffries' runs to 2011. Rose has one year left.

There should be a decent number of teams with a desire to add Gordon or Hinrich. Philadelphia, Orlando, Portland, Phoenix and Sacramento are among those that could use either better outside shooting, younger legs or better point guard options.

The problem is finding players the Bulls could use in return. The Sixers and Blazers would most likely offer spare parts, while the Magic, Suns and Kings don't have many movable assets beyond their main players.

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NBA Draft analysis: Pat Riley as pawn? Not likely

By Ira Winderman | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
May 22, 2008

For the Heat, Tuesday's NBA Draft lottery could have been as simple as checkmate, with the No. 1 selection cashed in on June 26 for Memphis point guard Derrick Rose.

Now the process figures to become a complex chess match for the Heat at No. 2, with it, in many ways, turned into a pawn, with the Bulls pulling rank with the No. 1 pick.

Staff writer Ira Winderman looks at how the Riley-an defense might play out against Paxson-ian overloading:

1. The Bulls open with a classic Derrick Rose defense

As long as Bulls Executive Vice President John Paxson pushes the notion that his team will draft Rose, it leaves him in control of the draft. There also is something to be said about Chicago simply selecting Rose and calling it a day. That said, a source Wednesday said Michael Beasley to the Bulls and Rose to the Heat might already have been agreed to by the parties involved, reducing this next month to rhetoric.

2. Riley attempts a pawn breakthrough

How hard Heat President Pat Riley pushes for Rose, or needs to push, is the question. Could it actually be as amicable as an agreement reached in the wake of Tuesday's lottery? Beasley to the Bulls; Rose to the Heat. Beasley certainly would work on a Bulls team that has little more than Drew Gooden as a post-up option. As it is, the Heat might not have much to offer in a flop of picks, with next year's first-round pick committed to Minnesota from the Ricky Davis deal.

3. Riley acknowledges weakness of the back rack

For all of Riley's Tuesday rhetoric and, even with Wednesday's word of Beasley to the Bulls, there would be something to be said about Beasley in a Heat uniform, adding a post-up component to a power rotation that sorely lacks one. If Paxson were to flip to Rose, the Heat certainly would not flop with Beasley.

4. Space clearance would then ensue

If it is Beasley to the Heat, at least one companion move would have to follow, involving either Udonis Haslem or Shawn Marion. A team with only Marcus Banks under contract at point guard and Mark Blount under contract at center can't afford to have three of its best players aligned at forward. The move could be as simple as Marion to the Bulls for a suddenly available Kirk Hinrich, or perhaps Haslem to the defensively challenged Grizzlies for a piece of Memphis' abundance at point guard (Mike Conley Jr., Kyle Lowry, Javaris Crittenton).

5. Filling an open file

Considering the voids at center and point guard, a deal of the No. 2 pick to address one of those holes could mean trading down -- if Rose isn't available. Riley, for example, is thought to be infatuated with Stanford center Brook Lopez. A swap of No. 2 to Minnesota for No. 3 might allow the Heat to recapture the future No. 1 pick it owes the Timberwolves, possibly reclaim the former Heat pick Minnesota owns at the top of the second round, or perhaps even expand the deal with an eye on 'Wolves point guard Randy Foye.

6. Launch a double attack

Riley ended the season speaking about the depth of this year's draft. Considering the Heat's lack of depth, there could be something said about doubling up in the first round from No. 2. Seattle (Nos. 4 and 24), Memphis (Nos. 5 and 28), New Jersey (Nos. 10 and 21) all hold multiple first-round picks. Such an approach could allow the Heat to address the voids at both point guard and center. Again, that only would come into play if Rose isn't available.

7. Playing a game of deflection

This seems to be Riley's approach. It might be a two-player draft, but Riley doesn't want to be told what to do, and certainly doesn't want to make it seem as if he's taking Paxson's leftover. Rose would be the ultimate jackpot. It could turn out to be that simple. But for Riley, this is an opportunity to be maximized.

8. Isolate the pawn

No Heat career hangs in the balance as much as Marion's. With Rose, Marion is the perfect up-tempo complement to Dwyane Wade and Rose. With Beasley, Beasley/Haslem could become a cost-effective frontline of the future, leaving Marion's salary available for upgrades at center and point guard either through an opt-out or trade

[AUSTIN316]

Now the work starts for Thorn
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Last updated: Thursday May 22, 2008, EDT 11:50 AM
BY AL IANNAZZONE
STAFF WRITER

Nets president Rod Thorn wasn't disappointed that his team stood still in Tuesday's draft lottery. By the Nets staying with the No. 10 pick, Thorn and general manager Kiki Vandeweghe can continue some of the conversations they already started.

Moving up into the top three for a chance at drafting Kansas State's Michael Beasley or Memphis' Derrick Rose or improving the Nets' odds of getting Denver's Carmelo Anthony in a trade would have been ideal. But all along, the Nets had been going under the assumption that they would pick 10th and were offering the No. 10 selection in some scenarios, including the one for Anthony.

"This is like a business-as-usual type of day," Thorn said late Wednesday afternoon from his office. "If we moved up to three, two or one, it would be business unusual.

"We were long shots. Realistically speaking, we expected to be where we are, and now it's solidified and we've got to get to work."

It's not believed that by staying at 10 the Nets hurt their chances of getting Anthony and Marcus Camby in a blockbuster trade that would send Richard Jefferson, Marcus Williams, Sean Williams and Keith Van Horn to Denver. Talks have cooled, but sources said the Nets are hopeful they can work out something.

Thorn and Vandeweghe will continue to gauge what their current players as well as picks 10, 21 and 40 could get them. Their needs are plentiful. Since it's doubtful they will get impact players from where they're picking and in free agency, they should be one of the most active teams on the trade front.

"We've made a lot of calls already and taken some," Thorn said. "It will be the normal type thing. There will be a lot of calls between now and the draft, and even on the day of the draft [there will be] a lot of conversation, as there always is this time of year. Sometimes things happen, sometimes they don't."

Generally, talks heat up now, especially next week at the Orlando pre-draft camp. Most league executives are in the same building and hotels, talking and schmoozing and seeing how they can improve their teams.

Thorn reiterated that at this point he sees the Nets keeping their picks. That easily could change since the draft is more than a month away and individual workouts haven't begun yet.

If the Nets keep their picks, UCLA's Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook, Louisiana State's Anthony Randolph, Kansas' Darrell Arthur, Florida's Marreese Speights, Nevada's JaVale McGee and North Carolina State's J.J. Hickson could be on their list.

"We're looking for a shooter," Thorn said. "We're looking for a big. We're looking for a talent."

BRIEF: Forward Stromile Swift, acquired in January from Memphis for Jason Collins, picked up his $6.2 million option for next season. It's the last year of his deal, so Swift could be valuable either in a trade or by coming off the cap next summer.

[AUSTIN316]

Posted on Fri, May. 23, 2008

NBA DRAFT
Riley: Heat has options with 2nd pick
CHRIS PERKINS
Cox News Service

MIAMI --
Right now, at this very moment, Heat President Pat Riley might be on the telephone hammering out a blockbuster trade for Miami's No. 2 pick in the June 26 NBA draft.

"We feel like we have a lot of leverage with that pick," he said.

But if Riley followed through and made a trade -- declining the chance to draft Kansas State power forward Michael Beasley or Memphis point guard Derrick Rose after Chicago makes its choice at No. 1 -- he would be taking a bold path.

In the past three decades, there have been only a few pre-draft or draft-night trades of the No. 1 or No. 2 pick. The biggest was in 1980, when Boston sent the Nos. 1 and 13 picks to Golden State for the No. 3 pick and center Robert Parish. It was perhaps the most one-sided deal in NBA history.

Golden State drafted Purdue's Joe Barry Carroll with the No. 1 pick and then took Mississippi's Rickey Brown at No. 13. Boston drafted Minnesota's Kevin McHale at No. 3, teamed him with Larry Bird and Parish, and created a dynasty.

Perhaps with Boston's steal in mind, Riley has opened the lines of communication. Minutes after Miami got the second overall pick in Tuesday's draft lottery, Riley said three teams had already approached him about a trade.

But Riley also let it be known that he'll be deliberate.

"We will use the pick," he said. "It doesn't necessarily mean we're going to use it to draft somebody, but we're going to use that pick to try to find as many good players as we can, or we're going to take the player that we really want to take."

It probably would take a lopsided deal to make the Heat pass on Rose or Beasley.

One of Beasley's longtime coaches said he would advise Riley not to let Beasley get away if the Bulls don't take him.

"If you miss out on a kid like him you're crazy," said Dalonte Hill, the Kansas State associate head coach who has coached Beasley since age 13.

Memphis coach John Calipari said much the same thing about his former point guard, Rose, who led the Tigers to the national-championship game.

"If anybody passes on him, or anybody tries to trade him, they need to be drug tested," Calipari said.

Beasley, who is 6-foot-10 and averaged 26.2 points and a nation-leading 12.4 rebounds in his lone college season, seems to be a great fit for Chicago, which badly needs a low-post presence to aid youngsters Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah.

But Rose could turn out to be an upgrade for Chicago over current point guard Kirk Hinrich. Chicago also could consider pairing Rose and Hinrich, who is versatile enough to play shooting guard.

Rose and Hinrich both are 6-foot-3, but Hinrich can defend shooting guards, as Heat fans who have seen him cover Dwyane Wade will attest.

Miami needs a point guard much more than it needs a power forward, so the Heat might be likely to keep Rose if the Bulls take Beasley at No. 1.

[AUSTIN316]

Trade No. 13
On Sports • Wise Blazer move is to deal for a veteran

By dwight jaynes

The Portland Tribune, May 23, 2008

The draft lottery was Tuesday and already you can find mock drafts all over the Internet. Everywhere, people are speculating which teams will select which players.

I’m not playing that game this year. At least when it comes to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Seriously, what’s the point?

In my heart of hearts, I don’t think they’re going to make that No. 13 pick — and if they do, the player they select will be for another team as part of a trade. The Blazers are just too smart to waste a reasonably decent pick on a player who isn’t likely going to be good enough to knock the team’s top eight players out of the rotation.

A long time ago, someone told me, “If you can’t draft a player any better than the people you have on your team right now, don’t bother using the pick. Trade it.”

I think it’s sound advice.

Even if you can’t come up with a major player, a difference-maker, in a trade, it’s probably wise to move the pick, along with someone on the team’s bench (Sergio Rodriguez? Jarrett Jack?) who won’t figure to play as much this season with the expected arrival of Rudy Fernandez.

Can you get the big-time point guard this team is looking for with just that? Doubt it. But you can get a veteran presence who will help a young team grow.

Even if all you can get is just a proven backup small forward with experience who can shoot, or a solid defender in the backcourt, it would be better than an iffy rookie.

That’s much more important than adding yet another draft choice who is going to need a couple of years before he can contribute. There are enough developmental projects on this roster right now. It’s not the right time to add another.

At No. 13, it’s possible to get a great player. Karl Malone went at 13. You can roll the dice if you think that great player is there. But it’s much more likely you’re going to get a future journeyman — or worse.

The Blazers should be — and probably are — making a run at point guards Jose Calderon and Kirk Hinrich. They are players who, it would appear, would fit well with the Blazers and may be available. Either player would be a big improvement over the current situation.

The only reason, really, to make the No. 13 pick is to protect salary-cap space down the road. Draft picks, of course, are slotted into salaries — small ones, at that — and taking someone and shuffling him to the bench is one way of protecting cap space the team will have a year from now.

But I’d rather see key pieces to the roster added as soon as possible. Particularly at the point guard, where it’s important that a new face get plenty of time, including a full training camp, to get accustomed to new teammates.

So don’t expect me to play along if you want to ask who the Blazers will take at No. 13. As far as I’m concerned, they better not take anyone — unless it’s for another team.

[AUSTIN316]

Rose? Sure. For Aldridge?
Posted by Sean Meagher, OregonLive.com May 22, 2008 11:23AM
Categories: 2008 Draft, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rumors

Uh, no. Chad Ford addresses some rumors today concerning the Blazers dangling LaMarcus Aldridge for the No. 1 pick (Derrick Rose). Not so fast, says Ford:

Bulls GM John Paxson has been a big believer in getting players with high character in the organization. They made a minor exception two years ago when they drafted Tyrus Thomas and it's come back to bite them. If they have any serious fears about Beasley ... Rose will be the guy.

Paxson told ESPN Radio on Wednesday that he would be open to trade offers for the No. 1 pick. Within hours we had our first rumor. The Blazers were willing to send LaMarcus Aldridge to the Bulls for the chance to draft Rose.

Ummm ... not so fast. I contacted a source inside the Blazers. They haven't made an offer, and while certainly interested in finding a way to get the No. 1 pick, don't sound inclined to give up Aldridge.

Still, the deal would've been interesting. Aldridge would be a good fit on the Bulls. But the irony of the whole thing would be thick. The Bulls traded the draft rights to Aldridge to the Blazers for the draft rights of Tyrus Thomas. Trading back for Aldridge would be tantamount to admitting they made the wrong choice two years ago.

First: Chicago definitely made the wrong choice two years ago. Second: while I love the idea of a big, strong point guard pairing with Brandon in the backcourt to lead the Blazers attack, not at the expense of Aldridge. LA is on his way to becoming a top three PF in this league for a long time. And while the thought Rose and Roy in the backcourt is unbelievable, Aldridge and Greg Oden on the block is unstoppable.

Throw down your thoughts ... Would you make this deal? What's a more tantalizing tandem, Roy and Rose? Or Aldridge and Oden? Would you trade any of the Blazers' Big 3 for Rose? Leave you comments, rants, raves, suggestions, criticisms below.

[AUSTIN316]

Hornacek follows Casey in Bulls' interview lineup

May 23, 2008

BY BRIAN HANLEY [e-mail]

Former Utah Jazz guard Jeff Hornacek is next up today on Bulls general manager John Paxson's busy schedule of interviews with head-coaching candidates.

Former Minnesota Timberwolves coach Dwane Casey was at the Berto Center on Thursday to talk with Paxson. Casey could land on the staff of new Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle if he doesn't get the Bulls' job.

Paxson met with fourth-year Jazz assistant and former DePaul star Tyrone Corbin on Wednesday, and former NBA coach John Lucas told KRIV-TV in Houston that he has spoken to Paxson about the job and will interview. Lucas has a 174-258 career record in six seasons coaching the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Hornacek, a La Grange native who starred at Lyons Township High School and Iowa State, interviewed with Phoenix Suns GM Steve Kerr on Thursday about succeeding Mike D'Antoni. Corbin is due to meet with Kerr today.

Paxson also will meet with Sacramento Kings assistant Chuck Person, perhaps on Saturday.

A source confirmed that Paxson traveled to Los Angeles earlier in the week and met with Lakers assistants Brian Shaw and Kurt Rambis.

The Bulls and Suns are expected to ask for permission to talk to Boston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau. The Celtics don't want teams talking with Thibodeau during their playoff run.

Paxson has said he will conduct more interviews when he's in Orlando next week for the NBA predraft camp. The Bulls are interested in talking with Eric Snow, currently under contract as a player with the Cavaliers.

[AUSTIN316]

Source: Baron Davis has made inquiries about Knicks

BY ALAN HAHN | [e-mail]
10:47 PM EDT, May 22, 2008

There is little doubt that the Knicks will shop for a point guard this summer, but at least one has come shopping for them. According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the Warriors' Baron Davis has made inquiries into the interest of certain teams around the league, including the Knicks.

Davis, 29, has an opt-out clause for this summer that could make him a free agent, but the Warriors don't believe he would walk away from the final year and $17.8 million, which is money the dynamic but oft-injured guard likely wouldn't make on the open market. So Davis' only other play is to see if another team would pursue a sign-and-trade for him.

According to the source, his representation, after a preliminary discussion with the Warriors, has put out feelers to gauge the interest of teams in need of an upgrade at point guard.

With a new regime in place and plans for a major roster overhaul, Stephon Marbury's Knicks future is tenuous. But team president Donnie Walsh won't explore a trade or buyout of the final year and $21 million left on his contract unless he has a replacement in place.

Davis' agent, Todd Ramasar, has said Davis would prefer to remain a Warrior, but initial discussions with executive Chris Mullin have not developed into extension talks. With only seven players under contract at $47 million (counting Davis' salary), Mullin doesn't have much cap space to use for his higher priorities: getting restricted free agents Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins signed to long-term deals.

Ellis, 22, also might look to explore other options when the July free-agency period begins. A league source told Newsday that the athletic combo guard, who has flourished in Don Nelson's fast-break system, definitely has eyes for Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo style.

The cap-restricted Knicks, however, could give Ellis only an offer sheet at the mid-level exception. The Warriors could match it but wouldn't have much left to give Biedrins a raise above his $3.6-million qualifying offer and add seven more players. Or the Knicks could look to acquire Ellis in a sign-and-trade.

The questions are, of course: Is Walsh willing to use his mid-level exception when he's trying to get under the cap by 2010? What would the Warriors want in return?

Reports have suggested that Denver is shopping Carmelo Anthony and is in exploratory discussions with the Nets about a deal. This would be a situation the Knicks would want to monitor -- if only it were accurate.

According to a league executive, the Nuggets have no plans to move Anthony. The source said the Nets called Denver with a proposal that would involve Anthony going to New Jersey and Richard Jefferson joining the Nuggets. "There is no 'Melo dialogue, has not been and will never be," the source said. "It's a figment of their imagination."

The same apparently goes for the story that Toronto was listening to offers for former No. 1 pick Andreas Bargnani. A different league executive said Bargnani has never been discussed in any conversations with the Nets.