“It’s for cardiovascular, sure. But more than anything, it’s a balance, pivoting, center-of-gravity kinda thing that helps when you’re rebounding and playing defense”
BY AL HAMNIK ahamnik@nwitimes.com 219.933.4154 PRO BASKETBALL NBA PREVIEW The San Antonio Spurs return 12 players from their NBA championship team and are shooting for their fifth title in the last 10 years. via The Times
David Stern has been the commissioner of the NBA since 1984. During his tenure, he has advanced the NBA into one of the premier leagues in sports. via Cleveland.com
“We’re definitely capable and we have the potential. But we have to keep getting better . . . We’ll see where we end up in April.”
They were watching the playoffs yet again last spring, watching as the Cleveland Cavaliers made the magical run the Knicks, to a man, believed they had in them. via Newsday.com
San Antonio enters the 2007-08 campaign as the defending world champions. The Spurs captured their fourth title in nine years, as they swept LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. via Seattle Post-Intelligencer
“He settled a little too much against [Zydrunas] Ilgauskas early, rather than driving the ball at him, but down the stretch, I thought he was very, very aggressive”
Dwight Howard spent a good part of his summer working on the two aspects of his game most separating him from greatness: making free throws and cutting down turnovers. via The Orlando Sentinel
“They all look like they’re in Little League having the time of their life.”
CLEVELAND - On an unseasonable, sun-splashed fall evening, a wave of optimism spread across the city of Cleveland - along with a chilly undercurrent of nervous pessimism. via Coshocton Tribune
“I think Americans would be very interested in seeing what’s going on here with basketball”
The numbers don’t lie. They just open doors.
It’s good business to do business in China.
In its efforts to globalize the game and promote its ever-expanding brand, the NBA has opened a full-court press on China, the world’s most populous nation but still just a burgeoning basketball market.
The Orlando Magic now have become a big part of the NBA’s push, featured this week in China Games 2007. They will play two exhibition games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and another against a Chinese national team. Although the league has been flirting with this market since 1979 — when the Washington Bullets first played there — this week is the most comprehensive NBA experience ever in China. Read more
“We are going to try to do those things the right way and not give the Cavs easy shots and easy chances. “In China we are going to be working on our defensive schemes and right now we have a new offense.”
SHANGHAI: While many prepare to enjoy a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere at the NBA China Games in Shanghai, Dwight Howard is staying as serious as anybody. via People’s Daily
Henry Abbott linked to an article by Brian Windhorst and their “new” offense. I am withholding most commentary about the new offense - Mike Brown doesn’t call it a new offense but, really, it is - because it is … via BMac’s Blog
Kevin Durant hardly lit up the summer league ; his 24.0 ppg average only looks good if you hold the stat sheet so that your thumb and forefinger cover up his .333 field goal percentage and .263 three point … via 20 Second Timeout
We took a stab at running down and ranking the Western Conference last week. Let’s take a look at the Eastern Conference heading into the 2007-08 season: 1. BOSTON: With three bona-fide stars - Kevin Garnett, … via San Francisco Examiner
“I have nothing against those guys, but [even] if they were here I’d have a good chance”
An injury to Eric Snow and the absence of Sasha Pavlovic could mean more time on the floor for Shannon Brown this coming season. via Cleveland.com
“I’ve just been so fortunate to be on great teams and just feel so blessed.”
CLEVELAND - Yankees manager Joe Torre considers the second game of a playoff series more important than the first one. via Journal News
“Most coaches put their All-Stars and best players on the floor”
In the past, Tayshaun Prince hasn’t been too keen on the idea of having his minutes cut. via Ann Arbor News
“If it doesn’t happen there will be no suicides on my watch”
In terms of terms, the Spurs will leave all this definition stuff up to Webster. via Kerrville Daily Times
“But if they’re not broken, I’ll probably get the Xbox.”
BUTLER — Twelve-year-old Michael Tria has been practicing with two four-packs of bubble gum every day. via Daily Record
“Just go out there and be original and have some fun.”
Gundy lowers his voice Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said Friday he never intended to raise his voice during a postgame tirade at a newspaper columnist that’s become an Internet sensation. via Austin American Statesman
I was delighted this morning to see a story on the Knicks. Let me rephrase - I was delighted to see a story about the Knicks on the court - not in court. via NY Daily News
“Eloy believes that Florida was the best place for him to continue to develop as well as play good minutes early on in his career.”
Mark Few usually isn’t this upbeat going into a season. But it’s hard for the Gonzaga head man not contain his emotions when he looks down the - Zags roster this year. via Fox Sports
“A lot of people think you can just show up and get to the finals”
“Winning is the best marketing,” Celtics president Rich Gotham said Wednesday. “The second-best marketing is the hope of winning.” The NBA’s most decorated franchise was 24-58 last season and has won three … via WOKV-AM Jacksonville
