NBA FanHouse

Bulls' Thomas Breaks Arm Lifting Weights

Matt Watson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:45:00 EST

Tyrus Thomas will miss the next four to six weeks after breaking his arm in a weightlifting accident, the Chicago Bulls reported Friday afternoon. X-rays confirmed that he suffered a fractured radius in his left forearm, and he's scheduled to undergo surgery Saturday.

It's unclear what exactly happened, but on the surface it sounds like a fluke injury that could have happened to anyone. That said, it's oddly fitting that it happened to Thomas, who's recently suffered through a frustrating string of setbacks, including his team's decision not to offer an extension, inconsistent playing time, alleged arguments with the coaching staff and allegations by the local media that he faked the flu. When it rains, it pours.

Bulls' Thomas Breaks Arm Lifting Weights originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Call for LeBron, No Win for Cavs

Brett Pollakoff — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:05:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Cavaliers, NBA Last Night, NBA Referees, NBA Videos

The Bulls went into Cleveland on Thursday and pulled out a hard-fought win over the Cavaliers. It was a low-scoring, defensive struggle, as neither team shot the ball very well, so it's not surprising that the game came down to the final play.

LeBron James drove to the basket with three seconds left and his team trailing by one, and was met by two defenders when he got there -- Luol Deng, who was guarding him from the play's outset, and Joakim Noah, who came over to help at the last second. James appeared to jump into Noah, and there was definitely contact. But somewhat incredibly, the refs swallowed their whistles, and the Bulls won the game.

Was it the right call? Read on and judge for yourself.

The action starts at the 2:25 mark:

It's not that I necessarily think that a foul should have been called there, and in fact, I'm of the opinion that the refs should let the players decide the game whenever possible, and only intervene in the closing seconds if the call is an obvious one.

But watching this as it happened, I think anyone who's seen LeBron drive like that and get contact on the final possession was stunned to see the officials not blow the whistle. LeBron, like most of the game's biggest stars, will historically get that call 98 times out of 100, even if it's a questionable one.

Mike Brown's discussion of the no-call seemed to back up the officials, although he believed that Noah might have been still on the move when the contact was made.

"I still don't understand that rule," Brown said. "I thought [LeBron] drove the ball, and Noah came across the paint, and as he came across the paint he jumped. I understand the rule of verticality as if you're in the spot, and you jump straight up and somebody runs into you, then it's a no-call.

"But I've got to find out if you're going across the lane and you meet somebody on the other side ... I don't know."

Fortunately in this case, the refs did know, and appeared to make the correct call. It will be interesting to see if the early-season trend of the officials favoring the rules over the game's stars will continue as the season goes on.

No Call for LeBron, No Win for Cavs originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here's What's Jumping Out of (NBA) Box

Matt Steinmetz — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:20:00 EST

Filed under: Bobcats, Bulls, Kings, Raptors, Wizards, NBA Last Night, Thunder

Couldn't help but notice some interesting box score lines from a busy Friday night of NBA games. Among them ...

Gerald Wallace, Charlotte: 4-for-20 from the field, 0 assists in 53 minutes. You almost have to try not to get an assist in that many minutes. And for what it's worth, five of Wallace's misses were actually blocked. To be fair, we'll mention Wallace's 15 rebounds, but even they come with a caveat. New York, the Bobcats' opponent, shot 38 percent from the field and the game went into double OT. In other words, there were plenty of misses.

Gilbert Arenas, Washington: 23 points on 9-for-22 from the field, 7 turnovers and 4 assists. Arenas made it look easy the other night when he had 29 points and nine assists in a win over Dallas. So ... maybe there are going to be some ups and downs for him.

Nick Young, Washington: 0-for-8 from the field in 12-plus minutes. It's not the eight misses we're focusing on, it's that he got up eight shots in little more than a quarter's worth of work.

John Salmons, Chicago: 2-for-14 from the field. To say Salmons is off to a terrible start shooting the ball is an understatement. He's now 5-for-29 from the floor through two games.

James Harden, Oklahoma City: 8 assists in 16-plus minutes. That's not bad for a two guard, especially when you're talking about a rookie.

Jose Calderon, Toronto: 3 assists and 3 turnovers in 34 minutes. Hey, it's just one game, but we're talking about a player here who had a 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio last season and a 5-to-1 turnover-to-assist ratio two seasons ago. Is the fact the ball isn't going to be in Calderon's hands as much -- with Hedo Turkoglu on board -- going to be a factor?

Kevin Martin, Sacramento: 9-for-29 from the field. No excuse for taking that many shots ... unless you're knocking down more than half of them.

Jason Thompson, Sacramento: 4-for-16 from the field in 39 minutes. That kind of shooting really mitigates those six offensive rebounds.

Here's What's Jumping Out of (NBA) Box originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Ben Gordon Documentary: Coming Soon to a Theater Near You?

Matt Watson — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:45:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Pistons, NBA Videos, FanHouse Exclusive

Even though Ben Gordon has played a handful of preseason games in front of lackluster crowds at the Palace and one regular season game on the road wearing Pistons red, white and blue, it wasn't until his name was announced to a sold-out crowd at Detroit's home opener Friday night that he was officially welcomed to the team by the fans.

And as fate would have it, Gordon's introduction came with all the fanfare and pyrotechnics befitting the arrival of a budding star, as he was introduced along with the rest of the starters, filling in for the injured Rip Hamilton. It's a nice start for his Pistons career -- and should provide a fitting conclusion for a documentary seven months in the making.

In the tradition of Kobe Bryant's Doin' Work and LeBron James' More Than a Game, Gordon is the subject of a forthcoming documentary, A Scorer's Aura, which will tell the story of his final months as a Chicago Bull up until his first home game as a Detroit Piston, offering fans an insider's view of what it's like to be a coveted NBA free agent signing with a new team for the first time in his career.

"I have my last bit of filming to do the first home game," said Daemian Brown, the filmmaker driving the project and one of Gordon's childhood friends. "I know it's going to be hectic, he already has like half of his family coming."

Although Brown doesn't expect to finish editing all of his footage for another six weeks, he created the trailer above using several months of footage already filmed. Brown recently spoke to FanHouse about how the project began -- and how things didn't exactly go as planned.

"March 1st was the first day that we started shooting, and that was when the Bulls didn't really know if they were going to end up in the playoffs," Brown said. "There was a bunch of teams last season that were real close, and they were all one game or a half-game apart. ... It just so happened, we got them going in this race to get into the playoffs, and we all know how that ended up with them playing the Celtics in a great matchup in the first round."

In addition to capturing Gordon's off-court preparation for that epic series, Brown's motivation for the film was Gordon's experience as a restricted free agent the previous two summers, which consisted of long, drawn-out negotiations with the Bulls that weren't completed until shortly before each season began. Brown hoped to make a summer full of negotiations the focal point of the film but needed to adjust on the fly when Gordon quickly signed with the Pistons.

"That drama was played out for the last two offseasons, so I'm expecting, 'OK, this is going to be great stuff for a documentary, this is going to be really good with him going back and forth, back and forth, back and forth,' " Brown said. "And it didn't happen like that, so I had to really change the scope of the doc. That really was going to be the selling point for the documentary -- 'OK, here's this athlete, the talking, the first day that you can talk to teams and he's going back and forth between Chicago and whoever else is interested' -- but that didn't happen. He genuinely, really loved the Pistons organization."

Even if the story arc changed, the most compelling aspect of the documentary should be Brown's access to Gordon, who usually maintains a polished front with the media but let his guard down in front of a long-time friend.

"That's the aspect I want people to realize -- it's really that candid. So candid that I can't use everything. It's really that good," he said. "No one is going to be feel comfortable talking to someone that they don't know. But when it's a friend asking you questions, it's like, 'OK, what do you want to know?'

"It turned out to be quite an experience for both of us. There would be times where he would be like, 'I don't really feel like being in front of a camera right now,' and I'd just have to respect that. But for the most part he is gung-ho about it.

"He's going to let people know how he feels about everything that has happened. He's a strong believer that you have to be able to separate the business from the sport aspect of it -- he lives by that. ... You'll see that this dude is like any other 25-year-old. He likes to party, he loves to have fun with his friends. That's another side of him that I'd want to show. On the court you might say he's real stoic, you hardly see BG get excited about a lot of things on the court, even when he scores. But he loves basketball.

"Especially now that the season has started, it's hard -- he's executive producing this project -- it's hard to even communicate with him about anything else except for basketball. ... I remember when he started training, that was it. All the partying basically stopped. He's like, 'You know what? It's time now for me to get serious about basketball.' He worked out three times a day, and you'll see the footage in the trailer from his workout, but that's nothing -- there was a point where I'm like, this is turning into a damn workout DVD, I don't want that. That's all he would do."

When will fans at home get to see A Scorer's Aura? That's yet to be determined. Filming has been a virtual one-man show -- with the help of some other friends as well as Gordon's personal assistant and manager -- and Brown is still editing the final product. Once completed, he hopes to find distribution on the film festival circuit, possibly landing a deal with ESPN or another outlet.

While the documentary didn't go in the direction that Brown expected, he still hopes viewers will appreciate an intimate look at what's it like for a player to have his life turned upside down over the course of several months, a glimpse at someone making decisions affecting not only the rest of his career but also his life.

"It's a story," Brown said. "Stories are usually interesting if told properly. It's not just him as a basketball player, it's him as a person, a person who's in the public eye."

The Ben Gordon Documentary: Coming Soon to a Theater Near You? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spurs Look Winded in Loss to Bulls

Matt Moore — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:18:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Spurs, NBA Last Night

You're going to have to forgive us here in the early season for a bit. If we don't report on trends that are developing, we're ignoring what we're seeing. If we do tell you what we see, we're over-emphasizing games that are so young in this season that they can't even legally get into a screening of New Moon.

Basically, that's my way of imploring you to remember that we do take these things with a gigantic mountain of salt, but here's what happened. And trust me, the Spurs are going to want to brush this one off.

The San Antonio Spurs consider themselves a championship contender. Loaded with talent both young and old, they consider themselves ready to compete with the Lakers for the Western Conference crown. But to do so they'll need to get the highest seed possible to face weaker opponents in early rounds. And in order to get that high seed, they'll need to win back-to-back games on the road. On Thursday they looked like that might be more of a challenge than they're ready for at this early stage, as the Spurs fell to the Chicago Bulls 92-85.

It was a night where the Spurs shot 19 percent from 3-point land, shot only 42 percent overall, and were beaten on the offensive glass, 15-8. But the most glaring thing you came away with in this game was that for a team that was supposed to have reloaded to get rid of that "old, tired" description that's hung around them for years, even when they were winning championships, the Spurs were blown away by the Bulls' speed, energy, and athleticism.

Tim Duncan did what he does, scoring 28 points on 19 shots with 16 boards and 3 blocks, a simply sublime performance. But Manu Ginobili was the only other Spur in double digits with 12, while Tony Parker shot 4-11, Richard Jefferson 3-9, and Roger Mason 0-4. Rookie sensation and instant hype machine DeJuan Blair had only 6 points and 4 rebounds in 12 minutes, good for a rookie, but close to what he'll probably produce night in and night out.

The Spurs were unable to close off penetration lanes, unable to block out Joakim Noah and Luol Deng (10 offensive rebounds combined), and unable to lock down Derrick Rose, who finished with 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists with just one turnover. The Bulls consistently were able to produce quality ball rotations leading to open three pointers. If the Bulls had shot better than their putrid 19% from the arc, the difference could have been greater. As it was, Luol Deng looked capable of filling in some of the gap from Ben Gordon's departure, Derrick Rose looked like he was progressing, Joakim Noah is a top 10 center in the league right now, and Kirk Hinrich provides both shooting and defensive toughness with quality minutes.

Perhaps most startling is that the Spurs, normally so resolved mentally, could have such a flat night so early. Just last night they walloped the Hornets, running them ragged and dominating them defensively. But against a Bulls squad who arguably have a better roster 1-10 than the Hornets, the Spurs looked not only slow and languid, but lost.

I'd expect an unpleasant conversation happened in the locker room after Thursday's game and that the Spurs will answer. But the loss might also be best served as a reminder to the Spurs not to believe the hype, and that like they always preach, they've got to keep pounding that rock with the hammer if they want to collect the one for the thumb.

Spurs Look Winded in Loss to Bulls originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Draft Class of 2006 Not Cashing In

Chris Tomasson — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:45:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Celtics, Grizzlies, Jazz, Lakers, Raptors, Trail Blazers, Thunder

Saturday is Halloween, but don't expect many NBA owners and general managers in this shaky economy to dress up as Bill Gates and throw money around.

Oct. 31 is the annual deadline for one-time first-round picks entering their fourth seasons to be eligible to sign extensions that would kick in for their fifth seasons. For stars, it's a chance to land their first really big contract.

But much is silent as the deadline approaches, meaning the overwhelming number of eligible players from the 2006 first round will become restricted free agents next summer. Three players from that draft -- Andrea Bargnani of Toronto and LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy of Portland -- have inked extensions, but not a lot more activity is expected.

An agent who represents a 2006 first-round pick told FanHouse on Monday it's his understanding only three other players from that draft -- Memphis' Rudy Gay, Utah's Ronnie Brewer and Boston's Rajon Rando -- are even still involved in serious negotiations to reach a deal by Saturday.

Even if all three signed extensions by Saturday, that would make the total of six an all-time low since this format started with the 1998 draft (draftees from 1995-97 became unrestricted free agents after three seasons so there was much more urgency). The 2005 class got just seven extensions before Oct. 31, 2008.

Two agents confirmed to FanHouse on Monday their former lottery picks won't sign extensions by Saturday and will become restricted free agents next summer. While it's pretty much confirming the obvious, Mark Bartelstein said Adam Morrison, the No. 3 pick in 2006, won't reach a deal with the Lakers. Guy Zucker said the same is true with his client, Oklahoma City's Thebo Sefolosha, taken No. 13 in that draft.

Indications are Tyrus Thomas, who went No. 4 in 2006 to Chicago, won't sign an extension with the Bulls. Thomas' agent, Brian Elfus, wouldn't offer a confirmation of anything that will happen to his client. But he said he wouldn't consider it a setback if no agreement reached by Saturday.

"I wouldn't be considering it a huge deal (if Thomas doesn't sign by Saturday),'' Elfus said.

With Nos. 1 and 2 selections Bargnani and Aldridge locked up, the highest pick from 2006 bound to be a restricted free agent is Morrison. While there never has been any serious discussion about an extension, Bartelstein said he and Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak decided early this offseason that the team would continue to evaluate Morrison into this season.

"We want to give him this year to get his feet back under him,'' Bartelstein said of Morrison, who was traded by Charlotte to the Lakers last February and then played sparingly, not getting into a single playoff game during their title run. "(The Lakers) have a good feeling about him (for the future).''

Three of the 14 lottery picks from 2006 aren't even eligible for extensions due to having previously not had options on their original contracts picked up. Those busts are No. 5 Shelden Williams, No. 9 Patrick O'Bryant and No. 10 Mouhamed Sene.

Thabo Sefolosha, like Morrison, has been dealt, but a trade doesn't change anything when it comes to eligibility for an extension if the rookie contract third- and fourth-year options get picked up. Zucker said there were talks about the Thunder possibly extending Seflosaha, who started 22 of 23 games after being acquired last February from Chicago while averaging 8.5 points.

Update: Sefolosha Signs Extension with Thunder

"We had some discussions, but it didn't result in any conclusions,'' Zucker said. "But (team officials) like (Seflosha) for the future even though we weren't able to reach any financial arrangements.''

With teams wary about costs due to the economy, that has cut down on the number of extensions. So has fears about the salary cap going down significantly next summer and teams losing flexibility.

"Teams know that a player will be restricted next summer and they can still match an offer on him,'' Bartelstein said of the lack of extensions being handed out. "Each team has a unique set of circumstances and some are trying to create cap room and have flexibility. I would say those factors, cap room, the player becoming restricted, and the economy.''

Also, 2006 won't exactly go down as a landmark draft in NBA history. Roy, a two-time participant, is the only player picked that night who has made an All-Star Game, although Aldridge is knocking hard on the door. Bargnani, No. 7 pick Randy Foye, No. 8 Gay, No. 14 Brewer and No. 21 Rondo are also all very much on the rise, but after that the first-round list drops off at the pace of an Acapulco cliff diver.

Here's a look at the 14 lottery picks and No. 21 Rondo and how they stand as Saturday's extension deadline approaches:

No. 1 Andrea Bargnani, Toronto: Has signed a five-year, $50 million extension.

No. 2 LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland: Has signed five-year, $65 million extension.

No. 3 Adam Morrison, Lakers: It remains to be seen if there's any chance of a Lakers return after he becomes a restricted free agent next summer.

No. 4 Tyrus Thomas, Chicago: Unlikely to receive extension after averaging 7.7 points in three seasons. He will have ample chance this season to continue to prove himself.

No. 5 Shelden Williams, Boston: Originally chosen by Atlanta and then traded to Sacramento, but his third-year option for 2009-10 wasn't picked up the Kings last year. So he's not a candidate for an extension.

No. 6 Brandon Roy, Portland: Has signed a five-year maximum extension that could be worth more than $80 million.

No. 7 Randy Foye, Washington: Unlikely to sign extension, with a so-so preseason not helping. The Wizards will continue to evaluate Foye, acquired last June from Minnesota, in his first season with the team.

No. 8 Rudy Gay, Memphis: After averaging 16.7 points in three seasons, he's definitely in the Grizzlies' future. The sides are talking, and it's 50-50 a deal can be reached.

No. 9 Patrick O'Bryant, Toronto: Originally chosen by Golden State, such a colossal mistake that his third-year option for 2008-09 wasn't picked up before the Oct. 31, 2007 deadline. So he's not a candidate for an extension.

No. 10 Mouhamed Sene, out of NBA: Originally chosen by Seattle, which moved to Oklahoma City, but his option for 2009-10 wasn't picked up and he was waived last February. He's now playing in France.

No. 11 J.J. Redick, Orlando: Unlikely to sign extension. Might be looking for a new home next summer.

No. 12 Hilton Armstrong, New Orleans: Unlikely to sign extension. Might want to change his name to Red Roof Armstrong after he's averaged 3.6 points in three seasons and put his long-term future with the Hornets very much in doubt.

No. 13 Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma City: While he won't be extended, he could be another young piece Thunder officials might want to hold on to after he becomes a restricted free agent next summer.

No. 14 Ronnie Brewer, Utah: An intriguing athletic player on a team that always has been short on athleticism. It wouldn't be a surprise if an 11th-hour agreement were to be reached on an extension.

No. 21 Rajon Rondo, Boston: The steal of the 2006 draft, having developed into an upper-echelon point guard. The sides are talking, and it's not out of the question a deal could be hammered out by Saturday.

Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com.

NBA Draft Class of 2006 Not Cashing In originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tip-Off Timer: Five Titles Should Put Rodman in Hall of Fame

Tim Povtak — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Lakers

Tip-Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Thursday, there are 5 days remaining.

It takes five years of retirement for a player to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Make it 10 for Dennis Rodman, who always did things differently. He did win five NBA titles.

If you think that Michael Jordan caused a commotion with an unconventional acceptance speech last month when he headlined the Class of 2009, just wait until Rodman shows up in 2010 wearing a dress and lipstick.

Think of the theater. Think of the much-deserved attention it will bring to the greatest names in basketball history. Think of the fun.

Eligible for the first time now - those who have served their five years away - are Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen and Mark Jackson among others.

Malone, the second leading scorer in basketball history with 36,928 points, will join former Utah Jazz teammate John Stockton, who was inducted this year along with their coach, Jerry Sloan. Stockton and Malone formed one of the best tandems the game ever has seen.

Because Malone stayed in the game a year longer, trying unsuccessfully to chase a championship with the Lakers at age 41, he likely will enter the Hall a year behind his assist man.

Pippen, sidekick to Jordan through six NBA titles in Chicago, also is expected to follow his teammate by a year. Unlike Stockton and Malone, there was a clear distinction between the talents of another one of the league's finest dynamic duos.

Pippen, one of the most versatile players in basketball, may have benefited from Jordan's presence, but it also overshadowed his own greatness. He was an eight-time All-Defensive first-team selection, playing Robin to Jordan's Batman in Chicago.

Jackson didn't get the attention of Malone or Pippen, but he also left his mark on the game. He played for seven teams during a 17-year career, recording 10,334 assists, second most in NBA history behind Stockton.

After Jackson, though, the potential candidates in their first year of eligibility are thin. There is Charles Oakley, who played 14 years and collected more than 12,000 rebounds; Horace Grant, who won four NBA titles; and Avery Johnson, the point guard who won a title in San Antonio.

Which brings us back to Rodman, whose absence is as glaring as anyone not in the Hall of Fame today. Easily the best non-center rebounder in history, he won seven consecutive rebounding titles, most by wide margins.

He also was named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year twice. Added to his five NBA titles, and - based on his basketball accomplishments -- it's almost impossible to deny him the honor.

Maybe it's time to look past his often zany, sometimes bizarre behavior, and focus on the way he played the game - with a passion that produced championships.

Tip-Off Timer: Five Titles Should Put Rodman in Hall of Fame originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tip-Off Timer: Double 6's Defined Jordan

Tim Povtak — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls

Tip-Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Wednesday, there are 6 days remaining.

As much as we like to get lathered up over today's talented stars like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, it's sometimes good to step back and put them in perspective.

They still don't hold a candle to Michael Jordan.

If you think they do, come back to us when they reach Double 6's, which is the number that explains Jordan's greatness as well as any statistic ever placed beside his name.

During his 13 seasons with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan won six NBA titles. And six times -- on the game's biggest stage -- he was named Most Valuable Player in the NBA Finals.

Several others have won more NBA titles. Bill Russell's record of 11 NBA championships is so far out of reach that it's of mythical proportion. So he doesn't count. And he carried a few Celtic teammates to more titles than Jordan ever won.

Then there's Robert Horry, a role playing journeyman who won seven NBA titles with three different teams, always finding himself in the right place at the right time to capitalize on his clutch shooting ability.

In today's game, Tim Duncan and Shaquille O'Neal each have four now with a legitimate chance this season for a fifth. Bryant, after winning in 2009, also is looking for his fifth with the Lakers.

It's conceivable that one of the three could reach six titles, but it's inconceivable that anyone also will match Jordan's six Finals MVP Awards. Duncan has three, Shaq has two and Bryant one, making the Double 6's an impossible task.

Maybe James or Wade can get in the hunt one day, but it might take three lifetimes to do it. Jordan, as always, stands alone when it comes to greatness.

His basketball management skills might be lacking. He can't seem to get the hang of that trick. And his Hall of Fame induction speech made us cringe a little. Yet Double 6's put him on a pedestal that no one else can approach.

Tip-Off Timer: Double 6's Defined Jordan originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tip-Off Timer: Super 7 Comprise Game's Greatest Winners

Chris Tomasson — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Celtics, Jazz, Knicks, Lakers, Nuggets

Tip-Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Tuesday, there are seven days remaining.

OK, so Quinn Buckner doesn't excite too many. Other than that, this is one of the best basketball lists you'll ever find.

There are just seven men who have won an NBA title, an NCAA crown and an Olympic gold medal. Other than Buckner, they are Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, Jerry Lucas, K.C. Jones and Clyde Lovellette.

Other than Buckner, all are Hall of Famers. Jordan, Johnson and Russell are on just about everybody's list when it comes to an all-time NBA starting lineup.

Now, Denver forward Carmelo Anthony and Utah forward Carlos Boozer have a chance to join this super seven. Both have NCAA titles and Olympic golds, and need an NBA championship ring.

"That is history in itself just to get all three,'' Anthony said. "That would just put the nail in the coffin (on Anthony's career if he could join the list).''

Anthony was on Syracuse's 2003 NCAA championship team and on gold-winning Team USA last year in Beijing. Boozer was Anthony's Olympic teammate, and played for Duke's 2001 titlists.

"I would love to (join the list),'' Boozer said. "That's our goal (to win an NBA title). You just think about so many of the good players who already have won at every level, although Kobe (Bryant), LeBron (James) and (Kevin) Garnett never went to college.''

No, they didn't. So even though Bryant and Garnett both have NBA rings and Olympic golds, they're never going to get a college crown unless the NCAA suddenly changes its rules.

At least rules bar players now from entering the NBA directly out of high school. So superstars, if they ever want to join this elite list, might want to do like Anthony, who led the Orangemen to the title as a freshman.

"I've done my research,'' said Anthony, who knew about the magnificent seven when asked. "I hope I can put myself in that category.''

Lovellette was the first to join the list, having won with Kansas in 1952, the Olympics in 1952 and claiming NBA crowns with Minneapolis in 1954 and with Boston in 1963 and 1964.

Before the 1950s were done, Russell and Jones joined him. They were teammates on San Francisco's 1955 and 1956 NCAA winners and on the 1956 Olympic team, and both won numerous titles with the Celtics. Russell claimed 11, starting in 1957, and Jones won eight, beginning in 1959.

Lucas got his trifecta started by winning with the Ohio State in 1960 and in the 1960 Olympics. He then has a 13-year wait before finally claiming his only NBA crown with New York in 1973.

Buckner was on Indiana's 1976 titlists and on the 1976 Olympic team. He won an NBA crown with Boston in 1984 while averaging a meager 3.3 points in 11.7 minutes during the playoffs.

But there was nothing cheap about Johnson and Jordan claiming the triple crown. Johnson won with Michigan State in 1979, took home five rings with the Los Angeles Lakers between 1980-88 and got Olympic gold in 1992.

Jordan claimed his NCAA crown with North Carolina in 1982, mined gold in 1984 and 1992 and won six titles with the Chicago Bulls between 1991-98. That's nine combined NCAA, NBA and Olympic wins, but still puts him third on the list behind the 14 Russell got and the 11 gathered by Jones.

Anthony and Boozer aren't being greedy. They're just looking for a third win, one courtesy of the NBA.

Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com.

Tip-Off Timer: Super 7 Comprise Game's Greatest Winners originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tip Off Timer: Title No. 10 Ended Debate Over Jackson's Place in History

Tim Povtak — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Lakers

Tip-Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Saturday, there are 10 days remaining.

Is Phil Jackson really the best basketball coach in history? Or is he just the luckiest coach for all the great players he has had?

The correct answer might be somewhere in between. Or he might be both.

You can't dispute that his 10 championships rings -- breaking his tie with the legendary Red Auerbach -- gives him the most impressive resume of anyone who ever coached in this league.

What is arguable is whether it came because he just had more talented players than anyone before him. Like the winning jockey in the Kentucky derby every year, he doesn't win the roses without the best horse beneath him.

Jackson won six titles in Chicago, all with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen both in their prime. He won three titles with the Lakers by riding burgeoning Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. While Jordan may be remembered as the greatest player in history, O'Neal and Bryant one day will be known as two of the top 10.

After nine championships for Jackson, the debate still was very much a good one. Points could be made both ways. There have been other coaches in the league who would tell you that Jackson didn't do anything that others could not have done.

When Jordan left to play baseball for two years, Jackson and the Bulls didn't get past the second round of the playoffs. And his first two years without Shaq in LA, Jackson didn't get past the first round.

Last season, though, was different. He didn't have two great players for his 10th title. He won it with just Kobe Bryant and a good supporting cast. For Bryant, it was satisfying to win without Shaq overshadowing him. For Jackson, there was satisfaction in knowing he didn't just ride on a pair of great horses. He had one ace like a lot of teams.

Because of age and his balky back, Jackson now travels with his own specially designed chair to sit on the sideline, putting him higher than anyone else on the floor. It makes him look like a king on his throne.

He should be enjoying the view this season.

Tip Off Timer: Title No. 10 Ended Debate Over Jackson's Place in History originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Player to Watch: John Salmons

Tom Ziller — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls

FanHouse previews a player to watch from each NBA team in advance of the 2009-10 season.

Basketball workhorses are usually found in frontlines. We think of the lunch pail being filled with rebounds and scrappy play, not jumpers and reverse lay-ups. Antonio McDyess, Wayman Tisdale, Jeff Foster, Luis Scola -- those are the NBA players we associate with the blue collar.

But I see John Salmons as a basketball workhorse ... a scoring workhorse. In Luol Deng's spot last year, and replacing Ben Gordon for the 2009-10 campaign, Salmons fills in 15-20 points on decent shooting, punches his time card and goes home. It's flashy in the immediate -- when he cocks his head and swishes an 18-footer, or when he goes to the cup and scoops it over the defenders -- but by the end of the game, it's just another day of work.

Scoring can be glamorous, even if it never reaches the standard of beauty. A player like Carmelo Anthony, for instance, doesn't have a particularly heartmelting jumper -- nothing like a Ray Allen or Dirk Nowitzki. And 'Melo typically operates out of the mid-range area -- nothing glitzy about that. But the relentless with which he attacks the scoreboard, the fury of hard dribble to pull-up jumper -- it's a glamorous style of scoring in its totality, with no one piece drawing on beauty.

Salmons's moves also fail to elicit stylistic awe, though they are at times incredible. Salmons just presents them in a way that is so ... ordinary. There are a million stories of timid kids being unleashed when the ball's in their hands -- Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, even Dirk or Michael Redd. But Salmons is never unleashed. He isn't bottling up the energy and focusing it on the ball, like Rose and Durant do. Salmons just doesn't have that energy, that fury gene. He has no burgeoning need for self-expression. Nothing.

He is the equivalent of a chained up Tim Duncan who is allowed only to shoot 15-foot jumpers. (And not bank shots, which have become overly romanticized, causing fans to place unearned sentimentality on Duncan.) A toned down Tim Duncan, people. That's John Salmons on the court: keeping calm because there's no other way to exist. Not no other way to win -- that's Duncan, that's the Spurs. For Salmons, there is no other way to live than quietly. He's the John Wayne of the NBA.

***

In each of the past four seasons -- one with Philadelphia, two with Sacramento, one split between Sacramento and Chicago -- Salmons has increased his shooting frequency and increased his shooting proficiency. This all happened within Salmons's assumed peak (age 26-29), so you aren't looking at a player growing up in the NBA. Salmons had been an established bench player before beginning his road to increased infamy.

Often, a larger role comes with lowered efficiency. But in taking on larger roles every season, Salmons is thriving. It speaks to the sort of player who can't get yoked up playing in a complementary role, a guy who needs the spotlight to thrive. Salmons served as the back-up to Allen Iverson during much of his Philadelphia tenure, and this is classic Iverson: relegated to bench duty, he might as well stay home. Give him the ball every play, and he's a star.

Salmons was awful as a bit player ... on a per-minute basis. As his minutes and subsequently his role in his team's offense have increased, Salmons has not just raised his per-game statistics ... but his per-minute statistics. Back in Philly, if you have Salmons 36 minutes, he'd give you 11 points. Give him 36 minutes now, and he'll give you 18 points. When he is treated like a star, he has thrived.

***

These two observations about Salmons don't fit. How can the most unassuming, flashless 18-point scorer in the league also be so needy in terms of on-court shine to do his thing? Even the unpopular high school girl with the incredible pipes has some visible hope peaking through her eyes. Salmons has none. He is the either the greatest purveyor of misdirection since Cheney, or a true NBA enigma. Believe what you will.

Player to Watch: John Salmons originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FanHouse Preview: Bulls

Will Brinson — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, NBA Preseason, NBA Previews

FanHouse previews all 30 NBA teams in advance of the 2009-10 season.

The 2008 Bulls, hopefully, won't be remembered for defining mediocrity at 41-41. Instead, they'll likely be remembered for a thrilling first round series against the Boston Celtics in which were able to only do so much (it's italicized because it's a shoddy theme, y'all!) before heading home for the offseason.

And that offseason saw them very quickly lose -- even if it was expected -- their top scorer from last year. Ben Gordon's explosive, albeit one-dimensional, game will be missed a team that was already middle of the pack in terms of offensive efficiency last year. And John Salmons, a trade-deadline addition along with Brad Miller, will help counter Gordon's loss, but, guess what? He can only do so much.

Derrick Rose is an All-Star in waiting after winning Rookie of the Year in 2008 -- anyone that doesn't expect him to take another leap of some sorts this year probably ~~hasn't taken their SATs~~ done their homework, but at the same time, he's not a good defender and he shot an amazingly low 250 free throws last year (for comparison's sake, fellow rook Russell Westbrook played 4.5 minutes less per game and made 349 over the season). So, yeah, he'll continue to evolve, we'll be wowed, he'll post some nice numbers, but unless he can make some absolutely tremendous strides in his serious problem areas, well, you know where I'm going.

And while Rose has fans and ownership feeling secure about the long-term future at point guard in Chicago, the aught-nine Bulls have some shorter-term issues: Brad Miller fills the role of "low post scorer" since Joakim Noah can't "hit the broadside of a barn," but he's a free agent after this season which means the Bulls would probably be wise to get something back in exchange for the center from a team that could use him as a championship piece.

But if the season goes "well" (relatively speaking), Chicago may be hard-pressed to consider thinking of the future. And that might hurt them down the road -- if the Bulls wants to make a run at either Dwayne Wade (it's like a poor man's LeBron-->NYC, thanks for asking) or Chris Bosh (the logical scoring big man upgrade from Miller) they'll need to have plenty in place to attract such a player.

All of that is to say that the Bulls will be decent this year; they're probably slotted in the middle range of the playoff teams, but a highly successful season might be a stretch -- even with a full season of a healthy Luol Deng and improved play from an always-and-forever upside-and-potential-riddled Tyrus Thomas, Chicago's still, by almost any account, well outside of the elite in the East.

Which means they'll only be able to do so mcuh

Last Season By the Numbers

Record: 41-41 under Vinny Del Negro. Finished 2nd in the Central Division, tied for 6th in the Eastern Conference. Eliminated by Boston (4-3) in the first round.

Offense: 108.4 points per 100 possessions, 14th in the NBA. 21st in shooting, 17th in turnover rate, 6th in offensive rebounding, 12th in free throw rate.

Defense: 108.7 points per 100 possession, 18th in the NBA. 10th in shooting defense, 15th in opponent turnover rate, 28th in defensive rebounding, 18th in opponent free throw rate.

Top Performers: Ben Gordon, who left as a free agent this summer, led the team in scoring with 20.7 points per game. Midseason acquisition John Salmons scored 18.3 points per game. Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose led the team with 6.3 assists per game. Drew Gooden (traded at midseason) was the team's leading rebounder at 8.6 per game, and Joakim Noah averaged 7.6 rebounds per game in 24 minutes. Tyrus Thomas averaged 1.9 blocks per game.

All statistics via Basketball-Reference.com.

Player to Watch

FanHouse's Matt Moore and Tom Ziller preview one player to watch from each team. Here's a snippet of Ziller's post on Bulls wing John Salmons.

[Salmons] is the equivalent of a chained up Tim Duncan who is allowed only to shoot 15-foot jumpers. (And not bank shots, which have become overly romanticized, causing fans to place unearned sentimentality on Duncan.) A toned down Tim Duncan, people. That's John Salmons on the court: keeping calm because there's no other way to exist. Not no other way to win -- that's Duncan, that's the Spurs. For Salmons, there is no other way to live than quietly. He's the John Wayne of the NBA.

See Ziller's full post on Salmons.

Offseason Tracker

IN: James Johnson (draft), Taj Gibson (draft).

OUT: Ben Gordon (free agency), Tim Thomas (buyout).

FanHouse Preview: Bulls originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The NBA's Three-Pointer Turns 30

Chris Tomasson — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Celtics, Rockets

Had it happened in this era, somebody would have been watching multiple games on television monitors. The game would have been stopped and the ball shipped to the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

But that was hardly the case on Oct. 12, 1979. Early in the first quarter of a game against Houston at the Boston Garden in the regular-season opener, Celtics guard Chris Ford drilled a straightaway three-pointer.

Later that month, Ford heard from a Celtics public relations official.

"More than a week after the game, I discovered that I had hit the first three (in NBA history),'' Ford recalled. "I guess it took them that long to line up all the plays of all the games (that night). I was definitely surprised when I heard that.''

Just as Ron Bloomberg of the New York Yankees had done six years earlier by becoming baseball's first designated hitter, Ford turned into the answer to a trivia question. It was 30 years ago Monday he became the first NBA player to drill a three-pointer.

It wasn't surprising that few initially paid much attention to Ford's feat. The 114-106 win over the Rockets marked Boston forward Larry Bird's first NBA game. And later that night Magic Johnson would debut on national TV as his Los Angeles Lakers defeated the San Diego Clippers 103-102 on a sky hook by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the buzzer.

"It was Bird's first game as a rookie, and that was what all the headlines were,'' said Ford, a solid NBA guard from 1972-82 who is now a Philadelphia scout. "The Garden was hopping that night. It was early in the first quarter where I hit a shot from straight on. The shot clock was winding down, and I had an open look. I knew it was behind the line, but had no idea it was the first one.''

That wasn't determined for a while since nine NBA games were played that night. Four others were in the Eastern Time Zone, starting around the time of the 7:30 p.m. tip at Boston Garden.

Ford went on to be an NBA head coach for 10 seasons, including five years with the Celtics, two coaching Bird. But he might go down known primarily in history for hitting that initial three.

"It's a nice piece of trivia,'' Ford said. "It's why I'm talking to (the media) now. It's nice to be mentioned.''

The three-point shot had grown out of the ABA, which was in business from 1967-76. Before that, the American Basketball League, which played its only full season in 1961-62 and whose champion Cleveland Pipers were owned by none other than George Steinbrenner, was the first league to use the three-pointer.

When the NBA played its first night with a three-pointer, two players at Boston Garden had made threes in the ABA. They were Boston guard Don Chaney, who made one with the Spirits of St. Louis in 1975-76, and Houston forward Rick Barry, who had hit 103 in four ABA seasons.

"I remember when they finally ended up putting the three-pointer in the NBA my final season,'' said Barry, who retired after that 1979-80 campaign and seven years later was in the Hall of Fame. "But I don't really remember that first one.''

Barry no doubt would remember had he been the first. The only other three-pointer during that game came courtesy of Barry, who went 1-of-3.

The Rockets had much less success on that first night from beyond the arc, going 1-for-10. The Celtics were 1-of-3, with Ford making his only attempt.

"Nobody ever really thought about the three-pointer back then like they do today,'' said Barry, whose Rockets that season eventually stopped firing away at will.

Rise of the 3-Pointer: "Along with the rise of the three-pointer as a weapon, there has been a general increase in the efficiency of the tool. The leaguewide shooting percentage on threes last season (36.7%) equaled the previous high: 1996, one of those's short-arc seasons."
-- More from Tom ZillerIn 1979-80, three-pointers comprised just 3.1 percent of total NBA field-goal attempts. Last season, teams fired away at a 22.4-percent clip.

"I thought it was good for the game and it changed the game,'' Barry said. "But that shot has been abused. Guys who have no business shooting it are shooting it. If used judiciously, it can be a great weapon.''

While in the ABA, Barry admits he wasn't much of a three-pointer marksman. The stats don't disagree considering he shot 27.7 percent.

But Barry became a bit of a three-point specialist during his final NBA season, when he turned 36. He hit 73-of-221 for 33 percent while attempting and making the second-most in the league. Leading the NBA with 239 attempts and 90 made was San Diego's Brian Taylor, a former ABA bomber.

Ford, then 31, also that season became somewhat of a specialist. He shot 70-of-164, his three-point percentage of 42.7 trailing only appropriately-named Seattle guard Freddie "Downtown'' Brown's 44.3 for best in the NBA.

Finishing third that season at 40.6 percent was Bird, who went 0-of-1 from three-point range while scoring a modest 14 points in his first game, but finished the season a stellar 58-of-143 from beyond the arc.

"I think it certainly strategy-wise has changed the game, and the fans love it,'' Ford said of the 30 years of the NBA having the three-pointer. "The bad thing about it is kids start shooting it at too early of an age, and we've lost the mid-range jumper. It's been somewhat lost in the NBA that (Detroit's) Rip Hamilton makes a living off the mid-range shot. It's either dunks or three-point shots that make the highlights.''

What about four-point shots? Nine days after Ford became the Charles Lindbergh of the NBA, Chicago guard Sam Smith became the first NBA player to make a three-pointer, get fouled, and convert the free throw.

The only Sam Smith most Bulls fans know now is the longtime Chicago sports writer. But former Bulls star Reggie Theus, now a Minnesota assistant, remembers well how "Sudden Sam,'' his former UNLV teammate, drilled the first four-pointer in a 113-111 loss to Milwaukee on Oct. 21, 1979.

"(Then Bulls coach) Jerry Sloan didn't know him, and we needed a three-pointer,'' Theus said of the heroics by Smith, who would play just 46 NBA games over two seasons and fade into obscurity. "I just told him, 'Coach, don't call anything. Just let Sam cross halfcourt and shoot it because he's got in-the-gym range.' It didn't matter how far out he was. He went up, got fouled, and it was a four-point play.''

One would think Smith didn't have to wait more than a week to learn he hit the first four-pointer. Then again, Ford's first three-pointer has had far more staying power when it comes to NBA notoriety.

Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com.

The NBA's Three-Pointer Turns 30 originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Craig Ehlo on Bryon Russell's Challenge To MJ: 'Just Let it Go'

Chris Tomasson — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Cavaliers, Jazz, FanHouse Exclusive

Craig Ehlo has some advice for Bryon Russell: Move on.

Ehlo was the first NBA victim of a legendary Michael Jordan shot. Who will ever forget the sight of a sprawling Ehlo while Jordan nailed a last-second jumper to win the deciding Game 5 of a 1989 first-round series between Jordan's Chicago Bulls and Ehlo's Cleveland Cavaliers?

Russell was the last victim of a legendary Jordan shot. He was on the receiving end in Game 6 of the NBA Finals when Jordan's last-ditch jumper defeated Utah to clinch Chicago's sixth and final title.

After Jordan called out Russell in his Hall of Fame induction speech earlier this month, Russell showed he doesn't want to move on. Speaking with national media, he dropped the gauntlet.

"I want to challenge him,'' Russell said on ESPN's Outside the Lines. "Mike, I'm going to go on national TV, and say, 'If I see you in shorts, I got mine on right now. Let's get this one-on-one on and make it happen'... Whenever he's ready to play, that's what I want. I want M.J. I'm calling him out on national TV.''

Brandt Anderen the owner of the NBADL's Utah Flash, saw a chance to continue to milk Russell's comments for publicity. He has offered to host a match at halftime of his team's Dec. 7 game between Jordan and Russell, putting up $100,000 for charity.

Ehlo is seeing all of this and rolling his eyes.

"I would tell Bryon, 'Just let it go,''' Ehlo said in an interview with FanHouse. "It happened, and it's a great memory. But you don't want him to go out and embarrass you, and let it happen twice.''

Ehlo, by the way, has no intent to issue Jordan any challenges. He also didn't mind that Jordan didn't refer to him in his Hall of Fame speech.

"He's doesn't need to mention me,'' Ehlo said. "That shot holds its own water. It's been on a Gatorade commercial and on ESPN Classic. He doesn't need to mention it any more.''

The reason Jordan singled out Russell in his speech is Russell in 1994, when Jordan had retired, said he wanted to guard Jordan. Ehlo knew better than ever to say anything that remotely would fire up Jordan.

"That would have just been adding to the fire,'' Ehlo said. "You can't stop him.''

Then again, Ehlo, who has seen Jordan several times this decade, does admit to a little bantering.

"I've told him that the mistake I made was running with him. 'If I would have slid and stopped, I could have contested your shot,''' Ehlo said. "He said, 'I still would have made it.'''

It must be said that years later Ehlo did block a Jordan shot in a similar situation. OK, this needs some explanation.

"I worked with his son, Marcus Jordan, at the Nike Skills Academy (in Anaheim, Calif., in 2008),'' Ehlo said. "We had this drill where (campers) started on the wing like Michael did, and I was standing in the same place. When it got to Marcus' shot, I blocked it.

"I rubbed it in. I said, 'I finally blocked a Jordan shot.' George Raveling (a former coach running the camp) immediately called Michael. He laughed.''

Ehlo, a solid guard who played from 1983-97, doesn't mind his place in history. In fact, he wants Russell to know the 1989 shot was superior to the 1998 version, with both coming from the top of the key.

"Mine is probably a lot more memorable because mine started the run,'' Ehlo said of the shot helping elevate Jordan into legendary status. "You always remember the first one more than the last one.''

Ehlo said he's never talked to Russell, a swingman who played from 1993-2006, about being on the wrong end of Jordan shots. If were to talk to him any time soon, he would tell Russell he doesn't stand a chance against Jordan even though His Airness, at 46, is eight years older and was called "overweight.'' by Ehlo.

Wait a minute. Overweight?

"He looked a little bit thick in his suit,'' Ehlo said of Jordan, later adding that Ehlo weighs a svelte 202 pounds, six under his playing weight.

That sounds like a bit of trash talking by Ehlo. Perhaps Jordan will end up wanting to challenge him.

Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com.

Craig Ehlo on Bryon Russell's Challenge To MJ: 'Just Let it Go' originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tip-Off Timer: Stopping at 39 Was Bad Luck for Cleveland

Tim Povtak — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Cavaliers, Celtics

Tip-Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Friday, there are 39 days remaining.

Coach Mike Brown and the Cleveland Cavaliers last spring had a chance to make history and tie the NBA record for most home-court victories in a single season.

But they really weren't interested. They had other plans on that final day of the season. They slammed on the brakes and settled for 39, sharing second place with four other teams.

There might be a lesson here. Maybe they should have kept charging.

For all the bluster about home court advantage and all the talk of all-time great teams, no one in the NBA ever has finished a perfect 41-0 on their own court. The Boston Celtics of 1985-86, who won their third title in the decade, still hold the record at 40-1.

The Cavs joined the Celtics of 1986-87, the Magic of 1994-95, the Bulls of 1995-96 and the Bulls of 1996-97 with a 39-2 home record. The significance is that the other four teams all reached the NBA Finals in those particular seasons, something the Cavs did not do.

Maybe their disinterest in tying the record -- playing mostly reserves at the end of an overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers -- was a sin that they paid for when they were rudely dumped by the Magic in the conference final.

They don't treat record holders like the Magic treated the Cavs, beating them in Cleveland to start the series. Even LeBron James couldn't stop that one.

The Cavs won their first 23 home games last season, finally losing to the Lakers on a nationally televised contest Feb. 8. They didn't lose again at home until the final day of the regular season, leaving them stuck at 39. The Bulls of 1995-96 actually hold the record for most consecutive home wins to start a season. They started with a 33-0 record before losing two of their last eight.

Brown pulled his starters last spring because he was more concerned with getting ready for the playoffs than tying the record, a decision that kept his team out of the record books, and may have dented their mask of invincibility at home. It's something they might well remember when this season begins.

Tip-Off Timer: Stopping at 39 Was Bad Luck for Cleveland originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bryon Russell on Michael Jordan: 'I'll Play His A-- Right Now'

Will Brinson — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:40:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Jazz, NBA Rumors

Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame speech has made waves in the NBA community -- everyone seems to think, for some ridiculous reason, that Jordan shouldn't have smack-talked his opponents in what was supposed to be his moment of glory.

I'm of the other opinion; trash-talking was Jordan's legacy and he used people who challenged him as motivation to get better. Bryon Russell was one of those people: Jordan cited Russell's claim that he could guard Jordan (um, whoops, guy) after MJ retired the first time, only to get absolutely torched by His Airness several years later in the very famous "non-push-off" from the 1998 NBA Finals. Naturally, Russell took exception to that part of the speech.

"I'll play his a- right now," Russell told Yahoo! Sports. "This is a call-out for him to come play me. He can come out here in his private jet and come play. He's got millions of dollars. He can pay for the jet. He can meet me at the Recreation Center in Calabasas.

"We can have Mark Jackson do the commentating. We can have Mitch Richmond do the officiating. We can put it on TV and see if Michael's still got it."

Well, those comments would certainly be worth a "Zing!" if Jordan hadn't consistently burned Russell and cost Bryon, John Stockon AND Karl Malone all a championship ring. And sure, maybe that play was a push-off ... but does it matter?

Answer: Of course not. No one remembers "push-off." They remember "Michael Jordan: GOAT." Which means that regardless of how MJ responds to this, people are more than likely to point and laugh at Russell for being really frustrated.

Then again, given Jordan's competitive nature, I wouldn't be surprised in the least bit to see him land in Calabasas 48 hours from now, stroll into Russell's gym and beat him up and down the court in front of a large contingent of television cameras. Then things will be really awkward.

Bryon Russell on Michael Jordan: 'I'll Play His A-- Right Now' originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tip-Off Timer: No. 45 Is Not Jordan's Fondest Memory

Tim Povtak — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Wizards

Tip Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Saturday, there are 45 days remaining.

Michael Jordan was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame this week as No. 23, the ringleader through the Glory Days in Chicago. His number was retired once after he won three championships for the Bulls, then unretired so he could wear it a second time to win three more titles.

Hardly anyone wants to remember that he also wore Chicago's No. 45 during not so glory days of Jordan in Chicago, that brief period of his career that was so greatly anticipated, but so sadly disappointing.

Jordan wore No. 45 for just 26 games at the end of the 1994-95 season, returning to the team after his year-and-a-half in exile playing minor league baseball. Upon his return, he shook off the rust quickly, helped the Bulls to a strong regular season finish, but looked merely mortal when the playoffs began.

The Bulls lost to the Magic in the second round, 4-2, devastated when Nick Anderson stole the ball from Jordan in the closing seconds of the decisive Game 5 to beat the Bulls.

When the series ended, Jordan never wore No. 45 again. He returned as No. 23 for the 1995-96 season and won three more titles before he retired again. He staged a final comeback with the Washington Wizards (2001-03), where he again wore his familiar No. 23. At that stage of his career, he probably should have worn 00.

He actually discarded No. 45 for Game 2 of that sad series with the Magic, stunning everyone by coming onto the court in Orlando with his old No. 23. It made for great theater. The Bulls won that game, but the league fined Jordan $5,000 and forced him into returning to No. 45 for the remainder of the series.

It was in Orlando earlier in his career (Feb. 14, 1990) when he surprised everyone by appearing without his familiar No. 23. Someone had come into the visitors locker room before Jordan arrived that night and stolen the jersey, forcing him into a backup No. 12.

The jersey change didn't seem to bother him, though. He scored 49 points in an overtime loss to the Magic, an expansion team in their first season of NBA basketball.

Tip-Off Timer: No. 45 Is Not Jordan's Fondest Memory originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jordan Goes From Classy to Clown

Terence Moore — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:30:00 EST

Filed under: Bobcats, Bulls, Wizards, NBA Awards

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- When it's your party, you can cry if you want to, and you also can embarrass yourself if you want to. Just ask Michael Jordan, who spent his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday night doing his version of dancing naked on a coffee table with a lamp shade on his head.

What was that?

Whatever it was, it wasn't good. It rivaled anything you can name through the decades as the most brutal Hall of Fame acceptance speech ever. Soon after receiving a standing ovation of 73 seconds from a packed and adoring house at Springfield Symphony Hall, he went from sobbing to reflective to vicious.

I mean, where is Sandman (you know, that guy who yanks terrible acts off the stage at the Apollo Theatre) when you need him?

It was this brutal Friday night: Anybody who bothered Jordan mentally, physically or spiritually in hoops during his 46 years was assassinated with his tongue. The coach who cut him from his high school team in Wilmington, N.C. Buzz Peterson, who was named high school player of the year in North Carolina over Jordan. His archenemy with the Chicago Bulls, Jerry Krause. Several NBA coaches who worked for his teams and against his teams. Doubting media types. Opposing players Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, George Gervin, John Starks and Byron Russell.

Russell Reacts: 'I'll Play His A** Right Now!'

Oh, and Jordan even gave a gentle whack to the knees to Dean Smith. According to Jordan, he still is miffed that his former head coach at North Carolina told Sports Illustrated in 1981 to go with four Tar Heel starters on its cover instead five, which would have included the freshman Jordan.

If that wasn't enough, Jordan looked at his two sons and daughter, shrugged and then said, "You guys have a heavy burden. I wouldn't want to be you guys."

Nice touch, Michael. So was this: With youngsters watching back home during this prime time telecast, Jordan turned to David Thompson nearby and said, "I know I shocked the (bleep) out of you." He was referring to Thompson's likely reaction after he received Jordan's call to be his presenter for the event. Thompson is a fabled alumnus of North Carolina rival North Carolina State.

Tomasson: David Thompson Talks About Presenting MJ

In other words, it was a blessing that those who decide such things blew it this time. Jordan's meltdown aside, they needed one ceremony for the only person that folks really cared about among this year's class, and they needed another for those deserving but thoroughly misplaced inductees not named Michael Jeffrey Jordan.

I mean, what were those who run the Hall of Fame thinking?

They weren't. Well, unless they were omniscient enough to see Jordan racing in his Air Jordans toward that lamp shade.

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Michael Jordan, alongside David Thompson, is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts, Friday, September 11, 2009. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

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SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 11: Coach Larry Brown and Hall of Fame player George Gervin present David Robinson to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony on September 11, 2009 in Springfield, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Larry Brown;George Gervin;David Robinson

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SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 11: Isiah Thomas presents John Stockton to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony on September 11, 2009 in Springfield, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Isiah Thomas;John Stockton

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SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 11: David Thompson leads to his seat after Michael Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame during a ceremony on September 11, 2009 in Springfield, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Thompson;Michael Jordan

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SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 11: Michael Jordan stands with other members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 11, 2009 in Springfield, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Jordan

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SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 11: Michael Jordan is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame during a ceremony on September 11, 2009 in Springfield, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Jordan

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SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 11: David Robinson is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 11, 2009 in Springfield, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Robinson

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Michael Jordan arrives with Yvette Prieto for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Symphony Hall in Springfield Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts, Friday, September 11, 2009. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

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That said, you can't turn Jordan into a basketball immortal with others, no matter who they are or what their qualifications. It also doesn't matter that such a move of designating Jordan as a solo induction act would be unprecedented. He is peerless, and come to think of it, they sort of understood as much around here.

You could tell by the way they decided to have John Stockton, David Robinson, Jerry Sloan and Vivian Stringer arrive for the evening festivities one by one -- long before Jordan's considerable entourage. Those others had two motorcycle policemen leading their shiny Rolls Royces to the red carpet that stretched from the edge of Court Street to the aged steps of the hall. Then, as the largest crowd in the 50-year history of this event roared in the distance, Jordan arrived with four motorcycle policemen and a couple of more cops next to his antique car on bicycles.

They applauded the others. They roared for Jordan.

To say this was awful timing for those others to join the elite of the hoops elite with Jordan is to say the man of the moment fired the only blatant air ball of his life earlier in the day. That's when a considerably more humble Jordan stood at a podium inside of the Hall of Fame's center court, studied those across the way with only thoughts of impossible dunks, Craig Ehlo and an eternally wagging tongue on their minds and said with a straight face, "Contrary to what you guys believe, it's not just me going into the Hall of Fame. It's a group that I'm proud to be a part of, and believe me, I'm going to remember them as much as they remember me."

Doubtful. Still, there are many things to remember about those others, ranging from their accomplishments on the court to their speeches on Friday. While dribbling down the stretch of his talk, a highly emotional Robinson implored everybody to have God walk with them "they way He walked with me." Then came Stockton, who left his typically stoic ways to choke on his words when discussing his deceased mother.

Later, Stringer spoke about how we all go "through our trials and tribulations" while referring to the tragic death of her husband and her battle with cancer. Then Sloan gave a sometimes funny and often poignant review of his life that would have ended 32 years ago had he taken a head coaching job at Evansville, his alma mater. Months after he turned it down, the team plane crashed and killed everybody on board.

Jordan was last to take the stage.

Oh, boy.

At one point near the beginning of Jordan's speech of 21 minutes and 30 seconds, he asked those listening, "What is it about me that you don't know?" He proceeded to give us the answer in detail -- unfortunately.

Watch More of Jordan's Speech: Part 1 | Part 3

Terence Moore is a national columnist and commentator for FanHouse. He is a frequent panelist on "Rome Is Burning," an ESPN show hosted by Jim Rome, that is seen Monday through Friday at 4:30 PM ET. Moore spent more than three decades working for major newspapers, including 26 years as an award-winning sports columnist for the San Francisco Examiner and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He resides in Atlanta.

Jordan Goes From Classy to Clown originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Washout David Vaughn Back From The Depths of Despair

Tim Povtak — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Magic, Nets, Warriors

ORLANDO -- David Vaughn would doze off at night thinking about the thick, fluffy towels and those cool-to-the-touch, soft white sheets that he used to pull up around his chin when he slept so soundly at the posh Ritz Carlton, his home-away-from-home when he played in the National Basketball Association.

Unfortunately, he would wake up soon afterward, realizing he was back to reality, living on the streets in Orlando, sleeping with one eye open, in places that often embarrassed him.

There was that dank, dusty storage shed that a friend rented for $39 a month and gave him the extra key so he could at least get out of the rain at night. Nobody bothered him there but the cockroaches.

There was the back of his old Chevy Impala, which was a little cramped for a 6-foot-9, 250-pound man. The bigger issue was the middle-of-the-night taps on the window by law enforcement when he parked in a bad spot, or even worse when he was awakened by the gunshots of the drug dealers outside.

There was the homeless shelter, which wasn't always available because it was first-come, first-served and it usually filled up fast with grown men wheezing or crying or snoring and people always asking questions.

Then there was the clean and comfortable local hospital, where he eventually ended up because the infection from the multiple spider bites on his toe had grown so out of control and spiked his fever that doctors wanted to amputate his grotesque-looking foot before it cost him the entire leg.

That's where he woke up one day to find his estranged wife crying beside his hospital bed, begging him to come home again, even if it meant violating the court order that prevented him from being within 500 feet of her.

Living on the street almost killed him.

Praying for forgiveness literally saved him.

"I feel lucky to still be alive,'' Vaughn said last week when we met at the downtown public library, heaven for an avid reader and a day-time haven for anyone living on the streets. It's where he felt comfortable enough to sit and talk about his life after basketball, about his downward spiral, about hitting bottom nine months ago in that hospital room, and his rebirth through the last several months."I went from the pinnacle of having it all, to the pits of having absolutely nothing, and seeing no light at the end of the tunnel.''
-- David Vaughn

"I went from the pinnacle of having it all, to the pits of having absolutely nothing, and seeing no light at the end of the tunnel,'' he said. "I was a mess, but I didn't want to end up in hell. And now I'm on my way back.''

Vaughn, 36, wasn't much different in 2008 than the thousands of homeless people living in cities across America, except he had fallen out of the penthouse, a former first-round draft pick of the Orlando Magic in 1995 who washed out of the league after four years, and with no idea where to turn next.

Vaughn came from the University of Memphis, a big, strong power forward who shined in college basketball, but struggled to carve his niche in the NBA, never living up to expectations. He played in Europe for a couple years afterward, bounced through a few teams, even returned home to try the Harlem Globetrotters for a short period.

But he lost his passion for the game, then lost everything else, including his wife, two children and his self esteem.

His original three-year guaranteed contract with the Magic didn't come with any guarantees of a successful life. The contract didn't come with a course in life management skills, and he had none when his basketball career finished. He had no degree after three years in college, and no real desire to get one.

"We're fortunate that he's still with us, after all he has been through the last few years,'' said Kyle Rote, Jr. his former agent who has kept in and out of contact with him and his wife. "A lot of guys would be dead. I've always said `it's a lot harder to get out of big-time professional sports than it is to get into it.' You get sucked into that lifestyle, and there's no easy way out.''

Despite all the low moments -- the domestic violence arrest and two jail stays, the failed drug tests, the broken up family, the broken down body, the depression that followed, and the year on the streets -- Vaughn's story does not have a sad ending.

It's a comeback story with a happy new start. It's a story about a good family man now whose life has come back together as he looks for a new job, looking forward to being there for his two kids and his wife and for himself, a rock for them to lean on instead of a dope for failing them.

There is no bitterness in his voice, only the joy that he has found in the last nine months and the hope for a bright and simple future. He speaks confidently about his plans and he smiles a lot.

"I have no regrets, except for what I put my family through,'' he said. "I'm a lot smarter now. I made it to the NBA, which was a dream of mine. I just didn't know what to do when I got there. The money doesn't last forever. It comes and goes. I made a lot of bad choices. Now I just want to get a decent job, drive a truck, be a security guard, maybe coach a little. I'd be happy with that life. My wife stuck with me through the hard times -- and I'm grateful -- and we made it through the storm.''

Vaughn's NBA career included two seasons in Orlando, then another two split between Golden State, Chicago and New Jersey. Through four seasons, he played in just 118 games, averaging only 9.8 minutes a game. He then played parts of three seasons in Europe.

The money he made in basketball - the most was $600,000 in each of his first three seasons - is long gone. He bought more cars than he could ever drive, a house too big for himself when he was single, too many clothes and too much jewelry, sending too much money to relatives back in Memphis.

When his basketball career ended in 2003, he came back to Orlando looking for work. He unloaded trucks at a grocery store. He moved packages at Federal Express. He tried his own one-man moving company. He worked for three years at a furniture store driving and unloading trucks. He was good at it, too, but he was laid off when the store stopped their delivery service.

Even when he lived on the street, he often was working. He just wasn't making enough money to support both him and his family that he couldn't legally see. They had a small apartment. He had the street. His paychecks usually went to them.

"We look back now, at all the trials and tribulations we went through, and say `wow. We made it through,''' said Brandi Vaughn, his wife and mother of his two children. "It was a battle. When he was playing basketball, we had it all, but we were foolish. We separated, but I never divorced him, even when the judge said I should. We fought the good fight, and we made it through.''

Vaughn today is collecting unemployment, getting $250 per week, still looking for another job. He and the family live together in Southwest Orlando. He likes nothing better than watching his two sons playing football in the courtyard outside their apartment.

They have little money, but they never have been happier. He thinks back to the '90s when he played in the NBA, living large and acting wild like a child with too many quarters in an arcade.

"I used to come to this library a lot when I had nowhere else to go,'' he said. "If I had any advice for the young guys coming into the league today, it's prepare for a future beyond basketball. If you're not careful, everything can disappear.''

NBA Washout David Vaughn Back From The Depths of Despair originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Debate in the Paint: No Question MJ Greatest of All Time

Tim Povtak — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls

Every Tuesday this summer, two of our NBA experts will go at it with a Debate in the Paint. This week, the topic is Michael Jordan and his upcoming induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Is Michael Jordan the best player in all of basketball history?

This is a one-man race.

There have been others who scored more, others who won more, even others who dominated a game or a season more thoroughly, but no one ever has changed basketball like he did.

Everyone else in the room pales by comparison.

Steinmetz: MJ Only 'One of the Greatest'

When Michael Jordan is enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame next week, he won't be getting an executive suite or a wing to himself, but he probably should be. Even among the finest players who ever played, he stands alone, arguably bigger than the game itself.

John Stockton and David Robinson -- wonderful players in their own right -- will be joining him in this Class of 2009, but they sadly will be overlooked next week because of the shadow cast by the greatest player in basketball history.

They were mortals. In basketball, he was not.

Jordan never scored 100 points in a game like Wilt Chamberlain, never won 11 NBA titles like Bill Russell and never averaged a triple-double over the course of a season like Oscar Robertson.

He was a combination of them all, the most complete athlete -- not in just basketball, but in American sports history -- giving him an almost mythical presence for all he accomplished.

His competition isn't the likes of Chamberlain, Russell or Robertson, Bird or Magic. It's Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods, athletes who transcended the games they played (or in Woods' case, the game he plays).

It was more than the six NBA championships, the 10 scoring titles, the Defensive Player of the Year honor, the five regular-season Most Valuable Player Awards and two Olympic gold medals that made Jordan the greatest.

As if those weren't enough, it was his presence, and the way he imposed his will on every game he ever played, pushing himself and pushing his teams to new heights, conquering every obstacle ever placed before him.

In Chicago, he led, prodded and pulled the Bulls to three consecutive NBA titles before retiring prematurely. After almost two years away, he returned and hardly missed a step, again winning three consecutive titles with a different supporting cast.

Unlike Russell, he didn't have a team of All-Stars surrounding him with those great Celtics teams. He turned Scottie Pippen into his All-Star sidekick. Unlike Johnson and Bird, he stayed healthy enough to keep winning in two different stretches, almost mocking those who won in his absence.

He did it by dominating at both ends of the court. He wasn't just the best offensive player in every game he played. He made sure to be the best defensive player, too, setting a standard that may never be matched.

He did it with an air and a flair that popularized the game around the world, carving a niche so unbelievably wide that his presence left both spectators and competitors in awe.

There is no reason to debate his status, but rather a time to celebrate it.

Debate in the Paint: No Question MJ Greatest of All Time originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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