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The Next Dream Team: Republica Dominicana

Tom ZillerPosted Aug 4th 2008 1:15PM by Tom Ziller (author feed)
Filed under: Hawks, Kings, FIBA

Via HoopsHype, Listin Diario reports Al Horford will play for his birth nation, the Dominican Republic, later this month in the Centrobasket tournament in Cancun. The top two finishers will be entered in the 2009 Tournament of the Americas; the top three teams not already entered in the 2010 World Championship pool get berths then.

Horford's Dominican roots were on display when he was drafted in 2007, as his father Tito waved the nation's flag as the Hawks selected Al with the #3 pick. The D.R. hasn't been relevant in international basketball ever, but Horford immediately makes the team a threat to win Centrobasket (take that, Najera!) and possibly place in the FIBA Americas '09.

Horford will be joined by Sacramento firefly Francisco Garcia, who could very well play every position but center for the team. I'd expect former Manhattan University point guard Luis Flores to show up as well. Bucks survivor Charlie Villanueva has two Dominican parents, but I've never heard rumor of him joining the team. Get these guys together though, and that headline will only be 25% farcical.

(Speaking of farce: Yeah, I'm a little obsessed with Caribbean basketball. I dream of Samuel Dalembert and Quincy Douby reconstituting the Haitian national team and destroying Carlos Arroyo and Peter John Ramos in the 11th-place game of the 2012 London Olympics.)

Ron Artest, On Contract Extensions and What Yao Ming Knows About the Ghetto

Tom ZillerPosted Jul 30th 2008 11:41PM by Tom Ziller (author feed)
Filed under: Kings, Rockets

Like 12 hours after news broke that the Rockets had traded for Ron Artest, our beloved enigma is making waves in the media, responding to some anxious comments from would-be new teammate Yao Ming. Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee caught up with Ron-Ron this afternoon to talk about the trade and Yao. A couple key excerpts:
We've still got to make sure there's still a commitment. That's the main thing, is to make sure there's still a commitment. When I speak to the powers-that-be of the Houston Rockets organization, we're going to find out how much they really want me there. We'll find out. I'm still waiting to find out if this is just a trade or if this is like a long-term commitment type thing. [...]

I understand what Yao said, but I'm still ghetto. That's not going to change. I'm never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don't think he's ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture. Once Yao Ming gets to know me, he'll understand what I'm about. Sometimes it's hard to get to know Ron Artest because I'm so down to earth to a fault. ... I can't wait to be putting on that jersey and be standing next to Yao Ming. I can't wait. I guess once Yao Ming approves it, I'll be a Houston Rocket.
On the first point: Artest can't block the trade if Houston won't talk extension, but that's not going to stop Ron from talking about it. He's completely unfiltered, as we all know, and while you wouldn't think he could say anything that would change Houston's collective mind, we do have 15 days before the deal can become official. If he gets too aggressive with the 'pay me' talk -- this is relatively mild -- the Rockets could get cold feet.

The Yao stuff is interesting if only because Ron talks as if he needs to impress Yao, to convince him he's OK. Honestly, Artest has reason to feel miffed that Yao brought up the Brawl today without prompting. Instead of popping off, it almost reads like Ron completely understands Yao's fears and wants to reassure him everything will be OK. It's an odd pose for a guy who, for the last four years, has done everything in his power to assert to those around him that he (Ron) is better than everyone else. Deferring to Yao, even at this early stage, is a big step.

Sacramento, of course, wishes Amick would choke on his word processor until this thing is final. No more drama!

Yao Ming Frightened By the Artest Trade

Tom ZillerPosted Jul 30th 2008 5:01PM by Tom Ziller (author feed)
Filed under: Kings, Rockets

Tracy McGrady seemed completely ebullient when discussing Houston's trade for Ron Artest on Tuesday night. Via TrueHoop, Houston Chronicle columnist Fran Blinebury got some quotes from Rockets star Yao Ming, who seems quite a wee bit less joyous.
"We worry about the new attitude to the team. We are adding talent to the team and we need that, but building team chemistry is important. This is not bad. I don't mean he is not welcome to Houston. But a new player always needs some time. [...]

There's worry. Obviously, yes. We will think about it, of course. Hopefully, he's not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands."
Tip #1 for Yao: don't bring up Malice, man! While you're at it, cross "joke about starving dogs" and "offer giant snake eggs as welcoming gift" off your to-do list.

Off the court, the Rockets will be fine with Artest. It might surprise you to know he's actually been a pretty popular guy in Sacramento's locker room the past few years. He and Mike Bibby were friendly (a persistent rumor says Bibby bailed Ron-Ron out of jail in '07), Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia rave about the guy as a person.

On the hardwood, he will at times infuriate Yao, Rick Adelman, and Houston's fans. He thinks he's the third-best player in the world (behind Kobe and LeBron). If Yao and McGrady aren't firm with him (and pehaps even if they are), Ron-Ron will take advantage and dominate the ball. He's not like Shane Battier -- he's not a spot-up shooter, and never will be. If McGrady drives and kicks to Artest in the corner, Ron will fake the jumper, dribble to his right, survey the scene, get into an attack crouch, jab step, and shoot. Almost every time. Setting the table for Artest is a complete waste of energy. He creates his own shots. With a pair of stars who happen to be excellent passers, this could cause some conflict.

Breaking: Report Says Ron Artest Traded To Houston Rockets

Matt MoorePosted Jul 29th 2008 9:56PM by Matt Moore (author feed)
Filed under: Kings, Rockets, Western

Oh, what a day it has been.

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that a deal is in place for the Sacramento Kings to send volatile guard forward Ron Artest to the Houston Rockets, in exchange for Bobby Jackson, a first round pick, and an additional player not yet named. Sources suggest it is most likely rookie forward Donte Greene.

When I talked to Daryl Morey at Summer League, I asked him if 90% of the trade rumors were false. He replied "Oh, 100%." I also asked if he felt like the Rockets roster was finished. He replied "We'll see." I guess we have.

The addition is both exciting and puzzling. On the exciting side, this is Morey's first major deal, and possibly the one acquisition to get this team into the championship contention that has so long escaped it. It's puzzling because the Rockets already have a defensive guard forward, and an excellent one in Shane Battier. This now brings the possibility of a Tracy McGrady, Artest, Battier, Luis Scola, Yao Ming lineup. And that just makes my brain hurt.

For the Kings, if the Lakers weren't going to take Kenny Thomas (woof), they weren't going to take Kenny Thomas (woof). The Kings wanted a shooter guard, a slasher wing, and a draft pick. They got it. They could have gone for the homerun big star, but they're looking at their long-term cap flexibility. The Kings are going to be considered the "losers" in this trade, but if you analyze the different goals of both teams, it's a win-win.

The Tru Warier and the Dynasty. Get your tickets.

If Artest Gets Traded to Detroit, Will Earth Implode Immediately, Or Will It Take an Hour?

Tom ZillerPosted Jul 21st 2008 11:41PM by Tom Ziller (author feed)
Filed under: Kings, Pistons, NBA Rumors

Want a wild rumor, even worse than some photos of Josh Childress in a Greek airport? Enjoy this bomb from the Sacramento Bee's Sam Amick: the Detroit Pistons might be trying to trade for Ron Artest.
[F]rom what I was told from one source close to the Pistons, they [the Pistons] are [interested]. I've yet to get this info from more than one person, so stay tuned. But much like the Mavs' situation, this could be one of those where the player the Kings want (perhaps Tayshaun Prince) would be different than the one offered (Jason Maxiell, anyone?).
Sacramento would do backflips for Prince or Amir Johnson; Mad Max might be an opening-day starter at the power forward, but then again so might Wayman Tisdale. But alas, you skeezy non-Sacramentans: Artest at home in the Palace is the hook.

Last year, Ron-Ron was mercilessly booed in Detroit. Artest actually had a decent game, feeding off the negative energy, turning it into bombast and exhilaration. But the level of hatred coursing through the air that night seemed (at least on TV) borderline serious, borderline violent.

Could Detroit fans actually embrace The Ron? I'll defer to our resident Pistons fan on that query, though I do surely anticipate a Tourette's-like outburst and some throwing of items.

Family's First During Ewing's Vegas Vacation

Matt WatsonPosted Jul 19th 2008 11:00PM by Matt Watson (author feed)
Filed under: Kings, Magic, Eastern, Western, Summer League

Patrick Ewing
Notes from a trip to the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Patrick Ewing may be an assistant coach for the Magic, but as he was quick to tell me, his presence in Las Vegas this weekend is strictly for family reasons. I chatted with him yesterday as we watched his son, Patrick Ewing, Jr., and the rest of the Sacramento Kings take on the Golden State Warriors.

Matt Watson: Of all the young big men that you've seen so far, who sticks out the most?

Patrick Ewing: Dwight Howard. (Laughing.) I haven't watched enough of these [summer league players] to say who's sticking out. I'm just here to be a father, to watch my son. That's all I'm here to do, to watch him, to evaluate him.

MW: What is that like for you? Everything that you've gone through, to now see your son going through the whole process, too?

Ewing: I think it's great. That's his dream to play in the NBA. He's moved one step closer to his dream becoming a reality. And I'm just happy. I'm proud of him. He's done an outstanding job -- he's graduated college, had an outstanding college career, and he's just a great person.
Continue Reading Family's First During Ewing's Vegas Vacation

Turiaf's a Warrior, Lakers Light Up Front

Tom ZillerPosted Jul 19th 2008 9:13AM by Tom Ziller (author feed)
Filed under: Kings, Lakers, Warriors

As had become apparent over the past few days, the Lakers were not interested in paying hyphy superstar Ronny Turiaf $17 million over four years. Thus, the Frenchman has relocated to the Bay Area and will suit up as a key cog in Don Nelson's big-man rotation for Golden State. Andris Biedrins expects to remain the starting center in Oakland (if he ever re-signs) and Al Harrington should be the default power forward (if he doesn't get traded). But Turiaf certainly isn't light years behind either on total basketball offerings -- it wouldn't surprise me to see any of them starting 50+ games and Golden State still have a decent season.

Meanwhile, we haven't really addressed what the Turiaf exit does to the Lakers. It was believed by several pundits/reporters that the Turiaf exit would create the necessary cushion in payroll to allow the addition of an albatross contract in trading for Ron Artest. While missing Turiaf's $4 million makes Kenny Thomas' $8 million functionally easier to swallow, it sure doesn't make the poison pill any more palatable.

And as Scott Howard-Cooper notes, losing Turiaf leaves L.A. a bit understaffed in the frontcourt. Behind Andrew Bynum (who happens to be coming off a serious-enough injury), there's Chris Mihm (who happens to be coming off a string of serious-enough injuries). Beyond those two, there's Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, the prospective trade bait for Artest (or any other stud small forward L.A. seeks). If Bynum's not ready, and Odom's gone -- that's a weak frontcourt (even with the addition of Thomas or Mikki Moore). Turiaf averaged almost 19 minutes a game. Who picks those up?

As it is, Odom can expect to play plenty of backup power forward to go along with his possible starting role at the three. A three-man big rotation excluding Mihm seems most likely, unless Mitch Kupchak can find a suitable sub this summer.

Brad Miller on Weed, Booze, and Coping

Tom ZillerPosted Jul 18th 2008 5:23PM by Tom Ziller (author feed)
Filed under: Kings, NBA Police Blotter

Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee has a Q&A with Brad Miller that's well worth a read. Miller got caught on his third marijuana violation towards the end of the regular season, and had been mum on the subject since the league's announcement of his five-game suspension. With Amick, Miller opens up on his old demons and why he smoked.
All the stress gets to you, and this is one way to take my mind off of everything. I'll look for something different. [...] It's tough to sleep, you know. And you know, the people who might think I'm a bad guy for this. I'm not a bad guy. I'm still me. It's just one thing I thought would help. It obviously wasn't the right thing to do, but it was helpful to my mental state. [...] The thing is, I don't like drinking anymore. A couple years ago - I'll say it - I drank way too much and didn't like who I was. It wasn't good for my relationship and basketball and everything. I'm just trying to find a way to change out of that, that relief.
Bethlehem Shoals seems conflicted in that other known NBA smokers (Josh Howard, Lamar Odom) aren't offtered the calm understanding Amick gives in his question framing, but should be. I agree: calling Howard or Miller names for admitting to or getting caught smoking is immeasureably less valuable than hearing them out. Not to get all foo-foo, but more listening and less judging would be excellent. Someone call up and get David Harrison on to a couch.

Mavs Offer Stackhouse and Bass for Ron Artest but Kings Aren't Biting

Brett EdwardsPosted Jul 17th 2008 12:05PM by Brett Edwards (author feed)
Filed under: Kings, Mavericks, NBA Rumors

The Mavericks are said to be the latest team interested in acquiring Ron Artest, but so far, their offer to trade for the mercurial (I love that word) star is a little light. Dallas is said to be offering up Jerry Stackhouse (decent player, veteran grit, solid scorer) and Brandon Bass (young, inexpensive, and possibly a Jason Maxiell-light) for Artest, but the Kings are holding out for more: like Josh Howard, perhaps.

The Bee's Sam Amick doesn't see the Kings making the deal as is, and he also doesn't see the Mavericks going so far as to include Howard:
I can't even come close to seeing Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie doing this deal, not unless Josh Howard is involved. And from what I'm told, that's not going to happen. As the Mavs see it, the perceived risk of taking Artest is acceptable so long as the price of getting him is Bass and Stackhouse. Lose Howard to get Artest, though, and the gamble is too great.
That makes sense, because after all, you never know what you're going to get from Ron-Ron. But that was also largely the case with Josh Howard last season. J-Ho (really, kid needs a better nickname) was inconsistent all year, brought up his previously admitted marijuana use for absolutely no reason, and threw a birthday party during the playoffs that went specifically against the wishes of his head coach.

If I'm Dallas, I don't hesitate to trade Howard for Artest. I would not, however, include Brandon Bass in any deal. He just has too much upside being so young at the power forward spot -- a position where Dallas has been historically weak. Howard for Artest seems about right to me; a change of scenery might do both of them a lot of good.

Do the Marion-Odom-Artest Shuffle

Tom ZillerPosted Jul 15th 2008 2:52PM by Tom Ziller (author feed)
Filed under: Heat, Kings, Lakers, NBA Rumors

Several important developments for the United Mercurial Forwards, Local #77 this morning. First, in his already-discussed story on an episodic MALOOF SMASH!, Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee tossed out a mention that Miami is believed to be interested in Ron Artest and willing to part with Shawn Marion to make it happen.

Shoals of The Sporting Blog relays Dwyane Wade's forlorn heartache over old pal Lamar Odom, though Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel holds back from suggesting any sort of franchise interest in a reunion.

Meanwhile, a prospective Odom-Artest swap remains plausible as it ever was.

Can't we work out an agreement which suits everyone here? Artest and Kenny Thomas (or Mikki Moore, see if I care) to Los Angeles, L.O. to Miami, Marion to Sacramento. Or flip it: Artest and KT (or Moore; I still don't care!) to Miami, Marion to L.A., Odom to Sacramento. The Kings will assume any expiring contract who can rebound, I'd guess. L.A. needs a defender in short-term; Artest and Marion both fits the qualifications. Miami should prefer Odom but the syntax of adding Artest would be much cleaner.

I don't know, can't we draw straws to get something done here?
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