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2010 NBA Draft Recap

The Madison Square Garden Theater was ready for draft night as early as 4 am, when fans begin to line up to assure they had a seat when the $15 tickets went on sale at 11 am. Fans from across the country were in attendance to cheer for their respective teams, and boo Commissioner David Stern every time he walked out to the podium. The Chicago Bulls stole some of the early shine by proposing the trade of Kirk Hinrich to the Wizards. Not to be outdone by the Bulls, the Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen decided to part ways with GM Kevin Pritchard on draft night, but let him still make draft decisions….?  The 2010 NBA Draft went pretty much as expected early, with the exception of the Utah Jazz stealing Gordon Hayward from the Pacers. The University of Kentucky set a record with 5 first round selections.

Here is a break-down of pick #1-#15:

First pick, Washington Wizards: John Wall, 6-4, 195, Kentucky, point guard.: The lock No. 1 pick, Wall has been called the most electrifying player in this year’s draft. A product of the John Calipari one-and-done mold, Wall averaged 16 points, six boards and four dimes. Wall brings the Wizards superior speed, athleticism, and late-game shot making, plus a relief from the circus of last year.

Second pick, Philadelphia 76ers: Evan Turner, 6-7, 205, Ohio State, guard. There was nothing Turner didn’t do for Ohio State, and he’s the most dynamic player in the draft. He averaged 20 points, 9 boards, and 6 dimes last season. With a good game around the basket and a solid midrange shot, Turner only needs to work on his outside shooting and ball handling. He shot 36% from three-point range and turned the ball over 4.4 times per game. Doug Collins new head coach of the 76ers gets another chance to coach a future superstar as he did in Chicago with MJ.

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NBA Summer League 2010 Schedule

Twenty-two NBA teams, including 11 that appeared in the 2010 NBA Playoffs, will compete in this year’s NBA Summer League. For the second consecutive year, a team of NBA Development League Select players will also participate in the action taking place at the Thomas & Mack Center and the COX Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Marketing partners included in the event are adidas, EA SPORTS, Gatorade and T-Mobile.

This year’s event will feature the Washington Wizards, who won the top overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Other participating teams with top five selections in this year’s draft include the Minnesota Timberwolves(fourth overall pick) and the Sacramento Kings (fifth overall).

Additionally, 10 of the top 14 picks are expected to participate in Las Vegas this summer.

Joining the above-mentioned teams scheduled to appear in Vegas this summer are the Dallas Mavericks,Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers,Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards.

Tickets for the 2010 NBA Summer League are on sale and can be purchased by calling 702-739-FANS, through UNLVtickets.com or by visiting the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office and UNLV Ticket Outlets. All general admission tickets are $25 for the day; seniors and children (3-12) are $15 for the day; and children two years and under are admitted free of charge.

A complete broadcast schedule will be released at a later date.

Schedule after the jump.

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Cory Brewer>Derek Fisher

Posted 19 Mar 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The highlight of the entire season for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the best thing Cory Brewer has done since college!

The Truth Sports: NBA 2010 All-Star Game Guide!

Everything is bigger in Texas, the food, the people, and the stadiums. This years NBA All-Star game is taking place in the Dallas Cowboys Stadium. NBA Commissioner David Stern said because of the collaboration between Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, “The result is now we’re going to wind up having the largest crowd attend a game in the history of the world.”

Both Jones and Cuban have said they hoped the NBA would try to surpass 100,000 fans. The building record is 105,121, set during the New York Giants’ 33-31 victory over the Cowboys in the home opener. During a recent interview with The News’ Eddie Sefko,  Stern remarked that the All-Star Game will “set and retire” basketball’s attendance record.

NBA Attendance Records
REGULAR SEASON
62,046 Chicago vs. Atlanta March 27, 1998 Georgia Dome, Atlanta
PLAYOFFS
41,732 LA Lakers at Detroit June 16, 1988 Silverdome, Pontiac, Mich. (NBA Finals Game 5)
ALL-STAR GAME
44,735 East vs. West Feb. 12, 1989 Houston Astrodome

ALL-STAR WEEK SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY

4-10 p.m.: All-Star Jam Session presented by Adidas, Dallas Convention Center: This one is for the kiddies. I’m not sure anything happens during the “jam session” other then kids screaming!

THURSDAY

4-10 p.m.: All-Star Jam Session presented by Adidas, Dallas Convention Center: Another Jam Session, just in case you didnt get enough Jam in the first one!

FRIDAY

4-10 p.m.: All-Star Jam Session presented by Adidas, Dallas Convention Center: This is ridiculous, another Jam Session. The kids are gonna be Jammed out!

6-8 p.m.: All-Star Celebrity Game, Jam Session Center Court, Dallas Convention Center: The fun of watching your favorite celebrity show that he shouldn’t quit his day job.

8 p.m.: T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, American Airlines Center: The Rookies have lost seven straight years to the Sophomores, but Derrick Rose was excused from playing because he was chosen as an All-Star reserve. The height of the Sophomore team could lead to problems for the Rookies, and make it 8 in a row for the Sophomores

Rookie Roster

Omri Casspi (Kings) F 6-9/225 Israel
DeJuan Blair (Spurs) F-C 6-7/265 Pittsburgh
Stephen Curry (Warriors) G 6-3/185 Davidson
Tyreke Evans (Kings) G 6-6/220 Memphis
Jonny Flynn (Timberwolves) G 6-0/186 Syracuse
Taj Gibson (Bulls) F 6-9/225 USC
James Harden (Thunder) G 6-5/220 Arizona State
Brandon Jennings (Bucks) G 6-1/169 Lottomatica Virtus Roma (Italy)
Jonas Jerebko (Pistons) F 6-10/231 Sweden

Sophomore Roster

Michael Beasley (Heat) F 6-9/245 Kansas State
Marc Gasol (Grizzlies) C 7-1/265 Spain
Danilo Gallinari (Knicks) G-F 6-10/225 Italy
Eric Gordon (Clippers) G 6-3/222 Indiana
Brook Lopez (Nets) C 7-0/260 Stanford
Kevin Love (Timberwolves) F-C 6-10/260 UCLA
O.J. Mayo (Grizzlies) G 6-4/210 USC
Anthony Morrow (Warriors) G 6-3/190 Georgia Tech
Russell Westbrook (Thunder) G 6-5/210 UCLA

SATURDAY

9 a.m.-10 p.m.: All-Star Jam Session presented by Adidas, Dallas Convention Center: What a surprise another Jam Session!

7 p.m.: All-Star Saturday Night (Haier Shooting Stars, Taco Bell Skills Challenge, Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, Sprite Slam Dunk), American Airlines Center:

The Haier Shooting Stars consists of a current NBA player teaming up with a NBA Legend and a player from the WNBA, in a shoot off, how exciting!

The Slam-Dunk Contest has definitly been worth watching recently, but I’m not sure this lineup is going to show us anything we haven’t seen before. Look out for DeMar DeRozan as our pick for the Slam Dunk crown.

2010 SPRITE SLAM DUNK COMPETITORS
Participant Team Pos. Ht. Wt.
Shannon Brown L.A. Lakers G 6-4 205
Gerald Wallace Charlotte F 6-7 220
Nate Robinson New York* G 5-9 180
DeMar DeRozan Toronto** G 6-7 220
Eric Gordon L.A. Clippers** G 6-3 222

At the beggining of the season we knew Stephen Curry was a lock for the 3-Point Contest, but the veteran additions of Paul Pierce, and Chauncey Billups may make it difficult for him to win.

2010 FOOT LOCKER THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT PARTICIPANTS
*2009-10          Season Career
Player Made Att. % Made Att. %
Chauncey Billups, Denver 88 212 .415 1,520 3,904 .389
Daequan Cook, Miami 27 90 .300 259 723 .358
Stephen Curry, Golden State 78 182 .429 78 180 .429
Channing Frye, Phoenix 119 272 .438 139 342 .406
Danilo Gallinari, New York 126 313 .403 158 385 .410
Paul Pierce, Boston 77 165 .467 1,435 3,878 .370

Derrick Rose looks to defend his title in the Skills Competiton against Deron Williams, Steve Nash, and Brandon Jennings.

SUNDAY, FEB. 14

7 p.m.: 59th All-Star Game, Cowboys Stadium, Arlington: At Last the Game itself.

Here are the starters for the East and West,

Nate Says “PLAY ME”! & NBA Friday Re-Cap

On Friday night in the ATL, Nate Robinson proved to the Knicks organization and the NBA that he

Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images

deserves to be on the court. In Nate Robinson’s first action since Dec. 1, the guard scored the final eight points of regulation and 11 of the Knicks’ 13 points in OT for his third career 40-point game. Robinson scored 19 of New York’s final 21 points, including the Knicks’ final four baskets in regulation leading to the Knicks win over Atlanta 112-108. Robinson entered the game with 3:01 remaining in the opening period. He made 18 of 24 shots from the field, came within four points of his career high and had eight assists. Nate sat for so long he didn’t realize Coach Mike D’Antoni was calling for him to go into the game. The Knicks loss on Wednesday to the (3-29) New Jersey Nets could have been the key to his appearance. Injuries to Jonathon Bender, and the DNP rewarded to Larry Hughes also assisted.

Also worth noting, the guy Nate lit up for 41 points Hawks G Mike Bibby had seven assists, including the 5,000th of his career in the second quarter.

Photo by Evan Gole/NBAE via Getty Images

The Sacramento Kings blew a 20-point lead to the Los Angeles Lakers, then let Kobe shoot a WIDE-OPEN three with 4.1 seconds left to win the game. Kobe Bryant is most definitely “clutch”, but his buzzer-beater against the Kings was as easy as taking a nap on a Sleep Number Bed. Kobe shot the three in front of the Kings bench, and no one bothered to knock him down, or grab him, or throw a towel on him. Lets not forget to mention that Kobe got so wide open by bumping Sergio Rodriguez about 10 feet away after setting a screen. With 24,800 career points, Bryant is 16 points away from overtaking Patrick Ewing for 15th place.

The Orlando Magic walked past the Minnesota Timberwolves 106-94. Matt Barnes got the start and finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds, 5 of which were offensive.

“He’s the only guy on our team that runs, first of all,” Van Gundy said. “Nobody else will run, they jog. He’s different than our other guys because he cuts and he will rebound the ball all the time. He does a lot of things that our other perimeter players don’t do. He gives us a totally different look, I think he complements our other guys really well and I thought he was very, very good tonight.”

The Truth Sports: NBA 2010 Resolutions!

The NBA season is far from over, but the year has changed and each team has resolutions to make them better this year. Here is a team by team look at those resolutions.

ATLANTA HAWKS

We resolve to avoid the Cleveland Cavaliers at all cost. Continue playing roller-caster basketball and make fans happy by making playoffs and losing in first round. Also to do whatever possible to keep Joe Johnson at the end of the season!

BOSTON CELTICS

We resolve to continue making Rajon Rondo’s head swell with self-esteem, prescribe Rasheed Wallace some mood-stabilizers and keep everyone healthy come playoff time. We are the only kryptonite to the Los Angeles Lakers.

CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

We resolve to get Tyson Chandler, DeSagana Diop, or Nazr Mohammed off the team. Keep Gerald Wallace happy, and cut down on turnovers.

CHICAGO BULLS

We are young and inexperienced, so we resolve to grow up fast, or get ready to say goodbye to Coach Del Negro.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

2010 has sadly arrived and we resolve to lighten the disappointment to our fans when Duke James decides to play elsewhere next season.

DALLAS MAVERICKS

We resolve to let the past not continue to haunt us. We also resolve to assist Dirk Nowitzki, and Jason Terry by scoring points.

DETROIT PISTONS

I, Joe Dumars resolve to let the team we have now continue to play together, and let Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton, and Ben Gordon all get healthy so we can make the playoffs.

DENVER NUGGETS

We resolve to make George Karl happy, and play defense, every game, not just against the good teams.

GOLDEN ST. WARRIORS

We the Golden St. Warriors fans resolve to continue rooting for the Warriors even though they will never be any better then they are right now, and could someone make Monta Ellis show smile.

HOUSTON ROCKETS

I, Yao Ming resolve to return to the team at the beginning of next season, even though it seems they don’t need me.

INDIANA PACERS

We resolve to stop regretting the drafting of Tyler Hansbrough, and play defense once and a while.

L.A. CLIPPERS

I, Donald Sterling resolve to continue not caring if the Clippers win or lose. My only concern is more money. Years change but the Clippers will remain the same.

L.A. LAKERS

We resolve to add handrails to all staircases in and around Staples Center. We also resolve to let Andrew Bynum get a pass on his play as long as he doesn’t complain about Pau Gasol stealing all his limelight.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

We resolve to re-sign Rudy Gay, and continue to re-build until we move to another city.

MIAMI HEAT

I, Dwayne Wade resolve to continue playing like a MVP, unless I don’t get any help, then I’m outta here!

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

We resolve to continue building around Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut. We also resolve to never let Charlie Bell hold Kobe Bryant one-on-one at the end of games.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

We resolve to move on from the Ricky Rubio hype, and focus on the talent we have.

NEW JERSEY NETS

I, the borough of Brooklyn resolve to not judge the team that is headed our way. If Jay-Z likes them, we like them too.

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS

We resolve to prepare the fans for the departure of Chris Paul, and explain that Darren Collison is indeed the future of the team.

NEW YORK KNICKS

I, Knicks fan, resolve to pray each and every night that Lebron James and friends come to the Knicks. Its our only hope!

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

We resolve to continue playing well, and growing, and not wearing Kevin Durant’s sneakers, because they are bad luck.

ORLANDO MAGIC

I, Dwight Howard resolve to demand the ball more often, and to hold Stan Van Gundy to his word regarding his behavior.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

We resolve to not rely solely on any player with the initials A.I.. Also we resolve to throw out the Princeton offense, which obviously isn’t working.

PHOENIX SUNS

I, Steve Nash resolve to play for the Suns for the rest of my life, and to continue making each and every game fun for everyone.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS

I, the Rose Garden resolve to break the curse that has been put on me, causing everyone on the team to get hurt!

SACRAMENTO KINGS

We resolve to play each game like it matters, and to keep pleading with the Maloof brothers to move us to Las Vegas.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

We resolve to actually start preparing for Tim Duncans retirement, and to let Richard Jefferson know he can shoot the ball.

TORONTO RAPTORS

I, Chris Bosh resolve to play hard through the rest of the season, then get the hell out of Canada.

UTAH JAZZ

We resolve to continue resarching a machine that can hook up to Jerry Sloan that allows him to coach forever!

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

We resolve to add metal detectors at all entrances to the Verizon Center, and find someone to be Gilbert Arenas’s friend.

First Returns-2010 NBA All-Star Game

nba-2010-all-star-logo

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets top the Western Conference, while Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat and LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers lead the Eastern Conference after the first returns of 2010 NBA All-Star Balloting presented by T-Mobile. Bryant, who shared All-Star MVP honors with Shaquille O’Neal last season, is the overall leader with 692,518 votes.

The 2010 NBA All-Star Game, which will air live on TNT and ESPN Radio in the U.S., and reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages, will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before an expected crowd of more than 80,000 — the largest group ever to witness a live basketball game — on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010.

In the Western Conference, Bryant, a three-time All-Star MVP, is followed at guard by the Houston Rockets’ Tracy McGrady (281,545) who hasn’t played at all this season. Anthony, the league’s leading scorer, paces forwards in the West (588,958) with the Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki (366,300) second. The Phoenix Suns’ Amar’e Stoudemire (447,776) is the leading vote-getter among Western Conference centers, with the Lakers’ Andrew Bynum (299,484) following.

Eastern Conference

Forwards: LeBron James (Clev) 649,327; Kevin Garnett (Bos) 533,187; Chris Bosh (Tor) 303,550; Paul Pierce (Bos) 131,379; Josh Smith (Atl) 109,404; Danny Granger (Ind) 100,122; Andre Iguodala (Phi) 75,146; Michael Beasley (Mia) 58,461; Hedo Turkoglu (Tor) 55,416; Rashard Lewis (Orl) 46,073; Luol Deng (Chi) 37,428.

Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 672,227; Vince Carter (Orl) 292,002; Gilbert Arenas (Was) 212,526; Ray Allen (Bos) 208,276 Derrick Rose (Chi) 196,059; Allen Iverson (Phi) 136,976*; Joe Johnson (Atl) 118,964; Rajon Rondo (Bos) 113,371; Jose Calderon (Tor) 68,084; Mike Bibby (Atl) 48,935.

Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 625,279; Shaquille O’Neal (Cle) 206,657; Andrea Bargnani (Tor) 67,310; Al Horford (Atl) 52,747; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 45,920; Brook Lopez (NJ) 39,420; Jermaine O’Neal (Mia) 38,956; Rasheed Wallace (Bos) 36,855; Kendrick Perkins (Bos) 19,408; Brad Miller (Chi) 17,188; Tyson Chandler (Cha) 14,062; Samuel Dalembert, (Phi) 13,969.

Western Conference

Forwards: Carmelo Anthony (Den) 588,958; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 366,300; Pau Gasol (LAL) 280,758; Tim Duncan (SA) 271,321; Kevin Durant (OKC) 177,205; Trevor Ariza (Hou) 168,167; Shawn Marion (Dal) 161,653; Luis Scola (Hou) 134,321; Ron Artest (LAL) 99,209; Lamar Odom (LAL) 85,817; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 70,588.

Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 692,518; Tracy McGrady (Hou) 281,545; Steve Nash (Pho) 272,135; Chris Paul (NO) 248,049; Jason Kidd (Dal) 207,247; Jason Terry (Dal) 131,422; Aaron Brooks (Hou) 131,167; Chauncey Billups (Den) 112,509; Brandon Roy (Por) 106,416; Deron Williams (Utah) 94,715; Manu Ginobili (SA) 75,392.

Centers: Amar’e Stoudemire (Pho) 447,776; Andrew Bynum (LAL) 299,484; Nene (Den) 90,439; Marc Gasol (Mem) 75,765; Greg Oden (Por) 73,874; Al Jefferson (Min) 48,676; Antonio McDyess (SA) 46,323; Mehmet Okur (Utah) 35,606; Marcus Camby (LAC) 35,471; Andris Biedrins (GS) 28,287; Emeka Okafor (NO) 19,827; Spencer Hawes (Sac) 10,733.

*While Allen Iverson appears among Western Conference guards on the paper ballot because he began the season with Memphis, his votes will count toward the Eastern Conference guards due to his signing with Philadelphia Dec. 3.

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NBA-Week 1 Recap

After one week into the NBA season one thing is clear the depth that the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics added in the offseason has worked in their favor. The Cleveland Cavaliers have yet to fully mesh while running on Diesel, or with Diesel, and the defending champs lost their second game to the Dallas Mavericks who have also added that key word “depth”. Lets break down the week by division shall we….

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic Division

The Celtics are 4-0 and look to run away with this Division yet again. The Knicks and Nets are winless, and seem to be trying to lose. The Toronto Raptors  look much better this season, even catching Cleveland in a ‘daze‘ beating them by 10. The 76ers went old-school this year with the ‘unis‘ but have yet to get a solid victory so far…they play the Celtics tomorrow…maybe the one after that.

Central Division

Cavs began the season at home losing to the Celtics who look in playoff form already. They traveld to Toronto and only Sir  James got off the plane. If you get a triple-double it’s not your fault. Fortunately for the Cavs their next opponent was the Minnesota Timberwolves, who graciously let the Cavs get that first win. The Chicago Bulls beat the Spurs, then got skewered by the Celtics. The Bulls lead the NBA this season in back-to-back games, thats goning to be tough for a young team. Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, and Detroit Pistons, when you all begin the season we will report it

Southeast Division

Both the Florida teams, the Miami Heat, and Orlando Magic are undefeated. The Magic have been without Rashard Lewis but havent missed a beat. On Sunday against Toronto J.J. Redick had a career high 27 points….I said J.J. Redick had 27 points. Dwayne Wade became the first Heat player to reach 10,000 points. The Washington Wizards welcomed back Gilbert Arenas, who looks hungry for points even nailing a buzzer-beating half-court shot against the New Jersey Nets. The Charlotte Bobcats have to rid themselves of the Tyson Chandler problem, besides that Charlotte looks good. The Atlanta Hawks added Jamal Crawford in the offseason…beacuse he was the key to getting them out the first round…oh well. Josh Smith is the youngest player to 900 blocks, so theres a bright side.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Northwest Division

The Denver Nuggets have picked up right where they left out last season, and with Carmelo Anthony in pursuit of his first scoring title, the only thing that could  cripple Denver is there lack of focus on the defensive end, as made evident by giving up 123 points to the Memphis Grizzlies. Denver has a long season ahead of them , the Utah Jazz, Portland Trailbazers and the Oklahoma City Thunder are all capable of winning the division. Minnesota who?

Pacific Division

The Los Angeles Lakers got an early smack in the face by the Dallas Mavericks who unlike the Los Angeles Clippers can play competitive basketball for the entire 48 minutes. The Lakers rebounded from the loss with a easy win over the Hawks. Suprisingly the Phoenix Suns are undefeated but have only played the Clippers, Warriors, and Timberwolves. Speaking of the Warriors, and Clippers, they combined with the Sacramento Kings record  are 0-9….yeah California!

Southwest Division

The toughest division in the NBA continues to uphold its reputation. The Dallas Mavericks beat the Lakers for the first time in six years, the Houston Rockets actually won back-to-back games with Chuck Hayes starting at center. Memphis expects Allen Iverson to make his debut tonight, and the Spurs are as always the Spurs.

THE TRUTH SPORTS:NBA 50 GREATEST PLAYERS(50-26)

The Truth Sports: NBA 50 Greatest Players

50-26

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