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In the MIAMI HERALD, Barry Jackson writes “Riley bypassed others last summer while waiting on Mo Williams. But unless Elton Brand opts out, there are few potential pie-in-the-sky unrestricted free-agent targets. Gilbert Arenas wants to re-sign with Washington (if Antawn Jamison does), and Corey Maggette and Ron Artest (if they opt out) make sense only if Shawn Marion is traded. The Heat privately expects the Nets’ DeSagana Diop — the top available center — to return to Dallas and believes point guard Beno Udrih will get a multiyear deal in Sacramento or elsewhere. A friend said coveted Warriors restricted free agent point guard Monta Ellis would love to play here, but that requires a sign-and-trade, and the Warriors prefer to keep him.”

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:: Jun.30.2008 :: nba :: Comments Off

In the NEW YORK POST, Peter Vecsey writes “Well, guess what, the Italian Scallion also happens to be gifted (tough, mature far beyond his 19 years, clever passer, impressive feel for the flow, and a good - not great - 3-point shooter) in other areas. Just as each and every player chosen afterward (before, too) is defective and accomplished one way or multiple others. Otherwise, 7-footer Brook Lopez would have been gobbled up at No. 4 by the center-less Sonics, as projected by many experts, instead of falling into the (safety) Nets six stories below. Otherwise, Jerryd Bayless would have been snatched from the Green Room by the Clippers, who crave a pure playmaker yet opted for shooting guard Eric Gordon at No. 7, instead of dropping four places to the Pacers.”

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In the SACRAMENTO BEE, Sam Amick writes “The saga will soon be over, with Ron Artest’s immediate future decided and the Kings back in control again. Pardon Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie for the audible exhale. By 9 tonight, Artest either will be in the final season of his contract with the Kings or an intriguing member of the free-agent market. The decision is his until the deadline passes, just as it has been since the season ended. Though the prospect of Artest opting out remains unlikely, the uncertainty remains until it’s official. Artest is in the driver’s seat for one more day, and Petrie is stuck without a steering wheel.”

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In the TORONTO GLOBE AND MAIL, a Canadian Press story reports that Philadelphia 76ers center Samuel Dalembert and Miami Heat forward Joel Anthony were among the 12 players chosen by coach Leo Rautins to represent Canada in next month’s FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Greece.

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Get caught up on all the news and highlights from the past week in the WNBA with Josh Cohen.

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It’s a command played out in countless junior high gymnasiums and one usually met by grumblings and groans.
“Defensive slides,” the coach tells his players, his voice even but stern.

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San Antonio Spurs forward Robert Horry has decided against retirement and wants to return to the NBA for a 17th season, a Houston television station reported Friday.

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Half a world away, Joe Alexander decided he was going to play in the NBA. After all, his older brothers were good basketball players, so they’d probably be there, too.

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Everybody knows that Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are on the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team about to compete in the Beijing Olympics, but did anybody expect that Marvin Gaye would be a surprise member of USA Basketball this summer?

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