Amare Stoudemire entered his first free agency with two priorities: staying in Phoenix and pursuing a championship. Picking New York was a step away from both. “My goal is to do what I did here in Phoenix – to rebuild,” Stoudemire said. “The year we traded Stephon (Marbury), Penny (Hardaway) and Googs (Tom Gugliotta), the next year we rebuilt. “The question ownership asked to me was, ‘Who do I want – Jason Kidd, Steve Nash or Kobe Bryant?’ I said Steve. Over Kobe. At the time, Kobe had a reputation for being selfish and Steve was the ultimate point guard. I felt like that’s what we needed. We had Joe Johnson and Shawn Marion. We just didn’t have a PG to control tempo. Kidd was banged up after microfracture (knee surgery).” — Arizona Republic
Byron Scott knows the Lakers so well that he trusts this isn’t his only opportunity. And he’s right. Scott will still be the Lakers’ head coach someday, just not next year. Odds are that day will not be all rainbows and rings – and pressure – as awaits Brian Shaw in all likelihood as Jackson’s successor. When Scott comes back to the Lakers, it will be a Monday morning – with much work to be done – and that will actually fit him best. He views himself as a rebuilding specialist after NBA Finals appearances in his second and third seasons in New Jersey and then quite a booster shot in New Orleans, too. It’s why he took the Cleveland job with a full sense that LeBron James was unlikely to return. Scott is a believer that a big ditch exists so you can construct a big building there. Scott is 49 – still a young man in the coaching business, though 14 years older than in his last go-around with the Lakers. It was then that Scott formed the basis for his belief that there will be a second chance at his dream job, learning definitively those exist with the Buss family. — OC Register
Rick Fox told the Boston Herald he’s bringing Cheryl Burke with him when he comes to Boston this weekend so they can start practicing for Season 11 of the hit ABC reality show. Fox will be in town Sunday, Monday and Tuesday with his hoofing instructor and they may film a video package for the show while they’re here. “I’ll take her on a sight-seeing tour,” Rick told the Track. “It’s a beautiful city.” — Boston Herald
Another special feature of Pau Gasol’s visit to India was that he brought along the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship trophy, which he won with the Lakers for the second year running this past June. This was the first time that the trophy was brought to Indian soil, and it garnered almost as much attention as the superstar player himself. Gasol unveiled it during his clinics in Mumbai and New Delhi much to the delight of the young NBA fans in the crowds. — Slam
More than 80 billboards featuring Griz players were unveiled Wednesday in the Mid-South as the team attempts to generate more enthusiasm for the upcoming season. “We started out with an aggressive television campaign that is fun. We’ve really gotten a positive response from that, and it set the tone for introducing our 10th year in Memphis,” said John Pugliese, senior director of marketing communications. “But we know it’s about our basketball team and what coach (Lionel) Hollins is putting on the court. Our ad campaign will start to shift to a focus on our players and coaches. We know we’ll have something special on the court this season.” Pugliese contends that the onslaught of billboards is the most aggressive any business has employed in the Mid-South. The Grizzlies reach far, with billboards in Mississippi and Arkansas. — Memphis Commercial Appeal
New Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau says he is not concerned that his All-Star guard, Derrick Rose, might be burned out for the start of the NBA season after playing for Team USA this summer. “He has been terrific,” Thibodeau said. “And the way he practices … I’m real excited. I thought he showed great leadership out there, and their team is playing extremely well right now. … I think being around those types of players and being around that type of competition is great. I think he will take a lot from it.” — Chicago Tribune
The Nuggets’ new executive vice president of basketball operations, Masai Ujiri, reiterated Tuesday he intends to meet with Carmelo Anthony soon to get a clearer picture of what the star forward wants to see in order to convince him Denver is the place to stay for at least three more seasons. “I think that all the speculation is about the team,” Ujiri said. “I think the team is a good team. I don’t know if he has anything that he wants us to do. I think he’s been treated very well by this organization, and he’ll continue to be treated well by this organization. “I’ll wait and talk to Melo and see what he has to say. I think so far things have been positive. There’s been a lot of speculation, but hey, that’s how it works in our business.” Anthony recently returned from China, where he was shooting scenes for an upcoming, NBA-themed movie. The Nuggets have a three-year, $65 million contract offer on the table, which he has not signed. — Denver Post
Nuggets coach George Karl, having cleared every major hurdle in his latest bout with cancer, has little doubt he’ll be back for the upcoming season. “I’m not sure it’s official. Before we make that declaration, there’s probably one or two more doctor’s appointments that I want to get done,” Karl said Tuesday. “But my mind slot is: Get ready.” Karl missed the majority of the last two months of the regular season and all of the playoffs last spring as he battled neck and throat cancer. With the help of his life partner, Kim Van Deraa, and other friends and family members, Karl is on track to getting back in the coach’s chair. Karl has one year left on his contract. — Denver Post
Former Celtic Delonte West, who was recently waived by the Minnesota Timberwolves, was apartment hunting in Waltham. We have no idea why Delonte would be nosing around Celtics country, what with Rajon Rondo and Nate Robinson already in da house. — Boston Herald
Another name to add to list of those working out for San Antonio Spurs this week: Ex Clips/Cavs/Blazers/Grizzlies forward Darius Miles. — San Antonio Express-News
Bucks coach Scott Skiles also expressed optimism about Andrew Bogut’s recovery. “Saying it was a significant injury is an understatement,” Skiles said. “It was a terrible fall and everybody who saw it knew immediately he was out for a long time. We’re glad he’s doing real well and we’re hopeful there aren’t any setbacks and he’ll be ready to go.” Skiles said when Bogut is declared ready to play, the coach will not treat him differently than any other veteran in camp. “Once he is 100% green-lighted, then we’ll go full-bore,” Skiles said. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Bulls spent considerable time, emotion and money on the courting of free agents LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, all of whom wound up together in Miami. But Bulls VP John Paxson insists he did not feel used. “I don’t feel it was a waste of time because every team that had money did the same thing,” Paxson told us. “We were making our pitch, and none of us knows if that was set in stone long ago or (we) were just spinning our wheels. It doesn’t really matter. … I think it reinforced a lot of things that we believe in. We tried our best and unfortunately didn’t hit what would have been a grand slam.” — Chicago Tribune
With the Kings looking for significant improvement after winning just 17 and 25 games, respectively, in the last two seasons, this will be a very different year for Tyreke Evans. He was often a one-man show in his debut campaign, a dazzling talent who lacked a top-tier supporting cast yet too often fell short in making the most of the crew he had. Evans will certainly be asked to evolve, to improve his point guard skills and become a more vocal and responsible leader. His attacking game will remain his go-to offensive weapon and his shot, in truth, is not the top priority when it comes to his development. But it is the most mysterious of his many skills, if only because of the way it vanished. — Fanhouse
Famed New York Knicks fan Adam Sandler has drafted a division rival for his upcoming movie “Jack and Jill,” as newly-acquired Boston Celtics center Shaquille O’Neal will appear as himself in the Columbia comedy, an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap. The Big Shamrock (if you will) is set to make “a very small cameo” in the film, which stars Sandler in dual roles as the titular twins and Katie Holmes as his wife. The story finds Bronx resident Jill traveling to Los Angeles to spend Thanksgiving with Jack and his family … and then refusing to leave, much to her brother’s dismay. The context of Shaq’s brief appearance is being kept under wraps, but with Al Pacino also set to play himself, it’s possible that the project could be littered with celebrity cameos since it’s set in L.A. – The Wrap
Given L.A.’s affinity for both Eric Gordon and Blake Griffin, the Nuggets probably won’t find the Clippers receptive to any Carmelo Anthony deal that includes either player. If that’s what the market is competitively, L.A. may miss out because of that – and the front office would probably willingly accept that. The Clippers still have some room under the salary cap (estimated at slightly over $5 million). It would take about $12 million going out to bring back Anthony’s $17.1 million. If Denver is looking to deal before the season, the Clippers have limited options given that they can’t trade any of their free agent acquisitions until December 15th. Recently signed draft picks Al-Farouq Aminu and Eric Bledsoe can be dealt as first round picks given that 30 days has passed since they inked their contracts. L.A. is high on both Bledsoe and Aminu but Al-Farouq would seem to be a natural piece to offer to Denver given that he plays the same position as Anthony. Bledsoe would be difficult for the Clippers to move, given that they need an emerging point guard on the roster to develop and plug in should Baron never find his niche with the team. — Hoops World
If and when the Denver Nuggets commit to a sign-and-trade for Carmelo Anthony, the Kings will thrust themselves into the conversation. Count on it. The Nuggets have offered their all-Star small forward a three-year, $65 million extension, but his intentions are unclear. Is he serious about wanting out? Or just posturing for a sweeter deal? Regardless, the Nuggets front office upheaval doesn’t help matters. New GM Masai Ujiri is walking into a mess, and the last thing a new executive wants to do is trade his franchise player, and probably for lesser parts. That said, Joe and Gavin Maloof have been consistent about two things: (1) They are not interested in adding role players to eat up the salary cap space they’ve finally created; and (2) They are absolutely interested in a game-changer type of player, someone who puts fannies in the seats and affects the won-loss percentage, e.g., a Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony. You can be assured inquiries have been made and discussions will be ongoing. — Sacramento Bee
New Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau says he is prepared for the scrutiny that comes with being a head coach in the NBA. “That goes with the territory,” Thibodeau said Monday before the team’s charity golf outing at White Pines Golf Club in Bensenville. “There is no one who is going to put more pressure on me than I am going to put on myself. Whatever comes, comes.” Thibodeau, who recently completed his move from Boston, said he hopes to complete his staff of assistants soon. “We’re talking to a couple of people still,” he said. “By the start of training camp, we will have everyone in place.” — Chicago Tribune
A filing on behalf of basketball superstar LeBron James dismisses as “rank speculation” claims by a Washington lawyer that he is the athlete’s biological father, saying the man has “delusions” about alleged family ties. Lawyers for James and his mother filed papers in federal court Monday seeking to dismiss a pending lawsuit. Leicester Stovell alleges the NBA all-star and his family have been involved in a cover-up to deny paternity, by committing fraud and misrepresentation. The 14-page document said Stovell had completely failed to prove any of the facts alleged in his June 23 complaint. And they said he was motivated only by fame and money, calling Stovell’s actions a “fanciful hope for celebrity.” — CNN
Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wants at least $1 million from Upper Deck Inc., which he accuses of using six photographs of him as a college student in the ’60s on trading cards without his permission. The basketball great says in Superior Court that Upper Deck used the photos of Abdul-Jabbar while he was a student at the University of California, Los Angeles, on its “Greats of the Game” card series. The cards also feature Abdul-Jabbar’s name and signature. “Abdul-Jabbar never authorized the production of the cards,” according to the lawsuit. – Courthouse News Service
The Celtics are on the market for a 15th guy to round out their roster for the upcoming season, and Danny Ainge has made no secret of the fact that nothing out there excites him. He’s still looking for the perfect fit for the team he’s assembled, and he still hasn’t found what he’s looking for. But Larry Hughes, warts and all, might be the right fit. The C’s need a backup swingman, someone to back up Paul Pierce and Ray Allen when they’re healthy, and sneak into the starting five when they’re not. – NESN
The Nuggets would indeed explore all options if Carmelo Anthony really wants out, especially with teams such as the Timberwolves, Kings and Nets that boast young talent and high draft picks. However, the reality is Anthony’s contract expires at the end of the 2010-11 season, and none of those teams would want to surrender young talent for a guy who may only play with them for a year. Nor is Anthony likely to agree to an extension just so the Nuggets can ship him to basketball Siberia. So there’s a little reality for you. — The Hoops News
Al Horford can become a restricted free agent at season’s end. The Hawks would prefer he not test the market because they know full well he’d be coveted from sea to shining sea. If any Hawk is apt to receive a contract extension before Halloween, it’s Horfy. There’s almost no chance two Hawks will be offered preseason extensions at this late date. — Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Knicks have one open roster spot and plan to sign at least two more candidates, possibly including guard Maurice Ager. — NY Post
If Kwame Brown had accepted the Celtics’ minimum salary offer a month ago, he would be in green and not Shaquille O’Neal. Brown, instead, waited for better offers. Brown accepted a $1.3 million, one-year contract from the Bobcats. — Boston Globe
Point guard Ricky Rubio, 19, the Timberwolves’ top draft pick last year, drives a red Alfa Romeo given to him by a Spanish auto dealer, the New York Times points out. — Pioneer Press
Former Pistons vice president of public relations Matt Dobek killed himself last week. But I do know that when I talked to Matt shortly after he was fired, he seemed lost, and not just in ways you might expect. It wasn’t just that he needed a job. He sounded like he didn’t know what to do with himself. He had worked for the Pistons for 29 of his 51 years and suddenly he must have felt that it meant a lot more to him than it did to them. It was bad enough that I talked to a few people about organizing a dinner for him — just a night for media people to let him know we were thinking about him. But it was summer, vacations kept getting in the way and the dinner did not seem urgent. I found out Matt took his life before anything was really planned. His funeral was Saturday. Depression comes in many forms and sizes, but only one color, and I’m not so naive to think that one dinner could have led Matt out of his blackness. But I still wish we would have done it. I wish Matt could have sat in a room full of people who just wanted to thank him. — Detroit Free Press
A good sign: Although many NBA teammates don’t begin working out together until September, more than 10 Heat players — including LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Mike Miller — have been doing basketball and conditioning work together for two weeks; one Heat official noted how focused James is after being criticized this summer. Dwyane Wade has been working out in Chicago. — Miami Herald
Two months before the Miami Heat and its all-star trio — LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh — take on the National Basketball Association, scalpers report ticket prices for Heat games home and away are burning up. A Fort Lauderdale ticket broker tells Page2Live that some courtside seats for the Heat’s Oct. 29 home-opener against the Orlando Magic are selling for $7,500-a-piece! “And if the Heat win their first 10-12 games, it’s going to go past $10,000,” said Todd Chitoff of ticketplayground.com. – Palm Beach Post
Fair or not, new questions regarding the priorities in Carmelo Anthony’s life will not help Denver move a player who can opt out of his contract after this season with the added stress of a league-wide labor dispute looming. While it’s nice to dream of the Nuggets acquiring a young player such as New Jersey center Brook Lopez or Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin in a package deal, squabbling between Anthony and team management only figures to drive down any bargaining power Denver might have in trade negotiations. An amicable separation would likely benefit the Nuggets far more than an ugly divorce. — Denver Post
Bulls star Joakim Noah, whose representatives are quietly working on a long-term contract extension with the club, was spotted downtown at Mercadito. — Chicago Tribune
An assault investigation involving Nuggets guard J.R. Smith — stemming from an alleged choking incident during a pickup game at the Pepsi Center earlier this month — was reopened Thursday, according to the Denver Police Department. Mary Dulaki, who is in charge of records for Denver police, said Thursday the case for the Aug. 13 incident at the Nuggets’ practice gym has been reopened. The initial police report, which was requested by The Denver Post, is part of an open investigation and cannot be released. “Additional information has come forward,” Dulaki said. “A witness they hadn’t gotten before, they’ve now interviewed and made a decision to reopen the case.” – Denver Post
Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin said the community should rest assured homicide detectives are working long hours to solve the Lorenzen Wright murder case. They’re interviewing people both in Shelby County and outside the area. They’ve collected evidence and are waiting for it to be examined. “We haven’t let up on it,” he said. It has been a month since Wright’s body was found in a secluded area in southeast Memphis near Hacks Cross and Winchester. His death was ruled a homicide by gunshot wound. — Memphis Commercial Appeal
According to a source, Knicks free agent center Earl Barron turned down an offer recently from Maccabi Tel Aviv because he’s confident he will sign with an NBA team soon.
The Knicks showed interest in re-signing him, but because they overpaid for young Russian center Timofey Mozgov with a three-year, $9 million deal, brass ultimately has to see if he can contribute in his rookie year. Nevertheless, if Mozgov has a poor World Championships for Russia, sources said they could revisit Barron before training camp if he’s unsigned. — NY Post
Signs point to last summer, when Carmelo Anthony switched representation for his business interests to Creative Artists Agency, whose more famous clients have included Derek Jeter and Julia Roberts. It should be noted that LaLa Vazquez, a former MTV personality and Anthony’s wife, also joined CAA as part of the deal. In recent months, as the Nuggets got bounced from the NBA playoffs during the first round, Anthony made a plea for needing more help on the team and franchise management grew increasingly frustrated by the forward’s stubborn refusal to sign a $65 million contract extension, team officials have privately cursed Vazquez’s influence. — Denver Post
Our NBA sources tell us that the finalists for the last spot on new Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau’s staff are former NBA head coaches Terry Porter and Eric Musselman and former college coach Kelvin Sampson. — Chicago Tribun
LeBron James went back to school Thursday, working out against the Miami Hurricanes. The NBA’s two-time reigning MVP and some of his new Miami Heat teammates made a surprise stop at the university’s basketball facility for some informal scrimmaging against the Hurricanes. James, Udonis Haslem, Mike Miller, Patrick Beverley and New Orleans guard Chris Paul – a close friend of James – played pickup for more than an hour. “Just left ‘The U’ hooping with the team … Great runs! Needed that,” James posted on Twitter after the workout session. Some of Miami’s players hadn’t been told beforehand that James and his crew would be popping in for a workout. James and the NBA players, including injured Heat guard Mario Chalmers, stayed afterward to pose for pictures. — Miami Herald
