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There has been a lot of talk about the Rockets latest addition but their star center has a larger task at hand on a global stage. Despite all of the politics that surround the Olympic Games, the athletes are focusing on the pressure of performing their best. Watch exclusive footage of Yao Ming talking about his upcoming opportunity to play in China and the pressure he feels before playing in a game. Considered to be one of the most popular Chinese athletes, Yao talks about this once in a lifetime chance to play in the Olympics on his home soil. The Houston Rockets center recognizes the value of his opponents at the Olympic tournament and how difficult it will be for China to secure a place in the finals.
In the video that can be found on YouTube, Yao also explains the design and inspiration behind his newest basketball shoe from Reebok, the Pump Omni Hexride. The shoe was created in celebration of the highly anticipated 2008 Summer Games and includes some personal touches from Yao, such as his own signature logo.
Only 2,008 individually numbered pairs of the exclusive Pump Omni Hexride will be available starting today for all of China. In addition, coming soon, select retailers in the US and in Europe will carry the Pump Omni Hexride, however the collection will not be numbered in these markets.
Five of these Reebok shoes will be auctioned off to raise funds for Yao’s newly established Yao Ming Foundation, theyaomingfoundation.org, which Reebok has committed to support. In this footage, Yao’s welcome back to China and his new foundation is featured as he prepares for the upcoming Olympic games.
The video is up on YouTube and pictures of the shoe are available on Flickr. For more information visit www.reebok.com.
That’s what he thinks. Artest was responding to a comment by Yao Ming, who was concerned with team chemistry issues after the trade:
“Hopefully, he’s not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands,” Yao said, according to the Houston Chronicle.
First of all, that’s hilarious. But if anyone can top it, it’s Artest:
“I understand what Yao said, but I’m still ghetto,” Artest said. “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. If you go back to the brawl, that’s a culture issue right there. Somebody was disrespecting me, so he’s got to understand where I’m coming from. People that know me know that Ron Artest never changed.”
Wrrrrrrrong answer! Nice try though. He does answer questions honestly, I’ll give him that. I’m one of the few that doesn’t mind that he went into the stands to fight a beer-tossing A-hole, but publicly he just needs to keep apologizing. Try not to take an entire culture down with you, Ron.
I was getting a little tired of Artest saying he wanted to be a King for the next 20 years, then demanding a trade the very next day. And during the season I didn’t care for him jacking up a string of threes every time he thought he was on fire. But for the most part he was a success story in Sacramento, and stayed out of trouble. Truthfully, I think this is a good trade for both sides.
Houston is getting another All-Star caliber player to round out their roster. He gives them a new attitude, added toughness, and a lockdown defender. The trade makes the Rockets legitimate title contenders, so long as he doesn’t rape or stab any spectators. Artest seems to love coach Rick Adelman, so I think the raping and stabbing will be kept to a minimum.
The Kings get back a fan favorite in Jackson, a first round pick that I’m confident GM Geoff Petrie will use to get another piece to the championship puzzle, and a rookie in Greene who scouts say has the potential to be a star. ESPN’s J.A. Adande gave a great explanation:
“They weren’t going to win a championship with Artest. They weren’t going to win a championship with whatever key player they got for Artest. By going for draft picks and the expiring contract of Jackson they’re sticking with their long-term strategy of good young players until they can be major players in the 2010 free agent market. That summer they can have Beno Udrih, Kevin Martin, Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson, Quincy Douby, Greene and three more draft picks under contract, plus some $25 million-plus in salary cap room.”
The Kings have bet on the future, while the Rockets have bet on the present. I like the odds that both teams are getting.
But it’s his play that keeps me believing in this young man. He’s got the tools, the intangibles and the humble demeanor to provide a particular personality the W’s need going forward. He’s a hard worker who puts his head down and just goes to work.
In this offseason, the combination of signings and departures in the W’s camp all points to an increased, yet balanced load geared in Ellis’ direction. As I wrote in my column, he’ll have Corey Maggette, Stephen Jackson, Marcus Williams and hopefully Andris Biedrins. With Anthony Randolph coming in the mix, Brandan Wright coming of age and Al Harrington still doing his thing, the W’s have a solid group. I’m still looking for a bruiser down low, but I can live knowing that at least the team has three bona fide stars.
All of this points to a singular thought and feeling, Ellis will do nothing but succeed in this situation. He’s got the right mix of talent around him and an undeniable work attitude that shows on the court day in and day out.
The New Jersey Nets have traded point guard Marcus Williams to the Golden State Warriors for a future first-round draft pick, sources told ESPN.com on Tuesday.
Williams backed up Devin Harris last season, but Williams’ role grew more uncertain by the acquisition Monday of Keyon Dooling from the Orlando Magic via a sign-and-trade deal.
The Post reported that the pick the Warriors are sending New Jersey is lottery-protected for 2011, meaning the Nets will obtain it if the Warriors reach the playoffs.
It’s about time Baron Davis is removed from the “Favorite Ballers” page. Basically, he hurt my feelings and I’m not sure if I’m ever gonna recover. Seriously.
I don’t care what the situation is. It’s over. So in the interest of moving on, I’m going with the next best thing/Warrior (above): Monta Ellis. This is a bad dude. Can you say 20.2 points per game, 5 rebounds and 3.9 assists? That’s right.
This quiet, unassuming future all-star is being moved onto the favorite ballers page because he, along with Stephen Jackson, is the man, and I have a feeling Chris Mullin and the gang see their future tied to his abilities.
There’s one thing though that I have to ask of him: Find your swag. I’m not talking about walking around Oracle Arena like you’re a pimp with Warrior girls on your arm. I’m not talking about getting spiffy with Don Nelson because he’s not giving you the ball enough. I’m not talking about acting like your the team diva and therefore you can do no wrong. NO.
I’m talking about (rather writing about) how you, Mr. Monta Ellis, need to take over games and not only act like you know what’s going to happen, but predict it as well. I need you to take ridiculous shots (only every now and then) and make them — just to solidify your baller status. I need you to mean mug every single opposing player that thinks they can D you up, and then follow by breaking their ankles.
Look, there’s a lot of responsibility being put on your shoulders Monta, now that you’re a favorite baller and all. Can you live up to the hype? I suspect so. I wouldn’t put you on the page otherwise.
There’s a rumor in the Golden State Warriors organization that the brass weren’t trying to re-sign coveted point guard Baron Davis in the first place. In fact, from what’s being said, the Warriors only wanted to go after the Washington Wizards’ Gilbert Arenas. I’m guessing they still miss him like I do.
The rumor also reveals why Baron Davis had no loyalty to the Warriors, a team which was his team. Apparently, when the Warriors management was getting ready for the free agent market to open, they expressed interest in Arenas, who told the team he would come aboard if Davis stayed. Some of this was partially reported in the SF Chronicle. But the Warriors weren’t interested in the both of them, they just wanted Arenas. In the following days, Davis opted out and Arenas reconsidered his deal with the Wizards. He’s still currently on the market.
I’m guessing this is about the time Elton Brand and Davis starting having these alleged conversations, but it makes no difference. Davis was already miffed about the situation with Arenas and felt like it was time to move on, pointing a very large finger of blame back at Warriors management.
I happen to think this rumor is more fact than fiction because it gives a better motive than what has currently been presented as Davis’ reason to return to his hometown of Hollywood. I mean, how many careers have been buried under the bright lights of Clipper-dom? So yeah, this gives room for pause on two different levels. 1) Why can’t the Warriors management keep the team’s favorite players (a la Jason Richardson, Antawn Jamison, Arenas, Chris Webber, Tim Hardaway, etc.)? 2) Why did Warriors management consider Davis expendable?
Normally I think it’s a little ridiculous to grade a draft five minutes after it ends. The true value of a team’s draft probably won’t be known for years. But who can wait years?! Besides, I need to kill some time at work, so here we go…
Why an A? Why an extra +? Cause I’m being optimistic. That doubles as my optimism grade. Plus, as of today, none of the three players the Sacramento Kings drafted have pissed me off. I’ll leave the booing to New York, the ultimate pack of morons. How much did it cost you to get in there and boo your team’s future? Do you even wait to hear the name anymore?
It could’ve been better I’ll admit. It seemed like Arizona point guard Jerryd Bayless would drop to the Kings and be a huge steal at No. 12, but of course the Pacers took him at No. 11 and ruined my life. I was also hoping Memphis guard Chris Douglas-Roberts would fall into the Kings’ laps at No. 42, but guess what? Gone at No. 40.
Instead the Kings get power forward Jason Thompson from Rider in the first round. Never heard of him. Never even heard of his school. Frankly they both sound made up. But I trust GM Geoff Petrie, who’s first round draft history includes Peja Stojakovic (14th), Jason Williams (7th, uhh, turned into Mike Bibby), Hedo Turkoglu (16th), Gerald Wallace (25th), Kevin Martin (26th, Western Carolina), Francisco Garcia (23rd) and two guys I’m hopeful for - Quincy Douby (19th) and Spencer Hawes (10th). Pretty much nobody but Petrie and the Kings scouts liked this year’s pick.
“He is a 6-11 power forward with some three skills who averages 20 points, 12 rebounds, three assists per game and is a tremendous all-around player for a big guy,” Petrie said of Thompson. “What really impressed us was his ability to dribble the ball, pass the ball and run the floor with his size. We think again that he will be a multi-dimensional type player for us.”
Head coach Reggie Theus pointed out that Thompson began his high school career as a guard before outgrowing the position as another positive.
“The fact that he grew slowly (means) he handles the ball for a big guy extremely well,” Theus said. “(It also) means that after he can rebound the ball he can also become a ballhandler on the break. He runs the floor really well, and just gives us some size and athleticism around the basket, which we really need.”
So there. It’s a scientific fact. In the second round, Sac grabbed Virginia guard Sean Singletary, who I’ll assume is the next Chris Paul, and Georgetown bench warmer/towel boy Patrick Ewing, Jr. I’ve seen Ewing play and … he seemed kind of crappy. But when you look at his stats … they’re pretty crappy too: 6.1 points, 4.2 rebounds in 21.7 minutes. But hey, that’s in the past. Let’s hope he turns into his dad and the Kings hit on all three draft picks.
I dedicate this to everybody who called Kings fans, Kings players and Kings coaches crybabies or whiners in 2002. Former NBA ref Tim Donaghy, who has admitted to betting on games, including ones he worked, has now alleged in court papers that the Kings - Lakers series of 2002 was tampered with. The document, submitted by his lawyer, reads:
“Referees A, F and G were officiating a playoff series between Teams 5 and 6 in May of 2002. It was the sixth game of a seven-game series, and a Team 5 victory that night would have ended the series. However, Tim learned from Referee A that Referees A and F wanted to extend the series to seven games. Tim knew referees A and F to be ‘company men,’ always acting in the interest of the NBA, and that night, it was in the NBA’s interest to add another game to the series. Referees A and F heavily favored Team 6. Personal fouls [resulting in obviously injured players] were ignored even when they occurred in full view of the referees. Conversely, the referees called made-up fouls on Team 5 in order to give additional free throw opportunities for Team 6. Their foul-calling also led to the ejection of two Team 5 players. The referees’ favoring of Team 6 led to that team’s victory that night, and Team 6 came back from behind to win that series.”
Team 5 is the Kings, Team 6 is the Lakers, and Douchebags A, F and G are Dick Bavetta, Bob Delaney and Ted Bernhardt. The three allowed L.A. to take 27 free throws in the fourth quarter alone. They scored 16 of their last 18 points at the line, while centers Vlade Divac and Scot Pollard both fouled out trying not to breathe on Shaq.
“My first thought [upon hearing Donaghy’s allegation] was: I knew it,” Pollard said Tuesday night. “I’m not going to say there was a conspiracy. I just think something wasn’t right. It was unfair. We didn’t have a chance to win that game.”
“This is a hard one to swallow,” Pollard said. “If it’s ever proven, the league owes me a ring. I guess I can’t really say that, because it doesn’t change much. It just breaks your heart.”
Anyone who watched the game, including honest Lakers fans, knows that should’ve been the end of the series. Instead, the Lakers won game seven and the championship over a weak New Jersey team.
NBA Commissioner David Stern had his chance to respond to the allegations, and basically said that Donaghy was a felon with no credibility and that his claims were “baseless.”
How can he be so sure? How can he dismiss the idea so quickly? The felon and cheater was employed by the NBA for 13 years, and Stern had no idea.
He might be right, but he needs to wipe that smirk off his face while he answers, cause I’m not laughing. I don’t think it’s funny, I don’t think it’s ridiculous, and I’m not satisfied with his answer. If anyone wants to argue that there wasn’t a conspiracy, then they have to offer an explanation for the officiating. How could it be so bad? It was more than the volume of calls that came just when the Lakers needed them, it was the calls themselves (e.g. Bibby’s bloody face fouling Kobe’s sharp elbow).
Stern also acted like this was old news. Apparently the NBA launched a $1 million investigation after Donaghy got caught. But I don’t know how thorough it was because Delaney said nobody has tried to contact him about the game. You would think you’d be interested in talking to the refs involved in this game.
I’m still not convinced there was an explicit conspiracy, but I have to think the league wanted a game seven and the refs knew it. Most importantly, perception is reality. Nobody trusted NBA refs before Tim Donaghy. Stern’s casual brush-off isn’t acceptable. Kings fans have never gotten over that series, and especially game six. Saying “Don’t worry about it” isn’t good enough.
As crazy as it sounds, Donaghy getting caught might be the best thing that could’ve happened. The NBA needs a revolution in the reffing department. Get rid of all of them and start over fresh. Right now, people are convinced that corrupt or just plain bad refs are costing their teams games, series’ and championships. Referees robbed the Kings of a championship in 2002, and I’m just one of the many who are pissed off about it.
Normally I think it’s a little ridiculous to grade a draft five minutes after it ends. The true value of a team’s draft probably won’t be known for years. But who can wait years?! Besides, I need to kill some time at work, so here we go…
