Nuggets New VP Confident He Can Convince ‘Melo to Sign Extension

“Now that the Denver Nuggets have their management team in place, they’re developing a strategy to keep All-Star Carmelo Anthony(notes) in powder blue and gold.

At his introductory news conference Tuesday, Masai Ujiri, the team’s new vice president of basketball operations, said he’s been in contact with Anthony and will meet with him soon.

The Nuggets offered Anthony a three-year, $65 million extension through 2014, but if he rejects it, the team will have to consider trading the forward who has guided them to seven straight playoff berths.

“I think I’m going to convince him to be a Nugget,” Ujiri said, smiling. “No, I don’t know, I can’t make a judgment on that. Like I said, it’s a process and until he tells me that … we want him back, the city wants him back, ownership wants him back.”

There have been hints that Anthony might be thinking about moving on: his mansion in the Denver area is on the market and at his New York wedding to TV personality LaLa Vazquez this summer, there was that now famous toast by New Orleans point guard Chris Paul(notes) about reuniting with Melo in Gotham to form a super-team along with Amare Stoudemire to counter the Miami Heat’s terrific trio.

Anthony has never come out and said he wanted to be traded, however.

At his basketball camp this summer, Anthony dismissed all the speculation of his impending departure from Denver: “I’ve been hearing that for five years. I’m a Denver Nugget. I’m here, I’m with the Nuggets. I don’t become a free agent until next year, if I decide not to take that extension.”

He said then that he was just taking his time making a decision.”

Read more details via Yahoo! Sports

Ron Artest Takes Issue With Doc Rivers Comments

Artest seemingly took issue with Celtics coach Doc Rivers‘ contention that the Celtics have never had the opportunity to defend the 2007-08 title with the same core group at full health, noting that the Lakers have been without Andrew Bynum in their title runs.

“Boston lost to lakers because of [the] Kendrick Perkins injury. What about in [2008] when Bynum was injured. What about this year Bynum was injured,” Artest wrote in three consecutive tweets. “What about Kobe played with a broke finger …. What about Ron [Artest's] defense [w]hen the Boston staff said Ron [A]rtest was too slow. … Doc got one million excuses.”

Read the full story/tweets via WEEI.com

Shaq Chillin’ in Beantown [Video]

Whenever Shaquille O’Neal signs with a new team (which is more and more frequent these days) he likes to make a splash when he shows up for work. Although a bit more low key than we are used to seeing the diesel (maybe because of his apparent engagement), it is still entertaining to watch the big fella interact with his new fans in Boston. Check it out:

Marcus Jordan’s Vegas Tweet Sparks Investigation

“MGM Resorts International was under investigation after the underage son of basketball great Michael Jordan bragged on Twitter about partying at a Las Vegas Strip nightclub, Nevada gambling regulators said Monday.

Officials were examining whether the casino operator violated laws prohibiting drinking or gambling by minors, Nevada Gaming Control Board enforcement chief Jerry Markling said.

People under 21 often try to gamble or drink in Las Vegas, but punishment for casino operators depend on the circumstances, Markling said.

Jordan’s 19-year-old son Marcus Jordan tweeted Aug. 20 about spending $35,000 at Haze at Aria Resort & Casino.

“Last night was stupid… 35K at Haze,” the University of Central Florida sophomore guard said. “Totals 50K something the whole day.”

The tweet has since been removed from the site.

Jordan told a Fox Sports website last week that the tweet was a mistake and said he had conversations with both his parents about it.

“I didn’t mean it the way it came across,” he said. “My family and friends know the type of person I am.”

Jordan was in Las Vegas for his dad’s fantasy basketball camp with his brother, Jeffrey, and teammate A.J. Rompza.”

Read more via Associated Press on Google

NY Knicks’ Eddy Curry Is Missing In Action

For all of those Knicks fans who may have wished that the overpaid and oft injured Eddy Curry would disappear off the face of the Earth for turning out to be one of the most disappointing players in franchise history, their wish may have come true, since word out of the NY Knicks front office is that no one knows exactly where the former HS phenom is. In a story first seen on NBC and my favorite Knickerbockers site Knicksblog.com, Curry has refused to return any Knicks phone calls this Summer while supposedly once again re-habbing a calf injury.

Even though most fans may not care too much when it comes to Curry’s whereabouts, Knicks brass definitely does, since this is the year that the organization has been waiting for. You see, whether he gets on the court or not, Curry’s expiring $11.2 million contract is what has the Knicks in the running for a sign and trade with the Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony. Even if they cannot deal him by the end of the season, they get to clear his salary off the books and have more flexibility to bring in another top tier free agent like conceivably the Spurs’ Tony Parker to play alongside Amare Stoudemire.

After missing all but 7 games last season with a debilitating calf injury, Curry went back home to Chicago in early June for the birth of his 4th child. This was after Curry balked at continuing to rehab his injuries with Knicks trainers, instead chosing to use his own personal trainer while in the “Windy City.” When Curry was a no show during this year’s NBA Summer Leagues, when veterans are supposed to report and work out with current teammates, team officials tried to contact the big man with no response. Fast forward to the end of July, and still no word from Curry as previously promised. With NBA Training Camp set to begin within the next few weeks, surely Knicks brass has to be incensed for the lack of communication, if not a bit concerned about his well being.

Curry in the past year has made more news off the court than on it, primarily since he flat out,…………. doesn’t play. He also was a wanted man after twice having arrest warrants filed for him in Chicago this Summer, after failing to pay off the balance of a $660,000 legal settlement after he was sued for allegedly having sex with an underage girl. He inconceivably was having a hard time coming up with the mutually agreed upon final payment of $100,000 still owed the woman.

The former 4th overall selection in the 2001 NBA Draft has played in only 69 games over the past 3 seasons, including only 10 over the past two, after having arguably his best season in the “Big Apple” during the ‘06-’07 season when he put up career numbers of 19.5 ppg and 7 rebounds. After seemingly endless injuries and constant battles with weight, Curry joined Steve Francis and Steph Marbury as team malcontents, as former Isaiah Thomas acquisitions. In the trade that sent Curry to the Knicks, the organization gave up a lot. including ’06 1st rounder(LaMarcus Aldridge), ’07 1st rounder(Joakim Noah), and ’09 2nd rounder(Jon Brockman). With Curry officially labeled a bust, the only good to come out of the deal turned out to be their ’07 1st round pick Wilson Chandler.

With Eddy making more than $57 million over his 9 year career and due another $11+ million this year, it seems inconceivable that he can’t come up with $100,000 owed to clear up the warrants. Is Curry on the run, or is he just once again “Being Eddy.” If he doesn’t show by the start of training camp, can the Knicks sue for breach of contract? It seems ironic that now that he will finally be worth something to the organization, that he goes MIA. Surely the Knicks can’t wait to find him and use him to leverage a trade for Carmelo by the trading deadline. Luckily the Knicks have a backup plan for Curry on the roster in international big man Timofey Mozgov and Ronnie Turiaf.

Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.  Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.

THD Interview with Under Armour and NBA Trainer, Steve Hess

We all know that the 82-game NBA season can be grueling. When you really stop and think about it, the condition that these guys are in, so that they can make through an entire season, is unreal. It’s almost impossible for them to really take an extended period of time off if they want to maintain a high level of play. Above all, they need discipline and of course, some guidance from someone who knows what he’s talking about.  Someone like Steve Hess.

Steve is a member of Under Armour’s Training Council, which is a collection of the highest caliber of strength and conditioning professionals in the world. You may also know him as the Strength and Conditioning coach of the Denver Nuggets. Similar to Brandon Jennings, who was out in LA for the Boost Mobile Elite 24, Steve was out there as well and I had a few minutes to speak with him.

Kevin Burke: Hey, Steve. Kevin Burke from The Hoop Doctors, here. I appreciate you taking to the time to chat with me for a few. So I know you’re out in LA along with Brandon Jennings for the Elite 24, where you’re hosting a training combine. What’s that like?

Steve Hess: Well, I’m on the Under Armour Training Council and we’re here to host a training combine for these guys out here because physical fitness is very important to me. What’s great about this is that you really get a chance to see guys push it. We create a basic structure for guys to follow so that it really pushes these guys to their full potential. Then we can also implement testing to see progression. The best thing about all of this is that I’m learning every day. I’ve been doing this a long time, but working with these guys, I learn something new all the time.

Kevin Burke: How is it working with Brandon in all of this?

Steve Hess: Oh man, Brandon is great. It’s truly a pleasure working with that guy. He is very motivated in anything that he does. He is an extremely hard worker and I’m glad to be affiliated with him. I’m very excited about that.

Kevin Burke: Many people may also know you as being the Strength and Conditioning coach for the Denver Nuggets. We’re pretty much right in the middle of the NBA off-season. How difficult is it to keep guys focused on the importance of conditioning during the off-season?

Steve Hess: It’s not challenging at all. It’s not just certain guys. All the guys realize the importance of it. It’s what helped them reach the level where they are right now, so it isn’t that tough. Everyone is so pumped up. Everyone is working hard to be their very best. A few weeks after the season ended, I looked up and Chauncey Billups was in there working out. So was Melo (Carmelo Anthony), Nene and K-Mart (Kenyon Martin). And I’m talking just three weeks after the season ended. These guys are professionals and that’s dedication.

Kevin Burke: Speaking about Carmelo, there’s been a lot of talk about him this summer, for reasons unrelated to what we’re talking about. Can you talk more about his dedication to working out?

Steve Hess: Carmelo is one of the hardest working guys I’ve ever been around. The guy is a freak. I did a workout with him the other day in New York, and man, that guy is determined. That dedication translates on the basketball court because he’s a phenomenal player as well.

Kevin Burke: Definitely. Now, a basketball player’s body is different than say, a football player’s body. Are there certain things that you advise basketball player not to do so that it doesn’t take away from their game?

Steve Hess: Well, I would create a workout for individuals so that it is tailored specifically to them and they all understand that, so they’ll follow that. Then I can conduct tests to see how they’re progressing. Now are there workouts that they shouldn’t do? Sure. I wouldn’t want any of them to squat 700 pounds because that wouldn’t really help them. I have them do things that will give them an edge and make them think to themselves, “I have to get better.”

Kevin Burke: Makes sense. Finally, Steve, I’m on the other side of the country right now as we speak, but I can feel your energy jumping through the phone and I’ve seen you on TV with the Nuggets many times and it’s easy to tell that you’re very passionate about conditioning. Why is it so important to you?

Steve Hess: Because it’s the fountain of youth. As long as you’re healthy, do the things you’re supposed to, work on flexibility and stay hydrated, you can do anything. Just don’t do anything stupid. You can live 20 years longer as long as you keep yourself in good physical condition. I’m truly blessed to be able to work out with athletes for a living and have been in the NBA for 15 years. We push each other with resistance training as well as other forms of physical fitness and like I said, it really is the fountain of youth.

Kevin Burke: Well said. Steve, thanks a lot and best of luck with everything.

Steve Hess: My pleasure. Nice speaking with you.

If you’re looking for your everyday, predictable basketball talk, then go somewhere else, because Kevin Burke of The Kevin Burke Project brings provocative, thought provoking content about basketball as only he can. Kevin also hosts The Hoop Doctors weekly podcast show, which you can subscribe to for free on iTunes.

USA Holds on at Buzzer to Beat Brazil 70-68

“They came, they saw, they survived.

The United States got their first real test of the FIBA World Championship on Monday night and edged Brazil 70-68 as Leandro Barbosa’s potential game-tying lay-up at the buzzer stayed out.

In probably the most thrilling encounter between the two countries since the famous Oscar-inspired upset of the USA at the Pan American Games in Indianapolis 23 years ago, the Brazilians and USA gave international basketball a game to treasure.

After blowing out Croatia, 106-78, and defeating Slovenia, 99-77, the Americans ran into a Brazil team that hadn’t looked in top form in their wins over Iran and Tunisia.

But the Brazilians turned their game up a notch in the showdown of teams from the FIBA Americas.

Getting big games from their leading stars, but also from Marcus Vinicius, a surprise starter who hit all three of his attempts from long range in the first half when scoring 11 of his 16 points.

What Ruben Magnano’s team did well was find the open man when they were double-teamed, while also executing the pick-and-roll and give-and-go.

They ran at times, too, yet didn’t get into a running game with the United States – something they didn’t want to do.

Vinicius and Brazil shot the ball extremely well in the first half, hitting seven of 11 shots from long range but also 11 of 20 inside the arc.

Barbosa had eight points and Tiago Splitter was every bit the equal, if not better on some occasions, than the Americans who were defending him.

In the second half, the Brazilians cooled off considerably, but the USA also missed shots.

In the final minutes, Mike Krzyzewski’s team got its noses in front and looked as if they would go on to win.

After Chauncey Billups scored on a drive for a 70-66 lead, though, Barbosa went to the other end and scored on a drive to the basket just 33 seconds from the end.

Billups took a three-pointer at the other end with 10 seconds to go but missed, and Alex Garcia snared the rebound.

Brazil brought the ball up the floor and got it into the hands of their excellent Marcelo Huertas, who handled much of the American pressure all game long and made many of the passes that led to his team’s scores.

He drove into the lane and drew a foul from Kevin Durant.

Huertas’ first free-throw hit the front of the rim and stayed out, and Magnano instructed him to intentionally miss the second.

His shot with a low trajectory hit the rim and bounced to the left corner where Huertas chased it down.

Durant, who had a game-high 27 points, hustled over to attempt a block of his three-pointer.

Instead, Huertas passed to Barbosa under the basket.

The guard leapt high and shot the ball off the backboard but it dropped, hit the rim and stayed out.

America’s players and bench breathed a sigh of relief before both teams congratulated each other on a fantastic game.”

Read post game quotes and more via FIBA.com

Miami Heat Sign Rookie Da’Sean Butler

“Butler was the 42nd pick in this year’s draft. He was projected as a potential lottery choice before he tore a ligament in his left knee during the Mountaineers’ Final Four loss to eventual NCAA champion Duke.

The Heat ranked Butler as the 21st-best player in the draft, after he averaged 17.2 points for West Virginia as a senior.

Doctors believe the torn ACL in Butler’s left knee should be fully healed in time for the NBA season, and the team expects him to be ready to participate in at least some aspects of camp when formal workouts begin in late September.”

Read More via NBA.com

FIBA Drug Testing Program at 2010 World Championship is Biggest Ever

“Basketball’s governing body says more than 100 random drug tests will be conducted at the world championship, its largest program ever.

Patrick Baumann, FIBA’s secretary general, says 48 players, two from each team, have been tested and there will be at least 60 tests more during the tournament through Sept. 12.

Baumann says he hopes this can ”banish the myth that some teams are not tested,” adding that ”everybody is treated exactly the same and there are no exceptions.”

FIBA has been conducting random drug tests since 1990.”

Read More via NY Times

Shaq on Kobe: “I Only Compete Against Big Guys” [Video]

NBC Sports recently asked Shaquille O’Neal, while in Boston, about his rivalry with Kobe Bryant and whether or not he was upset that Kobe got his 5th title, putting him one behind in the race to the most rings. Shaq surprisingly, yet quite cleverly dodged the question by saying he only competes in rings against players at the same position as him:

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