September 2011 – Page 13 – NBA Blog

Kenyon Martin chooses Andy Miller to be his new agent

During the ongoing NBA lockout, the main news has been overseas player signings, changes in management or coaching staffs, and the occasional hot exhibition game. So, we send a thank-you to Kenyon Martin for adding something new to the lockout pot.

Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post reports:

Longtime Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin has chosen a new agent – now we’ll see if he chooses a new team.

The unrestricted free agent has hired Andy Miller, who also represents former Nuggets all-star Chauncey Billups. Martin is seeking what could be the last big contract of his career – the 2010-11 season was the last on Martin’s seven-year, $90-plus million deal with Denver.

He turns 34 in December, but coaches across the league annually gush about Martin’s ability to quarterback a defense. Last season, Martin averaged 8.6 points per game and 6.2 rebounds in what might have been his final season in powder blue.

Martin is definitely slowing down, but he’s not done yet. His best role at this point is probably as the first forward off the bench. Or, he’s still capable of starting and being a defensive anchor if placed next to another forward with serious offensive game.

Kevin Durant needs a healthier diet

The truth is, at this point, the Thunder is far more concerned with Durant chilling out on chicken wings rather than increasing his chest press numbers. Because Durant, roughly three weeks shy of his 23 birthday, still has a tendency to eat like a college kid.

“I could eat a lot better,” Durant recently admitted.

The two-time scoring champ can cram wings with the best of them. Durant loves them so much that Wingstop this year was a sponsor at his annual basketball camp in Oklahoma City, and there’s been talk of Durant possibly signing on as a spokesman for the Texas-based chain. It’s just one of his many food fetishes.

But after four seasons, Durant is finally figuring out the importance of healthier choices. As a naturally skinny person, Durant isn’t likely to ever undergo the transformation most would prefer. Eating better, however, could help offset his inability to bulk up. It could improve Durant’s conditioning and help protect that frail but growing frame.

“This past year, I was really big on eating a lot of foods with vegetables. That’s all I really ate this past year was foods with vegetables,” Durant said. “I’m trying to stay away from the red meats and the fast food as much as I can, even though it’s tempting.”

— Reported by Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman

Miami Heat players will probably work out together soon

With the awful NBA lockout continuing to destroy humanity, players are likely to start gathering together with friends or teammates to train and keep each other on top of their games. It makes sense for players, sitting around bored, to round teammates up and make up for what they may miss if NBA preseason gets partially or fully wiped out.

Here’s the Associated Press reporting on Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat:

Chris Bosh enjoyed just about every second of his jampacked offseason.

Nonetheless, he’s ready to go back to work.

Bosh said Saturday that he expects the Miami Heat to reconvene sometime soon, even though the NBA lockout has entered its third month with no apparent ending in sight. This would ordinarily be the time of year where most players start ramping up workouts anyway, and Bosh said he will be ready whether training camps begin on time or not.

“We’re going to make some plans. We’re going to plan to do something,” Bosh said in a telephone interview from Los Angeles. “I think just getting around each other, I think it’s important as far as team-building is concerned and just getting something going. We’re pretty much still in the process of doing that.”

I would think that by late September, captains/leaders of most NBA teams should step up and make this happen.

New Philadelphia 76ers ownership group chooses a CEO

Though the immediate future of the NBA is being played out in a Manhattan hotel as owners and players try to iron out a new collective bargaining agreement, some business must carry on.

The 76ers’ new ownership group, headed by leveraged buyout specialist Joshua Harris, has hired noted travel industry executive Adam M. Aron as the team’s chief executive officer, the Daily News learned yesterday.

Aron, 56, and Harris have history. Aron is a senior operating partner at Apollo Global Management, which Harris co-founded. Aron was born in Philadelphia and attended Abington High (class of 1972). Harris grew up here.

Aron previously was CEO of Vail Resorts, the second-largest ski resort operator worldwide, and president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, then the fourth-largest cruise company in the world. He also was senior vice president for marketing for United Airlines and for the Hyatt Hotels Corp. After Abington, Aron attended Harvard, where he graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in government and earned an MBA with distinction from the Business School.

— Reported by Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News

Former NBA, MSU player Jay Vincent sentenced to prison

Former NBA player and Michigan State star Jay Vincent was sentenced Friday to more than five years in prison and ordered to pay more than $110,000 to the Internal Revenue Service for his part in a fraud case involving thousands of people who paid to become certified home inspectors.

Prosecutors say Vincent and an associate defrauded 20,000 people out of more than $1 million by charging them to become inspectors through a business called Foreclosure Bank Inspection. No inspectors were hired, and the business had no contracts with banks, according to the government.

Vincent, 52, pleaded guilty to fraud and tax charges nearly a year ago. He apologized Friday in federal court in Grand Rapids, Mich., for his actions. U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker sentenced Vincent to 5 1/2 years on a mail fraud charge involving the victims and three years on a tax fraud charge. The sentences are to run concurrently. Vincent could be eligible for time off for good behavior that could slightly reduce his sentence.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Knicks players schedule October minicamp workouts

If the NBA and NBPA can’t come to an agreement in time to preserve the regularly-scheduled training camp, Amar’e Stoudemire has organized a minicamp at the IMG Basketball facility in Bradenton, Fla. The camp is scheduled to run from Oct. 19 to Nov. 6.

According to several players, the Knicks’ captain sent out emails about the plan to all 10 players under contract for 2011-12, plus draft picks Iman Shumpert (who is already working out at IMG) and Josh Harrellson and a few free agents from the 2010-11 roster. Center Jerome Jordan signed with a team in Slovenia (with an NBA out), so he will likely not be available to attend a workout unless the lockout is resolved.

Anthony, looking muscular and well-conditioned, poured in 27 points in the Melo-Goodman game and declared himself “back”. He had been dealing with an elbow injury last season.

Speaking of back, Stoudemire recently said his feels “much better.”

— Reported by Alan Hahn of New York Newsday

Rockets rookie Chandler Parsons will play basketball in France

Houston Rockets rookie forward Chandler Parsons will reportedly play in France during the NBA lockout.

According to Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated (via Twitter), “Houston rookie forward Chandler Parsons will be signing with Cholet in France, according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein. The 38th pick out of Florida had reportedly turned down a chance to play in France just three weeks ago. Parsons’ deal is guaranteed for two months, with an opt-out that starts on October 3 in case the NBA lockout ends.”

Per Amick: “They’re a really good team (with) terrific history,” Parsons’ agent Mark Bartelstein said. “They’ve won the French League the last couple years and are trying to qualify for the Euroleague right now.”

Parsons is a 6-10, 220-pound forward who went to college at Florida.

DeJuan Blair will play basketball in Russia

San Antonio Spurs forward DeJuan Blair has signed to play with Russia’s Krasnye Krylya Samara for the 2011-12 season, his agent told Yahoo! Sports on Friday.

Because he’s under contract with the Spurs, Blair’s deal has an out clause that allows him to return to the NBA this season should the league-imposed lockout ends, said his agent, Happy Walters…

Krasnye Krylya’s roster for the 2011-12 season includes two former NBA players, Jarvis Hayes and Joe Alexander.

— Reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports

Read NBA fan opinion or share your views in this basketball forum topic.

Rasho Nesterovic is retiring from basketball

Rasho Nesterovic after 17 years of career as pro and 12 years in the NBA announced his retirement from played basketball. “I really think that my career is over. After 17 years as pro and a lot of injuries I decided to retire. It is my own decision, if I cannot be at 100% it is better for me to do something else” said Nesterovic who spent last season in Greece with Olympiacos. “I don’t think I will be a coach, it is better to work with children. They really listen you and are full of enthusiasm” added The Slovenian big man.

— Reported by Sportando.net

Tony Ronzone out as Minnesota Timberwolves assistant GM

With the NBA lockout ongoing, the main official NBA news revolves around overseas signings or NBA team front office changes.

The latest management moves comes out of Minnesota.

Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports:

Timberwolves assistant general manager Tony Ronzone has left the organization.

Known for his international-scouting connections, he was hired in spring 2010 just about the time Fred Hoiberg was headed for Iowa State’s head-coaching job and had a voice in personnel moves that included drafting Wes Johnson and Derrick Williams as well as trading away Al Jefferson, acquiring Michael Beasley and re-signing center Darko Milicic.

The Wolves, through a spokesman, said they and Ronzone mutually have agreed to part ways and wished him good luck.

Ronzone coordinated workouts and was the franchise’s public face in preparations for the June draft.

The Timberwolves had the worst record in the NBA last season, finishing with 17 wins and 65 losses.

Read NBA fan opinion or share your views in this basketball forum topic.