I am the founder of InsideHoops.com and a born-and-raised New Yorker, and saw the World Trade Center twin towers fall with my own eyes while standing on a lower Manhattan sidewalk. Remembering the day still gives me chills, all these years later.

Here is a photo I took five minutes ago from West Broadway and Spring street in downtown Manhattan of the WTC Freedom Tower today, September 11, 2012.

The Hawks invited free agent Damion James to veteran’s camp and the forward’s agent told Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports that he plans to accept.

James, like free agent James Anderson, will join the Hawks on a summer contract that would become a non-guaranteed one-year deal if he makes the roster. James and Anderson will compete to fill the role of defensive-minded wing that Hawks GM Danny Ferry is seeking.

The Hawks selected James with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2010 draft and traded him that night to New Jersey for guard Jordan Crawford. James, 24, played in just 32 games for the Nets and had his 2011-12 season cut short by a foot injury that eventually required surgery.

– Reported by Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal Constitution

Brian Scalabrine, aka the White Mamba, was not exactly a superstar, but he was cheered like one.

Below are some great Scalabrine video highlights:

A new arena in Seattle that could bring the NBA back to the Puget Sound appears a step closer to reality.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn has issued a statement late Monday night saying he welcomes the news that the Seattle City Council has decided to support bringing basketball back to Seattle.

– Reported by the Associated Press

Chris Hansen should never have to buy a beer again in his hometown.

It wouldn’t just be a gesture of appreciation for the investor with a heart of Sonics green and gold. It could be a necessity. Considering the dough he’s about to put down to build a new Seattle arena and lure an NBA team, he might have to reduce his going-out money.

Then again, looking at all the concessions he made to consummate a deal in Sodo, he probably is now part-owner of all the local suds, anyway.

Whatever the case, will every Sonics-missing fan raise a glass?

The hardest part of this comeback quest is all but over now. The Seattle City Council has reached an agreement with Hansen on his $490 million arena plan. And for once, the city’s annoying affinity for process, debate and universal pacification appears to have resulted in a digestible situation for Hansen, the Port of Seattle and all businesses concerned with how even more Sodo congestion will affect their bottom line.

– Reported by Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times