Author: Inside Hoops

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Timberwolves recall Chris Richard from D-League

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced today the team has recalled first-year center Chris Richard from the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League. Richard appeared in six games for the Skyforce, averaging 10.2 points and 11.5 rebounds in 28.3 minutes per game. He led the team in rebounds in three of six contests, while helping them to a 4-2 record in that span. Before heading to Sioux Falls, Richard appeared in 24 games for the Wolves, averaging 1.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 9.2 minutes per game.

“We’re glad Chris had the opportunity to play some valuable minutes in the D-League,” said Timberwolves Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale. “Chris went to Sioux Falls, worked hard, played well and demonstrated what he is capable of. We’re confident that he will continue to develop and believe he has a bright future.”

Richard was originally assigned to the Skyforce on Jan. 28. He will be back practicing with the Wolves today. Per NBA rules, a player can be assigned to the team’s D-League affiliate a maximum of three times during the season. Sioux Falls, the D-League affiliate for Minnesota and Charlotte, is led by head coach Nate Tibbetts and is 17-16 on the season.

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FIBA taking 2014 world championship host bids

Following the decision taken at its last Central Board meeting, held on the 8th and 9th of December 2007 in Chicago (USA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) opened the bidding process for the 2014 World Championship on 10th of January 2008.

With almost two and a half months still to go until the closing date for the sending of Letters of Intent confirming an interest in hosting the event, FIBA is pleased to confirm that the Danish Basketball Federation (DBBF) has become the third candidate to express an interest in bidding for the organization of the 17th edition of the FIBA World Championship, FIBA’s premier competition.

FIBA is pleased to see an emerging basketball country such as Denmark joining the two perennial European powerhouses of Spain and France.

Suns to make announcement Tuesday

Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET the Phoenix Suns will host a press conference in Indian Wells, California to make some sort of announcement. The press conference will involve Suns Partner Richard Heckmann, Suns President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Welts, Indian Wells Mayor Mary Roche and Raymond Moore, President, PM Sports Management.

It was about this:  The Arizona Republic reports: The Suns hold claim to staging the NBA’s first outdoor game but it will not be by virtue of today’s announcement that they are playing Denver in an outdoor preseason game Oct. 11 in Indian Wells, Calif. Phoenix made that history in 1972 when it played the league’s only other outdoor games ever in Puerto Rico. Considering one game was in a baseball stadium with fans behind chain-link fences and one was in a covered arena with no side walls to keep birds off the court, this is the first modern try at outdoor basketball.

Spanish boss: Europe not ready for NBA

SportsTicker reports: The president of the Spanish Basketball Federation believes there are many hurdles left to clear before the NBA can put expansion teams in major European cities. NBA commissioner David Stern announced on Saturday that the NBA is continuing to explore plans to expand into Europe and said that such a move could happen within a decade. But Jose Luis Saez, who has presided over a golden era of basketball in his country which culminated in Spain’s gold medal win at the 2006 FIBA World Championship, told PA SportsTicker on Monday that much work needs to be done before the idea can work.

LeBron wins All-Star game MVP as East beats West 134-128

Final score: East 134, West 128. Fun game!

The East’s LeBron James was awarded the 2008 NBA All-Star game MVP award.

For the East: Ray Allen (10-of-14, 5-of-9 threes) had 28 points in just 19 minutes. LeBron James (12-of-22) had 27 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists (4 turnovers), 2 steals and 2 blocks. Dwight Howard (7-of-7) had 16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Chris Bosh (7-of-15) had 14 points and 7 rebounds. Dwyane Wade (7-of-12) had 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Paul Pierce scored 10. Jason Kidd dished 10 assists.

For the West: Brandon Roy (8-of-10) had 18 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Carmelo Anthony (8-of-17) had 18 points and 7 rebounds. Amare Stoudemire (8-of-11) had 18 points and 5 rebounds. Chris Paul (7-of-14) had 16 points, 3 rebounds, 14 assists (just 2 turnovers) and 4 steals. Carlos Boozer (7-of-15) had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Dirk Nowitzki (just 5-of-14) had 13 points and 4 rebounds.

The best East players were LeBron, Dwight Howard and Ray Allen. The best West players were Chris Paul and Brandon Roy.

Read unedited 2008 NBA All-Star game notes taken live as the action happened.

LeBron praises Hedo, talks Cavs

Here’s LeBron James at 2008 NBA All-Star weekend:

Q: Are things good enough to go to the Finals without making any move?

LeBron James: It’s going to be tough because of how the Eastern Conference has gotten better with the addition of how Boston recreated themselves. Detroit is always going to be better. Orlando’s much better. They’ve had some off season acquisitions. It’s going to be tough for us. It’s going to be a challenge. We have to mentally prepare ourselves to go out there and play the game of basketball the right way.

Q: If you don’t make any moves, can you guys get better?

LeBron James: We’ll see. We’re going to let the game do the talking. It doesn’t matter who you have on paper, you’ve got to go out there and win a seven game series.

Q: Are there any players that didn’t make the All Star team that you thought should have?

LeBron James: I thought Hedo Turkoglu in the Eastern Conference played well, to make the All Star team and he’s not a part of it. He played great basketball for the third best team in the East. He played great basketball.

Q: Is this easier than your first All Star Game?

LeBron James: Most definitely easier to take in. It was erratic my first year. I was excited being my first year. I’m kind of used to it now, but at the same time I’m always excited to get around these great athletes.

Q: It must be a surprise having a lot of big names move. What was the most surprising thing?

LeBron James: This year has been most surprising in season and off season we’ve had in the NBA in a long time. With the Lakers dealing Pau, and Miami and Phoenix dealing Shaq and Shawn Marion, and the off season acquisitions… you look at Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett going to Boston, and Rashard Lewis going to Orlando. There’s been so many new faces. I mean, same faces, new teams. At times it can be hard to keep up with. So it’s been good for the NBA. And hopefully, you know, it’s been good.

Q: Does it put more pressure on everybody to have to try to keep up?

LeBron James: You know, you always want to get better. Especially with me. I’m a competitor, I want to get better. Hopefully we can continue to get better. If not, we’re going to stick to our guns that we have, and get ready for the second half of the season.

Joe Johnson talks about being an All-star Hawk

Atlanta Hawks star Joe Johnson speaks at All-Star Weekend:

Q: What does it mean for the Hawks to have you here representing the team at the All-Star Game?

Joe Johnson: I think it means a lot, you know, not only to me, but to our organization as well, considering that it’s been such a down past few years for us. It gives us a bright spot, and with Al Horford playing in the Rookie game, that’s a plus — but I think we’ve just got to keep going strong and stay positive and continue in the right direction. I think we’re getting better and better.

Q: Do you find yourself taking a more vocal role as the season winds down and you’re fighting for a playoff spot?

Joe Johnson: I try to just tell guys that we don’t want to get down late April or mid-April and have to win every game trying to fight for a playoff spot when we can take care of our responsibilities now, and then when the time comes, we’ll already be set. It’s tough. You look at our record right now and it’s not great, but we’re still in the playoff race. That’s a good thing. We’ve just got to stay positive and focus in these last thirty-something games of the season.

Q: Is it different for you because you have experienced it before?

Joe Johnson: Yeah, we’ve got a lot of guys who haven’t experienced the playoff atmosphere and I really want them to… it’s such a great feeling, it’s unbelievable. For those guys who haven’t had that experience, I always try to embed it and give them visuals about it.

Ray Allen ponders NBA expansion overseas

Here’s Boston Celtics All-Star Ray Allen, speaking at All-Star weekend:

Q: What are your thoughts on the NBA expanding overseas?

Ray Allen: I’d be excited about it. I think it definitely shrinks the world, and to be able to shrink the world through a sport that I play is awesome. I welcome that idea to be able to travel on a consistent basis. As much as I travel between the United States of America through all these great cities and states, I get to see so much and see so many different cultures and people. To be able to extend that to Europe… I think that would do wonders for not only basketball, but for people and cultures in the world bringing them all together through basketball.

Q: Would American players want to live overseas or would that be a problem?

Ray Allen: Well, I’m sure there’s a lot of international players who don’t want to live in America currently. It’s easy for a player now in the league to say that from having lived in America right now, but if you’re a player in college and you get drafted, you get drafted to, you know, the London Gators, you’re happy to be in the NBA. You know, when I came out of college, people were asking where I wanted to play, and I said it doesn’t matter because I’m in the NBA. I’m getting paid to do something I love and get to travel, and I’m pretty sure those would be those guys’ sentiments as they come up out of college. Right now, people are just used to their routines… living in America, thinking I wouldn’t want to play overseas… but once you understood the feel to it, I’m pretty sure a lot of people’s ideas and perceptions of those ideas would change.

Rasheed speaks on being named All-Star

Detroit Pistons forward/center Rasheed Wallace, who was named to the All-Star team as an injury replacement:

Q: What was your reaction when you heard you were selected for the All-Star Game?

Rasheed Wallace: Hot. But my wife was more hot than me. You know, she tried to act a little surprised or whatever, but hey, we had to come here. When I told her that, I thought she was going to beat me up.

Q: What are your thoughts now that you’re here?

Rasheed Wallace: I mean, it’s cool, seeing all these young boys out here being able to do their thing. It ain’t nothing new though.

Q: Did you miss Media Day yesterday on purpose or by accident?

Rasheed Wallace: No, no, no, it was a real [delay]. Yeah, it was a real [delay]. I wouldn’t have done that. I would have not come at all if I didn’t come yesterday. It was strictly an accident.

Q: What are the Pistons looking to do during the second half of the season?

Rasheed Wallace: Just to lock it down, buckle it up, and get ready for the playoffs. Let’s get into the transition where we can run everything smooth without really thinking, make it our second nature. Just go out there and do it ‘ keep doing what we’ve been doing these last couple weeks.