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Chicago Bulls sign Joakim Noah to contract extension

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has agreed to terms with center Joakim Noah on a multi-year extension. Per team policy, terms of the contract will not be disclosed.

“Joakim is such an integral member of our team and we are very pleased to have reached an agreement with him,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “His presence, both on and off of the court, is immeasurable and we look forward to him to continue to improve and develop his game.”

In his three seasons with the Bulls, Noah (6-11, 232) has played in 218 games (140 starts), and averaged 7.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.26 bpg, 24.8 mpg and shot .513 from the field and .706 from the line. Last season, he established career highs in scoring (10.7 ppg), rebounds (11.0 rpg), assists (2.1 apg), blocks (1.56 bpg) and minutes played (30.1 mpg). He also posted a career-best 28 double-doubles, and he was one of nine players in the NBA who averaged a double-double in 2009-10.

Noah has also played in 12 playoff games with the Bulls and owns postseason averages of 12.1 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.83 bpg, 1.25 spg, 38.3 mpg, .513 from the floor and .841 from the free throw line.

The Bulls drafted Noah in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft, following a highly successful collegiate career at the University of Florida.

Bulls, Joakim Noah reportedly agree to extension

The AP reports:

Apr. 22, 2010 - Chicago, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES - epa02128452 Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah celebrates during the third quarter of game three of their National Basketball Association Eastern Conference first round playoffs as the Bulls lead the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, USA, 22 April 2010. The Bulls defeated the Cavaliers 108-106 to bring the best of seven game series to two wins for the Cavaliers to one win for the Bulls.

Center Joakim Noah and the Chicago Bulls agreed Sunday on a five-year contract extension, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized.

The news about Noah comes on a day when the Bulls learned that Carlos Boozer, their top acquisition this summer, broke a bone in his right hand in a fall at home and could be out about two months.

The Chicago Tribune reported the deal is worth about $11 million annually with incentives that could take it higher.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Fan poll results: Six East locks to make playoffs

An InsideHoops.com front page poll asking fans to predict the eight Eastern conference teams that will qualify for the 2010-11 NBA playoffs had the following results:

Celtics     2,046 votes
Heat    2,045 votes
Magic    2,011 votes
Bulls    1,985 votes
Hawks    1,886 vote
Bucks    1,658 votes
Bobcats    1,011 votes
Knicks    1,074 votes
Wizards    637 votes
Sixers    481 votes
Pistons    336 votes
Nets    333 votes
Cavaliers 333 votes
Pacers    229 votes
Raptors    173 votes

Fans felt that the six teams — the Magic, Celtics, Heat, Bulls, Hawks and Bucks — are strong locks to make the playoffs.

After those teams, the Bobcats and Knicks came in next, with the 7th and 8th highest votes.

InsideHoops.com editor says: These are some pretty fantastic results. Look at the top eight teams, in order. That’s pretty close to what an East power ranking list should look like.

Missing the playoffs but getting good support were the Wizards, receiving the 9th highest votes.

Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard (12) is congratulated by teammates Rashard Lewis (L), Jameer Nelson (14) and Vince Carter (15) during overtime in Game 4 of their NBA Eastern Conference playoff series against the Boston Celtics in Boston, Massachusetts May 24, 2010. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Danilo Gallinari announces release of autobiography

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports:

The Knicks’ history is well-documented and now the same can be said of Gallinari. The Milan native began his homecoming early Thursday with a press conference to announce the release of his autobiography. Yes, his autobiography.

“You got to read it,” Gallinari said. “I can’t tell you everything from right now.”

When an American journalist pressed him about the subject matter, Gallinari joked: “It’s about cooking and how you have to cook the pasta.”

The book, printed in Italian, is titled “Da Zero a Otto,” or “Zero to Eight.” It tells the story of Gallinari from the time he was born right through his first two seasons in New York. Eight is his favorite number – he was born on on 8/8/88 – and that is the number on his Knicks jersey. The book is up to date. It includes the Knicks signing Stoudemire and trading David Lee to Golden State.

“It’s my story since the day I was born,” Gallinari added. “It’s nice stories that nobody knows. A little bit more about me comes out.”

Have Knicks opinions? Discuss them in the New York Knicks forum.

New York Knicks Danilo Gallinari reacts after making a basket in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden in New York City on April 12, 2010. The Knicks defeated the Wizards 114-103. UPI/John Angelillo Photo via Newscom

Knicks starting center spot still uncertain

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

Starting Knicks center job still uncertain

With Eddy Curry out of the picture, Ronny Turiaf not excelling and impressive Russian rookie Timofey Mozgov still so inexperienced, coach Mike D’Antoni is giving more consideration to starting 6-foot-11 forward Anthony Randolph in the pivot. Randolph saw time with the first team during a light practice at Armani Jeans Milano’s training facility.

Training camp opened last week with Turiaf playing with the first team, but he has no presence on offense. In the original alignment, Randolph was not in the starting lineup of Turiaf, Amar’e Stoudemire, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Raymond Felton. D’Antoni won’t reveal his starting lineup for Sunday’s exhibition against Milan.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Ideally, a rugged, tall, defensive-minded, rebounding center would start alongside Stoudemire, allowing Anthony Randolph to come off the bench as he continues to develop as an NBA player. But if Ronny Turiaf isn’t up for filling that role, then coach Mike D’Antoni clearly should go with Randolph and Stoudemire together. They aren’t the best defensive combo around, but offensively they’ll do damage.

Have Knicks opinions? Discuss them in the New York Knicks forum.

Golden State Warriors Anthony Randolph celebrates a good play in a losing effort against the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California on February 18, 2009. The Lakers won 129-121. (UPI Photo/ Terry Schmitt) Photo via Newscom Photo via Newscom

Timofey Mozgov impressing Knicks early

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports:

Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks’ new international man of mystery, may have won the starting center job even before training camp begins.

A Knicks official says that Mozgov, the 7-1 rookie from St. Petersburg, Russia, has been impressive during voluntary training sessions in Greenburgh and that coach Mike D’Antoni is already considering starting Mozgov alongside Amar’e Stoudemire, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Raymond Felton.

Mozgov’s presence is further proof that Eddy Curry’s days with the club are numbered. Curry’s expiring contract makes him a valuable trading asset that the Knicks would gladly include in a potential deal for Denver’s Carmelo Anthony. However, unless the Knicks can acquire a first-round pick to send to the Nuggets, it is unlikely that team president Donnie Walsh will have the pieces to satisfy Denver.

Knicks sign Shawne Williams

New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that the team has signed forward Shawne Williams as a free agent. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. InsideHoops.com assumes it’s a nonguaranteed contract for training camp.

Williams, 6-9, 225-pounds, has career averages of 5.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 13.4 minutes in 126 games (six starts) over three NBA seasons with Indiana and Dallas. Originally selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 17th overall selection in the 2006 NBA Draft following his freshman year at the University of Memphis, Williams enjoyed his most productive season with the Pacers during the 2007-08 campaign when he posted career-highs of 6.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 14.9 minutes in a career-high 65 games.

Tough for Knicks to trade for Carmelo Anthony

Jonathan Abrams and Howard Beck of the New York Times report:

The Denver Nuggets are lending an open ear to N.B.A. suitors clamoring for Carmelo Anthony, a potentially distressing development for the Knicks in their efforts to land the three-time All-Star.

In preliminary conversations, the Nuggets have told the Knicks that they do not possess the assets they are seeking if they decide to trade Anthony, according to a Knicks official. The official did not want to be identified because he was describing private conversations between the teams.

For the moment, the Knicks are left hoping that Anthony remains in Denver through this season, which would allow his contract to expire. If that happens, the Knicks could then pursue him in free agency with cap room that will be created by the departure of Eddy Curry.

Denver Nuggets Carmelo Anthony (15) knocks Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams down drawing an offensive foul during the third quarter of the first round playoffs game two at the Pepsi Center on April 19, 2010 in Denver. Utah beat Denver 114-111 to even the series at 1-1. UPI/Gary C. Caskey Photo via Newscom

Eddy Curry will be last Knick to report for workouts

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

Eddy Curry has claimed another dubious distinction — last one in.

The Knicks’ 7-foot center still has not shown up at the team’s Westchester compound to participate in pre-training-camp voluntary workouts/scrimmages, according to multiple sources.

With new Russian center Timofey Mozgov arriving in New York last night, Curry will become the last Knick to report, according to sources. The official reporting date is Friday, with two-a-day practices starting Saturday.

Knicks brass hasn’t seen or heard from Curry in more than three months. Curry, in the final year of his contract, also blew off the July summer league in Las Vegas, where he was expected to work out. Curry has spent most of the summer in Chicago, where a warrant was out for his arrest for failure to pay a judgment. He’s also been seen at the Jersey Shore.

New York Knicks center Eddy Curry shoots a free throw against the Charlotte Bobcats in an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, North Carolina on December 15, 2009. UPI/Nell Redmond Photo via Newscom

WNBA: Carol Blazejowski leaving the Liberty

The New York Liberty announced today that Carol Blazejowski, the team’s President and General Manager will leave the team. The announcement was made by Scott O’Neil, President, MSG Sports.

“Carol has been an integral part of the Liberty from the very beginning. We thank her for her many years of passion, commitment and dedication to the team and the entire WNBA. Carol is a true professional and a class act and there is no doubt that she has more success ahead of her. We wish her the very best in her future endeavors,” said O’Neil.

A search for new leadership for the Liberty will begin immediately.

Following a playing career that included All American honors in 1976, 1977 and 1978 at Montclair State, Blazejowski began her professional career at Adidas where she worked for 10 years before moving to the National Basketball Association. At the NBA, she served as Director of Licensing, Director of Women’s Basketball Programs and finally as the WNBA’s Director of Basketball Development. Blazejowski joined the Liberty in January of 1997.