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)

Raptors exercise DeMar DeRozan option

April 12, 2010: Toronto Raptors' DeMar DeRozan (10) during the NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Piston at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have exercised the third year team option on the Rookie Scale Contract of guard-forward DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan is now guaranteed through the 2011-12 season. In accordance with the league’s collective bargaining agreement, the Raptors had until October 31 to exercise their option on DeRozan. Per team policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

DeRozan, 6-foot-7, 220 pounds, was the ninth overall pick by Toronto in the 2009 NBA Draft out of the University of Southern California. He averaged 8.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in 77 appearances in the 2009-10 season. DeRozan became the fourth rookie to start on opening night for the Raptors, joining Damon Stoudamire (1995), Vince Carter (1998) and Joey Graham (2005). He finished third in franchise history with 65 starts during a rookie campaign.

DeRozan set career highs in points (24), field goals (9), rebounds (14) and minutes (38) during the season finale April 14 versus New York. He won the inaugural NBA All-Star Dunk-In by defeating Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Gordon during halftime of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam at All-Star Weekend in Dallas.

DeRozan helped lead the Raptors to a 5-0 mark at the 2010 Las Vegas Summer League. He averaged 21.0 points, third in the League, and 4.5 rebounds en route to All-Tournament Team honours.

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Softball complex is renamed after Larry Miller

The Deseret News reports:

Salt Lake County officials and members of the Larry H. Miller family will unveil new signage at the Cottonwood Regional Softball Complex Friday, Oct. 1, at 3 p.m. when it will be renamed the Larry H. Miller Softball Complex. A brief ceremony will be held at the park, at 4350 S. 1300 East. Of his fastpitch softball career, Miller once said, “Other than the times I’ve spent with (his wife) Gail, I will say that some the happiest times of my life were when I was in uniform competing at the ballpark.”

Earlier this year, the Salt Lake County Council unanimously approved the name change.

“Softball was a big part of my dad’s life,” said Greg Miller, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies.

Danilo Gallinari announces release of autobiography

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports:

Danilo Gallinari announces release of autobiography

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.”

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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

NBA dress code update: Collars required for coaches

Chris Forsberg of ESPN reports:

Doc Rivers got a memo from the NBA this offseason on an updated dress code and promptly launched it into the nearest trash basket.

“I saw the dress code and I didn’t even look at it,” admitted Rivers. “I thought, ‘I don’t think I’m breaking the dress code, so I’m pretty good with it.'”

Apprised Thursday of the league’s new decree requiring collars on coaches, a change directed at Orlando head man Stan Van Gundy and his penchant for turtle necks, Rivers expressed disappointment.

“I like Stan’s style,” he said. “I really thought Stan had set the bar on the dress code. We should stay with that; It was nice… I actually [wore no collar] a couple times, even tried the collar with no tie, I just didn’t like it.”

Rivers doesn’t think the league needs to regulate any coach’s attire.

“I don’t think anyone dresses poorly,” said Rivers. “I think coaches dress pretty well. That’s fine, though. If [the NBA] thinks we need to look different or something, I’m fine with it.

InsideHoops.com editor says: I am completely joking here — I think this is the NBA’s way of telling Stan Van Gundy that his roundish figure would appear to be more sharply defined with the assistance of a collared shirt.


May 18, 2010 - Orlando, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - epa02163674 Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy reacts during the third period of game two of the NBA Eastern Conference finals at the Amway Arena in Orlando Florida USA 18 May 2010.The Celtics won 95-92 to take a two games to none lead in the best of seven series.

J.J. Hickson may get big minutes this season

Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal reports:

Cleveland Cavaliers J.J. Hickson, left, slam dunks against Ray Allen during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics in game 2 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs in Cleveland on May 3, 2010. UPI/David Richard Photo via Newscom

Shortly after Byron Scott took the Cavaliers job, J.J. Hickson sought out his new coach. It was his big chance at a fresh start.

Hickson, who often aggravated former coach Mike Brown with his defensive lapses, wanted his new coach to know he was capable of much more than he had shown in his first two years in the league. In a short period of time, he convinced Scott, too.

”He’s going to have an opportunity this year to really shine and be one of the most improved players in the league,” said Scott, who stopped short of committing to playing him big minutes. ”I’m committed on him playing hard and giving me what I need on both ends of the floor. Am I going to commit to him playing a lot of minutes? No, but do I think he will? Yeah.”

Have an opinion? Discuss it on the Cleveland Cavaliers forum.

Donte Greene adds 25 pounds

Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee reports:

Donte Greene adds 25 pounds

It’s not as easy to push around Donté Greene these days.

The Kings forward showed up for his third NBA season weighing 251 pounds – 25 more than his listed weight.

Now, when he has his post-practice workouts with assistant coach Shareef Abdur- Rahim, Greene has more bulk to use with the post moves he learns from Abdur-Rahim.

“I try to (mimic Abdur- Rahim) by watching film, but ‘Reef was a beast,” Greene said. “I’m just watching film and listening to what he tells me and trying to put it to work.”

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Elton Brand trims down

Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News reports:

Elton Brand trims down

Brand reported to training camp more than 10 pounds lighter than the 265 he carried last season. Now 31 and entering his 12th NBA season, Brand knew after last year’s disappointing run that changes were needed.

“It was funny, coach [Doug Collins] told me the number [weight of 255] and I’m like, ‘I don’t know if I could do it,’ and I was already under that number. Eating right, that’s the first thing,” Brand said. “I gave up Twizzlers, gave up fried foods. I like all types of good meals, so yeah, I had to give up a little bit. It was hard at first, but after a while you know you have a goal, so the urges start to dissipate a little bit.”

And so did the pounds.

Last season may have been one of the worst in Brand’s career. He and coach Eddie Jordan never seemed to be on the same page, often times not reading from the same book, even. Though Brand said he felt great all season, he was coming off his second straight summer of rehab, this time to correct a shoulder injury. The year before, he was coming off an Achilles’ injury. He never could get into a rhythm last year, partly because he never knew his role, partly because his body wouldn’t allow it.

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April 9, 2010: Philadelphia 76ers forward Elton Brand (42) in action during the NBA game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bucks beat the 76ers, 95-90.