NBA Officiating at it’s all time worst

With that 2009 second-round pick the Spurs drafted DeJuan Blair, who has been a solid pick up for them. The Suns eventually traded Dragic to Houston in a multiplayer deal that brought back Aaron Brooks, but re-signed him this summer to replace his former mentor, Steve Nash.

The Clippers will take it a little slower with Chris Paul, who tore a ligament in his right thumb. While he has been cleared for non-contact practice, the team expects Paul to participate in at least one preseason game.

With the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, the Hawks were constantly on the road and had few practices when they were at home. That at times left Horford to work out alone.

When Howard was traded to the Lakers in August, O’Neal analyzed the situation this way: “You have to care to have a reaction. I’ve got businesses to run. I always tell people that in order to step in my shoes, you have big shoes to fill. For him, he’s going to have to at least win three to get people’s respect.”hdfg

But that doesn’t mean O’Neal has to keep bringing it up. Just sit back and relax, Shaq. You did yours, and we respect that. But nobody has to hate Howard to love you.hfd43

It’s too early to tell how good Waiters will be right away, but here’s what we think we know: He’s a streaky shooter from the perimeter, he can get to the basket practically at will, and as coach Byron Scott said, “he can go over the top” of defenders once there. Overall, he’s looking pretty good.vsf33223

At one point during shooting drills with Kyrie Irving and a few others, the Cavs’ free-agent acquisition buried 12 consecutive 3-pointers, each from different spots. Yes, it’s just practice, and no one was defending Miles. But it’s still a good sign that when open, he can knock it down.dfg43

That’s important because with Antawn Jamison (Lakers) and Anthony Parker (retirement) gone, the Cavs needed to find perimeter threats — particularly once Waiters and Irving get in the lane, draw double-teams and kick it to spotted-up teammates.saf323223ga

Again, it’s early, but that is the way it’s looking. Samuels and Leuer are both expected to back up second-year man Tristan Thompson at power forward. Samuels is more of an inside threat, Leuer is a big man who’s effective from the perimeter. So it’s a safe bet Scott will play each according to matchups.hfg34jsgf

“I’m trying to change my game around to not focus on offense as much and be a presence on defense,” Samuels said.;l’0[90

Scott has offered nothing but praise for the backup point guard, acquired in an offseason trade (with a second-round pick, for D.J. Kennedy).bsfdadf

Pargo is a bit of a good-natured prankster and just generally fun to be around. But his coach is a fan because of the way Pargo pushes the ball in practice.afaew232

Then again, Scott has already said it’s possible the Cavs keep both Pargo and Sloan, and Harangody just accepted the team’s qualifying offer over the summer. So keep in mind, all the names mentioned are pure speculation. And a few of them will make it.adf3

Then again, Scott has already said it’s possible the Cavs keep both Pargo and Sloan, and Harangody just accepted the team’s qualifying offer over the summer. So keep in mind, all the names mentioned are pure speculation. And a few of them will make it.c vbdvb

The new Big-3 era was really only supposed to last three years. The Celtics were supposed to have a very short championship window and, when the three years were over, they would have to start anew around Rajon Rondo and whatever other draft picks may have matured into contributors along the way. Instead, they have now nearly doubled their life expectancy, entering this season as one of a handful of teams who should not be making any plans for June golf outings. Meanwhile, the success of the original Big-3 has spawned copycats around the league who saw Boston’s immediate, dramatic turnaround and want to experience it themselves.faf3w

The new Big-3 era was really only supposed to last three years. The Celtics were supposed to have a very short championship window and, when the three years were over, they would have to start anew around Rajon Rondo and whatever other draft picks may have matured into contributors along the way. Instead, they have now nearly doubled their life expectancy, entering this season as one of a handful of teams who should not be making any plans for June golf outings. Meanwhile, the success of the original Big-3 has spawned copycats around the league who saw Boston’s immediate, dramatic turnaround and want to experience it themselves.vsafd3w2323

Coach Frank is adamant that Drummond is not getting a free pass in Detroit and will earn his playing time, but the young big man has kicked things off on the right foot and if he is still a fun guy to coach at the end of October, we will be seeing a lot of this physically gifted young big in the regular season.

The Houston Rockets tied up one more piece of unfinished business on Saturday night, trading disgruntled Kevin Martin to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a deal that landed James Harden in Houston. The Rockets also send Jeremy Lamb and future draft considerations to Oklahoma City. The Thunder also send Cole Aldrich, Daequan Cook and Lazar Hayward to Houston in the trade.

“We’ve always liked Eddy,” Nelson continued. “He’s got soft hands and he’s got a nice low-post game. He’s gone on some hard times at the age of 29 and, with a family, people grow up. He’s put in a lot of work this summer and put himself in a great position. I think it was a numbers thing down in San Antonio, but we’re going to take a good hard look at him.”