Tony Parker told Pau Gasol that he is the reason the guard has chased after the gold for so long, from Mark Woods of ESPN: “Three months earlier, Parker had lunch with Pau Gasol in a Barcelona restaurant while in town to shoot a commercial. They shared personal tales, but also reminisced about how often their paths had crossed, in the NBA and on the international stage. In particular, he confessed his frustration to the Los Angeles Lakers forward over how he, and Spain, had been the chief barrier to French ambitions of a first-ever major championship during the past decade. “I told Pau, he’s the reason why I keep coming every year and keep pushing my team,” Parker said. “It’s like the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls. You keep losing, you get closer. “Man, 13 years and I’m still chasing. It’s because of you.” That’s how long Parker and Boris Diaw had been pursuing this goal, a gold to match the one they won together in the Under-18 European Championships.”
Derrick Rose is coming into this season with the mindset that he has no limitations, from K.C. Johnson of Chicago Tribune: “My only goal is to win a championship,” the Bulls guard said Sunday at the United Center… “It’s just going to be an emotional day,” Rose said. “Just playing again and being around my teammates and being in the atmosphere of an arena, playing in front of people. I haven’t had that in a long time.”… “The only thing that has changed in my game is the confidence,” he said. “My confidence grew as a player. You’ll see that when I play.”… “I believe I’m one of the hardest workers in the NBA,” he said… “Right now, my legs are good,” he said. “I’m just trying to stay positive and keep my emotions from exploding, knowing the season is around the corner… Rose said he isn’t worried about his knee. “I’m past that,” he said. “I’m in training. While I was in LA the last month or so, I was working out three times a day.”
Shaquille O’Neal explained why he decided to buy a stake in the Sacramento Kings, from Sam Amick of USA Today: “What interested me in this deal is the new vision, the new Kings, the new everything,” said O’Neal, who so famously deemed the Kings the “Queens” at the start of the 2002-03 season. “I’ve always wanted to be part of something like this. … It’s going to be great.”… “Worst is at the bottom, which means you can’t get no worser,” he said of the Kings’ ranking. “There’s no such thing as worser, which means we can only get better. And we will get better. Once that new arena comes, once that new downtown is up, once we have a conversation with the players and get everybody to step up, they’ll be knocking on the door. “Hopefully Vivek, with Mr. Mastrov and myself and the team and organization can get it back to where it used to be. I’m telling you these new plans, oh my. You’re going to be like, ‘Sacramento is doing what?’ That’s what we want people to say.”
- O’Neal also made sure to backtrack on referring to the Sacramento Kings as the “Sacramento Queens”: “O’Neal knows that some Kings fans may be reluctant to accept him, what with their sorted past and all, but is ready to start his fascinating new experience nonetheless. “(The Lakers and Kings) did have some great battles, and fans need to understand that those (Sacramento Queens) comments that I made and all that stuff, it was for them,” he said. “I’ve always been an expert at marketing, so a Laker-vs. Sacramento Kings, I wanted it to be the most watched game ever. “But right now, (the Kings are) down, and they have new ownership, and we’re going to bring it back up. It’s going to be beautiful. It’s going to be a destination place that people want to see.”
Stephen Curry expects his little brother to make the Warriors roster, from Sean Deveney of Sporting News: “I expect him to make an impact and leave a mark on our coaching staff and front office,” Stephen said, speaking as part of a press run for his ThanksUSA golf tournament. “The opportunity they’ve given him to get into training camp and be associated with a team, hopefully he takes advantage of that.” Stephen has maintained a positive outlook on his brother’s NBA future throughout the entire process, even as injury and inactivity hurt Seth’s chances of being picked in the draft. He understands the competitive fire Seth has, a fire that dates back to their childhood. “We used to play 1-on-1 in the backyard and it always ended in arguments or tears,” Stephen said. “But I like to see him play well. There’s that bad blood when we play pickup and we’re on other teams but it’s supposed to be that way.”
Larry Bird did not confirm the Yahoo Sports report indicating that a contract is being finalized for Paul George, from Michael Pointer of USA Today: “Indiana Pacers President Larry Bird said the team has not yet reached an agreement on a contract extension with All-Star forward Paul George but hinted that it was close. “That’s why I’m not playing golf today,” Bird said during an appearance prior to the Pacers Foundation golf outing at Brickyard Crossing. “I’m going back to the office to work on it.” Bird said he had not seen the report and declined to comment on it. When asked if the length and financial figures were correct, he replied, “Never heard that. If I did, I wish it was my number.” George’s contract expires after this season and the Pacers would be able to match any offer he receives as a restricted free agent. Bird hopes the security of getting a long-term deal out of the way appeals to George and they can agree to an extension soon. “The number has to be a number we both like,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about. It’s all about money. He wants to be here. He’s told me that a million times. We want him here. Let’s just find a number that works for both.”
David Stern looked back on some of things he didn’t enjoy as a commissioner, from Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today: “I haven’t enjoyed having the responsibility to end careers, which I haven’t had to do recently with respect to drug use and the like many years ago,” Stern said. He called a gambling scandal involving former referee Tim Donaghy who sold inside tips to a gambler, “absolutely (the) worst nightmare you can encounter.” But Stern and the league have weathered plenty, survived and prospered. On the day Stern announced his decision to step aside, he was asked if he had any regrets. “It sounds like a Frank Sinatra song, ‘Regrets, I have a few,’ ” Stern sang in an impromptu karaoke session. “But then again, too few to mention,” Silver interjected. “That’s right. We finish each other’s sentences,” Stern noted. “Life is a journey. It’s been a spectacular journey. Each step along the way, there are things you have to do, things maybe you wish you hadn’t done, but I don’t keep that list. So I’m totally pleased and am particularly pleased with the transition with which we are now embarking.”
What?!!?!? you mean you can’t merely will yourself to healing a major injury?
Time for reality to check in with Lakers fans.