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Bits & Pieces (Team USA, Free Agency, and more...)

Written by: fathoops93
Submitted on: 2007-07-23 17:42:07
Sport: basketball

In a recent report, Tim Donoghy has received "threatening phone calls" in the wake of his FBI investigation for betting on games he's refereed. Why this made the news, I have no idea. It's kind of a given that when people find out you've been screwing over their teams and their sport, they're going to let you know how they feel. Over half of those phone calls can probably be traced to Phoenix, AZ. For a great take on why, read this article from Foxsports writer Kevin Hench...

After a weekend-long minicamp, Team USA held an intersquad scrimmage yesterday, and KB24 showed why he's a lock on the team, scoring seven points in the final two minutes, including the game winner with just over six seconds left. It's probably a good thing that the U.S. won't have to rely exclusively on Lebron or 'Melo for late heroics if they're needed...

The surprises from the scrimmage? Mike Miller and Kevin Durant. Miller was feasting from the closer-in three-point line, and scored 22 points. Meanwhile, Durant was making his case for making the team this year, showing some deadly shooting and deft post moves. The biggest disappointment? Probably Tayshaun Prince, who had three turnovers and several lapses on defense...

Off-season movement continued last week, highlighted by the Suns' money-motivated move to trade Kurt Thomas to Seattle with two first round unprotected draft picks. That 2010 pick could definetely hurt if Nash is done and Marion is finally dealt elsewhere, as has been rumored since he entered the league in '99. On the flip-side, with Thomas' salary gone Marion will probably stick around (definetely good) and Sean Marks will get lots of playing time (hey, Kerr thinks it will work).

If you play those NBA Live video games where individual player talent determines how good a team is, then you can probably understand why Houston took a trip down memory lane and signed Steve Francis. The Rockets' makeup right now is getting really questionable. New coach Rick Adelman will want to run run run. Yao does not run run run. So in order to run run run, T-Mac will need the ball. But to win win win, Yao should have the ball. And let's not forget that Bonzi Wells wants the ball. And now they sign Steve Francis, who has no other desire than to be the ball's personal chaperone throught the game. That's not to mention the New York-like traffic jam at point guard right now...

Going along with the back to the future theory, the Lake Show signed D-Fish for 3 years and $14 million. Fisher says he hopes his being in L.A. might persuade Kobe to relinquish is already shady trade demand. At this point, I'm not sure even Kobe knows what he last said in reference to staying or not staying in L.A...the Lakers also re-signed Chris Mihm for another three years. Actually, Kobe might just reiterate his trade demand if he notices that the Lakers are just re-signing the exact same squad for a few more years...

Gerald Wallace re-upped with Charlotte for six years and $57 million. With him and J-Rich on the wings, Ray Felton setting them up on the break, and Okafor manning the middle, they look a lot like playoff material in the leastern conference...

Detroit refuses to give up on their tried and once-true veteran core, extending Antonio McDyess' contract for another two years. Will this approach work for the Pistons? What will get them back to the Finals? Their two rookies? A new sense of determination? Season-ending injuries to Lebron and D-Wade at the same time?

With all the refusals to communicate, quotes and mis-quotes and still no progress being made, the situation between Yi Jianlian and the Bucks has turned into a veritable Cold War. This whole situation isn't exactly helping David Stern promote the NBA in China...

The Bucks were not only able to speak to, but sign guard/forward Desmond Mason. That's a solid move, as he'll be able to either back up both Bobby Simmons and Michael Redd, or start for Simmons and let him take on the sixth man role. Mason should also be able to provide a few new highlights and posters. If the whole Yi thing does work out, then Milwaukee would be another team on the rise in the East...

And finally, with my weekly edition of Bits and Pieces (B&P), I'm starting to include an Idiocy of the Week. We'll stick with the Bucks theme, as this week's honor goes to Jake Voskuhl's agent Mark Bartelstein. After Voskuhl signed a contract with the Bucks this past week, Bartelstein said, "He's one of the top backup centers in the league." I guess averaging 4.4ppg, 3.5rpg, and 0.33bpg for a lottery team qualifies him as a "top backup center."