Re: 2006-07 NBA General News Thread
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:32 pm
^ There is an article posted in the 2007-08 NBA General News Thread since it relates to next year. Please post in there
Page 8 of 8
Re: 2006-07 NBA General News Thread
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:36 pm
D'oh! Sorry.
Re: 2006-07 NBA General News Thread
Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 5:31 pm
Big Ben Allowed To Wear Headband Again
One of the biggest questions facing the Chicago Bulls in the coming season has been answered: Big Ben's headband is back.
Chicago Bulls coach Scott Skiles, who would not allow center Ben Wallace to wear his trademark headband last season, said Monday that the team has decided to make an exception to its team rule and let Wallace wear the sweat-stopping accessory during games.
The return of the headband endorsed by Wallace's teammates, Skiles said.
"We still have a no-headband rule," Skiles told reporters. "I just left it up to the guys who have been here if they wanted to make an exception for Ben. I was fine with it. They were fine with it."
Early last season, Wallace was pulled twice in a game at New York for wearing the headband, sparking a mini-controversy over his defiance of the rule -- and over the rule itself.
"I think it takes a coach who is willing to adapt a little bit and listen to his players, understanding the big picture is winning," Bulls GM John Paxson said of the decision to let Big Ben wear the headband again. "Scott's one of the best coaches in the league. There's no doubt in my mind. And he's able to adapt. It's really a non-story. But the fact that Scott has looked outside maybe a personal belief, there's nothing wrong with that."
Source: ESPN
One of the biggest questions facing the Chicago Bulls in the coming season has been answered: Big Ben's headband is back.
Chicago Bulls coach Scott Skiles, who would not allow center Ben Wallace to wear his trademark headband last season, said Monday that the team has decided to make an exception to its team rule and let Wallace wear the sweat-stopping accessory during games.
The return of the headband endorsed by Wallace's teammates, Skiles said.
"We still have a no-headband rule," Skiles told reporters. "I just left it up to the guys who have been here if they wanted to make an exception for Ben. I was fine with it. They were fine with it."
Early last season, Wallace was pulled twice in a game at New York for wearing the headband, sparking a mini-controversy over his defiance of the rule -- and over the rule itself.
"I think it takes a coach who is willing to adapt a little bit and listen to his players, understanding the big picture is winning," Bulls GM John Paxson said of the decision to let Big Ben wear the headband again. "Scott's one of the best coaches in the league. There's no doubt in my mind. And he's able to adapt. It's really a non-story. But the fact that Scott has looked outside maybe a personal belief, there's nothing wrong with that."
Source: ESPN
Re: 2006-07 NBA General News Thread
Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 5:47 pm
Isaiah Thomas Found Guilty of Sexual Harassment
A jury decided Tuesday that New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas sexually harassed a former top team executive, subjecting her to unwanted advances and a barrage of verbal insults, but also said he does not have to pay punitive damages.
After an ugly, three-week trial, the verdict gives Thomas a partial victory in the $10 million lawsuit filed by Anucha Browne Sanders.
The jury did find that Madison Square Garden committed harassment against the woman, and decided that she is entitled to punitive damages from MSG.
"I'm innocent, very innocent, and I did not do the things she has accused me in this courtroom of doing," Thomas said. "I'm extremely disappointed that the jury did not see the facts in this case. I will appeal this, and I remain confident in the man that I am and what I stand for and the family that I have."
Madison Square Garden also said it would appeal.
"We believe that the jury's decision was incorrect," MSG said in a statement. "We look forward to presenting our arguments to an appeals court, and believe they will agree that no sexual harassment took place and MSG acted properly."
Browne Sanders, fired from her $260,000 a year job in 2006, sued Thomas and Madison Square Garden. Her case presented the Garden as "Animal House" in sneakers, a place where nepotism, sexism, crude remarks and crass language were part of the culture.
Thomas, who is married with two children, acknowledged trying to kiss Browne Sanders in December 2005, asking her "No love today?" when she recoiled. MSG president Steve Mills said he spoke with Thomas about the single incident, and the former point guard said it wouldn't happen again.
Source: ESPN
A jury decided Tuesday that New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas sexually harassed a former top team executive, subjecting her to unwanted advances and a barrage of verbal insults, but also said he does not have to pay punitive damages.
After an ugly, three-week trial, the verdict gives Thomas a partial victory in the $10 million lawsuit filed by Anucha Browne Sanders.
The jury did find that Madison Square Garden committed harassment against the woman, and decided that she is entitled to punitive damages from MSG.
"I'm innocent, very innocent, and I did not do the things she has accused me in this courtroom of doing," Thomas said. "I'm extremely disappointed that the jury did not see the facts in this case. I will appeal this, and I remain confident in the man that I am and what I stand for and the family that I have."
Madison Square Garden also said it would appeal.
"We believe that the jury's decision was incorrect," MSG said in a statement. "We look forward to presenting our arguments to an appeals court, and believe they will agree that no sexual harassment took place and MSG acted properly."
Browne Sanders, fired from her $260,000 a year job in 2006, sued Thomas and Madison Square Garden. Her case presented the Garden as "Animal House" in sneakers, a place where nepotism, sexism, crude remarks and crass language were part of the culture.
Thomas, who is married with two children, acknowledged trying to kiss Browne Sanders in December 2005, asking her "No love today?" when she recoiled. MSG president Steve Mills said he spoke with Thomas about the single incident, and the former point guard said it wouldn't happen again.
Source: ESPN
Re: 2006-07 NBA General News Thread
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 6:10 pm
Spurs Sign Bruce Bowen To Extension
The San Antonio Spurs signed Bruce Bowen to a contract extension, the team announced Sunday.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the team, but the San Antonio Express-News said it was a two-year contract that will pay Bowen $4 million in each of the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.
The second year of the extension is not fully guaranteed, an NBA executive familiar with the details told the newspaper.
Bowen, a 6-foot-7 swingman, is entering his seventh season with the Spurs. Last year he was named to the NBA's All-Defensive First Team for the fourth consecutive year and finished second in voting for Defensive Player of the Year. Bowen, 36, has earned a spot on the NBA's All-Defensive Team in each of the last seven seasons (first team 2004, '05, '06, '07; second team '01, '02, '03) joining Tim Duncan and Jason Kidd as the only players in the NBA with that distinction.
"He's obviously been an important part of what we do," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, according to the Express-News. "He's a consummate pro, always prepared and his work ethic is incomparable. He deserves it. Night in and night out he's the best perimeter defender in the league."
Last year Bowen was the only Spur to play in all 82 games and enters this season with a streak of 436 consecutive games played and started, which is the longest active streak in the NBA and a Spurs franchise record.
Source: ESPN