|
|
| NBA.com reports that Paul Pierce had not slept in 36 hours but the Boston Celtics captain was more than ready to greet the tens of thousands of fans who turned out Thursday to celebrate the team's first NBA championship in 22 years.
"We're tired of watching these parades on TV. Now we get to enjoy our own,'' said Pierce, wearing a championship cap and holding the MVP trophy. "I haven't had any sleep yet, so now I'm still enjoying it.''
|
Our View: Pierce led the Celtics to the team's 17th championship and was easily the MVP of the tournament.
|
|
|
|
| Dwyane Wade has reportedly been awarded a spot on the US Olympic basketball team, according to ESPN.com. His spot on the team will be made official on Monday. |
Our View: Wade has been rehabbing since May 5 in Chicago and hosted USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo there for a workout last week. Colangelo came away impressed and convinced that Wade's surgically repaired left knee could hold up to the stress of the Olympic schedule. The Olympic team will begin training in mid-July.
|
|
|
|
| Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich stated that Manu Ginobili should "definitely not" play for Team Argentina in the upcoming Olympics if his ailing left ankle does not improve, according to ESPN.com. |
Our View: Ginobili hurt his ankle early in the playoffs and a recent MRI exam found that a ligament in his heel is around five times the size of the one in his other heel. He will undergo another MRI in about three weeks, and Popovich warned that he should not compete in the Olympics if the ailment hasn't improved at all. Argentina won the gold medal back in 2004 in Athens.
|
|
|
|
| Chris Paul will be one of the 12 members of US Olympic basketball team, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. The full team will be officially announced on Monday. |
Our View: This would be his first selection to Team USA. He averaged 21.1 points, 11.6 assists, four rebounds, and 2.7 steals over 80 games with the Hornets in 2007-08, and was viewed as a virtual lock to make the team.
|
|
|
|
| Paul Pierce won't play for Team USA in the Olympics, according to the Boston Globe. Pierce is battling a strained right knee, and managing director Jerry Colangelo said, "He's had an incredible year. But he wasn't able to participate the past two years. As a result of that, it's one of the circumstances that is unavoidable."
|
Our View: Pierce won't be able to represent the US in the Olympics, but he has plenty to be proud of over the summer, as he led the Celtics to their 17th title.
|
|
|
|
| Lamar Odom is not likely to receive a contract extension from the Lakers, and could be dealt this summer, according to the LA Times. |
Our View: Coach Phil Jackson wants a high percentage shooter at small forward, and Odom does not fit the requirement, as shooting is the weakest part of his game. Odom also has a $14-million salary.
|
|
|
|
| Juan Carlos Navarro has decided to join FC Barcelona, according to the CommercialAppeal.com. |
Our View: Navarro made $538,000 with the Grizzlies in 2007-08, but could not turn down a deal to return to Spain that will pay him between $20-to-24 million over the next four years. He scored 10.9 points over 82 games with Memphis in 2007-08, and drained 156 three-pointers.
|
|
