Tip:

Line your body up for a free throw by centering yourself using the nail on the free throw line

Ray Allen free throw footwork

When shooting a free throw, you should center your shooting arm over that nail. If your shooting arm is properly lined up like a catapult that is directly perpendicular to the rim, then the ball should go straight forward on launch, while using your guide hand to just keep the ball steady.

Many coaches will suggest to place your right toe (if you’re right-handed) over the nail, but we feel that only makes sense if you are launching the ball off your right shoulder. Rather, we suggest to put the nail some distance right of center between your two feet. A right-handed shooter should toe the line with his right foot. How far you put your left foot behind the line should be left to what feels most comfortable for you. Most people have their left foot toe back about half of your right foot.

The most important part is to line yourself up consistently the same way. Your feet should be in the same position for every single free throw you ever take. It’s the easiest part of a free throw to keep consistent, so make sure you do it right.

Sports are industries that rely on youth. Professional and Amateur athletes peak in their late 20′s, when most industry professionals are only beginning to learn the ropes of their industry.

When you look at a professional basketball team and its development programs, the average age range is probably 5-30. However, if you look at say the computer industry or pharmaceutical industry, the age range from entry-level education and training programs through to true industry experts probably starts at 15-20 and can go up to the 50′s and 60′s for true experts.

This is all the more reason for the world of basketball to focus on youth programs. Unfortunately, it is getting worse, not better. AAU and Summer Camps have been infiltrated and spoiled by corruption and sponsorship money. High school basketball has been pretty stale with its development process over the past 20-30 years (since the inception of AAU). And youth programs by the YMCA, CYO, and Boys & Girls Club have struggled to develop nationwide roots and consistency.

Perhaps the best early training, and a great feature of the sport of basketball, is on the pick-up courts around the nation. Whether its elementary and middle school kids putting together in the driveways or cul-de-sacs, or high school age kids hitting the parks prove themselves, you can’t find a better place to get a basic education than a local hoop. You’ll learn to compete, a desire to win, toughness, and an ability to shoot and dribble in the worst conditions possible.

To keep up this progress, our youth need more access to hoops. There are thousands out there, but they are always busy and full. That means we need more. More playgrounds, more driveway hoops, more gyms. Petition your local government for a new park with courts. Put up in-ground basketball hoops in your driveway, or even adjustable basketball systems in your street or cul-de-sac. Check out Pro Dunk Hoops for a new basket. Each one makes a difference.

Unfortunately, teamwork, strategy, and a complete toolkit of skills, is not something you’ll be able to entirely develop on those courts. Experience on a well-coached team is necessary to take your game to the next level. Not just for any coach who maybe saw an NBA game and think they understand the game. But a team coached by someone who has studied the game and has been taught the game by good teachers. We have our school teachers get degrees in education, so shouldn’t we hold our coaches to the same standard? We need more coaching schools and coaching development programs.

Here’s a hint. If you’re team runs a 2-3 zone, that’s not coaching. That does not teach players to get better, and in most programs, although you may squeek out an extra win or two because you play a bad team that does not know how to beat it, it will not win you championships. Coaching is teaching man to man defense. Don’t give your kids a fish, teach them how to fish.

To conclude, we need more hoops and educated coaches for this great game to stay great in this country. It’s an industry and development begins younger than any other.

*Article sponsored by Pro Dunk Hoops

I just browsed through the recent NCPA (National College Players Association) study “The Price of Poverty in Big Time College Sport“, which has gotten a lot of attention in the press. In general, the study looked at the value of a student-athlete and offers some suggestions for improving the system.

Most of the press went to the valuations they placed on major football and basketball college athletes. It claims the fair market value for a Duke basketball player is worth $1,025,656 and that a University of Texas football player is worth $513,922, both the top of their sport. It also claims that on average major college basketball players are worth $265,027 and football players worth $121,048. I am not going to argue the value of these numbers, which were used more for the flair than validity or accuracy. The point is, these guys are good and worth true value to a school. If you disagree, I suggest you get some Duke basketball tickets now and watch a game in person.

The study does a good job collecting a lot of good data and information regarding the topic. It brings forth a lot of valid numbers that need to be taken into account as colleges determine the definition and valuation for a scholarship, room, and board. However, it is clear from the start that the study is written by football players for football players. (They also write for basketball players, although the focus is on football.)

The study provides ample data and findings that warrant a lot of investigation into how college athletes are rewarded for their work. It also offers six recommendations to the NCAA (and Congress) on changes they propose should be made or discussed. However, from the start, the study comes across as biased and clearly written with the recommendations having been formulated prior to the study had taken place. The studies main purpose is to get college football and basketball players the big money that is going to the university, athletic directors, and basketball and football coaches. I will argue that each of their proposals are either unjustified, can be fixed with revisions to the college rules, or can be fixed with stronger enforcement to the rules.

Recommendation Number One

The recommendations are not all bad. The first proposal argues that student athletes are not provided enough room and board to cover all expenses of going to college, with an average shortfall of around $3200. Unfortunately, the study argues for an increase only in football and basketball scholarship values (an increase of which would cost the schools $47 million annually), not for anyone else. It tries to make up for this focused support by casually mentioning Title IX, as if it is a rule that they need to get around:

“Should Title IX compliance require that provisions be made for female athletes to receive a similar benefit, that amount can be doubled for a total of $94 million annually.”

Let’s not forget about the rest of the male sports either. I’m sure mens baseball, golf, and tennis players would not be very happy to see receive less scholarship value than their football counterparts! Just remember as you read through these proposals that athletes from every other sport in Division I receive the same scholarship value for their sport and struggle with the same cost of living shortfalls. Yet, these athletes seem to survive without the violations. I would assume most get NCAA-approved summer jobs and internships to earn extra money that tides them over through the school year, something that basketball and football players can surely do as well.

Recommendation Number Two

The second proposal by the NCPA again offers a focused solution. It suggests that the NCAA allow athletes to secure endorsement deals, similar to Olympic athletes. This proposal is even worse than the first. It only helps the best players on each football and basketball team, not even all players on those teams. In my opinion, if these athletes are good enough to receive endorsements for their skills, no matter how small, than they should either turn professional now or hang on until graduation to earn that extra money. Either way, this proposal only intensifies the divide between basketball and football student-athletes with the rest of the sports.

Recommendation Number Three

The third proposal suggests taking funds from the profits made by schools on these sports and using the funds to help educate these athletes during school or post-graduation. I do not disagree that student-athletes should have access to tutors and help if needed during school. But, they should not take it beyond the grasp of the school itself. For instance, letting these athletes take a special athlete-only version of the same class as normal students take, just so it can fit into their schedule or learning structure, is not a move in the right direction. And, helping out post-graduation will only encourage these athletes to take school less seriously during their undergraduate years.

Instead, I think the core of the problem needs to be addressed, which is why we let these college athletes get by with such mediocre grades. We need to raise the requirements for grades and graduation rates in order to determine eligibility and enforce them more strictly. If the NCAA is worried about deterioration of the quality of athletes due to tougher grade requirements, I have two arguments. First, as long as all athletes are on the same playing field in terms of grades, competition will remain fierce, and it is the extreme competition that the NCAA needs most, not the best athletes. Second, in the long run, it will benefit these athletes more. The NCAA has managed, with the help of the NBA and NFL, to create the dream of being a great college athlete. Very few people want or have the ability to skip college and go straight to the pros, and for those 0.0001% that do, so be it. But, for the rest, the dream will only encourage people to study more, to get the grades needed to pass, in order to become eligible. So many high school and college athletes do “just enough” to get passing grades to be able to play. I truly think that athletes will do “just enough more” if the requirements are raised.

Recommendation Number Four

The fourth argument of the study is to revoke the single year renewable scholarship rule, and go back to the 4-year scholarship that existed prior to 1973. Now, the argument here is that coaches are just cutting players if they are not good enough. This is wrong. But, I do not think guaranteeing a 4-year scholarship is the correct solution here either. The Ivy league does not provide scholarships and sees far more athletes quit before they graduate. To many Ivy league athletes, entry to the school is the value athletes place on their effort. Once they get into school, many quit their teams. I fear too many student athletes, once benched or not given their “minutes” (or for whatever other reason), would quit if they knew they had their school, room, and board paid for over the remaining duration of their undergrad career.

I think the better solution here is some sort of compromise. I would propose to move back to the 4-year scholarship. However, if an athlete has a career-ending injury, a coach can release him and get that scholarship back as it counts toward the team limit, while the athlete still retains the scholarship to attend school. If an athletes grades drop too low, the school can also release them from their scholarship, not the coach. Lastly, if the athlete does not show up to practice, games, or has attendance problems, the coach can also request the scholarship is dropped. This means the athlete must maintain some minimums and it is up to the coach to get more out of them.

Recommendation Number Five

I will not even discuss the fifth proposal.

“To the extent that Title IX requires universities to provide female athletes with accomodations similar to those mentioned in the reforms mentioned above, athletic programs should use new TV revenues to do so.”

It is a blatant slap in the face of women and at Title IX, and an even worse slap in the face at men’s sports outside of basketball and football, which it does not even mention. For these proposals to ask for benefits to basketball and football only shows that the NCPA is merely chasing the superstar money reward and not the fair rights for all college players, which its name implies. If this organization has any non-basketball or football members that stand by these proposals, I would be shocked.

Recommendation Number Six

The sixth and last proposal by the NCPA suggests that Congress get involved in college sports and fix all the problems that the University presidents are not able to fix. Personally, if my tax dollars are wasted on congressman getting involved in this rather than working on the problems with our economy, jobs, and education (to the masses, not the few), I will be very disappointed (although, not surprised).

Conclusion

Throughout the study, there is statistical data that one can draw glaring results from. For instance, the study shows that athletes spend almost 40 hours per week on their sport, while NCAA rules allow for only 20 hours. Yet, for some reason, the study argues that the athletes should receive more for doing more work, rather than simply suggesting that the rules are enforced. Cleaning up the rules and enhancing enforcement is the most important effort that should be made in my opinion. Take some of that TV revenue that the study seems to think can be spent freely, and put it to use as regulatory enforcement.

Next, if the NCPA wishes ever to be taken seriously with its studies, it needs to get backing from ALL college athletes, not the few. John Infante discusses this very accurately in his review of the study on the NCAA website:

“Saying institutions should only invest in non-revenue sports what is legally required or the bare minimum necessary to field a team is asking the NCAA and its members to embrace a cynical view of intercollegiate athletics. That college sports should be run as a profit-maximizing enterprise and under-performing business units shuttered or defunded.

That claim requires more than simply a statement that concludes non-revenue sports are lavish excesses. To justify taking money away from programs where coaches rarely make millions and where new money is often spent improving the student-athlete experience, you need an explanation of why only football and men’s basketball players deserve a well-funded, elite athletic experience.”

As a final note, I’ll touch on the money that everyone is so obsessed about with this study. I’m not digging into exact numbers, but let’s just look at this whole idea from the top-level.

First, I see no reason that these university officials and coaches do not deserve the money are generating. If the study wants to argue that this is strictly a business, then I do think the managers of the business deserved to be paid well for their efforts. Also, to argue that the athletes are not being paid their fair market value as workers is completely untrue. To say the value of a scholarship is only worth the present value of tuition, room, and board, is absurd.

In 2008, the average male college graduate earned a salary of $82,197 versus the high school graduate average salary of $43,165 (the disparity amongst women is not quite as equal). Not even taking into account the rate of inflation, an average 40-year career will net a college graduate $1.6 million in extra earnings over their career for having graduated college. Do we really want to separate these athletes completely, make them a minor league sport, give them no degree, for a four-year contract of $121k per year totaling $484k? I’d rather take $1.6 million instead of $484k, I don’t know about you.

Better late than never. Congratulations to the 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks!

I can envision it now. After about a month or so into the NBA season, and the GM of the Chicago Bulls, John Paxson, is riding in his car blasting some Brittany Spears, “Ooops I did it again!”

The song so fitting to Paxson’s career as the GM of the Chicago Bulls. In mid-July of 2006, the Bulls were coming off a promising playoff run and looking to add to their team and, what they were thinking, look to make a deep run in the playoffs. That summer Paxson went out and grabbed Ben Wallace, a 6’9 center who was known as one of, if not, the best defensive player in the league. They gave him a 4 year $60 million contract. Paxson’s move was praised by the Chicago fans and the media alike– he had positioned the Bulls to make a deep playoff run.

That signing turned Ben Wallace from the most under-rated player in the league to the most over-rated player in the league. The move never panned out, at all. The Bulls were never a marquee contender, and the notion to sign a big man center, who can’t score, to a $60 million contract over 4 years was dead. Every front office executive knew not to follow in Paxson’s footsteps and repeat this same ill-conceived move.

Fast forward to October 2010 and who makes the same dumb move, none other than John Paxson, when he signed Joakim Noah to a 5 year $60 million contract. Although it is $2 million less per year than Wallace, he is still paying $12 million a year to a guy who is a 6’10 center and 232 lbs, who has trouble scoring. Unlike Wallace, he has never been an All-Star and does not hold an NBA Championship ring. I know Chicago fans are probably going to be up in arms with me, but these are probably the same fans who blessed the Wallace signing, only to want Paxson’s job on the chopping block afterwards.

Look, I will agree Noah had a promising season last year and a promising and productive playoffs. He did average a double double during the season and, in the playoffs, averaged 14.8 ppg and 13.0 rpg. Also, he brought plenty of energy in the playoff series and really turned some heads.

But, this is one playoff series we are talking about, and really a quarter of the season as well. Watching Noah, he is not skilled offensively. His post moves are suspect and he does not have much of a jumper, an incredibly ugly one at that. He relies on his work ethic, which you have to admire, but you don’t give $12 million a year just to a guy because he works hard. He is a solid defender as he is smart on his rotations and he does come across with the occasional block. At times he defends the post well, but, more importantly, he also gets out-muscled by some of the bigger front court players in the league. His ‘Sideshow Bob’ looking frame doesn’t quite cut with the big boys in the paint. He only weighs all of 232 lbs. and, by comparison, Lebron James is an inch or two shorter and at least 30 lbs heavier, while playing small forward. I can’t recall, but I would be hard impressed to find an NBA team who went to the NBA Finals with their starting center weighing 232 lbs. Can you think of one?

This year, one of the bad contracts of the NBA is finally coming off the books. Erick Dampier signed a 7 year and $73 million contract that has been in the pain in the arse of Marc Cuban and the Mavericks for sometime. Well, looking at Dampier’s numbers, prior to him signing the contract, he averaged 12.3 ppg and 11.9 rpg, better numbers than Noah. I hate to say it but I think this contract is giong to be the pain in Paxson’s arse for some time to come, as in his death march to the GM job of the Bulls. The Bulls will be stuck with this contract and not be able to maneuver within the cap. Paxson should have pulled the trigger on the trade for Carmelo with Noah as his bait.

He could have resurrected his career as a GM just like Brittany.Wait, her comeback didn’t last.

Nicolas Batum:
The high flying Frenchmen is the mainstay in the Trailblazers starting lineup. He is a big reason why the team isn’t looking for perimeter help, despite key subtractions to the Portland roster including Travis Outlaw and Martell Webster, as well as the numerous trade requests from Rudy Fernandez. Though Batum is usually touted for his defense, it was his offense that did the talking in Turkey as he paced the French squad with 12.5 PPG.

Hamed Haddadi:
The 7-foot Persian center was the only player of note on an Iranian team that only won one game in the tournament. Still Hadaddi was amongst the leading scores in Turkey at 20 PPG. In addition, Hadaddi made it difficult for the opposition to get easy looks at the basket with his shot blocking prowess in where he finished at 2.6 BPG. Further, from the games and in looking at the numbers a closer you can see that Hamed’s acumen for the game is steadily increasing. His footwork and hands are both above average for man of his size evidenced by his ability to time shot blocking opportunities as well as his ability to be the primary scoring threat for Iran, which more than usually was overmatched. Look for Hadaddi to seriously challenge incumbent starter Marc Gasol and former #2 overall pick Hasheem Thabeet for minutes in Memphis this coming season.

Tiago Splitter:
Splitter’s debut in the NBA has been long anticipated by basketball people from all over. The 2007 28th overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs has spent the last few years playing out his contract (which had an extremely high buyout clause) with Tau Ceramica of the Spanish ACB League. And by the looks of it, that was best thing for the Brazilian big man. Fast-forward 3 years and Splitter is widely considered the best big man in Europe. He proved it in the World Championships with his all around game as he came in second in points, rebounds and assists for his home country.

Ersan Ilyasova:
The versatile Milwaukee Bucks forward was big part of the team making it to playoffs in 2009-10. And it looks like Ilyasova will help Jennings and company do more than just squeeze into the post season just to lose in the first round in 2010-11, like they did in 2009-10. Ersan was the leading scorer and rebounder for the host country that made it to the championship game against Team USA. At 13.4 PPG and 7.6 RPG Ilyasova’s contributions are even more impressive considering he was playing alongside Turkish legend and NBA all-star Hedo Turkoglu.

Timofey Mozgov:
The Knicks off season free agent pick up might be the least known of the five players mentioned, but he may also have the most upside. Playing for US nemesis Russia, Mozgov paced his team in scoring at 13 PPG on 63% from the field and whopping 78% from the free throw line (which is remarkable for a big man). Not to mention the 7-footer led the Russians to 4-1 record in pool play and a berth in the round of eight. Furthermore, against Greece, a nation that which has given the US trouble in past (especially on the interior where man giant Sofoklis Schortsanitis controls the middle), he went off for 18 points.

Honorable mention

Yi Jianlian:
Normally I wouldn’t do this, but I just want to take the time to point out a strong individual performance from Yi who was a World Championships top five scorer at 20.2 PPG and also led China in rebounds at 10.2 RPG. However, China didn’t have a particularly strong showing finishing up at 1-4.

The FIBA World Championships are “a JV tournament compared to the Olympics.” At least that’s what Pardon The Interruption’s Tony Kornheiser thinks. He said so on the 9/13/10 episode of the popular ESPN show which he co-hosts alongside Michael Wilbon. And who can blame him. In the past, American hoops fans have associated success on the international stage solely with winning the Olympics. That isn’t the case this time around. On Sunday September 12th, USA Basketball’s senior men’s contingent captured its first FIBA World Championship gold in 16 years. As a result, when FIBA releases its newest world rankings, the United States will be on top. I guess its lucky for USA Basketball that the program is not comprised of ordinary hoops fans.

USA Basketball’s Chairman Jerry Colangelo says this summer’s accomplishment is “…a great tribute to the program, the people who are involved in this program [and], the coaching staff…”

However who is this team? I mean usually when the US deploys its senior men’s national team it comes along with tons of marketing and a catchy nickname. The 2008 Olympic gold medal winning “Redeem Team” for example featured the likes of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony in a series of TV spots praising teamwork (and Nike products) as they journeyed down the road to redemption. However, it’s widely known that none of those names would compete in this summer’s “JV Tournament” in Turkey because they were all too busy making headlines in free agency. In fact, of the players who did travel to Istanbul, only few had international experience and none were a part of the team that won gold in the summer of 2008. So again I ask who is this team?

Well according to Colangelgo, “They…called [themselves] the ‘B Team’” says. Other than that they “…didn’t have an identification.”

Can I make a suggestion here? How about the name D-Team? Anyone who witnessed any nine victories in nine games (mind you team USA went undefeated) could see that Senior Men’s Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski definitely emphasized defense, defense, defense. The 2010 USA squad pressured opponents into over nine turnovers per game while holding them to under 40% field goal shooting and under 30% from the 3-point arc. All of which is more impressive considering that the ‘B Team’ had only two players over 6’10” tall. “[T]hey really have represented our country, USA Basketball so well.” says Krzyzewski. “Such a young group. They played with enthusiasm. They played great defense throughout.”

So with a revamped roster short on experience and height (pun intended) what is the defining characteristic that gets the average American basketball fan excited about this tournament?

Well, it certainly isn’t the competition. I mean most of us can’t even pronounce the names of the players on the other teams. What’s more the names we have become accustom to seeing on foreign jerseys like Dirk Nowitzki and Manu Ginobili did not make the trip.

Krzyzewski thinks, “We as a country are trying to show great respect for the World Championships, which I’m not sure that we did maybe a decade ago. So to win it – and we know how important it is – means a great deal. It’s twice as big as the Olympics in teams. But the Olympics are pretty good, too.”

So as American hoops fans eagerly await the 2012 summer Olympics I’ll tell you why we should get excited about this team and this competition. Because regardless of the name, place or time USA Basketball is for real and all those who don’t know better ask somebody. In fact across all levels of competition USA Men’s Basketball is 32-0 (winning the Senior Men’s World Championships, 19U, 18U, 17U, 16U international events.) So rather than yearning for the glory of an all time collection of talent similar to the “Dream Team” roster that set world ablaze in the 1992 (which included eight Hall of Famers: Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson and John Stockton) basketball lovers in the US should appreciate the smorgasbord of good ball being played by the US year round worldwide. I mean think about it if this is the USA ‘B Team’ I feel sorry for the rest of the world.

The dust has settled. Free agency is coming to an end and summer league is over. The shock waves of Bosh, James and Wade teaming up in South Beach have been felt for weeks now and have become old news. That is what happens when we live in a twitter-universe where athletes have the power to host their own prime-time special on where they will be wearing a uniform next year. Now that we are at this point, lets take a look at some of the thoughts surrounding the Miami Three-Heat.

Prediction: One of the three gets injured

Lesson in life, don’t mess with karma and don’t go on the cover of Madden. These three super-stars are messing with the basketball gods and they are not going to be happy. It is like getting a birdie and walking up to the next tee box like Johnny Drama only to top the ball and not get it past the woman’s tees.

D. Wade has always had injury problems, Bosh has been hurt off and on and Lebron is due. One of these guys is tearing an ACL, rupturing an Achilles or something season-ending. The question is how are they going to do it? I think the basketball gods will pull something good out of their hat. I am thinking a one of them slips on a spilled drink in a Miami beach club, just a matter of time.

Is there anybody happier than Kobe Bryant?

I know this seems strange. Why is Kobe happy there is a better team than his, won’t that prevent him from winning an NBA Championship?

Just imagine if the Lakers and Kobe beat the Miami Heat next year with all three superstars playing. Talk about the ultimate hurdle for Kobe to cross to cement his legacy. Instantly, Kobe becomes entrenched as the top two basketball player to ever play the game and is in discussion with Jordan. Yes, in discussion.

Kobe has to be licking his chops and watch out for him next year. He has the Jordan-esque killer instinct that Lebron lacks and Wade has to an extent–interesting to see if Wade still has this killer instinct with this star-studded team.

Thanks Lebron, Bosh and Wade for running professional basketball

Is there anything more disheartening than their exuberant showmanship? I mean you had the prime-time special and the Apollo Creed-esque introduction ceremony in Miami with them dancing and wearing Heat uniforms. Despicable.

Unfortunately, now the standards are raised. Every player will try to one up what these guys did. We already see it in college when the blue chip high school recruit lays hats on a table and then picks which one they are going to school with. It is just going to keep on getting worse, and players will now be the focus of how the message will be brought out. Why? Because it is all about recruiting now and the power goes from the institutions to the individuals.

The NBA could needs to take lessons from the NFL. The largest sports league in America will never really face these problems because of their salary cap structure (hard-cap), too many players on a roster (one player doesn’t make the difference like in the NBA), the league is bigger than the player. The last point is probably the most important and the one the NBA has the most control over. The NBA is always about putting the player out there first and the team and league second. Until this reverses, we will stuck in this minutia of ugliness.

The hype of the 2010 Free Agency will mightily surpass what will actually go down in the next week or so. The rumors that are swirling are blowing stronger than a twister in the great plains. Here is a rundown of what has happened and some of the rumors circling about.

Rudy Gay Re-signed with the Memphis Grizzlies for $80M and 5 years. A nice young group in Memphis and Gay is the centerpiece. They needed to bring him back to continue their run, but I think they will be disappointed in this salary a couple of years from now.

Lebron James Met with the Nets and Knicks yesterday. The Nets pitched a clothing line and advice from a billionaire and the Knicks pitched Lebron to be the billion dollar athlete in NYC. We are still talking about NBA free agency right? Next up Clips and Heat today with the Bulls and Cavs batting cleanup tomorrow.

Drew GoodenSigned $32M for 5 years with the Bucks. Yep, Drew Gooden signed for $34M! The Bucks would have been better off with Dwight Gooden. At least the money would go to some good blow.

Amir JohnsonSigned $34M for 5 years with the Raptors. Brian Colangelo has now spent $130+ million in the past few years on Jose Calderon, Turkoglu and Amir Johnson. Still think he is a great GM?

Darko MilicSigned a $20M for 5 years contract with the worst GM in the NBA David Kahn. Honestly, this guy is in the running for the Isiah Thomas award.

Channing Frye and Hakim Warrick Both signed by the Phoenix Suns. The Suns had to bring back Frye and Warrick is a nice addtion if the Suns are able to bring back…

Amare Stoudemire Signs are pointing to Stoudemire not coming back to the Suns when he broke off talks. Supposedly, the Rockets are offering an Ariza, Scola and Battier deal for Stoudemire or Bosh. The question would be if Stoudemire or Bosh want to go to Houston to complete the sign and trade. If I am the Suns or Raptors, I drug and kidnap my PF and deliver him to Houston to complete the trade. IMO, way too good of a deal. Way too good. Especially for guys who are going to walk and you get nothing in return.

Ray Felton Word is he is out in Charlotte. He will definitely have his options with a weak PG free agent class. Time will tell where he ends up.

Dirk NowitzkiHe is meeting with the Mavs today. If I am him, I am not resigning. Look at the Bulls, Knicks or Heat, maybe even the Nets.

Joe JohnsonSigning for the Max with the Hawks. MISTAKE! Way too much money for Johnson. The Hawks will never be able to get over the hump because of this contract right here.

John Salmons Still out there though he has a 5 year $39M deal from the Bucks on the table. Guys like Salmons should wait it out and see where the other pieces fall. Teams will get desperate when they aren’t able to sign James, Johnson, Bosh or Stoudemire (Knicks, Nets).

Carlos Boozer Making the rounds. Meeting with the Heat, Bulls, Jazz.

Phil Jackson Coming back to the Lakers.

Jordan FarmarSupposedly getting interest from the Knicks.

Steve Blake There are a number of teams looking to sign him on the cheap.

Paul PierceVery close to re-signing with the Celtics. 4 years and $61M.

Brendan Haywood Meeting with the Mavs, but he has plenty of teams who will look to him for services after the big names come off the board. If Amir Johnson got $7M/year, Haywood will be looking around $10M/year.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TOKYO APACHE HIRE BOB HILL AS HEAD COACH

Tokyo, Japan (June 24, 2010) –The Tokyo Apache and Evolution Capital Management are proud to announce Bob Hill as head coach of the Apache for the 2010-11 season. Coach Hill brings over 30 years of coaching experience, and held head coaching positions in the National Basketball Association with the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs and Seattle Supersonics. As the head coach of Apache, Hill is the first coach with NBA head coaching experience in Japan’s professional basketball league.

“We are thrilled to bring in Coach Hill to join this team,” said Conor Neu, General Manager of the Tokyo Apache. “The signing of Coach Hill demonstrates this organization’s commitment to our fans and players.” Since departing the NBA after the 2006-07 season with the Sonics, Hill has trained multiple NBA draft picks, represented the U.S. Basketball Academy in China, and was a coach with the Shaanxi team in China.

Coach Hill and Neu plan to review the Apache roster and hope to re-sign many of the Japanese players and extend offers to several international players. “Coach Hill and I expect the Apache to compete for the league championship this season. Coach Hill also shares our off-the-court vision, and he is excited to be an active member of the Apache community,” explained Mr. Neu.

About Evolution Capital Management
Founded in 2002, Evolution is based in Los Angeles with offices in Hong Kong, London, Tokyo, and San Francisco. Evolution is a global investment organization specializing in the areas of Asset Management, Market-making and liquidity providing, and Enterprise Financial Software. Evolution’s global network currently employs more than 200 people.

For more information please contact:

Conor Neu / General Manager