Saturday Scoop: Pierce vs. Kobe?
Pierce Responds to Comments on Kobe
Boston Celtics captain and NBA Finals MVP Paul Pierce joined Mike Greenberg as co-host of ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" on Friday. Aside from talking tennis (he is an avid fan), making preseason NFL predictions, and offering fashion advice (Greenberg drew comparisons to Gilligan after sporting Pierce's Gucci hat), he responded to the pressing questions surrounding Kobe Bryant and his run in with the Las Vegas police.
Pierce explained that his assertion of being the best player in the world was more of a reflection of his confidence in his own game than an insult to Bryant's. "I love Kobe. I watch Kobe all the time when I'm not playing against him," Pierce said, adding, "Right now I already have Kobe as one of the top 25 players to ever play the game at this point and he still has many years to go, so I have the utmost respect for him. It wasn't a diss or a smack down." Pierce also noted that he and Bryant have never exchanged trash talk on the court.
As for his run in with the Las Vegas police, Pierce said he was pulled over for failing to use his directional at a traffic stop before being handcuffed and eventually passing sobriety tests. He joked that he was targeted by a Los Angeles Lakers fan for a "DWC: Driving With Championship."
Pierce also took calls from teammate Ray Allen, Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, and General Manager Danny Ainge, who talked about the recent trend of overseas signings. Unlike Pierce, Ainge would be surprised to see a superstar leave for Europe since the structure of the collective bargaining agreement facilitates big money for big names in the NBA.
Ben Gordon Playing Losing Game
At some point in his short four-year career, Ben Gordon's camp came to believe that he was on the same level as Allen Iverson. Now he wants A.I. money and the Bulls are not willing to pay it.
Gordon has no interest in playing for the remaining $6.4 million on his contract next season. He didn't want the proposed six-year, $61 million offer either. Gordon is reportedly looking for a deal worth around $80 million and has resigned himself to leaving the Bulls, telling ESPN.com, "I guess it's safe to say I've played my last game in a Bulls uniform."
But no matter how much Gordon thinks he is worth, he is fighting a losing battle. The reality is that he is a restricted free agent with very little leverage on a team that does not believe he is worth big money (and worth paying luxury taxes on). Even if Gordon decides to play overseas, the Bulls still own his rights and there is no certainty that he would bank more than $6.4 million.
The Memphis Grizzlies are the only team in the league that has big money to spend but there are no indications they are interested in spending it on Gordon. Even the suitors for a sign-and-trade, Gordon's best hope at this point, are limited. It is bound to be a long season for Gordon and the Bulls if he returns to Chicago, but at the end of the day, that is what he is committed himself to when he signed his contract.
Yao Tops Nowitzki in Beijing
Thousands of miles from the Texas Triangle, Yao Ming bested Dirk Nowitzki as China defeated Germany 59-55 in Olympic play today. The Houston Rockets big man outscored the Dallas Mavericks leader 25-24, despite being outrebounded 17-11. Yao even drained a three-pointer (he has scored just one trey in his entire NBA career).
China's 20-8 third quarter run was enough to stave off Germany's 16-12 fourth quarter push. This win all but guarantees China a place in the medal round while Germany will have to defeat the United States in the preliminaries to stay in the hunt.
O'Bryant Trying to Come Up Big
After shaping Al Jefferson into a 20-and-10 threat and transforming Kendrick Perkins into an NBA Champion, Boston Celtics assistant coach Clifford Ray has his work cut out for him with the latest addition to their front court. Ray has been working out with Patrick O'Bryant for the past three weeks at his summer program, the Clifford Ray and Robert Parish Big Man Camp, at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida.
HOOPSWORLD's Steve Kyler reported Ray has been preaching the importance of hustle, energy, and conditioning to O'Bryant, who will also be expected to run the floor. O'Bryant averaged less than five minutes per game last season with the Golden State Warriors but he could see as many as 10 to 12 minutes next season (and even average three blocks per game) if he follows through.
This jump in playing time is not guaranteed, though. Informed sources have noted that O'Bryant, 22, is still trying to figure out how to use his two-guard mentality in his seven-foot frame. He lacks the post moves of a traditional big man but his offensive repertoire does include a nice shooting touch and sky hook. O'Bryant's style is best suited for a fast pace system, so if he wants to stick in Boston he will have to maximize his physical tools with commitment and a sense of urgency.
About the Author: JESSICA CAMERATO
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Jessica Camerato is a member of the Professional Basketball Writers Association and has covered the NBA for HOOPSWORLD for two years, powering HOOPSWORLD.COM and HOOPSWORLD Magazine.
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posted By ch4l08, 16 August 2008 4:05:00 PM
Too bad Greenie is such a softie. If he had the nerve to press his "co-host" about his most recently publicized events, Pierce would not have stayed for the whole show. Having heard PP explain it, I knew he was there to try to spit-shine his public image. Mr. Conceited thinks he's better than everyone and nobody agrees with him. He may think Kobe is great, but did we think he was dissing him? No, we thought he was a cocky s.o.b. lacking perspective. And as for the traffic stop excuse, *cough* b.s. *cough*. Pierce glosses over the whole thing and throws a joke into the equation to throw the audience off track. The report was he was weaving out of his lane at 3 am. You don't get cuffed, or even pulled out of the car and given a field sobreity test for not using a turn signal. He goes on to say the police set up a DWI sting at 3am because everyone is getting out of the clubs and casinos after drinking all night, but then he says he was the only car on the street. Come on Pierce, it's Vegas, they're not setting up stings on empty streets when there's alway traffic around the strip. You can't believe anything that comes out of this guy's mouth.
posted By mojosdaddy, 19 August 2008 12:46:26 AM
Wow, can you say: Attention Freak!? PAUL, GO AWAY. Many of us are busy watching what really matters right now, the US Olympic Basketball Team (a little something you know nothing about). Has there ever been a player in the history of the NBA who let ONE ring go to his head like this guy? "Driving With Championship"? Like anybody outside the city of Boston gives a rats a*!#. I guess he decided to really make a big deal out of his ONE ring when he realized it's the only one he'll get. It's ok Paul, go ahead and enjoy it. We understand...
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