Oct

7

Is Starbury Becoming A Team Player?

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Okay, he looks different (under 200 pounds he says he is in the best shape of his career.) He certainly sounds different, but has New York Knicks veteran point guard Stephon Marbury really turned over a new leaf? Tuesday the “New York Post” reported that Marbury is saying his biggest priority is winning games, not being the team’s starting point guard.  

Marbury told reporters “I want all of us to concentrate on winning and not if I’m going to start or not. I want us to be able to go forward. If the Knicks want me to come off the bench, that’s what I’m going to do. I just want to win a championship in New York because we as New Yorkers deserve a chip.”

I’m not sure I know what a “chip” is, but this is a 180 degree turn from the attitude that “Starbury” has been known for through out his career. Has Stephon Marbury finally realized there is no “I“? Or is this “kinder and gentler” Marbury just a ruse? And if he is for real, can he win back Knicks fans? They say winning cures everything, let’s see what develops as the season progresses.

© Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

Oct

7

Mavericks Name Westphal As V.P. Of Basketball Operations

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The “Associated Press” reported Tuesday that the Dallas Mavericks have named Paul Westphal as Vice President of Basketball Operations. Westphal was an assistant coach under former Dallas head coach Avery Johnson last season. Westphal one of the scrappiest players ever to don a NBA uniform was named five times during his playing career to the NBA All-Star team. He was also a key component in the Boston Celtics winning the NBA Championship in 1974. 

Westphal’s duties were described as helping Mavericks General Manager Donnie Nelson, as well as scouting. He had stints as head coach for the Phoenix Suns, the Seattle SuperSonics, as well as at Pepperdine University.

© Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

Oct

7

Rivers Thinks Walker Will Pay Immediate Rewards

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The “Associated Press” reported Monday that Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers has become very impressed so far with rookie Bill Walker. The “Green Team” acquired the signing rights to the former Kansas State player from the Washington Wizards. Washington took Walker with pick number 46, which is about half way through the second round. The Celtics got Walker from the Wizards in a straight cash deal.

Walker spent last season mostly recuperating from surgery after tearing his left ACL. Rivers thinks that may be one of the main reasons Walker fell so far in the draft. The coach told reporters “Clearly, he would have gone earlier if he projected healthy. I think he would have been mid-first definitely to low-first. But everyone was scared about his knee. He clearly can earn a position if a team is willing to take the chance. He’s not your typical rookie that thinks he’s got it figured out already. He really isn’t. He knows he has some catching up to do but he’s been a pleasant surprise.”

Rivers thinks that Walker is more suited in the Association as a small forward rather than a shooting guard. He could be in line to take over the role that James Posey had with the Celtics last season. Posey became a free agent after Boston won the NBA Championship. He signed with the New Orleans Hornets.

© Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net