HOOPLOG: Las Vegas

Draft Day Fashion

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 09:38:32 -0800

With the 2006 NBA Draft less than a week away, what better time to take a walk down Draft days past, with the help of NBA Photos; first up, Grand-ma-ma himself, Larry Johnson:

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images

We pretty much think Larry nailed what he was going for -- Odessa, Texas meets Miami Vice. Our two observations about Larry's attire are --

1.) If our country's economic prosperity were accurately represented by the amount of bling on the arms and necks (and ears) of NBA draft picks, then America would have come a really long way since 1991. A tiny wristwatch with a leather band? They won't even let you into the NBA with that anymore.

2.) The lowtop Nikes with dark socks -- a very nice touch. Obviously Larry knew this was a special occasion, and he showed respect by goin' with the dress socks. Good call LJ.

What's really unfortunate about the picture is that they couldn't find anything besides the emerald green backdrop for him to pose with. And whatever happened to a jersey or a team hat?

Still...you've gotta love Larry Johnson.

Team USA to train in Vegas through 2008

Thu, 30 Mar 2006 09:35:28 -0800

The U.S. basketball team hoping to bring back Olympic gold will train in Las Vegas through 2008, organizers announced Wednesday.

Sheridan: Who's In, Who's Out for Team USA

Sat, 14 Jan 2006 11:02:31 -0800

ESPN Insider Chris Sheridan reports, National Team Czar Jerry Colangelo plans to announce a core group of players, as few as four and as many as eight, sometime around the All-Star break. Formal invitations eventually will be extended to 20 to attend training camp in Las Vegas in mid-July. The World Championship will run from Aug. 19 to Sept. 3, with the U.S. team playing its opening-round games in the northern city of Sapporo, with the opponents to be determined by draw on Sunday. Colangelo would not divulge which players have given him their word, although public comments and Insider insight have combined to produce a reading on where more than 50 of the top American players stand.

The Kings of Las Vegas

Fri, 02 Dec 2005 00:20:53 -0800

With Commissioner Stern and Mayor Goodman in their corner, the Maloofs couldnt have two stronger allies for their cause. They may not come right out and say it now, but I think its only a matter of time before Joe and Gavin Maloof truly are the Kings of Las Vegas.

More Talk About the Kings Moving to Vegas

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 08:25:10 -0800

We have talked about this before. Now SportsBiz passes along word of Chris McCosky of the Detroit News speculating the same thing: are the Kings already on the slow train to Las Vegas? Citizens of Sacramento, rise up! It would...

Fantasy Basketball: ESPN Fantasy Basketball 2005 - Coorespondents

Thu, 22 Sep 2005 10:57:19 -0800

What can we expect from
Ike fantasy-wise?

For those into Fantasy Basketball, Jeff Kakes, ESPN's Golden State Warriors correspondent wrote about how Ike fits into the Warriors plans and his effect on the fantasy world (for the full article).

With the Las Vegas Summer League now in the books, there are a few things to remember about it: 1) Ike Diogu was a stud, averaging over 18 points and 8 boards a game. 2) Summer League means very little. That's not to say that Ike won't be a decent player this upcoming season, and it was very encouraging to see him be one of the better players right off the bat (he was named to the LVSL All-Star team). But just like with preseason football, don't base your regular season projections on summer league performance.

Now that we've seen that Ike can play a little, the question on your mind now should be: how does he affect the rest of the squad? Right now there is talk that the W's will use Diogu at PF and shift Murphy over to C, which would both help and hurt Murphy. The problem is that with them starting down low, the W's could potentially be the worst defensive team in the league (Duncan would score 300 on them). So do you draft Diogu? At this point it's early to really get a feel for how he'll be used, but my gut tells me that while you shouldn't count on him as a full-timer, he'd be worth a flier near the back end of your draft with hopes he could get 12 points, 8 boards or so.

I think Jeff Kakes has hit it right on the head. If you take Ike, take him with your last picks. He's got the potential to put up near double-doubles if he excels. His value jumps if/when Murphy gets injured.

NBA's Hornets Possibly Moving To Vegas Temporarily?

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 11:33:52 -0800

The NBA's New Orleans Hornets have contacted officials in Las Vegas about the possibility of moving here -- at least temporarily.

Hornets relocating to Las Vegas?

Tue, 06 Sep 2005 10:27:46 -0800

Two members of the Hornets' front office will make their way here from Houston on Tuesday to begin scouting possible locations for the team to play "home" games this season. Sam Russo and Steve Martin will be driving into the...

Wolves fined for Vegas trip?

Wed, 31 Aug 2005 09:36:41 -0800

NBA front-office sources said the league has fined the Timberwolves $200,000 for holding a two-day minicamp in Las Vegas during the offseason, ESPN.com reported Tuesday. The voluntary minicamp was suggested by new coach Dwane Casey as a way for players...

Wolves player skipped Vegas

Tue, 30 Aug 2005 09:30:02 -0800

Eddie Griffin, still on probation for a 2003 assault case, checked with a judge about the possibility of joining Timberwolves teammates at their gathering with new coach Dwane Casey in Las Vegas the other day. The judge said that wouldn't...

Wolves Garnett calls Finley

Fri, 26 Aug 2005 10:09:17 -0800

Kevin Garnett appears to be taking on a greater leadership role with the Timberwolves. Garnett telephoned teammates and asked them to attend new coach Dwane Casey's volunteer gathering in Las Vegas, Nev., this week. Garnett even asked owner Glen Taylor...

Sunday Notes

Sun, 07 Aug 2005 11:53:48 -0800

According to this guy, Las Vegas is full of well-meaning soccer moms and David Stern is evil for thinking NBA basketball might not belong there. Remember "The List David Stern Never Wants You to See?" Here it is in...

NBA sends 2007 All-Star Game to Vegas despite gambling issues

Sat, 06 Aug 2005 20:43:22 -0800

NBA Commissioner David Stern announced Friday that "Sin City" would become the first city without an NBA team to host the annual mid-season classic matching stars from the Eastern and Western conferences.

Las Vegas to host 2007 All-Star Game

Fri, 05 Aug 2005 00:00:49 -0800

The NBA will announce on Friday that it has selected Las Vegas to host the 2007 All-Star Game, according to Terry Jicinsky, senior vice president of marketing at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority ...

It's Starting to Look Like Las Vegas

Mon, 01 Aug 2005 09:43:00 -0800

There are a lot of stories out there saying the 2007 NBA All-Star game will be in Las Vegas. There are so many prostitutes at All-Star weekend (I am not kidding, it's like a hooker trade show in the hotel...