Coast to Coast: 8/27/08

It’s time to push the ball up the court as we go from coast to coast with the big stories from around the league.

• Sad story as former Blazer Kevin Duckworth died Monday night at the age of 44.  Duck will surely be missed.
• Geez another sad story as former NBA player Wayman Tisdale had part of his right leg amputated due to his fight with bone cancer. 
• Great piece at TrueHoop on the future of Team USA.  There won’t be much to redeem in the future other than their current #2 FIBA ranking.  Got to give credit to Jerry Colangelo on how he changed the selection process and preparation of Team USA.
• We’ve all heard the Zach Randolph to Memphis rumors by now (Darko to NY?) but there is also talk of the Grizzlies looking at Portland’s Travis Outlaw as reported by the Memphis Edge.  Portland is expected to want Mike Conley in return and if that’s the case, I imagine Memphis would do the smart thing and look elsewhere.  I would only look to part with Kyle Lowry or Darko if I were them.
• The AP reports that a Phoenix prosecutor wants the federal files from the Tim Donaghy case.  You can almost picture David Stern cringing as this thing will not go away.
• Nick Collison told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that he is still a little shocked by the move of the Sonics.  “A lot of people just say they are sad to see us leave,” he said. “They say a lot of nice things about me personally. That’s the toughest thing for me. We’re a part of the NBA. We accept this. But the fans are left with nothing, so that’s who I feel the worst for, the diehard Sonics fans who have been around for a long time.”  Well said Nick.  Check out my previous post on the Sonics move here.
• EURweb.com is reporting that Allan Houston has released an open letter thanking fans for all the report he received as his daughter underwent heart surgery.  She will be fine thankfully.  Remember Houston will try to make a comeback with the Suns this year.  Raise your hand if you think his body can last more than 2 weeks in training camp.  I didn’t think so.
• It has apparently been allowed that NBA teams can now pursue signing Iranian center Hamed Haddadi.  He averaged a double-double at the Olympics (16 pts, 10 rebs).  The Grizzlies were reportedly interested, maybe as an alternative to trading for Randolph or Outlaw.
• The Miami Herald reports that the Heat are interested in DJ Mbenga who received a minimum level offer from the Lakers.  First the interest in Jamaal Magloire and now Mbenga.  I still can’t tell if the media is messing with us with these rumors.  I don’t exactly see one of these potential signings satisfying Heat nation.
• I’m sure you’ve heard by now but the LPGA has instituted a rule requiring all golfers to be able to speak English as the New York Times has reported.  Apparently this is something the NBA is not considering.  So when Yi Jianlian is out of the NBA soon, he will not be able to blame it on his lack of expertise of the English language.  Only his lack of ability to play ball at a non-crappy level.