Blalock studying NBA

Iowa State guard Will Blalock will declare for the NBA draft, but the junior from Boston does not plan to sign with an agent. 

    “I feel like I have played against some of the best players in the nation while competing in the Big 12, and I am ready to test my game at the next level,” Blalock said. 
   

 The 6-foot, 205-pound Blalock, who starred at East Boston High School before spending one season at Notre Dame Prep, averaged 15.4 points and 6.1 assists this past season for the Cyclones. He made the decision earlier this week, two days before Iowa State fired coach Wayne Morgan. 

    Blalock can attend NBA workouts without losing his eligibility as long as he doesn’t hire an agent. He must also pay for all his expenses while attending the workouts.

NBA levies fines against Hawks coach, player for ripping on refs

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson was fined $20,000 and forward Josh Smith was fined $15,000 by the NBA on Friday for criticizing referees.
      Woodson complained after Monday night's 88-87 loss to Milwaukee about the imbalance of fouls in the game.
      "Something's got to be done about this," Woodson said after the Hawks drew 32 fouls to 23 for the Bucks.
      When he complained during the game, Woodson earned a lecture from lead official Derrick Stafford.
      "I'm not asking for preferential treatment," Woodson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution after the game. "All I'm asking is that my guys are afforded the same calls the other team is getting. That's all I've ever asked for."
      Hawks spokesman Arthur Triche said the team had no comment Friday on the fines. The Hawks lost to the Utah Jazz Friday night.
      Woodson said Hawks guard Joe Johnson "doesn't get any calls."
      "When he's driving to the basket guys have their hands all over him and there's nothing called," Woodson said. "It doesn't make sense."
      Smith, a second-year forward, was more outspoken in his claim that the Hawks receive no respect from officials.
      "I don't care what the numbers say, I'm telling you we're getting screwed," Smith said. "We play hard and I think we deserve the same calls anybody else gets. We play aggressive on both ends of the floor. We don't get that respect on the defensive end because every time we touch somebody it's a foul. Then we go out there on the offensive end and get hacked and it's not a foul. Anybody can see that something is not right."

Basketball: NBA power rankings

San Antonio Express-News

The NBA according to Mike Monroe (through Friday's games; previous rank in parentheses):

1. Mavericks (2) Mike's memo: A.J. has them winning on road despite all those injuries.

2. Spurs (3) Mike's memo: Beating Suns with "Big Ball" may have been a message.

3. Pistons (1) Mike's memo: Suspension looming if 'Sheed gets more technicals.

4. Suns (4) Mike's memo: Stoudemire's return looking much less likely.

5. Heat (5) Mike's memo: Wade has made himself legitimate MVP candidate.

6. Clippers (8) Mike's memo: Must go 12-6 for franchise's first 50-victory season.

7. Kings (6) Mike's memo: Playoff hopes will be tested on long road trip.

8. Nuggets (7) Mike's memo: Boykins' change of pace game will be sorely missed.

9. Cavaliers (10) Mike's memo: Must learn to protect big leads if they want to contend.

10. Nets (11) Mike's memo: Tinsley's return puts Jasikevicius on the shelf.

11. Pacers (12) Mike's memo: Any team that beats the Pistons deserves to move up.

12. Grizzlies (13) Mike's memo: Victory over Nuggets solidifies hold on No. 6 seed.

13. Lakers (9) Mike's memo: Losing George and Mihm hurts playoff chances.

14. Wizards (15) Mike's memo: Keep taking two steps forward, one step back.

15. Bucks (19) Mike's memo: Their stay at .500 didn't last very long.

16. Celtics (14) Mike's memo: Trip to Florida turned out to be no spring break.

17. Magic (25) Mike's memo: Hill says he hasn't given up on return this season.

18. 76ers (16) Mike's memo: AI's injury came at least opportune time.

19. Jazz (17) Mike's memo: Sloan: Only NBA-competitive players allowed.

20. Hornets (20) Mike's memo: More injuries means even J.R. Smith may play.

21. Rockets (18) Mike's memo: Yao's recent domination going for naught.

22. SuperSonics (22) Mike's memo: Surprise! Bob Hill has 2006-07 coach deal in place.

23. Bulls (21) Mike's memo: Playoff push slowed by Songaila's broken foot.

24. Timberwolves (24) Mike's memo: Garnett blows up at lax teammates after give-up loss.

25. Raptors (26) Mike's memo: Comeback victory was dagger to Bucks' hopes.

26. Hawks (23) Mike's memo: Winless for the week, so they drop.

27. Knicks (29) Mike's memo: How much did Brown love victory over Pistons?

28. Warriors (27) Mike's memo: Don't expect to see Davis back this season.

29. Bobcats (28) Mike's memo: Okafor shuts it down for the season.

30. Trail Blazers (30) Mike's memo: Drexler, Porter, Schrempf part of buy bid?

from:http://www.mysanantonio.com

2007 NBA All Star Game Tickets

The brightest stars of the NBA will perform when the 2007 All-Star Weekend tips off with hundreds of international media members in attendance.

The NBA All-Star game is a legendary NBA All-Star Weekend event that the entire world looks forward to. The all star game gives NBA players a chance to throw away the team concept and go ahead and show off with no remorse. Of course, some stars are more used to already doing that than others. The NBA All-Star Game is a great show, and with little defense and plenty of fast breaks, there's plenty of scoring and fun. Below is NBA All-Star Game history, with past all-star game winners and NBA all-star game MVP award winners

They did it at the All Star game and no one noticed !

Much has been written about the leagues curiousity about whether or not  the majority of fans at an NBA game prefer music to be played while the ball is in play.

The NBA has from time to time mentioned that they would like to experiment with “silent nights” to find out for themselves.  When this topic has come up, without any exceptions that I have seen, the media has fully endorsed the concept.

Rather than waiting for a proclamation from the NBA to experiment, I decided to try a “silent night” or two at Mavs home games.  We tried playing no music , no only while the ball was in play, but also during stoppages. We did however play music during timeouts.  The response was that there was a noticable decline in energy in the building and I got several emails asking what happened to the “show” at the games.

So i decided to try it again, because honestly, I hoped the concept would work. If the fans could lead the cheers and create the energy, my job got a lot easier. Our goal at any Mavs game is to make it an experience. We often liken it to a great wedding where everyone from Grandma and Grandpa to the 15 year old with blue hair and pierced everything all have a great time dancing, singing and interacting.  Playing orchestrator as I often do at home games isnt always the easiest job.

So we added microphones to the floor so the entire arena could hear the sneakers squeaking on the court. We turned up the mics on the rim, so the arena could hear the grunts and guys talking on the defensive side. We brought in the Maniaacs to clap and cheer and encourage the fans to get involved. It didnt work. The energy wasnt there. We got far more complaints than compliments.

So we shelved the experiment. We went back to music, prompting and energy and the feedback improved considerably.

Which brings me back to the All Star game. I had a box along with my family, and friends. Some of whom were from Dallas, some who werent.  Someone asked me why, with the exception of when the non basketball acts were on the court, or when they were throwing baby basketballs, there was no energy in the building. These were the best players in the universe. Where was the buzz.

It took me about 1 minute to realize what was going on . It was a “Silent Night” . No music while the game was in progress. Some organ prompts. Some limited music during breaks in play. No mics on the rims. No energy in the building until the final few minutes.

I applaud the NBA for taking the chance and seeing what happens. The All Star game is a great place to experiment. But thats not the point of this entry.

The point here is that NO ONE NOTICED.

The media response I got when we did our version was that it was noticably better to them. That they really enjoyed it. That it was the way “games were supposed to be” . Yet, at the game where there were more media members in attendance than any other game pre Finals…. not a word was spoken or written about the fact that it was a silent game.

I did hear commentary on the radio about the lack of energy in the building, but again, not a word about the lack of music , prompts, mics.

I guess we have our answer on “silent nights”

from:http://www.blogmaverick.com

Houston Symphony to Appear at NBA All-Star Game

The Houston Symphony will perform at the National Basketball Association's All-Star Game in Houston on February 19, the orchestra announced.

The orchestra will play during pre-game activities, accompanying the Eastern Conference and Western Conference all-star teams as they come on to the court. Richard Kaufman, the principal pops conductor of the Pacific Symphony and the Dallas Symphony, will conduct.

The program was not released.

"It's another great opportunity to show off our fine orchestra and our city," said executive director Matthew VanBesien.

The All-Star Game starts at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on the TNT network.