Cavaliers welcome No. 1 pick Wiggins

His son is the No. 1 overall pick, and Mitchell Wiggins is now unburdened by guilt, embarrassment and disappointment. He's whole again.
"It just gives me closure," said Mitchell Wiggins, who was suspended for two full seasons with Houston in the 1980s for drugs. "I'm able to let go of maybe some of the things I was feeling when I left the league and I can sleep better now. This is a big moment."
The Cavaliers introduced Andrew Wiggins on Friday, one day after the team ended weeks of public debate and internal discussion by selecting the slender small forward from Kansas first in the NBA draft. Wiggins, who probably would have also been chosen before anyone else a year ago, began his news conference by saying his personal expectations are as high as what the Cavaliers believe he can attain.
The 19-year-old with the 44-inch vertical jump plans to soar.
"I just want to come in, create an impact right off the bat, offensively and defensively, bring the team to the next level and just be a good teammate, be a good part of the organization," he said. "I want to be on the All-Defensive team, be Rookie of the Year, make the All-Star team, all that type of stuff."
Those comments made new Cavs coach David Blatt smile.
"We didn't bring Andrew in here for a year," Blatt said. "This isn't a one-and-done. This is a career player."
Mitchell Wiggins trained his youngest son well. Once Andrew was old enough to dribble, Wiggins began showing him how to play the game - especially on defense.
"I taught him how to guard multiple positions," he said. "How to guard a scorer, how to guard a driver. He understands defensively what he needs to do and he cherishes defense."
Wiggins also educated Andrew and his talented brothers, Mitchell and Nick, on the pitfalls of life as a pro athlete.
"Everybody knows my history," Wiggins said.
Caught up in an addiction he had trouble shaking, he threw away so much of what he had, and in the process hurt himself, his family and his Rockets teammates. After playing in the NBA finals in 1986, his career nose-dived and it would take him two years to recover.
"When you play with Hakeem (Olajuwon) and Ralph Sampson, you've got to make sacrifices," Wiggins said. "They're big men and they demand the ball. I was a good player, a good fit with them and I feel like I let them down when I had my issues. I should have played eight to 10 years with them."
Wiggins isn't worried about Andrew getting derailed. He and his wife, Marita, a two-time Olympic silver medal-winning sprinter for Canada, have raised their children to work hard so they get the most of the athletic gifts they've been given.
Andrew Wiggins isn't a slacker.
"He walks his walk and he's always been a kid who listens and tries to do the right thing," Mitchell Wiggins said. "I hope he stays true to who he is and stays grounded. He wants to be a Hall of Famer. Hall of Famers work harder than anyone else and make the most sacrifice. I think he's willing to do that.
"Everybody knows he's got talent, but you've got to put the work ethic with the talent and you've got to make some internal sacrifices. I think he's going to do that."
A few years ago, Mitchell, now 54, gave up playing hoops with Andrew. The one-on-one matchups were becoming one-sided.
"I used to beat him up," he said. "I used to be physical. But he started dunking on me and I backed off. When he was 12 years old, he was dunking playing against men. He still can't guard me. None of the kids can. I'm a dirty old player."
On this day, though, he was a proud father.
One of his sons made it to the NBA, and Mitchell Wiggins felt like he was back, too.
"For me, he's a coach's dream," he said of Andrew. "I taught him the right way to play."

Aldridge: ‘I want to be best Blazer ever’

HANG TIME SOUTHWEST – LaMarcus Aldridge has put his name on it. In a year we’ll see if he owns it.
The Portland Trail Blazers’ All-Star power forward, seemingly so close to forcing his way out only to be coaxed back in, primarily by the drafting of young All-Star point guard Damian Lillard and a roster re-tool over the last couple years that led to the Blazers’ first playoff series win in 14 years, is now not only talking about re-upping with Portland for the maximum five years, but playing out his career in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Here’s why:
“I want to be the best Blazer — ever,” Aldridge told Oregonian beat writer Joe Freeman on Tuesday. “I should be able to leave a mark on a big-time franchise that is going to be seen forever. And I will be able to say I played here my whole career. This city has embraced me and grown with me. I have so much history, it just makes sense to stay.”
And here’s how close he already is to so many franchise marks.

Aldridge’s name is dotted up and down the Blazers’ record books, listed among the leaders in a host of statistical categories. Next season, he conceivably could move into the top five in blocks, free throws, minutes and games played, while also moving past Clyde Drexler to become the Blazers’ all-time leading rebounder and moving ahead of Terry Porter into second place in scoring. If Aldridge signs that long-term extension next season, he will set himself up to finish his career as the leader in every major category in Blazers history.

With Free Agency 2014 still in a holding pattern, Aldridge, one of several Big Fish who can become a free agent in the summer of 2015, certainly sounds as though his situation will be less LeBron James and more Dirk Nowitzki.
He told the Oregonian that he will not sign a contract extension this summer, but only because he plans to sign a new contract next summer. One of the odd quirks of the collective bargaining agreement is that it allows players to fulfill their current contracts, enter free agency and then re-sign with their teams for more years and more money than they could by signing an extension.
If Aldridge were to sign an extension this summer, he would play out the final year of his contract at $16 million, then begin a three-year extension for $55.5 million. However, if he becomes a free agent, he can re-sign next summer for five years and $108 million.

Steal of a deal? Bazemore has a shot

 
HANG TIME SOUTHWEST – As the world waits for the big fish to name their teams already, a few eye-popping (-rolling?) contracts have been agreed upon, such as Orlando eager to prop up Ben Gordon for a couple more seasons at $9.5 million, Detroit promising Jodie Meeks $19 million and Portland giving Chris Kaman a raise!
All three players have logged enough NBA service time that we know more or less what each brings. Maybe Gordon will magically adjust his attitude along with his 3-ball, and maybe Kaman mixes in a pass, but all-in-all there’s not a lot of unknowns here.
So what of an actual surprise, a virtual unknown out there who could become the steal of free agency?
The versatile, 6-foot-5, 201-pound Kent Bazemore always thinks he’s capable of making believers.

He went undrafted after four years at Old Dominion, where he won NCAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2011. In 2012, after signing with Golden State, he was ranked No. 499 on ESPN.com’s list of the top 500 NBA players. So he had “499″ stitched into his sneakers the ensuing July and turned in the best Las Vegas Summer League performance of anybody.
On Feb. 19, 2014, with the Warriors needing a veteran backup point guard and Bazemore in his second season riding the pine, Golden State traded him to the depleted Los Angeles Lakers for Steve Blake. Suddenly, the kid from rural North Carolina, and an admitted Kobe Bryant admirer growing up and who is equal parts fun-loving and hard-working, was granted real playing time.
Mike D’Antoni threw him into the starting lineup, played him at shooting guard, at small forward, at point guard. He gave the developing talent the green light to shoot the 3. Bazemore’s infectious, goofy smile and full-time hustle and work ethic became instant hits. And then as if catching the injury bug that decimated L.A. last season, his came to a screeching halt five games shy of completion when he tore a tendon in his right foot that required surgery.
But he had opened eyes around the league by averaging 13.1 points, 3.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and shot 37.1 percent from deep in 23 games, 15 of which he started.
At the time, Bazemore described the injury as stemming from “overuse,” which it might have been considering he more than doubled his total minutes played with the Lakers (643) in half the number of games he played in with the Warriors (268 minutes in 44 games) before the trade.
In that short span, Bazemore put up numbers similar to those of rejuvenated journeyman Gerald Green in his first season with Phoenix. Green finished fourth for Most Improved Player of the Year. Now Bazemore, who turned 25 on July 1, the first day of free agency wants to show he can do it over 82 games.
The Lakers could have retained him for a qualifying offer of $1.1 million, but they passed to ensure as much cap space as possible on the gamble that both Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James would want to join Kobe. It allowed Bazemore to become an unrestricted free agent.
According a source, Bazemore is seeking a boost in salary, around $3 million per season, as well as a little stability in the form of a two- or three-year contract. Such a commitment would suggest any team that makes it will be willing to give the athletically gifted Bazemore what we really desires — consistent playing time.
Interest in the long-limbed and innately motivated swingman has been encouraging. The Lakers remain interested in bringing him back. Atlanta, Charlotte, Boston and Utah join L.A. in the top five in terms of teams that have shown consistent interest.
Dallas, Houston, Golden State, Phoenix and Philadelphia all had at least preliminary discussions with Bazemore’s camp.
Bazemore met with the Hawks in Atlanta on Monday. His representative has meetings scheduled this week with San Antonio, Boston and Charlotte, and Utah could be added.
Bazemore will be back in Las Vegas later this week to check out the start of Summer League. He won’t be playing this time around, but it is the perfect backdrop for the long shot to continue the pursuit of his next team, his next contract and a breakout season.
The steal of free agency? Bazemore has a chance to be just that

2014 NBA free agency: Complete list of free agents

Below is an alphabetical list of every 2014 NBA potential free agent, along with his last team, position and contract status. This list will be updated frequently with news and notes.
Restricted free agency means the team that owns the player's rights may match offers. Player and team options must be decided on soon, typically by June 30. Players become free agents officially on July 1.
Jeff Adrien, Bucks forward, unrestricted free agent (player option)
Cole Aldrich, Knicks center, unrestricted free agent
Lavoy Allen, Pacers forward-center, unrestricted free agent

Raptors' Tim Leiweke explains 'We The North' mentality

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment CEO and President Tim Leiweke, who is in charge of Toronto Raptors, spoke extensively with NBA SPORT PUDATES Here is more from that interview, detailing his plans for the Raptors, Canadian basketball, rapper Drake and Steve Nash.
On Toronto as a world-class city and Raptors' potential:
Toronto has a unique situation where, in the eyes of the rest of the world, it's seen as a beacon. Maybe that's the advantage of Canada compared to the U.S.
Toronto's a place that is extremely well known and well thought of in places like Asia and, when you combined Drake and the amount of attention he gets, what it taught was is that we have a unique moment. Unlike a lot of other places in the NBA, we can get a lot more traction because people are much more familiar with our city. In the case of Asia, 51% of the people who live in Toronto were not born in Canada and many of them came from places like China. It represents to us a huge opportunity.
When you look at Toronto, it's the fastest growing city in North America. It's the No. 3 metropolitan area in North America. It's clean. The people are kind. It's a vibrant economy.
And by the way, we have 35 million people in our fanbase. Not the Knicks, not the Lakers, not the Clippers, not the Nets. The No. 1 largest fanbase potential in the NBA in the history of our league is the Toronto Raptors.
How many people get to go a franchise and put it on the map with 35 million people? That's a challenge that's only unique to this organization and can only be done by one team. … There's no other team in the NBA that can go through the growth spurt we're about to go through. What a great gift if we can do it right. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?

Sterling trial spotlights major issue for Baby Boomers

LOS ANGELES — Beyond the high-powered lawyers and public fight over the $2 billion sale of an NBA team, Donald and Shelly Sterling are caught in a struggle that often unfolds when someone reaches an advanced age and difficult questions arise.
Is it safe for him to drive? Does he need a caregiver?
Or, in the case of 80-year-old Donald Sterling, does he have the mental capacity to serve as a co-trustee of the Sterling Family Trust, which owns the Los Angeles Clippers?
TRIAL: Donald no-shows, expected Tuesday
COMPETENCE: Why it's no longer trial issue
Donald Sterling's attorneys acknowledge he has mild cognitive decline but say he is competent. His estranged wife points to the evaluations of two doctors who examined Donald Sterling. They concluded he has symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and lacks the mental capacity to serve as a trustee.
Donald Sterling is fighting his wife's decision to remove him as co-trustee, a step that subsequently allowed her to act alone in agreeing to sell the Clippers to ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. A trial in Los Angeles Superior Court began Monday. Donald Sterling is expected to testify Tuesday.
Meanwhile, legal and health experts interviewed by USA TODAY Sports say such battles — though typically handled without going to court — are growing more common and contentious for several reasons:
The first Baby Boomers, which comprise a quarter of the U.S. population, are approaching the age of 70. That increases the likelihood they will experience age-related dementia, a brain disorder characterized by problems with memory, attention, decision making and judgment. Americans also are living longer — an average of 79.8 years, according to 2013 data released by the World Health Organization — which will increase incidence of dementia.
Of the approximately 5 million Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, many in the early stages of the disease can function well. Because of the wide spectrum between mild and major impairment, determining what they're capable of can be tricky, said Beth Kallmeyer, vice president of constituent services for the Alzheimer's Association.
"The brain is complicated," she said. "It's a situation where somebody might be able to do something one day, and the next day they might struggle with it, and then they can do it again."
Courts remain hesitant to strip people of their rights even in the face of cognitive decline.
"The law favors the rights of the individual," said Patricia Hunter, a California psychologist who assesses people for mental capacity. "We want to err on the side of respecting a person's ability to make decisions regarding his or her assets that he or she has spent many years earning.

Lance Stephenson isn't worth bigger offer from Pacers

For years, they've put up with Lance Stephenson's nonsense. Off the court, mostly on the court and in the locker room, the Indiana Pacers have held their noses and dealt with every one of Stephenson's missteps, his ball-hogging, his stat-chasing, his impertinent speaking, his ludicrous ear-blowing. They've put up with it all, with Pacers President Larry Bird forever stationed in Stephenson's corner, even when Stephenson crossed the line into absurdity.
So let's ignore that in the final two games of the Eastern Conference finals, after the point where his act had worn extraordinarily thin, Stephenson did nothing to make the case that he deserves a $10 million-plus contract.
ANALYSIS: What is Lance worth?
STALEMATE: Pacers make offer
It's like this: If Stephenson, the Pacers' 23-year-old free agent shooting guard, doesn't want a five-year, $44 million contract, if that's not enough to keep him in one of the few places where he's still accepted whether he's "Good Lance" or "Bad Lance," let him go.
See ya. Au revoir. Nice knowing you.
Listen, if Stephenson can get $10 million a year on the open market — and that's what his agent is paid to do — the more power to him and his family.
But I'm saying this now: Stephenson will never have as good a support system (read: Bird) as he has now in Indianapolis. He will never find a group of teammates more willing (however grudgingly) to put up with his antics, both on the practice court and in games. He will never find a fan base more willing to embrace him, a fan base that loves him despite all his warts, much like Ron Artest, the former Pacers All-Star now named Metta World Peace.
If I'm Bird, I'm not moving off that offer. I'm not budging because the contract offer fully reflects Stephenson's worth. Yes, he is a tremendous raw talent who led the league in triple-doubles. He's also enigmatic, which is a nice way of saying he can be a complete knucklehead at times. He's a time bomb in the same way Artest was forever poised to explode.
He was central to some of the Pacers' late-season issues, and his misguided commentary helped inspire LeBron James to not only want to beat the Pacers in the East finals, but humiliate them. (Mission accomplished.)