Ron Artest wins 2010-11 NBA Citizenship Award

In November 2004, Ron Artest helped instigate and escalate the infamous Malice in the Palace brawl in Detroit. It was a stain on the league, and Artest became the poster boy for any campaign against perceived thug behavior in the NBA. He was a pariah and seemed to be cast forever as a problem child.
Tuesday, the NBA announced that Artest has been named the recipient of this season's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. There is a press release and everything. It is a real award and no one is going to pour pig's blood on Ron-Ron's head at the ceremony. Kevin Ding has more at OCRegister.com:

Artest was announced Tuesday as the 2010-11 winner of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, presented annually by the Pro Basketball Writers Association to one NBA player, coach or trainer for outstanding service away from the game. I will present the trophy to Artest on behalf of the PBWA just before tip-off of Game 5 of the Hornets-Lakers playoff series Tuesday night at Staples Center.
Artest has generated tremendous exposure for mental-health counseling in schools with his speaking engagements, even appearing in front of members of Congress in Washington in February. He raffled the 2010 NBA championship ring won in his first season with the Lakers, and the "Win My Bling" contest wound up in December with lifelong Lakers fans Raymond Mikhael of Hawthorne getting Artest's ring — and Artest's Xcel University charity getting more than $650,000.
"Ron has such a passion for the issue, and has demonstrated such leadership he was a perfect choice for such a prestigious award," said Doug Smith of the Toronto Star and president of the PBWA. "His work embodies the kind of dedication to important causes that NBA players have become known for."

In the past, we've covered Artest's ring raffle and his other efforts on BDL. Thoughout them all, the most impressive aspect of Artest's work has been his complete lack of shame in discussing his past mental health issues. Often, the biggest problem related to this issue is an inability or unwillingness to reach out to others for help. By acting as such a tireless advocate for this cause, he's proving that you can be honest and forthcoming about past and current mental health needs without embarrassing yourself.

NBA Draft Mock

 Draft 2011: Top-10 Prospects
What on Earth is a Bismack Biyombo?! We’ve got the answer.

 THE WORST DRAFT EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The pundits are already coming out with that bold proclamation about the 2011 NBA Draft.  While it will be tough for any draft to end
up worse than 2000′s edition, make no mistake about it – this year’s draft isn’t real strong.  It already was considered a so-so pool of prospects before three players who at one time were projected to be the #1 overall pick—Harrison Barnes, Perry Jones and Jared Sullinger—decided to forgo NBA riches and stay another year in school.  What we’re left with is a draft that every team is clambering to try to get into the top two slots, because after that the pickings will be slim.

1) (previous ranking – 1) Kyrie Irving – Duke – Freshman – PG
Don’t be mistaken – Kyrie Irving is not the top prospect in 2011 only due to default.  This is no pity pick – Irving was already projected to go first overall whether Barnes, Jones, Sullinger or anyone else threw their hats into the ring.  And with his successful return from his injured toe that kept him out most of his one and only season at Duke, a healthy Irving is heads and shoulders above the rest of this year’s crop.

2) (10) Derrick Williams - Arizona – Sophomore – PF
If a team doesn’t get the top overall pick, they’ll get a decent consolation prize in Arizona’s Derrick Williams.  A perfect example of the “hybrid forward” that roams the NBA courts of today, Williams has the size and ability to play the post,  but with the outside game and dribbling skills to play the wing also.  Able to knock down threes at a ridiculous rate (56.8%) or produce slams worthy of Dunk of the Year consideration, Williams should make his future NBA employer very happy.

3) (7) Jonas Valanciunas – Lietuvas Rytas – 1992 – PF/C
Just like last year, when John Wall and Evan Turner were considered the gems of the draft, projecting the 2011 NBA Draft gets muddy at pick number three.  At this point, it looks like Lithuanian big man Jonas Valanciunas will get the nod.  The soon-to-be 19-year-old had a very successful debut season in the Euroleague, posting a line of 7.7 ppg and 5.8 rpg in 15 minutes of action per game.  He was also the All-Star Game MVP in the Lithuanian league this season.

4) (NR) Brandon Knight – Kentucky – Freshman – PG
While he didn’t shoot the greatest during Kentucky’s Final Four run, Brandon Knight was still the team’s “Mr. Big Shot”, hitting clutch baskets seemingly every game.  Knight’s well-rounded game, size, athleticism and potential make him the top point guard prospect in 2011 not named Kyrie Irving.

5) (8) Kemba Walker – Connecticut - Junior – PG
“The best point guard prospect not named Kyrie Irving”?!  Kemba Walker probably has a thing or two to say about that.  No college player helped his draft stock more than Walker did in leading his UConn Huskies to an improbable NCAA title.  Walker showed, despite his size, he can score on anyone, is a terrific leader and has speed to burn.

6) (NR) Bismack Biyombo - Baloncesto Fuenlabrada - 1992 - PF/C
So what exactly is a Bismack Biyombo?  It’s a top prospect in this year’s draft, that’s what.  The Congo native, currently playing in the best domestic league outside of the NBA (Spain’s ACB) had his coming out party recently at the Nike Hoop Summit, where he posted the game’s first ever triple-double (12 points, 11 rebounds, 10 blocks) while going up against the best American high schoolers.  While there is rumors that he is a lot older than his listed age (currently 18), that is more speculation than fact.  What is fact is Biyombo is 6-9 with an astonishing 7-7 wingspan, is a terrific athlete, a devastating shotblocker, has out of this world potential and shows great leadership skills.  Serge Ibaka redux.

7) (NR) Enes Kanter – C
Not really much we can say about Enes Kanter since he hasn’t played anywhere in over a year due to being ruled ineligible at Kentucky.  Scouts are still intrigued enough with his size and skill package that he looks to be a top 10 lock.

8 ) (NR) Jan Vesely - Partizan Belgrade – 1990 – PF
After another strong season in the Adriatic League and the Euroleague, Czech forward Jan Vesely finds himself projected in the same place he was expected to go in the 2010 NBA Draft until he pulled out – top 10

9) (9) Donatas Motiejunas – Benetton Treviso – 1990 – PF/C
Lithuanian big man Donatas Motiejunas had a stellar year for Benetton Treviso, helping them make it to the Final Four of the Eurocup, and in the process won the Eurocup Rising Star award.

10) (4) Terrence Jones – Kentucky – Freshman – SF
Another hybrid forward in the mold of Derrick Williams is Terrence Jones, a player who can punish opponents in the post, as well as blow by them on the wing.

UPDATE: Lakers Rookie Derrick Caracter Arrested

The LA Times reports that Caracter found himself in cuffs, and charged with battery over the weekend in New Orleans: “Lakers forward Derrick Caracter was arrested early Sunday morning in New Orleans after an alleged altercation near the team hotel, The Times has learned. Caracter was charged with battery. The rookie did not play Sunday in Game 4 and has been on the inactive list every game of the Lakers’ first-round playoff series against New Orleans. He averaged two points and one rebound in 41 regular-season games.”

UPDATE: The Times-Picayune has more, disturbing details of the alleged incident: “Derrick Caracter, 22, was arrested about 1:18 a.m. Sunday at the IHOP in the 800 block of Canal Street, said New Orleans Police spokeswoman Shereese Harper. Caracter, a 6-foot-9 forward who was in New Orleans for the playoffs series, was drunk and acting disorderly inside the restaurant, police said. He ‘started grabbing and pulling’ a pregnant waitress, prompting the manager to go outside and flag down a police officer, Harper said. The female officer tried to defuse the situation, Harper said, but Caracter remained obstinate. The officer arrested him. He was handcuffed and taken to Orleans Parish jail and booked with one count of battery for hitting the waitress, as well as one count each of public intoxication and resisting arrest. Each charge is a municipal violation, police said.”

Scottie Pippen Wants Carlos Boozer to Be Tougher

Head coach Tom Thibodeau doesn’t believe in this idea, but Pip thinks the Bulls — Carlos Boozer, specifically — need to commit harder fouls, and dish out some payback for the hits Derrick Rose has been taking in the Pacers series. From the Chicago Sun-Times: “In light of the way the Pacers have been hammering Rose, Pippen is among the fans and media who believe the Bulls aren’t matching Indiana’s rough stuff. ‘You don’t give up layups in the playoffs,’ Pippen said. ‘You knock a guy down and you make them go to the foul line and earn it. That’s what Derrick’s doing for the Bulls. And to me, it’s an eye for an eye.’ Thibodeau is counseling against that. ‘In this league, you can’t do that,’ [Taj] Gibson said. ‘Nowadays, you look at the fines, the technicals being called. You can’t afford to lose players late. Thibs has been telling us to play with aggression. Don’t worry what the fans are saying. Just play our game.’ Pippen, though, wants to see Rose backed up by his teammates. ‘They’ve all got two legs and two arms,’ the six-time NBA champion said. ‘You’ve got Carlos Boozer out there who’s spending fouls and a lot of his fouls are not needed at the time that he’s giving them. Those could be hard fouls. Those could be fouls that you knock a [Darren] Collison to the floor, you knock a [Jeff] Foster to the floor. ‘Utilize your fouls and make them more valuable for you and your team.’ Thibodeau wants to see all-around aggressiveness, rather than retribution. ‘It’s playoff basketball,’ the coach said. ‘You have to play hard all the time. You have to have great urgency. And we have to be ready at the start of the game. That’s the big thing. We have to do a better job of starting the game.’”


Slam

Kobe Bryant Won’t Allow Tests on Injured Ankle

So much for getting that MRI on his bum ankle/foot, as Kobe refused to get any tests done, going against the wishes of his employer. From ESPN: “Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has a sprained left ankle and is officially listed as day to day, a team spokesman told reporters on Monday. ‘He says he’ll play,’ Lakers coach Phil Jackson said of Bryant’s status for Tuesday’s pivotal Game 5 with the Lakers’ first-round series tied 2-2 … Bryant spent Monday undergoing extensive treatment on the ankle, according to Jackson, including icing, electrostimulation and massage. Bryant declined to undergo any further examination of the injury through X-rays or an MRI, going against the wishes of the Lakers front office. ‘Right now, he’s not,’ Jackson said. ‘We’re trying to convince him that it might be a good idea.’ When asked what the Lakers’ medical staff thought of Bryant’s injury, Jackson said, ‘He won’t let them deal with it.’”

Dwight Howard Aint Afraid To Mix It Up With Hawks Fans

 During a disappointing loss to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 4 this past Sunday(Apr 24), Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard encountered some rather outspoken Hawks fans that upset the All-Star  big man so much he decided to exchange words with the unruly hecklers during a break in the third quarter:
According to the Associated Press:

Howard came over to the press table to exchange barbs with a couple of trash-talking fans during a break in the third quarter.

“You’re the biggest whiner in the league,” one of them said.

“You wanna come out here and play me?” Howard responded. “I’m averaging 33 points a game. Just keep drinking your beer.”

Guess that’s what happens when your team is down 3-1 in the opening round of the playoffs. “Frustration” (reality) starts to kick in.

Memphis Guard Tony Allen’s Grizzly Cut is a Hair Masterpiece

Yep, that there is the greatest Grizzly haircut known to man.  Granted, it may be the only Grizzly shaved into the back of human head, like ever, but it still trumps all other haircuts in it’s awesomeness and grandeur.
Grizzlies guard/forward Tony Allen had this masterpiece created earlier today in anticipation of tonight’s Game 4 matchup against the Spurs.  And it truly is a masterpiece—like Beethoven’s 5th, or Van Gogh’s Starry Night, only done in the medium of hair.  Plus, when Allen runs backwards it looks like there’s a real, live Grizzly bear running down the court.  Let’s see somebody else strike fear in their opponent with nothing more than an animal-related haircut.
C’est magnifique.

[@ChrisVernonShow via SB Nation]
SB Nation

MRI negative on Derrick Rose’s sprained ankle

DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP)—Good news for Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose(notes): An MRI has come back negative on his sprained left ankle.
The team confirmed the news Monday.

 

Rose had a walking boot on his left foot Sunday but the All-Star point guard is expected to play against Indiana in Game 5 on Tuesday night in Chicago.

The Bulls lead the first-round playoff series 3-1. Rose sprained his left ankle late in the first quarter of Saturday’s 89-84 loss to the Pacers.

Toney Douglas hates butts LOL

CP3 is RAW!

Redemption Brandon Roy

What should the Blazers do with Brandon Roy?

What should the Blazers do with Brandon Roy?

Sonics Fans Still Alive Watching Game 3 of Thunder/Nuggets

It’s been three years since Seattle last hosted a professional basketball game. But SuperSonics fans are making sure that the NBA doesn’t forget their existence. A group of them, led by filmmakers of the documentary Sonicsgate, had prime seating behind the Oklahoma City Thunder bench during last night’s contest against the Denver Nuggets.