NBA News

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As far as Minnesota Timberwolves basketball boss Kevin McHale is concerned, any trade talk involving Kevin Garnett so far has been just that -- talk.

"Who knows what's going to happen?" McHale said Wednesday after the Wolves worked out college stars Jeff Green and Al Horford in preparation for next week's draft. "But we're not out there actively shopping Kevin Garnett around the NBA. I can tell you that much."


McHale was pressed on the topic a day after Danny Ainge told The Boston Herald that he has talked to McHale about Garnett.

But McHale dismissed that news as the typical chatter that happens between team executives in the days leading up to the NBA draft.

"At this time of year, all the teams are talking to each other," McHale said. "Everybody phones each other saying, 'Hey what are you looking at? What are you doing?'

"We talk about a lot of different stuff and, unfortunately, some of that stuff seems to creep out or get speculated or, the best thing I like, things you haven't even discussed are out there."

Garnett can opt out of his contract after next season, meaning the Timberwolves run the risk of losing him without compensation if they don't trade him before then and he tires of not playing on a competitive team. That has ramped up speculation that he could be on the move, and the possible destinations -- many of them completely baseless and unsourced -- are popping up all over the place as they always do this time of year.

One thing that appears to be different this offseason is McHale's acknowledgment of conversations involving his star player. Where in the past, he has completely dismissed questions of Garnett's availability -- including after last season when he said emphatically, "We're not going to trade Kevin Garnett" -- McHale is now qualifying those remarks.

But he said Friday that he has always listened to proposals from other teams.

"What, do you think I hung up on them when they called?" McHale quipped in his typical tone. "Nothing has changed. You always listen. You listen, and it doesn't go very far and it hasn't gone very far now."

[abadani69]

Greg Oden admitted he was out of breath after his workout Wednesday for the Portland Trail Blazers. By no means was the 7-foot draft prospect coasting in on his reputation.

"Really, I'm trying to sell them on me, not the other way around," the forward from Ohio State said after a vigorous solo workout.


The Portland Trail Blazers have the No. 1 selection in the June 28th draft. Oden figures to be one of the top picks along with Kevin Durant, a forward out of Texas, who is scheduled to visit the Blazers on Friday.

"All I can do is be me," Oden said.

A couple dozen fans stood across the street from the Trail Blazers practice facility south of Portland hoping to catch a glimpse of the Big Man. The media turned out in droves.

Team owner Paul Allen, the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft, sat and watched the workout with general manager Kevin Pritchard. Several players, including Zach Randolph, Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy, and LaMarcus Aldridge also looked on.

"What came out is that he's a really good person who cared about how he did in the workout," Pritchard said. "He's a unique talent. To have an opportunity to get a kid like this is a great opportunity for this organization."

Said Allen: "Seeing Greg in person, it's not just his size, it's his amazing athleticism. You can see the potential there."

Oden was scheduled to meet with team doctors later Wednesday.

After getting a late start in his freshman year at Ohio State because of a wrist injury, Oden led the Buckeyes in scoring (15.7) and rebounding (9.6) and topped the Big Ten in shooting percentage (.616).

The Buckeyes went 35-4 and won the Big Ten's regular-season and tournament titles before advancing to their first national championship game since 1962, where they lost to two-time champion Florida. In the championship game, Oden had 25 points and 12 rebounds.

After his workout with Portland, Oden was asked whether he likened himself more to Shaquille O'Neal or Bill Russell. Without hesitation he answered," Russell."

"Ten fingers, 11 rings," he explained.

Both funny and personable, the 19-year-old smiled broadly after jokingly telling reporters that he'd cry if he wasn't the top pick in the draft.

Oden says he and Durant are pals and trade text messages.

"We're pretty cool," he said. "This year we realized we were going to be connected for a long time."

Oden said he felt immediately welcome in Portland. Roy and Aldridge met Oden and his mother at the airport.

Fellow Ohio State freshman Mike Conley Jr. has also declared himself eligible for the draft. Oden is represented by Conley's father, Mike Conley Sr., who won the Olympic gold medal in the triple jump at the 1992 Games in Barcelona.

Pritchard said the organization is keeping an open mind when it comes to its selection. None of the Blazers' brass was indicating which way the team might be leaning.

"This gives us an incredible opportunity to improve our franchise for the next decade, so you have to be extremely careful," Allen said. "But it's a lot of fun."

[abadani69]

The Milwaukee Bucks picked up the final option years on the contracts of center Andrew Bogut and forward Charlie Villanueva on Thursday.

Bogut, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, and Villanueva, the seventh pick that year, are now signed through the 2008-09 season.

As part of the new collective bargaining agreement, their rookie contracts in 2005 were two years in length, with team options for the third and fourth seasons.

Bogut, 22, averaged career highs in points (12.3), rebounds (8.0) and assists (3.0) in 66 games last season while shooting 55.3 percent from the field in his second season.

Villanueva, 22, struggled with injuries after being traded from Toronto last June for point guard T.J. Ford.

Villanueva appeared in 39 games and averaged 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds.

He missed 10 games with a torn ligament in his left elbow, three with a right ankle sprain and 30 more -- including the final 18 -- with right shoulder tendinitis that led to arthroscopic surgery.

General manager Larry Harris also said that qualifying offers were made to restricted free-agent guard Charlie Bell and forward Ersan Ilyasova. That gives the Bucks the right to match any offers by other teams.

[abadani69]

Reggie Theus scored the first basket in the history of the Sacramento Kings nearly 22 years ago -- and the club put the ball back in his hands Wednesday.

Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof formally introduced Theus as the franchise's 21st head coach at Arco Arena after signing him to a three-year deal. With a natty suit and a TV-star smile, Theus vowed to return excitement and wins to a once-successful team that fell apart last season.

"I've come full circle. This is an amazing dream to be sitting here," said Theus, who played three high-scoring seasons in Sacramento after the club's move from Kansas City to California's capital.

"I remember flying in for the first time over the rice fields and the farms, and I was reflecting on that as I flew in today. The only time I can remember having this feeling is the day I got drafted."

Theus replaces Eric Musselman, who won 33 games in his one tumultuous season. He succeeded Rick Adelman, who led the Kings to eight consecutive winning seasons and playoff appearances, including the 2002 Western Conference finals.

Most of the veterans who made up last season's squad are under contract for next season and beyond, including Ron Artest and Mike Bibby. Sacramento, which has the 10th pick in next week's draft, is expected to shake up a roster that stagnated last year.

Theus had some firm opinions about last year's struggles.

"There's no doubt in my mind this team could have and should have won more games last year," he said. "We have to create an identity. Right now, there's no identity to this team."

The Kings dominate public discussion in this one-sport town, and fans are wondering what the club will become under Theus, whose short coaching resume gives few clues to his style. Will he emulate Adelman's up-tempo style, or will he take another shot at fulfilling the Maloofs' desire for a defensive powerhouse, as Musselman failed to do?

During 13 years in the NBA, Theus was a shooting guard with a reputation as a gunner, but he still played solid defense and frequently finished among the NBA leaders in assists.

"There's really only one way to play the game, and that's up and down," said Theus, who already spoke to Artest and Bibby by phone in the 24 hours after getting the job. "Defense is an important aspect, because there was none here last year. ... The game is supposed to be fun, and I don't think it was fun here last year."

Theus will learn how to be an NBA coach on the job. He went 41-23 over the last two years at New Mexico State in his first significant head coaching job that didn't take place on a Saturday-morning sitcom.

Theus made no secret of his desire to get back to the pro league while in the college ranks. But even after interviewing with the Charlotte Bobcats and then wowing the Maloof brothers and top Kings executive Geoff Petrie last week in Las Vegas, Theus didn't expect to get his wish quite so quickly.

"I was very surprised," Theus said, glancing down the dais at Petrie. "He's got a great poker face. I don't know where it turned, but I don't think I was the main guy for a while."


AP - Jun 20, 8:05 pm EDT
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The Kings waited two months to name a successor to Musselman, who was fired April 20. Stan Van Gundy nearly accepted the job before choosing the Orlando Magic two weeks ago, and the Kings' top brass gave lengthy interviews to five candidates. Theus, Kings assistant coach Scott Brooks and Lakers assistant Brian Shaw were the unofficial finalists.

"He wants to be here," Joe Maloof said of Theus. "Other people didn't want to be here. We want a coach that's proud of Sacramento and wants to coach this team, and he does."

Petrie cited Theus' relative youth and energy as decisive factors. His ties to Vegas -- as a star at UNLV -- and New Mexico, the Maloof brothers' home state, also helped.

"He has a great charisma and energy," Petrie said. "He has a love for this franchise and a real affection for this community."

Before two seasons as Rick Pitino's assistant at Louisville and his time at New Mexico State, Theus stayed close to the NBA as a television analyst for nine seasons -- when he wasn't playing coach Bill Fuller on "Hang Time," that is.

Theus claims he always had a soft spot for the Kings and the powder-blue uniforms he wore proudly back when the well-traveled team wasn't much to be proud of. Now that bad times have returned to Sacramento, Theus believes he can turn the tide.

"Most of my background is on the NBA level," Theus said. "I'm going to be able to utilize what I've done and what I've learned. You've got to figure out what's best for the guys you've got in uniform."

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NBA player Stephen Jackson pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony count of criminal recklessness for firing a gun outside a strip club last fall and was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and perform 100 hours of community service.

Misdemeanor counts of battery and disorderly conduct were dismissed as part of the agreement with prosecutors, and a judge added a year of probation to Jackson's sentence.

Jackson, whom the Indiana Pacers traded to the Golden State Warriors in January, said after the brief court appearance that he would have done the community service anyway.

"Community service has always been a part of my life," he said.

But prosecutors intend the work to be punishment, which is why they chose the community center Christamore House for Jackson.

David Wyser, Marion County's chief trial deputy prosecutor, said he was confident that Christamore's director, Olgen Williams, "will ensure that Mr. Jackson performs his community hours doing work of cleaning, of painting, whatever it is he has to do as opposed to helping youths play basketball, something he enjoys doing."

Williams said the center, located in a lower-income neighborhood just west of the city's downtown, works with people performing community service every day and that Jackson might clean restrooms, shovel mulch, move furniture or plant flowers, among many possible tasks.

"I'm not going to put him down in the gym playing basketball," he said. "He may be in the gym, but he'll be in there sweeping."

Jackson was charged in connection with the Oct. 6 fracas outside Indianapolis' Club Rio. He told police he fired shots in the air from his 9mm pistol to try to break up a fight.

In February, Deon Willford, who hit Jackson with a car during the incident, was convicted of felony battery and sentenced to two years in prison, two years on probation and 100 hours community service.

Willford hit Jackson with his car after the fight started. He claimed self defense at his trial, testifying that Jackson was walking toward his car and pointing a gun at him. But other witnesses said Jackson was walking away from Willford's car and had no weapon out when he was hit.

Jackson chipped some teeth that night and underwent plastic surgery on his lip.

The fight started after Willford's cousin got into an argument with a group of people who accompanied Jackson to the club. That group included current Pacers Jamaal Tinsley and Marquis Daniels, who were not charged.

Because he had no prior felony convictions, Jackson was eligible to receive misdemeanor sentencing despite pleading guilty to the felony. Wyser said that Jackson received a stiffer sentence than most people facing a similar charge.

"I thought it was appropriate due to the fact that Mr. Jackson is held out as a role model to many individuals and youths in the community that look up to him," Wyser said.

At the time, Jackson was on probation in Michigan after pleading no contest to misdemeanor assault and battery charges for his role in the 2004 brawl between Pacers players and Detroit Pistons fans.

A Michigan judge had ruled that the Indiana charges constituted a violation of Jackson's probation. But Jackson's attorney, Jim Voyles, said the case was resolved last week, and Jackson will serve 10 days of community service.

Jackson said after Wednesday's hearing that he was happy to resolve the latest criminal case.

"I'm ready to move on," he told a small crowd of reporters. "I'm in a great city with a great new team, had a great year, as all y'all seen. I'm ready to experience another one."

[dosto]

which channel can we watch the mathces on?

[abadani69]

Greg Oden didn't workout while meeting with the SuperSonics, on the advice of his agent. That gave the prized center from Ohio State more time on his first trip to Seattle to assess what he's learned during his pre-draft tour of the Northwest.

-- The relative anonymity of walking around Seattle instead of smaller Portland was refreshing. Although the 7-footer is about to become a millionaire from the NBA draft, he was able to go to the movies Thursday night and have only one person stop him to pose for a picture.

-- He doesn't mind being considered a franchise savior before he has even played his first NBA game. "I'm OK with it," he said Friday, smiling. "I don't know if it's going to happen."

-- Seattle's hilly streets would be great for skateboarding.

-- And having his mom Zoe, a rehabilitation technician at a hospital in their hometown of Indianapolis, along is keeping the 19-year-old All-American grounded.

"My mom, she's trying to brush my hair everywhere I go, telling me 'Take that off. You can't wear that,"' the personable Oden said, after a morning with executives and doctors from the SuperSonics, who own the second overall pick in Thursday's draft.

His quick trip through Seattle was a contrast to his ballyhooed visit to Portland.

The Blazers, owners of the top pick Thursday, sent players to the airport to meet Oden and encouraged the media to be there, too. Then they put him through an open workout Wednesday that was so vigorous, Oden said he was out of breath.

The low-key Seattle trip was essentially a fallback visit, in case the Blazers surprise many people and take Kevin Durant first overall. Durant, who is due to visit Sonics executives on Sunday, was in Portland on Friday and impressed Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard, who said, "That was as impressive a workout as any I've seen in here."

Oden met with Sonics owner Clay Bennett, new general manager Sam Presti and new assistant GM Scott Perry. Presti and Perry later climbed into the back of a white Lincoln Krystal stretch limousine with Oden and his mom, apparently on their way to lunch. Oden remained in his oversized jersey-like shirt, baggy jeans and white court shoes all day.

"I didn't work out, so I didn't sweat," Oden said, flashing another grin. "It was just one of those things my agent told me not to. I just wanted to get a good feel for the organization. I still feel I learned a lot."

He also got another examination of his right wrist, on which he had surgery to repair ligament damage a year ago. Portland checked it out on Wednesday.

"Just got back from the doctors. My wrist is fine. I can do this," Oden said, rotating his right hand clockwise in the air.

After getting a late start his freshman year at Ohio State because of the wrist surgery, Oden led the Buckeyes in scoring (15.7) and rebounding (9.6) and topped the Big Ten in shooting percentage (.616). The Buckeyes went 35-4 and advanced to their first national championship game since 1962, where they lost to Florida. Oden had 25 points and 12 rebounds in the title game.

Oden said he doesn't care much whether he goes to Portland or Seattle. Per the league's collective bargaining agreement, the difference in rookie salary scale between the top pick and the second pick is $3.855 million versus $3.476 million, with a similar difference next year. The first two years of the contracts are guaranteed.

"It'd be nice. I'd be with a great group of guys who have gone No. 1," Oden said. "But at two, there'd be a great group of guys there.

"First round is guaranteed money, that's all I know."

Oden planned to spend the weekend at home in Indiana before traveling Monday to New York for the draft.

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The Seattle SuperSonics completed a series of front office moves Saturday, including the hiring of Scott Perry as an assistant general manager.

Earlier in the week, the Detroit Pistons said on their Web site that Perry, the team's former director of player personnel, was expected to assume his new role in Seattle when contract details were finalized.

Perry was hired by the Pistons as a college scout in 2000. Before that, he was coach at Eastern Kentucky for three seasons.

Seattle also announced that Rich Cho would remain with the organization as an assistant general manager in charge of contracts and the collective bargaining agreement. Cho is the only holdover from Seattle's previous management.

"Rich's experience, skill and knowledge will prove to be invaluable to me and the operation as we continue to develop this team," new Sonics GM Sam Presti said.

Former general manager Rick Sund was reassigned in April. Seattle also fired director of player personnel David Pendergraft and head scout Steve Rosenberry this week.

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Shavlik Randolph picked up the one-year option on his contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday as he attempts a comeback from a broken and dislocated left ankle.

In two seasons with the Sixers, Randolph averaged 2.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 70 games. He was limited to 13 games last year after his Nov. 30 injury.

"It's taken a whole lot longer than I thought it would, but not anyone else," Randolph said. "All the doctors thought it would take this long."

Randolph said he hadn't decided if he would play in the Sixers summer league games in Las Vegas or Salt Lake City.

"If I can go out there and practice and feel good enough to play, I'll do it," he said. "I won't go out there if I don't feel I'm ready."

Randolph signed as an undrafted free agent with the Sixers before the 2005 season, following a three-year career at Duke. He signed a two-year contract -- which included a reported $1.1 million option for this year -- and averaged 4.5 points and 4.2 rebounds before he was hurt.

[abadani69]

If the Minnesota Timberwolves do decide to trade Kevin Garnett, point guard Troy Hudson would like to be on the plane with KG out of the Twin Cities.

Hudson's agent said Friday that he called owner Glen Taylor to say that the point guard would like to play elsewhere next season.

"It's not like I demanded a trade or anything," Bill Neff said. "It's just time to move on."

Hudson has spent five seasons in Minnesota, with his first one being the best. He averaged 14.2 points and 5.7 assists in 2002-03 and parlayed that into a six-year, $37 million contract. But injuries, and a logjam at point guard last season, have kept him from approaching that production the last four years.

He's started just 39 games in the last four seasons and averaged 5.9 points and 2.1 assists in 34 games last year. Any chance at consistent playing time was lost when Randy Wittman took over for the fired Dwane Casey in January.

"We weren't happy (when Wittman took over)," Neff said.

Hudson was believed to be in a package with Garnett that the Wolves were shopping to Boston, a deal that appears unlikely to materialize.

"When I read that they were trying to move him to Boston, my reaction was, 'Could you do it faster?"' Neff said. "He's not in their plans. He wants to play. He can still help someone."

Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale declined to comment on the issue through a team spokesman.

Trade speculation surrounding Garnett has ramped up ever since Boston's Danny Ainge acknowledged having talks with McHale about Garnett's availability.

But with an opt-out clause in his contract after next season, Garnett will have plenty of say in where he ends up, if the Timberwolves do decide they would be better off dealing the All-Star forward.

McHale has been more vocal this offseason in saying that he would listen to offers for Garnett, but Taylor has said on more than one occasion that he expects Garnett to be here next season.

Hudson's has three years and more than $18 million left on his deal, which could make him difficult to trade. Neff said the only trade talks he's had direct knowledge of involving his client was a proposal at the trade deadline last season when Detroit offered Nazr Mohammed for Hudson, but that deal never came to fruition.

"Minnesota is not a place we're trying to stay," Neff said.

[abadani69]

Alonzo Mourning is close to deciding if he'll play for the Miami Heat next season, saying Saturday that the choice hinges somewhat on other unresolved matters that will affect the franchise's immediate future.

Foremost on that list? Mourning wants to know if Heat coach Pat Riley will be back on the sidelines.


"That's definitely a factor," Mourning said. "Stay tuned."

Mourning did not specifically say he'll be back only if Riley returns, or that he'd definitely retire if Riley steps aside. At a promotional appearance for his upcoming Zo's Summer Groove fundraiser, Mourning told fans -- some of whom spent more than two hours waiting outside a supermarket a few miles north of downtown Miami -- he's still simply weighing options.

"My thought would be, that since he hasn't expressed anything to this point, we're hopeful he plans to give it another run," Heat general manager Randy Pfund said.

Riley's timetable for his own decision isn't known, but many Heat players, including Shaquille O'Neal, have said in recent weeks they expect him to coach at least one more year.

On April 30, after the 2006 NBA champions were swept from this year's playoffs by the Chicago Bulls, Mourning said he planned to quickly decide about next season. He has a player option worth $2.75 million. Mourning has said his family would be supportive if he chose to play.

Now, nearly two months have passed, and his plans are still undetermined.

"I really haven't decided," Mourning said to one man while taking a quick break from carefully signing basketballs, shirts, hats and photos. "I'm going to make a decision soon. Very soon."

The uncertainty over Mourning's future may complicate matters for the Heat, who are preparing for Thursday's draft and the July 1 start of free agency.

If the 37-year-old Mourning doesn't come back for what would be his 15th season -- not including a year he missed because of kidney disease that necessitated a transplant in December 2003 -- the Heat almost certainly must seek another big man for added depth behind O'Neal. Michael Doleac, who played behind O'Neal and Mourning for much of last season, is already under contract for 2007-08.

"It's all in Zo's hands," Pfund said. "I know there's been conversations, but I don't think anybody really is making a big, blanket statement. There's been nothing finalized. It's on Zo. We have great respect for Zo and what he's gone through and what he means to the organization, and we respect the fact he probably wants to take some time before he totally commits. So there's been no pressure. We're waiting for him to hopefully announce he wants to be back."

Mourning started 43 of Miami's 82 regular season games, averaging 8.2 points and blocking 178 shots. His 5.44 blocks per 48 minutes gave him the highest average in the NBA, nearly a full block ahead of Denver's Marcus Camby and nearly two blocks better than anyone else in the league.

[abadani69]

A few months ago, Texas star Kevin Durant took in a meaningless regular-season game between San Antonio and visiting Seattle, believing then that his likely NBA destination would be Memphis or Boston.

On Sunday morning, Durant spent about 45 minutes working out for SuperSonics officials, almost certain that his professional future will begin in the Pacific Northwest.

"For (Seattle) to get (the No. 2 pick) was kind of shocking. It was kind of something different," Durant said Sunday, wearing a lime-colored shirt that didn't quite match Seattle's shade of green. "Once I had seen that ... I got my mind-set ready to go to the Pacific Northwest."

Durant's workout for the Sonics came two days after he put on a sterling performance for the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard called Durant's workout "as impressive a workout as any I've seen in here," and seemed to open the possibility that The Associated Press college player of the year from could go No. 1 to the Blazers.

Durant said his audition for the Sonics was similar -- focusing on ballhandling, post moves and outside shooting. He wasn't given any feedback from Sonics officials, but Durant felt it was a good showing on his part.


"I'm just trying to sell myself to Seattle as well," Durant said. "Hopefully they think my workout went well. We'll see on the 28th who picks me."

Unlike Durant's workout with the Blazers, his session with the Sonics was closed to the media. New Seattle general manager Sam Presti and other team officials weren't made available to comment. Durant said Sonics' owner Clay Bennett was in attendance.

Greg Oden met with Sonics officials on Friday, but choose not to workout for Seattle. The Ohio State center is expected to be the top choice by Portland, although the Blazers have yet to hint at their plans.

Durant, whose final college game was in Spokane, Wash., has spent the last week in Seattle working out and getting a tour of the city from Spencer Hawes, who entered the draft after one year at Washington. Durant's agent, Aaron Goodwin, runs Seattle-based Goodwin Sports Management.

As for the Sonics tenuous future in Seattle, Durant said he'd like to see the team stay, but even if the team moved he'd be happy.

"These last couple of months have been really hectic for me and my family," Durant said. "But this is what I wanted to do. I'm happy I'm doing it. I'm glad I'm going through this process. I wouldn't want it any other way."

[abadani69]

E-mails arrive for Portland Trail Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard reading simply "honk" or "honk, honk."

They come from fans weighing in on whom the Trail Blazers should take with the first pick of this week's NBA draft. Franchise officials have embraced the alluring but agonizing choice, putting up billboards around the city that ask drivers to beep their horns once for Ohio State center Greg Oden and twice for Texas forward Kevin Durant.

The Blazers did not indicate which way they were leaning heading into Thursday's draft in New York. "There is no consensus" among the team's brass, Pritchard said.

"We're not ready to make a choice right now," he said. "We owe it to this organization to make the best choice, not the immediate choice."

These teenagers who turned pro after one year in college are widely viewed as future stars who can make an immediate impact on a franchise. Each worked out for the team last week.


Portland's good fortune of landing the No. 1 pick in a year when the top of the draft is so strong has turned fans giddy after several down years led many to lose enthusiasm. An unscientific poll on the Blazers.com Web site showed Oden with 75 percent of the vote as of Sunday.

Oden would be the top pick of many teams because franchise centers are rare. The Blazers, who already have 6-foot-9 Zach Randolph and 6-foot-11 LaMarcus Aldridge, could be one of the few in a position to favor Durant.

After getting a late start his freshman year because of a wrist injury, the 7-foot Oden led the Buckeyes in scoring (15.7) and rebounding (9.6) and topped the Big Ten in shooting percentage (.616).

Ohio State went 35-4 and won the conference's regular season and tournament titles before advancing to its first NCAA final since 1962, where the Buckeyes lost to two-time champion Florida. In the title game, Oden had 25 points and 12 rebounds.

The 6-9 Durant, The Associated Press Player of the Year, was the only player in the country to average more than 25 points and 10 rebounds.

He shot 47 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 82 percent from the foul line. He led the Longhorns in steals and blocked shots and scored at least 30 points a Big 12-record 11 times.

Each player downplayed the significance of going No. 1.

"It would be an honor for me," Durant said. "But I'm just blessed to be in this position. I'm not going to be picky."

After his workout with Portland, Oden was asked whether he likened himself more to Shaquille O'Neal or Bill Russell. Without hesitation, he answered, "Russell."

"Ten fingers, 11 rings," he explained.

Durant said he tries to emulate Dirk Nowitzki.

"But I know I'm nowhere as near as good as Dirk," he said.

Oden displayed his quick wit when asked what would happen if Portland doesn't select him.

"I'd cry," he responded.

Kidding aside, he added: "I would be a little disappointed because it's starting to grow on me. The trees. I love it out here."

Then again, it's all but certain both players will wind up in the Pacific Northwest, with Seattle picking second. Oden would get his trees, either way.

"You never know. Kevin's working out, he's working hard, too. Everybody else is working hard," Oden said. "You never know -- they might throw a curveball and draft somebody from Germany."

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They love Yao. Now comes Yi.

That's Yi Jianlian, the 7-foot power forward who will be among the top choices in Thursday's NBA draft.

He'll be the fourth Chinese to make the NBA, but will he have the impact of the Houston Rockets' Yao Ming? Or will his stay match the short, modest NBA careers of Wang Zhizhi and Mengke Bateer?

Yi (pronounced Ee) is a mystery in a draft in which Greg Oden and Kevin Durant are expected to go 1-2. Speculation has Yi going as high as No. 3, and most think he'll be picked in the top 10.

"Yi the X-factor in jackpot draft," read a recent headline in the state-run China Daily newspaper.

If Yi makes it big, it will be even easier for the NBA to make deeper inroads into China, where basketball is very popular. About 300 million Chinese play the game, and NBA jerseys are a badge for teenage boys, just as they are in the United States.

Nobody questions Yi's deft shooting touch from the wing, his ability to run the floor and his soft hands and athletic body. Some compare him to David Robinson or Pau Gasol.

But there are questions: Can he play defense? Is he strong enough? And exactly how old is he?

The Chinese Basketball Association lists his birthday as Oct. 27, 1987 -- 19 at draft time. But some believe he's about three years older. Teams might give someone 19 to develop, but a 22-year-old player is expected to be a more refined product.

"He's definitely a great athlete who can be an NBA project for any team," said Xia Song, an NBA analyst on Beijing's BTV. "The draft is hard to predict unless you are a Yao Ming or LeBron James or Michael Jordan."

Yi played on China's 2004 Olympic team and the 2006 world championship team. This season, he averaged 25 points and 12 rebounds in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Guangdong Tigers.

"Every international player -- every Chinese player -- is going to need time to adjust to the American culture, to the NBA, to the locker room," Xia added. "It is going to take time, but he's young. He's a very smart kid and he will be able to handle it very well."

Bruce O'Neil, president of the U.S. Basketball Academy in Eugene, Ore., has watched Yi for several years. The USBA has a long-term consulting agreement with the CBA.

"I think he's the least known player in the draft," said O'Neil, who returned this week to the United States from China.

"Some teams in the NBA have done their homework on him, some haven't," O'Neil said. "For me he's a multidimensional talent -- a top-five pick, for sure. Of course, they play different positions, but he's stronger than Yao was at this point in his career."

For marketing purposes, Yi might prefer a city with a large Chinese population. His English is basic, but better than Yao's when he was picked five years ago. Yi has been in the United States for several weeks adjusting and, unlike the three Chinese who played before him, he'll be on hand to witness his selection.

"Whatever team Yi plays for, he will be followed by a huge TV audience in China," said Xu Jicheng, a longtime basketball analyst on state-run CCTV. "Being where there is a Chinese community might help him get used to American culture and sports, but it's not necessary."

Xu predicted more NBA players would be coming from China, particularly after the 2008 Olympics.

"China has a package of players 16 to 20 years old, and there are a few more players like Yi," Xu said. "It's hard to see another Yao Ming, but next year and the year after I think some quick, athletic players will be drafted from China."

That should please NBA commissioner David Stern, who already has announced the possibility of an NBA-sponsored league in China following the Olympics.

Another Chinese may also go in the draft -- 6-9 swingman Sun Yue.

China's national team coach, Lithuanian Jonas Kazaluskas, criticized Sun this month for missing national team practice to attend an NBA pre-draft training camp.

"If you ask me which skill Sun needs to improve in terms of playing in the NBA, I'd tell you he needs an all-around improvement because he is not strong enough to join the game there," said Kazaluskas, who also questioned Sun's defense.

Angered by his coach's comments, Sun said they hurt his chance of being drafted. Others also doubt he's ready.

"People in the NBA don't know much about him," Xu said. "I'm not sure. But, like Yi, if he could get into the right team, I think he could show his talent quickly."

[abadani69]

Los Angeles Lakers center Kwame Brown, who underwent reconstructive surgery on his left ankle last month, is scheduled for an operation on his right shoulder Wednesday.

Brown, who will have a bursa sac and scar tissue removed, is expected to make a full recovery. A timeline for his return will be determined after surgery.

Brown had ankle surgery on May 29, and Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak doesn't expect that to keep him from being at or near 100 percent when training camp begins in October.

The 25-year-old Brown averaged 8.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots in 41 games last season.

He missed the first seven games while recovering from an injured right shoulder and was healthy after that until severely spraining his left ankle Dec. 31, when he accidentally landed on the foot of Philadelphia's Andre Miller after blocking a shot. That forced him to miss 34 games.