NBA Headlines Around the League

In the PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, Phil Jasner writes that "Allen Iverson can take off his Sixers gear. He can wear sunglasses and a cap. But he can't hide. Not even" in Barcelona. 'It happened when I went out to eat [Sunday],' he said after yesterday's morning practice, another session dedicated to defensive principles. 'When stuff like that happens, you just feel good about yourself. Honestly, I feel like I've come a long way to just come way over here, be here only a few days, go around the corner and people recognize you.'"

 

In the ARIZONA REPUBLIC, Paul Coro writes that "the balloon filled with optimism of a triumphant Amaré Stoudemire return can't stay aloft." After camp opened in Italy "with two light practices, Stoudemire cut short his on-court involvement in the third one Monday because he said his right knee felt stiff. In the first half-hour of practice, Stoudemire came out and spent the rest of practice doing exercises on the sideline. His left knee, on which microfracture surgery was performed last October, has not given him any problems."

 

In the CHICAGO TRIBUNE, K.C. Johnson writes that "on the follicle front, Ben Wallace opted for braids at Bulls Media Night on Monday, leaving his trademark Afro for another day. Perhaps Wallace didn't want to stand out, though that's a tall order for the most significant addition to the 41st season in franchise history. With one signature, Wallace left six seasons and two NBA Finals appearances behind in Detroit and brought his lunch-bucket work ethic and imposing scowl to another Central Division locale."

 

In the DETROIT FREE PRESS, Chris Silva writes that "Nazr Mohammed emerged from the Pistons' locker room Monday evening at the team's practice facility, brushed some lint off his fresh, white No. 13 jersey and gave it two firm tugs."  Now "Mohammed is hoping to fit in with his new team, his fourth in nine seasons."  While Mohammed "made it clear he wouldn't be the second coming of Ben Wallace," his "repertoire has something that Wallace's was missing -- a potential consistent offensive game."  Mohammed "averaged 6.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in 80 games for the Spurs last season."

 

In the TIMES-PICAYUNE, Benjamin Hochman writes that "for this week of training camp, the Hornets are back in New Orleans -- but David West is the only player remaining from the 2004-05 Hornets, the last team to play a full season in the Crescent City."  West, who is the  "lone link to past futility and combustibility" is now "joined on the roster by 15 new names -- nine new for this training camp."  Today "at the New Orleans Arena, players such as center Tyson Chandler and three-time All-Star Peja Stojakovic will make their official debuts in teal."

 

In the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, Rick Bonnell writes that "Melvin Ely said his heart won out over his head."  On Monday "Ely chose a one-year, $3 million qualifying offer from the Charlotte Bobcats over a multiyear contract from the Phoenix Suns."  Ely, who "played extensively last season, averaging 23.6 minutes in 57 games,"  doesn't "sound rattled by the competition with Emeka Okafor, Sean May, Othella Harrington and Walter Herrmann."