Denver Nuggets News Blog

For now, Billups is a free agent

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:32:55 +0000

AUBURN HILLS - Detroit Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups has opted out of the final year of his six-year contract, making him an unrestricted free agent heading into the summer signing season.

"He informed the team this morning that he was opting out of his final year with the Pistons and that makes him a free agent - which we expected," team spokesman Matt Dobek said Monday.

The 6-foot-3, 202-pound All-Star has said he would prefer to stay with Detroit and expects to be back if the team can match the best deal he can find from another team.

China's Yi brings wow factor to NBA draft

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:22:45 +0000

LOS ANGELES — Yi Jianlian (pronounced yee chon-len), the likely top-10 NBA draft pick from China, is billed as the next Yao Ming, but don't be fooled.

He's 7 feet tall, 247 pounds and quite an athlete, more akin to a power or small forward than a center such as the Houston Rockets' Yao at 7-6, 310.

Yi is quicker, faster and much springier. He's an excellent shooter up to 18-20 feet and can hit three-pointers, too.

Cooper, a Former Laker, Is Thriving Back in the W.N.B.A.

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:14:17 +0000

Back in the W.N.B.A. after a two-year absence, Michael Cooper has noticed improved play around the league.

Its definitely on the rise, said Cooper, the coach of the Los Angeles Sparks. Many of the players on our team and throughout the league are getting bigger and better and faster and stronger. We got to come with our A game every night. Its not like in the past where you could get away with some things.

Cooper, who won five N.B.A. titles with the Lakers, coached the Sparks from 1999 to 2004, going 116-31. He won the leagues coach of the year award in 2000 after leading Los Angeles to a franchise-best 28-4 record. Cooper followed that with titles in 2001 and 2002, before losing to Detroit in the 2003 finals.

Embattled pro, local kid find much to offer each other

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:14:17 +0000

Well I've been on top, and then it seems I lost my dream

But I got it back, I'm feelin' better every day

Tell all those pencil pushers, better get out of my way

Nuggets hold cheerleading tryouts

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:23:06 +0000

DENVER - The Denver Nuggets held cheerleader tryouts on Saturday.

Hopefuls gathered at the Pepsi Center for a shot at making the squad.

The cheerleaders perform at every Nuggets home game and at other special events throughout the year.

Cooper seeing bigger, better players since returning to WNBA

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 16:11:41 +0000

Back in the WNBA after a two-year absence, Michael Cooper has noticed the improved play around the league.

"It's definitely on the rise," the Los Angeles Sparks' coach said. "Many of the players on our team and throughout the league are getting bigger and better and faster and stronger. We got to come with our 'A' game every night. It's not like in the past where you could get away with some things."

Cooper, who won five NBA titles with the Lakers, coached the Sparks from 1999-04, going 116-31. He won the league's coach of the year award in 2000 after leading Los Angeles to a franchise-best 28-4 record. Cooper followed that with back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002, before losing to Detroit in the 2003 finals.

Fort Collins woman thinks she can dance

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 16:11:41 +0000

Sara VonGillern of Fort Collins thinks she can dance, and she is right. The 23-year-old is now one of 18 contestants on Foxs hit TV show, So You Think You Can Dance.

I went into the first audition in Chicago with no expectations, VonGillern said during a phone interview in between rehearsals. As I make it through each round, its like, Wow, this is actually happening.

Even though viewers tune in all across the nation each week, VonGillern said its like watching a home video. The experience is surreal for contestants who have spend their whole lives dreaming of this opportunity.

76ers holding audition for guards

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:18:20 +0000

After traveling to Southern California to see 6-foot-11 Chinese forward Yi Jianlian in a private workout on Tuesday, the 76ers will resume predraft workouts today, bringing in four guards to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Scheduled to appear are Oregon's Aaron Brooks, Texas A&M's Acie Law IV, Boise State's Coby Karl, and Chinese guard Sun Yue. Karl, the son of Denver Nuggets coach George Karl, had an impressive pre-draft camp in Orlando, Fla., averaging 12.3 points in three games.

Of the four, Law is considered the only one with a realistic chance to be in the lottery. With four picks - 12, 21 and 30 in the first round and 38 in the second round - the Sixers might have interest in the other three guards with their second-round pick.

Philadelphia 76ers 2007 Draft Preview

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:22:15 +0000

This year's draft gives the Philadelphia 76ers a chance to

rebuild quickly after dealing All-Star Allen Iverson to the Denver Nuggets on

December 19, 2006.The Sixers, who acquired point guard Andre Miller, veteran power forward Joe

Brawl rules continue to haunt NBA

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 09:31:50 +0000

At a recent Daytona Cubs home game, Jesus Valdez got drilled by a pitch from Clearwater Phillies reliever Brett Harker and, clearly enraged, took a step or two toward the mound.

Predictably, players and coaches from both dugouts and bullpens converged upon the scene. Just as predictably, no punches were thrown and nothing worse than a couple of ejections ensued.

But my initial reaction to seeing so many people in uniform milling about on the field went like this: If the Florida State League used the NBA's so-called logic, the Cubs and Phillies would have failed to meet the minimum roster requirement for their next games or would have been forced to deal with staggered suspensions.

Sports Brief

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 09:31:50 +0000

The Kobe Bryant stories have not died down since he demanded to be traded three weeks ago. Bryant stole the attention away from the NBA Finals, and now it looks like he is stealing the attention away from the NBA Draft, which will be held next week on Thursday.

Last week, owner Jerry Buss met with Bryant in Spain, where the two spoke face to face for the first time since Bryants trade demands. Sources say that Bryant told Buss that he still wants to be traded.

Making matters worse is that a cell phone video has surfaced that has audio of Bryant slamming Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak and saying that they should have shipped out center Andrew Bynum for All Star point guard Jason Kidd.

Kings choose Theus as coach

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:51:22 +0000

Kings spokesman Troy Hanson said the club plans to introduce Theus, the New Mexico State coach and a former Kings player, at a news conference today.

The Kings nearly hired Stan Van Gundy two weeks ago before he chose the Orlando Magic, while veteran coach Larry Brown recently expressed interest in the opening.

The Kings instead chose Theus, a well-liked 13-year NBA veteran — though he has almost as much experience playing a coach on television as in real life. Theus, who transformed the New Mexico State program into an NCAA tournament club in just two seasons on the Aggies' sideline, has never coached in the NBA.

Nuggets forward Nene returns to Brazil's national team

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:51:22 +0000

SAO PAULO, Brazil — Denver Nuggets forward Nene said Tuesday he will end a four-year absence and rejoin Brazil's national team for this summer's Olympic qualifier.

"I talked a lot with my family and my team, and I realized that it was time to come back," Nene said in a statement distributed by his public relations manager, Samy Vaisman. "I want to be happy with the national team and want to help Brazil secure a spot in the Olympics."

The top two finishers in the FIBA Americas tournament from Aug. 22-Sept. 2 in Las Vegas will clinch a spot in Beijing in 2008. The Brazilians, who nearly beat the United States in an exhibition game last summer, should have one of the strongest teams.

Parker: Red Rocks fetes U2 concert film

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:51:22 +0000

So you had a chance to see U2 at the legendary Under a Blood Red Sky concert at Red Rocks in '83 but blew it? Here's your chance for a do-over: the Aug. 21 Film on the Rocks will bring the concert alive once again.

"We're going to re-create the entire concert as it was done 24 years ago," said Erik Dyce, Red Rocks marketing man.

There'll be the flaming towers on either side of the stage (brought in special for the '83 filming), and the U2 tribute band Under a Blood Red Sky re-creating the concert note-for-note. And, Dyce hopes, there'll be a bit of the rain and fog that made the original concert film so eerie.

Rockets hire four coaches including Adelman?s son

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:51:22 +0000

HOUSTON ? The Houston Rockets hired four assistant coaches on Tuesday, including former NBA All-Star Jack Sikma.

R.J. Adelman, the oldest son of new head coach Rick Adelman, will also join the staff. Elston Turner and T.R. Dunn are the other assistants to Rick Adelman, who was hired on May 23 to replace the fired Jeff Van Gundy.

Sikma, a seven-time All-Star center, was an assistant in Seattle for the past four seasons. The 6-foot-11 Sikma played 14 seasons in the NBA, averaging 15.6 points and 9.8 rebounds in 1,107 combined games with Seattle and Milwaukee.

Rockets hire 4 assistants for Adelman

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 07:33:42 +0000

50 Cent Excused From Allen Iverson Assault Case