www.boston.com/sports/basketball/articles/2009/01/18/no_break_in_campaign?mode=PFNo break in campaign
Wizards away on Obama's big day
By Marc J. Spears | January 18, 2009
Because of a business trip, a historic day in American history won't fit into the Washington Wizards' busy schedule.
More than a million people are expected to attend Barack Obama's inauguration Tuesday in Washington. The Wizards, however, depart today for a four-game West Coast trip, and will be in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday. That morning, however, they will be able to watch the inauguration on television before they practice.
"When people said, 'Right president, wrong color,' I was like, 'Not right now. This is the right person, right color,' " said Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas. "I'm happy about it. Now you just got to go in and be president.
"D.C. is loving him, very supportive. They're showing his picture on the JumboTron [at Wizards home games] and everybody loves him. Everyone is excited about it. There are a million people that are waiting to get there, but we will be out of town. I have 10 tickets, actually. But I won't be there."
The President-elect has literally made an imprint on Arenas, who has a tribute to Obama tattooed on the fingers on his left hand. The tattoo reads, "Change we believe in," with one word on every finger except the thumb, a variation of Obama's campaign slogan, "Change we can believe in."
"It's a great feeling," said Arenas of Obama's arrival in Washington. "It's bringing Washington back to a higher state. Hopefully, he can just unite the people."
There isn't a Wizards player more politically active than injured forward-center Etan Thomas, who worked on Obama's campaign.
Thomas, a guest of Obama's at Howard University's 2007 Convocation, was part of a campaign last summer called "Respect My Vote!", a grass-roots effort to register voters ages 18-29. Thomas is also active in the Democratic National Committee, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Congressional Black Caucus, and Rock the Vote.
A Wizards spokesperson said Thomas may attend the inauguration since he is not on the West Coast trip because of a recently torn ligament in his left knee.
Wizards interim coach Eddie Tapscott isn't comfortable speaking on the team's behalf on political matters. Even so, Tapscott, an African-American and Washington, D.C., native, is excited because he never believed he'd see a president of color in his lifetime.
"I started to believe about a year ago," said Tapscott, who played his college ball at Tufts. "But I had to tell you that before a year ago, the odds weren't great to see it before my time is up. Obviously, it means a lot."
Tapscott said his wife, Janis Thomas, plans on attending numerous inauguration activities, and he looks forward to her stories. While Obama has yet to come to a Wizards game, the team would welcome the admitted hoop junkie any time.
"It's always nice that the president of the United States is a basketball fan, an NBA fan," Tapscott said. "It's a terrific thing. We will certainly welcome him if he wants to come to practice."
Smith doesn't want to bolt Thunder
Joe Smith would rather try to spark the Thunder than chase an elusive NBA championship ring.
There has been speculation that contending teams, including the Celtics, would be interested in Smith if he is bought out of the final year of his contract, which is paying him $4.7 million this season with Oklahoma City. However, the 6-foot-10-inch, 225-pound forward has not asked to be bought out, and the Thunder have no plans to offer him a buyout.
So, if a team would like to acquire the 14-year veteran, it would likely have to figure out a trade. The Thunder are tied with the Washington Wizards with an NBA-low eight wins, but have played better of late, winning five of nine.
"I like the young fellas and what they bring to the table," Smith said of the Thunder. "A lot of people want to chase that ring and things like that. But when you have a group of guys like this giving it their all every night, I don't get involved in stuff like that. We dug this hole together. We have to fight out of this hole together.
"I've been hearing my name, as always, all over the place. Things aren't looking bright now, but it's turning around. That's all I can ask for."
There also have been a lot of trade rumors connected to Thunder guard Earl Watson.
"That's a part of the game," said Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant. "There are always going to be rumors. Until anything happens, they're part of the team. I really don't get into it until something happens. It has to be tough on the other guys hearing their name in trade rumors and stuff like that. They're always my teammate, so I won't read into it."
Etc.
Happy trails
With Darius Miles playing for Memphis Friday night against Utah, the Trail Blazers are on the hook for the $18 million left on his contract. That figure not only counts against Portland's salary cap, but also forces the team to pay luxury tax, which would give the 22 teams not luxury taxed about $250,000 each in distribution money, according to an NBA executive. The teams that won't benefit are Boston, New York, Dallas, Cleveland, Detroit, Phoenix, and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace became intrigued with Miles, who missed the previous two seasons because of knee injuries, after the six-year veteran played six games with the Celtics in the preseason. After playing in two games for Memphis, including a good showing against Timberwolves star forward Al Jefferson, Miles was waived Jan. 7 in order that his contract wouldn't be fully guaranteed, and was re-signed three days later. With his hometown of East St. Louis and his wife's hometown of Greenwood, Miss., not far away, and the fact the Grizzlies gave him a chance, Miles opted to return to Memphis despite overtures from several other teams.
"[Boston] started the whole intrigue with Darius for me," said Wallace, a former Celtics GM. "The way he handled everything, the way he played, the feedback I received. If Boston's roster was different Darius would be on their team right now."
Case being made
Net Devin Harris is a strong candidate to make his first All-Star appearance. But considering the competition for the reserve guard spots in the Eastern Conference and New Jersey's lackluster record, Harris knows it's not a slam dunk. Harris is averaging 22.2 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds after yesterday's game against the Celtics.
"It's something you work for," Harris said. "It's a tribute to your hard work. Team success is a big part of it, too, but I think it could be something special."
Harris joins Boston's Rajon Rondo, Orlando's Jameer Nelson, Atlanta's Mike Bibby, and Cleveland's Mo Williams among East guards hoping to become All-Stars for the first time.
Waiting by the phone
While USA Basketball still plans on having an introductory camp for young prospects for its national team, the location and dates have yet to be worked out. Thunder forward Kevin Durant said he would be "honored" to be part of it. Durant was on the USA Select teams in 2007 and '08, and was disappointed he didn't make the Olympic squad that won the gold medal in Beijing.
"I could've been there," Durant said. "I was part of the team the summer before. I wish I could have been there. I'm a competitor. I wanted to win. I'm glad they won, but it would have been great to be a part of it."
When asked about playing in the 2012 London Olympics, Durant said, "I'm the type of guy that until I'm asked to be on the team, nothing is set. I'm just awaiting my chance and hopefully it will come up soon."
Country club
Raptors forward Andrea Bargnani has committed to helping his native Italy qualify for the 2010 world championships in Turkey. Italy will compete against Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Finland, and Portugal Aug. 5-30 for one available spot into the EuroBasket competition in Poland Sept. 7-20. A good showing at EuroBasket can solidify one of six spots for European teams at the 2010 world championships. Bargnani said Knicks forward Danilo Gallinari is also expected to play for Italy.
"Now we have to try to qualify for the European championships this summer," Bargnani said. "We have to do it or it will be very bad. I'm playing."
