NBA News for May 28

Brent Barry was Fouled.
Yes, he was fouled and should have gotten two shots, but lets not forget the play where Lamar Odom blocked a Tony Parker layup from behind and the refs called it a goal tend when the replay clearly (in the eyes of an admitted Lakers fan) showed that it was not.

Mike D'Antoni Courting Wade and James?
A Heat Official said they were concerned that the new Knicks coach may use his position as an Olympic assistant coach this summer to influence Lebron James and Dwayne Wade to play in New York once they become free agents in 2010. -Miami Herald. I'm guessing this came up during D'Antoni's contract negotiations.

He Has No Hart.
Utah Jazz point guard Jason Hart exercised his $2.4 million option to return in 2008-09 to the presumably disappointed Jazz. FYI, Hart played in 57 games this season and averaged 2.7 points per game and 1.5 assists while shooting a whopping 32% from the field. With these statistics Hart was not eager to test the free agent market where, if a contract were offered it probably would have been for a veteran minimum of $1.07 million. Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor implied that the team may consider settling with Hart on a buyout. In other words, even though the Jazz have Deron Williams and not much playing time for a third string guard they would still prefer to pay Hart not to play than to have him anywhere near Salt Lake City.

Meet Lester Hudson.
Combo-guard and winner of this year's Biggest Question Mark of the NBA Draft Award, Hudson has been drawing interest from several teams because of his scoring and rebounding ability, but his 6-3 frame and supposed inability to play point guard have worried many of those same teams. Those feelings may have been eased when NBA.com reported that at Tuesday's pre-draft session Hudson showed the ability to play the one (point guard). I'm telling you he is this year's sleeper.

Chris Paul is Really Really Good.
Byron Scott agreed in principle to a two-year contract extension, for somewhere in the $6 million a year range, to stay as the Hornets head coach, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

The Hinrich Maneuver.
NBA GMs are so convinced that the Chicago Bulls will draft point guard Derrick Rose that they are discussing a Kirk Hinrich trade, according to ESPN.com. Hinrich is coming off one of his worst years and his contract is an asset because it is set up so that his salary decreases annually.

Portland to Memphis: "Only You Would Fall for That!"
The Oregonian reported that the Memphis Grizzlies offered up aging shooter Mike Miller to the Portland Trailblazers in exchange for young difference maker Travis Outlaw and the 13th pick in the upcoming draft. Needless to say, Blazers officials (had milk shoot out through their noses) respectfully declined.