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NBA Capsules: Mavs hope to keep Chandler, Barea to defend title
DALLAS (AP) — Jason Terry has figured out a simple way for the Dallas Mavericks to bring back the entire roster to defend their NBA title.
While everyone was going through their exit interviews — still caught up in the thrill of the first championship for the organization and for almost everyone involved — Terry urged Dirk Nowitzki to go with him to team president Donnie Nelson's office and lobby for the immediate re-signing of Tyson Chandler, Caron Butler, J.J. Barea and the rest of the free agents-to-be.
"Some checks'll be bigger than others," Terry told Nowitzki, "but we've got to keep this thing intact."
If only it was that easy.
Even if the Mavs wanted to keep everyone, the players would have to agree. Chandler and Barea especially raised their value this postseason and deserve to see how much they can get on the open market. Butler is a free agent for the first time, too. Backups Brian Cardinal, DeShawn Stevenson and Peja Stojakovic also might want to see if some team will offer them bigger bucks or a bigger role.
Then there's the huge obstacle of not yet knowing what the salary cap will be because the collective bargaining agreement is expiring.
"In an ideal world, we keep it intact and we make another run," Nelson said. "None of us knows what the market is going to be like. We're in a holding pattern."
Everything starts with Chandler, who is likely to be near the top of the free agent crop.
He's an athletic 7-footer who plays a traditional big man's game, plus at 28 is still in the prime of his career. He's coming off both a world championship for Team USA and the NBA title, hailed as the heart-and-soul leader of both clubs.
Most of all, he's healthy after several injury-marred seasons that included trades and skittish teams worried about his medical history. He appreciates that the Mavs took a chance on him and loved everything about this season.
But, business is business.
"You hate that it comes like this ... but that's how it goes," he said.
Chandler said his dad recently told him his bond with his 2010-11 teammates will last forever. He agreed, calling his teammates "my brothers."
He also said that being on another team wouldn't change that.
"We're all not going to be here next year. That's the reality of the situation," Chandler said. "But we'll all be connected throughout our career."
Barea wasn't as vague.
He said he wants to stay, even though he's likely to go from starting the finals to being a backup next season, and he could probably cash in and become a starter elsewhere.
Then again, it's hard to complain about the niche he has here.
"I'm not going to lie, I like the role I have on this team," Barea said. "The situation I got here in Dallas and with the coach that I have and the teammates I have, I don't want to change it. So hopefully I'll be here again next year and we'll see what happens."
Butler will be a different story.
The Mavs traded for him at the deadline in 2010, and he was their second-leading scorer when he had an excruciating knee injury on New Year's Day. He was hailed as the team's inspiration for the way he tried to speed his recovery to be able to play in the postseason. He was about 10 days from being ready.
It remains to be seen what the injury did to his value and whether being part of a championship team makes him want to return. The Mavs could have some leverage considering they won it all without him.
"He's part of the family," Nelson said. "That's how we'll treat all those guys."
Stevenson is a well-traveled veteran who fell into a nice role this season. He started the first 19 playoff games, then became a key reserve once Barea took his spot. He was arrested for public intoxication Tuesday and released from jail Wednesday after posting bail, but a hiccup like that won't diminish his value to the Mavs.
"His toughness, his performance on defense was great," coach Rick Carlisle said.
Stojakovic helped replace some of Butler's scoring and had some big games early in the playoffs. He faded in the conference finals and was so bad in the finals that he wound up glued to the bench.
"Even though I'm not the same player and I have to understand who I am at this point of my career, I still enjoy being out there," Stojakovic said. "I still believe that I can have a role in this league."
Carlisle has proof.
"Before we went on one of our last trips, I sat there and watched him make 95 out of 100 3s," Carlisle said. "That's ridiculous."
Cardinal is another tough-nosed defender who can hit the 3 when left open. He replaced Stojakovic in the rotation and provided several highlights in the last few games.
A self-deprecating type, he joked about his free-agent status.
"Cash in? Geez, I'm just looking to survive another year," he said. "I'd love to stay here. It's the best group of guys I've been around. Tremendous organization, the fans are unbelievable."
Again, it all comes down to that two-way street — the players have to want to return and the front-office has to invite them back. And they have to do it all within financial parameters that aren't yet set.
From management's perspective, they can offer one thing no other team can: the chance to repeat.
"Once you've sipped from that cup, there's absolutely nothing like it and you want to be back," Nelson said. "Once you've had a taste of this thing, you want to do it again and again and again."
Terry thinks it will work.
"Those guys want to be here," Terry said. "If you look in everybody's eyes, they want to do it together with this team."
Dallas prepares to keep Maverick parade-goers safe
DALLAS — Police and fire crews are gearing up to ensure that the hundreds of thousands of jubilant Mavericks fans expected to converge in downtown Dallas on Thursday for the team’s victory parade are safe from a myriad of potential threats — within and outside the crowd.
Authorities insist they’re better prepared than they were in 1993, when a melee followed a Dallas Cowboys Su-per Bowl parade. They say they’re armed with new tactics and a heightened awareness designed to counter ter-rorism in a post-Sept. 11 world.
Dallas Police Chief David Brown, who was a sergeant on the Special Weapons and Tactics team during the 200,000-strong crowd parade nearly two decades ago that was marred by violence, injuries and arrests, is oversee-ing planning for the Mavericks’ NBA championship celebration.
“If it goes bad, it’s my fault,” the chief has said.
But authorities say they hope blame won’t be necessary.
“That was a learning point for us as to how bad things can go in a hurry if you don’t have adequate personnel,” said Lt. Todd Thomasson, who recalled the 1993 parade as “a mess.”
Thomasson now heads a Dallas police unit that didn’t exist back then, the Fusion Center, which merges informa-tion from a variety of sources to improve the department’s ability to fight crime and terrorism.
Created in 2007, the center will help play a key security role on Thursday, including monitoring intelligence ac-tivity and watching cameras stationed along the parade route.
They’ll also be in close contact with several dozen plainclothes officers in with the crowd to keep an eye on what’s going on.
“So if we have a fight that’s getting started, they don’t intervene, they call us and we can rapidly deploy re-sources before it gets out of hand,” Thomasson said.
Police are adding at least 300 additional officers to the parade route and have forces strategically placed outside the crowds that can quickly be summoned, including SWAT teams and other units.
Given an anticipated crowd of 250,000 in sweltering heat, officials say they must be prepared for anything.
“In this day and age, with any large gathering of people, we have to be aware of the possibility of a terrorism strike,” Thomasson said. “We have no indication of anything, but just like the Super Bowl, with any large gather-ing of people we have to be much more vigilant post 9-11.”
Dallas Fire-Rescue’s explosive-disposal team and hazardous materials unit will be on site, spokesman Jason Ev-ans said.
Bomb-sniffing dogs will be amid the crowds and officials will be testing air quality for any hint of chemical or biological weapons.
Eight bike medics will ride through the parade route helping those suffering from what may be triple-digit tem-peratures or other medical emergencies, Evans said. Medical tents will be set up near the Dallas Convention Center, where the 10 a.m. parade will begin, another will be at Dealy Plaza and a third at Victory Plaza, where the parade will end at the American Airlines Center.
The fire department will also have two off-road “rescue” vehicles with flat beds on the back that can more eas-ily navigate through a large crowd than a giant fire truck or ambulance.
“We don’t want to raise alarm by talking about hazmat teams and terrorist attacks, but we do want people to be educated,” Evans said.
Fire Chief Eddie Burns said that people should wear cool clothes, stay hydrated and keep their eyes out for any-thing suspicious.
“We encourage everyone to be aware of their surroundings,” Burns said.
Although overnight camping to get a good viewing spot will be forbidden, the Dallas County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency management is encouraging fans to arrive early since road barricades will start going up at 8 a.m. and traffic will be limited or closed going into downtown.
Those riding the light rail will see DART police at many stations and fare enforcement officers on trains in full force on Thursday, DART spokesman Mark Ball said.
Brown encouraged people to follow his department on Twitter for information about traffic, crowds, road clo-sures and places to avoid during the parade.
“Our goal is to make sure that everyone is safe,” Dallas Mayor Dwayne Carraway said.
Mavs’ Stevenson arrested for public intoxication
IRVING — Dallas Mavericks guard DeShawn Stevenson has been arrested for public intoxication.
Police in suburban Irving say Stevenson was arrested Tuesday night after reports of an intoxicated person walking through the grounds of an apartment complex. Police say Stevenson didn’t know where he was and he was arrested after field sobriety tests.
He was released from jail Wednesday morning after posting bail. Mavericks spokeswoman Sarah Melton said Wednesday the team had no comment on the arrest.
Stevenson will be a free agent this summer.
A 10-year veteran, Stevenson played a key role for the Mavericks as they won their first NBA title against Mi-ami. He started every playoff game until the final three of the Finals. Coming off the bench, he provided tenacious defense and outside scoring as Dallas won each of those games.
In the clinching Game 6, Stevenson made three 3-pointers during a pivotal stretch in the first half. He also was in the middle of a skirmish that resulted in three technical fouls, one on him and two against the Heat.
“His toughness and grit was a big part of our team and who we were,” coach Rick Carlisle said Tuesday.
Stevenson is a colorful character, perhaps best known for tattoos covering nearly his entire body, including his face and neck. He’s also often made provocative comments about LeBron James, such as saying he “checked out” late in Game 4.
Mavericks read top 10 on 'Late Show'
DALLAS (AP) — The latest reward for winning the NBA championship for Dirk Nowitzki, Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks is reading the top 10 list on the Late Show with David Letterman.
Nowitzki and seven teammates, plus coach Rick Carlisle and owner Cuban took part Wednesday via satellite from the team's practice court in Dallas. The subject was good things about winning the title. CBS released a preview a few hours before the show aired.
Shawn Marion got it started with No. 10: "I don't have to sit here and lie about how winning isn't important."
Jason Terry gave No. 3: "Now I can ask Mark Cuban for a raise."
Then Cuban said: "If you thought I was cocky and obnoxious before — get ready."
Nowitzki was No. 1. The other players were J.J. Barea, Rodrigue Beaubois, Brian Cardinal, Tyson Chandler and Caron Butler.
Germany’s Merkel lauds Nowitzki’s NBA triumph
BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel has congratulated Dirk Nowitzki on winning the MVP in the Dal-las Mavericks’ NBA Finals triumph.
Merkel spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Wednesday that Merkel wrote to Nowitzki to laud him for being “the first German to fulfill this great dream.”
Merkel praised the Bavarian’s “industriousness, perseverance and outstanding performance.”
Nowitzki overcame a finger injury, illness and smothering defense from the Miami Heat to win his and the Mavericks’ their first NBA title.
Out-of-state capsules
Heat extend Chalmers a qualifying offer
MIAMI (AP) — Getting in position to try and keep Mario Chalmers has become the first personnel move of the Miami Heat offseason. As expected, the Heat extended a qualifying offer Wednesday to Chalmers, making him a restricted free agent and giving Miami the right to match any contract he receives over the summer.
Chalmers has said he wants to remain with Miami, though he will likely generate some interest once free agency begins. He made $847,000 this season.
"We're encouraged by Mario's progress," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said earlier this week after the team's exit meetings. "He's a combination guard and he's a guard that can start under the right circumstances. He's also a great fit coming off the bench because of the energy that he provides and his ability to change the game, either with his scoring or defense or playmaking, and that's a unique quality to have coming off the bench."
More roster moves are likely for the Heat in the coming days.
The Heat are awaiting decisions on options held by Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Eddie House and James Jones for next season, with those decisions due by June 30 — the day the NBA's collective bargaining agreement is set to expire. A lockout could begin July 1, the day free agency would begin, but no deals will be signed until a new CBA is in place.
Chalmers has spent all three of his NBA seasons with Miami, averaging 7.9 points and 3.7 assists during regular-season play, 8.1 points and 2.7 assists in playoff games. He was Miami's fourth-leading scorer behind Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James in the NBA finals, which the Heat lost to the Dallas Mavericks in six games.
Chalmers averaged 11.8 points during the Finals, leading Miami with 14 makes from 3-point range. He was moved into the starting lineup for Game 6, and has started more than half of his 225 career regular-season games with the Heat.
Chalmers led the Heat in the playoffs with 32 3-pointers, and the Heat outscored opponents by 79 points with him on the floor during the postseason. No other Miami player had a better plus-minus rating in the playoffs than Chalmers.
"He's really worked at his game the last two offseasons," Spoelstra said. "He had a little bit of a setback last year with his sprained ankle but the first seven weeks of the summer he was really spending a great deal of time on his balance, his shooting, making plays off the dribble. Those things will be the same this summer and going into free agency."
NOTES: Everyone from U.S. Open golfers to New York Yankees and even some Mavericks are offering words of encouragement for James, who struggled offensively in the NBA Finals. Rory McIlroy said "he's been unfairly scrutinized," Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez was quoted in the New York Post saying "we need to remember this kid is 26 years old," and Mavs guard Jason Kidd plans on reaching out to James soon. ... Mavs coach Rick Carlisle also offered praise for Spoelstra, saying he had "the toughest job in basketball. ... It was extremely difficult, extremely trying. We went through a lot of difficult times before we got to our moment. Their time will definitely come," Carlisle said.
-- Tim Reynolds
Rubio says he's talking with Barca about future
BILBAO, Spain (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves draft pick Ricky Rubio says he is talking with Spanish club Barcelona about his future. Rubio said "we are talking with Barcelona and we will soon see" after Barca beat Bilbao for the Spanish league title Tuesday night.
The 20-year-old Rubio has filled his trophy case with titles, but he has struggled to score this season and lost his spot in Barcelona's starting lineup.
The Timberwolves selected Rubio at No. 5 in the 2009 NBA draft, but the Spanish point guard decided to stay in Spain to play.
The Associated Press reported earlier this month that the Timberwolves had reached a deal with Rubio for him to join the team next season.
NBA Draft Capsules
Fredette, Walker work out for Utah Jazz
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette never made it onto the same court during their last year of college hoops. It finally happened behind closed doors at the Utah Jazz practice facility.
Walker and Fredette auditioned for Jazz coaches and team officials Wednesday in a workout ahead of the June 23 NBA draft.
Walker and Fredette are firmly on Utah's draft radar. The Jazz pick at No. 3 and No. 12 and it's expected that at least one of those picks will be used on a point guard to fill the void left when Utah traded Deron Williams to New Jersey last season.
Walker lifted Connecticut to an NCAA championship last season while Fredette led the nation in scoring at BYU with 28.9 points per game and swept nearly every national player of the year award.
Seeing both players on the same court was a dream for many college basketball fans. It never happened in college. Both players came away painting their workout together in glowing terms.
"It was great to be able to go against him," Fredette said. "That's what you want. You want to play against the best, at least I do. I want to go out there and compete against the best players."
Jazz coaches put both players through the wringer. They tested their ability to run plays out of the pick and roll, evaluated their shooting and defensive skills and had them go through conditioning drills.
Walker walked away feeling like both he and Fredette did enough to leave a good impression.
"That's what it's all about," Walker said. "We're all here for jobs. It's like interviews. We're going to go hard and try to impress. I think we both did a great job at impressing these guys today."
Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said Walker showed a ton of defensive quickness and good scoring ability.
He said he liked what Fredette showed in terms of athleticism and defensive commitment.
"They're both competitors," Corbin said. "You can't argue against the success that either one of those kids has had. They had great college careers and their talent level and the work they demonstrated today show why."
Fredette has sought to quiet critics who question his defensive skills. His focus during workouts with the Jazz and elsewhere has been to show teams he is not afraid to be aggressive on defense.
Utah is at the top of Fredette's wish list. He feels like his skills are a perfect match for what the Jazz like to do.
"I just think it would be a great fit for me basketball-wise," Fredette said. "I fit into the system. They need a guy who can stretch the floor, get into a lane, get other guys involved and that plays right into my strengths."
Walker also thinks he can carve out an NBA home with the Jazz. He is small by NBA point guard standards, but Walker feels he makes up for that with energy, intensity and desire. He said he feels he can develop his game with the Jazz.
"I feel like I have a great vibe with the team and the staff," Walker said. "Hopefully, I can come to Utah."
It was not the first time Walker and Fredette spent time together on the basketball court. The two became friends after playing together on the USA Select team last summer. Walker has seen and played against many great players since then.
He is convinced this won't be the last time he and Fredette duel on a basketball court.
"He can play the point guard position on the next level," Walker said. "Today, he definitely showed that. Him scoring is just a plus. He made some pretty impressive passes also. I think he'll be great."
Teenage big man, Tyler, works out for Nets
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Two years after leaving high school early for a career as a professional basketball player, Jeremy Tyler is about to find out if he's good enough for the NBA.
After a short — and less than stellar — stint in Israel and a year in Japan playing under former NBA coach Bob Hill, the 19-year-old is going through a final week of workouts for the draft on June 23.
His latest stop was in New Jersey on Wednesday, where he joined five other players showcasing their talents for the Nets. It was his eighth workout. Five more are scheduled for the 6-foot-10, 260-pound center-forward from San Diego who was considered one of the country's top high school players.
"I just want the honor of playing in the NBA and showing I belong," said Tyler, who will turn 20 Tuesday, two days before the draft.
Tyler had to wait two years to become eligible for the draft, and his journey over that period has been long and trying. But it's a journey that he has no regrets taking.
"I wanted to grow up," Tyler said. "I wanted to challenge myself on the basketball court and I wanted to challenge myself as a young man."
Tyler's first year as a pro was not memorable. He went to Israel with a contract for $140,000 and played 10 games for Maccabi Haifa, averaging 2.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 7.6 minutes.
The numbers were ugly, and Tyler was vague when asked what went wrong. Part of the problem was coaching. Part was maturity ... or lack of it. A big part was simply being 17 years old, living in a foreign country, and not having a support group with him.
"It was frustrating the first year," he said. "I was killing them in practice, but I had to realize it was not all about dunking. Really, it's just not scoring a bucket."
There were other factors: playing defense, being a better teammate, the list goes on.
Japan was different.
Playing with Tokyo Apache in the Basketball Japan League under Hill, Tyler averaged 9.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 15.4 minutes.
"He has been everything I always wanted, a great role model, a great leader, father-figure, coach," Tyler said, adding he learned every day from the former coach of the Knicks, Spurs, Pacers and SuperSonics.
The Nets didn't let the media see much of Wednesday's workout, but Tyler was paired against JaJuan Johnson of Purdue for most of that time. He held his own, but did nothing extraordinary.
"Being overseas has definitely been an advantage," Tyler said. "I see it. I feel it. I know it. I mean there is a lot of good guys in this draft and a lot of good guys been with all these teams. I am not going to knock their game. They are all good, but I feel like I view basketball in another way where I'll be successful in the NBA."
Tyler described his game as versatile. He says he can shoot well, play either outside or in the paint and can do whatever is needed. Defense has never been a problem.
He believes he will bring intensity to the court and is a good teammate.
"Right now, I am just having fun coming to show what I can do and being the best that I can be," Tyler said. "Hopefully, I catch some eyes and some interest."
Tyler has no idea where he will be drafted, but he believes he has not taken any steps back in the past two years.
His advice to players, who might be considering leaving high school early, is to understand that it is not going to be easy.
"Don't do it to make money," he said. "Do it to get better."
-- Tom Canavan
Thompson following dad's path to NBA
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Washington State standout Klay Thompson is rising up draft boards around the NBA after some polished performances in individual workouts for a dozen teams.
Thompson was at it again Wednesday for the Milwaukee Bucks, who are well aware like everyone else in the NBA of Thompson's pedigree.
He's the middle son of former No. 1 overall draft pick Mychal Thompson, who was picked by Portland in 1978 and went on to win three NBA titles with the Lakers.
"Once he gets into the workout, much like the European players, he's so fundamentally sound that going to the workouts are really a benefit to him and the teams looking at him," Bucks scouting director Billy McKinney said.
Klay Thompson has had to grow up quickly after dealing with a marijuana citation near the Pullman campus. He was suspended for one game after the March incident.
"I'm not going to say I'm happy it happened, but it was almost good it happened sooner or later because I was going down the wrong path and if I want to fulfill my potential and play in this league, I can't be messing around with that stuff," Thompson said. "I haven't done it since."
The 21-year-old was a sharpshooter at Washington State, with the type of height and length that NBA scouts fawn over — he's 6-foot-7 and can play point guard, shooting guard or small forward. He finished first on the Cougars' all-time list in 3-point field goals (242) and third in points (1,756) in just three seasons.
Thompson also has some inside knowledge of the Bucks. His older brother, Mychel, worked out for the team on Tuesday and the boys are both friends with Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings.
"I think I'd be a perfect fit playing alongside Brandon, that kid is great with the ball," Klay Thompson said. "I can stretch the floor, be a great threat from the off-guard position and be a complete guard — defend, rebound, pass, do whatever coach asks me to do."
Milwaukee picks 10th in next Thursday's draft and the organization is interested in Thompson. Colorado's Alec Burks and Texas' Jordan Hamilton are in the mix, too.
Thompson is hoping to move past the questions about the marijuana citation. He must appear before authorities on July 7 and provide a clean drug test for the incident to be removed from his record. The citation included a $500 fine.
His father was critical of his son's decisions at the time, saying Klay had embarrassed himself and let down his teammates and his school. Klay Thompson was more embarrassed.
"He was really disappointed, but I think I was the most upset at myself," Thompson said. "I learned a tremendous amount about myself, just being able to apologize in front of my fans and it was a humbling experience. I'm glad I went through it and fought through it."
Thompson also has had to answer the question repeatedly for every team looking to invest the future of their franchises in him.
"It's understandable. It's humbling," he said. "I just tell them the truth, because if you don't, they're going to find out either way."
Mychal Thompson was selected No. 1 overall in a draft that featured Larry Bird going sixth to Boston. The 6-foot-10 Thompson played with three teams in 12 NBA seasons, including the Spurs and Lakers. He won three titles in 1987, 1988 and 1991 as a top reserve with Los Angeles.
That experience has helped Klay, McKinney said, but only to a point.
"I'd say one of the things that matters a lot is that he's had a tremendous amount of experience talking to his dad about the transition to the NBA," McKinney said. "The bottom line is, you can have a father that's played, but you've got to get it done between the lines, and Klay has proven he can do that on a consistent basis."
-- Colin Fly
Familiar sight: Bobcats' Higgins knows Burks
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The attention was on Rich Cho as he sat courtside Wednesday morning wearing all black taking in his first pre-draft workout since joining the Charlotte Bobcats. And while Cho provides a different perspective in owner Michael Jordan's front office ahead of a critical draft, the old general manager sitting next to him likely had the most insight on this day.
Few in the NBA have seen guard Alec Burks play more than Rod Higgins, who was promoted this week to president of basketball operations. Higgins' son, Cory, was a teammate of Burks at Colorado.
"He was at a lot of our games, our practices," Burks said. "I know him a great deal."
Burks and Providence guard Marshon Brooks — both in town for a second time after injuries kept them from the court on their first visit — headlined Charlotte's six-player audition.
Also on hand were Michigan's Darius Morris, Julyan Stone of UTEP, LaceDarius Dunn of Baylor and Hofstra's Charles Jenkins.
The Bobcats, who select ninth and 19th on June 23, are considering the athletic, slashing 6-foot-6 Burks with the first pick. He could perhaps fill a need for more athleticism and scoring.
"I feel like they've seen a lot of my game," Burks said, referencing Higgins. "It's great to be out here in Charlotte showing them I still got it."
A Grandview, Mo., native, Burks received few college offers before landing at Colorado. But he dazzled in his two years there, averaging 20.5 points and 6.5 rebounds last season.
Coach Paul Silas said he could see playing Burks at both shooting guard and small forward. Silas indicated Burks, who has been criticized for his lack of shooting range and strength, shot well in the workout and displayed his athleticism.
"I showed them I get to the rim," Burks said. "It was a good workout."
There's no doubt the 6-5 Brooks can score.
A possibility for Charlotte with the 19th pick, Brooks ranked second in the nation in scoring last season at 24.6 points a game.
Carrying a Providence team that lacked depth, Brooks scored 52 points against Notre Dame and 43 against Georgetown. But the scoring bursts also led to suggestions he's a selfish player.
"I had to score. I had to carry the scoring load or the game was going to get ugly," said Brooks, who pointed out he played point guard until a late growth spurt. "I might take a questionable shot, but I shot 48 percent from the field. So they were falling sometimes."
Brooks feels he'd fit in well with Charlotte despite the team already having a young shooting guard in Gerald Henderson.
"I'm not a shooter," Brooks argued. "I'm a scorer that draws a lot of fouls and just plays hard."
Helping to make Charlotte's draft decisions will be Cho, hired less than a month after he was dismissed as GM of the Portland Trail Blazers.
"I'm not the type of person who's going to come in here and say, "Hey, this is what we need to do. Let's change this, here,'" Cho said. "It's going to be a collaborative effort."
Cho and Higgins were seen chatting with scouts after the Wednesday's workout, which Jordan didn't attend.
"He's going to be able to give us his idea of who he likes, looking at our roster and how they would fit in," Silas said. "It just gives you another voice. A guy that's been around, a guy that's seen a lot of these players. I think it's a major plus."
Notes: Bobcats assistant Stephen Silas was back in Charlotte after helping run a camp for European draft prospects in Italy. "It was a great experience," he said. ... It marked the first time Morris had been in Time Warner Cable Arena since he missed a runner at the buzzer in Michigan's 73-71 loss to Duke in the third round of the NCAA tournament that ended his college career. "A lot of memories in that gym," Morris said, smiling. "I wouldn't mind going in here and practicing that shot one more time."
-- Mike Cranston
WNBA
Winless Shock waive rookie Ayim
TULSA, Okla. (AP) — The Tulsa Shock waived rookie center Miranda Ayim on Wednesday, clearing the way to add another player to a roster with two injured starters.
Ayim averaged 2.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in the Shock's first three games after making the team as a free agent invitee to training camp.
She didn't play in the last two games, even though Tulsa lost starters Elizabeth Cambage to a concussion and Amber Holt to a broken thumb.
