It should come as no surprise that Kevin Pritchard has revealed himself as one of the smartest general managers in basketball over the past few years. After all, his college career saw him play under Larry Brown and Gregg Popovich, two great basketball minds, and he got his first front office job from Spurs’ general manager R.C. Buford.

The biggest sign of Gilbert Arenas’ maturity and the newfound responsibility that comes with a large contract came towards the end of the press conference. In year’s past, his name has been synonymous with quirky and controversial behavior from flipping a coin to decide his free agency fate in 2003, to checking into a playoff game in 2008, without notifying Coach Jordan ahead of time. Arenas acknowledged during Tuesday’s press conference that behavior definitely has to be amended going forward.

One of the most intriguing stories in basketball history belongs to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. Don’t believe me? Think again. From his rail-thin physique to his 1991 conversion to Islam, in a traditional sports world, the man originally born Chris Jackson lived a spiritual life far removed from the traditional sports scene. Oh, and he did so while suffering the symptoms of Tourette’s.

For the Utah Jazz, complacency is not an option. Yet this offseason has, once again, sent signals around the NBA that the team prefers a holding pattern rather than an aggressive approach on the market.

Looking back on Jose Calderon’s time in Toronto, you can’t help but be impressed and a little bit surprised that he would be in the position he now finds himself. His transformation from a nervous, timid, turnover prone rookie to one of the most respected and efficient point guards in the NBA is a story that should not be overlooked.

In this space last week, we explored some basics regarding APBRmetrics and their application when considering team shooting. Let us now consider the same three metrics used to evaluate team performances and examine how they pertain to individual shooters.

With the final 34 seconds of their Olympic hopes quickly evaporating off the Athens, Greece shot clock, Jermaine Anderson took his team, his country and the fate of his facial hair upon himself.

During a routine physical prior to the 2007-2008 season, doctors found a leak in Etan Thomas’ aortic valve and it required immediate surgery. At the time, it was unknown when Thomas would be able to resume physical activity again, let alone rejoin his fellow Wizards. This past weekend, a healthy Thomas returned to practice determined to resume his role as an intimidating presence in the middle.

Canada’s Senior Men opened the FIBA Olympic Qualifier with a humbling loss, succumbing 86-70 to Slovenia.

In preparation for their participation in the 2008 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, the Washington Wizards conducted the first of the their two day mini camp at the Verizon Center in Washington DC. Among those participating in the camp were center Etan Thomas, this year’s first round draft pick, forward/center JaVale McGee, and Utah Jazz free agent Dee Brown, who was recently signed to an offer sheet.