Hooped Up

While receiving an honorary degree from his alma matter. Phil Jackson had this to say regarding the best athlete he has ever coached when asked as reported by the OC Register.

“No, the player Jackson called the greatest that he has coached is that wedding dress aficionado and Newport Beach police’s favorite basketball bad boy, Dennis Rodman. That’s right. No need to rub your eyes.

“He could probably play a 48-minute game and play the 48th minute stronger than the first minute of the game,” Jackson told the crowd at UND. “He was that terrific an athlete.”

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In a blockbuster, three-way trade involving Cleveland, Chicago, Seattle and including 11 players, the Cavaliers acquired center Ben Wallace from the Bulls and forward Wally Szczerbiak from the SuperSonics, two players to possibly get James and the Cavs through the Eastern Conference and back to the finals.

Cleveland general manager Danny Ferry, unable to finalize major deals in the past, pulled off a colossal one in the final hours before Thursday’s 3 p.m. deadline.

The Cavaliers sent guard Larry Hughes, forwards Drew Gooden and Cedric Simmons, and guard Shannon Brown to Chicago for Wallace, one of the game’s top inside enforcers, and forward Joe Smith.

Cleveland acquired the sharpshooting Szczerbiak and guard Delonte West from Seattle for forwards Ira Newble and Donyell Marshall.

The Cavaliers will also get Chicago’s second-round pick in 2009. The SuperSonics will receive guard Adrian Griffin from the Bulls.

SI

I love a great block party!

Dapper yet disappointed, Bulls forward Ben Wallace said the knee is “feeling better” and that it especially improves as the day progresses. Ice, stimulation and quadriceps stretches ease his morning stiffness and soreness.

“The frustrating part is being separated from the team,” Wallace said. “I have to sit on the sidelines with this blazer on.”

But Wallace wouldn’t speculate when he would return. The Bulls practice Thursday in Seattle and then play Friday in Seattle and Saturday in Portland.

“He’s better, just not quite ready,” coach Scott Skiles said. “We’ll see if he can do more [Thursday]. If things aren’t bothering him, maybe the Saturday game.”

Chicago Tribune