NBA Rumors: Latest Chatter Around the Association
The U.S. men's basketball team won their London Olympic gold medal and the NBA season is still a while away, but that doesn't mean everything has gone quiet in this league.
From another Dwight Howard controversy to possible familiar faces in new places, let's go around the league and find out what's been happening.
Dwight Howard Skips Kids Camp
Just when you think the Howard talks have finally stopped with his trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, the big man is again making headlines. This time, it's for missing a scheduled kids' basketball camp appearance in Orlando days after being traded to the city of angels.
Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinal reports that D12 was scheduled to make an appearance at the kids' day camp that he hosts, but no-showed. The newest Laker told ProCamps Worldwide who runs the operation, that he would not be able to make the Aug. 13-14 dates due to rehabbing from his back injury.
Just over two weeks since the camp wrapped up, Howard is now currently in China taking part in an Adidas marketing campaign that will tour the Far East.
Howard may have a chance to start anew in Los Angeles and will try to rehabilitate his image as well as his back over the next several months, but nothing says bad press like skipping out on the kids.
It will be interesting to see how the center responds to questions about Robbins' report if they arise after Howard returns to the United States.
Scott Layden Interviewed for San Antonio's Assistant GM Job
Former New York Knicks general manager and current Utah Jazz assistant coach Scott Layden met with the San Antonio Spurs to audition for the assistant general manager opening, but both sides are keeping details to a minimum.
Austin Horton of 1280 The Zone reported Layden's reasoning for staying quiet, tweeting:
"Randy Rigby says that Scott Layden has interviewed with San Antonio, but he'd rather not comment further out of respect for all involved
— Austin Horton (@austinhorton) August 29, 2012"
While with the Knicks from 1999-2004, the former general manager did see immediate success with the team. New York posted two consecutive seasons with a record over .500 from 1999-2001, posting a 98-66 record and two playoff appearances over that time span.
What might have kept the Spurs from offering the contract on the spot were the seasons that came afterwards when the Knicks trailed off into mediocrity before Layden was fired during the 2003 season.
San Antonio has not made any commitment to Layden as of yet and would be wise not to. I mean, this is the same guy who signed Dikembe Mutumbo and traded Patrick Ewing to the Seattle Supersonics.
Brooklyn Nets Work Out Veteran Free Agents
The Nets have been busy recently, not only moving to Brooklyn but trying to find some veteran faces to add to the bus ride over.
According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, Brooklyn recently worked out both Eddy Curry and Hilton Armstrong in an effort to find players to be Brook Lopez's backup.
Armstrong's agent Sam Goldfeder was especially excited about his client's opportunity, telling Bondy "This is an excellent opportunity for Hilton. He's 100 percent ready for his chance to make the Nets."
The news out of Brooklyn doesn't stop there though, with Fred Kerber of the New York Post reporting that the team will look into Josh Childress and Sam Young following the injury to Donte Greene.
