Here is our regular look around the NBA — links to stories worth reading and notes to check out (stuff that did not get its own post here at PBT) — done in bullet point form. Because bloggers love bullet points like Apple fanatics love new, expensive toys.
• The Basketball Jones asks: Who is the coolest player in the NBA? Apparently those Canadian bloggers are hipsters as they choose James Harden and his beard. I might have voted for Tony Allen, who listens to his pre-game music louder than anyone in the league. By far.
• It is finally official, the Nets have formally signed Andray Blatche. Our long national nightmare is over (well, unless you’re a Nets fan).
• Once you get past the Matt Barnes info from Sam Amick at Sports Illustrated, he goes on to say both Kenyon Martin and Derek Fisher could wait until mid-season and hope a good team comes calling with an offer for a veteran, because they don’t like what is out there now. And if that doesn’t work, they could retire.
• Here is a really interesting Q&A with Ron Shelton, they guy behind “White Men Can’t Jump.”
• Today’s “guys close to the team say watch for X to have a big year” note goes to Rodney Stuckey of the Pistons.
• Along those same lines, Pistons coach Lawrence Frank is praising the improvement since Summer League of rookie Khris Middleton.
• Forward Malcolm Thomas will be working out for the Knicks this week, trying to earn a roster spot.
• Terrence Williams is working out for the Pistons trying to get one of their roster spots.
• Blazers snakebit guard Elliot Williams will have ankle surgery on his torn Achilles, but it is not yet scheduled as they wait for the swelling to go down.
• The Wizards have rounded out their training camp roster, which includes bringing in Shavlik Randolph and Steven Gray for training camp.
• Will Conroy has inked a partially guaranteed contract and will be training camp fodder for the Timberwolves.
• Along those same lines, Ronald DuPree will be in Memphis’ training camp.
• Oklahoma City has inked DeAndre Liggins for training camp.
• Thursday Nets guard Tyshawn Taylor will be giving away back-to-school items to needy students in his hometown of Hoboken, New Jersey
