Amateur Video Is Latest in Bryant Drama - New York Times

Amateur Video Is Latest in Bryant Drama - New York Times: "The video’s owners played the clip over the telephone for a Times reporter. The voice is clearly Bryant’s, speaking in a high, agitated tone.

“It’s not the camera Kobe,” said a spokesman for the amateur videographers, who, like his friends, wanted to remain anonymous. He said the footage was shot in a shopping center parking lot in Newport Coast, Calif., where Bryant lives. The spokesman said his friends, all in their early 20s, were chatting with Bryant when one of them decided to take a photograph and some video for posterity, but that they did not believe that Bryant was aware that they were filming. The Lakers passed on a chance to obtain the Nets’ Jason Kidd in February because they would not part with Bynum.

“Are you kidding me?” Bryant says in the video. He goes on to say, with a number of profanities mixed in, that the Lakers should “ship out” Bynum.

“We’re talking about Jason Kidd,” Bryant says. He also speaks in a derisive tone about General Manager Mitch Kupchak before the video abruptly ends."

Celtics, Wolves discuss Garnett - Boston Celtics - BostonHerald.com

Celtics, Wolves discuss Garnett - Boston Celtics - BostonHerald.com: "Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge acknowledged yesterday that he has talked with the Minnesota Timberwolves about a potential trade for Kevin Garnett.
However, Ainge refused to comment about a published report that had the Celts shipping Al Jefferson [stats], Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair [stats], Theo Ratliff [stats] and the fifth pick in next week’s NBA draft for the All-Star forward.
A league source confirmed the teams have talked but are not close to a deal. "

Swingman Delfino likes Raptors' style

Swingman Delfino likes Raptors' style: "In Toronto, Delfino is a low-risk gamble at US$1.8-million this season, especially if he can crack coach Sam Mitchell's rotation."

Injury could force Bosh off Team USA

Injury could force Bosh off Team USA: "A nagging foot injury could keep Chris Bosh off the U.S. national team this summer.

Bosh said that the plantar fasciitis in his left heel -- an injury he had played through last season -- is healing well. But if it is not 100% when Team USA begins training next month, he would give up his spot.

'My foot is not healed but it's making progress,' he told the National Post, while in Toronto for Sunday's MuchMusic Video Awards."

globesports.com: Delfino gets a shot with Toronto

globesports.com: Delfino gets a shot with Toronto: "Delfino has been in Toronto only to play games, but he is already happy to be moving here. 'Nothing against Detroit, but Toronto seems more lively,' Delfino said. 'There's more people walking around.'

If the Raptors opened their season today, Delfino would likely play small forward alongside Calderon and Juan Dixon as part of the second unit. He'll have to compete with Luke Jackson for those minutes. The Raptors will also hope he can keep the pressure on Joey Graham, the projected starter at small forward. All those roles could change if the Raptors sign a free-agent wing player this summer.

At the very least the club is accumulating its share of short-term contracts. Delfino, Dixon, Calderon, Kris Humphries, Jackson and Graham (unless the Raptors extend his contract this summer) are all potential free agents next year. The result is the Raptors could have some room under the salary cap heading into the 2008-09 season.

They also have a number of low-risk pieces they can package in a trade to a team looking for some cap space of its own."

TheStar.com - Sports - Delfino a better fit with Raptors than he was with mighty Pistons

TheStar.com - Sports - Delfino a better fit with Raptors than he was with mighty Pistons: "Delfino's status is unique, however, in the style that he's used to playing and the style the Raptors are trying to employ. A veteran of the Argentine national team for the past five seasons and a four-year veteran of the Italian league, he's used to the international flavour that dominates the Raptors.

That's one of the reasons he wasn't sorry to leave Detroit.

'A couple of teams are playing a little more FIBA style and the Raptors are one of those teams,' he said."

Dell Curry on the bench...

TorontoSun.com - Basketball - L.A. high on Kobe: "The Charlotte Bobcats have hired former Raptor Dell Curry as an assistant coach."

TorontoSun.com - Basketball - Busy summer for Raptors

TorontoSun.com - Basketball - Busy summer for Raptors: "The newest member of the squad, shooting guard/small forward Carlos Delfino, said yesterday that he plans to play at the FIBA Americas championship this August in Las Vegas, which is a qualifying event for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

That makes a total of eight Raptors who plan to compete in regional Olympic qualifying tournaments this summer."