Rose says he took money from Booster

The (AP) reports: Chicago Bulls guard and former Michigan player Jalen Rose said he took some money from a former Michigan booster who pleaded guilty earlier this week to a federal conspiracy charge. Rose, who was drafted out of Michigan in 1994, told Fox Sports Net on Thursday that Ed Martin gave him pocket money. "He gave me money before, but it wasn't in excess of -- you know -- trying to allow me to be rich," Rose said. "You know, it was allowing me to have a couple of dollars in my pocket." Martin was accused of illegally lending $600,000 to four Wolverines basketball players. Martin said he paid $280,000 to Chris Webber, now with the NBA's Sacramento Kings; $160,000 to Robert Traylor, now with the Charlotte Hornets; $105,000 to Maurice Taylor, now with the Houston Rockets; and $71,000 to Louis Bullock, who is playing professionally in Europe. Rose didn't say how much he was given. "Like I said, just something to make me feel like I can go to a movie, go to a show, I can get a pair of gym shoes, I can get -- you know -- a fresh outfit," Rose said, according to excerpts released by Fox Sports prior to the show's airing. Rose said Martin gave him money before he was at the university, but didn't clarify whether he also received money while playing for the Wolverines. On Tuesday, Martin, 68, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. As part of his plea, he agreed to cooperate with the government and the university in their investigations of improper benefits to basketball players. Rose reportedly had been interviewed by investigators, but was not listed in the federal indictment as one of the players who took loans from Martin. Authorities alleged Martin and his wife, Hilda, ran an illegal numbers game at Detroit auto plants and laundered the profits, in part through the loans to the players and their families.

Via (AP)

Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons

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Ming dynasty could be on its way

Phil Jasner of the Daily News reports that Alex Carcamo is one of the free agents participating in the Sixers' mini-camp. Carcamo's story is like a lot of NBA hopefulls: junior college, small Division 1 school, overseas pro leagues. Alex Carcamo gets a little more attention than the other free agents these days because of who he's played against.

Carcamo played in China's pro league against 7-5 center Yao Ming.

Carcamo averaged 32 points for Shenzhen, his Chinese team, and scored 49 and 36 points in two games against Yao's Shanghai Sharks, losing both.

Yao averaged 32.4 points and 19 rebounds per game for the Sharks during the season and increased those numbers to 41 and 21 during the Chineese championship playoff series.

"I think he's a phenomenal player," Carcamo said. "You can't teach athleticism, and for 7-5, he's athletic. He passes well out of double teams; he's a finesse player right now, but he works hard.

"I think he'll be a great player as long as somebody works with him. Not too many coaches work with big men these days. It's as if, once they're in the league, they're expected to know the fundamentals. The league in China is good and competitive, but a lot of the coaches there don't work with the big men. Ming is going off his athleticism right now."

"Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning are two of the best centers in the NBA, and Ming is more skilled than they are," Carcamo said. "He just needs body weight. You can't teach Shaq to shoot 15-footers smoothly. They say Yao doesn't play inside, but he can play to the basket, can play good defense, can block shots."

Via Philadelphia Daily News

NBA Draft, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers

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It might be tough to find good deal for Szczerbiak

With the NBA playoffs reduced to four teams, the Timberwolves find themselves in the familiar position of spectator. As it stands, they will also be on the outside looking in when the NBA draft is held next month.

At this late date, there is nothing the Wolves can do about petitioning their way into the playoffs. Yet a working theory is that there might be a way not only to barge into the draft, but make the lottery.

Here's how it goes: The Bulls have the No. 2 pick in the lottery. The Bulls, tired of being in rebuilding mode, want a player who can step right into the lineup..

The Bulls have expressed their intrigue with Wolves All-Star Wally Szczerbiak on numerous occasions.

Bulls General Manager Jerry Krause calls Kevin McHale and offers the No. 2 pick for Szczerbiak.

With that pick, the Wolves take Duke All-America guard Jay (previously Jason) Williams. Point guard problem solved. Anti-Wally wing of locker room placated. Wolves head in a fresh new direction.

Of course, it's rarely that simple. The fatal flaw to this theory is that the Bulls, now committed to Jalen Rose, are no longer are as hot after Szczerbiak, another limited defender. Certainly not hot enough to give up the No. 2 pick in the draft if they choose to trade it.

There is also this complication: The Rockets, picking No. 1, might choose to trade the pick, and if they do, most of the teams moving up would want to take Williams.

Via

Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls

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