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Bulls want a small forwardSam Smith of the Chicago Tribune reports that the Chicago Bulls’ number one priority this summer is to acquire a small forward. Smith says the Bulls will likely target Sacramento forward Hedo Turkoglu, Golden State’s Mike Dunleavy, and Memphis’s Shane Battier. Smith feels Turkoglu would be the easiest to acquire since the Kings will be hard pressed to give him an extension due to commitments to other players on the team. Instead of losing Turkoglu, who will become a restricted free agent at the end of next season, for nothing, he suggests that the Bulls could offer their number one pick in the draft, assuming it is not in the top 3, Dalibor Bagaric, and a second round pick to acquire the talented forward. Turkoglu is said to be unhappy about losing his job in the rotation to Jim Jackson. "I know I can't complain too much because attitude is important and it would be stupid of me to get too upset when we are winning," said Turkoglu, averaging seven points in about 18 minutes a game. "I know the people back home [in Turkey]—my parents, the fans—they are wondering what is going on." Dunleavy could be the next easiest option. While the Bulls seem to be committed to Jay Williams as their future point guard, the present starter is Jamal Crawford. Should the Warriors lose Gilbert Arenas to free agency, point guard would become a need position for the Warriors- who were desperate for Jay Williams last summer. The Bulls could offer Jay Williams in exchange for Dunleavy, solving a logjam at point guard for the Bulls and logjam at small forward for the Warriors. "I'm happy where I'm at," Dunleavy said. "No matter how poorly I do or how bad things are, this is only my rookie season. As a rookie, I haven't really been able to play through my mistakes. So when it comes time next year or a time after that, I'm going to appreciate playing big minutes. This organization had its reasons for picking me, a lot of reasons that don't have to do with being rookie of the year. They're expecting more things down the road. In the meantime, I'll let everybody else pass their judgments." Finally, Shane Battier could fit the bill. Jerry West is known for being a guru when it comes to the NBA draft, however, Memphis will lose its selection in this years draft if it isn’t number one overall. They will acquire Houston’s pick, but if they make the playoffs, West is out of the lottery. Chicago could offer its lottery pick, again under the assumption it is not in the top 3, and Marcus Fizer for the Houston pick and Battier. Battier is becoming one of the NBA’s best shooters and would bring a good defender to Chicago. "I knew I wouldn't be in the same situation as I was last year, playing 40 minutes, so I wanted to become a very efficient player," Battier said. "The guys on the team and the coaches appreciate what I bring. I just try to come out and be valuable for our team, not just take up space on the floor. I'm a little bit awkward, but I get the job done." Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Defacer of Shaq's ball identified?R.E. Graswich of the Sacramento Bee is reporting that the person responsible for defacing Shaquille O'Neal's 20,000 point ball has been identified. Well, in a way. Kings season ticket holder Greg Jones says he saw the whole thing happen. "It was a timeout in the fourth quarter, and the referee put the ball down," Greg said. "There were two guys seated in the front row seats opposite the Kings bench. They were with a boy about nine or 10. One of the guys grabbed the ball and handed it to the boy. I was watching with my wife. I said, 'Hey, that's neat. I'll bet that kid loves this.' Then one of the guys took out a pen and wrote on the ball. My wife and I saw it. A few seconds later, the kid tossed the ball back to the ref." Greg said he did not know who the culprit was, but that he could pick him out if he saw the game film. "I'm surprised he doesn't come forward," Greg said. "A lot of people want to shake his hand." Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets New twist: Shaq's milestone marredJust when you thought the Sacramento Kings and the L.A. Lakers rivalry couldn't take anymore twists or turns, it did. After Thursday's game against the Kings, a game in which Shaquille O'Neal surpassed the 20,000 point total for his career, Lakers public relations director John Black went to secure the ball with which O'Neal scored his 20,000th point only to find the ball with a hand written message on it. The message was written to O'Neal and said "Shaq is an a------." "Whoever did this," O'Neal said, "shows no class." The biggest mystery in the whole ordeal is how someone could have written the message without anyone noticing. It is believed that only one ball was used during the game, meaning the person who wrote it had to have written it at halftime or before the tip off. Kings spokesman Troy Hanson said the team is looking into the incident and that handwriting anylsis of those who could be in contact with the ball and videotapes could be used in the investigation. "We're taking it very seriously," Hanson said. While one would think the incident would be a huge ordeal, the Lakers organization is quick to realize that the King's organization is one of class. "From the Maloofs on down, (Sacramento) is a classy, first-class organization," Black said. "This was one isolated incident, one knucklehead trying to be a smart-(aleck) and trying to be funny, and it does not reflect on the other people in the organization." O'Neal, who has been one of the most vocal players off the court calling the Kings "Queens" and more recently questioning USA basketball's decision to select Kings point guard Mike Bibby calling him a "Cub Scout", said he would not forget the incident and insinuated he will make the Kings pay should they see them in the playoffs. "I hope that the Maloof family doesn't condone this type of action," O'Neal said. "If they do condone this, I'll be very disappointed in that organization. But this is something I won't forget, and I'll see you soon." Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Kings Mar 2003 Archive
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