The NBA had seven black top executives among its 30 teams this past season, the highest percentage of minority presidents and CEOs in men’s professional sports history.
The 23 per cent of black executives, plus high ratios of women and black vice-presidents, helped the NBA receive the first overall “A" among men’s sports teams, according to the report issued yesterday by Richard Lapchick.
Lapchick, the head of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, has issued the report for nearly two decades. The seven black executives were three more than last year.
"It doesn’t surprise me, it was a kind of gradual move toward that," Lapchick said.
The only other sport to receive an overall "A" has been the WNBA.
The New York Post, citing a league source, reports that former Longhorn point guard T.J. Ford, now with Toronto in the NBA, is available for a trade. No surprise there. The Raptors owe Ford $8.5 million a year for two more seasons. Ford has an option for a third year as well.
Meanwhile, Toronto’s other accomplished point guard, Jose Calderon, is a free agent. The Raptors will have to spend good money to sign him.
Ford does come with obvious risk — his spinal stenosis condition.
The Knicks, according to reports, are high on former Longhorn point guard D.J. Augustin. But they’ll have to decide whether they like Augustin enough to take him with the No. 6 pick in the draft.
As he said on lottery night, Walsh is considering trading the No. 6 pick, and sources here indicate the Raptors will be active on June 26. The Raptors are beginning to shop PG T.J. Ford, according to a league executive.
But what if the Raptors don’t see anyone they like at 17? Could the team move down?
I think that’s entirely possible this year, mostly because of the depth of talent prevalent later in the first round and even into the second.
Say for example the Raptors have their sights set on someone like a Chris Douglas-Roberts. But maybe through their own intel realize that he’ll still be around when Seattle picks at 24. Well considering the Sonics have an incredible six selections this year two in the first round and four in the second, maybe Toronto deals it’s 17th pick for Seatle’s picks 24 and 32? Would that land a slashing 3 and a banging post-player like Joey Dorsey?
And of course the pick could also be used as an enticement to a team to take on one of the Raptors’ unwanted contracts.
Roko Ukic – Toronto Raptors: If Ford or Calderon goes, Ukic is expected to fill the void in the back-up point guard duties. He is big for a point guard at 6’5” and has developed an impressive offensive game, making it possible that he sees time at shooting guard, too. He has apparently agreed to come to Canada already.
The answer is all about pace, which is a team’s average number of possessions per game. Ford is a great player in the open court where he can use his incredible speed and wonderful ball handling to make positive plays for his team. When the tempo slows, Ford’s weaknesses – size, lack of a consistent jumper – rise to the surface. His shot is a work in progress, but he is a good on-the-ball defender.
So, besides the Knicks, who should be interested?
TOP THREE GUYS WHO I’d LIKE TO SEE HERE, WHO THEIR TEAM WOULD LIKE TO MOVE, and WHO ARE WORTH GIVING UP CAP FLEXIBILITY IN THE 09 FA MARKET FOR
Augustin however is following some sound advice passed down from another former Longhorn and current NBA point guard, T.J. Ford.
"I work out every morning with T.J. and John Lucas, and I have my own trainer that I work out in the afternoon’s with, but I pretty much spend everyday with him (Ford) talking about the draft process and what I’m going to have to do," D.J. said.
"He’s a big help to me. He’s been in this situation before as a point guard and I learn from him everyday. I’ve spent a lot of time with him, picking his mind, on the court and off the court."
Inquiring minds also wanted to know if Augustin – being so close to Ford – knows the future of the Raptors point guard who could be traded this offseason. Toronto owe’s Ford $8.5 million a year for two more seasons, and Ford has an option for a third year as well. With Jose Calderon looking to take over for Ford in Toronto, T.J. could be the odd man out. So what gives?
"Who knows?" Augustin said. "There is a lot of trade talk going on. I think he just wants to go to the best team that’s going to fit him."
Why would the Clippers insure an often-injured point guard in Shaun Livingston with another often-injured point guard in T.J. Ford?
Ford is a good player. It’s miraculous that he’s been able to come back and play with severe neck injuries. But every trade I hear involving Ford is ridiculous when you consider he averaged close to 11.5 ppg and 6.5 apg.
He’s also under contract for three more years, so another devastating injury could cripple a franchise until his contract expires.
If he’s so good then why are the Raptors opting for Calderon and looking to trade him instead?
In the NBA, the Raptors soon will trade point guard T.J. Ford, possibly to the New York Knicks for their first-round draft choice (sixth overall) or to the Los Angeles Clippers for forward Corey Maggette.
Rumors surround teams like the New Jersey Nets, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards that their picks are available.
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Whoever wrote that first story should have known better than to say,
“seven black top executives” …
when what they really meant was,
“seven top black executives.”
There’s a difference, if you read it over slowly & carefully.
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