NBA Franchise Notes: All-Star Game Calls Attention To Suns

In Phoenix, Dan Bickley wrote hosting the NBA All-Star Game "has been an embarrassing time for the Suns," as "while we've been focusing on our celebrity visitors, the national media has been concentrating on the mess here in Phoenix." Bickley noted there is "great speculation regarding the job status of coach Terry Porter, who might not have a job when the season resumes," and there also "is great angst over trade rumors involving" Suns F Amare Stoudemire (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/15). TNT's Reggie Miller said the Suns trading Stoudemire would be "more of a financial trade as opposed to making basketball sense." Miller said Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver is "probably trying to cut costs here" ("PTI," ESPN, 2/13).

N.Y. Times Magazine Examines Rockets' Statistical Approach

ROCKET MAN: In a N.Y. TIMES MAGAZINE cover story on Rockets F Shane Battier, Michael Lewis looks at how GM Daryl Morey's new statistical approach is catching on around the NBA. Morey was hired in '05 by Rockets Owner Leslie Alexander, who was "looking specifically for someone willing to rethink the game." Alexander: "When I hired Daryl, it was because I wanted somebody that was doing more than just looking at players in the normal way. I mean, I'm not even sure we're playing the game the right way." Morey, a graduate of MIT's Sloan School of Management, was hired by the Celtics in '02 to "help reorganize the business." Lewis notes in addition to "figuring out where to set ticket prices" while with the Celtics, Morey "helped to find a new general manager and new people looking for better ways to value basketball players" (N.Y. TIMES MAGAZINE, 2/15 issue).

NOTES: NBA Exec VP/Events & Attractions Ski Austin said that the Nuggets are "among seven or eight teams in the mix to play preseason games overseas next season." Austin added that teams "will be named by season's end." Austin also said that officials from Denver, which hosted the '05 NBA All-Star Game, "inquired about bidding for the 2011 or 2012 game," but the NBA "dissuaded them because it's too soon to return" (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 2/16)....Heat Owner Micky Arison Saturday said that he "would 'absolutely' like" Heat President Pat Riley to stay on board to "oversee the team's restructuring plan in the summer of 2010," when Heat G Dwyane Wade will be a free agent. But Arison said that he and Riley "have not yet discussed an extension to Riley's contract, which expires sometime after the 2009-10 season" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/15).