NBA Commissioner Adam Silver yesterday said that the league’s BOG “approved a slate of minority investors” in the Bucks. Silver added that he “did not know immediately” if Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was one of the investors. Silver said that Bucks co-owner Wesley Edens at the meeting “gave a report on the plans for a new arena.” Silver: “I know Wes has told me that he's had discussions with Aaron Rodgers. I don't know exactly what the state of those discussions is with Aaron.” Silver added, “But I know that Wes Edens and his partner Marc Lasry are very focused on local ownership.” In Milwaukee, Charles Gardner cites a source as saying that local businessman Ted Kellner wss “one of the local investors” approved (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/16).
HEAT WAVE: Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, in his first comments since LeBron James decided to return to the Cavaliers, said that he had “no ill feelings” toward James. Spoelstra said that the Heat were “in panic-mode for about ‘two or three’ hours after the decision.” In Ft. Lauderdale, Shandel Richardson notes Spoelstra met with team President Pat Riley and GM Andy Elisburg to “discuss their options.” Spoelstra “described it as a scene from the movie Jerry Maguire, with each making countless phone calls to agents and players on their cell phones.” Richardson notes there was panic initially because execs “received no response on the phones.” They could “finally relax” once F Chris Bosh returned a call (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 7/16).
MEMPHIS BELLES: YAHOO SPORTS’ Adrian Wojnarowski cited sources who said that the Grizzlies have “narrowed candidates for a front-office job that could lead to becoming the franchise's future” GM. Sources said that Pacers VP/Basketball Operations Peter Dinwiddie and former Knicks and Raptors GM Glen Grunwald have “advanced to the final stages” and will soon meet with Grizzlies Owner Robert Pera. Sources noted that Nets Assistant GM Bobby Marks “recently removed his name from consideration” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/15).
ENGINE TROUBLE: In Detroit, Drew Sharp writes the Pistons organization, an “egregiously flawed franchise,” is “still fooling itself into believing that it’s potentially just a couple of pieces away from returning to the playoffs.” However, the Pistons have “effectively flatlined.” A little “hard honesty is the best remedy for the Pistons’ ills.” They should just “acknowledge that they’re going to be pretty bad next season” (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 7/16). Also in Detroit, John Niyo writes the Pistons "probably lost ground” during free agency (DETROIT NEWS, 7/16).
