Former NBA head coach Don Casey once started a blog entry off in 2006 (he was ahead of his time) with the headline “RILEY PLAYS ZONE! I Repeat: RILEY PLAYS ZONE!” Yes, seeing guys in the NBA play an area rather than a man on defense, really gets him going. Like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had the sky hook, MJ had the fadeaway and Dikembe Mutombo has the finger wag, Casey has the coaching of zone defense. read more

Charlotte Bobcats center-forward Ryan Hollins signed a one-year qualifying offer that will bring him back to the team next season. read more

Journeyman Maurice Evans has agreed to terms with the Hawks on a three-year deal believed to be worth about $7.5 million, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation. read more

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has exercised its first right of refusal on guard C.J. Miles’s contract. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced. read more

The Sacramento Kings today signed point guard Bobby Brown to a contract, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed. read more

In TIME MAGAZINE, Sean Gregory writes "having been to one Olympics, James knows the frenzied forces of national pride that will oppose his team. But hoops is America's gig: the U.S. has won 12 of the 15 Olympic gold medals, excluding the one awarded during the boycotted 1980 Games. James has spent three years prepping for this moment. If this team of supremely gifted, seemingly motivated players loses in Beijing...it will hurt. It should hurt. ‘For us, it's now or never,’ says James. ‘It's the gold, or it's failure.’ Only 23, James is now the voice of the U.S. team. ‘When you watch us play this summer, you're going to be hearing LeBron on the court, yelling and screaming, talking on defense,’ says Wade. ‘There's going to be that leadership that we need.’” read more

In NEWSDAY, Marcus Henry reports "the term ‘ageless wonder’ can now be applied to women's basketball great Nancy Lieberman. The 50-year-old basketball analyst, regarded by many as the greatest women's basketball player, signed a seven-day contract with the Detroit Shock, becoming the oldest player in the WNBA history, the team announced yesterday. Lieberman last played for the Phoenix Mercury in 1997 at age 39. Detroit coach Bill Laimbeer had vowed before last night's game against the Houston Comets to ‘throw her in the fire.’ Lieberman, once known as ‘Lady Magic,’ saw some action, recording two assists, two turnovers and going 0-1 from the field in nine-plus minutes. Her Shock lost, 79-61.” read more

In the WASHINGTON POST, Michael Lee writes "for Jerry Colangelo to assemble a dozen players willing to buy into his concept of a national program, it required confidence, organization and what Colangelo considers one of his greatest strengths -- salesmanship. Two months after taking on the responsibility of restoring the United States' reputation as the best in the world in April 2005, Colangelo sought out the advice of 20 former Olympic players and coaches at a gathering in Chicago. He began his recruitment efforts in the fall, offering the same sales pitch to almost all of the 33 the players who chose to participate, including Washington Wizards Antawn Jamison and Gilbert Arenas. ‘No one has really done it the way I did it,’ said Colangelo, ‘But after all these years, I have a passion for this game. I love this game.’” read more

On ESPN.COM, Chris Sheridan writes, "Jason Kidd asked back into the U.S. national program in the fall of 2006 following the Americans' third-place finish at the World Championship in Japan, where the play of the point guards -- Kirk Hinrich and Chris Paul -- was one of the team's biggest weaknesses. Both had trouble defending the pick-and-roll, and Paul's greatest strength -- his quickness -- was negated by the opponents' ability to keep a defender in the lane as a second line of defense. Kidd offered an option that Team USA saw in many of its opponents but didn't itself possess -- a steady floor general with experience playing the international game. Kidd has never lost as a member of the senior national team, going 38-0, and his presence garners nothing but respect from the other members of the team." read more

In the LOS ANGELES TIMES, Greg Johnson reports "injured forward LeBron James is a ‘95% no-go’ for Friday’s exhibition game in Las Vegas against Canada, U.S. men's basketball team coach Mike Krzyzewski said earlier today. James, who sustained a mild right ankle sprain during a Tuesday practice, was held out of a scrimmage for the second straight day, although the Associated Press reports that he did participate in some drills. ‘He hasn’t had contact,’ Krzyzewski said. ‘We’re better off giving him a few days.’ ” read more

In the LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS, Ramona Shelburne reports “Lakers center Andrew Bynum was in Los Angeles earlier this week, working for the Lakers team doctors and was cleared for everything, according to his agent David Lee. Bynum is now down in Atlanta working out with his personal trainer. The Lakers, Lee said, have a standing invitation to drop in on Bynum down in Atlanta and see his progress. ‘He's absolutely fine, he's going to come in as a beast,’ Lee said. ‘He's got no atrophy anywhere. The kid's in great shape. Maybe it comes with being 20 years of age.’" read more

An extensive look on the news and notes gathered throughout the week as U.S.A. Basketball prepares for the Beijing Olympics in Las Vegas. read more