The 40-year-old says he will be in charge of humanitarian issues and sports, and will work with Vice Premier Ivica Dacic.

The ex-Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings center told reporters Thursday he has taken up the post in order to help promote humanitarian work in Serbia. After retiring from basketball, Divac moved to his native Serbia where he has a business and runs a humanitarian organization.“

(Via FOXSports.com News for NBA.)

(Via InsideHoops.com’s Basketball Blog.)

Way to go ESPN! I think this is a great move for the network and for Coach Avery. I do say coach because I believe he will still coach in this league. Hopefully he will have an opportunity come his way next summer; however, if a coach moves from hot seat to lazy boy midseason, I would be very surprised if Johnson is not at the top of the list for any organization looking for a little more discipline for younger players.

(Via ESPN.com – NBA.)

According to Ford, “As we head into the season, there are a number of unstable teams that still appear primed and ready to pull the trigger if the right deal comes along.”

There are 10 or so players who could be on the move before the February trade deadline. Lamar Odom, in my opinion, will be the first to go. He is already grabbing more headlines in Los Angeles than rebounds. In addition, I don’t think that Shawn Marion is going anywhere because the Heat will get off to a fast start this season and reconsider what “rebuilding” means. For the rest of the guys already joining Vince Carter on the most likely to be traded list check out the article above. I won’t spoil the ending.

(Via FOXSports.com News for NBA.)

What a great turnaround. This team is loaded with talent. They used to be loaded with distractions. But they have cleaned house and they will be fun to watch in 2008-09. The games will be on late at night, but worth catching at least the first half of the game and having an extra cup of coffee the next morning.

It will be interesting to see if Oden can stay healthy. If he does I definitely think that they are a playoff team. Even in a tough Western Conference I say they have a chance to win 42 games and capture the 7th seed in the playoffs.

(Via ESPN.com – NBA.)

“The only thing I call cowardly is when you’re up by 10 and do it,” O’Neal told Phoenix radio station KTAR. “That’s a coward move and [Spurs coach Gregg Popovich] knows that and I’ll make them pay for it.”

This time I believe that Shaq is correct. I was very surprised when the Spurs began the “Hack-a-Shaq” strategy when they were up by 10 or more and it was not even late in the fourth quarter of the game during last season’s playoffs. This is something I would expect from Jerry Sloan, but not Popovich. My only concern is that Shaq intends to make them pay for it by making free throws. I am curious – what is Plan B?

(Via ESPN.com – NBA.)

Chris Baker and Langdon Perry of KTLK in Minneapolis made the remarks during Baker’s conservative radio show on Wednesday. After Johnson condemned the statements, the station said it regretted “some offhand remarks” by the pair.

Magic Johnson, who has done so much for HIV/AIDS awareness said, “I poured my life into it and a lot of other people have poured their life into it, into getting out the right information so people can protect themselves and know what HIV and AIDS is all about.”

This has been a busy week for Magic. He just made the jump from TNT to ABC/ESPN.

(Via ESPN.com – NBA.)

Seen and heard on TNT, during a studio analysts’ debate about NBA point guards: Charles Barkley: “I love Steve Nash, but this is Chris Paul’s and Deron Williams’ league right now. I always say that Chris Paul is driving and Deron Williams is in the back seat.” Reggie Miller: “Where’s Steve Nash?” Barkley: “He’s in the trunk.”

(Via Los Angeles Times/TNT)

Bottom Line: Stein is right – the Suns are getting old. The Championship Contender window of opportunity closed the moment they traded for Shaq. Honestly, the “7 Seconds or Less Offense” does not work when it takes O’Neal 8 seconds just to run to the other end of the court. I love Nash, but Steve Kerr handcuffed him to a new system when he made the trade for Shaq, much like the Jason Kidd trade sealed the fate of Avery Johnson in Dallas. Note to front office: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!