Reportedly, Matt Barnes has agreed in principle to sign with the Orlando Magic.

Barnes averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season for the Phoenix Suns.

He is regarded as a versatile swing-man, capable of defending three positions on the floor.

He brings a workman-like attitude and toughness to the Magic bench.

Barnes, a Sacramento native, sports a tattoo on his shoulder that reads, “Sacramento’s finest.” He has been very proud of that fact since being a two-sport High School star in Sacramento.

Having bounced around the league, playing for several teams, Barnes is the kind of player that takes nothing for granted and gives everything he has every minute he gets. This attitude will be a welcome addition to the Magic as they continue to build a championship team.

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Just when you thought every scenario imaginable leading to a positive drug test had been exhausted…tennis star Richard Gasquet tests positive for cocaine based on…a kiss?

Today the International Tennis Federation found that Gasquet’s positive cocaine test was a result of kissing a woman named “Pamela” at a nightclub in Miami.

Apparently, Gasquet went to a nightclub to see a French DJ perform. In the course of the night he kissed a woman he didn’t know or had only recently met.

The short of the story is that he kissed a woman who had used cocaine. She had it on her lips or in her system and passed it along to him.

As strange and unlikely as this may sound, the courts found this to be true.

An independent tribunal noted that “We take into account that the amount of cocaine in the player’s body was so small that if he had been tested only a few hours later, his test result would be likely to have been negative.” (ESPN)

Gasquet was sentenced to a retroactive ban of two and a half months and was cleared to play as of Wednesday morning.

In a day and age where seemingly every day we hear of another athlete testing positive for a banned substance, along with every possible excuse, reason, and explanation, this one just might take the cake.

What is next? Is someone going to test positive after touching a handrail at a crowded mall?

Will someone say that fibers in their pillow somehow caused a “false- positive” test result?

I can’t even imagine where this leaves us. I can’t imagine what is next. I can’t believe what this has come to.

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Facing accusations of collusion by new head of the players’ union Michael Weiner, commissioner Bud Selig is standing his ground.

“That’s fine. They’re entitled to their opinion,” Selig said Tuesday at a meeting of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. “Given the world we live in and what’s happened in the last 18 months, I think this is one sport where I can’t even fathom that anybody could think that. Player compensation hasn’t gone down. We have many clubs struggling, and even those that have done remarkably well, remember, are very aggressive in their marketing and their discounting,” he said. (ESPN)
While an investigation continues, suspicion is in the air. Players’ agents and union members believe that a planned and organized conspiracy to keep salaries down has taken place.

“There are too many things that need to be explained,” said Seth Levinson, who represented nearly a dozen free agents following the 2008 season. “In my experience, there are no coincidences in a monopoly.” (ESPN)

In a time of an economic downturn in this country, it seems very hard to believe that the issue of players salaries has to do with anything other than decreased revenues, which are prevalent across the board in all businesses in this country.

Still, so- called “superagent” Scott Boras has seized the opportunity to cry foul.

“I think the clubs uniformly felt they were taking the momentum of a national event — that being the economy — and suggesting that that was going to have an impact on their revenues,” Boras said. “I think they were attempting to leverage that into a belief structure that the value of players has gone down because there’s a perception that baseball will suffer because of the economy. After experiencing the biggest blow of the economy in the fall of 2008, we know that baseball has stood its ground and still has an extraordinary revenue base.”

I find it quite appalling that Boras would accuse anyone of using an economic downturn to their advantage.

The owners are feeling the pinch of the economy and it is being passed down to the players. It is that simple. There is no foul play taking place here.

Selig was quick to say as much, “Some of us, let me be as blunt as I can be, have to live in the real world, not in some make-believe little scenario that doesn’t exist. And I mean that very, very sincerely,” Selig said. “They can say whatever they want to say. I wouldn’t even waste my time reacting to that.” (ESPN).

I have never been much of a fan of Selig, but I believe he is dead- on in his assessment of the current events transpiring here. I am very happy to see that he is holding his ground against these baseless accusations.

I have little doubt that this will pass in time.

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For the Kings, new assistant coach Mario Elie has been given the responsibility of fixing one of the worst defenses in the league.

Elie has come in and immediately stressed the importance of perimeter defense, especially considering the Kings lack of any true shot- blockers or intimidators down low.

“We really don’t have shot blockers back there, so we have to depend on our guys up front to handle their business, keep their guys in front,” Elie said. “That’s something I was really good at so I’m going to try to relay that message come the season.” (Sacramento Bee)

Elie knows that last season far too many teams were able to break down the Kings on the perimeter, leaving the team scrambling on defense. This is an area the Kings simply have to improve in.

To go along with this, Elie mentioned that the team must also play with some “swagger.” He knows from experience what the team’s reputation around the league is.

“Anytime I would play against Sac, whether I was a player or a coach, the label on them was ’soft,’ ” Elie said.

The Kings have taken steps toward changing that conception about them through personnel changes.

The draft brought tough- minded players Tyreke Evans, Omri Casspi, and Jon Brockman into the fold.

The team will attempt to bring these players along and teach them from the beginning about how the team expects to be viewed in the future and what they can do to change it.

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Yesterday in Las Vegas the Kings worked out former Bobcats forward Sean May. The workout was also seen by representatives from the Portland Trailblazers.

May has played in just 82 games in his first three seasons in the NBA due to three different knee surgeries. There were also many reports that he had a falling out with Bobcats coach Larry Brown.

While the Kings were working out May, another King, Ike Diogu waits for his fate. On a team that is clearly looking for frontcourt help, many are confused as to why Diogu hasn’t received a contract offer.

Diogu was impressive in starting the last two games of the season for the Kings, but his team option was declined. Many expected him to be brought back into the fold with the Kings at a lower price. That has not happened. Diogu waits patiently.

“I was disappointed (the Kings declined the offer), because I felt that I handled myself extremely well in a very tough situation last year,” Diogu said by phone from Phoenix. “I felt I could’ve helped the team a lot earlier than I was given the chance to, and I felt like they knew what they were getting.”

It remains unclear if Diogu or May will receive offers from the Kings, who clearly need to fortify the frontcourt.

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Here we are, Wednesday, July 15th. Today is also known as the slowest day in the sports year.

Historically, the day after the MLB All- Star game is the slowest sports day of the entire year.

There are no major sports playing today. None.

Perhaps you care a lot about summer league basketball? Maybe European football (soccer)?

If you don’t, you’re left with tidbits of information from other sports.

If you tune in to ESPN you can see the same highlights of last night’s All- Star game (over and over), complete with the same over- analysis of a game with little significance in the first place.

Today actually isn’t as bad as it used to be. Some of the younger readers may not remember a time when we would anxiously sit around waiting for the big 3:30 Sportscenter (back when it wasn’t on all day long) where we would actually be looking forward to those highlights of the All- Star game.

It was really quite pitiful, but it was all we had.

Thanks to the emergence of the internet, we have stories that weren’t available to us several years ago.

We now have the ability to hear about the ongoing Brett Favre updates, which really don’t mean anything since it’s the same information we get almost every day.

We have a report about the Lakers and Lamar Odom being far apart in contract negotiations. This is hardly breaking news.

There are the reports about where Allen Iverson will play next year. Again, basically the same information that has been out there all week.

There is a report that Pedro Martinez is about to sign with the Phillies. One problem: this is also a story that has been reported for almost a week.

Oh wait, there is breaking news about Terrell Suggs getting a contract extension from the Ravens! This is information that changes everything! Oh wait… it’s just another story that effects our sporting lives in no way whatsoever, unless you’re a big Ravens fan I suppose.

Now there’s a story about the WNBA All- Star starters being announced. This raises the age- old question: if a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it…. you get the point.

So, what can we do? I guess we’re left to tweak our fantasy team lineups, keep hitting refresh on our favorite websites, maybe spend the day on facebook or myspace.

Personally, I’d love to get outside. Unfortunately, here in the Sacramento valley, we have expected highs of over 100 degrees.

I guess I’m lucky, I have a job I can work on all day. Wait, my job is working from home writing about and editing sports stories.

Darn, foiled again!

Well, the MLB season resumes tomorrow and there are at least four division races that may go down to the wire.

NFL training camps will be opening soon, as will NBA camps in two more months.

There is going to be a lot of excitement in the sports world in the second half of ‘09… and it just can’t get here fast enough for me.

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Tyreke Evans has only been a member of the Sacramento Kings for two weeks, but he is already showing why the team thought highly enough of him to select him fourth overall in June’s NBA draft.

On Saturday against the Golden State Warriors in a summer league game he had 25 points, ten rebounds and five assists.

Despite questions about his ability to play the point guard position, Evans has showed an ability to find open teammates in his first two summer league games. At the same time, he has showed his strength as a player in attacking the basket, using his long wingspan and quickness in getting to the rim.

Said Timberwolves general Manager David Kahn, “I think he’s almost like a football player. He needs a little bit of a head of steam, but … he will always find the hole like a running back and hit the hole and take it to the basket and score or get fouled. … We thought very highly of him.” (Sacramento Bee)

Another benefit of Evans attacking the rim is his knack for getting to the free- throw line. In his first two games he has had ten and twelve free- throw attempts, respectively.

Evans figures to start this season alongside team leader Kevin Martin.

Martin is know for his efficiency and is consistently among the league leaders in free- throw attempts.

A back- court pairing of Martin and Evans, with both of them getting to the line consistently, could very well prove to be a strong starting point for the Kings’ offense. It will also create match-up problems and create havoc for smaller opponents’ back-courts.

It is only two games into summer league play for Evans, but he is already showing signs of his great promise and giving the Kings hope for the coming season.

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Yesterday the Sacramento Kings held their first practice at the campus of UNLV in preparation for their summer league schedule.

Noticeably absent on the court was first round pick Omri Casspi, who was forced to watch from the stands.

There was an apparent holdup with the paperwork releasing him from his former team, Maccabi Tel Aviv.

“I’m just waiting to get my release from the Israeli Federation FIBA,” Casspi said. “It’ll be tomorrow, more than likely, that I can practice.” (Sacramento Bee).

In other Kings news, the team officially signed it’s other first round pick, Tyreke Evans.

Evans was given the standard contract allowed by the NBA collective bargaining agreement commiserate with his selection at number four in the NBA draft. This contract would be for two guaranteed years with two team option years after that.

It is believed Evans will receive the maximum amount of $3,610,080.

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Today Shawn Marion was granted his pass out of NBA Purgatory.

Having spent last two seasons with the Heat and Raptors, today he was gift- wrapped for the Dallas Mavericks.

In a complicated four- team trade, the Mavericks get Marion for what amounts to Antoine Wright, Devean George, Jerry Stackhouse and cash.

For their spare parts they get Marion, a player who just two years ago was considered one of the best players in the league.

When properly motivated, Marion is potentially a 18/10/3 kind of player. One capable of defending four positions at an elite level.

When added to a Mavericks lineup that figures to consist of Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Dirk Nowitzki and a combination of Erick Dampier and Marcin Gortat, Marion figures to fit right in and give the Mavericks an added element they have been sorely missing.

Marion brings his elite athleticism and defensive prowess to a team lacking in both. On the offensive end, Marion will fit right in with an up- tempo offense coordinated by Jason Kidd. On the defensive end, he will give the Mavericks a true stopper, who will likely guard opposing teams’ best player during crunch time.

To the question of Marion’s motivation, getting to play with Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki should be plenty. Add to that the security of a five- year $30 million dollar contract and you have a lethal weapon that is now motivated to return to his status as one of the elite players in the league.

Add to this the Mavericks Wednesday signing of defensive specialist Quinton Ross and the forthcoming acquisition of Marcin Gortat, the Mavericks have made huge upgrades to the roster.

Owner Mark Cuban vowed to be pro- active this off-season in improving the team now, as opposed to waiting for the 2010 free agent bonanza that is expected next summer. The Mavericks have positioned themselves to be contenders this year and for at least the next three years (the length of Kidd’s new contract).

Cuban said via his twitter account, “It’s been a long day of looking at spreadsheets, reading NBA cap rules and rubbing my eyes.”

His long day will soon be paying huge dividends for his new championship- caliber Mavericks.

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In tonight’s NBA draft, the Kings had to hit it big.

They went in holding the number four, 23, and 31 picks. For a team with the worst record in the league last year, they needed to get these picks right.

As the night played out, the Kings did as well or better than anyone could have expected.

With their number four pick they took Memphis guard Tyreke Evans.

Evans shined in both of his pre- draft workouts with the team and it was commonly believed he would be the pick.

Evans is a freakishly long and athletic player who’s strength and ability to get to the rim set him apart from the other players. He will immediately help the Kings, playing alongside team leader Kevin Martin.

The Kings biggest need entering the draft was at point guard. It remains to be seen if Evans will have what it takes to be a point guard in the NBA, but regardless, he was the best player available and the right pick for this team.

Kings General Manager Geoff Petrie commented on Evans’ ability to play the point:

“He considers himself a point guard. They put him at point guard at Memphis this year, and they won 27 games in a row,” Petrie said. “Does he have to get better as a point guard? Absolutely, but he thinks of himself as a point guard. … He’s just too good of a talent to pass on.” (Sacramento Bee)

Kings owner Gavin Maloof was elated with the pick.

“A (6-5) point guard who’s 220 pounds, and that can score, who can defend the (point guard, shooting guard and small forward) positions with a 7-foot wingspan who’s really, really fast. I don’t know where you find those guys. They’re one in a million. I think early on we all kind of liked Jonny Flynn and I still think he’ll be good. But this guy was just another dimension. He’s an anomaly.” (Sacramento Bee)

The one complication of this pick was the fact that Ricky Rubio had fallen and was available. There had to be at least a moment of hesitation on whether or not to reconsider and take Rubio.

In the end, cooler heads prevailed and the Kings got their man in Evans.

With the 23rd pick, the Kings took guard Omri Casspi from Israel.

Casspi is considered by experts to be, “a very tough, scrappy, slashing player.” (ESPN)

Casspi will look to become the first Isreali- born player to make it to the NBA.

“It was everything for me,” Casspi said. “I’m so happy right now. Nobody can even imagine. I cried like a baby, and that’s something I try not to do a lot.”

The Kings next traded the number 31 pick to Portland for the 38th pick. In the process, they also picked up a young point guard from the Blazers in Sergio Rodriguez.

Rodriguez will be able to come right in and contribute for the Kings.

With the 38th pick the Kings selected forward Jon Brockman from Washington.

Brockman is considered a solid player in the paint, with a mean streak.

At 6-7 and 255 pounds, Brockman led the Pac-10 in rebounding the last three seasons, something the Kings need desperately.

“Most of rebounding is just a desire to go get the ball,” Brockman said. “Not being afraid of going through some elbows and doing whatever it takes to get it. That’s kind of how I play.”

This is exactly the kind of player and attitude the Kings need.

With this pick, the Kings completed an incredible night by adding four players with one thing in common: toughness.

This is a team that absolutely has to improve on defense and in rebuilding. Adding tough players was clearly a priority for the Kings, who have often been called a “soft” team.

On this night, the Kings took major strides toward changing this mentality.

On this night, the Kings are big winners.

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