By BRYAN ROY
The Orange County Register

[The back story: Talk about deadline: I had four minutes after sprinting up the Dodger Stadium escalator to transcribe, plug in quotes and finalize stats]

LOS ANGELES – Just as expected, his last step to regaining relative normalcy was far from normal.

Manny Ramirez, 71 days since his last at-bat in Dodger Stadium, received a standing ovation to begin Thursday night’s 3-0 loss to the Houston Astros.

Having failed a drug test for a performance-enhancing substance, Ramirez’s 50-game suspension and admission to baseball’s mortal fault somehow didn’t dissipate his natural appeal to fans.

So in his long-awaited formal welcome back, as expected, fans renewed their mutual appreciation of Ramirez with open arms and dreadlocks.

As if it ever left.

“L.A. fans are the best. I’m happy to be here,” Ramirez said. “That’s it, it’s in the past and I’m ready to move on.”

When asked if he was nervous about the reception he would get, Ramirez said: “Not really. This is my town.”

In the first inning, with fans still trickling in, a spotty standing ovation followed by chants of “Manny, Manny” alluded to the love affair fans had with Ramirez before his drug suspension, minor league rehab stint, a stint on the road when he returned and the All-Star break.

Not until his second at-bat in the fourth inning did a significantly fuller Dodger Stadium — 45,970 tickets were sold — welcome him back.

But in the seventh inning — at that point Ramirez was 0 for 3 with two strikeouts — it was Juan Pierre who heard the loudest ovation of the night when he was inserted as a pinch hitter for pitcher Guillermo Mota.

Pierre hit .318 as Ramirez’s replacement and was once again looked upon to spark a Dodgers rally with two runners on and no outs.

He, too, struck out swinging, leaving two of the Dodgers’ nine total runners on base.

“I was looking forward to this game. I’m just glad I got that game out of the way,” said Ramirez, who was 1 for 4 after an opposite-field single in the eighth inning. “I’m doing the same thing I’m always doing, just go out there and have fun.”

The Dodgers took advantage of the hype by airing Ramirez highlights on the Jumbotron and lifting the ban on “Mannywood” — the promotional left-field section with its own zip code (90090) that offers a pack of two tickets and two “Mannywood” T-shirts for $99.

Just the way it was about two months ago.

Having served his punishment and faced the ensuing attention — media, fans on the road and home fans — Ramirez’s suspension officially becomes just another chapter in his storied history of antics and goofy behavior.

Did it send the wrong image to applaud a self-inflicted suspension?

“There’s no question that nobody says it’s OK to violate rules. And he took his punishment,” Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. “Fans come out here to be entertained. They understand that he did something wrong and he paid the price.

“It’s a unique combination he has. If you didn’t know him, and you just went on what you saw in clips, you’d say that he’s a pain in the neck. But he’s able to sort of relieve some of the attention with that attitude and personality.”

Contact the writer: broy@ocregister.com

[The back story: This was the final product after 72 hours of nonstop online updates. A late afternoon press conference gave us just hours to dissect the medical jargon. It won first place in Breaking News Reporting in the Society of Professional Journalism Regional 11 Awards.]

When the desert dust finally settled on his historic coaching legacy, Lute Olson closed out a 24-season tenure in Tucson with resiliency, passion and one final kick.

But prior to Tuesday, the final chapter of Olson’s uncharacteristic past year remained cloudy – up until his doctor announced the 74-year-old suffered a small stroke that occurred sometime during that year-long span.

At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Steven D. Knope said a blood clot likely traveled from Olson’s heart to his brain – the stroke occurred in his frontal lobe – and caused a year’s worth of severe depression and uncharacteristic behavior and decision making.

The MRI exam conducted Monday revealed the stroke, which Knope believes to be the missing link in Olson’s recent personality changes.

And with that comes closure in Olson’s legacy at Arizona.

“I think the circumstances here will clarify and explain some uncharacteristic behavior over the past several months,” Knope said. “For those of you who know Lute well, you probably said, ‘This doesn’t seem like the same Lute we know and love’ on a couple of occasions.

“I think that these behavioral changes can be attributed to that stroke,” Knope added.

The most notable instance of Olson’s out-of-character personality shift came April 1 at his first press conference afer a season-long leave of absence. Olson defensively and combatively fired back at reporters’ questions about his leave.

On Oct. 21, Olson apologized for such a breakout at this year’s annual media day – two days before his retirement – and even said, “I wish I had that hour back.”

Olson’s high-profile divorce throughout the 2007-08 season – a contributing factor to his leave of absence – resulted in depression and anxiety, but all illnesses responded “perfectly” to therapy and antidepressants, Knope said.

This year, Olson began the season in great spirits and eager to move forward. However, when Olson began experiencing more of the same symptoms recently, Knope thought Olson was experiencing a recurrence of the depression.

“Over the past several weeks, again, I became aware that Lute was having difficulty with his coaching responsibilities,” Knope said. “Obviously most people who have a depression simply have a depression. They respond to medications and the story’s over.

“When people don’t respond to medications and they don’t respond to standard therapy and there are clues that something else is going on, then we need to do brain studies to make sure there is not an organic cause of the problem,” Knope added.

Knope began serious discussions with Olson over the past few weeks regarding a permanent retirement, due to the fact that he wasn’t responding to the medicine when his symptoms reappeared.

“He was having difficulty putting pieces together,” Knope said. “It started to form a picture of an atypical depression.”

Olson, however, wasn’t quite ready to give it up.

In recent conversations between the two, Olson blamed himself for not meeting coaching expectations and developing an inability to “pull himself up by his bootstraps,” Knope said.

But given his passion for the game, Olson couldn’t accept abandoning the team for a second consecutive year and became frustrated with the possibility of giving up, Knope said.

“He said to me, ‘Look, it was never basketball. It was never the game, I love the game,’” Knope said. “‘I can’t wait to get back.’ That was the state of affairs in April and I cleared him to return.

“There’s no such thing as an extraordinary person, just ordinary people who do extraordinary things,” Knope added. “And I think that embodies who Lute Olson is.”

Olson returned for the 2008-2009 season at media day on Oct. 21 and told reporters he felt more energized and happier than last season.

Then, less than 48 hours later, reports circulated throughout the day that Olson was going to retire – eventually confirmed at 5 p.m. by UA athletic director Jim Livengood.

Livengood selected newly hired assistant Russ Pennell to take over on an interim basis.

“We miss Lute. The Arizona basketball family will always support him,” Pennell said in a statement. “Today’s news, as odd as this may sound, is comforting only in that he now knows what he’s up against as he works to return to good health.”

When contacted by phone Tuesday afternoon, last year’s interim head coach Kevin O’Neill paused for a moment before responding to the news of Olson’s stroke.

“Wow,” O’Neill said. “The only comment I really have is that nothing is more important than Lute’s health and it would be my hope that he gets the proper care and he’s able to put himself in a position to live a great life.

“He did a great job as a coach,” O’Neill added. “He’s a Hall-of-Fame guy that everyone has great respect for.”

Added Livengood in a statement: “Our hopes and prayers go to Lute Olson and his family for a swift and full recovery. He has meant the world to this university and college basketball for a quarter century. His Hall-of-Fame legacy speaks for itself.”

Five-year forward Kirk Walters, who played under Olson from 2003-2008, shot hoops around McKale Center after the press conference Tuesday as he trained for next week’s NBA Development League draft.

Walters was taken aback by the news.

“It’s surprising – it’s surprising to everyone,” Walters said. “When last season got done he was in the office the next morning. I fully expected him to be coaching for the next three years.”

By Bryan Roy
Arizona Daily Wildcat

[The back story: This is an enterprise story about how much financial impact Lute Olson's successor would bear on the entire athletics department.]

As the U.S. government spent an unprecedented $787 billion on an economic stimulus package in an effort to relieve the current recession on Wall Street, UA athletics director Jim Livengood looks to stimulate his own athletic department by hiring a big-name men’s basketball coach in the next month.

Despite the false perception that sports are immune to economic troubles, the UA athletics department is still feeling the effects of America’s current recession.

The money-making program Lute Olson built for 25 years has endured difficulties parallel to America’s plunging economic situation over the past year. Olson, who abruptly retired in October, left the basketball program in its second consecutive season with an interim head coach – both Kevin O’Neill and Russ Pennell were promoted assistants.

The 74-year-old Hall-of-Famer’s contract made Olson the state’s highest-paid employer with an $737,790 annual base salary at the time of his retirement. That would be considered a bargain in today’s big-business college basketball culture.

As the program heads toward a crucial crossroad, Livengood wants long-term stability with a permanent successor who can turn heads around the college basketball realm and boost the program’s image nationally.

But buying out an established coach’s contract and agreeing to a new lucrative contract comes at the most difficult economic time in almost 80 years. “I don’t know that we’re recession-proof at all,” Livengood said. “Whether it’s capital fundraising or fundraising based on our day-to-day operating expenses, most of that comes from people that could have investments in the stock market … I look at the stock market more times a day than I’d like to share.”

Although McKale Center sold out for men’s basketball games this season, Livengood still feels the reeling economy through a ripple effect, as private donations and corporate sponsorships tighten excess spending.

Balancing the checkbook

The 2009 fiscal year will end on June 30, and Livengood is keeping a close eye on expenses and anticipates a balanced budget.

According to the financial report the UA filed with the U.S. Department of Education, the Arizona athletics department netted $3.03 million for the 2008 fiscal year, earning $46.99 million in total income with $43.96 million in expenses.

The UA men’s basketball program, traditionally one of the nation’s most profitable basketball programs, carried the 2008 fiscal year with a net revenue of $12.03 million – earning $16.42 million in total income with $4.39 million in team expenses.

According to a Daily Wildcat report last year that analyzed national athletic department trends from 2003 to 2007, the UA basketball program only trailed the University of Louisville in net revenue generated over that 4-year span.

Meanwhile, the UA football program expects an increase after the team’s first bowl berth since 1998. The program netted $8.21 million in the 2008 fiscal year – earning $16.73 million in total income with $8.52 million in team expenses.

Although basketball and football largely support the other 17 varsity sports financially, Livengood insists he does not want to cut a non-revenue generating program if ends don’t meet.

“The last thing we’re going to give up on in any way is trying to lose one of our 19 programs,” Livengood said. “That’s kind of the bottom line.”

While the department closely monitors day-to-day expenses, Livengood has put a temporary hold on capital expense long-term projects, like the expansion of Arizona Stadium’s north endzone and other renovations in Phase II of Campaign Arizona.

With this year’s completion of the Richard Jefferson Gymnasium, the new gymnastics facility and diving well, Livengood said he couldn’t imagine the difficulties the UA would face if the those projects began this summer rather than the summer of 2007.

“The good news is, thank goodness we completed Phase I when we did,” Livengood said. “I don’t want to even shudder to think of what would happen if we started it later.”

For new hoops coach, ‘the worst possible time’

There’s a balance Livengood must establish when opening the checkbook for UA’s next basketball coach. It’s about finding the line between overspending on a big name and not finding someone big enough to fill Olson’s shoes.

“We’re not going to go out and buy a coach,” Livengood said. “That doesn’t make any sense.”

Added CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell: “People don’t want to hear the economy as an excuse, so you have to be able to play it well. People don’t want to hear, ‘We got this coach, because we couldn’t pay someone else, because of our financial situation.’ No one wants to hear that.”

In terms of today’s bad economy and lack of privacy with Internet rumors and speculation, Livengood said this could this be the worst possible timing to hire a high profile, highly-paid head coach.

In today’s economy, Rovell said he thinks it’s possibly easier marketing a school’s decision to hire an up-and-coming coach, rather than spending millions on an established big name.

But the package still needs to be portrayed correctly. A coach can’t be introduced as somebody who was hired for his bargain value, but because the universities feel the coach is a good fit.

“I think that schools are willing to take a more up-and-comer than a high profile coach because they can explain it to boosters better,” Rovell said. “I don’t think a high-profile coach, unless it’s his alma mater, is going to take a pay cut yet.”

Private donations

Disposable income typically becomes the first area of expenses affected by a down market – meaning less spending money on sports and entertainment.

From every end of the sports fan spectrum, less extra cash could keep fans at home watching the game on television, hesitant to renew season tickets or unable to pledge significant donations to athletics departments.

In an effort to relieve the financial hardship that regular donors may face, Livengood said an open line of communication goes a long way, showing the UA cares about the individual, not just the contribution.

“We need to (look at donations) on a daily basis understand and realize what’s happening,” Livengood said. “Because it can happen that fast. If we’re not paying attention, things could slip away way too fast.”

Livengood has given donors different options in coping with the recession, whether that’s different payment plans or spreading donations out over a longer period of time.

His personal outreach has received positive feedback, he said, giving flexibility and loyalty to the donors that have showed long-time support.

“I think we’ve done a pretty good job with managing money, and making sure that we know even if it’s the desert, rainy days will come.”

Corporate sponsorships

A quick glance around McKale Center might not reveal the current financial situation of Wall Street’s struggling industries.

The auto industry, one of the hardest hit during the 2008-09 current recession, asked the U.S. government for multiple bailouts, enduring hundreds of thousands of job cuts from domestic companies. But Jim Click Automotive group continues to be one of the UA’s leading donors.

Jim Click sponsors the UA Hall of Champions, a pre-paid long-term contribution Click paid off years ago.

Click said he’s trying to weather out the current economic conditions and maintain the amount of donations as in years past, but realizes other companies may not have such luxury.

As a leading power auto dealer in southern Arizona, Click owns 13 dealerships in the metro Tucson area.

“I can’t think of anything that we’re committed to that we’re not going to be able to give to,” Click said. “We are looking very closely at our charitable giving. Right now, we have no plans to cut back in our long-term commitments.”

Click said Livengood hasn’t discussed the next head coach situation with him yet.

When asked whether he would be more apt to maintain, if not increase donations to UA athletics in anticipation that the next basketball coach will earn more money, Click said he’ll wait and see who Livengood hires, and not put “the carriage in front of the cattle.”

He declined to estimate how much his foundation donates annually.

“Will I help Jim (Livengood) if he came to me? I’d do my very best,” Click said. “I know Jim is going to hire a good coach.”

An adjustment in value

Since sports became such a big-money venture around the mid-1980s, ticket prices have historically maintained a gradual increase with inflation while resisting the affects of Wall Street.

Rovell, a blogger for “Sports Biz with Darren Rovell” on CNBC.com, said amidst today’s tough economic times, schools must adjust to an unprecedented market correction by lowering the standards that universities expect from private donations.

If athletic departments lower their donation standards in correlation to how far the stock market has fallen, it would be a 50-percent decline, Rowell said, based on how much 401k’s have lost in value over the past eight months.

“Sports are recession resistant, but not recession proof,” Rovell said. “Colleges are not only going to have to figure out the ticket price, but really what’s the required donation everywhere. They have to reset the basketball arena and the football stadium.

“They’re going to have to work with the boosters and figure out what people are willing to pay,” Rovell said. “You don’t ask someone, ‘What are you willing to pay?’ The hardest thing is now figuring out how you reset everything, because otherwise everyone is going to walk away.”

Since sports ticket prices and private donations are set months in advance, athletic departments haven’t taken drastic measures to sell tickets in this economy – even though they’ve already felt the impact financially.

Rovell said an appropriate adjustment to a coach’s salary should follow as the market adjusts.

“They’re not doing it yet because I think the nerve-racking time is now,” Rovell said. “When you don’t have the boosters out there, it’s going to be a little bit harder to raise money. And there’s going to be a correction in coaching salaries, you would think. We’re waiting for that.”

Sensitivity needed when spending millions

While states across the country, including Arizona, look to close billion-dollar deficits with budget cuts, the public perception might naturally question why a state employee – a basketball coach – can make millions of dollars annually.

That’s what one reporter did at a post-game press conference to Connecticut Huskies head coach Jim Calhoun, who makes a $1.6 million annual base salary – which doesn’t include sponsorships or endorsements.

The freelance reporter, Ken Krayeske, sparked a heated argument when asking Calhoun if he would give back any of his salary to close the state’s budget crisis.

“Quite frankly, we bring in $12 million to the university, nothing to do with state funds,” Calhoun said. “We make $12 million a year for this university. Get some facts and come back and see me.”

While some disagree with the way Calhoun handled the situation, in terms of his tone and reaction to the question, the exchange shows how careful coaches and athletic departments must be with handling state funds.

The state of Arizona faces a $3-billion shortfall based on $11 billion of spending in the next fiscal year.

“Sports certainly has its place, but sports is going to get marginalized from people who look at the entire state budget,” Rovell said. “I understood the point (Calhoun) was making, that he has value. He might have value that’s worth 10 professors. The reason it didn’t go down well because it was at least the appearance of an insensitivity.

“I just think that person has to be personally responsible and realize the weight at getting all this money at this time,” he added. “Sure, it can be worth it. You just have to make sure you’re sensitive to what’s going on with everyone else.”

By Bryan Roy
Arizona Daily Wildcat

[The back story: This is the Basketball Guide's cover story, rewritten a dozen times after the Lute Olson saga unfolded over the course of the preseason.]

UA interim head coach Russ Pennell addresses the media on Wednesday in McKale Center. Pennell said he had no plans in changing Lute Olson's run-and-gun offense and zone defense.

Phyllis Goodman spent the past 24 years watching her fresh-faced children develop and graduate under their ageless father – a man committed to offering guidance and support regardless of the circumstances.

She looked on from section 16 of McKale Center in high spirits and energy throughout the ups and downs of their family.

Children, as ever Wildcat roster since 1983.

Father, as in Lute Olson.

The iconic Arizona basketball super fan, now 75, stands alone as McKale Center’s most recognizable active figure throughout the program’s storied history.

Goodman’s heart and passion began long before the rich basketball tradition in Tucson. Standing proud with her classic cardinal “U of A” sweatshirt and signature blue Arizona wool-woven hat, the fiery Goodman has arrived early and never missed a minute of action – jumping, cheering, dancing and singing “Bear Down” season after season.

But in today’s uncharted era, as these Wildcats embark on a journey without their legendary Hall of Fame head coach, the phrase “Bear Down” couldn’t be more meaningful to Goodman.

The program’s father is gone for good after a second consecutive dramatic departure.

“I knew all along there had to be something wrong – this was not coach Olson,” a teary-eyed Goodman said, who has attended games since before McKale Center’s erection in 1973. “Nobody ever said a bad word about him, so something was very wrong.”

Indeed, the past two years of Olson’s legacy confused fans like Goodman. But the dust has settled and the reality of life without Lute now adorns today’s new era of basketball.

The long-term health of Olson’s program remains unknown – it’s something that UA athletic director Jim Livengood persistently looks to maintain while players and assistants adjust without Olson.

This time, for good.

Pennell brings hybrid of philosophies, behaviors between Olson and O’Neill

Avoiding the 2007-08 season’s turmoil begins with a completely brand-new coaching staff – and motto.

Last season the abrupt and intense adjustment process rocked the Wildcats after then-interim head coach Kevin O’Neill completely revamped Olson’s style.

O’Neill implemented a strict man-to-man defense, which eliminated Olson’s zone, and an offense comprised of slow, set plays, which eliminated Olson’s up-tempo style.

Arizona finished 19-15, limped into the NCAA tournament and clinched another first-round loss.

After experiencing both extremes, the Wildcats will once again adjust to common ground: Interim head coach Russ Pennell enters with a style that is a hybrid of the two preceding regimes’ styles and temperaments.

“My style and my philosophy is so close to what they were used to, that I think the adjustment is not nearly as great as if I was a really pattern offensive coach,” Pennell said. “Really, a lot on the floor has not changed.”

Throughout the first two exhibition games, Arizona has run a 1-1-3-zone defense crossed with man-to-man principles. On top of that, UA associate head coach Mike Dunlap – the team’s de facto defensive specialist – installed a 2-2-1 full-court press to keep opponents out of sync and eat up shot clock time.

Over the past few weeks, terms such as defensive “mastermind” and “chemist” have circulated through Pennell’s press conferences when describing the role of Dunlap with the team.

Pennell also admitted that the defense still remains a work in progress throughout the ongoing adjustment process. But as practices shift from a walk-through, step-by-step procedures to the game day-like intensity, Pennell sees things finally clicking together.

“It’s a little different,” senior forward Fendi Onobun said. “Every coach has their own style, but basketball players adjust and that’s what we’re able to do and that’s what we’ve been doing.”

The human side of coaching basketball

Despite suffering from the requested transfer of freshman center Jeff Withey, Pennell and his staff have kept his team focused on their goals and roles as the team and its coaching staff adjusts to each other.

The ominous camaraderie from last season’s downfall is making a comeback.

“Both (exhibition) games, both sets of refs came up and said something to me: ‘Your guys look like they’re having fun,’” Pennell said. “These guys would know; they refereed them last year. That gives me some great feedback of where we’re at. I think that they’re open to us coaching. Not just me, (UA assistant coach) Reggie (Geary) and coach Dunlap especially.”

Added point guard Nic Wise: “Dunlap and Pennell set out each and every day what their roles are. If you get out of line, they snap on them and make sure they get back to their roles.”

After he returned from last season’s leave of absence, Olson cleaned house and hired all three coaches: Pennell, Dunlap and Geary.

Pennell realizes that despite his interim status, any of the three newcomers could be leading this season’s crisis-save mode.

“I’m really blessed with guys like Mike and Reggie,” Pennell said. “Either one of those guys can be sitting (here). Mike pulls me off guys all the time, then I pull him off guys.

“I’ll crawl in a foxhole with those two anytime,” Pennell added.

Whether its a foxhole, or at a restaurant spending extra time off the court with players, Pennell is striving to build trust within the program.

By appearing as a personable figure to the team, Pennell hopes players recognize the staff as more than just coaches screaming plays and punishments, he said. During times like these, Pennell wants reciprocal dedication and effort from his team – like that of Goodman.

“My husband was president of the Wildcat Club years ago,” Goodman said. “I told him if we ever split up, he can have the kids, the house – I wanted the basketball.”

Livengood, staff careful to move forward

The search for Olson’s permanent successor will be executed with privacy – something UA athletic director Jim Livengood stressed when addressing the media on Oct. 24, when Pennell was named interim head coach. As a result, players and coaches aren’t exposed to the amplitude of distractions and speculation that process would entail.

Before moving on to any further plans in terms of filling the coaching vacancy, Livengood pushed to keep any further distractions to a minimum.

Embattled with questions regarding the long-term future of his newly-inherited program, Pennell began his inaugural press conference making one thing clear and simple: This was about a group of student-athletes for the next five months.

“This basketball team has quality players on it; this is not some year that we’re ready to dismiss and get onto whatever regime is next,” Pennell said. “The goals here are the same that they’ve always been.

“Will we measure up to that? Time will tell,” he added.

After all, this is a team about to begin with its third head coach in as many years. And in the case of junior point guard Nic Wise, Pennell became his seventh head coach in seven years – he attended four high schools in Houston.

Both Livengood and Pennell knew normalcy wouldn’t blossom overnight after Olson’s sudden series of events. Just two days before officially announcing his retirement on Oct. 23, an upbeat Olson addressed the media in his first press conference since announcing his return on April 1.

Now, as a replacement for Lute Olson looms next spring, Livengood will likely conduct a search through a private search firm – the same means he found Niya Butts for the women’s basketball program this year.

“We have not decided on that yet, but in all likelihood, something like that will happen,” Livengood said. “We’re just not ready to make that public information yet.”

Private search firms allow coaches to be contacted discreetly, eliminating speculation from the media, fans and other universities.

The UA paid $10,000 plus expenses for Butts’ search to Champ Search, a Southern California-based private search firm.

“We’re going to look at a number of things,” Livengood said. “Right now, the focus that I mentioned last week, was making sure this year’s team has settled in. I think we’ve done that.”

[Originally published in the Arizona Daily Wildcat]

[The back story: After following around the Lopez twins in New York months prior, Robin returned to Tucson for the Suns fall camp. He still didn't remember who I was.]

Hours away from their life-altering evening, Stanford’s Brook and Robin Lopez mingled outside on a humid summer afternoon in New York City.

Hundreds of fans surrounded the makeshift outdoor stage, where the Lopez twins promoted Wrigley’s chewing gum as the “Double Mint Twins” with their goofy, fun-loving personalities.

After shooting hoops with kids, the twin 7-footers signed autographs and answered questions about growing up and playing college basketball as twins. One pre-teenager even asked who gets more women.

Together, they laughed and embraced the fan interaction candidly, despite the eclipsing presence of an intimidating shadow: Madison Square Garden. Brook and Robin stood hours away from the 2008 NBA Draft on the courtyard of America’s basketball Mecca.

As projected first-round draft selections, both knew time together was limited after spending their entire lifetimes playing alongside each other in Fresno, Calif., for high school and at Stanford for college.

The New Jersey Nets selected Brook 10th overall, and at his ensuing press conference, the question was asked about not playing with Robin. But unlike previous interviews leading up to the Draft, where the lighthearted Brook often joked that Robin “sucked,” or “wasn’t good enough for the NBA,” Brook came to a realization.

“I don’t know. I don’t know. It will be strange,” Brook said in a rare case of seriousness. “I don’t know when the last time was. But you know, you pretty much knew it was going to happen, so I’ve been getting ready for that and here it is. I’ll tell you after a year of playing without him.”

Five spots later, NBA commissioner David Stern announced on the stage of the Washington Mutual Theatre that the Phoenix Suns selected Robin 15th overall, solidifying the inevitable.

Now, four months after a nerve-racking draft day, both Lopez twins have returned to the courts for their first NBA training camp – almost 2,500 miles apart.

“You know our generation – we have Facebook, MySpace, we’re texting all the time,” Robin said Tuesday at Suns training camp in McKale Center. “So (keeping in touch) hasn’t really been that big of an issue (with Brook).”

After a two-year tenure at Stanford, Robin certainly became familiarized with McKale Center and the Pacific 10 Conference.

Last season, Robin overcame UA forward Chase Budinger in a dramatic 67-66 victory over the Wildcats. Robin blocked Budinger’s potentially game-winning shot at the final seconds of regulation time on Feb. 16, exemplifying his reputation as the more defense-oriented Lopez twin.

While Brook often grabbed the headlines in college – he averaged 19.3 points per game – the duo always complemented Stanford’s front court in both aspects of the game, propelling the Cardinal to a Sweet Sixteen appearance last season as a No. 3 seed.

“I won’t be able to rely on him to do the dirty work and stuff like that, so I can show off my game more,” Brook said at the draft.

Regardless of the outcomes, Robin respects two hard-fought seasons against Arizona in Tucson, Palo Alto, Calif., and Los Angeles for the Pac-10 Tournament – he collectively went 3-2 against the Wildcats during his two seasons at Stanford.

“It’s a pleasure to be back,” Robin said. “First, it brings back memories, and second, it’s such a storied institution. There’s a certain level of comfort. I’m very comfortable with my teammates. It makes it that much easier for me.”

Robin may be without his brother on the court, but if one current NBA teammate could replicate his loose personality, Shaquille O’Neal would fit the mold – both literally and figuratively.

O’Neal, who is 7-foot-1, also began his first Suns training camp this week after arriving in Phoenix midseason last year.

But with 16 years of professional experience under O’Neal’s belt, his “first time” NBA experience in Tucson is far different from a rookie’s debut.

“I couldn’t imagine any other big man, a rookie in the NBA, being in a better situation,” Robin said. “I’m learning from one of the greatest centers of all time. He’s had so many different experiences on and off the basketball court, he’s been playing for (16) years. You can pretty much talk to him about anything.”

Added O’Neal: “I’m kind of jealous of him because he makes me say I wish I was 20 again. He’s young. I just have to pass my knowledge down to him because one day he’s going to be the starting guy here. It’s obvious that he’s going to be the future of this team in 742 days.”

Robin will be worked into the rotation while developing into the Suns’ future center. First-year Suns head coach Terry Porter will have a dynamic group with the athletic and defense-minded Robin, the veteran offensive powerhouse O’Neal and three-time All-Star Amar`e; Stoudemire in the front court.

“We’ve got two 7-footers who can really cause havoc at both ends of the floor,” Porter said.

O’Neal, known off the court for his candid remarks and witty antics, complements Robin’s creativity and down-to-Earth mentality. It’s no secret that Robin, who was an art and film studies major at Stanford, enjoys comic books, anything Disney and joking around with his brother.

So who’s the bigger goofball?

“He’s the vet so I’m going to have to give him that, if it’s in a positive light,” Robin said. “If it’s in a negative light I’m going to have to take that.”

The rookie said all the right things. But he’s still unsure what’s in store for rookie duties.

“Not yet so much. We just have to get on the early van,” Robin said. “I’ve heard about singing but I don’t know when that’s going to pop up. I heard we’re going to have to go pick up doughnuts early in the morning. I’m sure that’s going to be a surprise as well.”

It will be a surprise, much like Robin’s first basketball game will be without seeing a mirror image of himself in the paint.

[The back story: One of the most emotional stories I've had to cover, watching these disabled kids live their dream on the ballpark I also grew up dreaming about. It appeared on A1 of the Sunday Republican]

BOSTON – Chris E. Kindness dug his heels into the Fenway Park batter’s box he holds sacred, and awaited a pitch from Boston Red Sox hitting coach Dave Magadan.

The 12-year-old approached the plate having already earned the nickname, “Power House,” for hitting a ball so hard that the stitches unthreaded earlier this season.

Now he stood on the same soil as his powerful hero, David Ortiz, with hopes of clearing the Green Monster. His father, Christopher J. Kindness, could only stand in the shadows and absorb the atmosphere with a sense of awe.

“Unbelievable,” Christopher Kindness said. “I can’t believe coming through the tunnels, and I can feel the chills. Coming out and just feeling the stadium underneath your feet – it’s something you know you’ll never be able to do again the rest of your life.

“Words can’t describe it for us,” the dad added.

Chris Kindness may never be featured in Sports Illustrated for his baseball career, but for one special summer afternoon, the Chicopee boy lived a front-cover dream by taking part in the CVS Caremark All Kids Can Baseball Camp. The afternoon camp on July 12 gave Chris and 14 other Western Massachusetts kids with disabilities, along with their families, a chance to swing for a home run in on-field batting practice, too. None of the balls cleared the fence, but just being there brought together a Major League Baseball dream.

The Sunshine Challenger Eagles, of Chicopee, a team composed of children with physical and developmental disabilities, was one of seven teams selected from across New England to participate. The CVS Caremark All Kids Baseball Camps focus on helping children with disabilities to learn, play and succeed in life.

“One of our kids just came up to me, and he said, ‘Thank you so much for the best surprise of my life,’” said Eagles coach Kathy A. Dupuis, of Chicopee. “(Billy M. Bredenbeck) is one that doesn’t normally like surprises. They’re still in a state of shock, but they’re just still very excited.”

Said Bredenbeck, who is 22, of his favorite player, Manny Ramirez: “He is a very good hitter and I watch him on TV every night. I scream a lot just for him because that’s who I remind myself of every time.

“It was a wonderful time and great day for it to happen,” he added.

The day began at 11 a.m. with batting practice inside the Red Sox clubhouse. Magadan gave everyone an opportunity to hit in the batting cage off a tee, which prepped the Eagles for the on-field batting practice later.

The Eagles, composed of kids from Chicopee, Springfield, Ludlow and Granby, ate lunch in the Sox dugout, then went on an exclusive VIP tour of Fenway. They also received early admission into the park for the Red Sox 12-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

“It feels really good because there’s people that have been Red Sox fans for like 80 years and can’t do this,” Chris Kindness said. “So this is a really good opportunity.”

Said 9-year-old Cameron J. Dupuis, of Chicopee, on what he’ll remember most: “Oh, God, well, all my friendships I made with people so far, and having fun most importantly.”

Eagles coach Jackie B. McCullough, also of Chicopee, submitted their application to the CVS Caremark program last fall, then received word in April that they were selected – an emotional message that prompted much anticipation. This marked the fifth year of the baseball camps, which attract teams from all over New England throughout the summer.

“When I was being read the invitation letter, I was literally getting chills and tears were coming down my cheek because I just knew how much this would mean to them,” McCullough said.

While the excitement was evident through the players eyes, Magadan said the parents and coaches were just as – if not more – excited to live the experience with their children.

“It’s not only a nice break for the kids, but it’s a nice break for the parents and coaches that give a lot of their time in order for them to experience baseball and all that,” Magadan said. “They get as much of a kick out of it as the kids do.”

[Originally published in The Springfield Republican on Masslive.com]

[The back story: The drive to New York City began at 7 a.m. I returned to Springfield, Mass., at 2 a.m. It was worth it.]

NEW YORK – Jerryd Bayless always handled basketball at Arizona with an all-business approach, focused on ultimately reaching the professional level.

Formal wear became Bayless’ signature pregame attire during his one-year tenure in Tucson, consistently dressing to maintain the professional affect – even off the court as a college athlete with a dream.

But although Bayless captured that goals on June 26 – he was selected as a lottery pick in the guard-heavy 2008 NBA Draft – the former one-and-done UA guard still has unfinished business.

“When (Bayless) steps on the court, it’s all about business,” said UA forward Jordan Hill. “I know he’s ready for the NBA. He’s gonna go out there and handle his business.”

The Phoenix native landed in Portland after originally earning the 11th overall selection in Madison Square Garden. Bayless, sent to Portland as part of a five-player deal, spent the months prior as a unanimous top-five pick in mock drafts.

Not until days before the draft did speculation begin around his slipping stock, potentially dropping outside the top-10 to compensate the rising interest in former UCLA guard Russell Westbrook, who was selected fourth overall.

With his drop to 11th, Bayless became re-motivated to prove wrong those 10 teams that passed him up.

“I think there’s a lot that a NBA player has to go through and I know this year what could happen and I know it’s going to happen sometime in my NBA career,” Bayless said at his press conference prior to being traded. “I think I’ll just be able to look forward to it and get over it pretty quick.

“I know I have something to prove,” Bayless added. “Obviously there are some better prospects and it’s understandable; and hopefully I work as hard as I can and play well against the rest of those teams.”

Said Westbrook of his own rising stock: “It feels great. I worked so hard to get to the best possible positions I could possibly be in and this is one of the best possible positions there is, and now I have to keep working to be at the top.”

A record 11 freshmen were selected in the first round – three coming from top pick Derrick Rose, second pick Michael Beasley and third pick O.J. Mayo. Five of the first seven picks were freshmen, also a NBA Draft first.

Bayless’ extra motivation will set his professional basketball career in a positive direction, ex-Wildcat Andre Iguodala told the Wildcat at Channing Frye’s celebrity golf tournament in Phoenix.

“One thing you don’t want to do is settle once you get there. You don’t want to say, ‘I’ve made it and I’m done working,’” said Iguodala, a current NBA free agent and the ninth overall pick in 2004. “As long as he continues to work hard and wants to improve each and everyday, he’ll be fine.”

Bayless gave Arizona its 29th drafted player since 1989 – the best in the country over Duke (28), UCLA (26) and Kansas (22). Bayless joins ex-Wildcat Frye in Portland, a youthful team that will debut its 2007 top draft pick Greg Oden next season and return its 2007 Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy.

While ties between Bayless and Frye date back to St. Mary’s Prep School in Phoenix, the high school they both attended, Frye said rookies must still pay their dues in the NBA.

Said Frye, with a smile, when asked if he’ll take Bayless under his wing: “No man, he’s a rookie. No, I’m always going to stick up for him but he has to go through his own bumps and bruises. But he’s a good guy and he’s going to work hard.

“We’re going to try to be the gym rats,” added Frye, the eighth overall pick in 2005. “You know it’s always good competition when you have guys try to get to the gym more than you.”

Ex-Wildcat Richard Jefferson, who was traded from New Jersey to Milwaukee on draft day, downplayed the significance between draft-day climbs or slides.

Jefferson, drafted 13th overall in 2001, called Bayless before the draft to wish him luck.

“I told him regardless of what happens, it doesn’t matter if he goes No. 5 or 15,” Jefferson said at the golf tournament. “In five years, it won’t matter because it’ll be about his career. Having Jerryd Bayless get drafted where he did is only going to add to the great reputation of the school.”

Already being with two NBA teams in less than two hours, change is something Bayless overcame during his one-year tenure in Tucson, evident through leading the Wildcats with 19.7 points per game despite UA head coach Lute Olson’s dramatic season-long leave of absence.

“Buckets and buckets of scoring,” said former Stanford Cardinal and 10th overall pick in the 2008 Draft Brook Lopez of what Bayless brings to his team. “A drive, just determined to win. He was a natural leader for (Arizona). I think he’ll go really far in the NBA.”

[Originally published in the Arizona Daily Wildcat]