Around the NBA: Parker says he's 'a young 34'

Forget Anthony Parker’s age.

That was part of the message delivered by the veteran guard-forward when the Cavs signed him last week. Yes, he knows he’s 34, and in NBA years, a 34-year-old wing often can look like a guy running on his last legs.

But Parker is confident he’s an exception since the bulk of his career was spent playing overseas with a much lighter game schedule.

“I didn’t have that heavy 82-game plus (NBA) schedule to deal with,” Parker said in reference to five years spent playing in Israel and one in Italy.

He played a total of 265 games in those six seasons — the equivalent of just more than three NBA seasons.

“People call me a young 34,” Parker said. “I feel like I’m kind of on par with somebody that’s 29, 30 in the NBA.”

Parker played 235 games with Toronto the last three seasons, plus 11 playoff games — missing  two games last season and nine in 2006-07.

He played all 82 games in 2007-08.

“Physically ... I still feel good,” he said, “and we’ll see what happens.”

BEEN A LONG TIME

The Cavs have had an eye on Parker since his 2005-06 season with Maccabi Tel Aviv, with whom he won his second straight Euroleague MVP.

“I think the best way to sum him up is winner,” said Lance Blanks, the Cavs assistant general manager. Blanks was one of several people in the organization to spend time overseas scouting Parker and getting to know him a little bit.

They saw a talented shooter who made 44.6 percent of his 3-pointers in his five years with Maccabi. They also saw a versatile player who fits well with a team concept.

“I think whatever role we put him in we’ll be fine, because he’s that dynamic,” Blanks said. “He’s a piece you can put in. He’s almost like a chameleon. He doesn’t demand the ball.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

The Cavs still have money to spend on free agents — roughly $3.2 million left of the mid-level exception and $2 million on the bi-annual exception.

Matt Barnes remains someone worth keeping an eye on. He told the Sacramento Bee this week that the Cavs, Mavericks and Magic have expressed interest in him. A solid 6-7, 220-pound guard-forward, Barnes would give the Cavs additional toughness and depth on the wing. He averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists with Phoenix last season.

The Cavs probably would not mind adding another big body up front, but the pickings are getting slim.

One thing’s certain: The Cavs are exploring all possibilities.

“We are truly never done,” Blanks said.

24-SECOND CLOCK

•  Cavs center Shaquille O’Neal made a five-day trip last week to China, where his generosity created a stir. He met students at the Mianyang Elementary Middle School in earthquake-hit Sichuan province Tuesday and gave four teens signed basketballs. School officials, though, seized the gifts, according to China Daily for “private purposes” to exhibit and encourage students to “learn from the spirit of an NBA star.” The students and their parents were upset, and when O’Neal found out what happened, he returned with four new signed balls for the teens. “I want to tell them that I like them, and I don’t want them to cry over this,” O’Neal told reporters. “This is not where men weep their tears.” One of the boys getting the ball, Li Feng, said, “I treasure the hero’s gift even more now.”
•  The tight financial situation in New Orleans led its star, Chris Paul, to say there’s a chance he could be traded. “In this league, anything can happen,” Paul told Pro Basketball News from the summer league where he’s watching the Hornets. “I can be dealt.” It’s been no secret that the Hornets are looking to make moves to save money and avoid the luxury tax.
•  If nothing else, the summer league proved to Golden State its got some guys that can score. Forward Anthony Randolph tied a summer record Tuesday by scoring 42 points. Warriors guard Anthony Morrow erased that mark Thursday by putting up 47, hitting 7-of-9 3s, as Randolph got the day off.
•  Chinese media reported this week that Rockets star Yao Ming purchased his financially troubled former club team in China, the Shanghai Sharks. The team was in jeopardy of not being able to play in November when the Chinese Basketball Association season begins. Yao began starring for the Sharks as a teen, leading them to their only league title before heading to the Rockets in 2002. “I grew up in the city and became a professional player in this team, so I hope I can do something to help,” Yao was quoted as saying on Shanghai TV. According to Forbes, Yao is the wealthiest Chinese entertainer. His estimated income was 388 million yuan ($56.81 million) in 2008. The China Business News reports that running the Sharks will cost about 20 million yuan a year.

To read more about the Cavs, visit Chris Beaven’s blog at www.cantonrep.com/blogs