10 things we learned in the NBA this week

1. Item: The Memphis Grizzlies signed their fifth-year forward, Stromile Swift, to a one-year qualifying offer and extended the contract of star forward Pau Gasol rather than allow him to become a free agent next summer.

What it really means: Gasol is a budding star, and Grizzlies president Jerry West wasn't about to go out on a limb given the likelihood he's the player they will be building around for years to come. Swift, however, is in the same category as a lot of players. A former second overall draft pick, he is 6-9 with great athleticism, but that has yet to translate into consistent improvement and contribution. He reportedly wanted a six-year, $60 million contract compared to the six-year, $37 million offer -- plus incentives. It's likely contracts heavily laden with incentives will be the wave of the future with many young, unpolished players coming to the end of their deals.

2. Item: Allen Iverson played a career-low 48 games last season because of injuries, went to Athens and played his heart out, and now is being moved to point guard by new Philadelphia 76ers coach Jim O'Brien.

What it really means: It has been amazing to watch Iverson perform for eight seasons. He's listed at 6-feet, 160 pounds and is probably smaller, and he consistently takes on everyone, including gargantuan big men. But here's hoping the move to point guard will help slow the breakdown of his body as he takes on a role of more playmaking than scoring. At least, it would appear that way in concept -- we'll see if that's how it plays out.

3. Item: More evidence was released from the Kobe Bryant sexual assault criminal trial this week. It included his contention in a police report that he asked about buying off the accuser because he had heard about other players who had bought off women for silence about affairs. Specifically, the report says, he referred to former Lakers teammate Shaquille O'Neal, who he contended paid women $1 million in hush money.

What it really means: O'Neal denies the accusation and Thursday in South Florida denigrated Bryant as a fool. We now know why the feud between the two escalated just before training camp a year ago and festered throughout last season. Now we'll have to wait until Christmas Day in Los Angeles, when O'Neal comes with his new team, the Miami Heat, to play the Lakers. By the way, O'Neal will continue his annual trip to South Central Los Angeles with a huge van delivering Christmas presents to needy children.

4. Item: When training camp opens, the Detroit Pistons begin defense of their NBA title with the additions of young European swingman Carlos Delfino, Antonio McDyess and Derrick Coleman.

Former Sun Antonio McDyess adds rebounding help to the defending champion Pistons. (Getty Images)

What it really means: Pistons president Joe Dumars made sure his team was loaded again, particularly considering the still-young starting lineup of Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton. They lost Mehmet Okur, but a relatively healthy McDyess is two levels better than Okur, and if they can get 50 good games out of Coleman, he'll be a factor. The key will be how coach Larry Brown responds from his first title and the tough summer he spent as coach of the controversial, bronze-medal-winning Olympic team. Things are never calm as long as long as Brown is around, despite his immense coaching ability.

5. Item: With camp about to begin, most people are focused on rosters. But there are also all the significant changes and who is going to camp unhappy -- which translates into tradewinds blowing.

What it really means: As long as Isiah Thomas is president of any team -- in this case the Knicks -- never take your eye off the ball. Kurt Thomas is available for virtually anything. Thomas would love to just give away Shandon Anderson, and he'd love to acquire another scorer. The two names that come to mind are Wally Szczerbiak and Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

6. Item: After 34 years with the Houston Rockets -- the longest continuous tenure with one franchise -- Rudy Tomjanovich inherits the mess of the Los Angeles Lakers a year after overcoming a serious bout with bladder cancer.

What it really means: Not only is Rudy T. an NBA-lifer, he's one of the exceptional people this league has known. Sure, he lost his edge with the Rockets, but you also see what a difficult group it was considering how they unloaded the core this summer. Now physically and mentally rejuvenated, his players will adore him, and don't be surprised by anything the Lakers accomplish this season ... even without Shaq Diesel.