_Each week, KUSports.com will get you caught up on Jayhawks both former and current getting some ink from outside of the area._Boston Herald: NBA looks at Pierce_EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – An NBA spokesman confirmed last night that the league is reviewing Paul Pierce stats]’s grab of Jamal Crawford during the Celtics [team stats]’ exhibition loss in New York Monday night.__The C’s captain, rushing to the aid of teammate Ray Allen after the guard crashed to the floor following Crawford’s foul, grabbed the Knick under the chin.__Pierce later said he thought Crawford was about to “stand over” Allen. Asked about the league’s investigation before last night’s 82-71 loss to New Jersey, Pierce said, “Well, the league will look into it then.”_Local Take: Nothing wrong with taking up for a teammate…that is, until you grab the other guy by the neck. Of course, I haven’t seen this play, so I won’t judge. If Pierce gets suspended for a game or two, the Celtics will survive, seeing as they’ll still have two future HOFers on the floor.[Daily Herald: Hinrich, Deng named captains_Before the Bulls elected team captains Wednesday, coach Scott Skiles asked which players were interested in running for the office.__Ben Wallace, a sure winner, kept his hand down. So the Bulls will have just two captains this year — Kirk Hinrich and 22-year-old Luol Deng. Hinrich was elected for the fourth time, while Deng is new to the job.__”It’s their time,” Wallace said. “They’re on the way in. I’m on the way out. I haven’t got that much time left. Let these guys step up and fill those shoes.”__Team captain in the NBA is largely a ceremonial position. Besides going out to meet with the referees before a game, there aren’t many required duties.__”The captain goes out on the floor and leads the team,” Wallace said. “Even in tough situations, he shows that there’s no kinks in his armor, that he’s going to continue to fight for his team until the end.”_Local Take: It looks like another step in the direction of the Bulls truly becoming Hinrich’s team. On a roster filled with kids, he’s almost considered a senior citizen.San Antonio Express-News: Spurs’ Udrih, Vaughn unlikely to be healthy for opener_ORLANDO, Fla. – The Spurs got one point guard back when Tony Parker returned to action a week ago. The prognosis is still cloudy for Parker’s two most prominent backups.__Jacque Vaughn (strained calf) and Beno Udrih (fractured finger) each missed his fifth preseason game Tuesday at Miami.__Both were injured early in training camp and have not practiced since._…_Spurs waive pair: The Spurs waived Keith Langford and Kris Lang on Wednesday, trimming their roster to 16. They will have to make one more cut before the league’s Oct. 29 roster deadline.__The final spot is likely to come down to a pair of rookies – second-round pick Marcus Williams or free agent Darius Washington._Local Take: It’s easier now to see why someone like Darius Washington, the former Memphis Standout, was kept ahead of Langford, as he could provide depth at the point guard position, whereas Langford is more of a scoring guard. Though Keith is likely to find work overseas should he choose to go, would be my guess. Afterall, he looked pretty good last year.Also from the San Antonio Express-News: Jayhawks’ Self knows all about first-year bluesNew Orleans Times-Picayune: Wright still adjusting to NBA_Coach Byron Scott doesn’t miss much at practice. On a defensive drill, rookie Julian Wright overplayed Jannero Pargo on a drive, leaving Morris Peterson open on the wing.__Scott stopped the drill to point out the mistake. Five minutes later, center Hilton Armstrong came across the baseline for a dunk, but Wright blocked the shot. If officials had been present, Wright would have received a foul.__Wright doesn’t appear to be in the necessary conditioning yet to get through a 82-game schedule. At the end of the defensive drill, he was bent over, breathing hard. His teammates did not appear to be as tired._Local Take: Don’t rush to conclusions with the whole ‘He shoulda stayed another year’ thing. Julian still made the right choice. But, like 90 percent of NBA rookies, he’ll have an adjustment period. He could be coming around nicely by mid-season, would be my guess.The Boston Globe: Pollard makes light about end of the tunnel_WALTHAM – Move over, Denis Leary, Lenny Clarke, Dane Cook, Steven Wright, Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, and Paula Poundstone. There is a new Boston comedian, and his name is Scot Pollard.__While the new Celtics center/forward owns a dry sense of humor that keeps his teammates laughing, what hasn’t been a laughing matter is his inability to play or practice because of a lingering bone bruise on his left ankle. The 11-year veteran, however, is expected to work out with the team today, although he will be limited.__”Once I realized the severity of my injury], I bought some black clothing and walked around in black for a while,” Pollard said recently. “You know, Johnny Cash. But I’m over that now. I’m all rainbows and daisies now. I see a light at the end of the tunnel.”__The Celtics need it to be all rainbows and daisies for Pollard soon.__Pollard suffered the ankle sprain in offseason workouts in September, but didn’t think it was serious. The 6-foot-11-inch, 278-pounder, however, didn’t participate in the beginning of training camp in Europe, and was sent home early from Rome for evaluation and rehabilitation.__Pollard has gone from a walking boot to an air cast back to sneakers. After running in a swimming pool and riding a bicycle during rehab, he is now running lightly on a treadmill.__”The only way you can get into basketball shape is to play basketball,” Pollard said. “That’s the biggest issue in getting back, getting the timing and rust off.”_Local Take: You knew it was only a matter of time until the Boston media caught on to the comedic aspect of what Pollard brings. A good veteran addition to put alongside the three HOFers.[St. Paul Pioneer-Press: Minnesota Timberwolves’ turnover continues with trade of Davis and Blount to Miami_The deal gives the Wolves 18 players, and the regular-season roster limit is 15. McHale hinted that at least one of the players acquired in the trade will not be on the roster soon, but he wouldn’t elaborate.__It wouldn’t be shocking to see Doleac and/or Simien not with the team by 5 p.m. Monday, the league’s deadline for teams to set their Opening Day rosters.__Walker and Doleac could arrive in Minnesota today. Simien won’t be brought in right away,which leaves his future in limbo as the Wolves contemplate other moves.__”It’s a deal that I’m not sure all the players are going to report here,” McHale said of the trade with Miami. “We’ve got to make sure all the players are healthy. We’ve got some other stuff that we’re probably going to do inside this deal. There’s a lot of business going on. We’ll see what happens.”_Local Take: It’d be too bad to see Simien not get a chance with the Timberwolves, considering all that has worked against him in his young NBA career. Though he’s now got a young family to look after, and he’s taken the necessary steps so far this offseason in preparing for life after hoops.49ers.com: Ask a Player with FB Moran Norris_Q: Do you see KU going to a bowl this year? Faithful born and bred Jayhawk and 49er! Stan Kmiec, Lawrence KS.__A: You didn’t ask me that right? We are 7-0, undefeated, ranked 12th in the AP poll, just beat K State and Colorado. The question you should be asking is what BCS Bowl game KU will be attending? I think we’ll go undefeated this year and pretty soon we’ll be a powerhouse in both basketball and football._Local Take: Couldn’t possibly go _all_ hoops this week. Moran Norris was a part of some struggling KU football teams, so he should be pretty proud right now to see the program turn the way it has. Obviously, he believes.