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For all the things that felt different about the Nets’ long-awaited Brooklyn debut on Monday, one significant aspect of the game-night experience was decidedly unchanged from last year’s farewell campaign in Newark. The seats, for the most part, were empty. In fact, when the Nets tipped off their first preseason home game, against the Washington Wizards, the lower bowl at the Barclays Center featured more unoccupied, pristine black leather chairs than full ones.
But unlike the Nets’ two interim campaigns at the Prudential Center, and their longer tenure at the Izod Center in East Rutherford before that, the abundant emptiness inside the bowl at the house Jay-Z opened with a string of eight sold-out concerts — before ceding the stage to Barbra Streisand — wasn’t a function of waning interest in a franchise counting down the days until it could move forward with the rest of its existence.
Instead, the crowd was so absent — or at the very least, tardy — with many fans not even making an honest attempt to find their seats until the second half, if at all, because they were so preoccupied with everything else the dazzling new billion-dollar arena had to offer.
The Nets’ old home, the Prudential Center, opened in 2007 and has played host to a number of major events, most recently the Stanley Cup Finals in June. But nothing about that building screams, ‘Wow,’ whereas everything about this one does.
Read More: NBA: Brooklyn Nets home debut in Barclays Center, food, amenities draw fans in, then basketball later - NBA News | FOX Sports on MSN
But unlike the Nets’ two interim campaigns at the Prudential Center, and their longer tenure at the Izod Center in East Rutherford before that, the abundant emptiness inside the bowl at the house Jay-Z opened with a string of eight sold-out concerts — before ceding the stage to Barbra Streisand — wasn’t a function of waning interest in a franchise counting down the days until it could move forward with the rest of its existence.
Instead, the crowd was so absent — or at the very least, tardy — with many fans not even making an honest attempt to find their seats until the second half, if at all, because they were so preoccupied with everything else the dazzling new billion-dollar arena had to offer.
The Nets’ old home, the Prudential Center, opened in 2007 and has played host to a number of major events, most recently the Stanley Cup Finals in June. But nothing about that building screams, ‘Wow,’ whereas everything about this one does.
Read More: NBA: Brooklyn Nets home debut in Barclays Center, food, amenities draw fans in, then basketball later - NBA News | FOX Sports on MSN
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Kobe Bryant played like it was the NBA playoffs and not a preseason game, but his performance was not enough to lift his Los Angeles Lakers, as they were blown out 114-80 by the Utah Jazz at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time).
Bryant played 29 minutes, including all 12 of the third quarter, on route to a game-best 31 markers, but it wasn't enough to top the Jazz, which saw seven players hit double figures in scoring. The Lakers in contrast, had just Jodie Meeks with 12 points, aside from 'The Black Mamba'.
The Lakers led by as much as four points in the first quarter, but after a free throw by Antawn Jamison broke an 11-all tie with 3:09 left in the period, the Jazz closed out the frame out with a 15-3 run, to lead 26-15 after 12 minutes of play.
Utah was on top by as much as 41 points, 101-60, on a lay-up by DeMarre Carroll, off an assist by Randy Foye, with 8:23 left in the game.
Gordon Hayward led Utah with 13 points, while Al Jefferson and Alec Burks added 12 each.
LA played minus power forward Pau Gasol, while Steve Nash figured in just 12 minutes, tallying two points and four turnovers.
In Indianapolis, the home team Pacers got 20 points from Paul George and a 16-point, 11-rebound, six-block effort from Roy Hibbert to bounce the Atlanta Hawks, 102-98.
Over in Boston, Mirza Teletovis stole the game for the Brooklyn Nets, getting a split from the foul line that ultimately gave the newly-christened franchise a 97-96 win. The Celtics had two looks to try to pull off the win, but Micah Downs and Kris Joseph had their attempts rebuffed.
Paul Pierce poured in 29 points, but the second-string Nets proved feistier, gutting out the win without Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez, Gerald Wallace and Deron Williams, who all sat out the game.
In other matches, the Detroit Pistons kept the Orlando Magic winless in the preseason with a 112-86 victory, the Chicago Bulls squeaked by the Milwaukee Bucks 100-94, the reigning Western Conference champions Oklahoma City Thunder easily handled the Charlotte Bobcats 120-98, and the visiting Maccabi Haifa were dispatched by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 114-81.
NBA: Lakers fall despite 31 from Kobe Bryant | Sports | GMA News Online | The Go-To Site for Filipinos Everywhere
Bryant played 29 minutes, including all 12 of the third quarter, on route to a game-best 31 markers, but it wasn't enough to top the Jazz, which saw seven players hit double figures in scoring. The Lakers in contrast, had just Jodie Meeks with 12 points, aside from 'The Black Mamba'.
The Lakers led by as much as four points in the first quarter, but after a free throw by Antawn Jamison broke an 11-all tie with 3:09 left in the period, the Jazz closed out the frame out with a 15-3 run, to lead 26-15 after 12 minutes of play.
Utah was on top by as much as 41 points, 101-60, on a lay-up by DeMarre Carroll, off an assist by Randy Foye, with 8:23 left in the game.
Gordon Hayward led Utah with 13 points, while Al Jefferson and Alec Burks added 12 each.
LA played minus power forward Pau Gasol, while Steve Nash figured in just 12 minutes, tallying two points and four turnovers.
In Indianapolis, the home team Pacers got 20 points from Paul George and a 16-point, 11-rebound, six-block effort from Roy Hibbert to bounce the Atlanta Hawks, 102-98.
Over in Boston, Mirza Teletovis stole the game for the Brooklyn Nets, getting a split from the foul line that ultimately gave the newly-christened franchise a 97-96 win. The Celtics had two looks to try to pull off the win, but Micah Downs and Kris Joseph had their attempts rebuffed.
Paul Pierce poured in 29 points, but the second-string Nets proved feistier, gutting out the win without Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez, Gerald Wallace and Deron Williams, who all sat out the game.
In other matches, the Detroit Pistons kept the Orlando Magic winless in the preseason with a 112-86 victory, the Chicago Bulls squeaked by the Milwaukee Bucks 100-94, the reigning Western Conference champions Oklahoma City Thunder easily handled the Charlotte Bobcats 120-98, and the visiting Maccabi Haifa were dispatched by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 114-81.
NBA: Lakers fall despite 31 from Kobe Bryant | Sports | GMA News Online | The Go-To Site for Filipinos Everywhere
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Game clock, shot clock -- the NBA has had such success with timing stuff, it's adding another clock.
The handshake clock.
The league decided it was necessary because too many games were starting late while players completed intricate handshake, etc., routines with teammates before the tip-off.
Now, when player introductions are completed, the league will put 90 seconds on the scoreboard clock. If players aren't ready to go at zero, it's a delay of game warning.
A second warning is a technical foul.
"I personally don't like it," the Thunder's Kevin Durant told the Oklahoman. "Every player in this league has routines they do with their teammates, rituals they do before the game and before they walk on the floor.
"The fans like it. The fans enjoy it. You see the fans mimicking the guys who do their stuff before the game. To cut that down really don't make no sense. Why would you do it? I really don't agree with it, but I don't make the rules."
Durant said he just planned to speed up his routine.
Ticker: NBA to limit pregame routines | Other Sports | Detroit Free Press | freep-com
The handshake clock.
The league decided it was necessary because too many games were starting late while players completed intricate handshake, etc., routines with teammates before the tip-off.
Now, when player introductions are completed, the league will put 90 seconds on the scoreboard clock. If players aren't ready to go at zero, it's a delay of game warning.
A second warning is a technical foul.
"I personally don't like it," the Thunder's Kevin Durant told the Oklahoman. "Every player in this league has routines they do with their teammates, rituals they do before the game and before they walk on the floor.
"The fans like it. The fans enjoy it. You see the fans mimicking the guys who do their stuff before the game. To cut that down really don't make no sense. Why would you do it? I really don't agree with it, but I don't make the rules."
Durant said he just planned to speed up his routine.
Ticker: NBA to limit pregame routines | Other Sports | Detroit Free Press | freep-com
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Capital Region basketball fans are showing they're interested in seeing NBA stars Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo come to town.
Times Union Center general manager Bob Belber said Thursday there are more than 10,000 tickets sold for the New York Knicks' preseason game against the Boston Celtics at 7:30 Saturday night. The two franchises, who have been playing since the NBA was founded in 1946, were supposed to meet in Albany last year until the game was canceled by the lockout.
"I will tell you it was a major disappointment to us last year to have the lockout take place just prior to the game," Belber said. "That was unfortunate that it happened. Obviously, we know these things happen. We're really happy the NBA is done with their agreement and this game is going to take place."
The Knicks and Celtics have faced each other once before in Albany — on Oct. 22, 1996, when Boston prevailed 104-98 at then-Knickerbocker Arena before a crowd of 13,692.
Read more: Albany filling seats for NBA - Times Union
Times Union Center general manager Bob Belber said Thursday there are more than 10,000 tickets sold for the New York Knicks' preseason game against the Boston Celtics at 7:30 Saturday night. The two franchises, who have been playing since the NBA was founded in 1946, were supposed to meet in Albany last year until the game was canceled by the lockout.
"I will tell you it was a major disappointment to us last year to have the lockout take place just prior to the game," Belber said. "That was unfortunate that it happened. Obviously, we know these things happen. We're really happy the NBA is done with their agreement and this game is going to take place."
The Knicks and Celtics have faced each other once before in Albany — on Oct. 22, 1996, when Boston prevailed 104-98 at then-Knickerbocker Arena before a crowd of 13,692.
Read more: Albany filling seats for NBA - Times Union
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This was back when Chris Mullin had just retired and was living out on Long Island, the year that Jason Kidd and his New Jersey Nets defied every odd imaginable by getting to the 2002 NBA Finals. Mullin’s old “Run-TMC” teammate from his Warrior days, Mitch Richmond, was at the end of his career and at the end of Phil Jackson’s bench, watching Shaquille O’Neal bulldoze his way to a second straight title, with Kobe Bryant riding shotgun.
Mullin and Richmond wanted to get together during the Finals and catch up over dinner, but Mullin drew the line at the Hudson River.
“I told Mitch I was not coming out to Jersey to see him, he could come into the city,” Mullin said. “That Finals didn’t even register on the Richter scale in the city. Because it was out in the Meadowlands. Now if that was in Brooklyn, it would have been something else.”
Ten years later, Mullin says he is very eager to see what the new team in his old borough has in store, not just for the NBA, but also for the team he grew up rooting for on Troy Avenue in the Flatlands as he was making a name for himself as one of the greatest players to come out of New York.
“We knew about the ABA Nets,” Mullin said the other night in the Bell Centre in Montreal, where he represented the NBA for the preseason game between the Knicks and Toronto Raptors. “But back then my neighborhood was Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere. That was our squad. Red Holzman. Hit the open man. You know what I mean?”
Millions of New Yorkers still do. But the Nets have crossed back over the New York state line. So how’s Brooklyn going to root now?
“There’s some die-hard Knick fans still in Brooklyn, but you’ve also got die-hard Brooklyn people who are going to embrace the Nets, no doubt,” Mullin said. “I mean, Brooklyn has, what, seven, eight million people? There’s more than enough people there. It’s a can’t-miss for the Nets.”
Mullin sat courtside in Montreal and watched the Knicks stumble through a loss to the Raptors on the front end of a back-to-back. Saturday night, they were here in the state capital, trying to find cohesion while still not being able to put all of their regulars — including Amar’e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, Carmleo Anthony and Jason Kidd — on the floor against the Boston Celtics, who didn’t have Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett or Brandon Bass. The Celtics defeated the Knicks, 109-98.
At the moment, New York’s new team is ahead of the old team. Avery Johnson has been able to get his greatly improved starting five on the court for the exhibition schedule, while Mike Woodson still is waiting for that day to come.
Woodson’s desire to make the Knicks a formidable defensive team isn’t being helped by the fact that new shooting guard Ronnie Brewer and Marcus Camby, who could be a key frontcourt reserve, continue to miss preseason games. After Monday’s night game in Syracuse, there’s only one more preseason tune-up, Wednesday against the Nets, and then the games start counting.
There are only 11 more days until the Knick-Net rivalry goes to a whole, new level.
“It’s great for Brooklyn,” Mullin said. “It’s great for the rivalry. It’s great for New York City. And it’s going to push the Knicks.”
If it’s in the direction of those championship teams Mullin grew up rooting for, some folks back in the Flatlands just might like it.
Read more: Brooklyn-native and NBA Hall of Famer Chris Mullin likes Nets move to hometown - NY Daily News
Mullin and Richmond wanted to get together during the Finals and catch up over dinner, but Mullin drew the line at the Hudson River.
“I told Mitch I was not coming out to Jersey to see him, he could come into the city,” Mullin said. “That Finals didn’t even register on the Richter scale in the city. Because it was out in the Meadowlands. Now if that was in Brooklyn, it would have been something else.”
Ten years later, Mullin says he is very eager to see what the new team in his old borough has in store, not just for the NBA, but also for the team he grew up rooting for on Troy Avenue in the Flatlands as he was making a name for himself as one of the greatest players to come out of New York.
“We knew about the ABA Nets,” Mullin said the other night in the Bell Centre in Montreal, where he represented the NBA for the preseason game between the Knicks and Toronto Raptors. “But back then my neighborhood was Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere. That was our squad. Red Holzman. Hit the open man. You know what I mean?”
Millions of New Yorkers still do. But the Nets have crossed back over the New York state line. So how’s Brooklyn going to root now?
“There’s some die-hard Knick fans still in Brooklyn, but you’ve also got die-hard Brooklyn people who are going to embrace the Nets, no doubt,” Mullin said. “I mean, Brooklyn has, what, seven, eight million people? There’s more than enough people there. It’s a can’t-miss for the Nets.”
Mullin sat courtside in Montreal and watched the Knicks stumble through a loss to the Raptors on the front end of a back-to-back. Saturday night, they were here in the state capital, trying to find cohesion while still not being able to put all of their regulars — including Amar’e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, Carmleo Anthony and Jason Kidd — on the floor against the Boston Celtics, who didn’t have Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett or Brandon Bass. The Celtics defeated the Knicks, 109-98.
At the moment, New York’s new team is ahead of the old team. Avery Johnson has been able to get his greatly improved starting five on the court for the exhibition schedule, while Mike Woodson still is waiting for that day to come.
Woodson’s desire to make the Knicks a formidable defensive team isn’t being helped by the fact that new shooting guard Ronnie Brewer and Marcus Camby, who could be a key frontcourt reserve, continue to miss preseason games. After Monday’s night game in Syracuse, there’s only one more preseason tune-up, Wednesday against the Nets, and then the games start counting.
There are only 11 more days until the Knick-Net rivalry goes to a whole, new level.
“It’s great for Brooklyn,” Mullin said. “It’s great for the rivalry. It’s great for New York City. And it’s going to push the Knicks.”
If it’s in the direction of those championship teams Mullin grew up rooting for, some folks back in the Flatlands just might like it.
Read more: Brooklyn-native and NBA Hall of Famer Chris Mullin likes Nets move to hometown - NY Daily News
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Four months have passed since LeBron James waltzed off with the Larry O’Brien trophy after dismantling Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals. And two weeks since I gagged over that last statement.
During the lengthy time span, the league saw an increased jump in blockbuster trades — the result of owners panicking amidst the unstoppable and eventual Miami Heat dynasty. As such, the NBA bears little resemblance to what the league witnessed last season.
In other words: if you haven’t followed the trade/free agency frenzy over the summer, you might want to check your team’s roster to make sure they are still your team.
Yes, folks, the NBA season looms, which will either stir your pot or burst your bubble depending on your team of choice.
Me? I’m a Jazz fan. And a devout traditionalist. I like to hear stories about the NBA’s Golden Era when players remained with the team that drafted them; and enjoy reading about Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, the poster boys of the gritty, hard-knocking 80s style of play.
But even I’ll admit the upcoming season has me more than a little curious.
Just look at the Lakers: Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, and Pau Gasol — a lineup not far removed from a 2K12 video game after a player has stacked his or her squad with the league’s top talent and set the cheats to maximum.
Check out the Clippers, or the other Hollywood team that nobody but Billy Crystal cared about until now: Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Eric Bledsoe are joined by former Clipper Lamar Odom (Dallas), Grant Hill (Phoenix), Jamal Crawford (Portland), Matt Barnes (Lakers), and Willie Green (New Oreans).
Head over to Dallas and you’ll find Darren Collison (Indiana), O.J. Mayo (Memphis), Elton Brand (Philly), Chris Kaman (New Orleans), and Patrick Duffy. And they still have Dirk Nowitzki.
The Brooklyn Nets retained Deron Williams and packed on Joe Johnson, the Celtics lost Ray Allen, but picked up Jason Terry, the Nuggets stole Andre Iguodala from the 76ers, New York added Jason Kidd, Ronnie Brewer and brought back point guard Raymond Felton, Minnesota signed resurrected outcasts Brandon Roy and Andrei Kirilenko, both of whom give the Wolves a solid defensive unit, or two more insurance liabilities to go with Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love.
Read More: www-thespectrum-com/article/20121021/SPORTS/310210002/The-new-face-NBA
During the lengthy time span, the league saw an increased jump in blockbuster trades — the result of owners panicking amidst the unstoppable and eventual Miami Heat dynasty. As such, the NBA bears little resemblance to what the league witnessed last season.
In other words: if you haven’t followed the trade/free agency frenzy over the summer, you might want to check your team’s roster to make sure they are still your team.
Yes, folks, the NBA season looms, which will either stir your pot or burst your bubble depending on your team of choice.
Me? I’m a Jazz fan. And a devout traditionalist. I like to hear stories about the NBA’s Golden Era when players remained with the team that drafted them; and enjoy reading about Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, the poster boys of the gritty, hard-knocking 80s style of play.
But even I’ll admit the upcoming season has me more than a little curious.
Just look at the Lakers: Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, and Pau Gasol — a lineup not far removed from a 2K12 video game after a player has stacked his or her squad with the league’s top talent and set the cheats to maximum.
Check out the Clippers, or the other Hollywood team that nobody but Billy Crystal cared about until now: Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Eric Bledsoe are joined by former Clipper Lamar Odom (Dallas), Grant Hill (Phoenix), Jamal Crawford (Portland), Matt Barnes (Lakers), and Willie Green (New Oreans).
Head over to Dallas and you’ll find Darren Collison (Indiana), O.J. Mayo (Memphis), Elton Brand (Philly), Chris Kaman (New Orleans), and Patrick Duffy. And they still have Dirk Nowitzki.
The Brooklyn Nets retained Deron Williams and packed on Joe Johnson, the Celtics lost Ray Allen, but picked up Jason Terry, the Nuggets stole Andre Iguodala from the 76ers, New York added Jason Kidd, Ronnie Brewer and brought back point guard Raymond Felton, Minnesota signed resurrected outcasts Brandon Roy and Andrei Kirilenko, both of whom give the Wolves a solid defensive unit, or two more insurance liabilities to go with Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love.
Read More: www-thespectrum-com/article/20121021/SPORTS/310210002/The-new-face-NBA
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NBA rumors are indicating that Ryan Anderson will come off the bench for the New Orleans Hornets. As reported by The Times Picayune on Monday (October 22), the Hornets may turn to forward Lance Thomas to provide more toughness for the starting line. On a team littered with young players and the No. 1 overall selection of the 2012 NBA Draft (Anthony Davis), Thomas might be able to offer the team something it hasn't shown in a few seasons.
This is certainly bad news for any fantasy basketball owners who thought that Anderson was going to be the starting power forward in New Orleans. It definitely means that his numbers are going to take a hit and that he will possibly even see fewer minutes than when he played for the Orlando Magic. The other problem for New Orleans is that the team simply doesn't have a lot of depth on offense, so moving Anderson to the bench finally gives them a scoring threat with the second unit.
Last season, Anderson played in 61 games for the Magic, averaging 32.2 minutes per game. He put up 16.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 6.9 three-point attempts per game as well. Anderson is definitely a great threat from three-point range, averaging 2.7 makes per game. He may get called on again to do that in New Orleans, especially if the team starts falling behind in games early.
In the world of fantasy basketball, Ryan Anderson just took a huge hit. Though these are just early NBA rumors, it seems to make sense for the New Orleans Hornets to have Anderson in the second unit. If the losses start to mount, though, Anderson could see added minutes come his way. This might be the opportune time to trade him away in fantasy leagues, though, especially if he does start to become an afterthought for the team.
NBA rumors: Ryan Anderson heading to bench for New Orleans Hornets - National Fantasy Basketball | Examiner-com
This is certainly bad news for any fantasy basketball owners who thought that Anderson was going to be the starting power forward in New Orleans. It definitely means that his numbers are going to take a hit and that he will possibly even see fewer minutes than when he played for the Orlando Magic. The other problem for New Orleans is that the team simply doesn't have a lot of depth on offense, so moving Anderson to the bench finally gives them a scoring threat with the second unit.
Last season, Anderson played in 61 games for the Magic, averaging 32.2 minutes per game. He put up 16.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 6.9 three-point attempts per game as well. Anderson is definitely a great threat from three-point range, averaging 2.7 makes per game. He may get called on again to do that in New Orleans, especially if the team starts falling behind in games early.
In the world of fantasy basketball, Ryan Anderson just took a huge hit. Though these are just early NBA rumors, it seems to make sense for the New Orleans Hornets to have Anderson in the second unit. If the losses start to mount, though, Anderson could see added minutes come his way. This might be the opportune time to trade him away in fantasy leagues, though, especially if he does start to become an afterthought for the team.
NBA rumors: Ryan Anderson heading to bench for New Orleans Hornets - National Fantasy Basketball | Examiner-com
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A New Jersey woman who worked for the NBA as a senior account executive filed a $3 million gender discrimination lawsuit against the league Tuesday, saying it forced her and two other women with young children out of their jobs.
Lawyers for Brynn Cohn of Hoboken filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, seeking unspecified damages from the National Basketball Association. The lawsuit said Cohn and two other women with young children were forced out of their jobs by a hostile environment toward working mothers with childcare responsibilities. Cohn worked at the NBA for the last decade. She was a senior account manager managing print projects until her lawyers say she was forced to resign in January 2011. She has a 2-year-old child.
A spokesman for the National Basketball Association did not immediately return a message for comment.
The lawsuit accused the NBA of changing her department’s hours while she was on pregnancy leave, requiring that she and other women with caregiving responsibilities work at the office into the evenings when there was no reason for late hours.
Unable to spend thousands of more dollars for alternative childcare, Cohn was forced out of the company, along with the other women, the lawsuit said.
“This lawsuit lays bare the open hostility to which women with young children are consistently subjected as NBA employees,” said David Sanford, lawyer for Cohn. “In Ms. Cohn’s case, this hostility took the form of discrimination in compensation and promotion opportunities, as well as the adoption of policies at the NBA designed to push out working mothers.”
Ex-NBA employee files $3M gender discrimination NY lawsuit, saying NBA is unfair to mothers - The Washington Post
Lawyers for Brynn Cohn of Hoboken filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, seeking unspecified damages from the National Basketball Association. The lawsuit said Cohn and two other women with young children were forced out of their jobs by a hostile environment toward working mothers with childcare responsibilities. Cohn worked at the NBA for the last decade. She was a senior account manager managing print projects until her lawyers say she was forced to resign in January 2011. She has a 2-year-old child.
A spokesman for the National Basketball Association did not immediately return a message for comment.
The lawsuit accused the NBA of changing her department’s hours while she was on pregnancy leave, requiring that she and other women with caregiving responsibilities work at the office into the evenings when there was no reason for late hours.
Unable to spend thousands of more dollars for alternative childcare, Cohn was forced out of the company, along with the other women, the lawsuit said.
“This lawsuit lays bare the open hostility to which women with young children are consistently subjected as NBA employees,” said David Sanford, lawyer for Cohn. “In Ms. Cohn’s case, this hostility took the form of discrimination in compensation and promotion opportunities, as well as the adoption of policies at the NBA designed to push out working mothers.”
Ex-NBA employee files $3M gender discrimination NY lawsuit, saying NBA is unfair to mothers - The Washington Post
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The Los Angeles Lakers have shut down Kobe Bryant for the remainder of the preseason in a bid to get the ailing All Star guard fit for next week's regular season opener, the team said on Wednesday.
Bryant, who strained his right foot at the weekend, missed the Lakers' exhibition loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and will also sit out of Thursday's preseason finale against Sacramento.
The Lakers begin their regular season campaign on Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks.
The 34-year-old Bryant, entering his 17th NBA campaign, would have his injury reevaluated this weekend, the Lakers said on their official website.
Bryant is pursuing his sixth NBA Championship and the Lakers have surrounded him with the talent to do so, acquiring All Stars Dwight Howard and Steve Nash in the offseason.
Howard made his Lakers debut on Sunday, his first action since he underwent back surgery in April. After sitting out against the Clippers on Wednesday, Howard is expected to play against Sacramento and should be ready for the opening regular season game.
NBA-Lakers to rest Bryant ahead of season start - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Bryant, who strained his right foot at the weekend, missed the Lakers' exhibition loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and will also sit out of Thursday's preseason finale against Sacramento.
The Lakers begin their regular season campaign on Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks.
The 34-year-old Bryant, entering his 17th NBA campaign, would have his injury reevaluated this weekend, the Lakers said on their official website.
Bryant is pursuing his sixth NBA Championship and the Lakers have surrounded him with the talent to do so, acquiring All Stars Dwight Howard and Steve Nash in the offseason.
Howard made his Lakers debut on Sunday, his first action since he underwent back surgery in April. After sitting out against the Clippers on Wednesday, Howard is expected to play against Sacramento and should be ready for the opening regular season game.
NBA-Lakers to rest Bryant ahead of season start - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
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NBA board approves sale of Grizzlies
The NBA board of governors approved Michael Heisley’s sale of the Memphis Grizzlies to a group headed by California technology entrepreneur Robert J. Pera on Thursday. The sale, which still must be finalized, is reportedly for $350 million and Pera has lined up a group of minority partners, including Justin Timberlake, Penny Hardaway, and Peyton Manning’s wife, Ashley . . . Los Angeles guard Kobe Bryant (bruised and strained right foot) is questionable for Tuesday’s opener against Dallas . . . Dallas guard Delonte West was suspended for the second time in as many weeks for conduct detrimental to the team. A source told ESPN that West will not return to the Mavericks after the suspension . . . Bill Laimbeer will be the general manager and coach of the WNBA’s New York Liberty. Laimbeer led the Detroit Shock to three WNBA titles as the team’s GM and coach from 2002-09.
SportsLog: NBA approves sale of Memphis Grizzlies - Other Sports - Boston-com
The NBA board of governors approved Michael Heisley’s sale of the Memphis Grizzlies to a group headed by California technology entrepreneur Robert J. Pera on Thursday. The sale, which still must be finalized, is reportedly for $350 million and Pera has lined up a group of minority partners, including Justin Timberlake, Penny Hardaway, and Peyton Manning’s wife, Ashley . . . Los Angeles guard Kobe Bryant (bruised and strained right foot) is questionable for Tuesday’s opener against Dallas . . . Dallas guard Delonte West was suspended for the second time in as many weeks for conduct detrimental to the team. A source told ESPN that West will not return to the Mavericks after the suspension . . . Bill Laimbeer will be the general manager and coach of the WNBA’s New York Liberty. Laimbeer led the Detroit Shock to three WNBA titles as the team’s GM and coach from 2002-09.
SportsLog: NBA approves sale of Memphis Grizzlies - Other Sports - Boston-com
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NBA Commissioner slammed President Obama for having an inflated sense of his abilities on the court
David Stern, a loyal Democrat, said Obama is just 'not that good'
The Commander-in-Chief is an avid fan, organizing exclusive pickup games in the Beltway
Insisting on a no holds barred match, Obama had to receive 12 stitches after he was elbowed during a 2010 game
NBA Commissioner David Stern has seen his fair share of impressive court moves throughout his tenure as head of the U.S. basketball league and he has ruled that President Barack Obama just doesn't have game.
Despite his loyal Democratic ties, Stern wouldn't stoop so low to compliment Obama on his court performance, saying the Commander-in-Chief has an inflated sense of his ability in an interview released on Friday.
But Stern did have some praise for the president, saying Obama's enthusiasm has done some good for the sport.
Read more: 'Obama's not as good as he thinks he is': NBA Commissioner says President's basketball skills are lackluster at best | Mail Online
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David Stern, a loyal Democrat, said Obama is just 'not that good'
The Commander-in-Chief is an avid fan, organizing exclusive pickup games in the Beltway
Insisting on a no holds barred match, Obama had to receive 12 stitches after he was elbowed during a 2010 game
NBA Commissioner David Stern has seen his fair share of impressive court moves throughout his tenure as head of the U.S. basketball league and he has ruled that President Barack Obama just doesn't have game.
Despite his loyal Democratic ties, Stern wouldn't stoop so low to compliment Obama on his court performance, saying the Commander-in-Chief has an inflated sense of his ability in an interview released on Friday.
But Stern did have some praise for the president, saying Obama's enthusiasm has done some good for the sport.
Read more: 'Obama's not as good as he thinks he is': NBA Commissioner says President's basketball skills are lackluster at best | Mail Online
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LeBron James against Kobe Bryant, the dream NBA Finals that's never become a reality.
Maybe this is the year.
James' Miami Heat are on top of the league and got even stronger this summer, but nobody loaded up like the Lakers, who acquired Dwight Howard and Steve Nash.
One team or the other has appeared in the last six NBA Finals. Now, with more help than either has ever had, James and Bryant both will face title expectations — and a sense they're due for that long-awaited showdown with each other in June.
"If we see that matchup, Kobe vs. LeBron, I think it would break all the records," Lakers Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst Magic Johnson said. "I think the viewership would be off the charts."
It's no guarantee, of course. The Oklahoma City Thunder might still be best in the West, making a James-Kevin Durant rematch in the finals just as likely as James-Bryant. Or maybe the Boston Celtics, who came so close to knocking out the Heat last year, can finish the job this time even after Ray Allen ditched them to join James on South Beach.
But even the guys chasing the King concede how difficult it will be to dethrone him.
"I think everyone knew if he won one that it's going to be hard for everybody. ... I'm hoping there's enough good teams, and we can be one of them, that we can knock him off," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.
"The good news is he's the clear target. We know who we're going after, there's no doubt about that. But he's awful good. He's a good guy, he's great for the league and he's a great player. That's good for everything. But now let's beat him."
The Celtics get the first shot, visiting the Heat in Tuesday's season opener. The Lakers open later that night against Dallas, and for a change all eyes at Staples Center won't be only on Bryant.
The Lakers acquired the NBA's best big man in Howard after surprisingly adding Nash, long one of the league's best point guards, earlier in the summer. Just like that, a team that couldn't get out of the second round the last two years put itself right back in the hunt for what would be Bryant's sixth championship.
Read More: NBA preview: Is Kobe vs. LeBron final in the works? | SeacoastOnline-com
Maybe this is the year.
James' Miami Heat are on top of the league and got even stronger this summer, but nobody loaded up like the Lakers, who acquired Dwight Howard and Steve Nash.
One team or the other has appeared in the last six NBA Finals. Now, with more help than either has ever had, James and Bryant both will face title expectations — and a sense they're due for that long-awaited showdown with each other in June.
"If we see that matchup, Kobe vs. LeBron, I think it would break all the records," Lakers Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst Magic Johnson said. "I think the viewership would be off the charts."
It's no guarantee, of course. The Oklahoma City Thunder might still be best in the West, making a James-Kevin Durant rematch in the finals just as likely as James-Bryant. Or maybe the Boston Celtics, who came so close to knocking out the Heat last year, can finish the job this time even after Ray Allen ditched them to join James on South Beach.
But even the guys chasing the King concede how difficult it will be to dethrone him.
"I think everyone knew if he won one that it's going to be hard for everybody. ... I'm hoping there's enough good teams, and we can be one of them, that we can knock him off," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.
"The good news is he's the clear target. We know who we're going after, there's no doubt about that. But he's awful good. He's a good guy, he's great for the league and he's a great player. That's good for everything. But now let's beat him."
The Celtics get the first shot, visiting the Heat in Tuesday's season opener. The Lakers open later that night against Dallas, and for a change all eyes at Staples Center won't be only on Bryant.
The Lakers acquired the NBA's best big man in Howard after surprisingly adding Nash, long one of the league's best point guards, earlier in the summer. Just like that, a team that couldn't get out of the second round the last two years put itself right back in the hunt for what would be Bryant's sixth championship.
Read More: NBA preview: Is Kobe vs. LeBron final in the works? | SeacoastOnline-com
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James Harden plans to sign a long-term extension with the Houston Rockets before the regular season begins.
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year joined his new team Sunday after he was traded to the Rockets from Oklahoma City late Saturday.
The Thunder acquired guards Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb, two first-round picks and a second-round pick in the surprising deal. Oklahoma City also sent center Cole Aldrich and forwards Daequan Cook and Lazar Hayward to Houston.
"It happened so fast, it happened very fast," Harden said. "But this is the position I'm in now. Just have to make the best out of it. I'm with Houston now. I just have to come in here and play hard and win games."
Thunder general manager Sam Presti said Houston was able to offer Harden a contract that Oklahoma City could not.
"Quite honestly, the value of the trade was greater based on the fact that the Rockets could offer him the contract that he was seeking," Presti said. "By doing it when we did it, it allowed the Rockets to secure -- or I believe it will allow the Rockets to secure him and James will get the contract that he was seeking. And because of that, we were able to capitalize on the trade and probably get a little bit more than we would have if we would have waited."
Harden was a first-round pick by Oklahoma City out of Arizona State in 2009. He started only seven games in three seasons, but he became an indispensable reserve. Last year, he averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Allen awaits opener
There's no shortage of potentially awkward events for Ray Allen to endure Tuesday night.
Most of his new Miami Heat teammates will receive title rings.
He won't be among them.
When the franchise's second title banner gets raised to the rafters, Allen isn't sure how he's supposed to react.
And all that hubbub will occur as his past collides with his future -- his former team, the Boston Celtics, will be the opponent awaiting the Heat when their pregame tribute to the 2012 NBA title ends.
"It's their moment," Allen said.
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade both said they would have preferred the ring ceremony to happen tonight, so that nothing interferes with the importance of the game Tuesday night.
Read more here: NBA notes: James Harden plans to sign long-term deal with Houston Rockets | Dallas-Fort Worth...
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year joined his new team Sunday after he was traded to the Rockets from Oklahoma City late Saturday.
The Thunder acquired guards Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb, two first-round picks and a second-round pick in the surprising deal. Oklahoma City also sent center Cole Aldrich and forwards Daequan Cook and Lazar Hayward to Houston.
"It happened so fast, it happened very fast," Harden said. "But this is the position I'm in now. Just have to make the best out of it. I'm with Houston now. I just have to come in here and play hard and win games."
Thunder general manager Sam Presti said Houston was able to offer Harden a contract that Oklahoma City could not.
"Quite honestly, the value of the trade was greater based on the fact that the Rockets could offer him the contract that he was seeking," Presti said. "By doing it when we did it, it allowed the Rockets to secure -- or I believe it will allow the Rockets to secure him and James will get the contract that he was seeking. And because of that, we were able to capitalize on the trade and probably get a little bit more than we would have if we would have waited."
Harden was a first-round pick by Oklahoma City out of Arizona State in 2009. He started only seven games in three seasons, but he became an indispensable reserve. Last year, he averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Allen awaits opener
There's no shortage of potentially awkward events for Ray Allen to endure Tuesday night.
Most of his new Miami Heat teammates will receive title rings.
He won't be among them.
When the franchise's second title banner gets raised to the rafters, Allen isn't sure how he's supposed to react.
And all that hubbub will occur as his past collides with his future -- his former team, the Boston Celtics, will be the opponent awaiting the Heat when their pregame tribute to the 2012 NBA title ends.
"It's their moment," Allen said.
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade both said they would have preferred the ring ceremony to happen tonight, so that nothing interferes with the importance of the game Tuesday night.
Read more here: NBA notes: James Harden plans to sign long-term deal with Houston Rockets | Dallas-Fort Worth...
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Kobe Bryant has missed the last week of practice with an injury. His teammates still don't know their new offense. And the Los Angeles Lakers just finished the first winless preseason in franchise history.
Ready or not — and most signs point to not — the Lakers' regular season has arrived.
Bryant sat out Monday while his teammates went through a lengthy workout ahead of tonight's opener against Dallas. It's the first of four games in six days for a star-studded club with championship aspirations, but plenty of work ahead.
"I think all of us are ready (for) the popcorn and the lights to come on tomorrow," said Dwight Howard, who played in just two preseason games while returning deliberately from back surgery. "It's not going to come overnight. We all understand that. We just have to stay patient through the whole process. We have to keep working, and we'll be fine."
Bryant might not be fine for a bit longer. The fifth-leading scorer in NBA history is resting his right foot, which was bruised and strained last week, and the Lakers won't decide whether he'll play against the Mavericks until game time.
He showed up at the Lakers' training complex Monday for treatment and practice, yelling at his teammates from the sideline while Jodie Meeks ran with the Los Angeles' starters.
"We've got to worry about that when it comes, but I can see him playing tomorrow, definitely," Metta World Peace said of Bryant. "When Kobe is hurt, whether it's the preseason or the playoffs, he plays. … Kobe has never been afraid to be hurt and play. I think his mind is different from other people."
MAVERICKS DUMP WEST: The Dallas Mavericks are moving on without guard Delonte West, and their starting center for tonight's season-opener on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers will likely be someone who wasn't even on the roster a week ago.
The Mavericks waived West on Monday, the eve of a second straight season with a major roster makeover. West was part of the first retooling a year ago, and figured to be a valuable role player again before two suspensions in as many weeks for conduct detrimental to the team.
Dallas had to dump West to make room for Eddy Curry, a journeyman center who was picked up last week after San Antonio let him go. Curry likely will get the start against the Lakers because Chris Kaman and backup Brandon Wright are battling injuries.
Read More: NBA notes: Kobe Bryant still iffy for season-opener | Deseret News
Ready or not — and most signs point to not — the Lakers' regular season has arrived.
Bryant sat out Monday while his teammates went through a lengthy workout ahead of tonight's opener against Dallas. It's the first of four games in six days for a star-studded club with championship aspirations, but plenty of work ahead.
"I think all of us are ready (for) the popcorn and the lights to come on tomorrow," said Dwight Howard, who played in just two preseason games while returning deliberately from back surgery. "It's not going to come overnight. We all understand that. We just have to stay patient through the whole process. We have to keep working, and we'll be fine."
Bryant might not be fine for a bit longer. The fifth-leading scorer in NBA history is resting his right foot, which was bruised and strained last week, and the Lakers won't decide whether he'll play against the Mavericks until game time.
He showed up at the Lakers' training complex Monday for treatment and practice, yelling at his teammates from the sideline while Jodie Meeks ran with the Los Angeles' starters.
"We've got to worry about that when it comes, but I can see him playing tomorrow, definitely," Metta World Peace said of Bryant. "When Kobe is hurt, whether it's the preseason or the playoffs, he plays. … Kobe has never been afraid to be hurt and play. I think his mind is different from other people."
MAVERICKS DUMP WEST: The Dallas Mavericks are moving on without guard Delonte West, and their starting center for tonight's season-opener on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers will likely be someone who wasn't even on the roster a week ago.
The Mavericks waived West on Monday, the eve of a second straight season with a major roster makeover. West was part of the first retooling a year ago, and figured to be a valuable role player again before two suspensions in as many weeks for conduct detrimental to the team.
Dallas had to dump West to make room for Eddy Curry, a journeyman center who was picked up last week after San Antonio let him go. Curry likely will get the start against the Lakers because Chris Kaman and backup Brandon Wright are battling injuries.
Read More: NBA notes: Kobe Bryant still iffy for season-opener | Deseret News
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The most anticipated Brooklyn sports event in a half-century — the Nets’ debut at Barclays Center — will unfold as planned, despite lingering concerns in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The Nets, who are playing under the Brooklyn banner after 35 years in New Jersey, will tip off the new era against the Knicks at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
The game was left in doubt for most of the day Tuesday as the city worked to recover from Monday’s monstrous storm, which knocked out mass transit and left several areas without electricity. The N.B.A. initially deferred any judgment on Thursday’s game while it assessed the situation.
The decision to proceed finally came Tuesday evening and was announced with a one-sentence statement on the N.B.A.’s Twitter feed. League officials declined to elaborate, and it remained unclear how more than 17,000 fans would make their way to the game without subway and rail service, which remained offline because of flooding and storm damage.
Barclays Center was built on a major transit hub, in the hope that most customers would arrive by subway or the Long Island Rail Road. City officials have said it will take four to five days before the bulk of subway service returns.
In a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that he hoped the game would be played and that he planned to attend. But he noted, pointedly, “It’s going to be tough to get there.”
The lack of mass transit could present a nightmare for commuting fans, as well as those living in the surrounding neighborhood. Barclays Center sits on Brooklyn’s busiest intersection, at Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues. Parking in the area is extremely limited.
There were hints earlier Tuesday that the game would be played as scheduled. Both teams, as well as the officiating crew, were advised to plan as if it would be played. TNT, which is broadcasting the game, sent a crew to New York ahead of the hurricane.
“As far as I’ve been told, it’s still on,” Knicks Coach Mike Woodson said. “We’re preparing to play Thursday.”
A Barclays Center spokesman said the arena came through the storm without any serious damage. The only remaining concern, then, is getting fans to the building. The Nets have two more home games coming up, Saturday (against Toronto) and Monday (against Minnesota).
The N.B.A. has postponed 11 regular-season games since 2000, mostly because of severe weather and weather-related travel problems. But league officials have set a high bar for what warrants a postponement. As a general rule, they will allow a game to proceed as long as both teams and the referees can safely reach the arena, even if the game is played before only a few thousand fans.
The N.B.A. consulted with the Nets and the mayor’s office before making the final call, and Bloomberg’s public statement in favor of the game helped influence the decision. The announcement came late in the day because league officials were awaiting final confirmation from city officials.
Rescheduling the Knicks-Nets game would have been challenging, given national television and arena commitments. On the plus side, the league would not have had to factor in travel schedules.
Any delay would have been a blow to the Nets — who are set to host the first major sporting event in Brooklyn since the Dodgers left in 1957 — and to their fans. Team officials have been awaiting this moment ever since ground was broken on the new arena. The franchise has undergone a complete makeover, on and off the court, since leaving New Jersey earlier this year, and is now projected as a top playoff team in the Eastern Conference.
The season opener against the Knicks also heralds the start of a new rivalry. Although the Nets and Knicks have been nominal rivals over the years, there was never as much fascination as there is now, with the Nets playing in the same city.
“That will be a very monumental game for Brooklyn,” said the Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony, who was born in Red Hook. He added, “For us to take place in that first game in history, it’ll be a fun moment for myself, being from Brooklyn, growing up there, knowing that the energy that Brooklyn has right now as a borough. I’m looking forward to that game Thursday.”
Barclays Center did cancel two events in the wake of the hurricane: a Journey concert on Tuesday and a Smashing Pumpkins show scheduled for Wednesday night, presumably because of logistical concerns.
The Nets are already coping with the storm’s aftermath. Their training center in East Rutherford, N.J., lost electricity and was cut off to traffic by flooding and debris, prompting the team to cancel practice Tuesday. The Nets will practice at Barclays Center on Wednesday, and possibly for several more days, depending on how long it takes to restore power at the training center.
Most of the Nets’ players live in New Jersey, which experienced massive flooding and power failures. Two Nets — Josh Childress and Mirza Teletovic — had their homes flooded in Weehawken, forcing them to make alternate living arrangements. Two others — Reggie Evans and C. J. Watson — were without electricity. Tyshawn Taylor’s apartment in Hoboken was surrounded by water.
Most of the team planned to spend Tuesday night in Brooklyn hotels, to simplify their commute to practice on Wednesday.
The Knicks’ training center in Westchester County was unaffected by the storm, and the team practiced there late Tuesday afternoon. Most of their players live close to the facility. Marcus Camby was the only one who could not make it, because of fallen trees in his neighborhood.
“Thank God everything is all right with everybody on the team and their families,” the Knicks’ Tyson Chandler said. “It’s been a little crazy. My heart goes out to everybody and their families, everybody in New York who’s dealing with this.”
www-nytimes-com/2012/10/31/sports/basketball/nba-nets-opener-against-knicks-in-doubt-html?_r=0
The game was left in doubt for most of the day Tuesday as the city worked to recover from Monday’s monstrous storm, which knocked out mass transit and left several areas without electricity. The N.B.A. initially deferred any judgment on Thursday’s game while it assessed the situation.
The decision to proceed finally came Tuesday evening and was announced with a one-sentence statement on the N.B.A.’s Twitter feed. League officials declined to elaborate, and it remained unclear how more than 17,000 fans would make their way to the game without subway and rail service, which remained offline because of flooding and storm damage.
Barclays Center was built on a major transit hub, in the hope that most customers would arrive by subway or the Long Island Rail Road. City officials have said it will take four to five days before the bulk of subway service returns.
In a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that he hoped the game would be played and that he planned to attend. But he noted, pointedly, “It’s going to be tough to get there.”
The lack of mass transit could present a nightmare for commuting fans, as well as those living in the surrounding neighborhood. Barclays Center sits on Brooklyn’s busiest intersection, at Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues. Parking in the area is extremely limited.
There were hints earlier Tuesday that the game would be played as scheduled. Both teams, as well as the officiating crew, were advised to plan as if it would be played. TNT, which is broadcasting the game, sent a crew to New York ahead of the hurricane.
“As far as I’ve been told, it’s still on,” Knicks Coach Mike Woodson said. “We’re preparing to play Thursday.”
A Barclays Center spokesman said the arena came through the storm without any serious damage. The only remaining concern, then, is getting fans to the building. The Nets have two more home games coming up, Saturday (against Toronto) and Monday (against Minnesota).
The N.B.A. has postponed 11 regular-season games since 2000, mostly because of severe weather and weather-related travel problems. But league officials have set a high bar for what warrants a postponement. As a general rule, they will allow a game to proceed as long as both teams and the referees can safely reach the arena, even if the game is played before only a few thousand fans.
The N.B.A. consulted with the Nets and the mayor’s office before making the final call, and Bloomberg’s public statement in favor of the game helped influence the decision. The announcement came late in the day because league officials were awaiting final confirmation from city officials.
Rescheduling the Knicks-Nets game would have been challenging, given national television and arena commitments. On the plus side, the league would not have had to factor in travel schedules.
Any delay would have been a blow to the Nets — who are set to host the first major sporting event in Brooklyn since the Dodgers left in 1957 — and to their fans. Team officials have been awaiting this moment ever since ground was broken on the new arena. The franchise has undergone a complete makeover, on and off the court, since leaving New Jersey earlier this year, and is now projected as a top playoff team in the Eastern Conference.
The season opener against the Knicks also heralds the start of a new rivalry. Although the Nets and Knicks have been nominal rivals over the years, there was never as much fascination as there is now, with the Nets playing in the same city.
“That will be a very monumental game for Brooklyn,” said the Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony, who was born in Red Hook. He added, “For us to take place in that first game in history, it’ll be a fun moment for myself, being from Brooklyn, growing up there, knowing that the energy that Brooklyn has right now as a borough. I’m looking forward to that game Thursday.”
Barclays Center did cancel two events in the wake of the hurricane: a Journey concert on Tuesday and a Smashing Pumpkins show scheduled for Wednesday night, presumably because of logistical concerns.
The Nets are already coping with the storm’s aftermath. Their training center in East Rutherford, N.J., lost electricity and was cut off to traffic by flooding and debris, prompting the team to cancel practice Tuesday. The Nets will practice at Barclays Center on Wednesday, and possibly for several more days, depending on how long it takes to restore power at the training center.
Most of the Nets’ players live in New Jersey, which experienced massive flooding and power failures. Two Nets — Josh Childress and Mirza Teletovic — had their homes flooded in Weehawken, forcing them to make alternate living arrangements. Two others — Reggie Evans and C. J. Watson — were without electricity. Tyshawn Taylor’s apartment in Hoboken was surrounded by water.
Most of the team planned to spend Tuesday night in Brooklyn hotels, to simplify their commute to practice on Wednesday.
The Knicks’ training center in Westchester County was unaffected by the storm, and the team practiced there late Tuesday afternoon. Most of their players live close to the facility. Marcus Camby was the only one who could not make it, because of fallen trees in his neighborhood.
“Thank God everything is all right with everybody on the team and their families,” the Knicks’ Tyson Chandler said. “It’s been a little crazy. My heart goes out to everybody and their families, everybody in New York who’s dealing with this.”
www-nytimes-com/2012/10/31/sports/basketball/nba-nets-opener-against-knicks-in-doubt-html?_r=0
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2006/12/07
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Jamal Crawford scored 29 points in 30 minutes in his first official game with his new team, and the Los Angeles Clippers converted 21 turnovers into 29 points Wednesday night in a 101-92 victory that extended the Memphis Grizzlies' NBA-record streak of opening-night losses to 12.
Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, who had 12 assists, were among six Clippers to score in double figures. The Clippers are 20-23 in season openers, 12-17 since moving from San Diego to Los Angeles in 1984. The Grizzlies are 2-16 on opening night, 0-12 since the franchise shifted from Vancouver to Memphis in 2001.
The Grizzlies got 25 points from Rudy Gay and 20 from Marc Gasol. Zach Randolph, who missed more than two 2 1-2 months last season after tearing the MCL in his right knee and undergoing surgery, had 15 points and 16 rebounds.
The Clippers ended Memphis' 2011-12 season with a win in Game 7 of the Western Conference quarterfinals.
The Grizzlies began their 18th season in the NBA under new management, following the announcement Wednesday that the $377 million sale of the club to a group led by California technology entrepreneur Robert J. Pera had been finalized and that the team will stay in Memphis. Pera's group includes former NBA star Penny Hardaway, as well as actor and singer Justin Timberlake. The league's board of governors approved the sale last Thursday.
Crawford, who signed with the Clippers as a free agent after averaging 14 points in 60 games last season with Portland, gave the Clippers an 83-77 lead with a short jumper and a 3-pointer less than 2 minutes apart after they entered the fourth quarter trailing by four.
Memphis managed to stay close until Paul set up Crawford for a 3-pointer from the left corner with 2:41 remaining for a 96-90 lead, after DeAndre Jordan grabbed a critical offensive rebound of Paul's missed 3-point attempt.
Less than a minute later, Crawford was awarded a basket on a goaltending call against Mike Conley following a steal by Paul, who then threw alley-oop pass to Jordan for a nine-point lead with 1:05 to play.
Gasol powered the Grizzlies to a 53-49 halftime lead with 14 points. They trailed by as many as 12 with about 5 minutes left in the second quarter, but the 7-foot-1 All-Star scored the final eight points of a 12-0 run that tied the score at 46 with 2:41 left in the half.
The Grizzlies and Clippers both set franchise records for winning percentage during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, finishing 4-5 in the Western Conference standings. Memphis was 41-25 and Los Angeles 40-26.
The Clippers made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2006 and only the fifth time in Los Angeles. They were swept by San Antonio in the conference semifinals after beating the Grizzlies in the first round - a seven-game series that included a stunning 99-98 victory in Game 1 after the Clippers trailed by 24 points in the fourth quarter. They became the first team ever to win Games 1 and 7 on the road in a first-round series.
Reserve forward Matt Barnes, who rejoined the Clippers on Sept. 14 as a free agent after playing the last two seasons with the Lakers, served a one-game suspension from the league.
The suspension stemmed from Barnes' arrest in July on suspicion of resisting arrest and threatening a public official, which is a felony, after he was approached on foot by a Manhattan Beach officer who was aware that Barnes had an outstanding warrant for a misdemeanor traffic violation. The 10th-year veteran pleaded no contest to the original misdemeanor charge last month at the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.
NOTES: After learning of his suspension on Tuesday, Barnes wrote on his Twitter page: "My suspension handed down by the NBA 2day is a (hash)JOKE, but best of luck 2 my team 2maro vs a tough Memphis team & ill be ready for Friday vs Lakers." ... The Grizzlies exercised the fourth-year option on swingman Quincy Pondexter's rookie contract, which will pay him $2.2 million next season. He was acquired from New Orleans last December for G Greivis Vasquez. ... Los Angeles has seven players with at least nine seasons of NBA experience - including Grant Hill, who began his 19th pro campaign in street clothes because of a bone bruise on his right knee. ... Conley's steal on a pass by Jordan broke Shane Battier's club record of 523 - in 60 fewer games. Last season, Conley was second in the league with 2.19 steals per game, a franchise best.
Read more here: LOS ANGELES: Clippers open season with win over Grizzlies | NBA Basketball | Macon-com
Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, who had 12 assists, were among six Clippers to score in double figures. The Clippers are 20-23 in season openers, 12-17 since moving from San Diego to Los Angeles in 1984. The Grizzlies are 2-16 on opening night, 0-12 since the franchise shifted from Vancouver to Memphis in 2001.
The Grizzlies got 25 points from Rudy Gay and 20 from Marc Gasol. Zach Randolph, who missed more than two 2 1-2 months last season after tearing the MCL in his right knee and undergoing surgery, had 15 points and 16 rebounds.
The Clippers ended Memphis' 2011-12 season with a win in Game 7 of the Western Conference quarterfinals.
The Grizzlies began their 18th season in the NBA under new management, following the announcement Wednesday that the $377 million sale of the club to a group led by California technology entrepreneur Robert J. Pera had been finalized and that the team will stay in Memphis. Pera's group includes former NBA star Penny Hardaway, as well as actor and singer Justin Timberlake. The league's board of governors approved the sale last Thursday.
Crawford, who signed with the Clippers as a free agent after averaging 14 points in 60 games last season with Portland, gave the Clippers an 83-77 lead with a short jumper and a 3-pointer less than 2 minutes apart after they entered the fourth quarter trailing by four.
Memphis managed to stay close until Paul set up Crawford for a 3-pointer from the left corner with 2:41 remaining for a 96-90 lead, after DeAndre Jordan grabbed a critical offensive rebound of Paul's missed 3-point attempt.
Less than a minute later, Crawford was awarded a basket on a goaltending call against Mike Conley following a steal by Paul, who then threw alley-oop pass to Jordan for a nine-point lead with 1:05 to play.
Gasol powered the Grizzlies to a 53-49 halftime lead with 14 points. They trailed by as many as 12 with about 5 minutes left in the second quarter, but the 7-foot-1 All-Star scored the final eight points of a 12-0 run that tied the score at 46 with 2:41 left in the half.
The Grizzlies and Clippers both set franchise records for winning percentage during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, finishing 4-5 in the Western Conference standings. Memphis was 41-25 and Los Angeles 40-26.
The Clippers made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2006 and only the fifth time in Los Angeles. They were swept by San Antonio in the conference semifinals after beating the Grizzlies in the first round - a seven-game series that included a stunning 99-98 victory in Game 1 after the Clippers trailed by 24 points in the fourth quarter. They became the first team ever to win Games 1 and 7 on the road in a first-round series.
Reserve forward Matt Barnes, who rejoined the Clippers on Sept. 14 as a free agent after playing the last two seasons with the Lakers, served a one-game suspension from the league.
The suspension stemmed from Barnes' arrest in July on suspicion of resisting arrest and threatening a public official, which is a felony, after he was approached on foot by a Manhattan Beach officer who was aware that Barnes had an outstanding warrant for a misdemeanor traffic violation. The 10th-year veteran pleaded no contest to the original misdemeanor charge last month at the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.
NOTES: After learning of his suspension on Tuesday, Barnes wrote on his Twitter page: "My suspension handed down by the NBA 2day is a (hash)JOKE, but best of luck 2 my team 2maro vs a tough Memphis team & ill be ready for Friday vs Lakers." ... The Grizzlies exercised the fourth-year option on swingman Quincy Pondexter's rookie contract, which will pay him $2.2 million next season. He was acquired from New Orleans last December for G Greivis Vasquez. ... Los Angeles has seven players with at least nine seasons of NBA experience - including Grant Hill, who began his 19th pro campaign in street clothes because of a bone bruise on his right knee. ... Conley's steal on a pass by Jordan broke Shane Battier's club record of 523 - in 60 fewer games. Last season, Conley was second in the league with 2.19 steals per game, a franchise best.
Read more here: LOS ANGELES: Clippers open season with win over Grizzlies | NBA Basketball | Macon-com
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As the Los Angeles Lakers' season opens with a heavy dose of doom and gloom, with Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard & Co. already facing questions about their super team that has been anything but in their 0-2 start, their Staples Center roommates couldn't be having more fun.
Oohs and aahs came from Los Angeles Clippers fans Wednesday -- Blake Griffin dunking, contributions from a new supporting cast, point guard Chris Paul transcendent as always in a win against a Memphis Grizzlies team they downed in seven games in last season's Western Conference semifinals.
The same night in Portland, 38-year-old Lakers point guard Steve Nash was hobbling, Bryant was fuming and the pressure that coach Mike Brown swears he welcomes was already building.
As the Lakers and Clippers set to face off Friday night in the most one-sided turf war in all of sports, the rare reality is that the title-less Clippers have a key edge on the team with the 16 NBA championships. In Year 2 of the Clippers' grand plan, Paul and Griffin have worked out so many of the chemistry kinks that can keep a good team from evolving into an overlooked power in the Western Conference.
They are less worried about being the most talked about team than they are about being the best.
"We want to be thought of as a good basketball team, and I think we are," Griffin told USA TODAY Sports. "Like I've said over and over, we're not concerned about the Lakers and what they're doing. We're concerned about ourselves and making sure that we're presenting ourselves the right way and putting our best effort on the court."
How good could the Clippers be? Griffin scored 11 points and Paul 12 against the Grizzlies, but it was reserve guard Jamal Crawford who led the team with 29 points in 30 minutes.
"It's fun to be a part of this, to have guys come off the bench like Jamal and score effortlessly," Paul said. "I want to play every second of the game, but it's fun to be on the bench and cheer guys on, because the way they're playing is exciting."
Lamar Odom, who was drafted fourth overall by the Clippers in 1999 and won two titles in seven seasons with the Lakers, was traded from the Dallas Mavericks back to the Clippers in late June. He says his new team's best could lead to the club's first NBA crown.
Read More: Clippers have leg up on Lakers to start NBA season | Detroit Free Press | freep-com
Oohs and aahs came from Los Angeles Clippers fans Wednesday -- Blake Griffin dunking, contributions from a new supporting cast, point guard Chris Paul transcendent as always in a win against a Memphis Grizzlies team they downed in seven games in last season's Western Conference semifinals.
The same night in Portland, 38-year-old Lakers point guard Steve Nash was hobbling, Bryant was fuming and the pressure that coach Mike Brown swears he welcomes was already building.
As the Lakers and Clippers set to face off Friday night in the most one-sided turf war in all of sports, the rare reality is that the title-less Clippers have a key edge on the team with the 16 NBA championships. In Year 2 of the Clippers' grand plan, Paul and Griffin have worked out so many of the chemistry kinks that can keep a good team from evolving into an overlooked power in the Western Conference.
They are less worried about being the most talked about team than they are about being the best.
"We want to be thought of as a good basketball team, and I think we are," Griffin told USA TODAY Sports. "Like I've said over and over, we're not concerned about the Lakers and what they're doing. We're concerned about ourselves and making sure that we're presenting ourselves the right way and putting our best effort on the court."
How good could the Clippers be? Griffin scored 11 points and Paul 12 against the Grizzlies, but it was reserve guard Jamal Crawford who led the team with 29 points in 30 minutes.
"It's fun to be a part of this, to have guys come off the bench like Jamal and score effortlessly," Paul said. "I want to play every second of the game, but it's fun to be on the bench and cheer guys on, because the way they're playing is exciting."
Lamar Odom, who was drafted fourth overall by the Clippers in 1999 and won two titles in seven seasons with the Lakers, was traded from the Dallas Mavericks back to the Clippers in late June. He says his new team's best could lead to the club's first NBA crown.
Read More: Clippers have leg up on Lakers to start NBA season | Detroit Free Press | freep-com
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2006/12/07
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As I emerged from the tunnel and stepped onto the court before the New York Knicks’ 104-84 season-opening win over the Miami Heat Friday night, I panned around the gorgeously renovated Madison Square Garden, occasionally shifting my gaze to Dwyane Wade’s pregame warm-up routine.
And as I took in the start of another season at the basketball Mecca one thought continued to cross my mind: What in the world am I doing here?
Four days after Hurricane Sandy ravaged the East Coast, turning neighborhoods along the Jersey shore into barren beaches while destroying the beaches themselves, wreaking havoc across the New Jersey and Connecticut suburbs, inundating much of lower Manhattan with water and completely obliterating parts of the outer boroughs and Long Island, why was I at an NBA basketball game?
And, perhaps more pointedly, given the dire condition of the city around me, why was there even a basketball game being played at all?
I was one of the lucky ones this week; my neighborhood escaped Sandy’s wrath virtually unscathed. I never lost power, there were no fallen trees on my Hell’s Kitchen block, and other than a crane dangling precariously from a high rise up the street, there was little evidence that a storm had passed through at all.
But others — in the press box, in the stands and all around the region — had too many gut-wrenching horror stories of their own to tell for a game like this to feel even the least bit important in the grand scheme.
One reporter had to hunker down with his elderly mother, who wasn’t well enough to evacuate her Rockaway home. Another returned home to Long Island to find his car was damaged beyond recognition by the storm. For many others, food and patience were running short, a common theme across the region.
Read More: NBA: New York Knicks play despite Hurricane Sandy, help city heal for one night behind Carmelo Anthony - NBA News | FOX Sports on MSN
And as I took in the start of another season at the basketball Mecca one thought continued to cross my mind: What in the world am I doing here?
Four days after Hurricane Sandy ravaged the East Coast, turning neighborhoods along the Jersey shore into barren beaches while destroying the beaches themselves, wreaking havoc across the New Jersey and Connecticut suburbs, inundating much of lower Manhattan with water and completely obliterating parts of the outer boroughs and Long Island, why was I at an NBA basketball game?
And, perhaps more pointedly, given the dire condition of the city around me, why was there even a basketball game being played at all?
I was one of the lucky ones this week; my neighborhood escaped Sandy’s wrath virtually unscathed. I never lost power, there were no fallen trees on my Hell’s Kitchen block, and other than a crane dangling precariously from a high rise up the street, there was little evidence that a storm had passed through at all.
But others — in the press box, in the stands and all around the region — had too many gut-wrenching horror stories of their own to tell for a game like this to feel even the least bit important in the grand scheme.
One reporter had to hunker down with his elderly mother, who wasn’t well enough to evacuate her Rockaway home. Another returned home to Long Island to find his car was damaged beyond recognition by the storm. For many others, food and patience were running short, a common theme across the region.
Read More: NBA: New York Knicks play despite Hurricane Sandy, help city heal for one night behind Carmelo Anthony - NBA News | FOX Sports on MSN
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2006/12/07
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29893
NBA rookie Damian Lillard scored 20 points, including eight in overtime, as Portland slowed down James Harden in a 95-85 win over Houston on Saturday night.
Lillard and Nicolas Batum each made threes to help Portland open an 87-81 lead early in overtime, before the early rookie of the year candidate hit his second long bomb to push Portland's lead to 93-85 with 1:25 remaining.
Harden led the Rockets with 24 points in his home debut, but he wasn't as dominant as he was in the first two games when he scored 37 and a career-high 45 points after being traded by Oklahoma City last week.
Defending champions Miami bounced back from a defeat in New York the night before to beat Denver 119-116.
Ray Allen's four-point play with 6.7 seconds left proved the difference and sent Denver to their third straight loss to start the season.
Chris Bosh was dominant with 40 points, while LeBron James finished with 20 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, and Allen scored 23 for the Heat.
Boston started their season by downing undermanned Washington 89-86, with Paul Pierce scoring 27 points for the Celtics.
Missing key starters, point guard John Wall - the No.1 overall pick in the 2010 draft - and centre Nene, the Wizards struggled to score.
They were behind the eight-ball after going 1-for-14 shooting to start the game, their only score of the first eight minutes coming on a Kevin Garnett goal-tending call.
OJ Mayo scored 30 points as Dallas beat Charlotte 126-99.
Mayo hit a career-high seven three-pointers as Dallas improved to 16-0 all-time against Charlotte.
Indiana needed two overtime periods to see off Sacramento 106-98, New Orleans upset Chicago 89-82, Brooklyn registered a 107-100 win over Toronto, Milwaukee edged out Cleveland 105-102, San Antonio beat Utah 110-100 while, in a late game, Golden State Warriors downed the LA Clippers 114-110.
Sky News: Rookie Lillard leads Portland to NBA win
Lillard and Nicolas Batum each made threes to help Portland open an 87-81 lead early in overtime, before the early rookie of the year candidate hit his second long bomb to push Portland's lead to 93-85 with 1:25 remaining.
Harden led the Rockets with 24 points in his home debut, but he wasn't as dominant as he was in the first two games when he scored 37 and a career-high 45 points after being traded by Oklahoma City last week.
Defending champions Miami bounced back from a defeat in New York the night before to beat Denver 119-116.
Ray Allen's four-point play with 6.7 seconds left proved the difference and sent Denver to their third straight loss to start the season.
Chris Bosh was dominant with 40 points, while LeBron James finished with 20 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, and Allen scored 23 for the Heat.
Boston started their season by downing undermanned Washington 89-86, with Paul Pierce scoring 27 points for the Celtics.
Missing key starters, point guard John Wall - the No.1 overall pick in the 2010 draft - and centre Nene, the Wizards struggled to score.
They were behind the eight-ball after going 1-for-14 shooting to start the game, their only score of the first eight minutes coming on a Kevin Garnett goal-tending call.
OJ Mayo scored 30 points as Dallas beat Charlotte 126-99.
Mayo hit a career-high seven three-pointers as Dallas improved to 16-0 all-time against Charlotte.
Indiana needed two overtime periods to see off Sacramento 106-98, New Orleans upset Chicago 89-82, Brooklyn registered a 107-100 win over Toronto, Milwaukee edged out Cleveland 105-102, San Antonio beat Utah 110-100 while, in a late game, Golden State Warriors downed the LA Clippers 114-110.
Sky News: Rookie Lillard leads Portland to NBA win
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2006/12/07
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According to the latest NBA rumors, order could be restored to the 38-year-old point guard’s wardrobe. Marc Stein of ESPN reported that the bridge between Fisher and the Los Angeles Lakers hasn’t been burned, at least literally speaking. If LA is able to deal Steve Blake or Chris Duhon’s expiring contracts—two players who, according to Stein, are on the trade block—and D-Fish is willing to wait until March 15 of next year to sign, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be a Laker once again.
Of course, that’s the "is-it-possible" route. The "is-it-probable" route is clouded by the fact that Mitch Kupchak just traded Fisher last season.
But despite the likelihood that Fisher held animosity toward the Lakers’ front office just months ago, he already got his revenge. The team he eventually stuck with, the Oklahoma City Thunder, eliminated LA in the Western Conference Playoffs. His former teammates were also forced to watch him compete in the NBA Finals.
Read More: NBA Rumors: Why Derek Fisher's Return to Lakers Makes Sense on Both Sides | Bleacher Report