Month: June 2012

Memphis Grizzlies confirm that team will be sold

Michael E. Heisley, the majority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, announced today an agreement for the sale of the franchise to an entity owned by Robert J. Pera.  Robert J. Pera is the founder and CEO of Ubiquiti Networks, a publicly-traded next-generation communications technology company.  The sale transaction is subject to approval by the NBA Board of Governors, antitrust clearance and other conditions.

The Grizzlies were purchased by Mr. Heisley in 2000 when the team was located in Vancouver, Canada.  In 2001, the Grizzlies were relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, and in 2004 moved into FedExForum, a state-of-the art NBA arena built by the City of Memphis and Shelby County.  Since moving to Memphis, the team has participated in the NBA playoffs for five seasons, including the two most successful campaigns in franchise history, in 2010-11 and 2011-12.

“I have enjoyed my ownership of the Grizzlies and the support for professional basketball in Memphis,” said Heisley.  “I am confident that the franchise will continue its development toward being a perennial championship contender and an important member of the Memphis community.  I am particularly gratified that we have put together a team which is poised to continue its improvement.  We have an outstanding team of players, coaching staff, and basketball and business management.  In Robert, we have a new owner who has expressed a total commitment to build on our success in Memphis.”

“I am excited about the opportunity to build on the work that has made the Memphis Grizzlies a highly competitive NBA team,” Pera said. “I look forward to getting to know the Memphis community and to continuing the team’s success in Memphis.”

Memphis Grizzlies sale agreement reached

After two consecutive trips to the playoffs and a return to respectability in the Western Conference, Michael Heisley has found a buyer to purchase the Memphis Grizzlies, according to sources with knowledge of the owner’s plans.

Sources told ESPN.com that Heisley has an agreement in principle to sell the team to communications technology magnate Robert Pera, who at 34 has a spot on Forbes’ list of the 10 youngest billionaries in the world.

The purchase price is in the $350 million range, sources said. A formal announcement to publicize the agreement between the parties is expected this week, possibly as soon as later Monday, with NBA Board of Governors approval then required before Pera can be officially installed as successor to Heisley, who recently turned 75.

Sources say that Pera intends to keep the team in Memphis. The Grizzlies’ lease at the FedExForum, furthermore, ties the team to the city until the year 2021, with steep financial penalties attached to breaking that lease.

— Reported by Marc Stein of ESPN.com

NBA referees to honor Greg Willard during Finals

NBA referees officiating the Finals will wear number 57 on their jerseys to recognize NBA referee Greg Willard who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  The gesture of support for Greg and his family was arranged in cooperation with the NBA.

Greg Willard has been an NBA referee for 24 seasons and has officiated over 1,500 regular season games, 120 playoff games and has been officiating in The Finals since the 2009-2010 season.  “Greg’s professionalism and integrity have made him a role model within the NBA community,” said NBRA General Counsel Lee Seham.  “We want him and his family to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

LeBron James not Most Hated in OKC

ron artest

Despite what might happen in other cities, there is a zero-percent chance LeBron James will ever be the most hated player in the eyes of Thunder fans.

The current titleholder likely will never relinquish the crown. Man by the name of Metta World Peace. Nobody elbows “The Beard” without suffering the consequences.

Folks around here have zero reason not to like Bron-Bron, other than he plays for the opposing team.

James invited Kevin Durant to his hometown last summer for a “Hell Week” of training sessions in Akron, Ohio. James’ team beat Durant’s team 70-63 in a flag-football game, but James immediately offered a rematch.

— Reported by John Rohde of the Oklahoman

Heat-Celtics Game 7 draws huge TV rating

The Miami Heat’s win over the Boston Celtics to reach the NBA finals has drawn the highest preliminary television rating for an NBA playoff game on cable since records started being kept in 2003.

Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals Saturday night on ESPN produced a 9.1 overnight rating. The network said Sunday that the three highest overnight ratings for NBA games on cable have come during this series.

In Boston, the game had a 21.7 rating, the highest on cable for an NBA playoff game in the market since records started being kept in 2003.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Pierce hopes Garnett stays with Celtics

kevin garnett

Celtics captain Paul Pierce is hoping the team’s championship runs are not over, making an appeal for Kevin Garnett to extend his Celtic career after a 101-88 loss to the Heat Saturday night in Game 7.

“He’s done everything for my career, just his locker room presence, his desire, his determination,’’ Pierce said of Garnett. “Just his leadership. I said before, when Kevin first got here he really changed the culture of everything we did around here, you know, practice habits to the discipline. He made everybody accountable, from the ball boys to the chefs to the guy who flew the plane, everybody was accountable.

“It’s been tremendous to have him around, just the culture he brought, you know? It’d be great to end my career with Kevin. I have a couple years left and, who knows what his future’s going to bring – management can do something to bring him back and get us the pieces we need to get over the top. If not, it’s been a tremendous run.’’

Pierce scored 19 points but was scoreless over the final 9:52.

— Reported by Frank Dell’Apa of the Boston Globe

Miami Heat fans are celebrating Finals appearance

Ecstatic Miami Heat fans dressed in “white hot” gear spilled out into the streets after Saturday night’s victory to win the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics.

Throughout the night, a steady stream of cars honked as they passed outside the AmericanAirlines Arena in downtown Miami.

On Sunday, the celebrating continued. Fans came back to the arena to purchase Miami Heat winning gear. The Miami Hoops Gear store attracted both locals and tourists hoping to grab a souvenir.

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday and at Dolphin Mall from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

— Reported by Daniela Guzman of the Miami Herald

Heat vs Thunder 2012 NBA Finals schedule

The 2012 NBA Finals, featuring Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder vs LeBron James and the Miami Heat, begins Tuesday, June 12 in OKC.

Here is the full 2012 NBA Finals schedule:

Game 1 – Tue June 12 Miami at Oklahoma City 9:00PM ET

Game 2 – Thu June 14 Miami at Oklahoma City 9:00PM ET

Game 3 – Sun June 17 Oklahoma City at Miami 8:00PM ET

Game 4 – Tue June 19 Oklahoma City at Miami 9:00PM ET

Game 5 * Thu June 21 Oklahoma City at Miami 9:00PM ET

Game 6 * Sun June 24 Miami at Oklahoma City 8:00PM ET

Game 7 * Tue June 26 Miami at Oklahoma City 9:00PM ET

*If necessary NBA Finals games will be on ABC television

InsideHoops.com has you covered! Hit our site every single day during the finals, plus daily all off-season.

LeBron James willing to play all 48 minutes of Heat vs Celtics Game 7

LeBron James has often said he’s willing to do whatever it takes to win.

So it comes as no surprise he said after the morning shootaround he was willing to play 48 minutes against the Boston Celtics Saturday in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The winner advances to meet Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals, which begin Tuesday.

“I prepared for it in Game 6 to play the whole game,” James said. “[Coach Erik Spoelstra] only gave me a couple minutes there. I’m focusing on not coming out.”

James is coming off a 45-point effort in Game 6 that tied the series at 3. He played 44 straight minutes before leaving when the game was already decided. Spoelstra tried to substitute James in the third quarter, but he waved it off.

— Reported by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Kevin Durant aims to keep improving

”There’s always another level you can go to. In basketball, you always can be better at something, I think,” Durant said Saturday after Oklahoma City’s practice.

”I haven’t seen a guy that totally dominates the game in every aspect. He can’t make every shot, he can’t get every rebound, he can’t get every assist, so I think you can get better. That’s the mindset I take.”

Durant has gotten his fair share in each of those categories, particularly this season. Durant became the seventh player in league history to win three straight scoring titles, averaging 28 points per game, and set career highs in shooting percentage, 3-point shooting, rebounding, assists and blocks.

And yet he’s still driven to want more.

”I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied,” Durant said. ”I’m happy that I progressed a little bit. I have a long ways to go and I think that if I continue to just keep getting better at the mental part of the game – watching film and knowing where the defense is going to play, knowing where my teammates are going to be – then I can get better.

”I’ve just got to keep improving.”

— Reported by Jeff Latzke of the Associated Press