October 2012 – Page 18 – NBA Blog

Old Michael Jordan BBQ sauce sold for $10K

A man from Chicago purchased a gallon of barbecue sauce intended for use on McDonald’s McJordan sandwich in 1992 for $9,995.00 on eBay, according to the item’s seller.

“I’ve got quite a bit of McDonald’s memorabilia,” said Mort Bank, a former McDonald’s owner-operator in North Dakota. “This was on my shelf, and my daughter who helps me with eBay said, ‘I wonder what something like this would be worth?’

“I said, ‘I can’t imagine anyone else saved it.’ It only could have been another owner-operator. We decided to see what we could get. … I said I can remember a chicken nugget someone said looked like Jesus that sold on eBay for what, $6,000? You have to use your imagination to to even think it looks like that. This is an actual product.”

— Reported by Roman Modrowski of ESPN Chicago

Hornets forward Jason Smith injures shoulder in practice

Just one day after returning to contact work after missing time with a sore back, New Orleans Hornets forward Jason Smith sustained a left shoulder injury Tuesday during a five-on-five scrimmage drill that required a doctor’s visit for additional evaluation and diagnosis.

Smith fell on his back during the Hornets’ first exhibition game in Mexico City on Oct. 7 and has not played in the last three exhibition games, and sat out all practice contact work until Monday.

Hornets Coach Monty Williams said Tuesday he was unsure about Smith’s availability for Thursday night’s game in Atlanta against the Hawks.

— Reported by Jimmy Smith of the New Orleans Times-Picayune

Marcus Camby not close to return for Knicks

Camby, who has a calf strain, didn’t practice Tuesday and Knicks coach Mike Woodson admitted he isn’t sure if he will be back next week and make the Knicks upcoming three-game road trip to Montreal-Albany-Syracuse. The Knicks announced Camby’s injury 10 days ago.

Camby, the Knicks backup center is in his second stint with the team at age 38. His first stint also was marked by injuries.

“I can’t say he’s getting close,’’ Woodson said.

— Reported by Marc Berman of the New York Post (Blog)

DJ Mbenga jailed at 4 a.m. for cop altercation

WFAA, citing a Dallas police report, gave this account:

Mbenga was trying to leave the restaurant just as a pair of Dallas police officers were walking in.

The 7-foot center put his palm on the chest of one of the cops and said, “You move out of my way.”

The officer stopped and responded, “You don’t touch police, let alone make that statement.”

To which Mbenga — in hindsight, perhaps inadvisedly — responded: “You want to go? I do what I want, so you move out of the way!”

As the officers escorted Mbenga out of the restaurant, he continued to argue with them.

The officers smelled alcohol on his breath and noted his “unsteady balance” and bloodshot eyes. They said he failed three of six field sobriety tests.

The 32-year-old was handcuffed and taken to the Dallas County jail.

— Reported by the Dallas Morning News

Boston Celtics waive guards Jamar Smith and Dionte Christmas

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have waived guards Jamar Smith and Dionte Christmas.

Smith, a 6’3 guard, appeared in four preseason games for the Celtics and averaged 2.3 points and 1.0 rebound. Christmas, a 6’5 guard, appeared in four preseason games for the Celtics and averaged 3.3 points and 1.8 rebounds per game.

The Celtics roster now stands at 16.

Seattle arena plans continue to move forward

A new stadium in Seattle designed for NBA and NHL teams will continue to move forward after the City Council and Metropolitan King County Council voted to support a Memorandum of Understanding for investor Chris Hanson’s proposed $490 million stadium.

The stadium will include $200 million in public funds, and Monday’s vote is seen as the next step in the road to building the venue.

The biggest of which is obtaining a current NBA franchise, because the league has no plans to expand.

There is also now a 21-day window for legal challenges, and at least one is expected from the local Longshoreman Union, according to the Seattle Times.

— Reported by the Sports Xchange

Delonte West suspended by Mavs

Dallas Mavericks guard Delonte West has been suspended for conduct detrimental to the team, Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said.

Carlisle did not specify a timetable for West’s suspension.

Sources told ESPNDallas.com that West’s suspension stems at least in part from an outburst in the locker room after the Mavs’ 123-104 preseason win Monday over the Houston Rockets. He had 2 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound in 16 minutes during the win.

— Reported by Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas

Los Angeles D-Fenders (D-League) hire Reggie Theus as head coach

The Los Angeles D-Fenders have hired Reggie Theus as head coach, it was announced today by team President/CEO Joey Buss.

“We are pleased to welcome Reggie Theus to the D-Fenders,” said Buss. “Reggie’s extensive NBA background coupled with his experience developing players at the collegiate basketball level will make him a great asset to our franchise. We look forward to working with Reggie and building upon the record-setting season we had last year.”

Theus, who has over 11 years of coaching experience and played 13 seasons in the NBA, spent last season as a Pac-12 Analyst for Fox Sports Net after previously spending two seasons on the NBA sidelines as an assistant coach with Minnesota (2009-11). Prior to his stint in Minneapolis, Theus originally joined the NBA coaching ranks when he was named the 21st head coach in Sacramento Kings history.

“I am elated and thankful to have an opportunity to work for a first class organization like the D-Fenders,” said Theus. “Coaching for a franchise that has proven its commitment to developing young players for the next level while also maintaining a competitive team is exciting to me. I am looking forward to getting on the court and continuing the success that the D-Fenders experienced last season.”

Theus, a Los Angeles native, worked his way to the NBA from the collegiate level after spending two years as head coach at New Mexico State University. Hired in 2005, Theus guided the Aggies to a 16-14 record in his first season, marking a 10-win improvement from the previous season along with the best single-season turnaround at NMSU in 20 years. In 2006-07, Theus and the Aggies continued their success and posted a 25-9 record, won the Western Athletic Conference Tournament and earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1999.

Before joining the Aggies, Theus began his coaching career as an assistant coach at the University of Louisville (2003-05). There he helped lead the Cardinals to the 2005 NCAA Final Four as well as a Conference USA Championship.

Theus, selected by the Chicago Bulls in the first round (9th overall) of the 1978 NBA Draft, played 13 seasons for Chicago, Kansas City/Sacramento, Atlanta, Orlando and New Jersey. Drafted out of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Theus, was a two-time NBA All-Star (1981, 1983) and named to the NBA All-Rookie Team (1979). In addition, Theus is one of only seven players in NBA history to score over 19,000 points and record over 6,000 assists during his career. A member of the UNLV Athletic Hall of Fame, the 6’7” shooting guard helped his team reach the 1977 NCAA Final Four and is one of only six players in school history to have their jersey retired.

Prior to his coaching stints in the NBA and at the collegiate level, Theus also served as a basketball analyst for ESPN, Fox Sports, and TNT/TBS.

Theus is a graduate of both California Coast University (B.S. Business Administration) and Central Michigan University (B.S. Public Administration).

Sacramento Kings home venue new name will be Sleep Train Arena

The Sacramento Kings and Sleep Train Mattress Centers today announced a new, multi-year strategic marketing partnership to include venue naming rights for the Sacramento Kings home arena, host to hundreds of events annually—headlined by NBA basketball, high-profile concerts, family-themed shows and cultural experiences.

“On behalf of the entire Sacramento Kings organization, we are thrilled to partner with Sleep Train,” said Kings President of Business Operations Matina Kolokotronis. “We’re particularly excited to align with a locally owned company built on 27 years of customer satisfaction, a stellar reputation among consumers and business leaders, and an unwavering commitment to community involvement.”

Employee-owned, Sleep Train is the number one mattress retailer on the West Coast, known for offering superior service and the best selection of brand name mattresses at unbeatable prices. Founded in Sacramento by Northern California native Dale Carlsen, Sleep Train is routinely ranked as the top mattress retailer on the West Coast.

“We are pleased to partner with the Sacramento Kings,” said Carlsen, founder and CEO of Sleep Train. “Our team of employee-owners is committed to playing a vital role in the communities we serve. This sponsorship aligns with our interest in keeping a vibrant atmosphere of music, sports and entertainment in our region, and allows us to broaden the reach of our Foster Kids program through greater awareness and donation events.”

From the day it opened its first store in 1985, Sleep Train has been dedicated to supporting the community. Today the company sponsors various music venues on the West Coast and its award-winning Sleep Train Foster Kids program is a renowned example of corporate philanthropy, providing essential material items like clothes, shoes, school supplies, pajamas and gifts during the holidays to the area’s 60,000 foster children.

The alliance will continue to emphasize each organization’s belief in charitable outreach—collaborating on numerous programs aimed towards improving the lives of those less fortunate throughout the Sacramento region. For Sleep Train, this partnership will create new opportunities for the company to collect important donations as well as allow area foster children to attend Kings games.

Opened in 1988, the soon-to-be-named Sleep Train Arena will host more than 200 events and serve nearly two million guests annually. Press coverage includes the Sacramento region, as well as nationally and internationally-based media outlets.

The venue officially becomes Sleep Train Arena in November. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.

Chicago Bulls waive guard Andre Emmett

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has waived guard Andre Emmett.

Emmett, a third-year player from Texas Tech University, appeared in two of the Bulls’ first three preseason games, averaging 1.5 points and 1.5 rebounds in 3.8 minutes per game. He played in six games with the New Jersey Nets during the 2011-12 season, in addition to 35 games with the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League. He signed with Chicago as a free agent on Oct. 1, 2012.

Chicago’s training camp roster now stands at 16.