Day: January 24, 2014

Sacramento clerk rejects challenge to new NBA arena

The city clerk rejected a ballot measure Friday that would have let Sacramento voters decide whether public subsidies can help build a $448 million downtown arena intended as the future home of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.

City Clerk Shirley Concolino cited multiple issues with the petitions that would have put the subsidies on the June ballot.

“I’ve never seen a petition with as many flaws as this one,” she told The Sacramento Bee.

Sacramento Taxpayers Opposed to Pork and Voters for a Fair Arena Deal collected nearly 23,000 signatures, an effort that was funded in large part by wealthy Seattle hedge fund manager Chris Hansen. He led a coalition that lost its attempt to buy the Kings and move the team to Washington state.

— Associated Press

Dell Curry not afraid to compete with Stephen Curry in shootout

Here’s the Bay Area News Group on how some famous old dudes feel they’d do in a shooting contest against some famous young dudes:

The Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have been touted as one of the best shooting duos in NBA history, but might a couple of 40-somethings be able to beat them in a shooting contest?

Dell Curry, Stephen’s father, and former Charlotte Hornets teammate Glen Rice think they can pull it off even against the young guns who have poured in 260 3-pointers a little more than halfway through this season.

“Just shooting, I could hold my own,” Dell Curry told SiriusXM NBA Radio on Friday. “Absolutely. I know Glen Rice could. I would take the old guys in that.

“When I’m shooting against my son, I’m really focused.”

Spurs sign Othyus Jeffers to 10-day contract

Spurs sign Othyus Jeffers to 10-day contract

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed guard/forward Othyus Jeffers to a 10-day contract.

Jeffers, 6-5/200, most recently played for the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League. Through 22 games this season, Jeffers was averaging 22.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.50 steals in 38.3 minutes per game while shooting .501 (176-351) from the field. Prior to his call-up, Jeffers ranked sixth in the D-League in scoring, third in rebounding and second in steals per game.

The Robert Morris University product previously saw action in one game for the Spurs during the 2010-11 season. He has also suited up for the Utah Jazz (2009-10) and the Washington Wizards (2010-11) during his NBA career. In 31 career NBA games, the Illinois native has averaged 4.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 12.7 minutes.

In between NBA stints, Jeffers has played in 162 D-League games, all with the Energy, averaging 19.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.97 steals in 35.8 minutes.

Jeffers will wear jersey No. 7 and will be available tonight when the Spurs begin their three-game road trip in Atlanta.

Photo: Brooklyn Nets alternate home sleeved jersey

The Brooklyn Nets today unveiled their alternate home jersey, which will be worn on Brooklyn Blue Nights at Barclays Center. The team will debut the jersey when they host the Boston Celtics for the first of five Brooklyn Blue Nights on Friday, March 21. The short-sleeve, v-neck jersey features a grey body with blue piping and trim line, and a signature blue Brooklyn wordmark across the chest.

76ers sign Dewayne Dedmon to second 10-day contract

The Philadelphia 76ers today announced that they have signed center Dewayne Dedmon to a second 10-day contract. Dedmon signed his first 10-day contract with the Sixers on January 14, 2014. At the time, he was the 12th “Call-Up” of the 2013-14 NBA Development League season.

Dedmon (7-0, 255) has appeared in five games for the Sixers and is averaging four points, six rebounds and a block in 15 minutes per game while shooting 50% from the floor.

Mark Cuban is probably not going to sell the Dallas Mavericks to you

Here’s the Dallas Morning News blog with an update on Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who, if you haven’t figured this out yet, kind of likes owning the team:

The Mavericks have been valued at $765 million by Forbes magazine, but that’s a low-ball number as far as owner Mark Cuban is concerned.

“They’re way too low,” he said.

So if somebody showed up with $765 million in his pocket and wanted the team he’s owned since 2000, what would Cuban do?

“I’d laugh at them,” he said. “I think we’re worth well over a billion. I think within the next five years, and this is just a guess, if the economy continues to get a little better and sports still stays in demand, every NBA franchise will be worth at least a billion dollars.”

New Orleans Pelicans mascot Pierre getting a makeover

Here’s the New Orleans Times-Picayune with the hottest NBA mascot news of the season. And that’s saying a lot, because we know that you all love your mascot updates:

The New Orleans Pelicans are giving their much-maligned mascot, Pierre the Pelican, a makeover.

The mascot has come under heavy scrutiny and been the butt of jokes since his debut in the season opener Oct. 30 vs. the Indiana Pacers. Pierre’s appearance has drawn national attention, for all the wrong reasons. He’s been panned as a poor man’s knock-off of the famed San Diego Chicken and ridiculed for not looking like, well, a pelican.

A league source said there will be a redesign of Pierre’s head.