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Andres Nocioni of the Sacramento Kings has been suspended without pay for two games for pleading no contest to driving under the influence of alcohol, in violation of the law of the State of California, the NBA announced today.
Nocioni’s suspension will begin with tonight’s game between the Sacramento Kings and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The New Jersey Nets come up with some seriously cool promotions for fans. Here’s their latest:
Roni Deutch Tax Center, one of the nation’s fastest growing tax preparation franchise companies, will provide all New Jersey residents 18 years and older who attend the NETS-Orlando Magic game at the IZOD CENTER on Friday, March 5 with a coupon for preparation of a free state tax return.
Through a new partnership with NETS Basketball, Roni Deutch Tax Center will have representatives on site at NETS Tax Night on March 5 to answer tax-related questions before and during the game.
In addition, NETS fans who attend any upcoming home game at the IZOD CENTER this season, other than March 5, can receive a coupon in the NETS Game Program good for up to $50 off of tax preparation services at a Roni Deutch Tax Center in Hackensack, Bergenfield, and Fair Lawn. Upon completion of their returns, Roni Deutch customers will also receive NETS tickets for this season, while supplies last.
“My life’s mission is to empower every American to take charge of their tax lives,” said Roni Deutch, president and founder of Roni Deutch Tax Center. “Partnering with NETS Basketball is our opportunity to get involved in the community, ensuring that local taxpayers and basketball fans have the information they need to be prepared this tax season and save big bucks on their taxes.”
The Golden State Warriors have signed forward Reggie Williams to a 10-day contract, the team announced today.
Williams, 23, is a call-up from the NBA Development League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce, where he has appeared in 31 games this season, averaging 26.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.55 steals in 40.0 minutes per contest. For the season, he has shot 57.6% (298-517 FG) from the field, 41.0% (57-139 3FG) from three-point range and 82.4% (164-199 FT) from the line. Williams, who currently leads the D-League in scoring amongst all players who meet the statistical minimums to qualify, has scored 20-or-more points 23 times this season, including 12 games of 30-or-more and three 40-plus efforts.
A 6-6, 210-pound forward, Williams played professionally in France last season after going undrafted out of VMI in 2008. He led the nation in scoring in each of his last two collegiate seasons, averaging 28.1 points per game as a junior in 2006-07, and 27.8 points per game as a senior in 2007-08.
Golden State’s roster now stands at 16 players. The Warriors are able to add Williams to the roster under the NBA’s hardship rules, which allow a team the ability to sign an additional player if that team already has 15 players on its Active and Inactive Lists and has four-or-more players unable to perform playing services due to injury or illness for an extended period of time.
Williams will wear uniform #55. He is the 16th Call-Up from the D-League to the NBA this season, and the fifth by the Warriors.
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Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that guard Allen Iverson will not return to the team for the remainder of the 2009-10 season.
“After discussing the situation with Allen, we have come to the conclusion that he will not return to the Sixers for the remainder of the season, as he no longer wishes to be a distraction to the organization and teammates that he loves very deeply,” Stefanski said. “It has been very difficult for Allen and the team to maintain any consistency as he tries to balance his career with his personal life.”
The team will release any additional updates on Iverson’s status as they become available.
Eddie Sefko of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports:
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For most of the last two months, Tim Thomas hasn’t been with the Mavericks because some things are far more important than basketball.
The 6-foot-10 forward has been caring for his wife, Tricia, who has been suffering from serious health issues for over a year.
“I had to give up doing something I love to take care of someone I love,” Thomas said in a telephone interview.
During his time away from the team, the Mavericks and Thomas have not commented on the reason for his absence. Every game, the same explanation is given: not with the team, personal reasons.
Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:
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LeBron James fans, get ready to make some room in your closet for No. 6 jerseys.
James told The Plain Dealer on Monday that he’s filed the paperwork with the NBA office to switch his jersey number from No. 23 to No. 6 next season. He had to make the decision this week, the deadline to make the request to the NBA is Wednesday.
James first brought up the idea in November, saying he wanted to give up No. 23 out of respect to his hero, Michael Jordan. At that time he said he was “50/50” on switching to No. 6, his Olympic number and the day of the month his first son was born. That now seems to be 100 percent.
“I’ve done it,” James said. “I already sent it in. I’m going to be No. 6.”
M.S. Enkoji of the Sacramento Bee reports:
Former Sacramento Kings star-turned restaurateur Chris Webber is being sued for nearly $3 million in connection with Center Court With C-Webb, his Natomas restaurant that closed in November.
In a lawsuit filed Feb. 23 in Sacramento Superior Court, Promenade, which owns the Promenade at Sacramento Gateway Shopping Center, is suing for $1.8 million under terms of the 20-year lease signed by Webber and partner Jeff Dudum, of Dudum Sports and Entertainment, in 2005 with Opus West Corp., which has since filed for bankruptcy protection.
The landlords are also asking for $1 million to help re-lease the property, $134,997 in overdue rent, $50,000 in cleanup fees and another $41,399.32 a month until the court renders a judgment.
Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:
Tracy McGrady has already e-mailed LeBron James an overture to join him in New York next season.
But James will have to see more from T-Mac for his New York presence to be a draw.
Following McGrady’s listless six-point, 25-minute performance, James saw the rust.
“He looked like a guy who hasn’t played much,” James said after the Cavaliers crushed the Knicks 124-93 last night. “It doesn’t matter how much rehab you do, how much working out you do. You have to be out on the court, because game-time stamina is totally different. He’s still shooting extremely well. He still can play point forward as he always had. But he’s still getting his legs back. The last 20 games will help him, help him a lot for next year.”