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Tracy McGrady likely signing in China

tracy mcgrady

Former NBA superstar Tracy McGrady is finalizing a one-year contract with a Chinese basketball club, Yahoo Sports reported on Monday.

The 33-year-old will likely complete the deal with the Qingdao Eagles in days, and could arrive in one or two weeks, the report said, quoting sources.

Sheng Xishun, manager of the club, confirmed the news to multiple media outlets on Tuesday morning, and revealed that McGrady will agree to the signing by Wednesday.

“Qingdao chooses McGrady for two reasons. One is that we hope he can help improve the team. The other is to take advantage of his influence to promote the team and the whole group,” said Sheng in a Tencent Sports interview.

— Reported by Yan Weijue of China Daily

Chris Bosh accepting of Heat center role

Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh is still listed on the official Miami Heat roster as simply a forward. Coach Erik Spoelstra still treads lightly when discussing Bosh’s position.

But it’s OK. Bosh doesn’t need to be treated delicately. He admits he’s a center.

“I made my peace with it,’’ Bosh said.

Bosh has embraced it enough that he recently told FOX Sports Florida he wants to be listed on the NBA All-Star ballot at center. He now regards power forward as his old position.

There was a time when the 6-foot-11 Bosh wanted nothing to do with being known as a center. But then came last season.

— Reported by Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida

Heat arrive in China for pair of preseason games with Clippers

LeBron James is visiting China for the ninth time, which makes him one of the resident Miami Heat experts about the world’s most populous nation.

Specifically, the food choices there.

“If anyone comes back with any body fat from this trip, then I don’t know what they were doing on their free time,” said James, the NBA’s MVP.

So maybe it’s fortunate that the coming week won’t exactly include a ton of free time for the Heat, who arrived in Beijing on Monday night for a weeklong trip. The reigning league champions play the Los Angeles Clippers twice during the NBA China Games, starting in Beijing on Thursday and then again Sunday in Shanghai.

“Should be fun,” James said. “It’s a very long trip to be bonding together, but we’re going to use it and not waste an opportunity.”

The itinerary is hectic, with VIP receptions, a trip to the Great Wall of China and other excursions planned. The Heat are trying to ensure that players and personnel have time to experience some elements of Chinese culture on their own.

— Reported by Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press

Lakers forward Jordan Hill has herniated disc in back

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jordan Hill was diagnosed today with a herniated disc (L5, S1) in his back, it was announced by the team.

Hill, who scored 10 points in last night’s loss to the Golden State Warriors in Fresno, was examined by back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins Jr.

Hill will be re-evaluated in a week and an update on his condition will be given at that time.

Hawks tell Jeff Teague to be a more vocal leader

Jeff Teague

Jeff Teague will never be the loudest voice on the basketball court. It’s not his disposition. However, you are going to be hearing a lot more from the Hawks point guard this season.

The Hawks coaching staff, including head coach Larry Drew and player development instructor Nick Van Exel, have told Teague he needs to be a more vocal leader. There is so much information that needs to be disseminated with a new up-tempo offense and a slew of new players.

“When I’m on the court, it’s a different mindset for me,” Teague said. “I’m going to talk. I’m going to play. Off the court, I’m a laid-back type of guy. It’s not really my personality, but I’m a different person when I get between the lines. I want to win so I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll talk. I’ll yell. I’ll do all that.”

— Reported by Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution

Hornets guard Eric Gordon not practicing yet

Eric Gordon

Gordon did not participate in any contact work during the first week of training camp, and Coach Monty Williams said Monday it’s unlikely Gordon will see the floor much this week as well. The Hornets play three exhibition games in four days this week, beginning Tuesday night when New Orleans’ hosts the Charlotte Bobcats in New Orleans Arena.

Gordon has missed practices with a sore right knee, the same knee that was arthroscopically repaired on Feb. 14, an injury that caused Gordon to miss all but nine of the team’s 66 games last season.

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

Blake Griffin still working on jumpshot release

Blake Griffin still working on jumpshot release

The hitch is not in Blake Griffin’s giddy-up, but in his shooting motion.

Just as the Clippers’ star forward is about to release the ball, he pauses, a hiccup he has tried to stop by working with the team’s new shooting coach, Bob Thate.

During warmups before the Clippers’ 106-104 exhibition loss against Denver on Saturday night in Las Vegas, Griffin’s shooting release looked smoother than before.

But during the game, the holdup in his release reappeared when Griffin went to the free-throw line, where he shot 52% last season. He missed his first four attempts, each hitting the back of the rim.

After his first game-type situation with his tinkered shooting release, Griffin, who made his final two free-throw attempts, was upbeat.

— Reported by Baxter Holmes of the Los Angeles Times

Deron Williams happy with new Brooklyn arena

Deron Williams

As for playing in the arena itself, the players were happy with their new surroundings, including Deron Williams. After expressing frustration last season at times with the temporary situation the Nets found themselves in Newark, he is happy to be in Brooklyn and in a basketball-centric arena.

“They did a good job,” Williams said. “It’s built for basketball. It’s not built for hockey, it’s not built for soccer. It’s built for basketball.”

For the other half of the Nets’ All-Star backcourt, the team’s new home has a familiar feeling. Joe Johnson said the sloping of the seats behind the baskets creates a shooting backdrop that reminds him of Philips Arena in Atlanta, where he spent the past seven seasons, something that MarShon Brooks previously had mentioned.

“It is [like Philips],” Johnson said. “It kind of gives you that feeling … I guess that will be a good thing for me.

— Reported by Tim Bontemps of the New York Post

DJ Mbenga being sued over $16K pinky ring

You know you’re a pro athlete when  … YOU BUY A $16,000 PINKY RING … just like one former L.A. Lakers player, who’s now being sued for allegedly bailing hard when the bill came.

The guy at the center of the lawsuit is DJ Mbenga — an 8-year NBA vet who rode the bench with the Lake Show when they won 2 NBA championship rings in 2009 and 2010.

DJ is being sued by a Texas jewelry company called Lemmerman’s — which calls itself “The Player’s Choice.”

Reported by TMZ.com