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Matt Harpring out for season

Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced today that veteran forward Matt Harpring will miss the remainder of the season. As a result of numerous surgeries and considerable residual medical issues, it has been determined that the 11-year NBA veteran is no longer physically able to perform at an NBA level. Harpring has not practiced or played during the current 2009-10 NBA season.

After several months of continued rehab and physical therapy, doctors have informed Harpring that he will not be able to return to action this season. In addition, the doctors have advised that further attempts at continued NBA play would be counterproductive to Harpring’s health, both in the short term and long term.

“Despite the wear and tear of four collegiate seasons, 11 NBA seasons and undergoing numerous surgeries, I remained hopeful that I would be able to rejoin my Jazz teammates on the court this season,” Harpring said. “However, after consultations with the doctors and based on their recommendations, I have reluctantly come to the realization that my body can simply no longer withstand the rigors of NBA games and practices.”

Harpring (6-7, 230, Georgia Tech) has appeared in 665 games (349 starts) over 11 seasons with Orlando, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Utah, owning career averages of 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 26.4 minutes per game. His best statistical season came in 2002-03 with the Jazz when he appeared in 78 games (69 starts) and averaged 17.6 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting .511 from the field.

Originally signed by the Jazz as a free agent on August 15, 2002, Harpring has seen action in 474 games (191 starts) over seven seasons with Utah and has averaged 11.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in 25.8 minutes per game. Harpring averaged 11.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 63 games (two starts) for the Jazz in 2008-09.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Nets drop to 0-18

Playing at home in a mostly empty arena, the New Jersey Nets lost 117-101 to the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday night.

The Nets got off to a decent start, matching the Mavs’ 28 points in the first quarter. But Dallas went bonkers in the next 12 minutes, scoring an incredible 49 points to take a 77-50 halftime lead. Both teams scored 28 in the third quarter. And although Dallas was quiet with just 12 fourth quarter points, the Nets never really threatened to make a game of it.

For the game, Dallas shot 58.7% and hit 8-of-18 from three-point range. Dirk Nowitzki finished with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Erick Dampier shot 7-of-10 for 18 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. Jason Terry scored 18 off the bench. And former Net Jason Kidd destroyed his former team and shot 5-of-6 for 16 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists and 5 steals.

In the loss, Chris Douglas-Roberts scored 24 (but on 21 shots) with 5 turnovers. Devin Harris scored 17 but with more turnovers than assists. Brook Lopez had 16 with just 6 rebounds. Courtney Lee came off the bench to score 13 (but on 14 shots) with 6 rebounds and 4 steals. Reserve Bobby Simmons added 10.

Thankfully, the Nets schedule now gets a bit easier. Friday night they host the inconsistent Charlotte Bobcats, who are mostly winning lately but aren’t a lock to keep playing as well as they recently have. On Sunday, December 6, the Nets cross the Hudson river to face the Knicks in New York. Next, the Nets visit the Bulls in Chicago, then return to New Jersey to battle the Golden State Warriors.

There definitely could be at least one win in near future, especially as Devin Harris continues to regain his health and play more like the super-scorer he was last season.

Raja Bell out at least three months after wrist surgery

Golden State Warriors guard Raja Bell underwent successful surgery today to repair ligament damage in his left wrist, the team announced.

Following the surgery, which was performed by Dr. Paul Perlik at Presbyterian Orthopedic Hospital in Charlotte, NC, Bell will have his wrist immobilized for six (6) weeks, at which point he will begin rehabilitation.

He is expected to be sidelined a minimum of three (3) months.

New York Liberty hire Anne Donovan as head coach

Hall of Famer Anne Donovan has been named head coach of the New York Liberty, it was announced today by team President and General Manager Carol Blazejowski. As per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.

“There’s no question that Anne is one of the most respected coaches in our game. Her experience and leadership skills as both a player and a coach will be invaluable as we battle to get the franchise back to its proper place at the top of the WNBA,” said Blazejowski.

After taking over as the Liberty’s interim head coach halfway through the 2009 season, Donovan compiled a 7-10 overall record. A Ridgewood, New Jersey native, she is the fourth head coach of the franchise. She joined New York as an assistant coach on April 28, 2009.

“I am very excited to be returning to the Liberty and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead and have confidence that our team will be back on track next summer,” said Donovan.

Donovan is one of the most accomplished female players and coaches in basketball history. She was a Naismith Award winner and three-time All-American selection as a player at Old Dominion and won gold medals with the 1984 and 1988 U.S. Olympic teams. She served as an assistant coach in the 1998 and 2004 Olympics, helping the U.S. capture gold medals both times. In 2008, Donovan coached the U.S. Women’s National team to gold in the Beijing Olympics. She began her WNBA career with the Indiana Fever as the interim head coach in 2000, followed by head coaching positions with the Charlotte Sting (2001-2002) and the Seattle Storm (2003-2007). In Seattle, she compiled a 93-77 record with four post-season berths, including the 2004 WNBA Championship title. Donovan was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995. She was one of the twenty-six inductees in the inaugural class of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.

Mavericks drop 49 points on Nets in second quarter for 77 first half points

Wednesday night in New Jersey the Nets (0-17) are hosting Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks. For New Jersey this is a must-win game if they want to avoid making some very negative history. With no wins and 17 losses coming into the game, if the Nets fall to 0-18 it will mark the worst start of any team in NBA history.

The Nets hung tough in the first quarter, which ended a tie at 28-28.

But then, all heck broke loose. The Dallas Mavericks went bonkers in the second quarter and outscored the Nets 49 to 22. The halftime score is Mavs 77, Nets 50.

For the game, Dallas is shooting 29-of-36 (80.6%) with 7-of-8 three-pointers and a perfect 12-of-12 free throws. Dirk Nowitzki has 13 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists. Erick Dampier has 12 points. Jason Kidd has 12 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists. Jason Terry is 5-of-5 with 11. Tim Thomas is 4-of-4 with 10.

As a team, the Mavs had 22 first half assists.

For New Jersey, Brook Lopez leads with 12 points. Chris Douglas-Roberts has 10. No Nets player has more than 3 assists or 3 rebounds.

The Nets as a team shot 50% in the first half — a very nice showing. But the Mavs went bonkers and unleashed one of the most unstoppable displays I’ve ever seen.

Jerry Sloan agrees to contract extension

The Utah Jazz announced today the decision by Jerry Sloan to return as head coach for the 2010-11 season, which will mark his 23rd season at the helm of the Jazz.

“We have been fortunate to call Jerry Sloan our head coach for two plus decades,” said Greg Miller, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies. “He embodies everything our organization stands for which makes him the perfect fit to lead our roster into the future.”

Sloan has been Utah’s head coach since assuming the reigns from former head coach Frank Layden on December 9, 1988. The fourth-winningest coach in NBA history (1,147-758, .602), Sloan is the longest tenured active coach with one team in major professional sports, and is also the longest tenured head coach in NBA history. Last season Sloan became the first NBA head coach to win 1,000 games with one team (1,053-637, .623 with Jazz), and he currently ranks 358 wins ahead of San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich for most wins with one team among active coaches. Sloan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 11, 2009.

“I am very appreciative of the opportunity the Miller family has given me, and the fact that they have stood behind me for more than 20 years,” said Sloan. “Our team has tremendous potential and I look forward to watching them grow.”

Since Sloan’s hiring there have been a total of 236 coaching changes in the NBA (including interim coaches), with every team in the league aside from Utah making at least two changes. In addition five current NBA teams (Bobcats, Grizzlies, Raptors, Magic, Timberwolves) did not exist when Sloan took the helm in Utah, and two others (Heat, Hornets) were just over a month into their inaugural seasons. Sloan has coached 125 different Jazz players in regular season games during his tenure.

“The entire organization is thrilled that Jerry will continue to lead the Jazz,” said Utah Jazz President Randy Rigby. “He continually produces winning seasons and challenges his players to bring their best to the floor each night.”

Over his first 21 seasons, Sloan has produced two conference championships, seven division titles, 16 consecutive winning seasons, 12 seasons with 50-plus wins and 18 playoff appearances.

“The consistency of the Jazz under Coach Sloan’s direction is unparalleled in the NBA,” said Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor. “We are certainly excited that he will continue to guide the team moving forward.”

Allen Iverson agrees to 76ers deal

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the team has agreed to terms with free agent guard Allen Iverson. The deal is rumored to be nonguaranteed and for one season. We’ll post contract details this morning.

Iverson, the first overall pick by the Sixers in the 1996 NBA Draft, played 10-plus seasons in Philadelphia and ranks second in franchise history in scoring.

“In light of the recent injury to Lou Williams, which will sideline him for close to eight weeks, we felt that Allen was the best available free agent guard to help us at this time,” said Stefanski.

Iverson (6-0/165) signed as a free agent with Memphis this past September, but parted ways with the Grizzlies after appearing in just three games. He was officially waived on November 16, 2009.

In 1996-97, Iverson took home Rookie of the Year honors with the Sixers. Iverson helped guide Philadelphia to the NBA Finals in 2001, earning the league’s Most Valuable Player award for that season in the process.

A 10-time All-Star and two-time All-Star Game MVP, Iverson has been named to a total of seven All-NBA teams (First Team in 1998-99, 2000-01 and 2004-05; Second Team in 1999-00, 2001-02 and 2002-03; Third Team in 2005-06). He led the NBA in scoring four times as a Sixer, becoming one of only four players in league history to capture four-plus scoring titles.

Now in his 14th NBA season, playing in 889 career games with 877 starts, Iverson is averaging 27.0 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.21 steals in 41.4 minutes per game while shooting 42.5% from the floor, 31.3% from 3-point range and 78.0% from the foul line. He is currently tied for the fifth-highest scoring average in NBA history and ranks third among active players.

The 34-year-old has also appeared in 71 career playoff games and owns the second-highest postseason scoring average (29.7 ppg) in NBA history, trailing only Michael Jordan (33.4 ppg).

Iverson was traded by Philadelphia to Denver along with Ivan McFarlin in exchange for Andre Miller, Joe Smith and two future first round picks on December 19, 2006. After just over a season and a half with the Nuggets, Iverson was traded to Detroit on November 3, 2008.

Following tonight’s game at Oklahoma City and Saturday’s game at Charlotte, the Sixers return to Philadelphia for a five-game home stand beginning on Monday, December 7 vs. Denver at 7 p.m. Iverson is expected to make his season debut with the Sixers that night.

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Victoria`s Secret declares Derrick Rose Chicago`s sexiest athlete

Here is some news that is not quite at the top of the importance ladder.

Bulls.com reports:

Victoria’s Secret Angel Alessandra Ambrosio will present Bulls guard Derrick Rose with his “Chicago’s Sexiest Athlete” award tonight at 8:30 p.m. at an event celebrating the winners of their “What’s Sexy Now Chicago” campaign.

Rose competed for the award against the Blackhawks Patrick Sharp and the Bears Brian Urlacher.

Additionally, the Bulls also won as the sexiest Chicago sports team in the ”What’s Sexy Now Chicago” balloting. The Bulls were up against the Blackhawks, Bears, White Sox, Fire and Cubs.

As editor of InsideHoops.com, I have no comment on this. I would, however, like to ask the Victoria’s Secret models to please stop callling me all at the same time. I only have time for three, maybe four of you these days.

Raptors defensive struggles

The Toronto Raptors entered the season with lofty expectations but with a 7-11 record they aren’t off to the start they hoped for.

Steve Buffery of the Toronto Sun reports:

Raptors head coach Jay Triano has found himself increasingly on the defensive about his team’s lack of defence.

The 7-11 Raptors, losers of their past three games, have given up the second most points in the NBA (109.27) and Triano’s assertions that the club’s defence eventually will improve is starting to fall, if just a notch, on deaf ears.

But Triano remained steadfast yesterday in the belief that, eventually, his club will come together on defence, adding that he sees positive signs, such as when they switched on defence and went to a zone coverage in a 113-94 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. Triano said, for instance, that the high-flying Suns, who lead the NBA in scoring (averaging 112 points), were 13-for-31 on possessions when the Raptors switched.

It’s too early to worry, but keep an eye on the field goal percentage and point totals of Raptors opponents over the next 4-6 games.

Tulsa 66ers sign DeVon Hardin

The Tulsa 66ers announced today that they have acquired center DeVon Hardin. Hardin (6-11, 250) was a second round pick of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2008 NBA Draft (50th overall).

“We are thrilled to add DeVon to our roster in Tulsa,” 66ers Head Coach Nate Tibbetts said. “As part of the Thunder family, we are excited for the opportunity to develop a player our organization selected in the 2008 draft, both on & off the court.”

Hardin will be in uniform for tonight’s game at Austin, and will wear number 44. In order to make room for Hardin on the roster, the 66ers released guard Byron Eaton.