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Last night the Mavericks were set to get Jason Kidd in a trade from the Nets, but Dallas’ Devean George blocked his involvement in the deal, probably just delaying (but possibly killing) the whole thing.
Here is a YouTube video from George’s post-game interview, explaining what he’s doing and why.
Dallas Mavericks swingman (or whatever position he sorta plays) Devean George, after messing up the Jason Kidd-to-Mavericks trade by using a contract clause to avoid being traded, started at small forward as the team was at home facing the Portland Trail Blazers. In 33 minutes, George shot 0-of-11, including 0-of-4 from three-point range. And he missed both free throw attempts, finishing with 0 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.
The Mavericks won 96-76, so it didn’t really matter.
But in honor of Devean’s play InsideHoops.com awards him our newly-created ‘Jackass of the Day’ award.
Note that we now retire the existence of this award for today but reserve the right to revive it in the future should another player be worthy of it.
Now, to be fair to George, it isn’t his fault that he’s involved in such a big transaction. He’d probably have done this even if the deal was him to the Nets for a pair of sneakers. He’s just looking out for himself like every player in the league (and most people on planet Earth) tend to do.
But by doing this and then going out and looking like a complete scrub against the Blazers, he deserved some sort of award.
InsideHoops.com NewsWire: Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen has been named by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace injured East All-Star Caron Butler (left hip flexor strain) of the Washington Wizards for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 17 in New Orleans.
Allen will be making his eighth NBA All-Star appearance.
“I am disappointed that I am going to miss the All-Star game,” said Butler. “I feel it is best for me to get the proper rest in preparation for the second half of the season. I am honored to be selected as an All-Star. I will still enjoy the weekend with my teammate Antawn Jamison and my fellow NBA All-Stars.”
Butler, who is in his sixth NBA season, is currently averaging career highs in points (21.4), steals (2.4), field goal percentage (.476), and free throw percentage (.913).
The NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 17, will air live on TNT and ESPN Radio beginning at 8 p.m. EST.
ESPN (Marc Stein) reports: With the New Jersey Nets poised to complete a blockbuster deal to send Jason Kidd back to Dallas on Wednesday night, Mavericks reserve forward Devean George has unexpectedly exercised his right to block the trade, according to NBA front-office sources. Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that the teams verbally agreed to the deal earlier Wednesday and were preparing to submit the trade for league approval when George informed the Mavericks that he wouldn’t consent to being included in the deal, which is his right based on a rare provision in his one-year contract.
The Boston Celtics are hosting the New York Knicks, and in the mid third quarter Boston forward Glen Davis spun in the air (it appeared to be a full 360) and landed badly, hurting his left knee.
A replay didn’t look particularly bad — no disgusting ‘obvious’ injury or anything — but Davis fell to the ground and stayed there, in obvious pain. He was eventually helped off the court and brought to the locker room. No word on how serious it is.
8:55 p.m. ET update: It’s just a strained quad muscle.
The New Jersey Nets are in Toronto tonight to face the Raptors and Marcus Williams is starting at point guard. No Jason Kidd.
This isn’t surprising, with reports that Kidd is soon to be traded to the Dallas Mavericks, but it’s still significant seeing things start to materialize.
And the Nets started slowly, down 9-2 early and then down 21-11 with 4:19 left in the first quarter.
The Dallas Mavericks recalled forward Nick Fazekas today from the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA D-League.
Fazekas (7-0, 235) was originally assigned to Tulsa on November 20. He played in 28 games for the 66ers starting 24 times and averaged 19.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 55.3% from the field in 30.6 minutes per game. He was selected to represent the 66ers at the D-League All-Star Game in New Orleans on February 16.
Fazekas, the 34th pick out of Nevada, played in two games for Dallas this season and averaged 1.0 points in 2.5 minutes per game.
Los Angeles Lakers center Chris Mihm underwent successful surgery today to remove a screw from his right heel, it was announced today.
The 30 minute procedure was performed by Dr. Bert Mandelbaum of the Santa Monica Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Group. Mihm’s recovery time is expected to be approximately six weeks.
In 19 games this season, including five starts, Mihm has averaged 4.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in 13.3 minutes. During the 2005-06 season, Mihm played in 59 games (56 starts), averaging a career-best 10.2 points on 50.1 percent shooting from the field, while averaging 6.3 rebounds and 1.24 blocks in a career-high 26.1 minutes.
Currently in his fourth season with the Lakers, Mihm has averaged 9.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.25 blocks in 153 games.
Rockets Head Coach Rick Adelman stands as the winningest coach in Kings history, recording a 395-229 (.633) mark in eight seasons (1998-2006) as head coach of Sacramento.
Elston Turner also spent six seasons as an assistant coach on Adelman’s staff in Sacramento.
T.R. Dunn joined the Rockets coaching staff after three campaigns as an assistant coach for the Kings.
Rockets Assistant Coach R.J. Adelman served five years as a scout for Sacramento, including the final three seasons as assistant video coordinator.
Houston forward Chuck Hayes, who was born in San Leandro, California, attended Modesto Christian High School.
In his solo season with the Kings (2005-06), Rockets guard/forward Bonzi Wells averaged 13.6 points, 2.8 assists and a career-high 7.7 rebounds in 52 games (41 starts).
Maloof Companies previously owned the Rockets from 1979-82.
Kings President John Thomas is a former Senior Executive Vice President with the Rockets.
Sacramento forward Kenny Thomas was drafted by Houston in the first round (22nd overall) of the 1999 NBA Draft, playing the next three-and-a-half seasons with the Rockets.
A trustworthy source called me (InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner), said “the Mavs are extremely close to getting Jason Kidd” and then hung up the phone.
InsideHoops.com is on this and updating live. If anyone reports anything it’ll be on our front page and NBA rumors page.