Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Anderson Varejao plans to play for Brazil in Olympics

Anderson Varejao

Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao plans to play for Brazil in this summer’s Olympics as long as he’s fully recovered from a wrist injury.

Varejao broke his right wrist on Feb. 11 in a game against Milwaukee. It’s taken him longer to get back than expected, but the 6-foot-11 Varejao says he wants to play for Cleveland again in the final month of the season because “this is what I love to do.” And as long as he’s healthy, Varejao intends to play for Brazil’s national team in the London Games.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Hornets guard Eric Gordon may play soon

Eric Gordon

Barring any unforeseen setbacks or missteps, Hornets shooting guard Eric Gordon — the team’s leading scorer despite playing two games this season — could be back on the court in a matter of days.

Gordon was expected to go through the team’s practice session Tuesday evening, the final step in the rehabilitation process after arthroscopic knee surgery Feb. 14 that removed some cartilage and other debris from his right knee, an injury that arguably wrecked the Hornets’ season and cast Gordon’s future with the team in doubt.

In recent weeks, Gordon has ramped up the intensity of his workouts, he said, building to the point where he’s ready for the final post-operative exam: a full-contact practice to determine if the knee is strong enough to play in the final month of the regular season.

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

Stephen Curry out at least two more weeks

Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry is still holding out hope to return this season.

The Golden State Warriors announced Wednesday that Curry will be sidelined at least another two weeks with a sprain in his surgically repaired, troublesome right ankle. He will be reevaluated after that time, and it’s still unlikely he’ll play again this season.

Tuesday night’s 104-101 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers was the 10th straight game – and 21st this season – Curry has missed.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Wizards sign Cartier Martin to 10-day contract

Cartier Martin

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed guard/forward Cartier Martin to a 10-day contract.

Martin (6-6, 220), has averaged 18.3 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting .489 from the floor and .556 from three-point range in seven games with the Iowa Energy of the NBA D-League this season.  He has appeared with the Wizards in the previous two seasons, averaging 4.3 points over 60 games with the team.

Martin was originally signed to a 10-day contract by the Wizards on March 30, 2010.  After finishing the season with the team and averaging 6.4 points over eight games, he returned for the 2010-11 season.  Martin averaged 4.0 points over 52 games with the Wizards in 2010-11 before being waived on April 6.

A product of Kansas State, Martin has previously spent time with the Charlotte Bobcats (averaging 2.6 points over 33 games in 2008-09) and Golden State Warriors (averaging 9.0 points over 10 games in 2009-10) in addition to experience overseas in Turkey, Italy and China.  He has also played in 59 NBA D-League games since the 2008-09 season (all with Iowa), where he has compiled averages of 18.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.

NBA considers selling ad space on jerseys

In an attempt to generate more revenue, the NBA is pondering the idea of placing ads on the jerseys of every player from the 30 teams.

This transition could create approximately $31.18 million in revenue in TV exposure alone.

The NBA Board of Governors will meet next month to discuss the possibility of adding advertising on jerseys.

The idea has been met with much support from players and coaches.

Meanwhile, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban also said it’s an idea whose time has come.

“I’ve been trying to tell [the NBA],” Cuban said. “If someone wants to give us $10 million, I’ll make it happen.”

Cuban believes NBA commissioner David Stern can be convinced that putting ads on jerseys is a viable concept for the league.

— Reported by Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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Kevin Durant to appear on Jimmy Kimmel show

Kevin Durant
kevin durant
May score 80 during the show taping

Two-time scoring champ Kevin Durant will make an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Wednesday night. The show tapes at 6:30 p.m. and airs at 11 p.m. on KOCO-5 (ABC).

This will be Durant’s first stop on the major talk-show circuit.

“It’s new for me,” Durant said. “It should be fun. I’m excited.”

Asked if he was nervous about his talk-show debut, Durant smiled and said, “Nah, we’re just talkin’.”

— Reported by John Rohde of the Oklahoman

Group led by Magic Johnson is buying the Los Angeles Dodgers

A group led by Lakers legend Magic Johnson emerged Tuesday night as the new owners of the Dodgers, ending months of uncertainty for the storied but troubled baseball franchise.

Johnson, who guided the Lakers to five NBA championships during the “Showtime” era of the 1980s, is a partner in the group along with longtime baseball executive Stan Kasten and movie executive Peter Guber. The controlling owner would be Mark Walter, chief executive officer of Guggenheim Partners, a Chicago-based financial services company.

Walter and McCourt met privately in New York on Tuesday, coming to an agreement only hours after Major League Baseball owners approved three final bidders.

The winning group paid $2 billion for the team — a record for a sports franchise — according to an announcement issued jointly with previous owner Frank McCourt.

“I am thrilled to be part of the historic Dodger franchise,” Johnson said in the statement, adding the new owners “intend to build on the fantastic foundation laid by Frank McCourt as we drive the Dodgers back to the front page of the sports section.”

— Reported by Bill Shaikin and David Wharton of the Los Angeles Times

Dennis Rodman says he’s broke

Dennis Rodman can’t afford to pay more than $800,000 in back child support … because he’s dead ass broke — this according to new court documents.

Dennis’ ex-wife Michelle Rodman filed new papers this month, claiming The Worm owes $808,935 in unpaid child support for his 9- and 10-year-old children — and an additional $51,441 in unpaid spousal support.

But Dennis’ attorney responded to the filing, insisting there’s no way the Chicago Bulls legend can pay those bills — because “Respondent Dennis Rodman is broke and cannot afford any additional fees.”

— Reported by TMZ

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Renardo Sidney to enter 2012 NBA Draft

The 6-foot-10 junior big man had a rough go in Starkville, dealing with multiple suspensions — a fight with a teammate in the stands — and erratic play.

Sidney announced Monday he will forgo his final season in favor of pro ball. He will sign with Travis King at Rogue Sports.

“I appreciate Mississippi State giving me an opportunity to play, but I feel it’s time for me to move on,” Big Sid said in a statement. “I’m grateful to all the administrators, coaching staff and the fans for their support during my time at Mississippi State. I’m entering the draft to follow my dream of playing in the NBA and to help my family.”

— Reported by Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports