NBA News Blog – Page 1283 – NBA Blog

Legendary Nike designer Tinker Hatfield does not like working with giant LeBron James entourage

Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com reports:

Tinker Hatfield is the Michael Jordan of designers at Nike, a legend in the shoe design field and the guy who runs the company’s “Innovation Kitchen.” He also, apparently, is not a fan of LeBron James’ associates.

Hatfield rarely does interviews and guards his secrets closely. But he did a private appearance at a Miami shoe store last week in which he took some questions from customers. During the session, which was recorded and posted on YouTube, Hatfield said he stopped personally developing James’ signature shoes because he didn’t like dealing with those around James.

“I don’t like working with LeBron’s entourage,” Hatfield said. “It’s too many people, too many ideas, too many opinions.”

It is the second time in the last six months Hatfield has publicly taken a shot at James various friends and managers. During a similar event last October in Santa Monica, Calif., Hatfield told a group of listeners at a shoe store that “I used to work on LeBron’s, until his entourage kind of pissed me off.”

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

Karen Davidson and Tom Gores reach agreement on sale of Detroit Pistons

Palace Sports and Entertainment (PS&E) and Detroit Pistons Basketball Company (DPBC) owner Karen Davidson today announced a definitive agreement to sell PS&E, DPBC, and their respective assets – including the NBA’s Detroit Pistons, The Palace of Auburn Hills, DTE Energy Music Theatre and the operating rights to Meadow Brook Music Festival – to financier Tom Gores and his investment firm, Platinum Equity.

Terms of the agreement, which is still subject to review and approval by the NBA’s Board of Governors, were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to welcome Tom Gores as the new owner of the Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports and Entertainment,” said Karen Davidson. “Just as my late husband, Bill Davidson, was the face of the Pistons, I am confident that Tom will bring the same energy, dedication and love to this organization. I look forward to seeing Tom follow in Bill’s footsteps, and carry on his legacy.”

“From the Pistons players, coaches and front office, who helped bring home three world championships, to the management and staff at the Palace, DTE and Meadow Brook, who earned us international recognition, we look forward to facilitating a smooth transition under Tom and achieving even greater success in the future.”

Mr. Gores is the Chairman and CEO of Platinum Equity, a global investment firm whose holdings include 34 portfolio companies in such diverse business sectors as technology, media and entertainment, industrials, metals processing, automotive supply, and distribution and logistics.

The firm specializes in navigating complex business environments, and Mr. Gores said he sees great potential for revitalizing PS&E and the Pistons franchise.

“I am very proud to have this opportunity to be part of such a tremendous organization,” Mr. Gores said. “I know it’s been a long process and I appreciate the patience and support of the Detroit community. I have been impressed with the Davidson family and the way it has protected and built such a storied franchise. I grew up here, I am glad to be back, and I am very excited about all the possibilities looking forward.”

Comerica Bank, a longtime financing partner of Platinum Equity, will provide financing on the transaction. The transaction is expected to close by June 30, pending league approval and normal closing conditions.

Citi Private Bank’s Sports Advisory group acted as sell-side advisor on the transaction.

Outside of these statements, all parties have agreed to continue to abide by the terms of their confidentiality agreement pending final close of the transaction.

Andre Miller hits 7,000 career assists

Steve Luhm of the Salt Lake Tribune reports:

Miller became the 14th player in NBA history with at least 7,000 assists during Portland’s 98-87 win over the Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena.

In 1998, Miller quarterbacked the University of Utah’s run to the NCAA championship game, where the Utes lost to Kentucky.

A year later, Cleveland selected Miller with the No. 8 pick in the NBA draft. He was taken after two other point guards, Steve Francis and Baron Davis, who went second and third, respectively.

Quentin Richardson suspended two games for shoving Gerald Henderson

Quentin Richardson of the Orlando Magic has been suspended two games without pay for shoving Gerald Henderson of the Charlotte Bobcats in the face, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 8:30 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Magic’s 111-102 victory over the Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 6. Richardson will serve his suspension on Sunday, April 10 when the Magic host the Chicago Bulls at Amway Center, and on Monday, April 11 when the Magic play the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.

InsideHoops.com editor says: I think Q-Rich thought Gerald Henderson’s face was late in getting somewhere and he was merely trying to help out. OK, kidding. But seriously, a two-game suspension makes it seem like the NBA is treating Q-Rich’s face-shove of Henderson as something close to a punch, which is understandable. An aggressive face-shove is definitely worse than your average push and less than a punch, but still, the league wanted to make a clear statement not to act that way.

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

Dwight Howard suspended one game after 18th technical foul

The Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard has received a one-game suspension without pay for receiving his 18th technical foul of the 2010-11 season, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

Under NBA rules, a player or coach is automatically suspended without pay for one game once he receives his 16th technical foul during a regular season. For every two additional technical fouls received during that regular season, the player or coach will be automatically suspended for an additional game.

Howard received his most recent technical foul with 3:38 remaining in the second quarter of Orlando’s 111-102 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday, April 6, at Time Warner Cable Arena. Howard will serve his suspension Sunday, April 10 when the Magic host the Chicago Bulls at Amway Center.

InsideHoops.com editor says: I think it’s a stupid rule. Now fans watching Magic vs Bulls don’t get to see D-Howard. They’re the ones hurt.

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

Spurs clinch no.1 seed in West

Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports:

Showered and dressed and dispensed with his media duties in the wake of the Spurs’ 124-92 victory over Sacramento on Wednesday, Manu Ginobili was in a hurry to get home.

The L.A. Lakers and Golden State were already in the first quarter of a nationally televised game that had immediate implications on the Spurs’ playoff seeding.

Ginobili, however, had other viewing plans. Like the insides of his eyelids.

“I’ll probably just go to sleep,” he said.

What Ginobili might have missed, while catching his Zs, was the Spurs’ dream scenario come to fruition. Thanks to the Lakers’ 95-87 loss in Oakland hours later, the Spurs clinched the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed for the first time since 2005-06.

All along, coach Gregg Popovich has been blasé about the importance the conference’s top spot, a half-hearted “nobody would turn it down” being his most enthusiastic endorsement.

Pacers score 136, clinch playoff spot

The AP reports:

Granger helps Pacers clinch playoff berth

Danny Granger scored 25 points, and the Indiana Pacers clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2006 with a 136-112 victory against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

The Pacers needed a win and a Charlotte loss to Orlando to clinch a spot in the postseason. As the Pacers’ game ended, the Orlando-Charlotte game was in overtime, and the Conseco Fieldhouse staff put the game on the Jumbotron. Many fans stayed to cheer to the Magic on to a 111-102 win.

Paul George scored a career-high 23 points and Darren Collison added 15 points and 11 assists for the Pacers, who posted their second-highest point total of the season.

Jordan Crawford scored 29 points and Andray Blatche added 23 for Washington.

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

LeBron James reaches 2,000 points for 7th straight year

The AP reports:

Miami Heat forward LeBron James has now scored 2,000 points in seven straight seasons.

James entered Wednesday night’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks with 1,998 points this season. He made a pair of free throws with 2:12 remaining in the first quarter to reach the 2,000 milestone.

The NBA’s two-time reigning MVP is the eighth player to score 2,000 points seven times. At 26, he’s the youngest member of that club.

Kyrie Irving to enter 2011 NBA Draft

Duke freshman guard Kyrie Irving will enter the 2011 NBA Draft with plans to hire an agent, head coach Mike Krzyzewski announced Wednesday. The 2011 NBA Draft will be held on June 23 in New York City and Irving is expected to be among the top picks in the draft.

“Our whole program is overjoyed with having Kyrie here for one year and that he has the chance now to pursue a dream of being a high draft pick and a great player in the NBA,” said Krzyzewski. “We are totally supportive of Kyrie, his family and his decision. We look forward to continuing to work with him during the upcoming months leading to his entry into the NBA and afterwards while he is an NBA player. He is a great young man, a terrific student, and a truly amazing representative for our program and for Duke. We love him and are very happy for him and his family.”

Irving, a 6-2 guard from West Orange, N.J., played in just 11 games this season, sitting out 26 contests with a toe injury on his right foot. He averaged 17.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while shooting .529 (55-of-104) from the field, .462 (18-of-39) from behind the three-point line and .901 (64-of-71) from the free throw line. Irving started the first eight games of the year, averaging 17.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game during that time frame. He returned to action in the NCAA Tournament and averaged 17.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in Duke’s three outings.

“I want to thank the entire staff at Duke, especially the coaches,” said Irving. “It was a great experience playing for Coach K. He taught me a lot about the game. Even when I was hurt, I learned a lot. Also a special thanks goes to the medical staff for getting me back on the court for the NCAA Tournament and my teammates for sticking with me throughout the entire year. Duke offered me an experience I could never have imagined.”

He scored a game-high 31 points to go with six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals against No. 6 Michigan State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. It was just the fourth time in school history a freshman scored 30 or more in a game. He was selected the CBE Classic MVP after averaging 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.5 steals in the four games. He had 17 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals in the finals against No. 4 Kansas State. Irving also dished out nine assists against both Princeton and Colgate. In the NCAA Tournament, he scored team highs of 14 points against Hampton and 28 points against Arizona in the Sweet 16.

“This was a special year for me. I love everything about Duke and I’m going to miss it,” added Irving. ”Duke has a special place in my heart. Even though I’m leaving this year, Duke will always be in my mind and my heart. I’m going to miss putting on that No. 1 jersey.”

– Duke Sports Information

LeBron James now part-owner of Liverpool FC

Matthew Futterman of the Wall Street Journal reports:

Basketball star LeBron James is joining forces with renowned hedge-fund manager John Henry and veteran Hollywood producer Tom Werner in a deal that brings together one of the biggest stars in sports and two of the world’s most renowned teams.

The deal between Mr. James and Fenway Sports Group will give Mr. James a minority stake in the soccer club Liverpool, which FSG owns. FSG, which also owns the Boston Red Sox, is partnering with Mr. James’s sports-marketing firm, LRMR Branding & Marketing to become the exclusive world-wide representative for Mr. James.

The deal marks the first time that a professional athlete at the top of his game has taken an ownership interest in a team with the size and reach of Liverpool, which is one of the most popular and powerful sports franchises in the world.

It also adds yet another dimension for Boston-based FSG, which became a global operation last October when it bought Liverpool for $488 million. The company was founded as New England Sports Ventures nine years ago after Messrs. Henry and Werner bought the Red Sox and 80% of regional sports channel New England Sports Network. In 2007 Fenway became 50% owner of the Nascar auto-racing team Roush Fenway Racing.

ESPNsoccernet reports:

James is also going into business with the Boston Red Sox, as FSG is also the parent company of the Red Sox and a co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing.

“What FSM does for Roush Fenway, Liverpool and the Red Sox, we will now do for LeBron James,” Fenway Sports Marketing (a sister company of FSG) president Sam Kennedy said. “We will aggressively pursue business opportunities for him.

“We are fortunate to have blue-chip brands like the Red Sox, Liverpool and Roush Fenway. This represents the next step in our evolution, to represent one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet.”