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People.com reports: An engagement ring on her birthday and a secret marriage on Valentine’s Day – who knew jocks could be so romantic! Adriana Lima, a Brazilian supermodel and a Victoria’s Secret Angel, eloped with NBA star Marko Jaric on Feb. 14 in Jackson Hole, Wyo., in a small, private civil ceremony, PEOPLE confirms exclusively.
InsideHoops.com editor says: I was going to marry her but instead I chose to grab some pizza. Still, congrats Marko!
The Boston Celtics announced today that the club has signed free agent center/forward Mikki Moore. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Mikki’s length, energy, skill and experience, along with his enthusiasm to come to Boston, will be a great boost for us.” said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations.
Moore, a 7’0”, 225lb center/forward, is in his 11th NBA season. Moore has posted career averages of 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 54.8 percent from the field. This is Moore’s second stint with the Celtics after he spent a portion of the 2002-03 season with the team. The former Nebraska Cornhusker has posted career playoff averages of 10.2 points and 5.3 rebounds in 15 games. He also shot 54.5 percent from the field in those 15 games.
Moore will wear #7.
The Deseret News reports: They hit 70.7 percent from the field in the first half, their best opening-half shooting success 10-plus years. They led by as many as 26, and rolled in the second half. They had five scorers in double figures, two with double-doubles. They beat Atlanta 108-89 Monday night at EnergySolutions Arena, extended their winning streak to five, improved to 8-1 in February — and did it with all of their 15-man roster intact and healthy for the first time this season, including even starting power forward Carlos Boozer. The Jazz, in other words, had it together — and, accordingly, have head coach Jerry Sloan fretting over a new problem altogether. “Just trying to decide who to play and how to play ’em — that’s going to be the toughest thing,” said Sloan, who got 58 points from his suddenly deep bench, including 16 apiece from Paul Millsap (who also had a game-high 12 rebounds) and Kyle Korver and 15 from Matt Harpring.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports: Boozer, meanwhile, had two points and five rebounds in 21 minutes, going 1 for 5 and missing two free throws. He was originally injured Nov. 19, underwent surgery Jan. 9 and missed 44 games in all, with the Jazz going 25-19 in his three-month absence. Boozer said his knee felt great, estimated it would two weeks to get back in rhythm and was encouraged by the victory. “When we get to the playoffs, if we’re hitting our stride at the right moment, we could be a dangerous team,” he said. The Jazz took a 31-24 lead into the second quarter, then outscored the Hawks 17-8 with Williams on the bench to build a 19-point lead. Such is the strength of their second team with Boozer back, anchored by Paul Millsap, Andrei Kirilenko and Harpring.
Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady will undergo season-ending microfracture surgery on his left knee in Chicago on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Rockets Team Physician Tom Clanton will assist Dr. Brian Cole with the procedure.
McGrady played in 35 games this season and finishes with averages of 15.6 points, 5.0 assists and 4.4 rebounds.
The Rockets have gotten used to playing without some or all of their top stars, and now it’ll be for a very extended period.
The Orlando Sentinel (Brian Schmitz) reports (via blog): Stuff the Magic mascot has joined Jameer Nelson on the team’s injury list. The furry dragon is sidelined by a broken right foot sustained while performing a stunt in the Magic’s last home game — last Tuesday night against the Charlotte Bobcats.
The San Francisco Chronicle (Janny Hu) reports (via blog): There have been warning signs and flare-ups here and there. And now this announcement from the Warriors: “Guard Monta Ellis, who has experienced occasional stiffness in his left ankle since returning to action on January 23, including during last night’s game against Oklahoma City, will be sidelined the next 1-2 weeks.
The Boston Globe (Marc Spears) reports: Celtics president Danny Ainge said early this morning that injured forward Kevin Garnett will be out 2-3 weeks with a posterior muscle strain of the right knee. The All-Star suffered the injury during the second quarter of Thursday’s loss at Utah.
InsideHoops.com editor says: No worries. Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis will average 25 points, 23 rebounds and 20 assists per game while KG heals up.
The Arizona Republic (Paul Coro) reports: Valley retinal surgeon Dr. Pravin Dugel first saw Suns star Amaré Stoudemire on Thursday night on a referral from team ophthalmologist Jay Schwartz, who examined Stoudemire’s right eye that afternoon. Dugel, with Retinal Consultants of Arizona, said Stoudemire’s vision was disturbed as badly as 20/50 and he had blood in his eye. It was clear he had a “very large” retinal detachment on the nasal side. The ragged tears indicated they were caused by trauma. Stoudemire was struck near his eye Wednesday while fouling Al Thornton but that was not a sole cause… The eight-week prognosis for a return to physical activity is loose, considering his job.
Larry H. Miller, husband, father, grandfather, a well-known entrepreneur, community advocate and humanitarian, died from complications due to type 2 diabetes today, at home, surrounded by his family. He was 64.
Miller, a man who truly loved Utah, its people and its land, was born in Salt Lake City in 1944. From modest beginnings, he grew up in the Capitol Hill area and went on to become one of Utah’s most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Leaving behind a profound professional and personal legacy, the entities Miller created have had a significant and lasting impact on the communities in which he did business, and the more than 7,000 individuals he employed.
The Larry H. Miller Group of Companies began with the Larry H. Miller Toyota store in Murray, Utah on May 1, 1979. Through the years, Miller amassed more than 80 businesses and properties in the western United States. Most notable are the Utah Jazz, EnergySolutions Arena, the Salt Lake Bees, Miller Motorsports Park, Megaplex Theatres, and 39 automobile dealerships spanning the Rocky Mountain West. Miller also developed a vast real estate holdings including commercial and agricultural properties.
A dynamic entrepreneur and business leader, Miller also became known for his charitable efforts. Miller coined the phrase “Go about doing good until there is too much good in the world.”
Miller and his wife Gail provide close to 300 college scholarships each year. Larry H. Miller Charities, a foundation funded by monthly contributions from his businesses, fundraising events in the community, and personal donations from employees, has donated millions of dollars to communities in which Miller does business.
“Larry and Gail have always stressed the importance of giving back to the communities in which we do business. Our customers have supported us and it is important that we show our appreciation by helping those in need,” said Greg Miller, eldest son and CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies. “Larry felt that his legacy isn’t in business as much as it was in creating opportunities for good jobs and higher education.”
Larry and Gail have also donated millions of dollars to Utah-based colleges and universities for campus improvements such as the state-of-the-art softball and baseball complexes at BYU. The Larry H. Miller Campus of the Salt Lake Community College (SLCC), was completed in fall 2001 and includes the Larry H. Miller Entrepreneurship Training Center and The Larry and Gail Miller Public Safety Education & Training Center.
Despite all of his success, Miller always maintained that his greatest accomplishment is the family that survives him: his wife, Karen Gail Saxton Miller, their four sons and one daughter, 21 grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has acquired guard Kyle Lowry from Memphis and forward Brian Cook from Orlando as part of a three-team trade. The deal has the Rockets sending Rafer Alston to the Magic, while the Grizzlies receive a first-round draft selection from Orlando in the 2009 NBA Draft along with center Adonal Foyle and guard Mike Wilks.
“First, I would like to thank Rafer for his commitment to the team over the past four seasons,” said Morey. “Kyle is an underrated player who will help us now and we can build around in the future. He is a very good rebounder and defender who can attack the basket in the half court and transition, finish, and make the kick out pass to shooters. Brian is a proven veteran who will provide us with solid perimeter shooting and additional depth.”
“Rafer is a starting veteran point guard who shoots the ball well,” said Magic General Manager Otis Smith. “He will give us added depth and athleticism in the backcourt. We thank Brian, Adonal and Mike for all of their contributions and wish them all the best.”
Alston (6’2”, 175, 7/24/76, #1) has played in 48 games (all starts) this season for Houston, averaging 11.5 ppg., 5.4 apg., 3.0 rpg., and 1.2 stlpg. in 33.1 minpg. In his 10th NBA season, he is shooting .348 (80-of-230) from three-point range and has scored in double figures 28 times, including a season-high 23 points on January 21 vs. Utah. He’s led the Rockets in assists in 26 games this season.
Originally selected by Milwaukee out of Fresno State in the second round of the 1998 NBA Draft (39th overall selection), Alston has appeared in 590 games with four teams (Milwaukee, Toronto, Miami, Houston), averaging 10.2 ppg. and 4.9 apg. He has also appeared in 33 playoff games, with 11 starts. He saw action in 13 playoff games for the Miami Heat in 2004, and averaged 14.3 ppg. and 4.5 apg. in four postseason games last year for Houston. Considered a “playground legend” while growing up in Queens, New York, he coached the 16-and-under New York Panthers AAU basketball team during the 2008 offseason.
“It was difficult to part with Kyle Lowry,” Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace said. “He has been an important part of our team the last three seasons. With the emergence of Mike Conley, we decided that the acquisition of Orlando’s unprotected first round pick was a good move to make. We now will enter the upcoming draft with two first round selections and three picks overall, likely inside the first 37 picks.”
The Grizzlies now own four first round picks over the next two drafts, including the Lakers’ 2010 first rounder and the team’s own two first round selections.
Lowry (6-0, 205, Villanova) was averaging 7.6 points, 3.6 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 49 games (21 starts) with Memphis in 2008-09. As a starter this season, Lowry is averaging 9.0 points (.423, 60-142 FG), 4.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per game. Overall, he has scored 10-plus points 12 times in 2008-09, including a career-high 25 points vs. Cleveland (1/13/09). Lowry posted his second career double-double at Minnesota (12/29/08) with 14 points and a career-high 12 assists, which marked the most assists for a Grizzlies player since Chucky Atkins (16) at Minnesota (4/18/07). The 6-foot guard also recorded career highs in free throws made (15) and attempted (16) vs. Cleveland (1/13/09).
Selected out of Villanova after his sophomore season by Memphis in the first round (24th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft, Lowry has averaged 8.6 points, 3.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 141 career games (30 starts) with the Grizzlies. He was one of just two Grizzlies to play all 82 games last season, leading the club in free throw attempts (348). Lowry missed all but 10 games in his rookie year due to a fractured wrist.
Cook (6-9, 250, Illinois) averaged 3.0 points (.440, 11-25 3FG), 1.3 rebounds and 7.0 minutes in 21 games with Orlando this season. Playing in his second campaign with the Magic, Cook scored a season-high nine points at Utah (12/13/08). He matched that total with nine points vs. Atlanta (1/9/09), as well as pulling down a season-best eight rebounds.
In his sixth NBA season, Cook has averaged 6.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in 325 career games (74 starts) with the L.A. Lakers and Orlando. Cook, who was selected by the Lakers in the first round (24th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft, played four-plus seasons in Los Angeles before joining the Magic via trade on Nov. 20, 2007. The former Illinois standout also appeared in 25 postseason games with the Lakers, averaging 3.0 points and 1.6 rebounds in 7.0 minutes per game.