The AP reports: Three-time WNBA MVP and four-time Olympic gold medalist Lisa Leslie will call it quits after her upcoming 12th season with the Los Angeles Sparks. The 36-year-old center announced her decision Wednesday, accompanied by her 19-month-old daughter and husband. Leslie, a cornerstone of the league since its start in 1997, guided the Sparks to WNBA championships in 2001 and 2002. “I’m not going to pull a (Michael) Jordan and come back in a year or two,” she said. “For me, I feel good about where I am. … I just know this is a good time. I can still help (the team). I don’t want to be out there when I can’t do it.”
Category: NBA News Blog
NBA news blog
Pistons sellout streak ends at 259 games
With tonight’s attendance of 21,720, the Detroit Pistons sellout streak of 259 consecutive games has come to an end. The streak, which began on January 19, 2004 versus San Antonio and includes playoff games, is the longest sellout streak in franchise history. The Pistons tallied 245 consecutive sellouts between the first game played at the Palace of Auburn Hills on November 5, 1988 and December 10, 1993.
“Our great fans should be applauded for filling The Palace of Auburn Hills on 259 consecutive occasions and it has certainly been a special time in Pistons basketball history,” said Tom Wilson, President of Palace Sports and Entertainment. “We are fortunate to have the best basketball fans in the NBA and we will continue to provide them with the best possible sports entertainment experience.”
Detroit has led the NBA in regular-season attendance five of the last six years, including the 2007-08 campaign in which 905,116 fans enjoyed Pistons basketball for the fourth consecutive season.
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Andrew Bogut out 8+ weeks
Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond announced today that center Andrew Bogut (7-0, 260) has an incomplete stress fracture in his lower back. Bogut went through a series of tests and evaluations earlier this week that revealed the injury.
He will be sidelined for a minimum of eight weeks at which time he will be re-evaluated. In the meantime, he will rehabilitate the injury with strengthening exercises and rest.
In 36 games this season, Bogut is averaging 11.7 points, 10.3 rebounds (11th in NBA), 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocked shot in 31.2 minutes per game.
Bogut, 24, is one of 11 players in the league to average double-figures in both points and rebounds, and one of 13 players in the NBA to average a double-double this season.
Two Wizards charged with reckless driving
The Washington Post reports: Guard Nick Young and center JaVale McGee were charged with reckless driving after being pulled over for speeding on the Dulles Access Road on Jan. 1. The incident was first reported by WJLA (Channel 7) on Monday. Under Virginia law, a driver can be charged with reckless driving for going more than 20 miles over the speed limit as well as other offenses including driving over 80 mph and racing. The speed limit on the access road is 55 mph.
Kobe Bryant 61 points
Kobe Bryant scored 61 points in Madison Square Garden Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the New York Knicks 126-117.
I was there to witness what was the most fun performance I ever remember seeing in person at an NBA game.
It was magical. And what made it even more awesome was the amount of Laker fans in NY for the game. Chants of MVP erupted repeatedly all throughout the game. And Kobe’s 61 points were created in ways every young basketball player dreams of. He unleashed crazy, absurd moves, and was tossing jumpers in the faces of any Knicks defender who came near him.
Kobe Bryant’s 61 points in MSG is an instant hoops classic.
Below is a video of every shot Kobe made to score his 61 points. Watch and enjoy:
Read fan reaction to Kobe Bryant’s 61-point game in MSG and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.
TNT adds game of Horse to All-Star
TNT is adding a game of HORSE to NBA All-Star weekend, where basketball players must try to match shots – the exact shot – that their competitor makes, to All-Star weekend.
Click the link above for the full report.
Chris Paul is day-to-day
Chris Paul underwent an MRI this morning, which revealed a mild groin strain. Paul suffered the injury during the late-third quarter of last night’s loss to Portland. He is listed as day-to-day.
This is good news, as yesterday it was feared he might have a more serious injury. There was some speculation he might even miss the All-Star game, though that appears to not be the case.
Jameer Nelson health update
Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson underwent an MRI on Tuesday morning, which revealed a torn right labrum.
Nelson dislocated his right shoulder with 9:11 remaining during the third quarter of the Magic’s loss vs. Dallas on February 2. The course of treatment for the injury will be determined during the next week. At that point, his playing status will be evaluated.
The information above is from 12:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 3.
Al Horford returns to practice
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Sekou Smith) reports: Good luck trying to figure out who was happier to see Al Horford back on the practice floor. The Hawks’ starting center was ecstatic Monday to be at work full time after missing the last 12 games with a bone bruise in his right knee. His teammates were just as happy considering their recent struggles. The Hawks were 5-7 record without their leading rebounder and best post defender. Horford should play Wednesday at Minnesota, but that is contingent on how his knee responds.
Jameer Nelson dislocates right shoulder
The Orlando Sentinel reports: Magic all-star point guard Jameer Nelson dislocated his right shoulder playing against the Dallas Mavs on Monday night. Nelson left the game with nine minutes, 11 seconds left in the third period, either fell or ran into Mavs center Erick Dampier. He ran off the floor in a bent-over fashion after appearing to injure his right shoulder.