Brooklyn Nets Blog – Page 87 – NBA Blog

Dwight Howard tells Magic he won’t opt out of contract

Dwight Howard has told several teammates, as well as members of the Orlando Magic organization, that he will not opt out of his contract at the end of this season, sources close to the situation said.

That would mean Howard would remain under contract in Orlando through the 2012-2013 season.

Howard has not signed a waiver of his early termination option at this point, which means nothing is guaranteed yet. Both Howard and his representation must sign the documentation.

This latest development comes one day after league sources with knowledge of the situation said Howard’s public plea late Tuesday to remain in Orlando for the rest of the season only served to anger the Magic and has pushed them closer than ever to trading their superstar center.

Convinced that Howard, on the advice of his agent, is trying to manipulate the situation, the Magic are telling teams they will trade Howard before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline if he does not commit to them beyond this season, league sources said.

— Reported by Chris Broussard of ESPN the Magazine

Syracuse center Fab Melo ruled ineligible for 2012 NCAA Tournament

The following is a report from Syracuse Athletics:

Syracuse University sophomore men’s basketball center Fab Melo did not travel with the team to Pittsburgh, and will not take part in the NCAA Tournament due to an eligibility issue. Given University policy and federal student privacy laws, no further details can be provided at this time.

Kris Humphries reportedly wants $7 million from Kim Kardashian

Kris Humphries is secretly demanding $7 MILLION from Kim Kardashian to walk away from their marriage … TMZ has learned.

Sources directly connected to Kris tell TMZ … the bballer — through his Minnesota lawyer — has given Kim an ultimatum … either pay up, or endure an ugly, public trial.

Our sources say Kris and his lawyer have been told to pound sand, and with good reason.

For starters, even if there wasn’t a prenup, the marriage lasted a grand total of 72 days, so the community property wouldn’t be in the universe of $7 mil.

Second, there was an iron-clad prenup, which provided that Kim owes Kris zilch.

— Reported by TMZ

Nets sign Gerald Green to second 10-day contract

The New Jersey Nets have signed forward Gerald Green to a second 10-day contract, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.

Green, who signed his first 10-day contract with the Nets on February 27, has played in five games, averaging 5.6 points and 2.0 rebounds in 18.6 minutes per game.

Prior to joining the Nets, Green was named MVP of the 2012 D-League All Star Game and played in 22 games for the Los Angeles D-Fenders this season, averaging 19.1 points and 4.6 rebounds in 30.6 minutes per game.

The 6-8 forward was selected in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft (18th overall) by the Boston Celtics, entering the draft out of high school. Green played two seasons for the Celtics, having his best year in 2006-07 with averages of 10.4 points and 2.6 rebounds over 81 games (26 starts), as well as winning the 2007 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Following his stint in Boston, Green appeared in a total of 30 games with Houston and Minnesota in 2007-08, and 28 games in 2008-09 with the Dallas Mavericks.

Nets center Brook Lopez out 3 weeks

The 12-16 New Jersey Nets have received more bad news on the injury front.

Nets center Brook Lopez has been diagnosed with a sprained right ankle, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today. Lopez, who was injured in the third quarter of the New Jersey/Charlotte game on Sunday, March 4, will have his foot placed in a walking boot as a precautionary measure. Lopez is expected to miss three weeks of action. The Nets will issue an update on his rehabilitation on March 23.

Lopez has played in five games this season, with averages of 19.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in 27.2 minutes per game. He missed the first 33 games of the season with a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot.

The Nets are currently in 13th place in the Eastern conference.

Deron Williams scored 57 on Bobcats

Deron Williams’ eyes grew a little wider when he realized the Charlotte Bobcats had opted not to double-team him off pick and rolls.

It’s something he hadn’t seen all season.

“I’m used to getting double-teamed on those,” Williams said. “It’s kind of refreshing not to be.”

Williams took full advantage, scoring a franchise-record 57 points to lift the New Jersey Nets to a 104-101 victory over the Bobcats on Sunday night. That’s the most points scored in the NBA this season and breaks the team record of 52 points shared by Mike Newlin and Ray Williams.

It was the second-most points scored against the Bobcats, one shy of Kobe Bryant’s 58 in 2006.

Williams, who came into the game averaging 21.7 points per game, shot 16 of 29 from the field and was a perfect 21 for 21 from the free-throw line. He did miss one at one free throw, but the Bobcats were called for a lane violation and it didn’t count.

— Reported by Steve Reed of the Associated Press

Nets owner Prokhorov won’t be president of Russia

The Nets can’t win in the NBA — or in Russia.

Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov was easily defeated in the Russian president election by Vladimir Putin on Sunday, according to multiple reports.

The Russian billionaire, who purchased a majority stake in the Nets in May of 2010, announced his intentions to run for president of his native country in December.

Despite campaigning, it was widely believed that Prokhorov had no chance of winning the election.

— Reported by Mike Mazzeo of ESPN New York

Nets forward Shawne Williams out for remainder of season

New Jersey Nets forward Shawne Williams underwent successful left foot surgery today to repair an old fracture and remove two small bone fragments, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today. The surgery, performed at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan by foot specialist Dr. Martin O’Malley and Nets team orthopedist Dr. Riley Williams III, involved the insertion of three small screws to repair the fracture.

Williams will miss the remainder of the season and should make a full recovery in time for the beginning of training camp.

Williams was signed as a free agent prior to the 2011-12 season. He appeared in 25 games, averaging 4.5 points and 2.7 rebounds in 20.6 minutes of action per contest.

Nets forward Shawne Williams needs foot surgery

New Jersey Nets forward Shawne Williams will undergo surgery on Wednesday, February 22 to remove a bone fragment from his left foot, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today. The surgery will be performed at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan by foot specialist Dr. Martin O’Malley and Nets team orthopedist Dr. Riley Williams III.

A timetable for his return will be determined following surgery.

Williams was signed as a free agent prior to the 2011-12 season. He appeared in 25 games, averaging 4.5 points and 2.7 rebounds in 20.6 minutes of action per contest.

MSG Network, Time Warner Cable blackout ends

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn confirmed in a triumphant press statement reports that Time Warner Cable and MSG Network had ended their nearly two-month long standoff as political and populist pressure intensified over the past few days thanks in large part to Linsanity.

“I want to thank the MSG-Network and Time Warner Cable for coming to a deal that will put the Knicks and the Rangers back on TV. Now, a million more New Yorkers will be able to go Linsane in the privacy of their own living room. I’m looking forward to watching the return of Carmelo Anthony for the Knicks and Henrik Lundqvist in goal for the Rangers.”

A Time Warner spokesman declined to comment on the reported deal and spokesmen for the MSG Network did not immediately return requests for comment.

— Reported by Nina Mandell of the New York Daily News