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NCAA and pro sports leagues file federal lawsuit against New Jersey state officials to stop sports gambling

The NCAA and the four major professional sports leagues (MLB, NBA, NFL and the NHL) today filed a complaint against New Jersey state officials in federal court in Trenton, NJ seeking to stop the state from implementing sports betting on pro and college games.

The leagues and the NCAA assert that the state’s recently announced decision to offer sports betting violates long-standing federal law. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (“PASPA”) became law in 1992 and prohibits states from operating a lottery or betting scheme based on pro or college games. This law is also known as the “Bradley Act” for its proponent, then New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley.

The law provided a one-year window, from January 1, 1993 to January 1, 1994, during which New Jersey was afforded the opportunity to authorize sports betting. The state declined that opportunity and has been barred by federal law from conducting sports gambling.

— PRESS RELEASE

Sacramento Kings extend contract of coach Keith Smart

The Sacramento Kings today extended the contract of Head Coach Keith Smart for the 2013-14 season, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

“Keith’s extension gives us the stability we need to continue the development of our team,” Petrie said. “He has the commitment, energy and vision necessary to succeed in building a winning team. We are all looking forward to working with him as we pursue an exciting and productive future.”

According to Jason Jone of the Sacramento Bee, “Smart took over as coach after Paul Westphal was fired Jan. 5 amid a feud with center DeMarcus Cousins and other players openly questioned his direction. Even though Smart won over players and improved the team offensively by starting Isaiah Thomas at point guard and moving Tyreke Evans to the wing, the Kings went 20-39 after he was promoted from assistant coach and missed the playoffs for the sixth straight season. Smart has said his focus for this season is to improve one of the NBA’s worst defenses while emphasizing a fast-paced offense that shares the ball.”

Smart was named Sacramento’s head coach on January 5, 2012, becoming the franchise’s 24th head coach. In his first season with the Kings, Smart compiled a 20-39 coaching mark. He has a lifetime record of 65-116 (.359) in three seasons with the Sacramento Kings (2011-12), Golden State Warriors (2010-11), and Cleveland Cavaliers (2002-03).

“I’m excited to continue this process with the Kings,” Smart said. “We’re trying to get our franchise moving in the right direction. The goal is to keep moving in that positive direction, and I’m glad that I get that opportunity. It’s been great working with Geoff and his staff and communicating with the Maloofs in this process.”

Danny Granger says Heat deserved to win championship

Like everybody else in the Pacers organization, Granger is eager for the season to start after they were eliminated by Miami in six games in the second round of the playoffs last season.

“Still not over it,” Granger said laughing about losing to the Heat. “I’m over it. It happens. They were the better team. I think they deserved to win the championship. That’s the way it goes. We have to get better.”

The Eastern Conference will be better next season.

Brooklyn, Boston, New York and the Pacers are expected to be in the mix for seeds 2-4 in the East.

— Reported by Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star (Blog)

A bit of the Kevin Durant and father story

Father of Kevin Durant quit on family when Kevin was 1

When [Wayne] Pratt was 23 years old, he was already a father of two. He says he wasn’t ready for the responsibilities. Around Durant’s first birthday, Pratt deserted the family, leaving behind his wife, Wanda, and sons Kevin and Tony.

“I felt like I was immature, selfish, I was young. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into,” said Pratt, now 46. “But my sons helped me realize how important it was to be in their lives by always wanting me to be around.”

Wanda Durant (her maiden name) sits courtside at most Oklahoma City Thunder games and is regularly interviewed by major media outlets. Meantime, Pratt is a lesser known figure who said he’s happy with the simple life he lives.

It took Pratt nearly a decade to seek forgiveness from his two sons and worked out a decent relationship with his now ex-wife. He said Wanda was always a positive person and strong enough to raise two sons.

— Reported by Matt Breen of the Washington Post

J.R. Smith says Knicks can win championship

In an interview with ESPNNewYork.com this weekend, Smith said he thinks that the Knicks, on paper, have the talent to win a championship, something the franchise hasn’t done in 40 years.

“Right now with the talent we have, what it says on paper is championship all day. But it’s a matter of us going out there and doing it,” Smith said after appearing at an event in Harlem at Nike’s House of Hoops to promote/give away some Nike sneakers to children.

Smith says he goes into every season with a “championship or bust” mentality.

But that’s particularly true this season.

Smith believes the moves the Knicks made in the offseason give them enough talent to “compete with anybody.”

“It’s just a matter of us being smart with our talents and making the right plays,” Smith said.

— Reported by Ian Begley of ESPN New York

Scott Brooks says he must keep improving as a coach

He owns a .582 winning percentage, a Coach of the Year award and has captained his team to the NBA Finals.

Yet Scott Brooks will be the first to tell you he needs to improve.

“My job is to get better,” the Oklahoma City Thunder coach said shortly after signing a four-year contract extension last month. “I’m not going to stand up here and say that I’m great. I feel like I have a lot of room to improve.”

At this point, the continued improvement of the defending Western Conference champions is largely dependent on Brooks’ progression.

— Reported by Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman

Utah Jazz, Paul Millsap talking extension

All signs continue to point toward 21-year-old big man Derrick Favors as a major centerpiece of the Jazz’s future.

While Favors crisscrossed Utah this week, strengthening his bond with fans by visiting remote towns as part of the annual Junior Jazz program, initial contract negotiations quietly began between the small-market organization and longtime power forward Paul Millsap.

The sturdy six-year veteran was offered a three-year extension worth about $25 million, The Salt Lake Tribune has learned, which is the maximum extension Millsap can receive under the new collective bargaining agreement. The proposed deal features an annual 7.5 percent raise, would kick in after Millsap’s current contract expires June 2013, and could keep the career Jazzman in a Utah uniform through June 2016.

Initial indications are Millsap won’t agree to the extension, though, preferring to enter free agency in 2013 with plans to cash in on an inflated 2012 market that saw mid-tier forwards such as Gerald Wallace, Andrei Kirilenko, Nicolas Batum and Ryan Anderson recently receive lucrative multiyear contracts.

— Reported by Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune

Patty Mills scores 39 for Australia against Great Britain

Patty Mills scored a tournament-high 39 points and Australia beat Britain 106-75 on Saturday to earn a spot in the quarterfinals of the men’s Olympic basketball competition.

The San Antonio Spurs guard and former Trail Blazer had 15 points in the third quarter to spark Australia’s comeback. Matt Dellavedova made all three of his 3-point attempts in the period as Australia rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit…

Joel Freeland, the 6-foot-10, 250-pound Englishman the Blazers drafted in 2006, had 16 points for Britain, now 0-4 in its Olympic debut. Freeland signed a three-year contract with the Blazers in July.

— Reported by the Associated Press

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Hornets center Robin Lopez undergoes knee surgery

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that center Robin Lopez underwent successful surgery to correct a tear of his medial meniscus in his left knee.

Lopez was acquired July 27 along with forward Hakim Warrick and cash considerations from the Phoenix Suns. The 7’0’’ center averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds for the Suns last season in 14.0 minutes over 64 games.

The procedure was performed by Dr. El Attrache at the Kerlan Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles. Lopez is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp this fall.

Paul Pierce discusses his future with Celtics

Paul Pierce on his contract, which has a team option for 2013-14: “I think I am going to play this one out. I want to see what it feels like to be a free agent for once in my life. I think I am going to play this one out. A lot can change in two years. My body (may not) be where I want it to be, I could retire, a lot of things could happen. It’s not about the money at this point. I love the game. I made as much money as I possibly can. It’s about winning a championship and if I feel like it’s the right thing to do, maybe so (come back) but I really don’t know the specifics on the KG deal or Jason Terry’s deal. If i solidify my third year, maybe they opt out, so it’s about keeping your options open.”

— Reported by Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe (Blog)