Independent NBA News

Thomas: Jeffries will help Knicks' chemistry

2007-04-09T21:27:00.002-07:00

Isiah Thomas believes Jared Jeffries adds something more important than size and athleticism to the New York Knicks.
"One of the things that was written and said and was true about us, chemistry wasn't right. What Jared brings to us more so than talent, he brings chemistry," the Knicks' president and coach said Tuesday after he introduced the team's newest addition.
The 6-foot-11, 240-pound Jeffries, selected by Washington with the 11th overall pick in the 2002 draft, averaged 6.

Thomas: Jeffries will help Knicks' chemistry

Hawks bring back C Wright to be backup

2007-04-09T21:27:00.001-07:00

Lorenzen Wright signed a two-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, giving the team more depth at center. A free agent, Wright agreed to sign with Atlanta about a month ago, but the deal could not be completed until forward Al Harrington went to the Indiana Pacers for a first-round draft pick last week.

Hawks bring back C Wright to be backup

Welsch signs with Spanish team

2007-04-09T21:27:00.000-07:00

Former first-round draft pick Jiri Welsch will leave the Milwaukee Bucks after signing with a professional team in Spain, his agent said Monday.
Agent Sam Goldfeder said that while the Bucks did not try to re-sign Welsch, several NBA teams expressed interest in him. But by choosing instead to play for the Malaga team in Spain, Goldfeder said Welsch hopes to earn more significant playing time and eventually return to the NBA in a more prominent role.
Welsch, 26, averaged 4.

Welsch signs with Spanish team

Bosh powers Raptors by Clippers 122-110 (AP)

2007-04-08T21:12:00.000-07:00

Balanced scoring helped the Toronto Raptors gain ground atop the Atlantic Division standings. Chris Bosh had 27 points as six players reached double figures for the Raptors, who had a season-high point total in a 122-110 victory Sunday over the Los Angeles Clippers. Morris Peterson added 18 points for the Raptors (25-23), who have won three straight.

Bosh powers Raptors by Clippers 122-110 (AP)

LeBron says he could miss a few games (AP)

2007-04-07T18:39:00.000-07:00

The most famous big toe in town needs pampering, and LeBron James just might give it some. The All-Star forward said Monday he'll consider sitting out Cleveland's next few games to rest his sore right toe, which he injured on a recent road trip and aggravated during Sunday's game against Phoenix. After missing Friday's game at Philadelphia, James returned and scored 30 points in 42 minutes against...

LeBron says he could miss a few games (AP)

Warriors' Murphy may have broken nose (AP)

2006-10-27T11:27:00.001-07:00

Mike Dunleavy had 32 points, Baron Davis added 28 and the Golden State Warriors beat the Portland Trail Blazers 124-120 in a preseason overtime game Tuesday night. Troy Murphy scored 14 points for Golden State before leaving in the fourth quarter after taking a forearm in the face from Zach Randolph.

Warriors' Murphy may have broken nose (AP)

Musselman returns to coach Kings (AP)

2006-10-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

Ron Artest scored 22 points to help the Sacramento Kings beat the New Orleans Hornets 117-93 in a preseason game on Sunday. Sacramento coach Eric Musselman led the team hours after he apologized for his arrest a day earlier on a drunken driving charge. Kings owners Gavin and Joe Maloof said no disciplinary action would be taken against the team's first-year coach, hired June 3 to replace fired...

Musselman returns to coach Kings (AP)

Ex-Duke star Langdon leads Moscow team past Clippers

2006-10-24T07:02:00.001-07:00

Trajan Langdon scored 17 points and Tomas Van Den
Spiegel added 16 to lead CSKA Moscow to a 94-75 victory over the
Los Angeles Clippers in an exhibition game Saturday.

Ex-Duke star Langdon leads Moscow team past Clippers

Sampson may plea in child support case

2006-10-24T07:02:00.000-07:00

Former NBA and Virginia star Ralph Sampson, who is accused of lying to federal authorities about his finances in a child support case, would serve two months in jail under a plea agreement he is considering, his attorney said Tuesday.

Sampson may plea in child support case

Tokyo area shaken by earthquake at halftime

2006-10-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

Ermal Kurtoglu scored 10 of his 24 points in overtime and Turkey, which trailed by 11 points with 2 1/2 minutes left in regulation, beat Lithuania 95-84 on Thursday in a classification game at the basketball world championship.

Tokyo area shaken by earthquake at halftime

'E-ticket': Cavs going paperless for some seats

2006-10-15T07:11:00.000-07:00

The Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to take business back from scalpers by eliminating some paper tickets.

'E-ticket': Cavs going paperless for some seats

Mejia

2006-10-09T07:21:00.000-07:00

Chris Mullin and Don Nelson look like a promising pairing, the former star player turned team executive leaning on a former mentor and friend to help "get the magic back," Tony Mejia says.

Mejia

Ex-All-Star to plead guilty to mail fraud

2006-10-06T07:25:00.001-07:00

Former NBA All-Star Ralph Sampson has agreed to plead guilty to mail fraud and serve two months in jail, his attorney said Wednesday.

Ex-All-Star to plead guilty to mail fraud

A.I. sued over claims vs. security team

2006-10-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

Philadelphia 76ers star Allen Iverson is being sued for $2.4 million amid claims he helped hire a security team accused of attacking four people at a Hampton nightclub last year.

A.I. sued over claims vs. security team

Germany survives Dirk's rough outing

2006-10-05T20:08:00.001-07:00

Germany showed there is a lot more to its team than Dirk Nowitzki.
Germany used the 3-pointer and some staunch defense to overcome a poor shooting game from its NBA star and beat New Zealand 80-56 on Sunday in the opening round of the FIBA world championships.
"Dirk rarely has a game like that, maybe one in 50," Germany coach Dirk Bauermann said, referring to his star's 11-point effort on 3-for-13 shooting.

Germany survives Dirk's rough outing

Payton re-signs with Heat

2006-10-05T20:08:00.000-07:00

Gary Payton finally got one championship, yet still wants to chase another.
The veteran guard signed a one-year deal Wednesday to return to the Miami Heat, meaning the defending NBA champions have every player from last season's regular postseason rotation under contract for the coming year.
Payton - a 38-year-old, nine-time All-Star who played 16 seasons before winning his first title in June - was expected to sign a deal worth about $1.

Payton re-signs with Heat

Nets' second-round pick Adams passes physical, signs

2006-10-04T07:52:00.002-07:00

Second-round draft pick Hassan Adams signed with the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday after passing a physical on his recently broken right foot.

Nets' second-round pick Adams passes physical, signs

Warriors ink oft-injured G Dajuan Wagner (AP)

2006-10-04T07:52:00.001-07:00

Dajuan Wagner, the once-promising point guard whose NBA career was derailed by injuries and a serious illness, signed with the Golden State Warriors on Friday after being out of the league for nearly two years. Wagner was the sixth pick in the 2002 draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers after just one collegiate season at Memphis, but health problems prevented him from becoming the star most expected.

Warriors ink oft-injured G Dajuan Wagner (AP)

Warriors C O'Bryant breaks foot (AP)

2006-10-04T07:52:00.000-07:00

Warriors rookie center Patrick O'Bryant probably will miss the start of training camp after breaking his right foot. O'Bryant, the ninth overall selection in the June's draft, was injured during an offseason scrimmage in Las Vegas last month. Team doctors diagnosed the injury in San Francisco this week.

Warriors C O'Bryant breaks foot (AP)

U.S. team cannot fail on mission to Japan

2006-09-23T22:54:00.000-07:00

Sixth place in the 2002 world championship -- in Indianapolis, of all places.
Third place in the 2004 Athens Olympics. These are not results USA Basketball
should be bringing home. And it is up to the 12 men going to Japan to change that,
Tony Mejia says.

U.S. team cannot fail on mission to Japan

Ranking the top NBA point guards

2006-09-16T08:42:00.000-07:00

In the first installment of a six-part series on the NBA's best, Mike Kahn says there's no better floor leader than reigning back-to-back NBA MVP Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns. Find out where the other top guards rank on his top 10 list.

Ranking the top NBA point guards

Redick's DWI court appearance delayed (AP)

2006-09-15T07:46:00.001-07:00

J.J. Redick's court appearance to face drunken driving charges was delayed Tuesday until Oct. 24. Redick, a former Duke star and first-round draft pick of the Orlando Magic, was also charged with unlawful use of highways for making an illegal U-turn, police said. Redick was arrested after 1 a.m. on June 13 when he turned around as he approached a license check point near the Duke campus.

Redick's DWI court appearance delayed (AP)

Nets sign '05 Serbian draft selection Ilic

2006-09-15T07:46:00.000-07:00

Mile Ilic, the raw Serbian center the Nets drafted in the second round in 2005, signed with New Jersey on Wednesday.

Nets sign '05 Serbian draft selection Ilic

Bulls sign Tyrus Thomas

2006-09-08T07:06:00.001-07:00

The Chicago Bulls signed first-round draft picks Tyrus Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha on Tuesday. Details of the contracts were not disclosed. The 6-foot-9 Thomas, who LSU to the Final Four and averaged 12.3 points and nine rebounds as a redshirt freshman, was drafted No. 4 overall by Portland and then traded to the Bulls. Chicago, which had the No. 2 pick overall took LaMarcus Aldridge and shipped him to the Trail Blazers in the trade that also brought Viktor Khryapa to the Bulls.

Bulls sign Tyrus Thomas

Lousy draft? Lucky for Blazers, nobody gave them the memo

2006-09-08T07:06:00.000-07:00

Answer: LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy. Question: Which lottery picks
do the Blazers actually have after their flurry of draft-day trades? Tony Mejia
is impressed, giving Portland an A.

Lousy draft? Lucky for Blazers, nobody gave them the memo

Blazers' Aldridge needs shoulder surgery (AP)

2006-09-07T07:28:00.001-07:00

Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge, the second overall pick in the NBA draft, will undergo surgery to repair a small ligament tear in his right shoulder. The surgery will be performed Wednesday by Dr. Neal Elattrache in Los Angeles, Portland said Tuesday. The amount of time Aldridge will need to recover will be determined after the surgery.

Blazers' Aldridge needs shoulder surgery (AP)

Lakers sign second-round pick Pinnock

2006-09-07T07:28:00.000-07:00

Danilo (J.R.) Pinnock, the 58th pick in the NBA Draft earlier this summer, has signed a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Lakers sign second-round pick Pinnock

Anthony Johnson headed to Dallas

2006-09-06T07:29:00.000-07:00

The Indiana Pacers will send point guard Anthony Johnson to the Dallas Mavericks for veteran floor leader Darrell Armstrong and two other players, Armstrong's agent said Sunday. Dallas will send Armstrong and forwards Josh Powell and Rawle Marshall to the Pacers. The sign-and-trade deal can't be completed until NBA offices open Monday.

Anthony Johnson headed to Dallas

Bucks trade forward Smith to Nuggets for Patterson

2006-09-04T20:48:00.000-07:00

The Denver Nuggets acquired forward Joe Smith from the Milwaukee Bucks for guard-forward Ruben Patterson on Thursday.

Bucks trade forward Smith to Nuggets for Patterson

Shaq, Kobe meet for third straight Christmas

2006-09-02T08:27:00.000-07:00

Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant will spend another Christmas together.
The former teammates will meet on Dec. 25 for the third straight season, as the NBA champion Miami Heat host the Los Angeles Lakers in the lone game on the holiday.
That was one of the highlights of the 2006-07 NBA schedule, released by the league Tuesday.
The season opens on Oct. 31 with two games, both rematches of thrilling first-round series from last season's playoffs: Chicago at Miami and Phoenix at the Lakers.

Shaq, Kobe meet for third straight Christmas

NBA changes seeding format for playoffs

2006-08-31T07:23:00.000-07:00

The NBA is changing the way teams are seeded in the postseason, looking to avoid the controversy that surrounded last season's playoffs.
Starting in the upcoming season, the top four seeds - the three division winners and the second-place team with the best record - will be seeded according to their win-loss total, guaranteeing that the top two teams in each conference can't meet until the conference finals, the league announced Wednesday.

NBA changes seeding format for playoffs

Heat get physical; Mavs get whimsical

2006-07-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Mark Cuban gave Pat Riley an idea: Take it back to the old school. Just like the Charles Oakley/Anthony Mason days, where it was rough, playground basketball. Tony Mejia says it worked in Game 4 of the Finals, and we should expect more of it.

Heat get physical; Mavs get whimsical

Jordan gets to work with Bobcats (AP)

2006-07-17T20:52:00.002-07:00

Michael Jordan went to work for the Charlotte Bobcats on Thursday, overseeing a pre-draft workout as part-owner of the team. Jordan, who's been given decision-making power on personnel decisions, helped conduct on-court drills during most of the workout. He retreated to a balcony overlooking the practice court by the time reporters were allowed in and declined to speak to the media.

Jordan gets to work with Bobcats (AP)

Plenty of questions in NBA draft (AP)

2006-07-17T20:52:00.001-07:00

As Andrea Bargnani told a curious media contingent about himself Tuesday, Tyrus Thomas sat a few feet away and was asked what he knew about the potential No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. "I don't know much, but I hear he's a great player though," Thomas said. "He has to be a good player to be here." Texas forward LaMarcus Aldridge is the other player prominently mentioned as the one who could be called...

Plenty of questions in NBA draft (AP)

Magic take G Redick with 11th pick (AP)

2006-07-17T20:52:00.000-07:00

J.J. Redick drew the ire of fans at Madison Square Garden during the NBA draft. He's almost certainly going to get a much warmer reception in Orlando. The Magic took Redick with the 11th pick Wednesday night, apparently undeterred by the former Duke guard's recent revelation that he has a herniated disk in his back.

Magic take G Redick with 11th pick (AP)

Hornets fans in New Orleans buy into 6 games there

2006-07-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

More than 80 percent of the New Orleans Hornets' pre-Hurricane Katrina season ticket holders have bought ticket packages for all six games scheduled in New Orleans next season, team officials said Friday.

Hornets fans in New Orleans buy into 6 games there

The Back Page: Alonzo Mourning - Never Lost Hope

2006-07-16T15:09:00.002-07:00

As the Miami Heat prepare for their first ever trip to the NBA Finals, which begins Thursday night, the same can be said for Heat reserve Alonzo "Zo" Mourning. It seems that Mourning has been around the game longer than his 13-years, but few realize that at one point his career was in jeopardy.

The Back Page: Alonzo Mourning - Never Lost Hope

NBA fines Nowitzki $5,000 for actions (AP)

2006-07-16T15:09:00.001-07:00

The NBA fined Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki $5,000 on Monday for kicking the ball into the stands following Game 5 of the finals. The league called the penalty its standard fine for such an action. Detroit's Richard Hamilton and Sacramento's Bonzi Wells had to pay $5,000 after throwing balls off the court during games this season.

NBA fines Nowitzki $5,000 for actions (AP)

Mavs angry but happy to be back home (AP)

2006-07-16T15:09:00.000-07:00

Going into Game 5 of the NBA finals, the Dallas Mavericks talked about playing with "controlled anger." Considering the way they lost that game, and the fact they're facing elimination, you can pretty much drop the controlled part for Game 6 against the Miami Heat on Tuesday night. "I think the whole team is (ticked) off," coach Avery Johnson said following a workout Monday.

Mavs angry but happy to be back home (AP)

Shoe camps mark highlight of summer preps season

2006-07-15T20:23:00.002-07:00

For grassroots basketball fans, the month of July marks a sacred place on the calendar. Each year, more than 400 players march to one of the major shoe camps during the second week of July.

Shoe camps mark highlight of summer preps season

LeBron inks three-year extension

2006-07-15T20:23:00.001-07:00

LeBron James agreed early Wednesday to a three-year contract extension worth about $60 million with the Cleveland Cavaliers, keeping the All-Star forward with the club through at least the 2009-10 season. The contract includes an option that would allow James to extend the deal one season, the Cavaliers reported on their website. The contract, which James is yet to sign, will take effect after the 2006-07 season. "I knew all along -- and I had always said -- that I wanted to stay here in Cleveland, so it's a terrific day for me and my family to actually make it official," James said in an interview on the team's website. "Now I can continue to concentrate on basketball and helping bring a championship to Cleveland." James chose an extension that is for two years less than the maximum deal the Cavs could have offered under the league's collective bargaining agreement, a five-year package worth as much as $80 million. "We did extensive research and with the way the CBA is set up, it makes the most business sense to sign this extension and then look at another new contract in four years," James said. Although the 21-year-old James announced Saturday that he had agreed to an extension with the Cavs, terms couldn't be announced until Wednesday, when the NBA's moratorium on free-agency ended.

LeBron inks three-year extension

Mavs sign guard Buckner

2006-07-15T20:23:00.000-07:00

Having lost out on scoring guard Mike James, the Dallas Mavericks instead went for defense by agreeing to a deal Wednesday with guard Greg Buckner. Buckner's three-year contract is expected to be finalized Thursday. Dallas turned to Buckner after James spurned their three-year offer for a four-year deal with Minnesota. Buckner spent the past two seasons in Denver, but is quite familiar to the Mavs. He spent his first three NBA seasons in Dallas, breaking in during the 1999-2000 season after a year in the CBA. Buckner, 29, is valued mostly as a perimeter defender, something the Mavericks sorely lacked against Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. "Buck is a winner in every sense of the word and a glue guy that makes his teammates better," said Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks president of basketball operations. "He's capable of defending three, even four positions. We used to put him on big point guards all the way to finesse (power forwards)."

Mavs sign guard Buckner

LeBron, Cavs agree to 3-year extension (AP)

2006-07-13T07:33:00.002-07:00

As he has throughout his short career, LeBron James combined basketball with business acumen Wednesday by accepting less than the maximum contract offered by the Cleveland Cavaliers. It wasn't a hometown discount. By taking $20 million less, James could cash in later. The 21-year-old agreed to a three-year contract extension worth about $60 million, which will keep the All-Star forward with the...

LeBron, Cavs agree to 3-year extension (AP)

Bulls' Hinrich added to U.S. basketball team

2006-07-13T07:33:00.001-07:00

Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich was added Wednesday to the U.S. national team, which needs another outside shooting threat with J.J. Redick injured.
Hinrich averaged a career-best 15.9 points last season and was even better in the playoffs, averaging 20.5 points and 7.7 assists as the Bulls pushed eventual champion Miami to six games in the first round.
Able to play either guard spot, Hinrich shot 37 percent from 3-point range during the regular season.

Bulls' Hinrich added to U.S. basketball team

ESPN's Raftery among Curt Gowdy Award recipients

2006-07-13T07:33:00.000-07:00

CBS and ESPN analyst Bill Raftery and Los Angeles Times writer Mark Heisler on Wednesday were selected to receive the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Basketball Hall of Fame.

ESPN's Raftery among Curt Gowdy Award recipients

O'Bryant inked by the Warriors

2006-07-12T21:48:00.001-07:00

Patrick O'Bryant, who was selected with the ninth pick overall in the 2006 NBA Draft, signed a two-year rookie contract with the Golden State Warriors. The club holds an option for the third and fourth season.

O'Bryant inked by the Warriors

Grizzlies sign rookie Lowry

2006-07-12T21:48:00.000-07:00

Kyle Lowry, who was selected with the 24th pick overall in the 2006 NBA Draft, signed a two-year rookie contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. The club holds an option for the third and fourth season.

Grizzlies sign rookie Lowry

Riot breaks out at Serbian basketball final

2006-07-08T07:46:00.000-07:00

Dozens of people were injured, some seriously, in a clash between fans and police at a basketball final in Belgrade on Thursday.

Riot breaks out at Serbian basketball final

Blazers grab G James White

2006-07-07T07:00:00.002-07:00

White was selected with the first pick of the second round (31st overall) in the 2006 NBA Draft on Wednesday.

Blazers grab G James White

Ager drafted by the Mavericks

2006-07-07T07:00:00.001-07:00

Maurice Ager was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the 28th overall selection in the 2006 NBA Draft on Wednesday.

Ager drafted by the Mavericks

Transaction reactions: Bargnani looks like real deal

2006-07-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

After being picked No. 1 in the NBA Draft, Italy's Andrea Bargnani says he was a bit taken aback by the initial media scrutiny. But Tony Mejia says it's how he deals with attention on court that will matter -- and he looks like someone who'll be able to handle it.

Transaction reactions: Bargnani looks like real deal

Melo staying in Denver, says he'll accept contract offer

2006-07-06T07:38:00.000-07:00

The first player of the offseason to make a verbal commitment on signing a new contract is Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony. •  Rumor Central

Melo staying in Denver, says he'll accept contract offer

Rockets thrilled to score Novak in second round

2006-07-03T08:03:00.001-07:00

All of Steve Novak's shooting practice paid off this week when the Houston Rockets drafted the 6-foot-10 Marquette star in the second round.

Rockets thrilled to score Novak in second round

Ford healthy and excited to join Raptors

2006-07-03T08:03:00.000-07:00

Point guard T.J. Ford said he's completely healthy and excited to play with All-Star forward Chris Bosh, a day after he was traded to the Toronto Raptors.
The Milwaukee Bucks sent Ford to the Raptors late Friday night for forward Charlie Villanueva and cash.
Ford averaged 12.2 points and a team-high 6.6 assists in 72 games last season following a spinal-cord injury that sidelined him for a season and a half.
"I saw my doctor.

Ford healthy and excited to join Raptors

Riley's mother dies; he will coach Heat on Saturday

2006-07-02T22:40:00.002-07:00

Miami Heat Coach Pat Riley will be with his team for Game 1 of Miami's Eastern Conference quarterfinal on Saturday, despite the death of his 96-year-old mother, Mary.

Riley's mother dies; he will coach Heat on Saturday

Suns fan drops charges vs. Avery's wife

2006-07-02T22:40:00.001-07:00

A Phoenix Suns fan who got into a fight with the wife of Mavericks coach Avery Johnson in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals is no longer pursuing charges.

Suns fan drops charges vs. Avery's wife

Mavericks sign first-round pick G Ager (AP)

2006-07-02T22:40:00.000-07:00

The Dallas Mavericks signed first-round draft pick Maurice Ager on Saturday. Ager, a 6-foot-5, 202-pound guard from Michigan State, was drafted with the 28th pick. He finished his four-year career with the Spartans ranked 11th in career scoring with 1,554 points. He averaged 19.3 points a game as a senior.

Mavericks sign first-round pick G Ager (AP)

Nowitzki celebrates Germany's Cup win (AP)

2006-07-01T07:06:00.001-07:00

Dirk Nowitzki swears his mind was only on basketball when he stepped on the court Friday afternoon. Hard to believe -- because at that precise moment, his nation's soccer team was in a World Cup game. When the Dallas Mavericks opened their public practice, the World Cup opener between Germany and Costa Rica was in the 76th minute, the host nation -- Nowitzki's homeland -- clinging to a 3-2 lead...

Nowitzki celebrates Germany's Cup win (AP)

Jasikevicius to skip world championships

2006-07-01T07:06:00.000-07:00

Indiana Pacers guard Sarunas Jasikevicius elected not to join Lithuania for the world basketball championships in August.

Jasikevicius to skip world championships

Raptors take Bargnani with No. 1 pick

2006-06-29T07:49:00.001-07:00

The Toronto Raptors selected Andrea Bargnani with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft Wednesday night, hoping the forward from Italy can live up to comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki.
The 6-foot-10 forward, the first European player taken first overall, has drawn those comparisons to the Dallas Mavericks' All-Star because of his outside shooting skills. Playing last season for Benetton Treviso in Italy's Lega A, Bargnani shot 37 percent from 3-point range.
He becomes the second straight foreign-born No.

Raptors take Bargnani with No. 1 pick

Bench warrant for Wizards' Arenas lifted (AP)

2006-06-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas missed a court hearing Tuesday on a charge of resisting an officer without violence, and a warrant was briefly issued before the arraignment was rescheduled. Neither Arenas, the Wizards' leading scorer, nor his attorney showed up for the morning arraignment. Miami-Dade County Judge Samuel Slom issued a bench warrant for the player's arrest and set a $2,000...

Bench warrant for Wizards' Arenas lifted (AP)

Wade leads Heat to world title

2006-06-28T07:30:00.002-07:00

Dwyane Wade grabbed the season's last rebound, throwing the ball high in the air as the clock ran out.
And with that, he let out a long scream, a shout of delight.
It was over.
He and the Miami Heat were world champions.
With a 36-point night, Wade capped his first NBA finals in perfect fashion - leading the Heat to a 95-90 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 6 of the title series. The Heat lost the first two games, then won the next four, riding Wade every step of the way.

Wade leads Heat to world title

Triumphant Heat return to Miami (AP)

2006-06-28T07:30:00.001-07:00

And after the sixth game, they rested. The Miami Heat began a well-deserved break Wednesday after their triumphant return to South Florida with the NBA championship trophy in tow. The Heat beat the Dallas Mavericks 95-92 in Game 6 Tuesday for the 18-year-old franchise's first title. Finals MVP Dwyane Wade, center Shaquille O'Neal and the other Heat members arrived at Miami International Airport...

Triumphant Heat return to Miami (AP)

Finals fury: Cuban doesn't hold back

2006-06-28T07:30:00.000-07:00

By the time Mark Cuban arrived in the Dallas Mavericks' locker room, he'd already peeled off the Jerry Stackhouse jersey he had been wearing in support of his suspended forward.
The symbolism was fitting: Stackhouse's hard foul in Game 4 of the NBA finals was old news. The way Game 5 finished, Cuban had a whole new fight on his hands.
Cuban was irate over what he considered a series of officiating breakdowns at the end of Dallas' 101-100 overtime loss to the Miami Heat on Sunday night.

Finals fury: Cuban doesn't hold back

New faces, places for Mavs-Heat finals (AP)

2006-06-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

The NBA finals are a new phenomenon in this part of Texas and in Pat Riley's part of Florida. The Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat have never been this far in the postseason, and there's plenty of rafter room for the banner to be won in the next two weeks. Yet Riley knows how teams get this far, and it isn't just with the buzzer-beating shots and star-making performances that have run rampant in...

New faces, places for Mavs-Heat finals (AP)

Shaq saw a star in Wade, now everyone does

2006-06-23T21:44:00.001-07:00

Shaquille O'Neal has his fourth NBA championship, Pat Riley his fifth as a head coach. As far as the Heat are concerned, the best thing about Miami's first title is that Dwyane Wade delivered it.
These back-and-forth NBA finals saw Riley secure his "showtime" legacy and put the debate over his big gambit to rest. O'Neal came to Miami promising a championship, and the jewelry is on the way.

Shaq saw a star in Wade, now everyone does

McCants out 4 to 6 months after knee surgery

2006-06-23T21:44:00.000-07:00

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rashad McCants will miss four to six months after microfracture surgery on his right knee, the same injury that kept Phoenix star Amare Stoudemire out for most of this season.
Timberwolves orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Fischer performed the surgery Friday, and the team made the announcement Monday. Neither the team nor McCants, the Timberwolves' 2005 first-round draft pick, made the injury known before then.

McCants out 4 to 6 months after knee surgery

Ex-Duke star Redick charged with drunken driving

2006-06-19T07:12:00.002-07:00

J.J. Redick, a likely first-round pick in this month's NBA draft, was arrested early Tuesday on charges of drunken driving.

Ex-Duke star Redick charged with drunken driving

Sprained ankle leaves LeBron doubtful for Knicks game

2006-06-19T07:12:00.001-07:00

LeBron James will likely sit out Thursday
night's game against the New York Knicks after the Cavaliers'
All-Star forward sprained his left ankle during a blowout loss at
Detroit.

Sprained ankle leaves LeBron doubtful for Knicks game

Wade first '03 star to play for title (AP)

2006-06-19T07:12:00.000-07:00

The comparisons leave Dwyane Wade sheepish. He knows they're almost inevitable, though. Wade hails from Chicago, grew up a Bulls fan. A Bulls jersey with the number 23 hangs in his arena. His acrobatic, high-flying moves are reminiscent of a certain six-time NBA champion. His body is sleek, muscular. And he has that uncanny knack of taking games over when his team needs it most.

Wade first '03 star to play for title (AP)

Walker's confidence unshaken by loss

2006-06-18T07:04:00.001-07:00

Antoine Walker's numbers clearly suggest the Dallas Mavericks are doing something defensively to bother him.
Walker simply believes otherwise.
He shot 7-for-19 in Game 1 of the NBA finals, and was 3-for-19 in a pair of regular-season losses to his former team. His 26.3 shooting percentage against the Mavericks is his worst against any team that played the Heat at least three times this season.
But when asked Saturday how Dallas is stopping him, Walker scoffed at the notion.

Walker's confidence unshaken by loss

Mavs expect Nowitzki to bounce back

2006-06-18T07:04:00.000-07:00

A tip-in, a long jumper that beat the halftime buzzer and a pair of 3-pointers. Those were the only baskets Dirk Nowitzki made in the opener of the NBA finals.
Chalk it up to championship jitters. Or give credit to the Miami Heat's defense.
Just don't expect it to happen again in Game 2 on Sunday night, according to Nowitzki's teammates on the Dallas Mavericks.
"Miami is a great team.

Mavs expect Nowitzki to bounce back

Iverson, Webber miss game, will be fined

2006-06-16T07:01:00.001-07:00

Allen Iverson and Chris Webber did not play because of injuries, did not show up in the locker room until tipoff and missed the Philadelphia 76ers' 91-88 win over the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday night.
The 76ers will fine Iverson and Webber for not being at the arena 90 minutes before the game against the Nets, and the duo might not make the trip to close out the season in Charlotte on Wednesday.

Iverson, Webber miss game, will be fined

Even outsiders offering to help Shaq

2006-06-16T07:01:00.000-07:00

There were four or five letters awaiting Heat coach Pat Riley when he returned to his Miami office to get ready for Game 3 of the NBA finals.
All had the same theme. Each writer professed to know how to solve Shaquille O'Neal's free-throw woes.
Some suggested he tilt his feet and hips one way, some suggested he shift his head position, some said stand farther from the foul line. But by now, Riley is convinced that both he and O'Neal have heard every possible remedy.

Even outsiders offering to help Shaq

Newcomers glad first-game anxiety gone

2006-06-15T07:07:00.002-07:00

Dwyane Wade is used to the spotlight by now, of course. He's an All-Star, has starred in a number of commercials, been selected to People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful, and so on.
But nothing, he said, really prepared him for the spectacle that was Game 1 of the NBA finals.
"Leading up to it, before the game, it felt like an All-Star Game, you know, with everything going on," Wade said. "You know, you're being introduced out on like a stage kind of.

Newcomers glad first-game anxiety gone

Cavaliers' James sits out finale (AP)

2006-06-15T07:07:00.001-07:00

Cavaliers star LeBron James sat out Cleveland's regular-season finale on Thursday night against the Atlanta Hawks so he could rest his left ankle for the NBA playoffs. James sprained his ankle on April 12 in a blowout loss at Detroit. Since then, he has missed three of Cleveland's last four games, and he sat out the final 15 minutes in the Cavaliers' other game.

Cavaliers' James sits out finale (AP)

Drugs, guns in car in Iverson's name (AP)

2006-06-15T07:07:00.000-07:00

A relative of Allen Iverson was one of three juveniles arrested after police found drugs and guns in a car registered to the Philadelphia 76ers star, authorities said. Authorities believe Iverson, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing, may have given or loaned the car, a 2005 Ford Mustang, to the relative.

Drugs, guns in car in Iverson's name (AP)

Heat's Haslem ejected from opener (AP)

2006-06-14T07:21:00.000-07:00

Miami forward Udonis Haslem was ejected late in the first half of the Heat's game against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night after throwing his mouthpiece in the direction of referee Joey Crawford. Haslem was in between three Bulls, battling for a rebound during Game 1 of the teams' Eastern Conference first-round series, and apparently thought he was fouled.

Heat's Haslem ejected from opener (AP)

Tar Heels step up late to lead class rankings

2006-06-13T18:31:00.000-07:00

For the nation's best high school basketball players, signing day marks the official beginning of an athlete's relationship with his chosen school. And as the early signing period kicks off this week, Rob Harrington of prepstars.com dives into which schools are making the biggest splash.

Tar Heels step up late to lead class rankings

Antonio Davis Enters the Stands to Protect Wife

2006-06-12T07:40:00.000-07:00

We've had our first "player entering the stands" event since The Brawl last season. New York Knicks forward Antonio Davis entered the stands during a timeout in a game against the Chicago Bulls because his wife was being harrassed by a drunk fan. To his credit, Antonio Davis didn't throw any punches, push anyone, or act anything other than calm and collected, but it's hard to imagine that David Stern won't mette out a multi-game suspension nevertheless.
From Davis, worried for wife, enters seats to confront fan : Antonio Davis thought his wife was in danger, so the New York Knicks forward dashed over the scorer's table and into the stands during a timeout in overtime. Just like that, an already heated game between the Knicks and Chicago Bulls evoked memories of last season's brawl between the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers.
One difference, though. Only words, not punches, were exchanged.
"I witnessed my wife being threatened by a man that I learned later to be intoxicated," Davis said in a statement issued after the game. "I saw him touch her, and I know I should not have acted the way I did, but I would have felt terrible if I didn't react. There was no time to call security. It happened too quickly." Clearly this event overshadowed the game, which ended up being an exciting one: Ben Gordon hit a game-winning jumper at the buzzer and scored 32 points for the Bulls in a 106-104 overtime victory Wednesday, but Davis' dash into the stands became the flash point of the game. It'll be interesting to see how Stern and company handle this event. Just a fine? Just a one-game suspension? A multi-game suspension?

Antonio Davis Enters the Stands to Protect Wife

Steve Francis's Team-Mandated Suspension At an End

2006-06-12T07:39:00.000-07:00

After being "benched indefinitely," Orlando Magic guard Steve Francis is back with his team. From Magic end suspension, reinstate Francis after meeting : Steve Francis was reinstated by the Orlando Magic on Monday, three days after he was suspended for "conduct detrimental to the team." Francis, who missed two games, met with team officials on Monday.
"We now consider the matter closed and look forward to Steve's return to practice tomorrow," assistant general manager Otis Smith said in a statement. Citing anonymous sources, two newspapers reported Francis was suspended for refusing to re-enter the fourth quarter of a blowout loss last week.
Francis is averaging 16.6 points and 5.4 assists per game this season for the Magic. He's expected to play Wednesday when Orlando plays host to Washington.

Steve Francis's Team-Mandated Suspension At an End

Antonio Davis Won't Apologize to Fan

2006-06-11T07:15:00.001-07:00

After entering the stands at a Bulls/Knicks game last week, the fan who was "involved" with the incident with Antonio Davis's wife is threatening a lawsuit unless he receives an apology from the Davises. But that looks unlikely. From Fan wants apology; Davis, wife say no way : The fan accused of harassing the wife of New York Knicks forward Antonio Davis will drop threats of a lawsuit if the couple says it's sorry, the man's attorney said Friday.
No way, Davis said. "I'm not apologizing to anybody for anything," Davis said on a conference call. "I don't think that my wife did anything wrong, I don't think that I did anything wrong." Kendra Davis said in an interview with WSCR-AM in Chicago on Friday, "I was just trying to tell the guy to chill out."
Antonio Davis was suspended five games by the NBA...

Antonio Davis Won't Apologize to Fan

Bulls GM Jim Paxson Fined for Verbally Abusing Refs

2006-06-11T07:15:00.000-07:00

You can take the man out of the game, but you can't take the game out of the man. Or something like that. Chicago Bulls GM (and one time Bull and NBA champion) John Paxson was fined $15,000 by the NBA for verbally abusing officials after a Bulls loss in Denver. From Paxson fined $15,000 by NBA for verbal abuse : Chicago Bulls general manager John Paxson was fined $15,000 by the NBA on Thursday for verbally abusing referees after a loss to Denver. Paxson tried to confront the officials after the Nuggets beat the Bulls 97-94 Monday night in Chicago.
The Nuggets attempted 41 foul shots to the Bulls' 12 in the game.

Bulls GM Jim Paxson Fined for Verbally Abusing Refs

Warriors surprise Mavs for third time (AP)

2006-06-04T21:39:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Golden State's two hungry rookies and a star who's still trying, the Dallas Mavericks probably won't finish on top of the Western Conference. Jason Richardson scored 25 points and the lowly Warriors shocked the mighty Mavericks for the third time this season, winning 114-102 Wednesday night.

Warriors surprise Mavs for third time (AP)

Williams can be retried on reckless manslaughter

2006-06-04T21:38:00.000-07:00

A New Jersey appeals court ruled Friday that
former NBA star Jayson Williams can be retried on a reckless
manslaughter charge in the shooting death of a limousine driver at
the athlete's mansion.

Williams can be retried on reckless manslaughter

Another Offense-Ladden Performance from Kobe Bryant

2006-05-12T07:07:00.002-07:00

In a 130-97 win over the New York Knicks last night, Kobe Bryant scored 40 points (in 34 minutes) to bring his scoring average for the month of January 2006 to 43.4. This makes Bryant the second player in NBA history to have more than one month of averaging 40 or more ppg. From Bryant Joins Chamberlain in Record Books : Bryant scored 40 points, despite making only one field goal in the second half, to cap off his sensational month and lead the Los Angeles Lakers over the frustrated Knicks 130-97. ... The NBA's leading scorer averaged 43.4 points in 13 games, highlighted by his 81-point outing that was the second-best scoring game in NBA history. He joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to average 40 or more points in a month more than once.
Chamberlain, whose 100-point game is the only one better than Bryant's career-best outing, did it 11 times according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Bryant also averaged 40.6 points in February 2003. While this offensive outpouring from Kobe is nice, it means little unless the Lakers make it to the playoffs... and beyond! (While they may make it to the playoffs, I don't think anyone doubts they will get decimated by the likes of the Spurs or Mavericks.)

Another Offense-Ladden Performance from Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant youngest to score 16,000 points

2006-05-12T07:07:00.001-07:00

At 27 years of age, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player in NBA history to reach the 16,000 point plateau. Bryant eclipsed the mark, scoring 42 points against the Golden State Warriors, despite having clogged sinuses.
With a jumper late in the first quarter, the NBA's leading scorer this season got his 16,000th career point at 27 years and 192 days old - four days earlier than Wilt Chamberlain, who reached the mark in 1964....
Just two months earlier, Bryant became the youngest player to score 15,000 career points. But Bryant, who entered the NBA straight out of high school 10 years ago, did it in 657 games - only the 29th-fastest in league history. He scored his 16,000th point in his 684th career game, 22nd-fastest in terms of games played.
From Kobe eclipses 16,000-point mark
This is just another incredible feat for Kobe... he should continue building upon these numbers for many years to come.

Kobe Bryant youngest to score 16,000 points

Marion finds his wind again

2006-05-12T07:07:00.000-07:00

After a bout of fatigue, Shawn Marion has found his wind again. He backed up a 23-point game in Sacramento with 29 against the Mavericks on Thursday, scoring 19 in the first half on 8-of-9 shooting.

Marion finds his wind again

Pistons begin bid for NBA title (AP)

2006-04-28T22:04:00.001-07:00

The wait is over for the Detroit Pistons They can finally get started toward their goal of a second NBA title in three years Sunday night against the Milwaukee Bucks. That's exactly 10 months after losing Game 7 of the Finals at San Antonio. Detroit had a big lead in the third quarter of that game, but came away devastated after missing an opportunity to win back-to-back championships.

Pistons begin bid for NBA title (AP)

Parker, Van Exel key Spurs rout of Kings (AP)

2006-04-28T22:04:00.000-07:00

No matter how far the San Antonio Spurs go in search of another NBA title, Tony Parker thinks they might never match their practically perfect first half in their first playoff game of the spring. The Sacramento Kings? They were already thinking about Game 2 at halftime of this humiliating defeat. Parker scored 25 points and Nick Van Exel added 11 in the decisive second quarter as the Spurs got...

Parker, Van Exel key Spurs rout of Kings (AP)

Childress suspended, Nocioni fined

2006-04-24T07:29:00.000-07:00

Josh Childress of the Atlanta Hawks was suspended for two games without pay Friday for throwing a forearm to the head of Andres Nocioni of the Chicago Bulls.
Nocioni was fined $5,000 and given a flagrant foul penalty for making excessive contact with Childress, said Stu Jackson, NBA senior vice president of basketball operations.
The altercation happened with 2:33 left in the fourth quarter of the Hawks' 96-90 loss Wednesday.

Childress suspended, Nocioni fined

Heat 'B' team loses to Hawks

2006-04-21T21:34:00.001-07:00

Tyronn Lue's 3-pointer with 8.3 seconds left gave the Atlanta Hawks a 103-100 victory over a Miami Heat team that was without its head coach and three top players Tuesday night.
Miami, looking ahead to the playoffs and intent on having its top players avoid injury, stayed close despite having leading scorers Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade watch the game in street clothes. Coach Pat Riley was visiting his sick mother in upstate New York.

Heat 'B' team loses to Hawks

Grizz win, get unfavorable playoff spot

2006-04-21T21:34:00.000-07:00

The Memphis Grizzlies won a game they were probably better off losing.
Jake Tsaklalidis scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Lorenzen Wright finished with 17 points Tuesday night as the Grizzlies defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 101-95, giving Memphis a better seeding but less favorable matchup in the first round of the playoffs.
The win gives Memphis the fifth seed in the Western Conference and an opening round matchup against Dallas.

Grizz win, get unfavorable playoff spot

Amare's mom must stay under house arrest (AP)

2006-04-19T15:03:00.001-07:00

The mother of Phoenix Suns star Amare Stoudemire was ordered Tuesday to remain under house arrest while awaiting trial on felony aggravated DUI charges. Carrie Mae Stoudemire, 50, could face up to 4 1/2 years in jail if convicted for two counts of aggravated DUI during a trial that could begin June 26 in Maricopa County Superior Court.

Amare's mom must stay under house arrest (AP)

LeBron sprains ankle in loss to Pistons (AP)

2006-04-19T15:03:00.000-07:00

LeBron James hopped on his right foot, sparing his sprained left ankle, and the Cleveland Cavaliers gasped a week before their first playoff appearance since 1998. The Detroit Pistons were routing the Cavs when their star was hurt and they went on finish them off with a 96-73 victory Wednesday night, moving within a game of earning home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

LeBron sprains ankle in loss to Pistons (AP)

Spurs clinch top seed in West (AP)

2006-04-18T22:28:00.002-07:00

Homecourt advantage and some rested players could mean a lot when the playoffs start. The defending champion San Antonio Spurs got both Monday night. Manu Ginobili scored 18 points and Tim Duncan added 16 to help the Spurs clinch the Southwest Division title and the best record in the Western Conference with a 115-82 rout of the Utah Jazz.

Spurs clinch top seed in West (AP)

Spurs win, clinch top seed out West

2006-04-18T22:28:00.001-07:00

Manu Ginobili scored 18 points and Tim Duncan added 16 to help the San Antonio Spurs clinch the Southwest Division title and the best record in the Western Conference with a 115-82 rout of the Utah Jazz on Monday night.
The Spurs earned the No. 1 seed and homecourt advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs.
San Antonio (62-19) took a 19-point lead into the fourth quarter and led by as many as 36 points, allowing the Spurs to rest their starters as the playoffs draw near.

Spurs win, clinch top seed out West

Nuggets struggling as playoffs approach (AP)

2006-04-18T22:28:00.000-07:00

Instead of tuning up, the division-champion Denver Nuggets were resting up. Or so the story went after a loss at home to the Houston Rockets, their third straight embarrassing setback and the second in which Carmelo Anthony spent the entire fourth quarter on the bench. "I'm concerned," Marcus Camby said Monday night after the 86-83 loss.

Nuggets struggling as playoffs approach (AP)

Gordon's big 4th helps Bulls beat Nets (AP)

2006-04-18T18:06:00.001-07:00

Ben Gordon scored 21 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter Tuesday night, leading the short-handed Chicago Bulls over the New Jersey Nets 104-101 and into a tie with Philadelphia for the Eastern Conference's eighth and final playoff spot. The Bulls and 76ers trail Milwaukee and Indiana by a game. New Jersey trails Miami by 3 1/2 games for the second seed in the Eastern Conference.

Gordon's big 4th helps Bulls beat Nets (AP)

Knicks coach Larry Brown hospitalized

2006-04-18T18:06:00.000-07:00

New York Knicks coach Larry Brown was to be hospitalized overnight after becoming ill in the third quarter of Thursday night's game against the Cavaliers.
The 65-year-old Brown, whose had health issues in recent years, was taken from Quicken Loans Arena on a stretcher following New York's 91-87 loss. He appeared alert and was sitting upright with oxygen tubes in his nose as he was wheeled out to an emergency vehicle.
Brown didn't say anything while being taken to an undisclosed hospital.

Knicks coach Larry Brown hospitalized