Jazz fined for mocking Lakers during timeout skit
The Utah Jazz were fined $15,000 by the NBA for a skit that ridiculed Karl Malone and teammate Kobe Bryant during a timeout in the Los Angeles Lakers’ game at Utah last week.
NBA vice president Stu Jackson levied the fine, issuing a two-paragraph statement Friday saying the Jazz were penalized for “performing a mascot skit that ridiculed opposing players.”
http://www.detnews.com/2004/pistons/...tons-51286.htm
Report: Griffin to enter Betty Ford Center
New Jersey Nets forward Eddie Griffin plans to enter the Betty Ford Center next week for six weeks of alcohol abuse treatment, his lawyer told The New York Times.
"Eddie feels he needs further help with his drinking problem," Rusty Hardin said Friday. "He's very disappointed. But he's thankful for the way the Nets have reacted to his request for further treatment. He realizes these are problems he's created."
http://tinyurl.com/ypu66
Griffin has date with Betty Ford
The decision to move Eddie Griffin to the Betty Ford Clinic in California was made to deal with the Net forward's alcoholism — but also to get him out of Houston, where he had fallen into disfavor with "some very bad individuals," according to numerous sources familiar with Griffin's situation.
"Just say it would be better for him to get out of Houston, some people are looking for him. Leave it at that," one source insisted, claiming the matter involved Griffin's relationship with a woman.
So Griffin, who has acknowledged an alcohol problem and who has been treated for clinical depression and substance abuse in the past at the Menninger Clinic here, voluntarily will check into the famed California rehab next week for a six-week program, according to his attorney, Rusty Hardin.
"He has recognized his problem — and it is alcohol, not drugs — and felt it would be better treated on an in-patient basis," said Hardin, who claimed the move was to "get him away from family, friends" and distractions that might hamper Griffin's recovery.
http://www.nypost.com/sports/nets/15871.htm
Wizards Activate Stackhouse
Washington Wizards President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has activated forward Jerry Stackhouse from the Injured List, and placed guard Mitchell Butler on the Injured List with right knee tendinitis.
Stackhouse has not played this season while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee that took place on October 21st. Last season, Stackhouse led the Wizards in scoring with 21.5 points per game while averaging 3.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Over his eight-year NBA career, Stackhouse is averaging 21.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/stac...ted040201.html
Pippen starts but says he's almost finished
"I can pretty much assure you that was my last trip" to Portland, Pippen said. "It's always tough when you're seeing it come to an end as a player. It's been a great ride, but I know that physically my body is taking a beating right now and it's probably going to cost me down the road."
Pippen has another season on his contract, but he is more likely to take a front-office job with the Bulls than return for what would be his 18th NBA season.
http://tinyurl.com/2rzky
Davis dislikes decision but accepts new role
When Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks thrust newly acquired Darius Miles into the starting lineup after only one game and demoted Dale Davis to the bench, Cheeks insisted he wasn't committed to that as a long-range strategy.
Cheeks said he probably would tweak his starting lineups with matchups in mind the rest of the season.
What does Davis think of recent developments?
He isn't happy about losing his starting job, but if playing a reserve role helps the Blazers turn their season around and climb into playoff contention, then he'll go along with whatever Cheeks wants.
"It's different, no question about it," Davis said. "Whatever form it takes for us to win, I'm with it. I don't necessarily agree with it, but at the same time, I've got to do what I've got to do."
"If we're winning, I guess it looks like everybody knows what they're doing, right?" Davis said. "Quite naturally, I'm pretty sure I'll probably be playing more than 16 minutes most games. I've just got to get used to it."
http://tinyurl.com/25mep
Kings: Purple and Black, and in the Pink
Mike Bibby needs rest after having surgery on his left foot? No problem. Chris Webber has to sit out while rehabilitating his left knee? We will be fine. Keon Clark and Jim Jackson depart via free agency? They can be replaced.
It is almost as if it does not matter who the Sacramento Kings send onto the court. As long as the players wear purple and black and execute their intricate offense, they will win and win big.
Last season, when Bibby, fresh off his coming-out party in the 2002 playoffs, missed the first 27 games of the season, the Kings went 21-6. But that accomplishment pales in comparison with what they have done this season without Webber, who had arthroscopic knee surgery last June.
Moving on as if Webber were a role player instead of their best player, the Kings entered this weekend with a 32-12 record, the best in the league.
Sacramento, which averaged a league-high 104.5 points a game through Friday, has been so good that there is talk of Webber's merely fitting in rather than taking over when he returns, supposedly soon after the All-Star Game break later this month.
"I think when Webber gets back, it's going to be up to him," Joe Maloof, one of the Kings' owners, said. "He's a professional, he's been around for years, and he understands that right now we've developed a certain look for our team, or a certain chemistry, that's really been successful.
"When he gets back, he'll have to adjust his game a little bit to what we've been able to accomplish so far."
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/01/sp...ll/01HOOP.html
Van Exel, Dampier mentioned in trade rumors
It's that time of year. The rumors are out there, with the big one having the Warriors interested in acquiring Portland power forward Rasheed Wallace for point guard Nick Van Exel and center Erick Dampier.
Warriors team president Robert Rowell refused to comment on the issue. But he suggested that it is misleading to single out one team the Warriors might be talking to or one player the Warriors might be talking about because the Warriors are "talking to just about every team."
http://tinyurl.com/37ask
Peter Vescey: 'Rashweed' eyes Knicks
As for Dallas, just when it appeared a package was imminent involving Antawn Jamison or Antoine Walker, owner Mark Cuban put the kibosh on it by overruling Full & Half Nelson. Don and Donnie evidently don't have the juice they thought they had, perhaps with good reason: The Mavs had won nine out of 10 before giving up 70 points to the Nuggets in the second half of yesterday's 107-102 home loss.
Some think Cuban is just delaying things in hopes the Blazers will take Tariq Abdul-Wahad ($6.1M/$6.7M/$7.3M/$7.88M) in order to get Walker or Jamison; Abdul-Wahad's last two years are only guaranteed for 50 and 25 percent, respectively. An infinitely more important factor, I submit, is agent Bill Strickland's disinclination to give any assurance his client would re-sign with the Mavs.
You read it here first: The swelling sentiment, highlights Portland's Rainy Day Worker, is that Wallace aims to play for Thomas' Knicks and will be willing to accept a mid-level salary exception ($12M lower to start than his current $17M salary) come July 15.
If that notion hasn't scared off the competition, it certainly shriveled the herd. Other than, obviously, the Knicks, who want Wallace the sooner the better, the Warriors are the only team who've called lately. Reports about Golden State offering Erick Dampier ($7.55M/$8.1M/$8.8M) and Nick Van Exel (11M/11.9M/12.8M) for Rashweed are, indeed, true.
http://www.nypost.com/sports/15869.htm
Mitch Lawrence: Rim shots
If Golden State sends Nick Van Exel and Erick Damper to Portland for Rasheed Wallace, the Warriors can then take Wallace's $17 million off their books this summer and lower their payroll to $24.2 million, a good $20 million under the salary cap. "Wow, can you say Kobe (Bryant)?'' said one Western Conference GM. What's appealing about going to the sad-sackWarriors if Bryant opts out and leaves L.A.? For Kobe, it would definitely be his team. You can easily imagine Shaq's take: He can have it, too....
Ainge plans on talking to two old Celtics, Dennis Johnson and Dave Cowens, about his coaching vacancy. D.J. has been scouting for Portland. Cowens recently moved to Florida....
Who says coaches are having a hard time with superstars? Tim Duncan might have taken home the last two MVPs, but that didn't stop Gregg Popovich from recently reaming him out in front of teammates for not shooting enough....
Bruce Ratner is rooting hard for Nets to return to Finals, for more than just the obvious reasons. According to financial experts, if the Nets go deep into postseason for third straight year, they'll lose "only" $15 million.
http://tinyurl.com/3cqde
Carl Steward: Warriors are playing better without Van Exel and should deal him
"It's this simple: The Warriors play better without Nick Van Exel on the floor, healthy or otherwise. Now that he's on the injured list, just watch."
So, have you been watching? I wrote that seemingly illogical statement two weeks ago, when the Golden State Warriors were at their lowest point of the 2003-2004 season. I'm sure deluded Nick The Quick fans cut that one out with the thought that they could be throwing it back in my face right about now.
Since then, though, the Warriors have hammered home my conviction by playing their best and most legitimately promising basketball of the season, all of it without Van Exel. They are 4-2 and probably should be 5-1. They snapped their 12-game road trip in one of the least likely venues -- Portland -- then came home and staged a most impressive victory against Minnesota, just the team with the best record in the NBA.
Perhaps Warriors management finally believes the truth about Van Exel now and not the hype. For the sake of the nice little chemistry thing the Warriors have going, maybe they now realize they have to get rid of him as soon as possible.
To wit, rumors surfaced this week that the team is trying to deal Van Exel and center Erick Dampier to the Trail Blazers for Rasheed Wallace.
Wow, is somebody actually using their noggin in Warriorland for a change? If that's the full deal, whoever's calling the shots in the Golden State front office these days should be making everybody work around the clock to try and get it done.
Quite simply, that trade would be a godsend to the team's short- and long-term future, and if the Blazers are hedging, the Warriors should be figuring out how to sweeten it to ensure its closure.
http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Storie...929051,00.html
Mavs' new center piece brings a lot to table
"I can't wait to get there and start helping the Big Three-plus," Williams said Friday evening before catching a flight from Phoenix to Dallas. "I've always prided myself in playing well in the bigger games. It's going to be a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to getting nasty in the paint with those guys."
Williams, a 14-year NBA veteran, said the situation got tense for him shortly before the 5 p.m. deadline Friday for teams to claim him off waivers.
"It got a little hairy at the end with Miami," Williams said. "They showed an interest, but I have to give credit to [Phoenix general manager] Bryan Colangelo. He and my agent told Miami if they claimed me, I wasn't going to report and would start coaching for the Suns. So that worked out. My wife and I are thrilled to be coming to Dallas."
http://tinyurl.com/2tcpw
Movement likely done
Owner Mark Cuban said the chances of the Mavericks making more roster moves before the Feb. 19 trading deadline is "slim, slim, slim." The Mavericks have not been linked in any serious trade rumors since the Rasheed Wallace speculation died off.
http://tinyurl.com/33mgo
Hawks GM: I'm free to deal if I choose to
To end speculation to the contrary, Hawks general manager Billy Knight said Wednesday that the proposed sale and possible ownership transfer has not hampered his ability to make a trade or coaching change.
So, why are the Hawks standing still?
"I haven't come across anything that makes enough sense for me," Knight said. "I'm talking about everything. That's trades, rumors of coaching changes, everything. I'm not going to do anything until I see something that makes sense for us."
"Everyone thinks we should do something," Knight said. "I don't care about everything else that goes on in the league. When I think we can do something that makes sense, I will do it."
http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/spo...4/29notes.html
The Utah Jazz were fined $15,000 by the NBA for a skit that ridiculed Karl Malone and teammate Kobe Bryant during a timeout in the Los Angeles Lakers’ game at Utah last week.
NBA vice president Stu Jackson levied the fine, issuing a two-paragraph statement Friday saying the Jazz were penalized for “performing a mascot skit that ridiculed opposing players.”
http://www.detnews.com/2004/pistons/...tons-51286.htm
Report: Griffin to enter Betty Ford Center
New Jersey Nets forward Eddie Griffin plans to enter the Betty Ford Center next week for six weeks of alcohol abuse treatment, his lawyer told The New York Times.
"Eddie feels he needs further help with his drinking problem," Rusty Hardin said Friday. "He's very disappointed. But he's thankful for the way the Nets have reacted to his request for further treatment. He realizes these are problems he's created."
http://tinyurl.com/ypu66
Griffin has date with Betty Ford
The decision to move Eddie Griffin to the Betty Ford Clinic in California was made to deal with the Net forward's alcoholism — but also to get him out of Houston, where he had fallen into disfavor with "some very bad individuals," according to numerous sources familiar with Griffin's situation.
"Just say it would be better for him to get out of Houston, some people are looking for him. Leave it at that," one source insisted, claiming the matter involved Griffin's relationship with a woman.
So Griffin, who has acknowledged an alcohol problem and who has been treated for clinical depression and substance abuse in the past at the Menninger Clinic here, voluntarily will check into the famed California rehab next week for a six-week program, according to his attorney, Rusty Hardin.
"He has recognized his problem — and it is alcohol, not drugs — and felt it would be better treated on an in-patient basis," said Hardin, who claimed the move was to "get him away from family, friends" and distractions that might hamper Griffin's recovery.
http://www.nypost.com/sports/nets/15871.htm
Wizards Activate Stackhouse
Washington Wizards President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has activated forward Jerry Stackhouse from the Injured List, and placed guard Mitchell Butler on the Injured List with right knee tendinitis.
Stackhouse has not played this season while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee that took place on October 21st. Last season, Stackhouse led the Wizards in scoring with 21.5 points per game while averaging 3.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Over his eight-year NBA career, Stackhouse is averaging 21.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/stac...ted040201.html
Pippen starts but says he's almost finished
"I can pretty much assure you that was my last trip" to Portland, Pippen said. "It's always tough when you're seeing it come to an end as a player. It's been a great ride, but I know that physically my body is taking a beating right now and it's probably going to cost me down the road."
Pippen has another season on his contract, but he is more likely to take a front-office job with the Bulls than return for what would be his 18th NBA season.
http://tinyurl.com/2rzky
Davis dislikes decision but accepts new role
When Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks thrust newly acquired Darius Miles into the starting lineup after only one game and demoted Dale Davis to the bench, Cheeks insisted he wasn't committed to that as a long-range strategy.
Cheeks said he probably would tweak his starting lineups with matchups in mind the rest of the season.
What does Davis think of recent developments?
He isn't happy about losing his starting job, but if playing a reserve role helps the Blazers turn their season around and climb into playoff contention, then he'll go along with whatever Cheeks wants.
"It's different, no question about it," Davis said. "Whatever form it takes for us to win, I'm with it. I don't necessarily agree with it, but at the same time, I've got to do what I've got to do."
"If we're winning, I guess it looks like everybody knows what they're doing, right?" Davis said. "Quite naturally, I'm pretty sure I'll probably be playing more than 16 minutes most games. I've just got to get used to it."
http://tinyurl.com/25mep
Kings: Purple and Black, and in the Pink
Mike Bibby needs rest after having surgery on his left foot? No problem. Chris Webber has to sit out while rehabilitating his left knee? We will be fine. Keon Clark and Jim Jackson depart via free agency? They can be replaced.
It is almost as if it does not matter who the Sacramento Kings send onto the court. As long as the players wear purple and black and execute their intricate offense, they will win and win big.
Last season, when Bibby, fresh off his coming-out party in the 2002 playoffs, missed the first 27 games of the season, the Kings went 21-6. But that accomplishment pales in comparison with what they have done this season without Webber, who had arthroscopic knee surgery last June.
Moving on as if Webber were a role player instead of their best player, the Kings entered this weekend with a 32-12 record, the best in the league.
Sacramento, which averaged a league-high 104.5 points a game through Friday, has been so good that there is talk of Webber's merely fitting in rather than taking over when he returns, supposedly soon after the All-Star Game break later this month.
"I think when Webber gets back, it's going to be up to him," Joe Maloof, one of the Kings' owners, said. "He's a professional, he's been around for years, and he understands that right now we've developed a certain look for our team, or a certain chemistry, that's really been successful.
"When he gets back, he'll have to adjust his game a little bit to what we've been able to accomplish so far."
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/01/sp...ll/01HOOP.html
Van Exel, Dampier mentioned in trade rumors
It's that time of year. The rumors are out there, with the big one having the Warriors interested in acquiring Portland power forward Rasheed Wallace for point guard Nick Van Exel and center Erick Dampier.
Warriors team president Robert Rowell refused to comment on the issue. But he suggested that it is misleading to single out one team the Warriors might be talking to or one player the Warriors might be talking about because the Warriors are "talking to just about every team."
http://tinyurl.com/37ask
Peter Vescey: 'Rashweed' eyes Knicks
As for Dallas, just when it appeared a package was imminent involving Antawn Jamison or Antoine Walker, owner Mark Cuban put the kibosh on it by overruling Full & Half Nelson. Don and Donnie evidently don't have the juice they thought they had, perhaps with good reason: The Mavs had won nine out of 10 before giving up 70 points to the Nuggets in the second half of yesterday's 107-102 home loss.
Some think Cuban is just delaying things in hopes the Blazers will take Tariq Abdul-Wahad ($6.1M/$6.7M/$7.3M/$7.88M) in order to get Walker or Jamison; Abdul-Wahad's last two years are only guaranteed for 50 and 25 percent, respectively. An infinitely more important factor, I submit, is agent Bill Strickland's disinclination to give any assurance his client would re-sign with the Mavs.
You read it here first: The swelling sentiment, highlights Portland's Rainy Day Worker, is that Wallace aims to play for Thomas' Knicks and will be willing to accept a mid-level salary exception ($12M lower to start than his current $17M salary) come July 15.
If that notion hasn't scared off the competition, it certainly shriveled the herd. Other than, obviously, the Knicks, who want Wallace the sooner the better, the Warriors are the only team who've called lately. Reports about Golden State offering Erick Dampier ($7.55M/$8.1M/$8.8M) and Nick Van Exel (11M/11.9M/12.8M) for Rashweed are, indeed, true.
http://www.nypost.com/sports/15869.htm
Mitch Lawrence: Rim shots
If Golden State sends Nick Van Exel and Erick Damper to Portland for Rasheed Wallace, the Warriors can then take Wallace's $17 million off their books this summer and lower their payroll to $24.2 million, a good $20 million under the salary cap. "Wow, can you say Kobe (Bryant)?'' said one Western Conference GM. What's appealing about going to the sad-sackWarriors if Bryant opts out and leaves L.A.? For Kobe, it would definitely be his team. You can easily imagine Shaq's take: He can have it, too....
Ainge plans on talking to two old Celtics, Dennis Johnson and Dave Cowens, about his coaching vacancy. D.J. has been scouting for Portland. Cowens recently moved to Florida....
Who says coaches are having a hard time with superstars? Tim Duncan might have taken home the last two MVPs, but that didn't stop Gregg Popovich from recently reaming him out in front of teammates for not shooting enough....
Bruce Ratner is rooting hard for Nets to return to Finals, for more than just the obvious reasons. According to financial experts, if the Nets go deep into postseason for third straight year, they'll lose "only" $15 million.
http://tinyurl.com/3cqde
Carl Steward: Warriors are playing better without Van Exel and should deal him
"It's this simple: The Warriors play better without Nick Van Exel on the floor, healthy or otherwise. Now that he's on the injured list, just watch."
So, have you been watching? I wrote that seemingly illogical statement two weeks ago, when the Golden State Warriors were at their lowest point of the 2003-2004 season. I'm sure deluded Nick The Quick fans cut that one out with the thought that they could be throwing it back in my face right about now.
Since then, though, the Warriors have hammered home my conviction by playing their best and most legitimately promising basketball of the season, all of it without Van Exel. They are 4-2 and probably should be 5-1. They snapped their 12-game road trip in one of the least likely venues -- Portland -- then came home and staged a most impressive victory against Minnesota, just the team with the best record in the NBA.
Perhaps Warriors management finally believes the truth about Van Exel now and not the hype. For the sake of the nice little chemistry thing the Warriors have going, maybe they now realize they have to get rid of him as soon as possible.
To wit, rumors surfaced this week that the team is trying to deal Van Exel and center Erick Dampier to the Trail Blazers for Rasheed Wallace.
Wow, is somebody actually using their noggin in Warriorland for a change? If that's the full deal, whoever's calling the shots in the Golden State front office these days should be making everybody work around the clock to try and get it done.
Quite simply, that trade would be a godsend to the team's short- and long-term future, and if the Blazers are hedging, the Warriors should be figuring out how to sweeten it to ensure its closure.
http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Storie...929051,00.html
Mavs' new center piece brings a lot to table
"I can't wait to get there and start helping the Big Three-plus," Williams said Friday evening before catching a flight from Phoenix to Dallas. "I've always prided myself in playing well in the bigger games. It's going to be a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to getting nasty in the paint with those guys."
Williams, a 14-year NBA veteran, said the situation got tense for him shortly before the 5 p.m. deadline Friday for teams to claim him off waivers.
"It got a little hairy at the end with Miami," Williams said. "They showed an interest, but I have to give credit to [Phoenix general manager] Bryan Colangelo. He and my agent told Miami if they claimed me, I wasn't going to report and would start coaching for the Suns. So that worked out. My wife and I are thrilled to be coming to Dallas."
http://tinyurl.com/2tcpw
Movement likely done
Owner Mark Cuban said the chances of the Mavericks making more roster moves before the Feb. 19 trading deadline is "slim, slim, slim." The Mavericks have not been linked in any serious trade rumors since the Rasheed Wallace speculation died off.
http://tinyurl.com/33mgo
Hawks GM: I'm free to deal if I choose to
To end speculation to the contrary, Hawks general manager Billy Knight said Wednesday that the proposed sale and possible ownership transfer has not hampered his ability to make a trade or coaching change.
So, why are the Hawks standing still?
"I haven't come across anything that makes enough sense for me," Knight said. "I'm talking about everything. That's trades, rumors of coaching changes, everything. I'm not going to do anything until I see something that makes sense for us."
"Everyone thinks we should do something," Knight said. "I don't care about everything else that goes on in the league. When I think we can do something that makes sense, I will do it."
http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/spo...4/29notes.html
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