NBA News: Pro Sports Daily

James Brings Buzz to Garden, but Keeps Plans to a Murmur

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November 7

New York Times

"In one of LeBron James's recurring Nike commercials, he played several characters simultaneously. The ad was merely fantasy for viewers, fodder for shoe aficionados. It could also be the dream of N.B.A. general managers. Multiple Jameses may be the only way to truly placate every team he visits next summer, when he is expected to be part of what promises to be the most significant free-agency period in league history. The one and only James made his sole regular-season appearance at Madison Square Garden on Friday, although the Knicks might have sworn there was more than one of him on the court. James put together a box score line of 33 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds in the Cavaliers' ..."

Bryant makes history again

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November 7

Los Angeles Times

"There were two milestones for Kobe Bryant on Friday night during the Lakers' 114-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center. By scoring 41 points, Bryant became the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 24,000 points. And he passed Allen Iverson for 16th on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Bryant has 24,027 points in his 14-year career. Friday night marked the third time this week Bryant has scored 41 points in a game. He did so against Atlanta on Sunday and Houston on Wednesday. Bryant made 19 of 30 field-goal attempts against Memphis. Iverson, who now plays for Memphis, had just eight points. The Lakers looked more serious tonight in the third quarter, much more ..."

Parker expects to be out a week

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November 7

San Antonio Express-News

"Spurs point guard Tony Parker says the sprained ankle that knocked him from Friday night's 96-84 loss against the Trail Blazers isn't as severe as others he's suffered in his career. Parker missed nine games early last season after spraining the same ankle, and missed a month with the French national team during the summer with a similar injury to his right ankle. "This one is not even close," Parker said late Friday night. "It will be a week, maybe." Parker was injured on a drive late in the second quarter against Portland and did not return. "I went to do an 'in-and-out' move," Parker said. "I went one way and my ankle went the other." X-rays taken at the Rose Garden were negative, and ..."

Artest responds to Charles Barkley's criticism

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November 7

Los Angeles Times

"Ron Artest fired back at Charles Barkley on Friday after the TNT analyst criticized the Lakers forward by saying he could become a distraction to the team. Barkley made his comments after TNT did a prerecorded segment on Artest's off-court activities that aired Thursday night during the telecast of an NBA doubleheader. Artest said Barkley took his "shine," meaning his publicity. "That whole spotlight they did on me, he just took that away," Artest said about the TNT interview. Artest has spent time rapping, working on his Twitter account, interacting with fans and attending charity events and other entertainment ventures. He took exception to what Barkley said, pointing out that some of ..."

Wally Szczerbiak rehabbing knee, doesn't know if he will play in NBA again

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November 7

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"As he sat courtside at Madison Square Garden about an hour before tipoff Friday night, Wally Szczerbiak accepted a steady stream of handshakes, hugs and smiles from his former Cavaliers teammates and coaches. Szczerbiak is in New York rehabbing from knee surgery, one that has left his future as a player in doubt. After his contract with the Cavs expired in June, he spoke to several teams but also ended up talking to his several doctors. During the Cavs' playoff run, his troublesome left knee started flaring up. He hoped rest would help, and he even was negotiating with several teams about a free-agent contract. "When I started to amp it up for the season, it was bugging me, so I had to ..."

Bulls' Thomas out 4-6 weeks with fracture

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November 6

Chicago Tribune

"The Bulls announced today that Tyrus Thomas will undergo surgery Saturday to repair a fractured radius in his left forearm. Thomas suffered the injury today while doing pull-ups during a weightlifting session and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Rookie Taj Gibson will start his third straight game for Thomas on Saturday against the Bobcats. "Tyrus tweaked his arm, and he's pretty sore," coach Vinny Del Negro said after practice and before X-rays revealed the fracture. "It's unfortunate." Thomas has endured a rough week in which he didn't play in the fourth quarter of a close loss last Sunday in Miami, took exception to Del Negro's criticism during Monday's practice and then battled a nasty ..."

Martin may be out 6-8 weeks

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November 6

Sacramento Bee

"Kevin Martin leaned against the wall in the Kings' practice facility Thursday afternoon, still very much in shock, his damaged left wrist dangling at his side. Hours earlier, an MRI revealed that the league's third-leading scorer – and the Kings' best player – sustained a hairline fracture Monday night in a collision with the Memphis Grizzlies' Allen Iverson. Martin was presented with three options, all of them terrible: He can wear a soft cast and attempt to play, risking further injury and possibly a complete break. He can undergo surgery and have a screw inserted to stabilize the bone, with recovery projected at six to eight weeks. Or he can have the arm casted and hope that the wrist ..."

Bynum, Gasol are expected to miss Friday's game

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November 6

Los Angeles Times

"It was a day of medical terms and injury evaluations, a time for the Lakers to take a breath after two overtime road victories and, of greater importance, take stock of their ailing big men. Andrew Bynum was their latest 7-footer to undergo an MRI exam, the results showing a strained right elbow that left him listed as doubtful for tonight's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Pau Gasol did some work on the practice court Thursday but declared himself out for tonight's game, unless his strained right hamstring suddenly felt much, much better today. In other words, DJ Mbenga might start at center. Or if the Lakers go with a small lineup, Lamar Odom might get the call in the middle, with ..."

'No setbacks' as Jamison rehabs

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November 6

Washington Times

"Antawn Jamison took another step in his rehabilitation Thursday, reporting no problems after participating in noncontact drills for about 45 minutes at an optional practice before the Washington Wizards boarded a plane to Indiana for Friday's game against the Pacers. "I've been shooting and going hard. No limitations as far as shot numbers or range or anything of that nature," Jamison said afterward. "It's just no contact - they don't want me getting hit or pushing or shoving. But we haven't had any limitations as far as drills, running, shooting or anything like that." Although Jamison is antsy to get back, the Wizards are taking a careful approach with the All-Star forward and are ..."

Nocioni's DUI arrest extends Sacramento Kings' streak of bad news

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November 6

Sacramento Bee

"The arrest of Sacramento Kings forward Andres Nocioni early Thursday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence is just the latest chapter in a three-year span of bad news and bad luck that have cast a shadow on the franchise. Nocioni, 29, was arrested by Sacramento police and booked into Sacramento County jail at 3:30 a.m., a posting on the jail's Web site shows. He was released Thursday morning on $1,482 bail and practiced with the team in the afternoon. "I want to apologize to Sacramento Kings owners, coaches, general manager, players, fans and especially my family," Nocioni said. "I have two kids so this is not a good example for my kids. I'm really sorry for what has ..."

Andris Biedrins' injury leaves Warriors short at center

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November 6

Oakland Tribune

"The Warriors may be down two centers as Andris Biedrins, the starter, is questionable for today's game against the Los Angeles Clippers because of an ailing back. "It's a little sore," Biedrins said Thursday. "Hopefully I will play, but we'll see (today)." Biedrins' backup, Ronny Turiaf, missed Wednesday's game with a sprained left knee. He did not practice Thursday and is doubtful for today's game. So coach Don Nelson will turn to veteran Mikki Moore as the starting center if Biedrins or Turiaf can't play. The last time Moore started was last season with the Sacramento Kings, on Jan."‰6 at Chicago. Anthony Randolph, whom Nelson said will serve as a backup center, won't start because the ..."

Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy says Rashard Lewis will start immediately after his suspension

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November 6

Orlando Sentinel

"Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy said on Thursday --- an off-day for his team --- that he will start suspended forward Rashard Lewis the very game he becomes eligible. There'll be no easing Lewis into the lineup. Lewis, suspended by the league for the first 10 games of the season for taking a banned supplement, can play on Nov. 16 against the Charlotte Bobcats at home. "I'm starting him the first game --- for who, I don't know," Van Gundy said. "It's like when we got Rafer (Alston) at midseason last year. When you know a guy is going to be there long term, you don't mess around.""

It's no harm, no foul for Paul, Rondo

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November 6

New Orleans Times-Picayune

"The NBA will not take disciplinary action against New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul or Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo for their verbal confrontation after Sunday's game at the TD Garden, league spokesman Tim Frank confirmed Thursday. After the game, Paul sought out Celtics forward Paul Pierce to shake his hand and offer congratulations for his performance. However, before Paul could finish, Rondo came up and bumped him, and that led to the two exchanging words. They had to be separated, and as Rondo was ushered from the court area by a team official, Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau and Paul got into a shouting match in front of the Celtics' bench. Since Monday, the ..."

Lieberman calls chance to coach NBA Development League team 'an unbelievable opportunity'

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November 6

Dallas Morning News

"For her entire life, Nancy Lieberman has been first. The first woman to do this. The first woman to do that. There was a time, when she was young, when she was first to play basketball with the boys. So why not? Why not be the first woman to coach a men's basketball team? Lieberman, a Hall of Famer who has done pretty much everything there is in the scope of women's basketball. Now, she'll go to work as the coach of the NBA Development League team in Frisco, which will begin play in the 2010-11 season. "I can't ever look at anything as daunting because then it becomes overwhelming," the 51-year-old Lieberman said. "I look at it as an unbelievable opportunity to do something positive ..."

Does LeBron James Need New York and the Knicks?

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November 6

New York Times

columnist Howard Beck

"If LeBron James were to scrawl his career goals on, say, a New York deli napkin, the list might look something like this: Win Most Valuable Player award ¶Win Olympic gold medal ¶Win N.B.A. championship ¶Become global icon These are not modest aspirations, but then James, the Cleveland Cavaliers star who answers to the nickname King, is no modest figure. He secured a gold medal in 2008 and the M.V.P. award last spring. An N.B.A. title has eluded him, but he is doing O.K. on the global-icon front, with strong jersey sales in Europe and China. So what do you get for the superstar who has everything? More fame? More awards? More money? The answers might determine where James lands next ..."