The Mark Graham Sports Blog's posts tagged NBA

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• Amir Johnson Gets Ejected, Throws Mouth Piece at Ref

  December 11, 2012

  In what has already been a trying season for the Toronto Raptors, one of its players was ejected from the game tonight and now is most likely facing a suspension.

  Forward Amir Johnson was ejected from the Raptors game against the Portland Trailblazers after he refused to give the ball to referee David Jones. As his Raptor teammates were trying to hold him back, Johnson took out his mouthpiece and threw it right at Jones, where it hit him right in the back.

  Johnson is most likely looking at a lengthy suspension and the hapless Raptors could really use his services right about now. Johnson, a key member of the Raptor bench, is averaging 7.3 points and 5.4 rebounds this season.

  Portland won the game, 92-74, to drop the Raptors to 4-18 and 1-14 on the road.

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• Rasheed Wallace Comes Out of Retirement, Will Sign With Knicks

  September 30, 2012

  

  Rasheed Wallace has informed New York Knick officials that he will come out of retirement and will sign with the Knicks, according to a league source.

  Wallace worked out with the Knicks last week as he was thinking of making a return to the NBA. The New York Post reports that Wallace will join the team on Monday.

  When the Knicks do sign Wallace, he will join one of the oldest teams in basketball joining Jason Kidd, 39, Marcus Camby, 38, and Kurt Thomas, 39.

  The Knicks plan on having Wallace backing up big man Amare Stoudemire as the Knicks have clearly taken a win now approach.

  Wallace has not signed a deal as of yet, but, if his deal is guaranteed, the team would have room for one more free agent. The Knicks have been in contact with Josh Howard's representatives about joining the Knicks.

  Wallace's deal will most likely be the league minimum at $1.7 million.

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• Kevin Garnett Deleted Ray Allen's Number Upon Signing With Heat

  September 29, 2012

  

  Boston Celtic and grown man Kevin Garnett said during Celtics media day that he deleted Ray Allen's phone number after he signed with the Miami Heat and has no plans to communicate with him in the future.

  Acording to WEEI, Garnett said, "I don't have Ray's number anymore. I'm not trying to communicate with him."

  The Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett reports that Ray Allen has not changed his number since leaving the Hub.

  Garnett did, though, wish Ray Allen the best in South Beach, but somehow I think its condescending, considering Garnett's high school girl actions by deleting phone numbers.

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• Seattle City Council Votes in Favor of New Arena

  September 27, 2012

  

  A major step in bringing the NBA back to Seattle has been reached when the Seattle City Council has voted in favor of a new deal that would build a much needed arena.

  The Associated Press reports that the city council voted 6-2 to approve a plan to build a $490 million arena close to Safeco Field and CenturyLink field south of downtown Seattle.

  The deal includes that $200 million of the plan would come from public investment and investor Chris Hansen has guaranteed to cover the city's debt if the finance's for the arena fail to work out. The arena will be built to accommodate a potential NHL team.

  "This is about a can-do spirit looking to the future and grabbing an opportunity that has been presented to the city," said Councilmember Tim Burgess.

  The city still has a long way to go before bringing the NBA back to the Emerald City. They still need a team to agree to go there and the NBA has no plans to expand, so the next logical solution is to move a team to Seattle. However, would Seattle do what Clay Bennett did to them to another city?

  Seattle needs a basketball team, plain and simple. It has a rich basketball tradition and it is a hotbed for young talent. Players like Brandon Roy, Jason Terry, and Jamal Crawford have all come out of the Emerald City and have become pretty good NBA players.

  It's a giant leap forward for the city, but I wouldn't get your hopes up too high, yet.

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• Want to Meet Michael Jordan? Donate Money to Obama

  August 10, 2012

  

  Everyone knows by now that President Obama is a huge basketball fan, so its not that surprising that he got the biggest name in basketball history in his corner for the upcoming election.

  Now you have the chance to meet Michael Jordan and President Obama. Only, if you donate money.

  If you donate money to Obama's re-election campaign, you will be entered into a drawing to meet the both of them at an event in New York City.

  The campaign sent out an e-mail that said:

  When Michael Jordan wrote a check to my campaign for U.S. Senate in 2004, I wasn't sure whether I should cash it or frame it.

  Now Michael Jordan is taking his support to the next level. If you chip in $75 or whatever you can today, you'll be automatically entered for a chance to meet both of us at an event later this month in New York City.

  You're invited to bring a guest -- so if basketball isn't your game, I encourage you to bring someone in your life who might enjoy meeting Michael and me over dinner, and maybe even shooting some hoops with some of the other basketball stars, past and present.

  Now, I don't know if I'll want to sprint up and down the court that night, but I'm always up to launch a few jump shots. If you join me, don't be surprised if I challenge you or your guest to play.

  Tonight is the deadline to throw your name in -- and, today only, every entry counts for two. Make a donation, and you'll be automatically entered.

  Now, Jordan has never been much for politics. He's never fully endorsed anyone, but with Obama's Chicago roots and Jordan being Chicago royalty, the pairing just makes sense.

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• Jimmer Fredette and Justin Timberlake Longtime Friends?

  August 02, 2012

  

  On his Twitter earlier today, Sacramento Kings guard Jimmer Fredette posted a picture, on @jimmerfredette, of him as a youngster posing with singer Justin Timberlake.

  Small world, huh?

  This was clearly a long time ago because nobody with self respect bleaches their hair like that anymore. Good to see that Jimmer lost that baby fat and became a pretty good sharpshooter.

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• Kobe Signs Opposing Players Shoe After a Thorough Beating

  August 01, 2012

  

  What do you do when your team loses by 47 points on the world stage? the natural response is to be upset about it, but one player decided to take advantage of a situation he'll probably never be in again.

  Tunisian basketball player Mohamed Hadidane had Los Angeles Lakers superstar and USA basketball player Kobe Bryant sign his shoe.

  Oddly enough, it was the same type of shoe that Kobe had worn in the same game.

  And he was wearing the colors of the US and not his home country of Tunisia, complete with the Nike Elite "Team USA Basketball" socks.

  Hadidane will probably never be on the same court as Kobe again, so it was a pretty smart move to have a future Hall of Famer sign the shoes of his own feet. Also, Tunisia beat the spread, so a pretty good night overall for the Tunisian reserve.

  Good move, Mohamed.

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• Orlando Magic Hire Jacque Vaughn as Head Coach

  July 28, 2012

  

  The Orlando Magic have finally found their man.

  The Magic have hired San Antonio Spurs assistant Jacque Vaughn as the ninth head coach in team history. Vaughn played for the Magic from 2002-2003 and spent 12 season in the NBA with the Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz, New JErsey Nets, and Spurs.

  Vaughn played point guard for the Kansas Jayhawks from 1993-1997 and was drafted 27th overall by the Jazz in 1997.

  He has spent the last two seasons on the San Antonio Spurs bench as one of Gregg Popvich's assistant coaches. He replaces Stan Van Gundy would was fired after the Magic's first round playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers.

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• NBA Draft Bust Marcus Fizer's Old Car on eBay

  July 26, 2012

  

  Its been awhile since we've heard from former Chicago Bull and Iowa State Cyclone Marcus Fizer. I mean he hasn't played in the NBA since 2006 and hasn't played professionally since 2011 when he played in Taiwan.

  Now it appears as if his former car is now up for sale on eBay for only $10,000.

  That's a pretty good price considering the owner said that $20,000 worth of customization was put into the 1999 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class.

  Its assumed that Marcus Fizer himself isn't selling the car because it is liste don eBay as "Chicago Bulls Marcus Fiser Owned". It isn't even really confirmed that Fizer even owned the car.

  By the looks of the pictures, it looks like a pretty sweet ride.

  

  

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• Fan Throws Shoes at Kevin Durant at Exhibition

  July 26, 2012

  

  One way to ask for your favorite player's autograph is to ask them or just wave whatever you want signed in front of them as they walk by and not what one fan did in England.

  A fan of Kevin Durant's took it one step further when he threw at pair of shoes at the Thunder superstar.

  Durant didn't oblige and sign the fans shoes and the fan was ejected from the arena. Good for Durant for not putting up with crazy fans and hopefully people won't do that again in the future.

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• LeBron Unveils Team USA Throwbacks on Twitter

  July 22, 2012

  

  LeBron James announced and unveiled on Twitter today that Team USA will wear throwback jerseys from 1992 for tonight's game against Argentina.

  LeBron tweeted on his Twitter page, @KingJames, "Throwback uni's for tonight's game #USA92 #hyperelite2012"

  This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Dream Team and their complete domination of the participants of the Barcelona Games.

  The uni's look pretty sharp and hopefully they harness the same kind of magic that the 1992 Dream Team had.

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• Cavs Won't Trade Unless Bynum Signs Extension

  July 21, 2012

  

  According to a report from Yahoo! Sports, the Cleveland Cavaliers will only participate as the third team in a deal that could send Dwight Howard to Los Angeles if Andrew Bynum signs a contract extension with the team.

  The Lakers want the framework of the three team deal agreed in principle before allowing the Cavaliers to speak to Andrew Bynum about his willingness to sign a contract extension with the Cavaliers.

  However, this won't happen unless Orlando decides on whether they want to lock in the framework of a possible deal.

  Both Bynum and Howard will be free agents next summer and Bynum is only 24 years old and could earn more money in a bigger market. That is why Cleveland needs a commitment from Bynum in order to go ahead with this deal. Owner dan Gilbert is trying to sell Bynum on teaming him up with young explosive point guard Kyrie Irving as a potential framework of a championship team.

  Howard seems much more likely to agree to an extension since the Lakers are a perennial contender and Los Angeles is a very large market where Dwight Howard can really cash in on his endorsement deals.

  However, Howard really had his heart set on playing for the Brooklyn Nets and he could just play the field next summer and see if the Nets offer him a deal.

  The Rockets are still trying to make a play for Howard's services and since Cleveland may back out, the Rockets could be an intriguing team to look out for in the coming days or weeks.

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• MSG's Stock Plummets After Lin Heads for Houston

  July 20, 2012

  

  When Jeremy Lin left the Big Apple for the Lone Star state, it changed the entire dynamic of the New York Knicks as they now prepare without the budding NBA star.

  But the MSG stock might take some time to recover. A lot of time.

  According to reporter Darren Rovell, in the last four days, the MSG stock has lost $93 million in value. On Wednesday, the stock lost one percent alone.

  When Jeremy Lin made his first start with the Knicks back in February, the stock was trading at $29.49 and thanks to "Linsanity", the stocks soared to a record high of $38.80.

  Since Lin signed the offer sheet with the Houston Rockets, MSG shares fell to $35.50, an 8.5 percent fall.

  Knicks owner James Dolan said that he was betrayed by Lin when he signed the offer sheet by the Rockets after the offer was re-structured. Now it seems as if Dolan has betrayed the shareholders.

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• Steve Nash Converts To The Dark Side in Star Wars Parody

  July 13, 2012

  As part of Steve Nash's "Nash, Camera, Action", a movie parody series directed by Nash himself, he decided to take on Star Wars.

  Makes sense seeing as how he has pretty much converted to the dark side and now plays for the Suns' rival, the Los Angeles Lakers.

  Nash plays Darth Vader in the clip with Suns forward Jared Dudley as a Luke Skywalker-esque character trying to stop Nash from going to the dark side.

  Its hard not to like Steve Nash after seeing a clip like this. He really is a pretty funny guy and hopefully gets a job on television after his career is done.

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• Chris Kaman, Mavs Agree To Deal

  July 11, 2012

  

  The Dallas Mavericks and free agent center Chris Kaman have agreed to a one year contract, according to sources.

  Kaman took to the Twitterverse to announce the agreement.

  "Partnering up with @swish41 and heading to the Mavs........," Kaman tweeted. " I want to say thanks to the Hornet fans for all the support, even though our marriage was a short one!!!

  Kaman and the Mavericks have agreed to one year, $8 million deal.

  Kaman will play with his German national teammate and good friend Dirk Nowitzki.

  The Mavericks needed to make some sort of splash after losing Jason Terry to the Boston Celtics and its failed attempt to drive Deron Williams out of Brooklyn.

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