Sports Blog

Jason Williams To Return To NBA Action With Orlando

Veteran point guard Jason Williams”nicknamed White Chocolate earlier in his career for his flamboyant play”is returning to the NBA after a season away from basketball. Williams announced that hes re-entering the league this season, and will do so in an Orlando Magic uniform. Williams is tentatively slated to be the backup for starting playmaker Jameer Nelson.

Williams signed a one year NBA contract to play for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2008, but walked away from it without playing a game. At the time, his wife was facing some complications during her pregnancy with their third child and Williams wanted to be able to spend time with her and his family.

When the Clippers relinquished their rights to Williams earlier this summer, he became an unrestricted free agent. Magic General Manager Otis Smith provided these comments on the signing:

“Jason provides depth and leadership to our backcourt. He is a veteran point guard that knows what it takes to help us reach our ultimate goal.”

Williams has become more of a consistent player as hes matured, and should provide some valuable depth in the Magic backcourt. When asked to reflect on his NBA and college career Williams sounded a philosophical tone:  Read more...

Blazers Add Canby For Stretch Run

The Portland Trailblazers have needed a big inside presence ever since starting center Greg Oden and backup Joel Pryzbilla went down with season ending injuries. They finally found one on Tuesday as they acquired veteran Marcus Canby from the Los Angeles Clippers. Canby is expected to make his debut in a Blazers’ uniform on Friday when Portland hosts the Boston Celtics.

The transaction also served to answer the nagging question about Portland’s point guard situation. Steve Blake and Andre Miller have shared time running the offense, but Blazers’ management apparently felt that Miller was a better fit with superstar shooting guard Brandon Roy.

All three players involved are in the final year of their current contract, meaning that barring anything unforeseen Canby’s career in Portland will probably last only 23 games plus the playoffs. Outlaw and Blake may or may not fit into the Clippers longterm plans-assuming that one of the NBA’s most consistently underachieving teams actually has ‘longterm plans’ in the first place.

Canby was introduced to the Rose Garden crowd during Portland’s rout of his old team, the LA Clippers receiving a standing ovation. Earlier, he’d indicated that he was excited to be going to the Blazers:  Read more...

LA Clippers Relieve Mike Dunleavy Of Coaching Duties

In one of the stranger front office shakeups in recent NBA history, the Los Angeles Clippers have ‘relieved’ Mike Dunleavy of his head coaching duties effective immediately. He’ll remain on board as the Clippers’ general manager, and both he and the team cited the demands of the forthcoming trade deadline and free agent market as a catalyst for the change.

Not surprisingly, there is much speculation as to the back story behind the move. Some with knowledge of the situation suggest that Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling wanted to fire Dunleavy altogether, but relented due to the $5 million the team will owe him in the final year of his contract next year. More recently, a bizarre rumor has been circulating that Sterling has approached Isiah Thomas about taking over Dunleavy’s coaching position and becoming team president. While Isiah would bring a level of fabulousness never before seen on the Clippers’ sidelines, he hasn’t had much success either as a coach or executive in the NBA.

Dunleavy issued this statement, playing along with the team’s insistence that the decision to give up coaching was ‘mutual’:  Read more...

Kobe, Iverson Miss NBA All Star Game

The NBA All Star game was played without a couple of high profile participants this year as the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and Philadelphia 76ers’ Allen Iverson would not play due to injury. Kobe and ‘AI’ were the latest in a string of injuries to All Star players that also claimed Portland’s Brandon Roy and New Orleans’ Chris Paul. The NBA has been much more strict about attendance at the All Star game since a number of players skipped out with dubious injuries.

Kobe Bryant has been plagued with minor injuries all year, but missed the Lakers’ last three games prior to the All Star contest due to an ankle sprain. Los Angeles is hopeful that by not playing in the game that Kobe will be able to return to action immediately after play resumes following the All Star break. Bryant did travel to Dallas to participate in All Star game festivities.  Read more...

Free Agent Iverson Could Be ‘The Answer’ In Memphis

Allen Iverson is one of the most high profile NBA free agents left on the market, though his future plans may be determined in the next 48 hours. On Wednesday, Iverson sent a Twitter update indicating that the Memphis Grizzlies had made him an offer. Later that night, that information was confirmed by Memphis GM Chris Wallace.

Iverson had received the most interest from the Charlotte Bobcats and Miami Heat. Both teams have a lot of upside for ‘The Answer’-the Bobcats are coached by his Larry Brown, whom Iverson played for in Philadelphia. The notoriously hard to coach Iverson has always held Brown in high regard, and on a team struggling to find an identity he’d receive a lot of playing time and be the focal point of the team’s offense. Miami would likely use Iverson in a reserve role-while he bristled at that assignment in Detroit, he’s suggested that he’d be more receptive to it on a contending team.

From a financial standpoint, however, there are problems with both Miami and Charlotte. The Heat is already over the salary cap, and simply doesn’t have the personnel budget to pay Iverson what he could demand elsewhere. Charlotte, meanwhile, is up for sale and would be able to offer Iverson a short term deal with the prospect for renegotiation later, but that may not be something he’s interested in.  Read more...

2008/2009 Fleer NBA Basketball Factory Sealed Retail Box

Product Description
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2008/2009 Fleer NBA Basketball Factory Sealed Retail Box

When the Game Was Ours

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From the moment these two players took the court on opposing sides, they engaged in a fierce physical and psychological battle. Their uncommonly competitive relationship came to symbolize the most compelling rivalry in the NBA. These were the basketball epics of the 1980s–Celtics vs Lakers, East vs West, physical vs finesse, Old School vs Showtime, even white vs black. Each pushed the other to greatness–together Bird and Johnson collected 8 NBA Championships, and … More >>
When the Game Was Ours

Spalding Youth NBA Portable Basketball System with 32-inch EcoComposite Fan Backboard

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32″ Eco-Composite fan backboard; 14″ solid steel rim; 3-piece 2″ diameter pole system; built-in ball holder; base fills with water or sand; for indoor/outdoor playAmazon.com Product Description
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Spalding Youth NBA Portable Basketball System with 32-inch EcoComposite Fan Backboard

Spalding 64-452 NBA Zi/O Excel Basketball

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The SPALDING composite leather basketball offers a cover material and design tested to perform at the highest level. The new SPALDING Zi/O Excel basketball is an example of what the ultimate indoor/outdoor basketball should be¿a high performance ball with industry leading Zi/O composite cover, full ball pebbling, foam back construction and NBA brand.Amazon.com Product Description
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Spalding NBA Official Game Ball Basketball

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Play with the same ball the Pros use! The Spalding Official NBA Indoor Leather 29.5 Mens Game Basketball is the same full grain leather ball used in NBA games. Used for indoor play only.Amazon.com Product Description
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Spalding NBA Official Game Ball Basketball