March 2007 Basketball Wiretap

Report: Odom Suffers Mild Concussion In Car Accident

Oct 31, 2007 10:50 PM

Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom sustained a slight concussion in an automobile accident, team spokesman John Black said Wednesday.

The two-car crash happened Tuesday morning when Odom was driving to the Lakers' morning shootaround before their season-opening game against the Houston Rockets.

Odom, sitting out the first few games of the season while recuperating from shoulder surgery, attended Tuesday night's game, a 95-93 loss to Houston.

The driver of the other car was identified by police only as a 37-year-old woman from nearby Downey.

"At the time of the accident, it appeared the woman sustained very minor injuries," Hawthorne police Lt. Michael Ishii said.

Globe And Mail

Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, NBA

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Cuban: Kobe Not Coming To Dallas

Oct 31, 2007 10:44 PM

During Wednesday night's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Mavs' owner Mark Cuban said that the team is not pursuing a trade for the Los Angeles Lakers star.

"We haven't talked to them," Cuban told ESPN's Lisa Salters during a sideline interview. "It's not gonna happen. We've got a great squad. We like it."

Cuban was asked if the team has any interest at all in Bryant.

"We're always looking for bargains, but I don't think they're going to give us any bargains," he said.

According to ESPN's Ric Bucher the Lakers are now actively looking to move the nine-time All-Star.

ESPN

Tags: Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA

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NBA Suspends Buss For Two Games

Oct 31, 2007 7:23 PM

Lakers' owner Jerry Buss was not at Tuesday night's season-opener at Staples Center and will not be at Friday's game in Phoenix because of a two-game suspension handed down by NBA Commissioner David Stern for Buss' pleading guilty to misdemeanor drunk driving in September. Buss was also fined $25,000 by the league.

Buss, 74, was arrested during the early hours of May 29 in Carlsbad after police saw him driving his gold Mercedes-Benz on the wrong side of the road. He was sentenced to five years' probation and fined $1,900.

L.A. Times

Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, NBA

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Injured Knee Sidelines Pacers' O'Neal For Opener

Oct 31, 2007 7:21 PM

Pacers' forward Jermaine O'Neal sat out Indiana's regular-season opener against Washington on Wednesday night because of a hyperextended left knee.

O'Neal, a six-time All-Star, was hurt Oct. 8 when he collided with Shawne Williams during practice.

"Jermaine practiced today, but he's not ready to play," Pacers' coach Jim O' Brien said. "We expect him to play [Friday] against Miami."

Ike Diogu replaced O'Neal in the starting lineup.

Pacers center Troy Murphy also missed the game because of a strained left Achilles tendon. Williams sat out the first game of a three-game suspension for getting caught driving without a license.

ESPN

Tags: Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, NBA

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Cavs' Talks With Varejao Heat Up

Oct 31, 2007 7:13 PM

After agreeing to terms with restricted free agent Sasha Pavlovic, the Cavaliers are also believed to have intensified talks with their remaining restricted free agent, Anderson Varejao, the Akron Beacon-Journal is reporting.

Akron Beacon-Journal

Tags: Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA

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Cleveland Waives Anthony Tolliver

Oct 31, 2007 6:42 PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived forward Anthony Tolliver.  He played in three preseason games for Cleveland and averaged 2.0 points and 1.7 rebounds in 6.7 minutes per game.  

The Cavaliers' roster now stands at 14 players.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA

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Jamison Thinks This Might Be Last Season In Washington

Oct 31, 2007 6:26 PM

Antawn Jamison suspects that, barring a deep run in the playoffs, this season will be his last for the Washington Wizards.

"In the last couple years, it's always been something," said Jamison, the subject of numerous trade rumors in recent offseasons. "The only way I knew I wasn't getting traded was because of Ernie and Mr. Pollin. They said, 'You're not going anywhere,' and I knew I wasn't going anywhere."

Washington Times

Tags: Washington Wizards, NBA

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Kobe Not Rattled By Boos

Oct 31, 2007 6:21 PM

When Kobe Bryant was introduced to the Lakers' faithful in the player introductions on opening night Tuesday, the usual cheers were largely drowned out by boos cascading from the seats.

The response had apparently been triggered by the ugly situation Bryant and his team find themselves in, the Lakers' superstar publicly expressing his displeasure with the team and his desire to be traded -- a wish he later withdrew -- owner Jerry Buss publicly admitting he is entertaining trade offers and Coach Phil Jackson recently saying Bryant "hasn't thrown his heart and soul into performing on the floor."

Asked after Tuesday's game if it was the first time he had been booed at Staples Center, Bryant, rather than taking offense, cracked a smile.

"No, it wasn't," he said. "I've had a couple of 10-for-40s [shooting nights]. I understand where they are coming from. Nobody knows the entire situation because I just keep my mouth shut, as I should. But it was good to see them come back to normal later in the game."

L.A. Times

Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, NBA

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Three-Way Kobe Trade Involving Kings Falls Through

Oct 31, 2007 6:21 PM

ESPN is reporting that a three-way trade involving the Lakers, Bulls and Kings is now dead but has been discussed.

The Lakers would acquire Ron Artest and Ben Wallace; the Kings would acquire Ben Gordon and P.J. Brown (acquired via sign-and-trade), while the Bulls would get Kobe Bryant.

ESPN

Tags: Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, NBA

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Magic Sign Nelson To Multi-Year Deal

Oct 31, 2007 5:11 PM

The Orlando Magic have signed guard Jameer Nelson to a multi-year contract extension, General Manager Otis Smith announced today.  Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.

?Jameer (Nelson) is a key part of our foundation,? said Smith.  ?He is a tremendous leader, both on and off the court, and he will continue to improve as we strive to reach our ultimate goal.  We look forward to watching Jameer develop in a Magic uniform for many years to come.?

Nelson (6?, 190, 2/9/82) has played in 218 regular games during his NBA career, all with Orlando, averaging 11.9 ppg., 4.0 apg., 2.8 rpg. and 1.01 stlpg. in 26.3 minpg.  He also appeared in four playoff games last season, averaging 14.3 ppg., 3.3 apg. and 3.0 rpg. in 32.3 minpg.  

Originally selected with the 20th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by Denver, Nelson was acquired by the Magic on draft night (Jun. 24, 2004) in exchange for a future first round draft pick.  Nelson was named to the 2004-05 NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

Nelson spent four seasons at Saint Joseph?s University, averaging 16.8 ppg., 5.7 apg., 4.6 rpg. and 2.05 stlpg. in 125 career games.  He left as the school?s all-time leader in points (2,094), assists (713) and steals (256).  Following his senior season (2003-04), Nelson was the consensus National Player of the Year, earning the Associated Press, Naismith, Rupp, Robertson and Chevrolet Player of the Year awards.  He also shared the NABC top player award with Connecticut?s Emeka Okafor.  In addition, Nelson was selected as a unanimous First Team All-America by the Associated Press, named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and captured the Francis Pomeroy Naismith Award, signifying the top player in the country 6-feet and under.  Nelson had his jersey number 14 retired by the Hawks on April 23, 2004.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Orlando Magic, NBA

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NBA Launches Effort To Rebuild New Orleans

RealGM Staff Report

Report: Lakers' Odom Suffered Concussion In Crash

ESPN

Rockets Pick Up Option For Head

AP

Artest Trade Rumors Appear Again?

Newsday

Magic Johnson: Kobe To Chicago Isn't Going To Happen

Chicago Sun-Times

Nuggets, J.R. Smith Still Talking Extension

Rocky Mountain News

Mourning Says This Is Last Season

Palm Beach Post

Unhappy Stern Chides Knicks As Season Starts

New York Times

Bulls' Wallace Leaning Towards Playing

Chicago Tribune

Popovich Also Gets A Bump From Duncan's Deal

San Antonio Express-News

Jazz' Stars Ruin Warriors' Home Opener

Yahoo.com

Rockets Edge Lakers In Opener, Kobe Scores 45 Points

Yahoo.com

Spurs Get Rings, Take Care Of Oden-Less Blazers

ESPN

Mavs Free Up Room For Howard, Waive Mbenga

ESPN

Magic, Nelson Reach Agreement On Extension

Florida Today

Lakers And Pacers Talking About Jermaine Trade Again?

TNT

Sixers' Hill Undergoes Surgery

RealGM Staff Report

Mavs Exercise Option On Ager

SportsNetwork

Pavlovic, Cavs Agree To Three-Year Deal

ESPN

Celtics Pick Up Option On Rondo

RealGM Staff Report