March 2007 Basketball Wiretap

Francis To Practice, May Play Friday

Feb 28, 2007 11:49 PM

According to his agent, Knicks' guard Steve Francis will practice Thursday with the intention of playing in the home game versus the Warriors on Friday.

Francis is apparently buoyed by the results of an MRI exam he underwent Wednesday in New York.

New York Times

Tags: New York Knicks, NBA

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Kukoc, Davis Say No Thanks To Bulls

Feb 28, 2007 11:35 PM

As of Tuesday, the Bulls are not planning to bring in anyone to help fill in while Andres Nocioni is sidelined with plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

The Bulls reached out to both Toni Kukoc and Antonio Davis, but both former Bulls decided to remain retired.

Daily Herald

Tags: Chicago Bulls, NBA

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Marion Out With Hand, Quad Injuries

Feb 28, 2007 8:39 PM

Phoenix forward Shawn Marion sat out the Suns' game against the 76ers on Wednesday night because of a bruised right hand and bruised left quadriceps.

AP

Tags: Phoenix Suns, NBA

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McGrady Concerned About Safety At Next Year's All-Star Game

Feb 28, 2007 8:35 PM

Rockets star Tracy McGrady said Wednesday he would consider skipping next year's All-Star game if he felt he wouldn't be safe in New Orleans.

"When they first mentioned to me that the All-Star game was going to be in New Orleans, the first thing I thought about is how much security they are going to have for the players and everybody there," McGrady said.

"I don't think it's the right city to have this type of event right now. I know the city is in need of trying to get back on their feet, in need of money. Safety comes first. I'm sure they have to do a lot of research and look into before they really make this decision."

AP

Tags: Houston Rockets, NBA

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Celtics' Maxwell Sorry For Sexist Remark

Feb 28, 2007 8:32 PM

Celtics radio analyst Cedric Maxwell apologized on the air Wednesday night for saying that a female referee should "go back to the kitchen" after he disagreed with one of her calls.

Maxwell made the comment during the Celtics' victory over the Rockets on Monday. He subsequently said "Go in there and make me some bacon and eggs, would you?" in reference to referee Violet Palmer.

"If I said anything that might have been insensitive or sexist in any way, then I apologize because she worked extremely hard to get where she is now, end of quote," Maxwell said before the Celtics' game against the Knicks on WEEI-AM, which is owned by Entercom Communications.

AP

Tags: Boston Celtics, NBA

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Wally To Have Season-Ending Surgery

Feb 28, 2007 3:21 PM

The Boston Celtics announce that forward Wally Szczerbiak is scheduled to undergo season ending ankle surgery on Thursday March 8, 2007. The procedure will be performed by Team Physician Dr. Brian McKeon at New England Baptist Hospital.

In 32 games this season, Szczerbiak is averaging 15.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 28.1 minutes per game.  The eighth year pro has missed 24 games this season due to injury; all but one game due to ankle sprains. Szczerbiak recorded a season high of 35 points against the Charlotte Bobcats on November 8, 2006.

Press Release

Tags: Boston Celtics, NBA

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Clippers Sign Conroy, Waive Wafer

Feb 28, 2007 2:33 PM

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed guard Will Conroy of the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League to a 10-day contract, it was announced by Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor.

Currently leading the NBA Development League in assists, averaging 10.8 per game, Conroy has also averaged 15.2 points and 5.3 rebounds in 31 games with Tulsa in 2006-07. A 2007 Development League All-Star, Conroy signed a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan. 30, 2007 and played in three games. Conroy averaged 0.7 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 0.0 points in 5.7 minutes for the Grizzlies.

In a related move, the Clippers waived guard Von Wafer.  Wafer was signed to a 10-day contract on February 21st .

Press Release

Tags: Los Angeles Clippers, NBA

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Wizards Call Up Mike Hall

Feb 28, 2007 1:17 PM

Mike Hall has been called up the Washington Wizards on a 10-day contract, Director of Player Personnel Milt Newton confirmed to DraftExpress today. Since the Wizards had 15 players under contract already, James Lang was cut in order to make room for the move. Newton told DraftExpress? Jonathan Givony that the move was made to ?fill some spots? and round out Washington?s roster better, as they had ?too many players at the 4 and 5 positions? and ?almost nothing at small forward behind Caron Butler?.

The Wizards are very familiar with Hall since he played right down the road from them at George Washington University for four years. He was invited to training camp this October, and was the last player to be cut. Newton says that the Wizards ?know what Mike can do,? and called him a ?smart? and ?versatile player.?

DraftExpress.com

Tags: Washington Wizards, NBA

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Wade Leaning Towards Rehab

Feb 28, 2007 12:32 PM

On Tuesday, Dwyane Wade gave a strong indication that he plans to return from his dislocated left shoulder before the end of the season.

Wade's options are a vigorous rehabilitation program that could have him back for the final two weeks of the regular season, or surgery that would not have him back until next season. In either case, surgery would eventually be a necessity.

Asked about potential long-term risks by delaying the surgery, Wade sounded as if would move forward with a short-term solution.

"Of course you always worry about what-if, there's always the what-if," he said of potentially aggravating his injury. "But if that decision comes to play where I decide to come back, you can't think about the what-if, you've got to go ahead with it."

He is scheduled to receive a second opinion Thursday, but sounded Tuesday as if he had been well versed on the rehabilitation option.

"I mean, the reports are accurate: It's eventually surgery," he said. "But there's also an opportunity in there where I can opt for the rehab, and the rehab and the therapy, and get it strong and make a return by the end of the season.

"I'm feeling as good as I can feel," he said, with his left arm in a sling and the left sleeve of his suit coat flapping by his side. "My spirits are high, and that's the main thing. I know that everything in life happens for a reason, so I will find out what this reason is."

Sun-Sentinel

Tags: Miami Heat, NBA

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Johnson Dismisses Reggie Talk

Feb 28, 2007 12:26 PM

On Tuesday, Avery Johnson dismissed talk that Reggie Miller was on the Mavericks' short list of players they would like to bring in.

He did say that the team is open to anybody with the proper credentials ? playoff experience and the ability to do at least one thing very well.

"I wouldn't say it has to be any particular spot," Johnson said. "We have an order of what we prefer. But there's not really a lot of choices right now. If we can't get somebody in that order, we'll take the best veteran available."

Dallas Morning News

Tags: Dallas Mavericks, NBA

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Jazz Still Plan On Waiving Henderson

Deseret News

Maxwell Will Apologize For Sexist Remark

Boston Herald

Ohio State To Wear 'LJ23' Logos In Big Ten Tourney

Beacon-Journal

Pippen Not In Cleveland's Plans

Beacon-Journal

Knicks' Lee Hopeful For Friday Return

New York Post

Fisher: NBA Players Unfairly Blamed For Vegas Mayhem

ESPN

Lakers Set To Receive A Boost

L.A. Times

With Nocioni Done, Antonio Davis A Chance For Bulls?

Chicago Tribune

Hyde Group 'Close To' Bidding For Grizzlies

Memphis Commercial Appeal

McGrady Will Play On Wednesday

Houston Chronicle

Injury Lands Powell In Hospital Overnight

Mercury News

Q To The 2, Jeffries To The 3

New York Times

Livingston Suffered Tears To ACL, PCL, MCL And Lateral Meniscus

Press Release

Pistons Assign Johnson And Blalock

Press Release

Clippers Sign Conroy To 10-Day Deal

DraftExpress.com

Atkins Interested In Denver

Rocky Mountain News

Cardinal Undergoes Knee Surgery, Done For Season

Press Release

Jamal Out For The Season?

ESPN

Lewis Says He Won't Accept Extension Offer

Seattle Times

Union Uneasy About All-Star '08 in Big Easy

ESPN