We don't normally question the authenticity of good, solid reporting, but we have to question this. The website TalkBasket.net, a media partner of the Euroleague is reporting that NBA star Deron Williams, currently playing for the New Jersey Nets is moving. We don't discount the report, but we're skeptical.
The site is reporting Williams will play for a club called Besiktas in Turkey. The say the club will pay him $200,000 per month and the contract will allow him to return to the NBA as soon as the lockout ends.
While we sort of get the logic--Williams would be playing and staying in some form of game shape, we seriously wonder if he'd take the risk knowing he could get hurt over there.
The other reason we are skeptical is that no major outlet has reported this yet. It may be true, but heck, it isn't even a main headline on the TalkBasket.net website. And Williams is one of the NBA Elite players. We aren't saying that since it isn't "Mainstream" that it isn't legit, because quite often, bloggers and sites on the Internets are way ahead of say--the 4-Letter, we just wonder why Williams would do it.
Jay Z in the UK locker room/Courtesy: cbssports.com
((ht:cbssports.com))
It appears the alleged, impromptu visit that rap-mogul and co-owner of the New York Nets, Mr. Jay-Z, paid to the University of Kentucky locker room after the Wildcats celebrated clinching a Final Four berth, was expensive.
Mr. Z, or more specifically, his team, the Nets, have been fined $50,000 for the visit, which happened on March 27th.
For those wondering, the reason this was a problem is fairly simple and straight-forward. It violates NBA rules which say no contact with NCAA players who still have eligibility left. And there were quite a few of those in the UK Locker room.
Like the folks at CBSSports said, we are glad at least the NBA was willing to investigate this and throw down a fine. Granted $50 large is not a huge imposition for Jay-Z or the Nets, but at least they know the league is paying attention.
It may have been intentional, though we doubt it. The suspicion is, he just wanted to celebrate and who are the Wildcats to turn away from an offer by someone of Mr. Z's credentials?
Since we have discussed Jay-Z at length here, its only appropriate to catch the few of you unfamiliar with him up. Enjoy his homage to New York City:
Usually, what the American sports leagues do when they have games overseas (short of, maybe, hockey) is send two teams the States don't care about for the exhibitons that really count in the standings in the meaning of goodwill and all that.
What does the NBA do...? Send the Hets and Toronto for their global branding experiment...
The teams didn't want to leave since they went three overtimes thanks to the likes of Machine, Leandro Barbosa, and Deron Williams finishing at 137-136...
Here's a breakdown of the Brook Lopez highlights in the triple-overtime winner by the Nets... Marv has your calls with The Czar doing color...
The New Jersey Nets and Denver Nuggets were always this/close to a deal that was supposed to ship six players and at least two first-round draft picks to Denver that would send Anthony to the Nets along with Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton.
But, according to new Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov, it's all over...
"...But there comes a time when the prize is simply too expensive. I am instructing our team to walk away from the deal, and the meeting that was supposed to be held by our management in Denver with Carmelo is hereby canceled."
ESPN's Brian Kenny caught up with Chris Sheridan about the deal that never will be... ((HT: ESPN))
Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups/Courtesy: Zimbio.com
Yeah, it sounds like it's getting close to happening. Today's NBA, a league where you can be a great player in a small market, complain, and then end up in a big city. The new poster child for this appears as though it will be Carmelo Anthony.
The Bergen Record, and now several other outlets are reporting that Denver, New Jersey and the Detroit Pistons are about to pull off a trade that could involve up to 14 or 15 players and a couple of draft picks.
Yeah, you heard correctly. 14 or 15 players. According to the Record, the Nets would be giving up 6 players and 2 draft picks to get Anthony, who while a very good player, won't be able to play by himself.
Read more from Al Iannazzone of the Bergen Record RIGHT HERE
Here's the best breakdown we can ascertain from this: The Nuggets, get a couple of good, young players...Devin Harris and Derrick Favors and with this can basically start rebuilding. The Nets, would get Chauncey Billups...if he agrees, along with Anthony. They would team with Brook Lopez and Richard Hamilton who would come from Detroit. The Nets become an instant playoff team.
Of course, this hinges on two things: Anthony being willing to sign an expensive contract extension and Billups being willing to come with him.
As for Detroit. They get two expiring contracts to clear space for the pending sale of the team. Getting rid of Hamilton cleans out a whole lot more. They pretty much are resigning themselves to the draft lottery.
There is also speculation that getting Anthony in New Jersey, which will soon be playing in Brooklyn, NY, would help the Nets draw good buddy Chris Paul from New Orleans sometime in the next two seasons and create another "Alleged" SuperTeam for new Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov.
We will continue monitoring this and have the full details if or when it happens.
Here's video of Anthony, playing "Pop-A-Shot" on the Jimmy Kimmel show:
Eric LeGrand injured on this play/courtesy: Mel Evans/Ap-Syracuse.com
Sometimes athletes...and teams just do good stuff because they can. A prime example of this is what the New Jersey Nets did today for paralyzed Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand.
The Nets in conjunction with guard Devin Harris's 34 Ways to Assist Foundation donated $75,000 to the Eric LeGrand fund.
You thought Mark Cuban tossing his money around was funny for the benefit of the NBA...? Now, it's official...
Mikhail Prokhorov is now the owner of the New Jersey Nets...
From the league its own self... "We are pleased that the NBA’s Board of Governors approved Mikhail Prokhorov’s purchase of majority ownership of the Nets, welcoming into the NBA ownership ranks the league’s first majority investor from outside of North America,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern.
“We anticipate that his passion for the game and business acumen will be of considerable value not only to the Nets franchise but to the entire NBA.”
All the above press release does is give us the excuse to post this story again... ((HT: CBS/bettywong25))
New Jersey congressman Bill Pascrell is asking Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to investigate a possible relationship between a Prokhorov company, Onexim, and the Mugabe government.
It is a violation of federal law for American citizens and companies or their subsidiaries to do business with Mugabe. No provision has been made with American companies who do business with international entities that effect Zimbabwe. And a current "power sharing" agreement between both parties within the country could easily deflect the logic of Pascrell's argument. Pascrell has also stated he is against any move of the Nets to Brooklyn- regardless as to who is the owner.
"This is disgusting,"Pascrell told the New York Post. "Obviously, the Board of Governors of the NBA didn’t do their job properly when they vetted this deal."
Here's part of an interview Mugabe had with Christiane Amanpour in front of the G20 Summit and the United Nations as a backgrounder on the President... ((HT: CNN International))
Dave D'Alessandro of the Newark Star-Ledger writes that in a letter to Treasury Secretary Geithner, Pascrell said Prokhorov’s investment bank, Renaissance Capital, recently sponsored a summit in Zimbabwe on behalf of the government- a violation of US sanctions.
Pascrell has also requested that Geithner "investigate all of Mr. Prokhorov’s business dealings in Zimbabwe..."
The New York Post also reports that Prokhorov’s dealings with Zimbabwe never came up during the NBA’s vetting process.
League spokesman Mike Bass issued a statement that says that Prokhorov “went through a very extensive and stringent vetting process. The background and financial investigations have been completed and there was nothing that was disclosed that would cause us not to move forward with his application for Nets ownership.”
Which can be translated to say, "What does that idea of yours have to do with anything 'basketball...?'"
The HQ wonders if Pascrell is in an election year...???
So, here's Prokhorov's interview with Steve Kroft from "60 Minutes..." as a reminder of what the NBA may be getting themselves into... ((HT: CBS))
Let's kick off one of Sports busiest days with an interesting but highly doubtful rumor. The New Jersey Nets, the worst team in the NBA this season are looking to make a splash next season. They have a new owner, Mikhail Prokhorev, a Russian billionaire with money and personality to spare. And Prokhorev wants a new coach. Not just any coach, but a big name, attention getting...holy crap kind of coach.
With that in mind, Prokhorev has expressed a ton of interest in Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. So much so that according to a few reports, the job would be a $12-$15 million a year offer to coach and possibly be GM.
((Coach K isn't going anywhere//Courtesy: Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer))
Krzyweski, for his part hasn't wanted any part of the speculation. When it first came up in February, he just kind of laughed it off. At age 63, with almost a lifetime at Duke, he has no reason to take such things seriously.
For their part, the rumor mill keeps grinding. There was also speculation that Prokhorev would be interested in Michigan State's Tom Izzo.
A speculative report from Midwestsportsfans.com RIGHT HERE
Another report that is pure speculation with a big name coach attached. We don't refute that the Nyets will throw money around to anyone with a big name that they convince to take the job, but we don't buy that it will be a near-lifer in the college ranks. Those moves never work out and we have no reason to believe they would this time either, price tag included.
Here is an interview with Krzyzewski done a couple of days ago by CBS. Thanks CBS Sports/You Tube:
Steve Kroft of CBS' "60 Minutes" got to hang out with one of the world's richest men, Russian billionaire and almost-New Jersey Nets owner, Mikhail Prokhorov.
And the HQ likes him already... We're really looking forward to the gabbing between him and the Dallas Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban when they start playing each other... ((HT: CBS))
Quoting Sinatra...??? Showgirls...??? Oh, yeah... the HQ likes him...
An interesting series of reports are surfacing today regarding Louisville Cardinals Basketball Head Coach Rick Pitino. Yes, the same Pitino who was in the crosshairs of an ugly situation/affair/extortion issue.
This time, his name is surfacing in regards to the NBA's worst franchise (at least this season), the New Jersey Nets. Several outlets, starting with the New York Daily News have reported that he...well probably his emissaries have been in contact with the Nets or particularly the new owner Vladimir Prokhorov and team president Rod Thorn.
((Rick Pitino says "Whattayatalkinabout?"//Courtesy: Jim O'Connor/US Presswire/NJ.com))
However, NJ.com has an interview with Rod Thorn who say 'nay RIGHT HERE
Courier Journal.com also says the University says "Nyet" RIGHT HERE
The 4-Letter (ESPN) and Pat Forde talked to Pitino RIGHT HERE
However, check out this Tweet from YahooSports NBA writer Adrian Wojnarowski- "The Pitino Story in the NYDN is accurate. He's been working back channels to Russian owner and management.for weeks. They know he wants job". He goes on to add "What Pitino doesn't want is perception he tried to get job and was rebuffed. That'a what happened with Sacto (Kings); NJ is job he really wants".
We just think the whole thing is odd. It isn't a total shock that Pitino wants out of Louisville. With the legal issues, the poor performance of his team this year and the ever growing shadow of John Calipari down the road in Lexington, he may feel it is time to move on.
We will keep an eye on this. It is interesting and no doubt Pitino will take shots at the writers for even suggesting this...all the way until the point where he leaves.
In the meantime, check out this really strange video created we think by a UK student about an imagined conversation between Pitino and Calipari. Thanks You Tube:
The New Jersey Nets Courtney Lee had a career-high 27 points and the unthinkable has happened... the Nets actually won a damn game...stopping their 18-game losing streak in its tracks...
So, those of us at OSG HQ have figured out what it'll take for a winning combination in the Swamps this year...
Kiki and Del as head coaches... Brook Lopez getting a season-high 31 and 14... Lee's output after being reinserted into the starting line-up... Playing the Bobcats every night of the week- considering the last win for the Nets back in April was against Charlotte...
Tom Barisse as new temporary head coach didn't help...
Kiki Vandeweghe is really needed for his shooting and roster depth rather than the idea of him and Del Harris taking over on the bench...
The Mavs gave the Nets the worst start in NBA history...
A shooting performance of 17-for-19 in the second quarter and 81-percent for the first half was ridiculous enough on its own... good enough for 49 points and a 77-50 lead.
Dirk Nowitzki had 24 to lead the winners. Jason Kidd had another double-double with 16 and 10. Chris Douglas-Roberts led the Nets with 24 as they only suited up 9 players- again- because of injuries...
Here's your game wrap, thanks to a lot of still pictures from the Associated Press...
You're looking at us like "What in the hell are you doing putting this story up here...???"
Understand... we wouldn't do it if we didn't think you'd need to know about things like this down the line...
New York's Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that the state can use eminent domain to force homeowners and businesses to sell their properties for a massive development in Brooklyn that includes a new arena for the New Jersey Nets.
In a 6-1 ruling, the Court said the Empire State Development Corp.'s finding that the area was blighted was enough to justify taking the land.
A group of tenants and owners claim the seizure is unconstitutional. They argue that developer Bruce Ratner's proposed $4.9 billion, 22-acre Atlantic Yards project mainly enriches private interests, while the state constitution requires public use for taking land.
Okay... now that you've read the official mumbo-jumbo from a leagl standpoint... what does this all mean...???
Simple... if this legal precedent sticks... it means that any team that wants ((what they think is)) prime real estate to build an arena or stadium- they can take it and give you whatever amount of money they deem "fair."
The lesson here... live in an area that will never be suitable enough to build a new home for your hometown sports team... live far away or in the air somewhere...
Here how our friends at MyFoxNY and Fox5 covered the deal... Believe us.. this was a "deal..."
Well, it looks like the story we reported last week about Russian Billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov buying the New Jersey Nets...or as they may now be know, the Nyets, had some truth to it. The Nets and Prokhorov announced today that they've agreed on a deal that would allow Prokhorov to become the primary owner and contributor to the arena that the team wants built in Brooklyn.
((Mikhail Prokhorov//Courtesy: Alexander Zemlianichenko/Bloomberg News))
Apparently, according to the terms of the deal, Prokhorov, for $200 million, gets 80 percent of the Nets, 45 percent of the arena and takes over the teams debts. Not bad for the man that the Russian version of Forbes magazine says is the richest man in all of Russia. Bruce Ratner, former primary owner will retain a minority share in the team.
It will be interesting to see how he acclimates to running an NBA basketball team. There had been some thought that the Nyets might make a run at LeBron James after this season, now that there is a new "Sheriff" in town, we will see just what kind of impact he makes.
An interesting story developing (pun intended) in the never ending odyssey of the New Jersey Nets and their quest for a new home...and ownership. It seems as though one of Russia's wealthiest men...Mikhail Prokhorov is interested in investing in the Nets new arena and possibly becoming the majority owner.
Prokhorov is a humongous Sports fan and probably can take the Nets off of Bruce Ratner's hands. Ratner's businesses are apparently not doing so hot financially and according to a development agreement needs to get the new arena, in Brooklyn, New York started here in the very near future or face some sort of penalty.
If you are interested, the Russian papers have a slightly different version of the story...stating that Prokhorov will buy the team for a "Symbolic $1" and then fund the arena himself. Interesting.
Former New Jersey Net, Milwaukee Buck and current (as of a couple of weeks ago) San Antonio Spur Richard Jefferson has apparently contracted a case of "Cold Feet". Jefferson was all set to marry former Nets Dancer Kesha Ni'cole Nichols in a $2 million dollar plus ceremony at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City. Sometime before the ceremony (apparently pretty close to it since guests had arrived), Jefferson bailed...approximetley 2 hours before it was supposed to start according to reports.
((The not quite Jefferson's photo/Courtesy: WPIX.com))
The only thing we can really add is that this is one of those things that baffle the mind. Maybe if you are mega-rich (or an athlete) you can do stuff like this...you just kind of wonder what Ms. Nichols thinks about it all
The New Jersey Nets' Devin Harris hit an unbelievable lunging 47-footer at the horn, and the Nets snapped a season-high five-game losing streak with a 98-96 victory over the slumping 76ers on Monday night.
"It's the great thing about this game," Nets coach Lawrence Frank said. "These players are so talented, they make freakish shots. Not that it's a rehearsed shot. I don't know if Devin's doing it in the gym, but the basketball gods were with us tonight."
While there was no question the shot swished, officials Derrick Stafford, Violet Palmer and Pat Fraher had to watch replays of the heave for 2½ minutes with players from both team staring over their shoulders.
"I didn't want to look at the replay," said Harris, who stood near the center jump circle while the review took place. "I just kept my head down, waiting for a reaction. On the court, I was looking at Violet and she was telling me 'no good.' That was the first thing that I saw."
Stafford said the original call on the court was that the basket was not good. However, the replay showed conclusively that the shot left Harris' hands before the clock hit all zeros, and Stafford eventually gave a touchdown signal, setting off a celebration among Nets players and fans. After the review, everyone was jumping up and down, going crazy," said Harris, who scored a game-high 39 points. "We'll take it any way we can."
The loss was the fourth straight for the 76ers, and it was tough to take.
"This was a real disappointment because I felt we played well enough to win the game," Philadelphia coach Tony DiLeo said. "To put up a shot like Devin Harris did was heartbreaking for our team."
Seconds earlier, the 76ers seemingly nailed down the victory when Andre Iguodala sank the second of two free throws to give them a one-point lead with 1.8 seconds to play. With no timeouts left, the Nets inbounded from under their defensive basket to Harris, who bobbled the ball after bumping with Iguodala and then heaved in the winner from in front of the scorer's table.
"I thought a lot was going on for 1.8 seconds," Iguodala said. "I thought for sure it wasn't good and I still don't think it was good."
But, Andre, it was and will be in the scorer's book...and that's all that matters...
