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Saturday, January 16

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Arenas would love to land with the Orlando Magic when this ordeal is over. I’ve also been led to believe that Orlando will give the matter strong consideration whenever Arenas becomes available, whether or not that happens before next season. ESPN.com

Sources told ESPN.com that Magic general manager Otis Smith, who was part of Golden State’s brain trust when the Warriors drafted Arenas as a second-rounder in 2001, continues to be one of Arenas’ closest confidantes in the league. Sources thus say it’s a virtual certainty, given the depth of their friendship, that Arenas will lobby Smith to be the GM who looks past the damage this incident has done to Gil's reputation and grants his comeback chance. ESPN.com

Yet I’m convinced, based on everything I’ve heard this week on the subject, that Arenas will get a legit look from Orlando when the time comes. ESPN.com

I have sources who say the Nets are no longer sold on Harris as a core piece on the team. If they can package him with an expiring contract or two and get a young All-Star in return, they might do it. If they knew they were getting John Wall, they'd surely do it. ESPN.com

Bobby Simmons talked to Mark Bartelstein last week. Trenton Hassell talked to his agent – the very same Bartelstein – three days ago. Tony Battie called Lon Babby Tuesday afternoon. Josh Boone said he talked to his agent – a New York guy named Robert Fayne – last weekend. Jarvis Hayes rang up Dan Fegan a while back, but Hayes is the type who doesn’t want to hear anything. Newark Star-Ledger

“This isn’t my first rodeo,” Battie said. “I’ve been traded before. I’ve heard the rumors before. I’ve heard the rumors and was traded the next day. I heard the rumors and stayed where I was for the whole year. “You just have to stay professional and carry on in a professional manner.” Newark Star-Ledger

The Nets waived the forward they acquired Monday from Dallas. Maybe they didn’t think he could help them or because he hadn’t played organized basketball in more than a year would need much more work to get in condition to be able to help them. Bergen Record

"We brought him in to take a look at him and (he was) way out of shape ... (we) didn't like what we saw," said Nets interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe on Friday. "He said he had to go home for some type of medical emergency, for one of his grandfathers or something like that. We sort of made the decision at that time that this wasn't going to work, so we waived him, and all this other stuff came down. We hope he is OK. We wish him well, but luckily (it's) not our issue." WishTV.com

Another possibility is that Bosh re-signs with Toronto and is then packaged in a sign-and-trade in July. Bosh said he didn't know if he would still be in Toronto after the trading deadline. "Oh, I have no idea, I don't know. I just play basketball and whatever happens, happens," he said. "I know it's a business and everything. And the business of basketball can take over sometimes. I can't worry about that, I just have to do my job every night." NBA.com

Bosh played under D'Antoni on the U.S. Olympic team last summer and said D'Antoni would be a drawing card for all free agents. "He's a good coach," Bosh said. "Everybody wants to play with a good coach. He has good prestige and he gets along well with his players and stuff like that. So anybody who considers that, I think that's something that they would look at." NBA.com

Toronto's Chris Bosh doesn't sound like he'll be giving anyone a discount when he becomes a free agent next summer. "That's a good question," Bosh said before his game against the Knicks – one of his potential suitors – when asked if he'd be willing to accept something less than a max deal in order to play with better talent. "I don't know (laughs). I don't know about (LeBron James and Dwyane Wade). I really don't know. Like I said, it's a business, so that would be tough to do. You'd really have to make a big commitment to do that." HoopsWorld

Bosh continues to be lumped in with Miami's Wade, Cleveland's James and Atlanta's Joe Johnson as members of one of the biggest free agent classes in NBA history. Ironically, each player has used the same locker in Madison Square Garden's visiting locker room. "They probably did that on purpose," said Bosh. HoopsWorld

Calderon was considered a gem just a year ago, but he struggled out of the gate this season, and the Raptors have played much better without him. Now that he's back from injury, you can expect the Raptors to shop him around. They could really use some help at the 2-guard position. DeMar DeRozan is a nice prospect, but he's not ready yet. ESPN.com

There have been rumblings of a Calderon-Kevin Martin swap. The move would give the Raptors a lot of offensive firepower, but it would also cement their status as one of the worst defensive teams ever. ESPN.com

Your name has come up in trade rumors. Jose Calderon: Really? Well, it could be. If I have to go somewhere else, I'll go somewhere else. I have no problem with that. These things happen in this league. This is how business is and it will depend on what the boss says. If they trade me, that's up to them. Eurosport

But you are happy in Toronto? Jose Calderon: I would like to stay in Toronto until my contract is up. I love the city, I've been living here for five years and I'd love to stay. Now, if they think they can improve trading me, I have nothing to say about that. Like I said, that's up to them. Eurosport

At nearly the exact same moment that Avery Johnson went on ESPN's "NBA Shootaround" show Friday night and demonstrably raised the possibility of the New York Knicks making a push for Gilbert Arenas, that very same topic was a matter of discussion between myself and Knicks president Donnie Walsh. And although Walsh didn't exactly endorse the notion, he certainly didn't dismiss it. "I don't know if he's available, and I don’t know if he’s going to be able to play. There are a lot of questions, and we’ll have to see as time passes what the story is, but I know this: When I had guys in the same situation, I traded all of them," Walsh said. ESPN.com

"I would assume they are going to go out and try to develop it, because they have to develop the market. That's what I had to do with [Ron] Artest and Stephen [Jackson]," Walsh told ESPN.com. "I mean, nobody’s going to call you up and say ‘I want the guy.' So you've got to call up, and it takes time." ESPN.com

If they traded Curry and Jeffries (combined 2010-11 salaries of $18.15 million ) for Arenas (2010-11 salary of $17.73 million), they would in effect be taking themselves out of the 2011 free agent market because Arenas is owed $19.3 in '11-12, $20.8 million in '12-13, and $22.3 million in '13-14. But one prominent league official suggested that if Arenas was amenable to modifying his contract, agreeing to a team option in each of the final two or three years of his deal (Arenas currently has an early termination option after the '11-12 season), his tradability would increase significantly. But Arenas would thereby be putting $40-61 million of guaranteed money at risk, making for one hell of a huge financial gamble. ESPN.com

I asked Walsh whether he' would sacrifice his 2011 cap flexibility to trade for Arenas. His reply: "I’d have to make that decision at that time. But he’s a very good player." ESPN.com

Alan Hahn: Also Twixers, word is the Pacers are open to dealing anyone but Granger. TJ Ford? Bad contract. No other matches for Knicks there. Twitter.com

A source with knowledge of the investigation told FanHouse that Arenas may only receive probation unless something comes up in the pre-sentencing report that will be completed before Arenas is scheduled to be sentenced March 26. "We are happy with the disposition," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Kavanaugh. FanHouse

Arenas and his lawyer, Ken Wainstein, refused to comment while entering and leaving the courthouse, but did release a statement shortly after the hearing. "He accepted full responsibility for his actions, acknowledged that those actions were wrong and against the law, and has apologized to all who have been affected by his conduct," said Wainstein, in the statement. "Mr. Arenas appreciates the professionalism of the authorities handling this matter." FanHouse

"The other player suggested they have a fistfight," according the proffer of facts document read by Kavanagh. "Arenas declined, saying that he was too old to fistfight and instead that he would 'burn' the other player's vehicle and shoot him in the face." FanHouse

Crittenton responded, Kavanagh said, by threatening to "shoot the (expletive) out" Arenas, including shooting him in his surgically-repaired knee. On Dec. 21, Arenas arrived at Verizon Center with and walked over to Crittenton's locker. Arenas opened the backpack and placed four guns in front of Crittenton's locker with a note that said, "Pick 1." "You said you were going to shoot me, so pick one," Arenas told Crittenton. FanHouse

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After the incident, Arenas collected the guns, placed them inside his locker and then put them in a suitcase. He gave the suitcase to another Wizards teammate and told him to take it take it to Arenas's car in the garage. Prosecutors said there was no evidence that the teammate knew what was inside the suitcase. Washington Post

During his court appearance, Arenas showed little of the engaging personality that has made his No. 0 jersey ubiquitous at Verizon Center. He walked into the courthouse wearing a gray flannel pinstriped suit and answered questions from Morin with simple "yes, sir" and "no, sir" responses. Those questions included whether he had agreed to plead guilty and waive his right to a trial. Washington Post

But the .50-caliber semiautomatic Desert Eagle, which with gold plating costs about $2,000, was not the most powerful in the arsenal that prosecutors say Wizards star Gilbert Arenas brought into the Verizon Center locker room. That would be the Smith & Wesson .500 magnum revolver, area gun dealers said. Arenas pleaded guilty Friday in D.C. Superior Court to a felony count of carrying a pistol without a license. "It's serious business," said Jamie McAdams, a saleswoman at Maryland Small Arms, a gun dealer in Upper Marlboro. Washington Post

"They bill that as the most powerful production handgun available," said Steve Schneider, owner of Atlantic Guns in Silver Spring and Rockville. Unless you're an Arnold Schwarzenegger action hero, it's a pistol made to be fired with two hands, or off a rest. Its kick is vicious and can send the unstable shooter staggering backwards while the bullet hurtles forth with such force that it can, as several YouTube videos attest, make a watermelon explode like a starburst. Washington Post

"It's a bling gun," that appeals to collectors, aficionados and people "who want to show it off to their buddies," Schneider said. Or, as one ad says: "Sometimes you just want to be sure that you have more power to your punch than anyone else, and for those times, we have you covered. The Desert Eagle from Magnum Research has long been viewed as the biggest and baddest pistol on the market." Washington Post

So, when I asked him on Tuesday if he had ever witnessed anything such as this current gun probe involving Gilbert Arenas, Hunter simply shrugged. "There's been a litany of violations that we've been involved in," Hunter said. "I think the only thing that is significant about this is the fact that he had a couple of guns in his locker, which is prohibited by the collective bargaining agreement, and the question is, what do you do in the face of that?" Washington Post

"You don't use a sledgehammer to drive a tack," Hunter said. "Right now, we're just waiting for the investigation to conclude and then we'll see what level or degree of discipline the commissioner is talking about imposing. And once the commissioner makes his decision, that will what extent we get involved and don't get involved." Washington Post

"I've never seen that happen before," Hunter said. "I don't know what the Wizards' plans are. I don't want to speculate as to what we would do. My obligation is to represent the players. I intend to do that under any circumstance. What I do is always contingent on what somebody else does. So I don't know what they plan to do other than honor whatever the commissioner imposes in terms of discipline. I don't know if there is any thought or discussion beyond that. I haven't heard anything." Washington Post

A rep for the company gave TMZ this statement: "In response to Gilbert Arenas' guilty plea to felony charges, adidas has terminated its agreement with the athlete effective immediately." TMZ.com

Saunders said he was "disappointed" by what has transpired. "I don't think he's malicious," Saunders said. "From my standpoint, I hope he can get everything worked out because he did everything I asked of him as a player on the floor and I respect him for that." Washington Post

Before Arenas appeared in court, Antawn Jamison said he was concerned about what the future holds for his teammate. Jamison added that he hoped people, athletes in particular, can learn from Arenas's situation. "The Michael Vick situation should've opened up a lot of eyes. This is another situation that should let you know you have to do things a certain way," Jamison said. "You're under a microscope. You're a role model. People, kids look up to you. I hope it opens up a lot of people's eyes, lets them realize, you have to cherish the moments. You have to make smart decisions. These couple of incidents in the last couple of years have shown, if you don't make the right decision, you can be in deep trouble." Washington Post

"They are mentally drained," Saunders said at Friday's morning shoot-around. "This has been a surreal situation for the past two weeks, until there is closure and everyone knows what the ramifications are, I think then you'll see maybe more of the true emotions come out at that point." Washington Post

When asked if the Bulls had a team policy regarding guns, Del Negro responded: “We have a lot of policies and rules, as far as cards and gambling, but the Washington thing is a very difficult subject. It’s unfortunate and it’s not good for the game, the Wizards, the league, or the fans. You just have to try and get through it. It’s not an easy situation; it’s a very touchy and serious situation, and it should be.” NBA.com

Jennings waged a war of words with someone tweeting at "JFarmar1." But it turned out to be a fake Farmar. "Everybody is going to have a story about it," Jennings said. "I feel everybody pumped it. He (the tweeter) did it for a pair of shoes." Jennings said he started tweeting before the Bucks' plane left Phoenix to go to Portland on Monday night. "Then I wasn't able to write back," Jennings said. "Some of the things he was saying, 'You check out my bling-bling,' it didn't sound like Jordan Farmar." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Jennings threatened to shut down his Twitter account (YUNGBUCK3) at that time, but he did close it down this week. "I just shut it down," he said. "I know all my friends are mad about it. They really enjoyed my company. I just keep it real with everybody." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

One thing Bosh is thinking about – besides his current team's record – is the All-Star Game. Boston's Kevin Garnett (who has an edge in the fan voting) is dealing with a knee injury should he not be able to fulfill his duties, Bosh is eager to step in as a starter. "No doubt," said Bosh. "It's in Dallas. I'm from Dallas. And just being able to start in any All-Star game is pretty cool. Kevin is a great player and he's very deserving of being the starter, but if he can't go, I will." HoopsWorld

People assume NBA players live in penthouses, helicopters and yachts. "It definitely hasn't been like that," Quinn says. When he's not practicing or on the road, he and his wife are typically looking for places to eat, or watching TV without Tivo, League Pass, DVDs and all that. "If there isn't something good on," he say, "well, you gotta find something else to do. The walls can close in on you pretty fast." ESPN.com

Quinn says his wife's part-time job allows her to cyber-commute to Miami. So sometimes she works from their room. But it's not like Quinn's job has been a big pick-me-up. The Nets are the worst team in the NBA. Maybe ever. Just across the hall, Nets coach Kiki Vandeweghe professed optimism ("I'm very excited about the future") but admitted "we're in a dark tunnel right now." ESPN.com

Chris Douglas-Roberts is miffed that some of his remarks in the media and on his Twitter account are being used against him by fans. “It’s just been love-hate since I’ve been here,” the wing said. “That’s just how I feel. Earlier on, I wasn’t going to be anything. Then the season started, I was loved. Now that they hear or read a story that they really don’t know what’s true or not, now it’s, ‘Get rid of him.’ ” “That doesn’t bother me. What bothers me is people (not) knowing what I meant. It’s really a lose-lose when it comes to what I say.” Newark Star-Ledger

Chris Douglas-Roberts: Noooo more sympathy messages. CD-R will be fine. Trust me. This is temporary. My game won't suffer for long either. I'll figure it out. Twitter.com

Kris Humphries: Still getting settled in NJ. I miss the Weather in dallas. Twitter.com

I have to ask you about the National Team and the World Championship. Jose Calderon: I want to play the World Championship so bad. I'm going through a bad patch and I want to play with Spain again. These little injuries have kept me away from the National Team and this time I'd love to be 100 percent healthy, no injuries at all. First, I want to be there, and then it's a big tournament. We are the reigning World Champions, and I want to be there. Eurosport

Do you think Ricky Rubio can play in the NBA? Jose Calderon: Of course, sure. Actually, he should be playing here already. (Pause) But look, I think he made the right decision because now he's playing in the best team of Europe. Obviously this will help him improve as a player when he finally comes here. Eurosport

And then there was Dunleavy, ready to be stripped of both his coach and executive powers until the Clippers got their act together. They beat the Lakers in an emotional bid to turn their season around if not their image in L.A. Their leader, Baron Davis, who took last season off, suddenly flashed a competitive spirit. Chris Kaman, solid all season, and Marcus Camby, who'd make anyone's all-underrated team, gave the Clippers some inside stability without Griffin. "We all started to band together," said Davis, upon learning that Dunleavy had one foot on a banana peel and the other on a skateboard. NBA.com

Before the game, Phil Jackson was asked if he believes in curses, an obvious reference to the evening's red, white and blue opponents described often as such. No, replied Phil, but he was raised in an era where people respected the concept of karma. He then suggested Clippers owner Donald Sterling could perhaps improve his karma and the team's luck might follow. "If you do a good mitzvah, maybe you can eliminate some of those things. Do you think Sterling's done enough mitzvahs to eliminate some of those?" ESPN.com

Reminded that Sterling has won various humanitarian awards, Phil asked "about those other incidents we have on file?" Told by the writer he didn't know what Phil was referring to, PJ chuckled, "neither do I." (I'm willing to go out on a limb and predict this was a dig at accusations of being a racist landlord. As someone raised in the Jewish faith, I can confirm for a fact that's not considered mitzvah-like behavior.) ESPN.com

Donnie Walsh has invited former Indiana Pacers player and executive Mel Daniels to work with him over the next few weeks. There is a possibility that the Knicks could add Daniels to the front office permanently but Walsh indicated Friday night that he asked Daniels to come to New York to spend time with him and give his perspective on the club. New York Daily News

Mark Cuban: Told @KevinDurant35 that he is incredibly talented, wished him luck. I wanted to give him a hard time bout me having more followers. Twitter.com

Ismail captured Bosh's "Dirtiest Sneaker Contest,'' winning an autographed pair, and was on the line with the Raptors power forward. "I appreciate that but you know what would be a better gift: coming to the New York Knicks next season,'' Ismail said on the phone. Bosh and his manager broke into a laughing fit. I mean, they laughed and laughed and laughed. Yes, it was 3 a.m., but it was hard to interpret the laughter any other way. Even after Humet went to The Post and Bosh gave a clarification, Ismail still got his autographed sneakers in the mail, he told me later on. New York Post

Very soon, 76ers center Samuel Dalembert will return to Haiti, his native country recently devastated by an earthquake. Dalembert intended to charter a plane after last night's home game against the Sacramento Kings, but he must wait for border clearance. "I think it will be postponed until the following week," Dalembert said before the game. "Most likely, I'm going to go over there and distribute some stuff, pick up my brother and sister, and come back." Philadelphia Inquirer

The NBA and its Players Association announced a $1 million donation to UNICEF, which received a $10,000 donation from the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation. Comcast also is showing public-service announcements at the Wachovia Center and in telecasts to help raise awareness and encourage others to support the relief effort. "That's why me and UNICEF are so close . . . they always keep me in the loop of what's going on, what's going to Haiti - they break it down to me, let me know what's going in and what we're going to do," Dalembert said. "That's why I love working with them; I feel like I'm there even if I'm not there." Philadelphia Inquirer

Dalembert has been working relentlessly, trying to do as much as he can to raise money and awareness. He also has been working the phone and his computer tirelessly, trying to find out the status of family members. His father, a brother and a sister all made it through fine, and Dalembert learned yesterday afternoon that an uncle who hadn't been heard from is OK. His godfather, who was visiting Haiti, was still among the missing. "My godfather is from France, and I told him not to go yet, wait until the summer, and we'll go together," Dalembert said. "I have no news from him. "My father, I laugh at him. He loves being part of helping people out. He's just like his mother, who was principal of a school. She loved to help people out, too." Philadelphia Daily News

Shaquille O'Neal: Pls continue to help the lovely people of haiti, they need us more than ever,from a lil to a lot, they need our help.........thanks. Twitter.com

Where were you when you first heard what happened? Olden Polynice: Ahhhh! The irony of it all. I was at a funeral for my girlfriend's cousin sitting there at the church. This is about an hour before I heard the news. And for whatever reason, I'm thinking about my dad, Lester. Then after the funeral ended, my girlfriend and I walked to the cemetery and she showed me her father's gravestone and I swear on everything holy that this is true - her Dad's name was Lester as well. And then at that moment my phone rings and I hear about the earthquake. I thought first that it was a joke. Earthquake? In Haiti? Haiti doesn't have earthquakes! We have everything else, but not earthquakes! Then I spent days trying to get through to my father and here we are. The Nation

I have to ask you your thoughts about Pat Robertson saying the earthquake happened because Haiti made a pact with the devil for independence. Olden Polynice: Pat Robertson can suck a big one--you can quote me on that. He is not a man of God and shouldn't claim to be. And you can quote me on that. Please. The Nation

New subject: Have you tried to contact Haitian players like Samuel Dalembert of the Philadelphia 76ers? Olden Polynice: I spoke to Samuel last night. I am trying to reach out to as many as possible. I want to organize all the Haitian players with one goal in mind. The goal is to make sure that they continue to represent Haiti and their families: they are Haitian and proud. There are many players, unlike Samuel, who are Haitian and don't want to claim it. I am Haitian and proud of it! You always have to be proud. We actually have ethnicity. We have culture. I want to organize all the Haitian athletes and have them claim a sense of responsibility. Not just right now when it is chic but every day of our lives. As we play and we make money, as we make the highlight films, we should let the world know that we come from a different place, a special place. Let the world know: Haiti is already hurting, before any earthquake. Haiti has BEEN hurt. Don't wait for a major catastrophe to be involved. Claim your home. Don't let us be a forgotten people. The Nation

Former NBA and Memphis player Shawne Williams has been indicted on felony drug charges. Prosecutors said Friday that Williams was indicted Tuesday by a county grand jury on eight counts for possession and conspiracy to sell a codeine-based syrup. Williams was jailed with bond set at $16,000. It was not immediately known if he had a lawyer. WishTV.com

Williams has often downplayed his social life and insisted he was always ready to perform on the basketball court. "A lot of stuff I did three years ago, I won't do right now," Williams said last month. "You get older and grow up. That's life. I had a lot of problems when I first got into the NBA, but I was young. I feel like I haven't gotten into any trouble not to be on the court. I'm finally not getting into trouble, and I'm not on the court. That's mind-boggling." Memphis Commercial Appeal

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