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Tuesday, January 19

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I was skeptical last week when I did my trade story. But since then I've had several signals come out of Phoenix that Amare is available for the right price. I think the Suns are really concerned that he wants to leave for a bigger market. I would've said last week there was a 10 percent chance he gets traded. I'd up it to 40 to 50% now based on what I'm beginning to hear. ESPN.com

Will the Wizards try to terminate his contract anyway? A: I talked to one agent who said he wouldn't be shocked if the Wizards decided to attempt to void Arenas's contract because "this is the same franchise that [expletive] Michael Jordan." From conversations that I've had with people in the organization, the Wizards don't consider that a realistic option because of the legal fight that would surely follow. I've also been told that the Wizards haven't started discussing that option, especially since the legal process has yet to be completed. But it is really hard to find a credible source at this time, with so many people having interests to protect. The fact remains that Washington may be forced to welcome back Arenas. Washington Post

If the Wizards took that route, they would have to place Arenas on waivers and then terminate his contract after he clears waivers (and that shouldn't be a problem with Arenas's humongous deal). I've talked to several people around the league who told me that if the Wizards went after Arenas's deal, they had better win, because of the damage it would cause with current players and future free agents. Don't think for a minute that other players aren't closely monitoring this situation and taking notes on how the franchise has reacted to Arenas the past few weeks. But it is an option the Wizards may have to consider with the relationship between the player and the organization seemingly irrevocably damaged. Washington Post

Trading is always the first option, but a difficult one, considering the size of Arenas's contract and the fact that he doesn't have an agent to negotiate a deal on his behalf (Word is that Arenas is starting to rekindle his relationship with former agent Dan Fegan, with whom he remains relatively close). Arenas remains an extremely talented player, but not one who currently warrants a deal worth $80 million over the next four years. The Wizards certainly cannot move him at the trade deadline, since he might not return before the season ends. But this summer might be interesting, with several teams already clearing up cap space for the 2010 free agent class. Would a team that misses on LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh or Joe Johnson, take a run at Arenas? The Wizards would certainly have to explore that if they are unable to terminate his deal. Washington Post

From what I've heard, both sides would like to go their separate ways, but the tricky thing about a buyout is how that money would work against the salary cap, setting up another round of troubles. They could actually get rid of Arenas and still be hamstrung over the next four years by his cap number. Washington Post

Gilbert Arenas's guilty plea on Friday to felony possession of a firearm has left the franchise in flux between now and his sentencing on March 26. The Washington Wizards will probably look like a completely different team, with President Ernie Grunfeld still moving forward with his plans to make some moves before the Feb. 18 trade deadline. The only problem is that Grunfeld has received terrible offers from other teams hoping to raid the coffers for a pittance. So he could hold on for a while to see how the team plays with Mike Miller back. Washington Post

Thoughts on the Nets moving Devin Harris, and if so, what will it take to get him? Chad Ford: As I've been writing for the past 2 weeks, he's available. The question is ... for what? The Nets are going to want something serious back in return. One idea I've heard floating around is Caron Butler for Harris. ESPN.com

They're looking at a lot of things right now. They aren't happy with how the team fits together and seem to be deeply regretting letting Hedo go. I think anyone, short of Dwight Howard, could be had for the right deal ... but yes, I think Carter will be the focal point. ESPN.com

Knicks are really high on Chandler right now. I don't think they're going to move him. Too many unknowns next summer. If they can't land LeBron, Wade or Bosh ... then why give up young talent? ESPN.com

Q: All this talk of trading Wright seems wrong to me. The team has invested so much to develop him, and just when he is starting to show signs of some development, it is going to dump him for salary-cap reasons? -- Shaun. A: Actually, it is for tax reasons. But consider that even if the Heat doesn't instead opt for the $7 million it would realize by moving Dorell by the Feb. 18 trading deadline, it still likely would be unable to keep him in the offseason amid its commitment to pool all of its cap space for one or two prime players. So, really, how much is four months of Dorell worth? South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Baron Davis joined ESPN 710 in Los Angeles with Mason and Ireland to talk about his play lately, the injury to Blake Griffin, whether or not being named an All Star is important to him, and who he thinks is the best player in the NBA. On what took the Clippers so long to get going in the right direction this year: “I think first and foremost is we all had to get familiar with each other. Once again, we were a new team, with a totally new roster and I think it just took a while for our talents to come together and mesh. On top of that, being plagued with those injuries at the beginning of the season really limited us from reaching our potential early.” Sports Radio Interviews

Whether or not being named to the All Star team is important for him: “It’s not important to me at all. What’s important to me is that we win and we get to the playoffs. I’ve been to the All Star game, I’ve made the All Star game twice, it was a great accomplishment for me, but right now I could care less about that. Get me the wins and I’m happy and I’m satisfied and let’s get to the playoffs. That’s all I want.” Sports Radio Interviews

OK, so it was a career first. What was it like, sitting and watching in overtime? Allen Iverson: It's frustrating. Especially for somebody like myself, I've been in so many wars. Then to have to watch, it was tough. But at that time, all you do is be the best teammate you can and cheer for the guys who are on the court. That's all I can do. But it was different, not being in there for overtime, especially not being in for the last shot. NBA.com

But with four seconds left, [Jordan is] starting to draw something up ... are you starting to walk toward the scorer's table? AI: Absolutely. [Laughs.] Absolutely. I mean, coaches go off their gut feeling. You just got to live with it. Just like he lives with things I do on the basketball court that are not always right, the right thing for the team. And allows me to make mistakes or whatever have you. My whole thing is to allow him to coach and make the decisions that he makes, and support him with the decisions that he makes. My whole thing was not to sit over there and pout about it. Just sit over there and be the best cheerleader that I could be. NBA.com

How do you feel this return to Philadelphia is working out? [The Sixers are 8-12 since Iverson signed and played his first game in early December. They are 5-6 with him in the starting lineup, compared to 13-27 overall.] AI: Great. I mean, I'm happy. Obviously we're not winning the way that I want to. But as far as me being here, I'm happy. I'm ecstatic. NBA.com

Charlotte Bobcat Gerald Wallace showed up in Sports Illustrated's annual poll of NBA players as among the most underrated in the league. Atlanta's Joe Johnson drew 9 percent of the votes, Chicago's John Salmons was second at 6 percent and Wallace and the Lakers' Lamar Odom each drew 4 percent. Charlotte Observer

During Pendergraph’s senior year at Arizona State, Orcutt made the five-hour drive to Tempe for all his home games, missing only one contest. Now that her baby boy is living his dream in the league, LaDona follows the Blazers’ games on NBA League Pass, and is planning her first trip to Portland in early February when the Blazers face the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City. Knowing the way Pendergraph battled back from offseason hip surgery each game this season holds special meaning. “I’m just going out there and having fun. I don’t think there is any pressure on me, because there is nothing to be expected,” confessed Pendergraph, who underwent surgery to repair an impingement in his left hip. “At the beginning of the season, I didn’t know if I was going to play at all. I thought I was going to miss the whole season. To go from there to here is surreal.” Since being cleared to play – and logging key minutes in the injury absence of centers Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla – Pendergraph has averaged 4.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 13 games played this season, including collecting 14 rebounds against the Los Angeles Clippers in late December. That’s enough to make any mother proud. Portland Sentinel

The media viewing portion of practice has just begun, and Kevin Garnett is on the floor scrimmaging with the first team. Boston Herald

Doc Rivers said that Kevin Garnett will not play tomorrow night against the Pistons, but Garnett will make the trip and will campaign for minutes. “It wouldn’t be me if I didn’t,” he just said when asked if he’d try to talk his way onto the floor tomorrow night. Rivers is still looking at Friday’s home game against Portland for a return, and he said even that is not set in stone. Boston Herald

The Trail Blazers bench had a little extra room in the second half of Monday’s game at Washington: Team star Brandon Roy, who was out with a hamstring injury, watched the second half from the locker room. “I didn’t want to be a distraction,’’ Roy said. “I didn’t want to be a crutch.’’ Roy said he felt his presence on the bench reminded his teammates of his absence, which could cause them to take their mind off the game. “I just felt a couple of times guys were looking over at me, and I felt they would focus better if I wasn’t out there,’’ Roy said. Oregonian

Ante Tomic's buyout clause is five million euros ($7.1 million dollars). TUBasket.com

Tomic: "I haven't talked with Utah for a long time. I didn't talk with them about Real Madrid. My only focus is Real. I don't think about the NBA at all. I'm very excited and very happy to play there. Real Madrid is the best club of the world." TUBasket.com

NBA Commissioner David Stern has denied the Atlanta Hawks’ protest of their 106-101 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 30. The Hawks claimed the failure of the shot clock operator to rest the clock after a Hawks defensive rebound with 1:57 left in the game warranted a replay from that point forward. Canton Repository

Two years ago, Mourning was playing in the NBA. He was flying on private jets, staying in the very best hotels, trying to push Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan out from under the basket. Now he was in Haiti. He was witnessing horrors he can only begin to describe. And he was pushing bodies, crushed and mangled, so that the slightly less crushed and mangled could take their place. Mourning flew to Memphis on Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to accept the National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award. Having accepted the award, he will fly back to Haiti today. "I think people like Alonzo should get a medal," said Oscar Robertson, the other recipient of the Sports Legacy Award, and Robertson is exactly right. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Except Mourning would rather have your contributions, thank you very much. He'd rather have surgical equipment to set up operating rooms in makeshift tents. He'd rather have bed pans and 24-gauge needles and biohazard bags and cots. He'd rather we lavish our attention on the sick and the helpless in Haiti, rather than the former NBA all-star who is just trying to do his part. "People are dying," said Mourning, and we can all see that on TV, can't we?But what can we do? How can any one person really help? "You can do what you can do," said Mourning, which is exactly what he did. Memphis Commercial Appeal

So last Thursday morning, he boarded a plane. The next 48 hours were unlike anything he'd ever experienced. He didn't sleep. How could he sleep? The screams alone were enough to keep him awake. "All I heard was screaming and crying and moaning," he said. "It was like a war zone." Mourning saw a man whose foot was turned sideways, the bare tibia jutting out through the skin. He saw a boy whose leg was smashed beyond recognition. It could be days or weeks before doctors have a chance to amputate. Nobody cared that Mourning played center in the NBA. They cared that he thought to bring baby food and garbage bags. "I brought my journal, too," he said. "You know how, in a hospital, the doctors write a patient's diagnosis on a chart at the end of the bed? They didn't have anything like that. So the doctor would tell me the diagnosis, and I'd write it on a page of my journal, and rip it out and stick it with a piece of tape to the end of the cot." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Pau Gasol will receive the prestigious 2009 Sportsman of the Year award at the fifth annual LA Sports Awards, which will be held on Friday, February 19 at the new JW Marriott at L.A. Live. The LA Sports Awards are presented annually by the Los Angeles Sports Council to celebrate the greatest moments of the year in sports in the Los Angeles/Orange County area. The Sportsman award is given to the local male athlete whose performance and character best exemplified the ideals of sportsmanship during the calendar year. CBS 2

Pippen’s No. 33 jersey will be retired Wednesday night during a ceremony at halftime of the UCA-Nicholls State men’s game, which begins at 7 p.m. He will be in attendance. “This type of thing has been talked about long before I came here,” Jordan said. “When Scottie was playing ball (with the Chicago Bulls), it was impossible to work it out with his schedule. Since he retired, he served as an (NBA) analyst and has done a lot of work for Nike and has played and traveled internationally. The moon and the stars finally aligned perfectly that we are able to do it (tonight).” Log Cabin Democrat

Lopez is modeling his purple and gold low tops because he is taking a break from hosting "Lopez Tonight" to help his friend Kobe Bryant debut his new shoe. "No questions about the late-night wars," his publicist warns the media assembled outside the theatre as Lopez continues to show off his shoes to the cameramen. "No questions about Jay Leno or Conan O'Brien." Forget Leno or O'Brien, George. Kobe or LeBron, who you got? "LeBron James is great but Kobe Bryant is the greatest basketball player," Lopez said. "Kobe is a four-time NBA champion, an MVP, 11-time All-Star. His credentials don't lie." Lopez may be right, but he is admittedly biased. Bryant was one of the first guests on his talk show, and Lopez was Bryant's first choice to help him debut his shoe with an event called "Nike Live," which is basically an infomercial masquerading as a one-night talk show. ESPN.com

"I keep hearing that basketball players can't play in low-cut shoes but soccer players play with twice as much torque on their ankles as we do and they manage just fine," Bryant said. "A lot of it is change of direction and change of pace and change of tempo. Those are similarities that we both share." Bryant, who has played soccer since he was 6 in Europe and still plays with his daughters, contends that his understanding of soccer and ability to grasp the concept of "Total Football," the tactical spacing strategy made famous by legendary Dutch soccer player Johan Cruyff, who was Barcelona's manager from 1988 to 1996, has made him a better basketball player. "Soccer has improved my footwork and my foot speed," Bryant said. "In soccer, foot speed is everything. You learn about angles and soccer plays a lot in triangles as well so you get a chance to see things in different perspectives. In basketball often times you just watch a two-man game, but soccer forces you to watch the whole pitch and view the game differently." ESPN.com

In addition to soccer, Bryant has also used martial arts to help him on the basketball court. He is an avid Bruce Lee fan and practices the hybrid fighting system and life philosophy that Lee founded in 1967 called Jeet Kune Do or, in English, "The way of the intercepting fist." It's an offensive system based on striking first and always visualizing where your opponent will go next. Much like in basketball, there are gestures and half gestures to make your opponents move in Jeet Kune Do, allowing you to hit your opponents on their preparation or intention to hit you. "The art and the philosophy that [Lee] was in the process of teaching, Jeet Kune Do, is a philosophy that I try to play by," Bryant said. "It's an instinctual art. A lot of times in martial arts you have all these rules and regimens and basketball is the same way, everybody is taught these fundamentals, but to me you start from a base and work your way up and the defense has a hard time defending you because they don't know what you're doing because you don't know what you're doing." ESPN.com

Since hooking up with the organization WildAid last year, NBA star Yao Ming has been a driving force for awareness in China on the horrors of shark fin soup. The campaign has been highly successful with their “Buy a Billboard” push — which allows anyone for $100 to buy an anti-shark fin soup ad featuring Ming and have it placed at a high traffic area in China for one year. Cheap, right? And apparently highly effective, too. According to the site Stop Shark Finning, 19% of the people in Beijing surveyed remembered seeing the billboards and 82% of those that say it said they would stop or reduce their consumption of shark fin soup. WildAid has also released a new commercial featuring Ming that is being played on networks throughout China. “We have species that need our attention and protection,” Yao told reporters at a press conference launching the ad. “They are endangered by excessive hunting by humans and deprived of habitats due to human greed.” Ecorazzi.com

Skeets is so good with dogs. I'm always telling him that he needs to get a dog to protect The Jones studio, but only if he could buy it from an NBA player, and preferably a pit bull. So thanks, Trail Blazers' forward Travis Outlaw, for making this a lot easier. Through his website, T-Law25.com (possibly an R. Kelly reference), you can buy any of the eight pit bulls that Outlaw owns and raises. I'm partial to Tank, a smiley guy with a huge, floppy tongue. But maybe you'll be interested in Denim, Memphis or Rascal. Of course, choosing a dog named Rampage is asking for a destroyed couch. Even though they're vanity priced between $1,500-$2,600, the dogs are going to go fast. Yahoo! Sports

Tyreke Evans, the Sacramento Kings' rookie point guard, and his cousin are among four men who have been named in a wrongful-death civil suit filed in Delaware County. The family of Marcus Reason, who was killed by Jamar Evans, Tyreke's cousin, in November 2007 in a drive-by shooting, is asking for a judgment in excess of $50,000. Philadelphia Inquirer

Contrary to multiple reports and abundant speculation, the Washington Wizards have not considered voiding Gilbert Arenas' contract in the wake of his possession of four weapons on team property and subsequent federal investigation and felony conviction, a source with knowledge of the situation said. Mike Jones Sports

But according to a source speaking on the condition of anonymity, the Wizards have not had any discussions or communications with Arenas in regards to voiding the deal, and haven't decided what their course of action is in the situation because the legal process must play out, and then David Stern, who already has suspended Arenas indefinitely, must decide what – if any – additional punishment the player will receive before being reinstated into the league. Mike Jones Sports

“The Wizards did give him that $111 million contract when everyone thought they shouldn't, and this still is a player who was averaging 22 points and almost seven assists in his first season back from a two-year layoff,” the source said. “They know that, and would like this thing to work, but just have to see.” Mike Jones Sports

The other thing the Wizards are watching and waiting on is the potential trades between now and the Feb. 19 trade deadline. The Wizards continue to receive a high volume of interest in regards to Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, and by unloading one or both could create some financial flexibility for an offseason rebuilding. But they have yet to receive the offer that they are looking for and are waiting to get the best possible deal, according to league sources. Mike Jones Sports

Grunfeld, according to insiders, also remains hopeful that with Foye playing well and Miller back, for now, the Wizards possibly could turn things around and give him an excuse to keep the current roster together. With distractions starting to die off the hope is that results on the court also can improve. Foye, who is averaging 17.4 points and 7.2 assists in his last five games, is gaining more comfort as starting point guard, and Miller, who on Monday recorded 13 points, four assists and four rebounds off the bench, gives Washington another facilitator. But is it enough? We'll see . . . Mike Jones Sports

“You can terminate a player’s contract for doing something far short of pleading guilty to a crime,” said Gabriel Feldman, the director of the sports law program at Tulane. “I don’t think the team will have much problem proving that Arenas met the burden of falling short of good conduct.” New York Times

But as we all know, there is personal, and there is business. The two can form a combustible mix. "I have a lot of love for Gilbert, but this is something I've not given a whole lot of thought to," Smith said Monday afternoon. "…I don't know where this is coming from. There is nothing in the works. No talk about it on this end or any other end." Orlando Sentinel

Asked after Sunday's loss in Denver if he thought he was more likely staying in Utah than heading elsewhere, Boozer only could voice what he would do in the position of Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor and chief executive Greg Miller. "If I was them, I wouldn't make a trade," Boozer said. "But I'm not them. I think, I mean, you keep this group together. We're getting healthy, guys are getting better, we're rolling, we've won four out of our last five, which is great. Salt Lake Tribune

"That's why I would keep us together," Boozer said in reference to the Jazz's record. "In this business, it comes down to financial stuff, and I don't know what their situation is. But if it's about just winning, maybe that should be the deciding factor." Salt Lake Tribune

Jazz coach Jerry Sloan was asked if he was concerned about keeping his team together and focused amid so much uncertainty. "I can't worry about that," Sloan said. "That's something I again tell them at the beginning of the year. If you don't like this business -- and there's the possibility of a trade -- don't get in it, because that's something people talk about all the time." Salt Lake Tribune

Whatever source you're reading, from a Russian newspaper to an American internet site, many stories about Kirilenko mention his contract. He's often dubbed the NBA's most overpaid player. And, yes, it can be burden on the Utah Jazz forward. "It definitely puts more pressure on you, but what can you do about it?'' Kirilenko, who will make $17.823 million next season to conclude a six-year, $86 million contract, said in an interview with FanHouse. "Nobody can say I'm not playing 100 percent. I give 100 percent and I'm hustling so the world is not perfect.'' FanHouse

But 2 ½ years later Kirilenko is more at peace with himself. He now says he actually wants to remain with the Jazz when he becomes a free agent in the summer of 2010. "Definitely the Jazz is going to be my priority,'' Kirilenko said. "From the city standpoint to the team standpoint, because you get used to being here. It's very hard to change when you're getting older. So definitely the Jazz is going to be my priority.'' FanHouse

Kirilenko, 28, said he would have to factor in who might be coaching the Jazz in 2011-12, with Sloan not committed beyond next season. And, of course, Kirilenko would have to take a massive pay cut to remain in Utah. "I don't think the money is going to be an issue,'' Kirilenko said. "I understand that I look at the world realistically. I understand my value is going to be a little lower than it is right now. I'm not worried about that. Money has never been an issue. It's good to have a good contract and money. But my priority is basketball.'' FanHouse

Sources close to several of the Cavs' offers have said that basically the Cavs are offering the ending contract of Zydrunas Ilgauskas as the primary piece of a trade, under the belief that the acquiring team would then buyout and waive Big Z and he'd ultimately return to Cleveland after sitting out for 30 days. Shaquille O'Neal was also rumored to have been offered in a similar move. HoopsWorld

Delonte West has been offered to at least one team, mainly because his contract is not guaranteed next season. West's 2010-2011 year is a team option and could not be waived and rejoin the Cavs – options kick in automatically when waived - but his $4.5 million 2010 salary would come of the books of the acquiring team, so he too is viewed as an ending deal. HoopsWorld

Earlier this season, Hughes met with Knicks official to discuss the possibility of a buy-out. However, Hughes eventually worked his way back into the rotation and any discussions of a divorce ended. But the Knicks and Hughes could be headed down that road, especially if Hughes continues to speak openly about not playing. "There's frustration," Hughes said. "There's no anger. I'm just frustrated. There's no other way to put it. I want to be out there playing and helping the team win. "I don't want it to look like I'm complaining. He's the coach of the team. It's his decision to put guys in the game and to take guys out. If my time comes again I'll be happy. But if not I'll just continue to do what I've been doing. But at the same time I'll still be frustrated because I want to play basketball." New York Daily News

Hughes also revealed that he was upset by reports that he didn't attend practice. Hughes never read the accounts and claims that a Knicks media employee debriefed him that both reporters who attended Sunday's practice wrote that Hughes wasn't there. Of course, that is a flat out lie. The Daily News, one of two papers represented at Sunday's workout, did not report that Hughes skipped the workout. Instead what we have here is additional proof that the media policy that Donnie Walsh promised to revamp is not only alive but also as creepy and as sneaky as ever. New York Daily News

Brian Windhorst: To satisfy all trade Qs, before bed here's your update: Cavs having lots of discussions but aren't close to anything right now. Twitter.com

With the trade deadline approaching and the New Orleans Hornets still about $500,000 above the luxury tax threshold, Coach/General Manager Jeff Bower said the team has had various discussions and are actively monitoring teams. "If there's something that presents itself that will help us and give us some flexibility, then we will look at something," Bower said before Monday's game against the San Antonio Spurs at the New Orleans Arena. "Like every team, we will continue that up until the trade deadline." New Orleans Times-Picayune

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On a summer day in 2006, unbeknownst to anyone, Michael Heisley tried his best to make Alonzo Mourning a Grizzly. Heisley and then-team president Jerry West flew to Miami and met with the now-retired center before he made his final comeback from a kidney disorder. "They almost had me but my love was in Miami and my heart is still there," Mourning said Monday afternoon after participating in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Sports Legacy Symposium. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Mourning re-signed with the Miami Heat in an effort to try and help that franchise defend its NBA title. Mourning recalled that the Grizzlies pitch was simple: They wanted to build around him. "I know I could have come here and really helped the organization," Mourning said. "But I didn't want to put myself in a position where I was rebuilding. I wanted to win immediately because I didn't realize how much longer I could play the game at a high level." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Asked what his financial offer was, Heisley, the Grizzlies Chicago-based owner, said he didn't remember. "It was more than I could afford," Heisley said regarding the pursuit of a then 36-year-old Mourning. "But it was a fantastic meeting. He's a man of tremendous passion and pride. His toughness and commitment would have been tremendous for us." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Former NBA All Star Stephon Marbury has said he hopes to use his on-court skills to market his brand of low-cost basketball shoes when he laces up for China's Shanxi Zhongyu in the coming weeks. "I want to bring love to Chinese fans and I want to feel the love of the Chinese fans, so I'm going to play hard and work to help Shanxi win more games," Marbury told Tuesday's Titan Sports Weekly, a top Chinese sports paper. "I've already decided, every game I'm going to give away shoes to the fans. This is my own brand -- I hope they will like them," he said in an interview from Houston, where he was in training ahead of his arrival in China. AFP

In the interview, Marbury made it clear that only by winning basketball games would he be able to market his low-cost "Starbury" brand shoes to China's 1.3 billion consumers. "There are a lot of kids who cannot afford a shoe that costs more than 100 dollars, but their love for basketball is the purest so I thought I could help them," he said of his trainers, which sell for as little as 15 dollars in the US. AFP

Jonathan Abrams: Steph Marbury expected to make 100k/month in China, says US team rep. He averaged 591k for each of his 37 games last yr. Twitter.com

After earning nearly $22 million in the NBA last season, Stephon Marbury has taken a substantial pay cut to play in the Chinese Basketball Association: $25,000 per a month, a source familiar with the deal told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

Before agreeing to the deal with Shanxi Zhongyu, Marbury had turned down a few European overtures during the summer, a source said, including bids by two Greek teams. Maccabi Tel Aviv had interest but never made a formal offer. The Boston Celtics were willing to bring Marbury back in the spring, but Marbury believed offers of $8 million to $10 million annually would eventually come over the summer. Yahoo! Sports

“We wanted to move on,” Rivers said of the 32-year-old guard before Monday’s game. “I thought we had him for the right amount of time and if he came back he would have wanted to play more minutes, which I wouldn’t have blamed him for. WEEI.com

“I did not think he was done, no. I thought he still had a lot of basketball left in him,” Rivers added. “I thought someone would pick him up last summer but I don’t think the web broadcast helped his cause at all.” WEEI.com

Stackhouse worked out for the Bucks coaching staff in Houston on Sunday, and he was impressive enough to earn a contract for the rest of the season. The 35-year-old has not played in the league this season after being traded by Dallas to Memphis and being released by the Grizzlies. "He looked good," Skiles said. "He's not in mid-season shape or anything, but considering he's been out so long, he was in surprisingly good shape, we thought. "We're hoping he can do what he's done in his career, come in and score some points. He's always had a pretty high level of toughness. He's not afraid to attack the rim and get to the line." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Not when he was drafted, nor the rough rookie campaign filled with more losing than Mayo had ever known. But the shooting guard often brings up the negative vibes that persisted once this group had been assembled in the offseason. “Did we have enough basketballs? We wouldn’t be able to gel,” Mayo said. “We put all of that behind us. … And this is the perfect team to take strides for the organization.” Memphis Commercial Appeal

“If this isn’t making a statement, I don’t know what is,” Griz point guard Mike Conley said. “We are playing for respect.” Memphis Commercial Appeal

If he had a vote for NBA Rookie of the Year, Stephen Curry would vote for Tyreke Evans, too. The size. The stats. The courage in late-game situations. The ability to thrust his powerful body into the lane, and somehow, squeeze inside for reverse layups. "I can't think of anyone in a long time who gets to the basket better then Tyreke," Curry said of the Kings' standout rookie after his club's 114-97 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Monday. Sacramento Bee

The question is one that everybody in the Indiana Pacers organization has been trying to answer since the 2008-09 season. That's why Pacers coach Jim O'Brien added some levity to it when he leaned back on the wall and opened his arms wide when asked about pushing the right button with second-year swingman Brandon Rush. "I . . . don't . . . know," O'Brien slowly said. "I . . . don't . . . know. We tried everything. You just hope that he's going to have a good game." Indianapolis Star

Rush "wanders through life and you get what you get" from him, according to O'Brien. Rush has acknowledged confidence issues in the past. He often has a good game on both ends of the court if he scores early. The Pacers don't want that to dictate his performance. Indianapolis Star

Michael Lee: Ernie Grunfeld may have said, "We're not phasing out Gilbert," but his photographs are no longer in the press room. Twitter.com

More updates on the continuing purge of Gilbert Arenas from our local consciousness, and other assorted bits of Gil. * Reader Dave sends along about the saddest image I can image, an Arenas jersey from Dick's Sporting Goods in Fair Lakes. $75, marked down to $44.97, and then offered on the half-price rack. That's $22.48, I guess. Washington Post

You can no longer make an "Arenas 0" Caps jersey, or even an "Arenas 0" Ravens or Redskins jersey. "Language deemed inappropriate, derogatory, or profane will not be accepted," the NFL site will tell you. The same company apparently runs the Web stores for several leagues, and "inappropriate" words are blocked across all platforms. And yet the NFL site has no problem with an "Agent Zero 0" jersey, or a "Hibach 0" jersey, or even a "Buttmunch 0" jersey. So strange. Washington Post

Upon instruction from the league they also pulled Arenas' jersey or any other memorabilia related to him from the team store. But images of Arenas remain up in the locker room, the back hall that leads from the practice court to the locker room. Mike Jones Sports

The Wizards were miffed by Arenas' reported frustration over what he believed was a refusal to support him during the lowest point of their career. But multiple sources said the guard had declined to take phone calls or respond to voice mails or text messages from members of the organization – including teammates. He did speak with coach Flip Saunders after his conviction on Friday, however, The Washington Post reported. Mike Jones Sports

Wizards officials even on Friday, still hadn't learned some of the details surrounding Arenas' gun possession and were still under the impression that he had brought the four weapons to the arena earlier in the season to keep them away from his children. But once the prosecutor's findings came out in the court hearing, they learned Arenas had lied to them, and actually brought the guns on the morning of Dec. 21 as a continuation of his dispute with Javaris Crittenton. Wizards officials, the source said, also were appalled to learn that Arenas had threatened to shoot Crittenton in the face during the argument on the flight back from Phoenix. Mike Jones Sports

But the Wizards, the source said, remained hopeful that the sentencing would play out in a more positive result for Arenas, who received from the prosecutor the recommendation that he serve no less than the low end of the sentencing guidelines, which would be zero to six months of jail time. District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Robert E. Morin could disregard the recommendation and choose to make Arenas serve up to the maximum punishment for carrying an unregistered pistol in D.C., which is five years of prison time. Mike Jones Sports

It's been so rare this season that it's easy to forget that the Wizards' locker room really is a much better place to be after wins. The jokes are on point, the laughter is contagious. Moments after the Wizards defeated the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday afternoon, Caron Butler emerged from the shower and lobbed a towel in the direction of Nick Young, who was getting dressed by his locker room stall. The towel landed directly on Young's head. Young scrunched up his face, tossed the towel to the floor to asked Dominic McGuire, "Who threw that towel?" When McGuire told him it was Butler, Young asked, "Did he wipe his [butt] with that?" Washington Post

Shortly thereafter, Andray Blatche strolled over to Randy Foye's locker room stall and surveyed his collection of colognes. When he found a fragrance that he liked, Blatche sprayed himself down and said, "Tell Randy Foye, I said, 'Thank you.'" Asked about Blatche's cologne raids, Foye laughed and said, "Hey, whatever makes 'Dray happy. I'm an assist man. I'm just getting assists." Washington Post

But he did admit that the Wizards are playing better basketball of late. "We're playing better team basketball and better defensively," he said. "I definitely feel more guys are trying to make a concerted effort to make the extra pass. I'm sad it took this many games to realize it -- no one can do it by themselves. Hero ball won't win it for us." Washington Post

For a Finals rematch, there was precious little buzz. Some of that can be attributed to the teams having almost no history, the Lakers taking the Finals in five quick games, and perhaps mostly, to the unexpected shrinking of the Magic. "It's just another game," Kobe Bryant said. "There was no emotions from us. For us it wasn't a big deal." CBSSports.com

Answers have been hard to come by. Rashard Lewis has not been the same player since serving a 10-game suspension for performance enhancing drugs. Vince Carter has gone cold. But a spark is clearly missing, so much so that when the Magic fell to the injury-riddled Trail Blazers on Friday, forward Matt Barnes said: "We got no heart." Magic coach Stan Van Gundy is charged with trying to calm the crew while righting the ship. "We're not playing well right now," he said. "People want to find psychological angles. That it was post-championship letdown. We started 17-4, so that was late coming. That it's chemistry. It's none of these things. We're simply not playing well." CBSSports.com

Chris Bosh is quietly optimistic about the Toronto Raptors as they get ready to start the second half of their season. "I haven't been this encouraged in a while," the seven-year veteran, who leads his NBA team in scoring and rebounds, said after practice yesterday. "Before it's been tough, not winning as many games and kind of leaving things on the table. But this year, we can really start pushing ourselves over .500 and see where we can get at by the end of the season." Toronto Globe and Mail

Bosh is on his way to a stellar season, heading to career highs in every significant category and a shoo-in for his fifth consecutive all-star appearance next month. But having led bad teams in the past, he's much more interested in leading a good one, numbers aside. "My success depends on team success," the 25-year-old forward said. "At this point, numbers don't really mean much. Leading up to all-star weekend, and after, it's about getting wins and making the playoffs and stuff like that." Toronto Globe and Mail

Chris Mannix: Insightful interview with Rajon Rondo tonight: Question: Were you a fan of Jason Kidd growing up? Answer: No. Twitter.com

“You know, they don’t like no tough defense on him so of course I get a whole lot of bull[crap] calls but that’s how the story goes,” Wallace said, before adding, “I ain’t worried about it. We’ll see them again. Honestly, I can’t remember which one the fourth foul was, there were so many bogus [calls]. I ain’t worried about it. Like I said, we’ll see them again. We go down there in about a month or so. There’ll be retribution.” WEEI.com

Yes, Nowitzki had 15 points by the half, but “they were a tough 15,’’ said Celtics coach Doc Rivers, none of them came from 3-point range, and none of them came easy thanks to Rasheed Wallace, who knows the blueprint for bothering Nowitzki. “You’ve got to get in his chest,’’ Wallace said. “Make him put it on the floor, make him feel uncomfortable with it.’’ Boston Globe

Sam Amick: Charlotte coach Larry Brown on Gerald Wallace's entry in the dunk contest: "I hope he gets to play in the real (All-Star) game." Twitter.com

James did not speak to the media on Monday, but an NBA press release on Monday listed the participants as defending champion Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks, Gerald Wallace of the Charlotte Bobcats and former Cav Shannon Brown, now of the Los Angeles Lakers. DeMar DeRozan of the Raptors and Eric Gordon of the Los Angeles Clippers will compete in the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk-In, a single-round slam dunk competition that will be held at halftime of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam on Feb. 12. Fans will be able to vote for the winner with texts and at NBA.com. His teammates are sure he would have won, but support his decision. "The world loves him," Williams said. "He has fans everywhere. I told him if he just wanted to finger-roll, he'd get a [score of] 10." Cleveland Plain Dealer

"I was hoping so," Robinson said of James' possible participation. "It would be good for the fans and the NBA, pretty cool to get him and some other big names in it, but those guys are All-Stars, they don't need to waste their time doing dunks and stuff like that. They're right where they need to be, which is All-Stars playing Sunday." ESPN.com

"The NBA, they asked me: 'Do you want to do it?' And at first I wasn't sure. This is my fourth time doing it, so I know people probably get sick of seeing me dunk, but like I said, the champion's got to go back," Robinson said after scoring 27 points to lead the New York Knicks to a 99-91 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Monday. ESPN.com

"And I guess, hopefully, I mean if I don't win it, it'll be good because I don't want to go back no more. But if I do [win], and they want me to go back again, I guess so. Keep going until I lose," Robinson said. But Robinson's information was incorrect. "He was asked to come back and defend his title, and he agreed to do so. There is not a rule saying he has to," NBA spokesman Mark Broussard said. ESPN.com

Like a politician facing the public for the first time after being voted into office, Lakers guard Shannon Brown had a speech ready after the NBA revealed on Monday that he has earned a spot in this year's slam dunk contest. "First I'd like to say thank you to everybody that campaigned for me, everybody that voted for me, everybody that had my back this whole time," Brown said. "It's going to be something to watch. It's going to be a great time." Riverside Press-Enterprise

"From the first time people started saying that I should be in the dunk contest, my brain started working on what I should do," Brown said. "I'm going to the drawing board now. I've got a couple ideas in my head. I'm not going to give them away." Riverside Press-Enterprise

Mike Bresnahan: Shannon Brown actually thanked Mikki Moore, ex-Golden State center posterized by Brown in an exhibition-game dunk: "I appreciate him too." Twitter.com

Teague said it’s frustrating to not get consistent playing time, but he looks at the circumstances and understands he must wait his turn. “It’s always good to be winning,” Teague said. “I know if I was a rookie right now and I was losing every game I would probably be really frustrated and depressed if I wasn’t playing. “But to be on a good team, and learn from really good players and when I do get out there get an opportunity to do my best, it’s a blessing.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Woodson said he didn’t know when Teague would take over. “You just never know,” Woodson said. “If Bibby goes down or Jamal goes down, you think I won’t play Teague? Sure I am going to play Teague. I’m not going to get somebody else to bring in. “Teague can play and hold his own. He proved that in the exhibition season. It’s just that I’m playing with the veteran guys right now.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Raptors' first 30 games were played in 53 days; the next 30 will cover 73 days. So the less-compacted schedule, plus his carefully managed minutes, could keep him fresher. Case in point: With three days off before the game Friday against the Knicks, DeRozan was flying around the basket, scoring 19 points, 11 from the free-throw line. "I can't ask more from him. He works hard every single day and holds his own against some very tough two-guards in the NBA. His baptism against some of the best players in the league has been very good," said coach Jay Triano. Toronto Star

Credit Triano, GM Bryan Colangelo and the organization itself for its handling of the talented young player, who had only one year of college ball. It would have been easy to start, say, Antoine Wright and find the rookie his minutes here and there, but they named him a starter – only he and Bosh have answered all 41 calls – and began his on-the-job training in the less-pressurized parts of the game; those first 8-9 minutes each half aren't necessarily when NBA games are won and lost. "We watched quite a bit of Portland last year, when they started (Nicolas) Batum and had him out there with four other guys that were pretty established players," Triano said. "You have to get draft picks minutes. If we don't start him, there are going to be times when maybe we don't find a way to get him into the game. That's not going to help his development. We really believe this kid is going to be good, with time." Toronto Star

The Rockets picked up their option to extend coach Rick Adelman's contract for another season as expected last week, but did not stop there. Houston Chronicle

General manager Daryl Morey said he has begun talks to also sign assistant coaches Elston Turner, Jack Sikma,T.R. Dunn and R.J. Adelman. “We did it (the Adelman extension), and now we're working on bringing the assistants back as well,” Morey said. “They've done an incredible job in very difficult circumstances. To not only have a great game plan every night, but to have brought the players along to help us win now, is a testament to the whole staff.” Houston Chronicle

Josh Robbins: Marv Albert said Stan Van Gundy and Jack Nicholson chatted before the #Magic faced the #Lakers. Twitter.com

Tom Barrise, Jersey guy and loyal soldier, has moved on to his third job this season: Rod Thorn took the longtime assistant off the coaching staff Monday and gave him the title special assistant to the president. This could provide a soft landing for Barrise, a Paterson native who has been with the Nets since 1996 and acted as interim head coach for two games after the firing of Lawrence Frank. Newark Star-Ledger

In a related move, coaching associate Jim Sann, who has been serving in a dual capacity as player development coach and advance scout, will be with the team more “on a fulltime basis,” Vandeweghe said. Newark Star-Ledger

Word Monday that Karen Davidson might consider selling her late husband William's beloved Pistons created possibilities of a complex combination of potential deals. A person close to the situation told the Free Press on Monday that the Pistons are not for sale now, but could be soon. Such a sale by heirs would not be unusual following the death of such a dominating leader as William Davidson. Detroit Free Press

Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis is negotiating against a Wednesday deadline to buy the Washington Wizards and Verizon Center from the estate of sports entrepreneur Abe Pollin, a deal that could put him as lead owner of the region's biggest sports and entertainment empire. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the Washington sports scene, determining whether Leonsis -- or someone else -- will run Washington Sports & Entertainment, the sports holding company Pollin built over five decades before his death on Nov. 24. Washington Post

At 54, Leonsis is one of the most accessible owners in professional sports. He maintains a blog and a public e-mail address, and he frequently walks the concourse between periods at Capitals games to greet fans. To remake the Capitals, Leonsis endured the ire of fans as he traded away high-priced stars so he could start from scratch with prospects and draft picks. It was a risky process that paid off. "In a short amount of time, he has turned the Capitals into one of the premier franchises of the world in a non-hockey town," said businessman Mark Ein, a Wizards season-ticket-holder and owner of the Washington Kastles, the city's World Team Tennis franchise. "Given that Washington is a basketball town, the opportunity for the Wizards [under Leonsis] is almost limitless." Washington Post

The purchase could be crucial for Leonsis because Verizon Center generates revenue that could put an end to a decade of losses for his Capitals. "The franchise is most valuable to Ted, who might be willing to pay a slight premium because he already owns the Capitals and doesn't want to continue to be a tenant in that building," said Paul Swangard, managing director of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at the University of Oregon. "Being a renter is not good, modern sports business." Washington Post

Now, at the wisened age of 51, Cuban more than once smiles at a question and says, “I don’t want to get fined.” From all private accounts, he is still pushing the envelope behind the NBA’s doors, but more of Mark Cuban lives off the record these days. “When I got into the Mavs, I was like other young people in that situation,” he said as his team warmed up behind him. “I just wanted to take over the world. But you can only bang your head for so long before you realize you’re just leaving a mark on your head.” Boston Herald

Is he satisfied with where things stand now with officiating? “No. . . . And that’s all I’m going to say about that,” Cuban said. Then a grin creased his face and he added, “I defer to Tommy Heinsohn.” Boston Herald

“The ownership is just night and day,” he said. “Wyc (Grousbeck, co-owner) cares about winning and it shows. He cares about fans and it shows. He’s emotional like I am. The only difference is he wears a suit, and I’m going to try to convince him to do otherwise. He’s incredibly active in the league. People trust him. He represents Boston very well. And he’s smart. Sometimes he’s a little bit middle of the road - too middle of the road for my taste in terms of league meetings. But he’s involved, and making the Celtics successful is his mission in life. And making the NBA successful is part and parcel to that.” Boston Herald

Philadelphia 76ers center Samuel Dalembert is going to his native Haiti with the aid group Project MediShare to assist with the earthquake relief effort. The 76ers released a statement Monday night saying Dalembert did not return to Philadelphia with the team after a loss in Minnesota earlier in the day. He is being excused from practice Tuesday but is expected to play in Wednesday's home game against Portland. ESPN.com

Calling the initial wave of support "overwhelming," the Haitian earthquake relief fund co-founded by Alonzo Mourning and Heat star Dwyane Wade said Monday its pledge total has surpassed $800,000. Wade's donation was a one-game salary, about $175,000, while Mourning, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Chris Paul each pledged $100,000, fund officials said. The "Athletes Relief Fund for Haiti" began soliciting from pro athletes Friday. Washington Post

"I expected nothing less from my friends and colleagues in the sports community," Wade said in a release. "Our commitment to this cause knows no bounds, and we will continue to accept any and all donations throughout the days ahead." Washington Post

Aaron Goodwin: Two of our clients have made significant contributions to Mournings "Athlete Relief Fund for Haiti." Al Horford (@Al_Horford) has donated 1 Game check ($50K+) to the fund. Kevin Durant (@KevinDurant35) has donated $100K to the fund. Twitter.com

Chris Paul: 61 reps my late Gpa plus 2day is #2010MLK. As a citizen of NoLa&in mem of my HEROS Im donating $61,616.61 to HEROIC efforts goin on n Haiti. Twitter.com

Ray Allen relocated from California to South Carolina as a teenager. The son of an Air Force veteran, he had moved around the country and experienced different ways of life. The difference between the West and East Coast was eye-opening. His new home state did not recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid state holiday. “When I first came to South Carolina, I was in eighth grade and it kind of bothered me that I had to learn South Carolina's history,” he explained. “I'm a kid that grew up all over the world, and coming from California where people were so liberal and you're around everybody, you do everything, it wasn't much of a stick-to-your-own-type-mentality. And when I got down there, it just sat wrong in my heart, in my mind just knowing, OK, now you've got to learn about the history of this country in the South that was so racist.” WEEI.com

“The neighborhood that I lived in still had plantation homes that were still standing and still represented a past on the backs of slaves,” he said. “It always struck me as odd and uncomfortable. So, you just always learn for yourself, trying to figure out what's good for you. Like, how do you navigate through these waters and make sure that wherever you are, you make it the best you can for the people around you.” WEEI.com

Tim Donaghy, the disgraced former NBA referee who served 14 months in a federal prison camp, was asked if other refs bet on games. "I think I was the only referee who placed bets on NBA games, but I don't think I was the only referee who passed along inside information on what would be a good pick or not a good pick in an NBA game," Donaghy said on WGN-AM 720's "Sports Central." Chicago Tribune

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