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Thursday, July 29

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» 08:17 PM ET Update » 06:47 PM ET Update » 01:06 PM ET Update » 09:59 AM ET Update

» Update: 08:17 PM ET

Ross Siler: It's going to be interesting to see what happens with Kyrylo Fesenko and the Jazz in the next couple of days. It sounds as if the window's closing for the two sides to agree on a multi-year contract. Twitter

The Washington Wizards signed Kevin Seraphin according Comcast SportsNet Chris Miller, making him available the first day of training camp in late September. Miller also reports that Seraphin reached a buyout with France Pro-A League's Cholet Basket of $500,000 in order to sign with the Wizards. CSNWashington.com

Stephon Marbury, the former NBA All-Star, has agreed to three more years with a Chinese basketball team, whose owners will set up a company to produce and sell his line of athletic apparel and shoes, the team said yesterday. Marbury played 15 games last season with Shanxi Zhongyu of the Chinese Basketball Association. The point guard was a fan favourite in the city of Taiyuan, showing none of the defiant personality that had alienated management, teammates and fans in 13 seasons with the NBA. The National Newspaper

I just got word that the Kings have hired DeMarcus Cousins' high school coach, Otis Hughley, as an assistant. Hughley replaces Bryant Gates, the former D-League coach who took an assistant's job with the New Orleans Hornets. Hughley, 46, is a regarded as a dynamo in Alabama prep coaching circles. He led LeFlore High to six straight regional appearances and the 6A state championship in 2007. Interestingly, he was a fixture at the recent NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, seated with Cousins' agent (John Greig) and mother (Monique), and often was seen chatting with Kings officials. Now it makes sense. Sacramento Bee

Pete Myers will not return to the Chicago Bulls as an assistant to new head coach Tom Thibodeau, but he will have a role in the organization, according to a source familiar with the situation. "It hurts a little bit, but I think he should be somewhere around," Bulls All-Star guard Derrick Rose said Thursday. "Pete is a guy where if it wasn't for him I don't where I'd be in this league. "He always is there, brings life to that organization and it hurt a little bit." ESPN.com

Cleveland Cavaliers executive Lance Blanks has emerged as a frontrunner for the Phoenix Suns’ general manager’s job and will interview with franchise officials on Friday, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. After Dell Demps and Jeff Weltman passed on the Suns job, owner Robert Sarver and new president Lon Babby have turned toward Blanks, a well- regarded assistant GM. Yahoo! Sports

The death of Lorenzen Wright has reportedly been termed a homicide by gunshot wound. The Commercial Appeal cited a police statement in reporting Wright, a former Memphis basketball star and NBA player, was identified by the Shelby County Medical Examiner through dental records. The paper reported Wednesday that Wright's body was found in a wooded area in southeast Memphis. CBS42.com

The investigation into Lorenzen Wright's homicide continued as soon as the sun came up Thursday morning. More than 60 Memphis Police recruits combed the field between Hacks Cross Rd and Germantown Road in Southeast Memphis where Wright's body was discovered just after 2:00pm Wednesday. Investigators state that at least 10 shells from the same gun were found while searching for evidence. Memphis Police officially confirmed Thursday afternoon that the body was that of Lorenzen Wright, although sources close to the investigation had previously confirmed that with FOX13. A forensics report determined that the cause of death was homicide by gunshot wounds. My FOX Memphis

 

» Update: 06:47 PM ET

The Boston Celtics have signed Von Wafer to a one-year contract, according to sources close to the situation. The deal will be fully guaranteed and worth the veteran's minimum. The Celtics had spent the past week looking for a guard to replace Tony Allen. Eddie House, Roger Mason, and Jarvis Hayes were mentioned as options, but the team ultimately went with Wafer because of his ability to score off of the bench. HoopsWorld

In their first face-to-face meeting Monday, New Orleans Hornets general manager Dell Demps made quite a favorable impression on Chris Paul, sources close to Paul said. Demps also bought the franchise a little time with Paul, its star point guard, who had grown impatient with the team's inactivity during free agency. New Orleans Times-Picayune

After hearing Demps' plan for retooling the roster, Paul, a three-time All-Star, is on board with the team's direction and will not seek to force a trade, according to sources close to him. Although Paul has refrained from offering details about Monday's meeting with Demps, Coach Monty Williams and team president Hugh Weber, sources said it was similar to a family sitting around a table and talking. New Orleans Times-Picayune

Brown, 24, played all 82 games for the champion Lakers last season and is weighing whether to join Ray Felton in the Knicks' revamped backcourt or give the Lakers time to clear the room needed to re-sign him. The Lakers didn't give all of their mid-level exception to point guard Steve Blake, so some of it is left for Brown. But that's not really the issue. The Lakers, as usual, are well into the luxury tax. So moving Vujacic's $5.4 million salary for next season would ease the tax hit associated with keeping Brown. CBSSports.com

Meanwhile, the Knicks continue to explore trade possibilities and remain interested in Blazers swingman Rudy Fernandez, who is actively being shopped. In their pursuit of a deal for Fernandez, or perhaps Chris Paul if and when the Hornets begin fielding serious trade inquiries, the Knicks have a few more assets to offer than commonly realized. According to two people familiar with how the David Lee sign-and-trade arrangement was structured, the Knicks do not have to wait the standard 60 days before combining Ronny Turiaf, Anthony Randolph or Kelenna Azubuike with other players in a trade. The Knicks were still under the salary cap when Lee was signed and traded, exempting them from the 60-day waiting period, which applies only to players acquired with a trade exception by teams that are over the cap. CBSSports.com

But the chance to play a key role in the Heat's rotation and compete for a championship alongside Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh was too much to turn down. House will receive about $2.8 million over two seasons, which is the veterans' exception. There is a player option in the second season. ``It's just a great fit,'' Bartelstein said. ``This guy had a great relationship with the Heat before. And he's still one of the most dynamic guys coming off the bench at hitting big shots in big moments. He's the best in the league at what he does.'' Miami Herald

Malik Hairston will continue his career in Italy. Montepaschi Siena has officially announced the signing of the 23-year-old American guard to a two- year contract. Hairston arrives to the current Italian champion after playing during since 2008 for the San Antonio Spurs, being assigned to the D- League team, the Austin Toros, several times. Last season, Hairston averaged 2.1 points and 1.0 rebounds per game for the Spurs The Hoops Market

Mikhail Prokhorov: The players are signed, the "Decision" is made, but the passions around this year's extraordinary class of NBA free agents refuses to die down. What surprises me is the amount of negative commentary directed at the three top free agents (especially LeBron James) who decided to play on the same team and to create a great franchise together. Of course, any club owner dreams of having those players, including me, but all questions of how the announcements were made aside, I respect their choice, and no one has the right to judge them. I want to say that I support LeBron, the best athlete in the NBA. He had a truly difficult choice to make. Any move he made was sure to be viewed as wrong, and to leave many unhappy fans. Basing his decision on achieving results on the basketball court shows that the sportsman won the day, not the showman or the businessman. What is wrong with that? USA Today

Markazi, in a statement distributed by ESPN, said he understands "their decision not to run the story," while noting that he stands by the accuracy of the piece. Nonetheless, Markazi says he "should have been clearer in representing my intent to write about the events I observed." ESPN sources maintain that the piece was never officially posted on either its main website or on ESPNLosAngeles.com, but was instead posted only on a server and accessible through searches only during the time it was up. Nonetheless, the piece, as seen on blogs, appeared with a time stamp of 2:04 a.m. FanHouse.com

Egan told Ramsey he did not watch James' TV special, when he announced his decision to bolt Cleveland and sign with Miami, where he will team with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. "I didn't care," Egan said, adding that, as an unrestricted free agent, James "... had every right to do what he did." As you would expect, defends the job Brown did with the Cavs: "... I think he deserved better. Based on his performance with the team the past five years, he deserves better. But we all know that's not what always drives people being hired and fired in the NBA." Salt Lake Tribune

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Thursday that the Thunder will hire Mike Winger from the Cavs to fulfill some of Cho's former duties. Winger served as legal counsel and a salary cap advisor in Cleveland. The Oklahoman could not confirm the report Thursday, and it's unclear exactly what title Winger would assume with the Thunder. The Thunder, however, still has one assistant general manager on staff in Troy Weaver after Cho accepted the GM job in Portland. Oklahoman

Since agreeing to join Dwyane Wade and LeBron James on the Miami Heat, Chris Bosh has been a busy man. Just this week alone, he's appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and helped ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. You can watch his Late Night segments, including one in which Fallon tries to shoot baskets over the 6 foot 10 forward, here. This morning he joined executives from After-School All-Stars to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. After-School All-Stars, founded in 1992 by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, raises money for after-school enrichment programs for at-risk kids in 13 cities. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

FanHouse's Jon Weinbach spoke to Happy Walters, Amare's (Jewish) agent, and got a lot more information on exactly what the hell is going on with Amar'e newfound religious identity, and his big, bad summer vacation. "He's not Jewish, it's all getting blown a little bit out of proportion," said Walters. "His mother says there's some Jewish blood on her side, but Amar'e is just a total student of history and had been planning a trip to Israel for awhile. Is it possible [that he's Jewish]? Maybe. We're going to do some research, but I don't know where that will go." FanHouse.com

Walters explained Stoudemire's mother Carrie has "mentioned that somewhere back in her lineage there might be some Jewish roots," but that Amar'e was definitely not raised Jewish and his first name is not -- as has been speculated -- derived from any Hebrew words. "I think his name is Swahili, it's has nothing to do with Judaism," said Walters. "I think he's excited about learning more about his roots, but he it's not like he had a Bar Mitzvah," said Walters. "If he finds out that his mother's great grandmother was Jewish, then hey it's possible. I haven't checked to see if he's circumcised, but regardless, it's a stretch to call him Jewish at this point." FanHouse.com

 

» Update: 01:06 PM ET

After completing the greatest free-agent coup in NBA history, Miami Heat president Pat Riley continues to surround Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh with strong complementary talent. The Heat have reached an agreement with 32-year-old guard Eddie House on a two-year contract for $2.8 million, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, told Yahoo! Sports on Thursday. The second year of the deal is a player option for $1.4 million. Yahoo! Sports

The Wizards roster will soon be at 12 players after first-round pick Kevin Seraphin's contract is validated by the league office in the next few days. Seraphin recently reached a buyout agreement with his French club, Cholet, with the Wizards paying $500,000 to free him from his obligations, according to his agent, Bouna Ndiaye. Seraphin was acquired, along with Kirk Hinrich, in a draft-day deal with Chicago. As the 17th overall pick, he can sign a two-year deal worth about $2.7 million, with the Wizards holding team options for the next two years. With Josh Howard expected to sign a one-year deal Thursday, the Wizards payroll now stands at roughing $53 million, which still gives them about $5 million to fill out the roster. Washington Post

Former high school star Jeremy Tyler has signed with the Tokyo Apache of Japan's professional basketball league. The team announced the signing Thursday on its official website. The 19-year-old Tyler will play for former NBA coach Bob Hill, who was hired by the team last month. "We are extremely excited for Jeremy to join our team in Tokyo," the team said in a statement. "His athleticism and size will be a major presence in our frontcourt this season." ESPN.com

Jermareo Davidson, the 36th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, has signed in Russia with new Eurocup team Krasnye Krylia according to the league's official website. The 6-foot-10 power forward averaged 15.9 points and a league-leading 10.87 rebounds last season in Turkey after spending his first two professional seasons bouncing between the NBA with the Golden State Warriors and Charlotte Bobcats as well as stints in the D-League. Davidson also played this past summer in both the Orlando and Vegas Summer League with reasonable success, though it came in limited playing time. Ridiculous Upside

Too often, the pursuit of an opportunity -- a job, a promotion, a relationship with a certain someone -- is so consuming, so fervent that it becomes an end unto itself. Then when you finally get it, whatever your particular, elusive "it" is, you might feel like Robert Redford's title character in the old political film The Candidate, where he exhales at the end of election night and wonders to campaign manager Peter Boyle, "What do we do now?" There won't be any "what do we do now?" moment for Tom Thibodeau this season as rookie head coach of the Chicago Bulls. If Thibodeau and the Bulls start fast in 2010-11, he'll be one of those overnight successes that was 21 years in the making. And if he and his team falter early, it won't be because he wanted to be a coach more than he wanted to do the work of a coach. We've all seen those types, in the league and outside it. "This is not a thing where he got the job and now it's, 'What do I do?' " said Eric Musselman, the former Golden State and Sacramento coach who has known Thibodeau for a couple decades. "It was very well thought out, very well planned for at minimum three to four years, where Tom thought he could get a job at any moment." NBA.com

"Everyone thought Bill wouldn't be able to handle expansion, but that wasn't the case at all," Thibodeau said. "His thing was, 'Are you getting the most out of your team?', and there was no question in my mind that each and every night he got the most out of that team." Thibodeau made his bones by starting early, staying late, rebounding for whichever player asked, focusing on big men such as Felton Spencer and Randy Breuer and acting "like a sponge," said Eric Musselman, who joined his father's staff in 1990-91. "The players respected him because he wanted to make them better." Said Thibodeau: "I don't think anyone has ever taught half-court execution half as well as Bill did -- timing, spacing, concentration, shot selection. Bill also studied the type of guys he wanted. They were guys with great will to win, smart players, they were tough, they were students of the game." NBA.com

Police have found the body of missing NBA player and former Memphis Tiger Lorenzen Wright in southeast Memphis. MPD has confirmed homicide investigators are on the case. Sources say he was shot multiple times, atleast a dozen times. My FOX Memphis

In the early hours of July 19, a Germantown dispatcher received a 911 call from Lorenzen Wright's cell phone. The dispatcher heard a garbled male voice utter an expletive, then at least 10 gunshots. "Hello? Hello? Can you hear me?" the dispatcher asked. Then the phone went dead. The dispatcher called back. No one answered. Memphis Commercial Appeal

ESPN/ABC analyst Hubie Brown, who coached Lorenzen Wright for more than two seasons on the Memphis Grizzlies, remembers his fallen player. Lorenzen Wright was our rock at the defensive end of the floor. In my second season with the team (2004-05), he helped us win 50 games and make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. He had a physical presence, understood his job, was totally professional and, in our style of play, he excelled. He was well-respected by his peers because of his ability to be flexible. He's an upbeat guy, and really enjoyed leadership. He was an emotional leader who could also back it up with his physical play. Our younger players, including Pau Gasol, fed off of that type of energy. ESPN.com

And now more adversity has come to the group with which Doyle formed some of his fondest memories. An impossible-to-believe percentage of the saddest NBA-related stories of recent years have sprung from the roster of the 1996-97 Clippers. Malik Sealy was 30 when he was killed by a drunk driver while returning from Kevin Garnett's birthday party in the early morning hours of May 20, 2000. Kevin Duckworth died of a heart attack at age 44 on Aug. 25, 2008. Rodney Rogers was paralyzed from the shoulders down in a Nov. 28, 2008, dirt-bike accident. Dwayne Schintzius fought leukemia and needed a bone-marrow transplant to fight his way back to become cancer-free, according to this recent report. And now Wright is gone. ESPN.com

 

» Update: 09:59 AM ET

The Pacers don't feel comfortable going into next season with their current roster. That's why team officials want to make a trade for the first time in nearly two years. The two players they're trying to move are T.J. Ford and Mike Dunleavy, according to sources. Indianapolis Star

The Pacers have a received a number of calls about Troy Murphy, but they're reluctant to move the double-double player because of the uncertainty surrounding the health of Jeff Foster and Tyler Hansbrough, according to a source. Murphy is more likely to be moved at the trade deadline if those two players are healthy. Indianapolis Star

Lacob sounded a lot more excited about Lee and Stephen Curry than he did about Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins. Nothing wrong with that. I wouldn’t presume that these guys will definitely be traded. But it’s also something everybody in the league will be watching. San Jose Mercury-News

Rudy trade talks likely on back burner until Sunday. GM Cho tells agent Andy Miller he will meet w/coach McMillan in Vegas on Sun to discuss Twitter

Brian T. Smith: Blazers are exploring trade options for Fernandez. But this has been going on for more than a month, and nothing is imminent. Blazers are open to trading Fernandez, but they are still in the driver's seat and do not feel pressured to make a trade. Twitter

Rudy Fernandez, the Spanish shooting guard who wants out of Portland and has been on the Knicks' radar for months, is back in their sights again. With nearly $3 million in salary-cap space remaining and lacking depth at the position, they are again pursuing a deal for a player, 25, who averaged 8.1 points on 37.8 percent shooting in 23.2 minutes per game last season. Yet, even though their cap room enables them to fit someone due to make $1.25 million next season (with a $2.2 million team option the next year the Knicks could decline to preserve 2011 cap space), there's one potential problem. Bergen Record

Alex Kennedy: The Cavaliers are heavily pursuing Shannon Brown, according to multiple sources. Twitter

Despite the solid statistics, Tolliver said the Warriors' initial contract offers were "really low. I was disappointed." But those numbers have risen and he said he would prefer to return to Golden State if the contract numbers are similar to other teams. "I would love to go back to Golden State and be part of their core, but at the end of the day I'm in business to further myself and my family," he said. Springfield News-Leader

Hapoel Jerusalem is really interested in Derrick Caracter next season, and will make a push to sign him next season. The 22-year-old American center, selected with the 58th overall pick by the Lakers in the last NBA draft from the University of Texas-El Paso, is also reported to be on the radar of Olympiakos and several Italian and Spanish clubs. The Hoops Market

Former NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury has agreed to three more years with a Chinese basketball team, whose owners will set up a company to produce and sell his line of athletic apparel and shoes, the team said Thursday. CBSSports.com

Lakers center Andrew Bynum had successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday to repair the meniscus. Bynum's brother, Corey Thomas, said Bynum will rehabilitate his knee for six to eight weeks. The Lakers start training camp Sept. 25, which is earlier than usual because they will play exhibition games in London and Barcelona in early October. The procedure was performed by Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Thomas said the doctor "found nothing surprising." Los Angeles Times

Bynum's brother, Corey Thomas, told Turner that Andrew plans to return to Los Angeles in two days and expects that his rehabilitation will last six to eight weeks. That means Bynum potentially could finish his rehab process as late as three days before training camp starts on Sept. 25. Los Angeles Times

Team USA chairman Jerry Colangelo made the announcement on a teleconference with coach Mike Krzyzewski, who praised Rondo for his will to win. Krzyzewski said he developed a relationship with Rondo over the course of the camp and said that with Rondo, Derrick Rose, and Russell Westbrook, the point guards on the roster played with an emphasis on defense. “He’s unconventionally become an NBA champion and a triple-double guy in this league,’’ Krzyzewski said of Rondo. “The thing that Rondo does is he plays with a will to win, and he just finds ways to have a positive impact on the game. You know, I really like that about him. I thought I developed a really good relationship with him during the week, and his pressure on the ball, defense. But his will to win is something that I truly admire, and we need that. Boston Globe

"I'm probably closer to the end of my career than the start, so this is something that I just wanted to kind of have on my resume," Odom told ESPNLosAngeles.com last week. "The opportunity to represent your country doesn't come around a lot and this is something that I couldn't pass up." ESPN.com

In a surprise development, Tom Thibodeau is searching for an assistant coach after informing veteran incumbent Pete Myers he won't use him on the bench, sources said. The Bulls' staff of Myers, Ron Adams and Andy Greer appeared to be set, and Thibodeau even commented on it during an interview with the Tribune during summer-league play. Chicago Tribune

Boston Celtics' forward Kevin Garnett was to sign a sneaker contract with Chinese brand Anta this weekend, according to sources of the NBA China. An official with anonymity told Xinhua Thursday that the All-Star player had reached an agreement with Anta, but would not announce it until Garnett's contract with Adidas expires at end of the month. Xinhua

A fan wearing a Miami Heat jersey of LeBron James drew the ire of the crowd at a Cleveland Indians game and was escorted out of the ballpark. Fans in the left-field bleachers chanted obscenities and pointed at the man Wednesday night during the sixth inning of the game between the Indians and New York Yankees. Hundreds of fans joined in before security led the man out of Progressive Field. As he left, some fans followed him toward the gate with more derisive chants. ESPN.com

While the future may be bright for the Grizzlies, Randolph received quite a bit of bad press in May when he was implicated, but never charged in a drug case. According to sources close to the case, Randolph is not currently part of any pending case although his vehicles are still in police possession. One of Randolph's acquaintances who was arrested while driving one of Randolph's SUVs does having a pending drug charge. Randolph did not specifically address the incident and spoke only on his summer in general saying, "Things are going well. I'm just spending time with my family in Indiana, working out and getting ready for the season." IndySportsNation.com

A body is found in Southeast Memphis near Hacks Cross and Winchester; Specifically, about a half mile northwest of FedEx World Headquarters in a thickly wooded area behind an apartment complex. Sources close to the family tell myEyewtinessNews.com it is former NBA Player Lorenzen Wright. MyEyeWitnessNews.com

Orange estimated Wright was carrying between $2,000 and $3,000 in big bills. Police have not said if robbery is a possible motive in the slaying. His friends have said they don't know why anyone would harm Wright. "He's a relaxed person. I've never seen him mad or upset," Orange said. "I've known people from the NBA who are real stuck-up and cocky. That man is not like that." Gipson agreed. "I don't think he had any enemies," he said. Memphis Commercial Appeal

According to friends and family, Wright’s body was found in a wooded area behind the Fieldstone Apartments in Southeast Memphis. That’s where homicide detectives spent hours searching for evidence. Close friend Stan McKinley is in shock over the discovery. “To end his career and his life like this here in some woods, that’s not good. You don’t do a dog like this. It’s just a really sad day for the city as a whole.” MyEyeWitnessNews.com

Wright recently had endured some tough times, with a fractured thumb that had halted his NBA career, financial woes and a divorce finalized in January. But his roommate said he remained positive, that he had begun dating again and he had two NBA teams inviting him to tryouts. Wright was scheduled to fly to Israel last weekend to try out for a team there, prompting his agent to make several calls searching for him, Gipson said. Memphis Commercial Appeal

But the very first thing that came to mind this afternoon, when I was driving home and I heard the news that Wright had been found dead in southeast Memphis, was what former coach Hubie Brown said when introducing Wright at Brown's first Grizzlies public practice. Microphone in hand, addressing fans, Brown introduced all the players, but Wright was the only one about whom he said this: "This guy," I remember Brown telling everyone in the arena, "is living the dream." What Brown meant was that Wright had been a high school and college star in Memphis, his hometown, and was now suiting up as starting center for an NBA team at home. Something he did for three Memphis playoff teams. How many athletes in any sport have had the experience of being a hometown star at all three levels of competition? Certainly many fewer than have found themselves in all-star games or halls of fame. Memphis Flyer

Wright's life was charmed: Unprecedented hometown athletic success. Immense respect and affection garnered on and off the court. Seven children. But it was also plagued with troubles: One child tragically lost, as an infant, during his tenure with the Grizzlies. Recently, a divorce and home foreclosures that may or may not be relevant to his death. (As my colleague Frank Murtaugh points out in his remembrance of Wright, there's been a pattern of troubles that has touched too many Memphis basketball greats.) Answers to that will hopefully come in the days and weeks ahead, as the investigation into Wright's death — likely his murder — will be an enormous story in this city. But for now, let's remember Wright as not only a tragic Memphis story, but before that as a great Memphis story. And as a man who left a considerable mark on the city's cultural life over the past couple of decades. Memphis Flyer

It also has been impossible to think about the agents who have represented Wright during his career. Part of their responsibility while representing Wright has been to help him establish and maintain financial stability. His agents over the years may have tried to do just that, just as James may have reached out to help in Wright's time of need. However, the NBPA (National Basketball Players Association) and the NBA soon will undergo negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement. Let's hope there are discussions aimed at intensifying efforts to provide education for players like Wright to prevent them from falling into financial hell. Let's hope Wright's situation is a sign to young athletes when they sign with an agent. It's not only an agent's job to get a client a good contract, but to have a system established to help his clients take care of that money and himself. Marty McNeal

Former NBA star Penny Hardaway, who played at Memphis two years before Wright, said he heard the news from a friend and went to the scene near where the body was found. "I cried. The emotions hit me immediately. It's just sad because we lost a good person and a brother," Hardaway said. Sporting News

Carmelo Anthony: Sending out prayers to Lorenzen Wright family. He will be missed around the NBA. Hope this open people eyes. Nothing in life is guaranteed Twitter

A fan wearing a Miami Heat jersey of LeBron James drew the ire of the crowd at the Indians-Yankees game last night and was escorted out of Progressive Field. Fans in the left-field bleachers chanted obscenities and pointed at the man Wednesday night during the sixth inning of the game between the Indians and New York Yankees. Hundreds of fans joined in before security led the man out the ballpark. Cleveland Plain Dealer

A thoughtful young gentleman was escorted out of Progressive Field The Jake last night after taunting the already-tortured Cleveland fanbase by wearing a LeBron James Heat jersey. Amazingly, he made it out of the stadium without a flesh wound. Although according to the report, some fans “followed him toward the gate with more derisive chants,” so there’s a possibility a few of them gladly walked him to his car. As much as what he did was going the extra mile to be a blatant prick, you have to admit it’s pretty funny. The Big Lead

A local disc jockey claims LeBron James gave him a not-so-nice gesture, and he has the picture to prove it! Last weekend, DJ Fig, from Mix 94.1 in Akron, was at the Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas. Early Monday morning, he spotted LBJ and his entourage partying at a nightclub. As he took out his camera to snap a picture, the deejay said LeBron gave him the finger. "I said 'Hey, Akron still loves you man,' and he gave the bird as you see in the picture," said DJ Fig. FOX8

 

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