HoopsHype.com Rumors

So locker room opens and there on big screen, PTI is debating "Perk/LeBron." LeBron James was in training room at time, but other players buzzing about how almost the entire league "clowned" Kendrick Perkins after he was dunked on by Blake Griffin last week. Sulia

Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, LeBron James, Blake Griffin, Kendrick Perkins 

Reigning Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers, the Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft, and Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Ricky Rubio, who ranks third overall in assists, lead a list of 18 players selected for the 2012 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge to be held on Friday, Feb. 24, in Orlando during NBA All-Star 2012. Joining Griffin from the Sophomore class are: DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), Landry Fields (New York Knicks), Paul George (Indiana Pacers), Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz), Greg Monroe (Detroit Pistons), Tiago Splitter (San Antonio Spurs), Evan Turner (Philadelphia 76ers), and John Wall (Washington Wizards). NBA.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio, Kyrie Irving 

A few days after saying he didn't intend to defend his slam-dunk contest title during NBA All-Star weekend, Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin on Monday left open the possibility that he will compete in the event after all. "I'm not even really worried about it right now or thinking about it, to be honest," Griffin said after the Clippers finished their shootaround for their game tonight against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. "I haven't been approached yet, so we'll see what happens with that. We'll see what they're going to do, and I'll guess I'll make a decision." Orlando Sentinel

Los Angeles Clippers, Blake Griffin 

David Aldridge: And before you ask...Clippers have "zero" interest in Gilbert Arenas, per source. Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Free Agency, Gilbert Arenas 

His contract with the Clippers runs out after this season. Billups said he wants to return to the Clippers — if the feeling is mutual. "I've really enjoyed it," Billups said. "The movement that the team has going on, it's fun and I love it. Obviously I feel like there some unfinished business there. Of course they've got to move on without me and try to replace me. I respect that too. "And I'll be around. It's not like I'll be gone." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups 

The Clippers said it will be up to Billups to determine if he's willing to go through the long recovery process to come back and play a 16th NBA season. "He's got to have surgery and rehab and see where he's at," Del Negro said. "Those are all questions that will be answered here as he moves forward with the severity of it." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups 

Vincent Goodwill: When I talked to Ben Wallace earlier, he said he thought Chauncey wouldn't end his career this way. He said they would talk tonight. Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Ben Wallace 

Broderick Turner: Clippers waived forward Solomon Jones today. Clips now have 14 man roster. Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Solomon Jones 

The Clippers on Tuesday waived forward Solomon Jones, trimming their roster down to 14 players. That gives the Clippers room to sign a free agent — perhaps someone like former Denver guard J.R. Smith once he becomes eligible to play in the NBA after the season is over for his Zhejiang Golden Bulls team in the Chinese Basketball Assn. "We're trying to continually improve the team," Del Negro said. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Free Agency, Solomon Jones 

The Year of the Dragon, that’s how. According to Adrian Wojnarowski at Yahoo! Sports, Martin’s clearance was sent from FIBA to the CBA in late January. As Andrew Robotham, a spokesman at FIBA’s headquarters in Geneva who spoke with the New York Times’ Jim Yardley over the weekend, the process was handled just like the thousands of other requests they receive each year. Like every other FIBA application, the international organization formally notified the CBA of Martin’s request. Per FIBA rule, they had seven days to respond. If there was no answer within that period, then FIBA would grant his clearance. NiuBBall.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Kenyon Martin, FIBA, China 

But with the Chinese New Year falling on January 24th this year, nobody was in the office to receive that request. Like everybody else in China, the CBA completely shut down for a about a week to go home and celebrate the country’s most important holiday with their families. While officials were on vacation, Martin’s letter sat untouched, unread and unanswered and by the time they got back from their break, the seven day period had already passed, giving FIBA the right to open Martin’s road back to the NBA. NiuBBall.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Kenyon Martin, FIBA, China 

Not surprisingly, CBA officials are upset that the letter was sent in during New Year, a move that they are deeming unethical due to what they feel was a deliberate attempt to take advantage of the Chinese holiday. Using Martin’s signed letter of commitment that was turned into the CBA when he was bought out from Xinjiang in late December, the league originally considered appealing the decision. According to a top CBA official, Gong Luming, the letter stated that Martin promised not to play in any other professional competition until after Xinjiang’s season was over. NiuBBall.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Kenyon Martin, FIBA, China 

“Who cares how [Martin's release] happened. Our team and the rest of the other teams [with NBA players] are now in a tough spot. Once this precedent is set, what can we do?” asked Ye Xiangyu, general manager of the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions, the team Wilson Chandler plays for. “There’s nothing we can do.” “About this, I can only say we are very angry,” she added. “Before the season we made a lot of preparations. We talked for a long time about all the different steps we would need to take to make this work. Now this whole thing has been blown wide open. This year our team invested a lot of money. We had big plans for this season. We spent human and material resources to make it happen. But if this is how this situation is going to be handled, we’ve spent everything for nothing.” NiuBBall.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Kenyon Martin, FIBA, Wilson Chandler, China 

But if Griffin challenges him again, Perkins doesn’t plan to run for cover. “If I was in the same position, in the same rotation, I’m going to jump again and again and again,” Perkins told Yahoo! Sports. “I don’t care. A lot of people are afraid of humiliation or don’t know how to handle embarrassment or would even get embarrassed. I don’t care. “I’m the same Perk you’re going to see. I’m still going to sign autographs the same way. I ain’t going to change. The people that move out the way and stuff are the people who have insecurity problems. “That’s my job. How will my teammates look at me if next time I just back out the way and just let him dunk when I’m supposed to be defensive-minded, a shot-blocker? That would be a coward move on me. He’d just have to dunk on me again.” Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Blake Griffin, Kendrick Perkins 

“There are sorry defenders, the guys that don’t want to defend or the guys that run away because they don’t want to put themselves in position like that,” Brooks said. “Perk is not going to run. If it happens again, hopefully it will be a different result. But he is going to put himself in that position again. “That’s what he is about.” Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Blake Griffin, Kendrick Perkins 

After a basketball life of comebacks upon comebacks, Los Angeles Clippers guard Chauncey Billups is determined to make the greatest of his career: a full recovery from a torn Achilles tendon. “I will be back,” Billups told Yahoo! Sports by phone. “I’m not done. I’m not retiring. I will definitely be back. This has been the story of my career, coming back, fighting, scrapping and I will play again.” Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

Billups has spoken with doctors who have told him a rehabilitation period of six to nine months is possible. He’s resolved that his illustrious career won’t end with this injury. He plans to reach out to several athletes who have suffered the Achilles injury – including Isiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins and David Beckham – to gather information and advice. “I’ve talked to a couple different doctors, gotten some opinions and I’m going to get a couple of more,” Billups said. “This injury is not what it was 10 or 12 years ago. It’s not an easy injury, but it’s gotten a lot better and easier to come back from. I’m telling you: I will definitely be back.” Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

Before Billups hung up the phone, he wanted to be clear of this: No one needs to write the obit on his pro career, no one had better count him out. “I’m focusing in a major way on coming back, and, without a doubt, my career is not over. You will see me again,” he said. “I know that. You will see me playing again.” Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

Billups was examined at the Cleveland Clinic and he will return to Los Angeles on Thursday for further evaluation. No date has been set for his surgery. But it is expected that Billups will be sidelined at least eight months while recovering from the injury. "I'll get it taken care of and get back the best way I can. That's exactly what I'm going to do," he said. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries 

Chris Paul: Toughest day to date for me as an NBA player losing the best backcourt mate I've ever played with, my big bro, and gr8 teammate C. Billups...I know they say everything happens for a reason but I'm having a hard time understanding this one...what he did for our team is immeasurable... Its not ideal but for the time being I'll have to settle for my son running around the house yelling "CHAUNCEY B-B-BILLUPS for 3!!!" Plz keep him and his family in your prayers, LOVE that guy! tmi.me

Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups, Injuries