HoopsHype.com Rumors

A source close to the Sacramento group said Friday that it was buoyed by Twitter comments made this week by Miami Heat owner Micky Arison, a member of the relocation committee, to a Seattle fan who had questioned why the league turned down the relocation the NBA was treating Seattle fairly. In those comments, Arison said the issue before the committee and league was not what Seattle was doing to make itself a viable NBA market again, but what Sacramento had done to prove it was still one. Arison, according to the transcript provided by a Seattle radio station, said that Sacramento had passed that test. NBA.com

Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, Micky Arison, Owners 

Explaining why the NBA's relocation committee recommended against moving the Kings to Seattle, one of the league's most influential owners says Sacramento did everything necessary to keep the team. Miami Heat owner Micky Arison, in a Twitter exchange with a Seattle fan, suggested the committee's 7-0 vote amounted to a referendum on Sacramento, not a rejection of Seattle. The private tweets became public Thursday, less than a week before the NBA board of governors is expected to settle the Kings' situation once and for all. Sacramento Bee

Miami Heat, Seattle SuperSonics, Twitter, Micky Arison 

He said Seattle never would have lost the SuperSonics to Oklahoma City in 2008 if city officials had responded the way Sacramento's did to the threatened loss of the Kings. Arison's criticism extended to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who's part of the group trying to wrestle the Kings away from Sacramento. Ballmer was praised by NBA Commissioner David Stern in 2008 for his unsuccessful efforts to keep the Sonics from leaving Seattle. Arison, though, said Ballmer "never stepped up" when the Sonics were heading out the door. Sacramento Bee

Miami Heat, Seattle SuperSonics, Twitter, Micky Arison 

The 12 owners on the NBA's relocation/finance committee will make the recommendation on the future of the Kings: • Peter Holt, Spurs (chairman of the board of governors) • Micky Arison, Heat • Clay Bennett, Thunder • Jeanie Buss, Lakers • James Dolan, Knicks • Wyc Grousbeck, Celtics • Ted Leonsis, Wizards • Greg Miller, Jazz • Robert Sarver, Suns • Herb Simon, Pacers • Larry Tanenbaum, Raptors • Glen Taylor, Timberwolves Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, James Dolan, Wyc Grousbeck, Micky Arison, Robert Sarver, Ted Leonsis, Glen Taylor, Jeanie Buss, Greg Miller, Herb Simon, Peter Holt, Clay Bennett 

For Pat Riley, it's sort of a role reversal. He recently received a text message from Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra at 3 a.m. It read: "I'm jealous." The fact Riley was comfortably sleeping at home while Spoelstra was probably on a flight home or breaking down film was another reminder why he left coaching. He can now sit back and enjoy the team he has built. "It's a reversal of what used to happen," said Riley, now the team president. "(Spoelstra) gets up at 5 a.m., now and goes to Dunkin Donuts and I don't. I get up at 11 o'clock and walk into the office with (general manager) Andy (Elisburg) and (CEO) Nick (Arison) and we sit down and we talk about nothing. We're just going to watch this team win." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Coaching, Pat Riley, Erik Spoelstra, Micky Arison 

Heat owner Micky Arison chimed in with a classic one-liner: “Never thought I would tweet WTF.” Arison later deleted his tweet. Miami Herald

Miami Heat, Micky Arison 

Micky Arison: Wow what a game. I have to congratulate this feisty young Cavs team & @Dan Gilbert on an amazing effort despite being under manned Twitter @MickyArison

Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Dan Gilbert, Micky Arison 

Micky Arison: Really sorry to hear about Dr. Buss. Jerry R.I.P. my friend Twitter @MickyArison

Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Jerry Buss, Micky Arison 

Micky Arison: The @MiamiHEAT had good spirited practice today. Looked like the Birdman fit right in. #LetsGoHeat Twitter @MickyArison

Miami Heat, Micky Arison, Chris Andersen 

Micky Arison: Congrats to Lebron @LeBron James Twitter @MickyArison

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Micky Arison 

Micky Arison: Happy birthday @Dwyane Wade Twitter @MickyArison

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Micky Arison 

Micky Arison: When did being 1st in the East at the beginning of January become not good enough for some @MiamiHEAT fans? Twitter @MickyArison

Miami Heat, Micky Arison 

Micky Arison: I have heard from @MiamiHEAT fans in the UK, Germany, Italy, Brazil & Australia-any more? Truly #AGlobalBrand. Twitter @MickyArison

Miami Heat, Micky Arison 

Micky Arison: Wow the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Israel, Dubai, Spain, Mexico, Columbia, Poland, Ireland, Barbados & Canada fans have chimed in. Twitter @MickyArison

Miami Heat, Micky Arison 

Micky Arison: Switzerland, France, Malaysia, Singapore & many many more. THANKS to all @MiamiHEAT fans all over the World for your support. #AGlobalBrand Twitter @MickyArison

Miami Heat, Micky Arison 

Micky Arison: It was a pleasure to present Lebron @LeBron James his 1st Championship ring instagr.am/p/RvUgFku8Jg/ Twitter @MickyArison

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Micky Arison 

Micky Arison: Congratulations to President Obama. Time to unite, time to compromise, time to work together to solve the nations problems. Twitter @MickyArison

Miami Heat, Micky Arison, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney 

Jeff Zillgitt: NBA owners on Forbes list of richest Americans: Paul Allen (20), Rich DeVos (67), Micky Arison (68), Tom Gores (179), Mark Cuban (206) ... Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen, Mark Cuban, Micky Arison, Rich DeVos, Tom Gores 

Pat Riley, on LeBron James' gold-medal quest, "I think both Micky and I had a great sigh of relief that he got through the Olympics without getting hurt or anything happening and also winning the gold medal. It just sort of completes a tremendous turnaround for him. He did it, and he did it by looking at himself in the eye, looking in the mirror, taking stock of what it was that he may not have done last year, on the court, off the court, and this year he had a perfect run. We're happy for him. We love him to death, obviously." Sulia

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Pat Riley, Micky Arison, Team USA, Olympics, USA Basketbakk 

A person briefed on details of the decision told The Associated Press that Arison got the word from Heat president Pat Riley, who made Allen the team's top free-agent priority -- especially in recent days. Allen, who will be 37 this month, arrived in Miami on Thursday for a visit, went to dinner with Riley, coach Erik Spoelstra, team executive Alonzo Mourning and others Thursday night, then left Friday to presumably decide his future. Hours later, the choice was made. Allen's agent, James Tanner, confirmed the decision to The Associated Press not long after Arison's tweet. ESPN.com

Miami Heat, Free Agency, Ray Allen, Pat Riley, Erik Spoelstra, Alonzo Mourning, Micky Arison