NBA Rumors & News

It was not easy to keep Lorenzen Wright down. Pete Babcock saw Wright, the former Hawk found dead Wednesday in a wooded area in Memphis, on some of his lowest days as a professional.

Memphis police are now considering former NBA player Lorenzen Wright's death as a homicide, the Associated Press said.

Lorenzen Wright was remembered Thursday as a fun-loving personality who helped mentor the young Atlanta Hawks during his most recent stint with the team, 2006-08.

Relatives and friends of Lorenzen Wright gathered Wednesday and grieved for the former NBA player who has been missing for 10 days, as police investigated the discovery of a man's body outside of Memphis.

Family and friends gathered at the scene where Memphis basketball star Lorenzen Wright, a former Hawk, was found in the city's southeast side, the Commercial Appeal is reporting .

It was as much a player-driven decision as it was the plan of Celtics management. sport - Teams - Celtic F.C. - Georgios Samaras - Paintball

(By TIM DAHLBERG, AP Sports Columnist) LeBron James has left Las Vegas, though tales still exist on the Internet of the good times he had in Sin City. Turns out what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay there.It's been a tough summer for the King, or at least the King's reputation. Called out by his former boss, called every name in the book by Cleveland fans, he was finally called not ready for prime-time TV by anyone who tuned in for The Decision.

(Associated Press) Eddie House's agent says the veteran guard has agreed to terms on a $2.8 million, two-year contract with the Miami Heat.Agent Mark Bartelstein said Thursday that the second year is a player option.

(By ADRIAN SAINZ, Associated Press Writer) Former NBA big man Lorenzen Wright, whose body was found in the woods outside Memphis, was shot to death and the case is being investigated as a homicide, police said Thursday.Police wouldn't answer questions about motive or suspects. But records indicate that Wright, 34, revered in his hometown as a generous and likable sports hero, was probably carrying a large amount of cash when he disappeared on July 18. A court affidavit obtained by The Associated Press also said Wright had sold two vehicles to a man affiliated with a Memphis drug ring that's su...

Mike Krzyzewski doesn't particularly value traditional positions in basketball, and I suspect that approach will come in handy coaching this version of Team USA at the World Championships next month. Krzyzewski was asked continuously during a media conference call Wednesday...

(By Rick Bonnell, rbonnell@charlotteobserver.com) Tyson Chandler no longer has a role with the Charlotte Bobcats, but he could be the starting center this summer for Team USA.And Charlottean Stephen Curry could also have a big role, as the national team's top zone-buster.

Thibodeau has former player and coach in mind as replacement for Myers Terry Porter is on Tom Thibodeau's list of candidates to replace Pete Myers as assistant coach, league sources said.

Amid Lilly rumors bullpen implodes, giving up 12 runs in 8th DENVER — In a tale that's part of Cubs' lore, general manager Jim Hendry signed Ted Lilly to a four-year deal at the 2006 winter meetings while hooked up to an EKG machine after experiencing chest pains.

The Bulls' latest personnel decision was a little surprising and could prove to be unpopular with the players. They chose to end the coaching tenure of Pete Myers, who had been an assistant with the Bulls since 2003.

A .500 season for the Browns wouldn't spell redemption but it would be a good first step under Mike Holmgren's watch, Bud Shaw writes in his Sunday Spin.

Heat fires season ticket sales staff of about 30 people, as there are no season tickets left to sell.

Despite his father being seriously injured after getting shot, the failure of his marriage, the death of an infant daughter, and financial troubles, the former Cavaliers player managed to have a positive outlook.

There are definitely a lot of eye-catching stories today – the baseball fan who vomited on another fan is heading to jail, for instance – but none piqued my interest more than this one about Knicks post Amare’ Stoudemire, who is currently in Jerusalem, connecting with his “Hebrew roots.” According to the Associated Press, reporting from [...]

The last time Nuggets fans saw Joey Graham, he scored 18 second-quarter points in Game 6 at Utah in a first-round playoff game.

For all the grooming he does with his players, Nuggets coach George Karl takes as much pride in coaching coaches, notably his young assistants, of which he has a stable.

The Pistons finished a league-worst 2-14 in the Central last season, saving their worst performances for the teams they used to dominate.

Bynum averaged 10.0 points and 4.3 assists in a career-high 63 games last season.

Auburn Hills -- They will be surely be shaking their moneymakers.

Combo guard will get two-year deal to replace Watson

New co-owner Joe Lacob just did an interview on KNBR with Ralph and Tom. One of the interesting tidbits in it was about what he’s going to do with the coach. But he has a bit of a a dilemma. Lacob said what everybody else already knows: the Nellie era is done. And Lacob said in [...]

David Andersen was unlikely to receive much playing time with the return of Yao Ming and the addition of Brad Miller.

Rockets center Yao Ming is considering quitting basketball after next season if he doesn't fully recover from his lingering foot injury.

THE 'BURBS - Pacers officials weren't lying when they said they were going to take their time when it came to making a roster move. We're in the last week of July and the only additions the Pacers have made so far have been three draft picks in what was supposed to be the "Summer of Dangling Expiring Contracts." In fact, somebody in the league recently mentioned to me that the Pacers' biggest offseason move so far has been naming Clark Kellogg the vice president of player relations. The team's front office has been steadfast in not jumping to make a move just to make one. I can't really fault...

On Thursday we asked, "Can you think of any particular players that you strongly dislike as opponents but would love to have on the Lakers?" Here's a sampling of what you all came up with: "Everyone, and I mean Everyone seems to act up when they play the Lakers. But if I had to choose someone, it would probably be J.R.Smith because of he's so brash, yet talented. He's another guy that likes to go at Kobe and has even stated that he isn't afraid of Kobe. Can't stand him as an opponent, but wouldn't mind his offensive firepower off...

Live Event: "Lakers Chat" by latmedina Scheduled start: July 30, 2010 at 10:26AM PDT It looks like you might be having some trouble. Please ensure you have Adobe Flash installed and enabled in your web browser. If the device you are on doesn't support Flash, you can view this event at http://gsnap.com/1335 Powered by G-Snap! | A Live Interactive Blogging Platform --Mark Medina Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter: twitter.com/latmedina. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com

The re-signing of Butler, who averaged 11.9 points last season, appears to end the team's interest in Tracy McGrady. The re-signing of Butler, who averaged 11.9 points last season, appears to end the team's interest in Tracy McGrady.

The fan favorite is known as 'The Rhino' for his physical play.

"They did drop the ball," said Deborah Marion. "How do you call 911 and hear shots and nobody reacts?"

Although it had been nearly 24 hours since they learned of the untimely death of Lorenzen Wright, Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins and Griz director of player personnel Tony Barone Sr. were still in a state of shock Thursday.

Germantown police are reviewing the way a 911 call from a former NBA star's cell phone was handled on the day he was killed.

The Memphis Police Department has just announced that the death of Lorenzen Wright was a homicide by gunshot wound. He was officially identified by the Shelby County Medical Examiner through dental records, according to a police statement.

The heart of the Miami Heat flirted with returning to his hometown of Chicago, but decided to focus on helping to improve his team and the community.

Fourteen down. One to go. Why not do a reality show? Is there any other way this offseason for the Miami Heat can grow any more outstanding - or outlandish? With 14 guaranteed contracts on the books, one short of...

With the arrival of Lebron James, the Miami Heat rapidly sold out all their season tickets. That turned out to be bad news for the ticket-sales staff, which was fired Friday.

With the arrival of Lebron James, the Miami Heat rapidly sold out all their season tickets. That turned out to be bad news for the ticket-sales staff, which was fired Friday.

Seven years after leaving as a free agent, Eddie House on Thursday signed a two-year contract to return to the Miami Heat.

Jonny Flynn got an early start Tuesday on an ugly Timberwolves tradition: second-year injuries to first-round picks.

The Nets were one of the teams seemingly played for fools by LeBron James during his free agent courtship, but owner Mikhail Prokhorov says he has no problem with the superstar's decision to play for the Miami Heat. In a letter to the editor of USA Today, Prokhorov wrote...

The talk about Nets center Brook Lopez yesterday regarding his bid for a spot on Team USA for the World Championships contained endearing words and phrases such as "struggled" and "on the bubble" and "has a lot to show." So naturally, Lopez was one of the 15 finalists chosen. Hey...

Forward played 13 seasons for five teams

The United States is down to two centers, and one of them better pick it up if he wants to make it to Turkey. USA Basketball trimmed its roster of candidates for the world championships Wednesday to 15, a guard-heavy group that features Brook Lopez and Tyson Chandler as its...

The team will not listen to any offers for Paul

Paul has been analyzed and reanalyzed nationally

After being officially introduced as the New Orleans Hornets new general manager on Tuesday, Dell Demps spoke to the media.

News and notes from around the country

JERUSALEM — Amare Stoudemire already knows some Hebrew phrases and sports a Star of David tattoo. Now he's come to Israel to explore what might be his Jewish heritage.

Knicks brass have been in "ongoing conversations" with the representatives for free-agent shooting guard Shannon Brown, according to Brown's agent, Mark Bartelstein. "It's been something Donnie [Walsh, Knicks president] and I have talked about throughout the summer," Bartelstein said. "Mike [D'Antoni, Knicks coach] and Donnie and I...

Stephon Marbury once arrived in Las Vegas to the Knicks' summer league-workouts with his Starbury logo tattooed into his head. Two weeks ago, new Knicks power forward Amar'e Stoudemire arrived in Vegas for Knicks summer league with a tattoo of the "Star of David" on his arm. "What's...

Eddy Curry has more legal woes in his hometown of Chicago. A Cook County judge ordered an arrest warrant for Curry after learning that the Knicks bust “failed to sign an agreement to pay the balance of a $660,000 legal settlement reached after he was sued for allegedly having...

Former Knicks guard 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. Marbury played 15 games last season with Shanxi Zhongyu of the Chinese...

By John Rohde and Darnell Mayberry, Staff WritersYou never know just how good a contract is when they are signed. The Oklahoman looks at the NBA's best and worst current contracts.Read more on NewsOK.com

BY JOHN ROHDE, Staff Writer, jrohde@opubco.comIndiana took 6-foot-8, 232-pound power forward from Florida State in the draft at No. 57 and traded him to Oklahoma City.Read more on NewsOK.com

College football rules the sports roost around here. Don’t bother debating it. On-line viewer numbers convincingly tell us Oklahoma football is king, followed by OU spring football and Oklahoma State football. The Thunder quickly gained popularity thanks to its remarkable 50-win season and playoff appearance in 2009-10. The Thunder still doesn’t threaten the intense local interest of college football, but the gap [...]

Dwight Howard talked about the Miami Heat on Friday in Atlanta.

Chris Bosh responded to comments by Bryan Colangelo that Bosh basically gave up toward the end of the Toronto Raptors' 2009-10 season.

The roster for the USA world championship team got trimmed to 15 today, and the 76ers Andre Iguodala made the cut.

Amare Stoudemire already knows some Hebrew phrases and sports a Star of David tattoo. Now he's come to Israel to explore what might be his Jewish heritage.

Suns President Lon Babby refuted a report that there is a front-runner for the vacant GM job.

Notes: Lon Babby is starting fresh on the GM search, and the Suns are going back to San Diego.

Portland's new general manager is analytical and meticulous, and those who know him say he's nobody's yes man.

The Trail Blazers Street Jam 3-on-3 basketball tournament and festival kicks off this weekend.

The former Lake Oswego star has a great chance to play in the world championships.

He could be traded to Chicago, New York or Boston.

Catching up with former Trail Blazers great, and new assistant coach, Buck Williams.

Clearly, the basketball court isn't the only place Tyreke Evans weaves through traffic at breakneck speed. Tyreke Evans is arrested and a passenger stands with hands on head after their Interstate 80 jaunt in May. Tyreke Evans, photographed in April, said after being arrested for driving about 120 mph on I-80 on May 31 that "I felt like I wasn't going that fast, but I was. I've just got to be careful."

Otis Hughley, DeMarcus Cousins' high school coach and a prominent figure in Alabama prep basketball circles, has been hired as a Kings assistant.

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,...

DeMarcus Cousins has a favor to ask all the doubters who questioned his maturity and his game before the NBA draft, then raved about his play during the Las Vegas Summer League: Take a side. DeMarcus Cousins is congratulated by Kings owners Gavin, left, and Joe Maloof, second from left, and brother George Maloof as Cousins receives the Top Rookie Performer award in the NBA Summer League. People throughout the NBA are talking about Cousins and the Kings.

New GM Demps has ‘productive’ meeting with star.

You never know what you’ll find out when you hang around a saloon for a while. During the very cool Canada Basketball bun-toss and chinwag Thursday night, this little nugget was passed my way. JT’s coming back. That’d be Jim...

All right. Bryan on Bosh. Since you insist. I actually got to listen to the now-infamous radio interview – which is far, far, far better than reading any of the interpretations of it because I kind of like to hear...

Chris Bosh’s former general manager says the player was “checked out” late last season and chose not to play some of the Raptors’ final games.

This isn't going to go down as earth-shattering but the Raptors have made a small deal. They've acquired David Andersen from the Houston Rockets and some cash for a future second round draft pick, according to team sources. Big? No....

Kragthorpe: Jazz can say they’re tougher, but are they better? By Kurt kragthorpe Tribune Columnist Updated Jul 29, 2010 12:02AM MDT So the Jazz are talking tough now, basically declaring that with newcomers Al Jefferson and Raja Bell, they’re more ready to battle with the Los Angeles Lakers and the rest of the NBA. Did you catch the full-page advertisement? “We Just Got TOUGHER.” And thanks for playing, Carlos Boozer. The headline for the season-ticket push was just a one-day campaign, not a continuing theme and not intended to slam the players who departed via free agency or trade. The ...

Hosting annual camp, Harpring eyes broadcasting By Ross Siler The Salt Lake Tribune Updated Jul 29, 2010 11:42PM MDT Murray • After eight years of running basketball camps in his hometown of Atlanta as well as his NBA home of Utah, Matt Harpring wasn’t sure what the turnout would be in his first summer after retiring as a player. “This is something that I was hoping to establish when I kind of got into the league and I was hoping that it would continue when I got done playing,” Harpring said during Tuesday’s afternoon session at The Park Center. “This year was really the first test, and we’...

Williams, Korver taking dodgeball to new level By Ross Siler The Salt Lake Tribune Updated Jul 28, 2010 12:06AM MDT How successful was Deron Williams’ and Kyle Korver’s inaugural charity dodgeball tournament last year? Not only did they reach capacity at the Jazz’s practice facility, but they had a waiting list of 40 teams hoping to get in. This year, Williams and Korver (along with Ronnie Price) will be taking the Dodge Barrage tournament to the Salt Palace Convention Center, which offers 130,000 square feet of space and the ability to host up to 96 teams. “Everything’s just a little bit b...

Malone picks Reed for honor By Steve Luhm The Salt Lake Tribune Updated Jul 24, 2010 09:30AM MDT Draper • When Karl Malone goes into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Aug. 13, he will be presented by boyhood hero Willis Reed.Presenters must be already enshrined in the Hall of Fame, so most Utah Jazz fans probably assumed that John Stockton or Jerry Sloan would do the honors for Malone. Instead, Malone said Friday that he has asked Reed, the former New York Knick star who is from Malone’s home state of Louisiana to present him. Malone, a two-time Most Valuable Player during his 18 sea...

Matthews officially joins Blazers By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer Updated Jul 22, 2010 12:10AM MDT Portland, Ore. • The Trail Blazers have signed shooting guard Wesley Matthews after the Utah Jazz declined to meet Portland’s five-year, $34 million offer for the restricted free agent. Matthews, an undrafted free agent out of Marquette readying for his second year in the NBA, averaged 9.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 24.7 minutes for the Jazz last season as a rookie. He appeared in all 82 games last season and started in 48. The Blazers held a news conference to announce the deal Wednesda...

(via nba.com/wizards) NBA - Washington Wizards - sport - Basketball - Professional

Josh Howard has agreed to come back to the Wizards for one year, according to his agent, Derek Lafayette. Lafayette said the terms are still being finalized but the deal is believed to be worth $4 million with incentives. Wizards No. 1 overall pick John Wall welcomed the move on his Twitter account, "Glad to hear we [re-signed] Josh Howard...Feel he can help us out a lot!!!" He averaged 14.5 points in four games before tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament in a game against Chicago on Feb. 22, but he impressed the Wizards in his short stint with his enthusiasm and inspired play. Lafayett...