FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Bulls' Thomas Breaks Arm Lifting Weights http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/tyrus-thomas-breaks-arm-lifting-weights/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/tyrus-thomas-breaks-arm-lifting-weights/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/tyrus-thomas-breaks-arm-lifting-weights/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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Tyrus ThomasTyrus Thomas will miss the next four to six weeks after breaking his arm in a weightlifting accident, the Chicago Bulls reported Friday afternoon. X-rays confirmed that he suffered a fractured radius in his left forearm, and he's scheduled to undergo surgery Saturday.

It's unclear what exactly happened, but on the surface it sounds like a fluke injury that could have happened to anyone. That said, it's oddly fitting that it happened to Thomas, who's recently suffered through a frustrating string of setbacks, including his team's decision not to offer an extension, inconsistent playing time, alleged arguments with the coaching staff and allegations by the local media that he faked the flu. When it rains, it pours.

 

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]]> Tyrus Thomas Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-11-06T17:45:00 00:00 Lakers' Sasha Vujacic and Maria Sharapova Might Be Dating http://backporch.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/sasha-vujacic-and-maria-sharapova-might-be-dating/ http://backporch.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/sasha-vujacic-and-maria-sharapova-might-be-dating/ http://backporch.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/sasha-vujacic-and-maria-sharapova-might-be-dating/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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Sashas Vujacic and Maria Sharapova

It certainly doesn't suck to be Sasha Vujacic. After hitching his star to Kobe Bryant, he and the rest of his teammates became the envy of the NBA, helping the Lakers win their 15th championship in franchise history. And now? After reportedly hooking up with Maria Sharapova, he's become the envy of men, period.

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, I should note that Sharapova has yet to be seen at a Staples Center courtside seat wearing a Vujacic jersey (they sell those, right?), but the two were seen "cuddling up" in public at a recent U2 concert, as reported by CNBC's Darren Rovell. Clearly, that's enough to go on, right? OK, maybe not, but whatever is going on, Vujacic is in no hurry to set the record straight.

 

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]]> Maria SharapovaMariaSharapovaSasha VujacicSashaVujacic Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-11-06T16:30:00 00:00 Donnie Walsh Denies Looking Ahead http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/donnie-walsh-denies-looking-ahead/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/donnie-walsh-denies-looking-ahead/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/donnie-walsh-denies-looking-ahead/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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Donnie WalshWith the Cavaliers in town to play the Knicks, speculation about LeBron James leaving Cleveland for the Big Apple has been shifted into overdrive. But Donnie Walsh wants you to know that he cares about the Knicks' present just as much as the future.

"No matter what you say, there's a feeling that you're just looking to next summer, and that hasn't been true at all," he told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I know where it's coming from, but there's very little you can do about it. I'm talking to you now and saying I'm not even thinking about that right now. I don't care if I say that to 100 people, they'll say, 'He's waiting for next year.' "

Instead of telling that to 100 people, perhaps he could merely reinforce that message to the 14 in the Knicks' locker room -- because according to some close to the team, even the players are starting to think that this season doesn't matter.

 

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]]> Donnie Walsh Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-11-06T14:15:00 00:00 Tim Donaghy Released From Prison http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/04/tim-donaghy-finally-a-free-man/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/04/tim-donaghy-finally-a-free-man/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/04/tim-donaghy-finally-a-free-man/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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Tim DonaghyTim Donaghy, the disgraced former NBA referee who admitted to gambling on games that he officiated, was officially released from a federal prison on Wednesday.

Donaghy was transferred to a halfway house for two months earlier this summer but was returned to prison in late August after violating the terms of his probation by failing to appear for his job. Donaghy claimed it was a simple misunderstanding -- he believed he had permission to miss work in order to visit a physical therapist -- but the courts obviously disagreed.

 

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]]> Tim Donaghy Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-11-04T17:35:00 00:00 West Faces Six Weapons Charges http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/delonte-west-faces-six-weapons-charges/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/delonte-west-faces-six-weapons-charges/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/delonte-west-faces-six-weapons-charges/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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Delonte WestDelonte West has returned to the court for the Cavaliers after two separate leave of absences, but the fallout of his recent arrest in Maryland has just begun. West was formally indicted on eight charges Tuesday, including six related to concealed weapons.

West was arrested on Sept. 17 in Maryland after allegedly cutting off a police car on the Beltway while riding his three-wheeled motorcycle, at which point officers soon discovered he had a fully-loaded 9mm Beretta handgun tucked in his waistband, a fully-loaded Ruger .357 Magnum strapped to his waist and a fully-loaded shotgun in a guitar case strapped to his back.

During today's indictment, it was also revealed that West was carrying an 8 1/2-inch Bowie knife as well as 112 additional shotgun shells in another backpack strapped to his vehicle.

 

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]]> Delonte WestDelonteWest Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-11-03T18:30:00 00:00 Donald Sterling Pays Millions to Settle Federal Discrimination Suit http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/donald-sterling-pays-millions-to-settle-federal-discrimination-s/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/donald-sterling-pays-millions-to-settle-federal-discrimination-s/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/donald-sterling-pays-millions-to-settle-federal-discrimination-s/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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Donald SterlingThe skeletons in Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling's closet have been a poorly kept secret for years -- and now they're a matter of public record. According to the Los Angeles Times, Sterling and his wife have agreed to pay a whopping $2.725 million to make a federal lawsuit alleging housing discrimination go away.

Although Sterling, who runs his real estate empire as competently as his NBA team, officially denies any wrongdoing, the fact remains that the settlement, once officially approved by a U.S. District judge, is projected to go down as the largest ever obtained by the Justice Department in a housing discrimination case.

Even if Sterling is officially allowed to save face by calling the settlement a business decision (a "compromise of disputed claims," according to court documents obtained by the Times) instead of an admission of guilt, it's still a black stain on the NBA -- and one it needs to address.

 

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]]> Donald SterlingDonaldSterlingRush LimbaughRushLimbaugh Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-11-03T17:20:00 00:00 Popeye Jones Arrested for DWI http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/popeye-jones-arrested-for-dwi/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/popeye-jones-arrested-for-dwi/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/popeye-jones-arrested-for-dwi/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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Popeye JonesPopeye Jones, a veteran of 11 NBA seasons who's now entering his fourth season as a player development coach with the Dallas Mavericks, was arrested Sunday evening and accused of drunken driving. According to the Dallas Morning News, the Richardson (Texas) Police Department received calls from other motorists complaining that someone driving a gray GMC Yukon was driving erratically.

When he was pulled over, Jones refused a breathalyzer exam -- and briefly resisted arrest. At some point during the whole incident, Jones' face hit the pavement, resulting in minor cuts and one bloodied mugshot. If he merely "lost his balance," as the Morning News reports, it won't bode well for any defense claiming that he wasn't intoxicated.

 

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]]> Popeye Jones Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-11-02T17:00:00 00:00 The Ben Gordon Documentary: Coming Soon to a Theater Near You? http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/30/the-ben-gordon-documentary-coming-soon-to-a-theater-near-you/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/30/the-ben-gordon-documentary-coming-soon-to-a-theater-near-you/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/30/the-ben-gordon-documentary-coming-soon-to-a-theater-near-you/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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Ben GordonEven though Ben Gordon has played a handful of preseason games in front of lackluster crowds at the Palace and one regular season game on the road wearing Pistons red, white and blue, it wasn't until his name was announced to a sold-out crowd at Detroit's home opener Friday night that he was officially welcomed to the team by the fans.

And as fate would have it, Gordon's introduction came with all the fanfare and pyrotechnics befitting the arrival of a budding star, as he was introduced along with the rest of the starters, filling in for the injured Rip Hamilton. It's a nice start for his Pistons career -- and should provide a fitting conclusion for a documentary seven months in the making.

In the tradition of Kobe Bryant's Doin' Work and LeBron James' More Than a Game, Gordon is the subject of a forthcoming documentary, A Scorer's Aura, which will tell the story of his final months as a Chicago Bull up until his first home game as a Detroit Piston, offering fans an insider's view of what it's like to be a coveted NBA free agent signing with a new team for the first time in his career.

 

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]]> Ben GordonBenGordon Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-10-30T19:45:00 00:00 Kaman's Backyard Is Fun, Dangerous http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/28/kamans-backyard-is-fun-dangerous/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/28/kamans-backyard-is-fun-dangerous/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/28/kamans-backyard-is-fun-dangerous/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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Chris KamanIf you've seen one NBA mixtape on YouTube, you've seen them all, right? Most of them are just flashy dunk highlights put to a profanity-laced rap beat. But Chris Kaman is a different kind of cat, both on the court and off, and in hindsight, it shouldn't have been a surprise to see that his YouTube channel doesn't feature any basketball at all.

What does it feature? Try a .50 caliber rifle and municipal-grade fireworks -- all being used in his backyard. No, really -- video evidence is after the jump, as well as his interview with Elie Seckbach in which he discusses his explosion-filled and bullet-riddled summer vacation.

 

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]]> Chris KamanChrisKaman Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-10-28T17:00:00 00:00 Glen Davis Could Miss Two Months, Faces Team Suspension http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/glen-davis-could-miss-two-months/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/glen-davis-could-miss-two-months/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/glen-davis-could-miss-two-months/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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Glen DavisGlen "Big Baby" Davis won't miss the entire season with his thumb injury, as initially thought possible. But he'll still sit for the six to eight weeks, according to Yahoo!'s Marc Spears, who spoke with Davis on Tuesday after the third-year forward underwent surgery earlier in the day.

While missing two months is certainly better than the entire year, it doesn't mean the Celtics are any more pleased about the injury, which Davis admits occurred when he threw a punch at a long-time friend after an argument escalated over the weekend.

 

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]]> Glen DavisGlenDavisWyc GrousbeckWycGrousbeck Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-10-27T16:30:00 00:00 NBA Still Responding to Slow Economy http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/nba-still-responding-to-slow-economy/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/nba-still-responding-to-slow-economy/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/nba-still-responding-to-slow-economy/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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If you make your living as a quick change artist or riding a unicycle while balancing bowls atop your head, you might want to consider a second job.

Due to the economy, one of the many cost-cutting tactics adopted by NBA is to reduce the number of prominent halftime acts, opting against booking high-priced traveling acts in favor of more affordable local options, Fred Whitfield, chief operating officer of the Charlotte Bobcats, told David Biderman of the Wall Street Journal.

 

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]]> Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-10-27T15:50:00 00:00 Tip-Off Timer: LeBron's Looking for a Title http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/tip-off-timer-lebrons-looking-for-a-title/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/tip-off-timer-lebrons-looking-for-a-title/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/tip-off-timer-lebrons-looking-for-a-title/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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LeBron JamesTip-Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Tuesday, there are zero days remaining!

LeBron James is the most important player in the NBA -- both on and off the court.

He's already one of the all-time greats at age 24, and as the reigning MVP, he puts up the type of numbers you'd expect to see only in a video game. And you know what's really scary? No one knows just how good he can actually be.

 

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]]> LeBron JamesLebronJamesTip-Off TimerTip-offTimer Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-10-27T07:00:00 00:00 Blake Griffin Could Miss Six Weeks http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/blake-griffin-could-miss-6-weeks/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/blake-griffin-could-miss-6-weeks/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/blake-griffin-could-miss-6-weeks/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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Blake GriffinOn the eve of yet another rebuilding season, the Los Angeles Clippers revealed on Monday night that Blake Griffin's knee injury was far more serious than initially feared: he's been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left kneecap (the patella, to be precise) and could be sidelined up to six weeks. He suffered the injury in the team's final preseason game.

 

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]]> Al ThorntonAlThorntonBlake GriffinBlakeGriffinDeAndre JordanDeandreJordanMike DunleavyMikeDunleavyRasual ButlerRasualButler Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-10-27T02:10:00 00:00 Charles Barkley Wants to Be a GM http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/charles-barkley-wants-to-be-a-gm/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/charles-barkley-wants-to-be-a-gm/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/charles-barkley-wants-to-be-a-gm/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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Charles BarkleyTNT's Inside the NBA may be the best studio show in sports, and Charles Barkley is a huge (both literally and figuratively) reason why.

Unfortunately for viewers at home, though, Barkley hopes to leave the show sometime soon, saying that he'd walk away from his career as a television pundit should the right opportunity in an NBA front office present itself.

 

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]]> Charles Barkley Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-10-26T17:15:00 00:00 David Stern Doesn't Want LeBron in NY http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/23/david-stern-doesnt-want-lebron-in-ny/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/23/david-stern-doesnt-want-lebron-in-ny/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/23/david-stern-doesnt-want-lebron-in-ny/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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David Stern and LeBron JamesForgive me for the sensational headline -- I must admit to twisting the NBA commissioner's words just a tiny bit. But in an interview with reelsportsfan.com, David Stern revealed he's just like the millions of fans in Ohio who hope to see LeBron James re-sign with the Cavaliers.

"He hasn't won anything yet, but he may be the best player to descend to this planet," Stern said of James, later adding, "Michael [Jordan] might dispute that, but he's got a lot of canvas yet upon which to paint. And I have no doubt the picture is going to be beautiful."

When asked if Stern had any idea where James may finish his career, he replied, "None whatsoever -- although I hope it's in Cleveland." Keep reading for the video.

 

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]]> Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-10-23T17:30:00 00:00 Nets' (Soon-to-Be) Owner Reportedly Drops $19K on Lunch http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/23/nets-soon-to-be-owner-reportedly-drops-19k-on-lunch/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/23/nets-soon-to-be-owner-reportedly-drops-19k-on-lunch/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/23/nets-soon-to-be-owner-reportedly-drops-19k-on-lunch/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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Mikhail ProkhorovThe uber-rich are people, too, right? Well, they may put their pants on one leg at a time, but they certainly don't eat meals like we do.

Consider this: Mikhail Prokhorov, the Russian billionaire expected to purchase a majority stake in the New Jersey Nets, recently celebrated a positive meeting with the NBA's governors by having lunch with a half dozen friends. What's the big deal, right?

Well, according to the New York Post, his tab for lunch at Nello's, a tony restaurant in New York's Upper East Side, was nearly $19,000. How exactly does one eat the cost equivalent of a mid-size sedan? Keep reading to find out.

 

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]]> David SternDavidSternMikhail ProkhorovMikhailProkhorov Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-10-23T16:45:00 00:00 Antawn Jamison to Miss 3-5 Weeks http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/23/antawn-jamison-to-miss-3-5-weeks/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/23/antawn-jamison-to-miss-3-5-weeks/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/23/antawn-jamison-to-miss-3-5-weeks/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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The Wizards confirmed today what many already suspected: Antawn Jamison will open the season on the sidelines. Jamison injured his right shoulder in a preason game on Oct. 14 while attempting to block a shot. After being re-evaluated, the original diagnosis of a subluxation was confirmed, which is the technical way of saying his shoulder briefly popped out of its socket. In addition to the time he's already missed, he's expected to miss another three-to-five weeks.

 

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]]> Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-10-23T16:05:00 00:00 Caron Butler Q&A: Saunders Is 'An Offensive Genius' http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/22/caron-butler-qanda-saunders-an-offensive-genius/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/22/caron-butler-qanda-saunders-an-offensive-genius/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/22/caron-butler-qanda-saunders-an-offensive-genius/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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Caron ButlerEveryone knows preseason games don't count -- but considering the Wizards won a mere 19 games last season, it's hard not to be encouraged by their 4-3 record heading into Friday's finale.

In fact, Washington's record seems to confirm what many have suggested all summer: The Wizards should be one of the most improved teams in the league.

But before the Wizards turn the page, they re-visited their past, facing former coach Eddie Jordan, now with the 76ers, in a hard-fought win in Philadelphia on Tuesday night. Washington forward Caron Butler spoke to FanHouse on Wednesday about facing his friend and former coach, as well as his relief in seeing the locked-out referees return, his expectations for the season, the senseless tragedy at his alma mater and more.
More coverage: FanHouse Preview: Wizards | Player to Watch: Butler

 

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]]> Caron ButlerCaronButler Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-10-22T17:15:00 00:00 Stephon Marbury Promises to Return, Just Not This Year http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/16/stephon-marbury-promises-to-return-just-not-this-year/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/16/stephon-marbury-promises-to-return-just-not-this-year/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/16/stephon-marbury-promises-to-return-just-not-this-year/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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Stephon MarburyIn an interview with the New York Post, Stephon Marbury admitted that he has no plans to pursue an NBA job this season but vowed to return in the future. "I'm resting, doing what Michael Jordan did, enjoy life, do things I haven't done in 16 years, keep building my empire," Marbury told the Post. "I wasn't going to Boston for that money. It was a prudent business decision to take off this year."

It was a prudent business to take a year off, but let's be honest -- it wasn't a decision Marbury made, but rather one forced upon him by 30 NBA general managers.

 

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]]> Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-10-16T12:20:00 00:00 NBA Collects $120K from Brown, Bobcats http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/14/nba-collects-120k-from-brown-bobcats/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/14/nba-collects-120k-from-brown-bobcats/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/14/nba-collects-120k-from-brown-bobcats/#comments Matt Watsonby Matt Watson

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Earlier this week, the NBA fined Washington's Gilbert Arenas $25,000 for refusing to speak; today, it fined Larry Brown and the Bobcats a combined $120,000 for Brown talking too much. Brown hasn't been happy with the NBA's replacement referees all preseason, and his frustration boiled over on Monday when he was ejected from Charlotte's game against the Hawks in a contest that featured 61 fouls and five total technical fouls.

 

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]]> Larry BrownLarryBrown Matt Watson matt-watson 2009-10-14T19:10:00 00:00