This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Kings (or is it Sonics?) still all over the map
A year ago, the cash-strapped Maloof family reportedly had a deal in place to relocate their Kings to Orange County, only to change their minds at the 11th hour and stay in Sacramento. In the last few days, reports from YahooSports.com and Bay Area Comcast SportsNet host Matt Steinmetz have reported that a move to Seattle (and a subsequent resurrection of the Supersonics brand) was imminent. Now, The Sacramento Bee is reporting that 24-Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov has made a formal offer for the team, and that Dale Carlsen of Sleep Train Mattress Centers Inc., wants to lodge a bid as well, with both pledging to keep the team in SacTown. And every time anyone tries to get some clarity from the Maloofs, they release a non-answer statement: "Nothing has changed with our position that we will not comment on rumors or speculation about the Sacramento Kings franchise." Thanks for clearing that up, guys.
First-ever trash talk involving breakfast cereal?
The website blacksportsonline.com claims last week's Carmelo Anthony-Kevin Garnett dust-up occurred because the latter made a sexually explicit comment involving "Honey Nut Cheerios" about the former's estranged wife. Even for a trash-talking impresario like Garnett, that's got to set some kind of precedent. Anthony would not confirm the specific taunt that led him to approach the Celtics' locker room and team bus, saying only, "There's just certain things you don't say to … another man." While coach Doc Rivers told Boston radio station WEEI the supposed cereal comment is bogus — "I know what's been reported did not happen" — team president Danny Ainge opined later to the same station that even if the tasteless trash talk did occur, 'Melo's reaction to it was worse. "… My perspective is I would be embarrassed if somebody said something that threw me off my game," Ainge said.
Keep your friends close? Maybe not so much
Nets backup big man Andray Blatche insists he had nothing to do with a sexual assault of a 21-year-old female by two members of his entourage that allegedly took place in his Philadelphia hotel suite this past Tuesday at 3:30 a.m. Police commissioner Charles Ramsey told The New York Times that Blatche is not being accused of any wrongdoing, but acknowledged that he was present in the suite at Four Seasons Hotel when the alleged incident occurred. The accuser told Philadelphia's WPVI-TV that Blatche did not engage in any sexual activity, but was aware of what was happening after peeking through the door. Even if the 26-year-old Blatche is completely exonerated, his judgment must be seriously questioned. He was nearly out of the league after being run off by the dysfunctional Wizards last season. And now, after this situation, upon being asked if he needs to re-evaluate his circle of friends, he responds flatly, "No. Trust me, no." You sure about that?
Well, at least Cleveland is used to disappointment
If Cleveland were to adopt a city motto, a good choice might be "If it weren't for bad luck, we wouldn't have any luck at all." At least it would be applicable to its sports teams. It's been decades since the Indians or Browns claimed a title, and the Cavaliers have never won a championship at all. Then, of course, there was LeBron's "Decision." While young guard Kyrie Irving has star potential, he's already had a broken hand and a broken jaw this season. And now the latest blow: Center Anderson Varejao, who was putting up All-Star-worthy numbers with 14.1 points and an NBA-best 14.4 rebounds per game, is out at least six weeks after an injury initially diagnosed as a severe leg bruise turned out to be a torn quadriceps muscle. Cleveland, we feel your pain.