Judge blocks Sonics from taking KeyArena dispute to arbitration

The Seattle SuperSonics may not try to escape their lease at KeyArena through arbitration, a federal judge said Monday. Judge Ricardo S. Martinez called the team’s interpretation of the contract “as errant as a typical Shaquille O’Neal free throw.”The decision was a victory for the city and means officials may continue to seek a court order forcing the Sonics to play the next three seasons at the NBA’s smallest venue.

“The Sonics have made clear they’re attempting to leave after this coming season,” Seattle City Attorney Tom Carr said. “The city wants an order from the judge saying they cannot escape the terms of their lease.”

New Sonics chairman Clay Bennett failed to win public funding this year to build a new arena. Last month, he issued a demand for arbitration, hoping to buy out the remainder of the lease unless a deal on a new facility could be reached by the end of this month.

In response, the city sued, trying to force the Sonics to honor the terms of a deal reached in the mid-1990s: In exchange for $74 million in renovations to the old Seattle Coliseum, the team agreed to play all of its home games there through Sept. 30, 2010.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels said the ruling “goes a long way to ensuring Seattle taxpayers will get what they paid for when they rebuilt KeyArena.”

The motions that landed on Martinez’s desk in U.S. District Court concerned whether the dispute between the parties should proceed through arbitration or a lawsuit.

The arguments focused on competing sections of the lease agreement, but Martinez ruled that the controlling section is Article 2, the one saying that disputes are to be settled through arbitration unless they pertain to certain subjects, including the length of the lease.

He rejected arguments from the team that the contract’s terms barred the city from going to court, and that under the language of another section – Article 26 – the team should simply be held in default and forced to pay the remaining rent if it stops playing at KeyArena, which has a capacity of 17,072.

The team’s “attempt to sidestep Article 2 and shoot for Article 26 is as errant as a typical Shaquille O’Neal free throw,” the judge wrote.

O’Neal, the star center for the Miami Heat, shot 42.2 percent from the free throw line last season.

“The Sonics ownership is pleased that there has been a prompt decision,” Bradley S. Keller, a lawyer for the team, said in a statement. “It’s important to note that the decision addresses the forum in which the dispute will be decided, not the merits of the case.”

Bennett’s Oklahoma City-based ownership group bought the Sonics and the WNBA’s Seattle Storm last year for $350 million, and has insisted that the Sonics need a new, $500 million building.

Among the complaints are that KeyArena is the smallest venue in the league and that under the lease agreement the Sonics must turn over too much of their revenue to the city. NBA commissioner David Stern has called the lease the worst for any team in the league.

The Sonics began playing in Seattle in 1967 and won the city’s only men’s professional sports title in 1979; the Storm won the WNBA title in 2004.

Sports Card Fakes 

Cavaliers explore possibility of signing veteran forward Juwan Howard

Dejected over not getting to play in Minnesota with Kevin Garnett, Juwan Howard could end up a teammate of another superstar: LeBron James.Howard, a 13-year veteran forward whose contract was bought out by the Timberwolves on Monday, would fit nicely with James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are desperate for experienced frontline help.

With restricted free agent Anderson Varejao still unsigned in a messy contract holdout, the defending Eastern Conference champions have been exploring the possibility of signing Howard to improve their depth before Wednesday’s season opener against the Dallas Mavericks.

“I hope we get him,” James said after practice Monday. “He can help us. We need a guy to play down low.”

Howard has averaged 16.1 points and 7.1 rebounds in his career. Last season, he averaged 9.7 points and 5.9 rebounds in 26 minutes for Houston.

The Rockets traded him to Minnesota in June for guard Mike James. Howard had wanted to play with Garnett and spoke with regret about choosing Orlando over Minnesota the last time he was a free agent.

But when the Timberwolves pulled off their blockbuster deal and sent Garnett to Boston in July, Howard made it clear he was not interested in being part of a youth movement in Minnesota. He requested a trade, but the Wolves found no takers for Howard, who was owed $6.88 million this year and $7.38 million next year.

The Cavaliers might be able to get him for much less.

“Any time you can bring in a veteran like Juwan with his playing ability and character, you have to explore that,” Cavs coach Mike Brown said.

The Cavs made two other moves to finalize their opening-day roster, signing swingman Demetris Nichols and waiving forward Noel Felix.

The club did not disclose contract terms on Nichols, who averaged 4.8 points in five exhibition games with the New York Knicks, who waived him last week.

His addition will give Brown more bench depth. He could also help offset the loss of forward Sasha Pavlovic, a restricted free agent, who like Varejao, remains unsigned in a contract dispute.

The 6-foot-8 Nichols averaged 18.9 points last season at Syracuse and was a first-team All-Big East selection. Nichols, 23, was taken by Portland with the No. 53 overall pick before he was traded on draft day to New York for a second-round selection.

Felix played in three preseason games, averaging 2.7 points.

Sports Card Fakes 

Jazz waive forward Kevin Lyde

The Utah Jazz waived forward Kevin Lyde on Monday, setting their opening-day roster.Lyde, who played at Temple, was invited to training camp as a free agent after spending four seasons in the NBA Development League. He played in three preseason games for the Jazz, averaging 1.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 6.7 minutes.

Four players on the roster were not with the Jazz last season when Utah made it to the Western Conference finals: forward Morris Almond and center Kyrylo Fesenko both made the roster along with guards Ronnie Price and Jason Hart, free agents who signed with Utah over the summer.

The Jazz open the season Tuesday at Golden State.

Sports Card Fakes 

Pistons waive F Sammy Mejia

The Detroit Pistons waived rookie forward Sammy Mejia on Monday, reaching the 15-player roster limit ahead of Thursday’s season opener at Miami.The Pistons drafted Mejia in the second round, No. 57 overall, out of DePaul, where he averaged 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game last season.

The 6-foot-6 Mejia played in six preseason games for Detroit, averaging 1.7 points and 2.2 rebounds in nine minutes.

Sports Card Fakes 

Wolves buy out Howard, make trade with Spurs to reach roster limit

The Minnesota Timberwolves did some wheeling and dealing on Monday, reaching a buyout with veteran Juwan Howard and making a trade with San Antonio to get to the 15-man roster limit before the deadline.The Timberwolves sent a protected 2008 second-round pick to the Spurs for cash considerations and guard Beno Udrih, whom the Wolves immediately waived.

The deal helped both teams.

San Antonio was able to avoid taking a luxury tax hit, while the Wolves were able to get some cash to help them buy out the final two years of Howard’s deal.

Howard was initially ecstatic when the Rockets traded him to Minnesota for guard Mike James in June. He had wanted to play with Kevin Garnett for some time and spoke about regretting choosing Orlando over Minnesota the last time he was a free agent.

But when the Wolves shipped Garnett to Boston at the end of July, Howard made it clear he was not interested in being part of a youth movement in Minnesota. He requested a trade, but the Wolves found no takers for a 13-year veteran who was owed $6.88 million this year and $7.38 million next year.

So the Timberwolves reached a buyout agreement on Monday, and now Howard is free to try and land with a team that is closer to contending for a championship, something that has eluded him in his career.

To get to the 15-man limit, the Timberwolves released forward Wayne Simien, who was acquired from Miami last week along with Antoine Walker and Michael Doleac in a trade for Ricky Davis and Mark Blount.

Monday’s transactions ended a whirlwind preseason for vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale, who made the difficult decision to part ways with Garnett after 12 seasons in Minnesota and start from scratch.

McHale acquired five players and two draft picks for Garnett, got rid of James’ and Blount’s bad contracts and Davis’ bad attitude and bought out Howard and guard Troy Hudson to completely reshape the roster.

Just five players – Marko Jaric, Mark Madsen, Randy Foye, Craig Smith and Rashad McCants – remain from last year’s team that missed the playoffs for the third straight year.

Sports Card Fakes 

Cavaliers sign rookie Demetris Nichols

The Cleveland Cavaliers signed rookie Demetris Nichols to a contract Monday as they finalized their opening-day roster for the 2007-08 season.The club did not disclose contract terms on Nichols, who averaged 4.8 points in five exhibition games with the New York Knicks, who waived him last week.

His addition will give coach Mike Brown more bench depth. He could also help offset the loss of forward Sasha Pavlovic, a restricted free agent who remains unsigned in a contract holdout with the Cavs.

The 6-foot-8 Nichols averaged 18.9 points laat season at Syracuse and was a first-team All-Big East selection. Nichols, 23, was taken by Portland with the No. 53 overall pick before he was traded on draft day to New York for a second-round selection.

The Cavs also waived forward Noel Felix. He played in three preseason games, averaging 2.7 points.

Sports Card Fakes 

Howard cleared to practice, but remains suspended

Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard was cleared to practice Monday, six days after he sprained his left wrist in a preseason game against the Chicago Bulls.Doctors removed the cast from his wrist. He now wears a removable splint.

Howard will travel with the Mavericks on their upcoming road trip. Their season opener is Wednesday at Cleveland and they play Friday at Atlanta.

But Howard will miss both games because of his suspension for an altercation with Sacramento center Brad Miller in a preseason game. Howard hit Miller in the back of the neck with a forearm after Miller shoved Mavericks guard Devin Harris to the ground

Sports Card Fakes 

Uncertainty reigns as Bryant, Lakers begin new season

Kobe Bryant remains a Laker – for now.Because of the difficulty involved in trading an NBA superstar, Bryant could play in a Los Angeles uniform for days, weeks or months, no matter how much he wants out or those in charge wish to move him.

Bryant professes to be very close to his coach and quite fond of his teammates. That’s right, the same teammates he essentially badmouthed last spring when he complained about a lack of talent around him and asked to be traded.

“I’m very close to all of them,” Bryant said after practice Monday. “We’ve got some good pieces here. The talent on this team is good. Getting guys healthy, that’s the big key.”

The front office? That’s clearly another matter, especially since Lakers owner Jerry Buss said earlier this month that he would listen to offers for Bryant, making his remarks after things had quieted with the start of training camp.

Bryant called the front office a mess when he asked to be traded five months ago. The Lakers had lost 27 of their last 43 games to finish 42-40 in the regular season, then were eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in five games in the first round of the playoffs.

Now, he’s saying nothing of the sort.

“I’m still a Laker. I’m here. I’m ready to play,” Bryant said while acknowledging he wasn’t quite 100 percent because of the sprained right wrist that caused him to miss the Lakers’ final exhibition game. “My focus is here with this ballclub. Wherever I play, I’ll be ready. I’m focusing on this team. Dr. Buss said business is business. I understand that.”

Bryant has pointed to improved defense as a must if the Lakers are going to accomplish anything of substance in the rugged Western Conference this season, starting Tuesday night when they open against the Houston Rockets.

“We’re doing better. That’s something we’re all focusing on,” he said. “It’s just about helping out as a unit. As a group, that’s how you win ballgames. Defense is the key in the playoffs, no doubt about that.”

Once adversaries, Bryant and coach Phil Jackson have grown close, to the point where Jackson has served as a confidante since the two-time reigning scoring champion asked to be traded.

In fact, the 62-year-old Jackson has been offered a contract extension, but hasn’t signed it yet, meaning this could be his final year as coach of the Lakers. He signed a three-year, $30 million contract before the 2005-06 season.

But even Jackson became peeved recently, saying Bryant doesn’t appear to be giving his all.

Sports Card Fakes 

Durant appears a better bet than Green for being ready to debut in Sonics’ opener

At least one of the SuperSonics’ top-five draft picks appears ready to debut on time.Kevin Durant, Seattle’s second overall choice, moved fluidly while completing practice Monday, two days before the season opener at Denver. It was the first extensive basketball work for last season’s national college player of the year since he sprained his left ankle in a preseason game Oct. 23.

Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo would not declare Durant ready to start at shooting guard in the nationally televised opener against the Nuggets on Wednesday night. Seattle then has its home opener Thursday night against Phoenix.

“He looked decent. He probably did a little more than probably we thought he’d be able to do,” Carlesimo said, after Durant joined Earl Watson, Damien Wilkins, Chris Wilcox and Nick Collison on the first team for a scrimmage that ended practice.

Durant, who led the Sonics with 18.8 points in six exhibition games, raced down the floor and led a few breaks before leaving the last few minutes of the practice to put on an ankle brace. He later disappeared into the training room for a sixth consecutive day of treatment.

“Now it will just be a question to see how he comes out of it, see how (he) wakes up, what he feels like,” the coach said. “He said it didn’t bother him. If it doesn’t swell or if it’s not sore (Tuesday) that will be a good sign.

“If he feels good, then, yeah, definitely (he will start at Denver).”

The status of Jeff Green, who also has a sprained left ankle, was more iffy. The fifth overall pick, who pulled himself out of Friday’s preseason finale against the Suns in Vancouver, British Columbia, appeared to be dragging his taped lower leg through the end of drills three days after declaring the sprain was no big deal.

Green, who averaged nine points in eight preseason games, then joined Durant in the training room immediately after practice.

“Jeff said he felt stiff,” Carlesimo said, adding Green will be re-evaluated with Durant on Tuesday before a determination is made for Wednesday.

The status of the two rookies is holding up Carlesimo’s decision on who will start and how deep of a rotation he will use to begin the season.

Carlesimo may use Delonte West, acquired in the trade that also brought Green and Wally Szczerbiak to Seattle on draft day for All-Star Ray Allen and the 35th overall pick, as the backup point guard. That’s because returning starter Luke Ridnour has struggled while playing the last three weeks with a mask over his broken nose.

Ridnour had to leave Friday’s game because a fastener for the mask broke. He was to get the mask refitted Monday and is scheduled to no longer need it within two weeks

Sports Card Fakes

Spurs trade Udrih to Timberwolves for protected second-round pick

The San Antonio Spurs traded Beno Udrih to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a protected second-round draft pick in 2008 on Monday.The 6-foot-3 guard broke his left index finger earlier this month during Spurs training camp.

Udrih’s role on the team decreased last season as veteran Jacque Vaughn took over as backup point guard to Tony Parker.

During his three seasons in San Antonio he appeared in 207 regular season games and averaged 5.2 points and 1.8 assists in 13 minutes. Last season he averaged 4.7 points in 73 games. Udrih was picked by the Spurs with the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft.

Over the weekend, the Spurs waived forward Marcus Williams. The Spurs roster is now at 14 players

Sports Card Fakes