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A Defense Of The Lakers’ Trade From A Business Perspective

((This is a guest post from Swarm and Sting’s Jake Madison. Enjoy.))

I’ve been spending a lot of time lately ruminating on the business and financial side of the NBA–particularly about how the Hornets are affected by various aspects. I was following ESPN’s Daily Dime chat Tuesday night and host Zach Harper raised an interesting point.

When asked about whether the Magic should trade Dwight Howard to the Lakers if they got Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol in return, Zach said, “But where does that get you? Granted, you’d still be a playoff team. Probably top 4 in the East, at worst top 5. But you’re not winning a title with that team. You’re just delaying the inevitable.” He went on to say, “You should either be building a title team or rebuilding your team. I don’t get the in between business at all.”

From a competitive standpoint, and that of a fan, I agree with him. Is there really any point being stuck in the “in between business?” (I am taking that as losing in the first or second round of the playoff year after year.) The few extra home playoff games are fun and all, but is it fulfilling as a fan? The ultimate goal of all team sports is to win the championship. It’s worth it to blow up the team and struggle for a few years if it brings a championship home eventually.

The three playoff games at the Hive last year were my first NBA playoff games ever. It was an incredible experience and it would be an incredible experience if the same thing happened this year, and the year after. But, I’d trade all that for one title every five, maybe ten, years with no playoffs in between. I know many of you would agree with me. Because of that, I think the Clippers’ trade was a much better deal for the Hornets. But, I thought about it from a business angle and saw a different side of the “in between” argument: it comes down to casual versus diehard NBA fans.

As I’m sure you know, the Hornets put forth a massive I’m In marketing campaign. What was genius about the campaign was that it was built around supporting the city of New Orleans as opposed to being about certain players (viz. Chris Paul or David West). Diehard NBA fans will always come to the Hive to watch the team no matter how good or bad they are. The purpose of the I’m In campaign was to reach out to those casual NBA fans who don’t fully follow the league but still enjoy basketball and want to support their city and team.

The goal was to reach over 10,000 season tickets for the upcoming season. The team recently reached that milestone number, but it wasn’t easy. There was a gargantuan effort put forth to reach that magic number. I’d also be willing to bet that a lot of casual NBA fans bought tickets because of how competitive the team was during the first round of the playoffs against the Lakers. While the marketing ideas are great, winning is ultimately what draws casual fans to games.

Had the Hornets moved Chris Paul to the Clippers for the same deal at the trade deadline last season, would the Hornets have been able to sell as many tickets? Zach seems to think so. In the DDL chat he said, “Fans LOVE potential.” That’s where I disagree. I think diehard fans love potential. Casual fans prefer to make the playoffs every year—even if it means never winning a title.

Talking to coworkers and clients of mine at work, the general feeling seemed to be they liked the Lakers’ trade over the Clippers’. They liked getting solid players in Kevin Martin, Luis Scola and Lamar Odom. The team would make the playoffs and potentially cause an upset in the first round, they said. The Clipper’s deal meant the team was in full on rebuilding mode which they didn’t want. They didn’t know much about Eric Gordon because he hasn’t been in the league as long as the players in the original trade. They know who Martin, Odom and Scola are because they are casual NBA fans and those players have been on successful teams. Casual fans don’t understand the value of Minnesota’s unprotected first round pick. They may not even know what an unprotected pick is.

When Dell Demps, Monty Williams and Hugh Weber decided to pull the trigger on the Lakers’ trade, they understood that. They understood that starting a rebuilding project could turn off and alienate many of those 10,000 season ticket holders. You and I know the Clippers’ trade was better for the Hornets championship aspirations in the long run. That’s because we are diehard fans. Unfortunately, we are most likely in the minority. I’ve spoken to a few ticket reps since the trade and have gotten conflicting information about the amount of current ticket holders asking for refunds. But it is happening.

There is also another business factor when it comes to the “in between business”: income. While the team’s ultimate goal is to win the NBA title, the owner’s goal might be a profit (this changes owner to owner). If a team is towing a fine line between red and the black on the balance sheets, the extra money in ticket sales can really help. There is potential that a team needs to make the playoffs just so they don’t lose money over the course of a season. If that’s the case then it is perfectly understandable to be content losing in the first round every year. Combine that lack of playoff ticket income with the loss of ticket holders from the team not being good (even though there is potential to be great in the future) and that is a scary proposition for an owner—especially in a small market. It’s unfortunate but most of the business side is.

I asked Zach more about the idea of diehard and casual fans, “Zach, you said earlier that fans love potential, but doesn’t that apply more to diehard fans than casual fans? When trying to sell thousands of season tickets don’t you have to target those casual basketball fans who would prefer two home playoff games over the potential of the team two or three years down the line?”

Zach responded, “I really think it depends on the fan base. And maybe that’s a copout answer. People love to pretend they were there from the start of something great. I think that holds true for diehards and casual fans. That’s why I believe if you sell it right and are honest about rebuilding, you can sell tickets. Also, cut prices.”

Zach is speaking generally about the league. The Knicks sold out of season tickets for years based merely on the fact that they might get Lebron James. In my opinion, I don’t think it depends of fan base but rather the size of the fan base. New York is a much bigger city than New Orleans; there are more diehard basketball fans. Of course it will be easier to sell them on potential and rebuilding because if you lose one fan then there is another fan right there to take his/her spot.

A small market like New Orleans doesn’t have the luxury of a massive fan base. In the current economic times each individual fan has a large importance placed on them because there might not be anyone to replace them. (Feel very, very special, Hornets fans!). You have to treat certain situations with kids gloves when a larger market doesn’t need to do that.

From a business perspective the Lakers’ trade makes more sense. You minimize the damage to the fan base and thus keep the team’s revenue up. The biggest sign of how this trade ultimately affects the Hornets will be seen in season ticket renewals. Will fans have bought into the potential of the team with Gordon and the Minnesota pick? Or will fans lose interest if the team struggles? We’ll find out in a couple months.

Celtics fall to Heat

LeBron James scored 26 points, rookie point guard Norris Cole came up with 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, and the Miami Heat nearly blew a 20-point lead before beating the Boston Celtics 115-107 on Tuesday night. Dwyane Wade finished with 24 points and eight assists for Miami, which got 18 from Chris Bosh and twice saw its lead cut to three in the final minutes. Cole delivered the answer both times with a pair of jump shots, and the Heat escaped. Ray Allen scored 28 points on 8 for 12 shooting for the Celtics, while Rajon Rondo finished with 22 points and 12 assists and Keyon Dooling scored 13 off the Boston bench. Through two games, Miami (2-0) has trailed only once — by two points, for all of 14 seconds. Cole’s jumper with 3:01 left gave Miami a 108-98 lead, most of which disappeared in the next 59 seconds, thanks to Dooling — a former Heat guard. He scored seven straight points, including a 3-pointer with 2:02 remaining, cutting the Heat’s lead to three. And when Boston got a stop on the next Miami trip, the Celtics looked for Dooling again. But Wade stepped in front of a pass intended for Dooling, starting a play where James found Cole for another jumper, and Miami’s cushion was back to 110-105 with 1:31 to play. And with a minute left, it was Cole again, with the biggest shot of the night for Miami. James set him up from the top of the key for another jumper, restoring the five-point edge. When Cole stepped to the foul line to close the scoring, he got “M-V-P” chants from the Miami crowd, something typically reserved for the likes of Wade, James and Bosh. Boston was again without forward Paul Pierce (bruised right heel), who worked out both Monday and Tuesday and is getting closer to a return. It won’t come on Wednesday, however — the Celtics have already ruled him out of that game in New Orleans, but there is some hope of Pierce being in the lineup when Boston makes its home debut against Detroit on Friday. Predictably, and maybe spurred by the new Eastern Conference championship banner hanging from the rafters, Miami came out flying. A short bank shot by Wade made it 26-15 at barely the midpoint of the first quarter, setting the tone for an offensive bonanza the likes of which Boston typically doesn’t allow. After a late flurry — James setting up Wade for a lob, Wade missing at the rim but James trailing for a tip-in being perhaps the most impressive of Miami’s highlight reel to close the second quarter — the Heat took a 69-54 lead into the locker room. That represented the most first-half points allowed by the Celtics since Feb. 8, 2005, a span of 607 regular-season and playoff games. James and Wade each had 15 points by the break on a combined 9-for-14 shooting and James Jones came off the bench to make all three of his shots, all from 3-point range. Even when things looked shaky, the Heat got going again quickly. Allen and Rondo scored the first baskets of the second half, getting Boston within 11. In a flash, Miami’s lead was back up to 20 — six straight points by James made it 85-65 midway through the third, and Miami was well on its way to a blowout. Or not. Feasting on Miami’s second unit, with James being the only starter on the floor, the Celtics closed the third on an 18-6 run to make it 91-83 entering the fourth. The Heat missed their last eight shots of the quarter — after having missed 14, total, in the first 32 minutes of the game — and Boston capitalized, taking all the momentum into the final 12 minutes. Even though Miami pushed the lead back to 15 early in the fourth, Boston just kept answering. Rondo spun and flipped the ball to Allen for what became his sixth 3-pointer of the night with 6 minutes left, getting the Celtics to 102-93. And they kept clawing. So did Cole, and Miami pulled through. NOTES: After two games, the Heat have 131 points in first halves this season. After three games last season, Miami had 130 first-half points. … Celtics F Chris Wilcox didn’t play in the second half because of a bruised left shoulder. X-rays were negative. … The Heat said the luster of the matchup wasn’t hurt by Pierce not being available. “We play the name on the front of the jersey, not the one on the back,” Wade said. … Celebrity sightings included Miami Dolphins RB Reggie Bush, rapper Rick Ross and retired tennis star Boris Becker.

The Weekly turns 13! – Las Vegas Weekly

And muses on the most interesting number

Las Vegas Weekly Staff

Thu, Dec 22, 2011 (midnight)

Of all the irrational fears that haunt us—bananas, tiny non-poisonous spiders, drowning in burning oil—perhaps none is as odd as fearing the number 13. After all, it’s just a number. A prime number (backwards and forwards); the one that Alex Rodriguez, Wilt Chamberlain and Dan Marino have worn; the age at which we become a teenager (!), the number of playing cards in a suit; the day Taylor Swift was born (December 13!). And now, perhaps most importantly, it’s the age of Las Vegas Weekly. So, in honor of our big day, enjoy these ramblings, make some killer birthday cake and think back to your own teenage years. Thirteen really isn’t as scary as you might think.

Thirteen. It’s when we realize rock ’n’ roll is better than baseball. When we nearly burn down our best friend’s house shooting off fireworks. When we run away from home … and come back a few hours later. When we first fall foolishly in love.

I’m forever transported back to that age of curiosity and change by Big Star’s “Thirteen,” off 1972 album #1 Record. Legend has it Alex Chilton wrote the song when he was 13, and as he gently sings its opening line—“Won’t you let me walk you home from school?”—I’m right there with him, even though I was always more of a bus kid myself.

If that doesn’t have you checking your teeth for braces, you’re sure to flash uncomfortably back as innocence matures into tentative rebellion: “Won’t you tell your dad get off my back?/Tell him what we said ’bout ‘Paint It Black’.” Discovery. Confidence. Confusion. They’re all there in “Thirteen,” as they once were for us at 13.

Now, to find a ride to the mall … –Spencer Patterson

An asteroid will not hit the earth on Friday the 13th. It’s a close call, though. On April 13, 2029, the 320-meter 2004 MN4 asteroid will miss the earth by 18,600 miles. Yes, that’s a close call. Geosynchronous satellites orbit the earth at 22,300 miles.

Now, there’s a chance the earth’s gravitational pull will alter the asteroid’s trajectory. There’s a chance the asteroid will circle around and hit us in the late 2030s. Right now, we can’t be sure. We need more data. And lucky for us, we’ll be able to get that data in 2013 and 2021, when the asteroid will be a mere 9 million miles away from us. See? More good news. –Rick Lax

The coolest 13-year-old on the planet

I was 13 the year Dan Fanelli took me to my first bar.

He was my boyfriend, in the loosest of seventh grade senses—our relationship started through passed notes and confirmed through hand holding and after-school pizza slices. We never kissed, but I didn’t care. I saw in him some fraction of my true middle school crush, My So-Called Life-era Jared Leto. Dan’s hair was (sorta) like Jared’s hair, and his grunts were (kinda) like Jared’s grunts. Basically, they were the same person. Swoon.

The day Dan took me to my first bar was the day of our classmate’s bar mitzvah. The party was at a swanky hotel in Harvard Square, and while we danced, hula-hooped and limboed for CD singles and plastic jewelry, a line stretched enticingly from the famous Regattabar jazz club just down the hall. Dan wanted to go. And, timidly, awkwardly, pre-braces gap-toothedly, I wanted to go with him.

I, on the other hand, hovered just inside the doorway, wearing my 13 years like an itchy sweater. After a few minutes, a doorman gracefully kicked me out, but Dan stayed behind—tapping his feet and wearing his crown, the coolest 13-year-old on the planet. –Sarah Feldberg

A poem in 13 headlines

When you think about Las Vegas, what do you see?
An orchard in Downtown Las Vegas
Welcome to the spouse factory
Slow down and look at the art
10 pounds of something fresh

Bring on the zombie apocalypse!
Pass the Dirty Vegas popcorn
The revolution will be homeschooled
Welcome to the era of borrowed parties

Who’s crazier: the scam artist doing eyelifts in a living room or her patients?
With John Ensign out, beware Sharron Angle
A die slides, and so does the couple who slid it
If you see one show inside a giant tent this year, make it Absinthe

I’ve heard it said that Jill Sprecher’s 2001 film 13 Conversations About One Thing is about happiness. I’ve watched it numerous times and never felt that to be true. To me, it’s always been more about luck vs. fate, the consequences of actions and how we as human beings perceive our lot in life: A lawyer on top of the world who tortures himself (literally) after a hit-and-run; a stoic, philandering professor who wonders if his harsh words caused a student to commit suicide; an office drone who finally wins the lottery and quits his job, only to find the money brings nothing but misery; and, most compelling, an insurance company supervisor who bets that he can make a terminally happy employee unhappy by firing him, only to be plagued by guilt afterward. It offers no answers, only asking the question, “What if I had done things differently?” But whenever I’m feeling particularly lucky—or unlucky—I think back to this film every single time. –Ken Miller

From Facebook, with love

I collect two things: typewriters and addresses. To reach home No. 13, I drove 629 miles (as the Google crow flies) to here, fabulous Las Vegas, with a truck full of books and a fiberglass sailfish. Since that very warm April day, many of my Facebook posts have been inspired by my life and my work in this city. Here are 13 that show my progression as a child of the 702.

1. If you dropped by my house recently with a basket of muffins (aww) and found me missing, this is why. New job, new city, same old boyfriend. Ha … If anyone is looking to rent a sweet place with a man-eating shrub, let me know. The shrub can be trained not to attack you and your loved ones (it’s in the contract).

2. Apparently, sunscreen doesn’t work in Nevada.

3. Went to a Vegas event last night where beer and tequila were free. Water, on the other hand, was $10.

4. New on the list of things that are carcinogenic: neighborhood associations. Last time I checked this was America, where you can hang holiday crap in your windows and maybe build a gun turret onto your balcony.

5. Thanks to Sarah Feldberg for taking me to Border Grill. I’m naming my food baby after you.

6. Butt muscles can do miraculous things, it turns out.

7. Note to self: All-you-can-eat sushi always seems like a great idea, but the human pancreas was not designed for 10-pound rice balls.

8. You win this time, Las Vegas Strip escalator.

9. Going to a workout class tonight that includes champagne. I’m beginning to like this city.

10. Things I learned from Miss USA 2011: 1. Burning the flag is unpatriotic. 2. Ruffles are so totally back. 3. At least one educator of tomorrow is a cautionary tale about the educators of today. 4. There is a commentator more irritating than Ryan Seacrest.

11. After spending a week in the lush wilds of Montana, I discovered something very special about Las Vegas heat. Mosquitoes can’t dig it.

12. Post-Absinthe (the show, not the drink) thoughts: I didn’t know legs could bend like that; if you’re on a high wire it helps to be skinny; I will never think of sock puppets the same way again.

13. Other people have soulful, thoughtful things to say on Facebook. I have photos of mean chicks in undies. At least they’re wearing mouth guards. -Erin Ryan

Kings notes: Dalembert won’t be back

Samuel Dalembert’s time in Sacramento officially ended after one season Wednesday when the Kings withdrew their contract offer to bring back the free-agent center.

ESPN.com reported Wednesday that Dalembert and the Houston Rockets agreed to a two-year, $13.7 million deal, with the team holding an option for the second year.

The Kings had resumed talking with Dalembert’s agent, Marc Cornstein, after Chuck Hayes’ contract was voided Monday because of a heart abnormality discovered during his physical.

Before losing Hayes, the Kings were open to adding another post player. But they became more aggressive in pursuing Dalembert, 30, after voiding Hayes’ deal.

“We tried to re-engage with them and see if we could try to get to something that I hoped worked for both of our interests going forward,” basketball president Geoff Petrie said.

With the season starting Monday and still no deal with Dalembert, Petrie said it was “best” for the Kings to look at other options, which are slim at this point in free agency.

Petrie conceded “proven free agents” have already been signed, but the Kings still have options through trades. They are about $3 million below the NBA’s minimum salary floor and can trade for a player without having to lose one.

Among the few free-agent veterans still available are centers Joel Pryzbilla, D.J. Mbenga and Francisco Elson.

Petrie said he wants to see the current roster get healthy but would like to add a player who would make the team significantly better.

If that doesn’t happen today, Petrie said that’s OK.

“I don’t think it’s near a panic situation at all,” Petrie said.

Thornton, Salmons update – Guard Marcus Thornton had to be taken to a hospital late Tuesday night and passed a kidney stone. He was listed as day-to-day. Coach Paul Westphal said Thornton could practice today or Friday.

Swingman John Salmons is still out because of a right quadriceps contusion. Salmons was able to work in some drills during practice.

“He’s got a lot of pain in that bruised thigh, and we need to get him well,” Westphal said.

Transactions – The Kings waived guard Adrian Oliver and forward Lawrence Hill, leaving 13 players on the roster. The maximum number is 15.

Sacramento releases details of arena funding – Sacramento Business Journal

The city of Sacramento, the National Basketball Association, the Sacramento Kings and the development team will need to collectively pony up $387 million to build a new entertainment and sports complex downtown, according to a report that will be unveiled at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

The report is expected to provide details of how much each player will be responsible for, with the city saying it should be able to get “between $170 million to $245 million” in “up-front cash” by leasing its parking operation under a “long-term concession agreement” — not selling it. City staff will recommend to the council that it issue an RFQ (request for qualifications) to test the market for interest in such a leasing arrangement.

However, that money is not free and clear. The city owes $52 million on the construction of its parking garages and will have to pay off or refinance that amount, offsetting its net proceeds from the leasing arrangement.

The ICON-David S. Taylor development group, the NBA and Kings will be responsible for the balance, and are “working together to put in place a financing strategy that includes both private and public contributions,” according to a press release Thursday.

CP3 arrives: Chris Paul and Los Angeles Clippers beat Warriors 105-86 in season opener

Paul had 20 points and nine assists, Blake Griffin added 22 points and seven rebounds and Los Angeles beat the Golden State Warriors 105-86 on Sunday night to spoil Mark Jackson’s opener as a first-time coach.

“While we try to figure each other out and learn guys’ hot spots and stuff like that, we want to win at the same time,” Paul said. “We just keep talking about ‘We’ve just got to find a way to win, regardless of how it looks, how ugly the game is, we’ve got to find ways to win.’”

Monta Ellis had 15 points and eight assists after his grandmother’s death earlier in the day in Mississippi, and David Lee added 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Warriors, who cut the Clippers’ lead to a point at 78-77 with 9:35 left on Brandon Rush’s 3-pointer before Los Angeles pulled away.

It was hardly a spectacular opener for CP3 and Co., though coach Vinny Del Negro certainly will take methodical any day. These new-look Clippers hope to shine as Los Angeles’ other NBA team, perhaps no longer the Lakers’ stepchild.

“We grinded it out defensively when we needed to,” Del Negro said. “We controlled the tempo in the fourth quarter. I just know we can play better.”

Paul — who nearly wound up with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers before the NBA nixed the trade — teamed with Chauncey Billups and Griffin for the first time since joining the Clippers in a Dec. 14 trade from New Orleans.

Billups scored 21 points and hit a key 3-pointer late for Los Angeles, which plays at San Antonio on Wednesday night before returning for four in a row and seven of eight at Staples Center.

Paul had a quiet first half: seven points on 1-for-6 shooting in 19 minutes. But he came on with several clutch baskets in the waning minutes to finish 7 for 12.

“Just try to manage the game. It’s not my first rodeo, it’s seven years,” Paul said. “This is the first year I think I’ve had as many options as I do.”

Each time the Warriors got close, Los Angeles found an answer.

Andris Biedrins scored on a running hook with 6:51 left to cut the Clippers’ lead to a point again at 82-81, then Mo Williams came through moments later. Caron Butler’s 3-pointer with 4:55 remaining in the third quarter gave the Clippers the first double-digit lead at 63-53.

Many fans among the sellout crowd of 19,596 at revamped Oracle Arena wore Warriors Santa hats, while the Clippers got into the holiday spirit with bright green socks to go with their bright red uniforms. Billups added matching green shoes to his game ensemble.

Jackson, who hadn’t coached at any level after a successful playing career, appreciated longtime friends Chris Mullin, Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breen handling the broadcast for the final opener on Christmas.

Van Gundy and Breen pulled off a remarkable double dip after beginning their day in Dallas calling the Heat’s 105-94 win over the Mavericks before hopping a charter flight to the Bay Area for the nightcap.

Derrick Rose, Luol Deng rally Bulls past Lakers in final minutes for 88-87 stunner

With a key addition and another year to jell, these Bulls have what it takes to win Chicago another title. The Cubs and Sox both face tricky builds as they look for young pitching to reconstruct their rotations. News, analysis, commentary: Your home

LOS ANGELES — Derrick Rose scored 22 points and hit a short go-ahead jumper with 4.8 seconds to play, and the Chicago Bulls rallied from an 11-point deficit in the final four minutes for an 88-87 victory over the Los

As the L.A.-Chicago game wound down, amidst an absolutely wild final minute of basketball, Derrick Rose gained possession of the rock with his team down 1 and 11 seconds remaining on the clock. And then, as you can

We get to see Derrick Rose fist bump Michael Jordan, Larry Bird feed Ray Allen with a pass in transition, Tim Duncan chirp with Bill Walton and much more. It's all set to Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors' "Live Forever."

HANG TIME NEW JERSEY BUREAU – When you picture a Chicago Bulls offensive possession in your mind, you envision Derrick Rose coming off a high screen and attacking the basket. Something like the clip below, where

Tags: chris paul, derrick rose, dwyane wade, kevin durant, lebron james, rajon rondo —

Wednesday’s Sports In Brief

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GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) – Aaron Rodgers was selected the 2011 Male Athlete of the Year in voting by members of The Associated Press after his MVP performance in the Green Bay Packers’ Super Bowl victory in February and his stellar play during the team’s long unbeaten run this season.

Rodgers received 112 votes out of the 212 ballots submitted from U.S. news organizations that make up the AP’s membership. Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander was second with 50 votes, followed by tennis standout Novak Djokovic, Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton and NASCAR champion Tony Stewart.

NEW YORK (AP) – The NFL is changing how it handles concussion examinations after Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy went back into a Dec. 8 game without being tested for one.

A certified athletic trainer, paid by the league, will be at each game to monitor play and provide medical staffs with “any relevant information that may assist them in determining the most appropriate evaluation and treatment,” the NFL said in a statement. The trainers will not diagnose nor prescribe treatment and can’t order that players be removed from a game.

Their presence is intended to assist team medical staffs in addressing a variety of injuries.

The trainer’s “role will be to provide information to team medical staffs that might have been missed due to a lack of a clear view of the play or because they were attending to other players or duties,” the statement said. The trainer will be in a booth upstairs with access to video replay and direct communication to the medical staffs of both teams.

DALLAS (AP) – Super Bowl ticket-holders displaced during the February seating fiasco at Cowboys Stadium filed court documents, renewing fraud claims against the NFL and the Dallas Cowboys.

The filings accuse the NFL and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones of recklessness in pushing for a Super Bowl attendance record at the Cowboys’ new stadium and doing nothing to discourage attendance. A judge dismissed previous fraud allegations and claims, but allowed the ticket-holders to amend their claims.

ST. LOUIS (AP) – St. Louis Rams rookie receiver Austin Pettis has been suspended for four games for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances.

Pettis, a third-round pick from Boise State, made three starts and had 27 catches for 256 yards. He’ll be eligible to return after the Rams’ second game next season, and can participate in offseason and preseason practices and games.

NEW YORK (AP) – A person with knowledge of the payout says the NFL Players Association has given executive director DeMaurice Smith a $1 million bonus.

The bonus was paid solely at the discretion of the union, the person says on condition of anonymity because the payment was not announced. Smith was hired in March 2009 to replace the late Gene Upshaw.

The Sports Business Daily originally reported the amount of the bonus.

WACO, Texas (AP) – Robert Griffin III was selected The Associated Press college football player of the year, adding another award to his impressive postseason haul.

The Heisman Trophy winner from Baylor won in a landslide over Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. Griffin received 43 votes from the AP poll panel. Luck was second with seven votes.

Griffin guided Baylor to a 9-3 season, passing for 3,998 yards and 36 touchdowns.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) – About two dozen fans gathered briefly outside Joe Paterno’s home to wish the former Penn State coach a happy 85th birthday and sing a Christmas carol.

Paterno’s son, quarterback coach Jay Paterno, thanked the crowd on behalf of his father. He said that because of chemotherapy Paterno was a little weak so he couldn’t come outside. Joe Paterno has been diagnosed with what his family has called a treatable form of lung cancer.

School trustees fired Paterno last month in the aftermath of child sex-abuse charges against retired defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

HONOLULU (AP) – Norm Chow is coming home.

Hawaii announced that the 65-year-old Chow has agreed to a five-year deal to become its football coach. The school scheduled a news conference for Thursday for the formal announcement.

Chow is in his first season as offensive coordinator at Utah. He previously served as offensive coordinator at UCLA, for the Tennessee Titans, at Southern California, North Carolina State and Brigham Young, helping to develop four Heisman Trophy winners.

HOUSTON (AP) – Tony Levine will be hired as Houston’s full-time coach Thursday, athletic director Mack Rhoades said. Levine will replace Kevin Sumlin, who accepted an offer to coach Texas A&M.

The Houston Chronicle and KRIV-TV first reported that Levine would take the job. The 39-year-old Levine was Sumlin’s assistant head coach and special teams coordinator. He took over as interim coach after Sumlin left Dec. 10 and has been preparing the Cougars to play Penn State in the TicketCity Bowl in Dallas.

PHOENIX (AP) – An investigation into whether politicians violated gift and disclosure laws when they accepted free game tickets or trips from the Fiesta Bowl led a prosecutor to conclude that a maze of state laws was so complex and contradictory that he cannot pursue charges.

Inconsistent rules, vague reporting mandates and a legal requirement that prosecutors prove a defendant “knowingly” violated the law were major factors in his decision, Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery said. In the end, there was not enough evidence to press charges against any of the 31 elected officials and three lobbyists who were investigated.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. (AP) – Paralyzed Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand is featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s year-end issue. His return to the field in October was picked as the 2011 Moment of the Year.

For the first time in the magazine’s 57-year history, fans made the choice. LeGrand garnered the most votes from fans in 178 countries and led more than 6,000 users to post comments on Facebook. The defensive lineman beat out soccer star Lionel Messi, surfer Kelly Slater and New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter.

LeGrand has been undergoing rehabilitation since he was paralyzed from the neck down making a tackle against Army last year.

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Kobe Bryant sat out the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason finale against the Clippers because of a torn ligament in his right wrist, and his status for the season opener Sunday is up in the air.

A MRI revealed the extent of the injury, which occurred early in the in the third quarter of the Lakers’ 114-95 loss to the Clippers on Monday night. Bryant was examined by Dr. Steven Shin of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic. Depending on the degree of the tear, he could be sidelined as long as three to four weeks.

Bryant, who shoots right-handed, was sent crashing to the floor by Clippers center DeAndre Jordan on a blocked layup and came up holding the wrist. Bryant stayed in the game for another 3 minutes, then went to the bench for a good stretch and was allowed to return to the floor during the fourth quarter.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – A former Golden State Warriors employee filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against star guard Monta Ellis, alleging he sent her unwanted texts that included a photo of his genitals.

In her lawsuit, which also names the team, Erika Ross Smith alleges Ellis began sending her several dozen explicit messages, sometimes several times a day, starting in November 2010 through January while she worked for the team’s community relations department. The messages included lines such as, “I want to be with you,” and “Hey Sexy,” and periodically asked her what she was wearing or doing, according to the lawsuit.

The Warriors deny the allegations, saying Ellis and Smith had a “consensual relationship.”

At a charity event in Alameda, Ellis would only say that the team has responded.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – Kris Humphries is getting back together with – the New Jersey Nets.

The 26-year-old power forward agreed to a one-year deal worth a reported $8 million. Humphries went through an eventful offseason, despite an NBA lockout that kept players away from their jobs longer than expected. Humphries married reality TV star Kim Kardashian, and 72 days later the couple split up.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) – Federal prosecutors investigating allegations that a former Syracuse University assistant basketball coach molested boys are asking for phone calls from anyone with information.

The U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of New York said it has a toll-free tip line, where callers can provide information anonymously. A recording on the hotline doesn’t specifically mention Bernie Fine, who was fired last month after a 36-year career at Syracuse after three men said he molested them when they were boys. Fine has denied the allegations and has not been charged.

LAS VEGAS (AP) – Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. was sentenced to 90 days in a Las Vegas jail after pleading guilty to a reduced battery domestic violence charge and no contest to two harassment charges.

The 34-year-old Mayweather also was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and pay a $2,500 fine. The plea deal avoids trial on felony allegations that the undefeated prizefighter hit his former girlfriend and threatened two of their children during an argument at her home in September 2010.

Prosecutor Lisa Luzaich told Justice of the Peace Melissa Saragosa that Mayweather has been in trouble before and hasn’t been punished.

Mayweather’s lawyer, Karen Winckler, said she may appeal what she called an unusual sentence.

Mayweather would likely serve most of the 90-day sentence, but could serve several weeks less if he gets credit for good behavior, said Officer Bill Cassell, a Las Vegas police spokesman.

CHICAGO (AP) – Multiple media outlets reported the Chicago White Sox and pitcher John Danks have agreed in principle on a contract extension.

ESPNChicago.com and CBSSports.com, citing anonymous sources, reported the extension is for five years. CBSSports.com also reported the deal is for $65 million and will likely be announced after Christmas, assuming the left-hander passes a physical. The White Sox did not return messages seeking comment.

A 15-game winner in 2010, Danks was 8-12 with a 4.33 ERA last season.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (AP) – Roger Penske has hired AJ Allmendinger to replace Kurt Busch in the No. 22 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series.

Last season, the 30-year-old Allmendinger had 10 top-10 finishes and was 15th in points driving Richard Petty’s No. 43 car. Two weeks ago, Busch and Penske mutually decided to part ways after six bumpy seasons.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) – Darryl Sutter ran his first practice as coach of the Los Angeles Kings, then was introduced to the media during a news conference at a hotel.

The Kings fired coach Terry Murray on Dec. 12. The 53-year-old Sutter also has coached Chicago, San Jose and Calgary.

FLACHAU, Austria (AP) – Defending overall champion Ivica Kostelic won a night slalom for his 20th career World Cup victory. The Croat star beat Sweden’s Andre Myhrer by 0.07 seconds.

Reuters Sports News Summary

Reuters

11:02 p.m. CST, December 21, 2011

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. Mad scramble for NFL playoff spots coming to a head 2011-12-21T192224Z_1_TRE7BK1R8_RTROPTC_0_US-NFL.XML () – Rose agrees five-year contract extension with the Bulls 2011-12-21T194806Z_1_TRE7BK1TQ_RTROPTC_0_US-NBA-BULLS-ROSE.XML() – Cohesiveness, fitness favors Miami Heat in 2011-12 2011-12-21T173826Z_1_TRE7BK1IH_RTROPTC_0_US-NBA.XML () – NBA basketball team, star player sued for sexual harassment SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – A former employee of the GoldenState Warriors on Wednesday sued team owners, executives andstar guard Monta Ellis for sexual harassment, charging thatlurid texts from the National Basketball Association star ledto her termination. Oakland resident Erika Smith was hired towork on community relations for the Warriors in 2007 andregularly interacted with team members as part of her dutiesuntil her termination in August, according to documents filedin Alameda Superior Court. Mavericks retool for another championship run

Clippers plaster Warriors 105-86 in CP3 debut

OAKLAND, Calif. — Prize acquisition Chris Paul had 20 points and nine assists in his much-anticipated Clippers debut, Blake Griffin added 22 points and seven rebounds and Los Angeles beat the Golden State Warriors 105-86 on Sunday night to spoil Mark Jackson’s opener as a first-time coach.

Monta Ellis had 15 points and eight assists after his grandmother’s death earlier in the day in Mississippi and David Lee added 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Warriors, who cut the Clippers’ lead to 78-77 with 9:35 left on Brandon Rush’s 3-pointer before Los Angeles pulled away.

Paul – who nearly wound up with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers before the NBA nixed the trade – teamed with Chauncey Billups and Griffin for the first time since coming to the Clippers in a Dec. 14 trade from New Orleans.

Billups scored 21 points with a key 3-pointer late for Los Angeles, which plays at San Antonio on Wednesday before returning for four in a row and seven of eight at Staples Center.

Paul had an unspectacular first half: seven points on 1-for-6 shooting in 19 minutes. But he came on with several clutch baskets in the waning minutes to finish 7 for 12.

Each time the Warriors got close, Los Angeles found an answer.

Andris Biedrins scored on a running hook with 6:51 left to cut the Clippers’ lead to 82-81, then Mo Williams came through moments later. Caron Butler’s 3-pointer with 4:55 remaining in the third quarter gave the Clippers the first double-digit lead of the game at 63-53.

Jackson, with his defense-focused approach, guaranteed the Warriors will be a playoff team after making the postseason just once since 1994. Golden State has been building around the theme “Big Things are Coming,” and turned that to “Big Things are Here” for the long-awaited, lockout-delayed opener.

“This team is going to be the hardest working team in the business,” Jackson said.

His Warriors face a quick turnaround with Chicago in town Monday night.

Point guard Stephen Curry started for Golden State despite being questionable after he sprained his surgically repaired right ankle in an exhibition game at Sacramento last Tuesday night. Curry – who warmed up extensively on the ankle and wore a special padded sleeve and brace – was 2 for 12 for four points.

Biedrins, bulked up by 15 pounds to 256 and determined for a comeback season, had 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots as the Warriors held a 48-43 advantage on the boards.

Klay Thompson, the Warriors’ rookie first-round pick, scored seven points in 19 minutes off the bench in his first game with Golden State. Owner Joe Lacob predicted Thompson will be in the running for Rookie of the Year.

Dorell Wright’s 3-pointer 4:36 before halftime pulled Golden State within 36-35, then Ellis scored on a driving fastbreak layin the next time down to give his team the lead and cap a 9-0 run. The Warriors led 43-41 at halftime after closing with a 15-5 run. They went 2 for 10 from long range to the Clippers’ 3 for 12.

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