SH Blog: Jordan unhappy with Barkley’s criticism, James wants to be best of all time

“Suspended guard Delonte West will not return to the Dallas Mavericks, a source said. The team is in the process of negotiating terms of West’s departure with his agent, Dan Fegan, after the fiery guard was suspended Thursday for conduct detrimental to the team. It was the second time the team suspended West in two weeks, although the first suspension lasted only 21 hours, ending after West met with coach Rick Carlisle and president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson. “There was an argument between two teammates in the locker room last night that didn’t involve me,” said West, who had two points, one assist and three turnovers in 21 minutes against the Thunder. “Somehow I’m being blamed for it. I had nothing to do with it. I don’t know what’s going on.”

• Blake Griffin and company were all caught on camera dancing along to Psy’s Gangnam Style on the bench:

• Andrew Bogut is starting to progress a little more in practice, according to Matt Steinmetz of CSN Bay Area: “According to coach Mark Jackson, Bogut is beginning to pick up the pace of his practicing and playing. Bogut has been cleared to play five-on-five, though he hasn’t yet done that in a full-court setting. He did do five-on-five in a halfcourt, controlled-type situation. “He’s continuing to do a little bit more and we’re going to monitor him and we’re going to see how he feels by doing more and more,” Jackson said. “And when he’s ready to go, he’ll play but I think the smart way to do it is continue to introduce more play with him and then play it by ear.”

• It may be the last we hear of Adam Morrison as he was cut by the Blazers, from Chris Haynes of CSNNW: “He had a terrific preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers scoring 9 points on 4-for-6 shooting in 11 minutes. However, the games to follow, he shot a combined 2-for-12 and that just didn’t play in his favor. Yet still, he’s thankful for the opportunity and he says he’ll wait to talk to his agent to see where his next step may be. “I want to thank the Blazers’ organization for giving me a chance,” Morrison told CSNNW.com. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out, but I wish them nothing but success. Right now, I’m just going to talk to my agent and see where to go from here.”

• The Jazz exercised options on a number of players, according to Bill Oram of The Salt Lake Tribune:

• NBATV Analysts all believe that Brook Lopez holds the key to the Nets’ success. Here are Steve Smith and Chris Webber’s thoughts, from Stefan Bondy of NY Daily News: “Smith: “When you look at the Brooklyn Nets, it’s Lopez. We need to see the ’09-‘10 Brook Lopez when he gave you 18 points and he was rebounding at a nine rebound clip [per game]. It’s going to come down to the Brooklyn Nets defensively. What this team lacks is speed. Brooklyn is a team that has a chance to do something special this year.” Webber:“If they play like a well-oiled machine, and they know their limitations, they could be good. But, it’s on Brook Lopez. He needs to go attack the boards. They are a story of the year. At the end of the year, a lot of people are going to look up and say, ‘Wow, I didn’t know this team was that good. …The Nets are better (than the Knicks). They are constructed better.”

• Stern doesn’t think Barack Obama is as good at basketball as he may think he is, from Kurt Helin of NBC Sports: “Taped before he made that little announcement yesterday, this is David Stern sitting down with Robert Wolf and as part of the interview he uses a little bit of the sharp wit he is known for to take apart Barack Obama’s game — “he can only go one way” and “he’s not as good as he thinks he is.” (By the way, if you’re going into the comments to write how “Obama can only go left” as a political statement, you’re not clever. Do better.)”

• It was reported on Thursday that Stephen A. Smith said the “N” word on First Take. He denied the notion on Friday, according to Chicago CBS local: “I’m a New Yorker. I speak very, very fastly. … Sometimes my words are misconstrued and I get that,” Smith said in an explanation aired hours later. Apparently, the brass at ESPN have decided not to suspend the analyst  for his on-air incident. It should be noted this is the same network that suspended a Sportscenter host for saying “chink in his armor” when talking about Jeremy Lin earlier this year.”

• It appears Gerald Green highlights may become a regular thing in our blog. The man can simply fly:

• DeAndre Jordan decided to join youtube channel NOC for a little prank on innocent bystanders.

David Stern to step down from role as Commissioner in 2014

Andrew Bynum shut down until knee pain subsides

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