- While Dwight doesn’t want another circus in L.A., the other team playing in the Staples Center has been the subject of several trade rumors, more on NBA.com: The very first and perhaps most intriguing report of the countdown season comes from The Sporting News, which has multiple sources claiming that the Los Angeles Clippers are interested in making a deal for Boston Celtics All-Star Kevin Garnett. The deal would reportedly involve the Clippers giving up promising young point guard Eric Bledsoe and veteran swingman Caron Butler.
But according to Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld.com, the Boston Celtics are shooting down trade rumors: “All from [the media],” Rivers said of the trade rumors, according to Greg Payne of ESPNBoston.com. “None from us. Really. I would like to say that. Sometimes, I like [the media]. Sometimes, some of the stuff that happens is just silly. It really is. When I wake up in the morning and I hear a trade rumor that I haven’t heard in my office, that’s silly, and that’s what happens.”
- Chris Perkins of SheridanHoops has a message for LeBron James, and it has nothing to do with his game: James, the most popular player in the world, won’t participate in the All-Star Saturday Night festivities – not the Slam Dunk, Skills or Three-Point Shooting. It is his right to opt out of those events, the same as it is for any All-Star. But for the first time in 10 years, I think James should participate in the All-Star Saturday festivities.
- The Boston Celtics received some good injury news on Tuesday for a change, this time only because it had nothing to do with one of their own, from USA Today Sports: Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young has a left hamstring strain, an MRI revealed Tuesday, and is sidelined for approximately three weeks, according to the team.
- Also from USA Today Sports, the College Basketball world gets some good news as legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale will call his first Final Four in this years upcoming NCAA Tournament: ESPN’s Dick Vitale is a rarity: Despite being arguably the best-known broadcaster in his sport, he’s never worked its championship action. But during the upcoming March Madness, he will: ESPN will use him as a game analyst on the NCAA Final Four — for its international feed.
Ben Baroff is an aspiring sports journalist and marketing professional who blogs and writes columns for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter.