Metta World Peace, Ron Artest, Panda Friend. Whatever the name is on his medical form and the roster chart, the diagnosis is still the same: ‘Recurrence of knee injury – recovery time: three-to-five weeks.’ In the NBA, this would mean a spell on the sidelines. But in the Chinese Basketball Association, it is often the end of the season for an overseas player. This is the ruthless nature of life in the CBA, particularly for the league’s American imports. They’re brought in
When the Washington Wizards open their season on Oct. 29 at Miami, they will be shorthanded in the frontcourt. Four Wizards – including rotation bigs Nene and DeJuan Blair – were suspended one game Wednesday by the NBA for leaving the bench during Monday’s scrum with the Chicago Bulls in an exhibition game. Also suspended were Xavier Silas and Daniel Orton, although they are long shots to make the team. The Wizards have 13 guaranteed contracts plus Glen Rice Jr., last year’s
Philadelphia’s Daniel Orton had played 24 minutes this month. Portland’s Meyers Leonard had played 31 minutes this season. So when they both got extended minutes in prolonged garbage time, they couldn’t control themselves. In the fourth quarter of the Blazers-Sixers mess Saturday in Philadelphia – check the score and the time remaining as the video begins – the two big men got in a good old-fashioned tussle with both delivering significant blows. Leonard grabbed Orton and threw him to the floor. As