AP, SNELLVILLE, Ga: Police in an Atlanta suburb say New Orleans Hornets' backup point guard Jarrett Jack has been arrested and charged with drunken driving.
Snellville Police Chief Roy Whitehead said in an e-mail Monday the 27-year-old former Georgia Tech star was pulled over early Sunday by an officer who clocked him at 66 mph in a 45-mph zone. Police say Jack's Mercedes was also weaving.
Whitehead says Jack failed a field sobriety test, then was taken to the Gwinnett County jail and given a breath test, which measured just under the legal limit of .08 more than an hour after Jack was stopped.
Jack was also charged with failure to maintain a lane. He was released Sunday night.
He did not immediately return a call for a telephone number listed for him in Atlanta.
Monday, February 21, 2011
NBA All-Star game earns best TV rating since '03
AP, NEW YORK: The NBA All-Star game has earned its highest television rating since Michael Jordan's last appearance in 2003.
The Western Conference's 148-143 win Sunday night on TNT featuring a duel between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James drew a 5.2 rating. That's up 37 percent from last year, part of a season of strong ratings for a league bursting with intriguing story lines.
Ratings measure the percentage of all homes with televisions tuned into a program.
The Western Conference's 148-143 win Sunday night on TNT featuring a duel between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James drew a 5.2 rating. That's up 37 percent from last year, part of a season of strong ratings for a league bursting with intriguing story lines.
Ratings measure the percentage of all homes with televisions tuned into a program.
NBA All-Star game highest ratings since 2003
Reuters, LOS ANGELES: Kobe Bryant's on-court drama for the West team brought TNT its highest rated NBA All-Star Game since 2003.
The Sunday night game delivered 9.1 million total viewers and six million households. It was second most-watched NBA game on television during the 2010-11 season to date.
Bryant won MVP for the West team which pulled out a dramatic victory over the LeBron James-led East team. Rihanna performed at the half-time show before taking a courtside seat next to Justin Bieber, who was named MVP in the Celebrity All-Star game on Friday night.
The 2003 All-Star Game was the final appearance by NBA superstar Michael Jordan.
(Editing by Zorianna Kit)
The Sunday night game delivered 9.1 million total viewers and six million households. It was second most-watched NBA game on television during the 2010-11 season to date.
Bryant won MVP for the West team which pulled out a dramatic victory over the LeBron James-led East team. Rihanna performed at the half-time show before taking a courtside seat next to Justin Bieber, who was named MVP in the Celebrity All-Star game on Friday night.
The 2003 All-Star Game was the final appearance by NBA superstar Michael Jordan.
(Editing by Zorianna Kit)
Can Lakers get it together, host NBA finals, too?
AP, LOS ANGELES: The All-Star game was never supposed to be Kobe Bryant's highlight at Staples Center this season.
Not when his two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers were expected to have a shot at a third in a row. Even after LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined Dwyane Wade in Miami, the Heat agreed with Michael Jordan that the Lakers were the favorites until somebody beat them in June.
These days, June basketball doesn't even look like a sure thing for the Lakers.
They stumbled into the All-Star break with three straight losses, capped by a defeat in Cleveland against a Cavaliers team they beat by 55 earlier in the season.
But nobody is counting Bryant's bunch out yet.
"They are the champions. We understand and know the second half of the season, they are going to play even better and when it comes time to win, they are going to be the team to beat," Wade said.
Wade's Heat might have the team to do it, and the Boston Celtics would love another shot at their biggest rivals after losing in seven games last June. But first, the Lakers have to prove they're the best in the West before they worry about who's tops in the East.
They are currently third in the conference, 8 1/2 games behind NBA-leading San Antonio and 2 1/2 back of second-place Dallas. But the Lakers looked shaky late last season before putting it together, and they're confident they can do it again.
"It has been like a lot of hot and cold this season, a lot of contrasts and looking for a level of consistency," All-Star forward Pau Gasol said. "I feel that we can do that."
Bryant won his fourth All-Star MVP award Sunday, scoring 37 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in the Western Conference's 148-143 victory over the East. He looked poised for the stretch run, with a couple of soaring dunks, one over a chasing James, that showed there's plenty of bounce left in his sometimes aching legs.
The season resumes Tuesday, with the first business a possible conclusion to the Carmelo Anthony situation. The Denver Nuggets have until Thursday's trade deadline to decide whether to trade him to New York or New Jersey, or hold onto him for the rest of the season.
"The deadline is Thursday, so obviously something's going to happen whether I stay in Denver or whether they trade me," Anthony said Sunday night. "So the end is here. I'm excited for all this stuff to be over with. I'm pretty sure everybody is."
His season-long saga has sometimes overshadowed the news on the court, but the focus will be back there once the deadline has passed.
Even if the Lakers get things figured out, the road to the NBA finals might go through San Antonio. With a 46-10 record and health they haven't enjoyed in recent years, the Spurs seem capable of winning a fifth title with Tim Duncan after they struggled just to reach the postseason in 2010.
"Last year we had 50 wins the whole season and now we have 46, so no one really expected it," All-Star Manu Ginobili. "We have always been healthy and nobody misses a game, and we got the experience and we got a better bench."
While they cruise out West, Boston leads Miami by percentage points in the East, with Chicago two games back. The Celtics are 3-0 against the Heat, but haven't been able to keep centers Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal healthy to surround their four All-Stars.
"We are not where we want to be. I mean, I know it sounds crazy, still at the top of the East and we have the best record, but I don't think we are near where we want to be," Paul Pierce said. "We battled a lot of injury. We battled inconsistent play over the last couple of weeks. We are just fortunate to be in the position that we have. We haven't been healthy all year long. I'm just waiting to see what's going to happen in the next couple of weeks when we get about 95 percent healthy, to see what's really going to happen."
The Knicks are sixth in the East, in position to make their first playoff appearance since 2004. They lurk as a dangerous lower seed if they land Anthony to join fellow All-Star Amare Stoudemire in a potentially explosive frontcourt.
"The team that we have now, we are not too bad," Stoudemire said. "We are making our playoff push, but you never know how things may end up here in the next few days."
The MVP race could come down to Chicago point guard Derrick Rose or James, the two-time winner who figured his move to Miami counted himself and Wade out this season. But he's been so good that he believes he's back in the conversation, especially if the Heat continue to recover from their rocky start and reach the potential that was expected of them.
"For the first two-thirds of the season, we played some good basketball. For the last third of the season, we have to understand that we cannot afford to take a step backwards and we have to keep moving forward," James said. "We have to continue to get better, because there are teams out there that's better than us right now."
Maybe the Lakers can still prove they are one of them.
"We are looking forward to it," Bryant said. "We are up for the challenge."
Not when his two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers were expected to have a shot at a third in a row. Even after LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined Dwyane Wade in Miami, the Heat agreed with Michael Jordan that the Lakers were the favorites until somebody beat them in June.
These days, June basketball doesn't even look like a sure thing for the Lakers.
They stumbled into the All-Star break with three straight losses, capped by a defeat in Cleveland against a Cavaliers team they beat by 55 earlier in the season.
But nobody is counting Bryant's bunch out yet.
"They are the champions. We understand and know the second half of the season, they are going to play even better and when it comes time to win, they are going to be the team to beat," Wade said.
Wade's Heat might have the team to do it, and the Boston Celtics would love another shot at their biggest rivals after losing in seven games last June. But first, the Lakers have to prove they're the best in the West before they worry about who's tops in the East.
They are currently third in the conference, 8 1/2 games behind NBA-leading San Antonio and 2 1/2 back of second-place Dallas. But the Lakers looked shaky late last season before putting it together, and they're confident they can do it again.
"It has been like a lot of hot and cold this season, a lot of contrasts and looking for a level of consistency," All-Star forward Pau Gasol said. "I feel that we can do that."
Bryant won his fourth All-Star MVP award Sunday, scoring 37 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in the Western Conference's 148-143 victory over the East. He looked poised for the stretch run, with a couple of soaring dunks, one over a chasing James, that showed there's plenty of bounce left in his sometimes aching legs.
The season resumes Tuesday, with the first business a possible conclusion to the Carmelo Anthony situation. The Denver Nuggets have until Thursday's trade deadline to decide whether to trade him to New York or New Jersey, or hold onto him for the rest of the season.
"The deadline is Thursday, so obviously something's going to happen whether I stay in Denver or whether they trade me," Anthony said Sunday night. "So the end is here. I'm excited for all this stuff to be over with. I'm pretty sure everybody is."
His season-long saga has sometimes overshadowed the news on the court, but the focus will be back there once the deadline has passed.
Even if the Lakers get things figured out, the road to the NBA finals might go through San Antonio. With a 46-10 record and health they haven't enjoyed in recent years, the Spurs seem capable of winning a fifth title with Tim Duncan after they struggled just to reach the postseason in 2010.
"Last year we had 50 wins the whole season and now we have 46, so no one really expected it," All-Star Manu Ginobili. "We have always been healthy and nobody misses a game, and we got the experience and we got a better bench."
While they cruise out West, Boston leads Miami by percentage points in the East, with Chicago two games back. The Celtics are 3-0 against the Heat, but haven't been able to keep centers Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal healthy to surround their four All-Stars.
"We are not where we want to be. I mean, I know it sounds crazy, still at the top of the East and we have the best record, but I don't think we are near where we want to be," Paul Pierce said. "We battled a lot of injury. We battled inconsistent play over the last couple of weeks. We are just fortunate to be in the position that we have. We haven't been healthy all year long. I'm just waiting to see what's going to happen in the next couple of weeks when we get about 95 percent healthy, to see what's really going to happen."
The Knicks are sixth in the East, in position to make their first playoff appearance since 2004. They lurk as a dangerous lower seed if they land Anthony to join fellow All-Star Amare Stoudemire in a potentially explosive frontcourt.
"The team that we have now, we are not too bad," Stoudemire said. "We are making our playoff push, but you never know how things may end up here in the next few days."
The MVP race could come down to Chicago point guard Derrick Rose or James, the two-time winner who figured his move to Miami counted himself and Wade out this season. But he's been so good that he believes he's back in the conversation, especially if the Heat continue to recover from their rocky start and reach the potential that was expected of them.
"For the first two-thirds of the season, we played some good basketball. For the last third of the season, we have to understand that we cannot afford to take a step backwards and we have to keep moving forward," James said. "We have to continue to get better, because there are teams out there that's better than us right now."
Maybe the Lakers can still prove they are one of them.
"We are looking forward to it," Bryant said. "We are up for the challenge."
Hornets' Jack charged with drunken driving
Reuters, ATLANTA: New Orleans Hornets' reserve guard Jarrett Jack has been charged with drunken driving in an Atlanta suburb, police said Monday.
Jack was pulled over early Sunday after an officer in Snellville, Georgia, clocked Jack driving 66 miles per hour in a 45 mph zone northeast of Atlanta.
The officer charged Jack with driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding and failure to stay in one lane, according to Snellville police chief Roy Whitehead.
"He (the officer) stopped the vehicle and smelled an odor of an alcoholic beverage on the driver. He gave the driver field sobriety tests and he failed," Whitehead said in an email.
Jack, 27, went to Georgia Tech and was drafted in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets. He played with the Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors before joining the Hornets in 2010.
Jack was pulled over early Sunday after an officer in Snellville, Georgia, clocked Jack driving 66 miles per hour in a 45 mph zone northeast of Atlanta.
The officer charged Jack with driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding and failure to stay in one lane, according to Snellville police chief Roy Whitehead.
"He (the officer) stopped the vehicle and smelled an odor of an alcoholic beverage on the driver. He gave the driver field sobriety tests and he failed," Whitehead said in an email.
Jack, 27, went to Georgia Tech and was drafted in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets. He played with the Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors before joining the Hornets in 2010.
Ordonez hopes to rebound from broken ankle
AP, LAKELAND, Fla: Magglio Ordonez knew his season was over as soon as he broke his right ankle sliding into home plate against Toronto last July 24.
"When you snap your ankle, there's no way you are coming back by the end of the season," Ordonez said after the Detroit Tigers finished practice on Monday. "Since then, all I had to do was work to get back to this year."
Ordonez was batting .303 with 12 homers and 59 RBIs in 84 games. He had 12 homers and 59 RBI before the injury. He led the Tigers with 28 homers and 139 RBIs in 2007, and he said he can put up similar statistics.
With Victor Martinez signed as a free agent during the offseason, manager Jim Leyland said the 3-4-5 spots in his batting order are set as long as first baseman Miguel Cabrera makes it back into the lineup. Cabrera hasn't reported to camp after his DUI arrest last week.
Leyland expects a top season from the 37-year-old Ordonez.
"He looks great so far, great," the manager said. "With those guys at the heart of the order, we have a great track record, and Magglio is going to drive in more runs than ever."
For Ordonez to top his career-bests, he'll need help at the top of the order. Austin Jackson should be a lock to hit leadoff, and one of Leyland's big challenges is to find a No. 2 hitter.
"With Magglio at the three spot, he can know in runs, I promise you that," Leyland said. "He's ready to play and I am not concerned with him at all."
Ordonez said the ankle feels fine and he's ready to put last season behind.
"I feel fine and I can tell you that we are going to be a great team if everybody stays healthy," Ordonez said. "The lineup looks great, and I just want to get going."
Detroit was 81-81 last year, then declined his $15 million option before agreeing to a $10 million, one-year deal.
"We are just going to take it easy with him and have him ready," Leyland said. "We won't rush him, but I expect him to have a career year."
NOTES: 2B Scott Sizemore who was the Tigers opening day starter before splitting time between Detroit and Triple A Toledo after suffering a right groin strain, is 100 percent according to Leyland. ... Although prized pitching prospects Andy Oliver and Jacob Turner have been turning heads, Leyland said it was "highly doubtful" that they would open the season in Detroit. ... Leyland said OF Clete Thomas, who missed much of last season with a knee injury, was 100 percent and ready to compete for a roster spot.
"When you snap your ankle, there's no way you are coming back by the end of the season," Ordonez said after the Detroit Tigers finished practice on Monday. "Since then, all I had to do was work to get back to this year."
Ordonez was batting .303 with 12 homers and 59 RBIs in 84 games. He had 12 homers and 59 RBI before the injury. He led the Tigers with 28 homers and 139 RBIs in 2007, and he said he can put up similar statistics.
With Victor Martinez signed as a free agent during the offseason, manager Jim Leyland said the 3-4-5 spots in his batting order are set as long as first baseman Miguel Cabrera makes it back into the lineup. Cabrera hasn't reported to camp after his DUI arrest last week.
Leyland expects a top season from the 37-year-old Ordonez.
"He looks great so far, great," the manager said. "With those guys at the heart of the order, we have a great track record, and Magglio is going to drive in more runs than ever."
For Ordonez to top his career-bests, he'll need help at the top of the order. Austin Jackson should be a lock to hit leadoff, and one of Leyland's big challenges is to find a No. 2 hitter.
"With Magglio at the three spot, he can know in runs, I promise you that," Leyland said. "He's ready to play and I am not concerned with him at all."
Ordonez said the ankle feels fine and he's ready to put last season behind.
"I feel fine and I can tell you that we are going to be a great team if everybody stays healthy," Ordonez said. "The lineup looks great, and I just want to get going."
Detroit was 81-81 last year, then declined his $15 million option before agreeing to a $10 million, one-year deal.
"We are just going to take it easy with him and have him ready," Leyland said. "We won't rush him, but I expect him to have a career year."
NOTES: 2B Scott Sizemore who was the Tigers opening day starter before splitting time between Detroit and Triple A Toledo after suffering a right groin strain, is 100 percent according to Leyland. ... Although prized pitching prospects Andy Oliver and Jacob Turner have been turning heads, Leyland said it was "highly doubtful" that they would open the season in Detroit. ... Leyland said OF Clete Thomas, who missed much of last season with a knee injury, was 100 percent and ready to compete for a roster spot.
Hideki Matsui gets to work on first day with A's
AP, PHOENIX: Coco Crisp approached Hideki Matsui while they warmed up Monday and pulled his new teammate into a hug. They shook hands, too — a little more the Japanese style.
Crisp was far from the only one thrilled to see Oakland's new designated hitter in uniform and on the field. Pitcher Dallas Braden greeted the slugger in the clubhouse on reporting day with a life-size blowup Godzilla representing Matsui's nickname, even dressing it in his No. 55 jersey.
"I felt it. All over the place," catcher Kurt Suzuki said of Matsui fever. "Very cool."
Matsui tipped his cap to the large contingent monitoring his every move after a session in the covered cage at Papago Park, then smiled as he went through sprint work on a welcome sunny day in the desert following a weekend of heavy rain and cold. He even pulled out his glove to play catch and later did defensive drills with the outfielders.
"It's like the first day of school. It's great," second baseman Mark Ellis said of the hype. "There are a lot of people all over the place. Getting people to talk about the A's, that's good. It will be different."
The Athletics have high hopes that Matsui and fellow newcomers David DeJesus and Josh Willingham will boost the middle of the order and make them a contender in the AL West. Oakland managed only 109 homers and 663 runs last season, the team's second fewest in the last 28 non-shortened seasons.
"Practice went pretty well," Matsui said through his interpreter, Roger Kahlon. "I'm happy to be wearing this uniform."
While the A's got their first look at their upgraded roster all together, there's not ever much to take from Day 1. Hitters typically stand in the batter's box and spend more time tracking pitches than taking actual swings.
"They're all standing upright. That's good," A's assistant general manager David Forst said with a smile. His club used the disabled list 23 times last season, two shy of the franchise record set in 2008.
Manager Bob Geren said he spent a little more time addressing his team Monday morning and welcoming all the new faces.
With added depth throughout the roster, a talented starting rotation and bullpen, and a lineup that looks to produce more offense, the A's could make a push for their first AL West title since reaching the AL championship series in 2006 and getting swept by Detroit.
Oakland finished second last year to the eventual AL champion Texas Rangers, staying in the race until late despite all the injuries.
Matsui's tender knees feel good and he looks strong. Geren is counting on it.
The attention in Japan is an added bonus for the small-market franchise.
"It's nice with Hideki joining our team, having a little green and gold contingent over there is going to be fun," the skipper said.
Matsui batted .274 with 21 homers and 84 RBIs last season with the Los Angeles Angels, Oakland's division rival. He spent his first seven major league seasons with the New York Yankees and was MVP of the 2009 World Series.
Matsui joined the A's in December on a $4.25 million, one-year contract that includes an additional $100,000 in possible performance bonuses.
His father, Masao, for one, is expecting big things from his son this season: as in 30 homers and a .300 average.
"It's crazy," shortstop Cliff Pennington said of the buzz. "Everybody's excited about the new guys we have. Expectations are high. He's a big-time player and it will bring some attention to the team. It will be interesting to learn about the culture, too."
NOTES: Reliever Michael Wuertz left the complex early and is nursing a minor shoulder issue that will keep him out for a couple of days. ... Geren said Pennington, coming off left shoulder surgery that is expected to keep him out of the first week of exhibition games, could get some defensive work in before he gets any at-bats. ... 1B Daric Barton has been sick in recent days and was limited.
Crisp was far from the only one thrilled to see Oakland's new designated hitter in uniform and on the field. Pitcher Dallas Braden greeted the slugger in the clubhouse on reporting day with a life-size blowup Godzilla representing Matsui's nickname, even dressing it in his No. 55 jersey.
"I felt it. All over the place," catcher Kurt Suzuki said of Matsui fever. "Very cool."
Matsui tipped his cap to the large contingent monitoring his every move after a session in the covered cage at Papago Park, then smiled as he went through sprint work on a welcome sunny day in the desert following a weekend of heavy rain and cold. He even pulled out his glove to play catch and later did defensive drills with the outfielders.
"It's like the first day of school. It's great," second baseman Mark Ellis said of the hype. "There are a lot of people all over the place. Getting people to talk about the A's, that's good. It will be different."
The Athletics have high hopes that Matsui and fellow newcomers David DeJesus and Josh Willingham will boost the middle of the order and make them a contender in the AL West. Oakland managed only 109 homers and 663 runs last season, the team's second fewest in the last 28 non-shortened seasons.
"Practice went pretty well," Matsui said through his interpreter, Roger Kahlon. "I'm happy to be wearing this uniform."
While the A's got their first look at their upgraded roster all together, there's not ever much to take from Day 1. Hitters typically stand in the batter's box and spend more time tracking pitches than taking actual swings.
"They're all standing upright. That's good," A's assistant general manager David Forst said with a smile. His club used the disabled list 23 times last season, two shy of the franchise record set in 2008.
Manager Bob Geren said he spent a little more time addressing his team Monday morning and welcoming all the new faces.
With added depth throughout the roster, a talented starting rotation and bullpen, and a lineup that looks to produce more offense, the A's could make a push for their first AL West title since reaching the AL championship series in 2006 and getting swept by Detroit.
Oakland finished second last year to the eventual AL champion Texas Rangers, staying in the race until late despite all the injuries.
Matsui's tender knees feel good and he looks strong. Geren is counting on it.
The attention in Japan is an added bonus for the small-market franchise.
"It's nice with Hideki joining our team, having a little green and gold contingent over there is going to be fun," the skipper said.
Matsui batted .274 with 21 homers and 84 RBIs last season with the Los Angeles Angels, Oakland's division rival. He spent his first seven major league seasons with the New York Yankees and was MVP of the 2009 World Series.
Matsui joined the A's in December on a $4.25 million, one-year contract that includes an additional $100,000 in possible performance bonuses.
His father, Masao, for one, is expecting big things from his son this season: as in 30 homers and a .300 average.
"It's crazy," shortstop Cliff Pennington said of the buzz. "Everybody's excited about the new guys we have. Expectations are high. He's a big-time player and it will bring some attention to the team. It will be interesting to learn about the culture, too."
NOTES: Reliever Michael Wuertz left the complex early and is nursing a minor shoulder issue that will keep him out for a couple of days. ... Geren said Pennington, coming off left shoulder surgery that is expected to keep him out of the first week of exhibition games, could get some defensive work in before he gets any at-bats. ... 1B Daric Barton has been sick in recent days and was limited.
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