NBA Capsules: Suns rally to beat Mavericks

SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker is expected to miss several games because of a mild left ankle sprain.

The Spurs said Thursday that the swelling in Parker’s ankle was minimal after being carried off the court Wednesday night in a win over Atlanta. No structural damage was found.

Parker won’t play Friday against Memphis and will also likely sit Sunday’s game against Denver. No timetable for his return has been set.

Parker has been troubled by the same foot all season. He missed four games earlier because of another ankle sprain and has been bothered by plantar fascitis.

The injuries have cost Parker the quickness he had last season, when he was an All-Star and led the Spurs in scoring.

All-Star Game

Bosh, 7 first-timers headed to All-Star game

NEW YORK — Local products Chris Bosh of Toronto and Utah's Deron Williams are headed back to Dallas for the All-Star game, which will include seven first-time selections.

The Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks each had two players picked as reserves Thursday for the Feb. 14 game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo were chosen from the Celtics, while the Hawks are sending Joe Johnson and Al Horford.

Rondo and Horford will both make their first All-Star appearances, as will Oklahoma City swingman Kevin Durant, Charlotte's Gerald Wallace, Memphis forward Zach Randolph, Chicago's Derrick Rose and Williams, who played at The Colony High School near Dallas.

Among those missing out were New York's David Lee and Clippers center Chris Kaman.

Bosh, a Dallas native, is an All-Star for the fifth straight season, tying Vince Carter for the most appearances in Raptors history.

"Just to be able to be an All-Star year in and year out, that's a special feeling, but the fact that it's in Dallas is kind of a bittersweet thing," Bosh said before the Raptors faced the New York Knicks. "Sweet because I get to play in front of my home crowd and it's bitter because everybody wants tickets."

Bosh, Pierce and Johnson are the only reserves on the Eastern Conference roster with All-Star game experience.

"There's going to come a day that they don't pick me," Pierce said in Orlando, where the Celtics are facing the Magic. "So every time I get a chance to make it, it's definitely an honor."

The remainder of the Western Conference reserves were guards Chris Paul of New Orleans and Brandon Roy of Portland, Lakers forward Pau Gasol and Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, who was picked for the ninth time and will represent the home team.

"It is an honor to represent the Mavericks in my new hometown of Dallas," Nowitzki said. "I am always thankful for the opportunity to play in the All-Star game. We hope to put on a good show for our fans."

The reserves were chosen by the head coaches from each conference, who weren't allowed to vote for their own players. They had to select two guards, two forwards, one center and two players regardless of position.

They leaned toward winning in the East, where the Celtics and Hawks have the second- and third-best records behind Cleveland. That certainly helped Rondo, who has been as important to Boston as any of its Big Three this season.

"I always thought I was (an All-Star)," Rondo said. "For the coaches to think so, it's an honor. I try to play with the spirit and that tenacity every night."

Horford likely edged out Lee, who is averaging 19.4 points and 11.4 rebounds for a Knicks team far below .500. Horford is averaging 13.6 points and 9.8 boards.

"It's out of my control and Coach (Mike D'Antoni) always tells me to try to control the things I can control and I think the overall message was that nobody was taken off a team with a sub-.500 record," Lee said. "So that means one thing: We've got to get some more victories, and that's what we'll go after right now."

Also left out was a second Cleveland player behind LeBron James. The Cavs felt point guard Mo Williams should have been selected — though he is injured, anyway.

"Mo has (played well) for us as our second-leading scorer and we're not going to be represented by anybody except for LeBron. It's tough but it's out of our control," Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "We have the best record in the league but there is nothing we can do about that. I don't know what it's going to take."

Rose and Wallace both have helped their teams surge to .500 records after terrible starts, and Wallace was rewarded with the first All-Star selection in Bobcats history.

"It's truly an honor to be named to the All-Star team," Wallace said. "This is an amazing moment for me and for the Bobcats franchise, and I'm excited to be the first player to represent this team in the All-Star game. I want to thank all the fans who voted for me and the coaches who selected me to play in the game."

Voted to start by the fans in the East were James, Boston's Kevin Garnett, Orlando's Dwight Howard, Miami's Dwyane Wade and Philadelphia's Allen Iverson. The West starters are the Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire of Phoenix, Denver's Carmelo Anthony and San Antonio's Tim Duncan.

If any players are injured, commissioner David Stern would choose the replacement.

Denver coach George Karl will direct the Western Conference.

With Dallas' loss at Phoenix on Thursday night and the Lakers' Phil Jackson ineligible to coach the team, the Nuggets clinched at least a tie with the Mavericks for the second-best record in the conference through this Sunday's games.

Karl has the tiebreaker over the Mavericks' Rick Carlisle because he coached the East in 2004, and Karl's last appearance came in 1998 for the West. Jackson coached the West last year, making him ineligible for the position this season.

Karl also was the West coach in 1994 and 1996.

-- Brian Mahoney

Denver's Karl earns All-Star coaching spot

Wizards hope to ‘move forward’ after Arenas banned

WASHINGTON — As the remaining Washington Wizards went through what coach Flip Saunders called a "workmanlike practice" Thursday, life-size, color cutouts of Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton still were hanging on a wall overlooking the court.

A day after Arenas and Crittenton were suspended for the rest of the season by NBA commissioner David Stern for bringing guns to the locker room, the Wizards set out to, as Saunders put it, "move forward."

"We’ve become at times ... emotionally and mentally worn down," Saunders said. "It’s almost like a boxer: You continue to take body punches, and eventually what it does, it just wears you down."

Saunders said the "waiting and not knowing" what Stern’s ruling would be was in some ways more difficult than hearing the news Wednesday.

"At least there’s some closure, from the standpoint of the team, and trying to put it behind us as best we can," the coach said. "Once you find out and you know, it’s easier to say, ‘OK, this is where we’re at, and this is what we’re going to have to do."’

Arenas and Crittenton each admitted bringing a gun into the Wizards’ locker room — violating a provision added to the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement in 2005 — after a dispute stemming from a card game on a team flight. Stern said the players expressed remorse, but added, "Nevertheless, there is no justification for their conduct."

Saunders said he’s been communicating with Arenas.

"I know he’s hurting. He’s texted me, and he’s called, and we’ve talked," Saunders said. "He’s just mentioned from the standpoint that he’s felt that he’s let me down at times, and I think he understands the magnitude of what’s happened."

Arenas already had been suspended indefinitely Jan. 6; Crittenton hadn’t played in a game this season because of an injury.

Washington’s first game since the final punishment will be Friday at the New Jersey Nets, the only team in the Eastern Conference with a worse record than the Wizards’ 14-30 mark.

Despite how the season has gone so far, on and off the court, Wizards players Antawn Jamison and Brendan Haywood both spoke Thursday about holding out hope of contending for a playoff spot.

"I’m not happy. This is an embarrassment. To go through the things that we went through this year and to have the expectations that we expected to have as a group and to be where we’re at right now — this is a very disappointing season," Jamison said. "But the thing about it — we’re still going to compete. We’re still going to go out there and play. We still believe that there’s a chance for us making the playoffs."

Jamison said he hasn’t asked the Wizards to trade him, and he expects to be with the club at season’s end. He has two more seasons left on his contract.

"I don’t see anything happening," Jamison said.

Saunders wouldn’t discuss whether the team might try to fill the roster spots that will open up when Arenas and Crittenton are both on the suspended list.

Nor would he speculate about whether Arenas ever will play again for the Wizards. On Wednesday, team president Ernie Grunfeld didn’t rule out the possibility of voiding the remainder of Arenas’ six-year, $111 million contract.

Jamison was asked whether he thinks his longtime teammate, with Golden State and Washington, will wear a Wizards uniform in the future.

"I would love for it to happen," Jamison said. "He’s a guy I’ve been around pretty much his whole career. ... I know him pretty well, and we’ve had talks about achieving things together, and I would like to see that become a reality. But that’s up to Mr. Grunfeld and the people in the organization — to see which direction they’re going in."

-- Howard Fendrich

LeBron James teams with McDonald’s

CLEVELAND — LeBron James is now shooting with a Golden Arch.

The NBA superstar has agreed to a multiyear partnership with McDonald’s Corp., adding the global fast-food giant to a list of heavyweight corporate sponsors that already included Nike, Coca-Cola and State Farm.

Financial terms were not immediately known, but the deal certainly will add to James’ substantial net worth. Last year, Forbes Magazine estimated the 25-year-old made more than $40 million in salary and endorsements. He is currently ranked behind only Tiger Woods on the Bloomberg BusinessWeek list of America’s most powerful athletes.

James will support several McDonald’s programs and promotions as well as Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provides housing to the families of seriously ill children.

He has filmed his first commercial with McDonald’s, a take-off on the infamous 1993 ad that featured hoops legends Michael Jordan and Larry Bird engaging in a trick-shot competition for a Big Mac. The new spot will debut during the Super Bowl on Feb. 7.

James, a six-time All-Star with the Cleveland Cavaliers and reigning league MVP, is thrilled with his newest business partner.

"McDonald’s and I make a great team," he said. "We share many of the same core values, including a commitment to excellence and giving back to the community. I am also excited about the opportunity to work with Ronald McDonald House Charities, which helps improve the lives of so many children and their families around the world."

Beyond his involvement in charity work with the company, James will be part of TV, print and online advertising campaigns for McDonald’s, which operates more than 31,000 restaurants in 119 countries.

Maverick Carter, James’ business partner and CEO of LRMR Marketing, called the pairing of James and McDonald’s a "a perfect fit."

"McDonald’s is one of the best known and most recognizable brands in the world," Carter said. "LeBron couldn’t ask for a better partner and for him to be involved with such a company says a lot about where he is in his career."

Carter said James had "on-and-off" talks with McDonald’s over the past four years, and that the sides began finalizing their deal in recent months.

James, who has two young boys, fits McDonald’s wholesome image and his worldwide popularity makes him an ideal ambassador for the company.

"We really like what LeBron stands for on and off the court," said Peter Sterling, vice president of marketing of McDonald’s USA. "He shares the same values as McDonald’s. He’s hard working. He’s community minded and charity driven. LeBron is also that rare athlete that transcends his sport."

When Woods admitted to infidelity, the public firestorm led to some of his corporate sponsors either dropping the world’s top golfer or re-examining their relationship with him. Woods’ indiscretions may have prompted companies to take a closer look at potential clients.

McDonald’s had no concerns in signing James.

"It’s a fair question," Sterling said. "We’ve had a long-term relationship with LeBron, going back to when he was in high school. What we can do is rely on LeBron’s past actions and if his past actions are any indication, we’re very excited about our future."

In March, James will lend his support to the McDonald’s All-American high school games in Columbus, Ohio. Proceeds from the event will go to Ronald McDonald House charities in central Ohio. James was named MVP of the game when it was held in Cleveland in 2003.

James filmed his commercial for McDonald’s earlier this month in Indianapolis. The spot also features Orlando All-Star center Dwight Howard and Bird, the Boston Celtics legend. Howard recently signed a three-year deal with McDonald’s worth a reported $3 million per year.

Filmed at Conseco Fieldhouse, the commercial is a spin on the famous "The Showdown" ad that Bird made with Michael Jordan. In that commercial, which first aired during the 1993 Super Bowl, the Hall of Famers engaged in a game of H-O-R-S-E with the winner getting a Big Mac. Bird and Jordan traded imaginary trick shots — the final one off a skyscraper’s roof top — which had to be sunk with "nothin’ but net."

James has made previous Super Bowl ads for Bubblicious and State Farm.

Carter said Steve Stoute, founder of New York-based Translation Advertising, played a key role in bringing together McDonald’s and James.

-- Tom Withers

LeBron fined $25,000 for kicking water bottle

NEW YORK — LeBron James has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for kicking a water bottle during Cleveland’s victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The announcement was made Thursday by Stu Jackson, the league’s executive vice president of basketball operations.

The NBA says James kicked a water bottle with 12.4 seconds left in the first quarter of the Cavaliers’ 109-95 win Wednesday night. Last year’s league MVP, James was rested for the entire fourth quarter as Cleveland protected a big lead. He finished with 12 points, 11 assists and six rebounds in 31 minutes.

James is averaging 29.6 points per game, second in the NBA to Denver’s Carmelo Anthony (29.7). Riding a six-game winning streak, the Cavaliers have the league’s best record at 36-11.

Leonsis goes public in dispute over Wizards sale

WASHINGTON — Ted Leonsis says he offered to buy the Washington Wizards at "one of the highest prices ever paid for an NBA team," an amount that was apparently far short of satisfying the family of late owner Abe Pollin.

The former AOL executive wrote on his Ted’s Take blog Thursday that he remains "very confident" he will be the next owner of the Wizards, even though he and the Pollin family are at odds over the process for selling the team.

A person involved in the process said Leonsis and Pollin’s family were "several hundred million dollars" apart in initial negotiations earlier this month. The person also said the Pollin family has started marketing the Wizards to other potential buyers, even though the sale process is still in a stage in which Leonsis has an exclusive right to purchase the team.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because of the delicate state of the negotiations.

Pollin died in November, setting in motion what was expected to be a smooth transfer of the NBA team, the Verizon Center and the rest of Pollin’s Washington Sports & Entertainment empire to Leonsis. Pollin anointed Leonsis as his heir when the two became partners in 1999, selling Leonsis the NHL’s Washington Capitals and a stake in WS&E that has risen to 44 percent over the years.

"I am very confident this process will move forward in the manner Mr. Pollin and I agreed to in 1999," Leonsis wrote. "The last thing the Wizards need now is more uncertainty."

At issue is the Pollin family’s apparent decision to approach other prospective owners while Leonsis still has first dibs on the purchase of the team. The matter surfaced Wednesday in an internal e-mail to employees by WS&E president of business operations Peter Biche, who wrote that there is nothing to prevent Pollin’s family from marketing the team "at this time to other potential buyers."

The e-mail has become public, and Leonsis wrote in his blog that he was surprised to read it because he feels his group retains the exclusive right to buy the team during an ongoing appraisal process. The Leonsis group has chosen an appraiser to value the team, and Pollin’s family is in the process of doing the same. If the two appraisals fail to yield a mutually agreeable sale price, then a neutral appraiser will be chosen — and the Pollins have to sale if Leonsis’ group offers that amount.

"That’s what the Agreement says, and I’m willing and able to hold up my end of the deal," Leonsis wrote.

A person close to the Pollin family, speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity because of a confidentially clause, said the family had not read Leonsis’ blog yet, but: "They disagree with his reading of the agreement." The person declined to elaborate.

Deciding the value of the Wizards, the Verizon Center and Pollin’s other sports properties is hardly an exact science, especially during an economic downturn. Leonsis said in his blog that the Wizards are losing money this season. Washington has the second worst record in the Eastern Conference, and a guns-in-the-locker-room incident involving franchise player Gilbert Arenas has badly damaged the team’s image.

In his blog, Leonsis was emphatic that he expects the Pollin family to live up to the agreement.

"My partners and I are confident in the rights we have," Leonsis wrote, "and will make sure to protect them."

-- Joseph White

Gordon’s financial advisors ordered to repay loan

CHICAGO — A federal judge ordered Detroit Pistons guard Ben Gordon’s former financial advisors to pay him more than $1.3 million in a dispute over a loan but found there was no breach of their fiduciary duty.

Judge Charles Kocoras handed down the decision Wednesday in a suit Gordon, a former Chicago Bulls player, filed against California-based Larry Harmon & Associates.

Kocoras ordered Harmon to repay with interest and penalties a $1 million loan from Gordon in 2007 but threw out his claim that the loan and a change in how he paid them — from flat fee to 1 1/2 percent of earnings — represented a breach of the firm’s fiduciary duty to the NBA player.

Kocoras also dismissed for lack of jurisdiction a claim by Harmon that Gordon had breached his contract by firing the consulting company.

Gordon claimed in the suit filed in 2007 that he provided $1 million to Harmon as his share in a real estate investment.

In his 10-page opinion, though, Kocoras said there had been "some discussions about real estate" but nothing to suggest the transfer of the money was part of a real estate transaction involving Gordon.

"Its terms pertain soley to a borrower-lender relationship," he said.

Kocoras said the switch from a flat fee method of payment to 1½ percent of earnings did not represent a breach of fiduciary duty. He said the fact that Gordon kept up payments indicated his approval of the change and that the amount he paid under the revised system was less than what he would have paid if the flat-rate fee structure had remained in place.

"We’re very happy with this decision, we think we won this," said Harmon’s attorney, James Borcia.

Gordon’s attorney, George Spellmire, said he was "very pleased with the judge’s decision." He said he believed it marked the end of the dispute.

-- Mike Robinson

Beasley has no swelling in knee

MIAMI — Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley will be a game-time decision Friday night in Detroit because of a hyperextended right knee.

Beasley was hurt in the first quarter of Miami’s loss at Toronto on Wednesday night, then returned to play briefly in the second quarter before strapping a huge ice pack to the knee for the remainder of the evening. The team said he was "sore with no swelling" and will be evaluated again Friday.

Beasley is Miami’s second-leading scorer this season behind Dwyane Wade, averaging 16.0 points and 6.7 rebounds.