Crittenton to be returned to Atlanta
August 31, 2011
LOS ANGELES (AP)—Former NBA player Javaris Crittenton(notes) waived Californiaextradition proceedings Wednesday and will be returned to Georgia in connectionwith his arrest in a murder case in Atlanta.
Crittenton appeared before Superior Court Judge Upinder Kalra and said hehad voluntarily signed the waiver.
The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office had charged Crittentonwith being a fugitive from justice for the purpose of holding theextradition-waiver hearing.
In this Jan. 25, 2010 file photo, the Wizards Javaris Crittenton leaves D.C. Superior Court in Washington.(AP)
Defense attorney Brian Steel said outside court that Crittenton had earlieragreed to return to Atlanta voluntarily and had even bought a plane ticket, butlaw enforcement authorities decided to arrest him anyway.
Steel said he wants to get his client back to Atlanta to clear up thematter.
“Crittenton wants to do everything lawful because he did nothing,” theattorney said.
Steel said his client is being falsely accused and the facts will come outat the preliminary hearing.
Crittenton was taken into custody Monday night at John Wayne Airport inOrange County.
Police in Atlanta had obtained a murder warrant for Crittenton in the Aug.19 shooting of Jullian Jones, 23, a mother of four young children, as she waswalking with two men.
Crittenton, 23, was wanted on a federal arrest warrant after the FBI learnedthat he traveled on a one-way ticket to Los Angeles, where he was known to havefamily and friends, several days after the shooting.
Jones was outside her house with 18-year-old Trontavious Stephens when ablack Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid pulled up and gunfire erupted. Authorities havesaid they don’t believe Jones was the intended target, but they haven’t saidwhom they think the assailant was after.
Crittenton was with the Washington Wizards in December 2009 when he andteammate Gilbert Arenas(notes) had a dispute over a card game. Two days later, Arenasbrought four guns to the locker room and set them in front of Crittenton’slocker with a sign telling him to “PICK 1.” Crittenton then took out his owngun.
Crittenton pleaded guilty in January 2010 to a misdemeanor gun charge andreceived a year of unsupervised probation. Arenas entered his guilty plea onJan. 15, 2010. He served a short time in a halfway house.
Crittenton is on the roster of the NBA developmental league’s DakotaWizards.
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Walker to play in Fredette’s exhibitions
August 31, 2011
SALT LAKE CITY (AP)—Former UConn star Kemba Walker(notes) has agreed toparticipate in a two-game exhibition with former BYU standout Jimmer Fredette(notes) asplayers look to stay in shape during the NBA lockout.
Fredette’s team of all-stars will be coached by BYU’s Dave Rose. They willtake on another group of NBA rookies coached by San Diego State coach SteveFisher.
The games are set for Sept. 21 at the Maverik Center in Salt Lake City andSept. 22 at Provo’s Marriott Center.
Fredette was college basketball’s player of the year last season and 10thoverall pick by the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.
Walker led UConn to the 2011 NCAA championship and was named the Bob CousyAward winner as the nation’s top point guard. The Charlotte Bobcats picked him9th overall in the NBA draft.
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NBA sides hold rare bargaining session
August 31, 2011
NEW YORK (AP)—Top negotiators for NBA owners and players are back at thebargaining table for just the second time since the league’s lockout began.
Commissioner David Stern, Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver and San Antonioowner Peter Holt, head of the labor relations committee, are representing theowners. They were meeting Wednesday at a Manhattan hotel with union executivedirector Billy Hunter, union president Derek Fisher(notes) of the Lakers and attorneyRon Klempner.
The sides last met on Aug. 1, despite saying they hoped to follow that withmultiple sessions before the end of the month. They remain far apart on majorissues, with training camps scheduled to open in October.
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Pau Gasol’s 29 lift Spain at Euros
August 31, 2011
SIAULIAI, Lithuania (AP)—Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol(notes) scored 29points to help defending champion Spain beat Poland 83-78 in its opening matchat the European Championship.
Serbia, which lost to Spain in the title match two years ago, shook off aslow start to beat Italy 80-68.
Montenegro scored the last five points in overtime to beat Macedonia 70-65,and Georgia routed Belgium 81-59 at the start of the 24-team tournament onWednesday.
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Yao wants Hall nomination put on hold
August 31, 2011
HOUSTON (AP)—Yao Ming’s(notes) agent has asked the Naismith Basketball Hall ofFame to set aside Yao’s nomination for a year.
Yao retired in July and was nominated by a member of the Chinese media as acontributor to the game, and would’ve been eligible for induction as early as2012. But Hall of Fame president and CEO John Doleva says Yao’s agent calledWednesday to request that Yao not be considered next year.
KRIV-TV first reported the request from John Huizinga. He did notimmediately return a phone message.
Doleva says Huizinga told him that Yao feels it’s too soon for him to beplaced on the ballot. An eight-time All-Star whose career was derailed byinjuries would be eligible to enter as a player in 2017.
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James, Anthony pack house for exhibition
August 31, 2011
BALTIMORE (AP)—Even during a lockout, the NBA still packs plenty ofdrawing power.
LeBron James(notes), Kevin Durant(notes), Carmelo Anthony(notes) and Chris Paul(notes) starred in ahastily arranged summer league game Tuesday night that drew an overflow crowd atMorgan State University.
The big question is: Will these stars and their peers perform in the NBAthis year?
The owners and players union are expected to meet this week. Until asettlement is reached, fans with a thirst for professional basketball will haveto settle for exhibitions like this one.
Hill Field House holds 4,500, but there were hundreds of fans surroundingthe court to watch the collection of stars in a rare performance in Baltimore,Anthony’s home town.
There were a few police officers to keep the peace. If there was a FireMarshall in attendance, he might have shut the place down.
The game was originally scheduled to be held Sunday at a Baltimore highschool that holds around 1,000 fans. It was postponed because of HurricaneIrene, and when word got out that James was playing, the venue was changed toMorgan State.
The tickets sold at a rapid pace—at $40 to $100. It didn’t matter that theentry process was exceedingly slow because both teams arrived after thescheduled 7 o’clock start.
Press row didn’t have enough seats to accommodate those fortunate enough tocollar credentials (one reporter was told he couldn’t get in unless he bought aticket). Minutes before the game started, several media members who did secureseats were unceremoniously ousted by people with deep connections.
That would never happen at an NBA game, and the same could be said for thetreatment the players received.
When James and his teammates of the Melo League finally walked onto thecourt, they were rushed by autograph seekers and people snapping pictures withpersonal cameras and cell phones. It set up one of the strangest scenes of avery peculiar night: players taking warmup shots while dozens of fans walkedthrough the lane and under the basket.
The game was every bit like an NBA All-Star game in that it featuredbig-name players wearing generic uniforms and showing very little effort on thedefensive end.
James slammed down several crowd-cheering dunks and played a little game on1-on-1 with Durant. At one point, all eight players went to the left side of thecourt while James juked and dribbled against Durant before making a 20-footer.
Durant then returned the favor on the other end.
Melo’s team beat Durant’s squad 149-141. The statistics were spotty, but theall-nonsense public address announcer said Durant scored 59 points and James had36.
Not that it mattered. The crowd loved every minute and was in no rush toleave. James and Anthony were swarmed at midcourt at the final buzzer, and afterfive minutes both finally worked their way off the court.
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Adelman meets with Timberwolves again
August 31, 2011
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—Rick Adelman returned to Minnesota on Tuesday to meetagain with the Timberwolves, the second time this month he has traveled from hishome in Oregon to talk about the team’s vacant head coaching position.
Adelman arrived in the Twin Cities to meet with owner Glen Taylor and otherTimberwolves officials, a person with knowledge of the discussions told TheAssociated Press. The person spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity becauseneither side is commenting publicly on the process.
But he left without a deal to become the head coach.
Adelman traveled to Minnesota on Aug. 23 to talk about replacing the firedKurt Rambis and had a phone conversation with president of basketball operationsDavid Kahn earlier this summer to discuss the position.
The 65-year-old Adelman is 945-616 in 20 seasons as a head coach of theTrail Blazers, Kings, Warriors and Rockets. He parted ways with the Rockets inApril, and Houston hired former Timberwolves coach and general manager KevinMcHale to take over the team.
Adelman said at the end of last season that he still had a lot of coachingleft in him, though many believed he would prefer to take a year away, just ashe has between every other stop during his career.
But the NBA lockout could give him plenty of time off if the players’ unionand the owners don’t resolve their considerable differences soon, and Adelmanhas a history with Timberwolves All-Star Kevin Love(notes) that could make the job anattractive one for him.
Love played on the same Oregon high school team as Adelman’s son, and thetwo got to know each other well while Adelman attended the games. TheTimberwolves also have an intriguing young cast around Love, including Spanishimport Ricky Rubio(notes), swingman Wes Johnson(notes), No. 2 overall pick Derrick Williams(notes)and Michael Beasley(notes).
The athletic group would seem to fit with the kind of system Adelman hasbeen known for running, which is exactly what Kahn wants.
Adelman runs the kind of uptempo, free-flowing offensive system that Kahnhas wanted to install in Minnesota ever since he took over in 2009. Kahn clashedwith Rambis over the philosophy, which ultimately led to Kahn’s decision to firethe coach after just two seasons.
Adelman has coached 19 full seasons, leading the Blazers to the NBA finalsin 1990 and 1992. He coached the Warriors to consecutive losing seasons in1995-96 and `96-97, the only times he has coached a full season and had a teamfinish with a losing record.
The Timberwolves are coming off an NBA-worst 17-65 season. They have alsointerviewed Terry Porter, Mike Woodson, Don Nelson, Larry Brown, Sam Mitchelland Bernie Bickerstaff for the job.
Follow Jon Krawczynski on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/APkrawczynski
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Police: Crittenton was out for revenge
August 30, 2011
ATLANTA (AP)—New details are emerging about an NBA player charged in theshooting death of an Atlanta woman.
A report obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press said Javaris Crittenton(notes)was robbed of $55,000 worth of jewelry in April. Authorities say Crittenton wasretaliating when he shot Jullian Jones on Aug. 19, but they say she was not theintended target. Police have not said who they think Crittenton was after.
Jones’ neighbor Trontavious Stephens says he was with Jones when she wasshot, but he doesn’t know why they were targeted.
In this Jan. 25, 2010 file photo, the Wizards Javaris Crittenton leaves D.C. Superior Court in Washington.(AP)
Crittenton was arrested Monday at a Southern California airport.Crittenton’s attorney says his client will be exonerated.
In April, Crittenton told police he was leaving a barber shop when he wasrobbed of his diamond necklace and watch.
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Crittenton arrested, charged as fugitive
August 30, 2011
LOS ANGELES (AP)—Former NBA player Javaris Crittenton(notes) was in policecustody after being arrested at a Southern California airport while waiting toboard a flight to Atlanta, where his lawyer said he would go to surrender in amurder case.
Crittenton, who was suspended from the league for having guns in a lockerroom with teammate Gilbert Arenas(notes), was arrested Monday evening at John WayneAirport in Orange County after checking in for a redeye Delta Air Lines flight,FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said. She said he was with a male companion whowas not arrested.
Crittenton was taken to a Los Angeles police station where he was booked onsuspicion of being a fugitive from justice.
In this Jan. 25, 2010 file photo, the Wizards Javaris Crittenton leaves D.C. Superior Court in Washington.(AP)
Jane Robison of the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office saidTuesday that prosecutors expect to charge him Wednesday with being a fugitivefrom justice and he may be arraigned later in the day at the downtown criminalcourts building.
Atlanta Police spokeswoman Kim Jones said Tuesday the timetable forCrittenton’s return depends on whether he waives extradition.
Crittenton, 23, was wanted on a federal arrest warrant after the FBI learnedthat he traveled on a one-way ticket to Los Angeles, where he was known to havefamily and friends, several days after a deadly Aug. 19 shooting.
Crittenton’s attorney told The Associated Press earlier Monday that hisclient planned to surrender. He said he was in contact with Fulton CountyDistrict Attorney Paul Howard and the FBI Fugitive Task Force to makearrangements for Crittenton’s arrest.
“He offered to turn himself in,” lawyer Brian Steel said. “He’s notguilty. We look forward to getting it to the courts.”
Eimiller said she wasn’t aware of any negotiation for Crittenton tosurrender.
Police in Atlanta had obtained a murder warrant for Crittenton in the Aug.19 shooting of 22-year-old Jullian Jones, a mother of four young children, asshe was walking with two men. Police believe one of the men with her was thetarget.
Police spokesman Carlos Campos had said the motive appears to be retaliationfor a robbery in April, in which Crittenton was a victim.
When he was with the Washington Wizards in December 2009, Crittenton andArenas had a dispute over a card game on a team flight. Two days later, Arenasbrought four guns to the locker room and set them in front of Crittenton’slocker with a sign telling him to “PICK 1.” Crittenton then took out his owngun.
Crittenton pleaded guilty in January 2010 to a misdemeanor gun charge andreceived a year of unsupervised probation. Arenas entered his guilty plea onJan. 15, 2010. He served a short time in a halfway house.
Crittenton is on the roster of the NBA developmental league’s DakotaWizards.
Associated Press writer Denise Petski contributed to this report.
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Crittenton arrested, soon to be in court
August 30, 2011
LOS ANGELES (AP)—Former NBA player Javaris Crittenton(notes) was in policecustody after being arrested at a Southern California airport while waiting toboard a flight to Atlanta, where his lawyer said he would go to surrender in amurder case.
Crittenton, who was suspended from the league for having guns in a lockerroom with teammate Gilbert Arenas(notes), was arrested Monday evening at John WayneAirport in Orange County after checking in for a redeye Delta Air Lines flight,FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said. She said he was with a male companion whowas not arrested.
Crittenton was taken to a Los Angeles police station where he was booked onsuspicion of being a fugitive from justice.
In this Jan. 25, 2010 file photo, the Wizards Javaris Crittenton leaves D.C. Superior Court in Washington.(AP)
Jane Robison of the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office saidTuesday that prosecutors expect to charge him Wednesday with being a fugitivefrom justice and he may be arraigned later in the day at the downtown criminalcourts building.
Atlanta Police spokeswoman Kim Jones said Tuesday the timetable forCrittenton’s return depends on whether he waives extradition.
Crittenton, 23, was wanted on a federal arrest warrant after the FBI learnedthat he traveled on a one-way ticket to Los Angeles, where he was known to havefamily and friends, several days after a deadly Aug. 19 shooting.
Crittenton’s attorney told The Associated Press earlier Monday that hisclient planned to surrender. He said he was in contact with Fulton CountyDistrict Attorney Paul Howard and the FBI Fugitive Task Force to makearrangements for Crittenton’s arrest.
“He offered to turn himself in,” lawyer Brian Steel said. “He’s notguilty. We look forward to getting it to the courts.”
Eimiller said she wasn’t aware of any negotiation for Crittenton tosurrender.
Police in Atlanta had obtained a murder warrant for Crittenton in the Aug.19 shooting of 22-year-old Jullian Jones, a mother of four young children, asshe was walking with two men. Police believe one of the men with her was thetarget.
Police spokesman Carlos Campos had said the motive appears to be retaliationfor a robbery in April, in which Crittenton was a victim.
When he was with the Washington Wizards in December 2009, Crittenton andArenas had a dispute over a card game on a team flight. Two days later, Arenasbrought four guns to the locker room and set them in front of Crittenton’slocker with a sign telling him to “PICK 1.” Crittenton then took out his owngun.
Crittenton pleaded guilty in January 2010 to a misdemeanor gun charge andreceived a year of unsupervised probation. Arenas entered his guilty plea onJan. 15, 2010. He served a short time in a halfway house.
Crittenton is on the roster of the NBA developmental league’s DakotaWizards.
Associated Press writer Denise Petski contributed to this report.
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