Kobe Trade News; NBA Scores; Jackie and Doug Christie Launch Internet Radio Show; Hingis Retires..Again;Jags Take a Hit, So Do the Padres ; Bounty Hunters Use Slurs Too

Lil Stevie swinging like everyone else

Kobe will veto Chicago Bulls trade if Luol Deng is included.

Deng is very much in play in the conversations between Chicago and Los Angeles, ESPN.com has learned.

And it’s mainly because of Bryant’s wishes that Deng is still wearing a Chicago uniform.

A source with knowledge of the trade talks said Deng has been included in proposals swapped between the teams, but Bryant has continually threatened to veto almost any deal in which Deng would be included. Bryant wants to be sure that the team he joins has enough talent remaining to compete for the NBA title.

The source said talks between the teams had stagnated, though by no means were they dead. And while the difficulties involved in the deal — making the salaries match, and trying to trade players onto 15-man rosters now that the preseason roster flexibility has elapsed — continued to be formidable, the Bulls remained determined to pursue every avenue toward acquiring Bryant from the Lakers.

As ESPN.com reported on Saturday, the Lakers have asked for Deng, Thomas, guard Ben Gordon and rookie Joakim Noah as the core parts of any trade for Bryant.

Contrary to most reports, the Bulls remain ready and willing to deal Deng, the source said. But if they’re going to include Deng in a deal, they will not part with more than one of the other three, said the source.

Even then, it is not clear that any trade involving Deng would be acceptable to Bryant, who is wielding the power of the NBA’s only no-trade clause by threatening to veto certain deals.

Count the Mavs out.(Yeah right) No future in ya frontin’ Mark Cuban.

During Wednesday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cuban said that the team is not pursuing a trade for the Los Angeles Lakers star.

“We haven’t talked to them,” Cuban told ESPN’s Lisa Salters during a sideline interview. “It’s not going to happen. We’ve got a great squad. We like it.”

Don’t believe the hype. Mark Cuban’s business acumen is top notch and trust that if he can, he’ll do what he has to do to get Kobe.

Listen, Kobe Bryant wants to win so he’s not going to approve a trade that guts his next ex. I gotta give props to the man for securing a contractual no-trade clause. He’s not trying to go out like a sucker and I don’t blame him. He’s too valuable to the Lig–and he knows it. People, just get over it, this soap opera drama is doing nothing but making a smiling David Stern rub his hands together. Kobe Bryant ain’t getting traded any time soon.

NBA Scores

Denver 120, Seattle 103
You ain’t ready rook! (David Zalubowski/AP)

Kevin Durant had 18 (7-22) in his NBA debut, but Anthony and Iverson take over.

Durant was straight gunning. Yeah he had a couple of nice passes to mad hopper Chris Wilcox, but also missed the big fella on a couple of occasions looking for his own shot.

Smooth Jazz–as I call him–hopefully will not succumb to all the expectations surrounding his limitless potential. Nice debut, but chill on jacking up so many bombs rook.

Allen Iverson scores 25, drops 14 dimes, pilfers 7 and has 5 rips to compliment Carmello Anthony’s 32 pts. This team could win it all IF Kenyon Martin stays healthy. I spoke to him in Vegas this summer and he seemed charged. Combined with Marcus Camby down low…Goodness. I think this team will come out of the West–yeah I said it.

New Jersey 112, Chicago 103

25 g’s I spent this summer paid off (Bill Kostroun/AP)

Antoine Wright scores a surprising 21 (27 minutes) to help the Nets get past a confused Bulls squad. Kidd dishes 13 assists and Vince scores 24 and had a late steal to secure victory. The Bulls are just too young to handle all the trade rumors swirling, but will find their identity as the season progresses.

Orlando 102, Milwaukee 83

Man, gimme that! (Reinhold Matay/AP)

Rashard Lewis hits for 26 in his Magic debut to upstage Yi Jianlian’s paltry 9. Hedo Turkoglu had 24 and Dwight Howard powered for 16 points, 12 rebounds and 7 blocks. Michael Redd paced the Bucks with 25. I know it’s early, but don’t sleep on the Magic. Howard is just too strong to let teams bully his squad offensively. Watch out.

Indiana 119, Washington 110 (ot)

I’m the NBA logo (Michael Conroy/AP)

Gilbert Arenas, who scored 34 points, again was clutch–hitting a three to force OT–but the Pacers pulled away in the extra session to take the win. Mike Dunleavy had 25 pts. and 12 rebounds, Danny Granger hit for 20 and 12 and Jamaal Tinsley stuffed the stat sheet with 20 pts, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. Jermaine O’Neal sat out with a hyperextented left knee. Antawn Jamison had 27 and 16 in the loss.

New Orleans 104, Sacramento 90 as basketball returns to the Crescent City

You better make that pass! (Ann Heisenfelt/AP)

New Orleans wins home opener. Chris Paul (I have an upcoming feature in SLAM) is poised to make this a season to remember in the Big Easy. This is the first game in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city and the Hornets didn’t disappoint. Commissioner David Stern was on hand and addressed the crowd. Paul had 22 pts., 12 assists and 8 rebounds– leading a team that had every starter in double figures. Kevin Martin paced the Kings with 26. Ron Artest (I have a very provocative interview with Ron Ron upcoming in Sac Town Magazine) sat out because of the NBA imposed suspension resulting from pleading no contest to a domestic violence charge.

Dallas 92, Cleveland 74

Damn it’s gonna be a long year (Tony Dejak/AP)

Jason Terry came of the bench to score 24 and Dirk had 15–putting a damper on Cleveland raising their first Eastern Conference Championship banner. The Mavs are coming off a disappointing first round exit to the Golden State Warriors and took it to Cleveland–shooting 50% from behind the arc as a team (9-18). LeBron James was held to 10 points on 2-11 shooting and spent most of the game in foul trouble. He was also held scoreless in the first half for the first time in his career. Big Z had 17 points and 18 rebounds in the loss. Cleveland better get Bron Bron some help soon. He’s too ambitious and competitive to not keep this team on a high level. Cleveland would be stupid to stand pat because Ohio’s sports legacy lay in the balance.

“It’s the first game, hopefully we can put it behind us,” James said. “We didn’t play well — at all. It’s kind of how we have been playing in the preseason. We didn’t do anything right. We didn’t play hard. We didn’t execute.”

He’s saying all the right things now….

Toronto 107, Philadelphia 96

Off to a good start (J.P. Moczulski/The Canadian Press)

Andrea Bargnani’s four point play halted a furious Sixers rally. The Sixers were down by 22 late in the third but Bargnani (20 pts) and Chris Bosh (16pts.) came up with big baskets to rip away the victory. T.J. Ford scored 14 and had 12 assists in the win. Andre Iguodala, now the team’s cornerstone and going through the frustration of contract extension talks during the season, had 23. Kyle Korver came off the bench to throw in 20.

Toronto’s team is young, versatile and strong. If only they can keep teams off the boards….

San Antonio 104, Memphis 101

You are not blocking this! (Nikki Boertman/AP)

Manu Ginobili had a nice all around game and scored 30 to help the defending champs push their record to 2-0. This was a well played game and the Spurs used their experience to hold off a young Memphis squad. Duncan and Tony Parker had 17 apiece in the win. In the loss the Grizzlies were led by Pau Gasol with 22 points. Resurgent Damon Stoudamire had 18 and Rudy Gay 16.

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Jackie and Doug Christie Launch Internet Radio Show

Whassup my people!

Jackie and Doug Christie are one of my favorite couples. I had the chance to spend some time with them the last couple of years in Vegas and trust me there’s no better couple alive. I loved their book No Ordinary Love, and wish them well in this project.

This is from the email I received from Luke Armour of BlockTalk Radio:

‘Infinite Love Talk Radio,’ hosted by Doug and Jackie Christie, debuts Thursday, November 1, 2007, at 8 p.m. (ET) / 5 p.m. (PT) on the BlogTalkRadio Network. Infinite Love Talk Radio is a weekly, call-in Internet talk-radio show where Doug and Jackie combine fashion, sports and lifestyle talk. The show features special celebrity guests from the worlds of sports and fashion and will welcome calls from listeners.

“Our show will be unique. Most sports shows talk about sports. Relationship shows talk about relationships. ‘Infinite Love Talk Radio’ will bring fashion, sports and lifestyle all together with celebrities and every day people. This show brings it all.”

It certainly provides people with a chance to interact with the Christies.

‘Infinite Love Talk Radio’ streams live over the Internet from the host page (www.blogtalkradio.com/christiedandj).

The archive is available at the same link immediately after the broadcast or by RSS at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/christiedandj/feed.

Call-in number: (347) 215-8305

More info here: http://www.pr.com/press-release/57418

*Update: I’ll be appearing on Saturday’s show 5:00 pacific.

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Former World #1 Martina Hingis Retires Again

Hingis called a press conference to announce the news.

A media conference was called for the same Swiss hotel where she revealed that she would return to the sport in December 2005.

Hingis ended her season last month because of hip problems and said she would take as long as necessary to become fully fit again.

The 27-year-old Czech-born Swiss ended her career for the first time in 2003, after persistent ankle trouble.

After returning to the game she won three titles and ended last year at number seven in the world rankings. She is still rated 19th at the moment.

During her career Hingis won five grand slam titles and spent 209 weeks as the world’s number one.

Reportedly Hingis retired because she’s under investigation for a positive cocaine test.

Hingis told a news conference that she failed a drugs test during this year’s Wimbledon.

“I have tested positive but I have never taken drugs and I feel 100 percent innocent,” Hingis said.

“The reason I have come out with this is because I do not want to have a fight with anti-doping authorities.”

She added: “Because of my age and my health problems I have also decided to retire from professional tennis.”

Wow.

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Stroud reportedly violates steroid policy

A four game hole just opened up in the Jags defense
(Photo: Jimmy DeFlippo/US Presswire)

The Jacksonville Jags have proved to be one of the top teams in the NFL this season. Anchored by a monstrous front four, there’s just not any team can accomplish offensively. The defense took a major hit as defensive tackle Marcus Stroud allegedly violated the NFL’s steroids policy and might sit out four games. He’s exercised his right to have his B-sample tested, but will be suspended if the sample comes back positive.

Not the time for the Jaguars to upset the dynamic that has AFC leaders New England and Indianapolis apprehensively looking over their shoulders. Jack Del Rio and company hopefully will use this setback to galvanize the team and reinforce a sense of urgency.

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Cameron violates stimulant policy

Mike too? (Lenny Ignelzi/AP)

Mike Cameron tests positive for a banned stimulant for the second time.

Major League Baseball planned to announce Cameron’s suspension yesterday afternoon, but Cameron beat the commissioner’s office to the punch by breaking the news to the Padres’ flagship station. He told AM-1090 he believes he took a tainted supplement.

“The one thing I wanted to make sure was explained is, no steroids,” Cameron told the station. “I never took nothing like that before in my life. That would be 50 games, and that would affect me a whole lot more.”

Cameron said the suspension “probably is going to affect me in free agency a little bit. A guy of my stature in the game is going to take a little bit of bad press for the first time in 12 years of playing major league baseball, other than me having a bad season or having a bad game.” Cameron did not respond to interview requests from The San Diego Union-Tribune. His agent, Mike Nicotera, did not return phone calls Tuesday or yesterday.

Players receive counseling after initially testing positive for a stimulant. The player also is told he will be subjected to six unannounced tests over the following 12 months.

Cameron would be suspended for 80 games if he tests positive a third time.

Padres General Manager Kevin Towers predicted yesterday that Cameron will still generate a “lot of play” in free agency, but said clubs will subtract points because they must have another center fielder in place for April.

“I hope it doesn’t hurt Mike,” Towers said. “He’s a good man. He was a great teammate. He made a mistake here and certainly will have to pay for the public embarrassment that will come to him and his family. But knowing Mike, he is someone who can turn a negative into a positive.”

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Bounty hunters use slurs too

Say What? (Getty Images/Frederick M. Brown)

Duane “Dog” Chapman is in hot water because of repeated use of the n-word during a phone conversation with his son.

Television bounty hunter Duane “Dog” Chapman apologized Wednesday for repeatedly using a racial slur in a profanity-laced tirade during a private phone conversation with his son that was recorded and posted online.Chapman, star of A&E’s hit reality series “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” responded after The National Enquirer posted a clip of the conversation in which Chapman uses the N-word in reference to his son’s girlfriend.

A&E officials did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment from The Associated Press. Chapman issued a statement apologizing for the comments.

The recording was first posted online by the Enquirer. It was unclear who recorded the conversation or how the tabloid obtained the 1 1/2-minute clip in which Chapman uses the N-word six times. A woman at the Enquirer said no one would be available to comment after hours.

In the conversation, Chapman urges his son to break up with his girlfriend. He also expresses concern about the girlfriend going public about the TV star’s use of the N-word.

In the clip, Chapman also stated he doesn’t care that his son’s girlfriend is black.

In a statement, the 54-year-old Chapman said he has “utmost respect and aloha for black people who have suffered so much due to racial discrimination and acts of hatred.

“I did not mean to add yet another slap in the face to an entire race of people who have brought so many gifts to this world,” he said. “I am ashamed of myself and I pledge to do whatever I can to repair this damage I have caused.”

Chapman said, “My sincerest, heartfelt apologies go out to every person I have offended for my regrettable use of very inappropriate language. I am deeply disappointed in myself for speaking out of anger to my son and using such a hateful term in a private phone conversation.”

Chapman said the clip was completely taken out of context.

“I was disappointed in his choice of a friend, not due to her race, but her character,” he said. “However, I should have never used that term.”

And it don’t stop…..