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SEATTLE - The following is a statement from Seattle SuperSonics & Storm Chairman Clayton I. Bennett.

On behalf of the owners of the Seattle SuperSonics and Seattle Storm, I am disappointed that our efforts over the last fifteen months to foster the development of a new multi-purpose arena in the Greater Seattle area were not successful. From the beginning, it has been my absolute hope and expectation that we would be able to secure the necessary governmental commitments to build a successor venue to KeyArena. Even though our proposal for a new state-of-the-art multi-purpose facility to be built in Renton was thoughtfully developed by a world-class team, was financially reasonable and was realistically attainable, we were unable to persuade the Washington Legislature to vote on our bill. The region is still in need of a modern building, not just for the Sonics and Storm, but also for the broad commercial and quality of life benefits such facilities provide.

We now understand and respect that there is very limited public support for such a public investment. As we stated on July 18, 2006, and have stated on many occasions thereafter, KeyArena is not a viable modern venue for the NBA and if a successor facility is not identified by October 31, 2007, we would evaluate our options, which would include relocation. Given the clear lack of public, political, and business support for a new multi-purpose arena, plus the enactment of Initiative 91 as a City of Seattle ordinance following a public vote authorized by the Seattle City Council itself, and the significant operating losses the businesses are now incurring, we have no option but to commence the NBA relocation process.

Today we notified Commissioner Stern that we intend to relocate the Sonics to Oklahoma City if we succeed in the pending litigation with the City, or are able to negotiate an early lease termination, or at the end of the lease term.

We have not made a decision regarding the future location of the Seattle Storm. We appreciate the deep local interest and support for the Storm and have begun to evaluate a future course of action for the team.

Notwithstanding the uncertainty and difficulty of this challenging time, we remain completely committed to the success of our basketball teams. We will continue to provide our players, coaches and staff the tools and support they need to be competitive.

We are also completely committed to providing our fans a first class basketball, entertainment and social experience. We will do all we can to ensure that our fans, sponsors and marketing and broadcast partners enjoy the highest value from their relationship with the Sonics and Storm.

There have been many in the region who have provided courageous, visionary support to our efforts. We sincerely appreciate your hard work and friendship in this difficult process.

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In the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, Rick Bonnell writes “the Charlotte Bobcats say they want center-forward Emeka Okafor for the long haul. Okafor says he wants to stay here. But that mutual desire wasn't sufficient to complete a long-term agreement before Wednesday's NBA deadline. Even if Okafor reaches unrestricted free agency, the Bobcats could offer him more guaranteed years, with higher annual raises, than any other NBA team.”
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BRASILIA (South American Championship for Clubs) - The South American Championship for Clubs started with wins by Minas Tenis, Peñarol and Universo/BRB.

Minas Tenis defeated Boca Juniors 100-72 as Soro netted 28 points.

Peñarol defeated Duros de Lara 79-75 and Universo/BRB dominated Deportivo San Jose 79-61.

On day 2 Duros take on San Jose, Minas faces Universo and Peñarol meets Boca.

Al-Majdouie were once again at their best when they over-powered Al-Hoty cagers 82-74 to record their second straight win in the Eastern Province Basketball League Unity Cup elimination round in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Al-Majdouie’s new-recruit, Joy Belmonte, made his team proud as he dug deep and overcame scary moments down the stretch in the final quarter.

Belmonte, who recorded 12 points in the first quarter, led his teammates with 24 points.

Al-Hoty controlled the board in the first quarter 47-38 courtesy of Nelson Sambajon and Arevalo’s sporadic three-point shooting, but it was not enough to put them on a par with their opponents let alone win the game as they were scoreless in the second canto and inconsistent for the rest of the game.

Al-Majdouie recorded a solitary two points in the second period, courtesy of Belmonte, as both teams demonstrated tight defence from the onset till the final buzzer.

“If I am not mistaken, in EPBL’s decade of basketball, Al-Hoty is the only team not to score in a particular period” commented an EPBL fan.

Winless in the first conference, Al-Majdouie tried to annihilate their past image as underdogs by the unprecedented hard court actions of Belmonte, Jonathan Subiza (19), Paulo Macaculop (14), JP Baltazar (8), Ferdie Abragan (6), Allan Enojas (4), Arnold Collado (4), Andrew Catalo (2) and Allan Joyno (1).

“The match was another though test for my team," said coach Lawrence Militante.

"I am happy that our rigid practices are paying off but we can still improve our level of play. We still have to improve our defence. It was a test of physical strength, endurance and character for our players. Even if they were down, they did not lose their concentration,” Al-Majdouie Regional manager, Zaffarulah Khan, and sports manager Kaleemullah Ahmed added.

For Al-Hoty, veteran Boy Sese posted a dismal record of nine points, seven in the first period and from the free throw line in the last period.

Sambajon led all scorers with 31 points including his four triples. Arevalo added 14 points while Calub and Rapones contributed 11 and four respectively.

KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports on John Paxson pulling the Bulls out of the Kobe Bryant sweepstakes:

There’s not a deal to be done. It’s time to put it to rest," Paxson said. "Today sends a message that our guys don’t have to worry about anything anymore."

My Quick Take: The player seen as the next Michael Jordan won’t be joining the Chicago Bulls. Yesterday, the Bulls dropped out of the Kobe Bryant sweepstakes because they were getting squeezed over Luol Deng.

The Lakers wanted Deng included in any trade. And Bryant, through his no-trade clause, threatened to veto any deal if the Bulls sent Deng out west. For what it’s worth, Chicago wanted to keep their young small forward.

Here’s the real question: can Bryant have it both ways? The All-Star requested a trade, so how can he justify dismissing potential suitors through his no-trade clause?

L.A. was only accommodating their disgruntled star by trying to send him to Chicago-a team he wanted to play for. So Bryant, after requesting a trade, shouldn’t stop the Lakers from getting a good deal, right?

But the all-world guard can do as he pleases. Back in 2004, Bryant’s agent negotiated the best contracts in sports. The Lakers gave him a no-trade clause, a trade-kicker payment, the option to get 70% of his annual salary up-front, and a ’max’ contract.

Now Bryant says where and who. He picks where he wants to play and, in the case of Deng, who with. After all, why leave L.A. for another losing situation?

But Bryant made his bed with the Lakers. Now he should lie in it. Kobe, waive the no- trade clause and accept some responsibility for a situation you helped create.

Copyed

* Miami @ Indiana

* Detroit @ Orlando

* Milwaukee @Charlotte

* Dallas @ Atlanta

* NY Knicks @ Cleveland

* Toronto @ New Jersey

* Washington @ Boston

* Portland @ New Orleans

* Denver @ Minnesota

* Philadelphia @ Chicago

* Sacramento @ San Antonio

* Golden State @ L.A. Clippers

* L.A. Lakers @ Phoenix

Add Emeka Okafor to the long list of players from the class of 2004 who didn’t receive contract extensions before the deadline this past Wednesday. Are NBA teams being stingy or smart? Maybe Okafor, Deng, Gordon and Igoudala are asking for too much. Kobe is a lame duck in L.A., how much longer before Buss and company ship the disgruntled star out of town? It’s likely he’s not going to end up in Chicago, at least not this season. Knick fans do you cringe when you hear that Stephon Marbury is going to shoot more? Could Ron Artest end up back home with the Knicks? Click above for more of todays NBA hearsay.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Chicago Bulls general manager John Paxson said that trade talks on Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers have ended for now and downplayed the notion that the teams were ever on the verge of a deal.

“There’s not a deal done,” he said Thursday. “There’s not going to be a deal done. All the things that were out there were really unfair to all of us who were trying to do our jobs. The misinformation … I think gets in the way of the process. It’s just such a complicated thing and we kind of put it to rest now.”

Paxson said they discussed “parameters,” but the sides “never got down to the nuts and bolts of it because there was never a deal to be done. That’s the reality of it.”

But Paxson was quoted in the Chicago Sun-Times Thursday as saying he could not rule out the possibility of reopening talks on Bryant.

“‘Who knows?” he said. “‘The reality now is it’s done. There are a lot of people out there searching for information, and it becomes ridiculous half the time. I’m not going to separate fact from fiction because there’s so much fiction out there.”

Paxson expressed concern that the flurry of rumors surrounding Bryant would have an adverse affect on his team’s focus and execution.

“It’s like this every trade deadline, too,” he said in the Sun-Times story. “People want to get a story, and they’ll go to any limit. I didn’t see myself quoted or anybody from the Lakers quoted. I wanted to try and go through this the right way. The fortunate thing is I know what really happened and [Lakers GM] Mitch Kupchak knows what really happened, and that’s all that really matters.”

Bryant drew some boos during introductions before the Lakers’ season-opening 95-93 loss to Houston on Tuesday, after calling the front office a mess and asking to be traded during the offseason. The jeers turned to cheers as Bryant scored 18 of his 45 points in the fourth quarter to lead a comeback.

The trade deadline isn’t until February, so it’s possible talks between the Lakers and Bulls could resume.

“I think today sends a message that our guys don’t have to worry about anything right now,” Paxson said.

Then again, coach Scott Skiles wondered: “What’s resolving anything in all sports until the trading deadline?”

“Just because this rumor at some point dies down, does that mean another one’s not going to crop up in two weeks?” he asked. “It’s ongoing, it’s all the time. Now, this is one that involves a very, very high profile player, so I understand the extra attention on it.”

With the rumors swirling, Chicago played a flat first half and was just as bad at the end in losing the season opener 112-103 at New Jersey on Wednesday. Just about every Bull’s name has surfaced in rumors, and Luol Deng acknowledged the Kobe questions are wearing on him.

“I am,” he said when asked if he’s annoyed by them. “But you guys want to get to the bottom of it so I’ve just got to keep answering your questions.”

Several issues stand in the way of a Bryant deal.

Bryant has a no-trade clause and can opt out in the summer 2009, although he has said he wouldn’t mind playing in Chicago.

ESPN.com’s Chris Sheridan, citing a source with knowledge of the trade talks, reported Wednesday that Bryant 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.

Paxson does not want to gut his roster or part with Deng, who appeared to be on the verge of stardom last season.

Paxson and Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf met with Bryant when he was a free agent in 2004. He wound up re-signing with the Lakers for seven years and $136.4 million, with that opt-out clause.

“He liked what he heard,” Paxson said. “For that reason, he likes the Chicago Bulls, which is obviously flattering.”

But he apparently won’t be joining them in the near future.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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