News from April 5. The NBA announced the divisional winners for the Sportsmanship Award. The winners are Luis Scola (Hou), Grant Hill (Pho), Chauncey Billups (Den), Al Horford (Atl), Ray Allen (Bos), and Antawn Jamison (Cle). One player from each team was nominated for the award and 5 former players (Mike Bantom, Mark Jackson, Satch Sanders, Kenny Smith, Eric Snow) selected the divisional winners. The overall winner of the Sportsmanship Award will be selected from the 6 divisional winners. Kevin Durant (OKC) and Chris Bosh (Tor) were named as Players of the Week. Durant averaged 31.5 points and 8 rebounds as Oklahoma City went 4-0. Bosh averaged 31.5 points and 11.5 rebounds as Toronto went 3-1. The NBA fined Phil Jackson (LAL) $35,000 for publically criticizing the refs after Sunday's LAL-SA game. New York formally released Cuttino Mobley. Mobley retired from the NBA on 12/11/08. Phoenix signed Dwyane Jones to a 10-day contract. Andrew Bogut (Mil) underwent surgery on his broken right hand and is expected to be out at least 6 weeks. The Basketball Hall of Fame announced the inductees for the class of 2009. The inductees are: Players Cynthia Cooper won 2 NCAA Championships, played 5 seasons in WNBA with Houston, won 4 WNBA Championships, named WNBA MVP twice, won Olympic Golden medal in 1988 Dennis Johnson played with Seattle Sonics 76-77 - 79-80, Phoenix Suns 80-81 - 82-83, the Boston Celtics 83-84 - 89-90, won NBA championship in 1979, 1984, and 1986 Gus Johnson played with the NBA Baltimore Bullets 63-64 - 71-72, the Phoenix Suns 72-73, the ABA Indiana Pacers 72-73 Karl Malone Played 85-86 - 02-03 with Utah and 03-04 with LA Lakers, MVP 1997 and 1999, 11 time All-NBA First Team, Averaged 25 points and 10 rebounds, won Olympic Gold Medal in 1992 and 1996 Maciel Ubiratan Pereira Brazilian player who won South American championships in 1963, 1968, 1971, 1973, and 1977 Scottie Pippen Played 17 season in NBA, including 12 with Chicago, won NBA Championships in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998, won Olympic Gold Medal in 1992 and 1996 Coaches Bob Hurley Sr over 900 wins with St. Anthony's High School in New Jersey since 1972, all but 1 of his players went on to college Teams 1960 USA Olympic Team went 8-0 in winning Gold medal, average win margin 42.4 points 1992 USA Olympic Team Dream Team - first year professional players could play in Olympics, went 8-0 in winning Gold medal, average win margin 44 points Contributors Dr. Jerry Buss Owner LA Lakers since 1979, Lakers have won 9 NBA Championships while owner The enshrinement ceremonies will take place August 13. Schedule for Tuesday, April 6 (All times Central) Atlanta @ Charlotte 6:00 pm Toronto @ Cleveland 6:00 pm Detroit @ Philadelphia 6:00 pm Golden State @ Washington 6:00 pm Boston @ New York 6:30 pm Milwaukee @ Chicago 7:00 pm Houston @ Memphis 7:00 pm Oklahoma City @ Utah 8:00 pm San Antonio @ Sacramento 9:00 pm Schedule for Wednesday, April 7 (All times Central) New York @ Indiana 6:00 pm Boston @ Toronto 6:00 pm Washington @ Orlando 6:00 pm Atlanta @ Detroit 6:30 pm Philadelphia @ Miami 6:30 pm New Jersey @ Milwaukee 7:00 pm Golden State @ Minnesota 7:00 pm Charlotte @ New Orleans 7:00 pm Denver @ Oklahoma City 7:00 pm Utah @ Houston 7:00 pm ESPN Memphis @ Dallas 7:30 pm Portland @ LA Clippers 9:30 pm San Antonio @ Phoenix 9:30 pm ESPN ---- Patricia Bender pbender@eskimo.com For NBA stuff: http://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/index.html For Mavs stuff: http://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/mavs.html