'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31

[nasty daddy]

Link to volume 30: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=890690&p=19007456#p19007456

This thread will contain Pistons news, injuries, free agent signings, trades and news throughout the NBA, plus scores from both the NBA and college.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.html

Law to Sit With Back Injury
Hawks guard Acie Law IV joined Marvin Williams on the inactive list for the second straight game Monday as the Hawks took on the Minnesota Timberwolves at Philips Arena.

Like Williams, Law has a lower back problem. Williams is out indefinitely with lower back pain that could cost him the rest of the regular season.

Law has back spasms that will put the rest of his week in jeopardy. “It’s a tough one,” Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. “We could really use Acie right now, especially with the teams we’re going to see this week.”

[nasty daddy]

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/basket ... 1-sun.html

Gilbert Arenas used a variety of means yesterday to indicate that he could make his season debut for the Washington Wizards this weekend against the Detroit Pistons. "I'm playing Saturday against Detroit," he said in a text message sent to Comcast SportsNet.

Asked if it was really so, the three-time all-star told a Washington Post reporter at the Verizon Center: "It's only true if I play on Saturday." Arenas then told the Washington Times by phone that playing Saturday is "the plan" -- but isn't set in stone.

Arenas took a fourth approach -- playing coy -- when approached by the Associated Press before last night's game against the Chicago Bulls: "Everybody's talking about Saturday, man. I don't know how you can talk about Saturday when it ain't here."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ch ... 4382.story

Bulls coach Vinny De Negro: Luol Deng's leg injury may be season ending
Coach concedes his season may be over. Two weeks have passed since a Miami-based specialist recommended two more weeks of rest for the stress fracture in Luol Deng's right tibia.

And Deng, who didn't accompany the Bulls here, isn't closer to returning. "It could be [season-ending]," coach Vinny Del Negro said Monday. "You just don't know how it's going to react. We don't want him to come back and really seriously injure himself. He's still got discomfort and pain."It's a stress fracture. Until that heals—and that takes time—we'll be smart about it. Luol wants to be out there as much as anybody. But injuries happen and this one is tough."

Deng said late Saturday he planned to try to increase his workouts this week. He missed his 11th straight game Monday.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.html

Jermaine O'Neal Sits With Hip Injury
Heat F Jermaine O'Neal sat out against the Grizzlies last night with a bruised right hip, something he described as a minor ailment that shouldn't keep him sidelined for long in the Heat's postseason push.

O'Neal had been bothered by the hip for several days, starting when he tried to take a charge last Wednesday against the Celtics.

"It's definitely just one game, just trying to calm it down, just because it's affecting the way I move a little bit and jump and stuff like that," O'Neal said. "So that's basically it. It's nothing to be worried about."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/baske ... 64571.html

Magloire found out shortly before Monday's game that he would be in the starting lineup against Memphis after starting center Jermaine O'Neal was held out due to a bruised right hip. It was the first game O'Neal missed since joining the team on Feb. 13.

Before the game, O'Neal said he suffered the injury in a recent game against the Boston Celtics. O'Neal believes he will be ready for Wednesday's game at the Pacers.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... tml?sub=AR

Heat's O'Neal Sits Out With Hip Injury
Heat F Jermaine O'Neal sat out against the Grizzlies last night with a bruised right hip, something he described as a minor ailment that shouldn't keep him sidelined for long in the Heat's postseason push. O'Neal had been bothered by the hip for several days, starting when he tried to take a charge last Wednesday against the Celtics.

He aggravated the injury in Sunday's win over the Pistons, Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra said, and after a pregame huddle with team trainers and physicians, the decision was made to give O'Neal the night off. "It's definitely just one game, just trying to calm it down, just because it's affecting the way I move a little bit and jump and stuff like that," O'Neal said. "So that's basically it. It's nothing to be worried about." . . .

[nasty daddy]

http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports ... hawks.html

Acie Law sits with back problems
Hawks guard Acie Law IV joined Marvin Williams on the inactive list for the second straight game Monday as the Hawks took on the Minnesota Timberwolves at Philips Arena. Like Williams, Law has a lower back problem. Williams is out indefinitely with lower back pain that could cost him the rest of the regular season.

Law has back spasms that will put the rest of his week in jeopardy. “It’s a tough one,” Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. “We could really use Acie right now, especially with the teams we’re going to see this week.”

The Hawks host San Antonio Wednesday, Boston Friday and the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday. And with Williams out, the door was open to more playing time for Law. He played in 10 straight games before missing Saturday’s game in Cleveland. It was his longest stretch of consecutive appearances since the first 12 games of the season. Woodson said it isn’t clear when Law will return. “He just woke up one morning and his back had locked up on him,” Woodson said, shaking his head. “I hate it for Acie because he really had a chance to help us right now and he’s out.”

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.html

Rip and 'Sheed to Sit vs. Bulls
It'll continue to be a depleted group of Pistons that travels to Chicago Tuesday night.

Allen Iverson (back) and Rasheed Wallace (calf) are both out for the game against the Bulls, and Richard Hamilton (groin) is unlikely to play, coach Michael Curry said after Monday's practice. "With Rip it's a matter of feel," said Curry, noting Hamilton's style of play, constantly in motion. "It's not likely (Hamilton will play), but I don't want to rule him out. Sheed's out."

As for Iverson, he was at the practice facility getting treatment during practice, but did not talk to reporters.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.html

D.J. White Returns from NBDL
Rookie forward D.J. White has been recalled from the Tulsa 66ers. The 29th overall pick played in three games, averaging 17.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 assists in 37.7 minutes.

White hasn’t played in a game with the Thunder all season after undergoing two surgeries to remove and repair a benign growth in his jaw. It’s unclear if White will be in uniform tonight against the Lakers, but he is expected to make his debut over the team’s final 12 games.

"The biggest adjustment is just conditioning,” White said. "I’m just trying to get my wind back and trying to get a better feel for the game ... It’s just a matter of getting back into it. I took six months off, so I just want to keep working hard and see what happens.”

[nasty daddy]

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/ ... w_the.html

Against Bulls, Pistons know they must close deal
The Detroit Pistons know all too well about how the thin line between winning and losing. They come into tonight's game against Chicago with four losses in five games, with each defeat by five or fewer points. "We have to do a better job of closing games out," Detroit's Arron Afflalo said. "That's about taking care of some of the smaller things during the game so you're not in that position towards the end."That was especially true in the Pistons' most recent loss, 101-96 against the Miami Heat on Sunday. Detroit led for three-plus quarters, then allowed Miami to close the game with a 17-7 run.

Tonight's opponent, Chicago, won in a similar way against Detroit last month. On Feb. 10 in Chicago, the Pistons led the Bulls by 15 points in the fourth quarter with about 7 minutes to play. From there, Detroit went into an offensive funk that ended with a 107-102 loss. "I can't explain that one," Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince said after the February loss. "I can't explain that one if I tried." Part of Detroit's problem late in games, especially now with so many key players out with injuries, is that many of the players on the floor are not accustomed to being counted on for game-winning plays. "In the past, we've been better in closing games out," Curry said. "We had guys that were familiar with each other and knew how to close it out. That's how Chauncey Billups got his nickname. He made a lot of big shots at the end of games. And then, you have two guys, Chauncey and Rip, who shot free throws at a very high level. "It's a little adjustment this year. We haven't finished games as well. We have to continue to get better at that, get confidence in finishing games. Once you start doing it and get confidence in doing it, that's how you put together long winning streaks and start having really successful seasons."

Finding a way to close out games will not be any easier tonight against the Bulls, who, like Detroit, are looking to get hot down the stretch to improve their playoff position. "We shouldn't have to use that, just for the simple fact that we are that many games out of the playoffs," Afflalo said. "But again, Chicago is right behind us and this is an important game for us."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/ ... w_the.html

Health update
In addition to Allen Iverson (back), Rasheed Wallace (left calf) is out for tonight's game, and Richard Hamilton (groin) is doubtful. All three spent time Monday working with Pistons strength and conditioning coach Arnie Kander,

While Curry anticipates Wallace and Hamilton will return to action this week, it is unclear when Iverson will play again. "As soon as possible," Curry said. "That's the way I look at it. We'll see how his body responds to the treatment and training with Arnie."

Iverson on Sunday said one of his biggest concerns in coming back too soon is experiencing a relapse that might end his season, or possibly his career. "Whenever I am ready and I can help the way I know I can help, and I don't have to deal with this problem and know that it's not going to bother me for the rest of my life, then I'll be ready to go," Iverson said.

[nasty daddy]

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... v11083.htm

Detroit Pistons (34-35) at Chicago Bulls (33-38), 8 p.m.
Two Central Division rivals clinging to the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference get together tonight, as the Chicago Bulls take on the Detroit Pistons in the friendly confines of the United Center. The Bulls are currently eighth in the East, just 1 1/2 games ahead of the Charlotte Bobcats, and will open a three-game homestand Tuesday versus the Pistons, Heat and Pacers. Chicago is 21-12 in the Windy City this season and has won four of five overall, including Monday's 101-99 victory at Washington. Ben Gordon scored all of his 21 points in the second half to help fend off the Wizards at the Verizon Center, while John Salmons finished with 19 points in a winning cause. Rookie Derrick Rose posted 12 points, eight assists and five rebounds for Chicago, which got 12 points from Kirk Hinrich. Salmons is averaging 22.3 points over the last 11 games

Meanwhile, Detroit has dropped four of its last five games and suffered a 101-96 defeat at the hands of Miami on Sunday at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Rodney Stuckey scored a team-high 24 points and Antonio McDyess added 16 and 12 boards for Detroit. Tayshaun Prince and Arron Afflalo registered 14 and 13 points, respectively, in a losing cause. The banged-up Pistons were again without guard Richard Hamilton (groin), center Rasheed Wallace (calf) and guard Allen Iverson (back). Hamilton has missed four straight games and is doubtful for Tuesday. Wallace has been sidelined seven consecutive contests and is expected to miss tonight's outing, while Iverson is out indefinitely and hasn't played since a February 25 loss at New Orleans.

Detroit will try to even its 16-17 road record Tuesday and take a 2-1 series lead on the Bulls. Both teams have won on their home floor in this season's series and Chicago is 6-2 in the past eight meetings. The Pistons have lost five in a row at the United Center after winning their previous 12 trips there.

[nasty daddy]

http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... eatin.html

Jordan Dumars, Joe's son, creating his own path
When Jordan Dumars committed to South Florida last summer, he just finished his junior season in high school. Now, Jordan is finishing up his senior year and his high school team(Country Day) is fighting to win their second straight State Title.

Detroit Country Day coach Kurt Keener remembers the first time he heard about Jordan Dumars..."(My son) said his name was Jordan Dumars and my ears just perked up," Keener said. "He was one of the bigger kids in eighth grade and obviously he had good bloodlines."
...[I]n his four years at Country Day, Jordan has emerged from the shadow of the family name and carved his own niche in basketball in Michigan. Jordan, a 6-foot-6 senior guard who has committed to South Florida, is now a captain and starter and leads Country Day against Flint Powers tonight in the Class B quarterfinals at Flint Central. Jordan's team has five players(including Dumars) that are headed for NCAA D-I schools, and he says that being part of a team like that has helped him....[S]eniors DaShonte Riley (Syracuse), Donnavan Kirk (Miami, Fla.), Bennie Fowler (Michigan State, football) and junior point guard Ray McCallum Jr. (uncommitted)... "Jordan gives us tremendous balance with Riley and Kirk. It frees him to do what he does best on the perimeter. If (defenses) collapse inside, it leaves Jordan an open three," Keener said. Having so many other talented players around him makes Jordan's job easier, so he doesn't have to carry the scoring load by himself. "It's a good situation for me," Jordan said. "At another school, I'd have to do more and have more to do. There isn't as much pressure here."

Though his dad hasn't put pressure on him to follow in his footsteps, Joe tries to make every one of Jordan's game and must be proud.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... ng+beating

Pistons' Iverson fined $260,000 for watching beating
Pistons guard Allen Iverson must pay $260,000 for standing idly by and watching his bodyguard beat up another man in a 2005 bar fight, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejected Iverson's attempt to throw out the verdict decided by a jury in 2007. Bar patron Marlin Godfrey accused Iverson's bodyguard, Jason Kane, of punching, kicking and hitting him with a bottle because he refused to vacate the VIP section at Washington club Eyebar to make way for the basketball star and his entourage. Godfrey suffered a concussion, a ruptured eardrum, a burst blood vessel in his eye, a torn rotator cuff, cuts and bruises, and emotional injuries.

A three-judge appeals court panel wrote that Iverson stayed out of the fray in the back corner of the VIP area, standing on a couch or bench and observing. "The evidence in this case supported the jury's finding that Kane attacked Godfrey in a fight that lasted several minutes, and that Iverson stood and watched without attempting to do anything to stop the beating," the decision said.

Godfrey and another patron, David Anthony Kittrell, sued Iverson for $20 million, but the jury decided not to award punitive damages and only compensate Godfrey $10,000 for his medical bills and $250,000 for pain and suffering. The jury did not find either of the men liable for assaulting Kittrell.

[nasty daddy]

http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... rowdy.html

Dan Gilbert attends local Bar Mitzvah, gets rowdy
In an event that took place Saturday night, a Bar Mitzvah that featured T.I. as a performer and Dwayne Wade as a guest, it's being reported that fisticuffs broke out. Not between the Hip-Hop artist or his crew, or Dwayne Wade and his associates, but between Cleveland Cavalier's owner Dan Gilbert and former Rock Financial honcho David Hall.

There have been rumors, since Hall's abrupt departure from Rock Financial over a year ago, that there was friction between Gilbert and Hall. Mojo in the Morning, the morning radio show on 95.5 FM in Detroit, apparently has sources that were at the event Saturday night. During a segment the show talks about what happened and tells their listeners that the friction between Gilbert and Hall came to a head during an altercation, with the two men getting into a physical confrontation. Security had to intervene to calm down the two.

Whatever happened between those two men that lead to the fallout, the bad feelings are probably intensified with the current state of the economy.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/community/te ... 90323.html

Detroit Pistons Feed 100,000 Michigan Residents from Funds Raised in 2009 Pistons Care Telethon Benefiting Feed the Children
The 2009 Pistons Care Telethon, which culminated in a 17-hour telethon day and telecast of the team’s game on March 11, raised more than $450,000 in pledges to benefit Feed The Children (FTC), with 100% of proceeds going to families in critical need of food and basic necessities throughout the state of Michigan. The pledge total will allow FTC to help sustain 25,000 families with food and personal care items. The truckloads will begin with truck deliveries to Detroit Rescue Mission, Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit, ChildHelp USA in Southfield, the Macomb Food Program in Mt. Clemens, Orchard’s Children’s Services in Flint, Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Saginaw and the Salvation Army in Jackson and others through December 2009. For more information about FTC, please visit www.feedthechildren.org. Although the Telethon took place on March 11, a number of fund-raising efforts took place in the days and weeks prior when employees of Palace Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) began a variety of activities and reached out to friends, neighbors and clients to ask for donations and put together programs to raise funds. “It was truly remarkable to watch our tally board as the Telethon progressed and realize just how big the hearts are of people in our state to help others who are less fortunate during these tough times,” said Tom Wilson, President and CEO of PS&E. “Once again, the community rallied together for a worthy cause, which this year was to help sustain tens of thousands of families in critical need. It was gratifying to see neighbors helping neighbors through a rough time.” “We are so grateful for everyone at the Pistons organization and those who participated with the Pistons Care Telethon,” said Larry Jones, founder and president of Feed The Children. “It was recently reported that the number of Michigan children living in poverty has reached nearly one in four. Because of the tremendous support from the telethon, Feed The Children is able to deliver many truckloads of food to Michigan children and families who are in need. We understand the plight these families are currently experiencing and our thoughts and prayers are with them. Thank you to the Pistons organization for your dedication to helping Michigan families.”

Detroit Pistons partners Rock Financial, Fathead, Belle Tire and National City all contributed to the cause, as did the team’s television partner Fox Sports Detroit. Numerous television sponsors donated their spots during the telecast to share the message about Feed The Children and various sponsors contributed to the radio telecast on WDFN AM 1130 as well as in-arena throughout the March 11 game. Entertainers including Jimmy Buffett, Bob Seger, Kid Rock, Eminem, Billy Joel & Elton John, Jay Leno, Big & Rich, Anita Baker, Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago all supported the event. Local media also supported the Pistons Care Telethon including WCSX-FM, WYCD-FM, WWJ-AM, CIMX-FM, CIDR-FM, WXYT-AM/FM, WVMV-FM, WDVD-FM, WRIF-FM, WOMC-FM and The Mitch Albom Show who broadcast live from The Palace throughout the day. All three network news affiliates - WJBK-TV 2, WDIV-TV 4 and WXYZ-TV 7 - provided coverage during the day and the entire game, including the Telethon, was broadcast on Fox Sports Detroit. CBS Outdoor, Detroit Newspapers, Oakland Press, Metro Times and Real Detroit Weekly all donated space for ads promoting the Telethon.

Others contributing to the cause in special ways included several area businesses who raised funds for the Telethon by hosting Corporate Jeans Days. Student fundraising initiatives took place in 62 school classrooms throughout the state in a special service learning philanthropy program run by the LEAGUE Michigan. Mark Ridley donated his Comedy Castle for a “Night of Laughs” and six area comedians donated their services to benefit the charity. In its second year, the Pistons Care Telethon has raised nearly one million dollars for charity, including $480,000 in 2008 which benefited Make-A-Wish. For more information on the Pistons Care Telethon, please contact Director of Community Relations Dennis Sampier at (248) 371-2034 or visit Pistons.com. Would your 501(c)(3) non-profit agency like to participate in a Piston Cares food and personal care product distribution but your organization is not yet a Feed The Children partner agency? Please contact Feed The Children’s Agency Development department if your agency has a 501(c)(3) federal tax designation, or if your church has Articles of Incorporation and your organization feeds or supplies food on a on-going basis to children and families in the greatest need. Restrictions do apply and application will have to be made. Contact: Feed The Children, Agency Development, Shannan Callies email shannan.callies@feedthechildren.org or 1-800-627-4556 ext. 4239.National City Corporation, one of the nation’s largest financial holding companies, is the presenting sponsor for the Detroit Pistons. For more information about National City, please visit www.nationalcity.com.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4012197

Appeal denied, so Iverson must pay
NBA star Allen Iverson must pay $260,000 for standing idly by and watching his bodyguard beat up another man in a 2005 bar fight, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejected the Detroit Pistons guard's attempt to throw out the verdict decided by a jury in 2007.

Bar patron Marlin Godfrey accused Iverson's bodyguard, Jason Kane, of punching, kicking and hitting him with a bottle because he refused to vacate the VIP section at Washington club Eyebar to make way for the basketball star and his entourage. Godfrey suffered a concussion, a ruptured eardrum, a burst blood vessel in his eye, a torn rotator cuff, cuts and bruises, and emotional injuries.

A three-judge appeals court panel wrote that Iverson stayed out of the fray in the back corner of the VIP area, standing on a couch or bench and observing. "The evidence in this case supported the jury's finding that Kane attacked Godfrey in a fight that lasted several minutes, and that Iverson stood and watched without attempting to do anything to stop the beating," the decision said. Godfrey and another patron, David Anthony Kittrell, sued Iverson for $20 million, but the jury decided not to aware punitive damages and only compensate Godfrey $10,000 for his medical bills and $250,000 for pain and suffering. The jury did not find either of the men liable for assaulting Kittrell.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/games/20090324/DETCHI/preview.html

Home games dominate the Chicago Bulls' schedule for the final three weeks of the regular season. If they plan on making the playoffs, they'll need to continue their strong play at the United Center. Currently the Eastern Conference's No. 8 seed, the Bulls will hope to secure a spot by playing eight of their final 11 games at home, a stretch that starts Tuesday night against the short-handed Detroit Pistons. Chicago (33-38) has won seven of eight at home to jump into playoff position in the East, with the lone loss coming Saturday against the West-leading Los Angeles Lakers. The Bulls led by 14 at halftime, but let the lead slip away in the fourth en route to a 117-109 defeat.Chicago's first chance to bounce back came Monday at woeful Washington, and it nearly lost another double-digit lead. This time the Bulls led 88-77 with 6:09 left in the fourth quarter, but had to hold on for a 101-99 victory that pulled them 1 1/2 games ahead of ninth-place Charlotte. "Of course there's a concern, but the biggest concern is winning and losing,'' Chicago coach Vinny Del Negro said. "That's what it comes down to. We made enough plays today to win. We were fortunate a little bit at the end, but we got the job done.''

A favorable schedule down the stretch should help the Bulls. Only two of their final 11 opponents have winning records, and both of those games are at home. Just two games ahead of Chicago in seventh place are the Pistons (34-35), who have gone 7-14 since Feb. 8 to leave open the possibility that they'll miss the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Some of Detroit's struggles are due to its rash of injuries. Allen Iverson (back) has missed the past 13 games, Rasheed Wallace (calf) has missed seven straight and Richard Hamilton (groin) has sat out the last four. Rodney Stuckey had missed the Pistons' 108-90 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday with flu-like symptoms, but he returned Sunday and scored 24 against visiting Miami. That wasn't enough, though, as Dwyane Wade scored 39 points in the Heat's 101-96 comeback victory. Detroit has lost four of its last five, all by five points or fewer. "This is four games we've given away at the end,'' said Arron Afflalo, who had 13 points starting in the guard spot normally shared by Iverson and Hamilton. "We've got to find a way to pull these out.''

Afflalo will likely start again Tuesday with Hamilton doubtful, but Stuckey may be the key for Detroit. The second-year guard had a career-high 40 points in the Pistons' 104-98 home win over the Bulls on Dec. 23, but was held to 16 while shooting 6 of 16 on Feb. 20 in a 107-102 loss at Chicago - Detroit's fifth straight defeat in the Windy City. In that contest, the Bulls blew a lead but also staged a major comeback. They led by eight after the first quarter but were down 14 after three, shortly before Derrick Rose took over. The top overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft had nine of his 23 points in the game's final four minutes, leading Chicago to a 107-102 win. The Bulls are 16-8 when Rose scores more than 20 points. Detroit's bigger concern may be John Salmons. The veteran swingman, acquired from Sacramento last month, has averaged 22.3 points in 11 games since Del Negro inserted him into Chicago's starting lineup.

[nasty daddy]

http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... en_iv.html

Detroit Pistons guard Allen Iverson loses appeal, must pay $260,000
Allen Iverson is going to have to pay a man $260,000 for injuries he suffered that were the result of a bar fight in 2005.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia today upheld a jury's finding that Iverson's bodyguard, Jason Kane, attacked bar patron Marlin Godfrey and that Iverson stood and watched without attempting to stop the beating. Godfrey said in court papers that he suffered a concussion, a ruptured eardrum, a burst blood vessel in his eye and a torn rotator cuff in the July 2005 scuffle with Iverson's security detail. The altercation occurred when the basketball star's entourage attempted to take over the bar's VIP section, according to court papers. No criminal charges were filed. "We find no error in the district court's ruling that the jury did not need the assistance of expert testimony to determine the standard of care Iverson owed to Godfrey," Senior U.S. Circuit Judge Raymond Randolph wrote in the opinion. The three-judge panel also rejected a cross-appeal by Godfrey over some of the lower court's evidentiary findings. Godfrey, who also alleged he suffered emotional injury, had sought $20 million in damages.

It sounds like Iverson would have been better off just paying this man at least the $260,000 when this first happened. The legal fees incurred the past 4 years have got to be more than that amount, and this would not be in the news in 2009.