Say What?
Gervin denies that Thompson broke his record
George Gervin is not willing to concede that Klay Thompson broke his record for most points in a quarter. The 24-year-old guard of the Golden State Warriors scored 37 points in a quarter against the Sacramento Kings. Gervin, known as The Iceman, had the previous record: 33 points, set in 1978, a year before the 3-point arc was adopted. Said Gervin: “I’d like to see him get 33 or 37 in a quarter where there’s no 3-point line.” Thompson made all 13 of his field goals, including 9 from 3-point range. “I don’t feel he broke my record,” Gervin said. “He set a new record for the new NBA.”
J.R. Smith says leaving New York improved his game
Guard J.R. Smith credits his recently improved play to leaving the night life of New York for the dimmer lights of Cleveland. He was traded from the Knicks to the Cavaliers on Jan. 7. His scoring rose from 10.9 ppg in New York to 13.4 in Cleveland. “I think this is the best situation for me,” he said, “because there’s nothing but basketball. . . . There’s no going out, there’s no late nights.” He said his play was hampered in New York because he was “not getting enough rest.”
Sapp loses NFL Network job after solicitation arrest
Hall of Fame defensive tackle Warren Sapp was arrested in Phoenix the morning after the Super Bowl after two women who told police they were “escorts,” claimed he physically assaulted them in his hotel room during an argument over money. The dispute reportedly spilled out into the hallway. Police Chief Joseph Yahner said the women had injuries indicating a struggle had occurred. The cops said Sapp admitted “involvement in the act of prostitution” but denied he assaulted the women. After his arrest for solicitation and assault, Sapp, 42, was suspended indefinitely by NFL Network, which had employed him as an analyst since 2008. In 2010 Sapp was arrested for domestic violence, but charges were dropped. In 2012 he lost his job as one of the hosts of Inside the NFL after he reported that Jeremy Shockey, tight end of the New Orleans Saints, was a “snitch” in the Bountygate case. Shockey repeatedly denied he was the whistleblower, and Sapp eventually apologized.
Johnny Manziel enters rehab
Cleveland Browns QB Johnny Manziel entered a treatment facility last week after a two-year run of repeated incidents involving excessive use of alcohol. The day after the Browns’ season ended, Manziel spoke to media and said, “I don’t think it’s fair to anybody in this locker room the distractions I’ve brought . . .” Brad Beckworth, an adviser to the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, said: “Johnny knows there are areas in which he needs to improve in order to be a better family member, friend and teammate, and he thought the offseason was the right time to take this step.” Manziel, aka Johnny Football, was the 22nd player chosen in last year’s NFL draft but saw little action as a rookie and admitted he did not work hard enough at his profession. Browns general manager Roy Farmer and numerous teammates expressed support for Manziel’s efforts to moderate his lifestyle.
Seahawks’ Baldwin makes vulgar gesture after TD
NBC cameras did not show Seattle receiver Doug Baldwin’s celebration in the Super Bowl after a third-quarter touchdown which was deemed unsuitable for television. Baldwin pantomimed pulling down his pants and squatting over the football. Asked what he was thinking, Baldwin said, “That’s between me and the guy it was directed at.” There were suspicions he was referring to cornerback Darrelle Revis, who closely guarded him throughout the game. The TD catch, which put Seattle ahead 24-14, was Baldwin’s only reception for the game. The Seahawks ended up losing 28-24 to New England.