sfgate.com blog by Janny Hu

Some bad news from practice today:

As the trade deadline passed at noon, the biggest story for the Warriors wasn't that Mickael Pietrus was still at practice.

It's that Andris Biedrins was not.

The Warriors' starting center is out indefinitely with appendicitis that began flaring up last night. Biedrins is scheduled to have his appendix removed today and will likely out for at least a week as he recovers from surgery. Suns forward Grant Hill missed 11 days after undergoing his own appendectomy on Jan. 10.

Warriors coach Don Nelson said Biedrins wasn't feeling well during Wednesday's win over the Celtics, though Biedrins still toughed out one of his best games of the season with 21 points and 13 rebounds. He got progressively worse overnight before the Warriors' sent him to the doctor Thursday morning.

This will definately hurt the team's chance of making the playoffs.  Guess PoB will get a chance to step up and prove himself.

Poll

Which player would you like to see more minutes for while Biedrins is out?

6%

Austin Croshere

16 votes

15%

Patrick O'Bryant

35 votes

4%

Kosta Perovic

10 votes

4%

Chris Webber

11 votes

6%

Al Harrington

16 votes

62%

B. Wright

144 votes

232 votes | Poll has closed

From ESPN.COM

Sources told ESPN.com that talks between the Mavericks and Nets, which had seemingly stalled, grew serious after the teams played Sunday night in New Jersey and have moved them to the brink of completing the NBA's third blockbuster deal of the month.

Although sources say that the teams are still sorting out final details, this deal was described as "imminent" by one source close to the process after negotiations moved to an advanced stage Tuesday night. The proposed swap -- salvaged from talks of a three-way trade with Portland that developed and fizzled quickly two weeks ago -- would require Dallas to send 24-year-old point guard Devin Harris, veteran swingman Jerry Stackhouse, the expiring contracts of center DeSegana Diop and swingman Devean George and another player such as guard Maurice Ager to New Jersey for Kidd and possibly veteran guard Darrell Armstrong. It's believed that Dallas would also send New Jersey cash and future draft considerations.

The West just keeps on getting stronger.  With the Lakers getting Gasol, Suns getting O'Neal, and now possibly the Mavs close to landing Kidd.  Does this force the Warriors to make a move just to keep up?

The Warriors were winners this year of the ESPY award for Best Upset of the year.  The awards were presented tonight, but the show will be aired on the 15th.

The other nominees in the category were...
Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees - AL Division Series
Florida Gators vs. Ohio State Buckeyes - BCS National Championship
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Duke Blue Devils - NCAA Women's Sweet 16

You would think after missing two critical freethrows at the end of the 4th in Game 2 that Pietrus would be practicing freethrows until his arm falls off. NOT THE CASE.

Won't toe the line: Despite missing two free throws that probably would have clinched a victory in the final minute of Game 2, guard Mickael Pietrus refused to go to the free-throw line Thursday.

"If I practice free throws today, I will think about it tomorrow," he said. "If I practice free throws today, I would probably break the rim."

After Davis, who also missed a free throw as Golden State blew a five-point lead in the final 53 seconds of Game 2, finished his media responsibilities, he headed straight for the foul line. Al Harrington and Andris Biedrins did the same. But Pietrus just looked on.

"You would think that I could make at least one, but I missed both of them," he said. "I feel sorry for my teammates, because they played very well. I'm trying not to think about it. It already happened, so there's nothing I can do about it now."

He did have an interesting recovery plan, however.

"I'm going to go home, play with my puppy, take him to Golden Gate Park and make him happy," Pietrus said.

Poll

Should Pietrus be working on his freethrows?

61%

Yes

33 votes

5%

No

3 votes

33%

Doesn't matter. He'll keep missing them anyways.

18 votes

54 votes | Poll has closed

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Janny Hu updated on blog that Jackson won't be fined or suspended by the league.

As for Stephen Jackson, who was thrown out after just one technical foul for clapping with 8.9 seconds to go, I just got word from the league that he's in the clear. No fines. No suspension. The NBA isn't looking into anything.

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I was read the Ultimate Standings: Fan Satisfaction Rankings article on espn.com.  They did a ranking of 122 pro sports teams based on what they give back to fans who invest their time and money in the organization.

The categories they based the rankings on are:

Bang for the Buck: Revenues directly from fans divided by wins in the past three years

Fan Relations: Ease of access to players, coaches & management

Ownership: Honesty; loyalty to players and city

Affordability: Price of tickets, parking and concessions

Stadium Experience: Friendliness of environment; quality of game-day promotions

Players: Effort on the field; likability off it

Coach/Manager: Strong on-field leadership

Title Track: Titles already won or expected -- soon

Here is the link to the NBA teams rankings..
http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/franchiseRanks?sport=nba&year=2007

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