In a radio interview on the Dan Patrick show, the subject of Jason Collins, who recently came out as the first openly gay NBA player, and gay players in the NBA became a topic. Barkley said he, and pretty much every other player, had played with a gay teammate during their time in the league:

Everybody did. Everybody played with a gay teammate, Dan. And it’ s no big deal. First of all, I think it’s an insult to gay people to think that they’re trying to pick up on their teammates. But everybody has played with a gay teammate… It’s obviously discussed, privately, because the problem is, Dan, unless somebody tells you they’re gay, you can’t say a thing about them being gay. Ya know, until somebody has the courage, and I think it takes great courage to come out, it’s kind of an unspoken word to be honest with you.

He used Collins to back up his claim saying that the Wizards center had played with six teams, so by extension, players on those six teams had played with a gay teammate. He also said that nobody knows a teammate is gay until they come out because “it’s none of your business.”

You can check out the full interview with Barkley below:

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“Ryan distinguished himself among an impressive group of candidates for our GM position,” said Lon Babby, president of basketball operations with the Suns. “His natural leadership and communication skills will serve the Suns well. And, his prodigious work ethic and ability to identify talent will enable us to take full advantage of the 10 draft choices, including six in the first round, that we have over the next three years. We welcome his championship pedigree to our organization.”

McDonough began his NBA career in 2003 as a special assistant to basketball operations with the Boston Celtics. In that position, McDonough was heavily involved in scouting work.

Most recently McDonough served as the assistant general manager of the Boston Celtics. According to the Suns, his experience in draft evaluation and scouting will make him perfect for the organization, considering the team’s six first-round draft picks over the next three years.

Scott took over as head coach of the Cavs in 2010, just before LeBron James left for the Miami Heat. Scott’s first season with the organization ended with a dismal 19-63 record, which included an NBA record 26-game losing streak. During his career with the Cavs, Scott coached the team to a 64-166 record.

“I want to thank Chris Grant, Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers organization for the opportunity I had to coach this team the last three seasons,” said Scott. “I am certainly proud of the progress that many of our players have made and greatly appreciate the dedication of my coaches and our team in our efforts to attain the success we all desired.”

The Cavaliers have not named a replacement for Scott, but have announced that they intend to “immediately commence a search” for a head coach.

“I fully support the difficult move that was made today,” said Dan Gilbert, the majority owner of the Cavs. “Although we saw progress with young individual player development, we did not see the kind of progress we expected on the team level this past season. We understand it was challenging with the injuries, but when you are at our stage in the building process, you don’t only measure team progress in wins and losses.

“Our fans have been incredibly loyal and supportive during these transition years. They deserve better than we have been delivering as of late and it is our full intent to deliver them the kind of competitive team that they expect to see on the court beginning next season.”

(Image courtesy Erik Drost/Wikimedia Commons)

“I’ve been saying the same thing for years – that there will be someone who comes out, it will be a great moment for sports – I would be honored if he was on my team,” Cuban says.

“I think things have changed significantly, and that the players would accept him,” he adds. “I don’t think there’s any question that even though all professional sports have had their homophobic missteps on the way, that it’s a new era/generation, and the player would be accepted.”

The interview comes on the heels of (and references) words from NBA great Magic Johnson, who shared his own support for gay players in sports in another interview (below).

And where there’s scandal, there’s Taiwanese animation studio Next Media Animation, which always offers an entertaining slant on current events. Here’s NMA’s take on the Mike Rice firing:

According to Fox News, Rice is due a $100,000 bonus.

ESPN quotes Cuban:

“If she is the best on the board, I will take her,” Cuban said before the Mavs’ Tuesday night game against the Los Angeles Lakers. “I’ve thought about it. I’ve thought about it already. Would I do it? Right now, I’d lean toward yes, just to see if she can do it. You never know unless you give somebody a chance, and it’s not like the likelihood of any late-50s draft pick has a good chance of making it.”

Here’s Griner dunking and “exploding” for 50 points:

Griner is 6′ 8″, 207.2 lbs, according to Google’s Knowledge Graph. She is said to wear a men’s show size 17 or 18 shoe and to have an arm span of 86″.

Griner is reportedly the first NCAA basketball player ever to score 2,000 points and block 500 shots. She won the 2012 AP Player of the Year.

Cuban reportedly said that if the Mavericks don’t draft Griner, he would Have “no problem whatsoever” inviting her to try out for a spot on Dallas’ summer league team.

According to a Reuters report, Balkman placed his hands around his teammate Arwind Santos’ neck as Santos tried to restrain Balkman’s anger over a disputed call.

In addition to the lifetime ban, the report states that Balkman was fined the equivalent of $6,100 over the choking.

As seen in the video of the incident below, Balkman also shoved teammates and coaches during his outburst:

Balkman and Santos were both playing for the Petron Blaze Boosters against the Alaska Aces. The Aces went on to win the game, 83 to 73.

Balkman has apologized for his actions via his Twitter account. He apologized specifically to Santos and said that he respects the Philippine Basketball Association’s decision:

Follow @R_Balkman32

Renaldo Balkman
@R_Balkman32

I wld like to apologize to the fans, Petron Blaze, my teammates, the PBA and especially @tubidronald71 and @Arwind029

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3 days ago via web · powered by @socialditto

Follow @R_Balkman32

Renaldo Balkman
@R_Balkman32

I got caught up in the moment of a very intense game.I respect @Arwind029 as a person & player.I am proud to be part of @PetronBlaze fam.

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3 days ago via web · powered by @socialditto

Follow @R_Balkman32

Renaldo Balkman
@R_Balkman32

This was unintentional towards @arwindsotnas, I am a team player who always has the best interest of the team at heart.

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3 days ago via web · powered by @socialditto

Follow @R_Balkman32

Renaldo Balkman
@R_Balkman32

I accept all responsibilities for my actions while playing an intense game, I have truly enjoyed my time here playing in the Philippines

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5 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

Follow @R_Balkman32

Renaldo Balkman
@R_Balkman32

I would like to apologize to @arwindsotnas a person who I truly respect and would never intentionally harm, my actions were irresponsible

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5 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

Follow @R_Balkman32

Renaldo Balkman
@R_Balkman32

I respect the Philippine Basketball Association and @PetronBlaze Organization, this situation will never happen again…its a lesson learned

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5 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

Follow @R_Balkman32

Renaldo Balkman
@R_Balkman32

I would personally like to thank my fans and teammates who have shown me so much support during this time

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5 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

A spokesperson for the county clerk’s office told the AP that Jordan and his fiancée, Yvette Prieto, showed up at the courthouse on the morning of Thursday, March 7.

Jordan and Prieto, a Cuban-American model, have been a couple for some years now. The couple became engaged on Christmas Eve in 2011.

If the report is true, this would be Jordan’s second marriage. The basketball star married Juanita Vanoy in 1989, and the couple had three children, Jeffrey, Marcus, and Jasmine. The couple divorced in 2006, with a divorce settlement that was, at the time, the largest public divorce settlement on record according to Forbes.

(Image via Steve Lipofsky/Wikimedia)

Ah hell, you can send me hate email. Fine.

[MiamiHeat]

“Players on every court like to have a unique sense of style,” said Lawrence Norman, vice president for adidas global basketball. “We were excited to work side-by-side for the last 18 months with the Warriors, one of the NBA’s youngest and most exciting teams, to develop this unique uniform system that helps maintain peak player performance while ensuring comfort, fit and style.”

Though range-of-motion would seem to be a concern with sleeves, adidas claims its has worked with players to develop the uniforms. The sleeves include armhole insets that are made of a stretch fabric. The company claims that movement in the jersey is equal to that found in normal tank-top style uniforms.

“When adidas began working with us to develop the short sleeve jersey, I couldn’t wait to wear it in a game,” said Harrison Barnes, Warriors forward. “I love the fit and style the sleeves give me on the court.”

The new uniforms will debut on February 22 during the Warriors’ game against the San Antonio Spurs. They will also be worn during two more home games this season: on March 8 against the Houston Rockets and on March 15 against the Chicago Bulls.