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Jamal Crawford

Frustrated the Atlanta Hawks have not offered him a contract extension, Jamal Crawford will ask the club to trade him, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

Crawford, who is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $10 million this season, approached the Hawks the first week of July about an extension.

Hawks general manager Rick Sund has not made Crawford an offer, a source with the organization told ESPN.

ESPN.com

Carmelo Anthony

According to sources, the Nuggets look ready to part ways with Carmelo Anthony who has made it clear he wants out of Denver. Anthony’s camp has advised the Nuggets to deal Melo since he plans to leave as a free agent next summer.

The relationship has become contentious, with Anthony’s representatives making heavy-handed demands and Stan Kroenke responding in kind.

“It’s almost a given they’re going to move him,” said a team executive who has talked with both the Nuggets and Anthony’s agents.

Real GM

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The odometer keeps rolling. Now that Kobe Bryant’s turned 32, how much of a decline can we expect in his game over the next few seasons?

Kobe Bryant

When Michael Jordan returned to the Chicago Bulls late in the 94-95 season — at 32 — he had played only 778 NBA regular season and playoff games. By comparison, Kobe Bryant has already played a whopping 1,219 games, 57% more than Jordan at the same age. Kobe is clearly the NBA version of a Ferrari with high mileage.

Bryant’s stats have also dipped in several categories in the last five seasons:

• Scoring per game: 35.4, 31.6, 28.3, 26.8, to 27.0 last season.
• Free throw attempts per game: 10.2, 10.0, 9.0, 6.9, 7.4.
• Minutes per game: 41.0, 40.8, 38.9, 36.1, 38.8.

FanNation

J.R. Smith

J.R. Smith was allegedly involved in an altercation at Denver’s practice facility on Aug. 13. Police arrived after a player not associated with the Nuggets claimed to have been attacked by Smith.

“We did have a report of an altercation that took place at the Denver Nuggets’ practice facility,” Detective John White of the Denver Police Department told FanHouse by phone.

Numerous players were taking part in drills when members of the Nuggets’ coaching staff told the player who later called police to be physical with Smith.

“They were just wanting the guy to be physical with J.R., telling the other guys, ‘Hey, body up on the guys and really make them work,’” the source said. “J.R. just lost it. He tried to choke the kid, and the kid called the cops.”

Real GM

Blake Griffin

Clippers forward Blake Griffin, the No. 1 overall pick in 2009, is on the long road back from a knee injury. He had surgery in January and is still a rookie.

But coach Vinny Del Negro said he is not planning to give Griffin the rookie treatment — in fact, Del Negro told Sporting News on Wednesday that he already has Griffin penciled into the starting lineup

Asked if Griffin is his starting power forward as things stand, Del Negro did not hesitate. “Yes,” he said. “That???s what I am anticipating. Blake is a mature guy, and he has been around the team and the NBA for a year. I think he is ready.”

FanNation

Rudy Fernandez

The Celtics have a roster spot open and are currently looking for a shooter, meaning Rudy Fernandez could be an option.

“We’re just continuing to explore available players and trade possibilities and see what sort of options are there,” said Danny Ainge. “There are some trade discussions that we’re having. I don’t know the likelihood of those happening.”

Another option for the Celtics could be free agent veteran Larry Hughes.

Real GM

Scottie Pippen

The Chicago Bulls announced today plans to unveil a bronze statue of Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen that will be displayed permanently in the United Center by the end of the season.

“Not only is Scottie Pippen one of the greatest players to ever wear a Bulls uniform, but he’s among the best players in history of the league to play the game,” said a Bulls Chairman.

“He had a tremendous impact in bringing six world championships to Chicago and there is no better way to pay tribute to him than with a permanent statue that honors his inspirational career.”

Real GM

Yao Ming

Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming is confident that he will be ready for the start of the regular season after a team doctor declared his surgically repaired foot fully healed.

Yao missed last season after undergoing complex surgery on his left foot in July 2009. Team doctor Tom Clanton has cleared Yao to resume basketball activities.

The Rockets had said all along that they expected Yao to play in 2010-11. Yao was still relieved when he got the official diagnosis.

“I am very excited,” Yao said Tuesday. “I am just looking forward to playing a great season. I think I can count on my foot now.”

HoopsWorld