It came and went without fanfare -- and presumably fear of retribution. Just more than a week had passed since the Portland Trail Blazers threatened their 29 fellow NBA teams with a lawsuit if someone signed Darius Miles. Miles had already played in two regular-season games for the Grizzlies under a 10-day contract and six preseason games. Two more games from the small forward this season would cause a breach to the Blazers' salary cap, costing them $18 million in salary plus luxury taxes. But Friday night, there he was, making his second appearance under his latest 10-day contract and fourth of the season for the Memphis Grizzlies, scoring 10 points with seven rebounds in 14 minutes of a 101-91 loss to the visiting Utah Jazz. The loss dropped the Grizzlies to 11-28 as they sunk farther in the cellar of the Southwest Division. Miles' appearance cost the Blazers much more, however. It placed the remaining $18 million of his salary back on Portland's payroll and counts against the Blazers' salary cap, forcing them to pay luxury tax. The Blazers had sent out an e-mail earlier this month warning of possible legal action against any team signing the free-agent Miles. "Persons or entities involved in such conduct may be individually liable to the Portland Trail Blazers for tortuously interfering with the Portland Trail Blazers contract rights and perspective economic opportunities," team president Larry Miller's e-mail read. "Our purpose here was not in any way to keep Darius from being able to play," Miller said. "If he can come back and help a team to win and play at a level on the court that helps the team, we have no problem with that at all." Miles set up the milepost by scoring 13 points in 14 minutes of a 102-87 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Memphis on Tuesday after signing the 10-day deal Saturday. "Please be aware that if a team engages in such conduct, the Portland Trail Blazers will take all necessary steps to safeguard its rights, including, without limitation, litigation," said Miller in the e-mail.
Which of the 6 Life on Mars threads should I post in??? I decided to go with the underdog, the one with the least number of posts. We need to try and get them all even and the top 6 threads in this forum.
He asks this because of the delay in relaying satellite feeds to Mars. Today's 1:00 game has not reached Mars yet, so don't flame him for asking.
I've been working on the railroad, all the live long day! I've been working on the railroad, just to pass the time away!
