"We feel it is in the best interest for us and Jeff to part ways at this
time," said Hornets president Hugh Weber. "Our search for a new general
manager is already underway. We will target basketball minds that are highly
respected in the basketball circles and someone that will help in our pursuit
of building a championship team."
Bower was named head coach of the Hornets this past season on November 12
after the organization fired Byron Scott. He guided New Orleans to a
Southwest Division-worst 37-45 record in 2009-2010.
Following the season, Bower resigned to concentrate on his front office
duties. Monty Williams was named the new head coach last month.
In 14-plus seasons with the club, Bower held various scouting, coaching, and
general manager positions. He was GM from 2001-2003 and was re-appointed
general manager at the start of the 2005-06 season.
"I want to thank Jeff for all his service for our organization," said Hornets
owner George Shinn. "Gary Chouest and I have the necessary resources and will
continue to do what it takes this summer to make our team better. Under the
new leadership of Monty Williams, our team president Hugh Weber and our new
general manager we feel very positive about our future as an organization."
<< Wizards sign C Armstrong
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Wizards on Tuesday signed
center Hilton Armstrong. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not
announced.
The 6-foot-11, 235-pounder has averaged 3.4 points and 2.6 rebounds
<< Mavs sign Dominique Jones
Dallas, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Mavericks signed Dominique Jones on
Tuesday. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound guard was originally drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies
with the 25th over
<< Chicago's Masar named WPS Player of Week
Bridgeview, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago Red Stars forward Ella Masar was
named Women's Professional Soccer's Player of the Week for Week 13 on Tuesday
after scoring a pair of goals.
Masar scored the equalizer in a 1-1 tie against the
<< Stoke City signs veteran goalie Nash
Stoke-on-Trent, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Veteran goalkeeper Carlo Nash has
agreed a one-year deal to join Stoke City.
Nash, 36, has joined up the Potters at their pre-season training camp in
Austria after being released by Everton.
<< Bulls officially add Korver
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bulls announced Tuesday they have
signed sharpshooter Kyle Korver.
Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but several days ago the Chicago
Tribune reported it was a three-year, $15 million
Pittsburgh gets 2013 Frozen Four, Philly in 2014 >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pittsburgh will host the 2013 men's ice
hockey Frozen Four, and the 2014 event will be held in Philadelphia.
The Consol Energy Center will be the site of the 2013 Frozen Four, and the
following year
Current Yankees remember Steinbrenner >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Yankees manager Joe Girardi spoke about a time
in spring training when he and his wife were walking their dog, a white
bichon, on the manicured grass when he encountered owner George Steinbrenner.
He ex
Southern Nevada's Bryce Harper wins Golden Spikes Award >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Southern Nevada slugger Bryce Harper, the top
overall pick in the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, has
won the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award, presented to the top amateur
basebal
Griffin ahead at Publinx in second stroke-play round >>
Greensboro, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - John-Tyler Griffin of Georgia Tech holds a
one-shot lead after playing two rounds of the U.S. Amateur Public Links.
Griffin, who is from Wilson, North Carolina, about two hours west of
Greensboro
Rahal reunites with Newman/Haas Racing >>
Lincolnshire, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Newman/Haas Racing announced Tuesday that
Graham Rahal will rejoin the team and pilot the No. 02 Dallara/Honda/Firestone
entry for six of the remaining series races.
Five of those races will see Rahal s
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.