NBA Lockout

One of the reasons the NHL players eventually accepted a hard salary cap: the league implemented revenue sharing for the first time. A similar system, used by the NFL, is often cited as the reason pro football can thrive in tiny markets like Green Bay, Wisconsin.

But NBA teams do not split local most local revenue, which could give a significant financial edge to teams in big markets. Some players -- such as Indiana's Danny Granger -- have cited that disparity as the reason teams like the Pacers haven't been able to compete at the highest levels.

The owners may not buy that argument, for a variety of reasons.

First off, you'd have a hard time drawing a direct correlation between market size, income and on-court success. No team makes (and spends) more money than the Knicks, and they've been awful for the better part of the last decade. Los Angeles is an enormous market, and the Clippers are arguably the least-successful team in American sports history. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs are the league's model franchise, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are thriving.

Well, they're thriving on the court at least. As Tom Ziller of SBNation points out, the biggest determining factor of a team's financial success seems to be market size; where pure profit is concerned, it's better to be an inept team in Los Angeles than a successful team in San Antonio.

And you wondered why Donald Sterling stays in the business.

Also worth noting: the league does have a form of revenue sharing already in place: the dreaded luxury tax. Of course, the players would almost certainly prefer a more direct form of wealth redistribution -- like the 60-40 home-away split of ticket sales used by the NFL -- over a system designed to punish teams for exceeding certain salary levels.

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Most Embarassing High School Photos of NBA Stars

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2011 NBA Draft

Updated January 04, 2012

Basketball fans look to the future, and the NBA's stars of tomorrow learn where they'll be playing at the annual NBA Draft.

Where: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
When: June 28, 2011, 7pm Eastern

Madison Square Garden has traditionally hosted the draft, but the "World's Most Famous Arena" will be under renovation for the next two summers, which forced the league to look for another venue.

Newark's Prudential Center will host the festivities in 2012. Sites for 2013 and beyond have not been announced. Television: ESPN
Radio: ESPN Radio

Format

Two rounds of 30 picks each. The order for the first fourteen selections is determined at the annual NBA Draft Lottery, the remainder determined by won/loss record. The team with the best record gets the last selection in each round.

Eligibility

Any player wishing to make himself eligible for this year's draft must reach his 19th birthday during the 2011 calendar year.

The deadline for college underclassmen and international players to enter the draft is April 24 - 60 days before the draft itself. NCAA players must withdraw before May 8 to maintain eligibility; international players have until June 13 to withdraw.

• Key Dates - NBA Draft 2012

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Report: LeBron Wins Third MVP

LeBron James will be named the 2012 NBA MVP, a source tells the Associated Press. It will be James' third trophy, which adds him to an illustrious list of three-time winners that includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell and Moses Malone.

• Report: LeBron takes third MVP award.
• 2012 NBA Award Winners

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NBA Playoffs: First Round

Playoff basketball brings a whole new level of intensity, but this season, the postseason might offer players a much-needed break. After a lockout-compressed 66-game regular season that had teams playing three games in three nights or four in five at times, the television-friendly playoff schedule will allow teams to actually rest a bit between games.

Teams to Beat

The Chicago Bulls finished with the NBA's best overall record and are the top seed in the playoffs. That's particularly impressive given the fact that Derrick Rose was in and out of the lineup due to a variety of injuries. But top seed status doesn't necessarily make Chicago the favorite to come out of the East... there's a team from Miami with a remarkably talented (but somewhat top-heavy) roster that will have something to say about all that... and don't discount the Boston Celtics' chances at making one more run to the Finals.

In the West, the Spurs are the top seed once again... just like last year, when they were upset in the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies. But the second-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder might be the team to beat, while the Los Angeles Lakers - like the Celtics - try to make one more run.

Most Intriguing Matchups

The first-round series between the Knicks and Heat will generate a lot of buzz due to the combined star power of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. And the Knicks have been one of the league's hottest teams since Mike Woodson took over for Mike D'Antoni. But their lack of a true point guard - Jeremy Lin's injury will keep him out for another two weeks or so, and Baron Davis is a shell of his former self - will probably doom New York to another first-round exit.

The most evenly-matched series might be the four/five pairing in the West: Clippers vs. Grizzlies. The Grizzlies squeaked past the Clips in the season's final week to take over the four seed and home-court advantage; that could be big, as Memphis is excellent at home.

Series-by-Series Breakdowns

1. Chicago Bulls vs. 8. Philadelphia 76ers

Getty Images / Jonathan Daniel

The Bulls are an outstanding regular season team, partly because they play with playoff-style intensity every night. That allowed them to overcome the absence of Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah for much of last season and the injuries to Derrick Rose, Rip Hamilton and Luol Deng this year. The only question: will that laser-like intensity continue to be an advantage when everyone is in playoff mode? Can the Bulls take their play to another level? The Sixers probably don't have the talent to force that... but a conference semifinal or final opponent might.

2. Miami Heat vs. 7. New York Knicks

Getty Images Sport - Mike Ehrmann/Staff

This series has it all. Star power. History. Unfortunately, what it doesn't have is a point guard wearing a Knick uniform. If the Knicks were completely healthy, their depth and Tyson Chandler's presence in the middle might have been enough to send Miami home early.

3. Indiana Pacers vs. 6. Orlando Magic

Getty Images / Andy Lyons

Indiana is the best team that no one's talking about... but if Dwight Howard was healthy, they'd probably be the underdog in this series. Of course, Dwight Howard is far from healthy - back surgery ended his season weeks ago - and without the big man, Orlando just doesn't have the talent to compete in the postseason.

4. Boston Celtics vs. 5. Atlanta Hawks

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

The Celtics have the higher seed, by virtue of their Atlantic Division title. But the Hawks finished the regular season with a superior record, and they'll have home court advantage in the series. That's a big deal - the Hawks are very tough at Philips Arena. Unfortunately, all-star center Al Horford apparently won't be able to return for this series.

1. San Antonio Spurs vs. 8. Utah Jazz

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

The Spurs are the top seed in the West... just like last year. But last year, they lost in the first round to the Memphis Grizzlies, becoming just the second top seed to lose to an eight since the first round was expanded to seven games. It can't happen two years in a row... can it?

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 7. Dallas Mavericks

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

A team on the way up against a team on the way down. The defending champs are in transition, as Mark Cuban tries to clear cap space for a run at Deron Williams and Dwight Howard. But that won't help the Mavs deal with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and a very talented Oklahoma City team that could make their first of several trips to the Finals.

3. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 6. Denver Nuggets

Getty Images Sport / Ronald Martinez

The Lakers missed out on Chris Paul. They lost Lamar Odom and Phil Jackson and alienated Pau Gasol. And yet, here they are... with another Pacific Division title under their belts, ready to make one more run at the Finals. Kobe Bryant may be the oldest superstar in the game today... but he was second in the league in scoring. The Denver Nuggets are one of the most entertaining teams in the league, but it's hard to see how a frontcourt featuring JaVale McGee and Al Harrington will be able to deal with the Lakers' size.

4. Memphis Grizzlies vs. 5. Los Angeles Clippers

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Chris Paul makes the Clippers a very dangerous team... but the Grizzlies have an outstanding frontcourt, home court advantage, and the opportunity to build on last year's impressive showing.

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2012 Olympics: Men's Basketball Teams

As reigning world and Olympic champions, Team USA will enter the London Olympics as major favorites. And rightfully so; with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and other NBA superstars expected to participate, Mike Krzyzewski's club will be absolutely loaded.

But Coach K's club won't be the only team in London with NBA talent. In fact, most of the twelve teams participating in the men's basketball tournament will sport a few names very familiar to American basketball fans. Here's a look at the field.

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2012 NBA All-Star Weekend Recap

In a game largely devoid of defense, the top scorers thrive. And Kevin Durant is one of the best in recent memory. Oklahoma City's superstar wing scored 36 points on 14-25 shooting and added seven rebounds, three assists and three steals while leading the West to a 152-149 victory and taking Most Valuable Player honors.

Kobe Bryant added 27 points, and moved past Michael Jordan into first place on the all-time All-Star game scoring list in the process.

Blake Griffin became just the third player in all-star game history to post a triple-double, with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. But his best play may have been his steal of a LeBron James pass with seconds remaining, to help ice the game for the West.

James led the Eastern Conference stars with 36 points, and was white-hot (6-8) from three-point range.

All-Star Injuries

Bryant suffered a broken nose, courtesy of a hard foul by Dwyane Wade. Luol Deng played just six minutes; he left the game after falling on his injured left wrist and did not return.

Bryant's Laker teammate and fellow starter Andrew Bynum also saw only limited action; Bynum received an injection in his oft-injured knee earlier this week.

All-Star Scoring Records

Bryant's 27 points give him 271 in all-star play, most of any player in NBA history. Michael Jordan is now second with 262.

Bryant also passed Kareem Abdul Jabbar (251) and Oscar Robertson (246) on the all-time list during the game.

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Birdman of Alcatraz? Nuggets' Andersen Under Investigation

Denver Nuggets reserve Chris "Birdman" Andersen is under investigation - reportedly for child pornography. Anderson's attorney has a very different explanation.

Colin Breese tells the Denver Post that Andersen's legal troubles stem from a female fan that sent a number of photographs - some in various stages of undress - and claimed to be 21.

When Anderson spurned her advances, she allegedly threatened blackmail.

Anderson has not appeared in a game for the Nuggets during the postseason, and is on indefinite leave from the team while the investigation continues. Denver will play the Lakers on Saturday night, with the winner advancing to face Oklahoma City in the Western Conference semifinals.

• Lawyer: Chris 'Birdman' Andersen may be extortion target - NBA - Sporting News.

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2011-12 Postmortem: New York Knicks

The Knicks hadn't won a playoff game in over a decade, so a seven seed in the Eastern Conference and a 3-1 series loss to the Miami Heat should probably be regarded as progress.

Slight progress.

I think the Knicks will be back more or less intact next season... but they'll fare much better in the Atlantic Division standings and the postseason.

• 2011-12 Postmortem: New York Knicks.

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Playoff Updates: Lakers, Clippers advance, Bosh hurt in Miami's win

The Lakers and Clippers finally closed out their first-round series with wins over the Nuggets and Grizzlies, respectively.

The Laker win sets up a highly intriguing "revenge" subplot for the conference semifinals against Oklahoma City. The last time the Lakers played the Thunder, Metta World Peace elbowed James Harden in the head, leaving the sixth man of the year with a concussion and earning a six-game suspension. The enforcer with the ironic name returned to the court for the Lakers' game seven win over Denver, and will be available for the next round.

Of course, the whole Kobe Bryant/Kevin Durant thing is pretty compelling too.

• Series Preview: Lakers vs. Thunder

The Clippers mounted a late charge to finish off the Memphis Grizzlies, but got very little from Blake Griffin, who is clearly still bothered by a knee injury. They'll face San Antonio in the second round. San Antonio is well-rested and healthy; the Clippers are a M*A*S*H unit, with Griffin (knee), Chris Paul (hip), Mo Williams (hand) and Caron Butler (hand) all nursing injuries.

• Series Preview: Clippers vs. Spurs

Miami opened their Eastern Conference Semifinal series with a win over the Pacers, but lost Chris Bosh to an abdominal strain in the first half. It's not clear if Bosh will be available for game two on Tuesday - or the rest of the series.

Bosh is probably the member of the "Big Three" that Miami can least-afford to lose, as the Heat are very thin in the frontcourt. Look for Erik Spoelstra to use smaller lineups featuring Shane Battier or Mike Miller in Bosh's place whenever possible... but that'll create a major size advantage for Indiana's David West and Roy Hibbert.

• Series Schedule and Results: Heat vs. Pacers

The Celtics got a triple-double from Rajon Rondo and a season-high in scoring from Kevin Garnett, taking a 1-0 series lead over the Sixers.

• Series Schedule and Results: Celtics vs. Sixers

Today's games:

The 76ers will try to even their series with the Celtics in Boston at 7:00 ET. The Lakers tip-off their series in Oklahoma City at 9:30 ET.

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2012 NBA Coach of the Year: Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs

When Gregg Popovich retires, we'll look back at his career and accomplishments. And we'll wonder why he didn't win NBA Coach of the Year more often. He's this season's honoree, and he won in 2003... and he probably deserved several other trophies.

Not that he'd want them.

This season, Coach Pop took a team that was knocked out in the first round of the 2011 playoffs and gave up George Hill - a key backcourt sub - into a compressed season that was supposed to make life super-difficult for veteran teams...

And led them to a 50-16 record, tying the Chicago Bulls for tops in the NBA.

Tom Thibodeau of the Bulls - last season's coach of the year - placed second in the voting, while Indiana's Frank Vogel was third.

• NBA Coach of the Year
• 2012 NBA Awards

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NBA Playoffs: First Round

Playoff basketball brings a whole new level of intensity, but this season, the postseason might offer players a much-needed break. After a lockout-compressed 66-game regular season that had teams playing three games in three nights or four in five at times, the television-friendly playoff schedule will allow teams to actually rest a bit between games.

Teams to Beat

The Chicago Bulls finished with the NBA's best overall record and are the top seed in the playoffs. That's particularly impressive given the fact that Derrick Rose was in and out of the lineup due to a variety of injuries. But top seed status doesn't necessarily make Chicago the favorite to come out of the East... there's a team from Miami with a remarkably talented (but somewhat top-heavy) roster that will have something to say about all that... and don't discount the Boston Celtics' chances at making one more run to the Finals.

In the West, the Spurs are the top seed once again... just like last year, when they were upset in the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies. But the second-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder might be the team to beat, while the Los Angeles Lakers - like the Celtics - try to make one more run.

Most Intriguing Matchups

The first-round series between the Knicks and Heat will generate a lot of buzz due to the combined star power of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. And the Knicks have been one of the league's hottest teams since Mike Woodson took over for Mike D'Antoni. But their lack of a true point guard - Jeremy Lin's injury will keep him out for another two weeks or so, and Baron Davis is a shell of his former self - will probably doom New York to another first-round exit.

The most evenly-matched series might be the four/five pairing in the West: Clippers vs. Grizzlies. The Grizzlies squeaked past the Clips in the season's final week to take over the four seed and home-court advantage; that could be big, as Memphis is excellent at home.

Series-by-Series Breakdowns

1. Chicago Bulls vs. 8. Philadelphia 76ers

Getty Images / Jonathan Daniel

The Bulls are an outstanding regular season team, partly because they play with playoff-style intensity every night. That allowed them to overcome the absence of Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah for much of last season and the injuries to Derrick Rose, Rip Hamilton and Luol Deng this year. The only question: will that laser-like intensity continue to be an advantage when everyone is in playoff mode? Can the Bulls take their play to another level? The Sixers probably don't have the talent to force that... but a conference semifinal or final opponent might.

2. Miami Heat vs. 7. New York Knicks

Getty Images Sport - Mike Ehrmann/Staff

This series has it all. Star power. History. Unfortunately, what it doesn't have is a point guard wearing a Knick uniform. If the Knicks were completely healthy, their depth and Tyson Chandler's presence in the middle might have been enough to send Miami home early.

3. Indiana Pacers vs. 6. Orlando Magic

Getty Images / Andy Lyons

Indiana is the best team that no one's talking about... but if Dwight Howard was healthy, they'd probably be the underdog in this series. Of course, Dwight Howard is far from healthy - back surgery ended his season weeks ago - and without the big man, Orlando just doesn't have the talent to compete in the postseason.

4. Boston Celtics vs. 5. Atlanta Hawks

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

The Celtics have the higher seed, by virtue of their Atlantic Division title. But the Hawks finished the regular season with a superior record, and they'll have home court advantage in the series. That's a big deal - the Hawks are very tough at Philips Arena. Unfortunately, all-star center Al Horford apparently won't be able to return for this series.

1. San Antonio Spurs vs. 8. Utah Jazz

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

The Spurs are the top seed in the West... just like last year. But last year, they lost in the first round to the Memphis Grizzlies, becoming just the second top seed to lose to an eight since the first round was expanded to seven games. It can't happen two years in a row... can it?

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 7. Dallas Mavericks

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

A team on the way up against a team on the way down. The defending champs are in transition, as Mark Cuban tries to clear cap space for a run at Deron Williams and Dwight Howard. But that won't help the Mavs deal with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and a very talented Oklahoma City team that could make their first of several trips to the Finals.

3. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 6. Denver Nuggets

Getty Images Sport / Ronald Martinez

The Lakers missed out on Chris Paul. They lost Lamar Odom and Phil Jackson and alienated Pau Gasol. And yet, here they are... with another Pacific Division title under their belts, ready to make one more run at the Finals. Kobe Bryant may be the oldest superstar in the game today... but he was second in the league in scoring. The Denver Nuggets are one of the most entertaining teams in the league, but it's hard to see how a frontcourt featuring JaVale McGee and Al Harrington will be able to deal with the Lakers' size.

4. Memphis Grizzlies vs. 5. Los Angeles Clippers

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Chris Paul makes the Clippers a very dangerous team... but the Grizzlies have an outstanding frontcourt, home court advantage, and the opportunity to build on last year's impressive showing.

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Injuries and Team USA

USA Basketball released a preliminary 20-man roster for this year's Olympic men's basketball team back in January. They planned to cut the list down to 12 in time for Team USA's training camp in July, but injuries have done much of the work for them. Four players from the initial list - including center Dwight Howard and guard Derrick Rose - have sustained injuries that will make it impossible for them to play in London this summer. Howard's absence, in particular, could make life difficult for USA Basketball. His injury leaves Tyson Chandler as the only true center on the initial roster. That won't be a problem against most of the teams in the Olympic tournament, but Team Spain should have both Gasol brothers and Serge Ibaka in their frontcourt, and that trio will present major problems. On the other hand, Team USA is crazy-deep in the backcourt (Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Russell Westbrook, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade) and on the wing (LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay) which could make it a lot easier to get by with, say, Chris Bosh or Kevin Love manning the middle.

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NBA Defensive Player

Jrue Holiday #11 of the Philadelphia 76ers lays up a shot past Tyson Chandler #6 of the New York Knicks at the Wells Fargo Center on March 21, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Knicks won 82-79.

Drew Hallowell / Getty Images

Updated May 02, 2012

The highlight shows tend to focus on the offensive end, but there will always be a place in the NBA for elite defenders. The best is honored every year with the Defensive Player of the Year award, an honor which, if there was any justice in the world, would be named for Celtic great Bill Russell, who dominated the paint before this award - and many statistical measures of great defense - even existed. (Russell's name is on the Finals MVP trophy.)

2012 Defensive Player of the Year: Tyson Chandler

It would be easy to dismiss Tyson Chandler's win as simple voter fatigue... NBA awards voters do seem to get bored with selecting the same player over and over again, and Dwight Howard had won three straight times. But Howard had a down year, while Chandler arrived in New York and helped the Knicks jump from 22nd overall in defensive efficiency to 5th.

Chandler is the first Knick to be honored as Defensive Player of the Year.

The Selection Process

The winner is selected by a panel of media members representing every NBA city, as well as a number of national broadcasters and writers.

The vote takes place immediately after the regular season; playoff performance doesn't factor in.

Defensive Player of the Year Trivia

• Shot-blockers and rebounders have dominated the voting in recent years. Since 1989, the only guards to win defensive player honors are Seattle's Gary "The Glove" Payton (1996) and Indiana swingman Ron Artest (2004).
• But big men didn't dominate the voting at the outset: five of the first six defensive player awards went to guards. Milwaukee's Sidney Moncrief won the first two.
• Michael Jordan, David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon are the only players to win Defensive Player of the Year and MVP awards. Olajuwon won both -- and was named Finals MVP -- in the same year.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year

2010-11 : Tyson Chandler - New York
2010-11 : Dwight Howard - Orlando
2009-10 : Dwight Howard - Orlando
2008-09 : Dwight Howard - Orlando
2007-08 : Kevin Garnett - Boston
2006-07 : Marcus Camby - Denver
2005-06 : Ben Wallace - Detroit
2004-05 : Ben Wallace - Detroit
2003-04 : Ron Artest - Indiana
2002-03 : Ben Wallace - Detroit
2001-02 : Ben Wallace - Detroit
2000-01 : Dikembe Mutombo - Philadelphia-Atlanta
1999-00 : Alonzo Mourning - Miami
1998-99 : Alonzo Mourning - Miami
1997-98 : Dikembe Mutombo - Atlanta
1996-97 : Dikembe Mutombo - Atlanta
1995-96 : Gary Payton - Seattle
1994-95 : Dikembe Mutombo - Denver
1993-94 : Hakeem Olajuwon - Houston
1992-93 : Hakeem Olajuwon - Houston
1991-92 : David Robinson - San Antonio
1990-91 : Dennis Rodman - Detroit
1989-90 : Dennis Rodman - Detroit
1988-89 : Mark Eaton - Utah
1987-88 : Michael Jordan - Chicago
1986-87 : Michael Cooper - Los Angeles Lakers
1985-86 : Alvin Robertson - San Antonio
1984-85 : Mark Eaton - Utah
1983-84 : Sidney Moncrief - Milwaukee
1982-83 : Sidney Moncrief - Milwaukee

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Amar'e Stoudemire Punches Fire Extinguisher, Out for Playoffs

The Knicks are in an 0-2 hole after dropping game two of their Eastern Conference playoff series with Miami last night by a score 0f 104-94. But right now, that loss - and their 12-game postseason losing streak - are an afterthought.

While leaving the court, Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire punched at a glass-encased fire extinguisher out of frustration. The glass shattered, leaving Stoudemire with what has been described as a "severe" laceration that required several stitches to close. He left the arena with his left (non-shooting) hand heavily bandaged and in a sling.

Why is Stoudemire so frustrated? The Knicks' loss was almost certainly part of the problem, as are the mounting injuries that have prevented him from playing at an all-star level. But the biggest problem might be his role on the Knicks - a role that seems to be diminishing on a daily basis.

Stoudemire signed with the Knicks after the 2010 season, intent on becoming the building block that would lead the team back into contention. But his "alpha dog" status came into question with the acquisition of Carmelo Anthony. Both players are excellent on offense but suspect on defense, but Anthony is much better at creating his own shots - Stoudemire is most effective playing a two-man game with a point guard like Steve Nash or Raymond Felton.

Stoudemire is highly unlikely to play again in this series... and with New York in a 0-2 hole and missing three starters - Iman Shumpert tore his ACL in Game One, and Jeremy Lin is still recovering from March knee surgery - this series will almost certainly end their season.

What's Next for Stoudemire and the Knicks?

There are quite a few parallels between Stoudemire's situation and that of A.J. Burnett, the ex-Yankee pitcher. Both were signed to enormous contracts. Both struggled to live up to expectations. And now, both have suffered self-inflicted hand injuries stemming from encounters with inanimate objects.

The Yankees were eventually able to cut their losses, trading Burnett to the Pittsburgh Pirates. New York will continue to pay a very substantial portion of Burnett's salary... but they're the Yankees, that's what they do.

The Knicks could decide to take a similar action with Stoudemire... but they'll have a much harder time doing so. Stoudemire's contract has three years and over $60 million remaining, and due to his long history of injuries, that contract is uninsured. Can Glen Grunwald find a taker for that deal? Anything is possible... but it certainly won't be easy.

• NY Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire punches glass case holding fire extinguisher, cuts left hand and leaves with arm in sling after Game 2 loss to Heat - NY Daily News.

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2012 Defensive Player of the Year: Tyson Chandler

Knicks fans received some good news for the first time in about a week when Tyson Chandler was named the NBA's 2012 Defensive Player of the Year.

Chandler doesn't have the gaudy rebound or block totals we've come to expect from the DPOY winner. His impact is much better measured at the team level. In 2010-11, before his arrival, the Knicks ranked 22nd in the NBA in defensive efficiency. This season, that rank jumped to fifth overall. That's particularly impressive considering the fact that most of New York's other top players - Amar'e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak especially - are considerably below-average on defense.

Chandler is the first Knick to be honored as the league's top defender.

Serge Ibaka placed second in the voting, followed by three-time defensive player of the year Dwight Howard in third place and LeBron James in fourth.

• Defensive Player of the Year
• 2012 NBA Awards

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Insult and Injury: Knicks Crushed in Miami, Lose Shumpert

The Miami Heat dismantled the Knicks, 100-67, in game one of their first round playoff series on Saturday.

Miami's swarming defense had New York's scorers settling for jump shots for much of the game, as evidenced by the massive (33-11) disparity in free-throw attempts. LeBron James probably won himself a few defensive player of the year votes with his work on Carmelo Anthony; 'Melo managed just 11 points on 3-15 shooting in the game. James also led all scorers with 32 points, as Miami built up a big second quarter lead and coasted through the second half.

New York also lost guard Iman Shumpert to a knee injury in the third quarter; unconfirmed reports suggest Shumpert has a torn ACL.

• Heat 100, Knicks 67: Rapid Recap
• Heat vs. Knicks - Series Schedule and Results

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Jeremy Lamb Leaving UConn for the NBA

Connecticut guard Jeremy Lamb will forgo his last two years of eligibility and make himself eligible for the 2012 NBA Draft.

Lamb's decision isn't much of a surprise. He projects as a top-ten draft pick this year - he's listed seventh in my most recent mock. And Connecticut will likely be banned from postseason play in 2013 due to poor performance in the NCAA's Academic Progress Ratings (APR).

The big question now is whether or not freshman center Andre Drummond - also a potential top-ten draft pick - will join Lamb in the green room on draft day.

• Lamb Declares Eligibility For NBA Draft - University of Connecticut Official Athletics Site
• 2012 NBA Draft - Early Entries

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Isiah Thomas Fired by Florida International

Isiah Thomas has been fired by Florida International after three seasons and? a thoroughly unimpressive record of 26-65. His Panthers went 8-21 last season.

Thomas spent much of his tenure at FIU campaigning for a return to the NBA. At one point, he planned to serve as a paid consultant to the Knicks while continuing to coach the Panthers; the NBA stepped in and blocked that move due to the obvious conflict of interest problems.

Thomas' departure will inevitably touch off a fresh round of rumors about a return to New York. He has maintained a close relationship with Knick owner James Dolan, and with the Knicks are currently being run by an interim front-office crew an an interim coach, there may not be a voice in the executive suite strong enough to talk Dolan out of a potentially catastrophic error.

Also worth noting: Knicks' interim general manager Glen Grunwald and interim coach Mike Woodson were both college teammates of Thomas at Indiana.

Still, I can't help but wonder... at what point do Thomas' obvious shortcomings as an executive disqualify him from getting another executive position?

via FIU dismisses Isiah Thomas as men's basketball coach - FIU - MiamiHerald.com.

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The NBA in Las Vegas?

David Stern's relationship with the city of Las Vegas has all the characteristics of one of those "will they or won't they" TV show romances. Stern and Sin City have been circling each other like Chandler and Monica or Jim and Pam for years.

The NBA even brought its marquee event -- All Star Weekend -- to Las Vegas in 2007, in what was generally seen as a "test run", and holds a summer league there every year.

Will these two crazy kids ever get together and settle down?

If You Build It, They Will Come

Conventional wisdom says that cities shouldn't build NBA-quality arenas unless they're home to an NBA team. But recent history shows that cities can be successful luring a team if they already have an arena in place.

The Ford Center in Oklahoma City first opened in 2002, playing host to college games, concerts and the like. When Hurricane Katrina left the Hornets looking for someplace to play in 2005, the Ford Center was available -- and the Hornets' success in drawing crowds while in Oklahoma City helped make the case that the market could sustain an NBA franchise.

Las Vegas seems to be following a similar model -- without the natural disaster. Mayor Oscar Goodman continues to push for a 20,000-seat arena as part of a plan to revitalize downtown Las Vegas -- and hopes to land an NBA franchise as its anchor tenant.

Beating the Book

For Goodman, the biggest obstacle to landing an NBA team is also his city's biggest selling point -- gambling. It is perfectly legal to gamble on NBA and other college and professional games in Las Vegas sports books, which has long been considered the reason why the NBA, NFL and Major League Baseball have never set up shop there.

Given the NBA's hyper-sensitivity to gambling allegations in the wake of the Tim Donaghy scandal, that might be too big an obstacle to overcome.

Relocation Candidates

Assuming all those issues can be resolved -- the next obvious question would be, which team has the best chance to set up shop in Sin City? There are a few candidates:

• The Kings - Long considered the obvious choice, due to their Vegas connections -- owners Joe and Gavin Maloof are in the casino business -- and the fact that they play in a badly outdated arena. The owners have repeated said their priority is to stay in Northern California and to get a new arena built on the grounds of Cal Expo, but what happens if their arena plans fall through?
• The Bobcats - The Bobcats are up for sale, and they haven't exactly captured the imagination of the Charlotte market. Team president Michael Jordan -- reportedly considering a bid for the team -- is a legendary gambler.
• The Grizzlies - They traded for Zach Randolph -- they must be desperate.
• The Nets - If their long-discussed move to Brooklyn falls through, anything is possible.

Sizing Up the Competition

Of course, Las Vegas isn't the only city with NBA aspirations. Kansas City has an NBA-quality arena ready to go, and has been flirting with several pro basketball and hockey teams for years. And Seattle -- once an outstanding NBA market -- could very well get into the mix in the hopes of replacing the Sonics.

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2012 NBA Draft - Key Dates

Updated January 04, 2012

The 2012 NBA Draft will be held on Thursday, June 28th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. But that's not the only date to remember. Here's a quick rundown:

December 31, 1993

Ever walked into a deli and seen a sign saying "You must have been born before this date to buy alcohol?" This is the NBA equivalent. In order to be eligible for the 2009 NBA Draft, a player turn 19 during the calendar year of the draft.

April 11-14, 2012

The Portsmouth Invitational Tournament will be held in Portsmouth, Virginia. A pre-draft camp for seniors, the Portsmouth Invitational has seriously declined in importance in recent years. Players at this year's camp are likely auditioning for jobs in Europe and the D-League.

April 29

Deadline for early entries to declare themselves eligible for the draft.

May 8

Deadline for NCAA players declaring early to withdraw from the draft.

May (Date TBD)

NBA Draft Lottery held, determines the selection order for the 2012 NBA Draft.

May (Date TBD)

NBA Draft Combine held in Chicago. A European version is held in early June.

June 18

Deadline for international players declaring early to withdraw from the draft.

June 28

2012 NBA Draft held at the Prudential Center.

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2012 NBA Mock Draft

The NBA Lockout robbed the 2011 Draft of some of its top talent, as superstar freshmen like Harrison Barnes, Jared Sullinger and Perry Jones all opted to stay in school for their sophomore seasons. As a result, the 2012 draft class looks like the deepest in years.

Here's a revised, post-March Madness look at the 2012 draft. But first, a couple of important notes:

PickTeamPlayer - Position, SchoolClassNotes1CharlotteAnthony Davis
PF - KentuckyFr.Has massive wingspan, and the frame to accommodate the extra pounds he'll need to play the low post at the next level.
Last mock:12New OrleansMichael Kidd-Gilchrist
SF - KentuckyFr.Tremendous defender can match up against most guards and forwards.
Last mock:103WashingtonThomas Robinson
SF/PF - KansasJr.No longer blocked by the Morris brothers, Robinson should shine this season. Excellent on the glass.
Last mock:74SacramentoAndre Drummond
PF/C - UConnFr.Outstanding physical tools, and his skill level is (gradually) catching up.
Last mock:25ClevelandBradley Beal
SG - FloridaFr.Solidly-built, athletic, and has an outstanding jump shot.
Last mock:86Utah (from Golden State)Jared Sullinger
PF - Ohio StateSo.Old-school big with an array of back-to-the-basket moves. Think Elton Brand or Luis Scola.
Last mock:47New JerseyHarrison Barnes
SF - North CarolinaSo.Not an elite-level athlete, but has a skill level that far exceeds his age and experience.
Last mock:38New Orleans (from Minnesota, via the Clippers)Jeremy Lamb
SG - UConnSo.Another great off-guard from Jim Calhoun's program; Lamb was highly impressive in last year's NCAA Championship run and with Team USA this summer.
Last mock:69TorontoDamian Lillard
PG - Weber St.Jr.One of the nation's most prolific scorers, but is he a shooting guard in a point guard's body? Fact that he didn't face truly elite competition is another worry.
Last mock:n/a10PortlandTyler Zeller
PF/C - North CarolinaSr.Not a superstar athlete, but a solid big man that moves well on defense.
Last mock:1611DetroitPerry Jones
SF/PF - BaylorSo.Didn't live up to the hype as a freshman, but has near-limitless potential. An off-the-charts athlete at either forward spot.
Last mock:512PhoenixKendall Marshall
PG - North CarolinaSo.Heady point guard that really solidified Carolina's backcourt after taking over last season. Not as quick as top NBA points.
Last mock:1713MilwaukeeJohn Henson
PF - North CarolinaJr.Has the wingspan of a pterodactyl - should be a defensive presence from day one, but needs to add bulk.
Last mock:914UtahAustin Rivers
SG - DukeFr.Son of Celtics coach Doc Rivers. Can play either guard spot, but shot selection occasionally raises eyebrows.
Last mock:1315Houston (from New York)Terrence Jones
SF - KentuckySo.Excellent face-up wing player with a point guard's handle.
Last mock:1216HoustonMeyers Leonard
C - IllinoisSo.Big disappointment as a freshman, but had a good summer with the U-19 team and could break out this year.
Last mock:1417PhiladelphiaArnett Moultrie
PF - Mississippi St.Jr.Could develop into a very good stretch four, but needs to bulk up and play more consistently.
Last mock:2018DenverJeff Taylor
SF - VanderbiltSr.Superior athlete that added a three-pointer to his repertoire last season.
Last mock:1919L.A. Lakers (from Dallas)Moe Harkless
SG/SF - St. John'sFr.Strong freshman season lost amist general chaos at St. John's. Harkless was second among first-year players in boards, sixth in scoring.
Last mock:n/a20AtlantaTony Wroten
PG/SG - WashingtonFr.Has lots of potential as a Tyreke Evans-style combo guard… but scouts worry that he's too reliant on his dominant hand.
Last mock:n/a21MemphisDion Waiters
SG - SyracuseSo.Syracuse's sixth man and second-leading scorer could develop into a poor man's Dwyane Wade
Last mock:n/a22OrlandoMarquis Teague
PG - KentuckyFr.Has the athleticism and first-step of top NBA points, but will need to get better at running an offense, particularly in the halfcourt.
Last mock:2823BostonMason Plumlee
PF - DukeJr.Good face-up big man and a better athlete than you might think.
Last mock:n/a24L.A. ClippersAndrew Nicholson
PF - St. BonaventureSr.Looks the part, but some question his work ethic. Started playing basketball later than most prospects, and it shows in his skill level.
Last mock:2625IndianaFab Melo
C - SyracuseSo.Became a force in the paint this year. Eligibility problems give him even more reason to declare for the draft.
Last mock:n/a26L.A. LakersDoron Lamb
SG - KentuckySo.Has all the tools to become a top two at the next level; can get lost on a star-studded Kentucky team at times.
Last mock:1827San AntonioDraymond Green
SF/PF - Michigan St.Sr.A do-everything power forward at the collegiate level, but lacks the size (6-6, 230) to play the four in the NBA.
Last mock:n/a28MiamiJohn Jenkins
SG - VanderbiltJr.Very good shooter, but just average size/athleticism.
Last mock:2729Oklahoma CityFestus Ezeli
C - VanderbiltSr.Remarkable physical specimen and very good shot-blocker - can he develop skills to match?
Last mock:2430ChicagoTerrence Ross
SG - WashingtonSo.Good blend of size, athleticism and skill, but needs to improve his defense.
Last mock:11

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Dwight Howard's Bad Back and the Eastern Conference Playoff Race

Dwight Howard could miss the remainder of the regular season with a herniated disk in his lower back. And that injury could have a major impact on the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Howard has been complaining of back pain since March 30, but the source was not discovered until yesterday. The team won't set a target for his return until they see how he responds to treatment.

For comparison, Amar'e Stoudemire of the Knicks has been dealing with a similar back problem and hasn't played since March 24; Stoudemire could be back next week.

Howard's absence could have a significant impact on the bottom half of the Eastern Conference playoff bracket. If the season ended today, the Magic would be the six seed in the East. But Orlando is 3-7 in their last ten games, three games ahead of the Knicks and Sixers. New York and Philly have identical 31-28 records, but the Knicks would be the seventh seed due to a tiebreaker.

Could the Knicks or Sixers make up that three-game deficit with seven games to play? It's certainly possible. But the Knicks have a very tough upcoming schedule; they'll play Miami on Sunday and Boston on Tuesday. If they win one or both of those games they'll be in excellent shape, as three of their remaining five opponents - the Nets, Cavs and Bobcats - aren't very good.

The Sixers are stumbling towards the finish line as well, with a 4-6 record in their last ten games, but they have an opportunity to make up ground on Orlando when they play the Magic on Monday night. Unfortunately for Doug Collins' team, the Magic game is the first of a three-games-in-three-nights stretch that includes games against the Pacers (currently the third seed in the East) and at the Cavaliers. The Sixers finish out their schedule with five straight road games... after the Cleveland game, they'll travel to Indiana, New Jersey, Milwaukee and Detroit.

Five of Orlando's last seven games are on the road: in Cleveland, Boston, Utah, Denver and Memphis. The remaining two are the head-to-head matchup with Philly, which is the second game of a back-to-back set, and what should be a gimme against the Bobcats.

I don't think the Magic will fall out of the playoffs - they're five games ahead of ninth-place Milwaukee with seven to go. But I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Howard-less Magic fall to eighth and a first-round matchup with the Bulls.

• Dwight Howard out indefinitely with a herniated disk in his lower back - Orlando Sentinel.
• NBA Playoff Format, Seeding and Tiebreakers

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Saints owner Tom Benson to Buy New Orleans Hornets

The New Orleans Saints have announced that their owner, Tom Benson, will buy the New Orleans Hornets from the NBA.

The team has been a ward of the NBA since December of 2010, when the league bought out George Shinn's stake in the team. That arrangement has led to several controversies, most notably Stern's veto of the trade that would have sent Chris Paul to the Lakers.

Benson's purchase should end any speculation about the team moving. National Football League rules allow owners to run multiple teams, but only as long as both teams are in the same market. Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke was forced to give up controlling interest in the team when he bought the St. Louis Rams; the Nuggets did remain in the family - he sold his stake to his son Josh.

Keeping the team in New Orleans will generate the only positive PR Benson has seen in a while, as the Saints have spent much of this spring dealing with revelations of Gregg Williams' bounty system and the subsequent suspensions of coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis.

That said, Benson was long rumored to be planning a move of the Saints - possibly to San Antonio, Texas, where his other businesses are based. But that talk died down considerably during and after the team's 2009 Super Bowl win.

• Saints owner Tom Benson to become sole owner of New Orleans Hornets - CBSSports.

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Stern: Nothing NBA can do to keep Kings in Sacramento

Remember that arena deal that was going to keep the Kings in Sacramento for the foreseeable future?

Scratch that.

The Maloof family effectively scuttled their handshake agreement with mayor (and ex-NBA player) Kevin Johnson, giving further ammunition to those who thought they never really wanted to work things out in the first place.

The Maloofs seem to be following the "Clay Bennett" model of arena negotiations. Bennett purchased the Seattle Supersonics from Howard Schultz, promising that he'd at least try to negotiate a new area deal with the city before moving the team. Most would agree Bennett didn't try particularly hard, and that his plan from the beginning was to move the team, which is now known as the Oklahoma City Thunder.

It seems likely that the team will have a new home before long, but where? They were reportedly close to a deal with the Honda Center in Anaheim - home of the NHL's Ducks - last season, but the other owners don't appear to have much enthusiasm for a third team in the greater Los Angeles television market.

The Maloofs have extensive ties to Las Vegas, but Vegas does not have an NBA-caliber arena or plans to build one any time soon. Seattle is a possibility, as talks to replace the Key Arena seem to be picking up steam. Kansas City and St. Louis could be dark horses in the race, and the Kings - who were based in KC from 1972 to 1985 - do have some historical ties to the Midwest.

An even darker horse? Newark, New Jersey. The Prudential Center - temporary home to the Nets - is considered one of the nicest arenas in the league. Several big names, including Newark native Shaquille O'Neal and mayor Cory Booker, have expressed interest in finding an NBA team to replace the Nets at "The Rock."

That said, I suspect any team attempting to move to New Jersey will face major opposition from the Knicks, Nets and Sixers.

• David Stern concludes there's 'nothing further' he can do to keep the Kings in Sacramento.

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Washington Wizards Rookie Spending $10,000 on Mega Millions Tickets

Chris Singleton of the Washington Wizards plans to spend $10,000 on tickets for tonight's $540 million Mega Millions lottery drawing. Odds of winning the drawing are 1 in 176 million... so even having 10,000 chances doesn't really increase his chances all that much. (And people worry that NBA rookies don't know how to handle their new-found wealth.) From TheBigLead.com - Chris Singleton, the Washington Wizards Rookie, is Going to Spend $10,000 on Mega Millions Lottery Tickets.

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LeBron James is "Too Tough" to get a concussion

A few days ago, Carmelo Anthony admitted to reporters that he didn't play hard on defense while Mike D'Antoni was running the Knicks.

Remarkably, that isn't the dumbest thing an NBA all-star has said to the media this week. That prize goes to LeBron James, who suggested that he's "too tough" to get a concussion.

Yeah, in those exact words.

While scrambling to cover an open Jared Dudley in the final seconds of Wednesday's game, James ran into a Grant Hill screen. James obviously didn't see Hill's screen and crashed head-first into the veteran forward's shoulder. James fell to the court and stayed there as play went on; he was helped off the court when play stopped after a Dwyane Wade foul.

(You can see the entire sequence - from multiple angles - here.)

After the game, reporters asked James if he had ever suffered a concussion. James replied, "No, I'm too tough for that."

Obviously, he was trying to make a joke. But head injuries are no laughing matter... and the idea that "toughness" can prevent head injuries - injuries that can be both debilitating and life-threatening - is the height of ignorance.

I wonder if LeBron would care to repeat his "joke" to someone like Ted Johnson, the ex-New England Patriot linebacker who has dealt with severe concussion-related health problems since his playing career ended.

The Heat are back in action against the Detroit Pistons tonight. James should be held out of the game - both as a precaution and a symbolic gesture.

• Did LeBron James suffer a concussion? - Heat Index Blog - ESPN.

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Pitino Extortion Case

In April, 2008, news broke that an attempt was made to extort money from Louisville coach Rick Pitino.

A Louisville woman named Karen Sypher was arrested and charged with attempted extortion and lying to the FBI. Sypher and several co-conspirators allegedly threatened Pitino, saying they'd go public with criminal allegations against the coach unless their demands were met. Days after her arrest, Sypher accused Pitino of rape.

Pitino's Role

Prosecutors who reviewed the allegations have said Pitino will not be charged with any crime, but the coach is hardly blameless in this affair. According to reports obtained by the Louisville Courier-Journal, Pitino Pitino admitted to having consensual sex with Sypher -- then Karen Cunagin, and to giving her $3000 to obtain an abortion. Cunagin later married Tim Sypher -- a member of Pitino's staff at Louisville.

Pitino is a married father of five, and a practicing Catholic who often has Rev. Edward Bradley pray with his team before games.

What's Next for Pitino?

For now, it seems these allegations won't have any effect on Pitino's status at Louisville. In a statement to press, UL athletic director Tim Jurich said, "Coach Pitino has been truthful with us about this matter all along and we stand by him and his family during this process."

But a statement from Louisville president James Ramsey was a bit more ominous in tone. Ramsey said, "Several months ago Coach Pitino informed me about the alleged extortion attempt. I've now been informed that there may be other details which, if true, I find surprising."

Pitino associates have reportedly told ESPN's Andy Katz that the coach will not be taking a leave of absence in the wake of this scandal.

The news of Pitino's affair casts other Louisville news in a whole new light. At around the same time the extorsion attempt was becoming public, Pitino's people made general inquiries about the then-vacant Sacramento Kings coaching position. And Pitino's son Richard left the Louisville staff at around the same time, taking a job with Pitino protege Billy Donovan at Florida.

Could it be that Pitino was concerned that this story could cause him to lose his job? Or to ruin his standing in the Louisville community? Was the younger Pitino's departure a reaction to news of his father's affair?

Latest Developments

Pitino Strikes Back
August 30, 2009
In response to the release of audio and video of his Karen Cunagin Sypher's interviews with police, Pitino angrily denounced her accusations as "a total lie."

Pitino's Accuser Speaks
August 14, 2009
Pitino's accuser gave her (incredibly convoluted) side of the story in an exclusive interview with the New York Post.

Pitino's Apology
August 13, 2009
Rick Pitino apologizes for his "indiscretion," vows to stay at Louisville "as long as they'll have me."

Pitino's Contract Has a Morality Clause
August 12, 2009
Could Rick Pitino's indiscretions cost him his job? That's far from clear at this point... but Louisville apparently has the option to hand him his walking papers.

Pitino Admits Affair, Payment for Abortion
August 12, 2009
The case of Karen Sypher -- the woman accused of attempting to extort money from Cardinals coach Rick Pitino -- took an ugly turn yesterday, when reports obtained by the Louisville Courier-Journal revealed that Pitino admitted to having consensual sex with Sypher in 2003, and to giving her $3,000 for an abortion.

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Maria Sharapova to Wed Sasha Vujacic

Tennis superstar Maria Sharapova and NBA... um... significantly less than super-star Sasha Vujacic will reportedly tie the knot this fall.

An ex-Los Angeles Laker and New Jersey Net, Vujacic is playing professionally in Turkey these days.

What wedding present should you buy for the happy couple? Maybe a really nice trophy case. Vujacic was a member of the Lakers' 2009 and 2010 NBA championship teams. His bride-to-be owns Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open titles.

• Maria Sharapova and Sasha Vujacic Are Getting Married November 10th in Istanbul, Turkey.
• Famous NBA Wives and Girlfriends

Image: Maria Sharapova at the 2009 China Open. Feng Li/Getty Images

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Carmelo Anthony Confirms Our Worst Suspicions

Mark Twain - perhaps the most quotable American besides Charles Barkley - once said, "It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt."

It seems Carmelo Anthony never read that particular quip.

Anthony and his New York Knicks are in the midst of a three-game winning streak; a run that started when Mike Woodson replaced Mike D'Antoni as head coach. Under Woodson, the Knicks seem much more focused... they are working harder on the defensive end, fighting for rebounds and playing with newfound intensity.

The fact that Woodson is getting his team to play so well speaks well of the new coach. Of course, it also raises an important question: "Where was this energy before D'Antoni was fired?"

We can assume that the Knicks weren't necessarily leaving it all out there on the floor for D'Antoni. But thanks to 'Melo, we don't have to. Anthony confirmed everyone's worst suspicion, telling reporters:

I think in the last three games, my focus was to have an energy that I haven't had so far this season, especially on the defensive end.

Stunning, right? Not the substance of the quote... anyone who thought Anthony was giving 110 percent during the Knicks' post All-Star losing streak simply wasn't paying attention. But the fact that he'd come out and admit that is an absolute shocker.

The only real surprise, for me, is that he didn't follow that up by saying, "And under D'Antoni, Jeremy Lin was taking too many of my shots."

• 'Melo Keepin' It Real... Real Transparent - Jamie O'Grady/LoHud Knicks Blog

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The Miami Heat Stand Up for Trayvon Martin

LeBron James just sent out this picture of himself and his Miami Heat teammates wearing their warmup hoodies as a protest of the senseless killing of Trayvon Martin.

Nice job, guys.

• Camera ~ photo by KingJames.

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David Robinson

After an outstanding career at the Naval Academy, "The Admiral" became one of the best centers in NBA history, winning two championships, an MVP award and three Olympic medals.

His charitable work is nearly as legendary -- Robinson and his family are the driving forces behind The Carver Academy, a non-profit elementary school in San Antonio, donating their time and in excess of $10 million to the program.

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