LDN - Sports

National Basketball Association roundup

[February 11, 2017] Feb 10 (The Sports Xchange) - Former New York Knicks star Charles Oakley has been banned from Madison Square Garden after Wednesday's incident that led to his arrest, Knicks owner and arena chairman James Dolan said Friday.

Oakley and Dolan have been engaged in a long-running feud and Dolan told ESPN Radio that Oakley is not welcome in the building.

"Oakley will never be allowed to enter MSG again," Dolan said before clarifying. "It's not necessarily a lifetime ban, but I think the most important thing with that is you need to keep the Garden the place that's comfortable and safe for everyone who goes there."

Dolan ordered arena security to remove Oakley during Wednesday's game between the Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers. The 53-year-old Oakley was restrained by several security guards and taken to the New York City Police Department and charged with three counts of misdemeanor assault and one count of criminal trespass.

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Magic Johnson, who was hired last week as an adviser to Los Angeles Lakers co-owner and president Jeanie Buss, now wants to "call the shots" for the franchise.

The Lakers legend's role was announced on Feb. 2 that he would assist Buss as "on all business and basketball matters, collaborating with coaches, evaluating and mentoring players, assessing future franchise needs and helping ownership to determine the best path for growth and success."

Johnson told USA Today that Buss will determine the exact role he will have with the team.

The fact that the 57-year-old Johnson will have a major say in basketball matters indicates the possible departure of co-owner Jim Buss, the brother of Jeanie.

Jim Buss holds the title of executive vice president of basketball operations and said publicly he would resign if the Lakers weren't headed in the right direction by the end of this season.

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Phoenix Suns center Alex Len was suspended for Friday night's game against the Chicago Bulls without pay for leaving the bench area during an altercation, the NBA announced Friday.

Len's violation occurred during Wednesday's 110-91 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Phoenix guard Tyler Ulis and forward Marquese Chriss were fined $15,000 apiece for their roles in the altercation. Memphis guard Troy Daniel also was fined $15,000. All three players were ejected from the contest.

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The Philadelphia 76ers assigned guard Chasson Randle to the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League.

The Sixers signed Randle to a partially guaranteed three-year deal last month after the former Stanford standout joined the team on a pair of 10-day contracts.

Randle, 24, is averaging 5.3 points and 9.3 minutes in eight games with Philadelphia this season. (Editing by Andrew Both)

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