Analyzing Raymond Felton's gun charges, future in NBA

New York Knicks point guard Raymond Felton has been charged with three offenses under New York law for unlawful possession of a firearm. The most serious is second-degree criminal possession, a felony charge that carries a minimum sentence of three and a half years behind bars. Felton's charges stem from his estranged wife, Ariane Raymondo-Felton, reportedly handing over a Belgian pistol (FNH 5.7x28 mm) to New York police and claiming it belonged to Felton. Raymondo-Felton's decision to turn over the gun appears connected to a heated argument Felton may have had with his girlfriend, whose name has not been released by law enforcement.

The charges

Unfortunately for Felton, New York is probably the worst state to be charged with illegal possession of guns. Prosecutors do not need to establish how Felton obtained the gun or why he possessed the gun, only that he possessed the gun. Felton has thus been charged with a strict liability offense: if he possessed the gun, he's guilty and a judge would sentence him to at least three and a half years behind bars. Felton could seek a plea deal in hopes of a lesser sentence. Former NFL star Plaxico Burress, who faced similar charges in New York, ultimately pleaded guilty to lesser charges, but it was far from a legal win for Burress. Burress spent nearly two years behind bars. Plus, as discussed below, pleading guilty would carry legal significance for the NBA as it considers suspending Felton, while the Knicks could potentially try to void the remainder of Felton's deal.

Felton's legal defenses

Even if Felton lawfully registered this gun in another state, Felton cannot escape a conviction under New York law. Gun registration is by state, and New York law requires guns entering the state to be registered in New York. Similarly, Felton will not be cleared by arguing that he was simply unaware that possessing this gun was in violation of New York law. Failure to know the law is almost always a losing argument in a criminal case.

A legal defense that could work for Felton is that he did not possess this gun. In order to gain a conviction, prosecutors must establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Felton actually possessed the Belgian pistol. This point reveals a crucial difference in evidence between the incidents involving Burress and Felton. While Burress had no logical way of arguing he didn't possess a gun used to shoot himself, Felton's connections to the Belgian pistol are less obvious. As of now, the only reported link between Felton and this pistol is that his estranged wife handed the pistol over to law enforcement and claimed it belonged to Felton. If that remains the only link, watch for Felton to portray his estranged wife as unreliable and, given their pending divorced, biased. He may raise similar themes about his alleged girlfriend if she testifies against him.

Prosecutors can establish Felton's possession in other ways. For instance, if Felton registered the gun in another state, if his fingerprints are on the gun, or if photographs and videos show him with the gun, prosecutors can show a connection between Felton and the gun. Felton's lawyers, however, can use various devices to attempt to explain away those pieces of evidence. For instance, they may insist any photographs and videos show him with another gun. They may also raise suspicions about how any fingerprints were found on the Belgian gun. Still, his lawyers will have their work cut out for them.

Felton's future in the NBA -- and Adam Silver's first big test

An immediate challenge for Felton is whether he can travel with the Knicks and leave the state of New York while facing the charges. As part of the bail process, Felton will have to convince a judge that he is not a flight risk or a danger to the public, and that he needs to travel with the Knicks in order to fulfill his employment contract. A judge would likely permit him to travel under strict conditions. One game Felton will have trouble playing in is the April 11 matchup against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Knicks' legal team will have to convince Canadian immigration officials to permit an employee facing felony charges to enter Canadian soil.

Of even greater concern to Felton is whether he will face an NBA suspension. Recall that then-NBA commissioner David Stern suspended Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas indefinitely in January 2010 after reports surfaced that Arenas brought guns into the Wizards locker room. Arenas would be charged by D.C. police and then pleaded guilty to a felony weapons charge. In March 2010, Stern specified that Arena's suspension would be for the remainder of the 2009-10 season, costing Arenas 50 games.

New commissioner Adam Silver will face his first major disciplinary decision with Felton. Like Stern, Silver is an attorney and he will likely scrutinize the charges and available evidence before making a decision. Silver will also rely on the counsel of Rick Buchanan, the league's general counsel and executive vice president. Silver and Buchanan undoubtedly know that the league's image is tarnished with fans, media and lawmakers when players are connected to guns. On the other hand, they do not want to punish a player who may ultimately be cleared of any wrongdoing. This is a crucial point for Felton as he considers his legal options: if he pleads guilty to any crime, the NBA would be clearly justified in suspending him.

If the NBA suspends Felton for more than 12 games, Felton and the NBA Players' Association can seek an independent review of the suspension. This is a key distinction between the NBA and NFL's systems of justice. While NBA players have a right to appeal suspensions to a neutral arbitrator, NFL players do not.

Knicks' capacity to void Felton's contract

Felton's greatest worry may be whether the Knicks will use these charges as grounds to void his contract. Felton's contract calls for him to earn $3.6 million this season, $3.7 million next season and a player option for $4.0 million in 2015-16. Felton is averaging a career-low 10.3 points and his play has drawn much criticism this season, with the gun charges only further hurting his standing with Knicks officials. It stands to reason the Knicks may be interested in severing ties with their point guard all together.

The Knicks could try to terminate Felton's contract under Clause 16 of the NBA's Uniform Player Contract. In theory, this clause allows NBA teams to void a contract if a player, "fails, refuses, or neglects to conform his personal conduct to standards of good citizenship, good moral character (defined here to mean not engaging in acts of moral turpitude, whether or not such acts would constitute a crime), and good sportsmanship..." The Knicks would have to first place Felton on waivers. Assuming he clears waivers -- a safe bet -- the Knicks would then notify Felton that his contract has been voided. To be sure, the Knicks' legal argument for terminating Felton's contract would be strengthened if Felton is convicted or if he pleads guilty.

In reality, the Knicks would be inviting a legal fight if they tried to void Felton's contract. Any attempt would be met with a grievance filed by the players' association to a neutral arbitrator. Keep in mind, an arbitrator prevented the Golden State Warriors from terminating Latrell Sprewell's contract even after he chocked his coach, P.J. Carlesimo. The Celtics were also unable to void Vin Baker's contract in 2004, despite apparently compelling evidence his drinking problems prevented him from working. The Celtics ultimately worked out a buyout with Baker, where he would receive a little less than half of the remainder of his $35 million contract. Perhaps the Knicks can try to accomplish the same with Felton and negotiate a buyout.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/news/20140225/raymond-felton-felony-weapons-charges-new-york-knicks/

The Ultimate Michael Jordan Birthday Tribute

There are very few retired athletes whose legacies should be honored whenever possible. Michael Jordan is perhaps the only such individual whose birthday always prompts us to dwell upon his greatness.

February 17, 2014, marks Jordan's 51st birthday, and it also gives us ample reason to compile the ultimate birthday tribute to "His Airness."

From remarkable performances and dunks to captivating stories and off-court entertainment, this slideshow features the best of MJ. The manner in which he impacted the game of basketball and sports culture in general is worthy of our reverence.

Happy 51st, Mike. You're always a joy to celebrate.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1961499-the-ultimate-michael-jordan-birthday-tribute

Premier League: Alan Curbishley salutes West Brom after draw at Chelsea

West Brom are showing great spirit in their fight to beat the drop in the Premier League and fully deserved to avoid defeat by Chelsea, says Alan Curbishley.

The Blues were stifled for long periods at the Hawthorns on Tuesday night but still looked set for the spoils after a goal just before the interval by defender Branislav Ivanovic.

However, Victor Anichebe came off the bench to nod in an equaliser three minutes from time to earn his battling side a draw against the league leaders.

"It looked as though Chelsea were grinding out the three points but all credit to West Brom," Curbishley told Match Choice on Sky Sports.

"They came right back into it, especially in the last 20 minutes, and put Chelsea under a lot of pressure and in the end they deserved their point.

"It wasn't a silky performance from Chelsea and Jose Mourinho did say he'd take the point. They didn't have many clear cut chances and the goal came from a set play. You'd think with the players they've got, they'd open up West Brom - but they didn't really do it."

The single point hoisted the Baggies out of the bottom three, although if Sunderland get anything at Manchester City on Wednesday night, it will be the Black Cats who swap places with them.

It means West Brom's new coach Pepe Mel is still searching for his first win in charge, but there seems to be encouraging signs for his team.

Curbishley, appointed recently as first-team director at Fulham, added: "West Brom came back against Liverpool (drew 1-1 on February 2) and now they've done it with Chelsea.

"They've shown a lot of spirit to get back into these games against a top four team and the league leaders. On both occasions, they deserved a point and it shows how tough it is and how competitive the Premier League is where the bottom teams can take points off the top teams.

"West Brom don't have an out-and-out striker though with someone who can get 15 goals to elevate them into mid-table. They've got a good team ethic which holds them in good stead. They're picking up draws but they'll need to start picking up some wins."

Happy Hammers

One team who weren't so lucky on Tuesday night were Norwich City, who impressed Curbishley, despite slumping to a 2-0 loss at West Ham.

It's a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for Sam Allardyce who looked set for the sack a month ago, while Chris Hughton's stuttering Canaries are languishing just one point from safety.

James Collins and Mohamed Diame scored late on to secure the points for the hosts in an open contest at Upton Park and Curbishley said: "Norwich played really well but they just couldn't get a goal.

"It's another good performance from them where they haven't picked up a point. They brought in Gary Hooper and Ricky van Wolfswinkel in the summer and they just haven't clicked.

"As for West Ham, there was a clamour for Allardyce's head not so long ago (they were beaten 5-0 by Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup and 6-0 by Manchester City in the league in January). He's turned it around within four games where they've had four clean sheets."

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11979/9162432/premier-league-alan-curbishley-salutes-west-brom-after-draw-at-chelsea

Western Bulldogs list rankings: Every player rated ahead of the 2014 AFL season

OVER the next 18 days SuperFooty and Fox Footy will count down to the 2014 AFL season by taking the blowtorch to every club’s list.

We’ll list every player and rank them into one of five categories: Guns (in the elite of the competition); stars (very good players who aren’t quite superstars); foot soldiers (regulars who get the job done each week); crossroads (fringe players who are playing for their career or are yet to cement a spot in the side); and who knows (too early to make a call).

DID WE GET IT RIGHT? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW

We’ve seen Richmond and Geelong and continue the series with the Western Bulldogs.

After a promising finish to 2013, the Dogs are looking to climb the ladder in Brendan McCartney’s third season.

New captain Ryan Griffen leads an elite midfield but the club’s forward line is where the most development is needed.

Is recruit Stewart Crameri the answer?

GUNS

Ryan Griffen

27 years old, 183 games. Position: Midfield

The newly minted Bulldogs captain was nigh untaggable at times in 2013. Griffen averaged 28 touches, four tackles per game and 116 SuperCoach points. Don’t expect his output to diminish with the added responsibility.

SUPERCOACH SPECIAL: Griffen went on an eight-week tear mid-season when he averaged 138 and scored 140+ four times. He will cost you $627k this year but will return the investment.

STARS

Stewart Crameri

24, 57. Position: Forward

Crameri’s move to the Bulldogs is set to boost his AFL standing - don’t be surprised if he’s in the Guns category this time next year. The former Bomber has the versatility to offer a target in attack and move into the midfield. He averaged 4.4 marks and two goals a game last year at Essendon and the Bulldogs hope those numbers will increase. His arrival will also take the pressure off the club’s other talls.

Adam Cooney

28, 201. Position: Midfield

Cooney returned to an elite level in 2013 after four years battling a knee injury (averaging 25 disposals per game at 73 per cent efficiency). The Bulldogs will hope he continues to improve and provide outside run and carry to complement the team’s outstanding inside ball-winners.

Robert Murphy

31, 249. Position: Defence

The wily veteran returned to defence in 2013 – where he was All-Australian in 2011 – and provided much needed experience and some valuable run and carry as he ranked No.1 at the club for rebound 50s. Murphy will miss the start of the season after suffering an elbow injury .

Matthew Boyd

31, 220. Position: Midfield

Boyd endured a difficult season as injuries and poor form took their toll. The former captain played only 13 matches but still managed to average 29 touches a game and Brendan McCartney will hope the tough midfielder can lead the Bulldogs’ midfield group again in 2014

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/western-bulldogs-list-rankings-every-player-rated-ahead-of-the-2014-afl-season/story-fni5fazt-1226824793148

Shaun White's halfpipe loss a big win for all his Sochi Winter Olympics competitors

In the past eight years, Shaun White and his shock of red hair like the fires of hell made snowboarding one of the coolest sports on the planet.

So when he finished fourth in the men's halfpipe on Tuesday night, failing to win his third Olympic gold medal in the event, why did his fellow snowboarders celebrate like they'd won?

"Well, fourth was a gift, first of all," said his US teammate Danny Davis, who finished 10th. "You know it's good for snowboarding, man. The world knows now that there are other snowboarders besides Shaun. It's great, man, because there are a bunch of good riders in our sport and they deserve some credit, too."

There are three battles being fought on the slopes of Rosa Khutor at these Olympics: one is for medals, one is against the apparent shoddy nature of the halfpipe and slopestyle courses, and the other is for snowboarding's soul.

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There is an uneasy struggle between snowboarding's slip into the mainstream as an Olympic sport and keeping its traditions as an alternative pursuit.

With an estimated net worth of $40 million, White is the poster boy for its commercialisation. "I always want to be more than just a snowboarder," said White after failing to medal behind winner Iouri Podladtchikov of Switzerland. "This is a big part of who I am, but it's not all of who I am."

The reaction of the crowd at the men's halfpipe final illuminated the importance of the sport to the Winter Olympics. Podladtchikov was born in Russia, grew up in Switzerland. He represented Russia at the Winter Olympics in 2006, but has represented the Swiss since gobbling up a scholarship in 2007.

When he put down a sizzling second run to clinch gold, the heaving Russian crowd didn't seem to care he had changed national allegiance. They just revelled in his aerial trickery, ooh-ing and aah-ing like they were wide-eyed Smurfs.

"It's hot, cool and it's f---ing mine," Podladtchikov said afterwards, putting a unique twist on the motto of the Sochi Games.

In recent years, the IOC has introduced modern, alternative sports to the summer and winter Games – and in some cases shed older ones – in order to capture a younger audience.

The sight of David Beckham with his young sons at the BMX finals at the London Olympics two years ago neatly summed up the IOC's thinking. Consequently, though, there is a fear among the purists that their sport is selling out.

Australian snowboarder Torah White told Fairfax Media last week: "I am here in an event run by the Olympic committee that just makes buckets and buckets of money and doesn't really give back. I'm torn in the middle."

As far as his peers are concerned, the only one making buckets and buckets of money is White. The Flying Tomato has become the Flying Dollar Sign. He is so wealthy and influential, he and his sponsors built a halfpipe in secret in Perisher in the lead-up to Sochi, just to practice on.

"I don't think tonight makes or breaks my career," White said in the wash-up of his fourth placing.

With the commercial pulling power in the US of NFL superstar Peyton Manning, you sense his career will be OK.

US teammate Greg Bretz has said White doesn't love snowboarding like others love snowboarding. Then snowboard filmmaker Chris Grenier branded him a "whore".

"I don't know Shaun White personally," Grenier told USA Today. "But he doesn't give a [expletive] about the snowboarding community. He's whored himself out where he has a scooter company and they sell Shaun White shoes at Walmart."

Some say it all comes down to the hair. His signature flowing, flames have been cut. His more the Sherminator than halfpipe shredder.

"When you're younger, you don't really think about it," White has said of furthering his brand. "You just have long, red hair and do your jumps and tricks. I may have lost a little bit of hair, but I'm still the same guy."

Who just came fourth. His contemporaries could not be happier, even if their place in the sport can be attributed largely to him.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/winter-olympics/shaun-whites-halfpipe-loss-a-big-win-for-all-his-sochi-winter-olympics-competitors-20140212-32i3t.html

Cal grieving over death of football player Ted Agu

A grim scene unfolded Friday at Haas Pavilion, in a building constructed to house athletic glory and pride. Not tragedy.

Less than a week after Cal football player Ted Agu rushed the Haas court to celebrate the basketball Bears' win over then-top-ranked Arizona - a happy college student embracing his college life - Cal officials gathered in an adjacent room and announced the worst news possible.

Agu, a 21-year-old walk-on defensive end from Bakersfield, collapsed and died early Friday morning after a supervised training run.

"There is no greater tragedy for us than to lose one of our incredibly bright and passionate young people, far too soon," said athletic director Sandy Barbour, fighting back tears.

Cal was prohibited by law from releasing detailed information about possible pre-existing medical conditions and will wait for the coroner to determine cause of death. Cal's athletic team doctor, Casey Batton, said that he had known Agu since he arrived in Berkeley as a freshman in 2010 and had never known him to struggle in workouts before.

According to Batton, Agu was on an early-morning training run with the football team. When he started to struggle, near Bowles Hall - about 150 yards from the stadium - officials put him on a cart to drive him back. Batton said Agu was alert, talking and hydrating on the ride, but collapsed as the cart entered the stadium. CPR was immediately administered, a defibrillator was utilized and emergency personnel arrived. Agu was transported to Alta Bates Medical Center, where he died.

Though Cal quickly put up a protective shield around the team, and not many outside the program knew much about Agu, by all accounts he was a shining example of what college athletics can be. He was a walk-on to Jeff Tedford's team who had earned an athletic scholarship last spring from Dykes.

"I can't tell you how sad this makes me feel," said Tedford, the new offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay. "When I first heard it, I couldn't believe it. I can't imagine what his teammates are going through because it happened right in front of them."

Agu was described as a young man with a zest for life, academics and his team. He wanted to go to medical school. He worked as a peer counselor for incoming freshmen.

"Ted's the ultimate team guy," Dykes said. "He came here because he loved the game. He had a passion for life, he loved to learn, he loved to laugh. He had a great sense of humor.

"He was rewarded with an athletic scholarship because of his hard work and dedication. He's what's good about college athletics. He's exactly what you want from a young man."

This is one more blow to a struggling program. Cal has been under a dark cloud in recent years, enduring a terrible stretch plagued by the type of problems that often hit athletic programs: losses on the field, problems in the classroom, recruiting difficulties, financial woes. Dykes has been criticized quite often since he arrived at Cal in December 2012.

The death of a player is in a completely different category. A sobering loss that makes every other difficulty pale in comparison.

http://www.sfgate.com/collegesports/article/Cal-grieving-over-death-of-football-player-Ted-Agu-5215675.php

UFC's Thiago Silva arrested after standoff with police

Thiago Silva appeared in a Broward County courtroom on Friday morning where Judge John Hurley ruled on the proceedings and after hearing arguments from both the state and the defense opted to reduce the charges against the fighter to two counts of felony aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest without violence.

Silva allegedly made several threats to his wife that precipitated Thursday's events including at one point sticking a gun in her mouth and also sending a text message to her saying 'you're going to die'. The situation was surrounding his wife's relationship with a jiu-jitsu instructor named Pablo Popovitch, who was also eventually threatened in the matter.

The judge ordered due to the severe threat of violence against his wife and Popovitch as well as the risk that Silva could jump bail and flee to Brazil where he is a citizen and may not be able to be extradited back to the United States that he be held without bond pending trial.  Silva was subsequently released from the UFC after the situation unfolded on Friday morning.

2/6/14

Thiago Silva, the veteran UFC light heavyweight fighter, is in custody tonight after an alleged standoff with the Broward County Sheriff's Department SWAT team in Oakland Park, Fla.

Silva's name turned up in an arrest records search on the Broward County Sheriff's website early Friday morning.

The 31-year-old Brazilian faces multiple charges, including two counts of attempted felony murder, one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and one count of resisting officer without violence to his or her person. Police have not released an official statement.

Zuffa, owner of the UFC, has released the following statement:

"This evening, we were made aware of a situation involving Thiago Silva. We are in the process of gathering the facts and have no further comment at this time."

According to several reports, an armed suspect went into a jiu-jitsu school at 777 E. Oakland Park Blvd., which belongs to famed Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor Pablo Popovitch and allegedly began threatening people at the school.

No one was injured at the school and after the suspect left, the authorities were contacted, according to reports.

The situation began at around 7:45 p.m. local time in Florida when police were called to the scene.

From there the armed assailant went back to his home and barricaded himself inside. The house at 2041 Coral Heights Court was later identified as being owned by Silva as SWAT team members surrounded the home while trying to negotiate his surrender.

At 11:15 p.m., authorities confirmed that the suspect was in custody and the standoff had ended.

According to anonymous sources speaking to FOX Sports on Thursday, the altercation began because of a domestic dispute between Silva and his wife. Silva then proceeded to the jiu-jitsu school where he made the threats before leaving and ending up back at his home where police arrived shortly thereafter.

Silva had been scheduled to face Ovince St-Preux at UFC 171 in Dallas in March. The Brazilian lives and trains in Florida where he works with the Blackzilian MMA team based out of that area.

http://msn.foxsports.com/ufc/story/report-ufc-light-heavyweight-thiago-silva-arrested-after-standoff-with-police-developing-020614