Antawn Jamison is back in the Washington Wizards fold. Now it’s time to focus on Gilbert Arenas.
The Wizards achieved a major free agency goal Monday when two-time All-Star forward Jamison signed a four-year, $50 million contract.
The deal does more than retain the team’s co-captain and leading scorer from last season: It serves as an expensive piece of bait to lure Arenas, who had said he would not return unless the team also kept his longtime friend.
“He said he’d take less money if they got me, and they got me,” Jamison told The Associated Press. “So I think everything will get worked out with Gilbert.”
Two words describe Jamison above all others: steady and reliable.
The 32-year-old strong locker room leader has averaged at least 19.6 points and 7.6 rebounds each year since his arrival in Washington 2004.
Davis elects to
become free agent
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Golden State point guard Baron Davis elected to become a free agent Monday night, opting out of the final year of his contract with the Warriors in a surprise move.
Davis had until Monday night to decide whether to turn down his $17.8 million contract for next season, the final year of a six-year deal. The Warriors didn’t expect him to opt out of the deal despite little progress in the parties’ long-term contract negotiation, but club spokesman Raymond Ridder said they received a letter from Davis’ agent, Todd Ramasar, late Monday indicating his intentions.
Davis still could return to Golden State as a free agent, but his opt-out clause was his only bit of leverage in forcing contract talks with the Warriors before next summer.
Ramirez apologizes
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Manny Ramirez said he patched things up with a Boston Red Sox employee he reportedly shoved to the ground during an argument.
The Providence Journal reported Monday that Ramirez pushed traveling secretary Jack McCormick in the visitors’ clubhouse Saturday in Houston after McCormick told Ramirez that he might not be able to come up with the 16 tickets the player requested for that night’s game.
The two met behind closed doors, the newspaper said, and Ramirez apologized to McCormick.
Nguyen wins
$2 million
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Poker professional Scotty Nguyen won nearly $2 million at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas on Monday, topping a field of 148 players and emerging from a marathon final table with his fifth gold bracelet.
Nguyen beat out 23-year-old Michael DeMichele in H.O.R.S.E., a rotating-game tournament that cost $50,000 to enter.
The various games and limited betting structure reward all around play and is said to truly reward the best players over the long haul.
Along with the main event, many players consider H.O.R.S.E. the most important tournament in the World Series of Poker.
“Scotty Nguyen’s gonna be triple crown, baby!” Nguyen said after posing at the made-for-TV final table with thick stacks of $100 bills and his newly won bracelet. “That’s my dream.”
The 45-year-old Nguyen, who won $1 million at the series’ main event in 1998, said he hoped to also win the main event this year.
Nguyen won the final hand Monday at limit Hold ’em, pushing DeMichele all in with an ace and a 10. DeMichele, far behind in chips, called with an ace and a three, and Nguyen’s 10 gave him the win when both players paired their aces.
Adams leaves OSU
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Freshman Martavius Adams has transferred out of the Oklahoma State basketball program.
First-year Cowboys coach Travis Ford announced Monday that he had agreed to release the 6-foot-8 forward from his scholarship.
“Martavius and I sat down last week and agreed that it would be mutually beneficial for both parties if we simply went our separate ways,” Ford said. “We appreciate his efforts at OSU and wish him nothing but the best of luck.”
Adams played in 30 games last season and averaged 3.1 points and 2.1 rebounds and started three games.
