Even though Mavericks lost the Thursday game to Spurs, there is more bad news for the team. Thursday game with Spurs saw Jason Kidd from Mavericks to turn out because of lower back strain. After the injury, he did not return to the game and now it seems that there are doubts about his return. This news has been confirmed by Maverick’s spokesperson. When San Antonio was playing with a 31-17 lead, Kidd played only 11:32 out of first quarter of the game, and then he checked out of the court and headed towards the locker room. He also missed both his shots and turned one with the help of three assists.

After suffering a big loss against San Antonio Spurs, who were playing without Manu Ginobili, the injury of Jason Kidd is a matter of concern for Mavericks. Because of the lower back strain that Kidd suffered, there are doubts about his presence in Saturday’s game. During the game Vince Carter replaced Kidd, as his return was not sure at all. When Mavericks stumbled with just 11 turnovers and 28.9% shooting, at this point Kidd’s injury can affect the coming match of Mavericks as well.

Jason Kidd was able to play just 12 minutes and then he just sat out for the rest of the game, and the team officials informed about the lower back strain. When it comes to the reason of the strain, nothing has been said clearly. This means that it is not clear yet as how Kidd suffered the lower back strain in the game. The next game of Mavericks is against New Orleans and the status of Kidd is yet not known.

The expert point guard at present is averaging about 5.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in the current season in order to defend NBA champions.

The injury updates about Kidd does not indicates anything about his return, so if Kidd does not recover from the back strain, then the team might have to play the next game without him. After Kidd returned in the first quarter of Thursday’s game, it was Richard Jefferson, who did the damage with13 points and Matt Bonner’s 11 points followed this damage. The starters from Mavericks went back to locker room with just eight combined points for the team. Now, only time will tell what will happen with Mavericks when they will step on the court without Kidd against New Orleans on Saturday.

“Easy Ed”, as known to many of from the previous generations, Ed Macauley was announced dead from St. Louis University press unit on November 9, 2011. He was a championship match-winner for St. Louis Hawks, and also one of the first NBA stars to have graced the basketball court. While he first took the Billikens to a title winner in 1948, he was already in the Hall of Fame in 1960. Through the late 1940s and 50s, he had played for multiple NBA teams. However, he is also remembered as a personality who changed the power structure of the NBA association over his most influential years as an active player. Easy Ed was also one of the major contributors as a coach in later years.

The legend towered six feet eight inches, and was one of the most inspiring players in the NBA circuit. His status as a basketball legend came through not only as a dominating player on the court, but also as a figure of inspiration to dozens of future basketball legends. Macauley started playing for St. Louis in the later part of the 1950s, and was involved in a number of major victories making the side one of the most intimidating for its opponents. At the time of retiring, the player had an astounding average of 17.5 per game. Later as basketball history would recall, he coached the Hawks for reasons that could be no better justified than by his love for the team, and the missed opportunities for his absence.

Ed will always be remembered for his spirited presence and the championship victory he won the St. Louis University back in 1948 in the NIT Championship. The match took place in New York’s Madison Square Garden, but when the team arrived at Union Station after half-a-week, 15,000 basketball lovers awaited to greet them. And few would argue that it was the beginning of a new era in American basketball. Macauley then became one of the best captains ever, and his teammates always recalled how he would inspire them with his typically witty humor one never needed any time to get used to.

One on hand we are told that the owners and players are close and within striking distance while on the other hand we are told that the two sides are no longer talking despite being close. This past weekend reached an impasse as the two sides broke off talks with no timetable set to reschedule. In the meantime, fans of the NBA must continue to suffer through dark days and with the cancellation of the first month of the season.

There were two key issues that supposedly have been resolved since the last stalemate. First the player contract length has been shortened from 6 years to 5 years for “Bird” rule players and from 5 to 4 years for non “Bird” rule players. The amnesty rule was also resolved as the owners won he issue as they will be able to waive a player without it counting against the salary cap. The waived player of course will still get paid.

The owners are looking likely to get the luxury tax that is similar to what is used in Major League baseball as big market teams with big contracts will be “taxed” at a rate of $1.50 for every dollar over the first $5 million, $1.75 for every dollar between $5 and $10 million, $2.50 for every dollar between $10 and $15 million, and $3.25 for every dollar over $15 million.

Competitive balance has been the major sticking point for the NBA and the tax is basically as good as done although there are some minor issues to iron out.

The big issue yet to be resolved is the basketball related income split as the owners want a hard 50/50 split of the dough while the players want to hang on to their current 57/43 advantage for revenue split. There is also a bizarre fight over the length of the deal as the owners want a hard 10 years while the players want 10 years but the right to renegotiate for years 6 and 8.

Owners continue to fight for more cost certainty while the players are fighting to keep things out of balance in their favor, even if the league suffers with an online sports betting competitive imbalance.

Hi Hoopsview.com fans -- what does a community manager of a bingo site know about basketball? I’m a huge fan -- so when I came across this, I thought many other basketball fans out there would love to see it.

I think you’ll enjoy this video -- specially if you’re one of those Lebron James haters (not me though).

We all know what a rough year Lebron James had starting from last year’s summer break and his wild announcement. Seems, since then he has had a roller coaster ride in Miami. Though he helped his team reach the finals and got dismantle and broken down by the Mavericks, things were still ok.

But this, come on, must be the lowest point for Lebron James basketball career -- perhaps, he could wish there was no Youtube and social media to capture this moment.

Here’s the video, there are 6 plays in particular that just hurt if you’re a James fan:

1) the Turnover. He got D’d on big time

2) the breakaway and quickness (poor Defense)

3) the obvious play -- the two hand throw down

4) questionable running

5) bad pass that led to a turnover

6) the cherry on top -- the same player throws a 3 on him.

With that said, Lebron James is arguably the best player in the league, at least without a doubt in the regular seasons. Something seems to transpire in playoffs with him. It could be his lack of confidence and faith that he has what it takes to take his team all the way or other unknown factors.

I hope he has a chance to bounce back in 2012 (granted the lockout ends soon). He has tons to offer to fans and the game.  Even though you many not love the guy, it’s hard to deny, he probably has the best potential to carry the NBA for a number of years to come.

What’s your thought on this play -- humiliating or it could have happened to anyone, no biggie?