Shields Hopes to Kick Off 2012 on A High Note
“As a kid I was always told that I couldn’t be an athlete and a vegetarian, and I like to show that that’s a myth." - Jake Shields 
Throughout his life, Jake Shields heard about everything he couldn’t do as a vegetarian in the sports world. He never wavered though. Instead, he just kept piling up accolades: All-American recognition as a wrestler at Cuesta College, a jiu-jitsu black belt, and MMA titles in a number of organizations, including Strikeforce, EliteXC, and Shooto.
Today, he’s a UFC welterweight contender, and those people talking about his diet have gone silent, instead giving way to praise from the organization PETA2 (the young adult branch of the animal rights organization), which honored Shields in 2010 with a Libby Award as the year’s Most Animal-Friendly Athlete, beating out Strikeforce contender KJ Noons, New York Knicks star Amar’e Stoudemire, and WNBA standout Candace Parker.
“They heard I was a lifelong vegetarian, so they wanted to do some work with me,” said Shields of his initial work with the group. “And I’m a lover of animals, so I agreed and I’ve done some small campaigns and stuff.”
Now he’s looking to make it two in a row, as he’s up for the award again, this time squaring off against NFL running back Willis McGahee, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley, and WWE wrestler Daniel Bryan. But beyond awards, this is a cause close to the 32-year old’s heart.
“I think it’s important,” he said. “As a kid I was always told that I couldn’t be an athlete and a vegetarian, and I like to show that that’s a myth. I’ve been a lifelong vegetarian and a successful athlete, and it’s good to show people an alternative. I’ve never been a preachy type person and I’m never gonna tell people what they should and shouldn’t do. But I like to be an example for people that are interested in that lifestyle, and let them know that they can, because so many people have the opposite impression.”
Classifying himself as a vegetarian even though he tries to eat mostly vegan, Shields has maintained this lifestyle throughout his life, which can’t be easy, especially when you’re growing up and your buddies are all running to the local fast food spot for a bite to eat.
“I just wouldn’t eat, or I would find something else to eat,” said Shields, who also admits to never eating an entire steak.
“I’ve had a couple bites once or twice in my life, but I’ve never really eaten it,” he said. “Actually I got sick. In my opinion meat’s really hard on the body, so my body didn’t react good to it.”
He wouldn’t change a thing though.
“You just get used to it and it becomes easy,” he said. “When you first switch it would be hard, but once you get used to it, it becomes easy.”
Easy wouldn’t be the way he would describe 2011, a year in which he not only lost back-to-back bouts against Georges St-Pierre and Jake Ellenberger (breaking a 15 fight winning streak), but lost his father Jack, who sadly passed away in August at the age of 67. Despite his dad's passing, Shields courageously went on with the Ellenberger fight just a few weeks later, only to get stopped in the first round.
“It’s just one of those things,” he said. “I got a little anxious out there and kinda walked into a knee, and it could have happened at any time. Obviously, things possibly could have been different, you just never know. Jake’s a good power puncher and one of those guys you make one mistake and you can walk into something.”
Undeterred, Shields will get his chance to rebound early in the New Year, as he will travel to Japan to take on Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 144 in February. Having fought three times in the Land of the Rising Sun on 2004-04, he’s got an edge on some of his peers who have never competed there, but that doesn’t mean it’s any easier.
“It’s tough dealing with a long flight, and being vegetarian, it’s hard finding food to eat over there, but it’s one of those things you just deal with,” said Shields, who will be welcoming Akiyama to the welterweight division for the first time.
“He’s a tough guy and I’m not taking him lightly,” said Shields of Akiyama. “He’s coming off a couple losses, but he’s lost to good competition and he’s had some close fights with some top fighters, so I’m taking him really seriously. He’s a phenomenal judo guy, possibly the best judo guy in the sport, and he’s also got heavy hands. I haven’t had a chance to study his tape yet, but I’m gonna start breaking that down and coming up with a game plan.”
It’s the kickoff to a year he can’t wait for.
“It (2011) has definitely been a tough year, but I’m hoping to bounce back and be a lot stronger in 2012.”
To vote for Jake Shields for the 2011 Libby Award as Most Animal Friendly Athlete, click here. Voting closes on December 23
Tweets of the Week – 12/16
Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal
What up San Diego!!!!! -Gilbert Melendez
Who's coming out to see my fight this Saturday? After-party @PacersSD !! Meet me there n have some drinks with me... -Jorge Masvidal
Thank all my fans for support! See u saturday! -Cris Cyborg
Weight ins @ 4pm 
:);):) TRAIN TO FINISH!!! FIGHT TO DESTROY!!!! -Billy Evangelista
About to lose some weight and make 155 lbs. Today @Strikeforce weigh-ins at 4 at sports arena. Come check out. -KJ Noons
UFC 140 Tweetback
11 out of 6 people agree that @Minotauromma has the biggest heart in MMA. @ufc -Kenny Florian
Parabéns meu irmão, você merece! Congratulations my brother, you deserve it! ow.ly/80h0P Sigam | Follow Rogério Minotouro... -Rodrigo Nogueira
@danawhite @lorenzofertitta @ufc thank you for the submission of the night award and BONUS @ufc greatest organization in the world. -Frank Mir
I'm good just my pride hurts. But that's the chances we take as fighters. I will keep my chin up and enjoy the family time. #positive -Tito Ortiz
I know it didn't go as planned, but it was an honor having @ShawnTompkins brother in my corner #RIP yfrog.com/od4k9bej -Mark Hominick
I don't know that I lost that fight.. But I'm not happy with squeeking by with a close win. -Brian Ebersole
how long before tapout release a shirt with ebersole hair on it? -John Hathaway
Came up short 2nite but after my last win I realised I'm paid not just to win but to FIGHT!!@ufc #ufc140 ill be back better -Claude Patrick
Thanks for the words after the fight @MarkBocek , you're a great fighter and great person. I really appreciated it. -Mitch Clarke
@MitchClarkeMMA Anytime -Mark Bocek
Flyweights in the UFC!
Thanks to everyone fans and haters alike. It's an honor to be apart of this amazing event @ufc love you guys! -Ian McCall
Thank u guys 4 the support and good wishes I've received since my fight was announced! I cant wait for it and Thx @ufc for this opportunity -Joseph Benavidez
Looking forward to the 125lbs tourney gonna be some awesome fights huge thanks to the @ufc for giving the fans a exciting new weight class! -Demetrious Johnson
Hyped about the @ufc addition of the #flyweight division. -Mackens Semerzier
ufc of fx here comes the flyweights, excited to see the fast little guys -Steven Siler
This Someone Could’ve Lost an Arm
Someone keyed only the Mma and judo bumper stickers on my car... Apparently we have a passive aggressive martial arts hater in our midst... -Ronda Rousey
Well, Duh
I'm trying to eat dinner while watching @joerogan #fearfactor this isn't working out. :-/ -Kyle Kingsbury
Welcome to the Bones Jones Era
Hope you guys enjoyed my walkout song, big thanks to everyone who supports me. I love you and you're all beautiful. -Jon Bones Jones
Wow!!!!!!!! @Jonnybones is legitimate. Who is going to beat this kid? Seriously who is going to be able to do anymore more than Machida did? -Yves Edwards
Jon"Bones"Jones is a Baaaaad Man! #ufc140 -Cub Swanson
Yo @Jonnybones nice mckenzietine I'll hit you up for my cut later -Cody McKenzie
And Now, Your Moment of Zen
If anyone asks, I'm NOT on twitter. Please retweet. -Kenny Florian
‘Crazy competitive’ Paul wants to win with Clips
<em>PLAYA VISTA, Calif. -- Thankfully for the Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Paul has a short-term memory when it comes to history.
At his introductory news conference on the floor of the Clippers practice facility, Paul cited the Clippers' history as a reason why he wanted to be traded to a franchise that has only advanced to the playoffs four times in the past 35 years.
Lakers legend Jerry West discusses how Chris Paul fits in with the Clippers, if the NBA set a dangerous precedent by vetoing the Lakers deal and if his former team should deal for Dwight Howard.
"I'm excited to be here in L.A. with this unbelievable franchise with so much history behind it," Paul said. "Every one knows Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan signed his deal and my big brother, Chauncey Billups, who I'm excited to be playing alongside of. This is going to be an unbelievable experience."
In terms of history, Paul only went back to two players who were drafted within the past three years and a player the Clippers claimed off waivers three days ago, but that's just fine. When it comes to making history, the Clippers will be a clean canvas for Paul.
Although Paul has two years left on his current contract, he and Clippers general manager Neil Olshey mentioned that Paul had made a long-term commitment to the team. After the news conference, Clippers officials said no agreement past the current two-year commitment has been made yet.
"Why did I make a long-term commitment? Because I believe in this organization," Paul said. "I believe in the players here and I want to win and I want to win now. I'm excited about what the future holds. I can't wait. I'm tired of doing everything else, I want to play."
Added Olshey: "He's not here to jump on a lily pad for two seasons. He's coming here to be a part of of the future of the franchise. He wanted to know there were pieces in place that would be with him long-term and that was a part of this deal. ... It gave me the confidence to know that if we get this guy here and continue to do the right things, they're all going to be here for the future and long-term."
Paul has told the Clippers he'll exercise his player option to stay with the team for next season.
Griffin's first words about Paul's arrival -- "Lob city!" he said gleefully to fellow high-flying teammate Jordan on Wednesday -- have already become a Twitter trending topic and a T-shirt in Los Angeles.
On Wednesday, the Clippers acquired guard Paul in a trade with the league-owned New Orleans Hornets. The Clippers sent sent guard Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and Minnesota's unprotected 2012 first-round pick to the Hornets for Paul and two future second-round picks.
For more news, notes and analysis of the L.A. Clippers, check out the ClipperBlog. Blog
Last week, Paul was nearly dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal the NBA vetoed, but said Thursday he was more interested in building a new legacy with the Clippers and helping them win their first championship.
"I'm crazy competitive," he said. "I think that's what makes me the player that I am. I just have to compete, so knowing that they never won a championship here I wanted to be a part of something like that. ... I want to see those Clippers T-shirts around town. I want to see everybody filing into Staples Center to see us play and at the end of the day I want to win here."
Histories and legacies aren't rewritten overnight, but after acquiring Paul, the Clippers think they may have done just that.
"In one move it accomplishes everything (Clippers coach) Vinny (Del Negro) and I have been blathering on about for the last two years, which is to change the culture," Olshey said. "That's what we did today. We changed to a culture of winning, of character, of guys that compete, of an expectation of success. Chris chose to be here. I want guys that want to be here. That's what inspired me to drive this home. Chris wanted to be here."
Olshey credited owner Donald Sterling and Paul's agent, Leon Rose, for pushing through a trade that stalled at numerous points thanks to the Hornets' ownership by the NBA.
"His commitment to wanting to be here is what inspired me to not give up," Olshey said of Paul. "When it got to the point where both our goals met late (Wednesday) afternoon, we just got in a room and got on with Mr. Sterling and said, 'If we're going to take this quantum leap as a franchise, it's going to have to be with a superstar, and that's Chris.'"
Arash Markazi is a columnist and reporter for ESPNLosAngeles.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Arash Markazi on Twitter: @ArashMarkazi
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Clippers get All-Star Paul in trade with Hornets
Updated: December 15, 2011, 7:00 PM ETvar ESPN_GLOBALS = {"videoPlayers":{"story09":{"src":"http://assets.espn.go.com/espnvideo/mpf32/prod/r_3_2_0_15/ESPN_Player.swf","height":324,"width":576,"adminOver":"3805638","localSite":"losangeles","autostart":"true","playerType":"story09"}}};espn.video.embeded.play();
The Los Angeles Clippers have acquired guard Chris Paul in a trade with the league-owned New Orleans Hornets.
The Clippers will send guard Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and Minnesota's unprotected 2012 first-round pick to the Hornets for Paul. The Clippers will also receive two future second-round picks.
By trading for Chris Paul, the Los Angeles Clippers have changed the perception of the franchise. They're no longer the Clippers, writes ESPN.com's J.A. Adande. Story
Which side won the Chris Paul trade? Did the Hornets get enough from the Clippers? The 5-on-5 panel takes a closer look. Story
The Clippers' deal for Chris Paul never would have happened if not for their prized superstar, Blake Griffin, writes ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne. Story
• Mike & Mike: Stephen A. Smith 
• ESPN LA 710: Dave Miller
• Palmer: Price for CP3 too steep? 
• Arnovitz: Calculated risk
• Kamenetzky: Affecting Lakers
• Blogs: Clippers | Lakers | ESPN LA
On Thursday, Paul tweeted a goodbye to New Orleans.
"THANK YOU NEW ORLEANS for 6 of the BEST years of my life," an entry on his Twitter account read. "To the organization, my teammates, coaches, and the fans you will always be my family and have a special place in my heart!!!"
The deal required the approval of NBA commissioner David Stern.
The move puts an end to a tortured week in which the Hornets' season sat in limbo while the NBA took a public relations beating over everything from potential conflicts of interest, to stunting the Hornets' pursuit of free agents, to disrespecting the New Orleans fan base.
"I knew we were doing the best thing for New Orleans and that was my job," Stern said. "You have to stick with what you think was right. I must confess it wasn't a lot of fun, but I don't get paid to have fun."
Stern said he never allowed other owners' opinions or considerations of large and small markets to determine where Paul, one of the NBA's biggest stars, would end up. He said his only focus was on getting the best deal for the Hornets.
The Hornets at last have a measure of certainty about the roster they'll have when the regular season begins in less than two weeks.
Paul, already a star with international appeal, gets to play in one of the NBA's biggest markets, even if his new team plays in the shadow of the Los Angeles Lakers. That's the club Paul was almost traded to last week, only to have Stern nix the deal and unleash a torrent of bad publicity on his league just as it was trying to generate good will following a nearly five-month labor dispute that has already caused a shortening of the season.
"I didn't know it was going to happen. I was told yesterday that it wasn't going to be done," Kaman told ESPNLosAngeles.com. "Everybody thought it was nixed, that it was dead. Then I guess something came back up today.
"I don't know what to expect, I don't know what to anticipate. I'm just going to try to move forward and play basketball like I'm capable of doing."
The 26-year-old Paul, a four-time All-Star, averaged 18.7 points and 9.8 assists last season, his sixth in the NBA. His move to the Clippers means he'll now be able to make alley-oop lobs to a young star famous for dunking over a car. That would be forward Blake Griffin, who averaged 22.5 points and 12.1 rebounds last season, his first as a pro.
The Hornets, meanwhile, get a prolific young shooting guard in Gordon, who turns 23 on Christmas Day and averaged 22.3 points last season. The 6-foot-9 Aminu is a second-year pro who averaged 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds as a rookie.
According to NBA.com, Gordon was on a bus with Clippers season ticket holders, making fan stops when he got word of the trade. Gordon told ESPNLosAngeles.com the deal was "disappointing."
"People in the organization were telling me I was going to probably stay here, stick around," he said. "But you don't know who to trust or follow, give you a lead on anything. I'm just going to take it for how it is. It is kind of tough to swallow, but I'm just a basketball player. I'm not going to have any hard feelings about it."
Hornets general manager Dell Demps said the team reloaded for both the present and the future.
ESPN's Michael Wilbon talks about how the Clippers with Chris Paul stack up against the Western Conference. He also discusses Kobe Bryant's feelings with the Lakers and Rip Hamilton heading to the Bulls.
More Podcasts »"With this trade, we now have three additional players who were among the top eight draft picks in their respective drafts as well as our own first round pick and Minnesota's first round pick," Demps said in a statement released by the team. "Aminu is a young talent with a bright future, Gordon is a big-time scorer and one of the best (shooting) guards in the league and Kaman is a proven center and former All-Star. ... We will field a competitive team and our future looks great."
Kaman had his own theory as to why the Clippers worked out the trade.
"To be honest with you, I think all that has to do with Blake Griffin. Blake is one of the most talented players playing basketball. He's a highlight reel waiting to happen," he said. "Chris Paul is going to love that. He's got an opportunity to come in here and do big things.
"I think the team is pretty much set up for (Blake). The four and five is done, locked in. Caron Butler is a great three-man. He's got Chauncey (Billups) and Randy Foye coming in at the two-spot. Now Chris Paul, All-Star point guard. What else can you ask for?"
Lakers star Kobe Bryant, whose team had been pursuing Paul, thinks the trade will be good for the city of L.A.
"It's good to see them (the Clippers) being that aggressive and wanting to make the next step," he said. "They got Blake (Griffin), who I think the world of him and CP (Paul) who I like as well, so, I think it's good for L.A. to have two teams that are competitive."
The Hornets can only hope the deal will sit well with fans and area businesses, who bought more than 10,000 season tickets despite the lockout in an effort to show the NBA their community could make the franchise viable for whatever ownership group eventually buys the club from the league.
Stern said he does not expect to preside over any more major Hornets player transactions, and that expects "spirited bidding" for the team to result in a new owner in the first half of 2012, once a lease is finalized.
"We're looking solely for ownership that wants to keep the team in New Orleans," Stern said.
Paul, whom the Hornets drafted fourth overall in 2005, told New Orleans earlier this month that he was not going to sign an extension, and Demps had been trying to trade him since.
Demps came close to making a three-team deal last Thursday that would have sent Paul to the Lakers. The Lakers would have sent Lamar Odom to the Hornets and Pau Gasol to Houston, while the Rockets would have sent Luis Scola, Kevin Martin and Goran Dragic, and a first-round draft choice to New Orleans.
Chris Paul and Eric Gordon will forever be linked following Wednesday's trade. In looking at their career numbers at age 23, Paul, now 26, has the edge in almost every category over Gordon, who turns 23 on Dec. 25.
Stern, however, told Demps to take that deal off the table because he thought the Hornets could get a better deal, both in terms of personnel and salary obligations, in exchange for their marquee player.
Paul showed up for Hornets training camp last Friday but has not spoken to reporters since. He was excused from a mandatory media event on Wednesday in which players pose for photos in uniform and talk about the upcoming season.
The urgency to make a deal appeared to be growing, even though Demps insisted earlier Wednesday that the Hornets had no timeline and would not be rushed into a "rash decision."
Still, Demps acknowledged that it was hard for the Hornets to pursue free agents and further build their roster while Paul's status was in limbo. If trade talks had dragged on much longer, the Hornets could have gone into Friday night's preseason opener at Memphis with little idea of what their roster would look like in their first regular season game at Phoenix on Dec. 26.
Other than Paul, the Hornets had only five returning veterans under contract: center Emeka Okafor, forward Trevor Ariza, point guard Jarrett Jack, second-year swingman Quincy Pondexter and shooting guard Marco Belinelli.
The addition of Gordon, Aminu and Kaman give New Orleans desperately needed depth while opening the way for the franchise to further strengthen its roster through free agency.
Meanwhile, the Hornets also could look forward to an additional first-round draft choice next summer. The pick originally belonged to Minnesota, meaning it will be tied to where the Timberwolves finish in the standings this season.
Information from ESPN.com senior NBA writer Marc Stein, ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne and Dave McMenamin, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
UFC, FUEL Still Negotiating Deal for International Editions of TUF
Early Tuesday at a press conference in Rio, UFC president Dana White announced Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva as coaches on the first-ever international edition of The Ultimate Fighter, which will take place in Brazil.
In the past, White said that international editions of TUF would likely air on FUEL as part of their new wide-ranging deal with FOX-owned networks, but on a Tuesday afternoon teleconference, FUEL executive vice president and general manager George Greenberg said that as of right now, the two sides are still in negotiations to bring the new editions of TUF to air in the U.S.
"Right now, any international edition of The Ultimate Fighter is something we are in discussions with the UFC," he said. "We have no firm deal for TUF Australia or TUF Brazil, or any other TUF show right now.
"We'd love to do this," he added. "I don't think it's going to be an obstacle to get through negotiations."
Greenberg said that he believed the channel, which is already planning 2,000 hours of UFC programming in 2012, still has room to add the international editions of TUF.
Asked to describe the negotiations for the TV properties, he said that the relationship has made for easy communications between the two sides thus far, and that they speak four to five times a day.
"For us, negotiations are sort of easy," he said. "Specifically we're in talks, but I can't tell you what stage. Everything we do with the UFC always will turn out with a healthy ending for both parties. If it's good for the sport, it will be good for the UFC, and it will be great for the FOX Sports media group. I can promise you that."
FUEL will kick off its commitment to its new partner with 24 hours of UFC programming on Jan. 1. On Jan. 3, its weekly news show UFC Tonight premieres at 10 pm, hosted by former WEC announcer Todd Harris and featuring our own Ariel Helwani.
Other UFC on FUEL programming notes:
- Live weigh-in shows begin airing on FUEL on Jan. 13, with UFC 142.
- Live event post-fight coverage will feature one-hour shows hosted by Jay Glazer, beginning on Jan. 14 with UFC 142
- FUEL begins televising UFC preliminary fights on Jan. 20, with the undercard of an FX event.
- FUEL will have the right to air the U.S. editions of The Ultimate Fighter 24 hours after original episodes air on FX.
- There will be quarterly "Champion's Roundtable" specials, with past and current titleholders discussing a wide range of MMA topics
FUEL is currently available in about 38 million households, but Greenberg said the channel's goal is to house so much UFC programming that fans will demand and receive it from their cable and satellite providers.
"I can guarantee you we're going to become the most wanted channel in the television landscape," he said.
Free-agent guard Crawford heading to Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Free-agent guard Jamal Crawford has joined the Portland Trail Blazers.
Crawford announced his choice on Twitter, posting "Rip city!!!"
The Blazers made it official a few hours later on Thursday when they announced they had signed Crawford. The deal is for two years and $10 million, with a player option for his second year, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard.
Crawford Crawford chose Portland over Sacramento, which was offering a two-year deal worth $6.5 million per season, and New York, which offered $5 million over two years, sources told Broussard.
"We were a long shot to start with," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said on Thursday afternoon, acknowledging the Knicks' low bid for Crawford. "I think the relationships that he had here in New York and how he loved it -- I thought we had a shot at it."
In order to make a deal with Crawford, the team used the NBA's new amnesty clause to waive All-Star guard Brandon Roy, who announced his retirement last week because of ongoing knee problems.
An 11-year veteran, Crawford played for the Atlanta Hawks the last two seasons. For his career, the 31-year-old has averaged 15.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists. He won the NBA's Sixth Man award in 2010.
"We've thought highly of Jamal for a long time and think he's a great fit for our team," said Chad Buchanan, Portland's acting general manager. "He brings a scorer's touch and veteran leadership that will help us immediately."
Blazers guard Wesley Matthews said he spoke to Crawford on Wednesday night.
"I'm excited about it," Matthews said. "He wants to come and win and that's what we're about."
Crawford, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, will help the Blazers deal with the absence of Roy and former Blazer Rudy Fernandez, who was traded away on draft night in June.
Matthews said he was unconcerned about potential competition for playing time.
"We can coexist at the same time, similar to what they did in Atlanta with Joe Johnson and him," Matthews said.
By using the amnesty clause to waive Roy, the Blazers freed up salary cap space that allowed the team to use a mid-level exception on Crawford. Roy, who was under a max contract, was set to make $15 million this year.
"Brandon's announcement that he is leaving the game ultimately shifted our decision to amnesty," Buchanan said in a statement. "We're given the immediate option to obtain additional salary cap flexibility as we will no longer be in the luxury tax -- something that is critical to improving our team and helping us recover from the loss of a player of Brandon's caliber."
A three-time All-Star who has played all five of his NBA seasons in Portland, Roy had been dogged by pain for the past two years because he lacks cartilage between the bones in his knees.
He sat for stretches of last season because of soreness and had arthroscopic surgery on both knees last January. He returned to end the season with a career-low average of 12.2 points in 47 games.
Roy, a fan favorite whom many credit with turning around the team's once-tarnished "Jail Blazers" reputation, finished his career with averages of 19 points, 4.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds.
Coach Nate McMillan praised Roy and his proclivity for late-game heroics after practice on Thursday.
"The closer. That's how I look at him," McMillan said. "The closer has closed."
Crawford is close to Roy, a fellow Seattle native.
Buchanan told reporters Thursday afternoon that Roy will always have a place in the organization.
"If there's any role that he wanted to take on moving forward, we would love to have him in any capacity ... there's always going to be a place for Brandon in this organization," Buchanan said. "And at some point he'll probably consider and look into all of his options and what he wants to do now that he's done playing. We just want to make sure that he knows he always has a home with us."
The Blazers also announced that forward LaMarcus Aldridge had been cleared to return to non-contact practice starting on Saturday.
Aldridge underwent a procedure last Friday to treat for Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, a condition which causes the ventricles of the heart to contract prematurely.
Aldridge was diagnosed with the disorder in 2007. He had a similar procedure at the time, and missed the final nine games of the 2006-07 season.
The 6-foot-11 forward from Texas averaged 21.8 points and 8.8 rebounds last season, the best of his five-year NBA career. He had 36 double-doubles.
Portland also signed free agent forward Craig Smith.
Nicknamed "The Rhino," Smith played the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 48 games.
Terms of the deal reached Thursday were not disclosed. Smith, a five-year veteran, has also played for Minnesota.
Information from ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard, ESPNNewYork.com's Ian Begley and The Associated Press was used in this report.
Jazz, former Mavericks F Howard agree to deal
SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor watched Josh Howard work out in North Carolina this week. It was enough to convince him the small forward could help in the condensed season.
Howard agreed to a deal with the Jazz on Thursday, pending a physical. O'Connor said he expects Howard to be in uniform Saturday night when the Jazz have an intrasquad scrimmage.
Howard "The first thing he brings is an ability to play in the NBA," O'Connor said Thursday night. "He's a guy that at the 3 spot has rebounded the ball exceptionally well. And he's played on a winning team and in an NBA championship series."
O'Connor said it will be "all hands on deck" with a 66-game schedule that includes six games in eight days to start the season.
The Jazz made adding an athletic shooter their top priority in free agency after re-signing backup point guard Earl Watson last week.
"That was our first goal," O'Connor said of bringing back fan favorite Watson.
"The second was to improve the wing position. We did that in the draft with Alec (Burks) and with signing Josh. Now we'll see how it goes."
Agent Marc Fleisher, who represents free agent Andrei Kirilenko, said the Howard deal "most likely" means the Jazz will not re-sign Kirilenko.
O'Connor declined comment Thursday night when asked about Kirilenko, who has been playing in Russia during the lockout, but is coming off an injury-plagued season.
O'Connor previously said there had been ongoing discussions with Kirilenko. But it was clear the 10-year veteran was going to have to take a major pay cut to return after making more than $17 million last season.
Howard was a key player for Dallas from 2003-10 and helped the Mavs in their run to the NBA Finals in 2006. He averaged a career-high 19.9 points in 2007-08 and has played in 453 games (381 starts).
He will be reunited with former Mavs teammate Devin Harris, now Utah's starting point guard following the February trade of Deron Williams to New Jersey.
O'Connor said he relied on Harris' input on Howard and said he came "highly recommended."
O'Connor also took a trip back to North Carolina on Wednesday to work out Howard and discuss his role with the Jazz.
"It went well enough to sign him," O'Connor said.
He acknowledged Howard will have to shake off some rust after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee a month after he was traded to Washington in February 2010.
He developed tendinitis last season, and only appeared in 18 games for Washington in 2010-11, averaging 8.4 points.
Howard also was considering returning to the Wizards, or signing with San Antonio, Portland and New Jersey.
While visiting a local charter school in Washington last week, Howard told reporters he wanted to be on a good team, where the players were hungry.
The Jazz are coming off a 39-43 season, but have four players 21 or younger and several veterans looking to make amends for the disappointing finish.
Howard also drew interest from Portland, New Jersey, San Antonio, Washington and Denver.
Information from ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Heart exam shows abnormality for Kings’ Hayes
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A recent heart exam on new Sacramento Kings big man Chuck Hayes shows an abnormality that will require further testing.
The Kings announced Thursday night that a stress echocardiogram revealed the abnormality. The former Houston Rockets forward-center signed a $21.3 million, four-year deal with the Kings last week.
Hayes averaged 3.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in 17 minutes per game in six seasons with the Rockets. He attended Sacramento's media day earlier Thursday and appeared fine, joking around with several teammates.
The Kings open the preseason Saturday night at the Golden State Warriors. The Los Angeles Lakers visit Sacramento for the regular-season opener Dec. 26.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
Jose Aldo Hopes to Sell Out a Soccer Stadium and Other UFC 142 Notes
UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo appeared in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, where he'll defend his title against Chad Mendes at UFC 142 next month. That fight will take place at the HSBC Arena, where the UFC played before a capacity crowd in August. But Aldo is hoping to fight in a much bigger Brazilian venue in the future.
"I hope one day to be able to fight in a football stadium," Aldo said.
That opportunity may come soon: UFC President Dana White said that while he's in Brazil this week he'll be looking at stadiums, and there are indications that ticket demand remains very strong in Brazil. One Brazilian reporter pressed White on Tuesday about why so many fans were left disappointed in August when they couldn't get tickets. (White's advice: Get online immediately tickets go on sale Wednesday.)
Aldo, who will be fighting back home in Brazil for the first time since he signed with Zuffa in 2008, said there will be some distractions associated with having family and friends around, but he said that won't make a difference come fight time.
"I have to put all that out of my mind," Aldo said.
Some other notes on the UFC 142 press conference.
Mendes thinks he has one key advantage in preparing for Aldo: He trains every day with Urijah Faber, who has faced Aldo before. "Having a teammate in Urijah Faber who's already fought Jose is an advantage for me," Mendes said. "We were able to sit down and put together a great game plan for this camp based on that. Urijah trains with me every day."
Don't get your hopes up for Anderson Silva vs. Jon Jones: White has said he views Silva and Jones as the two best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, but when a Brazilian reporter asked if that meant the two of them would fight each other, White said he doesn't see either man taking on an opponent outside his own weight class any time soon. "Jon Jones has a couple of obligations. He has to fight the winner of Rashad Evans and Phil Davis," White said. "Anderson Silva has been very reluctant to move up to 205 pounds. We'll see. We always try to make the fights that people want to see. If people want it, we'll try to make it."
Anthony Johnson isn't expecting to go back down to welterweight: Johnson, who is moving up to middleweight to face Vitor Belfort in the co-main event at UFC 142, said he's putting all his focus on his new weight class. "Right now 170 isn't in my mind at all," Johnson said. "My mission is to conquer 185."
Belfort thinks MMA can be bigger than soccer: "I remember when Dana White said UFC was going to become the No. 1 sport in the world," Belfort said. "He wasn't crazy when he said that."
Brazilian fans want to see some non-Brazilian stars: Multiple members of the Brazilian media questioned White about why none of the promotion's top North American stars are on this card. White said he has a lot of Brazilian fighters on the UFC roster who requested to fight in Brazil, and that didn't leave much room for non-Brazilian fighters. "This is our second fight here and you have people who it's always been their dream to fight here," White said. "But yes, we will bring in talent from around the world. Georgest St. Pierre or whoever else it might be. We do realize people here want to see them too."
UFC 142 Prelims to Air on FX
UFC will make its debut on FX on Jan. 14 when the network airs the UFC 142 prelims, a FUEL TV official confirmed with MMAFighting.com on Tuesday.
FUEL TV, who shares the same parent company, FOX, as FX, will broadcast the majority of UFC prelim bouts in 2012, however, the UFC 142 undercard will air on the network's sister channel, FX.
FUEL TV will air the weigh-ins live and a post-fight show immediately following the event.
The UFC 142 main card, headlined by Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes for the UFC featherweight title, airs live on pay-per-view. The event will take place at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Below is a look at the full card:
Main card:
Jose Aldo (c) vs. Chad Mendes -- UFC featherweight title
Vitor Belfort vs. Anthony Johnson
Mike Massenzio vs. Rousimar Palhares
Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Erick Silva
Edson Barboza vs. Terry Etim
Prelims:
Sam Stout vs. Thiago Tavares
Mike Pyle vs. Paulo Thiago
Fabio Maldonado vs. Stanislav Nedkov
Rob Broughton vs. Ednaldo Oliveira
Felipe Arantes vs. Antonio "Pato" Carvalho
Yuri Alcantara vs. Michihiro Omigawa
For more on FUEL TV's extensive lineup of UFC programming in 2012, click here.
Full disclosure: Ariel Helwani is a reporter for FUEL TV.