Clippers’ Brand signs with 76ers

After publicly saying he would return to the Los Angeles Clippers, forward Elton Brand signed a five-year, $80 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. Does this mean Baron Davis won’t sign as well? Playa Hatter has the latest.

Shaq, Shaunie O’Neal may be reconciling

Just weeks after he infamously rapped that “Kobe ratted me out, that’s why I’m gettin’ divorced,” an NBA star is cozier with his estranged wife. Shaquille O’Neal, whose “free-style” dis of league MVP Kobe Bryant was broadcast on TV and splattered across Web sites, has been spotted recently with Shaunie O’Neal, from whom he began divorce proceedings months ago. The couple reportedly spent the Fourth of July together in the Cayman Islands. A photo showing Shaunie in a bathing suit as she reclines against a resting Shaq is Exhibit A. The Phoenix Suns center rapped at a New York nightclub last month in reference to Bryant’s NBA championship loss and his reported statements to Colorado cops about Shaq’s affairs when Bryant was accused of rape.

Alonzo Mourning Charities won’t face lawsuit
Attention NBA veterans: The Wynn Las Vegas Casino doesn’t play. The luxury gambling and hotel resort that recently threatened retired baller Charles Barkley with criminal charges over a betting debt has decided to drop a lawsuit against player Alonzo Mourning’s non-profit. Miami Heat center ’Zo’s charity allegedly failed to pay the Wynn in full for a convention bill during last year’s All-Star Week. The casino had first named the NBA, mistakenly it claims, along with Alonzo Mourning Charities, in the $50,000 suit. But spokeswoman Jennifer Dunne says the Wynn’s debt was paid last week, nixing the Clark County District Court action. ’Zo had used the Wynn for a charity pool tournament and silent auction.

Santori will sit out after having his hand broken. Alfonso Santori is sidelined from the Chicago Cubs for approximately six weeks with a broken hand. The peculiar injury occurred while Santori was at bat against the Atlanta Braves and was struck on the hand with a pitch. The ball hit Santori as he ducked to avoid being struck in the head. He’s expected to go on the disabled list for six weeks.

Huel Hollins says Tim Donaghy’s allegations aren’t credible. A Black former NBA ref is speaking out, in light of the latest claims by disgraced official Tim Donaghy. Donaghy, who has admitted influencing games through bad officiating, is charged with felonies in connection with a gambling ring he reportedly helped back. Donaghy has alleged this week that refs favored a team in the 2002 NBA post-season and that a player believed to be Houston ’s Yao Ming was targeted for foul calls in unrelated play. Huel Hollins, who officiated from 1975 to 2003, says his ex-colleague has no credibility. But Hollins tells ESPN that he does recall visits from NBA execs, who met with refs before games to talk with them about their officiating. “I didn’t like it at all,” Hollins says. He declined to name individuals during a Thursday telephone interview, saying he didn’t need “any help” calling games. Along with Donaghy, referee Dick Bavetta has been mentioned this week, in connection with questionable officiating.

Shaquille O’Neal says he’ll buy Florida mortgages. Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O’Neal hopes to make a difference in the community where he began his NBA career. O’Neal has announced that he’ll give immediate relief to Orlando homeowners facing foreclosure by buying their mortgages and re-selling houses back to them. “I want to come in not to kick them out, but to work with them and save them so they can stay in their homes,” O’Neal tells The Orlando Sentinel newspaper. The player was drafted from college to the Orlando Magic then traded to Los Angeles before joining the Suns. “He’s become a businessman with a conscience,” says lawyer Mark NeJame, who joined Shaq for the announcement at Orlando City Hall . “He’s looking to find out where he can make a significant investment in Orlando – specifically downtown Orlando – but also all over central Florida.