THROUGH THE WIRE: TUESDAY (03/01/11)

24. This weekend London is calling the NBA for the first regular-season games every to be played in England in efforts for the Basketball fan base to grow in England even further ahead of the 2012 Olympic games in London (hey this writers been a British fan since he's 11, there's always been fans here). As the New Jersey nets take on the Toronto Raptors for two games abroad that actually matter U.K fans will have even more basketball to look forward to. This is because it has just been announced that the NBA and Team USA have committed to play games in Manchester, England next year on the run up to 2012. So that means fans in the North West of England (around 5 hours away from the capital city London) will get to see guys like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Kevin Durant. The MEN Arena which boasted the title of worlds best arena in 2009 (take that MSG) will host the game and the women's Team USA too (you'll get to see Candace Parker). These warm-up games for the 2012 Olympics will sure make basketball hotter in England. A country where football...excuse me (I am English) soccer is king.

48. Back in the States, the Boston Celtics have just added more of their trademark toughness by signing rebounding machine Troy Murphy. At first it was thought that Miami had inked the star but instead Celtic green will run through this reliable players dedicated veins. Several sources confirmed that Murphy was bound for South beach but it seems that New England will hold the new team for Troy. Still, maybe we should wait a few days for a press conference before we get a little too excited. One things for sure, the guy is a great addition to an Eastern Conference contender who always need much more inside to deal with the tall West and the East, who's contenders are getting a lot better at the core of their centre.

82. Looks like this Lakers/Clippers rivalry is heating up even more as the Clip Show are almost exciting as the Lake Show's showtime brand of ball. As teams get better, Griffin dunks get thrown and rivalries intensify the Lakers and Clippers shared Staples Centre soon may not be big enough for the both of them. Clippers guard Eric Gordon thinks it wouldn't be a bad idea if the Clippers relocated to another stadium. Are these most-improved Clip show getting a little ahead of themselves? The former Buffalo team will always be second-fiddle to the Lakers when it comes to Staples. After being asked about what could of been with a potential, past move to Anaheim, Gordon told press, “I wouldn’t mind going down there — to separate ourselves from L.A. from the Lakers." Still the top guard also expressed his respect, "But it’s always good to compete with them.” Love thy neighbour indeed. Still Gordon added, “I don’t have any complaints. But you see all L.A. everywhere, Lakers stuff everywhere…(you would) have your own identity within the city and your team. That’s just a lot better.” Gordon doesn't need to worry if things keep improving for the Clippers (and as long as they keep Blake) their identity and 'stuff' will spread like wildfire.

O.T. Here's a shift in power for you. The West's best, Tony Parker will miss 2-4 weeks with a calf injury...let the auction for Mike Bibby commence. The star guard has given up $6.2 mill to leave the Washington Wizards. Rumor has it the Miami Heat may request for his talents in South Beach...Sure Kendrick Perkins may not be playing anytime soon (thanks to injury), but his new Thunder team have ensured his playing career their will last for much longer (thanks to an extension)...new Nugget, Danilo Gallinari will also miss time with his new team as a injured toe will keep him out for around a week to 10 days...Antawn Jamison may also be missing more time then a week, as he has broken his pinky finger. Seems like a small problem, but it may see him miss the rest of the season, because let's face it the Cavs aren't making the playoffs anytime soon...Deron Williams is happy to be a net but with nobody to pass to, he wants the stars to align in the Garden State. Watch out New York, where not talking about the Knicks either, Brooklyn's about to go hard. TIM DAVID HARVEY.