Daily Gossip, Friday 9/1/15

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Andrei Kirilenko’s NBA career has slumped drastically. His suspension from the Philadelphia 76ers was confirmed before their game tonight against the Russian’s old team, Brooklyn Nets.

KIRILENKO SUSPENDED BY 76ERS

Via AP:

Coach Brett Brown confirmed the suspension during a shootaround before Friday night’s game in Brooklyn. He said he had been looking forward to coaching Kirilenko.

It’s not clear why Kirilenko hasn’t joined the Sixers since the Dec. 11 trade. The deal sent forward Brandon Davies to the Nets for Kirilenko, a second-round pick in the 2020 draft, guard Jorge Gutierrez and cash.

Kirilenko hasn’t played since Nov. 13 and has played sparingly in seven games this season. He has cited family matters as part of the reason for his absence.

Brown said he met with Kirilenko after the trade and thought Kirilenko would be part of the team.

BUCKS TO SHOOT COLD-WEATHER GEAR INTO CROWD

Strange fact, but the Milwaukee Bucks own the most powerful t-shirt shooter in the NBA. The triple-barrel Gatling-type gun that can shoot 120 shirts into the BMO Harris Bradley Center crowd in seconds.

But on Friday, the team will take airborne crowd giveaways to the next level. The Bucks have partnered with cold-weather brand Weatherproof to launch the company’s heat-retaining long sleeve shirts, down vests and even jackets that retail for $100 each.

Could it make an appearance in London on Thursday night? TB’s own John Hobbs will be at the 02 Arena and could do with some winter gear.

Via ESPN:

The Bucks, under the new ownership of Marc Lasry and Wes Edens, already have won 19 games, four more than last season’s total, and are on pace for their best season in five years. The Weatherproof promotion begins at Friday night’s home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“We’re so excited to see how this enhances our game presentation,” team president Peter Feigin said Thursday. “We think this is a great way to literally warm up Bucks Nation and thank them for being there.”

All of the products shot from the gun, whose power comes from blasts of carbon dioxide, will be branded with the Weatherproof and Bucks logos and the team’s motto, “Fear The Deer.”

The gun itself will be branded with Weatherproof’s 32 Degrees line as will the bags in which the items are packed.

BATUM SHOWS HIS RESPECT TO PARIS TRAGEDY

Portland Trailblazers’ Nicolas Batum paid his respects to the employers of French magazine Charlie Hebdo before his side’s 99-83 win over the Miami Heat.