With 2014 no in full swing, the festive schedule over and normality restored. What has happened around the hoops world over the last seven days? The week around the basketball world is back and returns every Sunday night.

CP3 OUT FOR UP TO A MONTH

Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul will miss around 3-5 weeks after separating his right shoulder in a 119-112 win against Dallas on Friday night.

Paul was tripped by Mavericks’ Monta Ellis in the third quarter of the game as the Clippers players was dribbling around a screen. He fell awkwardly and was taken to the locker room for further evaluation.

He scored 19 points before he came off.

LEBRON HAS THE ROCK’S WWE CHAMPIONSHIP BELT

WWE Superstar Randy Orton might be the current WWE Champion but this time last year, WWE personality, turned Hollywood superstar, The Rock was, in fact the WWE Champion as he beat CM Punk at the 2013 Royal Rumble event.

But The Rock’s custom-made belt, complete with diamond-encrusted WWE logo with his signature “Brahma Bull” logo on the side plates has a new home.

It is now the property of Miami Heat’s LeBron James.

It seems that if you are of the celebrity status of, say; The King, you can ask something on Twitter and someone will respond at some point.

Via the Got ‘Em Coach Twitter feed:


Yes, it was as easy as that. Personally, it would be awesome to have a WWE belt. The World Heavyweight Belt has been retired, but my emails to the World Wrestling Entertainment’s corporate offices have unfortunately been ignored.

IS THE CHINESE LEAGUE THAT BAD?

It seems that American-based players in the Chinese league are having the time of their lives.  The home grown players are seemingly there just to make up the numbers; pass the ball to the import and stand there.

Former Milwaukee Bucks and Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv player Charles Gaines this week gained AsiaBasket.com’s Player of the Week for January 5, with a statline of 32 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists as his Shanxi Zhongyu side beat Fujian QB 125-110. Tonight (today in Europe), they were not so successful as they went down to Shanghai 92-84 in, what is considered to be a low scoring game.

In Fujian’s loss to Shanxi, former Boston Celtic and Dallas Maverick Delonte West hit 40 points. West though was able to end the weekend on a high as he poured in 27 points and dished out 12 assists, mainly for Will McDonald (21 points) and Iranian Mohammed Samed Nikkhah Bahrami (27) in their 124-100 win over Qingdao.

As it was widespread on Twitter, ex-Monteoaschi Siena guard Bobby Brown scored 74 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and hit the game-winner for Dongguan Leopards in their 137-135 overtime win over Sichuan. American Michael Efevberha’s 50 points were not enough.

DUKE’S PARKER STILL TOP OF THE FRESHMAN PILE

Despite a bad night against ACC newcomers Notre Dame, Jabbari Parker is still number one on ESPN’s list of the NCAA freshman for this season, via their “Insider” site.

He went 2/10 from the field for 7 points in the Blue Devils’ 79-77 loss to the Fighting Irish as Parker, who is widely tipped as a future number one NBA Draft pick suffered his worst game as a Duke player yet.

ROCHESTIE SIGNS FOR NIZHNY NOVGOROD

Montenegrin international Taylor Rochestie has signed for Russian side Nizhny Novgorod as they strengthen their roster for the Eurocup, which resumes for them on Wednesday with a trip to Athens to face Panionios in Group L of the Last 32.

Rochestie started the year at Montepaschi Siena, where he averaged 6.5 points a game in 10 Euroleague games, before the Italian champions were eliminated.

The American-born point guard also has playing experience in France and Germany.

JERUSALEM TABS BRACEY WRIGHT

Another Eurocup team with ambition in the Last 32 is Hapoel Jerusalem as they have signed 30-year-old Bracey Wright.

The former Minnesota Timberwolves guard started the season at Krasnie Krilya and has signed a reported one-year deal with the Israeli side who travel to Ljubljana to play Union Olimpija on Wednesday in Group M.