NBA Notes: Knicks move Kidd to bench

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Andrew Bynum continues to experiencing swelling in his right knee after practicing with the Sixers last week and he is no longer sure if he will play this season (see story).

Now, let's look at some news and notes from around the NBA.

Knicks bench Kidd
WASHINGTON -- Jason Kidd is out of the New York Knicks' starting lineup against the Washington Wizards.

Kidd is being replaced by James White on Friday night, alongside starters Carmelo Anthony, Raymond Felton, Tyson Chandler and Iman Shumpert.

Kidd, who turns 40 later this month, had started 48 of the other 49 games he appeared in this season for New York.

But Knicks coach Mike Woodson says he's making the move to get Kidd more chances "to run our team" with the second unit, rather than needing to share the ball with Felton on the first unit.

Kidd is averaging 6.8 points and 3.5 assists in 27.5 minutes this season.

It's the seventh start of the season for White, who has been averaging 1.7 points and 0.3 assists in only 6.5 minutes (see full story).

- The Associated Press

Ex-Sixer Smith out for season
NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Hornets general manager Dell Demps says 7-foot reserve forward and center Jason Smith will miss the rest of the season because of a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

Meanwhile, the Hornets also say rookie forward Anthony Davis will be out for Friday night's game against the Detroit Pistons because of a left shoulder sprain which occurred Tuesday night against New Jersey and also sidelined him Wednesday night at Oklahoma City. Davis will be listed as day-to-day.

Smith has played in 51 games this season, averaging 8.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in a little more than 17 minutes per game. He's shot 49 percent (167-for-341), giving him the third-best shooting percentage on the club.

He is now slated to have surgery early next week (see full story).

- The Associated Press

Jordan target of paternity suit
ATLANTA -- An Atlanta woman has filed a lawsuit saying basketball Hall of Famer and Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan is the father of her teenage son.

The lawsuit was filed Feb. 6 by Pamela Smith in Fulton County Superior Court. It requests Jordan take a paternity test, pay child support and share medical, dental and hospital costs that are not covered by insurance.

The lawsuit also requests the boy's last name be changed to Jordan, and for a judge to order the Georgia Department of Vital Records to issue him a new birth certificate.

Publicist Estee Portnoy says Jordan has no comment and calls to Smith's home and office were not immediately returned Friday afternoon.

According to court documents, Smith does not have an attorney and a court date is scheduled for March 12 (see story).

- The Associated Press

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