NBA notes: Forbes: Knicks most valuable

NEW YORK — For the fourth straight year, and despite front office and player turmoil, the New York Knicks are the NBA's most valuable team.

The Knicks are worth $613 million, according to Forbes' latest rankings, an increase of 1 percent over their 2007 value. Throughout the past year, the franchise has made many headlines off the court, ranging from former team president Isiah Thomas being found guilty in a sexual harassment lawsuit to guard Stephon Marbury's feud with management and coach Mike D'Antoni.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Los Angeles Lakers are ranked second by Forbes, at $584 million, up from $560 million.

Rounding out the top five are the Chicago Bulls at $504 million; the Detroit Pistons at $480 million; and the Cleveland Cavaliers at $477 million.

The Utah Jazz, purchased by Larry H. Miller for $24 million in 1986, were valued at $358 million.

The biggest change in value this year belongs to the Portland Trail Blazers, who increased by 21 percent to $307 million. They still rank only 20th out of 30 franchises.

Also showing a huge increase are the NBA champion Boston Celtics, up to $447 million from $391 million.

The biggest drop in value hit the New Jersey Nets, who fell 13 percent to $295 million, 26th overall. The Nets have had delays in their plans to build and move into a new arena in Brooklyn.

Below the Nets are the Memphis Grizzlies ($294 million), New Orleans Hornets ($285 million), Charlotte Bobcats ($284 million) and Milwaukee Bucks ($278 million).

The average team value is $379 million.

Forbes ranked the value of franchises in the other major pro sports earlier this year. The Dallas Cowboys topped the NFL at more than $1.6 billion, the New York Yankees led baseball at over $1.3 billion and the Toronto Maple Leafs led the NHL at $448 million.

RODNEY ROGERS BEGINS INJURY REHAB: Former NBA standout Rodney Rogers is beginning rehabilitation in Atlanta for a spinal cord injury he sustained in an all-terrain vehicle crash in North Carolina.

The Shepherd Center in Atlanta said Rogers arrived at the facility Wednesday to begin his recovery process. He was taken by air ambulance from Duke University Hospital in Durham.

The Shepherd Center specializes in rehabilitating people with spinal cord and brain injuries.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol said Rogers was four-wheeling in the woods in rural Vance County north of Raleigh on Saturday when he fell off the vehicle. Details of his injuries haven't been released.

HAWKS' SMITH RETURNS AFTER MISSING 12 GAMES: Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith returned to the lineup Wednesday after missing 12 games with a sprained ankle.

The Hawks were playing Memphis, which signed Smith to a five-year, $58 million offer sheet four months ago. Atlanta matched the offer to keep Smith, the NBA's second-leading shot blocker for the second straight season, after he posted career-best averages in scoring (17.2) and assists (3.4).