Originally published Thursday, November 27, 2008 at 12:00 AM

NBA Notebook | LeBron James, Microsoft part ways

LeBron James and Microsoft Corp. have lost their Internet connection. The NBA superstar and the Redmond-based software giant have ended...

By Seattle Times news services

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CLEVELAND — LeBron James and Microsoft Corp. have lost their Internet connection.

The NBA superstar and the Redmond-based software giant have ended a two-year marketing partnership. James' spokesman Keith Estabrook confirmed Wednesday the contract between the Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star and Microsoft is not being renewed.

James' site at lebron.msn.com has been shut down and lebronjames.com is also vacant, leaving him without a personal Web site.

His first appearance for Microsoft was in a cameo role in TV ads for the launch of its Windows Vista operating system in early 2007.

Notes

• The Knicks' Stephon Marbury refused to play for a second time for the undermanned Knicks. New York has only two healthy guards available because of the groin injury to ex-Husky Nate Robinson and the continued health issues with newly acquired Cuttino Mobley. Quentin Richardson, who played most of the second half Wednesday with a deep bruise in his left forearm, said he no longer considered Marbury a teammate. "He hasn't played with us all year, he doesn't want to play with us. He's expressed that a second time," Richardson said of Marbury, who also refused to play Friday when the Knicks were down to seven players after a pair of trades were made. "I don't look at him as a teammate because teammates don't do that."

• Houston center Yao Ming left the Rockets' game against Indiana on Wednesday night with a cut over his right eye, then returned after getting four stitches. The Pacers' Troy Murphy hit Yao with his right elbow on a drive to the basket with 5:27 left in the first quarter. No foul was called. The Rockets were already playing without Tracy McGrady, who was inactive with a sore left knee.

• Toronto forward Jermaine O'Neal missed Wednesday's game against Charlotte with a sore left ankle.

• Milwaukee center Andrew Bogut missed Wednesday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks with a bruised knee, but point guard Luke Ridnour returned.

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