Jerry Sloan makes contact with ref
Tim Buckley of the Deseret News reports:
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Ejected from Friday’s loss at Phoenix after making contact in the game’s final second with referee Michael Smith, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said he was merely trying to defend himself.
“I put my arm up to keep him from coming any farther,” said Sloan, whose forearm met Smith’s chest. “I’ve had trouble with him before. So that’s why I did that.”
Sloan first tried to approach the referees while they were reviewing a hard last-second Grant Hill foul that floored Jazz backup point Ronnie Price, who appeared to try for a meaningless dunk as the 110-100 loss came to a close.
Security stopped him because coaches and players aren’t allowed to be near the refs during video reviews, but the two met after the review had concluded.
Cavs assign Darnell Jackson to D-League
The Cleveland Cavaliers have assigned forward Darnell Jackson to the Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.
Jackson has averaged 0.7 points on .333 shooting and 0.8 rebounds in 4.2 minutes per game in 26 games. In his one game with the BayHawks this season, he posted game highs of 34 points on 14-22 shooting (.636) and 12 rebounds while adding two assists, four steals and one block in 42 minutes in Erie’s 114-108 victory over the Dakota Wizards on Feb. 25th. The second-year forward will be available to play tonight for the BayHawks in their game versus the Dakota Wizards at 7 p.m. at the Tullio Arena in Erie. The game will air on VERSUS presented by Papa John’s at 11:30 p.m.
The BayHawks are the D-League affiliate of the Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors.
Tyreke Evans suffers concussion and more
Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee reports:
Sure, it would have been fun for two parts of the NBA Rookie of the Year debate to duel on the court Friday night at Arco Arena.
But the Kings’ star rookie wouldn’t be around late. And there’s no telling when he might be back.
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Tyreke Evans left the game late in the fourth quarter as the Milwaukee Bucks rallied for a 114-108 double-overtime win.
Evans suffered a concussion in a fall and went to the locker room with 24.4 seconds left in regulation and the Kings ahead 91-89.
Evans also suffered lacerated gums and a chipped tooth, and doctors will check to see whether he has a broken jaw. Evans will not travel today with the team to Los Angeles for Sunday afternoon’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
MARCH 20 AFTERNOON UPDATE
Sacramento Kings’ guard Tyreke Evans had an X-ray and CAT Scan taken this morning, of which the results came back negative for a fractured jaw. He will not travel with the team this afternoon to Los Angeles for tomorrow’s game against Clippers. Evans also suffered a slight concussion in last night’s 114-108 double overtime loss to Milwaukee at ARCO Arena. He will be re-evaluated Monday.
Evans, currently in his rookie NBA season, is averaging a team-leading 20.3 points (.461 FGs, .252 3FGs, .746 FTs), 5.6 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.45 steals per game through 64 outings of which he has started in all 64.
Wizards sign Shaun Livingston for rest of season
Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed guard Shaun Livingston for the remainder of the season. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.
Livingston originally signed with Washington on February 26, and was signed to a second 10-day contract on March 9. In 10 games for the Wizards (two starts), Livingston has averaged 4.9 points and 3.3 assists in 15.5 minutes per game, including season-highs of 18 points and eight assists vs. ORL (3/13).
Jeremy Tyler quit Israeli team Maccabi Haifa
ESPN reports:
Former U.S. high school basketball star Jeremy Tyler quit Israeli team Maccabi Haifa and returned home Friday, cutting short a disappointing first pro season.
The 18-year-old Tyler arrived in Israel on a wave of publicity in August after deciding to skip his senior year at San Diego High School to gain professional experience.
However, his time in Israel was fraught with problems, and he left five weeks before the end of the season.
“Due to personal matters, Jeremy chose to leave the team on his own will on March 18 and return home to San Diego,” Maccabi Haifa owner Jeffrey Rosen said in a statement. “We wish Jeremy all the best.”
In the 10 games Tyler played for Haifa, the 6-foot-11 power forward averaged only 2.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 7.6 minutes. Tyler, who reportedly earned a $140,000 salary, found it hard to adapt to the pro game and couldn’t find a place in Maccabi Haifa’s starting lineup.
Wizards sign Alonzo Gee to second 10-day contract
Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed swingman Alonzo Gee to a second 10-day contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.
Gee originally signed with Washington on March 7. In five games for the Wizards, Gee has averaged 7.6 points (.609 fg%) and 4.2 assists in 13.2 minutes per game.
Earl Clark rocks first D-League game
Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic reports (via blog):
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Suns rookie Earl Clark went to Iowa to get some playing time and Iowa got some quality time out of the deal.
In his D-League debut Wednesday night with the Energy, Clark tallied 27 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and a block in 45 minutes of play during Iowa’s 135-132 overtime victory against Dakota. He missed the Suns’ NBA season high scoring game Tuesday but helped Iowa’s second highest scoring game of the season.
Clark made his first six shots of the game, including two he made at the rim while getting fouled. He had 25 of his points through three quarters of play in front of 1,955 fans at Des Moines’ Wells Fargo Arena. Clark scored 12 of his points on layups or dunks but was 5 of 8 from the perimeter, all taken inside the 3-point arc.
Pau Gasol calls police after paparazzi tail his car
The AP reports:
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Police in Redondo Beach, Calif., say two men they stopped for following Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol turned out to be Spanish paparazzi.
Sgt. Phil Keenan says Gasol told officers he saw the men following him before he got into his car Wednesday afternoon.
Keenan says the men tailed Gasol’s car and the athlete was worried that they might be stalkers.
LeBron will reach 15,000 points two years younger than Kobe did
George M. Thomas of the Akron Beacon Journal reports:
Cavaliers forward LeBron James scored 32 points Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers and needs three points to become the youngest player ever to score 15,000 points in a career. Kobe Bryant was 27 years and 136 days old when he became the youngest to score 15,000 points. James is 25. With his sixth rebound, James passed Jim Chones for fourth on the Cavs’ all-time list. Chones has 3,790. James finished with nine rebounds and now has 3,794.
James’ triple-double against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday moved him into the third slot among active players, behind Jason Kidd (104) and Grant Hill (29). James has 28. Additionally, with 23 triple-doubles of at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, he topped Michael Jordan (22) and ranks third behind Magic Johnson (40) and Larry Bird (29).
Derrick Coleman files for bankruptcy
WDIV / Click on Detroit reports:
A former Detroit Piston and local businessman has filed for bankruptcy.
According to financial documents obtained by Local 4, Derrick Coleman has filed for Chapter 7 and has an estimated debt of $2.19.
Coleman owes between 50 and 99 creditors, including Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, American Express, Comerica, Sprint, Verizon, Hungry Howie’s Pizza and Nike.
Rich Kassa owns XL Autobody and Paint in Warren, and said Coleman owes him money for work he’s done on his cars.
Magic Johnson wishes best for Nets
Fred Kerber of the New York Post reports:
Hall of Famer Magic Johnson last night said he hopes the Nets get the first overall pick in the lottery and then find one player in the draft.
“I really can’t imagine a team being 7 and 60-something, not in today’s game,” Johnson said, sitting courtside as the “60-something” Nets suffered their 61st defeat, a 108-97 loss to the 76ers, despite a lineup change that inserted Terrence Williams into the first five.
“I can’t fathom it,” Johnson said. “And the worst thing is they may not even get the first pick, which they need. Be it John Wall, whomever, they need it for the fans, for the energy in the arena, for the organization.
“They need it for [Brook] Lopez, who is really good. The league needs it for them to build around.”
Of course, LeBron James could help, but Johnson feels the Nets lost him with their temporary move to Newark before their relocation to Brooklyn.
Rockets re-assign Jermaine Taylor to D-League
Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has re-assigned guard Jermaine Taylor to Houston’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He was originally assigned to Rio Grande Valley on Jan. 28 and recalled on Feb. 4. Taylor was re-assigned to the Vipers on Feb. 19 and recalled on Feb. 23.
Taylor (6-4, 210, Central Florida) has averaged 19.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.00 steals in six games (two starts) with Rio Grande Valley. The rookie out of Central Florida also posted back-to-back 30-point outings with the Vipers at Albuquerque (30 points on 2/2/10 and 32 points on 2/3/10).
NBA approves sale of Bobcats to Michael Jordan
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The NBA Board of Governors has unanimously approved the acquisition by Michael Jordan of a controlling interest in the Charlotte Bobcats.
“We are pleased that Michael Jordan’s purchase of majority ownership of the Bobcats was approved by the NBA’s Board of Governors and closed in such a smooth and expeditious fashion,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “We look forward to the continued growth of the Bobcats, on and off the court, under his leadership.”
According to the Associated Press, “The NBA’s Board of Governors on Wednesday unanimously approved Jordan’s $275 million bid to buy the Charlotte Bobcats from Bob Johnson. Jordan will take over the team immediately after serving as a minority investor with the final say on basketball decisions since 2006.”
It’s been reported that Jordan will continue to seek investors to join his ownership group, which would serve to take economic pressure off of him.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Bobcats change team names, though it’s likely they remain the same.
It also remains to be seen how visible an owner Jordan will be.
On the one hand, he’s a winner who tends to want to be associated with things that succeed. If the team isn’t playing well, will he want to sit courtside while they lose? Or will he disappear?
But, Jordan is also the ultimate competitor. If he treats his ownership the way he treated basketball games he played in, he won’t back down and will take no prisoners. However, that’s easier said than done from an ownership position.
His ownership is definitely a positive development for both the team and league. The more legendary players associated with NBA teams, the better.
Have an opinion? Discuss it with other fans in this forum topic.
Suns destroy Wolves 152-114
Tuesday night in Phoenix, the Suns went bonkers against the Minnesota Timberwolves for a 152-114 win.
Offensively, the Suns were unstoppable. They shot 55-of-98 (56.1%) from the field and hit 15-of-31 three-pointers. They also hit 27-of-29 free throws. Phoenix also won the assists category 37-18.
Jason Richardson led the way for Phoenix with 27 points. Amar’e Stoudemire had 25, but just four rebounds and no assists. Louis Amundson came off the bench to shoot 10-of-13 for 20 points and seven rebounds. Five other Suns players scored in double-digits. Steve Nash dished 14 assists.
The Wolves had what under normal circumstances would have been a good offensive night, shooting 46.2% and hitting half of their 14 three-point attempts. They were simply unable to withstand the Phoenix offensive hurricane.
Leading the Wolves was Corey Brewer with 21 points and little else. Ryan Gomes scored 18. Al Jefferson had a quiet 13 points and eight rebounds.
The Suns scored 38 points in the first quarter, 41 in the second, 35 in the third and 38 in the fourth.
Tom Penn fired by Trail Blazers
Jason Quick of the Oregonian reports (via blog):
Tom Penn, the right-hand man of general manager Kevin Pritchard, has been fired by the Trail Blazers, The Oregonian has learned. Tuesday’s decision comes nearly 10 months after Penn was promoted to vice president of basketball operations.
It is unknown why Penn was fired, but it is believed to have come from owner Paul Allen and not Pritchard.
Penn came to the Blazers from the Memphis Grizzlies in May of 2007 and served as the team’s assistant general manager until he was promoted on May 18 to vice president.
Sean Marks has season-ending shoulder surgery
The New Orleans Hornets announced today that center Sean Marks had successful surgery on his right shoulder this morning in New Orleans. Marks will begin rehabilitation immediately and will be sidelined the rest of the season.
This season, Marks only played 14 games, averaging close to nothing in 5.4 minutes per outing.
The 33-35 Hornets are currently the 11th seed in the Western conference.
Heat sign Kenny Hasbrouck to 10-day contract
The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed guard Kenny Hasbrouck to a 10-day contract, making him the 25th Gatorade NBA Development League call-up this season. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Hasbrouck, a 6’3”, 195-pound guard, has appeared in 10 games (nine starts) with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League averaging 16.9 points, 2.9 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.60 steals in 32.3 minutes of action, leading the team to a 7-3 record, while shooting 50.4 percent from the field, 38.1 percent from three-point range and 80.6 percent from the free throw line. He scored a season-high 29 points at Bakersfield on March 6 and posted three consecutive 20-point games after scoring 20 vs. Springfield on February 26, 21 vs. Bakersfield on February 29 and then 24 at Springfield on March 1.
Hasbrouck was undrafted out of Siena College where he played four seasons appearing in 129 career games (all starts) and averaged 14.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.92 steals in 31.1 minutes while shooting 44.5 percent from the field, 37.6 percent from three-point range and 74.0 percent from the line. He became the third fastest player to reach 1,000 points in Siena Division I history and graduated as the school’s all-time leader in steals (248). The two-time MAAC tournament MVP had his number 41 jersey retired by Siena at a season ending banquet on April 27, 2009.
Hasbrouck will wear number 4.
Thunder sign Mustafa Shakur to 10-day contract
Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced that the team has signed guard Mustafa Shakur to a 10-day contract.
Shakur is a free agent call-up from the Tulsa 66ers, NBA Development League affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder. At the time of his call-up the 2010 D-League All-Star was averaging 20.7 points (9th in the D-League) while shooting 50.3% from the floor (295-587 FG), 7.2 assists (4th in D-League), 2.3 steals (3rd in D-League) and 39.4 minutes in 40 games (40 starts).
A 6-3, 190 pound guard who went undrafted out of the University of Arizona in 2007, Shakur spent the previous three seasons playing overseas with Prokom Trefl Sopot of the Polish League (2007-08), Tau Cerámica of ACB Spanish League (2008-09) and most recently with Panellinios BC of the Greek A1 League (2009).
With his signing, Shakur becomes the 24th Gatorade Call-Up from the D-League this season. He will wear uniform #11.
Rumors talk: Aches and pains
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In the latest shocking news, Eddy Curry continues to feel pain, tightness, sharpness, aches and whatever other unhealthy words you can think of. At this point it doesn’t really matter if he plays or not. The main thing the Knicks want to do is trade him, and that’s pretty hard to pull off if he can’t even get on the court, let alone play well.
The Bucks have gone nuts lately and while credit goes to the whole team, Andrew Bogut is big-time out there. He’s moved up a notch in the eyes of many.
I look forward to seeing how Phoenix Suns rookie Earl Clark does in the D-League. He’s not expected to be there long. Chances are he doesn’t do anything special for one or two games, and then unleashes something nasty once he gets the hang of it. And then gets called back to the Suns.
The Heat will reportedly sign Kenny Hasbrouck, who I bet at least 12 of you have heard of.
Amar’e Stoudemire is a monster out there lately.
Glen Davis and Shaq should sumo-wrestle it out.
I can appreciate Matt Bonner feeling that every shot he takes should go in. I feel the same way about my own shot. Typically, out in the park if I shoot and miss, I take the basketball, kick it out of the playground while declaring it defective, curse at everybody and call city maintenance to come measure the rims. It makes a positive impression on the guys I’m playing with and sends a clear message that my shot is not to be trifled with.
Tyreke Evans is putting up some Lebron-like stat-lines. Kid is nasty.
Talk to you tomorrow.
InsideHoops.com Rumors Talk is an editorialized take on today’s NBA rumors stories.
Suns assign Earl Clark to D-League
The Phoenix Suns today assigned rookie forward Earl Clark to the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr.
The 6-10, 225-pound Clark was selected by the Suns with the 14th overall pick (first round) of the 2009 NBA Draft and has appeared in 45 games this season for Phoenix. Clark will spend his first stint in the D-League.
The three-year standout at the University of Louisville, Clark owns averages of 2.7 points and 1.1 rebounds in 7.6 minutes this season for the Suns. Clark has scored in double figures three times in 2009-10, including a career-high 14 points off the bench Nov. 27 at Minnesota.
Currently sixth in the ultra-competitive Western Conference, the Suns (41-26) return to action Tuesday night, hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves (14-53) at US Airways Center at 7 p.m. Phoenix time. The game can be seen locally on FOX Sports Arizona and heard on Sports 620 KTAR.