Month: February 2008

No KG Friday results in free Wolves tickets

The Timberwolves are being cool. The Celtics are playing in Minnesota Friday night, but Kevin Garnett is almost definitely still out injured and not able to play. So the Wolves, just for the heck of it, are hooking attending fans up with a free ticket for a future game. Here’s the press release:

In response to the likelihood of former Timberwolves player Kevin Garnett not being able to participate in tomorrow night’s game between Minnesota and Boston, the Timberwolves announced today that all fans in attendance will receive a voucher redeemable for one ticket to an upcoming Wolves game. The gesture is in recognition of the special circumstance of Garnett’s return to Minnesota, the fan sentiment surrounding this game and also serves as a thank you to loyal Wolves fans in attendance.

“While injuries are a part of the game and there is never a guarantee that any player will be in uniform, we recognize that this is a very special circumstance and share our fans’ disappointment at the prospect of Kevin not being able to participate,” Timberwolves President Chris Wright said. “Just as we know our fans are eager to thank Kevin for his immense contributions to this team and this community, we want to thank the fans for their continued loyalty to our franchise.”

Ticket vouchers will be distributed to all fans as they enter Target Center for tomorrow’s game. The vouchers are redeemable for one ticket to one of the following Wolves home games: Sunday, Feb. 10 vs. Toronto, Tuesday, Feb. 19 vs. Philadelphia, or Tuesday, Feb. 26 vs. Utah.

Bulls waive Viktor Khryapa

The Chicago Bulls announced today that they have waived forward Viktor Khryapa and came to a settlement on the remaining portion of his contract, should he clear waivers.

In his one-plus seasons with Chicago, Khryapa appeared in 42 games and averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.8 rpg in 5.6 mpg.

The Bulls roster now stands at 14.

All-Star weekend Shooting Stars participants announced

Team Detroit will defend its Haier Shooting Stars title against Team Chicago, Team Phoenix and Team San Antonio in this year’s competition, which will be held on NBA All-Star Saturday Night, Feb. 16, at New Orleans Arena.

The Detroit team, which captured the title last year in Las Vegas with a time of 50.5 seconds, consists of All-Star and 2004 Finals MVP Chauncey Billups, Shock forward and two-time WNBA All-Star Swin Cash, and Shock head coach and four-time NBA All-Star Bill Laimbeer. Cash and Laimbeer were key figures in the Shock capturing the 2003 and 2006 WNBA championships.

Team Chicago, last year’s runner-up, is comprised of Bulls guard and Slidell, La. native Chris Duhon, two-time WNBA All-Star and Sky forward Candice Dupree and three-time NBA champion B.J. Armstrong. Representing Phoenix, the 2005 winner, are All-Star Amaré Stoudemire, two-time WNBA All-Star and 2007 WNBA Finals MVP Cappie Pondexter and Suns great Eddie Johnson. Team San Antonio, which dominated the competition in the 2006 Shooting Stars challenge with a record-setting time of 25.1 seconds, consists of 10-time All-Star and three-time Finals MVP Tim Duncan, four-time WNBA All-Star and Silver Stars guard Becky Hammon and David Robinson, a two-time NBA champion and One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. Team Los Angeles won the inaugural competition in 2004.
The Haier Shooting Stars contest features one current NBA player, one current WNBA player and one NBA legend on each team. There are six numbered shooting locations of increasing difficulty, with each team attempting to make all shots in numeric order in the fastest time. Each team will select a specific player rotation to follow throughout the competition. Each shot must be made before the next player begins shooting in succession. Teams have up to two minutes to complete the entire shooting course and the team that completes all six shots in the least amount of time is declared the winner. In the case of a tie, a shoot-off will be used to determine the winner.

Steve Francis to have season-ending right knee surgery

Rockets guard Steve Francis will undergo season-ending surgery in order to repair a torn quadriceps tendon in his right knee.  Francis has been sidelined with the injury since 12/19/07.  The surgery will be performed during the week of 2/25 by Dr. Walter Lowe.

After battling through increasing knee discomfort in mid-December, Francis immediately began a rehabilitation program focused on reducing the pain in the joint.  An MRI performed on 1/3/08 at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center revealed additional damage.  The decision to proceed with a surgical repair of the tendon was reached after consulting with a variety of medical specialists that include: Rockets Team Physician Tom Clanton, Dr. Richard Steadman and Dr. Ben Shaffer.

Shaq meeting with media Thursday morning

New Suns center Shaquille O’Neal, who on Wednesday was traded from the Heat in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks, will be meeting with the media Thursday morning, 10 a.m. Pacific time (1 p.m. ET). So, expect lots of interview quotes shortly after that time.

With Shaq at center, Amare Stoudemire gets to play his natural position of power forward, while Grant Hill and Boris Diaw split time at small forward.

Herbert Hill has left knee surgery, out 8+ weeks

Philadelphia 76ers forward Herbert Hill underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee yesterday afternoon. The procedure was performed by Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, NY.

The successful surgery revealed a recurrent lateral meniscus tear and scar tissue in the left knee.  Hill will begin a rehabilitation program within 7-10 days and it is expected to last approximately eight weeks.

More information on Hill’s status will be made available as it is received.

Heat waive Luke Jackson

The Miami Heat announced today that they have requested waivers on forward/guard Luke Jackson.

Jackson, who was signed as a free agent by Miami on Dec. 12, 2007, appeared in 14 games (one start) with the HEAT and averaged 5.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 16.3 minutes while shooting 32.5 percent from the floor, 36.7 percent from three-point range and 69.6 percent from the foul line.

The Heat roster now stands at 15.

It’s official: Suns trade Shawn Marion, Marcus Banks to Heat for Shaquille O’Neal

The Miami Heat announced today that they have acquired four-time All-Star forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks in a three-player trade with Phoenix in which they sent center Shaquille O’Neal to the Suns.

Marion, a 6’7”, 228-pound forward, has averaged 18.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.89 steals, 1.35 blocked shots and 37.8 minutes in 660 games during his nine-year NBA career played entirely with Phoenix. The ninth pick of the 1999 NBA Draft, Marion has averaged double figures in scoring in each of his nine seasons while shooting 48.1 percent from the floor, 34.2 percent from three-point range and 82.4 percent from the foul line. Additionally he has connected on at least 80 percent of his free throw attempts in each of his first eight seasons. Since the 2005-06 season, the 29-year old forward has averaged 18.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.98 steals, 1.58 blocks and 38.4 minutes while shooting 52.4 percent from the floor. Marion, who earned Third Team All-NBA honors in 2004-05 and 2005-06, averaged a career-high 21.8 points during the 2005-06 campaign. Additionally, he teamed with Dwyane Wade as a member of the bronze-medal winning U.S. Olympic Team in 2004 and earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2000. A six-time NBA Player of the Week and one-time Player of the Month, Marion finished fourth in the voting for the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year Award after leading the NBA in steals (156).

The four-time NBA All-Star (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007) has started each of the 47 games in which he appeared this year for the Suns and has averaged 15.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.02 steals, 1.49 blocks and 36.4 minutes while shooting a career-high 52.6 percent from the floor, 34.7 percent from three-point range and 71.3 percent from the foul line. He has led the Suns in scoring five times this year and topped the squad in rebounds on 27 occasions. Marion was the Suns’ leader this season in minutes played (1,713), defensive rebounds (378), total rebounds (464), steals (95) and starts (47) and ranked second in field goals made (304), field goal percentage, offensive rebounds (86) and blocked shots (70). He joins Kevin Garnett as the only players in the NBA this season that rank in the Top 20 in both rebounds (14th) and steals (8th). Marion currently leads the NBA in steals-to-turnover ratio (1.94) and is also ranked among the league leaders in field goal percentage (17th), blocks (21st) and minutes (39th). Marion, who has recorded at least 30 double-doubles in each of the past seven seasons, has registered 23 double-doubles this season. One of his double-doubles this season was a 17-point, 24-rebound effort against the HEAT on Nov. 9 at Miami. The 24 rebounds were a season-high for Marion and tied as the fifth-highest single-game total against the HEAT in franchise history.

Marion finished his Suns career among Phoenix’s all-time leaders in minutes played (2nd-12,134), three-point field goals made (2nd-652), three-point field goals attempted (2nd-1,905), rebounds (2nd-6,616), steals (2nd-1,245), field goals made (3rd-4,879), field goals attempted (3rd-10,136), blocked shots (3rd-894), points scored (4th-12,134) and games played (5th-660).

In postseason play, Marion has appeared in 65 games and has averaged 17.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.52 blocks, 1.49 steals, 1.4 assists and 40.6 minutes while shooting 46.3 percent from the floor, 34.6 percent from three-point range and 81.1 percent from the foul line. He departs Phoenix as the Suns’ all-time postseason leader in rebounds (706) and among the team’s playoff leaders in blocks (2nd-99), steals (3rd-97), three-point field goals made (3rd-63), three-point field goals attempted (3rd-182), points scored (5th-1,109), games played (5th-65), field goals made (7th-446) and field goals attempted (7th-963).

Banks, a 6’2”, 200-pound guard, has averaged 6.1 points, 2.2 assists, 1.6 rebounds, 0.82 steals and 16.7 minutes in 289 career games while shooting 42.6 percent from the floor, 33.1 percent from three-point range and 77.0 percent from the foul line in a five-year career spent with the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves and Suns. Originally selected by the Celtics with the 13th pick of the 2003 NBA Draft, Banks who played in both Boston and Minnesota with current HEAT teammates Ricky Davis and Mark Blount, was signed as a free agent by the Suns on July 20, 2006. He split the 2005-06 season between Boston and Minnesota and set career highs in scoring average (10.0 ppg), assists (3.8 apg), rebounds (2.3 rpg), field goal percentage (.468), free throw percentage (.803) and minutes (25.8 mpg). In 24 games this season (one start), Banks is averaging 5.2 points, 1.0 assists, 0.8 rebounds and 12.9 minutes while shooting 40.4 percent from the floor, 38.5 percent from three-point range and 75 percent from the foul line. He has seen action in 13 postseason contests and has averaged 4.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 13.3 minutes while connecting on 42.6 percent of his field goal attempts, 41.7 percent of his three-point attempts and 75 percent from the charity stripe.

O’Neal, a 7’1”, 325-pound center, was acquired by the HEAT from the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-player trade on July 14, 2004. In three and a half seasons with Miami, O’Neal averaged 19.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.88 blocks and 31.1 minutes while shooting a franchise-record 59.6 percent from the floor and helping lead the HEAT to the 2006 NBA championship. During his 16-year NBA career he has averaged 25.6 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.45 blocks and 36.4 minutes while shooting 58.0 percent from the floor. A 14-time All-Star (including three All-Star appearances with the HEAT) and four-time NBA champion, O’Neal has appeared in 198 postseason contests and has averaged 25.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.19 blocks and 38.9 minutes while shooting 56.6 percent from the floor.

Discuss this with other fans on the InsideHoops basketball message board.

All-Star weekend music acts announced

Three-time Grammy™ Award-winning multi-platinum singer and pianist Harry Connick Jr. will join Grammy Award-winning jazz and classical saxophonist Branford Marsalis to headline an extraordinary lineup of New Orleans-themed musical performances featuring some of the biggest names in the Bayou including Jonathan Batiste, Marc Broussard, Davell Crawford, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Jonathan Dubose, Dr. John, Stephanie Jordan, Ellis Marsalis, Art Neville, Ivan Neville, Rebirth Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins, Amanda Shaw, Trombone Shorty and Allen Toussaint at NBA All-Star 2008 in New Orleans.

On Sunday, Feb. 17, Connick and Marsalis will take to the court for the 57th NBA All-Star Game at the New Orleans Arena. The Louisiana-born musicians collaborated on the evening’s performance lineup creating a unique musical set that will not only give fans a taste of New Orleans jazz, funk and blues, but will also celebrate the rebirth of their beloved hometown in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The performances will air live on TNT, Score Canada, ESPN Radio, and in 215 countries and territories beginning at 7:30 p.m. CT/8:30 p.m. ET.

Connick will serve as musical director for an unparalleled halftime show featuring four original compositions performed by four pairs of pianists who span the spectrum of New Orleans jazz including Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Davell Crawford, Art Neville, Ivan Neville, Jonathan Batiste, Ellis Marsalis, and Harry Connick Jr. and his Big Band.

Marsalis will serve as musical director for the highly-anticipated All-Star Player introductions featuring a set of high energy big band melodies composed by Marsalis and performed by the acclaimed Rebirth Brass Band. The performance will also feature the dynamic musical stylings of award-winning trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and Offbeat Magazine’s 2007 Performer of the Year Trombone Shorty who will introduce the Western and Eastern Conference All-Star teams. Marsalis will also direct the U.S. national anthem performance featuring vocals by Stephanie Jordan accompanied by internationally acclaimed guitarist Jonathan Dubose. Canadian R&B singer, songwriter, and actress Deborah Cox, whose 1998 hit single “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” held the record for the longest-running No.1 single on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip Hop chart, will perform the Canadian anthem.

“New Orleans is a vibrant music Mecca and I’m proud to call this great city my home,” said Harry Connick Jr. “Branford and I are truly grateful to the NBA for its commitment to put New Orleans and our extraordinary musicians on a global stage for the whole world to see.”

On Saturday, Feb. 16, prior to the start of All-Star Saturday Night, Louisiana-born singer songwriter Marc Broussard, who released his 2007 album S.O.S.: Save Our Soul to rave reviews, will open the night to perform his smash hit “Home” along with his band. Following this performance, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band will play during player introductions for the All-Stars. All performances will air before a nationwide audience, live on TNT at 8 p.m. ET. Following 22-year-old New Orleans trumpeter Christian Scott, whose 2007 album Anthem was inspired by Hurricane Katrina’s effect on the region, will perform the U.S. national anthem, while crooner Lamont Hiebert will perform the Canadian anthem.

That same night, legendary multi-instrumentalist Dr. John will pay tribute to NBA Cares, the league’s social responsibility initiative, with a special performance of the Louis Armstrong original hit “What a Wonderful World.” Footage from some of the hundreds of NBA Cares events, featuring current and former NBA players working in communities around the world will be thread into the performance.

On Friday, Feb. 15, 17-year-old Cajun fiddler, singer, and actress Amanda Shaw, who narrated the 2006 documentary “Hurricane on the Bayou” about the erosion of Louisiana’s wetlands, will perform the U.S. and Canadian anthems prior to the T-Mobile Rookie & Youth Jam at the New Orleans Arena. Continuing the NBA’s tradition of having “American Idol” winners perform at All-Star, 2007 winner Jordin Sparks will perform her Billboard Top 100 single “Tattoo” during halftime of the game. Both performances will air before a live audience televised on TNT at 8 p.m. CT/9 p.m. ET.

Ricky Rubio named FIBA Europe Young Men’s Player of Year

The votes are in and Spain and DKV Joventut star Ricky Rubio has been named the FIBA Europe Young Men’s Player of the Year.

Rubio won handily in a vote of both fans and an expert panel of basketball journalists, players and coaches. Milos Teodosic of Serbia and Olympiacos finished second while Marco Belinelli of Italy and the NBA’s Golden State Warriors won a close battle for third with fellow Italian Danilo Gallinari and Konstantinos Koufos of Greece.

Rubio led Spain to a fifth place finish at the Under-18 European Championship Men in August, where he averaged 19.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists per contest while shooting nearly 50% from behind the three-point line.

He has been playing a bigger part for club side DKV Joventut as well, averaging 12.5 points per contest, second only to last year’s Young Men’s Player of the Year Rudy Fernandez, while dishing out 3.5 assists per game.

“It’s been clear in the last few seasons that Ricard Rubio is one of the most exciting young players in Europe or any part of the world for that matter.” Said FIBA Europe President George Vassilakopoulos.

“His exploits for both country and club make him a very deserving winner.”

“I still remember his performance at the Under-16 European Championship Men two years ago (51 points, 24 rebounds and 12 assists),” commented FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin. “I think we all knew then and there that we were watching someone special.”

The second place finisher Teodosic also had an impressive year leading Serbia to gold at the Under-20 European Championship Men and playing a significant role in the senior team’s efforts at EuroBasket 2007 in Spain.

EXACT ORDER OF FINISH:

1. Ricky Rubio, Spain
2. Milos Teodosic, Serbia
3. Marco Belinelli, Italy
4. Konstantinos Koufos, Greece
5. Danilo Gallinari, Italy
6. Milan Macvan, Serbia
7. Nicolas Batum, France
8. Alexey Shved, Russia
9. Vladimir Dasic, Montenegro
10. Mladen Jeremic, Serbia