Month: March 2008

Houston Rockets notes

27-3: Houston is 27-3 over its last 30 games, registering 27 wins over a 30-game span within a single season for the first time ever in the club’s history.

Beyond the Arc: Houston connected on 14-of-34 (.412) from beyond the arc vs. New Orleans (3/8/08), setting Houston’s season high in 3-pointers made (prev. high: 13 on 2/24/08 vs. Chicago and 13 on 3/5/08 vs. Indiana) and matching the season best in 3-point attempts (34 on 12/20/07 at Denver and 34 on 3/5/08 vs. Indiana).

Western Conference Player of the Week: Tracy McGrady was named today by the NBA as Western Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, Mar. 3 through Sunday, Mar. 9. It is his second such honor this season after winning West Player of the Week earlier this season for games played Oct. 30-Nov. 4. Overall, it marks McGrady’s seventh time with the Rockets and the 12th time in his career to be named NBA’s Conference Player of the Week.

Hawks sign Jeremy Richardson for rest of season

The Atlanta Hawks have signed guard Jeremy Richardson for the remainder of the season, effective March 9, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Billy Knight. Richardson, signed earlier to two 10-day contracts with Atlanta, has appeared in nine games with the Hawks, averaging 3.0 ppg (.478 FG%, .556 3FG%) in 6.6 mpg. Richardson has also seen action earlier this season with Memphis (three contests) and San Antonio (five games).

Dwayne Wade knee treatment will end season

The Miami HEAT announced today that guard Dwyane Wade will undergo OssaTron treatment (Shock wave therapy) on his left knee and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2007-08 season. The procedure which is non-surgical and will take approximately 30 minutes will be performed later this week. After the procedure is completed Wade will be limited to passive exercise for the first 30 days and after 30 days he can slowly return to basketball related activities. Wade initially had surgery on the left knee on May 15, 2007 and has been bothered by tendinitis in the knee.

With just 11 wins to go with their 50 losses, the Heat have the league’s worst record. Despite the pairing of Wade with the multi-talented Shawn Marion, acquired when the team traded Shaquille O’Neal, the Heat haven’t looked any better and have recently been getting blown out at home. There was simply no reason for Wade to keep playing hurt. He might as well take time, heal, get back to 100 percent health, and focus on a better next season.

So, we’re not surprised that his season is over.

Clippers sign Nick Fazekas to second 10-day contract

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed forward Nick Fazekas to a second 10-day contract.   In three appearances for the Clippers this season, Fazekas has scored two points and pulled down three rebounds.  Fazekas was signed to his first 10-day contract on February 27th. 
 
Drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round (34th overall selection) of the 2007 NBA Draft, Fazekas appeared in four games with Dallas earlier this season, averaging 1.0 point and 0.8 rebounds.
 
A three-time Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Player of the Year at the University of Nevada, Fazekas played 28 games with the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League and was selected to the D-League All-Star Game, but did not play in the game. Fazekas averaged 19.1 points per game. 10.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 53 percent from the floor.
 
Fazekas was a star in college for the Wolfpack, averaging 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds as a senior while ranking fifth in the nation in rebounding. During his senior year the Arvada, Colorado product was a consensus Second Team All-American and member of the Wooden Award All-American Team. Fazekas finished his collegiate career as the all-time leading scorer and shot blocker in Nevada history and is one of only six players in NCAA history to score 2,000 points, grab 1,000 rebounds, and shoot 50 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line.

Rockets waive Gerald Green and sign Mike Harris to 10-day contract

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed forward Mike Harris to a 10-day contract. The Rockets also waived guard/forward Gerald Green, who was acquired by Houston via trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Feb. 21, 2008.

That was quick! Gerald Green sure didn’t last long. Well, he had wanted minutes, and apparently doesn’t seem to be getting them anywhere. He’s got more game development to do, judging by how many teams have moved him in his short career so far.

As for this news:

Harris (6-6, 240, Rice), who signed with the Rockets as a rookie free agent on July 13, 2007, averaged 5.0 points and 6.0 rebounds while playing in Houston’s first two preseason games this season. Released by the Rockets on Oct. 22, Harris averaged 24.3 points and 11.6 rebounds in just 28 minutes per game in 25 outings with DongGuan (2007-08) of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Harris’ season highs in the CBA included a 46-point, 26-rebound game. The former standout at Rice University also averaged 12.6 points and 7.0 rebounds in five games with Houston in the 2007 NBA Summer League presented by adidas.

In 2006-07, Harris averaged 6.0 points and 2.4 rebounds in five preseason games with the Milwaukee Bucks. Selected third overall in the 2006 D-League Draft by Colorado, Harris also averaged 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.54 blocks in 48 games (16 starts) with the 14ers in 2006-07.

Green, who was on the inactive list for five games with the Rockets, scored six points and two rebounds in his only game with Houston vs. Washington (2/26/08).

Wizards-Bobcats team connections

Gilbert Arenas (31st overall) and Charlotte guard Jason Richardson (5th overall) were both 2001 draft picks of the Golden State Warriors.

Washington and Charlotte sport a combined five former North Carolina Tar Heels — Brendan Haywood, Antawn Jamison, Raymond Felton, Sean May, Jeff McInnis — and two more ex-Heels on the bench; Washington’s Mike O’Koren and Charlotte’s Phil Ford.

Jamison and McInnis were college teammates…McInnis played 35 games for Washington in 1998-99.

Jamison attended Providence High School in Charlotte, NC.

Brendan Haywood attended Dudley High School in Greensboro, NC.

Antonio Daniels and Bobcats guard Derek Anderson were teammates in San Antonio in 2000-01 and in Portland in 2003-03…Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Bobcats guard Earl Boykins were teammates in Golden State in 2002-03.

Darius Songaila played collegiately at Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, NC.

Bobcats center Othella Harrington played collegiately at Georgetown University.

Heat recall Daequan Cook and Joel Anthony from D-League

The Miami HEAT announced today that Daequan Cook and Joel Anthony have been recalled from the NBA Development League. Cook and Anthony were assigned to the Iowa Energy, the HEAT’s D-League affiliate on Feb. 27 and guided the club to a 2-1 record.

Cook appeared in three games (all starts) for the Energy, averaging 19.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.33 steals in 39.7 minutes of action. Additionally, Cook has appeared in 38 games (two starts) for the HEAT this season, averaging 7.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 19.5 minutes per game.

Anthony appeared in three games (all starts) for the Energy, averaging 8.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.00 blocks in 24.3 minutes of action. Additionally, Anthony has appeared in four games for the HEAT this season, and is averaging 7.8 minutes per game.

Cook and Anthony will join the HEAT in Atlanta today and be available to play the Hawks tonight at Philips Arena.