The AP reports: The Utah Jazz failed to secure home-court advantage for their playoff series with Houston. Maybe they won’t need it after all. Andrei Kirilenko scored 21 points, Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 16 rebounds and the Jazz beat the Rockets 93-82 to take a 1-0 series lead Saturday night. Deron Williams had 20 points and 10 assists as Utah, 17-24 on the road during the regular season, won its second straight playoff game in Houston. The last victory came in Game 7 last season, and that was when Houston had Yao Ming… Kirilenko hit 8 of 12 shots and Utah’s reserves also contributed, outscoring Houston’s reserves 28-17… Shane Battier scored 22 and Tracy McGrady had 20 points for Houston, which shot 37 percent (29 of 79). The Rockets are also playing without starting point guard Rafer Alston, who strained his right hamstring late in the season. His backup, Bobby Jackson, scored seven points on 3-for-15 shooting.
Month: April 2008
Apr. 19: Hornets 104, Mavs 92
The AP reports: Chris Paul had 35 points, 10 assists and four steals in his first playoff game Saturday night, lifting New Orleans to a 104-92 come-from-behind victory over Dallas in Game 1 of their first-round series… David West scored 23 points against Dallas. Tyson Chandler had 10 points and 15 rebounds to help New Orleans not only storm back but win going away. Dirk Nowitzki had his way with New Orleans early and finished with 31 points, but scored only four during Dallas’ fourth-quarter collapse. Josh Howard added 17 points for the Mavericks, who were in the finals two years ago… Jason Kidd, the All-Star point guard the Mavericks were hoping would be the missing piece to a championship run when they traded for him midseason, finished with 11 points and nine assists… The Hornets also got 14 points from Peja Stojakovic, one of their few grizzled playoff vets, who hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final period to help squelch any notion of a Dallas comeback.
Apr. 19: Spurs 117, Suns 115 2OT
The AP reports: Tim Duncan’s first 3 of the season with just ticks left sent his team into double overtime against the revenge-minded Phoenix Suns. Then it was Manu Ginobili’s turn, and his layup with 1.8 seconds left pushed the defending champions past the Suns 117-115 Saturday in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series… Tony Parker added 26 points for the Spurs and Manu Ginobili had 24… Amare Stoudemire, who fouled out with 12 seconds left in the first overtime, led the Suns with 33 points. Shaquille O’Neal scored 11 points… Mike Finley had 13 points for San Antonio, and Kurt Thomas, who played for the Suns last season, grabbed 10 rebounds… “We had the game won a few times and just weren’t tough enough or disciplined enough to make every single play when it counted,” said Steve Nash, who had 25 points and 13 assists.
Apr. 19: Cavs 93, Wizards 86
The AP reports: Bumped and banged by the Wizards on every drive, LeBron James scored 32 points, making two tough shots in traffic down the stretch as the Cleveland Cavaliers opened the NBA playoffs with an intense 93-86 win over Washington on Saturday… Resting a bothersome back, James sat out the early part of the fourth quarter… Following a miss by Gilbert Arenas, who led the Wizards with 24 points, James powered past Stevenson and dropped a floater with 55 seconds left in the game—and one tick to spare on the 24-second shot clock… Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 22 points and 11 rebounds and Delonte West finished with 16 points for the Cavaliers, who, unlike the Wizards, stayed quiet in the weeks leading up to the series.
Brandon Jennings and Tyreke Evans win co-MVP of 2008 Jordan game
Arizona-bound Brandon Jennings (Oak Hill Academy/Los Angeles, CA) earned co-Most Valuable Player honors tonight on basketball’s biggest stage, Madison Square Garden, as he finished with 10 points and 14 assists to lead the Blue Jerseys to the 124-114 victory over the White Jerseys at the 2008 Jordan Brand Classic, presented by Foot Locker and Boost Mobile. Jennings was joined by co-MVP Tyreke Evans (American Christian/Aston, PA/Memphis) who had 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
The event was once again attended by some of sport and entertainment’s biggest stars including Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, Vince Carter, Rudy Gay, Mya and Jadakiss. Interscope rapper Wale headlined the musical performances while Arista Records artists Boyz II Men performed the national anthem.
Jennings’ 14 assists broke the event record previously held by Corey Fisher while his teammates Scotty Hopson (University Heights/Tennessee) and Demar DeRozan (Compton/USC) contributed 21 and 17 points respectively.
“Year after year, the Jordan Brand selects the best in high-school basketball to perform at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden,” said Garry Cook, President of Jordan Brand. “We look forward to watching these young, gifted athletes in the years to come.”
Other players on the 2008 Jordan Brand Classic Team include Al-Farouq Aminu (Norcross, GA/Wake Forest), William Buford (Toledo, OH/Ohio State), Ed Davis (Richmond, VA/UNC), Demar DeRozan (Compton, CA/Southern Cal), Michael Dunigan (Chicago, IL/Oregon), Devin Ebanks (Oakdale, CT/Undecided), Tyreke Evans (Aston, PA/Undecided), Drew Gordon (San Jose, CA/UCLA), JaMychal Green (Montgomery, AL/Alabama), Jrue Holiday (N. Hollywood, CA/UCLA), Scotty Hopson (Hopkinsville, KY/Tennessee), Brandon Jennings (Mouth of Wilson, VA/Arizona), Malcolm Lee (Riverside, CA/UCLA), Greg Monroe (Harvey, LA/Georgetown), B.J. Mullens (Canal Winchester, OH/Ohio State), Delvon Roe (Lakewood, OH/Michigan State), Samardo Samuels (Newark, NJ/Louisville), Iman Shumpert (Oak Park, IL/Georgia Tech), Kemba Walker (New York, NY/Connecticut), Willie Warren (North Crowley, TX/Oklahoma), Wesley Witherspoon (Lilburn, GA/Undecided) and Tony Woods (Rome, GA/Wake Forest).
Recent Jordan Brand Classic MVPs have included Donte Greene (Syracuse) and Corey Fisher (Villanova) in 2007, Kevin Durant (Seattle Sonics) and Thaddeus Young (Philadelphia Sixers) in 2006, Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina) and Andray Blatche (Washington Wizards) in 2005, Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic) in 2004, LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Shannon Brown (Chicago Bulls) in 2003, and Amaré Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns) and Sean May (Charlotte Bobcats) in 2002.
The Jordan Brand Classic is an annual showcase of the top high school basketball players in the country, throughout the New York City region and internationally.
The evening began with the inaugural International game, led by Enes Kanter (Turkey) with 22 points and 17 rebounds.
In the Regional Game, the Suburban All-Stars defeated the City All-Stars 129-127, led by co-Most Valuable Player Marcus Morris (Apex Academy/Pennsauken, NJ/Kansas) with 20 points. Morris was joined by co-MVP Ryan Pearson (Christ the King/Middle Village, NY/George Mason) who had 36 points and 15 rebounds.
Mark Jackson issues brief statement on Knicks
Mark Jackson issued a brief statement on the New York Knicks head coaching position: “The New York Knicks are one of the most storied franchises in all of sports and I am honored Donnie Walsh has mentioned my name as a candidate. Coaching has always intrigued me.”
InsideHoops.com as well as multiple national and New York media outlets have reported that Jackson, along with Scott Skiles, are said to be two of the leading candidates to be the next Knicks head coach.
Houston and Salt Lake City mayors make friendly wager
Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker is confident the Utah Jazz will win the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Houston Rockets. He’s so confident that he’s engaged in a friendly wager with Houston Mayor Bill White
The Mayors have each offered the other a treat from their city if the opposing team loses the series. If the Jazz win the series, Mayor White will send Mayor Becker pecan pies made by Good Company Barbecue in Houston – one pie for every game the Jazz win over the Rockets.
If the Rockets win the series, Mayor Becker will send Mayor White two Ski Salt Lake Super Passes. The passes entitle the Houston Mayor to two all-day passes at any of Salt Lake City’s four ski resorts; Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, or Solitude, as well as round-trip travel on UTA city buses, ski buses, and TRAX light-rail during his trip to Salt Lake City. Mayor Becker has also offered to ski with Mayor White during his visit.
“Salt Lakers skied on Memorial Day last year and enjoyed watching the Jazz play past that weekend, well after the Rockets ended their season. I think the Jazz are going to take this series again. I’m looking forward to enjoying those pecan pies from Mayor White when they do,” remarked Becker.
Mayor White had this to say, “My wager, Mayor Becker, we’re coming back at you again this year, Last year was a close series. They scraped by. But I’m gonna bet, I’m gonna place a wager on this game. My wager is gonna be if I lose you are going to get some pecan pie from Good Company Barbecue. It’s good Texas food.”
To which Mayor Becker replied, “It’s going to be a great series, The Rockets had a run that was unbelievable in the middle of the season and we’re glad they got that out of their system. We feel like Utah has proven itself. It’s time for Houston to step to the plate.”
NBA approves Sonics move to Oklahoma City pending resolution of litigation
The NBA Board of Governors today endorsed the recommendation of the NBA Relocation Committee and approved the move of the SuperSonics from Seattle to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season, subject to a resolution of the pending litigation between the Sonics and the city of Seattle that removes any requirement for the team to play at KeyArena for the next two seasons.
“The support for the NBA demonstrated by the fans, government leaders and business community of Oklahoma City over the last three years has been extraordinary,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “The Board of Governors is confident that that level of local support will result in success for the Sonics franchise in Oklahoma.”
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports: After NBA owners voted 28-2 on Friday to approve the Sonics’ relocation to Oklahoma City, team chairman Clay Bennett said he’d done everything possible to make things work in Seattle and remains hopeful of a negotiated lease buyout. The city of Seattle could delay the team’s departure for two years by winning the pending federal court battle over the lease’s enforcement, but Bennett and his Oklahoma-based ownership group now have a green light from the league to move as soon as that situation is settled… Stern said the vote was 28-2, with the two owners against being Dallas’ Mark Cuban and Portland’s Paul Allen.
Bucks name Jeff Weltman assistant GM
The Milwaukee Bucks have named Jeff Weltman to the position of Assistant General Manager, General Manager John Hammond announced today. Weltman comes to the Bucks after spending the 2007-08 season with the Detroit Pistons where he worked along side Hammond as the director of basketball administration.
“Jeff is a hard-working and respected NBA front office executive,” said Hammond. “He has a keen eye for talent, a tireless work ethic and a strong knowledge of the league’s salary cap structure. I value his input and look forward to continuing our relationship in Milwaukee.”
Weltman spent one season in Detroit and was responsible for coordinating the team’s draft preparation, scouting efforts, scouting schedules, and free agent visits. He joined the Pistons after spending five seasons as the assistant general manager with the Denver Nuggets where he helped develop the Nuggets into a team that ended an eight-year play-off drought in 2003-04 and won 49 games in 2004-05.
“I’m excited to join the Milwaukee Bucks organization and grateful to Senator Kohl and John Hammond for the opportunity,” said Weltman.
The 43-year-old began his NBA career in 1988 as a video coordinator with the Los Angeles Clippers. He quickly rose through the organization’s ranks and served as the club’s Director of Player Personnel from 1994-2001. He worked closely with Hammond during the 1990-93 and 2000-01 seasons when the Bucks General Manager was an assistant coach for the Clippers (under Larry Brown from ’90-93 and under Alvin Gentry from ’00-01). In all, the New York native owns 19 years of NBA experience.
Weltman graduated from Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio in 1987.
Pistons finish first in attendance
The Detroit Free Press reports: The Pistons went 34-7 this season at home, but went 41-0 in sellouts. For the fifth time in six seasons, the Pistons are the attendance champs in the NBA. With 41 straight sell-outs and an average of 22,076 per game, the Pistons hosted 905,116 fans during the 2007-08 regular season.