December 2009 – Page 2 – NBA Blog

Suns re-assign Taylor Griffin to D-League

The Phoenix Suns yesterday assigned rookie forward Taylor Griffin 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 6-7, 238-pound Griffin will spend his second stint in Iowa after he was originally assigned to the Energy on Dec. 7, starting both games he appeared in and averaging 13.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 4.0 steals in 37.0 minutes before being recalled Dec. 14.

Griffin was selected by the Suns with the 48th overall pick (second round) of the 2009 NBA Draft and has appeared in two games this season for Phoenix.

Coming off a 15-point win over the NBA-leading LA Lakers, the Suns (20-12) return to action Wednesday night, hosting the Eastern Conference-best Boston Celtics (23-7) 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.

Kings GM Geoff Petrie signs contract extension

The Sacramento Kings and Maloof family today signed President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie to a multi-year contract extension.

According to the Sacramento Bee, “after earning approximately $4 million this season, the NBA’s longest-tenured executive will make $1.2 million, $1.4 million and $1.5 million – absorbing a massive financial hit in his desire to remain with the organization.”

“First of all I want to thank Joe, Gavin and the rest of the Maloof family for the ongoing opportunity to grow our exciting young team,” said Petrie. “We all are looking forward to a brighter and more successful future. Secondly, I want to thank our entire management staff for the hard work and support they have committed over the years. We also have been a team and will continue to be one. Finally, a hat’s off to Paul (Westphal) and his staff for the professionalism, knowledge and experience he has brought to the Kings.”

A two-time NBA Executive of the Year award winner, Geoff Petrie has been a key figure behind the success of the Sacramento Kings over the past 16 years.

“Geoff is like a member of the Maloof family,” said Joe Maloof. “We’ve known him for all of these years. He’s someone we can depend on and someone we can trust and look to for advice and guidance. We’re pleased to have someone as talented as Geoff lead this organization.”

Under Petrie’s direction, the Kings have qualified for the NBA Playoffs in eight of the past 11 campaigns and nine of the past 14 years overall, while winning Pacific Division titles in 2001-02 and 2002-03 and advancing to the 2002 Western Conference Finals. Between 2000-01 and 2004-05, Sacramento joined San Antonio and Dallas as the only teams in the league to register 50-plus wins in each of those years.

“Kings fans can rest assure that the future of this franchise is secure with Geoff Petrie leading the way,” explained Gavin Maloof. “He has a good eye and special ability to pick talent. We are pleased that Geoff will be with us for many more years. We’re all looking forward to seeing this young, talented team rise.”

When Petrie was named The Sporting News NBA Executive of the Year following the 1998-99 campaign, he became the first person to win both the league’s executive and rookie annual awards. Petrie shared the 1971 NBA Rookie of the Year award with Boston’s Dave Cowens. Following the 2000-01 season, Petrie was named The Sporting News Executive of the Year for a second time.

Additionally, the contracts of Wayne Cooper and Mike Petrie were renewed as each received promotions. Cooper was promoted to Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager while Petrie was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Basketball Operations.

Nate Robinson fined for what his agent said

Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks has been fined $25,000 for public statements detrimental to the NBA.

The statements, which concerned a trade request, were made by Robinson’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, on Dec. 19.

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports (via blog):

The Players’ Association is planning to appeal the fine since the remarks were not made by the player himself. In fact, the next day Robinson said he “wanted to stay.”

Goodwin said 10 days ago Robinson’s benching was “personal” and “not basketball-related” and said the Knicks coach had “disrespected” Robinson for making a comparison that he would play “Satan” if it would help him win.

I’m really not sure why Robinson should be fined for this.

Thunder recall Byron Mullens from D-League

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today that the team has recalled center Byron Mullens from the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League.

Mullens appeared in 11 games (11 starts) for the 66ers since he was originally assigned to Tulsa on November 21. The 7-0 center averaged 15.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.27 blocks per contest while with Tulsa.

Joakim Noah an All-Star candidate?

John Jackson of the Chicago Sun-Times reports:

If someone had told you in training camp that the Bulls player with the best chance of making the All-Star team this season was Joakim Noah, your most likely response would have been laughter.

How much of a long shot was Noah? He wasn’t even among the five Bulls listed on the official NBA ballot.

But two months into the season, no one is laughing when the subject of Noah possibly being an All-Star is brought up now. The 6-11 center has been one of the few bright spots for the Bulls, averaging 10.5 points and 12.4 rebounds (third-best in the NBA).

”He’s been strong,” Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said. ”He’s one of the top rebounders in the league with his energy and his length. He’s around that basket, and he’s been pretty consistent the whole year.”

Tyrus Thomas terrific in return

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports:

The first day of the rest of the Bulls’ season transpired Saturday night at the United Center.

There was Tyrus Thomas, swatting shots and filling lanes. There was Kirk Hinrich, pushing the tempo and picking up fullcourt. There was Joakim Noah, stuffing the box score with another monster double-double of 17 points and 18 rebounds with four blocks.

The Bulls have more double-digit collapses than double-digit victories, which is why their 96-85 triumph over the Hornets was as welcome as Thomas’ return.

Sidelined for seven weeks and 22 games following surgery to repair a fractured radius in his left forearm, Thomas was an athletic jolt, finishing with 21 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

Jazz seek point guard

Jody Genessy of the Deseret News reports:

Utah Jazz brass met Saturday to begin the process of filling the roster spot that opened up when the organization traded rookie point guard Eric Maynor and injured Matt Harpring’s contracts to Oklahoma City last week.

Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor said the team has compiled a list of 10-12 players who will be evaluated.

O’Connor wanted to meet with coach Jerry Sloan and other pertinent Jazz personnel to gather input and discuss options as the team tries to find a player who will fit in for at least the rest of the season.

Thunder assign DJ White to D-League

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced that the team has assigned forward DJ White to the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League.

White has appeared in eight games this season for the Thunder averaging 4.8 points and 1.9 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game.

White, who was assigned to Tulsa three times last season, appeared in six games for the 66ers in the 2008-09 season. He averaged 18.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 31.3 minutes per contest.

Eddy Curry frustrated by lack of minutes

New York Knicks center Eddy Curry has had a rough time over the last few seasons, playing just 59 games in 2007-08, a mere three in 2008-09, and just seven this season. He also became a big fatso, before slimming down recently.

But despite getting into relatively decent shape, Curry still sits on the bench twiddling his thumbs. And apparently he’s getting frustrated.

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

Curry made a point to say he’s spoken with Donnie Walsh but not D’Antoni. In fact, Curry refused to use D’Antoni’s name.

“It’s frustrating, because I worked so hard to get back and to be ready to go and now it’s just like go every game trying to figure out if I’m going to play or not, sitting over there waiting to see what’s going to happen,” Curry said. “It’s tough to deal with, especially at this stage of my career, at this age. I ain’t that old, but I’ve been here for a while.”

The Knicks have played well recently and as long as that continues it’s possible both Curry and Nate Robinson will see little time on the court.

Andrew Bynum has faded since Pau Gasol return

Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times reports:

Andrew Bynum was the top center in the Western Conference the first month of the season as he effortlessly absorbed Pau Gasol’s points and rebounds while the Lakers’ power forward missed 11 games.

Then Gasol returned from a hamstring injury and Bynum disappeared.

There’s not a lot to criticize on a team tied with Boston for the NBA’s best record (23-5), but Bynum continues to take steps back.

His numbers without Gasol: 20.3 points and 11.8 rebounds a game. His numbers since Gasol’s return: 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds a game.