December 2009 – Page 9 – NBA Blog

Ryan Gomes better at power forward spot

Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports:

Ryan Gomes move to power forward spot working

Ryan Gomes has been a different player since moving to power forward in the Timberwolves’ starting lineup. Or maybe it’s because he’s being guarded by different players.

Entering Wednesday’s game against New Orleans, Gomes averaged 20.2 points per game and made 58.6 percent of his shots in five games since moving to power forward to make room for Damien Wilkins. Considering he was shooting just 37.9 percent and scoring only 8.9 points in the previous 18 games — mostly spent at small forward — the change has provided a real jolt to the Wolves offense.

“I’m comfortable either way, but it’s harder for some of the bigger guys to guard me” at power forward, Gomes said.

Kareem Rush has right knee surgery

Los Angeles Clippers’ guard Kareem Rush underwent successful surgery on his right knee today to repair the torn ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) and partially torn lateral meniscus he suffered at New Orleans on November 17th. In addition, a microfracture procedure was also performed on the knee.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache and was assisted by Clippers’ team physician Dr. Steven Shimoyama. No timetable has been set for Rush’s return.

In seven games played this season, Rush averaged 1.3 points in 8.3 minutes per game.

Is Gerald Wallace an All-Star?

Charlotte Bobcats small forward Gerald Wallace is averaging 16.1 points, a league-leading 12.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.65 steals per game. He’s not shooting especially well (42.9% and just 29.4% three-pointers) but is still having a terrific season.

Is he worthy of making the East All-Star team?

Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reports (via blog):

I figure there are three forwards — Cleveland’s LeBron James, Boston’s Kevin Garnett and Toronto’s Bosh — who are locks to be chosen. As I said above, Bosh could potentially count as the backup center (behind Orlando’s Dwight Howard) since he’s certainly the next-best big man. And Bosh is so good Toronto’s record won’t kill his candidacy.

That would leave Wallace in a mix with the following: Boston’s Paul Pierce, Atlanta’s Josh Smith, Indiana’s Danny Granger and Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala.

I’m thinking Wallace won’t make it. But that he’s even potentially in the discussion is a nice positive for the Bobcats.

Nets get first road win of season

The New Jersey Nets went 0-18 before getting their first win of the season, a home victory against the Charlotte Bobcats.

Tuesday in Chicago, the Nets beat the Bulls to earn their first road win.

The AP reports:

Brook Lopez scored 25 points and Devin Harris hit to the go-ahead basket with 14.9 seconds left Tuesday night as the New Jersey Nets got their second win of the season and first on the road, beating the Chicago Bulls 103-101.

The Nets, who got off the worst start in NBA history at 0-18 before beating Charlotte and then losing to the Knicks, are now 2-19 — including 1-12 away from home.

Chris Douglas-Roberts added 20 points and Harris had 17 for New Jersey.

The Newark Star-Ledger reports:

“It’s huge. Huge because — I mean, we only have two wins — but this was the first one we really had to gut out,” Chris Douglas-Roberts said. “This was a gut check. Throughout the NBA season there are a lot of these, and it was great to see how we reacted to the pressure. We reacted great to a lot of different runs. This was a great win and a good sign. This shows that we can play like this. So it was great.”

Tony Battie: “We showed some mental toughness, and we never got rattled when things didn’t go our way. We persevered. We couldn’t stiff-arm them and get it under control, but we got a good road win.”

Next up for the Nets is a home game Wednesday against the struggling Golden State Warriors, a road game Friday against the beatable Indiana Pacers (who are now without injured star Danny Granger), and then tough games in Atlanta and Cleveland.

Marquis Daniels has left thumb surgery

The Boston Celtics announced today that guard Marquis Daniels underwent successful surgery this morning at New England Baptist Hospital to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb. The procedure was performed by Celtics Team Physician, Dr. Brian McKeon and Dr. Drew Terrono. No time table has been set for his return.

The Boston Herald reports Daniels will be out 6-8 weeks.

Daniels has appeared in 19 games for the Celtics averaging 5.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. The former Auburn Tiger posted a season-high 10 points against Utah on November 11.

Read fan reaction and share your own opinion in this forum topic.

Rudy Fernandez out 4-6 weeks

Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Rudy Fernandez underwent a successful microdiscectomy Tuesday to alleviate pain in his right leg, General Manager Kevin Pritchard announced today.

Fernandez, 24, will miss 4-6 weeks as a result of the procedure, which relieved pressure from a nerve root in his lower back that caused pain in his right leg.

“The procedure was successful and we can now turn our attention to getting Rudy healthy and back on the court,” said Pritchard. “He’s been under a lot of pain and we look forward to Rudy returning healthier than ever.”

Dr. George Shanno performed the procedure at Southwest Washington Regional Surgery Center in Vancouver, Wash.

Fernandez appeared in Portland’s first 20 games this season, averaging 8.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 23.3 minutes. He leads the Trail Blazers and ranks among NBA leaders with 1.55 steals per game.

The Palma de Mallorca, Spain, native leads team qualifiers with a 38.8 percent (31-for-80) mark from three-point range. Fernandez’s 159 three-pointers last season set an NBA rookie record.

Danny Granger out 4-6 weeks

Danny Granger will miss a minimum of four to six weeks with a torn right plantar fascia. No surgery will be required and rehabilitation begins immediately. Granger sustained the injury during the third quarter of Saturday night’s game at the L.A. Clippers.

Granger has played in 17 games and is the Pacers leading scorer at 24.4 points per game. He also averages 6.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.59 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.

This is a huge blow to an Indiana team that has a 6-12 record and relies heavily on Granger. Their next leading scorer is Dahntay Jones (15.3 ppg, followed by Mike Dunleavy (12.2 ppg).

It’ll be tough to make up Granger’s scoring. There aren’t a lot of offensive weapons on the roster.

Read fan reaction and share your own opinion in this forum topic.

VH1 Basketball Wives: Reality TV Show about being NBA Wife

VH1 these days is packed with shows that often have nothing to do with music. Your own InsideHoops.com editor was one of the main people on one VH1 special episode, “Fabulous Life of Hoop Superstars,” back a few years ago.

The latest on VH1 as well as other stations are reality shows. They’re cheap to produce and, while often embarrassing to admit to watching, quite often entertaining.

This new show sounds right up the alley of what a gossip-loving basketball fan would want.

Vibe.com reports:

Shaq’s soon-to-be ex-wife Shaunie O’ Neal is planning to executive produce and star in an upcoming VH1 reality series about the tumultuous life of being the wife of a basketball star.

The series, Basketball Wives, is set to be began shooting this month, focusing on the “glamorous” and cliquey world of women who date famous (and some infamous) NBA stars– athletes whose world involves being away from home almost six months out the year.

The show is expected to include wives, and ex-wives. VH1 plans to chronicle the women enjoying the luxuries that come as a privilege of being affiliated with a pro baller, but also the paranoia of dealing with their groupies. Other women included in the series are Jennifer Williams (wife of Eric Williams), Evelyn Lozada (ex-fiancé of Antoine Walker), Mesha O’Neal (wife of Jermaine O’Neal), Royce Reed, and Faith Rain (Udonis Haslem’s girlfriend).

I know I’ll be tuning in. As the show actually starts, I’ll remind you of it, on the InsideHoops.com front page, this blog, and/or our rumors page, so keep going Inside Hoops every day.

Maurice Baker suspended for striking Cedric Simmons

Dakota Wizards (D-League) guard Maurice Baker has been suspended one game for striking Idaho Stampede forward Cedric Simmons in the shoulder/face, it was announced today by Chris Alpert, Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel for the NBA Development League.

The incident occurred at the 11:00 minute mark of the fourth quarter on Saturday, Dec. 5, in Boise, Idaho.

Baker will serve his suspension tonight when the Wizards play the Utah Flash in Orem, Utah.

Julius Hodge stomps on rival court logo in Australia

The National Basketball League (NBL) will not be proceeding with charges against Melbourne Tigers’ import Julius Hodge for his post-game actions following his team’s match against the Adelaide 36ers on Saturday night.

Hodge drew the ire of the 5,984-strong crowd at the Distinctive Homes Dome in Adelaide after celebrating the Tigers’ 87-84 overtime victory over his former team by twice stamping on the Brett Maher Court logo.

NBL General Manager Chuck Harmison determined that the actions of Hodge, whilst immature, did not constitute a breach of the NBL’s Code of Conduct.

“Whilst it is clear that Julius Hodge’s actions on Saturday night were ill-conceived and juvenile, we do not consider them to be a breach of the NBL’s Code of Conduct,” said Harmison. “With no formal report lodged by either the 36ers or the game officials over the incident, Hodge will therefore face no sanctions from the league.

“It is disappointing that a game which was an absolute thriller, that went to overtime, and which drew the biggest NBL crowd of the season thus far, should be remembered for one player’s distasteful actions rather than the fantastic basketball played. That being said, NBL basketball is always exciting and emotional, and we understand that sometimes our athletes get carried away with their celebrations after a win. Clearly however Hodge went over the top and underestimated the high esteem in which the Adelaide crowd, and indeed the rest of the basketball community, hold Brett Maher.”

Harmison said Hodge’s allegations of racial taunts from the Adelaide crowd would be investigated thoroughly and warned that any fans who were found to have acted inappropriately would face potential bans from future NBL matches.

“Hodge’s allegations of racial taunting following the game are a serious concern and we will work closely with the 36ers and venue security staff to identify any individuals who may have used racial slurs against Hodge,” said Harmison. “There is absolutely no place for that sort of behaviour in the NBL or indeed in our society.”

The NBL will also undertake an overall review of the way the 36ers handled the post-game events on Saturday.

“We will be working closely with the club to undertake a thorough review of Saturday’s game-day operations as well as the actions of both the 36ers staff and venue security personnel on the night to ensure that appropriate procedures were followed,” said Harmison. “Our number one priority must always be the safety of our players, team personnel and fans, so it’s important that the club and the league learn from this incident.”

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