Blake Griffin to undergo season-ending surgery

Blake Griffin to undergo season-ending surgery

After experiencing some discomfort during his recently-accelerated rehabilitation program, Clippers’ forward Blake Griffin was examined Tuesday afternoon by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.

As a result of that examination, it has been determined that the healing in his left patella area has not improved to the expected required level. Griffin will undergo a surgical procedure in the near future, with a recovery prognosis of four to six months. Team personnel will be made available to the media. Further details will be made available as events develop.

Previously on December 23rd, after undergoing a CT Scan and MRI Griffin had been cleared to increase his rehabilitation workload.

Griffin, the first overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, suffered a non-displaced stress fracture of his left patella during the Clippers’ last preseason game vs. the New Orleans Hornets on Friday, October 23rd.

He has not played in the 2009-10 NBA regular season at all.

Trail Blazers re-assign Patrick Mills to D-League

Trail Blazers re-assign Patrick Mills to D-League

Portland Trail Blazers guard Patrick Mills was re-assigned to the Idaho Stampede, Portland’s NBA D-League affiliate, it was announced today.  Mills’ assignment is the 12th to an NBA D-League affiliate this season.

During his first assignment to the Stampede earlier this month, Mills appeared in two games, averaging 30.0 points, shooting 21-of-37 from the field, to go with 7.5 assists in 34.0 minutes.  He scored a team-high 38 points against the Reno Bighorns on Jan. 1.

Originally selected by Portland with the 55th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Mills has appeared in one game for the Trail Blazers this season, recording two assists in five minutes on Jan. 4 at the Los Angeles Clippers.

A two-year contributor at St. Mary’s (Calif.), Mills twice earned First Team All-West Coast Conference.  Named West Coast Conference Newcomer of the Year as a freshman, Mills was also selected to the Naismith Trophy Award Mid-Season Top-30 list during his sophomore season.

Mills averaged a team-high 14.2 points to go with 2.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 steals in 23 minutes for his native Australia at the Beijing Olympics becoming the youngest player in Australian history to compete in the Olympic Games in basketball.

Rockets recall Joey Dorsey from D-League

Rockets recall Joey Dorsey from D-League

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that forward/center Joey Dorsey has been recalled from the team’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

“Joey has really used this opportunity and added playing time to work on his game and continue his development,” said Rockets Vice President of Player Personnel/General Manager of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers Gersson Rosas. “With guidance from the Houston Rockets coaching staff, Head Coach Chris Finch and his group have done a great job in working with Joey, giving him the direction needed to bring his level of play up to where he was named to the 2010 NBA D-League All-Showcase First Team. In addition, it was encouraging to see Joey as one of the top rebounders in the league and also in playing a major role in the Vipers first-place standing in the Western Conference.”

Dorsey (6-8, 268, Memphis), who has yet to see game action with the Rockets this season, averaged 14.9 points (.647, 97-150 FG), 13.3 rebounds (second in D-League) and 1.38 blocks in 16 games (16 starts) with Rio Grande Valley this season. Assigned to the Vipers on Nov. 13, Dorsey recorded 10 or more rebounds in 13 outings and posted nine double-doubles (tied for fourth in D-League). He scored a season-best 27 points (13-15 FG) and grabbed 15 boards in a 103-95 victory vs. Reno (12/21/09). Dorsey later matched his season high with 27 points (11-11 FG, 5-9 FT) and pulled down a career-high 22 rebounds (11 offensive) in leading Rio Grande Valley to a 115-107 win vs. Bakersfield (1/6/10) at the NBA Development League Showcase in Boise, Idaho. He was also named a member of the 2010 NBA Development League Showcase First Team.

Hornets Owner George Shinn has surgery for prostate cancer

Hornets Owner George Shinn underwent successful surgery today to remove his prostate and will begin immediate rehab.  Shinn was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early November and has been committed to living a healthy lifestyle and remaining positive.  The surgery removed 100 percent of the cancer, and Shinn is expected to make a full recovery. Shinn will complete most of his rehab out of town and looks forward to returning to his regular work routine soon.

The surgery was completed by Dr. Patrick Walsh at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institution in Baltimore.

“Following today’s successful surgery to completely remove the cancer, Mr. Shinn will begin the process to a full and speedy recovery and is anxious to return to the Hive to watch his team play and enjoy the recent success the team is experiencing,” said Hornets Team Spokesman Harold Kaufman.  “With the support of his immediate and extended Hornets family, Mr. Shinn is an example of how positive thinking and the power of prayer can serve you in your own time of need.  He will conduct the majority of his rehab out of town for the next few weeks, but looks forward to thanking everyone in person for their well wishes and prayers.”

Kendrick Perkins deserves praise

Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins is known for rugged and great complimentary play, and consistent scowling. He’s having yet another fine season.

Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe reports:

Kendrick Perkins deserves praise

In the past five games – three wins – Perkins has averaged 15.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. Among Eastern Conference centers, Perkins is first in field goal percentage, sixth in scoring, and eighth in blocks. He has turned into a defensive presence because of his improved conditioning and footwork.

“He’s a load, he knows his role, he knows how to play the game,’’ Bosh said. “He’s not saying a lot. He’s not asking for the ball a lot. He’s a strong post player. He knows where to pick and choose his spots.’’

Perkins had 11 points and nine rebounds against Horford and an Atlanta team that backed into a zone defense in the second half.

“Every time you come in and play Boston, you know it’s going to be a war,’’ said Horford, who had 9 points and 12 rebounds. “They may blow you out but you are not going to blow them out. It’s a war.”

For the season, Perkins is putting up 12.4 points, 8.2 rebounds (no.26 in NBA) and 1.94 blocks (no.8 in NBA) per game while shooting a ridiculously high 63.9 percent (no.1 in NBA) from the field.

Luke Walton finally plays

Elliot Teaford of the Los Angeles Daily News reports:

Luke Walton finally plays

Luke Walton’s long wait to play ended Tuesday night.

He peeled off his sweats and entered the Lakers’ game against the San Antonio Spurs with 5.1 seconds left in the first half, his first appearance in two months.

OK, so it wasn’t exactly a significant one. He didn’t handle the ball as the Lakers misfired on a last-second play before halftime. But it marked his return to action after an extended absence because of a back injury.

Walton also played 5 minutes, 55 seconds in the fourth quarter, scoring four points on 2-for-4 shooting in the Lakers’ 105-85 defeat.

With Pau Gasol sidelined for a fifth consecutive game because of a strained left hamstring and backup small forward Adam Morrison suffering from an illness, Lakers coach Phil Jackson turned to Walton for help up front.