January 2010 – Page 7 – NBA Blog

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

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:

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’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.

Grizzlies arena evacuated over broken water pipe

TMZ reports: Basketball fans in Memphis went streaming for the exits in droves during the third quarter during a game between the Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Clippers — after signs informed fans there was an emergency — but it was all a false alarm. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the drama was all over a busted water main.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports: FedExForum was evacuated tonight when a broken water line caused fire alarms to go off in the building, stopping the Grizzlies’ game against the Los Angeles Clippers. With 47.8 seconds left in the third quarter, a message came on the scoreboard for the crowd at the game to evacuate the building.

InsideHoops.com reports: The game has resumed play. The arena is now almost completely empty.

Scott Skiles back on job after hospital visit

Tom Enlund of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports (via blog):

Coach Scott Skiles was back on the job Tuesday and feeling fine after missing Monday’s game against Phoenix due to a hospital visit.

Shortly before the start of the Bucks’ 105-101 loss to the Suns, Skiles was taken to a hospital in Phoenix for precautionary purposes due to an irregular heartbeat.

But all systems were go on Tuesday where Skiles was concerned.

“I feel good,” he said. “Normal. It’s something that happens to me about once a year since 2001. I take medication for it. It’s not uncommon. A lot of people have it. Unfortunately yesterday the medication didn’t take care of it and I had to go to the hospital.”

Hawks sign Mario West to 10-day contract

The Atlanta Hawks today signed guard Mario West to a 10-day contract, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.

West, who attended Douglas County High School in Douglasville before a four-year career at Georgia Tech, has appeared in 117 regular season games (five starts) with the Hawks over the last two years, averaging 0.9 ppg and 0.9 rpg in 4.6 mpg (.422 FG%, .554 FT%). He’s also seen action in 17 playoff contests with the Hawks, putting up 0.4 ppg (.231 FG%) in 3.1 mpg.

Last regular season, he played in 53 games, and averaged 0.8 ppg and 1.1 rpg in 5.1 mpg (.412 FG%, .467 FT%). In 11 postseason contests, West compiled 0.5 ppg and 0.5 rpg in 4.2 mpg.

This season, West attended training camp with the Hawks, and saw action in five preseason games, compiling 2.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg and 1.0 spg (.417 FG%, 1-1 3FGs). He was waived by the Hawks on October 21, and has played in 11 games (six starts) with the Maine Red Claws of the NBA D-League, where he recorded 13.7 ppg, 4.1 apg, 2.9 rpg and 1.3 spg (.490 FG%, .250 3FG%, .672 FT%) in 29.7 mpg.

The 6-foot-5, 210-pound guard will once again wear uniform no. 6.

Kevin Martin set to return

Sacramento Kings’ guard Kevin Martin today has been cleared for full contact participation after he was examined by Dr. Robert Szabo. Martin will practice tomorrow and accompany the team on the upcoming six-game, 10-day road trip.

Martin underwent surgery to repair a non displaced hairline fracture of the navicular bone in his left wrist on November 9th. He averaged a team-leading 30.6 points per game through the first five outings of the season before missing the last 31 games due to the injury.

The 15-21 Kings are currently the 13th seed out of 15 teams in the strong Western conference.

Scott Skiles hospitalized with irregular heartbeat

The AP reports:

Milwaukee Bucks coach Scott Skiles was hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat before Monday night’s 105-101 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Jim Boylan, who coached in Skiles’ absence, said the coach was doing well.

“He’s fine,” Boylan said. “He’ll be joining us in Portland. He has a little arrhythmia.”