Month: April 2010

Andray Blatche has bright future

Michael Lee of the Washington Post reports (via blog):

Andray Blatche has bright future

The crowd of reporters then encouraged Andray Blatche to say what was on his mind. Blatche slumped his shoulders and finally relented. “Something I can take from this season? Most improved player,” Blatche said. “I feel I worked hard for it. A couple of guys have complemented me, as well. I hope it works out for me.”

Blatche certainly has blossomed since the Wizards dealt away Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood before the trade deadline. In 30 games since the all-star break, Blatche is averaging 22.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists and has recorded 12 double-doubles over that span.

“I was a little nervous,” Blatche said of his intial reaction to the trades, “but also, I knew it was an opportunity for me. I just tried to do my best.”

Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld thought that Blatche would be able to respond well after the trades, but this level of production caught him off guard as well.

Dahntay Jones needs better outside shot

Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star reports:

Pacers want Dahntay Jones to develop outside shot

Jones’ impact on the court has been at a minimum the past few weeks.

The reason?

He’s a poor 3-point shooter.

For Jones to be a regular in the rotation next season, he’ll likely have to improve his outside shooting stroke.

“Let me answer it this way: I like to space the court,” Pacers coach Jim O’Brien said. “I think if we were to get a point guard that can really space the court, shoot the 3, I think you can get away with having a wing that doesn’t space the court.”

The Pacers knew Jones was not a 3-point specialist when they made him their prized free agent acquisition last summer. They signed him to a four-year contract with a player option on the fourth year.

Bob Cousy thinks Rajon Rondo is awesome

Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald reports:

Bob Cousy thinks Rajon Rondo is awesome

Rajon Rondo already has Bob Cousy’s Celtics record for most assists in a season, but he also has something more valuable. Cousy’s respect and admiration.

“I’ve been saying since probably the first year that it seems to me he touches all the bases for a point guard,” said the Cooz. “If there is a negative – and I don’t know how much of a negative it is – he seems to be insecure about his shooting. But, hell, the guy’s shooting almost 52 percent. How much better could he be if he looked for his shot all the time? But that’s not the function of a point guard.

“Everything else is there. He rebounds much taller than he is. He’s a tough, tough defender. And he creates well. He adds a little something, so he’s obviously getting more confident with the moves and the imagination that he shows. As far as I’m concerned, he’s their most valuable player this year.”

J.R. (Isaiah) Rider arrested

The AP reports:

Former NBA player Isaiah Rider has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting his fiance and reneging on a $150 cab fare.

Police say the 39-year-old Rider was taken into custody Thursday after an officer spotted him driving erratically in a vehicle with three small children inside.

Neighbors reported seeing Rider argue with his fiance outside their Mesa home Sunday and have a tug-of-war over her purse. Police say Rider then took a cab ride to Phoenix and ran away instead of paying the driver.

Celtics waive Marcus Landry

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have requested waivers on forward Marcus Landry.

Landry, a 6’7 forward, was acquired by the Celtics along with guard Nate Robinson on February 18.  Landry appeared in one game for the Celtics after he was acquired from New York and played three minutes.  In 18 combined games for New York and Boston this season Landry averaged 2.4 points and 1.1 rebounds in 6.2 minutes per game.

Bulls waive Jerome James, sign Rob Kurz

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has waived center Jerome James and signed forward Rob Kurz for the remainder of the season.

James (7-1, 285), joined the Bulls on Feb. 19, 2009 in a four-player trade with the New York Knicks.  In one and a half seasons with Chicago, James did not appear in a game due to a ruptured right Achilles he suffered during the 2008-09 season.

Kurz, 25, appeared in 39 games (35 starts) for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League.  With the Mad Ants, he averaged 17.5 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.46 bpg in 37.2 mpg and shot .494 from the field, .435 from the three and .808 from the line.  The 6-9, 230 pound forward also held a stint with the Golden State Warriors during the 2008-09 campaign.  In 40 games (five starts) with the Warriors, he posted averages of 3.9 ppg and 2.0 rpg in 11.1 mpg.  In four years at the University of Notre Dame, Kurz posted career averages of 9.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 1.13 bpg in 108 games.

Kurz will wear number 31.

InsideHoops.com Says: Center Jerome James got paid many millions of dollars to sit, be fat, tumble into planes, and roll around the nation. The man is a perfectionist and lived up to full expectations of his job. Being serious, though, I strongly encourage all 30 NBA teams show respect to fans by never, ever signing this guy again.

Rockets sign Alexander Johnson, waive Hilton Armstrong

Rockets sign Alexander Johnson, waive Hilton Armstrong

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed forward Alexander Johnson for the remainder of the season and waived forward Hilton Armstrong. Johnson, who joins the Rockets from the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA D-League, marks his first Call-Up to the NBA this season.

Johnson (6-9, 240, Florida State) averaged 23.0 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.32 blocks in 22 games (10 starts) with Sioux Falls during the 2009-10 D-League regular season. The former Florida State standout finished the season ranked 12th in the D-League in scoring average and was tied for seventh in the league in rebounds per game. Johnson also played in five games (four starts) with the D-League’s Arkansas RimRockers in 2006-07.

Originally selected by the Indiana Pacers in the second round (45th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft, Johnson has averaged 4.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in 102 NBA games (25 starts) with the Memphis Grizzlies (2006-07) and Miami Heat (2007-08).

Armstrong (6-11, 235, Connecticut), who was acquired by Houston from Sacramento in a three-team trade on Feb. 18, averaged 1.1 points and 0.7 rebounds in nine games with the Rockets.

Johnson will wear jersey #30 with the Rockets.

Butler coach Brad Stevens signs new 12-year contract

David Woods of the Indianapolis Star reports:

Stevens, 33, who took Butler on a surprising run to the NCAA championship game, was awarded a new 12-year contract by the university Thursday.

Terms of the contract, which extends through the 2021-22 seasons, were not divulged.

It is widely speculated that Stevens’ total package is at least $1 million annually. The Board of Trustees was discussing that amount, perhaps even before Butler reached the Final Four. Stevens’ base salary two years ago was $395,000, and the total package has been estimated at $750,000.

By comparison, Purdue coach Matt Painter recently agreed to a contract worth $1.3 million a year and incentives that could add another $1 million a year. Indiana coach Tom Crean, the state’s highest-paid employee, makes $2.3 million annually.

InsideHoops.com Joke: Stevens will be 24 years old when the new 12-year deal ends in 2022.