Month: May 2010

NBA fines Danny Ainge for conduct during Celtics-Cavaliers game

Boston Celtics Executive Director of Basketball Operations and General Manager Danny Ainge has been fined $25,000 for creating an unauthorized distraction and for conduct detrimental to the game, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 1:53 remaining in the third quarter of the Celtics’ 104-86 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinal on Monday, May 3, at Quicken Loans Arena.

The fine is due to Ainge throwing a towel around to distract J.J. Hickson of the Cleveland Cavaliers during free throw attempts.

Paul Flannery of WEEI reports:

The NBA fined Danny Ainge $25,000 for “creating an unauthorized distraction” during Game 2 on the Celtics-Cavs series. In other words, he threw a towel up in the air while J.J. Hickson was shooting free throws.

The Celtics have been amused by this episode and Doc Rivers got in a few more one-liners at his boss’ expense Thursday.

“I was surprised, actually, at the fine,” Rivers said. “I know a lot of people were not. I was because he’s just an employee. What’s the difference between that and the mascots do it all the time. I was just wondering if Danny had worn Lucky’s outfit he would have gotten away with it.”

Antoine Walker seeks NBA comeback

The AP reports:

Former NBA All-Star Antoine Walker is eyeing an NBA comeback.

Louisville Coach Rick Pitino says Walker will work out with several Cardinals over the next few weeks. Walker hasn’t played in the NBA since 2008 and has suffered legal and financial woes since stepping away from the game.

Walker agreed to pay three Las Vegas casinos over $900,000 to settle three bad check charges last fall.

InsideHoops.com says:

It’s highly unlikely any team gives Walker a shot. At best, if over time he proves to be in shape and serious about helping a team, some squad might offer him a non-guaranteed contract so he can prove himself. Still others may offer him a job as an arena hot dog vender. Because, when the game ends, there’s free hot dogs to eat.

Ryan Bowen joins U of Iowa basketball staff

KCRG.com reports:

University of Iowa Head Basketball Coach Fran McCaffery announced Wednesday that he has added former Hawkeye and NBA player Ryan Bowen to his basketball staff. Bowen will serve as the team’s video coordinator and administrative assistant.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the Iowa basketball staff,” said Bowen. “I’m extremely thankful to Coach McCaffery for giving me this opportunity and I’m eager to get started. I had a great time as a student-athlete at Iowa, and look forward to once again being a part of the Hawkeye family.”

“I’m very excited to have Ryan Bowen be part of our staff,” McCaffery said. “I remember watching Ryan play in high school, and followed his career at Iowa and the NBA. There isn’t a harder working basketball player that understands the game than Ryan Bowen. I talked to Jeff Van Gundy, Jeff Bower and John MacLeod and each one raved about his character, work ethic and knowledge of the game. He’s going to make a great impact here at Iowa, just like he did when he was a player.”

Mark Jackson will not be next 76ers coach

Kate Fagan of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

Mark Jackson, who seemed to be in the final stages of scheduling an interview with the 76ers for their coaching vacancy, has removed his name from consideration, according to his agent, Steve Kauffman.

Kauffman said Jackson “doesn’t feel it’s the right opportunity for him at this time.”

In the last week, Sixers president and general manager Ed Stefanski met with two candidates, Doug Collins and Avery Johnson, but has yet to formally meet with a third.

Before stepping out of the race, Jackson seemed poised to become Stefanski’s next official interview. According to an NBA source, Stefanski will formally meet with Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach Monty Williams on Monday.

Game 2: Stoudemire scores 23, Suns beat Spurs

The AP reports:

Stoudemire scores 23, Suns beat Spurs

Amare Stoudemire had 23 points and 11 rebounds, Channing Frye made 5 of 6 3-pointers, and Phoenix, wearing its orange “Los Suns” jerseys in part to protest Arizona’s new anti-immigration law, pulled away for a 110-102 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.

Steve Nash and Jason Richardson scored 19 points apiece and Grant Hill added 18 in a grind-it-out game played at the Spurs’ pace until the Suns started hitting 3-pointers. After starting 1 of 7 from long range, Phoenix made eight of its next 12.

Tim Duncan had 29 points and 10 rebounds and Richard Jefferson rebounded from a poor Game 1 with 18 points and 10 boards for San Antonio. Tony Parker added 20 points for the Spurs…

Manu Ginobili, guarded mainly by Hill, was 2 of 8 from the field, including just 1 of 2 in the second half, but had 11 assists for San Antonio. Hill also made two big shots down the stretch…

The Spurs outshot Phoenix 51 percent to 42 percent but the Suns outrebounded taller San Antonio 49-37, 18-7 on the offensive boards. Stoudemire made just 5 of 16 shots but was 11 of 13 at the free throw line. The Suns outscored the Spurs by 14 at the line, going 29 of 37 to San Antonio’s 15 of 22.

Former NBA player Kirk Snyder sent to prison

The AP reports:

An Ohio judge has sentenced a former NBA player to three years in prison for breaking into his neighbors’ home and attacking them.

Warren County Judge Neal Bronson sentenced 26-year-old Kirk Snyder on Wednesday and ordered him to pay $5,550 in restitution.

Snyder made no comment. His attorney argued for probation.

Game 2: Kobe scores 30, Lakers beat Jazz

The AP reports:

Kobe scores 30, Lakers beat Jazz

Kobe Bryant scored 30 points, Gasol added 22 points and 15 rebounds, and the Lakers methodically pounded the ball down low in a 111-103 victory over the Jazz on Tuesday night, taking a 2-0 series lead.

Andrew Bynum had 17 points and 14 rebounds for the defending NBA champions, who ruthlessly exploited their twin 7-foot starters’ height advantage, along with the 6-foot-10 Odom’s presence off the bench.

With 64 points in the paint, a 58-40 rebounding advantage and 13 blocked shots, the Lakers maintained a medium-sized lead throughout the second half of a disjointed, foul-choked game that lasted over 2 1/2 hours…

“We’re not going to be frustrated,” said Carlos Boozer, who had 20 points and 12 rebounds…

Paul Millsap had 26 points and 11 rebounds, with the undersized power forward single-handedly keeping the Jazz in the game at times. C.J. Miles added 20 points for Utah, which will get three days off to plot another way to counter the Lakers’ obvious advantages down low…

Deron Williams managed 15 points on 4-for-16 shooting and nine assists for the Jazz, who never were close to being blown out—but who just didn’t have the size or the game plan to keep up with Los Angeles’ patient inside game.

Game 1: Magic destroy Hawks by 43

The AP reports:

Magic destroy Hawks by 43

Dwight Howard had 21 points and 12 rebounds in one of the most crushing playoff wins in Magic history, a 114-71 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal.

Howard added five blocks and avoided the fouls and frustration that overwhelmed him in the first round, helping the Magic go ahead by as many as 46 points. Vince Carter finished with 20 points as Orlando showed no signs of rust after an eight-day layoff…

Josh Smith scored 14 points and Zaza Pachulia had 12 for a Hawks team that had little playoff poise. Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Thursday night in Orlando, and Atlanta will have to find some way to rally from an embarrassing defeat…

The Hawks were held to 10 points in the second quarter, and just 11 points in the third. Howard and most of the Magic starters weren’t even needed in the fourth, and Atlanta players covered their heads with towels on the bench in the final minutes.

InsideHoops.com notes:

The Hawks shot just 34.6 percent from the field and only hit 2-for-13 from three-point range.

Mike Bibby shot just 1-of-5. Al Horford only hit 1-of-7. And Jamal Crawford hit just 1-of-11.

The entire Hawks team dished just 12 assists.

This was a mess.