Month: December 2010

AP Source: NBA has a deal to buy Hornets


January 20, 2010: Chris Paul and David West of the New Orleans Hornets in action against the Memphis Grizzlies during an NBA game in the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, LA. Tyler Kaufman/CSM.

The AP reports:

New Orleans Hornets owner George Shinn has agreed to sell the club to the NBA and the transaction could be completed within a couple days, according to a person familiar with the decision.

The league has lined up New Orleans-born sports attorney Jac Sperling, vice chairman of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, to be the NBA’s administrator of the team and oversee its sale to a more permanent owner, the person told The Associated Press on Sunday on condition of anonymity because the move hasn’t been publicly announced.

Current Hornets President Hugh Weber will continue overseeing day-to-day operations of what will be the first NBA team to be owned by the league, the person said…

Attendance for Hornets games has been lower than the club hoped, despite a 13-7 record. Through 10 home games, average attendance has been 13,865.

If it doesn’t pick up, the Hornets could have the right to break their lease at the New Orleans Arena after this season. The lease runs through 2014, but the team is allowed to break it if average attendance falls below 14,735 during a two-year period.

Byron Scott considering Cavs lineup changes

May 13, 2010 - Boston, MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES - epa02156290 Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams reacts after being called for a foul in the second quarter of their Eastern Conference Semifinal round playoff game at the TD Bank Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 13 May 2010. The Celtics lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 and the winner will go on to face the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

Byron Scott admitted he was considering lineup changes from top to bottom in the wake of the Cavaliers’ struggles.

“I’m at a point of a lot of things right now,” he said. “Yeah, I’ve considered [changes], but I think I’m going to wait a few more games to see what happens.

“I’ve been thinking about a lot of things, and the one thing about me is that when I do think about these things I don’t take them lightly. I don’t rush at them because of a loss like [at Minnesota] or the last three games. I try to think about it and consider everything before I make a move like that because I want to feel extremely comfortable when I do it.

“I don’t want to do it because of a reaction. So I’m going to take some days before I do anything.”

What’s your take? Share it on the Cleveland Cavaliers forum.

Grizzlies waive Acie Law

The Memphis Grizzlies waived guard Acie Law, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.

The 6-3, 202-pound guard averaged 1.1 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists on .158 shooting in 8.5 minutes in 11 games this season for the Grizzlies after signing with the team as a free agent on Aug. 5, 2010.

The four-year pro holds career averages of 3.5 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists on .394 shooting in 11.8 minutes in 148 games (11 starts) with the Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Bobcats and Chicago Bulls.  The 25-year-old was drafted 11th overall by Atlanta in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft after a four-year career at Texas A&M University.

Timberwolves recall Jonny Flynn from D-League

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the club has recalled second-year guard Jonny Flynn from the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League. Flynn appeared in one game for the Skyforce, tallying eight points, nine assists and two steals is 25 minutes of action.

Flynn, the sixth overall pick by Minnesota in last year’s draft, started each of the 81 games he appeared in as a rookie last season. He averaged 13.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists as a rookie before missing the season finale with the hip injury that ultimately required offseason surgery. He finished his first NBA season ranked fifth among the league’s rookies in scoring (13.5 ppg), fourth in free-throw accuracy (82.6%), fifth in assists (4.4 apg) and seventh in steals (1.01 spg).

Per NBA rules, a first- or second-year player can be assigned to the team’s D-League affiliate a maximum of three times in a season.

Phil Jasner, Sixers beat writer, dies at 68

The NBA basketball world has lost a terrific writer and a really nice guy.

Rich Hofmann of the Philadelphia Daily News reports:

Philadelphia basketball is less a sport than it is a community: past and present, college and pro, the people and their stories woven together. Phil Jasner, the premier chronicler of that community, as well as one of its most cherished members, died Friday at age 68.

A Daily News staff reporter since 1972 and the paper’s 76ers beat writer since 1981, Jasner distinguished himself by his generosity and his even-handedness and his persistence most of all. He was an old-fashioned reporter who grew to be the most important basketball voice in a basketball city, known for both his fairness and his decency.

“I could tell at the age of 5,” said his son, Andy. “He took me to a game with him and people started coming up to him to talk – security guards, everyone. It would go on for years like that, at the old Spectrum, whether it was an usher or Joe Fan in the third row. He was approachable that way. People liked him, and he treated everyone the same. He had time for everybody.”

His personal life was both painful and joyous. He supported his wife Susie, who died in 2006, through a decades-long battle with lupus. But late in his life, before his cancer diagnosis, he met Marcia Levinson, whom he grew to love and described as his life partner. Throughout, though, there was Andy and later, Andy’s family: wife Taryn and granddaughters Jordana and Shira.

I ran into Phil dozens of times over the years. Almost all our chats were brief, because they usually took place after a Sixers game vs the Knicks or Nets, when I’m usually doing player interviews and he’s doing the same, plus filing on deadline. But he was friendly and as interesting as someone can be in 30-60 seconds, each time we said hello. He was just a great friggin’ dude and will be missed.

— Jeff

The rest of that article contains much more about Phil’s life and work.

Terrence Williams drops triple-double in first D-League game

April 07, 2010 Milwaukee, WI. Bradley Center..New Jersey Nets Terrence Williams brings the ball up the court, Williams had 6 points coming off the Nets bench..Milwaukee Bucks won over the New Jersey Nets 108-89. Mike McGinnis/CSM.

Everyone knows that New Jersey Nets swingman Terrence Williams is an NBA-level player. Averaging 6.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in a reserve role, T-Will showed bright flashes last season of what he can do when given bigger minutes.

But some off-court issues — reportedly, T-Will being off the court more than he should have been due to being late for practice on a regular basis, along with some other stuff — resulted in the team recently suspending him for two games, then sending him down to the D-League, probably as a wakeup call more than anything else.

Well, Williams made quite a statement in his first minor league action.

Colin Stephenson of the Newark Star-Ledger reports:

Terrence Williams posted a triple-double in his first game with the D-League’s Springfield Armor on Thursday. Williams had 16 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists in a 116-112 win over the Maine Red Claws.

Nets general manager Billy King watched Williams, and Johnson said he would speak to King about his impressions of Williams this afternoon. However, Johnson said, he did like what he saw in the boxscore from Williams.

“I thought that was fantastic,” Johnson said of Williams. “He played 40 minutes (39:46); triple-double, I think it’s awesome.”

I would guess that the Nets keep T-Will there for perhaps a few more games. Maybe a week or so, then bring him back and hope things go smoothly from now on.

Stephen Jackson apologizes to fans for suspension

Charlotte Bobcats Stephen Jackson argues a call with an official as he plays against the Washington Wizards during the first period at the Verizon Center in Washington on March 23, 2010. UPI/Alexis C. Glenn Photo via Newscom

The AP reports:

Charlotte Bobcats guard Stephen Jackson has sent a letter to fans apologizing for his ejection and ensuing one-game suspension for verbally abusing a referee.

Jackson’s letter was e-mailed to season-ticket holders Friday, hours before he was to play against New Jersey in his first game since his punishment.

Jackson says he let his teammates and coaches down, “but more importantly, I let our fans down.”

Stephen Jackson apology letter:

People do not like to admit they are wrong, but my actions in Milwaukee last week resulted in an ejection and ultimately an NBA suspension for the next game. As a result, I let myself, my teammates and my coaches down, but more importantly, I let our fans down. In my heart, I know I have to adjust my emotions on the floor and I vow to work harder than ever to not put myself or this team in that situation again.

I understand the rules that the NBA has established to govern players’ behavior on the floor and I respect the job the officials have each night. NBA players are bigger, faster and more athletic than ever, so being able to call a perfect game each night and see every foul is tough, and I have to take that into consideration.

I play this game with all the passion, love and respect of those who came before me. It’s a privilege to play professional basketball and I have been blessed with the talent and opportunity to play this game at a high level. In order for me to display those gifts, I have to be on the floor with my teammates. As a co-captain, I have to lead by example and I feel it’s my obligation and commitment to this team to carry out those responsibilities.

I’m back tonight as we take on the New Jersey Nets, and I hope to continue bringing you memorable moments on the court and not for my behavior.

– Source: Charlotte Observer

InsideHoops.com editor says: Smart move by S-Jax (or, more likely, the PR person who helped write the letter). Now he just has to keep playing hard, entertaining the fans and help the team as usual.

For the season, Jackson is averaging 18.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, on borderline acceptable 43.7% shooting, with an impressive 41.6% mark from three-point range.

Hawks sign Damien Wilkins

Mar. 03, 2010: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Damien Wilkins during an NBA game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX Dallas defeated Minnesota 112-109.

The Atlanta Hawks today signed guard/forward Damien Wilkins to a contract, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed.

Wilkins, 30, played in two preseason games with Memphis this year, averaging 2.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg and 1.0 spg (.400 FG%). He has appeared in 390 regular season NBA games over six seasons with Seattle/Oklahoma City (2004-09) and Minnesota (2009-10), and owns career averages of 7.2  ppg, 2.7 rpg and 1.6 apg (.421 FG%, .333 3FG%, .807 FT%). Wilkins saw action in seven playoff games with Seattle in 2004-05, putting up 5.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 1.4 spg (.444 FG%).

The son of former NBA player Gerald Wilkins and nephew of Hawks Hall-of-Famer Dominique Wilkins, he played his first two years of college basketball at North Carolina State (1999-2001), before transferring to Georgia for his final two campaigns (2002-04).

Damien Lamont Wilkins was born January 11, 1980 in Washington, North Carolina. He will wear uniform no. 3.

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

Bucks sign Brian Skinner

Jan 04, 2009 - Los Angeles, California, USA - NBA Basketball: Clippers' BRIAN SKINNER Photo via Newscom

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed veteran center Brian Skinner (6-9, 255) to a contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

A 12-year NBA veteran, Skinner has played in 605 games and holds career averages of 4.8 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 49.4 percent from the field. He played in all eight 2010 preseason games for Milwaukee and averaged 1.5 points and 3.6 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game before being waived on October 25.  Skinner spent the 2009-10 season with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he played in 16 games.

Skinner, 34, was selected by the Clippers with the 22nd overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, and spent the first three years of his career in Los Angeles.  He has also played for Cleveland, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Portland, Phoenix and two seasons with Milwaukee (2003-04 and 2006-07). He enjoyed his best statistical season in 2003-04 when he averaged 10.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 56 games with the Bucks.

Bucks waive Darington Hobson

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 20: Guard Darington Hobson #1 of the New Mexico Lobos drives with the ball against the Washington Huskies in the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at HP Pavilion on March 20, 2010 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The Milwaukee Bucks have requested waivers on rookie guard Darington Hobson (6-7, 210), General Manager John Hammond announced today.

Hobson, 23, was selected in the second round (37th overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft after being named Mountain West Conference Player of the Year as a junior at New Mexico.  He was unable to participate in the Bucks Summer League entry or training camp due to a hip injury, which led to season-ending surgery on October 12.

The Bucks roster now stands at 14 players.

Have opinions on the team? Share them on the Milwaukee Bucks forum.