January 2011 – Page 7 – NBA Blog

Lil Wayne is angry at LeBron and Wade

Andy Greene of Rolling Stone magazine reports:

In the new issue of Rolling Stone — on stands and online in the digital archives on January 21st (subscription required) — Lil Wayne opens up for the first time about his time in prison. During his eight month stint in Building C-76, cell 23 at Rikers Island, Weezy worked as an SPA (suicide prevention aide), listened to a lot of music on the radio (oldies and Hot 97) and played countless games of Uno with his cellmates in the Protective Custody division.

When Wayne sat court-side at a recent Miami Heat/New Orleans Hornets game he was upset that Lebron James and Dwyane Wade never came over to talk to him. “Them niggas never speak to a nigga,” he says. “They don’t chuck me the deuce or nothing. Nigga spent all that money on them fucking tickets … Come holla at me. We sit right by them little bitch-ass niggas. At least come ask me why I’m not rooting for you.”

InsideHoops.com editor says: Lil Wayne is about three feet tall. Maybe LeBron and Wade simply didn’t see him. Just kidding, folks. Anyway, this is obviously a pressing issue. I hope reporters with access to the Heat in the coming days ask about it. The people need to know.

Rafer Alston to sign in China

By Jeff Lenchiner

Streetball legend and former NBA player Rafer Alston has found a new job in basketball, and it’s taking him overseas.

Alston’s longtime manager and close friend Eddie Lau told InsideHoops.com that the guard is traveling to China today where he will sign a contract to play for the Zhejiang Guangsha Basketball Club.

In other news, in addition to his other roles, Lau is now also Alston’s agent.

Alston began his NBA career in 1999, playing for Milwaukee. He went on to play Toronto, Miami, Houston, Orlando and New Jersey, and had a career average of 10.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.2 spg.

Known in Rucker Park and other famous playgrounds as “Skip to my Lou,” Alston has great flair to his game. Over his years as a professional, he learned how to separate Alston the NBA player from Skip, the kid in the playground. It’ll be interesting to see footage of how he performs overseas.

Marcus Camby will have surgery on left knee

Portland Trail Blazers center Marcus Camby will undergo arthroscopic surgery later this week to repair a partial medial meniscus tear in his left knee, it was announced today by General Manager Rich Cho.

“The MRI taken earlier today did not show anything significant,” said Cho. “However, a more thorough review tonight from our team physician did reveal a partial tear.”

The exact date for Camby’s arthroscopy has yet to be determined. A timeline for his return will be set following surgery.

In 39 games (all starts) this season, Camby has averaged 5.9 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.87 blocks in 28.7 minutes. He ranks fifth in the NBA in rebounds and 10th in blocked shots per game.

Camby is the only player in the Western Conference averaging at least 11.0 rebounds and 1.50 blocks. He has grabbed at least 10 boards in 26 games and led the team in rebounding a team-high 28 times this season.

InsideHoops.com editor says: This is nuts. When will the Blazers knee injuries end? I’m not going to hurl unwarranted accusations at the training staff, but I’m certainly tempted to at least suggest that perhaps a change be considered. The good news is, Camby’s injury sounds minor, so maybe he’ll be out just a few weeks. I’m totally speculating there. Anyway, all the best to Blazers fans. And on the lighter side, I’ll suggest that perhaps from now on, Blazers practices should be held at local hospitals.

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Hawks sign Damien Wilkins to second 10-day contract

The Atlanta Hawks today signed guard/forward Damien Wilkins to a second 10-day contract, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.

Wilkins has appeared in 17 games off the bench for Atlanta this season, averaging 2.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.7 apg and 0.7 spg (.452 FG%, .684 FT%) in 11.7 mpg. The seventh-year veteran signed his first 10-day contract on January 8, 2011. He was originally signed by the Hawks on December 3, 2010, and waived on January 5, 2011.

Blake Griffin drops 47 and 14 on Pacers

Frank Burlison of the Los Angeles Daily News reports:

Griffin scored a career-high 47 points in just 36 minutes as the Clippers held off the Pacers 114-107 in front of 15,863 on Monday at Staples Center that seemed almost sluggish before Griffin began unleashing his ever-expanding scoring repertoire.

Griffin was whistled for charging into the Pacers’ Tyler Hansbrough just 44 seconds after the opening tip.

That proved to be one of the few times something good didn’t happen for coach Vinny Del Negro’s team when the ball was in Griffin’s hands.

Griffin, who grabbed 14 rebounds for his 27 th consecutive double-double, hit a 10-foot jump hook on the Clippers’ next possession and he was off and running – even if, at least until the fourth quarter, his team wasn’t.

In just eight minutes and 10 seconds on the floor, he went 5 of 7 from the field and made each of his three free throws for 13 points in a first quarter that ended with the Pacers ahead 31-26, largely because of former UCLA guard Darren Collison’s 17 points.

DeAndre Jordan is rising

Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News reports:

The fact is, everything is coming together for [Clippers center DeAndre] Jordan.

“I’m definitely getting very comfortable,” Jordan said after scoring eight points and grabbing eight rebounds in a 99-92 win over the Lakers. “The game is slowing down for me, it’s getting a lot easier.

“Everything is becoming second nature to me.”

In Jordan, Del Negro saw a young player high on physical ability but behind the curve on the nuances of playing center. Enter Iavaroni, who has worked relentlessly with Jordan on footwork, fundamentals and the mental side of the game – basic things like using his size, speed and leaping ability to become a force on the boards.

“(Jordan) has always had the (tremendous) athleticism,” Iavaroni said. “He now understands, `The more I go to the boards, the more (rebounds) I’m going to get.’ He understands how many rebounds he can grab by just being relentless.”

Beyond that, they are building an offensive base for Jordan, beginning with fundamental stuff at the basket.

“He could always run to the rim and catch lobs for dunks,” Iavaroni said. “We’re trusting that and throwing it to him more now.”

Rockets assign Ishmael Smith to D-League

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has assigned guard Ishmael Smith to Houston’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner Rio Grande Valley. The rookie guard will be available to play in the Vipers’ next home game on Tuesday, Jan. 18 against the Maine Red Claws.

Smith is the second Rockets player to be assigned to the Vipers this season, following rookie forward Patrick Patterson, who played in nine games for Rio Grande Valley during a month-long assignment from 11/9-12/13.

Smith (6-0, 175, Wake Forest), who earned a roster spot as an undrafted free agent this summer, has averaged 3.1 points, 2.4 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 24 games (three starts) with the Rockets.

Smith has also been inactive for 11 games and a DNP-CD for five others. As the team’s starting point guard during the 2010 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Smith posted averages of 7.8 points (.581, 18-31 FG) and a team-best 4.8 assists in five starts.

Tyrus Thomas suspended for foul on Emeka Okafor

Tyrus Thomas of the Charlotte Bobcats has been suspended one game without pay for his Flagrant Foul, Penalty Two against Emeka Okafor of the New Orleans Hornets, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

The incident, in which Thomas made elbow contact to Okafor’s head and was ejected following the Flagrant Foul, Penalty Two call, occurred with 2:38 remaining in the 4th period of the Bobcats 88-81 loss on Saturday to the New Orleans Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte.

Thomas will serve his suspension today when the Bobcats visit the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.

Brandon Roy will have surgery on both knees

Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy waits for a teammate's free throw against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at the Pepsi Center on April 1, 2010 in Denver. Portland lost to Denver 109-92. UPI/Gary C. Caskey Photo via Newscom

Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy will undergo arthroscopic surgery Monday on both knees, it was announced today by General Manager Rich Cho. The surgery will be performed by team physician Dr. Don Roberts in Vancouver, Wash.

Roy, 26, has missed 18 games this season (three games from Nov. 16-20 and the last 15 games beginning on Dec. 17) with a sore left knee.

A three-time NBA All-Star and 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year, Roy has led the team in scoring in each of the last three seasons. He holds career averages of 19.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.08 steals in 297 career games (295 starts).

In 23 games (all starts) this season, Roy has averaged 16.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.13 steals in 35.3 minutes per game. He scored 20 points or more in nine contests and led the team in scoring eight times.

Nuggets arena stores selling Carmelo Anthony jerseys at half price

You may have heard a Carmelo Anthony trade rumor or two over the last few months. The story has been ongoing seemingly forever, and it may reach its expected conclusion in the very near future.

Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post reports:

Apr. 25, 2010 - Salt Lake City, UTAH, USA - epa02131979 Denver Nugget's Carmelo Anthony drives to the basket during a game against the Utah Jazz in the first half of their Western Conference first round playoff game at the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, 25 April 2010.

The explanation given at the Pepsi Center gift shops was “an excess of inventory,” but it was a harbinger if there ever was one — Carmelo Anthony jerseys, 50 percent off.

It’s quite possible that Melo played his last game at the Pepsi Center on Saturday night. No, Anthony has not officially said he would agree to a trade to New Jersey. But all this could happen within the week; Denver plays at San Antonio tonight and then comes back home Wednesday.

The plan remains for the Nuggets to cook up the deal, likely to the Nets, and present it to Anthony, who Saturday spoke about the Nuggets . . . and his future elsewhere.

Asked Saturday what it would take for him to sign a three-year extension, with any team, Melo said: “I got to feel like I have a chance of reaching my ultimate goal of a championship. Going to a bigger market is cool, but if I feel like I have a chance of winning a championship here in Denver in the next five years, then I’d sign the extension.”

The Nuggets aren’t headed for a championship. Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin are on their way down, not up. Nene and J.R. Smith are pretty good, and then there’s Melo and some supporting parts. All signs point to Melo being traded in the coming days or weeks.

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