Month: February 2011

Antawn Jamison out 5-7 weeks with broken finger

Antawn Jamison out 5-7 weeks with broken finger

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Antawn Jamison sustained a fracture of his left little finger during last night’s game at The Q vs. Philadelphia.

X-rays taken at The Q confirmed the fracture. He was re-examined today at the Cleveland Clinic by Cavaliers Head Team Physician Dr. Richard Parker and Cleveland Clinic Innovations Chairman and Hand Surgeon, Dr. Thomas Graham.

It was determined that surgery will be required to repair his fractured finger. He is now scheduled to have that surgery tomorrow at the Marymount Surgery Center, which is located in the Cleveland Clinic Sports Health Center. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Graham with Dr. Parker assisting.

Antawn is projected to miss 5-7 weeks.

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

Wizards sign Mustafa Shakur

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed guard Mustafa Shakur.  Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

Shakur will be signed for the remainder of the season after being signed to two separate 10-day contracts earlier in the season (first on January 22 and then on February 12).  He averaged 3.3 points and 2.2 assists in six games during that stretch.

Wizards waive Mike Bibby

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has waived guard Mike Bibby after coming to a mutual agreement on a contract buyout.

“We agreed to terms with Mike on a buyout of his contract, which gives us increased financial flexibility and opens up more opportunities for us to continue to develop and evaluate our younger players,” said Grunfeld.

Bibby was acquired by the Wizards on February 23 along with Maurice Evans, Jordan Crawford and a 2011 first round pick from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong.  He appeared in two games for the Wizards, totaling two points and eight assists.

Tony Parker out 2-4 weeks

Tony Parker out 2-4 weeks

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that guard Tony Parker has been diagnosed with a strained left soleus after undergoing a MRI earlier today. He is expected to miss two to four weeks. He will not accompany the team on this week’s road trip to Memphis and Cleveland in order to begin his rehabilitation program in San Antonio.

Parker, in his 10th season with the Spurs, is averaging 17.1 points, 6.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.24 steals per game while shooting .518 from the field.  Parker is one of two players in the NBA to average at least 15.0 points, 5.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds and shoot at least .500 from the field.

Pistons president Dumars voices support for Coach Kuester

The following statement was released this afternoon by Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars.

“First of all, John Kuester has my full support as we try to make a push towards the postseason over these last 21 games.  We’ve had a long and proud history of being a first class organization that handles its business the right way.  We expect everyone that represents the Detroit Pistons to do so in a first class manner and that will continue as we move forward.”

Bobcats waive Morris Peterson

Bobcats waive Morris Peterson

Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has waived guard Morris Peterson. The Bobcats roster now stands at 14 players.

Peterson was acquired by the Bobcats along with forward DJ White from Oklahoma City in exchange for center Nazr Mohammed on Feb. 24.

The 6-7 Peterson is in his 11th season in the NBA, having played in 711 games for Toronto, New Orleans and Oklahoma City, and has career averages of 10.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 27.2 minutes.  Originally selected by the Raptors with the 21st pick in the 2000 NBA Draft, he was named to the All-Rookie First Team following the 2000-01 season.  Peterson has scored in double figures 362 times in his 711 career games and has averaged double-figure scoring in four of his full 10 NBA seasons, including a career-best 16.8 points for Toronto in 2005-06.

Nets sign Sundiata Gaines to 10-day contract

The New Jersey Nets have signed free agent guard Sundiata Gaines to a 10-day contract, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.  Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.

The 24-year old from University of Georgia has appeared in six games with Toronto and eight games with Minnesota this season.  In his 14 appearances, Gaines averaged 4.0 points, 1.0 rebound and 1.2 assists in 11.0 minutes per contest.

In 46 career NBA games, including 32 appearances with Utah in 2009-10, Gaines has averaged 3.5 points and 1.2 assists in 8.1 minutes while shooting .432 (60-139) from the field.

Mike Miller cleared to return for Heat

The AP reports:

Mike Miller cleared to return for Heat

Miami Heat swingman Mike Miller has been cleared to play after missing four games following several blows to the head.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says Miller will be on the roster Sunday night when Miami hosts the New York Knicks.

Miller has not played since Feb. 15. He was involved in jarring collisions in three consecutive games over five days and was checked several times for concussionlike symptoms

Gregg Popovich surprised by all the trades

Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News reports:

Gregg Popovich surprised by all the trades

There was so much trade activity last week, even Gregg Popovich was surprised and impressed.

“Yes, I was,” said the Spurs coach. “Usually it’s much ado about nothing. This time all those rumors and situations that were talked about in the papers and on TV and on those fancy machines everybody carries around, most of them came about, and even some surprises that nobody had talked about. So there was a great deal of activity that surprised me.”

What should we make of all that surprising activity?

Don’t ask Popovich, now the longest-tenured coach in the league.

“I have no control over what any of those players might do with any of their (new) teams,” he said. “but when we play each of them, I’ll concentrate on what’s going on with that team. But ahead of that, I’ll spend no time contemplating what it means for everyone.”