February 2011 – Page 4 – NBA Blog

Deron Williams reacts to leaving Jazz

Jody Genessy of the Deseret News reports:

“Everything happens for a reason. You take everything in stride,” Williams told Craig Bolerjack [FSN]. “But I had a great five-and-a-half years here in Utah. The fans have always been great to me. They’ve been the best. They’ve been so supportive through everything, and I’m going to miss them. I’m definitely going to miss them, miss the organization. We had a great organization, great times and great wins.”

Williams admitted it was very hard walking onto the bus and telling his teammates goodbye Wednesday morning as they left for shootaround without him.

“It’s tough, man. I’ve got great teammates, great coaches. I wanted to just say goodbye to them. It’s the last time I’m going to play with a lot of them,” Williams said. “I’ve had a lot of great years with those guys in the locker room. I’ve been here with C.J. (Miles) since I came and Paul (Millsap) for the last five years. Those guys I’m going to miss. Ronnie Price. We had a great group of guys in the locker room.”

Knicks fans welcome Carmelo Anthony

Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reports:

They started standing in Madison Square Garden at the 15-minute mark, when a faraway shot of the Knicks hallway huddle was shown on the JumboTron. They stayed standing, some 19,000 strong, while Carmelo Anthony went through warmups and grooved to “STAT and Melo,” a remix of Wiz Khalifa’s “Black and Yellow” was played. And they gave Anthony a thundering ovation when his spot in the lineup was announced. Carmelo Anthony may have been excited to be in New York but no more than New York was excited to have him.

This is what they wanted, city and player. Anthony wanted to play in a big market — a big east coast market, if possible — and play on a team with a chance to win. New York won’t win a championship this season, but with Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, both 26, they have the building blocks of a potential dynasty. A couple of good drafts, a free agent or two, maybe another big deal (hello, Chris Paul) and the Knicks should be in business.

The fans wanted it, too. They liked Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton and Wilson Chandler. And Timofey Mozgov was starting to grow on them. But Anthony? They love Anthony. Late Monday night when news of the deal first broke, a cluster of weary people waiting in a cab line at JFK airport clutching BlackBerry’s burst out in a staggered cheer. On Wednesday it wasn’t just the Garden that was sold out; outside the arena hundreds of fans, some carrying hand made signs with messages to Anthony, pressed near the building to watch the game on the big screens hanging from the walls.

Nets trade Troy Murphy to Warriors for Brandan Wright, Dan Gadzuric

The New Jersey Nets have acquired forward Brandan Wright and center Dan Gadzuric from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for forward Troy Murphy and the Nets’ second round draft pick in 2012, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.

“We are very pleased to add Dan and Brandan to our roster,” said King. “Dan is an NBA veteran who will add depth to our frontcourt rotation, while Brandan is a young player who we feel has significant room to grow and develop in our system.”

Wright, 6’10”, 220, was selected by the Charlotte Bobcats with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft. He was then traded to Golden State for Jason Richardson and the draft rights to Jermareo Davidson. The fourth-year forward from North Carolina holds career averages of 5.7 points and 3.0 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per contest. Wright missed the entire 2009-10 season after having left shoulder surgery, an injury that he suffered in training camp. In 21 games, one start, with the Warriors this season, he averaged 4.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 9.3 minutes while shooting .603 (38-63) from the field.

Gadzuric, 6’11”, 245, was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks (34th overall) in the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft. Currently in his ninth NBA season, the Den Haag, Netherlands native holds career averages of 4.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 14.9 minutes. In 511 career games, including 159 starts, he is shooting .502 (1,032-2,057) from the field and .501 (362-722) from the line. In 12 career postseason games, he averaged 3.3 points and 2.4 rebounds while shooting .633 (19-30) from the field in 8.4 minutes. This season, Gadzuric has played in 28 games, four starts, and averaged 2.8 points and 3.1 rebounds in 10.6 minutes while shooting .420 (37-88) from the field.

Murphy, acquired by New Jersey on August 11, 2010 from Indiana, has played in 18 games for the Nets this season, averaging 3.6 points and 4.2 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per game. The 6’11” forward has played in 639 NBA games with Golden State, Indiana and New Jersey, with career averages of 11.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.

Wizards trade Kirk Hinrich, Hilton Armstrong to Hawks for Mike Bibby, Maurice Evans, Jordan Crawford, pick

The Atlanta Hawks tonight acquired guard Kirk Hinrich and center/forward Hilton Armstrong from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Mike Bibby, Maurice Evans, Jordan Crawford and a draft pick, according to Hawks Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.

“We felt we had a good opportunity to improve our ballclub by adding Kirk and Hilton,” Sund said. “Kirk is a well-rounded player that gives us options at both guard positions. In addition to being a solid and hard-nosed defender, he is a good shooter who can also distribute the ball. His resume includes significant playoff experience as well. Hilton can play both center and power forward, and will add frontcourt depth.”

“I sincerely want to thank Mike, Mo and Jordan for their contributions both on and off the court in Atlanta, and wish them well in the future.”

In his eighth NBA season, Hinrich was averaging 11.1 ppg, 4.4 apg (tied for 29th in the NBA), 2.7 rpg and 1.3 spg in 30.6 mpg (.452 FG%, .384 3FG%, .876 FT%) with the Wizards, appearing in 48 contests (29 starting assignments).

Taken with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft by Chicago, Hinrich spent his first seven pro seasons with the Bulls before being traded to Washington on July 8, 2010 along with the draft rights to Kevin Seraphin in exchange for the draft rights to Vladimir Veremeenko. With career averages of 13.2 ppg, 5.7 apg, 3.3 rpg and 1.3 spg (.417 FG%, .379 3FG%, .814 FT%), Hinrich has played in 562 career regular season games (462 starts). In 34 playoff contests (27 starts), he has averaged 15.3 ppg, 5.8 apg, 3.7 rpg and 1.4 spg (.421 FG%, .405 3FG%, .757 FT%).

Named to the NBA’s All-Defensive second team in 2007, he is Chicago’s all-time leader in three-pointers made (812) and attempted (2,144), while ranking fourth in team history in assists (3,004) and steals (655). The former Kansas University standout was teammates with Joe Johnson on the 2006 USA Men’s World Championship Team. Kirk James Hinrich was born January 2, 1981 in Sioux City, Iowa.

Armstrong saw action in 41 games (two starts) for the Wizards this season, his first in Washington, averaging 1.9 ppg and 2.8 rpg (.484 FG%, .609 FT%). The fifth-year pro was drafted in the first round (12th overall) by New Orleans in the 2006 NBA Draft and spent his first three-plus seasons with the Hornets. Armstrong also played for Sacramento and Houston during the 2009-10 season. The 6-11 University of Connecticut product owns career averages of 3.2 ppg and 2.6 rpg (.502 FG%, .603 FT%) in 265 games (39 starts). He has also seen action in 12 career playoff games, putting up 3.0 ppg and 2.3 rpg (.538 FG%, .400 FT%). Hilton A. Armstrong Jr. was born November 23, 1984 in Peekskill, NY.

Bibby started 56 games this season for the Hawks, posting averages of 9.4 ppg, 3.6 apg and 2.6 rpg (.435 FG%, .441 3FG%, .630 FT%). He appeared in 248 regular season games and 29 playoff contests as a Hawk after being acquired by Atlanta from the Sacramento Kings on February 16, 2008, and re-signed on July 13, 2009.

Signed by the Hawks as a free agent on July 29, 2008, Evans has played in 47 games (12 starts) this season, posting averages of 4.5 ppg and 1.8 rpg (.393 FG%, .315 3FG%, .857 FT%). In his three years with in Atlanta, Evans has seen action in 206 regular season contests, and 22 playoff games (starting eight).

Acquired by the Hawks on draft night 2010 (June 24) from the New Jersey Nets after being selected 27th overall from Xavier University, Crawford has totaled 4.2 ppg and 1.8 rpg (.351 FG%, .333 3FG%, .667 FT%) in 16 contests.

La La Vazquez, wife of Carmelo Anthony, gets VH1 reality show

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.

VH1 has teamed up with actress and television personality La La Vazquez for the new series “La La’s Full Court Life” (working title). Slated for premiere in August, 2011, the 10 episode, 30 minute docu-series, which began filming in January, will continue where the wedding special, “La La’s Full Court Wedding” left off as La La and her husband, NBA Forward Carmelo Anthony, prepare for a sudden move to New York City, where he will play for the New York Knicks.

The wedding may be over but the fun is just beginning for La La. With the sudden news that her husband is being traded to the New York Knicks, La La will deal with new adventures in matrimony and parenthood as she prepares to move back home to New York City. Along the way, viewers will also see La La juggle her busy acting and television hosting career and seek advice from some of her famous friends, including 50 Cent, Kelly Rowland, Trina and Serena Williams to name a few.

“Viewers connect with La La because despite the fairy tale wedding and NBA star husband, she is a real, down to Earth, hardworking woman who stays true to herself,” said Jeff Olde, EVP, Original Programming and Production, VH1. “The best thing about the new series is that while pursuing and realizing her dreams, La La gets to take us back to her home in New York, where her story began.”

VH1’s “La La’s Full Court Life” is executive produced by Cris Abrego for 51 Minds Entertainment, La La Vazquez and Carmelo Anthony for Krossover Entertainment, and Steven Grossman on behalf of The Collective. The series was created by Cris Abrego, La La Vazquez, and Steven Grossman. 51 Minds is an LLC Endemol Company, who also produced the record-breaking series “Rock of Love,” “Flavor of Love,” “Charm School,” and “I Love New York.” The production teams’ programming launched VH1 into their highest ratings ever. Ben Samek and Rabih Gholam are also executive producers for the series and the company. For VH1, the series is executive produced by Jill Holmes, Kristen Kelly and Jeff Olde.

Mike Dunleavy out with broken left thumb

The Indiana Pacers announced Wednesday that guard/forward Mike Dunleavy will be out indefinitely after sustaining a broken left thumb in the Pacers’ victory at Washington Tuesday night.

Dunleavy will meet with doctors Thursday and an update will be provided after those meetings.

Dunleavy had played in 54 of the Pacers’ 55 games this season, starting 44. He was averaging 11.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

Hornets trade Marcus Thornton to Kings for Carl Landry

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have acquired forward Carl Landry from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for guard Marcus Thornton and cash considerations.

“This is a trade that benefits both teams as Carl is a player we have looked to acquire for a long time and we hope to be a big part of our long term success,” said Hornets GM Dell Demps. “Carl is a high character person that will add a scoring punch to our front court while providing toughness and the ability to make plays. In order to get a good player, we had to give up a good player. We wish Marcus nothing but the best because he has a bright future in front of him. We want to thank Marcus for his contributions, energy and professionalism.”

Landry (6-9, 248), who was drafted in the second round (31st overall) by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2007 NBA Draft and then traded on draft night to the Houston Rockets, averaged 11.9 points and 4.8 rebounds in 53 games (16 starts) this season for the Kings. Landry played two and a half seasons for the Rockets before being dealt to the Rockets midway through the 2009-10 season in a three-team, nine-player deal that sent Kevin Martin to the Rockets. Landry’s best season came in 2009-10, when he averaged career-highs of 16.8 points on .536 percent shooting, 5.9 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 30.9 minutes in 80 games (29 starts). After joining the Kings in late February, he posted averages of 18.0 points and 6.5 rebounds in 37.6 minutes over 28 games (all starts). Landry was named to the NBA All-Rookie second team after the 2007-08 season when he posted averages of 8.1 points and 4.9 rebounds in 42 games. The Purdue product ranks second all-time in school history in career field goal percentage and sixth in scoring average. He averaged 18.4 points on .602 percent shooting, 7.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.81 blocks in 64 games at Purdue.

“Carl is a tenacious rebounder who doesn’t back down inside along with being a proven low post scorer and we look forward to having those attributes on our team,” said Head Coach Monty Williams. “I feel good about being involved in the development of Marcus as a player on and off the court this year as it’s never easy to part with a talented and good person but I know he will continue to grow and thrive with his new team.”

Thornton (6-4, 205) was selected in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft by the Miami HEAT and then traded to New Orleans on draft night. The LSU product has appeared in 46 games this season for the Hornets, averaging 7.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists. Last season, Thornton was named to the NBA All-Rookie second team, after averaging 14.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 73 games (17 starts). assists and 0.81 blocks in 64 games at Purdue.

Gallinari, Felton react to being traded to Nuggets

Jonathan Abrams of the New York Times reports:

“I’m not sad,” Danilo Gallinari said. “I don’t have any particular emotions now. When I first came there, three years ago, that’s the mentality that you have to approach the N.B.A. Anything can happen, so you can’t be mad at some trades. You’ve just got to live with it and do the best you can. They pay me to play basketball. That’s the only thing I’ve got to concentrate on and do.”

Raymond Felton said he was tired of talking about the trade, even though it had been official for only a few hours.

“I’m here where a team wants me,” Felton said. “The Denver Nuggets wanted me. New York didn’t, so that’s why things happened.”

Felton sent a message through his agent to Denver management asking that none of the incoming Knicks be traded before Thursday’s deadline. He wanted to show their worth together, he said.

“I’m happy to be here,” Felton said. “I don’t even want to hear about it or talk about the trade no more. We’ve done talked about it for three months straight and I don’t even want to talk about no trade. I’m a Denver Nugget now, and I’m happy to be here.”

Mike Miller still out for Heat

Shandel Richardson of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports:

Miami Heat forward Mike Miller will not play Thursday against the Chicago Bulls, marking the third straight game he will miss.

Miller did not travel with the team Wednesday. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said the decision was based on an ear infection and not Miller’s recent battle with head injuries. He suffered three head-related injuries during collisions in games against the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics.

“He still has a lingering ear infection and he’s not able to fly, so we’re not taking him with us,” Spoelstra said. “It’s not anything that has to do with the concussion. It’s his ear infection. We need to take care of that. He’s feeling better.”

Jazz thought Deron Williams might eventually leave

Ian Thomsen of Sports Illustrated reports:

The Jazz realized their relationship with Williams was headed toward the same cliff as LeBron, Bosh and Carmelo, and so they decided to make the best of a hopeless future. Will they next seek to move other expensive commitments to Al Jefferson (owed $29 million over the next two years), Paul Millsap ($16.7 million over the next two years) and/or Mehmet Okur ($10.9 million next year) in order to pare down the payroll and ready themselves to exploit the next collective bargaining agreement? Do they try to trade Andrei Kirilenko’s expiring $17.8 million for long-term prospects, or do they allow his contract to expire this summer for payroll relief?

First, Jerry Sloan leaves, now Williams is sent away. For two decades we knew who the Utah Jazz were and what they stood for as a franchise. Now we, and they, have no idea. They can pursue the same objectives as always, but with no certainty of replicating the discipline and excellence that defined them for so long.

All we know for sure are these two things: 1) the Jazz, who were No. 8 in the West before the Williams trade, will undoubtedly fall out of the playoffs without their leading playmaker and scorer; and 2) the owners of the mid- and small-market teams like Utah will be more galvanized than ever to create a system that can enable them to retain their best players.