January 2013 – Page 26 – NBA Blog

Idea of NBA arena in Virginia Beach may not materialize

After years of talks, hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on consulting reports, and most recently an NBA team looking to re-locate, time seems to be running out on plans to build a new arena in Virginia Beach with the Sacramento Kings as the building’s main tenant.

Today, Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms and Peter Lukko, the president of Comcast Spectacor, will release a joint statement regarding their ongoing negotiations to get the arena deal done.

Unfortunately, those negotiations are at a stand-still.

— Reported by Bruce Rader of WAVY TV 10

NYC Mayor Bloomberg says he pushed Stephen Jackson

Just call him the Knicks’ sixth man.

Mayor Bloomberg put a full-court press on Spurs forward Stephen Jackson before the player left a Knicks game Thursday with a sprained ankle.

The Knicks ended up winning easily, 100-83.

Fans reported Jackson tripped on a waitress, who was crouched on the sidelines with her back to the Madison Square Garden court while serving a drink to the mayor.

“He didn’t fall on her,” Bloomberg revealed yesterday during a press conference in The Bronx dealing with schools. “He came close and I just pushed him a little bit.”

The mayor acknowledged it would be “great for New York” if the Knicks and the Nets made it into the playoffs, but he insisted that fouling Jackson was an instinctive, defensive move and not part of a secret strategy.

— Reported by David Seifman of the New York Post

Grizzlies, Suns discussing a Rudy Gay trade

The Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns are engaged in trade talks centered on forward Rudy Gay, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Grizzlies have been shopping Gay to multiple teams, and found an interested trade partner with the Suns, sources said.

There’s no framework of a possible deal in place, but the Grizzlies have expressed a strong desire that any package involving Gay include Suns forward Jared Dudley and future first-round draft picks, sources said.

In an effort to avoid paying luxury tax in the short term, as well as get off the $17.8 million and $19.3 million owed Gay in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons, new Memphis management has aggressively shopped Gay.

— Reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports

Bucks and coach Scott Skiles part ways

The Milwaukee Bucks and Scott Skiles have mutually agreed to part ways after his four-plus seasons as head coach, General Manager John Hammond announced today. Assistant Jim Boylan will assume head coaching duties for the remainder of the season.

“Scott and I met yesterday after practice and after some honest discussion, we both came to the conclusion that it was best to part ways,” Hammond said. “It is never an easy decision to make, but in the end a decision we felt was best for both parties. I want to thank Scott for his hard work, dedication and the imprint he leaves on our team and our entire organization. We all wish him and his family well.”

In four-plus seasons as head coach of the Bucks, Skiles compiled a 162-182 regular season record (.471), including a 46-36 mark in the 2009-10 campaign when the Bucks took Atlanta to seven games in the First Round of the NBA Playoffs. He was named the 11th head coach in Bucks franchise history on April 21, 2008, replacing Larry Krystkowiak.

“John and I met and mutually agreed that a coaching change would be in the best interest of both parties,” Skiles said.

“The Senator, the people of Wisconsin, and especially those in the Bucks organization have been very kind to me, my wife, and family. I am truly grateful for our time here. We are leaving with many fond memories.

“I believe this team can and will have success in the next 50 games and postseason. I want to thank the players for all of their hard work. I wish them all the best.”

Skiles amassed an overall record of 443-433 (.506) as an NBA head coach, which also includes stints with the Chicago Bulls and the Phoenix Suns. In his 12-plus seasons with the Suns, Bulls and Bucks, Skiles coached in six NBA postseasons (42 games, 18-24 record). He was originally hired as an assistant coach to Danny Ainge in Phoenix, a post he held for two-plus seasons. Prior to that he served as the head coach of PAOK in Greece.

Boylan, 57, has been the lead assistant coach for the Bucks the past four seasons, joining the team after finishing the final 56 games (24-32, .429) of the 2007-08 season as the interim head coach of the Chicago Bulls. His NBA coaching career began in 1992 with Cleveland and has also served as an assistant with Vancouver (1997-2000), Phoenix (2000-02), Atlanta (2003-04) and Chicago (2004-08).

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Gordon Hayward scores 27 to lift Jazz over Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks had no answer for Gordon Hayward.

Hayward scored a season-high 27 points, including four 3-pointers [plus six rebounds and five assists], to lead the Utah Jazz past Dallas 100-94 on Monday night.

”He hurt us all night long,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said of Hayward. ”He’s a very athletic player. He is very skilled and he understands how to play. He got to us time and time again.”

Hayward hit back-to-back 3s and Marvin Williams followed with another to get the Jazz even at halftime. Hayward drained another with 2:19 left in the fourth to bump Utah’s lead to 93-86.

Dirk Nowitzki scored six straight for Dallas after that but also was called for a charge with 32 seconds remaining as he tried to get Dallas within two…

Nowitzki led the Mavs with 20 points in his second start this season after missing the first 27 games because of offseason knee surgery…

Derrick Favors tangled with Nowitzki in the lane, leaving him in a heap on the floor. The 14th-year pro had others swiping at him…

Al Jefferson added 15 points and 11 rebounds for Utah (18-18), which has won both meetings with Dallas this season.

— Reported by Lynn DeBruin of the Associated Press

Celtics beat Knicks in first matchup of the season

Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Garnett jawed from baseline to midcourt, and Anthony still had more to say.

So the Knicks forward went toward the Celtics locker room after the game to keep shouting, taking his frustrations from the court right along with him and perhaps risking an NBA suspension.

Paul Pierce scored 23 points, and Boston beat New York 102-96 on Monday night in a heated first meeting of the season between the Atlantic Division rivals.

Anthony left without talking to reporters and the Knicks wouldn’t comment on Anthony’s postgame trip in the wrong direction, but Celtics coach Doc Rivers didn’t deny it.

”I’m going to let you all figure that one out. I’m going to stay out of that,” Rivers said. ”If it was the playoffs I’d tell on him, but since it’s not I’m going to just be quiet.”

Rivers didn’t need to. MSG Network reported the incident, in which security had to step in and send Anthony back in the right direction, as it went to its postgame show, and the league likely will investigate and could penalize the Knicks’ leading scorer…

Garnett added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics, who even without the suspended Rajon Rondo won their third straight and finally are playing like the team that has ruled the division for the last half-decade…

Anthony had 20 points but shot 6 of 26 while battling his temper, Garnett and foul trouble…

J.R. Smith led the Knicks with 24 points. Tyson Chandler had 13 points and 17 rebounds.

— Reported by Brian Mahoney of the Associated Press

Trail Blazers beat Magic 125-119 in overti

Wesley Matthews thinks the Trail Blazers are better suited for overtime.

That made it tough on the Orlando Magic, who were handed their ninth straight loss in Portland’s 125-119 overtime victory on Monday night. The Blazers have won all five of their games that have gone into extra periods this season.

LaMarcus Aldridge led the Blazers with 27 points and 10 rebounds, and Matthews finished with 24 points – including a dunk that all but sealed it with less than a minute left.

Both teams were clearly exhausted by the end.

”It’s alright. We’ll take it,” Matthews said. ”For whatever reason, this team is built for overtime. I’d rather not go into it, I’d rather win it in regulation. But we dug deep.”

J.J. Hickson added 20 points and 15 rebounds for his 20th double-double this season for the Blazers, who have won three straight overall and 11 of their last 14 games.

It was Portland’s eighth straight win at the Rose Garden.

Nicolas Batum, who finished with 16 points and 10 assists, said Portland’s OT successes are a credit to how well the players have come to know each other.

— Reported by Anne M. Peterson of the Associated Press

Eric Gordon carries Hornets to victory over Spurs

Hornets fans grew restless as guard Eric Gordon sat out much of the early season rehabilitating his injured knee.

A New Year’s Day appearance at New Orleans Arena was met with a mixture of cheers as well as jeers.

But Gordon may be turning those dissenters into fans, proving he may just be worth the Hornets nearly $60 million investment.

Gordon scored 24 points, including six consecutive in a critical fourth quarter run, to lead the Hornets to a 95-88 victory over San Antonio on Monday night.

”That’s one of the key things I do best when it comes to late-game situations or if anything gets tough,” Gordon said. ”I like to take guys one on one and I’m able to get a shot off and get a good shot. I look forward to that.

”I love those situations,” he said.

Anthony Davis added 17 points, Greivis Vasquez 14 and Ryan Anderson 13 for the Hornets, who have won two consecutive games for the first time since Nov. 2-3, the second and third games of the season…

Manu Ginobili scored 21 points to lead the Spurs, who had won eight of their previous nine, dating to a 99-94 victory over the Hornets in San Antonio on Dec. 21.

Tony Parker added 16 points, Tim Duncan 13 and Kawhi Leonard 10 for San Antonio. Duncan was 5 of 14, at one point missing five consecutive shots in the third quarter.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Carmelo Anthony tried to get at Kevin Garnett after Knicks-Celtics game

The Boston Celtics had the last word on the court after some tough talk between Kevin Garnett and Knicks star Carmelo Anthony, but Anthony reportedly twice tried to continue the conversation after the game — going as far as waiting by the Celtics’ team bus.

The pair of stars had engaged in a tussle that resulted in a double technical foul in the intense fourth quarter of the Celtics’ 102-96 victory at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. Afterwards, MSG Network reported Anthony screamed as he headed toward the Celtics’ locker room after the game.

Anthony’s persistence in trying to meet up with Garnett after the game is likely to gain the NBA’s attention and could draw a suspension and fine…

Boston coach Doc Rivers declined to elaborate on the post-game incident by the Celtics’ locker room, but when asked about Anthony coming over there, the coach indicated there was something to talk about.

“I’m gonna stay out of that,” Rivers said. “If it was the playoffs, I’d tell on him, but since it’s not, I’ll just keep it quiet.”

He added that it’s fine for things to get heated during the game, but that they shouldn’t carry over.

But a video later posted by Comcast SportsNet New England later showed Anthony, dressed in street clothes, waiting by the Celtics’ team bus. The video shows several security members standing by him along with Knicks coach Mike Woodson. One of the security members gently put his hand on Anthony and the Knicks forward nudged it away.

The video cuts off as Woodson appears to be talking to Anthony, but the New York Daily News cited a source on the scene as saying Woodson ordered the player to leave peacefully.

— Reported by Dave Buscema of the Sports Xchange

Video of Melo waiting for Kevin Garnett near bus after the game

Wizards step up and beat the Thunder

Bradley Beal didn’t have a plan. What he had was a good move.

Beal made a jumper with 0.3 seconds left Monday night, lifting the short-handed Washington Wizards a 101-99 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, who missed 16 straight shots at one stretch.

Beal used a pump fake to get open for the 16-footer that gave the Wizards (5-28) their second win this season over last year’s NBA finalists.

”I didn’t know what I was going to do to be honest with you,” Beal said. ”Coach just said go make a play.”

Once Beal sent the Thunder (26-8) to the showers, they were doused with cold water in the away arena.

The Wizards (5-28), playing without their top two scorers, had lost 13 of their previous 14, but they also beat the Miami Heat earlier in the season. Beal and Martell Webster led the Washington with 22 points each.

Kevin Seraphin added 19 points, and Emeka Okafor had 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Kevin Durant, who had 29 points, drove through the lane for a thunderous dunk to cut Oklahoma City’s deficit to 95-94 with just more than two minutes left. Martell Webster answered with a four-point play to give the Wizards a 99-94 lead…

Serge Ibaka stepped up as Durant’s complement, scoring 26 points and grabbing 11 rebounds…

Nene (right knee tendinitis) and Jordan Crawford (sore left ankle) missed the game with injuries.

— Reported by the Associated Press