Month: January 2014

Carmelo Anthony wishes he could attend Super Bowl

Even NBA stars sometimes suffer off-court disappointments, people. Here’s New York Newsday with an item on Carmelo Anthony:

Carmelo Anthony wishes he could attend Super Bowl

Carmelo Anthony can’t believe the Super Bowl is so close to home and he won’t be able to go to it.

The Knicks play the Heat at Madison Square Garden Saturday night, but will fly Sunday to Milwaukee. They play the Bucks Monday night, but according to NBA rules teams have to be in the city the night before the game.

“We got to go, man,” Anthony said. “I wish we can go to the Super Bowl. Rarely do we get a chance to participate in the Super Bowl and the events and stuff that’s going on around here.”

Los Angeles D-Fenders sign Shawne Williams

Los Angeles D-Fenders sign Shawne Williams

The Los Angeles D-Fenders have acquired former Los Angeles Lakers forward Shawne Williams, by way of a successful waiver claim, it was announced today by General Manager Nick Mazzella.

Williams (6’9” / 230) was selected in the first round (17th selection) of the 2006 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. Most recently, he spent 32 games (11 starts) with the Lakers this season, posting averages of 5.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in 20.2 minutes. The Memphis native has appeared in 247 career NBA games (34 starts) with the Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets and Lakers. Williams has also played for Guangzhou Liu Sui, of the Chinese National Basketball League.

An alumnus of the University of Memphis, Williams averaged 13.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists in his lone season with the Tigers (2005-06). Williams led Memphis to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament, along with Conference-USA regular season and tournament championships in 2006. The Laurinburg Institute graduate also earned Conference-USA Freshman of the year, All-Conference-USA third team and Conference-USA Tournament MVP honors.

Royal Ivey likely off to play basketball in China

Here’s the Oklahoman with a report on guard Royal Ivey, whose time with the Thunder will reportedly be followed by basketball work in China:

Royal Ivey likely off to play basketball in China

Royal Ivey’s latest stint in the NBA came with an unblemished record. And it will end that way.

During his recent 10-day contract with the Thunder, which expired on Sunday, Ivey received an offer to play in China.

And because of that, the likable but sporadically used Thunder guard will hop overseas for the final month-and-a-half of the Chinese season, rather than signing another 10-day contract with the Thunder.

During Ivey’s 10 days in OKC, he only appeared in two games, playing five minutes and grabbing one rebound. But his arrival coincided with the team’s sudden turnaround. The Thunder went 7-0 with Ivey.

Photo: Melo and Kobe talking in New York

Sunday in New York the Knicks hosted the Los Angeles Lakers. With Kobe Bryant and several other Lakers out injured, the Knicks, led by Carmelo Anthony’s 35 points, came away with a 110-103 win.

Will Melo someday bolt New York and join up with Bryant and the Lakers? For now, that’s just baseless speculation, and there’s no concrete reason to believe it’ll happen. While you ponder this, enjoy this photo of Melo and Kobe saying hello after the game:

Tyreke Evans puts up huge game for Pelicans

Here’s the New Orleans Times-Picayune reporting on the Pelicans, who enjoyed a big performance from Tyreke Evans yesterday:

Tyreke Evans puts up huge game for Pelicans

After sitting out of Friday’s win at Detroit with flu-like symptoms, New Orleans Pelicans reserve swingman Tyreke Evans didn’t appear to be ailing Sunday night.

Evans returned to action, scoring a team-high 23 points in the Pelicans’ 100-92 victory against the Orlando Magic at the New Orleans Arena.

“I’m feeling much better,” Evans said. “I had a lot of confidence tonight, and it really helped me out.”

Before Sunday’s game, Evans was put through a rigorous workout by the Pelicans’ coaches in an effort to build up Evans’ stamina. Evans obviously made it through the session and the game just fine.

Playing 28 minutes, Evans also had seven rebounds and seven assists to go along with his point total on 7-of-13 shooting. He also made 9-of-11 free throws.

Chris Johnson expected to get another 10-day deal from Celtics

Here’s CSNNE reporting on the Boston Celtics, who may keep Chris Johnson around a bit longer:

Chris Johnson had one more shot to impress the Boston Celtics’ brass before his 10-day contract would be over.

And just as he has done throughout his time with the Celtics, he didn’t disappoint which is why Boston is expected to sign him to a second, 10-day contract prior to Tuesday’s game against the New York Knicks.

Johnson’s contract, signed on Jan. 17, was set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday.

“The coaches and GMs like me. That’s a good thing,” Johnson told CSNNE.com. “I’m just going to stay after it and stay hungry.”

Lakers sign Manny Harris to second 10-day contract

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Manny Harris to a second 10-day contract, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

In five games with the Lakers this season, Harris is averaging 6.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 20.9 minutes.

Before signing his first 10-Day contract with the Lakers on January 16th, Harris was most recently a member of the Los Angeles D-Fenders, the Lakers’ NBA Development League affiliate, and was the D-League’s leading scorer at 30.6 points per game. Overall, in 13 games with the D-Fenders (13 starts) this season, Harris averaged 30.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.1 steals while shooting 48.5% from the field. On January 13, Harris was named the NBA D-League Performer of the Week for the second consecutive time, and fourth time in his career.

In his previous 80 career NBA games (20 starts) with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, the Detroit, Michigan native averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 17.4 minutes per game.

Deron Williams playing well off bench for Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets are winning lately, having enjoyed victories in nine of their last ten games. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it — right? Point guard Deron Williams, who certainly gets paid like a starter, has been coming off the bench, and chemistry-wise it’s been working. It’ll be interesting to see how long this continues. Here’s ESPN New York on the situation:

Deron Williams playing well off bench for Nets

Since returning to the lineup, Deron Williams has given the Brooklyn Nets’ second unit a major lift.

In his third game coming off the bench Friday night, Williams had 18 points — 14 in the second half — and 11 assists to just one turnover in 35 minutes.

“I felt pretty good,” said Williams, who has dealt with ankle injuries all season. “I’m getting a rhythm back and trying to get healthy and get back to playing like I’m capable.”

Williams made the selfless decision to work his way back into the rotation slowly, rather than disrupt the chemistry that starters Shaun Livingston, Alan Anderson, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett have formed.

Coach Larry Drew feeling frustration in Milwaukee

Here’s the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporting on Bucks coach Larry Drew, whose team through Saturday’s games is 8-35 this season, which is the worst record in the NBA:

Coach Larry Drew feeling frustration in Milwaukee

Larry Drew has been frustrated plenty of times this season.

But it was quite visible Saturday night after the Milwaukee Bucks coach emerged from a 21-minute post-game meeting with his players, following the Bucks’ 112-87 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

And he didn’t mince words when asked about the Bucks’ lack of competitiveness against a short-handed Hawks team that was missing two of its best players – Al Horford and Jeff Teague.

“I’m disappointed in everybody, myself included,” Drew said. “We’re just not playing hard enough. I don’t care what the situation is. And again, me included.

“We’re paid to play hard. I’m paid to coach this team to the best of my ability and get these guys ready to play.”