January 2014 – Page 5 – NBA Blog

Dell Curry not afraid to compete with Stephen Curry in shootout

Here’s the Bay Area News Group on how some famous old dudes feel they’d do in a shooting contest against some famous young dudes:

The Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have been touted as one of the best shooting duos in NBA history, but might a couple of 40-somethings be able to beat them in a shooting contest?

Dell Curry, Stephen’s father, and former Charlotte Hornets teammate Glen Rice think they can pull it off even against the young guns who have poured in 260 3-pointers a little more than halfway through this season.

“Just shooting, I could hold my own,” Dell Curry told SiriusXM NBA Radio on Friday. “Absolutely. I know Glen Rice could. I would take the old guys in that.

“When I’m shooting against my son, I’m really focused.”

Spurs sign Othyus Jeffers to 10-day contract

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed guard/forward Othyus Jeffers to a 10-day contract.

Jeffers, 6-5/200, most recently played for the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League. Through 22 games this season, Jeffers was averaging 22.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.50 steals in 38.3 minutes per game while shooting .501 (176-351) from the field. Prior to his call-up, Jeffers ranked sixth in the D-League in scoring, third in rebounding and second in steals per game.

The Robert Morris University product previously saw action in one game for the Spurs during the 2010-11 season. He has also suited up for the Utah Jazz (2009-10) and the Washington Wizards (2010-11) during his NBA career. In 31 career NBA games, the Illinois native has averaged 4.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 12.7 minutes.

In between NBA stints, Jeffers has played in 162 D-League games, all with the Energy, averaging 19.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.97 steals in 35.8 minutes.

Jeffers will wear jersey No. 7 and will be available tonight when the Spurs begin their three-game road trip in Atlanta.

Photo: Brooklyn Nets alternate home sleeved jersey

The Brooklyn Nets today unveiled their alternate home jersey, which will be worn on Brooklyn Blue Nights at Barclays Center. The team will debut the jersey when they host the Boston Celtics for the first of five Brooklyn Blue Nights on Friday, March 21. The short-sleeve, v-neck jersey features a grey body with blue piping and trim line, and a signature blue Brooklyn wordmark across the chest.

76ers sign Dewayne Dedmon to second 10-day contract

The Philadelphia 76ers today announced that they have signed center Dewayne Dedmon to a second 10-day contract. Dedmon signed his first 10-day contract with the Sixers on January 14, 2014. At the time, he was the 12th “Call-Up” of the 2013-14 NBA Development League season.

Dedmon (7-0, 255) has appeared in five games for the Sixers and is averaging four points, six rebounds and a block in 15 minutes per game while shooting 50% from the floor.

Mark Cuban is probably not going to sell the Dallas Mavericks to you

Here’s the Dallas Morning News blog with an update on Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who, if you haven’t figured this out yet, kind of likes owning the team:

The Mavericks have been valued at $765 million by Forbes magazine, but that’s a low-ball number as far as owner Mark Cuban is concerned.

“They’re way too low,” he said.

So if somebody showed up with $765 million in his pocket and wanted the team he’s owned since 2000, what would Cuban do?

“I’d laugh at them,” he said. “I think we’re worth well over a billion. I think within the next five years, and this is just a guess, if the economy continues to get a little better and sports still stays in demand, every NBA franchise will be worth at least a billion dollars.”

New Orleans Pelicans mascot Pierre getting a makeover

Here’s the New Orleans Times-Picayune with the hottest NBA mascot news of the season. And that’s saying a lot, because we know that you all love your mascot updates:

The New Orleans Pelicans are giving their much-maligned mascot, Pierre the Pelican, a makeover.

The mascot has come under heavy scrutiny and been the butt of jokes since his debut in the season opener Oct. 30 vs. the Indiana Pacers. Pierre’s appearance has drawn national attention, for all the wrong reasons. He’s been panned as a poor man’s knock-off of the famed San Diego Chicken and ridiculed for not looking like, well, a pelican.

A league source said there will be a redesign of Pierre’s head.

DeMarcus Cousins, Rudy Gay both day-to-day with minor injuries

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and forward Rudy Gay, both injured during the first half of last night’s contest against the Houston Rockets, were examined today in Sacramento at Kaiser Permanente by Dr. Jason Zemanovic.

Cousins was diagnosed with a sprained left ankle and is currently listed as day-to-day. He is averaging a team-leading 22.6 points (.488 FG%, .721 FT%), a team-high 11.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.78 steals, 1.20 blocks and 32.0 minutes per game in starting all 40 games he has played in.

Additionally, an MRI examination on Gay was negative and he is also listed as day-to-day with a left Achilles strain.

Gay has accrued averages of 20.1 points (.523 FG%, .370 3pt%, .853 FT%), 4.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.14 steals, 0.71 blocks and 34.1 minutes per contest in 21 games with Sacramento since being acquired from the Raptors on December 9.

Phoenix Suns assign Archie Goodwin to D-League

The Phoenix Suns have assigned guard Archie Goodwin to the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League, the club announced today.

Goodwin (6-5, 198), a 19-year-old rookie from Kentucky, has appeared in 36 games with the Suns this season, holding averages of 3.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 10.3 minutes. The first-round selection (29th overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft scored a season-high 16 points at Sacramento on Nov. 19.

Hawks center Pero Antic out 2-4 weeks with ankle injury

Atlanta Hawks forward/center Pero Antic suffered a mild right ankle sprain against the Brooklyn Nets in London on Jan. 16. X-rays taken following the game were negative and he continued to play without missing games. An MRI and examination today by Dr. Ashok Reddy at Peachtree Orthopaedics in Atlanta revealed a stress fracture to his right ankle. He will now be placed in a protective walking boot. The expected recovery time is approximately two-to-four weeks and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Forward DeMarre Carroll left last night’s game at Orlando in the third quarter due to left hamstring irritation. After receiving treatment today and being seen by Dr. Reddy, it was determined he has a mild left hamstring strain. His status is listed as day-to-day.

Kawhi Leonard out 3-4 weeks with hand injury

Kawhi Leonard out 3-4 weeks with broken hand

San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard underwent a CAT scan earlier today in San Antonio. Results confirmed he has a non-displaced fracture of the fourth metacarpal in his right hand. Leonard suffered the injury in the first half of the Spurs-Thunder game on Wednesday night. He is expected to be out three-to-four weeks.

Leonard is averaging 11.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season, shooting 51.7 percent from the field and 32.7 percent from three-point range.

The Spurs are having a fantastic season. Their 32-10 record is the third best in the league and again look like a championship contender.