January 2014 – Page 7 – NBA Blog

Houston Rockets re-assign guard Isaiah Canaan to D-League

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has re-assigned guard Isaiah Canaan to Houston’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner Rio Grande Valley.

Canaan (6-0, 188, Murray State), who saw action in his first five NBA games with the Rockets in 2013-14, averaged 21.7 points, 9.2 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 12 games (12 starts) in his first stint with Rio Grande Valley this season. At the time of his recall on Dec. 23, Canaan stood second in the D-League in assists per game (9.2) and ranked ninth in the league in scoring average (21.7). He was also named along with Pierre Jackson of the Idaho Stampede as the NBA D-League Co-Performers of the Week for games played Dec. 2-8.

The Biloxi, Mississippi native was selected by the Rockets with the 34th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. He played in 132 career games over four seasons at Murray State, averaging 15.5 points, 2.9 assists and 2.8 rebounds. Overall, Canaan scored over 2,000 points in his collegiate career (2,050) while shooting 304-of-725 (.419) from beyond the arc. He was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year as a junior and OVC Co-Player of the Year as a senior. Canaan added Honorable Mention All-America honors from the Associated Press as a senior.

Wizards assign Glen Rice to D-League

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that guard Glen Rice has been assigned to the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League.

Rice has appeared in 11 games, including one start, this season for Washington while averaging 2.9 points in 10 minutes per game. He was recently cleared to resume all basketball activities following surgery to repair a fracture in his right wrist on December 17.

Bulls sign Cartier Martin to a second 10-day contract

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has re-signed forward Cartier Martin to a second 10-day contract. Martin, a 6-7, 220-pound forward, originally signed a 10-day contract with the Bulls on Jan. 10. In accordance with team policy, terms of the contract were not announced.

In three games with Chicago, Martin averaged 5.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg and 0.7 apg in 13.7 mpg. He also shot .625 from the field, .600 from behind the arc and .500 from the line.

Deron Williams may return today for Nets

Here’s ESPN New York on Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams, who may return today as the team heads to Manhattan to face the New York Knicks:

Deron Williams said he plans to make his return from injury on Monday when the Brooklyn Nets play the New York Knicks.

Williams has missed the last five games since having cortisone shots and platelet-rich plasma injections in both of his ankles. The point guard practiced on Sunday in hopes of returning against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

“That’s the plan,” Williams said.

Coach Jason Kidd said Williams will be a game-time decision and that the team wants to first see how the point guard feels in the morning after practicing.

Thunder recall Andre Roberson from D-League

The Oklahoma City Thunder has recalled forward Andre Roberson from the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

During his most recent stint with the 66ers, Roberson averaged 17.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 3.0 steals, 2.5 blocks and 40.5 minutes while helping the team to a pair of road wins at Bakersfield and Los Angeles. Over three assignments this season, the forward is averaging 16.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.9 steals and 1.3 blocks in 37.1 minutes in seven games (all starts).

Kemba Walker out 10-14 days with ankle sprain

Charlotte Bobcats guard Kemba Walker is expected to miss 10-14 days after an MRI today confirmed a second degree sprain in his left ankle. Walker suffered the injury in the third quarter of last night’s game against Miami. X-rays taken at Time Warner Cable Arena following the injury were negative.

Walker has played in all 42 games for the Bobcats this season, averaging team highs of 18.7 points, 5.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 35.7 minutes, along with 4.2 rebounds. He has scored in double figures 37 times, including 18 games with 20 points or more and four games with 30 points or more. He entered today’s games ranked 22nd in the NBA in minutes played, tied for 26th in assists, ranked 27th in scoring and ranked 27th in steals.

Dennis Rodman checks into alcohol treatment program

Here is Reuters reporting on the latest Dennis Rodman saga:

Retired basketball star Dennis Rodman has checked himself into an alcohol treatment program, his spokesman said Saturday, just days after returning to the United States from North Korea, where he ignited a furor over comments he made about an American citizen held prisoner there.

Rodman voluntarily entered an alcohol rehabilitation facility several days ago, according to agent Darren Prince. The location of the facility was not disclosed.

Rodman returned to the United States this week after a trip to North Korea where he attended the birthday party of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Mavs assign Ricky Ledo to D-League

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have assigned Ricky Ledo to the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League.

Ledo (6-7, 200) has seen action in nine games for the Mavericks and holds averages of 1.9 points and 3.3 minutes per game.

Ledo will join the Legends and be available for tonight’s game when they take on the Austin Toros at 7:00 pm CT at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco.

Pelicans center Jason Smith out with knee injury

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that center Jason Smith will be out indefinitely with a right knee injury. An MRI revealed Smith suffered cartilage damage in his right knee. More details will be released as they become available.

In 31 games (27 starts) this season, Smith is averaging 9.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 26.8 minutes per game. The 7’0” center holds career averages of 6.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 331 games.

Suns sign Leandro Barbosa to second 10-day contract

The Phoenix Suns announced today that they have signed guard Leandro Barbosa (lee-AN-dro BAR-bow-sa) to a second 10-day contract.

Barbosa signed his first 10-day contract with the club on Jan. 8. The 31-year-old guard has appeared in four games with Phoenix this season, averaging 9.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 21.5 minutes. In the Suns’ game at New York on Jan. 13, Barbosa came off the bench to score 21 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, in 30 minutes of action.

The 6-3, 194-pound Barbosa is in his 11th season in the NBA, the first seven of which were played with the Suns, as he averaged 12.6 points, 2.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 466 games with Phoenix from 2003-10. Barbosa won the 2006-07 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award with the Suns after posting career-highs of 18.1 points and 4.0 assists per game.

The Suns continue a season-long five-game home stand on Sunday night as they host the Denver Nuggets with tip-off scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (Phoenix time). The game will be televised on FOX Sports Arizona, and carried on Arizona Sports 620 (KTAR-AM).