Month: February 2014

Russell Westbrook returns to practice for Thunder

The Oklahoma Thunder are a powerhouse, and they’re about to get even stronger. Here’s the Associated Press reporting:

Russell Westbrook returns to practice for Thunder

The Miami Heat had plenty of trouble with the Oklahoma City Thunder last time the teams met.

They might have even more to deal with this time around.

Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook made it through a full practice Wednesday for the first time since his most recent surgery, just in time for Thursday’s rematch with the two-time defending NBA champion Heat. The ultra-athletic Westbrook’s presence could be a game changer for a team that already has the NBA’s best record.

His return nearly overshadows the usual hype that goes with matchups between Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Miami’s LeBron James.

Dion Waiters out with hyperextended knee

Dion Waiters out with hyperextended knee

Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters was examined today by Head Team Physician Dr. Richard Parker at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health. His exam and MRI confirmed the left knee hyperextension he suffered during the second quarter of last night’s game in Philadelphia.

He is listed as OUT for tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic at Quicken Loans Arena and will continue to receive treatment while he progresses back into basketball activity as his symptoms improve.

His status will be updated as appropriate.

Atlanta Hawks injury report: Pero Antic remains out

Pero Antic (stress fracture, right ankle) has progressed to conditioning exercises and light shooting. He continues to feel minor discomfort while conducting certain rehabilitation activities and the timeline for his return to normal basketball activity is indefinite.

Gustavo Ayon suffered a right shoulder injury in last night’s game at Indiana. He will be listed as OUT for tonight’s game vs. Washington and his status will be updated as appropriate.

DeMarre Carroll, who has missed the last two games due to a left hamstring strain, is a game-time decision for tonight.

Al Horford, who had right pectoral muscle surgery on December 31, began the first phase of his physical therapy yesterday. His progress will be updated as appropriate and he remains out for the season.

John Jenkins, who underwent lower back surgery on February 3, remains out.

Lou Williams, who suffered a migraine during last night’s game at Indiana, is listed as probable for tonight.

Kings trade Marcus Thornton to Nets for Reggie Evans, Jason Terry

kings trade marcus thornton

The Brooklyn Nets have acquired guard Marcus Thornton from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for forward Reggie Evans and guard Jason Terry, it was announced today by General Manager Billy King.

“Marcus is a proven scorer in this league,” said King. “He is a young talent who will help us in the backcourt.”

A five-year NBA veteran, Thornton comes to Brooklyn with season averages of 8.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in 46 games (26 starts) for the Kings. Selected 43rd overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat, the LSU product began his career in New Orleans, where he played for one and a half seasons before a 2010-11 midseason trade sent him to Sacramento. Thornton averaged a career-best 18.7 points in 2011-12 playing and starting in 51 games for the Kings. Through 315 career games, including 125 starts, Thornton holds NBA averages of 13.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team for the 2009-10 season.

nets trade jason terry

Terry, a 15-year NBA veteran, has accrued career averages of 15.4 points (.446 FG%, .379 3pt%, .846 FT%), 2.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.31 steals and 32.5 minutes per game in 1136 contests with the Atlanta Hawks (1999-2004), Dallas Mavericks (2004-2012), Boston Celtics (2012-13) and Nets (2013-14).

A member of the 2011 NBA Champion Mavericks, Terry was also named the league’s 2009 Sixth Man of the Year after posting one of his best campaigns as a professional, registering 19.6 points (.463 FG%, .366 3pt%, .880 FT%), 2.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.32 steals in 74 games for Dallas. Additionally, the 6-2 guard touts 93 playoff games on his resume, including 21 appearances during the Mavs run toward a championship when he tallied 17.5 points (.478 FG%, .442 3pt%, .843 FT%), 1.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

Terry won a National Championship at the University of Arizona in 1997 and two seasons later earned First-Team All American and Pac-10 Player of the Year honors before being selected 10th overall in the 1999 NBA Draft.

In Evans, the Kings receive a veteran known for his rebounding, hustle and tenacious style of play. Through 12 NBA seasons, the 6-10 forward is averaging 4.0 points (.465 FG%, .521 FT%) and 7.2 rebounds per game in 738 career contests with the Seattle Supersonics (2002-03 – 2005-06), Denver Nuggets (2005-06 – 2006-07), Philadelphia 76ers (2007-08 – 2008-09), Toronto Raptors (2009-10 – 2010-11), L.A. Clippers (2011-12) and Brooklyn Nets (2012-13 – 2013-14).

Knicks hope to trade for point guard

The New York Knicks are 20-33 this season, and not getting much from point guard Raymond Felton (10.3 ppg, 5.8 apg on 40% shooting and just below 30% from three-point range). They are reportedly looking to make a move. Here’s ESPN.com reporting:

The Knicks and Clippers have been discussing a deal centered on sending Iman Shumpert and Raymond Felton to Los Angeles in exchange for Darren Collison and Reggie Bullock, sources confirm.

In order to make the deal work financially, other players may have to be involved. One name that has been discussed is Clippers small forward Jared Dudley.

Talks at this point are not in advanced stages, with one source describing the deal as “a possibility.” The teams have been talking since Friday.

A source with knowledge of the talks told ESPN that the Clippers have been reluctant to part with Bullock, their first-round draft pick from last year, who is being asked to play a larger role with starting guard J.J. Redick lost indefinitely to a back injury. Adding Shumpert would help somewhat, as he would slide into Redick’s starting role and allow Sixth Man of the Year candidate Jamal Crawford to go back to his reserve role.

Dwight Howard in LA to play the Lakers tonight

The Los Angeles Lakers are having a rough season, with a limited roster as well as nonstop injuries, but that won’t stop Laker fans from voicing their opinions in L.A. tonight as the team hosts Dwight Howard and the visiting Houston Rockets. If you enjoy hearing boos, watch this game. Here’s the Los Angeles Times with more:

Dwight Howard knows what’s coming. Ear plugs would be a good start.

His dress rehearsal didn’t go well a few months ago at Staples Center when he was booed incessantly and his team lost badly to the Clippers. Now he faces his past in his first road game against the Lakers since spurning them last July for a four-year, $88-million deal with the Houston Rockets.

It’s easy to predict the most popular three-letter word Wednesday at Staples Center: b-o-o.

“I’m going to get a lot of boos,” Howard said Tuesday after the Rockets practiced at UCLA. “I know I’m going to hear it the whole game — ‘Coward,’ whatever.

“Thank God, this year I’ve been through it a lot in every city. There’s Lakers fans everywhere. So I think I’m a little bit prepared for it.”

Tim Duncan has no retirement plans yet

Here’s the San Antonio Express-News reporting on veteran Spurs star Tim Duncan, who still has no set plans as to when he will end his legendary NBA career and retire:

Tim Duncan has no retirement plans yet

The rumor propagated by former Nuggets coach George Karl that Tim Duncan has made up his mind to retire at season’s end was shot down by the Spurs captain after he helped the Spurs score a 113-103 win over the Clippers at Staples Center on Tuesday night.

Citing “whispers” and phone calls, including from San Antonio, about Duncan’s plans, Karl told ESPN on Tuesday he had heard of Duncan’s plan to exercise his player option to walk away from the final season of his three-year deal with the Spurs and retire after this season.

“I’d like to know who he talked to,” Duncan said. “I don’t know what I’m going to do so I don’t know how he knows what I’m going to do.”

Cavs reportedly shopping Luol Deng

Here’s ESPN.com reporting that the Cleveland Cavaliers are more than happy to trade Luol Deng if the right deal rolls around:

Cavs reportedly shopping Luol Deng

As they evaluate their team and try to make a deal to help them get into the playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers are making recently acquired Luol Deng available ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, multiple league sources told ESPN.com.

The Cavs traded three future draft picks and Andrew Bynum to the Chicago Bulls to acquire Deng on Jan. 7. But the deal hasn’t yet worked out how either side hoped.

Cleveland isn’t determined to trade Deng, but with his impending free agency a concern, new general manager David Griffin is testing the market to see what the veteran forward might bring.

Getting value for Deng may be a challenge because his contract expires in June. He cannot be packaged with another Cavs player in a deal due to trade rules, though trades can be structured in a way to get around this issue if the sides are motivated enough.

LaMarcus Aldridge gets health examination

Here’s the Oregonian reporting on Trail Blazers star LaMarcus Aldridge, who needed a health check:

lamarcus aldridge

There was a notable absence at the Trail Blazers’ practice facility on Tuesday: LaMarcus Aldridge.

The All-Star power forward skipped the team’s first post All-Star-break practice for a visit with the doctor and an evaluation of his tender groin. It’s unclear what type of medical testing Aldridge was undergoing and what his availability will be moving forward.

Coach Terry Stotts refused to label his status for Wednesday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, saying the team would “find out” after his visit with doctors.