Month: March 2014

Blake Griffin thinks 2013-14 NBA MVP is a two-man race

Here’s ESPN Los Angeles reporting that Blake Griffin agrees with many in the basketball world who feel that LeBron James or Kevin Durant will come away with this season’s NBA Most Valuable Player award:

Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin was named the Western Conference Player of the Week for the third time this season on Monday but don’t look for him to start campaigning to win the MVP.

“No, I think the MVP race is a two-man race,” Griffin said. “The stretch of games that we’ve played and we’ve been successful has been a huge team effort. Jamal Crawford was playing out of his mind before he got hurt and guys have stepped up and really done their part. With our team I don’t think it’s one guy that’s making us go.

“I genuinely believe it’s been a total team effort.”

Griffin believes the MVP will eventually go to LeBron James or Kevin Durant but he has at least vaulted himself into the conversation this season, averaging a career-high 24.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 69.9 percent from the free throw line.

Some New York D-League team name possibilities emerge

Here’s the Wall Street Journal reporting on possibilities for the name of the upcoming new Knicks-owned team in the D-League:

The Knicks are letting fans help pick the name of their new Development League affiliate team in Westchester. But according to a handful of federal trademark filings, it appears the organization has already seriously considered a few names of its own.

According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the NBADL has filed for ownership of five potential team names: The New York Plainsmen, the New York Hutch, the New York 914s, the New York Empire, and the New York ‘Bockers.

It’s pretty clear that these name suggestions came directly from the Knicks rather than fans, as the filings were submitted on March 7, three days before the Knicks had announced they’d be allowing fans to have input on the name-selection process.

Mark Cuban demands the best of Dirk Nowitzki

Here’s the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporting on the 41-27 Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban and Dirk Nowitzki:

It’s not often that Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban publicly criticizes his superstar forward, Dirk Nowitzki.

Monday, though, was one of those rare occasions.

Cuban took time before Monday’s game against the Boston Celtics to tell the media of a conversation he had with Nowitzki earlier in the day. It’s about as critical as Cuban as ever publicly been about Nowitzki.

“I think sometimes he loses concentration, and I think we’ve got to get past that,” Cuban said. “I mentioned it to him today. I asked him how his nap was during the game [Sunday at Oklahoma City]. He laughed. At least that’s while I was facing him. When I turned my back and walked away, I don’t know.”

Nowitzki had two first-quarter rebounds against the Thunder and finished the game with just four boards and 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Cuban also was none too pleased that Nowitzki had just 12 points and six rebounds during last Tuesday’s 108-85 loss on the road to the Golden State Warriors.

Patrick Patterson injury update: Back fairly soon for Raptors

Patrick Patterson injury update: Back fairly soon for Raptors

The Toronto Raptors announced forward Patrick Patterson had his right ulnar collateral sprain reassessed and a second scan was taken of the elbow.

The injury is healing as anticipated. Patterson will return to limited basketball activity over the next seven days with the use of a supporting brace and then a decision will be made with regards to his return to play thereafter.

Phil Jackson named president of NY Knicks

Madison Square Garden Executive Chairman James L. Dolan today announced that legendary basketball figure Phil Jackson has joined the New York Knicks as the organization’s President. Steve Mills will serve as General Manager. Both Mr. Jackson and Mr. Mills will report directly to Mr. Dolan.

“There is only one Phil Jackson, and he is synonymous with winning basketball teams,” said Mr. Dolan. “His history of success in the NBA is unrivaled, and he is the ideal executive to lead our team and develop short and long term plans that build a successful franchise and result in an NBA championship. That is our only goal, and what our loyal fans deserve.

“In addition to the tremendous respect I have for Phil regarding basketball, over the last several months, I have had the opportunity to get to know him personally, and have developed a high regard for his character and passion as an individual,” Dolan added. “I am confident that he and Steve Mills have the right combination of complementary skills to make this franchise successful.”

In his role as President, Mr. Jackson will be in charge of all basketball decisions.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to work with Jim Dolan. I have gotten to know Jim and he is totally committed to delivering a winner for New York. I started my career as a Knick, and know what it feels like to win in this great city,” said Mr. Jackson. “I take the task of helping to deliver a winning team to our fans seriously, and look forward to combining my vision of the game with Steve Mills’ abilities as a General Manager.”

“When Jim first asked me to join the Knicks this past fall, I said my goal was to be part of a winning organization,” said Mr. Mills. “With Phil Jackson aboard, we’ve taken a major step in that direction. I look forward to working with him.”

According to the New York Daily News, ” The Zen Master made it clear Tuesday that he’d like to see the Knicks return to the style of team basketball that led to two championships in the 1970s. “I believe in system basketball,” Jackson said at his introductory press conference Tuesday. “We want to build a team.” Jackson touched on the team’s contentious relationship witht he media, and said that the organization “has suffered” in recent years as a result of that policy. “I’ll be accessable,” Jackson said, adding that there will still be walls between the club and the people who cover it. “I’m reaching out to say to you today that we’ll have an open relationship.” After posing for photos, Jackson took a seat on the stage between Garden chairman James Dolan and Knicks GM Steve Mills.”

And according to ESPN New York, “Jackson confirmed that the length of his deal with the Knicks is for five years. Financial terms weren’t released, but sources told ESPN.com last week that he will receive $12 million annually. Jackson and Mills will report directly to Dolan, the Knicks said. But Dolan and Jackson both noted Tuesday that Jackson will have full autonomy, with Dolan adding he will cede power to Jackson “willfully and gracefully.” Jackson has won an NBA-record 11 NBA titles as a head coach and two more as a Knicks forward.”

Mr. Jackson won two championships as a player with the Knicks in 1970 and 1973, and is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association. He was the head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 until 1998, during which time Chicago won six NBA titles. His next team, the Los Angeles Lakers, won five NBA titles from 2000 until 2010. In total, Jackson has won 11 NBA titles as a coach, surpassing the previous record of nine set by Red Auerbach. He also holds the NBA record for the most combined championships as a player and a head coach. In 2007 Jackson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1996, as part of celebrations for the National Basketball Association’s 50th anniversary, Jackson was named one of the 10 greatest coaches in league history.

Bobcats hire Muggsy Bogues, Matt Carroll

Bobcats hire Muggsy Bogues, Matt Carroll

Bobcats Sports & Entertainment President & COO Fred Whitfield announced today that former Bobcats guard Matt Carroll has joined the organization as Community Ambassador, while former Hornets guard Muggsy Bogues has joined the team as a Hornets Ambassador participating in the team’s re-branding.

One of the most popular players in franchise history, Carroll will serve as an ambassador for the team at events related to both basketball and business operations and help inform the community about organizational initiatives. In this role, he will represent the team at community programs such as youth basketball camps, educational events, hospital visits, charity outings, speaking engagements and fundraising galas. Carroll will also have a presence on bobcats.com and on the team’s radio broadcasts.

An original member of the Charlotte Hornets, Bogues will represent the organization at events and activities related to the team’s re-branding this summer and into next season. He will make appearances at games, community events and other Hornets-related activities.

“We are delighted to have Muggsy and Matt joining our organization,” said Whitfield. “They are two of the most beloved players in Charlotte’s NBA history and we are thrilled to have them as representatives of our franchise.”

Carroll spent seven and a half of his 10 NBA seasons with the Bobcats, initially joining the team in February 2005. He played in 397 games for the Bobcats, averaging 7.4 points and 2.1 rebounds. He shot .390 from beyond the three-point line and .840 from the free-throw line, ranking second among the team’s career leaders in each category. He also ranks third in career games played and third in three-point field goals (338).

Bogues played 10 seasons for the Hornets after being selected by the team in the 1988 NBA Expansion Draft. He averaged 8.8 points, 8.8 assists and 1.7 steals in 632 games during his time in Charlotte and remains the Hornets’ career leader in minutes played (19,778), assists (5,557) and steals (1,067). Bogues ranked in the NBA’s top seven in assists in six straight seasons from 1989-95, while also ranking in the top 10 in steals three times. He led the Hornets to their first ever playoff appearance in 1993 and was also part of the 1995 and 1997 playoff runs.

Cavs guard Kyrie Irving out at least two weeks

Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving experienced an injury to his left biceps during the first quarter of last night’s game in Los Angeles against the Clippers. He did not return to play following the injury.

Irving traveled back to Cleveland with the team and was examined at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health this afternoon by Cavaliers Head Team Physician Dr. Richard Parker. Imaging revealed a strain in the long head tendon of his left biceps.

Irving will now undergo a period of inactivity for his left biceps and be re-evaluated in two weeks. The injury’s response during this period will determine the most appropriate course of treatment and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Wizards, Trevor Ariza could part ways after season

Here’s the Washington Post with a look into the future of the Washington Wizards and Trevor Ariza:

Ariza can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. Although he has been a huge contributor to the franchise’s revival, the Wizards have a logjam at his position. Backup forward Martell Webster is in the first year of a long-term deal, and rookie Otto Porter , the third overall in last June’s draft, needs to play, which he can’t do that if he remains buried on the bench.

For now, though, Ariza is on the roster — and the Wizards have needed him.

The Wizards have maintained their solid footing in the Eastern Conference playoff race (they’re currently fifth) despite the loss of Nene, who could miss all but the last few games of the regular season because of a knee injury. The Wizards had been 8-34 without the talented-but-brittle Brazilian big man before this most recent ailment, but they’re 7-3 in this stint entering this week’s four-game Western swing, thanks in large part to Ariza.

Ariza, whose career scoring average is 9.6 points, is at a personal-best 15 points per game this season.With Nene out, Ariza is averaging 19 points.

Andre Drummond neck injury not serious

Here’s the Detroit News with some good news about young, talented Pistons center Andre Drummond:

Andre Drummond was in sweats at Pistons practice, chatting and laughing with members of the front office as practice concluded Monday.

It was a welcome sight after his scary neck injury Saturday, one that will keep him out of Wednesday’s game against the Denver Nuggets, the first of a four-game Western swing. He’s listed as questionable for Friday’s game against the Phoenix Suns.

He collided with Pacers center Roy Hibbert and forward Paul George midway through the first quarter while attempting to retrieve a loose ball.