Month: March 2014

Healthier food now available at Trail Blazers games

You know, food and health are pretty important. Here’s the Oregonian with an update on Portland Trail Blazers home game offerings:

The Trail Blazers have added another option to the food makeover of the Moda Center.

The organization has added a “healthy food” spot named Plum Tasty that will feature “nutrient-rich, minimally processed menu items.” Plum Tasty will debut Tuesday night, when the Blazers host the Milwaukee Bucks, and will be located outside entry A9 on the Moda Center’s 100-level concourse.

A variety of “grab-and-go” options will be available at Plum Tasty, including a selection of gluten-free and dairy-free items. Every food option will meet a host of the following nutritional guidelines: minimally processed whole food ingredients rich in nutrients; less than 35% calories from fat, with a focus on healthy fats; less than 600 mg of sodium; limited refined carbohydrates.

Will Steve Kerr be next Knicks coach?

Here’s the New York Daily News reporting on the Knicks, soon-to-be new team president Phil Jackson, and a coaching possibility:

Steve Kerr says that having his name linked to the Knicks head coaching job is “awkward” but Kerr did not rule out the possibility of him becoming Phil Jackson’s first significant hire.

“It’s very awkward because it is just speculation,” Kerr said on NBC Sports Network’s Dan Patrick Show. “More than anything, you’re talking about somebody else’s job.”

Jackson will be introduced as Knicks president on Tuesday and it is believed that Kerr, who played for Jackson in Chicago, is a top candidate to eventually replace Mike Woodson, who is under contract through next season.

Shawne Williams named D-League Performer of Week

Los Angeles D-Fenders forward Shawne Williams was today named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Monday, March 10 – Sunday, March 16. The award is the first for Williams, who becomes the third Los Angeles player to be honored as Performer of the Week this season, joining Manny Harris and Terrence Williams.

Williams (6-9, 225, Memphis) led the D-Fenders to a 3-0 week, including road wins over the Tulsa 66ers and Canton Charge. For the week, Williams averaged 26.3 points on 49 percent shooting from the floor and 46 percent shooting from three-point territory to go with 7.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks. His 34-point performance on March 15 at Canton was his NBA D-League career high.

A six-year NBA veteran who played in 36 games for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, Williams is averaging 19.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 30.6 minutes in 13 games for the D-Fenders.

Other top performers considered included Austin’s Austin Daye, on assignment from the San Antonio Spurs, Idaho’s Kevin Murphy, Maine’s Frank Gaines, Rio Grande Valley’s Tony Bishop, Santa Cruz’s Cameron Jones, Sioux Falls’ Henry Walker, and Springfield’s Khalif Wyatt.

Al Jefferson, Blake Griffin named NBA Players of Week through March 16

Charlotte Bobcats center Al Jefferson and Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 10, through Sunday, March 16.

Jefferson led the Bobcats to a 4-0 week behind averages of 24.3 points (second in the conference) and 11.5 rebounds (fourth in the conference). He logged 37.7 mpg (tied-eighth in the East) and posted point-rebound double-doubles in three-of-four contests. On March 12, Jefferson tallied 26 points (13-of-20 field goals) and 10 rebounds as the Bobcats beat the Wizards 98-85 at Verizon Center.

Griffin helped the Clippers to a 4-0 week with averages of 27.0 points (third in the conference), 9.3 rebounds (ninth in the conference), 4.8 assists and 1.5 steals. He logged 36.9 mpg (eighth in the conference). Griffin tallied 20-or-more points in all four games and eclipsed the 30-point plateau twice, including on March 12, when he scored 30 points and added 15 rebounds, three assists and three steals during a 111-98 win over the Golden State Warriors.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Kyle Korver, Indiana’s Paul George, Memphis’ Mike Conley, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, New York’s Carmelo Anthony and Tim Hardaway Jr, and San Antonio’s Manu Ginobili.

Magic sign Dewayne Dedmon for rest of season

Magic sign Dewayne Dedmon for rest of season

The Orlando Magic have signed center Dewayne Dedmon for the remainder of the regular season, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. Dedmon originally signed his first of two 10-day contracts on Feb. 25.

Dedmon (#3, 7’0”, 255, 8/12/89) has appeared in three games with Orlando, averaging 2.3 ppg. and 1.0 rpg. in 2.0 minpg. He has played in 18 combined games this season with Golden State, Philadelphia and Orlando, averaging 2.5 ppg. and 2.9 rpg. in 9.0 minpg. He also appeared in 15 games with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA Development League, averaging 15.2 ppg., 13.1 rpg., 1.3 apg., 2.33 blkpg. and 1.53 stlpg. in 33.7 minpg.

Not drafted by an NBA team in 2013, Dedmon played in 51 games (49 starts) during his two-year career at USC, averaging 7.1 ppg., 6.7 rpg. and 1.67 blkpg. In 2012-13 as a redshirt junior, he appeared in 31 games (29 starts), averaging 6.7 ppg., 7.0 rpg., 2.13 blkpg. and 1.10 stlpg. in 22.3 minpg. He led the Trojans in rebounding and blocked shots. Dedmon did not play organized basketball until his senior year of high school due to religious reasons and played one season at Antelope Valley College in his hometown of Lancaster, CA, before transferring to USC.

In addition, the second 10-day contract of guard-forward Adonis Thomas has expired. Thomas appeared in four games with Orlando, averaging 2.3 ppg. and 1.0 rpg. in 7.6 minpg.

Orlando’s roster now stands at 13 players.

Sixers sign James Nunnally, waive Eric Maynor

The Philadelphia 76ers today announced that they have signed forward James Nunnally to a 10-day contract. He is the 37th “Call-Up” of the 2013-14 NBA Development League season

In 35 games for the Bakersfield Jam and the Texas Legends of the D-League, Nunnally is averaging 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. The D-League All-Star was also called up by the Atlanta Hawks on January 11, 2014 and appeared in four games.

In a related move, the Sixers have waived guard Eric Maynor. The Sixers originally acquired Maynor – along with New Orleans’ 2015 second-round draft pick and Denver’s 2016 second-round draft pick – as part of a three-team trade on February 20, 2014.