Month: March 2014

Kings recall Royce White from D-League

The Sacramento Kings on Thursday night recalled forward Royce White from the Kings D-League affiliate Reno Bighorns, according to Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

White, signed by the Kings to a 10-day contract on March 6, immediately reported to the Bighorns and averaged 8.8 points (.367 FG%, .333 3pt%, .625 FT%), 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.50 steals and 24.8 minutes per game in starting four games. Twice White scored in double-figures.

It remains to be seen if White, who suffers from an anxiety disorder, can be a meaningful NBA player.

Per ESPN.com, “White was drafted 16th overall by Houston in 2012 but never played for the Rockets after the sides couldn’t find common ground on how to treat his anxiety disorder, which includes a fear of flying. He missed training camp and was suspended by the Rockets in January 2013 after he refused to accept another assignment to Rio Grande Valley of the D-League. The Rockets traded White to Philadelphia in July. He played for the 76ers in the preseason before being waived.”

And according to the Sacramento Bee: “This is a test, this is only a test. How is his conditioning? How rusty are his skills? Most importantly, how is White coping with an anxiety disorder that leads to panic attacks and a fear of flying that contributed to his nasty breakup with the Houston Rockets, the team that drafted him 16th in 2012 and traded him a year later to Philadelphia. His time with the 76ers ended similarly: He was waived in October 2013 after declining to accompany the team on a preseason trip to Spain. In the ensuing months, White, whose contract guaranteed him $1.8 million and $1.6 million for his first two years, has been looking for another job, looking toward the Las Vegas summer league and beyond. Reluctant to offer much detail after the Bighorns lost 95-86 to the Austin Toros on Tuesday night, the Minnesota native said he hopes to join a team that needs his unusual combination of skills and is willing to accommodate his mental health concerns.”

NBA fines John Wall $15,000 for comments towards referees

John Wall

Washington Wizards guard John Wall has been fined $15,000 for directing inappropriate comments towards the officials, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred at the conclusion of the Wizards’ 98-85 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats on March 12, at Verizon Center.

CSN Washington reported the following last night, “The frustration has been boiling with John Wall when it comes to the lack of foul calls he receives when he attacks the paint, and in his mind it never was more evident than in Wednesday night’s loss to the Charlotte Bobcats. On what turned out to be a game-changing play, Wall was whistled for fouling Kemba Walker on a three-point attempt with the shot clock about to expire. At best, based on replays, the contact was minimal. “I didn’t touch him. All he did was scream,” Wall said. “The ref gave him calls all night because he was screaming.”

Dirk Nowitzki now 12th on all-time NBA scoring list

Here’s ESPN Dallas reporting on an NBA milestone set by Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki:

With a fadeaway jumper at the 11:46-mark of the first quarter in his team’s game against the Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki officially moved past Hall of Famer and Boston Celtics legend John Havlicek.

Nowitzki moved into a tie with Havlicek for 12th place with a 15-foot jumper at the 8:29 mark of the fourth quarter in the team’s 108-85 loss to the Golden State Warriors Tuesday night. He eventually finished with 31 points and moved into sole possession of the No. 12 spot on the all-time scoring list in the Mavericks’ 108-101 win over the Jazz.

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle began his NBA career in Boston and got to know Havlicek well. He can say without hesitancy that “Hondo” respects Nowitzki.

Enes Kanter embracing the hook shot

Here’s the Salt Lake Tribune reporting on Jazz center Enes Kanter:

It’s a shot Jazz center Enes Kanter has in his repertoire — and one his coach would like to see more of.

“When he feels the guy, feels the guy and it’s that running hook across the lane with his rhythm, I think that’s a really good shot for him,” Ty Corbin said. “And actually it gives him an opportunity to get fouled because he’s going across the basket. He’s moving, his guy is moving.”

About 11 percent of Kanter’s attempts this season have been some variation of a hook shot, according to the NBA’s data. He’s hitting on 61 percent of them.

“Kareem in his day perfected the shot,” Corbin said. “It’s very effective. I’ve seen a few of them myself live. You can’t get to it.”

Paul Pierce scores 29, Nets beat Heat

Paul Pierce scores 29, Nets beat Heat

Something about facing the Miami Heat still brings out the best in Paul Pierce.

Jason Kidd isn’t half-bad against them, either.

Pierce scored 17 of his 29 points in the third quarter and delivered two crucial scores late, Shaun Livingston created a turnover on the game’s final play and the Brooklyn Nets topped the Heat 96-95 on Wednesday night — moving to 3-0 this season against the two-time defending NBA champions, two of those wins coming by a single point and the other in overtime…

Mirza Teletovic scored 17 off the bench. Livingston finished with 13 points and Andray Blatche scored 11 for the Nets.

Chris Bosh scored 24 points for Miami, giving him 15,003 for his career. Dwyane Wade scored 22, LeBron James finished with 19 and Mario Chalmers scored 14 for the Heat, who gave up 22 points off turnovers and were hit with two technicals (on Wade and Chalmers) for arguing calls within a 92-second span of the third quarter.

— Associated Press

Sixers lose 18th game in a row

Rudy gay

The Sacramento Kings were keenly aware of the streak.

They just didn’t feel the need to talk about it.

Instead, they went out and played the attacking style their coaches want to see.

Rudy Gay scored 27 points, Isaiah Thomas added 20 and the Kings were 40 for 50 from the free throw line on their way to defeating Philadelphia 115-98 Wednesday night to extend the 76ers’ losing streak to 18 games.

“To be honest, we didn’t mention it once,” Kings coach Michael Malone said of the losing streak.

DeMarcus Cousins had 19 points and 12 rebounds, and Ben McLemore scored 15 points for the Kings, who snapped a three-game skid. Jason Thompson added 14…

Henry Sims posted career-highs of 20 points and 10 rebounds, James Anderson added 17 points and Thaddeus Young had 16 for Philadelphia, which fell to 15-49 in dropping its 14th in a row at home, an ongoing franchise record.

— Associated Press