Month: March 2014

Blazers re-assign Allen Crabbe to D-League

The Portland Trail Blazers have assigned rookie guard Allen Crabbe to the NBA Development League’s Idaho Stampede, it was announced today by General Manager Neil Olshey.

Crabbe, 21, is averaging 2.1 points, 0.3 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 5.1 minutes in 14 games for the Trail Blazers this season. Acquired by Portland in a draft day trade with Cleveland, Crabbe was the 31st overall selection in the 2013 NBA Draft out of California.

Crabbe averaged 16.7 points (42.6 FG%) and 5.3 rebounds in three games during his first assignment to the Stampede from March 10-16.

Ryan Anderson will not return to play this season for Pelicans

Ryan Anderson will not return to play this season for Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that Ryan Anderson will miss the remainder of the season due to a herniated cervical disc. Anderson was injured on January 3, 2014 in a game against the Boston Celtics.

After consulting with a team of physicians, it has been determined that surgery will provide Anderson the best opportunity to have a full recovery. Anderson will undergo surgery on April 8, 2014.

In 22 games this season, Anderson averaged 19.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 36.1 minutes per game. The sixth-year veteran holds career averages of 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 357 games.

Nuggets forward J.J. Hickson has knee surgery

Nuggets forward J.J. Hickson undergoes knee surgery

Denver Nuggets forward J.J. Hickson underwent surgery this morning to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, Nuggets General Manager and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.

The procedure was performed by team physician Dr. Steve Traina at Midtown Surgical Center.

Hickson, who signed with Denver as a free agent on July 11, 2013, averaged 11.8 points and 9.2 rebounds in 69 games (52 starts). He also posted a team-leading 26 double-doubles.

“J.J. is an extremely tough player who made an impact for us all season,” Connelly said. “We know he will attack his rehab with the same energy and hard work that he displays on the court every night.”

Bobcats arena needs upgrades if they want to host an NBA All-Star weekend

Here’s the Charlotte Observer reporting:

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Monday Charlotte could host a future All-Star Game.

First, he said, the city must upgrade Time Warner Cable Arena, which needs $41.9 million of work, according to a list of needs compiled by the Charlotte Bobcats and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.

“I’d love to bring the All-Star Game back here,” Silver said before the Bobcats game with the Houston Rockets. “This is a wonderful community, a hotbed of basketball, not just pro but college as well.”

He added: “There are some upgrades to the building that are needed. I know those discussions are underway right now. It’s part of the understanding here that the building remain state-of-the-art. Nothing dramatic is needed. But certainly an upgrade to the scoreboard, some things with the suites and the lighting.”

Walter McCarty wants Boston College head basketball coach job

Here’s the Boston Herald reporting on Walter McCarty and Boston College:

The list of candidates for the head basketball coach’s position at Boston College includes Walter McCarty, the Herald has learned.

And the Celtics assistant coach acknowledged yesterday he is intent on exploring the possibility.

“I’m very interested,” said McCarty, who spent 71⁄2 years as a player for the Celts. “I want to be highly considered. I love the city. I have great ties in the city. I have a great foundation here, especially with recruiting.

“If you look at Louisville’s 2013 national championship team, four of those five starters were my guys. So I’m very confident in my ability to coach and lead a program. I think that I’m ready.”

Former NBA player Quinton Ross reacts to story that he was dead

Quinton Ross reacts to story that he was dead

Former SMU and NBA basketball player Quinton Ross had to ease the fears of friends and family members after he was erroneously reported dead.

Ross lives in the suburbs near Dallas and was attending Monday night’s NIT game between LSU and SMU.

He said he woke to a phone loaded with messages from people concerned about his well-being.

“My phone was going crazy,” he said. “I checked Facebook. Finally, I went on the Internet, and they were saying I was dead. I just couldn’t believe it.”

— Associated Press

Brandon Costner, Willie Reed named D-League Co-Performers of Week

Los Angeles D-Fenders forward Brandon Costner and Springfield Armor forward Willie Reed were today named NBA Development League Co-Performers of the Week for games played Monday, March 17- Sunday, March 23. The award is the first for both players this season.

Costner (6-9, 235, North Carolina State) led the D-Fenders to a 2-1 week, including wins over the Austin Toros and Santa Cruz Warriors. For the week, Costner averaged 27.0 points on 59 percent shooting from the floor to go with 11.3 rebounds. He recorded a season-high 38 points and 14 rebounds in the team’s 140-121 win over the Warriors on March 22. For the season, he is averaging 14.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 26.7 minutes.

Reed (6-10, 220, St. Louis) helped the Armor record a 2-2 week, securing wins against the Erie BayHawks and Canton Charge while averaging 18.3 points on 56 percent shooting, to go with 19.3 rebounds, including 7.5 offensive rebounds. His 24 rebounds against the BayHawks on March 17 tied the Armor’s franchise record. On the year, Reed is averaging 14.8 points, 10.1 rebounds and 31.8 minutes.

Other top performers considered included Austin’s Flip Murray, Iowa’s Moses Ehambe and Othyus Jeffers, Maine’s Frank Gaines, Santa Cruz’s Cameron Jones and Sioux Falls’ Tre Kelley.

Joe Johnson, Kevin Durant named NBA Players of Week through March 23

joe johnson

The Brooklyn Nets’ Joe Johnson and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 17, through Sunday, March 23.

Johnson led the Nets to a 4-0 week, which included wins over the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 22.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Johnson connected on 14-of-24 (.583) three-point field goals on the week, including a 6-of-8 performance from distance en route to 27 points on March 21, during a 114-98 win over the Boston Celtics.

kevin durant

Durant led the Thunder to a 3-0 week, tallying 35 points or more in all three contests. He averaged a league-best 40.3 ppg and added 11.7 rebounds (fourth in the conference) and 6.0 assists (tied-10th in the conference). Durant closed the week with a 51-point, 12-rebound, seven-assist effort on March 21, as the Thunder topped the Toronto Raptors 119-118 in double overtime.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Paul Millsap, Houston’s James Harden, Memphis’ Zach Randolph, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, New York’s Carmelo Anthony, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins, San Antonio’s Tiago Splitter and Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan.