Month: November 2014

Lakers re-assign Jordan Clarkson and Xavier Henry to D-League

The Los Angeles Lakers have re-assigned Jordan Clarkson and Xavier Henry to the Los Angeles D-Fenders, it was announced today.

Clarkson and Henry will make their second appearance of the season with the D-Fenders, after having previously played with the team on November 15th against the Texas Legends. Clarkson shot 8-of-20 from the field and tallied 28 points, five rebounds and five assists against the Legends. Henry scored a game-high 33 points, connecting on 12-of-20 field goal attempts, while also grabbing four rebounds for the D-Fenders.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist may be out for rest of November

The Charlotte Hornets are off to a disappointing start to the 2014-15 regular season, putting up a 4-13 record through Friday’s games. Their backcourt is shooting especially badly, with point guard Kemba Walker hitting 38.3% FG and new shooting guard Lance Stephenson only hitting 37.0% FG. Meanwhile, small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist remains out. Here’s the Charlotte Observer blog with the MKG latest:

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist may be out for rest of November

It sounds unlikely that Charlotte Hornets small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will play the rest of November while recovering from a stress reaction in his right foot.

Hornets coach Steve Clifford told the Observer Saturday he isn’t counting on Kidd-Gilchrist being back before the Dec. 3 home game against the Chicago Bulls. Kidd-Gilchrist has missed the past four games after a magnetic resonance imaging in Phoenix Nov. 13 showed evidence of a stress reaction.

A stress reaction is a precursor to a stress fracture. The MRI showed weakening of the bone structure, but does not yet show evidence of a fracture.

Aaron Gordon out indefinitely after foot surgery

Aaron Gordon out indefinitely after foot surgery

Aaron Gordon out indefinitely after foot surgery

Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon underwent a successful surgical procedure today to repair a fractured fifth metatarsal in his left foot, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced.

Gordon was diagnosed with the injury following the Magic’s game on Nov. 15 at Washington. He will be out indefinitely and his return will depend on how he responds to rehabilitation.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Gordon “will be re-evaluated in 6-8 weeks.”

Originally selected by Orlando in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft, Gordon (6’9”, 220, 9/16/95) has played in 11 games this season, averaging 5.8 ppg. and 3.0 rpg. in 15.0 minpg.

Kings assign Eric Moreland to D-League

The Sacramento Kings have assigned rookie forward Eric Moreland to the team’s NBA D-League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns, it was announced today by General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

Moreland has not seen action in the 12 regular season games with the Kings. The undrafted rookie from Oregon State totaled four points (2-4 FG), five rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 20 minutes in three games off the bench in the preseason for the Kings.

The 6-10, 218-pound forward has totaled 30 points (.619 FG%, 13-21 FG, 4-10 FT), 26 rebounds, three assists, five steals and one block in 58 minutes in two games for the Reno Bighorns this season.

Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani ready to suit up for Knicks

The New York Knicks need all the help they can get. They’re off to a disappointing start, and what’s worse is that the strength of schedule they’ve faced so far is on the very weak side of things. In other words, they’ve played lots of unimpressive teams, and still done quite badly. Now, the team is adjusting to a new system, and several key new players, one of which has yet to suit up this regular season. That man, point guard Jose Calderon, is now reportedly ready to dive into action. Here’s the New York Post reporting:

Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani ready to step on court for Knicks

The Knicks need their European invasion to exceed expectations.

The 3-10 Knicks are expected to welcome Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani onto the floor for the first time this season on Saturday when the Sixers, winless going into Friday’s matchup with the Suns, limp into the Garden.

Calderon was the key piece in the six-player trade that sent Tyson Chandler to Dallas, while Bargnani will be trying to prove he can be more than a bust in two countries.

When Phil Jackson then Derek Fisher were brought in, the hope was Bargnani, the former Raptors’ No. 1 pick, could thrive in the triangle offense. That was put on hold with the 7-foot Italian sidelined by a strained hamstring suffered in the preseason opener.

DeMarre Carroll set to return for Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks, who through Thursday’s games have a 5-5 record, are regaining the services of rugged, versatile small forward DeMarre Carroll. Here’s the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting:

DeMarre Carroll set to return for Hawks

DeMarre Carroll is back.

The Hawks small forward will be active for tonight’s game against the Pistons and all indications are that he will start. Carroll missed the past four games with a groin strain. He went through full practices Wednesday and Thursday and shoot-around Friday.

Carroll declared himself 100 percent healthy following the morning practice.

“Coach Bud makes the final call but in my head I’m good to go,” Carroll said. “I think we did the proper treatment by taking the time off.”

Martell Webster making progress in eventual return for Wizards

With a 7-3 record through Thursday, the Washington Wizards have the 7th best winning percentage in the NBA; a fantastic start to a promising season. And the team is poised to get even deeper once Martell Webster becomes available to play, which should happen in the relatively near future. Here’s the Washington Post blog reporting:

martell webster

Bradley Beal’s return Wednesday wasn’t the only significant steppingstone for an injured member of the Washington Wizards this week. Martell Webster has been cleared for contact and was a limited practice participant Tuesday and Thursday.

Webster, 27, underwent his third back surgery in four years on June 27 and was given a recovery timetable of three to five months. He said his return remains “on schedule,” which would mean a return by the end of November. On Thursday, Webster participated in half-court work with contact.

“No anxiety. It’s more the mental game,” Webster said.

Cavs, Kevin Love still adjusting to each other

The new-look, talent-filled Cleveland Cavaliers are off to a modest 5-5 start; not entirely surprising, as team chemistry takes time to develop. Still, much improvement is needed. A big factor is power forward Kevin Love, who is a better offensive player than defensive, and yet is still being worked into the team’s scoring scheme. Here’s the Akron Beacon Journal blog reporting:

One of the problems the Cavs have to address is finding ways to get Kevin Love more comfortable in the offense. Love conceded after Wednesday’s loss to the Spurs he’s struggling to find a rhythm, perhaps because his percentage of looks from 3-point range are nearly double to what he’s accustomed.

Last season in Minnesota, when he shot more 3s than any other season in his career, they accounted for 36 percent of his total shots. His career percentage of 3-point attempts is 24 percent of his total looks. This season with the Cavs, 42 percent of his shots have been 3-pointers.

“We run specific stuff for Kevin and for other guys,” Cavs coach David Blatt said. “Earlier in the season when he was scoring the ball better, it was the same offense.”

Kevin Martin injured, suffers fracture in wrist

Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin injured, suffers fracture in wrist

Kevin Martin injured, suffers fracture in wrist

The 3-7 Minnesota Timberwolves, already facing an uphill battle in a rebuilding season, just lost a key piece of their squad to injury.

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) taken at Mayo Clinic Square on Wolves shooting guard Kevin Martin’s right wrist revealed a fracture. He will be sidelined indefinitely. Further evaluation will be done over the next few days to determine the next course of action. 

The injury occurred at the 6:48 mark of the first quarter during Minnesota’s 115-99 win over New York on Wednesday, November 19.

Through nine games this season Martin is averaging 20.4 points on 48.3 percent shooting from the floor and 48.1 percent from the three-point line. He’s the leading scorer on the team, by far. Second in scoring is Thaddeus Young at 14.3 ppg. Everyone else on the team is averaging 10.0 ppg or less.