Month: November 2014

Nets hope to end losing streak Friday in OKC

The Brooklyn Nets are off to a disappointing start this season, but Friday night they head to Oklahoma City to face a Thunder team that continues to play without its two stars. The Nets need this. Here’s ESPN New York with more:

Nets hope to end losing streak in OKC Friday

The Brooklyn Nets have lost five straight games and are coming off an exhausting and grueling triple-overtime loss to Jason Kidd’s Bucks at Barclays Center.

Just as things could spiral downward, along comes a trip to Oklahoma City. The Nets hit the road to play the Thunder and Spurs on a two-game road swing knowing that wins over the Thunder the past two seasons have coincided with a big turnaround.

Last season, the Nets limped into Oklahoma City on Jan. 2 with a 10-21 record. Joe Johnson drilled a buzzer beater, propelling the Nets to win 10 of 11 games. That win jump-started the Nets, who won 33 of their next 46 games after the abysmal 10-21 start.

And two seasons ago on Jan. 2, the Nets were 16-15 before going into Oklahoma City and coming away with a win. They won 10 of 11 games and improved to 26-16.

Rodney Hood injury update: out 2-3 more weeks

Rodney Hood injury update

The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz guard/forward Rodney Hood, who has missed the last six games due to a right foot injury:

Hood accompanied the team to Golden State, but will be listed as OUT indefinitely. He will continue to participate in treatment, conditioning and restricted weight training for approximately two-to-three weeks at which time he will be reevaluated.

The 22-year-old Hood (6-8, 215, Duke) has appeared in six games as a rookie, averaging 4.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 15.2 minutes. He was originally selected in the first round (23rd overall selection) of the 2014 NBA Draft, becoming the first former Duke player ever to be drafted by the Jazz.

Grizzlies waive Kalin Lucas and Hassan Whiteside

Grizzlies waive Kalin Lucas and Hassan Whiteside

The Memphis Grizzlies waived guard Kalin Lucas and center Hassan Whiteside, the team announced today. Both players had re-signed with the Grizzlies on Nov. 19.

Lucas (6-1, 186) recorded one steal in six minutes in his NBA debut Wednesday at Toronto. The 25-year-old originally signed with Memphis on Sept. 25 and played eight preseason games before being waived on Oct. 25. He re-signed with the Grizzlies on Nov. 4 and was waived on Nov. 9. The Michigan State product played 29 games (20 starts) last season for the NBA Development League’s Iowa Energy, now exclusively affiliated with the Grizzlies.

Whiteside (7-0, 275) originally signed with Memphis on Sept. 25 and saw action in five preseason contests before he was waived on Oct. 22. The 25-year-old, who played his first two NBA seasons with the Sacramento Kings (2010-12), has not made a regular season appearance this season.

Dwight Howard recovering from knee strain

The Houston Rockets are off to a great start this season with a 9-3 record, though they’ve dropped two games in a row. Center Dwight Howard is in recovery from a minor knee issue. Here’s the Houston Chronicle with the latest:

Dwight Howard recovering from knee strain

The Rockets listed Dwight Howard as “day-to-day” to return from his strained right knee, but no one seemed to think that day would be Saturday.

Rockets coach Kevin McHale even said the Rockets would “probably” be without Howard when they face the Dallas Mavericks. The question that will only be answered then is whether his knee or the Rockets’ offense needs more therapy.

Howard had sat out Wednesday’s game against the Lakers with no announcement coming until minutes before tip and after Howard had been in uniform intending to play.

Hawks assign Adreian Payne to D-League

The Atlanta Hawks have assigned rookie forward/center Adreian Payne to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Head Coach Mike Budenholzer. He was Atlanta’s first-round pick (15th overall) in 2014.

The Mad Ants’ next two games are Friday and Saturday night at Erie.

Another endorsement deal for Kevin Durant

Here’s the Oklahoman reporting on injured OKC Thunder superstar Kevin Durant, who continues to rack up endorsement deals:

Another endorsement deal for Kevin Durant

On Thursday, Kevin Durant — who has more endorsement deals than any other NBA player — signed on with fast food drive-in chain Sonic to be its first-ever athlete ambassador.

“Everything that Kevin pitches comes from an authentic point of view,” said Michael Yormark, president and chief of branding and strategy for Roc Nation, Jay Z’s agency that represents Durant. “When it comes to grab-and-go food, KD’s a Sonic guy.”

Durant hinted at his newest partnership on Wednesday via Twitter, saying “getting excited to announce my newest partner … the name is gonna be familiar.”