March 2015 – Page 12 – NBA Blog

Jazz sign Bryce Cotton to second 10-day contract

Utah Jazz sign Bryce Cotton to second 10-day contract

The Utah Jazz announced today that team has signed guard Bryce Cotton to a second 10-day contract. Cotton signed his first 10-day with the Jazz on Feb. 24 and has appeared in one Jazz game, posting three points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal in seven minutes in a win at Denver on Feb. 27.

When the Jazz signed him from the NBA Development League’s Austin Spurs, Cotton (6-1, 165, Providence) was averaging 22.4 points (third in the D-League), 4.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 40.5 minutes in 34 games (all starts). He scored in double figures on 31 occasions and recorded 20-plus points in 20 games. He also registered 40-or-more points twice, including a season-high 43 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and two steals at Reno Bighorns. His 43 points rank tied for third in the D-League in scoring performances. Cotton was named D-League Performer of the Week on Feb. 23.

A native of Tucson, Ariz., Cotton played four seasons at Providence (2010-14). He earned All-Big East First Team honors twice (2013, 2014) and was named the 2014 Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player. He finished his career ranked fourth all-time in scoring at Providence and became the fifth player from a major conference to average 20-plus points and five-or-more assists in a season since 2002, when he did so as a senior.

Jazz sign Jerrelle Benimon to 10-day contract

Utah Jazz sign Jerrelle Benimon to 10-day contract

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has signed forward Jerrelle Benimon of the Jazz’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Idaho Stampede, to a 10-day contract. Benimon becomes the NBA’s 43rd overall NBA D-League Call-Up of the 2014-15 season and the 32nd different player to be called up.

Benimon (6-8, 245, Towson) appeared in 35 games (29 starts) for the Stampede this season, averaging 19.9 points (ninth in the D-League), 10.6 rebounds (sixth in the D-League), 4.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 34.9 minutes per contest. He is also shooting 62.4 percent from the floor this season, which ranks eighth in the D-League. Benimon recorded 19 double-doubles, including one triple-double (20 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists vs. Reno Bighorns on Nov. 28). He scored in double figures in 33 games, including 19 contests with 20-plus points and two games of 30-or-more points. Benimon was selected to the 2015 NBA D-League All-Star Team, and was also named to the Honorable Mention All-Showcase team earlier this season.

The 23-year-old forward attended 2014 training camp with the Denver Nuggets, averaging 2.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in 8.1 minutes in six preseason games before being waived on Oct. 22.

A native of Warrenton, Va., Benimon played two seasons at Georgetown (2009-11) before transferring to Towson (2011-14). He was named Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Year twice (2013, 2014), becoming just the eighth player in conference history to win back-to-back player of the year honors. Benimon also earned All-CAA First Team honors in 2013 and 2014 and was selected to the 2014 CAA All-Defensive Team. He was not selected in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Benimon becomes the 18th D-League Call-Up in Jazz history, and the seventh this season. He is the second call-up from the Stampede since the team became the Jazz’s direct affiliate prior to this season.

Benimon will wear uniform #22 for the Jazz.

Following the move, the Jazz roster now stands at 15 players.

Wesley Matthews suffers season-ending injury

Wesley Matthews suffers season-ending injury

Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews will miss the remainder of the season after rupturing his left Achilles tendon in Portland’s 94-75 win over the Dallas Mavericks Thursday at the Moda Center.

The injury occurred at the 10-minute mark of the third quarter.

Matthews posted averages of 15.9 points (44.8% FG, 38.8% 3-PT, 75.2% FT), 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.28 steals and 33.7 minutes in 60 games (all starts) for the Trail Blazers this season.

According to the Oregonian, “the Blazers initially announced that Matthews had a “left foot injury” and would not return to the game. Following magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests on Matthews’ left leg, the team updated his status saying he would miss the remainder the Blazers season with the Achilles injury. Rehab for a ruptured Achilles is usually projected between six to nine months. The Blazers have not announced if or when Matthews will undergo surgery for the injury.”

George Hill helping Pacers do big things

George Hill helping Pacers do big things

The Pacers deserve more mentions from us and everybody else as well. Written off before the season even started, they’ve played excellent basketball for a while now. Here’s the Indianapolis Star with some insight:

Who knew an Indiana Pacer other than Paul George could key such a productive second half of the season?

That has become the case with George Hill, whose strong return from injury has improved the starting lineup as well as the unit that comes off the bench.

With Hill averaging 14.5 points over the past 11 games, the Pacers are 9-2 and in playoff contention entering Friday’s home game against Chicago because the entire team is clicking.

Rodney Stuckey and C.J. Watson have combined for 57 starts this season, but as a recent tandem of reserves they’re giving opponents fits.

Stuckey has averaged a team-high 15.6 points since Hill went back to starting Feb. 4. Included in that surge are seven games of 15 or more points and back-to-back 30-point efforts. Stuckey’s totals have been fueled by 51 percent shooting (52.2 percent on 3-pointers) and 3.6 assists.

Draymond Green feels sorry for teams that have to guard smaller Warriors lineup

Draymond Green recognizes that the other team is in trouble

Here’s the San Francisco Chronicle with a fun Warriors item on the challenge of going against them:

Draymond Green feels sorry for teams that have to guard smaller Warriors lineup

Draymond Green feels sorry for opposing defenses when the Warriors go small.

Would they try to switch to a bigger defender when Golden State runs a pick and roll for Stephen Curry?

“Good luck with that,” Green said, chuckling, after practice Thursday.

Keep two guys on Curry?

“That opens me up to make plays with three other shooters around,” Green said. “That’s three-on-two. It’s tough for teams to defend.”

While Green is having a breakthrough season offensively, it’s the 6-foot-7 forward’s ability to defend from the center position when the Warriors go small that has everybody excited. Golden State has gone with the smaller lineup more often recently, and it worked again in Wednesday night’s comeback win over the Bucks.

Craig Sager back for NBA on TNT

Craig Sager back for NBA on TNT

Craig Sager, he of daring yet highly questionable fashion decisions, is back in action for the NBA on TNT broadcast team. Here’s the Associated Press reporting:

Craig Sager returned to his familiar spot on the NBA sideline Thursday after being treated for leukemia.

The veteran reporter worked Oklahoma City’s game against Chicago for TNT, 11 months after he was diagnosed with leukemia.

“I’m 60 yards shorter off the tee, but I feel good,” Sager told The Associated Press upon his arrival at the United Center.

Best known for his outlandish outfits, Sager wore a red, black and gray plaid jacket and matching Nike shoes that sparkled in the dark for the occasion.

“Bulls colors,” he explained.

Timberwolves add Justin Hamilton, waive Glenn Robinson III

Timberwolves add Justin Hamilton, waive Glenn Robinson III

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has claimed center Justin Hamilton off waivers. He’s bench material and adds a bit of frontcourt depth, especially while Nikola Pekovic isn’t at 100% health.

Hamilton, 24, has played in 24 games (five starts) this season with the Miami Heat, averaging 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per game. In his second year out of Louisiana State University, the 7-0 center played in eight games last season for Miami and the Charlotte Bobcats, averaging 3.3 points and 0.9 rebounds per game. Hamilton was originally drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 45th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Hamilton was traded from the Heat to the New Orleans Pelicans on February 19, 2015. He did not appear in a game with the Pelicans before being waived on March 3, 2015.

Robinson III appeared in 25 games this season with Minnesota, averaging 1.2 points in 4.3 minutes per contest. The Wolves drafted the 6-7 forward with the 40th overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft.

In a subsequent move, the team has waived forward Glenn Robinson III.

The Wolves roster stands at 15 players.

Bradley Beal still working his way back to form

Bradley Beal still working his way back to form

Here’s CSN Washington reporting on Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal:

Two games into his return, Bradley Beal is shooting just 8-for-28, or 28.5%, and his legs aren’t all the way there. He was off for three weeks while he was recovering from a stress injury in his lower right leg and hasn’t quite been himself yet.

The Wizards (34-27) are 1-1 with him back in the lineup and might’ve been able to steal Tuesday’s game at the Chicago Bulls, a 97-92 loss, if Beal shot better than 2-for-8 in the third quarter.

Beal had a wide-open look with 56 seconds left that could’ve tied the score at 94 with a three-pointer, but he misfired. Most of his shots came up short which is an indication of heavy legs.

Gregg Popovich does not want a stretched-out NBA schedule

Gregg Popovich does not want a stretched-out NBA schedule

Here’s the San Antonio Express-News blog reporting what Spurs coach Gregg Popovich thinks of an NBA schedule that goes deeper into the summer:

One would imaging that Spurs coach Gregg Popovich would lead the drum beat for any NBA schedule change that would lessen the amount of back-to-back games, and especially the dreaded four-in-five nights.

If it comes at the expense of a longer season, however, he’s not a fan.

“I think the season is long enough,” Popovich said. “I will not come to work in July. If there’s a game in July, count me out.”

Even a championship game?

“Count me out. Count me out. Life is too short.”

Popovich was joking — we think — but his point remains: The NBA season already stretches over nine full months, from the start of training camp in October until finishing up with the Finals in June.

Blazers play small-ball down stretch vs Clippers

Blazers play small-ball down stretch vs Clippers

Here’s the Oregonian with some insight on the Trail Blazers:

Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts turned to a small-ball lineup down the stretch and in overtime of the Portland’s comeback win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.

LaMarcus Aldridge shifted to center, Nicolas Batum played de facto power forward along with Arron Afflalo, Wesley Matthews and Damian Lillard in the backcourt. It was the second time in the last three games Stotts has turned to that group to close out a game, after employing the same unit in a win over Oklahoma City last week.

“You’ve got four very good three point shooters, you’ve got a couple guys who can penetrate, you’ve got a couple perimeter guys who can post up and obviously (Aldridge) is a matchup problem in a lot of different ways,” Stotts explained.

“Offensively it can be very effective and you kind of have to pick your poison if you’re the opponent. The key to that is being able to defend.”