March 2015 – Page 14 – NBA Blog

Denver Nuggets fire coach Brian Shaw

Denver Nuggets fire coach Brian Shaw

The 20-39 Denver Nuggets, who have lost six straight games and nine of their last 10, have fired head coach Brian Shaw, it was announced today by General Manager and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly.

Melvin Hunt has been named the Nuggets’ interim head coach for the rest of the 2014-15 season.

“I want to sincerely thank Brian for his time with our organization,” said Connelly. “You won’t find a better guy than Brian and he is one of the brightest basketball minds I’ve ever been around. Unfortunately things didn’t go as we hoped, but we know with his basketball acumen that he has a very bright future ahead of him.”

Shaw was hired as head coach of the Nuggets on June 25, 2013 and in one-plus season he compiled a record of 56-85 (.397).

“On behalf of everyone in the Denver Nuggets organization, I would personally like to thank Brian for his services the past two seasons in Denver. He is a champion and a gentleman and I wish him nothing but the best for himself and his family moving forward. Since we purchased the franchise in 2000 we have constantly strived to field a competitive team, culminating in 10 straight playoff appearances and a franchise record 57 wins in the 2012-13 regular season. Expectations have been raised and we want more.

“This season our management staff has remained patient and supportive as decisions of this nature are never taken lightly. Patience is encouraged, as long as the organization continues to show progress toward a greater goal. However, competing for championships is our goal, and therefore we decided to make this decision now and look forward to conducting an extensive head coaching search upon the season’s conclusion. This has been a trying season for all of us, and we appreciate Nuggets fans continued faith and patience as we build our proud organization back to the NBA’s elite.”

Mavericks sign Bernard James for remainder of season

Mavericks sign Bernard James for remainder of season

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed center Bernard James for the remainder of the season.

James (6-10, 235) was originally signed to his first of two 10-day contracts on February 11. Since joining the Mavericks, he has averaged 4.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 17.5 minutes in 5 games (2 starts).

The Savannah, Ga., native spent training camp with the Mavericks this preseason and averaged 2.6 points and 4.2 rebounds in 5 games. Before signing with the Mavericks in February he most recently played in China for the Shanghai Sharks.

The Mavericks roster is currently at 15.

Suns sign Earl Barron to second 10-day contract

Suns sign Earl Barron to second 10-day contract

The Phoenix Suns have signed center Earl Barron to a second 10-day contract.

Barron signed his first 10-day contract with the club on Feb. 21. The 33-year-old center has appeared in five games with Phoenix this season, averaging 1.6 points and 0.8 rebounds in 5.5 minutes.

The 7-0 Barron averaged a double-double in 27 games with the Bakersfield Jam this season, posting 20.3 points and 10.9 rebounds for the Suns’ NBA Development League affiliate. Barron played with the Suns during the 2014-15 preseason and averaged 3.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 13.7 minutes in six appearances, including a 10-point, 13-rebound performance in 24 minutes at Houston on Oct. 13.

Barron, who saw action in 12 games with the Suns in 2010-11, is an eighth-season NBA veteran from the University of Memphis who has also played with New York, Miami, Milwaukee, Portland, Golden State and Washington.

Pistons sign Quincy Miller to second 10-day contract

Detroit Pistons sign Quincy Miller to second 10-day contract

The Detroit Pistons announced today that the club has signed forward Quincy Miller to a second 10-day contract.

Miller, who originally signed a 10-day contract on 2/21, has yet to appear in a game with the Pistons but has been on one assignment with the Grand Rapids Drive, the Pistons’ NBA Development League (D-League) affiliate. In two games with the Drive, he averaged 11.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocks in 19.7 minutes per game. He recorded 15 points, 12 rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes vs. the Delaware 87ers (2/27).

In six games with the Sacramento Kings this season, Miller averaged 2.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 10.2 minutes.

The 6-foot-9 forward has also played for the Reno Big Horns of the NBA D-League where he averaged 25.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.6 blocks, 1.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 28.9 minutes in 15 games before signing with Detroit.

Heat sign Henry Walker to second 10-day contract

Miami Heat sign Henry Walker to second 10-day contract

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed forward Henry Walker to a second 10-day contract.

Walker, who was originally signed to a 10-day contract by the HEAT on February 21, has appeared in five games (one start) with Miami this season averaging 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 24.7 minutes. He has scored in double-figures in four of the five contests and hit consecutive three-point baskets, one with 22.4 seconds left and the next with 2.1 seconds remaining, to send the game into overtime where the HEAT secured a, 93-90, win at Orlando on February 25.

Walker has also appeared in 17 games (eight starts) for the HEAT’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, this season averaging 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.00 steals and 27.8 minutes while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 44.8 percent from three-point range. He was originally drafted in the second round (47th overall) by the Washington Wizards in the 2008 NBA Draft. The four-year NBA veteran has now appeared in 162 career NBA games (23 starts) averaging 5.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in 15.5 minutes of action while shooting 46.2 percent from the field.

James Harden suspended for kicking LeBron

James Harden suspended for kicking LeBron James

Houston Rockets guard James Harden has been suspended one game without pay for kicking Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James in the groin, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 2:08 remaining in the third quarter of the Rockets’ 105-103 overtime victory against the Cavaliers at Toyota Center on March 1. Harden was assessed a Flagrant Foul 1 for the incident, and it has been upgraded to a Flagrant Foul 2 upon league office review.

Harden will serve his suspension tomorrow when the Rockets travel to Atlanta to play the Hawks.

To view the play, click on this link.

Grizzlies sign JaMychal Green to multi-year contract

Grizzlies sign JaMychal Green to multi-year contract

The Memphis Grizzlies signed forward JaMychal Green to a multi-year contract, Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace announced today.

“Before first coming to Memphis, JaMychal was the top prospect in the NBA Development League, and he has impressed us both in games and in practice during his tenure with the Grizzlies,” Wallace said. “JaMychal is not only a gifted athlete with tremendous upside but he is a humble, very hard working individual who has quickly earned the respect of his new teammates.”

Green (6-9, 227) has made four appearances with Memphis this season, averaging 2.0 points and 1.3 rebounds in 3.8 minutes and scoring eight points on 3-of-3 shooting in his Grizzlies debut on Feb. 6 at Minnesota. Green first signed with Memphis on a 10-day contract as a Call-Up from the NBA Development League’s Austin Spurs on Feb. 1 and signed a second 10-day contract on Feb. 19. In his first NBA season, Green has recorded 2.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 5.0 minutes in eight total games with the Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs.

The 24-year-old averaged 23.0 points on .577 shooting, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.55 blocks in 31.8 minutes in 20 games (all starts) this season with Austin. The NBA D-League Player of the Month for games in December, Green ranked sixth in the D-League in scoring and rebounding per game and tied for seventh in double-doubles (15) before his Call-Up to the Grizzlies (among players with at least 10 games played).

Undrafted in the 2012 NBA Draft, the Montgomery, Ala. native averaged 13.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.72 blocks in 123 games over four seasons at the University of Alabama. He played 25 games for Chorale Roanne of the LNB Pro A League in France during the 2013-14 season.

Forbes says Michael Jordan is now a billionaire

Forbes says Michael Jordan is now a billionaire

Here’s the New York Daily News reporting that Michael Jordan is now a billionaire, according to Forbes.

Michael Jordan just had his name added to another impressive list.

The former Bulls star, who has NBA record-career averages for regular-season scoring (30.12) and playoff scoring (33.45), has been included on Forbes magazine’s billionaires list for the first time.

MJ had a net worth of $1 billion, according to the magazine, to land at No. 1,741. Forbes said it calculated each person’s wealth based on stock prices and exchange rates on Feb. 13, 2015.

Jimmy Butler out 3-6 weeks with elbow injury

Jimmy Butler out 3-6 weeks with elbow injury

The Chicago Bulls announced today that an MRI of Jimmy Butler confirmed a Grade 2/3 ulnar ligament sprain and small bone impaction injury to the left elbow. It is estimated that Butler may be out three to six weeks.

On the year, Butler has appeared in 55 games (all starts) and averaged a team-high 20.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.73 spg (ninth in the NBA) and 0.58 bpg in 38.9 mpg (first in the NBA).

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, “After announcing on Friday that Derrick Rose would be lost for at least four weeks with right knee surgery to again repair his meniscus, and then losing Taj Gibson with another left ankle injury in the Friday game, the team found out on Monday that All-Star Jimmy Butler had a confirmed Grade 2/3 ulnar ligament sprain and small bone impaction injury to his left elbow that could keep him sidelined anywhere from three to six weeks.:

More from the Sun-Times: “It’s our reality,’’ coach Tom Thibodeau said, when asked about now being down a former MVP, a Sixth Man of the Year Award finalist, and a first-time All-Star in Butler. “We got more than enough to get it done. Just find a way to win. [Sunday against the Clippers], it’s a tie score with about 61/2 minutes to go and it’s a one-possession game with four minutes to go, we gotta find a way to win. Whoever is out there, just get the job done. Know what your job is and go out there and get it done.’’

Sixers waive JaVale McGee

Sixers waive JaVale McGee

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today the team waived JaVale McGee prior to midnight on Mar. 1, making him eligible to join a postseason roster.

The Sixers originally acquired McGee and Oklahoma City’s protected 2015 first-round pick from Denver on Feb. 19, 2015.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, “JaVale McGee was able to keep all of his money. The former 76ers big man was opposed to being bought out, because that wouldn’t enable him to receive his full salary. So the Sixers agreed to waive the 7-footer Sunday night after a 94-74 setback to the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldnouse.”