March 2015 – Page 7 – NBA Blog

Jarvis Threatt named D-League Performer of Week through March 15

Rio Grande Valley Vipers guard Jarvis Threatt was today named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Monday, March 9 – Sunday, March 15. The honor is the first of Threatt’s career.

Threatt (6-2, 165, Delaware) led Rio Grande Valley to a 2-0 week and averaged 25.0 points on 55 percent shooting, to go with 12.5 assists, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals. On March 15, Threatt notched a triple-double with 18 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in a 131-125 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors. It was the fourth triple-double in Vipers franchise history, joining Will Conroy, Gary Talton and Toure’ Murry. The win ended Santa Cruz’s 11-game winning streak.

Threatt has appeared in 27 games and is averaging 10.8 points, 4.3 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

Other top performers considered included Bakersfield’s Jerel McNeal, Canton’s Arinze Onuaku, Maine’s Omari Johnson and Tim Frazier, Santa Cruz’s Mychel Thompson and Texas’ Dwight Powell.

Dwight Howard participates in some of Rockets practice

Dwight Howard participates in some of Rockets practice

Here’s the Houston Chronicle reporting on the Rockets, who will be happy to welcome Dwight Howard back when he’s ready to return, even if they’ve shown a terrific ability to play and win without him:

Rockets center Dwight Howard was able to go through a lot of practice with the team on Monday, said coach Kevin McHale.

There is still no date set for Howard’s return but he is getting closer, after being out the last 22 games with edema in his knee.

“We didn’t have a really hard practice, but he was able to do some things and he looked good,” McHale said.

Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis named NBA Players of Week through March 15

Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis named NBA Players of Week

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving and New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 9, through Sunday, March 15.

Irving helped the Cavaliers to a 3-0 week behind a league-best 37.3 points. The fourth-year guard added 4.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 steals as the Cavaliers posted road victories over the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Orlando Magic. Irving led the league in three-point percentage (.867) last week. He recorded his second 50-point game of the season on March 12, when he netted a career-high 57 points during a 128-125 overtime win over the Spurs.

Davis led the Pelicans to a 2-1 week, with averages of 31.3 points (second in the league), 10.0 rebounds (tied-10th in the West), 6.0 assists and a league-leading 4.7 blocks. Davis posted two point-rebound double-doubles and handed out five or more assists in all three games. He tallied 36 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and nine blocks during the Pelicans’ lone loss of the week, a 118-111 double-overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets on March 15.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Denver’s Kenneth Faried, Indiana’s Rodney Stuckey, the Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker, Utah’s Rudy Gobert and Washington’s John Wall.

Bucks sign Chris Johnson to second 10-day contract

Bucks sign Chris Johnson to second 10-day contract

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed forward Chris Johnson to a second 10-day contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today. Johnson appeared in five games for the Bucks during his first 10-day contract and averaged 4.6 points and 2.0 rebounds in 20.0 minutes per game.

Johnson signed his initial 10-day contract on March 6.

Jazz sign Jack Cooley to second 10-day contract

Jazz sign Jack Cooley to second 10-day contract

The Utah Jazz announced the team has signed forward Jack Cooley of the Jazz’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Idaho Stampede, to a second 10-day contract. Cooley signed his first 10-day with the Jazz on Feb. 24 and appeared in one Jazz game, scoring four points in two minutes at Denver on Feb. 27, before rejoining the Stampede.

Cooley (6-9, 246, Notre Dame) appeared in 20 games for the Stampede this season, averaging 16.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.3 blocks in 30.8 minutes per contest. On March 13, Cooley set a new D-League single-game record by grabbing 29 rebounds vs. Los Angeles D-Fenders, adding 27 points while going 11-of-14 from the floor (78.6 percent). Over his last three games, Cooley averaged 22.7 points on 65.9 percent shooting (27-of-41) and 22.7 rebounds per game with the Stampede. He recorded 13 double-doubles, including four straight since returning to the D-League. He scored in double figures on 17 occasions and recorded 20-plus points in six games.

Cooley attended 2014 training camp with the Jazz, averaging 3.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in 5.8 minutes in two preseason games. He was waived on Oct. 22.

The 23-year-old forward played for Trabzonspor in the Turkish Basketball League during the 2013-14 season, averaging 12.6 points and 6.9 rebounds in 22.9 minutes in 28 games (19 starts).

Cooley played four years at Notre Dame (2009-13), averaging 13.1 points and 10.1 rebounds during his senior season. He also led the team with 41 blocked shots and earned 2013 All-Big East First Team honors. Cooley totaled 32 double-doubles throughout his career with the Fighting Irish, including 19 his senior campaign. He also earned the 2012 Big East Most Improved Player award and was named to the 2012 All-Big East Second Team.

Jazz sign Bryce Cotton to multi-year contract

Jazz sign Bryce Cotton to multi-year contract

Jazz sign Bryce Cotton to a multi-year contract

The Utah Jazz announced today that team has signed guard Bryce Cotton to a multi-year contract.

Cotton signed his first of two 10-day contracts with the Jazz on Feb. 24 and has appeared in three Jazz games, averaging 1.7 points in 4.0 minutes per contest.

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 was not selected in the 2014 NBA Draft.

With most starters out, Hawks beat Lakers

With most starters out, Hawks beat Lakers

The Atlanta Hawks are 52-14 this season, which is the best record in the Eastern conference and second best in the NBA behind the 52-13 Warriors. They believe a deep playoff run is possible. Which means they need to keep their squad healthy, and a good way to do that is to rest key players when their game schedule gets a little too crowded. Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting:

What difference does another starter make?

The Hawks were already resting three starters – Jeff Teague, DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap – when they lost Kyle Korver to a broken nose during Sunday’s game against the lowly Lakers.

It didn’t matter.

Al Horford, the lone remaining starter, had 21 points, five rebounds, five steals and three assists as the Hawks defeated the Lakers 91-86 Sunday night at Staples Center. Horford played a normal 35 minutes as the Hawks controlled much of the game and a held off a Lakers’ fourth-quarter rally in a reserve-lead effort.

Dennis Schroder had a game- and career-high 24 points to go with 10 assists. His layup with 13.9 seconds left stopped a 16-2 Lakers run. He added two free throws in the closing seconds to ice the win.

Knicks guard Jose Calderon remains out

Knicks guard Jose Calderon remains out

Here’s the New York Post reporting on a key member of the 13-52 Knicks:

Derek Fisher allowed for the possibility that Jose Calderon won’t make it back this season despite the point guard’s ardent wishes to return.

Calderon has a tricky left Achilles tendon strain, and before the Knicks’ 125-94 loss to the Warriors on Saturday night, the point guard was ruled out for the remainder of the western trip. He will miss his 10th straight game Sunday when the
Knicks finish their five-game journey in Phoenix.

The Knicks appear a little more cautious since Trail Blazers shooting guard Wesley Matthews ruptured his Achilles tendon earlier this month. Matthews, who probably will miss training camp, is a free agent the Knicks covet.

Kyle Korver shooting slump may be over

Kyle Korver shooting slump may be over

Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting on Hawks sharpshooter Kyle Korver, who wasn’t quite so sharp for a while but seems to have regained the ability to do what he’s famous for:

It’s hard to argue with the benefits of an off day for Kyle Korver.

The Hawks guard was mired in a shooting slump for more than a month. His frustration was becoming evident as he couldn’t find his rhythm.

So when the team departed for a road game at Philadelphia last week, coach Mike Budenholzer told Korver to stay home. Get away from the game and clear your mind, he said. Korver missed the March 7 loss to the 76ers and didn’t touch a basketball during the brief time off. A weight lifting session and a chiropractic appointment were his only work-related activities.

There was plenty to get away from. Since Feb. 4, Korver was shooting 36.2 percent, including 34.6 percent from 3-point range.

However, in the three games since the hiatus, Korver is shooting 72 percent (18 of 25) from the field. That includes a stunning 73.7 percent (14 of 19) from long distance.

Tobias Harris discusses how to try to guard LeBron

Tobias Harris discusses how to try to guard LeBron

At 6pm ET today, the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Orlando Magic. Guarding LeBron James has always been a difficult task, and it’s probably even harder now that Cavs chemistry has improved. Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting:

Tobias Harris, Maurice Harkless and Aaron Gordon almost certainly will spend time guarding James one-on-one at some point tonight. But Borrego and Magic players said the task for slowing James and James’ teammates will be more of a “collective effort.”

“You’ve just got to be physical all night,” Harris said. “You’ve got to be tuned in. It’s gonna be a group effort from everybody, because he’s somebody that can make plays for everybody on the floor. He’s such a good passer that he gets everybody going. So it’s really going to be a collective effort from everybody on our team tonight.”

The Magic (21-46) need a win, any win, these days.

They’ve lost their last three games following a winless road trip to Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Boston in which they faltered down the stretch against the Bucks and the Celtics.