December 2015 – Page 11 – NBA Blog

Pistons recall Spencer Dinwiddie and Darrun Hilliard from D-League

The Detroit Pistons recalled guards Spencer Dinwiddie and Darrun Hilliard from the team’s NBA D-League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Drive.

Dinwiddie and Hilliard each played one game with Grand Rapids at the Raptors 905 (Toronto Raptors affiliate) and helped to lead the Drive to a 128-99 victory. Hilliard scored a very impressive game-high 31 points to go with five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Dinwiddie was quiet offensively with four points but did have a team-high seven assists and three rebounds.

Dinwiddie has played in six games for Detroit this season averaging 6.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 16.5 minutes per game. Hilliard has appeared in two games, averaging 3.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 7.7 minutes per game.

Metta World Peace has long-time interest in coaching

Here’s the Los Angeles Daily News reporting on Lakers forward Metta World Peace and his long-time interest in coaching:

“It started when I first started playing basketball, I went to five star basketball camp back in 1999. It was fun. I coached Danny Green. He was one of my players. I remember him being the best on the team and I remember him sometimes not shooting. I would tell him to shoot. I was like, ‘Shoot the ball. Shoot the ball.’ It was fun. He remembers it too. That was when I was 19 or 20. I was young.

I always wanted to learn the game because I was never athletic. I picked the triangle offense quick in Chicago. I picked it up pretty well under Bill Cartwright. Then in Indiana, I was picking up everything quickly. I was young. But with all the defensive coverages I faced, was picking up everything. I was also giving input, not verbally but by example. Coach Carlisle said something one day I might be able to be a coach. I was 24 when he said that. I was confident when he said that. I have continued to coach. I have a little league team called ‘Triple Threat.’ I train people. Triple Threat was a team that my foundation funded. It was a team that we funded. I would coach them sometimes.” …

“I want to coach one day. I definitely have interest in coaching. But I want people to know I’m staying in tip top shape. Just because I want to coach doesn’t mean I’m retiring. If something opens up, I might apply for the job. It doesn’t mean I’m not staying in tip top shape. I’m not a player where I want to coach because I’m done playing basketball. I love playing basketball. I’m preparing for both.”

Thankfully, Victor Oladipo avoids injury

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel with good news on Magic guard Victor Oladipo, who is averaging 14.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game this season:

Victor Oladipo knee injury appears minor

From the Orlando Magic’s perspective, the only saving grace to the knee-to-knee collision between Victor Oladipo and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Jamal Crawford late in the Magic’s 103-101 loss Saturday night is it appears Oladipo avoided a significant injury.

Oladipo returned to the game about three and a half minutes after Crawford’s right knee banged into his left knee. After the game ended, Oladipo walked out of the Staples Center without crutches or even a sleeve around his knee.

“When he kneed me, it hurt so bad,” Oladipo said. “I don’t know what’s going on, really, honestly [with my knee]. But I’m feeling a lot better now. But it hurt really bad.”

Hawks recall Tim Hardaway Jr, Edy Tavares and Lamar Patterson from D-League

The Atlanta Hawks have recalled three players from the NBA Development League – guard Tim Hardaway Jr. and center Edy Tavares from the Canton Charge, and guard/forward Lamar Patterson from the Austin Spurs – it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer.

In D-League action this season, Hardaway Jr. has played in two games (both with Canton), averaging 17.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 32.7 minutes. Tavares has played in four contests (two with Canton and two with Austin), putting up 10.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in 24.1 minutes (.667 FG%, .857 FT%). Patterson has appeared in three games (all with Austin), and has averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists in 34.7 minutes.

Grizzlies recall James Ennis from D-League

The Memphis Grizzlies have recalled James Ennis from the team’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Iowa Energy, Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace announced today. Ennis completed his first career D-League assignment after being assigned by the Grizzlies on Dec. 4.

In his NBA D-League debut, Ennis (6-7, 210) posted 32 points (9-of-12 FG, 3-of-5 3P, 11-of-13 FT) to go with six rebounds, two assists and a steal in 34 minutes in Iowa’s 116-93 road win over the Canton Charge on Dec. 5. Now in his second NBA season, the 25-year-old Ventura, Calif. native has logged 16 minutes through six appearances with the Grizzlies and Miami Heat.

Grizzlies assign James Ennis to D-League

The Memphis Grizzlies have assigned forward James Ennis to the team’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Iowa Energy, Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace announced today.

Ennis (6-7, 210) has logged nine minutes in three appearances for the Grizzlies since he was traded by the Miami Heat with guard Mario Chalmers to Memphis for Beno Udrih and Jarnell Stokes on Nov. 10. Selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round (50th overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft, the 25-year-old holds NBA career averages of 4.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in 15.7 minutes in 68 games (three starts) in two seasons for the Heat (2014-15 to 2015-16) and Grizzlies (2015-16).

The Ventura, Calif. native was named the 2013 Big West Player of the Year following his senior year at California State University, Long Beach and played his first professional season (2013-14) in Australia and Puerto Rico before joining the NBA.

Clippers assign Branden Dawson to D-League

The L.A. Clippers announced today they have assigned forward Branden Dawson to the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA Development League pursuant to the Flexible Assignment System.

Dawson, a Second-Team All-Big Ten performer in his final season at Michigan State University finished his four-year career for the Spartans as the all-time leader in blocks (142), fifth in starts (121), sixth in steals (163) and seventh in rebounds (902).

This is the second Development League assignment for Dawson, who participated in six games for Bakersfield and averaged 6.3 points, 3.8 rebounds on 41.5% shooting from the field in 17.3 minutes.

He is one of three players in MSU history with 1,000 career points and 100 career blocks, joining Draymond Green and Adreian Payne.

Sixers waive Phil Pressey

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today the team has waived guard Phil Pressey.

Additionally, the Sixers have recalled guards Tony Wroten and Kendall Marshall from the NBA Development League.

The Sixers roster currently stands at 15.

At 1-19, the team has the worst record in the NBA so far this season. They’re being led by rookie Jahlil Okafor (17.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg) — though the young talented big-man was recently suspended two games due to off-court incidents.

Various Nets impressed by Kristaps Porzingis

New York Knicks rookie power forward Kristaps Porzingis is averaging 13.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game this season, and is improving regularly. He has the attention of the league, and certainly players right nearby on the Nets. Here’s the New York Post reporting:

Various Nets compliment Kristaps Porzingis

While Kristaps Porzingis was busy throwing shade at Brooklyn — saying the Knicks had the better fans — the Nets were throwing bouquets at him. And with the rivals set to face off Friday in the Garden, Nets point guard Jarrett Jack tapped the 20-year-old big man as the favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year.

“Clearly, I think he’s the clear case for Rookie of the Year right now. I would believe so, with all the naysayers in the beginning, and then him coming out and just playing hard,’’ Jack said. “Sure, he has some skills to go with it, but from what I’ve seen, he puts himself in position to get tip-dunks. I’ve seen him in situations where he’s gotten steals on the break, making plays.” …

“I’ve been watching him. He’s very, very good,’’ said power forward Thaddeus Young, who will start matched up vs. Porzingis.

Willie Cauley-Stein out with finger injury

Willie Cauley-Stein out 4-6 weeks with finger injury

Sacramento Kings rookie center Willie Cauley-Stein sustained an open dislocation of his right index finger late in the fourth quarter tonight against the Boston Celtics in Mexico City.

After evaluation by Kaiser Permanente doctors on site, it was determined that Cauley-Stein will miss approximately 4-6 weeks of action.

The Kings are 7-13 this season. Cauley-Stein is averaging 4.6 points and 5.2 rebounds in 19.0 minutes per game.