February 2016 – Page 11 – NBA Blog

Kevin Love shoulder injury seems very minor

Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love’s latest shoulder injury appears to be very minor, fortunately. Here’s ESPN.com reporting:

Cavaliers forward Kevin Love exited Cleveland’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers late in the first half on Wednesday with a left shoulder contusion and did not return.

It is the same shoulder Love dislocated in the first round of the playoffs against the Boston Celtics, causing him to miss the remainder of Cleveland’s postseason run to the Finals.

“At the time I didn’t know really what it was,” Love said after the Cavs’ 120-111 win over the Lakers. “Just like when you get hit in the funny bone, the elbow has shooting pain. It felt like fire was running down my arm. Just a stinger, and doctors decided we’ll be cautious and use the break for it to feel better, but it actually feels OK right now.”

Cavs general manager David Griffin told ESPN’s Lisa Salters that Love is not expected to miss much time. Griffin said the injury looked a lot worse than it is. Love told reporters he did not expect to miss any games.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist suffers dislocated shoulder

Here’s the Charlotte Observer reporting on the latest injury to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist:

Charlotte Hornets small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist suffered a dislocated right shoulder during the second half of Wednesday’s 117-95 road victory over the Indiana Pacers.

Kidd-Gilchrist was taken to an Indianapolis hospital where doctors would pop the shoulder back into the joint. This is the same shoulder that Kidd-Gilchrist injured in the preseason, requiring surgery to repair a torn labrum.

The Hornets said postgame that Kidd-Gilchrist will have an MRI in Charlotte Thursday to determine the seriousness of this injury.

Kidd-Gilchrist had an excellent recovery from that previous shoulder injury, returning to the active roster about two months earlier than originally projected.

Damian Lillard added as Team USA finalist

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has been added to the roster of finalists for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team, USA Basketball announced today. The addition was approved by the USA Basketball Board of Directors. The official 12-member 2016 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team roster will be announced later this year.

Named to the 2014-16 USA Basketball Men’s National Team in January 2014, the 6-foot-3 guard was a finalist for the 2014 USA World Cup Team, and played in two exhibition games during the 2014 USA National Team Tour, recording seven points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal in 24 minutes of action in the USA’s 105-62 win against Dominican Republic on Aug. 20, 2014.

Currently in his fourth NBA season, Lillard in 2015-16 is averaging career-highs of 24.2 points (6th in the NBA) and 7.3 assists per game (7th in the NBA), while adding 4.4 rebounds per game, and shooting 41.8 percent from the field, 36.2 percent from 3-point and 86.5 percent from the foul line.

“I recently received a call from Damian, and during our conversation he expressed his desire to be considered for the U.S. Olympic Team and to remain involved with the USA National Team in the future as well,” said Jerry Colangelo, who has served as the managing director of the USA Men’s National Team since 2005. “Both Mike (Krzyzewski) and I feel like Damian is playing at a very high level and that he should be added to our list of Olympic finalists. Damian has been a member of the USA National Team since 2014, and he participated in National Team training camps in 2013 and 2014, so he does have equity in USA Basketball, which is always important to me.”

For now, Kings keeping coach George Karl

Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting on the 21-31 Kings, who are on a four-game losing streak:

In what might be the most instinctive and impressive move of his short reign as the Kings’ general manager, Vlade Divac hit the brakes and prevented his franchise from spinning out of control. To the surprise of many, he spoke with his coach in Philadelphia, discussed the issues about defense, energy and erratic performances, and reacted with an abundance of common sense.

He didn’t fire George Karl.

He fixated on personnel flaws.

He took the car keys from DeMarcus Cousins.

That latter topic of discussion? That was huge. The 6-foot-11 Cousins, who devours Kings coaches for breakfast, lunch and dinner, isn’t bigger than the building and certainly not bigger than the team. Yet for the first time in a very long time, the Kings’ ownership/front office demonstrated a modicum of maturity, an approach that is thoughtful and measured, not the familiar knee-jerk reaction.

Tyronn Lue recalls how Kobe Bryant wanted to fight him

Here’s the Los Angeles Daily News sharing a great flashback to the past:

In his second NBA season with the Lakers (1999-2000), Lue played in a five-on-five scrimmage that in most circumstances would have suggested Bryant would pull off an endless highlight reel. Lue played on the reserve unit with Devean George, Brian Shaw, Mark Madsen and Slava Medvedenko. Bryant represented the starters that also included Shaquille O’Neal and Derek Fisher.

But as Bryant drove baseline for a layup, Lue recalled cutting from the elbow down toward the paint to block his dunk attempt against the glass. George then made a layup to seal the win. Shaw then teased Bryant for Lue’s scrimmage-defining block.

“He went crazy. Kobe wanted to fight me at first,” said Lue, who is now the Cleveland Cavaliers coach. “He wanted to play one-on-one after practice. He said, ‘We’re going to play one-on-one, me and you.’ I said, ‘No, I’m not playing you one-on-one.’ He was so mad. Then after that, every day we stepped onto the court and he just went after me every single day. It was crazy.”

Clippers suspend and fine Blake Griffin

The following is a joint statement from L.A. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Doc Rivers:

The L.A. Clippers announced today that forward Blake Griffin has been suspended without pay for four games for striking a team employee on Jan. 23 and his wages will be withheld for one additional game for injuries he sustained. The NBA has assisted us in this process.

The Clippers will donate the salary from the five games to charities focused on disadvantaged youth in Los Angeles. At his request, Blake will support this activity with his time.

We have made it clear that this conduct has no place in the Clippers organization. Blake is remorseful and has apologized for his actions. He is a valued member of our Clippers family and we support him as he rejoins the team. He understands his actions have consequences, and is eager to get back to work with his teammates, the organization and Clipper Nation which starts immediately with rehab, appearances and attendance at games.

For our team and organization, it is time to move forward which begins today and ultimately concludes when we have Blake back on the court.

Pau Gasol replaces Jimmy Butler in 2016 NBA All-Star game

The NBA announced today that Bulls forward/center Pau Gasol will replace injured Bulls guard/forward Jimmy Butler in the 2016 NBA All-Star Game. For Gasol, it marks the second consecutive season that he has been named an All-Star and his sixth selection overall.

The 35-year old Gasol has appeared in 48 games, where he has averaged 17.0 ppg, 10.9 rpg (third in the East; sixth in the NBA), 3.3 apg, 2.02 bpg (second; fifth) and 0.63 spg in 31.9 mpg. On the year, he is shooting .477 from the floor and .809 from the line. He has also turned in a team-high 29 double-doubles (second; fifth).

A 14-year veteran of the NBA, Gasol has led Chicago in scoring 12 times, in boards 33 times and in assists eight times. He has scored 20 or more points 14 times, including two contests with at least 30 points. The Bulls big man has also grabbed 10 or more rebounds in 31 games. Gasol also joins former Bulls center Artis Gilmore (1978, 1979; 1981, 1982) and Joakim Noah (2013, 2014) as the only big men in team history to garner All-Star accolades in consecutive seasons.

Phil Jackson says interim Kurt Rambis will remain head coach

The New York Knicks tossed head coach Derek Fisher to the curb this morning and put assistant Kurt Rambis in charge. But how long will Rambis get to run the show? For a while, apparently. Here’s the New York Post reporting:

The interim label was firmly affixed to the new head coach, but Knicks president Phil Jackson insisted he has his man in Kurt Rambis and is not seeking candidates to replace Derek Fisher, ousted after a season and a half.

“Kurt Rambis will be the new coach. We’re not in a coaching hunt, looking for anybody else. He’s the associate head coach. I have complete confidence in his ability to coach this team,” Jackson said Monday, indicating Rambis will serve out at least the rest of the season. “He has plenty of experience.”

Now whether that experience or whatever happens in the Knicks’ final 28 games will be enough to bring Rambis back next season remains to be seen. But rolled up in 18 seasons of coaching experience, Rambis said, is his belief there is only one way to right the listing ship: Kurt Rambis’ way.

“It’s not necessarily different,” Rambis said when asked how he will vary from Fisher, fired Monday after compiling a 40-96 record in his first head-coaching job. “The recommendation and advice we all receive from veteran coaches: You’ve got to be yourself. You’ve got to do things your way so if you end up in a situation where you do get fired, you feel like you handled things the way you wanted.”

Festus Ezeli undergoes knee surgery

Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli underwent successful arthroscopic surgery this morning to clean out debris from his left knee, the team announced. The procedure was performed by Dr. Arthur Ting at the Fremont Surgery Center.

Ezeli, who is expected to return this season, will be re-evaluated in six weeks. The 6’11” center last appeared in a game on January 25 versus San Antonio and has missed the last five games due to a sore left knee. In 40 games this season (11 starts), Ezeli is averaging 7.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.23 blocks in 17.8 minutes per contest.

Terrico White is D-League Performer of Week

Terrico White named D-League Performer of Week

Terrico White of the Bakersfield Jam was today named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Monday, Feb. 1 through Sunday, Feb 7. The honor is the first of White’s career.

White (6-5, 190, Ole Miss) helped Bakersfield to a 3-0 week, averaging 29.7 points (third in the league) on 52.5 percent shooting (32-for-61) to go with 6.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals. He connected on 12-of-25 attempts (48.0 percent) from three-point range.

White was selected 36th overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2010 NBA Draft. He is averaging 17.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists this season.

Other top performers considered include Bakersfield’s Cory Jefferson and Xavier Munford, Delaware’s Russ Smith, Reno’s Ricky Ledo and Sioux Falls’ Jarnell Stokes (on assignment by the Miami Heat).