Jerry Stackhouse had an MRI today that revealed he has a mild right hamstring strain. He will miss approximately one week of action.

In 38 games with two starts, Stackhouse has averaged 9.9 points, 2.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 24.4 minutes this season. The 12-year pro suffered the injury at Charlotte on January 23, 2008.

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that a MRI had revealed that Brent Barry suffered a grade II strain of the medial head of his gastrocnemius muscle in his left calf. The injury occurred during the third quarter of the Spurs-Miami Heat game on 1/24. He is expected to miss three-to-four weeks.

Barry had previously torn the plantaris muscle in his left calf on 12/26 against Chicago. He missed nine games due to the injury.

Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced today that the team has re-assigned rookie guard Morris Almond to the Utah Flash of the NBA Development League (D-League). Almond joins fellow rookie Kyrylo Fesenko, who is already on assignment with the Flash.

Almond, a 6-6, 225-pound guard out of Rice was selected by the Jazz in the first round (25th overall selection) of the 2007 NBA Draft. He has appeared in six games for the Jazz, totaling three points, one assist and one steal in 25 minutes of action. He appeared in two games for the Jazz during his most recent stint with the team, averaging 1.5 points and 0.5 assists in 7.0 minutes per game.

Almond was previously assigned to the Jazz’s D-League affiliate from December 6 - January 8 and appeared in 10 games (all starts) for the Flash, averaging a league-leading 29.8 points, along with 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 37.6 minutes per game. He was named D-League Player of the Week (Dec. 17-23) after averaging 43.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals while shooting 32-of-68 (.471) from the field. During that week, Almond scored a D-League record-tying 51 points in a win over the Austin Toros on December 21.

Almond will join the Flash for its game vs. Sioux Falls tonight.

The start of the Cavaliers season was a mess due to injuries and unsigned players. Now, one of the two key guys who rejoined the team after the season had already started may be gone for a while. The AP reports:

Cavaliers guard Sasha Pavlovic could miss up to two months because of a sprained left foot, a blow to the defending Eastern Conference champions, who are playing their best ball this season. Pavlovic got hurt during the third quarter of Wednesday night’s win over Washington.

The Cavs have played great basketball over the last month. This hurts their flow.

Starters were announced for the 2008 All-Star game (see full results here) and Denver Nuggets guard Allen Iverson will start on the West. Here’s what he had to say about it:

How does it feel to be named a starter?

Allen Iverson: “It’s a good feeling. I think it’s a tribute to my teammates and coaching staff because without those guys none of that would be possible. But most of all I just want to thank the fans for appreciating what I go out and do on the court night in and night out. That’s the best feeling of all this…the people that make us who we are picked me to be their starter.”

Are you surprised that you caught Tracy McGrady?

Allen Iverson: “I was kind of surprised because two weeks ago I was behind him by like 80,000 votes, so I was surprised that I caught him so fast. And to be able to catch somebody with that much talent and fan-base says a lot about the Allen Iverson fans out there.”

Are you excited to be starting alongside your Nuggets teammate, Carmelo Anthony?

Allen Iverson: “Melo is a great basketball player and a great teammate. I start beside him all the time and then to have a chance to start beside him in a big game like the All-Star Game is just a blessing.”

This is your ninth selection. Does it ever get old?

Allen Iverson: “Never…never…this will never get old. This time feels like the first one. It’s just a great feeling and an honor, and I’m just looking forward to trying to play the best that I can play for the fans.”

CARMELO ANTHONY QUOTES

How does it feel to be named a starter?

Carmelo Anthony: “It feels great. It feels like I’m over the hump now and people are starting to realize the hard work that I put in to get here. It’s all because of the fans. They’re obviously liking what they’ve been seeing out of me and the production that I’m giving out there on the court this season. And like I said it’s finally starting to pay off.”

Are you excited that you’ll be starting alongside Iverson?

Carmelo Anthony: “It’s just going to feel like normal, like we’re here with the Nuggets. But I’m happy that I’m a starter and I’m happy that he’s a starter. You know, anytime you get two guys starting in an All-Star Game, or even just being named to the team, it’s an honor.”