Day: April 5, 2008

Iguodala unleashes mock-anger at Lou Williams

After the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Nets in New Jersey on Tuesday, April 1, Sixers star Andre Iguodala put on a brief show for the media by clowning around and pretending to be mad at Lou Williams.

In the Sixers (visiting team) locker room, Iguodala loudly and angrily yelled “Switch, man I told you to switch!” at Williams from across the room, with about a dozen or two reporters easily hearing it.

After pretending to be annoyed with Williams, Iguodala busted out a big grin, laughing, “Ahhh, I got you all!” to the media. Then he looked at Williams and laughed: “They were looking!”

The Sixers are having fun, and headed to the playoffs.

– Jeff

Lakers assign Coby Karl to D-League

The Los Angeles Lakers have re-assigned guard Coby Karl to the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

Karl, who became the 11th NBA player assigned to a D-League affiliate earlier this season on November 28, was re-assigned to the D-Fenders February 14.

During his first assignment, Karl played in 10 games with the D-Fenders from November 29 – December 22, averaging 18.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 38.4 minutes while shooting .435 from three-point range and .492 from the field.

In three games during his second stint with the D-Fenders from February 14 – February 19, Karl averaged 14.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 37.2 minutes.

In 13 total games with the D-Fenders this season, Karl is averaging 17.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 38.1 minutes.

Earlier this season on February 19, Karl joined Lakers’ second-year guard Jordan Famar as the only other player in league history to see action in same-day D-League and NBA games, recording 15 points, five rebounds and six assists in 37 minutes during the D-Fenders’ 2:30 pm contest versus Tulsa. In the Lakers’ 7:30 pm game versus Atlanta, Karl posted five points and an assist in six minutes of action, marking the fourth D-League/NBA individual double-header in league history behind Farmar’s three during the 2006-07 season (April 1st, 3rd and 12th).

Signed by the Lakers as an undrafted rookie free agent on July 30, 2007, Karl has appeared in 17 games this season, averaging 1.8 points and 0.8 rebounds in 4.2 minutes.

Last season, the 6’5” guard averaged 14.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists as a senior at Boise State and was named First Team All-WAC. Karl, who left Boise State as the all-time leader in games played (127) and three-point field goals made (266), ranks third on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,698 career points.

Nuggets assign Taurean Green to D-League

The Denver Nuggets have assigned G Taurean Green to the Colorado 14ers of the NBA Development League, team Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced today.

Green, 6-0, 177, has averaged 1.6 ppg in 17 games with the Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers this season.

This marks the 50th player assignment to the NBA Development League this season with 31 different players having been assigned, including Green earlier in the year. While with Portland, Green was assigned to the Idaho Stampede and averaged 19.3 ppg, 9.8 apg and 5.3 rpg in four appearances.

Green was acquired by the Nuggets from Portland in exchange for Von Wafer on February 21.

Woman fights Jordan harassment suit

The AP reports: A woman who claims Michael Jordan fathered her child wants the former NBA star to submit to a third paternity test. Lisa Miceli also is asking a judge to lift a temporary restraining order imposed after Jordan filed a harassment suit against her. Miceli, 35, claims Jordan fathered her four-year-old son, but Jordan’s lawsuit says two 2005 paternity tests rule him out as the boy’s father.

Yao Ming visiting China this week

The Houston Chronicle (Jonathan Feigen) reports: Seeking a break in his rehabilitation routine, Rockets center Yao Ming is visiting China this week with plans to return to Houston in time for the playoffs. “He’s done a stretch of his rehab,” John Huizinga, Yao’s NBA agent, said. “He has a long stretch of rehab coming up. This is a window of time. It’s an opportunity to take a break and get a change of scenery. He wants to be back to be with his Rockets teammates once he is off his crutches for the playoffs, and when that happens he will step up treatment too.”

Apr. 4: Lakers 112, Mavs 108

The AP reports: Lamar Odom scored a season-high 31 points against a subpar Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant added 25 points and 10 rebounds, and the Pacific Division-leading Lakers put a crimp in the Dallas Mavericks’ postseason push with a 112-108 victory on Friday night… Pau Gasol had 25 points and seven assists for Los Angeles, and Odom grabbed 10 rebounds. It was the sixth time this season that the Lakers have had three players with 20 or more points—all victories… Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavs with 27 points, Jason Terry scored 25 and Josh Howard added 23. Jason Kidd had 10 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. This was the Mavericks’ 10th loss that was decided by four points or less.

Apr. 4: Rockets 79, Sonics 66

The AP reports: After a relatively mortal first half, Tracy McGrady ignored the pain in his injured left shoulder to score 18 of his 25 points in the third quarter, and the Houston Rockets kept pace in the wild Western Conference playoff race with a 79-66 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics on Friday night… Bobby Jackson added 13 points, playing well in place of injured starter Rafer Alston, who missed his second straight game with a sore hamstring…  Nick Collison had 15 points and 11 rebounds, but the Sonics lost for the 20th time in 22 games and assured themselves of at least matching the worst record in franchise history… Kevin Durant missed his first eight attempts, and finished 2-of-17 with a season-low four points.

Apr. 4: Suns 117, Wolves 88

The AP reports: Steve Nash had 14 points and 11 assists, then sat out the final quarter Friday night while the Suns completed a 117-88 rout of the Timberwolves. Amare Stoudemire had 24 points in 28 minutes as five Suns reached double figures. Grant Hill, out for the previous three games with a strained right groin, had 16 points and 10 rebounds… Raja Bell added 15 points and Leandro Barbosa 11 for the Suns… Al Jefferson scored 20 on 11-of-26 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who fell to an NBA-worst 5-32 on the road. The Timberwolves shot 38 percent.

Apr. 4: Pacers 105, Bucks 101

The AP reports: Mike Dunleavy had 27 points and 11 rebounds and the Pacers kept their faint postseason hopes alive by edging the Milwaukee Bucks 105-101 on Friday night… Ramon Sessions came off the bench to spark the Bucks in the closing seconds with two layups and a free throw. Michael Redd, who led Milwaukee with 28 points, converted a layup with 11.4 seconds left to cut Indiana’s lead to three, but Dunleavy made one of two free throws to seal the victory… Troy Murphy scored 17 points and Danny Granger added 13 for Indiana, which has missed the playoffs the last two seasons… Andrew Bogut added 21 points and 16 rebounds for Milwaukee.

Apr. 4: Wizards 109, Heat 95

The AP reports: The woeful Heat set a franchise record with 19 3-pointers and still couldn’t beat the Wizards, who were without Antawn Jamison for the first time this season. Jamison, who averages 21.5 points and a team-leading 10.2 rebounds a game, was sidelined with a sprained right shoulder… Caron Butler scored 29 points for the Washington. Darius Songaila, who started in Jamison’s place, had 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists, and Andray Blatche had 17 points… Gilbert Arenas served as a reserve again, finishing with 13 points, eight assists and five rebounds in 21 minutes… Ricky Davis had a season-high 33 points and Chris Quinn finished with 24 for the Heat, who must win two of their final six games to avoid tying the worst record in their 20-year history.