Day: February 27, 2009

President Obama attends Wizards game

The Washington Wizards welcomed President Barack Obama to tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls.

He left with just under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter as the Wizards were enjoying a 103-86 victory. Surrounded by security, Obama shook hands hands with plenty of fans and received a nice ovation from the crowd as he headed out.

Obama attended the game as a special guest of Abe Pollin, owner of the Wizards and Verizon Center.  Tonight marked his first presidential appearance at an NBA game.

“We are very proud and honored that President Obama attended tonight’s game at Verizon Center,” said Pollin.   “Irene and I want to officially welcome the president to the neighborhood and hope that he and his family will attend many more events here at Verizon Center.”

Obama viewed the game both from the stands and as a guest in Pollin’s suite.  He joins Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter as presidents who have attended Wizards/Bullets games.

Read fan discussion and post your own comments in this forum thread.

Nuggets notes

The Good: The Nuggets win vs. Atlanta on 2/25 snapped a three-game losing streak, which had matched their longest losing streak of the season (also dropped three-straight from 12/16-12/20). Additionally, the Nuggets once again avoided losing consecutive home games with their win on 2/25. They have not lost consecutive games at the Pepsi Center since the 2006-07 season (2/5 and 2/7/07).

The Bad: The Nuggets allowed 120 points at Milwaukee on 2/22, tying a Nuggets opponent season-high for total points. With the loss, Denver is now 5-6 so far this season when giving up 110 or more points.

And the Ugly: The 114-76 loss for Denver vs. Boston on 2/23 tied the second-worst home loss in Nuggets NBA history, while it tied the third worst home loss in Nuggets franchise history as well. With the 38-point loss on 2/23, this is now the first time since 1997-98 that the Nuggets have suffered two losses of 38+ points during the same season (also lost by 44 at New Jersey earlier this year on 2/7).

NBA bans Dwyane Wade’s designer band-aids

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Ira Winderman) reports: The personalized Band-Aid era is over. The slogan-bearing bandages Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade has been wearing beneath his previously injured left eye have been banned by the NBA. “We spoke to them,” NBA spokesman Tim Frank said today. “A player can wear a Band-Aid for healthcare purposes, but it shouldn’t have any name or identifications on it.” … “You can’t wear an identifiable Band-Aid,” Frank said. “We don’t expect it to be an issue, so there will be no need for a penalty.”

Clippers waive Jason Hart

The Los Angeles Clippers today waived guard Jason Hart.

In 28 games played this season, Hart averaged 2.3 points, 1.5 assists and 11.1 minutes per contest.  Over his eight-year NBA career, Hart has recorded averages of 4.9 points, 2.3 assists and 16.1 minutes per game.

The Clippers acquired Hart from the Utah Jazz on July 23, 2008 in exchange for guard Brevin Knight.

Phoenix Suns ticket prices staying same in 2009-10

The Phoenix Suns announced today that there will be no increase in prices for Suns season tickets for the 2009-10 season.  The club will mail complete renewal information to season ticket holders today.  In addition to the price freeze, the plan includes a new interest-free flexible payment option and free parking for those who choose to pay in full.

“It is not ‘business as usual’ for our season ticket holders in this challenging economy,” said Rick Welts, President and COO of the Phoenix Suns.   “We want our most devoted fans to know that their team is listening to them and that the plan we are unveiling today addresses their concerns.  Our goal is to ensure that our fans can continue to enjoy the experience of Phoenix Suns basketball at a great value.”

Celtics suspend Gabe Pruitt for two games

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have suspended guard Gabe Pruitt for two games for conduct detrimental to the team.

“I recognize that my behavior was inappropriate and accept the consequences of my action as determined by the Celtics,” said Pruitt.

Pruitt, a 6’4”, 170lb guard, is in his second year with the Celtics and is averaging 2.3 points in 8.8 minutes per game this season. The former USC Trojan has appeared in 36 games for the Celtics this season.

Analysis: Marbury can help Celtics

Former New York Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury has signed with the Boston Celtics.

Although Marbury was a starter pretty much his entire career and is capable of putting up 20 points and tossing around eight assists over the course of a full game, the Celtics already have championship-level chemistry, and having Rajon Rondo run things is working out just fine. So they’re not changing that.

It’s expected that Marbury will be used as a prime scoring option off the bench, alongside Eddie House.

But the Celtics win with defense and teamwork, so they’re not looking to have Marbury merely put the ball in the hoop a few times. He’ll be expected to defend as hard as he’s ever done in his life. And move the ball properly.

If he dominates the rock more than the team wants him to, or lets his man go by him too consistently, or doesn’t grasp their team defense schemes, coach Doc Rivers won’t hesitate to sit Marbury down.

If a problem develops, they’ll get rid of him immediately.

It’ll be interesting to watch, but I think in limited minute and a clear backup role and his head on straight, Marbury makes the Celtics better.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Erik Spoelstra plays Tupac at Heat practices

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Dave Hyde) writes: Most days, Erik Spoelstra opens practice with Tupac Shakur rapping in the background, which is the Heat coach’s way of finding someone to “motivate the motivator,” as mentor Pat Riley says. Tupac motivates Spoelstra. “He’s of my time,” he says. It’s an interesting storyline if you freeze it there, the young coach relating to hip-hop players in a manner few NBA coaches do. Early on, Heat players took it to mean their new coach might be one of them, and lobbied for other, newer music. “Then they found out I only liked Tupac,” Spoelstra, 37, says.

Gabe Pruitt arrested for DUI

The Boston Globe (Frank Dell’Apa) reports: Reserve guard Gabe Pruitt was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence and spent about five hours under arrest at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood station early yesterday morning. Pruitt was charged with a misdemeanor and released on $5,000 bail. Pruitt failed a field sobriety test and was taken into custody near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Wilcox Avenue, about a block from the police station, at 3:07 a.m. A police spokesman said Pruitt was stopped at a green light and his automobile, a Mercedes S550, had dark, tinted windows, illegal in California. Pruitt was released at 8:31 a.m. yesterday.

Knicks want 40 wins

The New York Post (Brian Lewis) reports:  The Knicks need to go 16-9 to reach their 40-win goal, but as of yesterday, 14 of their 25 upcoming opponents would be in the playoffs if the season were over. They play six of their last nine and 13 of their last 21 on the road. Most worrisome, they have played poorly since the trades for Larry Hughes and Chris Wilcox. “We’ve got to somehow to get to 40 wins. That’ll give us a good chance to get in the playoffs,” D’Antoni said. “We’ve just got to eke out wins wherever we can. I didn’t sit down and work it out, there was no formula. I just thought 40’s pretty good. The last years have been what, about 35, 36? There’s no reason we can’t win 40. “I told them about 1,000 times, individually, collectively, talked about it with coaches. That’s our goal. I don’t know if we will [get it], but why not shoot for it?”