Day: March 27, 2009

Jermareo Davidson done for season

Golden State Warriors forward Jermareo Davidson underwent successful surgery today to repair a stress fracture in his left foot (fifth metatarsal), the team announced.  The surgery was performed by Dr. John Belzer and Dr. Keith Donatto at the Presidio Surgery Center in San Francisco.

Davidson, 24, appeared in 14 games this season for Golden State, averaging 3.0 points and 2.4 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per contest.  He will be sidelined for the remainder of the season and the foot will be immobilized for approximately one month.

Fabricio Oberto out 2 games

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that Fabricio Oberto will miss the team’s next two games (3/27 vs. L.A. Clippers and 3/30 at New Orleans) due to atrial fibrillation.

Yesterday Oberto felt abnormal sensations in his chest. After being seen by the team’s medical staff he had an EKG which confirmed he was experiencing atrial fibrillation.  He then underwent a cardioversion which restored his heart to its normal rhythm.

Over the next four days Oberto will receive daily EKG exams to confirm that his heart maintains its normal rhythm. Barring any unforeseen complications, he is expected to be available for the Spurs-Thunder game on 3/31.

Nets bench Yi Jianlian

New Jersey Nets forward Yi Jianlian has played fairly awful basketball for a long time now. Coach Lawrence Frank is finally taking action. The Bergen Record (Al Iannazzone) reports (via blog):

Lawrence Frank announced this morning that Ryan Anderson will start at power forward for Yi Jianlian tonight against the Lakers.

And, the New York Post (Fred Kerber) reports (via blog):

Since returning from a broken pinkie, Yi has played 18 games and done squat: one double figure scoring game; pretty much one game (Portland) where he noticeably defended; 6.0 scoring average and .357 shooting over the 18. “Too much hesitation,” Yi said, admitting his confidence is somewhere between the sub-basement and Hell. “Yeah it’s hard for me right now. I know what happening. I must just be professional and keep doing my stuff, doing my thing.”

The Nets are weak at both forward spots, and changes need to be made this summer.

Discuss the Nets on the InsideHoops New Jersey Nets forum.

Knicks sign Joe Crawford to 10-day contract

The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that free agent guard Joe Crawford has been signed to a 10-day contract. Crawford, a member of the Los Angeles D-Fenders, became the 18th Call-Up of the 2008-09 NBA Development League season.

Crawford, 6-5, 210-pounds, was selected in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 58th overall pick. The Detroit, MI-native played with the Lakers during the 2008 preseason before being waived on Oct. 22. Crawford then signed with the NBA Development League’s Los Angeles D-Fenders and averaged 20.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 43 games.

Demetris Nichols’ 10-day contract had expired and the club elected not to re-sign him. The Knicks roster stands at 14 players.

Aldridge leads Trail Blazers past Suns 129-109

The AP reports: LaMarcus Aldridge scored a season-high 29 points and added 12 rebounds to help Portland snap the Phoenix Suns’ six-game winning streak with a 129-109 victory Thursday night. McMillan thinks that Aldridge, who is in his third season, is well on his way to consistent double-doubles. He leads the team with 18 this season. Portland led 100-79 after three quarters, following Rudy Fernandez’s jumper and buzzer-beating 3-pointer from 25 feet. The Suns sat their starters most of the rest of the way. Fernandez came off the bench to score 23 points. The rookie from Spain made a career-high five 3-pointers. Brandon Roy added 26 points and nine rebounds for the Blazers, who led by as many as 29 points.

Salmons scores 27, Bulls beat Heat 106-87

The AP reports: John Salmons scored 27 points, Tyrus Thomas came up big again and the Chicago Bulls beat Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat 106-87 on Thursday night for their sixth win in seven games. The Bulls took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Heat 32-14, and moved into a seventh-place tie with Detroit in the Eastern Conference… Wade scored 31 points after hitting just five of 24 shots the previous night in a 90-88 loss at Indiana, but solid efforts by Chicago’s Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich and Tyrus Thomas to back Salmons helped the Bulls avoid a four-game sweep. Gordon scored 18 points for the Bulls, who lead Charlotte by three games and Milwaukee by 3 1/2. Thomas added 15 points and 12 rebounds, and he was particularly good in the third, scoring seven points and blocking two shots.

Bryant scores 30, Lakers beat Pistons 92-77

The AP reports: Kobe Bryant scored 30 points and helped the Los Angeles Lakers beat Detroit 92-77 Thursday night, snapping a nine-game losing streak on the Pistons’ home court… At this point, the once-mighty Pistons simply are hoping to make the playoffs. They were without Allen Iverson (back), Richard Hamilton (groin) and Rasheed Wallace (calf) against the Lakers… Detroit reserve Will Bynum had career highs with 25 points and 11 assists and helped his banged-up team outscore the Lakers 30-14 in the second quarter to lead 42-39… Detroit’s Antonio McDyess had 14 points—making him its only double-digit scorer other than Bynum—and 12 rebounds.