January 11, 2010 – NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog

Michael Redd out for season

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond announced today that guard Michael Redd will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee during the second period of the Bucks loss at Los Angeles on Sunday, January 10.

Redd, 30, underwent an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) exam this morning in Phoenix, AZ, which revealed the injury. Surgery to repair the injury will be scheduled at a date to be determined.

“We are deeply disappointed for Michael who worked so hard to make it back from this injury,” said Hammond. “We know Michael will work tirelessly to get himself healthy again and we will support him fully in his efforts.

“Although Michael is out for the season, we still have over half the season to play. That gives all of our players, especially our younger guys, the opportunity to earn more playing time the rest of the season.”

Redd suffered the same injury last season in a home win over Sacramento on January 24, 2009, and had surgery on March 3, 2009, to repair the injury.

“It’s hard to explain the emotions that I’m feeling,” said Redd. “I know the amount of hard work it will take for me to get back to playing and helping our team, but I will continue to put my trust in God to get me though this.”

In 18 games this season (12 starts), Redd averaged 11.9 points with 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steal in 27.3 minutes.

Redd is in his 10th season with the Bucks, tied with Junior Bridgeman (75-84, 86-87) and Sidney Moncrief (79-89) for the most seasons in team history. On January 5 at New Jersey, Redd moved past Bob Dandridge (11,478) for fourth place on the franchise list in scoring and currently stands at 11,510 points, 84 points behind Sidney Moncrief’s third place mark (11,594).

This season Redd passed Sidney Moncrief (4,000) for seventh place in field goals made on December 16 against the Lakers and also passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (2,407) for second place in free throws made on December 26 against San Antonio. He’s one three-pointer shy of 1,000 for his career and 52 away from Ray Allen’s (1,051) franchise leading total for three pointers. Through Sunday’s game, there are 53 players in NBA history with at least 1,000 three pointers.

Redd is also tied for seventh place with Glenn Robinson for games played (568), in fifth place for minutes played (19,205) and 36 steals shy of 600 for his career; just 43 away from Junior Bridgeman and Terry Cummings’ ninth place total in franchise history (607).

Hornets trade Hilton Armstrong to Kings

The Sacramento Kings today acquired the services of center-forward Hilton Armstrong in a trade with the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for a conditional 2016 second round pick and cash considerations, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

“We’re looking forward to having Hilton join the team,” explained Petrie. “He gives us an athletic player who can play the four and five positions. We think he can come in and contribute and we’re looking forward to watching him play.”

Armstrong, who is currently in his fourth NBA season, is averaging 2.8 points (.380 FGs, .464 FTs) and 3.4 rebounds per game for the Hornets through 18 outings. He has amassed career averages of 3.6 points (.513 FGs, .605 FTs) and 2.7 rebounds per game through 209 contests.

Selected as the 12th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by New Orleans, Armstrong enjoyed a four-year career at the University of Connecticut and was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.

Nets trade Eduardo Najera to Mavs for Kris Humphries and Shawne Williams

The New Jersey Nets have acquired forwards Kris Humphries and Shawne Williams from the from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Eduardo Najera, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today.

Humphries, currently in his sixth NBA season, holds career averages of 4.3 ppg and 3.1 rpg in 313 games with Utah, Toronto and Dallas. The 6’9” forward out of the University of Minnesota was the first round pick (14th overall) of the Utah Jazz in the 2004 NBA Draft. After two seasons with the Jazz, Humphries was traded on 6/8/06 to the Toronto Raptors. Following three seasons in Toronto, Humphries was traded to Dallas this past offseason (7/9/09). This season, Humphries has played in 25 games for the Mavericks, averaging 5.6 ppg and 3.8 rpg in 12.6 mpg. He has season highs of 15 points on 11/20 vs. Sacramento and 11 rebounds on 11/27 at Indiana.

Williams, currently in his fourth NBA season has career averages of 7.6 ppg and 3.7 rpg in 15 games with Indiana and Dallas. The former first round draft pick (17th overall) of the Pacers in 2006 has been on the Mavericks inactive list every game this season.

Najera (6-8, 235) will be returning to Dallas after playing his first four professional seasons for the Mavericks. Dallas originally acquired the rights to Najera in a draft night trade with Houston on June 28, 2000. He played in 208 games (34 starts) as a Maverick averaging 4.9 points and 3.9 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per contest. Najera also played in 39 postseason games with Dallas, including 19 games (5 starts) in 2003 when the Mavericks advanced to the Western Conference Finals.

Nets waive Sean Williams

The New Jersey Nets have requested waivers on forward Sean Williams, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today.

Williams, who was selected by the Nets in the first round (17th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft, averaged 4.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 1.2 bpg in 126 career games. This season, Williams appeared in 20 games for New Jersey with averages of 2.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg and 1.0 bpg.

A terrific athlete with big hops, Williams is still developing his actual basketball skills.

Vince Carter still learning to fit in with Magic

Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel reports:

Thirty-seven games into the season, the Magic (25-12) are still trying to adjust to [Vince] Carter — and Carter to them.

Sometimes, teammates stand around and watch Carter play. Sometimes, they defer to him unnecessarily or Carter defers to them unnecessarily.

“It’s different. We weren’t used to playing like that last year … Turk [ Hedo Turkoglu] had the ball, Jameer [Nelson] had it. It was pretty balanced at the end of every game. Everybody got about the same amount of shots,” forward Rashard Lewis said.

And now?

“Vince is the type of player who needs the ball in his hands. He dominates the ball sometimes. That’s how he became Vince Carter,” Lewis continued. “We got to adjust to that, learn how to play with him dominating the ball.

“We’re still adjusting to it, but he’s not going anywhere. He’s our teammate.”

Grizzlies hope to keep Lionel Hollins

Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports:

Lionel Hollins was told he had 11/2 seasons to prove that he could be a quality NBA head coach when he took over the Grizzlies less than a year ago.

Hollins wasted little time convincing the man who made that declaration.

Griz owner Michael Heisley has initiated negotiations toward a contract extension for Hollins, who is working on a 17-month deal he signed Jan. 25, 2009.

Heisley instructed general manager Chris Wallace to contact Hollins’ representative last week for the purpose of determining where both sides stand. However, the Grizzlies’ Chicago-based, billionaire owner made clear that he intends to keep Hollins in charge beyond this season.

Rasheed Wallace remembers how to shoot

Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald reports:

Starting again for Kevin Garnett, Wallace made 5-of-7 treys and 9-of-12 overall from the floor on the way to a season-high 29 points in the 114-107 win against the Raptors.

When Wallace is hitting well from long range, the effect is, according to Ray Allen, “big-time, because my guy has to decide whether or not to help. It’s a full rotation out there. It makes teams have to make a decision.”

Wallace shrugged off the hot shooting day.

“Just open shots,” he said. “That’s all, open shots. Just basic basketball, like I’ve always been saying. Just (yesterday) I decided to hit them.”

Chinese shoe company Li Ning moves to Portland

George M. Thomas reports:

Portland is abuzz over Li Ning, a Chinese shoe manufacturer that has moved into Nike’s Oregon backyard. The Oregonian reported the company moved to the region to court workers who may have been displaced because of Nike layoffs last year.

It’s a company that should get a higher profile nationally because Cavaliers center Shaquille O’Neal is one of its high-profile spokesmen. O’Neal went to the company after leaving Reebok.

O’Neal endorses the shoe in only China right now, but said that he plans to work with the company in America.

The Cavs center said that his Li Ning shoes have sold 10 million pairs in China and 8 million here.

LeBron unleashes monster 41-point game on Trail Blazers

George M. Thomas of the Akron Beacon Journal reports:

After Friday night’s Denver folly, LeBron James looked like he wanted to set the tone against the Portland Trail Blazers by himself.

The Cavaliers star scored 31 points in the first half Sunday and went on to lead all scorers with 41 points, adding 10 rebounds and eight assists at the Rose Garden. Shaquille O’Neal had 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Mo Williams added 16.

Portland shooting guard Brandon Roy made his presence felt with 19 second half points on the way to finishing with 34.

Trail Blazers forward Martell Webster added some timely 3-pointers. Toward the end of the third quarter, Webster hit on two key 3-pointers to make it a four-point game after the Cavs had led by as much as 17.

Sixers hot on road

Tom Moore of Philly Burbs reports:

The Sixers are 4-12 at home this season, which is the second-worst record in the league – the Nets, at 2-15, are the only team behind them.

And the Sixers have beaten some better teams away from the Wachovia Center (the Trail Blazers and Nuggets) while dropping their most recent home dates to the woeful Wizards and Raptors.

“It’s funny,” said Andre Iguodala after Saturday night’s 104-94 victory over the Pistons in Michigan. “I think we play better on the road than at home.”

With the next three games at home, beginning tonight against the red-hot Hornets, winners of six in a row, that has to change for the 11-25 Sixers. They also host the Knicks on Wednesday night and the Kings on Friday night.