March 15, 2010 – NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog

Rumors talk: Aches and pains

In the latest shocking news, Eddy Curry continues to feel pain, tightness, sharpness, aches and whatever other unhealthy words you can think of. At this point it doesn’t really matter if he plays or not. The main thing the Knicks want to do is trade him, and that’s pretty hard to pull off if he can’t even get on the court, let alone play well.

The Bucks have gone nuts lately and while credit goes to the whole team, Andrew Bogut is big-time out there. He’s moved up a notch in the eyes of many.

I look forward to seeing how Phoenix Suns rookie Earl Clark does in the D-League. He’s not expected to be there long. Chances are he doesn’t do anything special for one or two games, and then unleashes something nasty once he gets the hang of it. And then gets called back to the Suns.

The Heat will reportedly sign Kenny Hasbrouck, who I bet at least 12 of you have heard of.

Amar’e Stoudemire is a monster out there lately.

Glen Davis and Shaq should sumo-wrestle it out.

I can appreciate Matt Bonner feeling that every shot he takes should go in. I feel the same way about my own shot. Typically, out in the park if I shoot and miss, I take the basketball, kick it out of the playground while declaring it defective, curse at everybody and call city maintenance to come measure the rims. It makes a positive impression on the guys I’m playing with and sends a clear message that my shot is not to be trifled with.

Tyreke Evans is putting up some Lebron-like stat-lines. Kid is nasty.

Talk to you tomorrow.

InsideHoops.com Rumors Talk is an editorialized take on today’s NBA rumors stories.

Suns assign Earl Clark to D-League

The Phoenix Suns today assigned rookie forward Earl Clark to the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr.

The 6-10, 225-pound Clark was selected by the Suns with the 14th overall pick (first round) of the 2009 NBA Draft and has appeared in 45 games this season for Phoenix. Clark will spend his first stint in the D-League.

The three-year standout at the University of Louisville, Clark owns averages of 2.7 points and 1.1 rebounds in 7.6 minutes this season for the Suns. Clark has scored in double figures three times in 2009-10, including a career-high 14 points off the bench Nov. 27 at Minnesota.

Currently sixth in the ultra-competitive Western Conference, the Suns (41-26) return to action Tuesday night, hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves (14-53) at US Airways Center at 7 p.m. Phoenix time. The game can be seen locally on FOX Sports Arizona and heard on Sports 620 KTAR.

Warriors lower prices for season ticket renewals

The Golden State Warriors are lowering the price of tickets for Season Ticket Holders in every seating category at Oracle Arena for the 2010-11 NBA season as part a Loyalty Pricing program, the team announced today. Current Season Ticket Holders, who began receiving their renewal invoices over the weekend, will be able to renew their seats for next season at 43-game price totals that have been decreased 8%-28% from the 2009-10 campaign.

“This is the right thing to do,” said Warriors’ President Robert Rowell. “We have had constant communication with our Season Ticket Holders throughout the season and we are committed to addressing their needs and concerns. We have the best fans in the NBA and we are determined to ensure that their experience as Warriors’ Season Ticket Holders is not only more affordable, but also worthy of the loyalty they have demonstrated to us over the years.”

Of the 16 price categories, 14 will realize a decrease of more than 12% as part of the new Loyalty Pricing structure, and eight (8) – or half of the categories – will see a decrease of at least 15%. The largest percentage decrease in the lower level is a 24.62% decrease in the corner sections and the largest percentage decrease in the building is a 28% decrease in the upper level.

All Season Ticket Holders who place a deposit on their seats for next season by April 12 will be able to take advantage of the Loyalty Pricing. Those who choose not to take advantage of Loyalty Pricing will still be able to renew their seats for 2010-11 at the same price that they paid this season as part of a Price Freeze program. Additionally, all Season Ticket Holders have the option to pay off their seats via an installment plan, in which they will have up to eight months (April to November) to pay their due balance.

Freak accident puts Pacer Mike Dunleavy on bench

Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star reports:

The Indiana Pacers found another way to have a player go down with an injury.

Swingman Mike Dunleavy was a last-minute scratch from the lineup against the Milwaukee Bucks after he suffered a right eye contusion when he was hit by a ball during pregame warm-ups Sunday.
Advertisement

“I went in for a layup and somebody shot the ball and it came off the rim right into my eye,” said Dunleavy, who looked like he had been in a fight after the game.

The Pacers say they’re not sure of the severity of the injury.

“He saw (Milwaukee’s) ophthalmologist and we’re hoping it’s nothing serious,” Pacers coach Jim O’Brien said. “He was seeing a black spot out of his eye, so he was told he couldn’t play.”