October 14, 2013 – NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog

Utah Jazz waive Dwayne Jones II

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has waived center/forward Dwayne Jones II. Following the move, the Jazz roster now stands at 19 players.

Jones II (6-11, 250, Saint Joseph’s) appeared in one preseason game for Utah.

As NBA preseason continues, lots of players around the league who were signed to non-guaranteed “training camp contracts” will be let go. Regular season rosters can only be 15 players or fewer.

The Jazz will tip off its 40th NBA campaign against Northwest Division rival Oklahoma City Thunder on October 30 at EnergySolutions Arena at 7 p.m. MT (ROOT, 1280 AM/97.5 FM).

Jazz rookie Trey Burke injury update: He will have surgery on broken finger

The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz point guard Trey Burke, who fractured his right index finger during the first half of Saturday’s preseason game vs. the Los Angeles Clippers:

Following several medical consultations, it was determined that Burke will undergo surgery to repair the bone fracture in his right index finger. The procedure will be performed on Tuesday in Salt Lake City by Dr. Douglas Hutchinson. An estimated time for recovery will be provided following the completion of the procedure.

Selected in the first round (ninth overall pick) of the 2013 NBA Draft, Burke (6-1, 190, Michigan) was acquired by the Jazz in a draft-night trade with Minnesota. Burke spent two seasons at the University of Michigan, where as a sophomore, the point guard led Michigan to the 2013 NCAA Championship Game and was the consensus selection as 2013 National Player of the Year. Burke averaged 18.6 points, 6.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from three-point range in 38 games his sophomore season. His 255 assists set a new Michigan single-season assist record while his 3.02 assist-to-turnover ratio ranked fifth-best in the nation. He also hit the game-tying three pointer to force overtime in a win over Kansas to advance the Wolverines to the Elite Eight.

Kings forward Carl Landry out 3-4 months

The Sacramento Kings need all the help they get. But their situation just got even tougher.

A recent MRI taken at Kaiser Permanente revealed that Kings forward Carl Landry suffered a tear in his left hip flexor muscle (rectus femoris) during a recent training camp practice. Surgery to repair the injury has been scheduled for Tuesday morning and will be performed by Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia. Landry is expected to miss approximately three to four months of action.

A six-year NBA veteran in his second stint with the Kings, Landry is averaging 11.9 ppg (.536 FG%, .784 FT%) and 5.3 rpg in 389 career contests.

The Kings are going to struggle this upcoming season. Competing for a spot in the playoffs is not likely. And this just makes things even rougher.

Greg Oden continues his progress in Heat practices

“He fouled me twice,” LeBron James said with a smile.

It might have been two of the more enjoyable fouls of James’ career, especially in a practice setting.

The hits came from Greg Oden during the scrimmage portion of Monday’s Miami Heat practice at AmericanAirlines Arena.

It has been more than three seasons since Oden has appeared in an NBA game. Monday marked another step in his comeback from several gruesome knee injuries, even as coach Erik Spoelstra yet again downplayed the hulking center’s timetable.

“It felt good to be out there, get some up and down,” Oden said. “You see I’m a little frustrated in myself because I’m not as back as I want to be. But you know, it’s little steps. Today was another step, getting out there and doing some five on five.”

Teammates appreciated the moment.

“It’s a testament to him just keeping his composure, his believing in himself, his family believing in him,” James said. “He’s back where he belongs, and that’s in the NBA.”

Reported by Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel

Mavs forward Devin Ebanks suspended two games by NBA

Dallas Mavericks forward Devin Ebanks has been suspended for two games without pay for pleading nolo contendere to driving under the influence of alcohol, in violation of the law of the State of California, the NBA announced today.

Ebanks’ suspension will begin with the first game of the 2013-14 NBA regular season for which he is eligible and physically able to play.

This is Ebanks’ third season in the NBA. In his short career so far, Ebanks has averaged 3.6 points and 1.9 rebounds per game in limited minutes.

Atlanta Hawks waive David Lighty, Adonis Thomas, Damien Wilkins

The Atlanta Hawks have waived David Lighty, Adonis Thomas and Damien Wilkins, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry.

Lighty and Thomas appeared in one game apiece for the Hawks during preseason, while Wilkins played in two.

The Hawks training camp roster stands at 17.

As NBA preseason continues, lots of players around the league who were signed to non-guaranteed contracts will be waived

Photo: New Madison Square Garden sky bridges

Madison Square Garden today unveiled new construction photos of their new Chase Bridges, which will debut later this month as part of the third and final phase of the unprecedented $1 billion, top-to-bottom Arena Transformation project. The two first-of-their-kind sky bridges will offer a premium experience for fans with one of the most unique seats in any sports arena.

In a nod to New York City’s many renowned suspension bridges, the bridges are suspended from The Garden’s iconic ceiling by 24 (north bridge) and 26 (south bridge) steel tube hangers. First-class food and beverage options are steps away from the seats, including MSG Signature Collection offerings from top New York chefs and restaurateurs. The two bridges have a combined 430 seats. Here’s a photo:

Thaddeus Young assumes a leadership role for Sixers

When Brett Brown took over as the 76ers coach, he knew what kind of offensive production he could expect from Thaddeus Young, who averaged 14.8 points last year. Brown has been pleasantly surprised by Young’s leadership as well.

Young turned just 25 in June, but he is entering his seventh NBA season, and on this Sixers team that qualifies him as a graybeard.

The book on Young was that he was athletic, a hard worker, and a team player. But leadership was not mentioned. Brown is finding out otherwise.

“He has been far more vocal and far more instructional with the young guys,” Brown said after Sunday’s lengthy practice at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Reported by Marc Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer