December 6, 2015 – NBA Basketball Blog from InsideHoops.com

Kendall Marshall 76ers debut coming soon

Here’s the Philadelphia Inquirer reporting on the 76ers (1-20), who should have a bit of backcourt help coming soon. Whether Kendall Marshall (5.3 ppg during his three NBA seasons prior to this one) can help much is up for debate, but there’s room for him (or just about anyone) to step up in the Sixers’ backcourt:

Kendall Marshall should make 76ers debut soon

Kendall Marshall is on pace to make his 76ers debut on Thursday against Brooklyn at the Barclays Center.

The point guard, who signed as a free agent with the Sixers on Sept. 8, averaged 4.2 points and 3.1 assists in 28 games last season for Milwaukee. He, however, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in January, and has been sidelined since.

Pistons recall Spencer Dinwiddie and Darrun Hilliard from D-League

The Detroit Pistons recalled guards Spencer Dinwiddie and Darrun Hilliard from the team’s NBA D-League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Drive.

Dinwiddie and Hilliard each played one game with Grand Rapids at the Raptors 905 (Toronto Raptors affiliate) and helped to lead the Drive to a 128-99 victory. Hilliard scored a very impressive game-high 31 points to go with five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Dinwiddie was quiet offensively with four points but did have a team-high seven assists and three rebounds.

Dinwiddie has played in six games for Detroit this season averaging 6.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 16.5 minutes per game. Hilliard has appeared in two games, averaging 3.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 7.7 minutes per game.

Metta World Peace has long-time interest in coaching

Here’s the Los Angeles Daily News reporting on Lakers forward Metta World Peace and his long-time interest in coaching:

“It started when I first started playing basketball, I went to five star basketball camp back in 1999. It was fun. I coached Danny Green. He was one of my players. I remember him being the best on the team and I remember him sometimes not shooting. I would tell him to shoot. I was like, ‘Shoot the ball. Shoot the ball.’ It was fun. He remembers it too. That was when I was 19 or 20. I was young.

I always wanted to learn the game because I was never athletic. I picked the triangle offense quick in Chicago. I picked it up pretty well under Bill Cartwright. Then in Indiana, I was picking up everything quickly. I was young. But with all the defensive coverages I faced, was picking up everything. I was also giving input, not verbally but by example. Coach Carlisle said something one day I might be able to be a coach. I was 24 when he said that. I was confident when he said that. I have continued to coach. I have a little league team called ‘Triple Threat.’ I train people. Triple Threat was a team that my foundation funded. It was a team that we funded. I would coach them sometimes.” …

“I want to coach one day. I definitely have interest in coaching. But I want people to know I’m staying in tip top shape. Just because I want to coach doesn’t mean I’m retiring. If something opens up, I might apply for the job. It doesn’t mean I’m not staying in tip top shape. I’m not a player where I want to coach because I’m done playing basketball. I love playing basketball. I’m preparing for both.”

Thankfully, Victor Oladipo avoids injury

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel with good news on Magic guard Victor Oladipo, who is averaging 14.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game this season:

Victor Oladipo knee injury appears minor

From the Orlando Magic’s perspective, the only saving grace to the knee-to-knee collision between Victor Oladipo and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Jamal Crawford late in the Magic’s 103-101 loss Saturday night is it appears Oladipo avoided a significant injury.

Oladipo returned to the game about three and a half minutes after Crawford’s right knee banged into his left knee. After the game ended, Oladipo walked out of the Staples Center without crutches or even a sleeve around his knee.

“When he kneed me, it hurt so bad,” Oladipo said. “I don’t know what’s going on, really, honestly [with my knee]. But I’m feeling a lot better now. But it hurt really bad.”

Hawks recall Tim Hardaway Jr, Edy Tavares and Lamar Patterson from D-League

The Atlanta Hawks have recalled three players from the NBA Development League – guard Tim Hardaway Jr. and center Edy Tavares from the Canton Charge, and guard/forward Lamar Patterson from the Austin Spurs – it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer.

In D-League action this season, Hardaway Jr. has played in two games (both with Canton), averaging 17.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 32.7 minutes. Tavares has played in four contests (two with Canton and two with Austin), putting up 10.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in 24.1 minutes (.667 FG%, .857 FT%). Patterson has appeared in three games (all with Austin), and has averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists in 34.7 minutes.

Grizzlies recall James Ennis from D-League

The Memphis Grizzlies have recalled James Ennis from the team’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Iowa Energy, Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace announced today. Ennis completed his first career D-League assignment after being assigned by the Grizzlies on Dec. 4.

In his NBA D-League debut, Ennis (6-7, 210) posted 32 points (9-of-12 FG, 3-of-5 3P, 11-of-13 FT) to go with six rebounds, two assists and a steal in 34 minutes in Iowa’s 116-93 road win over the Canton Charge on Dec. 5. Now in his second NBA season, the 25-year-old Ventura, Calif. native has logged 16 minutes through six appearances with the Grizzlies and Miami Heat.