Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Detroit officials optimistic Pistons will move downtown after sale

Darren A. Nichols of the Detroit News reports:

Detroit officials say they’re hopeful the Detroit Pistons will relocate to downtown following the sale of the franchise to pizza and sports mogul Mike Ilitch.“We continue to be excited about the possibility of the Detroit Pistons returning to Detroit, which is nationally recognized as a destination for professional sports,” Karen Dumas, a spokeswoman for Mayor Dave Bing, said in a released statement. “The deal is not done, but we remain optimistic.”

Crain’s Detroit Business and other media outlets today are reporting that Ilitch is in negotiations to buy the Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment Inc.

Ilitch, who already owns the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers and Little Caesars Pizza, could work out the deal with Pistons ownership in the next 30 days, according to the reports.

Talk about the team on the Detroit Pistons forum.

No plans for Doc Rivers to rotate starting centers while Perkins is out

Rob Bradford of WEEI reports:

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Speaking after the Celtics’ practice Tuesday, Doc Rivers said that he doesn’t plan on rotating Jermaine O’Neal and Shaquille O’Neal in the starting lineup depending on match-ups, instead going with one consistent starter until Kendrick Perkins returns from his knee injury.

“I doubt it. I don’t usually do that,” said Rivers when asked if he was going to alternate between two big men. “I usually just go with one, and that’s what we’ll do. I’m going to wait until the end of camp and the best big wins.”

Regarding if he feels it makes a big difference which of the two get the starting nod, Rivers said, “It doesn’t. I think it’s going to come down to who we feel is going to give us the best chance to get off to a good start.” The Celtics’ coach also noted that he doesn’t expect to play both Jermaine and Shaquille on the floor at the same time.

What’s your take? Share it on the Boston Celtics forum.

Hornets release Jannero Pargo

Hornets release Jannero Pargo

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have released guard Jannero Pargo. The training camp roster now stands at 16.

“We want to thank Jannero for his effort and time here in New Orleans during camp,” General Manager Dell Demps said. “Unfortunately, he is not operating at full speed due to a pre-existing injury. To his credit, Jannero tried to come back ahead of schedule, but after talking with him and our medical staff, we feel that it is in Jannero’s best interest that he completes his rehab.”

Share your opinion on the New Orleans Hornets forum.

Nuggets hire Melvin Hunt as assistant coach

The Denver Nuggets announced Monday that they have added Melvin Hunt as an assistant coach.

Hunt, 40, brings a winning pedigree and 11 years of NBA coaching and scouting experience to Denver, most recently serving as an assistant for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005-10.

“That’s a very good hire this late in the season,” Nuggets head coach George Karl said. “I’m very excited about it. I’ve got John Welch, Adrian Dantley and Chad Iske, who I have tremendous confidence in. Melvin will fit into that group very well. We have Stacey Augmon backing us up. We’re one of the top-five scouting teams, led by advance scout Jesse Mermuys. You’re going to see us continue to try to be one of the best staffs in basketball.”

While in Cleveland, Hunt helped lead the Cavaliers to one of the most successful stretches in franchise history. In 2008-09, the Cavs won a franchise and NBA-best 66 games, while Hunt and the coaching staff earned the honor of coaching the Eastern Conference in the 2009 NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix.

Cleveland also enjoyed great postseason success during Hunt’s tenure, reaching the 2007 NBA Finals, the 2009 Eastern Conference finals and four consecutive appearances in the Eastern Conference semifinals from 2007-10.

Before joining the Cavaliers staff, Hunt spent one season (2004-05) as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers and five seasons with the Houston Rockets (1999-2004). While with the Rockets, he served two years as a video coordinator/scout and two years as an assistant coach before spending his final year as the team’s college and international scout.

Hunt was a four-year letterman at Baylor University from 1987-91 and played professionally in the Caribbean and Mexico before beginning his coaching as an assistant coach at Temple High School (TX). He later moved to the college ranks, where he was the lead assistant coach at University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio.

Andrew Bogut set to return Tuesday

Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports (via blog):

Andrew Bogut set to return Tuesday

Andrew Bogut will return to the Bradley Center court on Tuesday night for the first time since he suffered a season-ending injury on April 3 against Phoenix.

Bucks coach Scott Skiles said he anticipated Bogut would play in the 20-minute range as Milwaukee meets the Chicago Bulls in the pre-season opener for both teams.

“I’ll try to get him over 20 minutes for sure, maybe half the game,” Skiles said after the Bucks practice session Monday at the Cousins Center. “We’ll see how the game’s going, how he’s feeling. More than likely we won’t play him 30 minutes, that’s for sure.”

Bogut had his right hand taped but participated in the Bucks’ contact practice on Monday.

Share your Bucks opinions on the Milwaukee Bucks forum.

Chicago Bulls sign Joakim Noah to contract extension

Chicago Bulls sign Joakim Noah to contract extension

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has agreed to terms with center Joakim Noah on a multi-year extension.  Per team policy, terms of the contract will not be disclosed.

“Joakim is such an integral member of our team and we are very pleased to have reached an agreement with him,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman.  “His presence, both on and off of the court, is immeasurable and we look forward to him to continue to improve and develop his game.”

In his three seasons with the Bulls, Noah (6-11, 232) has played in 218 games (140 starts), and averaged 7.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.26 bpg, 24.8 mpg and shot .513 from the field and .706 from the line.  Last season, he established career highs in scoring (10.7 ppg), rebounds (11.0 rpg), assists (2.1 apg), blocks (1.56 bpg) and minutes played (30.1 mpg).  He also posted a career-best 28 double-doubles, and he was one of nine players in the NBA who averaged a double-double in 2009-10.

Noah has also played in 12 playoff games with the Bulls and owns postseason averages of 12.1 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.83 bpg, 1.25 spg, 38.3 mpg, .513 from the floor and .841 from the free throw line.

The Bulls drafted Noah in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft, following a highly successful collegiate career at the University of Florida.

Andrew Bynum could be out until December

The Press Enterprise reports:

June 15, 2010 - Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES - epa02204142 Los Angeles Lakers' Andrew Bynum (R) goes to the basket as Boston Celtics' Rasheed Wallace defends during the first half of game six of the NBA Finals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 15 June 2010. The Celtics lead the series 3-2.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson received surprising news Sunday, finding out that star center Andrew Bynum might not be ready to play until December.

Bynum said a week ago he would be back in late November, yet now said the timetable might be pushed into December, the Los Angeles Times’ Mike Bresnahan reported.

“Yeah, it’s a possibility,” Bynum told the Times. “I’ve got a little bit of pain still. It just depends on when I’m cleared.”

Bynum, who had knee surgery in July, said he would see his doctor in three weeks. Jackson seemed surprised at Bynum’s timeline.

“He’s been saying that,” Jackson told the Times. “I don’t know why he’s talking about December. He can get weight-bearing activities started at the end of this month. Can you play in two weeks (after that)? Can you play in three weeks? Four weeks puts you at the end of November. So let’s just let it happen and not talk about what the timing is.”

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Bulls, Joakim Noah reportedly agree to extension

The AP reports:

Apr. 22, 2010 - Chicago, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES - epa02128452 Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah celebrates during the third quarter of game three of their National Basketball Association Eastern Conference first round playoffs as the Bulls lead the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, USA, 22 April 2010. The Bulls defeated the Cavaliers 108-106 to bring the best of seven game series to two wins for the Cavaliers to one win for the Bulls.

Center Joakim Noah and the Chicago Bulls agreed Sunday on a five-year contract extension, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized.

The news about Noah comes on a day when the Bulls learned that Carlos Boozer, their top acquisition this summer, broke a bone in his right hand in a fall at home and could be out about two months.

The Chicago Tribune reported the deal is worth about $11 million annually with incentives that could take it higher.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Hawks, Al Horford talking contract extension

Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports:

April 26, 2010 Milwaukee, WI. Bradley Center..Atlanta Hawks Al Horford had 8 points and 8 rebounds against the Bucks tonight..Milwaukee Bucks won over the Atlanta Hawks 111-104, in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs. The Series is now tied at 2-2. Mike McGinnis/CSM.

After three seasons of increasingly productive play from center Al Horford, the Hawks have decided they want him for the long term.

The feeling is mutual for Horford, who said team officials and his agent, Arn Tellem, have started negotiations on a contract extension.

The Hawks have until Nov. 1 to make a deal with Horford on an extension that begins in 2011-12 and can be lengthened for up to five years and about $82 million under the NBA’s current labor agreement. Horford will make $5.4 million in 2010-11, the final year of his rookie-scale contract…

If the sides don’t reach an agreement by the deadline, Horford would become a restricted free agent next summer if the Hawks extend a one-year, $7.1 million qualifying offer by June 30. The Hawks consequently would retain the right to match any offer sheets signed by Horford.

Share your Hawks opinions on the Atlanta Hawks forum.