Inside Hoops – Page 1180 – NBA Blog

Mario Chalmers close to being suspended for flagrant fouls

Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel with an update on Miami Heat point guard Mario Chalmers:

There no longer is any wiggle room. Or shoving room. Or bumping room. And, assuredly, no “unnecessary contact” room.

With Friday night’s costly flagrant foul against Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, Miami Heat point guard Mario Chalmers now has five points in the NBA’s flagrant-foul tracking system.

A sixth point mandates an automatic one-game suspension. In fact, if Chalmers’ next flagrant foul is ruled a Flagrant 2 foul, for “unnecessary and excessive contact,” he would then be suspended for two games.

Chalmers’ latest brush with NBA law came with what Friday’s referees determined was too aggressive of a box-out attempt late in the fourth quarter of what turned into a 108-103 overtime loss at Sleep Train Arena.

It was a call that befuddled Chalmers.

Warriors assign Ognjen Kuzmic and Nemanja Nedovic to D-League

The Golden State Warriors have assigned center Ognjen Kuzmic and guard Nemanja Nedovic to the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA Development League, the team announced today. The rookies will join the team prior to tonight’s game against the Bakersfield Jam in Bakersfield.

Nedovic has appeared in two games this season with Santa Cruz while on previous assignments, averaging 30.0 points and 4.5 assists in 38.5 minutes per contest. Kuzmic has not played in a game with Santa Cruz this season and has missed Golden State’s last 19 contests due to a fifth metacarpal fracture in his right hand and subsequent surgery on November 26.

Andrew Bynum suspended by Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland Cavaliers suspend Andrew Bynum

Cavaliers center Andrew Bynum has been suspended for conduct detrimental to the team, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today. Bynum did not travel with the team to Boston last night for the team’s game this afternoon at 1:00 p.m. vs. the Celtics and has been excused from all team activities indefinitely. His status will be updated as appropriate.

According to the Associated Press, “Bynum, who signed a two-year, $24 million contract with the Cavs in July, did not travel with the club to Boston for Saturday’s game and it’s likely he has played his final game for Cleveland. The Cavs will try to trade him. The suspension is not a shock considering he has not played consistently and has appeared uninterested while on the floor. Earlier this season, the 7-footer, who did not play a second last season for Philadelphia because of knee injuries, talked openly about retirement and said his medical issues have been a challenge. ”It’s a terrible situation internally with our team,” All-Star guard Kyrie Irving said before the Cavs faced the Celtics. ”It’s something we have to get over.”

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist injury update: Cast removed from broken hand

The Charlotte Bobcats have been solid this season, putting together a respectable 14-15 record, and doing it with defense. Here’s the Charlotte Observer blog with an update on injured SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who in 18 games played was averaging 9.1 points per game before suffering an injury:

The cast has been removed from Charlotte Bobcats forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s broken left hand, but that doesn’t mean he can start practicing just yet.

Kidd-Gilchrist had a doctor’s appointment Friday, where it was determined he’d healed enough that the cast could be replaced with a splint. Kidd-Gilchrist broke the hand at the base of his left ring finger during the Bobcats’ Dec. 3 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

Zach Randolph fined $25,000 for public criticism of NBA officiating

Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of officiating, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

Randolph made his comments following the Grizzlies’ 100-92 loss to the Houston Rockets on Thursday, Dec. 26, at Toyota Center.

Playing without injured, defensive-minded star center Marc Gasol, the Grizzlies are 12-16 so far this season and sit last in the competitive Southwest division.

Al Horford suffers complete tear of right pectoral muscle

Atlanta Hawks forward/center Al Horford left last night’s game at Cleveland due to a right shoulder injury and did not return. An MRI and examination today by Dr. Michael Bernot at Peachtree Orthopaedics in Atlanta revealed a complete tear of his right pectoral muscle.

“We will work with Al and complete our due diligence to determine the next best steps for him,” said President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Danny Ferry. “Injuries are part of the challenge of an NBA season.”

Horford is out indefinitely and an update on his status will be given in the near future. It is feared, but not yet confirmed, that he could be out for a long time.

Cavaliers assign Sergey Karasev to D-League

The Cleveland Cavaliers have assigned guard/forward Sergey Karasev to the Canton Charge, the Cavaliers exclusively owned and operated NBA Development League team, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Karasev has played in 14 games for the Cavs, averaging 2.2 points and 1.0 rebounds in 8.9 minutes per game and one game for the Charge, finishing with 16 points and three rebounds in 30 minutes against Tulsa on Dec. 11th.

Karasev will be available for tomorrow night’s Charge home game against the Reno Bighorns at the Canton Memorial Civic Center at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday’s game against the Erie BayHawks in Canton at 5:00 p.m.

Luke Zeller joins Austin Toros of D-League

The Austin Toros today announced they have acquired center Luke Zeller. Zeller (6-11, 245, Notre Dame) joins the team in Tulsa and will wear jersey No. 21 when the Toros take on the 66ers tonight at 7:00 p.m. at SpiritBank Event Center.

A member of the Toros’ 2012 D-League championship team, Zeller played in 24 games during the 2011-12 season averaging 9.1 points and 5.3 rebounds in 25 minutes.

His last stop was with the Phoenix Suns during the 2012-13 season. Zeller’s professional career includes stints in Japan, Lithuania, and the D-League with the Bakersfield Jam.

Russell Westbrook had knee surgery today, back after All-Star break

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee earlier today, Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced.

“Russell has been playing pain free, but recently had experienced increased swelling. After consultation and consideration by his surgeon in Los Angeles, a plan was established to monitor the swelling that included a series of scheduled MRIs,” said Presti. “On the most recent MRI it was determined by the surgeon that there was an area of concern that had not previously existed, nor was detectable in the previous procedures, and it was necessary to evaluate Russell further. The consulting physician determined that arthroscopic surgery was necessary to address the swelling that was taking place. We know that Russell’s work ethic and commitment will help him return to the level of play that we have all come to appreciate.”

Westbrook is expected to return post All-Star break, which is February 14-16, 2014.

Knicks having trouble defending the pick-and-roll

Here’s ESPN New York on a key Knicks defensive issue:

More often than not, defending the pick-and-roll has been a mystery for the Knicks this year.

According to Synergy Sports, they are giving up the second-most points per play in the NBA to both the ball handler and the screener on pick-and-roll plays this season.

At issue is the Knicks’ decision to switch defenders on pick-and-rolls. Often, the switching leads to a mismatch (think small guard defending big man or plodding big man defending a quick point guard).

Mike Woodson wants all of the switching to stop.

“I don’t want to switch,” Woodson said after Thursday’s practice. “I’ve always wanted to put the emphasis on our perimeter guys to guard perimeter players. Bigs are supposed to guard bigs and when there’s some breakdowns there is supposed to be help. It’s a team defense.”