Inside Hoops – Page 1189 – NBA Blog

Danny Granger returns to practice for Pacers

The Indiana Pacers have been great this season, and getting Danny Granger back, even if he’s not the player he used to be, would make them even deeper. Here’s the Indianapolis Star:

The unexpected continues on the Indiana Pacers’ eventful trip to Texas: Danny Granger practiced.

“I feel good,” Granger said following the Friday session, his first live participation in weeks. “I was running, sprinting, playing live for about an hour, so I felt really good.”

Since Oct. 28, when the team announced that Granger would miss approximately three weeks with a strained left calf, the sight of the veteran forward had been limited to post-practice shooting drills and sideline cheering. The team’s timeline has long since expired and Granger has missed all 19 games this season.

Though he practiced, Pacers coach Frank Vogel announced that Granger would not play Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs. Vogel said there is no new timeline for Granger’s return to the lineup.

Kobe Bryant returns for Lakers this Sunday

Kobe Bryant will make his return for the Lakers this Sunday in Los Angeles, where they will face the Toronto Raptors.

The Lakers are off to a better-than-expected start this season, putting up a 9-9 record. They’ve shown good team chemistry and have been fun to watch.

It’ll be interesting to see how good Kobe Bryant still is. Coming back from serious injury, it’s safe to assume he’ll have lost some athletic ability. He should look rusty, right? Maybe play limited minutes? That’s the smart assumption. But, this is Kobe we’re talking about. In which case, until there’s evidence to the contrary, the sky is still the limit.

Kyle Korver shooting for an NBA 3-point record tonight

Here’s the Atlanta Journal-Constitution blog on Kyle Korver looking to get his name in the record books:

Much of the talk around Hawks practice this morning revolved around Kyle Korver’s shot at owning the NBA record for consecutive games with a 3-pointer. With a long-range shot against the Cavaliers tonight Korver will own the streak outright at 90. He is currently tied with Dana Barros at 89.

One new item that came out today came from Al Horford. The Hawks center he has heard players from other teams tell Korver that he wouldn’t get a 3-point shot off against them.

“I’ve heard it,” Horford said. “‘You’re not going to get a 3-point shot off tonight.’ I’ve definitely heard it. It gives credit to what he’s been able to do. That is an impressive streak.”

The Hawks are planning an in-game moment of recognition should Korver set the record tonight.

Sacramento Kings assign center Hamady Ndiaye to D-League

The Sacramento Kings assigned center Hamady Ndiaye (Ah-meh-dee enj-eye) to the team’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns, it was announced today by General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

Originally from Senegal, the 7-foot center is averaging 0.2 points (1-6 FG, 0-1 FT), 1.4 rebounds and 5.8 minutes per game in nine appearances this season for the Kings. This will be the fourth D-League team Ndiaye will see action with, having played for the Dakota Wizards (2010-11), Maine Red Claws (2011-12) and Iowa Energy (2011-12).

Ndiaye becomes the second Kings player to be assigned to Reno this season after Ray McCallum played three games with the Bighorns during his stint from November 21-27. He will be available to play for the Bighorns tonight when Reno faces the Santa Cruz Warriors at the Reno Events Center at 7:00 p.m.

Caron Butler would like to eventually become a Milwaukee Bucks team owner

Here’s the Milwaukee BizTalk blog (of the Milwaukee Business Journal) on one of Caron Butler’s future aspirations:

Milwaukee Bucks forward and Racine native Caron Butler has ambitious plans to expand his business enterprises and one business he would like to buy is the Bucks.

Butler is serious about his interest in becoming a major investor in his hometown team. His timing could be perfect because just as his NBA career winds down in two to three years, Bucks owner Herb Kohl likely will be ready to sell.

Kohl, the former U.S. senator who has owned the Bucks since 1985, has said repeatedly that he will sell the team only to a buyer who will keep the Bucks in Milwaukee. Butler, 33, grew up a Bucks fan, moved his family to Racine County after the team acquired him in August and would like to see the Bucks succeed in Milwaukee.

Will Michael Carter-Williams make the East All-Star team?

Here’s the Philadelphia Daily News on talented 76ers rookie guard Michael Carter-Williams, who so far has been playing like a clear Rookie of the Year:

What if Carter-Williams keeps playing the way he has been for the foreseeable future? Will that land him a berth on the Eastern Conference All-Star team?

It very well could, and he would be the second point guard in 2 years representing the Sixers. MCW is becoming part of the big talk around the league. He opened eyes nationally with his debut against the Miami Heat – 22 points, 12 assists, nine steals and seven rebounds – and hasn’t slowed down since. The 11th overall pick posted the first triple-double of his career against the Orlando Magic and second overall pick Victor Oladipo. He is currently leading the league in steals at 3.13 per game and already has garnered trust from his teammates as a leader of the young team.

He has shown an unbelievable nose for the ball, a tremendous ability to get to the basket and challenge bigger and stronger players, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Many are wondering if trading Jrue Holiday in the offseason after his first All-Star appearance was the right move. MCW’s play early in the season is certainly making it seem that way.

LeBron James, Kevin Hart to star in comedic basketball movie called Ballers

Here’s Deadline.com reporting on LeBron James and Kevin Hart teaming up to try to make you laugh:

Kevin Hart is signing on to star with LeBron James in Ballers, the basketball comedy for Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment. Brian Grazer and Michael Rosenberg are producing.

Hart will first co-write the comedy along with his scripting teammates Joey Wells, Chris Spencer and Harry Ratchford. He’ll then star as a man who lives in the shadow of his NBA superstar brother (James), but gets a chance to prove himself when he and some pals attend a weekend fantasy basketball camp in Miami. Hart is certainly dominant in the stand-up arena, but posting up against this screen sibling could be dangerous. Hart is under 5’3″ while James is a towering 6’8.” That kind of sibling size differential hasn’t been seen since Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in another Universal comedy, Twins. They’ll sign a director when Hart and his cohorts turn in the script. The plan is to start production next summer when James has time off.

Cavs assign Henry Sims and Carrick Felix to D-League

The Cleveland Cavaliers have assigned center Henry Sims and guard/forward Carrick Felix 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.

Sims has appeared in six games for the Cavs this season, averaging 1.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 5.8 minutes per game and Felix has appeared in three games, averaging 1.3 points in 5.0 minutes per game.

Both players will be available for Saturday night’s game in Erie, PA at the Erie Insurance Arena as the Charge take on the Erie BayHawks at 7:00 p.m.

NBA TV hires Stu Jackson as contributor

NBA TV has added former NBA executive and head coach Stu Jackson as a contributor on league-related topics including rules clarifications, discipline, and general league operations. His first in-studio appearance is scheduled for NBA GameTime on Friday, Dec. 13.

In addition to serving as a resource for NBA TV, Jackson will also contribute across NBA Digital’s portfolio, including answering questions from fans via Twitter – @StuJackson32 – and providing insights on NBA.com. His first Twitter chat will be Friday, Dec. 6.

Starting Tuesday, Dec. 10, Jackson will contribute monthly on the Hang Time podcast, co-hosting a segment alongside TNT analyst Reggie Miller and NBA.com’s Sekou Smith.

Jackson spent nearly 13 years as the NBA’s executive vice president of basketball operations, in charge of all oncourt and international basketball operations, including game rules, conduct, discipline and analytics. He served as chairman of the NBA Competition Committee, which recommends rules changes to the NBA Board of Governors, and on FIBA’s Competition Commission and USA Basketball’s Board of Directors.

A veteran of four decades in professional and collegiate basketball, the New York Knicks made Jackson the second youngest head coach in league history in 1989. In New York, he totaled a 52-45 record, highlighted by the Knicks’ upset victory over the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 1990 playoffs.

In 1994, Jackson was the first person hired by the Vancouver Grizzlies, serving as general manager and helping to shape all facets of the organization, eventually becoming the team’s head coach during the 1996-97 season. Before joining the Grizzlies, he coached at the University of Wisconsin, leading the Badgers to their first NCAA Tournament berth and victory in more than 45 years. He also was an assistant coach at Providence College, Washington State and the University of Oregon.

Jackson previously worked in the league office as director of basketball operations during the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons.

Warriors waive center Dewayne Dedmon

The Golden State Warriors have waived center Dewayne Dedmon, the team announced today.

Dedmon, 24, was originally signed as a D-League Call-Up from the Santa Cruz Warriors on November 18. The 7’0” center appeared in four games with Golden State, logging a total of six minutes.

During his time with Golden State, Dedmon also appeared in one game with Santa Cruz while on assignment to the D-League club, registering 23 points and a game-high 14 rebounds in a 117-103 victory over the Austin Toros on November 24.