Inside Hoops – Page 2153 – NBA Blog

Nate Robinson fined for what his agent said

Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks has been fined $25,000 for public statements detrimental to the NBA.

The statements, which concerned a trade request, were made by Robinson’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, on Dec. 19.

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports (via blog):

The Players’ Association is planning to appeal the fine since the remarks were not made by the player himself. In fact, the next day Robinson said he “wanted to stay.”

Goodwin said 10 days ago Robinson’s benching was “personal” and “not basketball-related” and said the Knicks coach had “disrespected” Robinson for making a comparison that he would play “Satan” if it would help him win.

I’m really not sure why Robinson should be fined for this.

Thunder recall Byron Mullens from D-League

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today that the team has recalled center Byron Mullens from the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League.

Mullens appeared in 11 games (11 starts) for the 66ers since he was originally assigned to Tulsa on November 21. The 7-0 center averaged 15.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.27 blocks per contest while with Tulsa.

Joakim Noah an All-Star candidate?

John Jackson of the Chicago Sun-Times reports:

If someone had told you in training camp that the Bulls player with the best chance of making the All-Star team this season was Joakim Noah, your most likely response would have been laughter.

How much of a long shot was Noah? He wasn’t even among the five Bulls listed on the official NBA ballot.

But two months into the season, no one is laughing when the subject of Noah possibly being an All-Star is brought up now. The 6-11 center has been one of the few bright spots for the Bulls, averaging 10.5 points and 12.4 rebounds (third-best in the NBA).

”He’s been strong,” Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said. ”He’s one of the top rebounders in the league with his energy and his length. He’s around that basket, and he’s been pretty consistent the whole year.”

Tyrus Thomas terrific in return

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports:

The first day of the rest of the Bulls’ season transpired Saturday night at the United Center.

There was Tyrus Thomas, swatting shots and filling lanes. There was Kirk Hinrich, pushing the tempo and picking up fullcourt. There was Joakim Noah, stuffing the box score with another monster double-double of 17 points and 18 rebounds with four blocks.

The Bulls have more double-digit collapses than double-digit victories, which is why their 96-85 triumph over the Hornets was as welcome as Thomas’ return.

Sidelined for seven weeks and 22 games following surgery to repair a fractured radius in his left forearm, Thomas was an athletic jolt, finishing with 21 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

Jazz seek point guard

Jody Genessy of the Deseret News reports:

Utah Jazz brass met Saturday to begin the process of filling the roster spot that opened up when the organization traded rookie point guard Eric Maynor and injured Matt Harpring’s contracts to Oklahoma City last week.

Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor said the team has compiled a list of 10-12 players who will be evaluated.

O’Connor wanted to meet with coach Jerry Sloan and other pertinent Jazz personnel to gather input and discuss options as the team tries to find a player who will fit in for at least the rest of the season.

Thunder assign DJ White to D-League

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced that the team has assigned forward DJ White to the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League.

White has appeared in eight games this season for the Thunder averaging 4.8 points and 1.9 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game.

White, who was assigned to Tulsa three times last season, appeared in six games for the 66ers in the 2008-09 season. He averaged 18.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 31.3 minutes per contest.

Eddy Curry frustrated by lack of minutes

New York Knicks center Eddy Curry has had a rough time over the last few seasons, playing just 59 games in 2007-08, a mere three in 2008-09, and just seven this season. He also became a big fatso, before slimming down recently.

But despite getting into relatively decent shape, Curry still sits on the bench twiddling his thumbs. And apparently he’s getting frustrated.

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

Curry made a point to say he’s spoken with Donnie Walsh but not D’Antoni. In fact, Curry refused to use D’Antoni’s name.

“It’s frustrating, because I worked so hard to get back and to be ready to go and now it’s just like go every game trying to figure out if I’m going to play or not, sitting over there waiting to see what’s going to happen,” Curry said. “It’s tough to deal with, especially at this stage of my career, at this age. I ain’t that old, but I’ve been here for a while.”

The Knicks have played well recently and as long as that continues it’s possible both Curry and Nate Robinson will see little time on the court.

Andrew Bynum has faded since Pau Gasol return

Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times reports:

Andrew Bynum was the top center in the Western Conference the first month of the season as he effortlessly absorbed Pau Gasol’s points and rebounds while the Lakers’ power forward missed 11 games.

Then Gasol returned from a hamstring injury and Bynum disappeared.

There’s not a lot to criticize on a team tied with Boston for the NBA’s best record (23-5), but Bynum continues to take steps back.

His numbers without Gasol: 20.3 points and 11.8 rebounds a game. His numbers since Gasol’s return: 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds a game.

Joel Przybilla out for season

Portland Trail Blazers center Joel Przybilla underwent successful surgery today to repair a ruptured right patella tendon and will be out for the remainder of the 2009-10 season, it was announced by General Manager Kevin Pritchard.

The two-hour surgery was performed by Dr. Don Roberts at Southwest Washington Surgery Center in Vancouver, Wash. Przybilla is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the Trail Blazers Fall Training Camp.

“Joel has been a pillar of our team and he is now on the road to recovery,” said Pritchard. “We believe very strongly in Joel and look forward to his return next season.

“We are also grateful and appreciative, especially here during the holidays, that we have such talented and caring doctors associated with our team. Dr. Roberts and Dr. Tom Reis have done an impeccable job of caring for our team during these challenging times.”

The injury occurred at the 3:12 mark of the first quarter in Tuesday’s 85-81 win at Dallas.

Przybilla, 30, averaged 4.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.43 blocked shots in 30 games (nine starts) this season. He ranks among NBA leaders in rebounds and blocked shots per game, and places second on the team in both categories. Przybilla recently put together a stretch of six straight games with 10-plus rebounds from Dec. 11-20.

He ranks sixth all-time in Trail Blazers history with 593 blocked shots.

Celtics re-assign Lester Hudson to D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that guard Lester Hudson has been reassigned to the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League. This is Hudson’s second assignment to the Red Claws this season.

Hudson, a 6’3” guard, appeared in three games for the Red Claws earlier in the season and averaged 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 34.0 minutes per game.