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Dejounte Murray selected as injury replacement for Draymond Green in 2022 NBA All-Star Game

San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray has been selected as an injury replacement for Draymond Green in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game. The fifth-year Spur will make his first career All-Star appearance.

Murray is the only player in the NBA averaging at least 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 9.0 assists this season. The Spurs guard holds averages of 19.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 2.06 steals. There has never been a player in NBA history that has averaged more than 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 2.0 steals for an entire season.

Leading the league in steals and ranking fourth in assists, Murray has 10 triple-doubles this season which is second in the league behind only Denver’s Nikola Jokić (14). The former Washington Husky has twice as many triple-doubles already this year (10) than any other player in Spurs history previously had in an entire season (5, David Robinson in 1993-94 and Johnny Moore in 1984-85).

Murray becomes the first Spurs player named to an All-Star roster since LaMarcus Aldridge in 2019. The Spurs have now had at least one All-Star selection in 41 of the 45 All-Star Games since joining the NBA in 1976, the most of any team in that span.

Joining Murray as Western Conference All-Stars are: LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), Ja Morant (Memphis), Nikola Jokić (Denver), Andrew Wiggins (Golden State), Stephen Curry (Golden State), Devin Booker (Phoenix), Luka Doncic (Dallas), Rudy Gobert (Utah), Draymond Green (Golden State), Donovan Mitchell (Utah), Chris Paul (Phoenix), Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota).

The Eastern Conference All-Stars: Kevin Durant (Brooklyn), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia), Trae Young (Atlanta), DeMar DeRozan (Chicago), Jimmy Butler (Miami), Darius Garland (Cleveland), Zach Lavine (Chicago), Khris Middleton (Milwaukee), James Harden (Brooklyn), Jayson Tatum (Boston), Fred VanVleet (Toronto), LaMelo Ball (Charlotte – injury replacement).

The 71st NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, where there will be a celebration for the league’s 75th anniversary.

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic keeps moving up NBA all-time triple-doubles list

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic keeps moving up the NBA’s all-time triple-doubles list. Via ESPN.com:

Nikola Jokic, inching closer to tying Wilt Chamberlain on the career triple-doubles list, joined the Hall of Famer as the only players with multiple 25-point triple-doubles on 80% shooting in NBA history on Sunday.

Jokic had 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists while shooting 12-of-15 from the field in a 124-104 win over the Brooklyn Nets. He has an NBA-best 14 triple-doubles this season and 71 for his career, just seven away from tying Chamberlain for sixth all-time.

The Nuggets are 29-24 this season, which is the sixth best record in the Western conference.

Their leading scorers so far in 2021-22 are Jokic at 25.9 ppg, Will Barton at 15.3 ppg, Aaron Gordon at 14.5 ppg, and Monte Morris at 12.8 ppg. Star point guard Jamal Murray is injured and hasn’t played this season.

Erik Spoelstra will coach Team Durant in 2022 NBA All-Star Game

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and his staff will coach Team Durant in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. The matchup between Team Durant and Team LeBron will air live at 8 p.m. ET on TNT and ESPN Radio in the United States and reach fans in 215 countries and territories in 59 languages.

By virtue of the Chicago Bulls’ 119-108 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers today, the Heat (34-20, .630) clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference through games played on Sunday, Feb. 6 (today). As a result, Spoelstra has earned a spot as a head coach in the NBA All-Star Game for the second time. He coached the Eastern Conference in the 2013 NBA All-Star Game.

Spoelstra is in his 14th season as Miami’s head coach and his 27th season as a member of the Heat organization. He was named the NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in December, marking the ninth time he has won Coach of the Month honors.

The winningest coach in Heat history, Spoelstra has led Miami to two NBA championships, five Eastern Conference championships and 10 playoff appearances. Under Spoelstra, Miami won back-to-back NBA championships in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.

Each head coach in the NBA All-Star Game will lead the team that includes the captain from the same conference. Spoelstra will coach the All-Star team captained by Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant.

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams previously earned the spot to coach the All-Star team captained by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James.

Return date for Heat forward Markieff Morris remains unclear

It remains unclear when the Miami Heat will be at full strength. Via the Miami Herald:

Heat forward Markieff Morris, who has been sidelined since Nuggets center Nikola Jokic shoved him to the floor three months ago, wants to play in games but the team still has not cleared him to do so, multiple sources told The Miami Herald this week.

The Heat’s position has left in question when or if the veteran power forward will return to play this season.

Morris’ injury — sustained in that Nov. 8 game in Denver — was termed “whiplash” by the Heat. The Heat is now listing him as out because of a “return to competitive reconditioning.” But the team has declined to discuss his status, what he has been cleared to do physically or whether he will play again this season.

Bucks sign Greg Monroe to 10-day contract

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed center Greg Monroe to a 10-day contract.

A 10-year NBA veteran who appeared in 165 games with the Bucks between 2015-17, Monroe most recently played in five games earlier this season with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Washington Wizards while on two 10-day contracts. In those five games, Monroe shot 59.1% from the field and averaged 5.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 block in 16.2 minutes per game.

Per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “they got me out here (Friday) night to Portland and finalized everything this morning — I’m here and I’m ready to play,” Monroe said after shootaround at the Moda Center. “They’re just trying to get me up to speed so far.” Monroe has remained in game shape, as he’s played in 12 games for the Capital City Go-Go of the G League along with two other 10-day NBA contracts. He said he’s expecting to play anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes against the Trail Blazers.”

A 6-11, 265-pound center, Monroe has appeared in 637 games (417 starts) throughout his NBA career with Detroit, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Boston, Toronto, Philadelphia, Minnesota and Washington and holds averages of 13.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. In his three seasons with the Bucks, the Georgetown product averaged 13.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists across 165 regular season games (67 starts) while shooting 52.6% from the field.

Monroe will wear number 15 with the Bucks. Milwaukee’s roster now stands at 17 players.

Trail Blazers trade Norman Powell and Robert Covington to Clippers for Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow and Keon Johnson

The LA Clippers have acquired Norman Powell and Robert Covington from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson and the Pistons 2025 second-round pick, announced Lawrence Frank, Clippers president of basketball operations.

Powell, 28, appeared in 40 games for the Trail Blazers this season and started 39 of them, averaging 18.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Originally selected with the 46th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Powell has appeared in 416 career games with the Trail Blazers and Raptors, averaging 11.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 46.2% from the field.

“Norm is a two-way player who can score from all three levels, spread the floor with his shooting and guard multiple positions with his length and versatility,” said Frank. “He was part of a championship team in Toronto before joining the Blazers. Norm has SoCal roots, having grown up in San Diego and starred at UCLA, and we’re thrilled to bring him back.”

Covington, 31, appeared in 48 games for the Trail Blazers this season, averaging 7.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals. The Tennessee State University graduate has appeared in 514 career games, averaging 11.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals with Houston, Philadelphia, Minnesota and Portland. Covington was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team in 2017-18.

“Robert is a proven vet, a versatile wing and an excellent team defender who also stretches the floor with his shooting,” added Frank.

Bledsoe, 32, has appeared in 53 games for the Clippers this season, averaging 9.9 points, 4.1 assists and 3.4 rebounds. The Birmingham, Ala., native has appeared in 755 games and owns career averages of 13.7 points, 4.7 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 27.8 minutes during his 12-year NBA career with the Clippers, Suns, Bucks and Pelicans. Selected 18th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft out of the University of Kentucky, Bledsoe has been named to two NBA All-Defensive Teams and was selected to the All-Rookie Second Team in 2011.

“Eric is a model teammate and was a rock for us this season: running the offense, defending the ball and attacking the rim,” said Frank. “Every night, he answered the call, helping us remain competitive even when shorthanded.”

Winslow, 25, has appeared in 37 games for the Clippers this season, averaging 4.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists. The 6-foot-6 forward has played in 304 career games with averages of 8.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists over seven seasons with Miami, Memphis and the Clippers. The 10th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft out of Duke University, Winslow was named to the 2015-16 All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 6.4 points and 5.2 rebounds.

“Justise’s role often changed, depending on circumstances, but his preparation, professionalism and upbeat spirit never wavered,” said Frank. “He too played an integral part in the competitiveness of the group with his playmaking and defense.”

Johnson, 19, was selected 21st overall in the 2021 NBA Draft and appeared in 15 games for the Clippers, averaging 3.5 points and 1.4 rebounds in 9.0 minutes. The 6-foot-4 guard has also played in seven games for the Clippers G League affiliate, where he averaged 15.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 31.1 minutes. The Shelbyville, Tenn., native played one season at the University of Tennessee, where he was named to the 2020-21 SEC All-Freshman First Team.

“Keon is an incredible athlete, with a bright future, who demonstrated his potential on the NBA and G League stages. He has a long and promising career ahead,” said Frank.

Pelicans sign Zylan Cheatham and Miye Oni to 10-day contracts

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed forward Zylan Cheatham and guard Miye Oni to 10-day contracts via the COVID hardship exception.

Cheatham, 6’7”, 220, has appeared in five career games with New Orleans and Utah, holding averages of 2.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per contest. This season, Cheatham holds averages of 15.3 points and 12.0 rebounds in 12 G League games (10 starts) with the Salt Lake City Stars and the Pelicans’ G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron.

Oni, 6’5”, 206, has appeared in 80 career games (one start) in three seasons with the Utah Jazz, recording averages of 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per contest.

Cheatham will wear #45 and Oni will wear #18 with the Pelicans.

New Orleans’s roster now stands at 20 players, including two two-way players.

Indiana Pacers sign Reggie Perry to 10-day contract

The Indiana Pacers have signed forward Reggie Perry to a 10-day contract under the NBA’s COVID-related hardship exception.

In 12 games (10 starts) during the G League regular season playing for Raptors 905, NBA G League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors, he is averaging 18.7 points,10.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 29.9 minutes.

Perry received his first NBA call up this season from the Portland Trailblazers, signing a 10-day contract on December 28th. In two games with the Trail Blazers, he averaged 5.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 20.5 minutes.

The Mississippi State product was selected in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft by the Brooklyn. In the 2021 G League season, Perry averaged 18.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists across 15 games (14 starts) for the Long Island Nets.

Perry will wear number 0 for the Pacers.

75th Anniversary All-Celtics Team announced

As the 17-time World Champion Boston Celtics continue their season-long celebration to commemorate their 75th anniversary as an NBA team, the franchise today revealed the complete roster for its 75th Anniversary All-Celtics Team.

Fifteen Celtics legends, as determined by thousands of votes from fans, media members, and historians were selected for the All-Celtics Team. More than thirty media members and historians, selected for their expertise, knowledge, and experience with and around the franchise, comprised 50% of the All-Celtics Team’s final weighted voting. Fans accounted for the remaining 50% of the voting.

The fifteen players selected are: Ray Allen, Larry Bird, Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Kevin Garnett, John Havlicek, Tommy Heinsohn, Dennis Johnson, Sam Jones, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Paul Pierce, Bill Russell, Bill Sharman, and Jo Jo White. Each member of the team has been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and the group combined has a total of 64 championships as players with the Boston Celtics. Players from each of the team’s NBA-best 17 World Champion teams are represented.

“Considering how many world class players have worn a Celtics uniform, selecting our all-time team is yet another reminder of the incredible legacy and singular place in the NBA that the franchise holds,” said Celtics President Rich Gotham. “Our organization thanks all the fans and media who participated in the selection process.”

Legendary basketball coach Bill Fitch has passed away

Via the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

Bill Fitch, the former Gophers men’s basketball coach who went on to a successful career in the NBA, died Wednesday at 89.

He coached the third most games in NBA history and had the 11th most victories.

Fitch’s death was announced by Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, who started his professional coaching career under Fitch. Carlisle had been in contact with Fitch’s daughter, Marcy Ann Coville, and said Fitch died in Lake Conroe, Texas.

Fitch was a product of the Midwest, raised in Iowa he got his coaching start as an assistant at Creighton before becoming the head coach at Coe College, in his hometown of Cedar Rapids, in 1958.

STATEMENT FROM THE BOSTON CELTICS

Coming off of a 29-win season in 1979, the Celtics had experienced the two worst seasons in the team’s history. But a promising rookie named Larry Bird was set to arrive, and Red Auerbach knew the franchise was at a critical crossroads. He decided to hire Bill Fitch as the head coach, and as was so often the case, Red made the right call. Fitch’s deep knowledge of the game, toughness, and dry wit made him a perfect fit for Boston and the Celtics. Fitch had already built a reputation as a turnaround artist, and his ability to get the best out of his players paid immediate dividends as Fitch orchestrated what was at the time the best turnaround in NBA history, vaulting to a 61-21 record. An offseason trade brought Robert Parish and rookie Kevin McHale to Boston, and they paired with Bird and Cedric Maxwell to form a dominant frontcourt that Fitch led to the Celtics’ 14th banner in 1981 and established a foundation for the team’s brilliant championship run in the 1980s. His record in four years as head coach of the Celtic was a stellar 242-86, a .738 winning percentage. Fitch was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019. The Celtics family mourns his loss as we celebrate his legacy.