Inside Hoops – Page 2400 – NBA Blog

Warriors recall DeMarcus Nelson from D-League

The Golden State Warriors have recalled guard DeMarcus Nelson from the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League, the team announced today.

Nelson, 23, started all nine games for the Jam after being assigned on November 14, and averaged 16.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.22 steals in 32.7 minutes per contest in the D-League. At the time of his recall, he led the team in scoring and steals, while ranking second in assists and third in rebounds.

Prior to being assigned to Bakersfield, Nelson appeared in eight games for the Warriors this season (five starts), averaging 5.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 14.6 minutes per contest. The 6-4 guard became the first undrafted rookie to appear in the starting lineup on Opening Night for the Warriors since the team moved to the West Coast in 1962.

Rockets-Nuggets connections

Houston Assistant Coach T.R. Dunn spent two seasons (2002-04) as an assistant coach for Denver.

In 10 seasons as a player with the Nuggets (1980-88 and 1989-91), Dunn scored 3,585 points and became a mainstay in the franchise’s record books, where he still ranks second all-time in steals (1,070), fourth in games played (734) and fourth in minutes played (18,322).

Rockets Rehabilitation & Performance Coordinator/Assistant Athletic Trainer Keith Garnett is a native of Denver.

Houston Assistant Coach Elston Turner played three seasons with the Nuggets (1984-85, 1985-86 and 1988-89).

Rockets guard Von Wafer averaged 1.3 points and 0.2 assists in 21 games with the Nuggets in 2007-08.

Marbury may watch Knicks like a fan

Stephon Marbury is a point guard who is probably best utilized as an undersized shooting guard. He’s also a member of the New York Knicks, though he’s gotten as much court time this season as you have. He’s currently banned by the team, and is on vacation in the West coast. Sweet work if you can get it. Anyway, the Knicks are in Los Angeles tonight to play the Lakers, and there’s a chance that one of the “fans” in the stands watching the game may be Marbury. The New York Post (Marc Berman) reports:

Despite being banned from the Knicks, Stephon Marbury is planning to attend the team’s game against the Lakers on Tuesday night at Staples Center, according to a source close to the situation. Marbury told The Post last week he was headed for a two-week West Coast vacation to get out of the cold weather and begin training in the Hollywood Hills. He flew to L.A. on Sunday. It is unclear where Marbury plans to sit at the game, but last Thursday he said he was investigating purchasing courtside seats. The exiled point guard was ordered to stay away from Knicks games and practices in an official capacity. The Lakers are raging-hot, with a 10-game winning streak and 20-3 record.

The only other player in an even remotely situation to Marbury is Eric Snow of the Cleveland Cavaliers, but even that is totally different because Snow and his team are on good teams; Snow plays on retiring and it just hasn’t officially happened yet. Until it does, Snow works as an analyst on NBA TV.

I think it would be funny if Marbury became a Knicks groupie and followed the team all around the country as a fan. Maybe try to get their autographs after games.

Milwaukee Bucks to attempt Guinness World Records

Everybody has heard of the Guinness Book of World Records, a legendary book that contains the unprecedented achievements of people from around the globe. But few have ever made an attempt to add their name to the book’s famous pages and even fewer have actually succeeded in doing so. On Saturday night, the Bucks are giving all fans in attendance the chance to both witness history AND – even better – a guarantee that they will be a part of history by helping to set two Guinness records.

On Saturday, December 20, when they host the Los Angeles Clippers, the Bucks Game Operations Department will attempt to set nine separate Guinness World Records. An official judge from Guinness will be at the game to legitimize any and all record-setting attempts. The records that could be broken are:

– Longest time to spin a basketball on one finger, using one hand (current record: 37.46 seconds)

– Most basketball half-court shots in one minute (current record: 4)

– Highest forward flip trampoline slam dunk (current record: 10 feet, 9 inches)

– Most slam dunk bounce passes in 30 seconds (current record: 21)

– Furthest forward flip trampoline slam dunk (current record: 19 feet, 2 inches)

– Most basketball forward flip slam dunks in 30 seconds (current record: 17)

* Both records currently held by the Milwaukee Bucks Rim Rockers, set on February 14, 2008, at the NBA All-Star Jam Session in New Orleans, LA.

In addition to the six records listed above, the Bucks will also attempt to set three records that have never before been recorded. A member of the dunk team will attempt to complete the first-ever double front flip dunk on record during halftime. The final two record attempts will not be disclosed until Saturday night, but there are currently no official records on file for either one, meaning that any fan in attendance at Saturday’s game will be a part of the crowd that sets the original marks for two Guinness World Records.

Dec 15: Magic 109, Warriors 98

The AP reports: Jameer Nelson scored 23 of his career high-tying 32 points in the second half, and the Orlando Magic beat the Golden State Warriors 109-98 on Monday night for fourth win in five road games. Marcin Gortat, starting in place of the injured Dwight Howard, recorded his second career double-double with career bests of 16 points and 13 rebounds as the Magic improved to 19-6, their best 25-game start since opening the 1994-95 season at 20-5. Rashard Lewis added 21 points and Courtney Lee had 16. Andris Beidrins scored 23 points to lead the Warriors, who have lost 12 of their last 14 games. Marco Belinelli added 19 points and Jamal Crawford scored 16.

Dec 15: Kings 118, Wolves 103

The AP reports: Francisco Garcia scored 21 points, John Salmons added 17 and Sacramento beat the woeful Minnesota Timberwolves 118-103 Monday night in the Kings’ first game under interim coach Kenny Natt. A few hours after the Kings fired Reggie Theus and replaced him with Natt, the veteran assistant coach presided over one of Sacramento’s best efforts of the season against the Timberwolves, who lost their 10th straight. Brad Miller added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Kings, who had eight players scoring in double figures in just their second win in 12 games. Al Jefferson scored all of his 22 points in the first half for Minnesota in a meeting of struggling teams that both fired their head coaches in the past eight days. The Timberwolves dropped to 0-5 under Kevin McHale, who replaced Randy Wittman last week… Rashad McCants scored 21 points while Craig Smith and Kevin Ollie added 17 apiece for the Timberwolves (4-20), who haven’t won since Nov. 28.

Dec 15: Suns 111, Knicks 103

The AP reports: Mike D’Antoni got a warm welcome in his return to Phoenix, but frigid long-range shooting doomed his New York Knicks in a 111-103 loss to the Suns on Monday night. Steve Nash, whose career flourished in D’Antoni’s four seasons as Phoenix coach, scored 21 points, including a game-clinching 3-pointer with 28 seconds to play. D’Antoni’s run-and-shoot squad was just 5-of-37 on 3-pointers. The Knicks tied their franchise record for 3-pointers attempted, set earlier this season against Cleveland. Shaquille O’Neal had 23 points, making 11 of 18 free throws, and 12 rebounds. Amare Stoudemire added 21 points and 14 boards for the Suns, who topped 110 points for the fourth game in a row. Nate Robinson scored 27, 17 after halftime, in his second game back from a groin injury for New York. Al Harrington added 24… The Knicks were 2-for-19 on 3s in the first half.

Dec 15: Nuggets 98, Mavs 88

The AP reports: Reserve J.R. Smith scored 25 points, Carmelo Anthony added 23, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Dallas Mavericks 98-88 on Monday night to extend their winning streak to four games. Chauncey Billups had 15 points and eight assists for the Nuggets, who have won seven of eight and improved to 16-4 since Billups joined the team after a Nov. 3 trade with the Detroit Pistons. Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points and 10 rebounds, and Jason Terry scored 19 points for the Mavericks, who had won 11 of their previous 13. Mavericks forward Josh Howard was back after being inactive for 11 straight games because of a sprained left ankle. He came off the bench late in the first quarter and played 14 minutes, scoring seven points.

Dec 15: Celtics 100, Jazz 91

The AP reports: Rajon Rondo scored 12 of his career-high 25 points in the final 5:20, and Kevin Garnett had 19 points and 10 rebounds and Kendrick Perkins added 15 points and 14 rebounds to help Boston avenge the worst loss of its championship season. Paul Pierce scored 15 points before he hurt his left knee during a scramble for a defensive rebound with 31 seconds left… Paul Millsap scored a career-high 32 points with 10 rebounds for Utah… The Jazz were within 89-85 after Deron Williams’ 3-pointer with 3:23 left. But Rondo drove for a one-handed bank shot and then, after Williams sank a basket, Rondo made a free throw and Perkins hit a turnaround hook shot in the lane.

Dec 15: Bucks 98, Heat 83

The AP reports: The Milwaukee Bucks wanted a quick start to their three-game road trip, and Michael Redd delivered. Redd scored 16 of his 21 points in the first quarter, and the Bucks started fast before holding off a late rally to beat the Miami Heat 98-83 on Monday night… Andrew Bogut had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Charlie Villanueva added 20 points for Milwaukee, which won on the road for the first time since beating Charlotte on Nov. 22… Mario Chalmers had 20 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, and Wade added 15 points for the Heat, who lost their third straight game.