Inside Hoops – Page 2446 – NBA Blog

Adam Morrison talks with InsideHoops

Charlotte Bobcats small forward Adam Morrison averaged 11.8 points per game as a rookie in 2006-07, didn’t play last year, and is getting used to being back on the court in the early part of the new season. One big change is formerly famous long hair was now buzzed off; he almost looks like a totally different person. InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner met with Morrison in Madison Square Garden Wednesday night for an exclusive interview.

Read the Morrison interview on important subjects like haircuts and video games.

Matt Barnes now father to twin boys

Phoenix Suns forward Matt Barnes left the team prior to last night’s 113-103 win over the Indiana Pacers to be with his fiancée, Gloria Govin, who gave birth to twin boys, Isaiah Michael Barnes and Carter Kelly Barnes.

The timetable for Barnes’ return is undetermined. The Suns return to action Friday night in Chicago against the Bulls at 6:30 p.m. (Phoenix time).

Jerry Sloan has 999 coaching wins

Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan is one win shy of 1,000 victories as head coach of the Jazz. With the win, Sloan will be the first head coach in NBA history to achieve 1,000 wins with one team. The Jazz head coach currently holds an overall record of 1093-717 and a 999-596 record with the Jazz.

Currently in his 21st season as head coach, Sloan is 204 victories ahead of Red Auerbach (second all-time wins with one team) and 366 wins ahead of the only other active coach in the top five, San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich (third all-time). Sloan is also the longest tenured coach in all of major professional sports. There have been 219 coaching changes in the NBA since he was named head coach of the Jazz on December 9, 1988.

Over his first 20 seasons, he has produced two conference championships, seven division titles, 16 consecutive winning seasons, 12 seasons with 50-plus wins and 18 playoff appearances. The 4-0 Jazz are seeking their third straight Northwest Division title in 2008-09.

Sloan will celebrate his 20th anniversary as Jazz head coach on December 9 when the Jazz travel to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves at 6 p.m. MST.

Greg Oden still hurting

So far, Greg Oden’s NBA career has consisted of weight-gain and injuries. He’ll be OK eventually. And this will be ancient history someday. Hopefully. But for now, things are questionable.

The Oregonian (Jason Quick) reports: It’s not exactly encouraging news on the Greg Oden injury front. As of Wednesday night, Oden was definitely being ruled out for tonight’s game against Houston, Saturday’s game against Minnesota, and now his status for the team’s upcoming trip east is tenuous at best because of his sprained right foot. “He’s not pain free,” coach Nate McMillan said. “He still feels something.” Today marks Day 9 since Oden suffered the injury on opening night against the Lakers. The team figured his rehab would take 2-to-4 weeks, and a popular prognosis being sold by some people was that Oden’s recovery would be closer to the two weeks than the four.

JJ Redick not a baller yet

The Orlando Sentinel (Brian Schmitz) reports: The Magic aren’t expected to make any changes for tonight’s game at home against the Sixers, meaning J.J. Redick will return to a familiar spot: the bench. Redick, mired in a shooting slump, has not only been passed in the rotation by Keith Bogans, but it appears that Coach Stan Van Gundy is willing to give rookie Courtney Lee whatever minutes might be available. What that means for Redick is unclear. But it’s hard for him to get too upset after his 0-for-8 start. Bogans bided his time after an uneven preseason and has played well when the lights have come on.

Kevin Love may start soon

The St. Paul Pioneer Press (Don Seeholzer) reports: Kevin Love’s days of coming off the bench might be nearing an end. The Timberwolves rookie forward played 15 more minutes than starting power forward Ryan Gomes Wednesday night in the Wolves’ 129-125 double-overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Love scored 14 points in 37 minutes. That’s the most extensive playing time yet for Love, who was matched against Spurs star Tim Duncan for much of the night and held his own, blocking three shots and grabbing nine rebounds.

Beno Udrih struggling

The Sacramento Bee reports: Beno Udrih continues to struggle, which leads me to relate tidbits from a conversation I had recently wiith an NBA scout. The scout – who shall remain nameless, for obvious reasons – asked if the Kings’ point guard was hurt. He thought something was wrong. My take on Beno is this: he missed most of training camp with a strained hip and is playing his way into shape. He seems a half-step slow. His timing is off. And his confidence appears to be shaken. He had two excellent drives in the second half, though, so maybe that will give him a boost.

Ronnie Brewer emerging

The Salt Lake Tribune (Ross Siler) reports on the Jazz: Ronnie Brewer is seeing the greatest change in his role. After being used almost exclusively as a first- and third-quarter player after Kyle Korver’s arrival last season, Brewer played in all four quarters Wednesday, more than 32 minutes in all. Sloan opted to finish the second quarter with Brewer and Korver in the same lineup along with Brevin Knight, Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur. He played Carlos Boozer for barely three minutes in the quarter, letting Paul Millsap see extended action. For the third consecutive game, Brewer stayed in to start the fourth quarter, this time for 2:25. He was replaced by Korver, but came back with 5:06 after Korver picked up two fouls matched up against Travis Outlaw.

Nov 5: Warriors 111, Nuggets 101

The AP reports: Stephen Jackson had 29 points and seven assists and Golden State overcame a poor first quarter and some sloppy second-half play to beat the Denver Nuggets 111-101 on Wednesday night… Carmelo Anthony had 28 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Nuggets, who couldn’t do enough on offense without departed playmaker Allen Iverson despite jumping out to a quick 17-4 lead behind seven points from Dahntay Jones… Nene added 19 points and 15 rebounds in Denver’s first game since dealing Iverson to Detroit on Monday for Chauncey Billups… Kelenna Azubuike added 22 points and eight rebounds off the bench and reserve Brandan Wright scored 14 of his career-high 18 points in the first half to keep Golden State close. He also had a career-best 13 rebounds and three blocks. The Warriors were within 59-58 at the break.

Nov 5: Lakers 106, Clippers 88

The AP reports: Kobe Bryant scored 27 points, and the Lakers used a late 22-0 run to beat the Clippers 106-88 Wednesday night, giving them six straight wins over their crosstown rivals… The Lakers shot 7-of-16 in the fourth quarter, but went 17-of-22 from the foul line in outscoring the Clippers 34-20. The Clippers were 8-of-23 in the final 12 minutes and shot 38.9 percent overall… Lamar Odom had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers (4-0); Derek Fisher scored 13 points, Vladimir Radmanovic added 11, Ariza had 10, and Andrew Bynum had nine points, 17 rebounds to match a career high and four blocked shots… Al Thornton led the Clippers (0-5) with 22 points. Tim Thomas added 18 points and 11 rebounds and Baron Davis had 17 points and seven assists.