Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed center Loren Woods to a 10-day contract.
Woods (7-2, 260, Arizona) has averaged 2.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 208 games (47 starts) with Minnesota, Miami and Toronto. Internationally, Woods won the 2006-07 Lithuanian National Championship with BC Zalgiris Kaunas and has been playing this season with Efes Pilsen Istanbul in Euroleague. Woods was named the 2007-08 Euroleague Week 11 MVP, pacing Efes Pilsen with 16 points and 18 rebounds in a 91-84 overtime win against Le Mans. His 18 boards (10 offensive) stood as the second highest total in Euroleague history.
Selected by the Timberwolves in the second round (46th overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft, Woods spent two seasons with Minnesota before signing as a free agent with the Heat in 2003-04. He was chosen by the Charlotte Bobcats in the NBA Expansion Draft on June 22, 2004, and later signed with the Raptors on Aug. 18, 2004. With Toronto in 2004-05, Woods averaged career bests of 3.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 0.87 blocks in 45 games. Woods also averaged 4.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in 30 games as a starter that season with the Raptors. In 2005-06, the former standout at Arizona ranked ninth in the NBA in rebounds per 48 minutes (16.3 rpg) and 16th in blocks per 48 minutes (3.41 bpg) with Toronto.
Woods signed on with the Sacramento Kings on Aug.15, 2006, but was waived prior to the regular season. He later joined the Austin Toros of the NBA D-League in 2006-07, averaging 11.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.00 blocks in 15 games with the Toros.
Author: Inside Hoops
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Udonis Haslem has left ankle surgery
The Miami HEAT announced today that forward Udonis Haslem underwent ankle arthroscopy and debridement surgery to remove a large bone spur in his left ankle today.
The procedure lasted 90 minutes and was performed by HEAT team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick and assisted by Dr. Jim Losito at Baptist Doctors Hospital in Miami.
Haslem will be in a walking boot, then on crutches before beginning rehab. Haslem is expected to return to full basketball activity in mid-May.
Haslem has appeared in 49 games (48 starts) for the HEAT this season, averaging 12.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in 36.8 minutes per game.
Haslem, the team captain, has recorded a team-high 11 double-doubles this season while shooting 46.7 percent from the floor and 81.0 percent from the foul line.
Heat give Lasme a shot
The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed forward Stephane Lasme to a 10-day contract. Lasme, a 6’8”, 215-pound forward, has appeared in 37 games (14 starts) with the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League averaging 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.57 blocks while shooting 52 percent from the field in 29.0 minutes of action. He leads the team in rebounds (276) and blocks (95) and is second in minutes played (1,072), field goals made (140), free throws made (113) and steals (38).
At this point the Heat just have to consider the future, since this season was a horrible disaster. Lasme seems close to getting his foot firmly planted in the NBA. I think he definitely has the physical and athletic ability to stick around. He’ll probably fall in and out of the league and then eventually land a small but real deal as a backup on someone’s bench.
But for now, he gets to quickly try to impress the Heat.
Wizards-Heat team connections
Wizards forward Caron Butler was drafted by the Miami with the 10th overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft.
As a rookie in Miami, Butler averaged 15.4 points per game and was named to the 2002-03 NBA All-Rookie First Team, but was later dealt to the Lakers in the trade that brought Shaquille O’Neal to South Beach.
Butler, 28, and Miami’s Dwyane Wade, 26, have been friends and rivals since their AAU days in the Chicago-Milwaukee area.
Washington’s Andray Blatche and Miami’s Dorell Wright attended the same Connecticut prep school, South Kent Prep, but missed playing together by a year.
Blatche played at South Kent in ‘04-‘05 during Wright’s rookie year with Miami.
Nets love our planet and go ‘CarbonNeutral’
Here’s a press release from the Nets:
With their ongoing commitment to “greening” the franchise through a company-wide environmental strategy, the Nets have become the first major professional sports team to be accredited as CarbonNeutral®.
To achieve this position, the Nets plan to lower their carbon footprint by focusing on improving energy efficiency, recycling rates, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality and establishing green procurement policies for the materials the Nets use on a regular basis. To get to net zero CO2 as these changes begin, the Nets are purchasing guaranteed and verified carbon credits that support renewable energy projects around the world.
In January, the Nets launched ‘Netsgogreen.com’ as an educational resource for Nets fans to learn about energy conservation, global warming, sustainability, recycling, air quality, forestation, renewable energy, greener cleaning products, policy and legislation, key green terms, and water conservation.
“Being carbon neutral is an important step as we change our own behaviors and lead the way in environmental and sustainable initiatives in the sports industry,” said Nets CEO Brett Yormark. “We have a social responsibility to do our part to combat climate change, but it also makes business sense as well. Achieving CarbonNeutral accreditation is a milestone in our environmental strategy and we will continue to set an example in sustainable development when we move to our new home in Brooklyn, the Barclays Center.”
Mark Armitage, President US, The CarbonNeutral Company said: “We are delighted that the Nets have made this crucial step in committing to becoming greener. The CarbonNeutral Company is fully supporting them through the CarbonNeutral program by offering them expert advice on how to reduce their carbon footprint through internal changes and through carbon offsetting, and supporting them on how to effectively communicate this good work to their staff, suppliers, players and fan base.”
Warriors notes
Since starting the season 0-6, the Warriors have gone 42-19 (.697), which is the fourth-highest winning percentage in the NBA since that point (Boston .787, Detroit . 710, L.A. Lakers .705).
Since their 0-6 start, the Warriors have lost two games in a row just one other time this season.
Golden State leads the NBA in scoring, averaging 110.9 points per contest…The Warriors have scored 100-or-more points in 31 straight games.
The Warriors also lead the NBA in fastbreak points (22.1), points in the paint (47.6) and points off opponents turnovers (20.3).
In 58 games played together this season, Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson and Monta Ellis are averaging a combined 61.0 points, 13.8 rebounds, 15.1 assists and 5.03 steals per game, with the team going 40-18 in those 58 games.
Bucks part ways with GM Larry Harris
The Milwaukee Bucks have advised General Manager Larry Harris that he will not be offered a new contract. The team accommodated Harris’ recent request for an early decision on his status. Harris’ contract expires June 30, 2008. By mutual agreement, he is being relieved of his responsibilities so that he can pursue other opportunities.
“Larry Harris has served the Milwaukee Bucks since 1990 with complete dedication and loyalty,” Bucks President Senator Herb Kohl said. “The commitment and effort he provided the organization has resulted in many good outcomes. I believe at this time it is in the best interest of the Bucks to proceed in another direction. Larry’s professional approach has been valued and appreciated by our organization and we wish him the best in future endeavors.”
So now that the Rockets lost
Now that the mighty Celtics put a defensive lockdown on the Rockets, ending Houston’s winning streak, it’ll be fun seeing how Houston does from this point on.
Maybe now the Rockets suddenly become mortal and just another good West squad. Or what if they fall off hard like the Trail Blazers did.
No matter what, give credit to the whole roster, including Rafer Alston who seriously balled up some terrific games. And salute coach Rick Adelman, whose effect took a while to kick in.
Stat-focused notes after Celtics end Rockets win streak
Final Score: Boston 94, Houston 74
POST-GAME NOTES
Team Leaders:
Houston
Points: Luis Scola-15
Rebounds: Luis Scola-8
Assists: Tracy McGrady-8
Boston
Points: Kevin Garnett-22
Rebounds: Kevin Garnett-11
Assists: Paul Pierce-5
Today’s attendance of 18,525 is Houston’s 23rd sellout at Toyota Center this season and marks the largest crowd in team history, surpassing the audience of 18,409 set last game vs. the L.A. Lakers (3/16/08). Houston’s top-five attendance totals at Toyota Center: 18,525 today, 18,409 vs. the L.A. Lakers (3/16/08), 18,402 vs. Cleveland (2/7/08), 18,392 vs. the L.A. Lakers (12/12/06) and 18,375 vs. Phoenix (4/16/07).
The Rockets have now sold out all of their last eight home games, which matches Houston’s longest single-season sellout streak at Toyota Center (eight games from 2/27/05-4/3/05).
The second longest winning streak in NBA history comes to a close at 22 games with a 94-74 loss to the Celtics, which also draws to a close a 15-game home winning streak for the Rockets. It was Houston’s first defeat since a 97-89 setback vs. Utah (1/27/08).
The Rockets scored a season-low 74 points in suffering their largest margin of defeat this season (-20, 74-94). Houston’s 72 points last season vs. Boston (2/26/07) were actually the fewest in the all-time series against the Celtics. The Rockets also registered their fewest points in a second half this season with 34 tonight, edging out a 35-point second half at Toronto (12/9/07).
Houston lost the battle of the boards by a double-digit margin (-10, 35-45) tonight. The Raptors (-13, 35-48 on 12/9/07 at Toronto) and Warriors (-13, 34-47 on 12/31/07 vs. Golden State) are the only other two opponents to have outrebounded Houston by a double-figure total this season.
The Celtics outscored the Rockets 32-16 in the third quarter, setting Houston’s opponent high for third-quarter points this season. The previous high was 31 done twice before (last: 3/2/08 vs. Denver). Houston has now scored a combined 28 third-quarter points over the last two games, including 12 points on 4-for-23 (.174) from the floor in the third quarter vs. the L.A. Lakers (3/16/08).
Rafer Alston finished with 12 points, including a pair of makes from beyond the arc. He now has at least one 3-point field goal made in each of the last 20 games.
Mike Harris came off the bench to notch 12 points (6-10 FG), matching his career-high 12 points (5-8 FG) vs. Charlotte (3/14/08).
Kevin Garnett (22), Leon Powe (21) and Paul Pierce (20) all reached the 20-point mark in tonight’s game. It was the first time this season for a Houston opponent to have three players each score 20 or more points in a game.
CBA finals is Cavalry vs Skyrockets
With the second win in as many days, the Minot Skyrockets advance to the CBA Finals with a 103-89 victory over the Pittsburgh Xplosion. This will be the first time the Minot Skyrockets franchise has participated in the CBA Finals. The last time the CBA Finals were contested in the state of North Dakota was on March 24, 2004, when the Dakota Wizards defeated the Idaho Stampede to with the CBA Championship.
The Skyrockets swept the Xplosion, two games to none to capture the American Conference Championship. They defeated Pittsburgh 105-87 in Game 1 and finished the series with a 103-89 victory tonight in Minot. This two game sweep ends the Xplosion season. They finished with a 29-21 record.
Minot will now travel to Oklahoma to take on the National Conference Champion Cavalry. Games 1 and 2 will take place on Saturday, March 22 and Monday, March 24 in Lawton. Game time is 7:30 central time. Game three will take place in Minot on Wednesday, March 26. Games 4 and 5 will be played on Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29, if necessary, in Minot. Game time is 7:05 central time.
The Skyrockets won the season series 3-1 over the Cavalry in the regular season. Minot won the first three contests, 91-89 (4.5), 97-94 (5.5), and 92-88 (4.0) in overtime. The Cavalry won the last contest 114-98 (6.5).
“This will be a hotly contested series,” said CBA Deputy Commissioner Dennis Truax. “Oklahoma knocked off the two time defending champion Yakama Sun Kings and is on an eight game winning streak. They have Daryan Selvy and Marvin Phillips who are both tough match-up problems. Minot has veterans Ronnie Fields and Kevin Rice who are no strangers to the Finals. The Miners currently have a ten game winning streak. Both teams are evenly matched. It should be a great Finals for our teams and fans.”