Inside Hoops – Page 2632 – NBA Blog

Suns arena adding new bar

The Phoenix Suns and US Airways Center will debut a new Bacardi Rum Bar tomorrow night (January 31) when the Suns host the San Antonio Spurs at 8:30 PM. The newly branded bar is located on the east side of the lower level concourse outside Sections 102 – 104.

Designed with Bacardi’s trademark red and black colors, the newest addition to US Airways Center features flat screen TV’s and will seat approximately 130 guests. In addition to serving a variety of cocktails, beer and wine, the bar is the only place in the Center that will sell a variety of hamburgers and Planet Orange Sweet Potato Fries.

“We’re excited to have a branded bar in such a beautiful and heavily-trafficked arena,” said Courtney Winter, Bacardi USA Field Marketing Manager, West Central Region. “As we explored opportunities with different venues, this partnership really jumped out at us as a solid opportunity to promote our brands and drive awareness through two key consumer passion points: sports and live music.”

Balkman suspended for elbowing Vujacic

New York Knicks forward Renaldo Balkman has been suspended for one game without pay and assessed a Flagrant Foul, Penalty Two for elbowing the Los Angeles Laker’s Sasha Vujacic in the jaw, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 7:07 remaining in the second period of New York’s 120-109 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at Staples Center. Balkman will serve the suspension tonight when the Knicks visit the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena.

Get your Nick Collison bobblehead

The SuperSonics announced today that a limited-edition bobblehead series will be unveiled to fans beginning Monday, Feb. 4 when the Sonics take on the Chicago Bulls. The Nick Collison bobblehead, presented by FSN, is the first of three to be given away this season. Kevin Durant presented by Allstate Insurance Company will be launched next on Feb. 19, followed by Chris Wilcox presented by KeyBank, on March 14.

“We are pleased to reintroduce the SuperSonics bobblehead series, a longtime Sonics tradition and fan favorite promotion,” said Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Brian Byrnes. “These limited edition collectibles are a must for any Sonics fan, and the Golden Bobblehead is a way for us to reward a lucky fan with a once in a lifetime game experience.”

Official Rookie Challenge (All-Star weekend) rosters

The Rookie Challenge game in All-Star weekend features this year’s best rookies against this year’s best sophomores (players who were rookies last year). The rosters are on InsideHoops.com. Here’s who is playing:

Rookies: Mike Conley, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Al Horford, Jamario Moon, Juan Carlos Navarro, Luis Scola, Sean Williams and Yi Jianlian.

Sophomores: LaMarcus Aldridge, Andrea Bargnani, Ronnie Brewer, Jordan Farmar, Rudy Gay, Daniel Gibson, Paul Millsap, Rajon Rondo and Brandon Roy.

For more info see the full story on InsideHoops.com.

Bulls name Mike Brown assistant coach

The Chicago Bulls today named Michael Brown assistant coach. Brown joins Ron Adams, Pete Myers and Mike Wilhelm to round out Jim Boylan’s coaching staff.

“Michael’s main responsibility will be working with Pete Myers and focusing on the continued development of our young big men,” said Bulls Interim Head Coach Jim Boylan. “His experience as a player in the NBA, and as a coach in the NBDL, will be a welcome addition to our staff and our team.”

For more info, see the full story.

Wizards-Raptors team connections

Wizards captain Antawn Jamison was drafted 4th overall by Toronto in 1998, but his draft rights were immediately traded to Golden State for the draft rights to #5 pick Vince Carter.

Raptors guard Juan Dixon was drafted by Washington 17th overall in 2002 and played three seasons with the Wizards.

Wizards assistant Dave Hopla was a basketball development consultant for the Toronto Raptors last season.

Wizards guard Roger Mason Jr. formerly played for the Raptors.

Anderson Varejao out 3-4 weeks

The latest Varejao injury update, this time with a timeline:

Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao arrived back in Cleveland from the Cavaliers’ current road trip west Tuesday evening and was evaluated at Cleveland Clinic Courts by head team physician Dr. Richard Parker. He has a left ankle sprain (inversion sprain) with bone bruises, which he experienced during the third quarter of the Cavaliers/Lakers game in LA on Sunday afternoon. He will remain in Cleveland to continue his rehabilitation process and is currently estimated to be out 3 to 4 weeks.

Julius Hodge wins Player of Week in Australia

The official website of the NBL (Australia’s main basketball league) reports: Adelaide’s star import Julius Hodge has taken out the National Basketball League’s Player of the Week award for Round 19 of the 2007/08 HUMMER Championship after guiding his team to a crucial win over Cairns that kept the 36ers playoff hopes alive. Hodge averaged 33.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the week as the 36ers went 1-1 for Round 19. The American had 27 points, four rebounds and four assists as Adelaide narrowly lost to second-placed Melbourne on Wednesday at the Distinctive Homes Dome, 113-108.

Rumor: Spurs chasing Damon Stoudamire hard

The San Antonio Express-News (Mike Monroe) reports: It can’t happen until early Wednesday evening, when Damon Stoudamire clears waivers, but it now appears likely the Spurs will sign the 5-foot-10 point guard who on Monday finalized terms of a buyout of his contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. Stoudamire had expressed interest in signing with both the Spurs and the Boston Celtics, but seems to have settled on San Antonio as his destination of choice.

Warriors sign Chris Webber

The Golden State Warriors have signed free agent forward/center Chris Webber to a contract, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.

Webber, 34, appeared in 61 games (60 starts) last season with Philadelphia (18 games) and Detroit (43 games), averaging 11.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 29.9 minutes per contest, while shooting 50.9% from the field. The Detroit native registered 13 double-doubles (points/rebounds), highlighted by a 20-point/11-rebound effort versus Cleveland on March 7. He scored a season-high 24 points at Seattle on March 13 and registered double-figures in scoring 34 times overall. Additionally, Webber dished out four or more assists on 21 occasions, grabbed 10-plus rebounds 15 times and registered multiple blocked shots in 10 outings. His .509 field goal percentage would have ranked 24th overall in the NBA had he met the statistical minimums to qualify. Webber started all 16 playoff games as the Pistons advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, averaging 9.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 25.3 minutes, while shooting 52.4% from the field. He scored a playoff-high 22 points (10-11 FG) during the Pistons’ Game 2 victory over Chicago on May 7 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

“We’re glad that Chris has elected to sign with our club and feel fortunate to add a player with his ability,” said Mullin. “We think he will be a nice addition to our team and provide additional depth to our frontcourt and an added veteran presence on the floor.   Chris has enjoyed a lot of success in this league and certainly has many aspects to his game – in particular his mid-range shooting and passing ability – that will fit in well and provide us another dimension.”

“It is with great pride and humility that I announce my return to the Golden State Warriors, the place where it all started,” said Webber. “This organization and city has always had a special place in my heart because it is where my dream of being an NBA player first came true. I am looking forward to playing with Baron, Stephen and the rest of the crew and I am extremely excited to be reunited with the fans of Oakland along with Coach Nelson and my former teammate, Mully. In playing for Nellie before, I know how much fun his style of ball can be. I believe great things are in store and I can’t wait to get on the court.”

A 14-year NBA veteran, Webber is a five-time NBA All-Star selection (1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003) and a five-time All-NBA selection, having earned first team honors in 2001, second team honors in 1999, 2002, 2003 and third team honors in 2000. In 822 career regular-season games (819 starts) with Golden State, Washington, Sacramento, Philadelphia and Detroit, the University of Michigan product owns averages of 20.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.45 blocks and 1.45 steals in 34.7 minutes per contest. Additionally, Webber has participated in the NBA Playoffs 10 times during his career, appearing in 80 games with averages of 18.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 36.3 minutes per game.