Author: Inside Hoops

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Pistons recall Cheikh Samb from D-League

The Detroit Pistons announced today that they have recalled Cheikh Samb from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League.

In two games (both starts), Samb averaged 13.5 points, 9.5 assists and 4.0 blocks in 31.5 minutes with the Mad Ants.

Samb was acquired by the Pistons on draft day from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Maurice Evans on June 28, 2006. Drafted by the Lakers with the 51st pick in the second round of the 2006 NBA Draft, Samb spent the 2006-07 season playing overseas with WTC Cornella in the Spanish LEB2 League.

The 7-foot-1, 215-pound center made his NBA debut with the Pistons at the L.A. Lakers on November 16, scoring two points with four rebounds and two blocks in 15 minutes.  In two NBA games this season, Samb is averaging 1.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 10.5 minutes per game.

Spurs re-assign Darius Washington to D-League

The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they have re-assigned guard Darius Washington to the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League (D-League).

The 6-2, 195-pound Washington was signed by the Spurs on October 1. He has appeared in 18 games with the Silver and Black, averaging 2.9 points and 1.1 rebounds while shooting .438 from the field.

Washington was originally assigned to the Toros on 11/29.  He was recalled by San Antonio on 12/13.

Washington started all four games he appeared in with the Toros, averaging a team-best 28.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.0 steals in 38.5 minutes of action.  The 6-2 guard recorded his first professional triple-double when he finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists vs. Tulsa on December 8.

Alonzo Mourning has season-ending surgery

The Miami Heat announced today that Alonzo Mourning  underwent successful surgery this afternoon to repair a torn patella tendon and a torn  quadriceps tendon in his right knee. The surgery, a two-hour procedure, was  performed by team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick at Doctors Hospital in Coral  Gables.
 
No  timetable has been set for his recovery, but he will miss the remainder of the  regular season.
 
 Mourning, currently in his 15th  NBA season, has appeared in all 25 games for the HEAT this season, and has  averaged 6.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.68 blocks in 15.6 minutes per  game.

Grizzlies sign Jeremy Richardson

The Memphis Grizzlies today signed free agent guard/forward Jeremy Richardson, the top scorer in the NBA Development League.

Richardson, a 6-7, 195-pound swingman, was averaging a league-high 28.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.63 steals in 41.5 minutes in eight games this season for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the NBA D-League.

“We are pleased to call Jeremy Richardson up from the NBA Development League’s Fort Wayne Mad Ants,” said Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace. “He is an exciting young talent whose career is on a real upswing.  Jeremy can shoot the three-pointer, is very good at coming off screens and is blessed with impressive length and size for a perimeter player.

“Jeremy has received excellent coaching and an opportunity to develop his game against strong competition in an NBA-like setting over his time in the D-League.  The D-League is an invaluable training ground for talented young players such as Jeremy who need to transition into professional basketball.”

Richardson is the fourth GATORADE Call-Up from the D-League this season, joining Miami’s Luke Jackson, Denver’s Jelani McCoy and New Jersey’s Eddie Gill. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana native was also named the D-League Performer of the Week on December 3 after scoring a D-League season-high 40 points vs. the Iowa Energy on November 29.

The Delta State alum (Cleveland, Mississippi) had two call-ups to the NBA last season with the Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 1.3 points in six games in limited playing time. The 23-year-old spent the majority of the 2006-07 season with the Forth Worth Flyers in the D-League.  Recently, Richardson was one of the Miami Heat’s final cuts on October 29.

The current roster stands at 14 players. Richardson will wear No. 3.

Theo Ratliff out 6 weeks after knee surgery

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Wednesday that center Theo Ratliff underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Tuesday (Dec. 18). Dr. James R. Andrews of the Alabama Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Ala. performed the operation and repaired cartilage. Ratliff is expected to miss the next six weeks as he rehabs from the surgery.

Ratliff, acquired via trade from the Boston Celtics on July 31, 2007, has appeared in six games for the Wolves this season, averaging 8.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in 26.8 minutes per game. The 12-year NBA veteran has missed the last 13 games due to soreness in his right knee.

Should the Hawks add Ruben Patterson?

The Atlanta Journal Constitution (Sekou K Smith) blogs the following, about the Hawks:

Part of me could see the wisdom in adding a nasty veteran defender like Ruben Patterson, a grimy dude that can guard the other team’s best perimeter scorer and also get buckets when he feels like it. A guy with that skill set could be the missing link for a wanna-be playoff team. But that would mean creating a roster spot (somebody would have to be traded or cut to make room). Then again, why tinker with what has the makings of one of the most exciting and versatile young teams in the league. Even the Hawks’ most consistent critics have admitted that the Utah game showcased a team with the ingredients to be something special in time. How much time? That’s the kicker. You just don’t know how long it’s going to take for it all to come together.

Atlanta is doing better than expected this season, especially considering rookie Acie Law hasn’t contributed much yet, and Joe Johnson hasn’t shot well this season.

Wizards sign Mike Wilks

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed guard Mike Wilks.  Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Mike is a solid and dependable veteran,” said Grunfeld.  “He will bring experience and steady play to our team.”

“I am very excited and thankful for this opportunity,” said Wilks.  “The Wizards are playing great team ball, and I hope to contribute by providing defensive pressure and creating opportunities by getting the ball to our scorers.”

Wilks played collegiately at Rice, before spending time in the NBA Development League after college.  He made his NBA debut with the Atlanta Hawks during the 2002-03 season, and has since played for Minnesota, Houston, San Antonio, Cleveland, Seattle and Denver.  He played in a career-high 48 games with the NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs in 2004-05.  This season, Wilks appeared in eight games for the Denver Nuggets, and averaged 3.0 points in 15.3 minutes per game.

Wilks will wear uniform #29.