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Lakers sign David Nwaba to second 10-day contract

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard David Nwaba to a second 10-day contract, General Manager Rob Pelinka announced today.

Nwaba (6-5, 204) averaged 2.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 11.2 minutes through five games after earning an NBA Call-Up with the Lakers on February 28. He originally joined the club from the team’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Los Angeles D-Fenders, where he played in 39 games (30 starts), averaging 14.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks in 29.0 minutes per contest.

The Lakers roster stands at 15.

Stephen Curry passes Dell Curry in NBA points

Dell Curry was a fantastic NBA player. His son Stephen Curry is other-level, though. Here’s the Minneapolis Star Tribune with the latest:

Stephen Curry passes father Dell Curry in NBA points

Golden State superstar Stephen Curry surpassed his father in NBA career points scored with a three-pointer in the third quarter of Friday’s game against the Timberwolves at Target Center.

Dell Curry scored 12,670 points a 16-year career with five teams, the longest stint being with Charlotte. Stephen Curry did it in his eighth season, finishing the game with 26 points and 12,682 for his career. According to Elisa Sports Bureau, they are fourth all-time by a father-son duo, behind Joe and Kobe Bryant (38,895), Dolph and Danny Schayes (27,218) and Rick and Brent Barry (26,883).

And then there’s Seth Curry, who has found his way in the NBA with Dallas.

Dion Waiters has become a fan favorite in Miami

The Heat are only 31-34, which is the 9th best record in the Eastern conference, but after a lousy start to the season the team has been on a winning path. They’re moving on up. And a big reason why has been the play of guard Dion Waiters. Here’s the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reporting:

Dion Waiters has become a fan favorite in Miami

Since the team’s second-half revival, Waiters has taken on the role of fan favorite. He appears in Internet memes, is arguably the most popular player on social-media and even had a song written about him.

While Waiters is flattered by the attention, he says it’s mostly because of the team success.

“I just think of what we did as a team,” Waiters said. “What we’re doing from a team standpoint, just how we fought back and into the position that we’re in now.”

The Waiters phenomenon hit an all-time high when a song based on the theme of “Gilligan’s Island” hit the Internet earlier this week. The lyrics are cleverly based on Waiters’ arrival in Miami, while also sprinkling in mentions of teammates.

The track is titled, “Waiters Island.”

Markelle Fultz will enter 2017 NBA Draft

Talented guard Markelle Fultz, who will likely be one of top picks in the 2017 NBA Draft, will officially leave school and go pro, the school announced today. Here’s their announcement:

University of Washington freshman Markelle Fultz will be entering the 2017 NBA Draft, the University announced Friday. Fultz, who was an All-Pac-12 First Team and All-Freshman Team performer after leading the league in points at 23.2 per game, will hire an agent and not return to play for the Huskies.

“It’s been an honor to play in front of the Husky fans and I really appreciate all of the support you guys have given me,” Fultz said. “After sitting down with my Mom and the coaching staff, I’ve made the decision to enter the NBA Draft. Although the season hasn’t gone as planned, it’s really truly been a blessing to be here. I’ve learned a lot of lessons on and off the court, especially from coach Romar and his coaching staff. I’m always going to be a Husky for life.”

“The last three years of Markelle Fultz’s basketball career have been nothing short of amazing,” said head coach Lorenzo Romar. “He has made one of the quickest improvements of any athlete I’ve seen in a long time. Markelle has decided to enter the NBA Draft and we totally support his decision. We appreciate him giving his all, on and off the court, while he was part of our program and I will enjoy watching him play for many years to come. Even though he was only here for a short time, I truly believe he will be a Husky for life and that started before he even enrolled at UW as he went and supported our women’s team last year in the postseason in Maryland. We wish him the best of luck and look forward to following what will likely be an exciting career.”

Fultz finished his time at UW averaging 23.2 points per game, 5.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds while setting the Husky freshman scoring record with his 579 points. He is the first guard in 25 years to average 20-5-5 and was on the watch lists for numerous national awards including the Bob Cousy Award, Naismith Trophy, John R. Wooden Award and the Waymon Tisdale Freshman of the Year Award.

Markieff Morris fined for kick to Mason Plumlee

Markieff Morris fined for kick to Mason Plumlee

Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris has been fined $25,000 for kicking Denver Nuggets center Mason Plumlee in the groin, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, for which Morris was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected, occurred with 2:08 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Wizards’ 123-113 win over the Nuggets on March 8 at Pepsi Center.

Rockets sign Troy Williams to 10-day contract

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed forward Troy Williams to a 10-day contract. Williams is the 38th “Call-up” of the 2016-17 season.

And immediately with this move, the Rockets have assigned Williams to Houston’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner Rio Grande Valley.

Williams (6-7, 218) was eligible for the 2016 NBA Draft following his junior season at Indiana University and signed as a free agent with Memphis on Aug. 8, 2016. He appeared in 24 games for the Grizzlies this season.

In 23 D-League games, Williams is averaging 12.8 points in just 20.0 minutes per game. He won the D-League Dunk Contest held during NBA All-Star Weekend.

Timberwolves putting up wins lately

Like that mythical guy pushing the boulder, the Timberwolves still have lots of uphill work to do before they reach the playoffs this season, but Wednesday’s 107-91 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers showed again that they’re beating the rock, step by step.

The Wolves won for the seventh time in 11 games, and they did so against a Clippers team featuring Chris Paul and Blake Griffin back in the lineup together.

The last time these teams played, the Clippers played without either superstar and the Wolves prevailed by a mere three points in L.A. in January. This time, the Wolves won in both measurable and immeasurable categories, starting with the lopsided scoreboard, of course, but also including rebounding (50-36) and points in the paint (62-40).

— Minneapolis Star Tribune

DeMarcus Cousins fined for using bad language towards fans

New Orleans Pelicans forward/center DeMarcus Cousins has been fined $50,000 for directing inappropriate language towards fans on separate occasions, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incidents occurred during the Pelicans’ 105-97 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, March 5 at Staples Center and at the conclusion of the Pelicans’ 88-83 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday, March 6 at Vivint Smart Home Arena.

Nick Young’s house burglarized

The celebrity burglary thiefstravaganza continues … this time, crooks struck the L.A. home of Lakers star Nick Young (again!) and made off with $500k in cash and jewelry after taking his entire safe!!!

Law enforcement sources confirm … Young’s Valley residence was hit in February when the bad guys entered through an unlocked door and pilfered the NBA star’s valuables.

We’re told crooks took roughly $30k in cash plus 3 gold chains, a custom ring and a locked safe containing other valuables.

— TMZ Sports