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In G League, Jameer Nelson named General Manager of Delaware Blue Coats

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today the promotion of Jameer Nelson to General Manager of the Delaware Blue Coats, the team’s NBA G League affiliate.

Nelson previously served as Blue Coats Assistant General Manager/76ers Scout since November 2020, a tenure that included three-straight trips to the G League Finals, a 2021 Winter Showcase Cup Title, and culminated with the 2022-23 NBA G League Championship.

“Jameer has approached his front office and scouting roles with the same tenacity that he approached the game during his playing career. He is a great talent evaluator who is well-respected by players, agents, coaches and executives alike, suiting him for success as the next General Manager of the Blue Coats,” Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey said.

“Jameer succeeds Prosper Karangwa, who led the Blue Coats to their first-ever G League title last year and has done an incredible job in growing the program. We are thankful to Prosper for what he’s done in Delaware and are grateful he’s an integral member of our 76ers front office.”

A 14-year NBA veteran, Nelson was named an All-Star in 2009 as a member of the Orlando Magic. Nelson was a first-round pick (No. 20 overall) of the Denver Nuggets in 2004 and averaged over 11 points, five assists and three rebounds across a career with Orlando, Dallas, Boston, Denver, New Orleans and Detroit. Collegiately, the Chester, Pennsylvania native starred at St. Joseph’s University, guiding the Hawks to the Elite Eight in 2004 and was named National Player of the Year, a first-team All-American selection and Atlantic 10 Player of the Year.

The Blue Coats also announced the team’s coaching staff for the 2023-24 season. Under first-year head coach Mike Longabardi, newcomer Ryan Ayers completes the Blue Coats’ bench, joining returning assistant coaches JP Clark and God Shammgod Jr.

Heat guard Tyler Herro out with ankle injury

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro suffered a Grade 2 right ankle sprain in Wednesday’s game in Memphis.

Herro will be in a walking boot for 10 days and re-evaluated in two weeks.

Herro has started in all eight games this season, averaging a team-leading 22.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.38 steals and 34.0 minutes while shooting 44.7 percent from the field, 41 percent from three-point range and 88 percent from the foul line. He entered last night’s game having connected on multiple three-point field goals in all previous seven games, tying for the third-longest streak to start a season in team history. Additionally, entering last night, Herro had totaled 177 points to start the season, marking the fifth-most points through the first seven games of a season in franchise history.

The latest on Knicks forward Julius Randle

Per the NY Post:

As he struggled through the opening week-plus of the season, Julius Randle had been battling through ankle pain and, as a player committed to availability, resisted attempts from the Knicks to get him to rest, multiple sources told The Post.

Randle, who underwent arthroscopic ankle surgery in the offseason, was operating at about “70 percent,” a source said.

And through the opening six games — while limited by that pain — Randle was among the league’s least efficient players with a notable drop-off in his explosiveness.

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Pistons sign Kevin Knox

The Detroit Pistons have signed forward Kevin Knox II.

Knox II (6-7, 215) suited up for the Pistons and Portland Trail Blazers in 2022-23, averaging 6.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 15.1 minutes in 63 games. He appeared in 42 games for the Pistons and averaged 5.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.4 assists while shooting 47% from the field in 14.1 minutes per game.

The Phoenix native was traded from Detroit to Portland on Feb. 9, 2023, as part of a four-team trade with Atlanta, Golden State and Portland. Following the trade, Knox II appeared in 21 games for the Trail Blazers where he averaged 8.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 17.1 minutes. He holds career averages of 7.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 18.0 minutes in 275 career NBA games (66 starts).

Drafted ninth overall by New York in the 2018 NBA Draft, Knox II played collegiately for one season at Kentucky where he earned SEC Co-Freshman of the Year while being named to the SEC All-Freshman and All-SEC Tournament First Team in 2017-18.

Udonis Haslem named Vice President of Basketball Development for the Miami Heat

The Miami Heat announced yesterday that three-time NBA Champion and 20-year veteran Udonis Haslem has joined the front office as Vice President, Basketball Development. Haslem’s responsibilities include being a resource to the coaching staff, mentoring both HEAT and Skyforce players as well as representing the organization in the community and in business endeavors.

“Born and raised in Miami, UD has been an integral part of the success of the HEAT for 20 years,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “It’s great that he has chosen to continue to build on his incredible legacy here in Miami, where he belongs.”

Haslem recently retired last season after spending his entire 20-year NBA career with the HEAT, accumulating three NBA Championships, seven Eastern Conference Championships, 12 Divisional Titles and 16 postseason appearances, having never missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons. He is one of only three players in NBA history to play at least 20 years with one franchise, joining only Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki. Haslem was a 16-time HEAT captain, and most in team history, and finished as the franchise’s all-time leader in offensive, defensive and total rebounds, becoming the only undrafted player in NBA history to become their team’s all-time rebound leader. His 5,791 boards are the fourth-most among undrafted players in the Modern Draft Era (1966), trailing only Moses Malone, Ben Wallace and Brad Miller. In addition to being Miami’s all-time rebounding leader, Haslem ranks second in games played, second in starts, second in minutes, fifth in field goals made, fifth in double-doubles, seventh in points, ninth in field goal percentage, 10th in blocks and 11th in steals. Among the HEAT’s all-time postseason leaders, he ranks first in offensive rebounds, second in total rebounds, second in games played, third in defensive rebounds, third in starts, third in minutes, fifth in double-doubles, seventh in field goals made, seventh in free throws made, eighth in points, eighth in blocks and tied for ninth in double-figure scoring games. Additionally, Haslem’s 147 postseason appearances are the most by an undrafted player in league history.

Timberwolves guard Jordan McLaughlin out with knee injury

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the following injury update on guard Jordan McLaughlin who experienced right knee soreness in the third quarter of yesterday’s game vs. the Boston Celtics.

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) taken today at Mayo Clinic Square by Dr. Kelechi Okoroha on McLaughlin revealed a right knee MCL sprain. He will be re-evaluated in four weeks and further updates of his progress will be provided at that time.

Pistons injury parade continues

Detroit Pistons guard Joe Harris suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder in Sunday’s game vs. Phoenix.

Harris will be reevaluated in 10-14 days.

Per the Detroit Free Press, “Detroit now has seven injured players. Bojan Bogdanovic (right calf strain), Monte Morris (right quad strain) and Isaiah Livers (left ankle sprain) have yet to make their season debuts. Alec Burks (left forearm contusion) has missed four consecutive games. And Jaden Ivey (illness) will miss his third straight game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.”

Pelicans medical updates on CJ McCollum and Jose Alvarado

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today the following medical updates:

CJ McCollum, who was diagnosed with a small pneumothorax in his right lung, was re-examined yesterday. Medical imaging showed positive healing. He will be re-evaluated at a later date.

Jose Alvarado, who sustained a right ankle sprain during an offseason workout, continues to make good progress in his return to play progression. Alvarado has returned to light on-court work and is expected to return to full team practice in the next 1-2 weeks.

Dillon Brooks goes wild in Rockets win over Kings

Per the Sacramento Bee:

Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks threw up three fingers and stared down the Sacramento bench after hitting a big 3-pointer in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game against the Kings. Brooks blew the Kings a kiss moments later after burying another long ball to seal Sacramento’s fate.

Brooks had 26 points and nine rebounds to lead the Rockets to a 107-89 victory over the Kings before a sellout crowd of 18,055 at Toyota Center in Houston. Brooks made 9 of 14 from the field and 2 of 4 from 3-point range, both coming during a decisive stretch late in the fourth quarter.

“(Brooks) got in a rhythm,” Kings guard Davion Mitchell said. “He had a really good game. He hits shots. He got comfortable. He’s a basketball player. We’re all competitive and he hit shots. He’s going to talk trash. If he wasn’t hitting shots, he wouldn’t be doing the same thing, so it’s OK. We’ll live with the results and we’ll see them again.”

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Reflections from Chet Holmgren on Steph Curry

Per NBC Sports Bay Area:

Chet Holmgren proved himself a worthy adversary for the Warriors on Friday night, but it wasn’t the first time the Oklahoma City Thunder phenom has impressed Steph Curry on the court.

After Golden State’s 141-139 victory over OKC at Paycom Center in the NBA In-Season Tournament opener, the 21-year-old reflected on facing Curry for the first time after attending the SC30 Select Camp as a high schooler in 2019.

“First time playing against him in the NBA, obviously touched on it earlier but great players over there, and he’s one of them,” Holmgren told reporters of Curry after the game. “Definitely got to know where he is at all times. It’s a cool first full-circle moment, I guess you could call it, you know, going to his camp however many years ago it was and now being in the league with him and playing and competing.”

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