Inside Hoops – Page 810 – NBA Blog

Rudy Gobert out indefinitely with left knee injury

The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert:

After sustaining a left knee injury during today’s practice at Zions Bank Basketball Center, Gobert underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) this afternoon at University of Utah Health Care’s Orthopaedic Center. Following the examination, Jazz physicians Dr. Travis Maak and Dr. David Petron determined that Gobert suffered a Grade II sprain of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee.

No surgery is required and Gobert will be out indefinitely. Further updates will be provided when appropriate.

Sixers supend Jahlil Okafor for two games

Here is today’s statement from the Philadelphia 76ers, whose star rookie Jahlil Okafor has been involved in several recent off-court incidents, including a street fight in Boston:

We have made the determination to suspend Jahlil Okafor for two games, effective immediately.

Jahlil is a very important part of our organization and our future. While we are disappointed with his recent actions, we have faith in him as a valued member of the Sixers. We will provide the necessary resources to support him on his journey and will do our part to help him succeed both on and off the court.

Hornets sign coach Steve Clifford to contract extension

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has signed Head Coach Steve Clifford to a multiyear contract extension.

“We like what Coach Clifford and his staff have been doing,” said Cho. “He has done a really good job over the last two years. We want some continuity and we are excited to have him locked down to an extension. He is very organized and an extremely hard worker who has a great rapport with the players. We are extremely happy to have him here.”

Clifford was originally named head coach on May 29, 2013, after spending 13 seasons as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets and New York Knicks. Clifford led the Hornets to a 10-5 record (.667) in the month of November, marking the first 10-win November in franchise history. In his first year in Charlotte, Clifford guided the team to a playoff berth and a 43-39 record while garnering Eastern Conference Coach of the Month honors for April 2014. Charlotte has witnessed three different home winning streaks of five or more games under his tenure. In each of the last two seasons, Charlotte has finished in the top ten in the NBA in defensive rating (fifth in 2013-14 at 103.8 and ninth in 2014-15 at 103.5).

“As much as anything, I’m excited about the extension because it’s what I wanted to have happen,” said Clifford. “I’m appreciative to Michael Jordan, Curtis Polk and Rich Cho for the opportunity to see this thing through. I feel like we’ve made good strides since I’ve been here. I like our guys and I like the team that we can become. I like the people that I work for and from a personal standpoint I’m really happy.”

A graduate of the University of Maine-Farmington, Clifford has over 30 years of coaching experience on his resume. He spent 15 years coaching at the collegiate level, including four years as head coach at Adelphi University in Garden City, New York. Clifford entered the NBA with the New York Knicks, serving as the team’s advance scout in 2000-01 and as an assistant coach from 2001-03. He then spent four seasons with the Houston Rockets as an assistant coach to Jeff Van Gundy from 2003-07, before serving as an assistant coach to Stan Van Gundy with the Orlando Magic from 2007-12. In five seasons in Orlando, Clifford helped the Magic to a 259-135 record (.657) and five straight playoff appearances, including a trip to the 2009 NBA Finals. Clifford’s final season as an assistant came in 2012-13 with the Los Angeles Lakers, prior to being hired by Charlotte.

Knicks recall Cleanthony Early from D-League

New York Knicks President Phil Jackson announced this afternoon that the team has recalled forward Cleanthony Early from the Westchester Knicks of the NBA Development League.

Early, 6-8, 210-pounds, averaged 17.5 points and 11.0 rebounds over 36.5 minutes in two games with Westchester and is expected to be in uniform tonight when the New York Knicks face the Philadelphia 76ers.

Former Celtic Jim Loscutoff passes away

The entire Boston Celtics organization and our ownership group are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jim Loscutoff, a Celtics Legend and seven-time NBA champion. Affectionately nicknamed “Loscy” and “Jungle Jim,” Loscutoff passed away on December 1 at the age of 85.

Upon the conclusion of his playing days in 1964, Jim and his wife, artist Lynn Loscutoff, founded Camp Evergreen, a children’s day camp where a wide range of programs are carried out to provide an enriching camping experience. Loscutoff’s nickname of “Loscy” was hoisted to the Boston Garden rafters on April 14, 1973 for his leadership and all-around excellent play. He is the only Celtics player to have his name, and not uniform number, retired.

We keep his wife Lynn, daughters Holly and Carol, son Jim, Jr. and his entire family in our thoughts at this time.

Sixers losing streak finally ends

Ladies and gentleman, the 76ers are on fire — if we just judge the team by today alone. Here’s the Philadelphia Inquirer reporting:

The 76ers avoided sole possession of a dubious place in the NBA record book on a night when they honored Kobe Bryant and the late Moses Malone.

They snapped two losing streaks with their first victory of the season in a 103-91 defeat of Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

The Sixers (1-18) entered the night one loss away from breaking the NBA record for consecutive losses to start the season. They tied the mark of 18 consecutive setbacks that was set by the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets.

They also halted their U.S. professional sports record of 28 straight losses, dating back to March 27. Meanwhile, the Lakers dropped to 2-15, suffering their seventh consecutive setback.

Kobe would be honored to remain involved with Lakers after retirement

Unless something unexpected happens, Kobe Bryant is retiring from basketball at the end of this season. He spoke about it in a press conference before tonight’s Lakers game in Philadelphia. Here’s the Orange County Register reporting:

When Kobe Bryant discusses his plans for post-retirement, basketball is rarely among them. Earlier this season he joked that he is uninterested in coaching because he doesn’t “feel like dealing with divas.”

But how about a different role?

Before his final game in his native Philadelphia, Bryant told reporters at Wells Fargo Center that it would be “an honor” to remain involved with the Lakers organization in some capacity.

“Me and the Buss family, we grew up together,” Bryant said, via a video stream of his press conference. “(Part-owners and top executives) Jeanie and Jimmy, they’ve known me since I was a kid. It would be an honor to help them with their transition to get them back to the top.”

In a subsequent interview on Time Warner Cable SportsNet, Jeanie Buss said, “I think Kobe can do anything. If that’s something that interests then absolutely I would talk to him about it.

Elliot Williams named D-League Player of Month

Santa Cruz Warriors guard Elliot Williams has been named NBA Development League Player of the Month for games played in November. The honor, the first of the 2015-16 season, is also the first of Williams’ NBA D-League career.

Williams (6-5, 183, University of Memphis) helped Santa Cruz to a 4-3 record to start the 2015-16 season. Williams ranked third in the NBA D-League in scoring (28.1 ppg) and assists (6.6 apg), and added 8.6 rebounds. He has scored at least 23 points in every game.

On Nov. 20, he recorded a double-double with 31 points on 10-of-12 shooting and 15 rebounds, to go along with eight assists and three steals in a 106-100 victory over the Los Angeles D-Fenders. On Nov. 26, he notched a double-double with 26 points and 11 assists in a 98-87 loss to the Austin Spurs.

Other players receiving consideration for the monthly award were Delaware’s Jordan McRae and Sean Kilpatrick, Iowa’s Cartier Martin, Los Angeles’ Vander Blue, Raptors’ Scott Suggs, Rio Grande Valley’s Raphiael Putney and Sioux Falls’ Greg Whittington.

David Blatt and Luke Walton named NBA Coaches of Month

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ David Blatt and the Golden State Warriors’ Luke Walton today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in October and November.

Blatt guided the Cavaliers to an Eastern Conference-best 13-4 (.765) record for games played in October and November. After dropping their season opener to the Chicago Bulls, the Cavaliers reeled off eight consecutive victories from Oct. 28 – Nov. 13. The defending conference champion Cavaliers own a 9-0 record at Quicken Loans Arena, and rank sixth in the NBA in both scoring (103.1 points) and team defense, limiting opponents to 96.5 points.

While filling in for head coach Steve Kerr (back surgery), Walton has led the defending champion Warriors to the best start in NBA history at 19-0. The Warriors lead the NBA in scoring at 115.3 points, and enjoy the largest point differential in the league at 15.4 points. Walton is in his second season on the Warriors’ staff, and previously served as a player development coach with the NBA D-League’s Los Angeles D-Fenders during the 2013-14 season.

Other nominees for Coach of the Month were Charlotte’s Steve Clifford, Indiana’s Frank Vogel, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Doc Rivers, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, Oklahoma City’s Billy Donovan, Orlando’s Scott Skiles, San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich and Toronto’s Dwane Casey.

NBA clarifies rules regarding coaching records

The NBA clarified today the league’s rules regarding coaching records: the head coach of record is credited with team wins and losses. Steve Kerr remains the head coach of record for the Golden State Warriors and is credited with those results.

Additionally, any team head coach, interim head coach or acting head coach is eligible to be recognized with league coaching awards. Therefore, Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton is eligible for NBA Coach of the Month.

The winners for the season’s first month were announced after this clarification, and Walton did in fact win Coach of the Month for the Western conference, while Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt received the honor in the East.