Category: General NBA insight

General NBA insight

Damon Stoudamire to Spurs is extremely likely

A source tells InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner that it’s “extremely likely” Damon Stoudamire will sign with the San Antonio Spurs.

Several media outlets reported Tuesday and Wednesday that San Antonio was an increasingly probable destination for the point guard, who became a free agent after a buyout agreement led to the Memphis Grizzlies waiving him. A source confirmed that to InsideHoops.com, and said late Wednesday night that Stoudamire to the Spurs is expected to happen unless a sudden surprise offer comes Damon’s way.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

Anderson Varejao ankle update

This is official information as of 6:20 p.m. ET:

Cavaliers forward/center Anderson Varejao experienced a left ankle sprain during the third quarter of the Cavaliers game vs. the Lakers in LA, Sunday afternoon. X-rays taken at the arena were negative. He received an MRI today in LA, the results of which showed no additional injury beyond the sprain. He will continue to receive treatments in LA today and travel to Cleveland tomorrow morning. He will be evaluated at The Cleveland Clinic tomorrow night and his status will be updated after that. No timeline has been established for his return to the court at this point.

Jamison rockin a 20-10

Antawn Jamison enters play today as one of just two players in the Eastern Conference averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. The other — Orlando’s Dwight Howard — will start for the Eastern Conference in next month’s NBA All-Star game. In the last ten years, only two players have averaged at least 20 points and 10 rebounds for a team with a winning record at the midpoint of the season and not been in the All-Star game; Carlos Boozer (22.2 ppg, 12.0 rpg) for the 27-14 Utah Jazz in 2006-07, and Chris Webber (22.8 ppg, 10.3 rpg) for the 30-11 Sacramento Kings in 2002-03 — both of whom were selected as All-Stars by the coaches, but did not play in the All-Star game due to injury.

Brendan Haywood talks free throws

Washington Wizards center Brendan Haywood on his improved free throw shooting: “For me it has been about getting my elbow up. It’s about locking my elbow in, extending it and getting it so that my follow through has nowhere to go but straight and long. When I do that I am going to miss short and long, not all over the place like when my elbow kicks out. Even when I miss I know how to correct it, whereas in previous years when I was having a bad stretch I was just hoping and wishing.”

Haywood on assistant coach Dave Hopla: “I definitely think he’s helped me out a lot. He met with me in Charlotte and we have continued to work everyday. Even in games he’s always talking about different things as far as balance and getting my elbow up. He will even tell me if I had a bad make because he knows that you need to have consistency when you are working with bad habits like I had before.”

Raptors three-pointer notes

The Raptors Raptors are doing big things from three-point range this season. Here are some highlights:

Toronto became the first team in NBA history to make a three-point field goal in 700 consecutive games November 6, 2007 at Milwaukee.

Jason Kapono drained a three-pointer at the 10:29 mark of the first quarter to extend the streak.

Toronto set the NBA record for most consecutive games with at least one three-point field goal March 12, 2006 against the Indiana Pacers. Morris Peterson connected on his first three-point attempt with 1:41 remaining in the first quarter. Peterson’s make gave them 595 consecutive games with at least one three-pointer.

The last time the Raptors did not record a triple was Feb. 24, 1999 at Indiana (0-6).

The Miami Heat had their NBA record of 594 games with a three-pointer end Nov. 10, 2001 vs. Sacramento.

There have been 24 games during the streak in which the Raptors netted just one triple, including Nov. 30 vs. Memphis when Morris Peterson hit the lone three-pointer.

Toronto attempted a franchise-high 35 three-point field goals Apr. 7, 2006 at New Orleans/Oklahoma City (34, Mar. 13 vs. Philadelphia).

Guard Darrick Martin kept the streak alive vs. Dallas on Nov. 29, 2006 by hitting a three-pointer with 0.5 seconds remaining in the game.

Andrea Bargnani hit a third-quarter shot for the game’s only successful three-point field goal vs. Boston on Dec. 1, 2006.