NBA News Blog – Page 1022 – NBA Blog

Led by Davis, draft is shaded Kentucky blue

No one-and-done for Kentucky’s kids in the NBA draft. The Wildcats instead became the first school to go 1-2.

After the Hornets selected forward Anthony Davis with the No. 1 pick Thursday night in Newark, the Bobcats followed by taking fellow freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

The Wildcats are the first school to have the top two picks, part of what they hoped would be perhaps five or even six players selected in the first round. The number ended up being four — Terrence Jones, 18th to the Rockets, and Marquis Teague, 29th to the Bulls.

Coach John Calipari has been criticized for recruiting ‘‘one-and-done’’ players — they stay the required one year and leave — but he looked thrilled hugging his two lottery picks.

UCLA had the first and third picks in 1969, when the Bucks took Lew Alcindor and Lucius Allen went to the SuperSonics.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Bobcats roll dice with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

The Charlotte Bobcats could have invested the No. 2 pick in Thursday’s NBA draft on a shooter such as Florida guard Bradley Beal or North Carolina forward Harrison Barnes. They could have drafted a rebounder such as Kansas power forward Thomas Robinson. They could have drafted a scorer such as Syracuse guard Dion Waiters.

Instead, the Bobcats invested the No. 2 pick on a player whose jump shot would not distinguish him in a pickup game at suburban Charlotte’s Morrison YMCA.

The absence of a jump shot is the reason drafting Kentucky small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is a gamble.

This is why the Bobcats had to gamble. Kidd-Gilchrist played as hard last season as any player in college basketball. He tried to impose himself every time the Wildcats had the ball, and every time their opponents did.

— Reported by Tom Sorensen of the Charlotte Observer

Mavericks trade Darius Johnson-Odom rights to Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired the draft rights to Darius Johnson-Odom (55th overall pick) from Dallas in exchange for cash considerations and have selected Robert Sacre with the 60th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft, it was announced today.

Johnson-Odom, a 6-2 guard out of Marquette, averaged 15.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 105 career games. As a senior, the Raleigh, North Carolina native led his team in scoring (18.3ppg) and earned First Team All-Big East honors in addition to being named an Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press.

Sacre, a 7-0 Center from Gonzaga finished his career with the Bulldogs ranked second all-time in school history in career blocks (186) while averaging 9.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 135 games. As a senior, Sacre was named the 2012 WCC Defensive Player of the Year as well as an All-WCC First-Team honoree while averaging 11.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

Dwyane Wade needs knee surgery, will miss Olympics

Dwyane Wade needs surgery on his ailing left knee and will not play in next month’s London Olympics.

The Miami Heat guard called USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo and Olympic coach Mike Krzyzewski on Thursday to break the news, which was not totally unexpected after Wade played through pain in the postseason. He appeared in all 23 Heat playoff games despite the knee problems, averaging 22.6 points during Miami’s five-game win over Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals.

”I’ve decided to listen to my doctors and get the procedure I need on my knee,” Wade told The Associated Press on Thursday. ”USA Basketball said I had to what was best for me. They want me to be obviously as healthy as possible so I can continue to play this game at a high level. They were very supportive and told me if I ever want to come around the team, I’m welcome and that I’m part of the family.”

Wade and his doctors are in the process of scheduling the surgery. Wade has been told it will be basically a ”cleanup” procedure and should have him on crutches for only about a day afterward.

If all goes according to plan, Wade will be ready for the start of training camp with the Heat this fall.

— Reported by Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press

Mark Jackson was victim of an extortion scheme

STATEMENT FROM GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

In response to media inquiries, Golden State Warriors Head Coach Mark Jackson today confirmed that he and his family were the victims of an extortion scheme attempting to blackmail them in exchange for money. The suspects were arrested on June 25 by the FBI.

Jackson informed the Warriors of the extortion scheme in late April – three weeks after his first encounter with the extortionist – and solicited help from the organization. At that point, Jackson and the Warriors immediately contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Although not condoning his previous actions that led to the extortion attempt, the Warriors fully support Coach Jackson during this time and thank law enforcement authorities and the FBI for their prompt assistance in helping Coach Jackson and his family.

Due to the fact that this is an ongoing legal matter, the Warriors will have no further comment at this time.

Suns extend qualifying offers to Robin Lopez and Aaron Brooks

The Phoenix Suns today extended qualifying offers to center Robin Lopez and guard Aaron Brooks, making both players restricted free agents, the club has announced.

Originally selected by the Suns with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft, the 7-0, 255-pound Lopez has spent all four of his professional seasons with Phoenix, compiling averages of 5.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 14.4 minutes in 242 games (94 starts). Lopez is a career 51.7-percent shooter from the field who enjoyed his best statistical campaign in 2009-10 when he averaged career highs of 8.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.00 blocks in 51 games (31 starts) and helped lead the Suns to the Western Conference Finals.

A two-year collegiate standout at Stanford, both Robin and twin brother Brook were 2008 NBA first-round picks; Brook was selected 10th overall by the Brooklyn Nets.

The 2009-10 NBA Most Improved Player, Brooks was acquired by the Suns from the Houston Rockets at the 2011 trade deadline and appeared in 25 games with Phoenix, averaging 9.6 points and 4.2 assists in 18.9 minutes. The 6-0, 160-pound guard spent the 2011-12 season with the Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association, leading his team to the 2012 CBA Finals and earning a berth in the league’s All-Star game.

Brooks owns career NBA averages of 12.5 points and 3.6 assists in 272 games and is a career 36.3-percent shooter from three-point range. His best statistical season came in his decorated 2009-10 campaign in which he averaged 19.6 points and 5.3 assists in 82 games.

In accordance with the league’s collective bargaining agreement, in order for a team to retain its right of first refusal with respect to a restricted free agent, the team must tender the player a qualifying offer prior to June 30. A restricted free agent may sign an offer sheet with any team, but is subject to a right of first refusal with the team for which the player last played.

Magic extend qualifying offer to Ryan Anderson

The Orlando Magic have extended a qualifying offer to forward Ryan Anderson, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.

By extending a qualifying offer to Anderson prior to the June 30 deadline, Orlando owns the right to match any offer sheet he may sign with another team. Anderson will become a restricted free agent on July 1.

Anderson (6’10”, 240, 5/6/88) played and started in 61 games last season with the Magic, averaging career-highs of 16.1 ppg. and 7.7 rpg. in 32.2 minpg. He shot .393 (166-422) from three-point range and .877 (150-171) from the free throw line. Anderson led the NBA in both three point field goals made and attempted, and captured the 2011-12 NBA Most Improved Player award.

Ronald L. Johnson to step down as Senior VP of NBA Referee Operations

The NBA today announced the resignation of its Senior Vice President, Referee Operations, Major General Ronald L. Johnson, effective at the end of July.

Following a distinguished 32-year career as an Army combat engineer, Johnson, a two-star General, joined the NBA in 2008 to lead the league’s newly formed Referee Operations department.

“When I was hired, Commissioner Stern asked me to apply my military and engineering background to improve the management processes and methods of an already superior officiating program,” General Johnson said. “I feel I have accomplished that mission and, with great pride in having led the best referees in the world, I am ready to move on to my next challenge.”

“From day one, Ron has worked tirelessly to maximize the on-court performance of NBA referees, while fostering a culture of compliance and discipline that is at the core of any officiating program’s success,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “We deeply appreciate Ron’s contributions during his tenure and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

The NBA will begin the process of identifying a replacement for General Johnson.

Perry Jones may have knee issue

It looks as if Jared Sullinger isn’t the only big-time NBA draft prospect to have medical issues potentially hurt his stock.

Multiple league sources say NBA team doctors are concerned about a meniscus issue in the knee of Baylor forward Perry Jones III.

While opinions among NBA doctors vary on the ramifications of the issue, some teams believe the knee could pose a problem down the road and at some point require surgery.

— Reported by Chad Ford of ESPN.com

Former NBA player Pat Cummings dead at 55

Pat Cummings, who played with five NBA teams over a 12-year career after being selected Metro Conference Player of the Year at Cincinnati, was found dead in a New York apartment, according to police. He was 55.

The 6-foot-9 Cummings, a native of Johnstown, Pa., was found Tuesday afternoon, police said Wednesday. They said the cause of death was to be determined but foul play wasn’t suspected…

He was drafted by Milwaukee in the third round and was traded to Dallas in 1982. He signed with the New York Knicks as a free agent in 1984 and also played for Miami and Utah.

— Reported by the Associated Press