NBA News Blog – Page 1108 – NBA Blog

Derrick Favors replaces Tiago Splitter in 2012 Rising Stars Challenge

The NBA announced today that Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors has been added to the 2012 NBA Rising Stars Challenge that will take place on Friday, February 24 in Orlando, during NBA All-Star 2012. Favors will join teammate Gordon Hayward, who was previously selected to the game, on TEAM CHUCK. The two will be Utah’s first participants in the event since Ronnie Brewer and Paul Millsap played for the sophomore team during the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans.

A 2010 first-round draft pick (third overall) out of Georgia Tech, Favors is currently averaging 8.1 points and 5.0 rebounds in 19.6 minutes per game this season. The 6-10, 246-pound forward has scored in double figures nine times this season, grabbed 10+ rebounds four times, and registered a double-double on three occasions. On December 30, Favors notched a new career-high scoring 20 points while pulling down 11 rebounds vs. Philadelphia.

Favors and Hayward will be the sixth and seventh players in Jazz history to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge (formerly the Rookie Challenge), joining Bryon Russell (1994), Andrei Kirilenko (2002, 2003), Deron Williams (2006, 2007), Paul Millsap (2007, 2008) and Ronnie Brewer (2008).

This year, a new format is being implemented to a game that has historically featured NBA rookies facing off against sophomores. For the first time, rookies and sophomores will be mixed together on teams. TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal are serving as the general managers of the two opposing teams – TEAM CHUCK and TEAM SHAQ – having held a draft on Feb. 16.

Magic Johnson to launch TV channel

More than 20 years after he last played pro basketball, former Lakers star Magic Johnson is ready for a whole new game: running his own TV network.

The Hall of Famer, who has become a successful business mogul, is preparing to launch Aspire, a 24-hour channel with a focus on what Johnson called positive, uplifting images of African Americans. The basic cable outlet will join other channels targeting black viewers, such as BET and TV One, and will offer opportunities for blacks who have struggled to find work in mainstream Hollywood.

“This is so exciting for me, I’m pinching myself,” Johnson said in a phone interview. “This is big for myself, for the African American community and the African American creative community. I wanted a vehicle to show positive images and to have stories written, produced and directed by African Americans for our community. Aspire — that’s how I’ve been leading my life.”

Aspire’s mix will include film, TV, music and comedy, with a combination of acquired projects and original programming. “There will some performing arts and shows about faith,” Johnson said.

— Reported by Greg Braxton and Meg James of the Los Angeles Times

Warriors ready to make trades before deadline

DeMarcus Cousins

Wears a headband

As their season of promise (literally) quickly slips away, with their veteran roster unable to consistently win close games and their chance at recovery damaged by the possibility that their 2012 draft pick is ticketed for Utah, the Warriors are pursuing a deal before the March 15 trade deadline, general manager Larry Riley said.

“We’re working day and night and we’re hopeful,” Riley told NBA.com on Monday night. “But what will not happen is, we won’t do something that sets us back just to do a deal. We want to find the right deal, and if we get one of those we’ll do it. I don’t know what the odds of it are right now.”

…

Stephen Curry is the closest to untouchable — plugged-in beat writer Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group reported Golden State would not include Curry in a potential Hornets deal without assurance it could keep Paul beyond this season — but the best assets are still in the backcourt. Monta Ellis has long been the focus of trade speculation, and now his backup, rookie Klay Thompson, is playing better by the week and drawing glowing reviews within the organization.

— Reported by Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com

Nets forward Shawne Williams needs foot surgery

New Jersey Nets forward Shawne Williams will undergo surgery on Wednesday, February 22 to remove a bone fragment from his left foot, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today. The surgery will be performed at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan by foot specialist Dr. Martin O’Malley and Nets team orthopedist Dr. Riley Williams III.

A timetable for his return will be determined following surgery.

Williams was signed as a free agent prior to the 2011-12 season. He appeared in 25 games, averaging 4.5 points and 2.7 rebounds in 20.6 minutes of action per contest.

Wilson Chandler will probably rejoin Nuggets

Wilson Chandler

Can now identify authentic Chinese food

Upon seeing Wilson Chandler in the Denver locker room, Nuggets coach George Karl greeted him with a handshake and a smile.

“I could’ve used you tonight,” Karl said.

That wish could soon be a reality.

Chandler, a restricted free agent, attended Denver’s 103-101 overtime victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night and said he hopes to sign a new contract with the Nuggets “in the next week or so.”

Chandler, 24, finished last season with the Nuggets but spent the past several months playing in China, where he averaged 26.6 points and 11.6 rebounds in 32 games with the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions.

— Reported by Aaron J. Lopez of Nuggets.com

Cavs sign Manny Harris to 10-day contract

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard Manny Harris from the Canton Charge of the NBA Development League to a 10-day contract, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today. The signing of Harris marks the 27th D-League to NBA Call-Up of the 2011-12 season. Harris will wear No. 6 for the Cavaliers and is available for tonight’s game against the Detroit Pistons.

In 17 games (12 starts) with Canton this season, Harris is averaging 21.4 points on .470 shooting with 7.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals in 32.9 minutes per game. He currently ranks third in the D-League in scoring. Yesterday, he was named the NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played from February 13-19. Harris also earned the honor on January 30th, making him the only player in the league to do so twice this year. In two games last week, he averaged 41.0 points on .574 shooting with 9.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 3.5 steals in 44.5 minutes per contest.

The 6-foot-5 guard spent the 2010-11 season with the Cavaliers, playing in 54 games (15 starts) and averaging 5.9 points on .374 shooting, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 17.2 minutes per game.

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak responds to Kobe comments about Gasol

Pau Gasol

Finesse big-man

In response to comments made by Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol after last night’s game against the Phoenix Suns, Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak issued the following statement today:

“As a former player, I understand how the days leading up to the trade deadline can be nerve-wracking for an NBA player. Nonetheless, as General Manager of the Lakers, I have a responsibility to ownership, our fans and the players on this team to actively pursue opportunities to improve the team for this season and seasons to come. To say publicly that we would not do this would serve no purpose and put us at a competitive disadvantage. Taking such a course of action at this time would be a disservice to ownership, the team and our many fans.

According to the Los Angeles Times Blog, Kobe had said the following: “It’s just tough for a player to give his all when you don’t know if you’re going to be here tomorrow. I’d rather them not trade him at all but if they’re going to do something, I wish they would just … do it.”

Greg Oden undergoes microfracture surgery on left knee

Greg Oden

Knees are made out of pretzels

The Portland Trail Blazers have announced that center Greg Oden underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee today. The surgery was performed by Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail, Colo. Oden will miss the remainder of the 2011-12 NBA season.

“Initially, Greg was undergoing a procedure similar to the one he had a couple of weeks ago to have debris cleared from his right knee,” said Acting General Manager Chad Buchanan . “However, once the doctors were inside Greg’s left knee, they unfortunately found articular surface damage and determined microfracture was necessary.”

Oden, who will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, was selected by the Trail Blazers with the first overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. In 82 career games (60 starts), Oden has averaged 9.4 points (57.7% FG), 7.3 rebounds and 1.43 blocks in 22.1 minutes per game.

“This is not the news we were hoping for Greg or the organization,” said Trail Blazers President Larry Miller. “It’s hard to put into words the heartbreak for everyone involved, but especially for Greg. He’s a young man who has experienced a great number of physical challenges in his playing career and today is yet another significant setback for him. We have a lot of empathy for Greg and his family during this difficult time.”

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Hornets sign Donald Sloan to second 10-day contract

The New Orleans Hornets, struggling badly with a 7-23 record, made a very minor roster move today. The team announced they have signed guard Donald Sloan to a second 10-day contract.

Sloan, a Texas A&M University product, was originally signed by New Orleans on February 8th and has appeared in three games, averaging 4.0 points, 2.7 assists and 1.0 rebounds in just under 14 minutes per game. Sloan previously appeared in five regular season games with the Atlanta Hawks this season before being released on January 27. Originally signed by Atlanta on December 9, 2011, Sloan averaged 1.2 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 4.0 minutes of play with the Hawks.

The 6’3” guard also played five games (all starts) for the Erie Bayhawks of the NBA D-League this season, averaging 24.8 points, 8.4 assists and 5.2 rebounds in 40.9 minutes of play. Born in Shreveport, LA, Sloan has appeared in 54 games (38 starts) in the D-League, with career averages of 12.0 points and 4.7 assists.

Sloan, who grew up in the Dallas area, was a first-team Big 12 Conference selection his senior season at Texas A&M, averaging 17.8 points.

Manny Harris named D-League Performer of Week

Manny Harris of the Canton Charge was today named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Feb. 13-19, when the Charge went 2-0. The announcement marks the second time Harris has been named NBA D-League Performer of the Week. He also earned the honor on Jan. 30. With the honor, he becomes the first player to twice be named NBA D-League Performer of the Week during the 2011-12 season.

Harris, a 6-5, 185-pound guard from Michigan averaged 41.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists while shooting 58 percent from the floor last week. He recorded a season-high 46 points in a 136-113 win over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Feb. 16 before finishing the week with a 36-point outing on Feb. 18 as the Charged swept the two-game series with the Vipers 135-132.

For the season, Harris is averaging 21.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 17 games for Canton.

Other top performers considered included Canton’s Antoine Agudio, who averaged 26.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in two games; Maine’s Morris Almond, who averaged 124.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in two games; Idaho’s Marcus Banks, who averaged 17.0 points and 5.0 assists in four games; Rio Grande Valley’s Will Conroy, who averaged 16.0 points and 16.3 assists in three games; Texas’ Antonio Daniels who averaged 11.7 points and 12.3 rebounds in three games; Dakota’s Marcus Dove, who averaged 19.0 points and 8.5 rebounds in two games; Iowa’s Mike Efevberha, who averaged 27.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in three games; Bakersfield’s Osiris Eldridge, who averaged 24.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in two games; Sioux Falls’ Trey Gilder, who averaged 28.5 points and 14.5 rebounds in two games; Los Angeles’ Gerald Green, who averaged 22.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in two games; Springfield’s Dennis Horner, who averaged 18.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in two games; Fort Wayne’s Ron Howard, who averaged 20.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in three games; Erie’s D.J. Kennedy, who averaged 23.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in two games; Tulsa’s Marcus Lewis, who averaged 18.0 points and 11.0 rebounds in three games; Austin’s Leo Lyons, who averaged 20.3 points and 10.5 rebounds in four games and Reno’s Bobby Simmons, who averaged 19.0 points and 12.0 rebounds in two games.