NBA News Blog – Page 1110 – NBA Blog

Hawks sign center Erick Dampier to 10-day contract

Erick Dampier

Big and old. Can bump into people

The Atlanta Hawks can use some help up front and they’re willing to give veteran center Erick Dampier a 10-day audition.

The Hawks today signed the 15-year veteran to a 10-day contract, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.

Selected 10th overall by Indiana in the 1996 NBA Draft, Dampier has played in 972 regular season games and 57 playoff contests with Indiana, Golden State, Dallas and Miami. He appeared in 51 games last season for the Heat, averaging 2.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 0.9 bpg (.584 FG%, .545 FT%).

He’s averaged 7.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg and 1.4 bpg over his career (.498 FG%, .626 FT%). With 6,980 career rebounds and 1,394 blocks, Dampier ranks 14th and 7th respectively on the NBA active career lists. His 2,713 offensive boards ranks 5th among active players.

Dampier will wear uniform no. 25.

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Wilson Chandler intends to sign with Nuggets

Wilson Chandler

Probably craves some pizza

Restricted free-agent forward Wilson Chandler plans to re-sign with the Denver Nuggets once he finishes playing in China, his agent told Yahoo! Sports.

Chandler signed with Zhejiang Guangsha of the Chinese Basketball Association during the NBA lockout and is committed to stay with the team until China’s season is over. Chandler is drawing “significant interest” from other NBA teams, Chandler’s agent, Chris Luchey said, but he wants to re-sign with the Nuggets for either the rest or the season or a longer-term deal.

Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri acknowledged the team’s interest in re-signing Chandler. The Nuggets have the right to match any offer Chandler receives from another NBA team.

— Reported by Marc. J Spears of Yahoo! Sports

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Cavs rookie Kyrie Irving out with concussion

Cavaliers rookie Kyrie Irving has his first NBA injury — a concussion.

The star guard, who has lived up to being the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, was kept out of Wednesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers with a head injury. The team did not disclose Irving’s concussion until moments before tip-off. There is no immediate timetable for his return.

The Cavaliers said in a release that Irving was kneed in the head during the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s game at Miami. He complained of a headache after the game and that it worsened overnight and while he warmed up on the floor Wednesday.

Irving was evaluated by Cleveland’s medical staff, and team physician A.J. Cianflocco diagnosed the 19-year-old with a concussion shortly before the game.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Houston to host 2013 NBA All-Star weekend

Houston will once again play host to a constellation of the world’s brightest stars as it has been selected as the site of NBA All-Star 2013, the NBA announced today.

The 62nd NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 17, at the Toyota Center, which will also host the NBA Rising Stars Challenge and NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by State Farm. NBA All-Star Jam Session, the hugely successful interactive basketball celebration, will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

“Houston is a spectacular sports city, and for one week it will be the basketball capital of the world,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “NBA All-Star is a magnificent celebration of our game, and I want to thank the city and the Rockets for welcoming us once again.”

The 2013 game will mark the third NBA All-Star celebration in Houston. The city also hosted the event in 1989 and in 2006.

InsideHoops.com has no idea why Houston is getting to host the weekend again so soon. There seems to be no explanation for it.

“I am thrilled the Rockets and the City of Houston have once again brought NBA All-Star to Toyota Center,” said Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander. “The All-Star Game showcases the best basketball players in the world and will allow our great Rockets fans and the entire community the opportunity to once again experience the best that our league has to offer. The 2006 All-Star Game in Houston was a tremendous success and we plan to set the bar even higher in 2013. We take great pride in Toyota Center’s standing as one of the premier venues in the country and are honored to be the first arena in Texas to host the game for a second time.”

“I want to thank the City staff, Houston Rockets Owner Leslie Alexander and the Houston/Harris County Sports Authority for all the work that went into bringing this world premier sporting event back to Houston,” said Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker. “Houston knows how to show visitors a good time and we can’t wait to pamper NBA fans with our southern hospitality and charm. You could spend 365 days in our city and still not experience everything this town has to offer. We are alive with talent, rich in diversity and just downright full of fun. I wish the NBA and all of its fans an unforgettable stay in Houston.”

The 2013 game will mark the 29th year that Turner Sports will provide NBA All-Star coverage, and the 11th consecutive year the All-Star Game will be televised in primetime on TNT. The All-Star Game will be seen by a worldwide television audience in more than 200 countries and territories and in more than 40 languages.

Karl “The Mailman” Malone delivered an MVP performance in 1989, finishing with 28 points and nine rebounds as the West defeated the East, 143-134 at the Astrodome. His Jazz teammate John Stockton made a few deliveries of his own, finishing with 17 assists, including an All-Star Game record nine in a single quarter, to lead the West to victory.

In 2006, LeBron James became the youngest player to capture All-Star MVP honors. James finished with 29 points as the East overcame a 21-point third-quarter deficit to edge the West, 122-120.

NBA All-Star competition will get underway on Friday, Feb. 15, as the league’s top rookies and second-year players square off in the NBA Rising Stars Challenge. The following day’s festivities will feature NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by State Farm, an all-inclusive skills showcase comprised of Haier Shooting Stars, a competition featuring NBA and WNBA players, and NBA legends; Taco Bell Skills Challenge, a contest of top guards working against the clock to complete a series of passes, free throws, layups and agility drills; the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest, a long-standing staple of the evening; and the ever-entertaining Sprite Slam Dunk contest.

The NBA will continue to celebrate its tradition and commitment to social responsibility during NBA All-Star 2013 with a schedule of NBA Cares events. NBA Cares will partner with schools, government, and local nonprofit organizations in Houston and surrounding areas to highlight the league’s grassroots and community initiatives that reach millions of young people and their parents while providing critical resources to community-based programs.

One of the event’s most popular attractions is NBA All-Star Jam Session, which will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center. At Jam Session, fans can have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of participating in the NBA All-Star excitement, with the chance to meet and collect free autographs from NBA players and legends. Jam Session is nonstop basketball action, as fans can shoot, slam, dribble and drive all day; compete against their friends in skills challenges; or get basketball tips from NBA players and legends. Young fans can hang out at Kids Zone – with hoops and interactive activities that are the perfect size for kids’ slam dunks, three-pointers and jump shots. For fans who want NBA entertainment, Jam Session features the NBA’s favorite players, mascots, dance teams and celebrities as they hit Center Court in a variety of basketball competitions, including the NBA All-Star Practice and the Sprint NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.

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Pistons forward Jason Maxiell watches diet

Postgame meals in the Pistons’ locker room when the team is on road are a personal trainer’s nightmare.

Fried chicken strips, pizzas and french fries are just a few of the calorie-filled snacks players gorge on well past recommended dining hours.

Jason Maxiell tries to eat healthy, and he credits his fitness coming into training camp as the reason Pistons coach Lawrence Frank routinely calls him “one our most consistent players all season.”

“That’s a setup, right there — can’t do that,” Maxiell said Tuesday of the late-night smorgasbord. “At times when you really want to splurge for yourself on a nice little meal, you got to watch your intake.”

— Reported by Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press

Chauncey Billups does not plan to retire yet

Clippers guard Chauncey Billups realized his worst fears Tuesday when an MRI exam revealed he has a torn left Achilles’ tendon that will end his first season with the team.

But the 35-year-old Billups doesn’t plan on retiring.

“No, sir. There is no way I’m going to crawl out of the league,” Billups said Tuesday. “I’m going to be back. Trust me.”

Billups was examined at the Cleveland Clinic and he will return to Los Angeles on Thursday for further evaluation. No date has been set for his surgery.

But it is expected that Billups will be sidelined at least eight months while recovering from the injury. “I’ll get it taken care of and get back the best way I can. That’s exactly what I’m going to do,” he said.

His contract with the Clippers runs out after this season. Billups said he wants to return to the Clippers — if the feeling is mutual.

— Reported by Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times

Hornets sign Donald Sloan to 10-day contract

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have signed guard Donald Sloan to a 10-day contract.

Sloan, a Texas A&M University product, 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 has 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, 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.

Chauncey Billups out for season with torn left Achilles tendon

Chauncey Billups

Career may be over

Clippers guard Chauncey Billups suffered a torn left Achilles tendon in last night’s 107-102 Clippers’ win in Orlando. The injury, which occurred with 5:48 remaining in the fourth quarter, will sideline Billups for the remainder of the 2011-12 NBA season.

Billups underwent an MRI today at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio which confirmed the injury. He will return to Los Angeles on Thursday for further evaluation. A date for surgery is yet to be determined.

In 20 games played this season (20 starts), Billups has tallied 14.9 points, 4.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 30.4 minutes per game.

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Wizards waive center Hamady Ndiaye

The Washington Wizards announced today that they have waived center Hamady Ndiaye.

Ndiaye appeared in three games for the Wizards this season and appeared in 10 games for the Iowa Energy (the Wizard’s NBA D-League affiliate). He was originally selected by Minnesota with the 56th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft before his rights were traded (along with the rights to Trevor Booker in exchange for the rights to Lazar Hayward and Nemanja Bjelica) on Draft Night 2010 and was re-signed by the Wizards as a free agent on Dec. 11, 2011.

Kris Humphries wants Kim Kardashian divorce trial to be on TV

Kris Humphries

Does not want to keep up with the Kardashians

The Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries divorce has become a bitter fight, and we’ve learned Kris’ lawyer intends to put reality TV on trial … but that could blow up in his face.

Sources tell us … Kris and his lawyer, Lee Hutton, want to “expose the M.O. of reality TV” by proving Kim had no intention of staying married to him, but just wanted big ratings for her reality show.

Now here’s the irony. The duo wants to prove their point by asking the judge to allow TMZ and TV stations to broadcast the trial — something that the judge might find a tad hypocritical … not that we’re complaining.

TMZ broke the story … Kim filed for divorce on grounds of “irreconcilable differences.” Kris has countered that he wants the marriage annulled based on fraud.

— Reported by TMZ