NBA News Blog – Page 1133 – NBA Blog

Obama hails Mavericks for first NBA title

President Barack Obama saluted Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks on Monday as NBA champions who staged a season-ending charge to beat LeBron James and the vaunted Miami Heat and claim their first title with a “heart that’s the size of Texas.”

“This was a remarkable run, a great victory,” Obama declared, as owner Mark Cuban and Mavericks stars, including series MVP Nowitzki, looked on. “It’s too bad that next year, it’ll be the Chicago Bulls here.”

The first basketball fan—a passionate supporter of his hometown Bulls— was nonetheless lavish in praising the Mavericks, who beat the Heat in six games last June.

“They know how good teams win,” Obama said. “Not just by jumping higher or running faster, but by finding the open man, working together, staying mentally tough, being supportive of each other, playing smarter.”

— reported by Mark S. Smith of the Associated Press

Raptors center Aaron Gray out after heart procedure

The Toronto Raptors announced Monday centre Aaron Gray underwent an ablation procedure today to correct his reoccurring episodes of a rapid heart rate. The procedure was performed at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital by Dr. Jaspal Singh and Dr. Eugene Crystal.

It is anticipated Gray will be able to return to the court within two weeks.

Gray, a four-year NBA veteran, was signed December 11 as a free-agent. He appeared in two preseason games, totaling nine rebounds in 32 minutes.

The Raptors face the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at Air Canada Centre. Game time is 7 p.m. (TSN2/Sportsnet 590 The FAN).

Mavericks recall Yi Jianlian from D-League

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have recalled forward Yi Jianlian from the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League.

Yi (7-0, 250) was signed by the Mavericks as a free agent on Jan. 6 and was assigned to the NBA D-League later the same day. He played in two games for the Legends and averaged 23.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 36.5 minutes per game.

Yi will join the team in Detroit when the Mavericks take on the Pistons at 6:30 pm CT on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

Carmelo Anthony says back pain is gone

Carmelo Anthony declared that his back is “pain free” and that he will play tonight against the Charlotte Bobcats.

Anthony suffered a back injury in the fourth quarter of Friday’s win over the Washington Wizards. He played 31 minutes the following night in Detroit but clearly wasn’t himself, scoring just 13 points on 5-for-14 shooting and four rebounds in 31 minutes.

— Reported by Frank Isola of the New York Daily News Blog

DeMarcus Cousins fights urge to reach

The message has been consistent from everyone to DeMarcus Cousins when it comes to fouls.

“Stop reaching,” Cousins said. “Every time I see them hold the ball out I’ve just got to go for it. That’s something I’ve got to continue to work on and stop picking up the cheap fouls.”

Foul trouble kept Cousins out for a significant part of the fourth quarter in Sunday’s 104-97 loss to the Orlando Magic.

Cousins picked up his fifth foul with 6:53 left in the third quarter. He didn’t go back into the game until there was 4:48 left in the game.

— Reported by Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee Blog

Nets offense stinks, says Deron Williams

In a 101-90 loss to the Heat, the Nets offense sputtered through another slow start — with just 35 points in the first half — and ultimately another depressing evening.

“Our offense (stinks),” Deron Williams, who missed a game last week with a ribs injury, said after the Nets shot 33.7 percent with 22 turnovers Saturday. “We’re not very good right now. We’re not playing good. We’re not shooting good. I’m not shooting good. We’re turning the ball over.

“I like the offense. I like the system, I just think we’re not executing good, we’re not finishing, we’re not hitting shots, messing up plays, not in the right spots.”

The point guard’s statement is underscored by the stat sheet.

The Nets are shooting a league-worst 38.1 percent from the field. Their average of 85.44 points per game would be a league worst if not for the Detroit Pistons.

— Reported by Michael J. Fensom of the Newark Star-Ledger

Delonte West says he is banned from the White House

The Dallas Mavericks, at the expense of owner Mark Cuban, will be visiting the White House on Monday in honor of last season’s NBA Championship.

But apparently there is one Maverick who will not get the opportunity to shake President Barack Obama’s hand.

“I’m banned from going to the White House, so I’m not going to make it,” Mavericks guard Delonte West told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “But I’m going home to D.C. I’m just not allowed to go to the White House. That’s what happens when you make bad decisions in your life. You can’t go to the White House.”

— Reported by Fox Sports Southwest

Rookie Brandon Knight quickly gaining experience

When Brandon Knight tries to split a double team too late and smacks into a closed gap, or tries to squeeze an open-court pass that would have gotten there in college, the Detroit Pistons rookie files it into memory.

That is great for the future. There is ample reason to believe that whatever the Pistons’ long-term problems, point guard is not among them.

It also is clear the Pistons need Rodney Stuckey back, or they might not have much of a present.

The Pistons play tonight in Chicago, against the team that started their current slide of three consecutive losses by 16 points or more, something no Detroit team had done since January 1980.

Knight was forced to become the Pistons’ primary point guard midway through Wednesday’s 99-83 loss to the Chicago Bulls and immediately was confronted by Derrick Rose, the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player, who isn’t likely to be any easier on the youngster tonight.

— Reported by David Mayo of MLive.com

Dwight Howard still hopes to be traded

Dwight Howard’s request to be traded still stands, and the Orlando Magic’s general manager doesn’t feel the team has done much to change the superstar’s mind.

“Nothing has changed,” Howard said before the Magic faced the Sacramento Kings at Power Balance Pavilion on Sunday.

Otis Smith confirmed Howard has not taken his trade request off the table and that Howard’s agent still has permission to speak with three, and only three, teams: the Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Jersey Nets.

“I think his leaving or going has nothing to do with Orlando,” Smith said of Howard. “I think he wants a bigger market. I can’t do anything about that.”

— Reported by Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel

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U.S. Olympic team could have three Clippers

Is it possible that the Clippers could have three players on the U.S. Olympic basketball team?

Well, yes, it’s possible that Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Chauncey Billups all could represent the United States in the Olympics in London this summer.

Paul said he has been in contact with Jerry Colangelo, director of USA Basketball, and that he hopes to be on the Olympic basketball team for the second time.

Griffin said he was told by his agent that Colangelo wanted to speak with him about being a candidate to try out for the team. Griffin said he planned to call Colangelo this week to express his interest.

Billups said his agent talked with Colangelo.

Colangelo must announce the 18 candidates for the team by Jan. 18.

— Reported by Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times