Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Pacers arena Conseco Fieldhouse renamed to Bankers Life Fieldhouse

CNO Financial Group, Inc. and Pacers Sports & Entertainment today jointly announced that Conseco Fieldhouse will now be Bankers Life Fieldhouse.  In addition to being home to the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever, the Fieldhouse is host to more than 500 events annually, including over 200 major events, concerts and many other world-class entertainment events, attracting nearly two million guests a year.

CNO Financial Group, formerly Conseco, is in the 13th year of a 20-year naming rights partnership for the Fieldhouse.  Bankers Life and Casualty Company (Bankers Life) is CNO’s largest subsidiary, providing health and life insurance products to the pre- and post-retirement market across the U.S.

“We are very excited to announce the renamed Bankers Life Fieldhouse,” said Ed Bonach, CEO of CNO Financial Group.  “Bankers Life is CNO’s most significant consumer-facing brand, a long-established company and national market leader, with more than 5,600 agents and field employees serving over 1.3 million policyholders.  It was ultimately the appropriate choice to represent CNO’s values, brand promise and commitment to community on the highly-regarded Fieldhouse.”

The renaming presents a strong branding opportunity for Bankers Life, considering the national reach of the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, and other events, along with the recognizable stature of the Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. Opened in November, 1999, Bankers Life Fieldhouse is continually recognized as one of the premier facilities in the country.

“Since the inception of this building, we have enjoyed an outstanding relationship with our partner, CNO Financial Group,” stated Jim Morris, president of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. “We are excited with this change and look forward to continued success for Bankers Life Fieldhouse and Pacers Sports & Entertainment for many, many years.”

Branding of the Fieldhouse along with all appropriate signage changes has begun, with completion expected in early 2012.

Brook Lopez suffers stress fracture in foot, needs surgery

Brook Lopez

New Jersey Nets center Brook Lopez has been diagnosed with  a stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal of the right foot, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.

The injury occurred during the Nets preseason contest at New York on December 21.

Lopez will undergo surgery on Friday, December 23.

According to the Newark Star-Ledger, “The typical recovery period for such an injury is 4-6 weeks, and the Nets feel Lopez will return by early February, according to Yahoo Sports. The frame for recovery could extend much longer, however. Giants rookie Prince Amukamara suffered the same injury in training camp this season on Aug. 6 and did not play in a game until Nov. 20.”

Spurs legend George Gervin awarded honorary doctorate degree

Spurs legend George Gervin was awarded with an honorary doctorate of education degree from his alma mater, Eastern Michigan University, at the university’s commencement ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 18.

“I am truly humbled and honored to be the recipient of the honorary doctorate of education from my alma mater, Eastern Michigan University,” said Gervin, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in May of 1996.

Gervin, who played two seasons for Eastern Michigan (1971-72), was recognized by the university for his commitment to serving youth in San Antonio through various efforts, including the George Gervin Youth Center. The GGYC, which was created in 1991, provides vocational training, remedial education, mentoring, tutoring, job placement and supportive services for over 1,400 of San Antonio’s at-risk and disadvantaged youth and their families. The organization’s mission is to provide innovative, comprehensive, culturally sensitive service to positively impact the lives of troubled youth and their families.

“It was great to have George Gervin back on Eastern’s campus,” said Susan Martin, president of Eastern Michigan University. “His commencement address to students conveyed powerful and important themes about education being a lifelong process, the importance of family, and the value of giving back and volunteering to help your community. We respect the amazing skills he brought to the basketball court here at Eastern and in San Antonio, but even more importantly we admire the efforts of George and his wife, Joyce, to help children and families in San Antonio to better their lives and achieve their dreams.”

During his 14-year professional career, Gervin established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in basketball history. In three ABA seasons and 11 NBA seasons he scored 26,595 career points, which is the 14th highest combined ABA/NBA total in history. Gervin spent 12 of his 14 professional seasons in San Antonio and had his No. 44 jersey retired by the Spurs in Dec. of 1987. Gervin, who has served as a community responsibility representative for Spurs Sports and Entertainment since 1994, posted career averages of 25.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 1,060 regular season games.

Kings rookie Jimmer Fredette shined in preseason

Jimmer Fredette

Getting Fredette the ball hasn’t been a bad idea in the preseason.

In the two games, Fredette made 11 of 20 shots, including 6 of 9 from three-point range. He also had eight assists, second only to Tyreke Evans’ 14.

Fredette is adjusting to not being the primary ballhandler as he was at BYU. Instead of setting up teammates and creating his own shot, Fredette is relying on others to get him the ball.

“It’s not too bad, because with this offense it’s more moving without the ball, but once you have the ball trying to make a play,” Fredette said. “It’s not just like a catch and shoot. If you have the ball, you can go out and dribble, make a play.”

— Reported by Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee

Pistons rookie Brandon Knight showed potential in preseason

Brandon Knight has made a good first impression with his personality and a work ethic that usually makes him one of the last guys to leave the practice floor.

He plays with confidence, seen when he didn’t hesitate to take a key three-pointer late in the game. He missed, but the moxie impressed Daye and Pistons coach Lawrence Frank.

Knight finished the preseason averaging eight points, five assists and three rebounds per game. He struggled with his shot, making only 27.8%. But he strives to impact the game in other ways.

“No matter what the situation is for me, individually, you have to lift the team up,” Knight said. “It doesn’t have to be through scoring or getting assists, it’s being a good teammate.”

— Reported by Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press

Mexico native Gustavo Ayon expected to sign with Hornets

Mexico native Gustavo Ayon, a player in Spain’s top professional league, has reportedly told media in Spain that he will be joining the New Orleans Hornets.

Hornets spokesman Harold Kaufman says a press conference is scheduled on Friday to announce the addition of a new player, but he could not name the player, per team policy, because a contract has not been signed.

— Reported by Brett Martel of the Associated Press

Dallas Mavericks sign forward Sean Williams

Sean Williams

The Dallas Mavericks announced today they have signed free agent forward/center Sean Williams. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, it is a two-year deal with the second season only partially guaranteed.

Williams (6-10, 235) was originally the first round pick (17th overall) of the New Jersey Nets in the 2007 NBA Draft. He spent three seasons in New Jersey and averaged 4.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 126 games as a Net.

Born in Arlington, Texas, Williams was a standout at Mansfield High School and attended Boston College. In his junior season at Boston College, Williams averaged 12.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game. He set a school record when he recorded 13 blocked shots against Duquesne. Williams decided to forego his senior season and was an early entry candidate to the 2007 NBA Draft.

Williams spent last season in the NBA D-League where he was an All-Star and finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. In 49 games (46 starts) with the Texas Legends, Williams averaged 14.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per contest.

Kobe Bryant is day-to-day with a wrist injury

Kobe Bryant

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who suffered a right wrist injury in Monday night’s game against the Clippers, was examined today by Dr. Steven Shin of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic and underwent an MRI exam.  Results show that Bryant has a torn lunotriquetral ligament.

Bryant will not play in tonight’s game against the Clippers and his status is day-to-day.

Chicago Bulls sign Derrick Rose to extension

Derrick Rose

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has re-signed guard Derrick Rose to a maximum dollar, five-year extension. It is reportedly worth around $94 million.

“We are thrilled that we have signed Derrick to an extension.  On top of being a great player, what has set Derrick apart is his make-up, character, drive and his leadership,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman.   “That being said, we believe his greatest asset is his loyalty to his teammates, to our organization and to the city of Chicago.  We look forward to having Derrick in a Bulls uniform for years to come, as he helps lead us in our quest to become a championship team.”

In 2010-11, Rose helped guide Chicago to its first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals since 1998.  In 81 games last season, he averaged 25.0 ppg (seventh in the NBA), 7.7 apg (10th), 4.1 rpg, 1.05 spg and 37.4 mpg (14th).  Rose was the only player in the NBA last year who ranked in the top 10 in scoring and assists.  He also became just the fifth player in NBA history (along with Oscar Robertson, John Havlicek, Michael Jordan and LeBron James) to post 2,000 points, 600 assists and 300 rebounds in a single season.  For his efforts last year, he was named the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player (the youngest MVP in NBA history at 22 years-191 days old), as well as being selected All-NBA First Team.

“It is a dream come true to play for the Chicago Bulls, and with this new contract the dream continues.  I am very thankful to Jerry Reinsdorf and the Chicago Bulls organization, my teammates and coaches, and to the city of Chicago,” said Rose.  “It is an honor to play in the city that I grew up in, and I am very appreciative of this opportunity with my hometown Bulls.  I want all of our fans out there to know that I am committed to one goal and that is winning an NBA championship for Chicago.”

Embarking on his fourth season in the NBA, Rose is a two-time All-Star, and has averaged 20.9 ppg, 6.7 apg and 3.9 rpg in 37.1 mpg while with the Bulls.  The Chicago native has also posted career shooting averages of .468 from the field, .309 from behind the arc and .815 from the line.  The Bulls originally selected Rose with the first overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft.