Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Lakers re-assign Derrick Caracter to D-League

The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned forward Derrick Caracter to the NBA Development League’s Bakersfield Jam for the second time this season, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

Caracter, who was originally assigned to Bakersfield on March 29, played three games with the Jam, including one start, averaging 8.7 points and 6.0 rebounds in 20.0 minutes.  Caracter was the second Lakers player to be assigned to the D-League this season, with Devin Ebanks also being assigned to the Jam for six games from December 27 – January 9.

Selected by the Lakers in the second round (58th overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft, Caracter has appeared in 40 games for the Lakers this season, averaging 2.0 points and 1.1 rebounds in 5.3 minutes.

The 6’9’’ rookie out of UTEP will be available to play for the Jam in their playoff game against Rio Grande Valley on Friday in Bakersfield.

Wizards re-sign Othyus Jeffers, sign Larry Owens

Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has re-signed Othyus Jeffers for the remainder of the season and has signed forward Larry Owens of the NBA Development League’s Tulsa 66ers for the remainder of the season.  In addition, the Wizards waived guard/forward Cartier Martin.

Jeffers has appeared in 11 games for the Wizards, averaging 4.4 points and 3.4 rebounds.  He was originally called up by the Wizards from the NBA Development League’s Iowa Energy on March 17 and was signed to a second 10-day contract on March 27.

Owens (6-7, 210) has averaged 12.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 43 games for the 66ers this season.  He signed consecutive 10-day contracts with the San Antonio Spurs earlier in the year, averaging 1.3 points in seven games.  The product of Oral Roberts University (2006) has also played professionally in France and Belgium.

Martin averaged 4.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 52 games with the Wizards this season. He was recently diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left foot that will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Trail Blazers lose to Warriors, still clinch playoff spot

The AP reports:

Trail Blazers beat Warriors, clinch playoff spot

There were no smiles of accomplishment in the Trail Blazers’ locker room on Tuesday night.

Yes, the Blazers clinched a playoff spot. But they also got thumped 108-87 by the Golden State Warriors—and at home of all places.

“We didn’t play well at all,” guard Brandon Roy said succinctly.

Portland secured a postseason berth just before the half when the Houston Rockets lost 104-101 to Sacramento.

Even with the loss to Golden State, the Blazers still sit in the sixth spot in the Western Conference. But they’re only a half-game ahead of New Orleans and only a game in front of Memphis.

It will be Portland’s third straight trip to the postseason. Last year the Blazers were eliminated in the first round by the Phoenix Suns, and the year before they were bumped in the opening round by the Rockets.

Udonis Haslem still out indefinitely for Heat

Shandel Richardson of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports:

Udonis Haslem still out indefinitely for Heat

The Heat remain unsure whether forward Udonis Haslem will rejoin the team this season.

Haslem did not practice Tuesday because of soreness in his left foot. He’s been out since November when he underwent surgery to repair ligament damage.

Haslem progressed the last month, but the Heat continue to say “it’s too early” to tell if he will return.

“He did a lot more work during the road trip than the week before,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

“I’m not getting coy about it. None of us know at this point. Until he’s able to go full speed, running, cutting, side to side and contact work and how his foot responds to that, we won’t know. He’s still a ways form that.”

Lakers recall Derrick Caracter from D-League

The Los Angeles Lakers have recalled forward Derrick Caracter from the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

Caracter, who was assigned to Bakersfield on March 29, played three games with the Jam, including one start, averaging 8.7 points and 6.0 rebounds in 20.0 minutes.

Selected by the Lakers in the second round (58th overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft, Caracter has appeared in 40 games for the Lakers this season, averaging 2.0 points and 1.1 rebounds in 5.3 minutes.

Hornets sign Patrick Ewing Jr for remainder of season

Hornets sign Patrick Ewing Jr for remainder of season

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have signed forward Patrick Ewing Jr. for the remainder of the 2010-11 season. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Georgetown product signed his first 10-day contract with the Hornets on March 26. He has appeared in three games with the Hornets.

Ewing Jr. played in 49 games this season with the Reno Bighorns and Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League, averaging 17.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists. He collected 22 double-doubles and was a NBA D-League All-Star.

Originally drafted 43rd overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2008 NBA Draft, the 6-8 235 lb. forward was then traded to the Houston Rockets and later the New York Knicks with whom he participated in the 2008 preseason. After being waived by the Knicks, Ewing Jr. was signed by the teams’ D-League affiliate Reno Bighorns, where he spent the 2008-09 campaign and averaged 16.8 points and 8.9 rebounds in 30 games.

Ewing, the son of Hall of Fame center and current Orlando Magic Assistant Coach Patrick Ewing, played collegiately at Indiana University (‘03-‘04 and ‘04-‘05) before sitting out the ’05-’06 season while transferring to his father’s alma mater Georgetown University for his final two years of eligibility. In his senior season, Ewing Jr. was named the Big East Sixth Man of the Year with averages of 6.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

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Dwight Howard would love to host Saturday Night Live

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports:

Dwight Howard wants to host Saturday Night Live

Dwight Howard would love to host an episode of “Saturday Night Live” one day.

But there have been plenty impediments.

Of course, the biggest hurdle is that SNL’s producers usually prefer to book Hollywood stars and famous musicians as hosts.

Another obstacle is that Howard’s playing schedule is too rigid and “SNL” needs its hosts in place for almost an entire week.

But a lockout would free up Howard’s schedule and make an “SNL” gig a remote possibility, an upgrade from no possibility at all.

Howard’s successful recent guest spots on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” may have enhanced his chances.

Sixers sign Antonio Daniels

Sixers sign Antonio Daniels

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that they have signed guard Antonio Daniels of the NBA Development League’s Texas Legends.  Daniels is the 21st Call-Up of the 2010-11 D-League season.

Daniels (6-4, 205), has played 12 NBA seasons for Vancouver, San Antonio, Portland, Seattle, Washington and New Orleans. His last NBA season was with the Hornets in 2008-09.

In 868 career games played with 220 starts, Daniels is averaging 7.6 points, 3.4 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 22.6 minutes per game while shooting 44.4% from the floor, 31.2% from 3-point range and 79.3% from the line. He also owns a career assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.16.

Daniels has appeared in 80 career playoff games and won a championship with the Spurs in 1999.

In 38 games played with 37 starts in the D-League this season, the 36-year-old Daniels averaged 14.5 points, 8.6 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.45 steals in 38.3 minutes per game while shooting 44.8% from the floor, 42.5% from 3-point range and 86.8% from the line. He ranked second in the D-League in assists.

Daniels, who was originally the fourth overall pick by the Grizzlies in the 1997 NBA Draft, will wear No. 22 for the Sixers.

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Lou Williams out indefinitely with strained right hamstring

Lou Williams out indefinitely with strained right hamstring

Philadelphia 76ers guard Lou Williams underwent an MRI this afternoon which was read by Dr. Jack McPhilemy of Main Line Health Services.  The MRI revealed Williams has a strained right hamstring and he will be out for the foreseeable future.

His injury will be re-evaluated on a regular basis in order to monitor his progress and determine his return date.

The Sixers next on-court activity will be at PCOM on Monday, April 4 starting at 11:00 a.m., with media availability following.