NBA News Blog – Page 1313 – NBA Blog

Rockets assign Ishmael Smith to D-League

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has assigned guard Ishmael Smith to Houston’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner Rio Grande Valley. The rookie guard will be available to play in the Vipers’ next home game on Tuesday, Jan. 18 against the Maine Red Claws.

Smith is the second Rockets player to be assigned to the Vipers this season, following rookie forward Patrick Patterson, who played in nine games for Rio Grande Valley during a month-long assignment from 11/9-12/13.

Smith (6-0, 175, Wake Forest), who earned a roster spot as an undrafted free agent this summer, has averaged 3.1 points, 2.4 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 24 games (three starts) with the Rockets.

Smith has also been inactive for 11 games and a DNP-CD for five others. As the team’s starting point guard during the 2010 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Smith posted averages of 7.8 points (.581, 18-31 FG) and a team-best 4.8 assists in five starts.

Tyrus Thomas suspended for foul on Emeka Okafor

Tyrus Thomas of the Charlotte Bobcats has been suspended one game without pay for his Flagrant Foul, Penalty Two against Emeka Okafor of the New Orleans Hornets, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

The incident, in which Thomas made elbow contact to Okafor’s head and was ejected following the Flagrant Foul, Penalty Two call, occurred with 2:38 remaining in the 4th period of the Bobcats 88-81 loss on Saturday to the New Orleans Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte.

Thomas will serve his suspension today when the Bobcats visit the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.

Brandon Roy will have surgery on both knees

Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy waits for a teammate's free throw against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at the Pepsi Center on April 1, 2010 in Denver. Portland lost to Denver 109-92. UPI/Gary C. Caskey Photo via Newscom

Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy will undergo arthroscopic surgery Monday on both knees, it was announced today by General Manager Rich Cho. The surgery will be performed by team physician Dr. Don Roberts in Vancouver, Wash.

Roy, 26, has missed 18 games this season (three games from Nov. 16-20 and the last 15 games beginning on Dec. 17) with a sore left knee.

A three-time NBA All-Star and 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year, Roy has led the team in scoring in each of the last three seasons. He holds career averages of 19.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.08 steals in 297 career games (295 starts).

In 23 games (all starts) this season, Roy has averaged 16.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.13 steals in 35.3 minutes per game. He scored 20 points or more in nine contests and led the team in scoring eight times.

Nuggets arena stores selling Carmelo Anthony jerseys at half price

You may have heard a Carmelo Anthony trade rumor or two over the last few months. The story has been ongoing seemingly forever, and it may reach its expected conclusion in the very near future.

Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post reports:

Apr. 25, 2010 - Salt Lake City, UTAH, USA - epa02131979 Denver Nugget's Carmelo Anthony drives to the basket during a game against the Utah Jazz in the first half of their Western Conference first round playoff game at the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, 25 April 2010.

The explanation given at the Pepsi Center gift shops was “an excess of inventory,” but it was a harbinger if there ever was one — Carmelo Anthony jerseys, 50 percent off.

It’s quite possible that Melo played his last game at the Pepsi Center on Saturday night. No, Anthony has not officially said he would agree to a trade to New Jersey. But all this could happen within the week; Denver plays at San Antonio tonight and then comes back home Wednesday.

The plan remains for the Nuggets to cook up the deal, likely to the Nets, and present it to Anthony, who Saturday spoke about the Nuggets . . . and his future elsewhere.

Asked Saturday what it would take for him to sign a three-year extension, with any team, Melo said: “I got to feel like I have a chance of reaching my ultimate goal of a championship. Going to a bigger market is cool, but if I feel like I have a chance of winning a championship here in Denver in the next five years, then I’d sign the extension.”

The Nuggets aren’t headed for a championship. Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin are on their way down, not up. Nene and J.R. Smith are pretty good, and then there’s Melo and some supporting parts. All signs point to Melo being traded in the coming days or weeks.

Have an opinion? Share it with other fans in this forum topic.

Spurs sign Larry Owens to 10-day contract

The San Antonio Spurs today announced they have signed forward Larry Owens from the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League to a 10-day contract. Owens is the second call-up of the 2010-11 D-League season.

Owens, a 6-7 forward, has spent the past two seasons with the 66ers. This year he has started in all 23 games for Tulsa, averaging 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 31.1 minutes while shooting .462 (108-234) from the field, .373 (25-67) from three-point range and .743 (52-70) from the foul line. He’s scored in double figure 18 times, including a season-high vs. Iowa on Nov. 26. Owens recorded a double-double in the season opener with 16 points and a season-high 13 rebounds at Bakersfield on Nov. 19.

Last season Owens started all 50 games for the 66ers, averaging 15.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.50 steals in 36.3 minutes. He shot .489 (299-611) from the field, .380 (52-137) from beyond the arc and .772 (139-180) from the charity stripe. In the D-League playoffs he averaged 18.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists in eight games while leading the 66ers to the D-League Finals. Prior to joining the 66ers Owens was in training camp with the New Orleans Hornets.

Owens played two seasons at Oral Roberts University posting career averages of 10.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.62 assists. In his second season with the Golden Eagles he was named to the All-MCC First Team and was the All-MCC Defensive Player of the Year.

Owens has also played overseas in France and Belgium.

Owens will wear. No. 33 for the Silver and Black and will be available for tonight’s game vs. Denver.

Clippers sign Jarron Collins to second 10-day contract

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed center Jarron Collins to a second 10-day contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

A nine-year NBA veteran, Collins has appeared in 22 games with the Clippers this season and is averaging 0.8 points and 0.8 rebounds in 7.0 minutes per game.

The Clippers originally signed Collins on Sept. 27 before waiving him on Jan. 3. Collins was signed to his first 10-day contract on Jan. 5.

The Clippers roster now stands at 15 players.

Sixers re-assign Craig Brackins to D-League

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that rookie Craig Brackins has been re-assigned to their NBA Development League affiliate, the Springfield Armor. Brackins was first assigned to the Armor on November 30 and was recalled on December 12.

In his first stint with the Armor, Brackins appeared in five games, averaging 17.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.80 blocks. He has played two games for the Sixers this season, scoring a total of 8 points in 21 minutes of play.

Raptors recall Solomon Alabi from D-League

The Toronto Raptors announced Friday rookie centre Solomon Alabi has been recalled from the Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League.

Alabi was reassigned to the BayHawks on January 6. He appeared in four games during his latest stint with Erie, averaging 9.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 20.8 minutes. He posted his second double-double of the season with 20 points (9-11 FG) and 11 rebounds in 31 minutes January 9 versus the Maine Red Claws.

Alabi’s first assignment to the BayHawks was from November 15 – December 9. He has played a total of 11 games for Erie where he has contributed averages of 8.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 22.1 minutes.

Alabi has appeared in five games with the Raptors, totaling five rebounds in 15 minutes.

Alabi will be available for tonight’s game versus Detroit at Air Canada Centre. Game time is 7 p.m. (TSN/Sportsnet Radio FAN 590)

Celtics assign Avery Bradley to D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have assigned guard Avery Bradley to the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League. Bradley is the team’s first assignment to the Development League this season.

Bradley, a 6’2” guard, has appeared in 14 games for the Celtics this season averaging 1.1 points in 4.7 minutes per game. The 19th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft recorded a season-high four points and a steal against the Sacramento Kings on January 12.

Injured Iverson expects to resume career

The AP reports:

Allen Iverson says he expects to continue playing basketball at the highest level possible once he has a lesion in his right leg examined in the United States.

Iverson posted on his Twitter page Friday that he was returning home for examinations, and possibly surgery. Iverson says he has no plans to retire and still loves the game.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Iverson is still playing overseas, in Turkey. I haven’t heard any rumors that he’s headed back to the NBA anytime soon, or at all.