Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Aaron Brooks out 4-6 weeks

Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports:

Aaron Brooks out 4-6 weeks

Rockets guard Aaron Brooks said after Sunday’s game he was told to expect to miss four to six weeks with a sprained left ankle he suffered at the end of the first half Saturday night in an overtime defeat at San Antonio.

The injury snapped his streak of 119 consecutive games played.

“I don’t think I ever had an ankle injury like this before,” Brooks said. “I did break my hand in college, sat out like eight weeks.

“As far as football, I never had any injury. Luckily, nothing is broken. It’s a sprain. I’ll be back to normal.”

UPDATE FROM THE ROCKETS: Rockets guard Aaron Brooks underwent further medical evaluation from the Rockets medical staff prior to last night’s game.  It was determined that Brooks suffered a moderate to severe left ankle sprain on the last play of the first half of Saturday night’s game at San Antonio.  Brooks is expected to miss a minimum of four weeks.

InsideHoops.com editor says: And the hits just keep coming for the struggling Rockets, who did finally win their first game of the season, recently beating the very beatable Minnesota Timberwolves. Anyway, watch and see if backup point guard Kyle Lowry is able to step up while Brooks is gone.

Rockets will keep Jermaine Taylor and not sign Erick Dampier

Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports:

The Rockets told second-year guard Jermaine Taylor on Sunday they would not release him because they no longer planned to sign center Erick Dampier, Taylor’s agent Michael Whitaker said before Sunday’s game.

“I was actually told that I’m here to stay,” Taylor said. “They told me I was here… “I’m happy to still be here and still have a job, but then again, I kind of wonder what would have happened if I went somewhere else.”

Nick Collison hopes to return soon

John Rohde of the Oklahoman reports:

Nick Collison hopes to return soon

Thunder power forward Nick Collison, who has yet to practice or play this season, had an MRI taken early last week and said the result were good.

Collison said he has intensified his work during rehabilitation. Though he still has no exact timetable on his return, Collison said he is encouraged with the test results. “Still going forward,” Collison said. “It’s good to be moving forward rather than moving backward.”

Backup center Byron Mullens, who has been inactive all season, is battling the flu. He did not make the West Coast trip last week and was not at Saturday’s practice.

Trail Blazers sign Sean Marks

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed forward/center Sean Marks, it was announced today by General Manager Rich Cho. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Marks (6-10, 250) holds career NBA averages of 3.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.2 assists over 10 seasons with Toronto, Miami, San Antonio, Phoenix and New Orleans. He appeared in 14 games for the Hornets in 2009-10, averaging 0.7 points and 1.6 rebounds.

The first New Zealand native to play in the NBA, Marks, 35, played collegiately at California.

He will wear jersey No. 4.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Considering who is available out there, Marks is a good addition. He’s a versatile big guy who can fit in pretty easily.

Antoine Wright arrested for DUI

The AP reports:

Antoine Wright arrested for DUI

Sacramento Kings forward Antoine Wright was arrested Thursday night for driving under the influence, the team said Friday.

The Kings, who have a home game Saturday against Memphis, issued a statement of apology from Wright. Wright’s attorney, Bill Portanova, said in the team statement that his client is cooperating fully with police in nearby Rocklin.

“I’m sorry for having gotten myself into this situation,” Wright said through the team. “I sincerely apologize to my teammates and coaches, the Sacramento Kings organization, the Sacramento community and fans and my family.”

Former NC State player Gavin Grant wanted by police

WTVD (ABC) reports:

Warrants have been obtained charging 25-year-old Gavin Troy Grant with first degree burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

The attempted robbery happened on September 24 around 10 p.m at an apartment on Crossroads Arbor Way.

Police say two suspects forced their way into the apartment and assaulted two people who were inside.

The victims fought off the suspects, who fled before being about the complete the robbery.

One of the victims in the case is former NC State baseball player Domonique Rodgers.

Rodgers was arrested four hours after the incident for running a marijuana operation at his house.

Spurs waive Bobby Simmons, sign Chris Quinn

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed point guard Chris Quinn.  Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.  At the same time, the Spurs announced that Bobby Simmons has been placed on waivers.

Quinn (#11, 6’2”, 175, 9/27/83) has appeared in 193 regular season games in his four-year NBA career, averaging 5.2 points, 2.1 assists and 1.2 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game, while shooting .390 (150-385) from three-point range. He enjoyed his best campaign during the 2007-08 season, averaging 7.8 points, 3.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game in 22.3 minutes of play, including 25 starts for the Heat.

Originally signed as a free agent out of Notre Dame by Miami in 2006, Quinn was traded by the Heat to the Nets on January 5, 2010. He appeared in two preseason games with the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2010 preseason.

Simmons originally signed with the Spurs as a free agent on September 25, 2010.  He had appeared in two games in the regular season.

Gilbert Arenas to make season debut tonight against Knicks

Sports Network reports:

gilbert arenas

Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas is set to make his season debut Friday against the New York Knicks, according to the team’s Twitter feed.

The post said, “A quick update from New York. Gilbert Arenas will play tonight!” Arenas practiced Friday morning and was earlier considered a game- time decision.

Arenas has missed the Wizards’ first three games of the regular season with a strained tendon in his right ankle and strained right groin.

Coach Stan Van Gundy, Mickael Pietrus spar over playing time

Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel reports:

mickael pietrus

Coach Stan Van Gundy and General Manager Otis Smith met Thursday before the Magic’s practice. The topic, in a nutshell:

Dealing with changes that are good for the team … but not so good for players involved.

Their meeting came in the wake of small forward Mickael Pietrus’ shouting match with Van Gundy near the bench on Wednesday night.

Frustrated with his dwindling role, Pietrus was pulled out of the game by Van Gundy after just three minutes into the final period during the Magic’s blow-out victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Amway Center.

Teammates, including co-captain Dwight Howard, tried to calm Pietrus. One player said that MP wanted to be traded if he’s not playing regularly, although MP told me he didn’t want to leave a contender.