Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Orlando Magic open new arena in style, destroy Hornets 135-81 (preseason)

The AP reports:

May 28, 2010 - Boston, MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES - epa02178061 Orlando magic center Dwight Howard walks along the baseline as the final seconds tick off in the fourth quarter of game six of the Eastern Conference finals at the TD Bank Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, USA 28 May 2010. The Celtics defeated the Magic 96-84 to beat the Magic 4 games to 2 and advance to play either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals.

Rashard Lewis, J.J. Redick and Ryan Anderson scored 23 points apiece, and the Magic opened their new arena in style with a 135-81 rout of the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday night.

Orlando built a big lead from the start to kick off an early celebration that was more than a decade in the making. Van Gundy dressed to impress, played his starters big minutes and did everything possible to treat a capacity crowd to a blowout victory.

“If it takes a new arena to get Stan to wear a suit,” Orlando’s Dwight Howard said, “we’re going to have to get one every year.”

Peja Stojakovic had 20 points and Emeka Okafor added 13 points for the Hornets, who lost their second straight preseason game in as many nights. Even though it was a preseason game, they took little comfort such a loss…

The emotion of having their long-sought dream realized was overwhelming for some Magic executives, bringing tears to the eyes of team president Alex Martins — who, along with senior vice president Charlie Freeman—was instrumental in getting the funding for the $480 million arena and making sure every detail was built to sparkle. The Magic contributed almost $100 million.

Tyler Hansbrough plays first game in nine months

Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star reports:

Tyler Hansbrough plays for first time in nine months

Tyler Hansbrough’s final stat line doesn’t mean anything. It was his presence going up and down the court during a game that had people excited Friday night at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Hansbrough appeared in his first game of any kind in nine months, coming off the bench for 19 minutes in the Indiana Pacers’ 93-86 preseason loss to the Orlando Magic.

“It felt good,” Hansbrough said. “It felt like it’s going to take me awhile to get in a rhythm. You can practice, but there’s nothing like getting back in a game.

“It feels good to be back on the court and as part of the team. It’s going to take me a minute to get back in the groove of things.”

Rockets hire David Patrick as scout

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has hired David Patrick as a Personnel Scout.

Patrick, who was serving as associate head coach at Saint Mary’s College, joins the Rockets after spending a total of four seasons with the Gaels. He spent his previous three seasons as an assistant coach at Saint Mary’s after working one season as the Director of Basketball Operations. Patrick came to Saint Mary’s from Nicholls State University, where he was an assistant coach for the 2005-06 campaign.

Bermuda born, Patrick joined the coaching ranks in 2005 after playing four years of professional basketball overseas. Following his collegiate career, Patrick went on to be the first Bermudian to play professionally. Patrick went to Australia to play for the Camberra Cannons of the National Basketball League from 1999-2001. In 2000, following his first season with the Cannons, he was named the National Basketball League Rookie of the Year. He then joined the Chester Jets of England’s British Basketball League for the 2001-02 season where he garnered Second-Team All-League honors. His final professional season was spent in Spain as a member of Alcora of the LEB1 League in 2002-03.

Patrick spent one season at Syracuse University where he was a member of the 1996 NCAA Final Four team that finished as the national runner-up. He then transferred to the University of Louisiana-Lafayette where he was the point guard from 1997-2000. Patrick graduated from Louisiana-Lafayette in 2000 with a degree in criminal justice.

In high school, Patrick joined the Chapel Trafton Tigers from Australia as a senior. He led the team to the 1995 Class A State Quarterfinals and was named the Louisiana Player of the Year. He was selected as District Most Valuable Player and First-Team All-Parish League. Patrick was also chosen to participate in the Louisiana State High School All-Star Game. In addition, he was a member of Junior National Teams in Australia and was named as an All-Australian player from 1992-94.

Pistons players Jonas Jerebko and Terrico White have surgery

The Detroit Pistons announced today that forward Jonas Jerebko and guard Terrico White underwent successful surgical procedures performed by Dr. Art Manoli and team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Stephen Lemos.  The procedures were performed at Detroit Medical Center Surgical Center in Madison Heights, MI.

Jerebko underwent a successful procedure to repair a partially ruptured Achilles tendon on his right leg.  He is expected to miss the next five-to-six months.

White underwent a successful procedure to repair a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot.  The foot will be immobile during a recovery process lasting approximately six weeks and rehabilitation will begin immediately following that period.  White’s playing status will be updated once the rehabilitation process begins.

Jeff Pendergraph to have surgery for torn ACL in right knee

Portland Trail Blazers forward Jeff Pendergraph will undergo surgery in the coming days after an MRI today revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, it was announced by General Manager Rich Cho.

A timetable for his return to the court will be determined upon completion of the procedure.

“Jeff has been playing well and has been a big part of the team, so this is an unfortunate setback,” said Cho. “With his work ethic and determination, we know he’ll work hard in his rehabilitation to return to the court.”

The injury occurred at the 10:48 mark of the second quarter in Thursday’s preseason game at Utah.

Pendergraph, 23, averaged 2.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in 39 games (four starts) as a rookie in 2009-10 with the Trail Blazers after being acquired from Sacramento in a draft day trade on June 25, 2009. The Arizona State product was the 31st overall pick in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft.

Steve Francis arrested for drunkenness at Los Angeles airport

The AP reports:

Los Angeles International Airport police say three-time NBA all-star Steve Francis has been arrested for public drunkenness.

Airport spokesman Albert Rodriguez says Francis was arrested at 11:30 p.m. Thursday because he was intoxicated, unable to care for himself and combative toward staff. Sgt. Belinda Nettles says the arrest took place in the Terminal 7 lobby near the United Airlines ticketing counter.

Future Brooklyn Nets arena gets vodka sponsor

Today Stolichnaya, a pioneer in the flavored vodka category, and Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, the sales and marketing arm of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, announced that Stolichnaya is embarking as a Founding Partner in a five-year alliance with the Barclays Center, the planned state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue, and with NETS Basketball. The opening of the Barclays Center in late spring/early summer of 2012 will mark the return of major professional sports to Brooklyn for the first time since 1957, and Stoli will become the official vodka partner of the Barclays Center.

“This partnership represents Stoli’s first long-term foray into professional sports and we look forward to an exciting and successful partnership with the Barclays Center and NETS Basketball,” said Andrey Skurikhin, Partner at SPI Group, the Stolichnaya brand owner. “Stoli is a pioneering brand in the spirits industry and celebrates the same spirit of innovation that characterizes the development of the Barclays Center and the revitalization of the NETS. We look forward to engaging with our consumers in this much anticipated, exciting new venue.”

“We are thrilled to become partners with the most innovative and historic brand in the spirits industry,” said Brett Yormark, president and CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “The Barclays Center continues to align with renowned companies which seek to build their brands in the heart of world commerce. Stoli has made a major commitment to the Barclays Center and we look forward to building its brand with a year-round marketing platform.”

As part of the agreement with the Barclays Center, Stoli will receive numerous entitlements, including category exclusive branding throughout the new arena and the branding of six bars.

Blazers big-man Jeff Pendergraph injures right knee

Jason Quick of The Oregonian reports:

Second-year center Jeff Pendergraph left Thursday’s exhibition game at Utah with a right knee injury that appears to be serious.

Pendergraph crumpled to the court holding his right knee after Jazz center Kyrylo Fesenko drove and scored on him with 10:48 left in the second quarter. Blazers players immediately signaled for athletic trainer Jay Jensen. Pendergraph was unable to put pressure on the knee as he was positioned into a wheelchair on the court. He was wheeled off with his right knee extended and Jensen holding his foot.

InsideHoops.com editor says: The Blazers should just get rid of their entire roster, then sign 15 centers. And then have a contest: Player who remains healthy the longest wins a pony.