NBA News Blog – Page 1407 – NBA Blog

2010 championship improves chances of a Phil Jackson return

The AP reports:

With his record 11th NBA championship secured, Phil Jackson was evasive about his future with the Los Angeles Lakers.

He’s in the final year of his contract, with no word about a possible extension. He had said that if the Lakers won their second straight title, it would improve his chances of returning. He turns 65 in September.

“It does improve my chances,” Jackson said after the Lakers’ 83-79 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night. “That’s a wonderful thing. That’s as much as I’ll talk about it.”

Lakers edge Celtics in Game 7, win 16th NBA championship

The AP reports:

Beating Boston for the first time in a Game 7, the Lakers came up champions again after trailing in the last quarter of the last game of their season.

Kobe Bryant, the finals MVP, scored 23 points despite 6-of-24 shooting and the Lakers won their 16th NBA championship Thursday night, dramatically rallying from a fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 83-79 in Game 7 of the NBA finals.

Bryant earned his fifth title with the Lakers, who repeated as NBA champions for the first time since winning three straight from 2000-02.

The AP reports:

Ron Artest added 20 points for the Lakers, who shot terribly while trailing for most of the first 3 1/2 quarters. Yet they reclaimed the lead midway through the fourth quarter and hung on with big shots from Pau Gasol and Artest…

Paul Pierce had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics, who just couldn’t finish the final quarter of a remarkable playoff run after a fourth-place finish in the Eastern Conference. Kevin Garnett added 17 points, but Boston flopped in two chances to clinch the series in Los Angeles after winning Game 5 back home.

After three quarters of mostly terrible offense, the Lakers tied it at 61 on Artest’s three-point play with 7:29 left. Bryant’s free throws 90 seconds later gave the Lakers their first lead of the second half, and the Lakers went up by five points before Bryant and Sasha Vujacic hit free throws in the final seconds to keep Los Angeles ahead.

The AP reports:

The Celtics had much more poise from the opening tip in Game 7, playing vicious defense that forced Los Angeles to miss 21 of its first 27 shots. Bryant and Gasol were a combined 6 for 26 in the first half while the Lakers made just 26.5 percent of their shots, and only Ron Artest’s 12 points and relentless effort kept the Celtics’ halftime lead to six points.

The Lakers are the first team to rally from a 3-2 deficit to win a finals since Houston did it in 1994, beating the New York Knicks.

InsideHoops.com reports:

The Lakers shot just 32.5%, while the Celtics hit 40.8%. The Lakers were only 4-of-20 from three-point range; the Celtics 6-of-16. But the Lakers got 37 free throw attempts (hitting just 25), while the Celtics only got 17 attempts (hitting 15). The Lakers won the rebounding battle 53-40, and had 23 offensive boards (Boston had just 8). The Lakers as a team had only 11 assists, with 11 turnovers.

For Los Angeles, Kobe shot 6-of-24 for 23 points and 15 rebounds. Ron Artest shot 7-of-18 for 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals (but 4 turnovers). Pau Gasol shot 6-of-16 for 19 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks. Derek Fisher shot 4-of-6 for 10 points. Lamar Odom hit 3-of-8 off the bench for 7 points and 7 rebounds.

For Boston, Paul Pierce shot 5-of-15 for 18 points and 10 rebounds. Kevin Garnett shot 8-of-13 for 17 points, only 3 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Rajon Rondo shot 6-of-13 for 14 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists. Ray Allen shot just 3-of-14 for 14 points and 3 steals. And Rasheed Wallace, starting in place of the injured Kendrick Perkins, shot 5-of-11 for 11 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.

76ers trade Samuel Dalembert to Kings for Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni

The Sacramento Kings today acquired Samuel Dalembert in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

According to the Sacramento Bee, “Dalembert, who attended Seton Hall and was the 26th overall selection of the 2001 NBA Draft by the 76ers, comes to the Kings in the final year of his contract. He is scheduled to make $12,200,000.”

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, “Nocioni has two years remaining on his contract, with an option for a third. The two years are valued at about $13 million. Hawes, a first-round draft pick in 2007, is still under his rookie deal.”

“We’re excited about the acquisition of Samuel Dalembert,” explained Petrie. “He will certainly bring a defensive presence and increase our ability to defend around the basket with his rebounding, shot-blocking and athleticism. I think he’ll add a very different look to our team defensively and we’re really excited about having him. I also want to thank Spencer and Andres for their contributions here and wish them well with Philadelphia. It’s been an enjoyable time with both of them.”

Dalembert, a 6-11, 250-pound center, who just finished his eighth NBA season (all with Philadelphia), has amassed career averages of 8.1 points (.527 FGs, .692 FTs), 8.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game through 582 contests. His most productive season occurred during the 2006-07 campaign when he averaged 10.7 points (.541 FGs and .746 FTs), 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game over 82 outings, of which he started all 82 games. Dalembert has averaged 8.6 points (.521 FGs, .658 FTs), 9.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game through 17 career playoff contests. He ranked fifth in the NBA in blocks (1.84 bpg) in 2009-10 and has swatted away 140 or more shots in six of the last seven seasons. He ranks second in career blocks (1,131) in 76ers history, trailing only Julius Erving (1,293). Dalembert has played in all 82 games in each of the last four seasons and has a consecutive games played streak of 354. He led Philadelphia in rebounding with a 9.6 average in 2009-10, ranking him 12th in the NBA. He was the 2009-10 recipient of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizen Award presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association. Dalembert was a first round pick (26th overall) by the 76ers in the 2001 NBA Draft out of Seton Hall after his sophomore season. He finished with career averages of 7.1 points (.537 FGs, .539 FTs) and 5.8 rebounds per game through 59 outings over his two-year career at Seton Hall.

At 7-1 and 245 pounds, Hawes, a center, recently finished his third NBA season (all with the Kings). He has totaled career averages of 8.8 points (.466 FGs, .314 3FGs, .670 FTs), 5.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks per game over 220 outings, of which he has started in 118). Hawes’ most productive season occurred during the 2008-09 campaign when he averaged 11.4 points (.466 FGs, .348 3FGs, .662 FTs), 7.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 blocks per game through 77 contests. He was selected by Sacramento in the first round (10th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft after his freshman season at the University of Washington.

Nocioni, a 6-7, 225-pound forward, recently finished his sixth NBA season (four and a half with Chicago and one and a half with Sacramento). He has amassed career averages of 11.3 points (.433 FGs, .375 3FGs, .802 FTs), 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game over 449 contests, of which he has started in 185). He has averaged double figures in scoring in four of his six NBA seasons. Nocioni has appeared in 22 career playoff games with Chicago, averaging 13.6 points (.443 FGs, .377 3FGs, .789 FTs), 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He was signed by the Bulls as a free agent prior to the 2004-05 season. Nocioni was acquired by the Kings in a three-team trade involving Chicago and Portland on February 18, 2009. Nocioni played for Tau Ceramica in Spain from 2002 to 2004 prior to his NBA career.

Heat to exercise Chalmers option

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports:

And then there were three.

Point guard Mario Chalmers has become the third Miami Heat player secured on the books for 2010-11.

While neither side would confirm the formal paperwork has been completed, the Heat has informed Chalmers that it will pick up the option year on his rookie contract.

The Heat had until June 24, the day of the NBA Draft, to make its decision.

Chalmers now joins forward Michael Beasley and guard Daequan Cook as the only Heat players locked into 2010-11 salaries.

Still to be determined is the player option held by center Joel Anthony, who also faces a June 24 deadline, as well as a buyout decision on the final three years of the contract of forward Jabmes Jones, and guard Dwyane Wade’s decision on his 2010-11 option year.

Parents of Celtics fan settle with Boston for $3M

The AP reports:

The parents of a Celtics fan who stopped breathing and later died after Boston police took him into custody during 2008 NBA championship celebrations have settled with the city for $3 million.

The settlement announced Thursday by a lawyer for the parents of David Woodman came on the same day the Celtics were scheduled to play the Los Angeles Lakers in the deciding Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals.

Chief: Strong LAPD presence at NBA Finals Game 7

The AP reports:

Police will deploy hundreds of officers at Game 7 of the NBA finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics to prevent the kind of unrest that broke out after the Lakers won last year’s championship.

Police Chief Charlie Beck issued a stern warning Wednesday to anyone thinking of spoiling a potential celebration should the Lakers seize their 16th victory.

“If you vandalize, if you graffiti, if you assault somebody in conjunction with one of these (celebrations), I take it personally,” Beck said Wednesday. “By those actions, you defame the reputation of the city we all love.”

Beck said he doesn’t expect problems, and a strong police presence should deter anyone from causing trouble. Perimeters will be set around Staples Center on Thursday to keep out people without tickets to the game, and tactical units will stick around afterward to dissuade fans from congregating outside the arena, he said.

Celtics center Kendrick Perkins out for NBA Finals Game 7

The AP reports:

Boston center Kendrick Perkins’ sprained right knee will keep him out of Game 7 of the NBA finals.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers confirmed Wednesday that his starting center won’t play in the season finale against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, dealing a blow to Boston’s hopes of winning its 18th championship.

InsideHoops.com says:

I’d have favored the Lakers over Celtics in a Game 7 in Los Angeles anyway, but with Perkins out it obviously makes Boston even more of an underdog.

Tom Izzo was unable to get LeBron James on the phone

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

Now, let us get this straight: One of the best coaches in the country is offered $6 million a year to leave a great gig to come to the Cavs. The team owner obviously wants him, but he, no fool, wants to know how he stands with the best player on the team, a player barely two weeks away from free agency. But when he tries to reach out to that player, he can’t even get him on the phone?

Wow.

There’s nothing wrong with LeBron James keeping in the background during the Cavs’ search for a new coach. Even if he’s the ultimate power on the team, he’s smart not to make that too obvious. But to refuse a phone call from a guy whose name is already penciled in at the Hall of Fame?

Lakers rout Celtics, force Game 7 in NBA finals

The AP reports:

With an emphatic, historic blowout win in Game 6 Tuesday night, Los Angeles earned the right to host the grand finale to both the NBA season and this scintillating chapter in the league’s most glamorous rivalry.

Lakers rout Celtics, force Game 7 in NBA finals

Kobe Bryant scored 26 points, Pau Gasol added 17 points and 13 rebounds, and the Lakers held Boston to the second lowest-scoring performance in NBA finals history in an 89-67 victory, setting up a winner-take-all Game 7 on Thursday…

“We didn’t get in any rhythm early, and it affects our chemistry,” said Ray Allen, who scored 19 points. “We each tried to make the home run play early. As a starting unit, we take responsibility. We have to do a better job next game.”

Ron Artest added 15 points for the Lakers, who got their backs off the wall with a dazzling first half and a strong finish built around defense that held Boston to 33 percent shooting. Only Utah’s infamous 54-point performance against Chicago in 1998 was worse.

Bryant grabbed 11 rebounds, and Gasol led the Lakers with nine assists in a remarkable bounce-back game for Los Angeles, which dominated from the opening minutes by vacuuming up rebounds—13 more than Boston—and playing relentless defense…

Paul Pierce scored 13 points and Kevin Garnett added 12, but the Celtics’ offense was a jumbled, stand-around mess. Rajon Rondo, the late-game hero in Boston’s last appearance in Los Angeles, got off to a 1-for-8 shooting start before finishing with 10 points and six assists…

The Celtics lost starting center Kendrick Perkins in the first quarter to a sprained right knee when he landed awkwardly under the hoop, but his absence couldn’t explain the Lakers’ utter domination of the first half—a 30-13 rebounding edge while holding Boston to 34 percent shooting and frustrating Rondo.

The Boston Globe reports:

The Lakers could do no wrong on this night. They won the rebounding war (52-39). They dominated the paint (40-32). And after seemingly taking on the Celtics by himself in Game 6, Kobe Bryant found reinforcements everywhere.

His 38-point Game 5 assault bulged off the stat sheet, but his 26-point, 11-rebound, 3-assist effort last night seemed to blend in. Pau Gasol was an assist shy of a triple-double (17 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists). Ron Artest, seemingly lost the past two games, beamed himself back into the series with a 15-point, 6-rebound performance. The Lakers bench combined for 25 points and 16 rebounds. All the pieces put together were too much for the Celtics.

“They did everything harder than we did,’’ said Boston’s Tony Allen. “It’s just unusual.’’

The Celtics shot 33 percent from the floor. A sign of how futile their offense was? At the start of the fourth quarter, Ray Allen, Garnett, Pierce, and Rajon Rondo were the only four Celtics in the scoring column.

The Boston Globe reports:

The Lakers’ bench outscored its Celtics’ counterpart, 25-13, in LA’s 89-67 victory, putting up its most productive effort in the series. Sasha Vujacic scored 9 points off the bench and Lamar Odom contributed 8, playing 28:26 while Andrew Bynum (15:53) rested his knee.

They were part of a unit that did most of its damage in the second quarter. The effort was visible early when Lakers guard Jordan Farmar and Rajon Rondo scurried after a loose ball in the second quarter. Farmar used a headfirst slide to sling the ball toward Kobe Bryant, who was chasing along the left side. Bryant picked up the ball and drove to the basket and was fouled with eight minutes to go in the half. Bryant hit both free throws to give the Lakers a 36-23 lead.

Bryant didn’t have to stay in the game for the Lakers to be effective. He came out with 7:46 to go in the first half, and when he returned three minutes later, the Lakers had stretched the lead to 18 points (45-27).

The Los Angeles Times reports:

The Lakers held the Celtics to 28-of-84 shooting (33.3%) and outrebounded Boston, 52-39. Rajon Rondo had a quiet night, scoring only 10 points on five-for-15 shooting. Paul Pierce had 13 points and Kevin Garnett 12.

“Our defense was good,” Jackson said. “Our rebounding was better.”

The Lakers’ reserves were decisively better, with Lamar Odom totaling eight points and 10 rebounds, and Sasha Vujacic scoring nine points in 14 minutes. The Boston bench was scoreless until Nate Robinson’s reverse layup with 9:56 left in the fourth quarter.

Thursday will be a first for Jackson, who has never coached a Game 7 in the Finals. He is 3-1 in Game 7s with the Lakers, most recently a winner in last season’s Western Conference semifinal against Houston.

After the final seconds ticked down Tuesday, longtime Lakers public-address announcer Lawrence Tanter intoned, “There will be a Gaaaame 7.”

Steve Kerr will leave the Suns

Steve Kerr will leave the Phoenix Suns as president of basketball operations and general manager when his contract runs out June 30th. Kerr will pursue opportunities in broadcasting.

“After much thought and deliberation, I have decided this is the right time for me to move on both professionally and personally,” said Kerr. “The past three years have been exceptional for me. The work and dedication of everyone with the organization is tremendous and I appreciate the passion and commitment that Robert Sarver has for the Phoenix Suns and creating a perennial winner. I feel the team is well poised for the future, with strong leadership both on the roster and in the front office, and a good mix of veterans and young talent that will continue to grow together and succeed at the highest level.”

Kerr will explore opportunities in broadcasting.

“A broadcasting opportunity would allow me to spend more time with my family which is very important to me. I will certainly miss the relationships I’ve forged here with the players, coaches and members of the organization. It’s a special group of people and I wish the organization nothing but success moving forward.”

Commenting on Kerr’s departure, Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver said, “We wish Steve nothing but the best and thank him for all the contributions he has made to our club during his tenure, and for helping to lay the foundation for our current and future success.”

Originally named to the role of president of basketball operations and general manager on June 6, 2007, Kerr saw the Suns average nearly 52 wins per season in his three-year tenure in the club’s front office and compile an overall mark of 155-91 (.630) in that span.

Just three players remain from the roster inherited by Kerr in 2007, as he assembled a balanced roster of stars and role players, comprised of both veterans and developing prospects. It resulted in the third-best regular season record in the ultra-competitive Western Conference in 2010 and a berth in the Western Conference Finals.

In the process, Kerr turned one of the NBA’s oldest rosters into one that includes only two players over the age of 30, and did so without taking away the club’s trademark offensive explosiveness and deep-shooting accuracy. The Suns led the league in scoring in both 2008-09 (109.4) and 2009-10 (110.2), and shot a franchise-record 41.2 percent from three-point range in 2009-10, second-highest in NBA history.

The five-time NBA Champion as a player was a 15-year NBA veteran and played for six teams during his career.