Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Kings exercise Paul Westphal option for 2011-12 season

The Sacramento Kings today picked up the option on the contract of head coach Paul Westphal for the 2011-12 season, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

“We’re all excited about the new direction Paul has given our team and his ability to keep our players focused during the course of the season,” said Petrie. “I think he’s done a tremendous job of helping us turn the corner. My congratulations to him and his staff. We continue to look forward to an ongoing great relationship as we rebuild the Kings.”

Westphal was named Sacramento’s head coach on June 12, 2009, becoming the franchise’s 23rd head coach. He has a lifetime record of 292-214 (.577) in eight seasons with the Phoenix Suns (1992-93 – 1995-96), Seattle Sonics (1998-99 – 2000-01), and Kings, including a trip to the NBA Finals in 1993 with the Suns.

“I’m very excited to continue to be able to have a chance to build what we have with the Kings,” Westphal said. “It’s been a great experience laying the foundation for years of exciting basketball to come. I’m thrilled by the support of the community, the Maloofs, the front office, and my staff and the players.”

Suns recall Taylor Griffin from D-League

Suns recall Taylor Griffin from D-League

The Phoenix Suns have recalled rookie forward Taylor Griffin from the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr.

Originally assigned for his third stint in Iowa on April 7, the 6-7, 238-pound Griffin appeared in three playoff games, averaging 6.3 points and 9.3 rebounds in 29.0 minutes for the Energy.  Griffin started the final two games for Iowa, both wins, in the Energy’s 2-1 series victory over Utah.  Griffin tallied one double-double and two double-digit rebounding efforts, including a 14-board performance in Iowa’s series-clinching victory April 11.

Griffin was selected by the Suns with the 48th overall pick (second round) of the 2009 NBA Draft and has appeared in eight games this season for Phoenix.

David Andersen season ends slightly early

David Andersen season ends slightly early

Houston Rockets C David Andersen is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season (which ends Wednesday night) for precautionary reasons relating to the sore lower back that has caused him to miss the past 11 games.

Andersen finishes his first NBA season with averages of 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds while playing in 63 games.  He is expected to make a full recovery and be available to commence his usual offseason training program with no limitations.

Pistons to lower ticket prices in 2010-11

The Detroit Pistons announced today that season ticket prices for the 2010-11 NBA season have been reduced between 10 and 50 percent in all price categories.  Also, for the first time ever, the team will offer a lowest-price guarantee to its season ticket holders.

“As an organization, we understand how fortunate we are to have such a loyal season ticket holder base,” said Alan Ostfield, President and CEO of Palace Sports and Entertainment and the Pistons.  “The economic situation here in Michigan continues to be a difficult one and we want to continue doing our part to respond to the stresses that have been placed on everyone in this region.”

The across-the-board price reductions for Pistons’ tickets are the largest rollbacks in team history, in response to the economic climate in the area. Additionally, the Pistons’ lowest-price guarantee insures season ticket holders that the team will not sell individual game tickets at a lower price.

For the 2010-11 season, the Pistons will increase the number of 100-Level season tickets available for less than $1,000. This popular season ticket offering sold out this past season.

“The Pistons’ experience will be enhanced for the season ticket holder next year by adding many new benefits,” said Shawn Kuzmin, Pistons’ Senior Vice President of Sales and Service. “These include a Loyalty benefits program, as well as a season ticket holder exchange program for unused tickets and access to ticket upgrades at all Pistons’ home games. The new Loyalty benefits program will reward ticket holders on their tenure with the Pistons by offering Palace cards, suites and concert tickets.”

Knicks may keep Earl Barron

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

Knicks may keep Earl Barron

In this wacky NBA world, their new 7-foot center, Earl Barron, has a better shot at returning next season than David Lee, an unrestricted free agent who may have played so well this season to have priced himself out of a return.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh told The Post last night he is interested in re-signing Barron for next season as their backup center, probably for the minimum. His 10-day contract expired last night and the Knicks will renew that deal for today’s game and the season finale Wednesday in Toronto.

“No doubt about it, I’d say we have interest in him next summer,” Walsh said of Barron. “We’re going to try to keep him here.”

Nuggets sign Brian Butch, Coby Karl

The Denver Nuggets have signed C Brian Butch and G Coby Karl, team Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced today.  We assume these are nonguaranteed, short-term contracts but will update this tonight.

Butch, 6-11, 240, averaged 17.7 ppg and 11.9 rpg in 39 games for the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League this season. The University of Wisconsin product also was named MVP of the 2010 NBDL All-Star game after scoring 18 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

Karl, 6-5, 215, averaged 19.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 26 games for the Idaho Stampede of the D-League. He joined the Stampede after being waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 6. Karl later signed a 10-day contract with Golden State and averaged 7.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in four games for the Warriors. On Feb. 2, Karl had 12 points, seven assists and seven rebounds – all career-highs – against the Houston Rockets.

Karl, undrafted out of Boise State University, also played 17 games for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2007-08 season, and he was a member of the Nuggets’ 2009 summer-league team, averaging 15.0 points and 4.4 rebounds.

The Nuggets’ roster now stands at the league-maximum 15 players.

Butch and Karl represent the 37th and 38th call-ups to the NBA this season.

J.R. (Isaiah) Rider arrested

The AP reports:

Former NBA player Isaiah Rider has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting his fiance and reneging on a $150 cab fare.

Police say the 39-year-old Rider was taken into custody Thursday after an officer spotted him driving erratically in a vehicle with three small children inside.

Neighbors reported seeing Rider argue with his fiance outside their Mesa home Sunday and have a tug-of-war over her purse. Police say Rider then took a cab ride to Phoenix and ran away instead of paying the driver.

Celtics waive Marcus Landry

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have requested waivers on forward Marcus Landry.

Landry, a 6’7 forward, was acquired by the Celtics along with guard Nate Robinson on February 18.  Landry appeared in one game for the Celtics after he was acquired from New York and played three minutes.  In 18 combined games for New York and Boston this season Landry averaged 2.4 points and 1.1 rebounds in 6.2 minutes per game.

Bulls waive Jerome James, sign Rob Kurz

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has waived center Jerome James and signed forward Rob Kurz for the remainder of the season.

James (7-1, 285), joined the Bulls on Feb. 19, 2009 in a four-player trade with the New York Knicks.  In one and a half seasons with Chicago, James did not appear in a game due to a ruptured right Achilles he suffered during the 2008-09 season.

Kurz, 25, appeared in 39 games (35 starts) for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League.  With the Mad Ants, he averaged 17.5 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.46 bpg in 37.2 mpg and shot .494 from the field, .435 from the three and .808 from the line.  The 6-9, 230 pound forward also held a stint with the Golden State Warriors during the 2008-09 campaign.  In 40 games (five starts) with the Warriors, he posted averages of 3.9 ppg and 2.0 rpg in 11.1 mpg.  In four years at the University of Notre Dame, Kurz posted career averages of 9.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 1.13 bpg in 108 games.

Kurz will wear number 31.

InsideHoops.com Says: Center Jerome James got paid many millions of dollars to sit, be fat, tumble into planes, and roll around the nation. The man is a perfectionist and lived up to full expectations of his job. Being serious, though, I strongly encourage all 30 NBA teams show respect to fans by never, ever signing this guy again.