NBA News Blog – Page 1478 – NBA Blog

JR Smith hits 10 three-pointers

Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith went bonkers in a win over the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday.

Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post reports:

JR Smith hits 10 three-pointers, finishes with 41 points

The game ceased being a game — like, you know, with five-on-five competition — and it became one man’s crowd-rising, hair-raising exhibition (think Evel Knievel with a jumper).

In the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 124-104 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, J.R. Smith would collect a pass and the Pepsi Center fans would pop out of their seats, their “aaahs!” increasing until Smith’s release — for then they became capital-A “AAAhs!”

The Denver guard sank four fourth-quarter 3-pointers and was 10-for-17 on the night from beyond the arc en route to a game-high 41 points, five short of his career high.

“It’s like throwing rocks into the ocean,” said Smith, who became the first player in NBA history to tally multiple games with 10 or more 3s in his career. “I really established that (rhythm) early. They started doubling off me and going on (Carmelo Anthony). Everything else was like throwing darts.”

On Wednesday, Smith shot 15-for-25 from the field but 1-for-6 from the foul line, where he has struggled all season.

Watch video highlights here.

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Lakers sign Pau Gasol to contract extension

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward/center Pau Gasol to a multi-year contract extension, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

According to the Los Angeles Times, “Gasol officially signed a three-year extension worth up to $64.7 million, depending on the NBA salary-cap figures to be determined in 2011.”

According to ESPN.com, “The year-by-year breakdown of the extension: $18,714,150 in 2011-12, $19,000,000 in 2012-13 and $19,285,850 in 2013-14.”

Since being acquired by the Lakers on February 1, 2008 as part of a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, Gasol has helped Los Angeles to a 101-23 (.815) regular season record in games he has appeared in. In the postseason, the Lakers have posted a 30-14 (.682) record with Gasol, winning the Western Conference in both trips to the playoffs since he joined the team as well as the franchise’s 15th NBA Championship in 2009.

Gasol, currently a reigning NBA Champion, FIBA World Champion (Tournament MVP) and European Champion (Tournament MVP), earned a silver medal with Spain at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, falling just shy of the gold against the United States. Named the 2008 European Player of the Year, he earned All-NBA Third Team honors in 2009 as well as his second trip to the NBA All-Star game (2006, 2009).

“Over the past year and a half, Pau has quickly developed into one of the best all-around players in the NBA,” said Kupchak. “The impact he has had on and off the court for the Lakers is significant, and we look forward to watching Pau continue as one of the best players in the league for years to come.”

“Coming to terms on an extension for Pau is another step for the organization in its goal of trying to keep the core of this team together for the foreseeable future,” continued Kupchak. “The Buss family recognizes this opportunity and will continue to do whatever is possible to put the organization in position to contend for NBA championships.”

The fourth player in NBA history to go straight from Europe to the NBA and score 10,000 career points, Gasol concluded the 2008-09 season ranked among league leaders in points (25th/18.9), rebounds (8th/9.6), field goal percentage (5th/.567) and blocks (27th/1.00) while appearing in 81 games.

In 16 games this season, Gasol is averaging 17.0 points on .543 shooting from the field, 12.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.75 blocked shots in 36.1 minutes.

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Tyson Chandler out at least one week

The Charlotte Bobcats announced today that center Tyson Chandler will miss a minimum of one week due to a stress reaction in the fourth metatarsal of his left foot. Chandler suffered the injury, which was initially diagnosed as a left forefoot sprain, in the third quarter of Tuesday’s 88-76 win over Detroit. X-rays taken at the arena came back negative, but Chandler underwent a precautionary MRI on Wednesday morning performed by team physician Dr. Glenn Perry, who concluded that Chandler had a stress reaction.

The Charlotte Bobcats, who became the NBA’s 30th franchise when they joined the league in 2004-05, return to action Saturday when they travel to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder at 8:00pm ET. The game can be seen on SportSouth and heard on WFNZ 610 AM.

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Rockets sign Mike Harris

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the Rockets have signed forward Mike Harris as a Call-Up from Houston’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Harris rejoins the Rockets following a stint with the team during the 2007-08 season.

“Mike Harris has been the best player in the D-League and instrumental in the Vipers 7-3 start,” said Morey. “He will be a quality addition to our team. We are excited to add him.”

Harris (6-6, 235, Rice) returns to Houston from the Rio Grande Valley, where he was averaging a team-leading 25.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 10 games (10 starts) with the Vipers. At the time of his Call-Up, Harris stood second in the D-League among qualified leaders in points per game. He scored in double figures in all 10 games with Rio Grande Valley, while recording two double-doubles. Harris recorded a season-high 35 points and a season-best 12 rebounds at Tulsa (12/19/09). Harris actually began the 2009-10 season as a training camp invitee with Oklahoma City, but was waived by the Thunder on Oct. 23.

A former standout at Rice University, Harris spent his rookie NBA season with the Rockets, averaging 3.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in 17 games in 2007-08. Harris originally signed with Houston as a rookie free agent on July 13, 2007, but was waived by the Rockets on Oct. 22. He later signed a 10-day contract with Houston on Mar. 8, 2008, before inking a second 10-day contract on Mar. 18. Harris was signed for the remainder of the 2007-08 season by the Rockets on Mar. 29, 2008. During the 2008 NBA Playoffs, he averaged 1.0 points and 0.7 rebounds in three postseason games with Houston. Harris also averaged 12.6 points and 7.0 rebounds in five games with the Rockets in the 2007 NBA Summer League.

Harris, who also played in the preseason with the Milwaukee Bucks prior to the 2006-07 campaign, was selected third overall in the 2006 D-League Draft by the Colorado 14ers. In 48 games (16 starts) with Colorado, he averaged 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.54 blocks per contest in 2006-07. In addition, Harris has played internationally in the Ukraine with BC Kyiv (2005-06) and with DongGuan of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

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Paul Pierce out 2 weeks

The Boston Celtics announced today that forward Paul Pierce underwent arthroscopic irrigation on his right knee to clean a knee infection at New England Baptist Hospital this morning. Celtics Team Physician Dr. Brian McKeon performed the procedure. Pierce is expected to miss the next two weeks.

Pierce, a 6’7” forward, has played in every game this season for the Celtics and is averaging a team-high 18.2 points. He is currently shooting a career-high 47.3% from three-point land and is ranked fifth in the NBA. The Kansas product netted a season-high 33 points against the Knicks on November 22.

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Blake Griffin health update: Out 3 more weeks

Los Angeles Clippers rookie forward Blake Griffin underwent a CT Scan and MRI of the stress fracture of his left patella yesterday.

In addition to his continued strength and conditioning work, Griffin has been cleared to begin running on an AlterG Anti-Gravity treadmill beginning today and is expected to begin running on a normal full-body weight treadmill next week.

Based on expected progression, Griffin is expected to be cleared for a return to basketball related activity in approximately three weeks.

Griffin, the first overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, suffered a non-displaced stress fracture of his left patella during the Clippers’ last preseason game vs. the New Orleans Hornets on Friday, October 23rd.

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Joel Przybilla injures right leg

Joe Freeman of the Oregonian reports (via blog):

Just when you think it can’t get any worse for this injury-depleted Trail Blazers team, it suffers yet another significant setback Tuesday night in Dallas.

In the first quarter of their game against the Dallas Mavericks, Joel Przybilla landed awkwardly and violently on his right leg beneath the basket and had to be helped away from the American Airlines Center court by two teammates.

Shortly after halftime, the team announced that Pryzbilla had suffered a ruptured right patella tendon and patella dislocation. He is out indefinitely.

Rockets, Grizzlies pass on Von Wafer

MyFoxHouston reports:

NBA sources told FOX 26 Sports the Houston Rockets plans to re-sign free agent guard Von Wafer fell through when Wafer did not pass his physical Tuesday night.

Sources told FOX 26 the Rockets may re-visit Wafer’s situation soon.

With Wafer no longer an option the Rockets signed forward Michael Harris from the team’s NBA Development league affiliate, the Rio Grande Vipers.

Harris was at the Rockets game with the Clippers Tuesday night just to watch the game and then he got the surprise of his life.

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Jazz trade Eric Maynor and Matt Harpring to Thunder

Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced today that the team has acquired the draft rights to Peter Fehse from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for the contract of Matt Harpring and guard Eric Maynor. The Jazz roster now stands at 12 players.

“Trading Eric was a difficult decision,” said general manager Kevin O’Connor. “But, along with Matt’s contract, it greatly helps reduce our luxury tax responsibility. Fortunately with Deron and a proven backup in Ronnie Price we feel that we have depth at that position.”

Harpring will not report to Oklahoma City.

“We are pleased to add Eric Maynor to our organization,” said Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. “Eric possesses a work ethic and team first mentality that we feel will help us in our continued growth.”

“This was a difficult decision as we appreciate Shaun and Mike’s contributions to this basketball team on and off the floor,” added Presti. “We wish them nothing but continued success.”

Fehse (6-11, 205, Germany), was originally selected by the Oklahoma City franchise in the second round (49th overall pick) in the 2002 NBA Draft. The forward/center currently plays for Mitteldeutscher BC Weissenfels in the German League. From 2004-2008 Fehse suited up for the New Yorker Phantoms, also in the German League.

Prior to being drafted, Fehse played for SV Halle’s youth teams, the German Junior National Team and the German Under-20 National Team. Fehse played for Mitteldeutcher BC in 2003-04 and with the Frankfurt Opel Skyliners in 2002-03 but appeared in just one game.

Harpring (6-7, 230, Georgia Tech), who has not practiced or played during the current 2009-10 season, has appeared in 665 games (349 starts) over 11 seasons with Orlando, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Utah, owning career averages of 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 26.4 minutes per game. He was originally signed by the Jazz as a free agent on August 15, 2002. Harpring has seen action in 474 games (191 starts) over seven seasons with Utah and has averaged 11.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in 25.8 minutes per game.

Maynor (6-3, 170, Virginia Commonwealth) was selected by the Jazz in the first round (20th overall pick) in the 2009 NBA Draft. The guard has seen action in 26 games this season (two starts) and is currently averaging 5.2 points and 3.1 assists.

InsideHoops.com editor quick take: This is a great deal for the Thunder, who add yet another talented young player to their roster. The deal helps the Jazz save money.

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Marko Jaric signs in Spain

The Hoop reports:

Real Madrid have reached a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies’ Marko Jaric, who will join the club for the remainder of the season pending a physical.

Marko Jaric was born on 12 October 1978 in Belgrade, Serbia and is the son of Yugoslav basketball legend Srecko Jaric. He began his career in 1996 with Greece’s Peristeri and two years later withdrew his name from the NBA draft to move to Italy.

Euroleague.net reports:

Real Madrid gave its fans an early holiday present on Tuesday when it announced the signing of former Euroleague champion Marko Jaric for the remainder of the season, pending medical tests. Jaric will be reunited with head coach Ettore Messina at the end of a decade that they started by winning the 2001 Euroleague title together with Kinder Bologna. Jaric (201, 31) arrives from Memphis of the NBA, where he had not played this season. Last season, he took part in a total of 53 games for Memphis, averaging 2.5 points per night. Jaric started his career in Peristeri of the Greek League in 1996.