NBA News Blog – Page 1487 – NBA Blog

Mikki Moore to have right heel surgery

The Golden State Warriors have had plenty of injuries this season and the trend will continue now with center Mikki Moore.

Marcus Thompson of the Contra Costa Times reports (via blog):

He held on as long as he could, but center Mikki Moore is now going to have surgery to repair bone spurs in his right heal. The Warriors are down three centers.

Could that mean Anthony Randolph is back in the starting lineup? Nelson said he would lean on Randolph more. Remember, the last time he played at home, Randolph set a career high against Dwight Howard.

We first reported this back on Dec. 1. Mikki told me the bone spur was causing him significant pain as it was digging into his Achilles tendon. He said that was the reason his dunks were getting blocked (like it did at Philadelphia) because he couldn’t jump without pain. He knew then it would take surgery to fix the problem, which has plagued him since last season. But Moore said he would deal with the pain and the limited mobility because he didn’t want to leave the injuy-depleted Warriors even more depleted.

Even at full health the Warriors are not a playoff team, but it would still be nice to see how well they can play with an actual full, healthy roster. Hopefully we get to see that in the somewhat near future.

Chris Dudley running for Oregon governor

Former NBA big-man Chris Dudley, who was a decent rebounder and defender, and one of the worst free throw shooters in the history of this universe, is pushing ahead in the world of politics.

The AP reports:

The 6-foot-11 Yale graduate told supporters Wednesday he wants to slow the growth of the state budget and considers his lack of political experience a plus.

He will compete for the Republican nomination against Allen Alley, John Lim and Bill Sizemore.

Should he win, Dudley’s first act as governor should be to make it state law that all little children learn to shoot free throws.

Aside from learning that he’s in the Republican party, I don’t know what his political views are. I will say that individual people tend to be more diverse than the overall general views of their party. But in general politics makes people angry so I stay away from talking too much about it on this-here fun basketball website. For now, though, until there’s a reason to feel differently, I say Vote Dudley!

Trail Blazers granted hardship exception, can sign 16th player

Joe Freeman of The Oregonian reports:

The Trail Blazers have finally received a dose of good news surrounding their injury-depleted roster.

The NBA has awarded the Blazers a hardship exception, giving them the option of signing a 16th player to the roster for a short-term basis. Teams are eligible for the exception after four players on a roster miss at least three games and are expected to miss two additional weeks.

The Blazers became eligible after their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, when Greg Oden missed his third consecutive game because of a fractured patella in his left knee, and were awarded the exception by the NBA on Sunday.

Jonathan Bender owes comeback to high-jumper

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

When recently signed Jonathan Bender finally makes his season debut for the Knicks, he’ll owe a lot to a former Olympic gold-medalist.

The 7-foot Bender, in his unorthodox comeback attempt, has used 1996 Olympic gold medalist Carl Austin as his coach. Austin also had wrecked his knee and returned to win the gold in Atlanta in the high jump.

Bender, 28, signed with the Knicks on Sunday but did not dress last night here. Mike D’Antoni backpedaled and said he probably won’t suit up until after Friday’s game vs. the Clippers.

Bender worked out with Austin for the last year in San Marco, Texas. Austin will come to New York to continue working with Bender, who played his last NBA game in November of 2005 before a chronic injury left him with no cartilage in his knee.

China investor finalizes deal to buy part of Cleveland Cavaliers

Reuters reports:

A Michigan investment firm has finalized a deal to sell its 15 percent stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers to a group led by Kenny Huang, bringing LeBron James’ team a step closer to adding the National Basketball Association’s first big Chinese investor.

A Cavaliers spokesman declined to comment, but Cavaliers Vice Chairman David Katzman, whose Camelot Venture Group owns the stake being sold, said an all-cash deal was reached and should be approved by year’s end. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Kings lure fans with beer

Cynthia Hubert of the Sacramento Bee reports:

The Sacramento Kings have given away food, offered discount ticket packages and touted their prized rookies.

But they have yet to find the formula for bringing raucous sellout crowds back to Arco Arena.

Could the answer be cheap beer?

Quite possibly. Wednesday night, with a national television audience watching, the Kings could be playing before a sellout crowd at Arco for only the second time this season. The draw? Dollar Beer Night.

“Sacramento and its fans have such a good reputation nationally,” said Kings spokesman Mitch Germann. “We want to showcase that on national TV.”

Their efforts seem to be paying off. As of Monday afternoon, only “a limited number of tickets” were available for the Wednesday game, Germann said.

Have opinions on the team? Share them on the Sacramento Kings forum.

Trevor Ariza suspended

Trevor Ariza of the Houston Rockets has been suspended without pay for one game for swinging his elbow at the head of the Toronto Raptors’ DeMar DeRozan, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 3:47 remaining in the third period of the Raptors’ 101-88 victory over the Rockets at Air Canada Centre on Sunday, Dec. 13.

Ariza will serve his suspension tomorrow when the Rockets host the Detroit Pistons at the Toyota Center in Houston.

For more info on what actually happened, see here.

Heat waive Shavlik Randolph

The Miami Heat announced today that they have requested waivers on forward Shavlik Randolph.

“Shavlik was the ultimate professional,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “He always brought an absolute effort, dedication and discipline to the court each and every day. We wish him nothing but the best.”

Randolph, a 6’10”, 236-pound forward, appeared in two games with the Heat this season totaling two points, seven rebounds and one block in 23 minutes of action. Over the course of his five-year NBA career, he has appeared in 91 games (seven starts) averaging 2.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 8.3 minutes while shooting 44.7 percent from the field.

Are you a Heat fan? Post your team opinions on the InsideHoops Miami Heat forum.

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 to Iowa on Dec. 7, the 6-7, 238-pound Griffin started both games he appeared in, averaging 13.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 4.0 steals in 37.0 minutes. Griffin shot 68.8 percent from the field in those contests, both Energy wins.

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

Owners of a 17-game home win streak dating back to last season, the Suns (16-8) return to action Tuesday night, taking on the San Antonio Spurs (12-9) at US Airways Center at 7 p.m. The game can be seen locally on FOX Sports Arizona and heard on Sports 620 KTAR.

Trevor Ariza ejected after swinging at DeMar DeRozan

Early Sunday afternoon in Toronto as the Raptors were winning big over the Houston Rockets, a frustrated visiting player lost his cool.

Late in the third quarter on the left side of the court, Rockets small forward Trevor Ariza had the ball but was stripped of it by DeMar DeRozan.

As DeRozan start dribbling up the floor, a frustrated Ariza took what appeared to be a full swing at him. The swipe missed but was spotted by referees, and play was stopped.

Raptors guard Jarrett Jack rushed over to confront Ariza, but the situation did not escalate.

At the time of the incident the Raptors were leading 68-49 with 3:47 left in the third quarter. Ariza, who is generally having a terrific season, was having a nightmare of a game with one point (0-of-9 shooting), two rebounds, one assist and four turnovers.

InsideHoops.com predicts Ariza may be suspended by the NBA, perhaps for one game.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.