NBA News Blog – Page 1499 – NBA Blog

Chris Dudley to run for governor

The AP reports:

Chris Dudley’s free throw shots were always iffy propositions. Now the former Phoenix Sun and Portland Trail Blazer is in a new arena taking aim at a governor’s chair – and Oregon’s Republicans think he can score.

Dudley hasn’t formally announced a bid for the post, but he filed paperwork last week to create a campaign committee.

“I’ll make a decision soon and report back. One way or another, I intend to help change Oregon for the better,” he said in a statement.

Dudley, 44, wouldn’t be the first professional athlete to make the transition into politics. The late Congressman Jack Kemp of New York was an NFL quarterback, and former Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey was an NBA standout for years.

Hornets Owner George Shinn has prostate cancer

Hornets Owner George Shinn announced today that he has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer but remains healthy, optimistic and committed to maintain his regular schedule that includes serving the New Orleans community and leading the organization to championship performance on and off the court.

“My wife, Denise, and I remain strong in our faith and will maintain a positive attitude as I battle this with intense fervor and drive. This is not the first obstacle that I have had to overcome in life, but it will be another one that will be conquered. Those closest to me understand my commitment to God and belief in the power of prayer, so all that I ask is for people to add me to their prayers. I’m proud of the fact that I will be joining the ranks of cancer survivors around the world who exemplify the greatest strength and resilience. I am consulting with the finest doctors and they are also optimistic that this will be another example of overcoming the struggles that life can throw your way. Thanks to the medical staff at Ochsner where I am convinced many of the finest doctors in the country are employed.”

Kevin Martin has fracture in left wrist

An MRI taken today on Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Martin’s left wrist revealed a non displaced hairline fracture of the navicular bone. The treatment options are currently being evaluated. More information will be be posted here when it’s known.

Martin is the lone big offensive option Sacramento has. In five games this season he’s average 30.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.0 steals in 41.8 minutes per game. He was shooting 42.3% from the field and a terrific 44.7% from three-point range.

The team is 1-4 in the regular season so far.

Timberwolves hire Darrick Martin

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that the team has named 13-year NBA veteran Darrick Martin as the team’s Assistant Director of Player Development. Martin will aid Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development J.B. Bickerstaff with the all of the team’s player development initiatives.

“I’m very excited to welcome Darrick to our staff,” Timberwolves Head Coach Kurt Rambis said. “He’s been around this league a long time and will be a tremendous resource for our players, both on and off the court.”

Martin began his NBA career with the Timberwolves, joining the team as a free agent midway through the 1994-95 season. He went on to play 13 seasons in the league, including stints with the Vancouver Grizzlies, L.A. Clippers, Sacramento Kinds, Dallas Mavericks and Toronto Raptors. Martin’s best statistical seasons came during the 1996-97 and 1997-98 campaigns, when he appeared in all 82 games both years for the L.A. Clippers and averaged 10.9 and 10.3 points per game, respectively. The UCLA alum owns career averages of 6.9 points and 2.9 assists in 514 career games.

Despite beginning his career with the Timberwolves, Martin is best remembered for his second stint with the team during the 2003-04 season. After joining the Minnesota midway through the season, Martin went on to appear in 16 of Minnesota’s 18 playoff games during the Wolves’ run to the Western Conference Finals, and was the starting point guard for Games 4, 5, and 6 of the conference finals series vs. the L.A. Lakers.

Kings waive Desmond Mason

The Sacramento Kings Thursday requested waivers on swingman Desmond Mason, according to President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

Mason, currently in his 10th NBA season and first with the Kings, averaged 2.6 points (.417 FGs, .750 FTs) and 2.6 rebounds per game through five outings (started four) for Sacramento.

The Kings are facing rough times lately. Star shooting guard Kevin Martin has suffered a hairline fracture in his left wrist. And forward Andres Nocioni was recently arrested for suspicion of DUI.

Grizzlies waive Trey Gilder

The Memphis Grizzlies waived forward Trey Gilder, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.

In two regular season games with Memphis, the 6-9, 205-pound forward collected two points, one rebound and a steal in a total of five minutes of action.

After signing with the Grizzlies as a free agent on Aug. 27, the 24-year-old appeared in six preseason games, averaging 4.3 points and 1.5 rebounds in 9.8 minutes.

The current roster stands at 14 players.

No penalty on Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul

The AP reports: The NBA will not penalize Chris Paul or Rajon Rondo for an incident between them after a recent game in Boston. Paul pursued Rondo toward the Celtics’ locker room and was blocked by Boston assistant coaches after the Celtics’ 97-87 victory over New Orleans on Sunday night.

The Boston Globe reports (via blog): After egging each other on for much of Sunday’s game, Rondo and Paul got into a mixup as the teams were shaking hands and had to be separated by Paul Pierce among others. The details from that point are all over the place, with Chris Paul seen going back and forth with Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau and reports that Ray Allen went into the Hornets locker room to apologize to Paul (which Allen explained as him simply going to Paul for autographs).

Andres Nocioni arrested for suspicion of DUI

KCRA reports: Sacramento Kings player Andres Nocioni has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, police said. Police Sgt. Norm Leong said Nocioni was stopped while driving in the downtown area at about 2 a.m. Thursday.

CBS 13 reports: Just hours after the Sacramento Kings lost to the Atlanta Hawks at ARCO Wednesday night, Kings forward Andrés Nocioni was arrested on suspicion of DUI. Sacramento Police arrested Nocioni at 3:36am this morning. Charges indicate he had a blood alcohol level of .08 or more. Nocioni started his career as an international player, played in the Athens Olympics, back in 2007 he was playing for the Chicago Bulls.

AFTERNOON UPDATE

GEOFF PETRIE: “The Sacramento Kings are extremely disappointed in the poor judgment which led to the driving under the influence arrest of Andres. He has apologized to the organization and his teammates. We will wait for the outcome of the judicial process and the NBA’s decision on potential fines and or suspension. This experience now becomes a life lesson learned the hard way.”

ANDRES NOCIONI: “I want to apologize to the Kings’ organization, my teammates, my coaches, the fans, the city of Sacramento and my family. Drinking and driving is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. I made a mistake and I’m very sorry for my lapse in judgment.”

Mike Miller out 7-10 days

The AP reports:

Washington Wizards guard Mike Miller sprained his left shoulder in the fourth quarter of the Wizards’ game against Miami on Wednesday night and is expected to miss seven to 10 days.

Miller first hurt the shoulder in the third quarter in a collision with the Heat’s Mario Chalmers. He immediately clutched his shoulder and was taken to the locker room.

“It felt like it came out of place, went numb,” Miller said. “That scared me more than anything.”

Nancy Lieberman to coach Frisco D-League team

Marc Stein of ESPN reports:

The incoming NBA Development League franchise in suburban Dallas, co-owned by Dallas Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson and scheduled to begin play in the 2010-11 season, has made a bold choice for its first head coach: Nancy Lieberman.

Lieberman, an ESPN television analyst, is poised to become the first woman to be a head coach the D-League, which sent 20 players to the NBA last season and is widely regarded as the most scouted league in the world outside of the NBA.

Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com Nelson’s ownership group has secured approval from the NBA to hire Lieberman to coach the yet-to-be-named team based in Frisco, Texas, which will serve as the Mavericks’ D-League affiliate next season. A formal announcement of her hiring is expected this week, possibly as soon as Wednesday.