NBA News Blog – Page 1553 – NBA Blog

Pistons exercise option on Will Bynum

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced Wednesday, April 29 that the club has picked up the team option on the contract of guard Will Bynum for the 2009-10 season.

Bynum, 26, appeared in 57 games (one start) last season, averaging 7.2 points (.456 FG, .798 FT), 1.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.59 steals in 14.1 minutes per game. The 6-foot guard played 20-plus minutes in 15 games during the 2008-09 campaign, averaging 16.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 26.2 minutes per game. He scored a career-high 32 points (career-high 14-16 FT) vs. Charlotte (4/5), including a franchise-record 26 points in the fourth quarter. In Game 4 of the Pistons’ first round playoff series against Cleveland, Bynum scored a playoff career-high 22 points.

No 2009 summer league in Utah

Utah Jazz president Randy Rigby announced today that the 2009 Rocky Mountain Revue has been canceled. The team will reevaluate the viability of the event for the summer of 2010. The Jazz will be fielding a team at the Orlando Pro Summer League held at the RDV Sportsplex July 6-10.

“Since the NBA began its own summer league in Las Vegas, we have slowly been losing participation in our event. The few teams that played in both Utah and Vegas, have now decided to forgo the Rocky Mountain Revue and only attend Vegas for budgetary reasons,” said Rigby.

“We want to thank our fans for the support they have shown the Rocky Mountain Revue over the years and we look forward to finding other ways to connect with them this summer.”

Jerry Sloan has knee surgery

Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan underwent successful right knee replacement surgery today, Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced. The surgery was performed by Dr. Russell Nelson in Salt Lake City.

The longest-tenured head coach in NBA history, Sloan recently completed his 21st season at the helm of the Jazz and ranks as the NBA’s fourth-winningest coach all-time with a career record of 1,137-751 (1,043-630 with Jazz). Sloan was also selected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Class of 2009 where he will be inducted in September.

Rick Welts named president, CEO of Phoenix Suns

Rick Welts has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Phoenix Suns, as announced today by Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver. Welts joined the Suns in July 2002 as President and Chief Operating Officer.

“During Rick’s seven years with the Suns he has distinguished himself as one of professional sports best operators. Our creativity and success in areas such as marketing partnerships, technology, branding, customer service and this year’s NBA All-Star events have all been a result of Rick’s leadership,” said Sarver.

“I am very proud of what we have built here. Robert Sarver, Sam Garvin and our ownership partners have given this team the resources, confidence and support to be not just a good, but a great organization,” said Welts. “I have the best job in sports because of the extraordinary group of talented people I get to work with every day who are committed to being leaders in our industry and delivering our fans a great experience every time they visit US Airways Center.”

Welts’ NBA career started in 1969 as a ball boy for the Seattle SuperSonics. He remained with the Sonics for 10 years in several different capacities, including director of public relations when the Sonics won their lone NBA Championship in 1979.

He joined the NBA league office in New York City in 1982, and when he departed in 1999, he was serving as the league’s executive vice president, chief marketing officer and president of NBA Properties. Welts helped guide the revitalization of the league and its image through strong marketing initiated by the NBA and is credited with the creation of the NBA All-Star Weekend concept in 1984. He was responsible for the 1992 Olympics “Dream Team” marketing program as the agent for USA Basketball. In 1998, Brandweek magazine named Welts “Marketer of the Year,” for his role in creating and launching the WNBA together with WNBA President Val Ackerman.

In addition to his Suns responsibilities, Welts oversees the club’s interests in the Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) and US Airways Center.

Draft early entry list is up

Click here to see the official list of players who have declared early entry for the 2009 NBA draft.

Note that they can still pull out within the given deadline as long as they haven’t signed with an agent or otherwise ruined their eligibility with their college.

NBA team notes swine flu

I generally talk almost entirely about basketball, occasionally touching on fun stuff in entertainment, and avoid discussing anything nasty in the world, but today, an NBA team located down near Mexico has sent a reaction to the current swine flu issue.

The Houston Rockets, showing that they’re on top of things, took a positive step to state that they’re aware of the swine flu’s existence and are monitoring the situation and making sure everyone is safe. I think they’re the first NBA team to say something about the issue, though they didn’t actually mention it by name in the release they sent out.

Here’s what the Rockets said:

“We are aware of the situation and concerned for all involved. We have been working with city health officials and the mayor’s office, as well as monitoring the situation from state and regional authorities. At this time, Toyota Center has been advised to continue its normal operations pertaining to Rockets and Aeros playoff games as well as concerts. We will continue communicating with the various agencies and will keep our fans apprised if any operational changes are implemented based on the directives we receive from local authorities.”

Until there’s reason to do so, I’ll probably not mention the issue again. Good for the Rockets, for being proactive.

Now, back to focusing on the playoffs!

Dwight Howard suspended for Game 6 due to elbowing Dalembert

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has been suspended one game without pay for elbowing Philadelphia 76ers center Samuel Dalembert in the head, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 9:15 remaining in the first period of Orlando’s 91-78 victory over the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round at Amway Arena last night.

Howard will serve his suspension Wednesday night (April 30) when the Magic faces the 76ers in Game 6 at Wachovia Center.

Here is a video of the Dwight Howard elbow of Salembert:

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

Jose Calderon has finger surgery

jose calderon finger surgery jose calderon hand surgery

The Toronto Raptors announced Tuesday that guard Jose Calderon underwent surgery this morning to repair ligament damage and capsular laxity to the ring finger of his left hand. Recovery time is expected to be six to eight weeks.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Brent Graham at Toronto Western Hospital.

This past season, Calderon averaged career highs of 12.8 points, 8.9 assists (fourth in the NBA) and 34.3 minutes in 68 games (all starts). He led the NBA in assists-per-turnover ratio (4.21) for a second consecutive season. He also established an NBA single-season free-throw percentage record of .981 (151-for-154).

Jamario Moon to have hernia surgery

The Miami HEAT announced today that forward Jamario Moon will undergo surgery to repair a sports hernia on Thursday, April 30.

The procedure will be performed by Dr. David Edelman at Baptist Doctors Hospital in Miami. Moon will rest for a period of two weeks and then be re-evaluated. He will travel with the HEAT to Atlanta for Game 5.

Moon was acquired by the HEAT in a February 13, 2009 trade. He appeared in 80 games (60 starts) during the 2008-09 season, averaging 7.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.08 steals in 25.9 minutes per game.

Ben Gordon day-to-day with hamstring strain

Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon injured his left hamstring yesterday (Sunday, April 26) in the second quarter of Game 4 versus the Boston Celtics. He was evaluated by team physician Dr. Brian Cole of Rush University Medical Center and found to have a strain to his left hamstring. An MRI this morning confirmed the diagnosis. He is listed as day-to-day for Game 5 on Tuesday, April 28 in Boston.