Euroleague.net reports: A former Euroleague Rising Star Trophy winner, all grown up now at age 25, has done the seemingly impossible during March and April – made defending champion CSKA Moscow look even stronger. While CSKA was qualifying for its record seventh consecutive Final Four over the last two months, big man Erazem Lorbek was solidifying his role as the newest major contributor for the Russian powerhouse. During the five victories in March and April with which CSKA reached and then swept through the playoffs, Lorbek led the champs in scoring, index rating or both in every game except one. For his outsized role in keeping CSKA’s back-to-back title hopes very much alive, Lorbek is Euroleague Basketball’s choice as March/April MVP.
Category: NBA News Blog
NBA news blog
Ben Wallace has left knee strain
Ben Wallace left the Cavaliers game last night at home vs. the Celtics in the 2nd Quarter with a left knee contusion and did not return to play. He did not travel with the team to Indiana last night for tonight’s game vs. the Pacers.
Ben was re-evaluated at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health this morning and received an MRI, the results of which revealed a left patella tendon strain.
He will receive treatment and rehab here in Cleveland today and is now listed as Out for tonight’s game in Indiana and Doubtful for Wednesday’s game at home vs. Philadelphia. His status will be updated as appropriate.
Curtis Stinson is D-League Performer of week
Curtis Stinson of the Iowa Energy today was named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played the week of April 6, 2009. Stinson is the second Energy player to earn the honor this season.
Stinston led Iowa to a 2-0 record last week as the team clinched the Central Division title with averages of 21.5 points, 15.0 assists, 9.0 rebounds and 2.5 steals. His two 15-assist games marked the 19th and 20th time he has reached double-figures in assists this season.
This season, Stinson ranked third in the NBA D-league with 8.4 assists while also adding 16.1 points in 50 games, all starts for the Energy. The 6-2 guard from Iowa State is playing his third season in the NBA D-League.
Other top performers last week included Albuquerque’s Will Conroy, who averaged 31.0 points and 7.8 assists in four games for the Thunderbirds; Colorado’s Trey Gilder, who averaged 23.3 points and 8.5 rebounds in four games for the 14ers; Austin’s Malik Hairston, who averaged 38.0 points in three games for the Toros; Austin’s Dwayne Jones, who averaged 22.0 points and 18.5 rebounds in four games for the Toros; and Erie’s Maureece Rice, who averaged 28.0 points and 8.0 assists in two wins for the BayHawks.
Marvin Williams returns for Hawks
Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams, who has missed the last 16 games with a back injury, is expected to dress tonight against Indiana.
Guard Acie Law is out with a low back spasm, and forward Maurice Evans will miss tonight game because of a death in his family.
Nuggets re-assign Sonny Weems to D-League
The Denver Nuggets have re-assigned G/F Sonny Weems to the Colorado 14ers of the NBA Development League, team Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced today.
Weems, 6-6, 203, has averaged 1.6 ppg in 12 games with the Nuggets this season. In two previous stints with the 14ers this season, Weems has averaged 20.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.9 apg and 1.05 spg in 19 outings. His second stint was highlighted by several big games, including a 36 point (15-22 FG), nine rebound outburst at Erie on March 27.
This assignment marks the 44th player assignment to the NBA Development League this season and the Nuggets’ fourth to the 14ers in 2008-09.
Weems was acquired by Denver in a draft-night trade with the Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for a 2009 second round draft pick.
Bulls sign DeMarcus Nelson
The Chicago Bulls today signed rookie guard DeMarcus Nelson for the remainder of the 2008-09 season.
Nelson joins the Bulls after playing 20 games in the NBA D-League this season, most recently with the Austin Toros. He has split the season with the Toros and the Bakersfield Jam. On the year, he has averaged 19.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.1 apg and 1.65 spg in 37.5 mpg. He has made .540 from the field, .420 on three-point field goals and .723 from the line. The 23-year-old Nelson is the 23rd Call-Up of the NBA D-League this season.
Undrafted out of Duke, the 6-4, 200-pound guard originally signed a free-agent contract with the Golden State Warriors on Sept. 9, 2008. He appeared in 13 games (five starts) with the Warriors, and averaged 4.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg and 1.0 apg in 13.2 mpg.
Following a four-year career with the Blue Devils, he left Duke as one of six players in school history to record over 1,300 points, 600 rebounds, 200 assists and 125 steals. In 124 collegiate contests, he averaged 10.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.8 apg and 1.17 spg in 26.2 mpg. He also shot .466 from the field, .373 from behind the arc and .586 from the free throw line. He earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors his senior season.
With Nelson’s signing, Chicago’s roster now stands at 15.
Martell Webster out until next season
Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Martell Webster will miss the remainder of the 2008-09 regular season and the 2009 NBA Playoffs, it was announced today by General Manager Kevin Pritchard.
Webster underwent surgery on Oct. 9 to repair a stress fracture in his left foot. After being sidelined nearly two months, Webster returned to the court on Dec. 7 for Portland’s game at Toronto, but re-aggravated the injury.
“This was not an easy decision to make knowing just how hard Martell has worked to get back on the court this season,” said Pritchard. “The X-rays show significant progress, but the bone has not completely healed. We feel strongly that an extended period of rest will ensure a full recovery and allow Martell to be ready for fall training camp.”
A fourth-year Trail Blazer, Webster initially suffered the injury in an Oct. 7 preseason game vs. Sacramento.
“Throughout the course of the rehab I worked my tail off to get back out there and to come up short is disappointing,” said Webster. “Now I just have to refocus my energy on getting better, getting stronger, and being ready for the start of next season.”
There are no changes planned to Webster’s physical activity level. He will continue to rehabilitate on the stationary bike and elliptical trainer.
Webster, 22, has career averages of 8.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists while averaging 37.2% (279-for-750) from 3-point range in 219 games (115 starts) with the Trail Blazers.
Right leg pain will keep Phil Jackson home
Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson will remain in Los Angeles instead of accompanying the team on its road trip to Portland, due to pain and swelling in his lower right leg caused by plantar fasciitis, it was announced today.
The Lakers will fly to Portland following tonight’s game against the Denver Nuggets, and will play the Trail Blazers in Portland tomorrow night. The team will be coached by assistant coach Kurt Rambis in Jackson’s absence.
Jackson missed the Lakers’ first preseason game back on October 7 in Anaheim versus the Utah Jazz. He will rejoin the team for Saturday’s practice and is not expected to miss any additional games.
Knicks sign Mouhamed Sene
The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that free agent center Mouhamed Sene has been signed to a contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed. Sene, a member of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, became the 21st Call-Up of the 2008-09 NBA Development League season.
Sene, 6-11, 230-pounds, averaged 3.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in five games this season with Oklahoma City before being released by the Thunder on Feb. 19. Sene then signed with Albuquerque and averaged 10.0 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.4 blocks in nine games. A native of Senegal, Sene was selected in the first round in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics with the 10th overall pick. Sene has career averages of 2.2 points and 1.5 rebounds in 46 NBA games over three seasons with Seattle/Oklahoma City.
The Knicks roster stands at 15 players.
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Cavaliers sign Jawad Williams
The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Jawad Williams to a contract, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today. Per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Williams (6-9, 220 pounds) played in nine games this season with the Cavaliers. In 10 total minutes, Williams scored four points and recorded one steal. The Cleveland native and St. Edward H.S. graduate made the Cavaliers’ 2008-09 opening day roster as a training camp invite. He was waived by the Cavaliers on January 7th and signed to consecutive 10-day contracts on Jan. 12 and 23.
Following his stint with the Cavaliers this season, Williams played in 19 games (18 starts) with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League. He averaged 25.7 points on .454 shooting, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 36.5 minutes per game.
The rookie forward is eligible to be on the Cavaliers’ postseason roster and will wear No. 31. The Cavaliers roster now stands at 15.
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