Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Mark Cuban fined for Twitter comments

The AP reports: The NBA slapped Mavericks owner Mark Cuban with a $25,000 fine Sunday for publicly criticizing the officials after Denver’s 103-101 win over Dallas. Cuban used the Twitter online social network to complain after Friday night’s game that Denver’s J.R. Smith was not called for coming off the bench to taunt Antoine Wright after he missed a shot near the Nuggets bench.

James Posey suspended for throwing ball at ref

James Posey of the New Orleans Hornets has been suspended one game without pay for throwing a ball at a game official, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 5:46 remaining in the fourth quarter of the New York Knicks 103-93 victory over the Hornets at Madison Square Garden on Friday, March 27.

Posey will serve his suspension tonight when the Hornets host the San Antonio Spurs at the New Orleans Arena.

Thunder re-assign DJ White to D-League

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today that the team has re-assigned forward D.J. White to the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League.

White was previously assigned to the 66ers on March 18 before being recalled on March 23. During his first stint in Tulsa, he appeared in three games averaging 17.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 assist in 37.7 minutes. He is expected to be in uniform tonight when Tulsa hosts Bakersfield at 6:00 P.M.

NBA teams can assign up to two players who are rookies or in their second season to their D-League affiliate. Players can stay with the D-League team for as long as the team wishes, and be recalled back to the NBA at any time. However, a player can only be sent to the D-League a maximum of three times during the season.

Mike James done for season

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that guard Mike James suffered a fracture of the right fifth proximal phalanx (right pinky finger) and will miss the remainder of the season.  He sustained the injury during yesterday’s practice.

James had averaged 9.6 points and 3.6 assists in 53 games (50 starts) for the Wizards this season.  He was acquired along with guard Javaris Crittenton in a three-team deal with the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Hornets on Dec. 9.

The Washington Post (Michael Lee) reports (via blog): James even put aside any doubt the severity of the injury when pulled out his iPhone and showed his X-ray. James said he was chasing down a loose ball when he and Caron Butler slapped at the ball at the same time. He said that he knew immediately that he was done. “I felt it,” James said. “I knew as soon as I grabbed the ball, I couldn’t feel the ball and that side of the hand was hurting.”

Jermareo Davidson done for season

Golden State Warriors forward Jermareo Davidson underwent successful surgery today to repair a stress fracture in his left foot (fifth metatarsal), the team announced.  The surgery was performed by Dr. John Belzer and Dr. Keith Donatto at the Presidio Surgery Center in San Francisco.

Davidson, 24, appeared in 14 games this season for Golden State, averaging 3.0 points and 2.4 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per contest.  He will be sidelined for the remainder of the season and the foot will be immobilized for approximately one month.

Fabricio Oberto out 2 games

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that Fabricio Oberto will miss the team’s next two games (3/27 vs. L.A. Clippers and 3/30 at New Orleans) due to atrial fibrillation.

Yesterday Oberto felt abnormal sensations in his chest. After being seen by the team’s medical staff he had an EKG which confirmed he was experiencing atrial fibrillation.  He then underwent a cardioversion which restored his heart to its normal rhythm.

Over the next four days Oberto will receive daily EKG exams to confirm that his heart maintains its normal rhythm. Barring any unforeseen complications, he is expected to be available for the Spurs-Thunder game on 3/31.

Nets bench Yi Jianlian

New Jersey Nets forward Yi Jianlian has played fairly awful basketball for a long time now. Coach Lawrence Frank is finally taking action. The Bergen Record (Al Iannazzone) reports (via blog):

Lawrence Frank announced this morning that Ryan Anderson will start at power forward for Yi Jianlian tonight against the Lakers.

And, the New York Post (Fred Kerber) reports (via blog):

Since returning from a broken pinkie, Yi has played 18 games and done squat: one double figure scoring game; pretty much one game (Portland) where he noticeably defended; 6.0 scoring average and .357 shooting over the 18. “Too much hesitation,” Yi said, admitting his confidence is somewhere between the sub-basement and Hell. “Yeah it’s hard for me right now. I know what happening. I must just be professional and keep doing my stuff, doing my thing.”

The Nets are weak at both forward spots, and changes need to be made this summer.

Discuss the Nets on the InsideHoops New Jersey Nets forum.

Knicks sign Joe Crawford to 10-day contract

The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that free agent guard Joe Crawford has been signed to a 10-day contract. Crawford, a member of the Los Angeles D-Fenders, became the 18th Call-Up of the 2008-09 NBA Development League season.

Crawford, 6-5, 210-pounds, was selected in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 58th overall pick. The Detroit, MI-native played with the Lakers during the 2008 preseason before being waived on Oct. 22. Crawford then signed with the NBA Development League’s Los Angeles D-Fenders and averaged 20.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 43 games.

Demetris Nichols’ 10-day contract had expired and the club elected not to re-sign him. The Knicks roster stands at 14 players.