Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Raptors sign Quincy Douby through next season

The Toronto Raptors announced Monday they have signed guard Quincy Douby for the remainder of this season and the 2009-10 season. Per team policy, financial details were not disclosed. The Raptors signed the free agent to consecutive 10-day contracts March 24 and April 2.

Douby has appeared in six games for Toronto, averaging 5.2 points and 1.7 assists in 10.7 minutes. He has averaged 8.0 points, 2.0 assists and 14.0 minutes in the past three games, shooting .667 (10-15) from the field and three-point range (4-6) during that span.

Douby, 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, averaged 18.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 28.6 minutes in five games with the D-League’s Erie BayHawks this season. He scored in double figures in all five games, with a high of 23 points at Albuquerque.

Douby, 24, was the 19th selection as an early entry candidate by the Sacramento Kings in the 2006 NBA Draft. He averaged 4.1 points, 1.0 rebounds and 10.7 minutes in 116 career games with the Kings. He posted a career-high 32 points at the Los Angeles Lakers on April 15, 2008. He was released by Sacramento on January 21.

Douby averaged 17.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 95 career games at Rutgers University. He finished his career ranked sixth in school history in scoring (1,690) and holds the school record for points scored in a single season (839 in 2005-06). He averaged 25.4 points as a junior, leading the Big East in scoring and finishing sixth nationally. He earned first-team All-Big East honours in his junior season.

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

Hedo Turkoglu is OK

The Orlando Sentinel (Brian Schmitz) reports (via blog): But there was good news: Hedo Turkoglu, said Van Gundy, has no swelling in his ankle and could have played against the Milwaukee Bucks tonight if the game meant something. He should be ready for the first round of the playoffs this week, which open in Orlando. Turkoglu sprained his left ankle late in Saturday night’s loss to the New Jersey Nets. “He was had very little swelling and no discoloration,” Van Gundy said. “To be quite honest, if this were a game we had to have, I think he could actually go tonight. He and Rashard could both go.”

Euroleague MVP for March/April: Erazem Lorbek

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.

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.

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.