Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Al Jefferson tears ACL in right knee

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that center Al Jefferson will be out indefinitely after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) study done this morning revealed the extent of the injury, which occurred in Minnesota’s game last night at New Orleans. The date for surgery has yet to be determined.

“This is an unfortunate situation for Al and we wish him a quick recovery,” said Timberwolves head coach Kevin McHale. “Al has been playing at an all-star level all season and has been our go-to-guy on the court. Knowing Al, he will work hard in his rehab efforts to get back on the court as soon as possible. In the interim, I’m confident that the other players on our roster will step up and meet this challenge.”

Jefferson has appeared in all 50 games for the Timberwolves this season with averages of 23.1 ppg (7th in NBA), 11.0 rpg (6th in NBA), and 1.7 bpg. The fifth-year center is one of just three players in the NBA (Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan) to post at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game this season. Jefferson also ranks fifth in the NBA with 30 double-doubles in 2008-09 and is shooting 49.7% from the field while averaging a career-best 73.8% from the free-throw line. In his five-year NBA career, Jefferson has posted averages of 14.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

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Cavs assign Darnell Jackson to D-League

Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Darnell Jackson was assigned to the Erie BayHawks, the Cavaliers’ NBA Development League affiliate, it was announced today.  The assignment is the 21st of the 2008-09 NBA D-League season and the first in BayHawks history.

Originally selected in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat, Jackson was acquired by Cleveland in exchange for two second round picks in the 2009 NBA Draft.  The 6-9 forward, has seen action in 24 games for Cleveland this season and has totaled 25 points and 29 rebounds.

A four-year contributor at Kansas and a member of the 2008 NCAA Championship squad, Jackson averaged 6.8 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting .580 from the field in his 125-game NCAA career.  Following his senior season, after averaging 11.2 points, a team-high 6.7 rebounds and scoring in double figures on 24 occasions, he was named to the All-Big 12 Third Team and Big 12 All-Improved Team by members of the media.

Jackson is expected to join the BayHawks today and be available tonight when the team hosts the Utah Flash.

Bucks sign Eddie Gill to 10-day contract

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed guard Eddie Gill (6-1, 185) to a 10-day contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

Gill, 30, has played 22 games for the Colorado 14ers of the NBA Development League this season and averaged 16.2 points, 8.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 35.5 minutes per contest.  Last season for the 14ers, he averaged 18.0 points, 8.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 37 games.  Gill began the 2007-08 season with the New Jersey Nets and appeared in 13 games before being waived on December 12, 2007.

A seven-year NBA veteran, Gill began his NBA career with New Jersey in 2001.  In 181 career games he has averaged 3.1 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists with stints at New Jersey (2001, 2007), Memphis (2002), Portland (2004), Indiana (2004-2006) and Seattle (2008).

Not drafted out of Weber State in 2000, Gill began his professional basketball career with Las Vegas of the International Basketball League.  He has also played professionally in the American Basketball Association (Kansas City), the CBA (Dakota), as well as overseas in Italy, Greece and Russia.

The Bucks roster is now at 15 players.

Adam Morrison to wear no.6

The Press-Enterprise (Jeff Eisenberg) reports: Newly acquired Adam Morrison will switch from No. 35 to No. 6, symbolic of his quest for a fresh start with the Lakers. “Some people have forgotten about his skill as a basketball player, but this is an opportunity to start over,” Jackson said. “It’s the Western Conference, he’s a Western kid. It’s a much more hospitable environment for him.”

Jason Terry breaks left hand

Dallas guard Jason Terry fractured the fourth metacarpal on his left hand in Saturday night’s game against Chicago. Terry did not return to the game. His status will be updated on InsideHoops.com when more is known.

This is a big blow to the Mavs. Terry has been a huge offensive burst all season. If Jerry Stackhouse still has game, now is the time to show it.

Lakers trade Vladimir Radmanovic to Bobcats for Adam Morrison, Shannon Brown

Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has acquired forward Vladimir Radmanovic from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for forward Adam Morrison and guard Shannon Brown.

“Vladimir is a versatile forward who has the ability to play multiple positions in this league,” Higgins said. “We saw this as an opportunity to add another experienced player whose skill set is interchangeable with a variety of different lineups.”

The 6-10, 235-pound Radmanovic has appeared in 516 career NBA games spread between Seattle, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Lakers. He has career averages of 9.2 points and 4.1 rebounds, while shooting .420 from the field and .386 from the three-point line. In 46 games (28 starts) with the Lakers this season he averaged 5.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 16.8 minutes. He currently ranks ninth in the league in three-point field goal percentage (.411), connecting on 60-136 attempts.

Originally drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft, Radmanovic had three consecutive seasons with the Sonics where he averaged double-figure scoring. His best statistical season in the NBA came during the 2003-04 season when he appeared in 77 games (38 starts) with averages of 12.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 30.1 minutes. During that season, he scored 20-plus points 13 times and recorded six double-doubles. He has also appeared in 44 career playoff games with averages of 7.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in 21.9 minutes.

Morrison was selected by Charlotte with the third overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft after declaring early following his junior season at Gonzaga. He has career averages of 9.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 24.5 minutes in 122 games (28 starts). Morrison missed the entire 2007-08 season after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee in an Oct. 20 preseason game against the Lakers. As a rookie in 2006-07, he appeared in 78 games with 23 starts and averaged 11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 29.8 minutes. He was also named to the All-Rookie Second Team that year after finishing second among all NBA Rookies in scoring and minutes played. This season, he appeared in 44 games (five starts) with averages of 4.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 15.2 minutes.

Brown is in his third NBA season and averaged 4.8 points and 1.0 assist in 30 games played for Charlotte this season. In 74 career games, Brown has averaged 4.4 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 10.5 minutes split between Cleveland, Chicago and Charlotte. Brown was originally drafted by the Cavaliers with the 25th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft.

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Tony Parker buys part of overseas team

The San Antonio Express-News (Jeff McDonald) reports: In preparation for life after his playing days are over, Parker has purchased the second-largest stake in ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, the most storied basketball club is his native France. “I just wanted to do something to prepare my future,” Parker said. “I had a good opportunity with that team, and I took it.” Parker says he hasn’t ruled out finishing his career with the French team once his NBA career is over.

Grizzlies add Damon Stoudamire, Henry Bibby as assistant coaches

The Memphis Commercial Appeal (Ronald Tillery) reports: Henry Bibby and former NBA point guard Damon Stoudamire have officially joined Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins’ staff as assistant coaches. They are expected to be on the bench tonight when the Griz host the Los Angeles Clippers.

InsideHoops.com editor says: The Grizzlies should now immediately inform Damon Stoudamire the team has decided to move back to Vancouver.