Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Weather won`t stop Nets at Thunder game

The following statement is from Dan Mahoney, Oklahoma City Thunder Vice President of Corporate Communications regarding the Oklahoma City weather conditions:

“Tonight’s game between the Thunder and the New Jersey Nets will be played as scheduled at the Ford Center. The visiting team and the officials have arrived, so the game will be played.

“The Thunder urges fans to be safe, use extreme caution and allow extra driving time when coming to the game.”

Zach Marbury to Venezuela

The New York Times (David Waldstein) reports: Zach Marbury, who will turn 29 on Feb. 4, will dig out his passport later this week and fly to Venezuela after coming to terms on a one-season deal with Los Guaros De Lara in the gritty, physical Liga Profesional de Baloncesto, known as the L.P.B. It’s not the N.B.A. and it’s not even one of the more highly regarded leagues in the world. But it is professional basketball, and Zach Marbury, who like his brother is a point guard, says he is ready to do whatever it takes to participate again. “I just want to play,” Zach said Saturday in a telephone interview from Southern California, where he has been working out with his brother in preparation for his international career. “I feel I’m doing what I have to do to get to the N.B.A. “Do you think I want to go to Venezuela? No I don’t. But I have to because I believe it’s the path God has chosen for me, so I’m ready to accept and make the most of it.”

Former Eddy Curry girlfriend found murdered

The New York Daily News reports: Knicks center Eddy Curry’s 3-year-old son witnessed his mother and baby-sister’s murders in their Chicago apartment Saturday, according to a source close to Curry. Nova Henry, 24, a former girlfriend of Curry’s, and her 9-month-old daughter, Ava, were found shot dead by Henry’s mother around 6 p.m. Saturday, authorities said. Curry’s son was found unharmed inside the South Side apartment, but his father was still described as “despondent” Saturday night. The killer is a “known acquaintance,” said Chicago Police Officer Amina Greer.

The AP reports: Police believe the killings near the city’s South Side were the result of a domestic dispute, Bond said. She would not elaborate. Rob Bryant, who said he was Nova Henry’s uncle, told the Chicago Sun-Times that Henry had a restraining order against her boyfriend.

Michael Redd out for season with torn left knee

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond announced today that guard Michael Redd will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee during the third period of the Bucks win over Sacramento on Saturday, January 24.

Redd, 29, underwent an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) exam this morning.  After evaluation and further testing by Bucks orthopaedic physician Dr. Mike Gordon, M.D., it was determined that Redd will miss the remainder of the season.  Surgery to repair the injury will be scheduled at a date to be determined.

“I’m deeply disappointed but everything in life happens for a reason and this is God’s plan for me,” said Redd.  “I have faith in my teammates and coaches to continue to work together to make our fans proud.  I will be supporting them wholeheartedly from the sidelines and working equally hard to return to the court in the best condition possible for next season.

“A special thank you to all our fans for their great support this season – my 9th as a Milwaukee Buck.  Our team still has work to do and I know with our collective support we can cheer them on to a special season.”

In 33 games this season (32 starts), Redd averaged a team-high 21.2 points with 3.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steal in 36.5 minutes.

Saturday’s game was Redd’s 550th in a Bucks uniform – 8th in Milwaukee history.  This season, he moved into 5th on the Bucks all-time scoring list, passing the 11,000 point mark at Charlotte on January 3; 5th in minutes played and 8th in field goals made.  He stands 184 points behind Bob Dandridge for 4th all-time in franchise scoring (11,478); 31 field goals made behind Sidney Moncrief for 7th all-time (4,000); 34 free throws behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for 2nd all-time (2,374); and 19 games behind Glenn Robinson for 7th all-time (568).

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Memphis Grizzlies name Lionel Hollins head coach

Memphis Grizzlies General Manager and Basketball Operations Chris Wallace today named Lionel Hollins the new head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.

For Hollins, it will mark his third head coaching stint with the Grizzlies, where he was a staple in the team’s coaching ranks from 1995-07. The 20-year NBA coaching veteran has worked with current Grizzlies Rudy Gay, Hakim Warrick and Kyle Lowry as an assistant under former Grizzlies Head Coaches’ Mike Fratello and Tony Barone. Hollins, who still maintains a residence in Bluff City with his family, recently spent the first half of the 2008-09 season as an assistant coach under Scott Skiles with the Milwaukee Bucks.

“We are pleased today to introduce Lionel Hollins as the next head coach of the Grizzlies. Lionel brings an impressive resume of NBA experience both as a coach and player,” Wallace said. “He has worked under some of the most successful head coaches in the history of the NBA, and he’s a former NBA champion as a player.

“He also brings extensive experience with our organization and a commitment to the city of Memphis. Lionel kept his permanent residence in Memphis while he was working with the Milwaukee Bucks. I was also very impressed with the commitment he displayed working with the young people at the Grizzlies Academy during his year off in the NBA (2007-08).”

An original member of the franchise’s inaugural 1995-96 season in Vancouver as the lead assistant, Hollins served as the club’s head coach on an interim basis on two separate occasions.   Hollins guided Vancouver to an 18-42 finish in 1999-00 (.300) after the team started the season 4-18 and again took the reins for four games in 2004-05 following the resignation of Hubie Brown.  Hollins, 55, owns an all-time record of 18-46 (.281) as the Grizzlies’ interim head coach.

Prior to joining the Grizzlies, the Arizona State graduate spent seven years with the Phoenix Suns (1988-95) as an assistant coach under Cotton Fitzsimmons and later Paul Westphal.  During that time, Phoenix compiled an overall record of 394-180 (.686) and never won fewer than 53 games in a single season.  The Suns won franchise-record 62 games in the 1992-93 season and represented the Western Conference in the 1993 NBA Finals against the Chicago Bulls.

The Arkansas City, Kansas native has served under three NBA Coaches of the Year, including Brown (1977, 2005), Fitzsimmons (1978, 1989) and Fratello (1986) and was on the coaching staff when Brown and Fitzsimmons were honored with the award a second time. In addition, as a 10-year NBA veteran (1975-85), Hollins was led by several notable head coaches, including Lenny Wilkens, Jack Ramsay, Billy Cunningham, Bill Fitch, Chuck Daly and Paul Silas.

Selected sixth overall in the first round of the 1975 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, Hollins earned a spot on the 1976 All-Rookie First Team and won an NBA Championship as a starter for the Trail Blazers in 1977, where he was a teammate of current Grizzlies Assistant Coach Johnny Davis.  A year later, he was an NBA All-Star while also being named to the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team.  Hollins averaged 11.6 points, 4.5 assists and 1.56 steals over 673 career games with Portland, Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets.

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Warriors re-sign Jermareo Davidson

The Golden State Warriors have signed forward Jermareo Davidson for the remainder of the season, the team announced today.

Davidson, who signed his first 10-day with the Warriors on January 5 and a second 10-day on January 15, has appeared in two games with Golden State.  Davidson began the season with the NBA Development League’s Idaho Stampede, where he averaged 16.1 points and 10.8 rebounds in 15 games.  At the time of his call-up, the 6’10’’ forward ranked first in the D-League in double-doubles (10) and third in rebounding (10.8).

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Dee Brown signs in Israel

Euroleague.net reports: Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv made an addition to its backcourt a few days before the Top 16 starts with the signing of Dee Brown on Saturday. Brown (185, 24) is a quick, scoring point guard who played earlier this season with Phoenix and Washington of the NBA. Signed until the end of the season, he will join Carlos Arroyo and Marcus Brown in Maccabi’s backcourt as soon as Sunday, as the team prepares for its Top 16 opener at home against Alba Berlin on Thursday.

Jazz owner has drastic leg surgery

Larry H. Miller had surgery early this morning to remove his lower legs to six inches below the knee.  The operation went well and he is recovering in the hospital.  The surgery is a result of complications due to type 2 diabetes.

“Larry is doing well and is expected to continue to recover in the coming weeks and months,” said Greg Miller, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies.

Currently, Larry is not available for media interviews.  The Miller family greatly appreciates the support they are receiving from the community, but have no further details to share at this time.

Report: Grizzlies fire head coach Iavaroni

NBA.com reports: A source tells TNT’s David Aldridge that the Memphis Grizzlies have fired head coach Marc Iavaroni. Assistant coach Johnny Davis will take over the team on an interim basis, the source said. The Grizzlies are currently on a seven-game losing streak with an 11-30 record. They have lost 15 of their last 17 games and in last place in the Southwest Division. Iavaroni’s overall record in Memphis was 33-90.

InsideHoops.com will update this page when more information is known.

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