The Boston Globe (Frank Dell’Apa) reports: Glen Davis missed the game recovering from a concussion and whiplash suffered in an auto accident on the Massachusettts Turnpike on the way to the game. He was released from Brigham & Women’s Hospital last night, according to director of press relations Jeff Twiss. President of basketball operations Danny Ainge was with Davis at the hospital.
Category: NBA News Blog
NBA news blog
LeBron James summer extension possible
There have been about 39 million articles written about the free agent summer of 2010, featuring LeBron James and other stars who may be in need of a new contract at the time. For those out there whose current teams are hopeless and must dream of a brighter future, there’s a minor update worth knowing about. The Cleveland Plain Dealer (Brian Windhorst) reports:
LeBron James said Saturday that he is going to consider signing an extension with the Cavaliers this summer, well before he can become an unrestricted free agent. “You play out this season of course; I will consider it,” James said Saturday before the Cavs practiced at the Pepsi Center. “The direction we are headed is everything I expected and more.” This is the first time James has publicly talked about signing this summer instead of waiting until 2010. It is an indication of how pleased James is with the progress the Cavaliers have made this season as they are off to a 22-4 start, the second-best record in the NBA. In 2006, James signed a three-year, $43 million deal with the Cavs through 2010 and it included a player option for 2010-11 worth $17.4 million. There has been a general assumption that James will forgo his player option, but no one has been paying attention to the other choice, which is to extend his contract with the Cavs early. There is still a good chance James will not sign early and let things play out in 2010. Waiting will give him a chance to evaluate the entire scene before making a decision.
Cavs fans of course want to keep LeBron forever, and the sooner he signs as long a contract as possible, the better. All other fans hope it doesn’t happen, keeping the home he joins their team in the future alive.
Keep hope alive.
Keith Smart to coach Warriors defense
The Bay Area News Group (Marcus Thompson II) reports: The Warriors have a new defensive coordinator. No, Monte Kiffin will not be joining the bench. Warriors Coach Don Nelson announced after Friday’s 115-99 loss to the Atlanta Hawks that assistant Keith Smart will be a “defensive coordinator” and that assistant Sidney Moncrief will be Smart’s assistant. Nelson said he is relinquishing the defensive duties because he has grown too lax. “I’ve decided to identify one of my weaknesses at this point in my life, which is I’m not tough enough anymore,” Nelson said. “I’m a little soft as I get older, and I feel like I haven’t done a very good job defensively this year. … They will be handling all of the defensive training, the game plans defensively and, during the game, the switching of situations. They’re in charge of the defense now.” Smart and Moncrief will have to start their upgraded roles without arguably the Warriors’ best man-to-man defender as swingman Stephen Jackson’s sprained left hand has forced him out of action again.
Jordan Farmar hurts knee
Los Angeles Lakers backup point guard Jordan Farmar plays 20 minutes per game and averages 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.08 steals. Although he’s shooting just 40.5% from the field, Farmar is a key reserve. But he’ll be out of action for a while; how long is to be determined: The Orange County Register (Kevin Ding) reports:
One of the Lakers’ more valuable reserves, Jordan Farmar, will be out of action for a while with a tear of the lateral meniscus in his left knee. An MRI today here in Orlando found the cartilage tear, and Farmar is headed home to Los Angeles on Sunday for further examination by team doctors Monday. No word yet on the severity of the tear or whether it will require surgery. In the case of surgery, it could sideline Farmar for months.
Naturally, InsideHoops.com will keep you updated as to what happens, on our front page, or rumors page, or this blog, or probably a combination of the three.
Jason Kidd visits the Nets tonight
Tonight in New Jersey the Nets host Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks. It’s Kidd’s first game in New Jersey since the team traded him to the Mavericks.
Kidd will be up against the point guard he was traded for, Devin Harris.
With 12 wins and 12 losses, the Nets are doing better than expected this season. And with averages of 23.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists, the super-quick Harris is turning out to be a better player than many thought.
Harris isn’t a pure point guard, though. He’s a combo guard. Or a scoring point guard. Whatever term you like, that’s him. But his playmaking ability is improving and he’s more comfortable running the show than he was when first coming to the team last year.
Kidd is still a do-it-all, true point guard who this season is averaging just 9.3 points but he continues to fill the rest of the stat-sheet, putting up a fantastic 6.4 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 2.42 steals per game.
Jason is also having his best season ever from three-point range, hitting 40.6% of his threes. His career average is 33.8%. And his best season ever was with Phoenix in 1996-07 when he nailed 40.0% from outside the arc.
Despite Kidd’s success, the Mavericks have 14 wins and 10 losses, and haven’t been as good as hoped. But, it’s still early. The Mavericks are under a new coach, using a new system, and relying on Kidd’s playmaking ability more this year than they did when first acquiring him. While early indications are that Dallas is good, sometimes very good, but not great, I’m going to reserve full judgment until probably early or mid January.
I was going to go cover the Nets-Mavericks game tonight but the massive snowstorm hitting the area right now may prevent me from making it. But if not, I’ll definitely catch it on TV tonight. Seeing Kidd and Harris go at it should be a treat.
–Jeff
Grizzlies waive Antoine Walker
The Memphis Grizzlies waived forward Antoine Walker, club General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.
The 6-9, 245-pound forward did not appear in a game with the Grizzlies this season after he was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves on June 26, 2008 along with the draft rights to guard O.J. Mayo and guards Greg Buckner and Marko Jaric in exchange for the draft rights to forward Kevin Love, swingman Mike Miller, forward Brian Cardinal and center Jason Collins.
“Antoine Walker was a true professional during his time in Memphis,” said Wallace. “We wish him all the best in his effort to find another team where he can receive more playing time.”
Currently in his 13th NBA season, Walker has averaged 17.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.22 steals in 35.3 minutes per game in 893 career games (707 starts) with the Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and Minnesota.
The three-time NBA All-Star (1998, 2002, 2003) currently ranks fourth among active players (10th all-time) in three-point field goals made (1,386) and second (sixth all-time) in three-point field goals attempts (4,264).
The 32-year-old Chicago native was originally selected in the first round (sixth overall) in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Celtics.
The Grizzlies’ roster currently stands at 13 players.
Warriors waive Richard Hendrix
The Golden State Warriors have waived forward Richard Hendrix, the team announced today. Additionally, the team has transferred guard Monta Ellis from the Suspended List to the Inactive List.
Hendrix, 22, did not appear in any regular-season games with Golden State this season and was assigned to the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Developmental League on November 14. In nine games with the Jam, the 6-9 forward is currently averaging 13.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.11 steals and 1.22 blocks in 28.7 minutes per contest. Hendrix was originally selected by the Warriors with the 49th selection in the 2008 NBA Draft.
With today’s transactions, Golden State’s roster currently stands at 15 players.
Kings to retire jerseys of Webber and Divac
The Sacramento Kings will honor the contributions of former All-Stars Chris Webber and Vlade Divac by retiring each of their numbers in two separate ceremonies during upcoming Kings’ games.
“Vlade and Chris represent the best duo at their respective positions in franchise history, and they were the centerpieces to one of the most exciting and popular teams, not only in Sacramento, but in the country,” explained Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. “They were both great teammates and contributed the winning attitude and chemistry required to reach the heights that they did. Together they changed the face of the franchise and we’re all indebted to them for that.”
Webber’s #4 will be raised to the rafters on February 6th when Sacramento hosts the Utah Jazz (7 pm). Divac’s #21 will be hoisted high above the ARCO Arena floor on March 31st when the Kings take on the New Orleans Hornets (7 pm).
“We had such a wonderful run of success with Chris and Vlade that they became part of the family and an integral part of the franchise,” said Kings Owner Joe Maloof. “We will always be indebted to them for their great play, professionalism and charitable contributions to the community.”
Webber and Divac will be become the eighth and ninth players, respectively, to have their numbers retired in franchise history, and only the second and third players, respectively, of the Sacramento-Era.
“Chris was the face of the franchise and one of the best power forwards of his time,” said Kings Owner Gavin Maloof. “He is a great person and tremendous leader. We enjoyed watching him play on a nightly basis. He possessed great all-around skills. He had exceptional scoring, rebounding and passing abilities. It was fun to watch.
“I want to thank Vlade for his hard work, dedication and loyalty to the franchise. He is a first-class person, was the consummate teammate and one of the most likable individuals we’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Along with Chris Webber and others, Vlade guided the Kings from obscurity to prominence during his tenure in Sacramento, and I’ll always be grateful for his contributions.”
Collectively, Webber and Divac powered a Sacramento Kings team that won a franchise-record 61 games in 2001-02, back-to-back Pacific Division titles in 2001-02 and 2002-03 and made six consecutive NBA Playoff appearances from 1998-99 to 2003-04.
“I never dreamed this day would come,” Webber said. “I’m honored and humbled because there are so many people to thank, including the fans, Maloof family, Geoff Petrie, my teammates and former coaches. I have wonderful memories of my time in Sacramento, and I’m glad I can call it home.”
Webber, a 6-10, 240-pound forward, whom the Kings acquired via a trade with Washington in-exchange for Mitch Richmond and Otis Thorpe on May 14, 1998, played seven seasons for Sacramento from 1998-99 to 2004-05. He was a four-time NBA All-Star Game selection (five-time overall in his career) with the Kings (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003), garnering two starting assignments (2001 and 2002). Additionally, Webber was a five-time All-NBA Team selection (1998-99 to 2000-01), and was named to the First Team in 2000-01. His 14 triple-doubles and 26 rebounds (versus Indiana on January 5, 2001) are the most in franchise history during the Sacramento-era. Among franchise career leaders, Webber, who normally filled his entire stats line on a nightly basis, ranks 10th in points (8,843), 7th in rebounds (4,006), 8th in field goals made (3,691), 6th in steals (568) and 4th in blocked shots (553). He led the NBA in rebounding in 1998-99 with a 13.0 per game average and was the Kings’ leading scorer in six of his seven seasons (1998-99 to 2002-03 and 2004-05) in Sacramento. Webber averaged 23.5 points (.473 FGs, .238 3FGs, .691 FTs), 10.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.51 steals and 1.47 blocks per game through 377 contests with the Kings. He is only the sixth player in NBA history to average over 20 points (20.7), nine rebounds (9.8) and four assists (4.2) per game in his career, joining Basketball Hall of Fame members Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Elgin Baylor and Billy Cunningham, and current NBA player Kevin Garnett.
“I was very honored and humbled upon receiving the news about my jersey retirement,” Divac said. “For me, this is a pinnacle of my career and it is very special knowing that nobody will ever wear #21 again. I am thankful to the Kings organization, all the Kings fans, my family and all the people who supported me throughout my career. When you take into account all the medals and trophies, at the end of the day when you draw a line, you realize that this act by the Kings completes the circle. I was able to compete on the highest level for the Kings for many years and this news makes me feel amazing and it gives me a great satisfaction. The Sacramento Kings showed great respect to both Chris and I.”
Divac, a 7-1, 265-pound, crafty, skilled center, signed with the Kings as a free agent on January 22, 1999. He played six seasons in Sacramento (1998-99 to 2003-04) and was a 2001 NBA All-Star Game selection. Divac recorded career averages of 13.2 points (.478 FGs, .246 3FGs, .676 FTs), 7.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.15 blocks per game over 454 outings as a King. He holds a franchise record for the most offensive rebounds in a quarter with seven. Divac ranks 10th in rebounds (3,538) and 5th in blocked shots (523) on the franchise all-time career leaders list. He is one of only three players in NBA history (Abdul-Jabbar and Olajuwon) to amass 13,000 points, 9,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists and 1,500 blocks. Divac was the 1999 recipient of the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, given to a player, coach or trainer who shows “outstanding service and dedication to the community”.
Elton Brand out one month
Philadelphia 76ers power forward Elton Brand recieved an MRI last night which revealed a fracture of the humeral head (bone) and a tear of the labrum, which was expected with the dislocation. Sixers team physician Dr. Jack McPhilemy does not feel the injury will require surgery at this time.
Brand will begin rehabilitation immediately and is expected to be out one month.
For the season Brand has been playing 35.2 minutes per game and averaging 15.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.39 blocks on 44.7% shooting.
With 11 wins and 14 losses, the Sixers, who recently fired head coach Mo Cheeks, have not lived up to team expectations this season. If the season ended today they’d finish 9th in the Eastern conference, just missing out on the 8th and final playoff spot, currently held by the Chicago Bulls.
Tyrus Thomas has concussion
Chicago Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas was diagnosed with a concussion after experiencing symptoms during last night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Thomas was evaluated by the Bulls’ team physicians and was seen at Rush University Medical Center last evening for precautionary tests. All tests on Thomas came back normal.
Thomas is day-to-day, pending a resolution of his symptoms, and he will not accompany the team for its game at Boston tomorrow night.