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Keith Ryan, 37, an attache for US Customs in Pakistan, has died from a gunshot wound. The bullet appeared to be self-inflicted.
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Ryan is the son of Bob Ryan, a columnist for the Boston Globe. The elder Ryan, a 1994 inductee into the Basketball Writers’ Association, was the USBWA president in 2001-02.
The Detroit Pistons announced today that they have re-assigned rookie center Cheikh Samb to their NBA Development League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
The assignment will be Samb’s second this season. He was originally assigned to Fort Wayne on Monday, December 10. In two games (both starts) during his first stint, Samb averaged 13.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.0 blocks in 31.5 minutes with the Mad Ants.
Samb was acquired by the Pistons on draft day from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Maurice Evans on June 28, 2006. Drafted by the Lakers with the 51st pick in the second round of the 2006 NBA Draft, Samb spent the 2006-07 season playing overseas with WTC Cornella in the Spanish LEB2 League.
The 7-foot-1, 215-pound center made his NBA debut with the Pistons at the L.A. Lakers on November 16, scoring two points with four rebounds and two blocks in 15 minutes. In two NBA games this season, Samb is averaging 1.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 10.5 minutes per game.
No timetable has been set for his return.
The Seattle SuperSonics announced today that the team has assigned guard Mickael Gelabale to the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League.
Under the affiliation system with the D-League, 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. A player can only be sent to the D-League a maximum of three times during the season.
The Stampede, the D-League affiliate for the Sonics and the Portland Trail Blazers, are coached by Bryan Gates, who worked as an assistant for the Sonics during summer league play in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City this past July. Idaho will play host to Bakersfield on Dec. 26 and Anaheim on Dec. 28.
The Memphis Grizzlies waived point guard Damon Stoudamire, club Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Chris Wallace announced today.
It was a buyout, details of which will be posted later tonight.
Assuming Stoudamire clears waivers, it’s expected that the Celtics, Suns and Raptors may have interest in signing him, with Boston the clear favorite according to multiple media outlets quoted regularly over the last week on the InsideHoops.com NBA rumors page.
The 5-10, 174-pound playmaker was averaging 7.3 points, 3.9 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 21.5 minutes in 29 games (all starts) this season. Stoudamire had not played in the club’s last 14 games since logging 17 minutes at San Antonio on Dec. 30.
Stoudamire appeared in 118 games (107 starts) in two-plus seasons for the Grizzlies and averaged 8.4 points, 4.6 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 0.7 steals in 25.3 minutes. Memphis originally signed Stoudamire as a free agent on August 5, 2005.
“We appreciate the consummate professionalism and love for the game which Damon exhibited in Memphis,” said Wallace. “The entire organization wishes him the best and hopes that he realizes his wish to join a championship contending team.”
Currently in his 13th NBA season, Stoudamire has averaged 13.8 points, 6.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 33.9 minutes in 847 career games (789 starts) with the Toronto Raptors (1995-98), Portland Trail Blazers (1997-2005) and Memphis (2005-08). The Portland native has made 1,222 career three-point field goals, which ties him with John Starks for 22nd place on the NBA’s all-time list and eighth among active players.
The 34-year-old was originally selected in the first round (seventh overall) in the 1995 NBA Draft by the Raptors. The University of Arizona product made an immediate impact, averaging 19.0 points and a career-best 9.3 assists, and was named 1995-96 NBA Rookie of the Year.
The Grizzlies’ roster currently stands at 13 players.
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The Minnesota Timberwolves have assigned first-year center Chris Richard to the Sioux Falls SkyForce of the NBA Development League. Richard has appeared in 24 games for the Wolves this season, averaging 1.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 9.2 minutes per game. Richard is the 27th player assigned to the D-League this season.
“Sioux Falls and the D-League will provide Chris with a great opportunity to play and gain valuable experience,” said Timberwolves Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale. “Chris is a player that we really like and we think has a bright future. With the current schedule in Sioux Falls, he’ll be able to have a few days of practice with the team before playing in several upcoming games.”
Per NBA rules, a player can be assigned to the team’s D-League affiliate a maximum of three times during the season. Sioux Falls, the D-League affiliate for Minnesota and Charlotte, is led by head coach Nate Tibbetts. Charlotte’s Jermareo Davidson is currently on assignment with Sioux Falls. The SkyForce have back-to-back home games against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants this Friday and Saturday before departing on a three-game road trip next week.
Mavericks guard Devin Harris underwent an MRI today on his left ankle. The results revealed a left ankle bone bruise. There is no additional structural damage. He is anticipated to return to activity in 2-3 weeks.
Harris suffered the injury at the 7:53 mark of the fourth quarter in last night’s game vs. Denver. In 39 games this season, Harris has averaged career-highs 14.4 points, 5.3 assists and 1.44 steals. He is also shooting 48.3% from the field, a career-high 35.7% from 3-point range and 82.1% from the free throw line.
He did not travel with the team to Memphis for tonight’s game.
The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they have recalled Ian Mahinmi from the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League (D-League).
In 24 games with the Toros, Mahinmi averaged 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.20 blocks in 30.4 minutes. He is leading the D-League in field goal percentage, shooting .644 (154-239) from the field. He set career-highs with 32 points and 17 rebounds in a 90-79 win at Utah on 12/21. Mahinmi tied his points-high with 32 points at Tulsa on 1/27.
The 6-11, 230-pound Mahinmi appeared in six games for the Spurs this season, averaging 3.5 points in 3.8 minutes per contest. He finished with a season-high 12 points and two blocks in 12 minutes of action vs. Milwaukee on Nov. 11. He was assigned to Austin on 11/21.
Originally selected by the Spurs in the first round (28th overall selection) of the 2005 NBA Draft, Mahinmi signed with the Silver and Black on Aug. 23, 2007. He has spent the past four seasons playing in the French A League. Last season he played for Pau-Orthez, appearing in 33 French League games, averaging 4.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 12.7 minutes per game. He also saw action in 18 EuroLeague games, averaging 3.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per contest.
Mahinmi is the first player the Spurs have assigned to the Toros since Spurs Sports & Entertainment purchased the Austin franchise on June 28, 2007. The Spurs join the L.A. Lakers as the second NBA team to own a D-League team (the Lakers own the L.A. Defenders). Austin is led by first-year head coach Quin Snyder.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao left today’s game versus the Los Angeles Lakers with 3:12 remaining in the third quarter with a Left Ankle Sprain. X-rays taken at the Staples Center were negative. He will be re-evaluated tomorrow in LA and his status will be updated after that.
With Sasha Pavlovic’s recent injury, the last thing Cleveland needs is Varejao being hurt as well.
It wasn’t a pretty game, but Friday night in Madison Square Garden the New York Knicks, thanks to a balanced scoring effort and a good game from Zach Randolph, beat the Philadelphia 76ers 89-81.
For the Knicks, who have played well lately, Jamal Crawford (just 6-of-19) had 18 points and 5 assists. Zach Randolph (8-of-12) had 16 points and 15 rebounds. David Lee (6-of-8) had 14 points, Nate Robinson 13, and Eddy Curry 11.
For the struggling Sixers, Andre Iguodala (10-of-20) had 24 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals, Willie Green (just 5-of-13) scored 13 points, Samuel Dalembert 12 with just 5 rebounds, and Andre Miller had 10 points with 6 assists.
Both teams struggled from the free throw line and three-point range. The Knicks controlled the glass. And they had 22 assists, while the Sixers only totaled 14.
“I just think, right now, we are playing again with a lot more trust,” said Knicks president and head coach Isiah Thomas. “We have good shot distribution. Everyone feels a part of the game.”
Randolph was especially impressive. “He had a nice offensive game,” said Sixers head coach Maurice Cheeks.
Iguodala recognized Crawford’s scoring ability: “Crawford is good. He can shoot.”
Crawford continues to nail tons of tough, off-balance, outside jumpers, often with time running out on the clock. It’s an impressive skill.
Fred Jones didn’t play for the Knicks. He has flu-like symptons. Also, Stephon Marbury is out for a long time after surgery.
The Knicks are now 10-14 at home. And the Sixers have now lost 7 of their last 8 road games.
New York now heads out West for a five game road trip. They face tough competition and could rack up several losses.
Only the Miami Heat are lower than the Knicks and 76ers in the Eastern conference standings.
Jerry Stackhouse had an MRI today that revealed he has a mild right hamstring strain. He will miss approximately one week of action.
In 38 games with two starts, Stackhouse has averaged 9.9 points, 2.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 24.4 minutes this season. The 12-year pro suffered the injury at Charlotte on January 23, 2008.