Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Rookies of Month: Durant, Jianlian

The Milwaukee Bucks’ Yi Jianlian and the Seattle SuperSonics’ Kevin Durant today were named the Eastern and Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played for the month of December.

Yi averaged 12.1 points and 6.6 rebounds for the month and ranks second in scoring and rebounding among rookies. He also leads rookies in field goal percentage with .503 and is third in minutes per game with 30.6. In addition, he scored a career-high 29 points in a 103-99 win over Charlotte on Dec. 22.

Among rookie qualifiers for the second straight month Durant ranks first in the league in scoring with 19.7 points per game, seventh in rebounding with 4.2, and is tied for first in assists with 2.1. He is also ranked second in the league in field goal percentage with .407, first in free throw percentage and is averaging 1.3 blocks per game. In addition, Durant matched his career high in points with 35 and rebounds with eight and set a new career high in blocks with five on Dec. 7 vs. Milwaukee.

Players of Month: D.Howard, C.Paul

InsideHoops.com NewsWire: The Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard and the New Orleans’ Hornets Chris Paul today were named Eastern Conference and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played Dec. 1 through Dec. 31.

Howard averaged 21.7 points on .598 shooting, a league-high 16.1 rebounds and 2.87 blocks in winning his second consecutive monthly award. Howard recorded 14 double-doubles in December, as the Magic went 8-7. The center had five games of 20-plus rebounds, including a season-high 23 on Dec. 3 at Golden State in a 123-117 overtime win.

Paul averaged 24.5 points, 10.4 assists and a league-high 3.00 steals in guiding the Hornets to a Southwest Division-best 9-5 mark. Paul’s month included two 40-plus-point performances and three games with at least 15 assists. With season averages of 21.5 points, 10.2 assists and 3.00 steals, Paul is attempting to become the first player to average at least 20.0 points, 10.0 assists and 3.0 steals for a season.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Atlanta’s Joe Johnson, Boston’s Paul Pierce, Charlotte’s Gerald Wallace, Denver’s Allen Iverson, Detroit’s Richard Hamilton, Houston’s Yao Ming, Philadelphia’s Andre Miller, Portland’s Brandon Roy, and Toronto’s Chris Bosh.

Coaches of Month: Saunders, McMillan

InsideHoops.com NewsWire: The Detroit Pistons’ Flip Saunders and the Portland Trail Blazers’ Nate McMillan today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in December.

Saunders guided the Pistons to a 15-2 (.882) record last month as Detroit established a franchise mark for wins in December. Holding eight of their last 10 December opponents to 90 points or less, the Pistons are in the midst of a nine-game winning streak. At 24-7, Detroit enjoys a 9.5-game lead in the Central Division. The Pistons handed the Celtics their first home loss of the season on Dec. 19 when Detroit posted an 87-85 victory in Boston.

McMillan led the Trail Blazers to a 13-2 (.867) record in December, which included 13 straight wins from Dec. 3 through Dec. 30. The 13-game winning streak is the second-longest in Trail Blazers history and tops in the NBA this season. At 18-13, Portland is second in the Northwest Division, trailing Denver by one-half game. The Trail Blazers defeated the Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on Dec. 16, their first win in Denver since Feb. 26, 2003.

Other nominees for the Coach of the Month were Atlanta’s Mike Woodson, Boston’s Doc Rivers, Dallas’ Avery Johnson, Golden State’s Don Nelson, New Orleans’ Byron Scott and Philadelphia’s Maurice Cheeks.

Cavs assign Cedric Simmons to D-League

The Cleveland Cavaliers have assigned forward Cedric Simmons to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today.

“We are happy to have the ability to put Cedric in game situations like this. This gives Cedric a great opportunity to finish the last step of his rehab from his ankle sprain,” Ferry said.

Simmons has played in four games for the Cavaliers this season and has grabbed 11 rebounds in 43 minutes. He was acquired by the Cavaliers on September 29, 2007 from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for David Wesley.

The Vipers are the D-League Affiliate for the Cavaliers, Houston Rockets and New Orleans Hornets.

NBA suspends Odom one game

InsideHoops.com NewsWire: Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom has been suspended one game without pay and assessed a Flagrant Foul, Penalty Two for flagrantly fouling Ray Allen of the Boston Celtics by throwing himself into Allen and knocking him to the floor, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 2:56 remaining in the fourth period of the Lakers 110- 91 loss to the Celtics at Staples Center on Dec. 30.

Odom will serve his suspension on Jan. 4 when the Lakers host the Philadelphia 76ers.

InsideHoops.com editor says: I agree with the suspension. It had to be done. Odom intentionally football-hit Ray Allen.

Check out what Odom did to get suspended: youtube video.

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Nets name Kiki Vandeweghe ‘special assistant to president’

InsideHoops.com NewsWire: The New Jersey Nets have named Kiki Vandeweghe Special Assistant to the President, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today. His duties will include working closely with Thorn in preparing for the 2008 NBA Draft and in the evaluation of current and future player personnel.

“We are very pleased to welcome Kiki to the Nets,” said Thorn. “Kiki has been a mainstay in the league for almost two decades, first as an All-Star player and then as a front office executive. His experience in both areas will be an invaluable asset to the franchise, and we look forward to his contributions.”

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Bucks fan hits half-court shot to win car

We’re not sure if this one even hit the rim, but no matter how it went in, Michael Hall of East Troy, Wisconsin, will trade in his beat-up wheels for a hard earned 2008 Chevy Malibu for sinking a half court shot during halftime of the Bucks vs. Nets game Saturday night at the Bradley Center.

The half-time competition has become a staple at Bucks home games throughout the years.  At each Bradley Center-based contest, two random fans are selected to participate in the Chevy Super Shot 2007-2008 Midwest Airlines Skyshots Competition.  Both contestants are given 24 seconds to make as many free throws as possible.  The shooter with the most made free throws advances to half-court for one shot at the coveted grand prize –­ the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu.

Hall was attending his second Bucks game of the year when he was approached and asked to be a part of the contest. “I usually get to nine or ten games a year,” Hall said.  “The car I own right now is pretty old and beat-up, so this is perfect.”

The Chevy Super Shot 2007-2008 Midwest Airlines Competition is sponsored by Chevrolet, Midwest Airlines and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Hall’s car will be presented to him at a future Bucks home game this season.

Spurs sign DerMarr Johnson

InsideHoops.com NewsWire: The San Antonio Spurs have signed guard DerMarr Johnson.

The 6-9 Johnson has played for three teams – Atlanta, New York and Denver – during his seven-year NBA career. He was originally selected by Atlanta in the first round of the 2000 NBA Draft, with the sixth overall pick. In his career he has appeared in 339 regular season NBA games, averaging 6.2 points and 2.3 rebounds in 17.4 minutes.

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Spurs waive Marcus Williams

InsideHoops.com NewsWire: The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have waived guard Marcus Williams.

The 6-7 Williams was signed by San Antonio on 12/26. He appeared in one game with the Spurs, logging a total of two minutes vs. Chicago on 12/26.

The Spurs selected Williams with the 33rd pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. During the 2007 preseason he appeared in seven games with the Spurs, averaging 3.3 points and 2.6 rebounds. He was waived by San Antonio on 10/27. He then joined the Austin Toros – the Spurs affiliate in the NBA Development League – where he averaged 18.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 35.3 minutes in nine games.

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