NBA News Blog – Page 790 – NBA Blog

Steve Ballmer willing to pay $2 billion for Clippers

Shelly Sterling has informed the NBA of her deal with Steve Ballmer to purchase the Los Angeles Clippers, but the league isn’t ready to call off next week’s owners hearing just yet.

First, it needs more information about the potential record-breaking $2 billion sale she agreed to with the former Microsoft CEO.

“We await the submission of necessary documentation from Mrs. Sterling,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said Friday in a statement. “In the meantime, the June 3 special meeting of the NBA Board of Governors remains as scheduled.”

The league is planning a hearing that day to consider the charge against her husband, Donald Sterling, for damaging the league with his racist comments. Owners could vote to terminate his ownership – and Shelly’s as well – during that hearing.

But Commissioner Adam Silver has said he would prefer the Sterlings sell the team, and Shelly Sterling announced late Thursday night that she’d signed a binding contract for a sale of the Clippers by The Sterling Family Trust to Ballmer.

— Associated Press

Cavaliers meet with Alvin Gentry about head coaching job

The Cavaliers are spending their second day with a Clippers assistant, interviewing Alvin Gentry to be their head coach.

Gentry is the third known candidate to interview with the Cavs this week. They met with Chicago assistant Adrian Griffin on Tuesday, and the Cavs interviewed Clippers assistant Tyronn Lue on Thursday. Both Griffin and Lue are highly regarded but lack NBA head-coaching experience.

Cleveland will meet with former Memphis coach Lionel Hollins on Saturday.

— Associated Press

Grizzlies sign coach Dave Joerger to contract extension

Memphis Grizzlies sign head coach Dave Joerger to contract extension

The Memphis Grizzlies today announced they have signed head coach Dave Joerger to a contract extension. Which is surprising considering there have been recent reports suggesting that the Grizzlies and Joerger were on their way to a separation. But whatever the case, the two sides have chosen to stick together.

“I am excited to announce that we have reached an agreement to extend Dave Joerger as the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies,” Controlling Owner Robert Pera said. “Following an open and honest dialogue with Dave, it became clear that Dave was fully committed to Memphis and we are committed to him. I look forward to seeing Dave build upon the foundation he helped establish over the last seven years, and we are both committed to bringing a championship to Memphis.”

In his first season as an NBA head coach, Joerger guided Memphis to a 50-32 record (.610) during the regular season, the third 50-win campaign in franchise history, and a club-record fourth consecutive appearance in the NBA Playoffs. Memphis was eliminated by the second-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in a seven-game first-round playoff series that featured an NBA postseason-record four straight overtime games, three of which were won by the Grizzlies.

Joerger was named Western Conference Coach of the Month twice last season (January and April), becoming the first person to win the award multiple times in his first season as an NBA head coach since it was divided by conference in 2002-03. He posted the best record of the 10 first-year NBA head coaches last season and tied the franchise record for most wins by a head coach in his first full year helming the Grizzlies (Hubie Brown in 2003-04).

“I am absolutely thrilled to continue as the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies for years to come,” Joerger said. “I want to thank Robert Pera for believing in me. I look forward to building on the success we experienced this year with our core group of players that I have worked closely with over the past seven years as we work towards our ultimate goal of winning a world championship. I am 100 percent committed to leading the Grizzlies and I could not be more proud to call Memphis home.”

Introduced as the 12th head coach in franchise history on June 28, 2013, Joerger served the previous six seasons as an assistant coach for the Grizzlies, including two as the lead assistant (2011-13). In his final season as lead assistant (2012-13), Joerger helped guide Memphis to franchise records for regular season wins (56) and winning percentage (.683) and led the Grizzlies the 2013 Western Conference Finals.

Before earning his first NBA assistant coaching job with the Grizzlies, Joerger gained fame as head coach of the 2007 NBA Development League Champion Dakota Wizards. Dakota’s 2007 title marked Joerger’s fifth as a head coach after winning one International Basketball Association (IBA) championship and three more in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). Joerger owns two CBA Coach of the Year Awards (2002, 2004) and a head coaching record of 232-117 (.665) in the minor leagues.

Deron Williams undergoes surgery on both ankles

Deron Williams had surgery on both ankles today

Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams underwent successful surgery today on both ankles, General Manager Billy King announced today. The surgery was performed by Nets’ foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Martin O’Malley.

“The arthroscopic surgery performed today on Deron’s left ankle included the removal of spurs from the front and back of the ankle, as well as a cleaning out of his ankle joint,’ said Dr. O’Malley. “In addition, Deron underwent a procedure on his right ankle to remove a loose bone fragment that was below his right ankle joint. Deron is expected to be on crutches for 4-6 weeks and then begin rehabilitation. He is scheduled to begin light court activities in August, which will progress to full basketball activities in September. Deron is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the beginning of training camp.”

Williams appeared in 64 games this season, averaging 14.3 points, 6.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds and a career-best 1.45 steals in 32.2 minutes per game. He missed 18 games due to injury, including 16 games due to a sprained left ankle.

Gerald Henderson undergoes wrist surgery

Charlotte Hornets guard Gerald Henderson underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right wrist to remove scar tissue. The surgery was performed at the Duke University Medical Center by Dr. David Ruch. Henderson’s wrist will be immobilized for approximately two weeks before he begins the rehabilitation process.

Henderson averaged 14.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 32.0 minutes per game in 77 contests (all starts) for Charlotte last season. The No. 12 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Henderson has played in 311 career games for Charlotte.

Gerald Henderson undergoes wrist surgery

Deron Williams will have surgery on both ankles May 27

Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams is scheduled to undergo surgery on both ankles on Tuesday, May 27, General Manager Billy King announced today. The surgery will be performed by Nets’ foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Martin O’Malley.

“Deron will undergo surgery on both ankles next Tuesday,” said Dr. O’Malley. “He will have a bone chip removed from his right ankle, and the left ankle will have an arthroscopic cleanout with removal of spurs from both the front and back of the ankle. Deron is expected to make a full recovery.”

Having multiple ankle surgeries sounds rough, but maybe this will help D-Will regain past glory and enable him to play like a star again in the future. Though, in our opinion, his effectiveness was limited partially by his own play, but also by Nets teammates who rarely run, cut or create passing lanes.

2014 NBA Finals game schedule

Here is the 2014 NBA Finals game schedule. The Miami Heat beat the Indiana Pacers in six games of the Eastern Conference Finals to reach the Finals. And in the West, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in six games. Here is the official 2014 NBA Finals game schedule. All games televised on ABC.

2014 NBA Finals Schedule: San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat

Game 1 – Thu June 5 Miami at San Antonio 9:00PM ET

Game 2 – Sun June 8 Miami at San Antonio 8:00PM ET

Game 3 – Tue June 10 San Antonio at Miami 9:00PM ET

Game 4 – Thu June 12 San Antonio at Miami 9:00PM ET

Game 5 * Sun June 15 Miami at San Antonio 8:00PM ET

Game 6 * Tue June 17 San Antonio at Miami 9:00PM ET

Game 7 * Fri June 20 Miami at San Antonio 9:00PM ET

*If necessary

Paul George suffers concussion

Tuesday night, Indiana Pacers forward Paul George took a knee to the back of his head during the fourth quarter of the Eastern Conference Finals game against Miami. Immediately after the play, George exhibited no symptoms of a concussion and, in response to questions from the Pacers’ medical staff, he denied dizziness, nausea, and issues with his vision. He was also active and aware of his surroundings. As a result, the Indiana medical staff did not suspect a concussion.

Following the game, George stated for the first time that he “blacked out” on the play. As a result of this statement, the team conducted the NBA-mandated concussion assessment, which did not reveal any active symptoms of concussion.

Because of the statement and Indiana’s ongoing evaluation and management of potential concussions, George underwent further testing and evaluation Wednesday morning. He has been diagnosed by the team’s consulting neurologist with a concussion, based on his post-game reporting that he had briefly lost consciousness during the game. He will begin the NBA-mandated protocol for return-to-participation after a diagnosed concussion.

Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, Director of the NBA Concussion Program, has been in contact with the team medical staff and stated, “The Indiana Pacers medical team followed the NBA concussion protocol and there was no indication of concussion during the game. This case illustrates that concussion evaluation is an ongoing process and manifestations of the injury may not always present immediately.”

Name-change complete: Charlotte Bobcats officially became Charlotte Hornets today

After 12 years, the Charlotte Hornets name has officially returned to the Carolinas. Today the name of Charlotte’s original NBA franchise is back as the Charlotte Bobcats have officially re-branded as the Charlotte Hornets.

“Today is truly an historic day for our franchise, our city and our fans as we mark the official return of the Charlotte Hornets,” said Hornets Sports & Entertainment Chairman Michael Jordan. “Thanks to our fans who were the driving force behind the Hornets name returning. We are thrilled to be able to bring the Hornets name back to the Carolinas.”

In addition, the team announced that after collaborating with the NBA and the New Orleans Pelicans, all of the statistical information, records and history of Charlotte NBA basketball will also be returning to the franchise. The Hornets will now own and have access to all of the historical elements from not only the Bobcats era (2004-2014) but also the original Hornets era in Charlotte (1988-2002). The Pelicans will maintain the history and statistics beginning with the team’s first season in New Orleans (2002-03).

The Hornets was the name of the city’s first NBA franchise from 1988-2002. The NBA returned to Charlotte in 2004 as the Bobcats and played under that name from 2004-2014. On May 21, 2013, Jordan announced that the organization had applied to change its name to the Charlotte Hornets, a move that was approved unanimously by the NBA Board of Governors on July 18, 2013.