NBA News Blog – Page 883 – NBA Blog

Bobcats forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist suffers concussion

Bobcats forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was taken to Houston’s Memorial Hermann Hospital tonight after getting hit in the head during the team’s game against the Rockets.

Kidd-Gilchrist, who was alert and had movement in all extremities before leaving the Toyota Center, underwent precautionary X-rays and a CT scan, all of which were negative for head and neck injuries. He does have a concussion and will remain hospitalized overnight for observation.

The injury occurred at the 10:42 mark of the fourth quarter when Kidd-Gilchrist collided with teammate Jeffery Taylor.

Barclays Center celebrates its one-millionth guest

Good thing she wasn’t a season-ticket holder.

Allison Barlow scored big at the Brooklyn Nets game Friday when she became Barclays Center’s 1 millionth customer — earning her two free tickets for every event there for a year.

Jaws dropped, lights flashed and streamers exploded in the air as the modest mom passed through the turnstile for her second Nets game at the arena — leaving her husband and friends who accompanied her stunned.

“I didn’t even know what was happening,” said Barlow, 50. “It’s kind of like a dream.”

— Reported by Corinne Lestch of the New York Daily News

Paul Pierce wants Billy Hunter gone from NBA Players Union

Celtics forward Paul Pierce, the team’s union representative, called for the removal of NBPA executive director Billy Hunter after Hunter was placed on a leave of absence Friday by the union and president Derek Fisher…

An independent investigation into union practices discovered several misdoings but nothing illegal. Hunter was found to have hired his family members, invested union money into a fledgling bank that employed his son, agreed to a contract extension without the vote of the entire union membership and purchased gifts for executive committee members using union money…

“I think with the way things been going with the association, with all the accusations, I think it’s finally time for some change,” he told the Globe after the Celtics’ 97-84 win over the Orlando Magic. “A lot of the players been unhappy with what’s going on and so I think it’s time.”

— Reported by Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe (Blog)

Greg Oden meets with Boston Celtics

The Celtics are hoping to move up the list of teams that interests former No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden after the two parties met Saturday afternoon in Boston.

Oden, a former prodigy who was supposed to change the Portland Trail Blazers franchise, has had microfracture surgeries on both knees and decided to take this season off to get those knees healthy as he attempts another return.

Oden has played a total of 82 games since entering the NBA in 2007 and has not been completely healthy since missing his entire rookie season with his first microfracture surgery. He last played on Dec. 5, 2009 with Portland, sustaining another serious knee injury that cost him two seasons.

— Reported by Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe

NBA fines Mavs coach Rick Carlisle $25,000

Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of officiating, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

Carlisle made his comments post game following the Mavericks’ 100-97 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 31 at Oracle Arena.

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, “Carlisle sent texts to reporters today, letting them know that he is in complete agreement with the NBA’s decision to dock him a few thousand dollars. “I spoke to the NBA office today and agreed that I should be fined for my comments following the Golden State game,” Carlisle texted. “In this league we all have challenging jobs, and the job of the officials is one of the toughest. “Those postgame remarks about the officiating were not appropriate and I accept the fine.”

Delonte West leaves D-League team in limbo

West, the colorful journeyman guard who has been out of basketball since his detrimental conduct caused the Mavericks to release him just before the season opened, has left the D-League’s Texas Legends in limbo. The Legends claimed West on Jan. 25 after he put his name in the D-League player pool, but he has yet to report to Frisco.

A source said it’s up to West whether he will play for the Legends, who are still open to having him on the team and continue to list him on the roster on the team’s website. West has complicated the process by parting ways with agent Dan Fegan.

West, 29, a valuable role player during his lone campaign in Dallas last season, had hoped to earn another chance with the Mavs via his performance and behavior with their D-League affiliate. However, Mavs owner Mark Cuban publicly declared that wasn’t a possibility hours after the Legends acquired West’s rights.

— Reported by Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas

Atlanta Hawks sign Jannero Pargo to second 10-day contract

The Atlanta Hawks have signed veteran guard Jannero Pargo to a second 10-day contract, Hawks President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry announced today.

Since signing his first 10-day deal on January 21, 2013, Pargo has averaged 5.2 points, 2.6 assists and 1.0 rebounds in 16.0 minutes (.400 FG%, .462 3FG%), appearing in five contests.

In his ninth NBA season, Pargo played in seven games earlier this year with the Washington Wizards, putting in 3.0 points and 2.0 assists in 14.6 minutes per contest (.250 FG%, 1.000 FT%). In 50 games last season with the Hawks, he averaged 5.6 points, 1.9 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 13.4 minutes (.415 FG%, .384 3FG%, .950 FT%).

In 441 career games (18 starts) with the LA Lakers, Chicago, Toronto, New Orleans, Atlanta and Washington, the 6-foot-1 University of Arkansas product is averaging 6.4 points, 2.0 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 15.4 minutes (.389 FG%, .351 3FG%, .867 FT%). He has also seen action in Russia (Dynamo Moscow) and Greece (Olympiacos Piraeus).

Pacers expect Danny Granger return date to be before All-Star game

Pacers coach Frank Vogel says Danny Granger could be back on the court before the All-Star break in mid-February.

Granger has been out all season with a patellar tendinosis in his left knee, but was cleared to participate in full contact practice for the first time Thursday. Vogel says he worked for 20 minutes in half-court sets.

In early November, the Pacers said Granger could miss up to three months after getting an injection in his injured knee. Granger has been mostly quiet since the announcement.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Celtics forward Jared Sullinger out for season after surgery

Big injury hits keep striking the Boston Celtics. First starting point guard Rajon Rondo, and now a prized rookie who was having a solid first season.

The Celtics announced forward Jared Sullinger underwent successful lumbar disc surgery today at the New England Baptist Hospital. Surgery was performed by the medical staff at the New England Baptist Hospital which is under the direction of Celtics Team Physician, Dr. Brian McKeon. Sullinger is expected to be ready in time for training camp for the 2013-14 season.

Sullinger, a 6’9” forward, appeared in 45 games for the Celtics this season averaging 6.0 points and 5.9 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game. He posted a season-high of 16 rebounds against Phoenix on January 9 and recorded a season-high of 16 points twice (November 18 against Detroit, December 25 against Brooklyn).

NBA Players Association places Billy Hunter on leave of absence

The NBA Players Association announced Friday that embattled union chief Billy Hunter has been placed on indefinite leave of absence.

Longtime union lawyer Ron Klempner will be appointed acting executive director of the union until every member of the union “can have a vote in the matter,” the NBPA said.

The NBPA also announced that it has formed an interim executive committee and advisory committee “to move the organization forward” in the wake of a damaging report by an independent firm (Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison) hired to look into the union’s business practices under Hunter’s leadership. The interim executive committee will consist of the five active members of the most recent executive board, according to union bylaws.

— Reported by Marc Stein of ESPN.com