Josh Smith and Blake Griffin named NBA Players of Week

Josh Smith and Blake Griffin named NBA Players of Week

The Atlanta Hawks’ Josh Smith and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin today were named Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 3, through Sunday, Dec. 9.

In helping the Hawks go 3-0 on the week, Smith ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference in scoring (21.0 ppg) and rebounding (12.0 rpg), and tied for sixth in steals (2.00 spg). Smith grabbed a season-high 15 boards in a 104-95 win vs. Washington on Dec. 7, and followed that up the following night with a season-high three steals in a 93-83 triumph at Memphis.

Josh Smith and Blake Griffin named NBA Players of Week

Griffin averaged a point/rebound double-double in leading the Clippers to four wins in as many games. Among Western Conference players, Griffin ranked ninth in scoring (23.0 ppg), seventh in rebounding (10.0 rpg), and second in steals (2.50 spg). Additionally, Griffin’s .639 field goal percentage ranked sixth in the conference. In a 117-99 win over Phoenix Dec. 8, Griffin recorded a career-best four steals to go along with 24 points and eight rebounds.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Al Horford, Boston’s Rajon Rondo, Chicago’s Joakim Noah, Golden State’s Stephen Curry and David Lee, Memphis’ Zach Randolph, New York’s Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Orlando’s Glen Davis, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins, and San Antonio’s Tony Parker.

Thunder recall Jeremy Lamb and Daniel Orton from D-League

The Oklahoma City Thunder has recalled guard Jeremy Lamb and forward Daniel Orton from the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Lamb has appeared in five games (all starts) with the 66ers this season, averaging 22.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 blocks in 37.8 minutes.

Orton has seen action in seven games (seven starts) with Tulsa this season, averaging 11.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.9 blocks and 31.0 minutes.

Boston Celtics recall Fab Melo from D-League

Fab Melo

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have recalled center Fab Melo from their NBA Development League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws.

Melo, a 7’0” center, averaged 6.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 23.4 minutes over five games for the Red Claws.  Melo recorded a high of 14 points against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on November 25 and recorded a high of 11 rebounds against the Los Angeles D-Fenders on November 30.

Chris Wilcox fined for making obscene gesture at fans

Boston Celtics forward-center Chris Wilcox has been fined $25,000 for making an obscene gesture directed toward fans during a game, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

Wilcox’s actions occurred during a timeout with 8:47 remaining in the 4th period of the Celtics 95-94 loss to the 76ers on Friday, Dec. 7.

Trail Blazers recall Will Barton and Victor Claver from D-League

The Portland Trail Blazers have recalled guard Will Barton and forward Victor Claver from the team’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Idaho Stampede, it was announced today by General Manager Neil Olshey.

Portland assigned Barton and Claver to the Stampede on Dec. 7. The two rookies played in both of Idaho’s games vs. Austin this weekend in Boise.

Barton averaged 19.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.50 steals and 42.0 minutes in two games with Idaho. His 18 points Friday matched a team high, and a 21-point outing Saturday led the Stampede.

Claver posted averages of 11.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.00 steal and 33.5 minutes in the two contests.

Barton, the 40th overall pick out of Memphis in the 2012 NBA Draft, has played in 16 games this season for the Trail Blazers, and has averages of 2.6 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 8.8 minutes per game.

Claver has appeared in four games with Portland this season, and averages 0.3 points, 1.0 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 5.8 minutes per contest. Claver was selected by the Trail Blazers with the 22nd pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, and signed with Portland on July 11, 2012.

Both players will be in Portland for today’s practice and are available for tomorrow’s game vs. Toronto.

Thunder recall Reggie Jackson from D-League

The Oklahoma City Thunder has recalled guard Reggie Jackson from the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Jackson, who was originally assigned on Dec. 8, appeared in one game for the 66ers, recording 20 points, 11 assists and six rebounds in 39 minutes during Tulsa’s 109-98 victory over Rio Grande Valley.

The second-year guard will join Oklahoma City prior to tonight’s contest versus the Indiana Pacers.

Bobcats sign Jeff Adrien, waive Cory Higgins

Charlotte Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has signed forward Jeff Adrien and waived guard Cory Higgins.   Adrien will wear No. 4.  The Bobcats roster remains at 14 players.

The 6-7 Adrien joins the Bobcats from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA D-League, where he averaged 17.6 points on .563 shooting, 11.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks in five games played so far this season.  He becomes the fourth Gatorade Call-Up of the season.

Adrien, who was in training camp with the Bobcats prior to the season, has appeared in 31 career NBA games over two seasons for the Warriors and Rockets, averaging 2.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in 8.3 minutes per game.  He played in eight games with the Rockets last season, averaging 2.6 points and 2.8 rebounds.

Higgins was in his second season with the Bobcats, with career averages of 3.7 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 10.3 minutes in 44 games played.

Thunder assign guard Reggie Jackson to D-League

The Oklahoma City Thunder has assigned guard Reggie Jackson to the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Jackson has appeared in 10 games this season with Oklahoma City averaging 1.8 points and 1.0 rebound in 5.6 minutes per contest.

He will be in uniform tonight when the Tulsa 66ers take on the Rio Grande Valley Vipers at the SpiritBank Event Center.

Celtics send Kris Joseph to D-League again

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have assigned forward Kris Joseph to their NBA Development League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws.

Joseph, a 6’7” forward, appeared in one game for the Celtics during his recall from the Red Claws against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 5. He returns to the Red Claws where he has appeared in three games this season with averages of 21.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals in 39.0 minutes per game.