Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

John Andariese retires from Knicks booth

Knicks legendary broadcaster John Andariese, a team radio staple for 40 years known around the Garden as “Johnny Hoops,’’ has stepped down from his color analyst position, the Knicks announced Friday. Andariese called the Knicks’ last championship — in 1973 with Marv Albert.

Andariese will be replaced by Hubie Brown’s son, Brendan Brown. The Knicks had reduced Andariese’s role last season, having him do just home games.

The decision comes on the heels of The Post reporting Wally Szczerbiak will replace Kelly Tripucka on MSG Network’s telecasts, teaming with Alan Hahn in the studio. Last season, radio play-by-play man Spero Dedes took over for veteran Mike Crispino, who remains as a backup.

— Reported by Marc Berman of the New York Post

Thomas Robinson impresses with hustle, skills

Thomas Robinson

It was a simple game of 4-on-4 in his second day of practice.

But it only took a few seconds for Thomas Robinson to show why the Kings are so happy to have him.

There was a missed shot and a rebound to be had, and the rookie from Kansas made sure no one else would grab the basketball.

Robinson sprinted toward the basket and snatched the ball off the rim for a powerful dunk.

Hustle, athleticism and enthusiasm all in one fell swoop.

The Kings have needed someone to play like that for a while.

— Reported by Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee

Dwyane Wade cited by NBA video as flopping violator

Dwyane Wade cited by NBA video as flopping violator

The NBA Friday offered video clarification on the parameters of its impending crackdown on “flopping,” citing Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade among the players who would have been penalized had the new policy been in place last season…

The play in question with Wade did not cite the Heat All-Star guard by name, nor did any of the sequences in the video cite players by name.

Instead, on a play when Wade released a shot and then attempted to draw a shooting foul on Boston Celtics forward Mickael Pietrus during last season’s Eastern Conference finals at AmericanAirlines Arena, the narrator says:

“After releasing the jump shot, the shooter, No. 3 in the white uniform, extends his right leg, attempting to draw a defensive foul call. While there is marginal contact on the play, the flail and spin to the floor by the offensive player is an over-embellishment and it is inconsistent with marginal contact. This is a flop that will be penalized.” …

Among those other than Wade cited in the video for “flopping” are San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul, Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith, Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari, Clippers center Ryan Hollins and Brooklyn Nets forward Reggie Evans.

— Reported by Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Joe Johnson says he did not ask Hawks for trade

Joe Johnson says he did not ask Hawks to trade him

Joe Johnson wanted to set the record straight on Thursday, telling reporters that he never asked out of Atlanta.

“Everybody thinks I made this trade,” the Nets’ shooting guard said. “I had nothing to do with it.

“Every time I run into somebody when I’m in Atlanta, they ask me, ‘Why did you leave?’

I didn’t have nothing to do with it. I’m just glad that I came to a great organization and a team who wants to win.”

Johnson, who was acquired by the Nets in a blockbuster trade, was originally asked if he thought he’d be booed when he returned to Atlanta. The Hawks host the Nets on Jan. 16.

“It’ll probably be some boos, it’ll probably be some cheers,” he replied. “I have no idea, man. What do you think?”

— Reported by Mike Mazzeo of ESPN New York

Kurt Thomas has not thought of retiring

Kurt Thomas has not thought of retiring

The body is fine and the mind is still sharp. In fact, the only time Kurt Thomas feels old is when he’s wearing his Knicks uniform. After all, No. 40 just turned 40.

“I feel the same as yesterday,” Thomas says. “No difference.”

The Knicks really are aging right before our eyes. On Tuesday, Tyson Chandler celebrated his 30th birthday and on Thursday, Thomas celebrated his milestone with a three-hour practice with his teammates in Greenburgh. Thomas is the NBA’s oldest player, but he not only feels that he can contribute this season, he still believes he has a few good years left in him.

“I never think about retiring,” Thomas said. “Until no one wants my services anymore, then I’ll start thinking about that. But until then I’m always focusing on the next season.”

— Reported by Frank Isola of the New York Daily News

Bulls rookies sing happy birthday to Derrick Rose

Other than wishing him good health, most Chicago Bulls players were stumped when asked what they would get Derrick Rose for his 24th birthday, which the star guard celebrated on Thursday.

“I made the rookies sing,” Kirk Hinrich joked after practice. “I hope that’s enough.”

After the basketballs were picked up at the end of practice “Happy Birthday” could be heard throughout the Berto Center. But just a few minutes later Rose was back rehabbing, unavailable to discuss his big day.

“We should make him go (rehab) twice,” coach Tom Thibodeau said of a birthday gift.

— Reported by Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago

Dirk Nowitzki expects to play beyond 2 more seasons

Dirk Nowitzki expects to play beyond 2 more seasons

Between appearances, interviews and a nighttime workout with his teammates, Dirk Nowitzki had time to fight through the jet lag and drop a noteworthy development into a conversation on one of the many bus rides he made Thursday.

The closer he gets to the end of his current contract in 2014, the more the Mavericks superstar expects to play beyond the upcoming two seasons. This is a bit of a change of heart for him. He’s always said he’ll weigh his options after his deal expires following the 2013-14 season.

Now, he sees extending his career as a more likely option.

“It’s kind of hard to plan longer than two years ahead when you’re 34,” he said. “But I definitely want to finish my contract strong, hopefully have a couple good years.

“So if it’s still fun and I feel well, then I’m more than happy to play longer.”

— Reported by Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News

Phoenix Suns add Ralph Sampson and Sean Rooks to staff

The Suns got bigger Thursday.

They added two centers: one 7-foot-4, the other 6-foot-10. Now while the two will see time on the court, neither will suit up in uniform.

The Suns announced officially the additions of Ralph Sampson and Sean Rooks to the team’s Player Development Department.

Sampson, recently inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, will serve as the department’s assistant coordinator under coordinator Lindsey Hunter. Rooks, who was a UA Wildcat from 1988-1992, will join the department in a supporting role.

Both have been with the team since the start of camp but their roles had not yet been defined.

— Reported by Craig Grialou of Arizona Sports

Carlos Delfino a rare experienced Rocket

Carlos Delfino

If the starters shake out as [Kevin] Martin, [Chandler] Parsons, Jeremy Lin, Patrick Patterson and Omer Asik, that could leave a second unit with little or no NBA experience.

“Carlos has played in a lot of NBA games,” Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. “He’s played in big games over in Europe. He’s played in big games in the Olympics and pre-Olympic stuff. He’s not going to be overwhelmed by anything. He’s going to come in and be a real pro, pick up things fast. Everyone runs a variation of offensive sets. If he hasn’t run it, he’s played against it. I think guys like him are hugely beneficial.”

Delfino, 30, is the Rockets oldest player and second-most experienced with seven seasons in the league (one fewer than Martin.) They are the only Rockets players with more than one full season as an NBA starter. But given his relatively extensive experience, Delfino has been a part of a roster that he considered similar to the Rockets’.

— Reported by Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle