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Hawks trade 2nd round pick to Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have acquired a Second Round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft from the Atlanta Hawks, in exchange for cash considerations, the team announced today. The Warriors will receive the lower of two Second Round picks, either the Hawks’ pick or the Phoenix Suns’ pick (which is currently owned by the Hawks from a previous transaction).

“We’ve had multiple discussions about acquiring additional draft picks and we will continue to pursue other opportunities as we approach the end of June,” said General Manager Larry Riley. “Ownership has displayed a continued willingness to invest financial resources in the draft and, as this indicates, we will explore any opportunities that will enable us to acquire additional assets.”

In addition to the Second Round pick acquired today, the Warriors also own the New Jersey Nets’ pick in the Second Round of this June’s draft. Golden State’s own Second Round pick for the upcoming draft was traded to the New York Knicks as part of the David Lee trade and is currently owned by the Denver Nuggets.

Rondo added to East All-Stars, Durant added to 3-point contest

Rajon Rondo

A quick little character.

Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo has been named by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace injured East All-Star guard Joe Johnson (injured left knee) of the Atlanta Hawks in the 2012 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando. This is Rondo’s third All-Star Game selection.

Replacing Johnson in the Three-Point Contest is Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, a 2012 NBA All-Star.

A lot of people thought Hawks forward Josh Smith would be named a replacement. Not just because he’s Johnson’s teammate. Smith is this season is averaging 16.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.13 blocks per game. Many people thought he was more worthy an All-Star than Johnson in the first place.

As for Rondo, for the season he’s putting up 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 1.64 steals per game, while shooting a terrific 48.5% from the field. Fantastic stats. Rondo has missed games due to both injury and suspension. But he is playing on an All-Star level.

Durant is a great addition to the three-point shootout. It’s a more interesting contest when stars are involved.

The 2012 NBA All-Star Game, which will air live at 7 p.m. ET on TNT and ESPN Radio in the U.S., and reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages, will be played at Amway Center in Orlando on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012.

Joe Johnson will miss 2012 All-Star Weekend

Hawks guard Joe Johnson underwent an MRI yesterday in Atlanta, and he was diagnosed with left knee tendinitis. As previously announced, he’ll miss the Hawks’ next two games (tonight in New York, tomorrow vs. Orlando).

In addition, Johnson won’t participate in this weekend’s All-Star game and activities in Orlando. He’ll be re-evaluated prior to Atlanta’s first game after the All-Star break (Wednesday the 29th vs. Golden State).

InsideHoops.com speculates that if the league wants to pick the most deserving East All-Star replacement regardless of position, it just might be Johnson’s teammate on the Hawks, forward Josh Smith. There are also some worthy guards, including Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics — though he’s missed games this season due to both injury and suspension.

First black NBA player gets honor at Atlanta Hawks game

Earl Lloyd remembers when he suited up for the Washington Capitols more than 60 years ago as the first black to play in an NBA game and wondering if he would make a good enough impression to stick around.

Lloyd and the Capitols lost the game. But he played well enough to earn a roster spot and break the color barrier in a league that had only three black players in 1950 and now features the highest percentage of African-American athletes in any of the major professional leagues.

“Before the game, I was terrified,” recalled Lloyd, who scored six points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Capitols in a 78-70 loss to the Rochester Royals on Oct. 31, 1950. “I had a fear of disappointing the people who depended on me. Luckily, letting people down was not a part of my DNA.

“I’m glad I was part of something that helped pave the way for others.”

Now, as part of Black History Month, the 83-year-old Hall of Famer will be honored for his breakthrough at halftime of the Atlanta Hawks-Miami Heat game on Sunday. The former West Virginia State standout along with six other African-Americans will be recognized at all Hawks home games this month.

— Reported by Jonathan Landrum Jr. of the Associated Press

Josh Smith says politics behind All-Star snub

Josh Smith

Can dunk on your entire family

Hawks forward Josh Smith looks at the reserves voted to the Eastern Conference All-Star team and figures there must be behind-the-scenes forces that explain why some of the players made the team ahead of him.

“You’ve got to factor in there is a lot of politics involved in the All-Star selection,” Smith said Friday. “Once you get that it’s really about politics, then nothing really surprises you. I call it ‘Nothing But Associates,’ NBA. It’s all who you know.”

Coaches vote for the All-Star reserves, so there is the potential for lobbying by fellow coaches, other team personnel, and player agents. For example, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle reportedly lobbied coaches to vote for forward Dirk Nowitzki, who was selected for the team even after he had said he didn’t deserve it.

Smith said “I guess I don’t know the right people” and didn’t have people lobbying on his behalf.

— Reported by Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Hawks sign center Erick Dampier to 10-day contract

Erick Dampier

Big and old. Can bump into people

The Atlanta Hawks can use some help up front and they’re willing to give veteran center Erick Dampier a 10-day audition.

The Hawks today signed the 15-year veteran to a 10-day contract, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.

Selected 10th overall by Indiana in the 1996 NBA Draft, Dampier has played in 972 regular season games and 57 playoff contests with Indiana, Golden State, Dallas and Miami. He appeared in 51 games last season for the Heat, averaging 2.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 0.9 bpg (.584 FG%, .545 FT%).

He’s averaged 7.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg and 1.4 bpg over his career (.498 FG%, .626 FT%). With 6,980 career rebounds and 1,394 blocks, Dampier ranks 14th and 7th respectively on the NBA active career lists. His 2,713 offensive boards ranks 5th among active players.

Dampier will wear uniform no. 25.

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Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collins out at least two weeks

Jason Collins

Big guy who can raise his arms

Already without center Al Horford for an extended period, the Atlanta Hawks have suffered another blow to their frontcourt.

Hawks center Jason Collins, who suffered a sprained left elbow during Thursday’s game against Memphis, will miss a minimum of two weeks of action, according to Head Athletic Trainer Wally Blase. Collins will be re-evaluated at that time.

Even with Horford out, Collins hasn’t played much. For the season he’s averaging just 1.0 points and 1.6 rebounds in 10.5 minutes per game.

Still, the Hawks would rather have him around.

At 16-7, the Hawks are currently tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for the 4th best record in the Eastern conference.

Al Horford has surgery, still out 3-4 months

Al Horford had successful surgery today to repair his torn left pectoral muscle, according to Atlanta Hawks Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.

Dr. Xavier Duralde of Peachtree Orthopaedic Clinic performed the surgery, assisted by Hawks team physicians Dr. Michael Bernot and Dr. Ashok Reddy.

Horford suffered the injury midway through the first quarter at Indiana on January 11. He is expected to miss three-to-four months of action.

Hawks center Al Horford out 3-4 months with torn pectoral muscle

The Atlanta Hawks learned this afternoon that All-Star center Al Horford will likely miss three-to-four months of action after an MRI revealed a torn pectoral muscle in his left shoulder as a result of an injury he suffered with 6:08 remaining in the first quarter of Wednesday’s game at Indiana.

Typically, this type of injury requires surgery, but Horford will get a second opinion and make a final decision at that time.

“We are very disappointed for Al and our team and we wish him the best as he moves forward in the rehabilitation process,” said Hawks’ Executive Vice President and General Manager Rick Sund. “He has contributed greatly to our success since his arrival in Atlanta, and that’s evident by his selection to the NBA’s All-League team last season (third team pick).”

The two-time All-Star finished with five points and two rebounds before leaving last night’s contest, and in 11 games, Horford posted 12.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 blocks to go along with .553 FGs (eighth in the NBA).

Heckler recommends burger to Andray Blatche

Andray Blatche approached the scorers’ table to check in the second quarter of the Wizards’ 101-83 defeat at Philips Arena, when a heckler seated nearby decided to give him a hard time. The man shouted, “Have another burger, Dray!”

Blatche looked up, spotted the heckler and replied, “Got one?”

Blatche may have had a decent retort to a detractor, but he and the Wizards didn’t have any such response to the Atlanta Hawks on a night when the Wizards didn’t bother jumping out to an early lead only to get disappointed as they did in the season opener. They simply got down early, came back against the Hawks’ reserves, then went down for good.

Since jumping out to a 21-point lead in the second quarter against the New Jersey Nets in their first game, the Wizards have been outscored by 45 points over their past 79 minutes.

— Via Michael Lee of the Washington Wizards Blog