Atlanta Hawks Blog – Page 61 – NBA Blog

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

Atlanta Hawks sign guard Willie Green

The Atlanta Hawks today signed free agent guard Willie Green, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed.

Green played in 77 games last season with the New Orleans Hornets, starting 13, and averaging 8.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 1.0 apg (.443 FG%, .348 3FG%, .780 FT%). He has played in 499 career regular season games, including 422 with Philadelphia, where he spent his first seven seasons before his one year with the Hornets. Green has averaged 9.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg and 1.6 apg (.425 FG%, .322 3FG%, .756 FT%) over his career, also seeing action in 23 postseason games.

The University of Detroit Mercy product was selected by Seattle in the second round (41st overall ) of the 2003 NBA Draft, and was acquired by Philadelphia in a draft-night trade for the rights to Paccelis Morlende and cash considerations.

The Hawks’ first regular season home game is Wednesday, December 28 against John Wall and the Washington Wizards (7:30 p.m.).

Atlanta Hawks sign guard Jannero Pargo

The Atlanta Hawks today signed guard Jannero Pargo, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed.

Pargo signed with the Bulls on March 20, 2011, but didn’t appear in a contest last season. In 2009-10 with Chicago, the seven-year veteran played in 63 games (starting five), averaging 5.5 ppg, 1.4 apg and 1.2 rpg in 13.2 mpg. He’s also spent time with the Lakers, Raptors and Hornets. In 379 career contests, he’s put in 6.6 ppg, 2.0 apg and 1.5 rpg in 15.7 mpg.

The Hawks’ updated 2011-12 training camp roster is attached.

Atlanta hosts Charlotte on Thursday at Philips Arena in the Hawks’ only home preseason contest (7:30 p.m.). Tickets are free to all kids under the age of 16 at the Philips Arena box office (up to four free tickets per paid adult).

The Hawks’ first regular season home game is Wednesday, December 28 against John Wall and the Washington Wizards (7:30 p.m.).

Jamal Crawford buys jersey number from Luke Babbitt

When the Trail Blazers officially introduced newly-signed Jamal Crawford at a news conference, he held up a brand new white No. 11 Blazers uniform and beamed from ear to ear as photographers snapped photos.

Wait … No. 11? Doesn’t Luke Babbitt wear No. 11?

Not anymore.

Crawford bought the number from Babbitt after a series of playful back-and-forth negotiations that spanned multiple days and involved Blazers captain LaMarcus Aldridge as a mediator.

No. 11 cost Crawford $12,000.

“That was a hard bargain, a tough bargain to get it,” Crawford said, laughing, after the Blazers’ practice on Saturday. “Luke could have been a lawyer … he got me.”

— Reported by Joe Freeman. Full article on the Oregonian

Trail Blazers sign guard Jamal Crawford

The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to terms with guard Jamal Crawford. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. We’ll post contract details shortly.

Crawford, 31, holds career averages of 15.4 points (41.0% FG, 35.0% 3-PT, 84.6% FT), 2.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 11 seasons with Chicago, New York, Golden State and Atlanta.

“We’ve thought highly of Jamal for a long time and think he’s a great fit for our team,” said Trail Blazers Acting General Manager Chad Buchanan. “He brings a scorer’s touch and veteran leadership that will help us immediately.”

Winner of the 2009-10 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award with Atlanta, Crawford (6-5, 200) played the last two seasons for the Hawks and placed second in the NBA in bench scoring (14.2 ppg) last season. With 1,307 career 3-pointers, Crawford ranks 13th among active NBA players and his 33 career four-point plays is an NBA record.

He has scored 50-plus points three times, including a career-high 52 on Jan. 26, 2007, with New York.

A Seattle native who played collegiately at the University of Michigan, Crawford was the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2000 NBA Draft.

Knicks sign guard Mike Bibby

New York Knickerbockers Senior Vice President, Basketball Operations and Interim General Manager Glen Grunwald announced today that the team has signed free agent guard Mike Bibby. Per team policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

“Mike is a veteran point guard who we know can be successful in our system,” Grunwald said. “He’s an effective player who has a long track record of leading his teams to postseason success.”

Bibby, 6-2, 195-pounds, holds career averages of 15.2 points, 5.7 assists, 1.20 steals and 34.7 minutes in 962 games (946 starts) over 13 NBA seasons with Vancouver, Sacramento, Atlanta, Washington and Miami. The Cherry Hill, NJ-native posted 8.6 points, 3.3 assists and 0.60 steals over 28.6 minutes in 80 games (68 starts) with Atlanta, Washington and Miami last season. He started all 20 postseason games for the Miami Heat, averaging 3.6 points, 1.1 assists and 0.55 steals over 20.8 minutes.

The University of Arizona alum was originally selected after his sophomore season by Vancouver in the first round (second overall) in the 1998 NBA Draft. He appeared in 100 postseason games (100 starts) and averaged 13.0 points, 4.1 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.10 steals over 33.6 minutes.

Detroit Pistons sign Damien Wilkins

The Detroit Pistons announced today that they have signed guard-forward Damien Wilkins. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Wilkins, 31, appeared in 52 games for the Atlanta Hawks last season averaging 3.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in 13.0 minutes per game. He appeared in eight postseason contests with the Hawks, averaging 1.8 points and 1.0 rebounds in 4.9 minutes per game. The seven-year NBA pro has career averages of 6.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 20.0 minutes in 442 games with Seattle, Oklahoma City, Minnesota and Atlanta.

Undrafted out of the University of Georgia, Wilkins enjoyed his best season a pro with Seattle in 2007-08 when he averaged 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 76 games (31 starts). He scored a career-high 41 points with a season-high nine rebounds at Atlanta (11/16) that season in addition to notching his 2,000th career point vs. Phoenix (3/19/08).

Wilkins is the son of 13-year NBA veteran Gerald Wilkins and nephew of Atlanta Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins.

Hawks sign forward Vladimir Radmanovic

The Atlanta Hawks today signed forward Vladimir Radmanovic, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed.

Radmanovic spent last season with the Golden State Warriors, averaging 5.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 1.1 apg in 15.8 mpg (.431 FG%, .405 3FG%, .882 FT%), appearing in 74 games (six starts), and ranking 23rd in the league in three-point percentage.

The 10-year veteran brings career numbers of 8.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 1.4 apg in 23.0 mpg to Atlanta (.417 FG%, .381 3FG%, .759 FT%). He’s also seen action in 44 playoff games (25 starts), posting 7.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 1.2 apg in 21.9 mpg (.440 FG%, .392 3FG%, .735 FT%). Selected by Seattle 12th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft, Radmanovic has also played for the LA Clippers, LA Lakers and Charlotte.

Hawks re-sign Jason Collins, sign Tracy McGrady

The Atlanta Hawks today re-signed center Jason Collins, and signed seven-time All-Star guard/forward Tracy McGrady as well as rookie second-round draft pick Keith Benson, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed.

Now in his third season in an Atlanta uniform, Collins appeared in 49 regular season games (28 starts) for the Hawks last year, averaging 2.0 ppg and 2.1 rpg in 12.1 mpg (.479 FG%, .659 FT%). He also played in 12 postseason games (nine starting assignments) during the 2011 NBA Playoffs, putting up 1.8 ppg and 1.4 rpg in 13.2 mpg (.643 FG%). Collins has suited up for 645 career regular season games and 90 playoff contests with New Jersey, Memphis, Minnesota and the Hawks.

McGrady comes to the Hawks from the Pistons, where in 72 games (39 starts) last season, he averaged 8.0 ppg, 3.5 apg and 3.5 rpg in 23.4 mpg (.442 FG%, .341 3FG%, .698 FT%). The ninth-leading active NBA scorer (18,108 points), McGrady has compiled career averages of 20.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.6 apg and 1.3 spg in 33.7 mpg (.435 FG%, .337 3FG%, .747 FT%). He has appeared in 886 games (703 starts) with Toronto (1997-00), Orlando (2000-04), Houston (2004-10), New York (2010) and Detroit (2010-11).

A seven-time All-Star, McGrady has also seen action in 38 career playoff games, where he’s tallied 28.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 6.2 apg and 1.3 spg in 42.2 mpg (.430 FG%, .301 3FG%, .756 FT%). The Auburndale, FL native was the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2001, was named All-NBA first team in 2002 and 2003, All-league second team in 2001, 2004 and 2007, and third team in 2005 and 2008. McGrady led the NBA in scoring in 2002-03 and 2003-04.

Benson was selected by the Hawks in the second round (48th overall) in the 2011 NBA Draft out of Oakland University. An AP All-America Honorable Mention pick as a junior and senior, he averaged 14.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg and 2.7 bpg (.558 FG%, .379 3FG%, .679 FT%) in 135 career games for the Golden Grizzlies, while setting the Summit League record for career blocked shots (363) and the school mark for double-doubles (48).

As a senior, the 6’11 Benson averaged 17.9 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 3.6 bpg and 1.1 apg (.547 FG%, .643 FT%) en route to his second consecutive Summit League Player of the Year award while also garnering Defensive Player of the Year honors. He tallied 17.3 ppg, 10.5 rpg and 3.3 bpg (.533 FG%, .724 FT%) in his junior season.

Additionally, the Hawks have added 16-year veteran and two-time All-Star Jerry Stackhouse, Charles Garcia, Zach Graham, Ivan Johnson and Donald Sloan to the training camp roster.