Cleveland Cavaliers Blog – Page 70 – NBA Blog

Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas named Rookies of Month for March

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving and the Sacramento Kings’ Isaiah Thomas were today named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in March. The award is the third for Irving this season and the second for Thomas.

Irving led all rookies in scoring (19.9 ppg), assists (6.7 apg), and was second in free throw percentage (.881). He also led all Eastern Conference rookies in fourth-quarter scoring (7.4 ppg). Irving scored 20 or more points in eight games in March, shooting .500 or better six times. He and had a career-high 12 assists to go along with nine points against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 9, snapping the Thunders 14 game home winning streak.

Thomas led all Western Conference rookies in assists (4.9 apg) and was second in scoring (13.6 ppg). He also led all rookies in fastbreak points (64) in March and was ranked first in free throws made (54), second in assists (89), third in points (245) and steals (24).

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, Denver’s Kenneth Faried, Detroit’s Brandon Knight, Houston’s Chandler Parsons, New Jersey’s MarShon Brooks and San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard.

Cavs guard Daniel Gibson undergoing surgery on torn tendon today

Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson is scheduled to undergo surgery this afternoon to repair a torn tendon in his left foot and ankle at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute in Van Nuys, California.

The surgery was recommended by Cavaliers Head Team Physician Dr. Richard Parker of the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Sports Health in conjunction with additional examination and consultation with Dr. Richard D. Ferkel of the Southern California Orthopedic Institute. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Ferkel.

Gibson’s status will be updated following a post-operative review. A time table for his return to play will be established at that point.

Cavaliers sign Lester Hudson to 10-day contract

The 17-31 Cleveland Cavaliers have lost five straight games and only won two of their last 10 contests. And today they chose to add some depth to their backcourt.

The Cavs have signed guard Lester Hudson from the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League to a 10-day contract, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced.

The signing of Hudson marks the 46th Call-Up of the 2011-12 season. Hudson will wear No. 14 for the Cavaliers and is available for tonight’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Hudson has appeared in five games (two starts) for the Toros this season, averaging 17.6 points on .532 shooting, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.4 steals in 29.2 minutes per game. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound guard from the University of Tennessee-Martin was originally drafted in the second round with the 58th overall pick by the Boston Celtics in the 2009 NBA Draft.

During his rookie year in 2009-10, Hudson played in 25 total games for the Celtics and the Memphis Grizzlies, posting averages of 2.3 points and 0.7 rebounds in 5.4 minutes per game. He also appeared in 20 D-League games for the Dakota Wizards and Maine Red Claws, averaging 16.0 points on .435 shooting, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 27.2 minutes per game. During the 2010-11 season, Lester appeared in 11 games for the Washington Wizards and posted averages of 1.6 points and 1.5 assists in 6.9 minutes per game.

Anderson Varejao plans to play for Brazil in Olympics

Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao plans to play for Brazil in this summer’s Olympics as long as he’s fully recovered from a wrist injury.

Varejao broke his right wrist on Feb. 11 in a game against Milwaukee. It’s taken him longer to get back than expected, but the 6-foot-11 Varejao says he wants to play for Cleveland again in the final month of the season because “this is what I love to do.” And as long as he’s healthy, Varejao intends to play for Brazil’s national team in the London Games.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Cavaliers waive center Ryan Hollins

The Cleveland Cavaliers have decided they no longer require the services of center Ryan Hollins.

The team waived Hollins today, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced.

Hollins, 27, has averages of 3.7 points on .500 shooting and 2.3 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per game in 24 games (seven starts) this season. He has career averages of 4.2 points on .554 shooting and 2.3 rebounds in 13.2 minutes per game in 299 games (54 starts).

The Cavaliers roster now stands at 14.

Cavs keep Manny Harris, waive Jason Kapono

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard Manny Harris for the remainder of the 2011-12 season, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today. Per league and team policy, terms of the contract were not announced. Additionally, the Cavaliers have waived forward Jason Kapono.

Harris most recently completed a second 10-day contract with the Cavaliers on March 11th. He has appeared in three games with Cleveland this season, totaling nine points and two rebounds in 20 minutes. Prior to being signed by the Cavs, Harris played in 17 games (12 starts) this season with the Canton Charge, the Cavaliers exclusively owned and operated NBA Development League team. Harris averaged 21.4 points on .470 shooting with 7.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals in 32.9 minutes per game with Canton.

Kapono was acquired on March 15th as part of the trade in which the Cavaliers acquired the Los Angeles Lakers’ first round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft (lottery-protected), Luke Walton, the right to swap their least favorable first round pick in the 2013 NBA Draft with the Lakers (Please note: the Cavaliers currently own their own first round pick and Miami’s) and cash considerations from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for guard Ramon Sessions and guard/forward Christian Eyenga.

Cavs sign Donald Sloan for rest of season

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard Donald Sloan from the Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League for the remainder of the 2011-12 season, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today. The signing of Sloan marks the 34th GATORADE Call-Up of the 2011-12 season.

In eight games (all starts), Sloan has averaged 22.8 points on .496 shooting, 5.1 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.4 steals in 38.6 minutes per game with the BayHawks. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound guard from Texas A&M has appeared in eight NBA games this season, playing five games for the Atlanta Hawks and three games for the New Orleans Hornets. In eight NBA games, Sloan averaged 2.3 points, 1.0 rebound and 1.6 assists in 7.4 minutes per game.

The 24-year-old spent the 2010-11 season with the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League, playing in 49 games (33 starts) and posting averages of 10.7 points on .483 shooting, 3.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 27.7 minutes per game.

Cavaliers trade Ramon Sessions to Lakers

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired the Los Angeles Lakers’ first round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft (lottery-protected) and forwards Jason Kapono and Luke Walton from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for guard Ramon Sessions and guard/forward Christian Eyenga. Additionally, the Cavaliers received the right to swap their least favorable first round pick in the 2013 NBA Draft with the Lakers (Please note: the Cavaliers currently own their own first round pick and Miami’s) and cash considerations.

“We want to thank Ramon and Christian for their hard work and contributions here. Ramon is a true pro and approached his job in a way that showed that every day. Christian grew a great deal during his time here and worked very hard on his game. We wish both of them the very best,” said Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant. “Our primary focus continues to center on building this team with our young core and, most importantly, through the draft as we develop a very talented group that can play and succeed together for many years to come.”

Sessions, a four-year NBA veteran out of the University of Nevada, is averaging 10.5 points and 5.2 assists per game this season. The 6-3 guard was originally selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round (56th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft and played for the Bucks and the Timberwolves before being traded to the Cavaliers in the summer of 2010. He currently owns career averages of 11.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 300 games.

Eyenga, the 30th overall pick by Cleveland in the 2009 NBA Draft, has played in six games this season averaging 1.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 13.8 minutes. The 6-7 forward played in 44 games as a rookie with the Cavaliers averaging 6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 21.5 minutes. For his career, the 22-year old from the Congo has posted averages of 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 20.4 minutes.

Kapono, 31, is averaging 2.0 points on .382 shooting and 0.5 rebounds in 9.9 minutes per game in 27 games this season. He was originally drafted by the Cavaliers in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft (31st overall). He has career averages of 6.7 points on .442 shooting and 1.7 rebounds in 509 games (87 starts).

Walton, also 31, is averaging 1.3 points on .429 shooting and 1.6 rebounds in 7.1 minutes per game in nine games during the 2011-12 season. Also an eight-year veteran drafted in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft (32nd overall), Walton has career averages of 4.9 points on .433 shooting, 2.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 17.3 minutes per game in 493 games (138 starts).

Read NBA fan opinion and share your views in this basketball forum topic.

Why LeBron sometimes feels like Shaq

Shaquille O’Neal used to complain about foul calls, and how his defenders deserved them on every play.

O’Neal was a unique player, regarded as almost impossible to officiate, due to his unique quickness at his size, as well as his strength that allowed him to shake off rough and cheap shots.

James acknowledged Tuesday that he sees a similarity.

“A lot of people say that to me,” James said. “A lot of people say that they look at me, like I’m being officiating like Shaq (was) when he played. A lot of people tell me that. Because of the power and the strength, and they see us finish with contact so many times. They feel like sometimes, it may not be a foul. A lot of people have come up and told me that, people who are part of the game and people who have never played the game of basketball in their life.”

— Reported by Ethan J. Skolnick of the Palm Beach Post (Blog)

Kyrie Irving won’t play for Australia in 2012 Olympics

Cavaliers rookie Kyrie Irving won’t play for Australia in the London Olympics this summer.

Irving was born in Australia in 1992, while his father was playing professional basketball in Melbourne. He holds dual U.S. and Australian citizenship, making him eligible to play for either country under FIBA rules.

Irving said Monday night, after Cleveland lost to Utah 109-100, that he will remain with Team USA. He hopes to make the Olympic team in 2016 and play again for Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Irving said he received confirmation that Krzyzewski will coach Team USA in four years in the Rio Olympics. Irving played for Krzyzewski at Duke last season before becoming the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

— Reported by ESPN.com with information from the Associated Press