Dallas Mavericks Blog – Page 37 – NBA Blog

Shaun Livingston suspended for hitting Dirk Nowitzki in groin

Shaun Livingston suspended for hitting Dirk Nowitzki in groin

Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston has been suspended one game without pay for hitting Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki in the groin, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 1:28 remaining in the third quarter of the Warriors’ 123-110 victory over the Mavericks at American Airlines Center.

Livingston will serve his suspension tonight when the Warriors visit the San Antonio Spurs.

The New York Post reports: “No one plays post defense and does that in normal post defense,” Cuban said after Livingston, a former Net, essentially reached between the big German’s legs and upper-cutted, resulting in a flagrant foul. “That’s not normal post defense. It was obvious.”

To view the play, click on this link.

Monta Ellis to miss his first NBA game in a long time

Monta Ellis to miss his first NBA game in a long time

Here’s ESPN Dallas with an update on Mavs SG Monta Ellis, who is hurt but fortunately should return very soon:

Shooting guard Monta Ellis will miss a game for the first time during his two-season tenure with the Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavs’ leading scorer has been ruled out for Sunday night’s road game against the Indiana Pacers due to a right calf injury suffered during Friday night’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs. It will end Ellis’ streak of 237 consecutive games played, which dates to the 2012-13 season opener.

Coach Rick Carlisle said the Mavs did not have a firm timetable for Ellis’ return, but they do not consider the injury serious.

“He’s off crutches, but he’s still very sore,” Carlisle said. “It’s not considered serious, but it is something that’s a great concern for us.”

Amare Stoudemire fined $15,000 by NBA

Amare Stoudemire fined $15,000 by NBA

Be nice to the refs, and go away when they officially instruct you to go away, or there’s going to be a problem.

Dallas Mavericks forward/center Amar’e Stoudemire has been fined $15,000 for verbally abusing an official and failing to leave the court in a timely manner upon his ejection, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred last night with 5:25 remaining in the third quarter of the Mavericks’ 112-101 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at American Airlines Center.

To view the play, click on this link.

Steve Nash announces retirement

Steve Nash announces retirement

Steve Nash has announced his retirement from basketball. Here’s ESPN Los Angeles reporting:

After a 19-year NBA career in which he twice won MVP honors, tallied the third-most assists in league history and assured his place in the Hall of Fame as one of the greatest point guards ever to play the game, Steve Nash formally announced he is walking away from the game Saturday in a letter published on The Players’ Tribune website.

“The greatest gift has been to be completely immersed in my passion and striving for something I loved so much — visualizing a ladder, climbing up to my heroes,” Nash wrote. “The obsession became my best friend. I talked to her, cherished her, fought with her and got knocked on my ass by her.

“And that is what I’m most thankful for in my career. In my entire life, in some ways. Obviously, I value my kids and my family more than the game, but in some ways having this friend — this ever-present pursuit — has made me who I am, taught me and tested me, and given me a mission that feels irreplaceable. I am so thankful. I’ve learned so many invaluable lessons about myself and about life. And of course I still have so much to learn. Another incredible gift.”

Nash, who didn’t play this season with the Los Angeles Lakers because of injuries, finishes his career with 10,335 assists, third-most in NBA history behind John Stockton and Jason Kidd.

Chandler Parsons concerned that his shoes were factor in his injury

Chandler Parsons concerned that his shoes were factor in his injury

Here’s ESPN Dallas reporting on something we don’t get to hear much about: the impact that shoes have on NBA player injuries. There are plenty of suspicions in many cases. But few quotes or info to go on. Here’s the report:

Dallas Mavericks small forward Chandler Parsons returned Sunday after missing seven games due to an ankle injury.

His signature shoes were nowhere to be seen, however.

Parsons, who has a $1 million per year endorsement deal with the Chinese shoe company Anta, wore Jordan Brand sneakers with the logos covered during the Mavs’ 100-93 win over the Los Angeles Lakers because of concerns that his shoes contributed to the sprain and bone bruise to his left ankle.

“I just am trying to figure out if it was one of the shoes that I was wearing that bothered me,” Parsons told ESPNDallas.com. “I just wanted to fix them and make them stiffer.

“The injury that I had, [Mavs athletic trainer Casey Smith] was telling me how [the Anta shoes] were a little too flexible in the ankle, so I guess they said Jordan Brand had a stiffer shoe. In the meantime, I blacked out the logo and am trying to wear those until my new shoe is out.”

Mavericks sign Bernard James for remainder of season

Mavericks sign Bernard James for remainder of season

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed center Bernard James for the remainder of the season.

James (6-10, 235) was originally signed to his first of two 10-day contracts on February 11. Since joining the Mavericks, he has averaged 4.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 17.5 minutes in 5 games (2 starts).

The Savannah, Ga., native spent training camp with the Mavericks this preseason and averaged 2.6 points and 4.2 rebounds in 5 games. Before signing with the Mavericks in February he most recently played in China for the Shanghai Sharks.

The Mavericks roster is currently at 15.

Chandler Parsons still out Saturday vs Nets

Chandler Parsons still out Saturday vs Nets

Here’s the Dallas Morning News reporting on a key Maverick:

Chandler Parsons will miss his fourth consecutive game Saturday when the Dallas Mavericks play Brooklyn, coach Rick Carlisle said Friday.

“Parsons is doing much better, but he’s not going to play (Saturday),” Carlisle said. “He’s out of the boot. He’s doing some shooting and light movement stuff, but he’s not ready yet.”

Parsons suffered a sprained left ankle on Feb. 20.

Rondo says he will leave frustration in the past

Rondo says he will leave frustration in the past

Here’s the Dallas Morning News reporting on Mavericks point guard Rajon Rondo, who has had a chip on his shoulder for a long time and isn’t going to change anytime soon. Though, that same chip has helped him succeed at the highest levels, including winning an NBA championship. The Mavs know this. Anyway, here’s the report.

Rajon Rondo said Friday he had some built-up frustrations with coach Rick Carlisle that led to their heated exchange on Tuesday and subsequent suspension of Rondo, and that conversations with many members of the organization since have helped put everybody on the same page.

In his first interview since the confrontation with Carlisle against Toronto, the Dallas Mavericks’ point guard measured his words carefully, but said he’s as gung-ho as ever about this team’s potential and plans to be a leader in the stretch run and playoffs.

“Definitely, he had some frustrations with me and vice-versa,” Rondo said. “So communication is definitely key in this situation. We’ve had a couple talks since then and we’re going to move forward.”

“The most important thing is communication with coach.”

Carlisle addresses Rondo communication issue

Rick Carlisle addresses Rajon Rondo communication issue

Here’s the Fort Worth Star-Telegram blog with an update on the disagreement between Carlisle and Rondo:

Carlisle addresses communication issue with Rondo

Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle addressed the media prior to Wednesday’s game in Atlanta to try and explain how him and point guard Rajon Rondo got in a heated profanity-laced exchange during Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Raptors.

The incident led to the Mavs suspended Rondo for one game without pay. But Carlisle said Rondo, who will sit out tonight’s game in Atlanta, will practice with the team Friday and be in the starting lineup when the Mavs entertain Brooklyn on Saturday.

“The incident last night was born in large part from poor communication between him and I, and that’s on both of us,’’ Carlisle said. “We had a long talk about the situation today and we both agreed that we need to communicate more frequently and we need to work on the solution for making his stint as a Dallas Mavericks the most successful one possible.”

Rick Carlisle, Rajon Rondo express some disagreements

Let’s get this right out of the way. Players sometimes disagree with each other. Players and coaches often do the same. Sometimes it’s a lingering problem but quite often it’s nothing to be alarmed about. That said, here’s ESPN Dallas reporting on Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle and relatively new Mavs point guard Rajon Rondo:

Carlisle predictably wasn’t in much of a mood to chat about Rondo after Tuesday night’s 99-92 win over the Toronto Raptors. Nor was Rondo, at least to the media.

But Carlisle and Rondo had plenty to say to each other during a tense timeout with 8:10 remaining in the third quarter. The stubborn coach and headstrong point guard exchanged a lot of expletives as they shouted at each other in a dispute stemming from Rondo’s desire to have more play-calling responsibilities.

“Well, it’s an emotional game and we had a difference of opinion,” Carlisle said. “There was an exchange, and then, in my mind, it was over.”

Well, it apparently lasted at least the rest of the game. The evidence: Rondo rode the pine for the final 20:10, a span in which reserve guards Devin Harris and J.J. Barea played key roles in the Mavs’ rally from a nine-point deficit.