Houston Rockets Blog – Page 54 – NBA Blog

Rockets and Bucks trade Dalembert, Livingston, draft picks and more

The Milwaukee Bucks have acquired 10-year veteran center Samuel Dalembert, the 14th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, a future second round pick and cash considerations from Houston in exchange for forward Jon Brockman, forward Jon Leuer, guard Shaun Livingston and the 12th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

In 65 games (45 starts) with Houston last season, Dalembert (6-11, 250) averaged 7.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks (10th in NBA) in 22.2 minutes per game, while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 79.6 percent from the free throw line. In 727 career NBA games, Dalembert, 31, has career averages of 8.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots for the 76ers (2001-10), Kings (2010-11) and Rockets (2011-12). He has finished eight of his last 10 seasons ranked in the NBA’s top-10 in blocked shots.

A native of Haiti, Dalembert was the 26th overall pick by Philadelphia in the 2001 NBA Draft. He played eight seasons with the 76ers before being traded to Sacramento prior to the 2010-11 season. He signed with the Rockets as an unrestricted free agent prior to last season. He was named the recipient of the 2009-10 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award by the Professional Basketball Writers Association in recognition of his outstanding charitable works and tireless relief efforts in his native Haiti.

Brockman, 25, finished his third NBA campaign and second with Milwaukee last season. In 150 career NBA games, he has averaged 2.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Originally drafted by Portland in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft, Brockman was traded to Sacramento where he played his rookie season and averaged 2.8 points and 4.1 rebounds. He was traded to Milwaukee prior to the 2010-11 season for Darnell Jackson and a 2011 second round pick.

Leuer, 23, appeared in 46 games during his rookie season with the Bucks and averaged 4.7 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 50.8 percent from the field. He was the 40th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft after a stellar four-year collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin. He left the school ranked 12th in career points (1,376) and was named a First Team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and an honorable mention AP All-American as a senior.

Livingston, 26, appeared in 58 games (27 starts) last season for Milwaukee and averaged 5.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He was the 4th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers and has played 324 career games with six teams including the Clippers, Miami, Oklahoma City, Washington, Charlotte and Milwaukee over seven seasons. His career averages are 6.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

Houston Rockets announce SportsTalk 790 as new flagship radio home

The Houston Rockets and Clear Channel Media & Entertainment Houston announced today a multi-year rights agreement that establishes SportsTalk 790 as the new flagship radio home of the Rockets. Under the new agreement, SportsTalk 790 will air all Rockets games with a number of contests being simulcast on NewsTalk 740 KTRH or SUNNY 99.1 FM.

“We are very excited about our partnership with SportsTalk 790 and the Clear Channel family to bring Rockets games, as well as a broad range of shoulder programming, to fans throughout Houston and beyond,” said Rockets CEO Tad Brown. “With a great draft coming up, NBA All-Star ‘13 at Toyota Center and a talented young team looking to take the next step, the future is very bright for Rockets fans everywhere. We greatly appreciate the partnership with Clear Channel to deliver unique, compelling programming to our fans.”

The new era of Rockets basketball on SportsTalk 790 launches on Thursday, June 28, with live coverage of the 2012 NBA Draft. The special live broadcast from Toyota Center airs from 6:00-10:00 p.m. and will feature SportsTalk 790 hosts joined by members of the Rockets broadcast team.

“I’m elated with our new partnership with the Houston Rockets,” said Eddie Martiny, President/Market Manager, Clear Channel Media & Entertainment Houston. “Clear Channel Media & Entertainment and the Houston Rockets both have track records of striving for excellence. The excitement will start Thursday with one of the most anticipated drafts in Rockets history. We look forward to providing Rockets fans with the highest quality game broadcasts, as well as an incredible environment to voice their opinions on Houston’s new ‘Home of the Rockets’ SportsTalk 790.”

Craig Ackerman will return for his fifth season of calling play-by-play on all Rockets radio broadcasts. He will be joined on SportsTalk 790 broadcasts by Joel Blank, who enters his fourth season as analyst and studio host. Game broadcasts will continue to feature pre- and post-game shows, as well as a fan feedback segment following each Rockets outing. In addition to airing games, SportsTalk 790 will carry a number of ancillary Rockets radio programs, including a weekly Rockets show, a weekly Rockets personnel show and a weekly coach’s mid-day program that will all run during the season.

Rockets trade Chase Budinger to Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves today acquired 6-7 guard/forward Chase Budinger and the draft rights to 6-9 forward Lior Eliyahu from the Houston Rockets in exchange for the 18th overall pick in Thursday’s draft.

“We’re excited to add a player like Chase who is a proven shot-maker and also has an excellent all-around game,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “Chase knows Rick Adelman’s system well after playing for him in Houston, and he will be a good fit on our team.”

“Chase was an integral part of our team in Houston my last two years as coach there,” Adelman said. “He will help our perimeter game with his athleticism and shooting ability. Chase’s game has improved in each of his first three seasons in the NBA and we look forward to that continuing here in Minnesota.”

The 24-year-old Budinger played three seasons in Houston and has career averages of 9.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 210 games (35 starts). The 44th overall selection by the Detroit Pistons in the 2009 NBA Draft, Budinger was traded on draft night to the Rockets for a future second-round pick and cash. In 2011-12, Budinger established career highs in field goal percentage (.442) and three-point field goal percentage (.402). He also owns a career free throw percentage of .810.

An Encinitas, Calif., native, Budinger played three years at the University of Arizona where he averaged 17.0 points and 5.8 rebounds in 100 games for the Wildcats.

Eliyahu, a native of Israel, has played the past two seasons for Maccabi Tel Aviv, and averaged 11.3 points, on .579 shooting, and 4.1 rebounds in 69 games (56 starts) in 2011-12. The 26-year-old is a member of the Israeli national basketball team. Eliyahu was drafted with the 44th overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2006 NBA Draft and his rights were traded to Houston for cash considerations.

Kevin Durant discusses an annoying Shane Battier defensive habit

Shane Battier began the practice of sticking his hand in an opposing shooter’s face midway through his career and, by now, is known for it around the league. Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant said he “hates” it, the first time Battier says any player has acknowledged it.

“Kobe would never say that,” Battier said. “He’d swear up and down on all his championship trophies it doesn’t bother him. He wouldn’t give you anything.”

Battier said he respects Durant as much as anyone in the game for how he carries himself and plays the game. The public talk of Battier’s defense surprised the Heat player, though.

Asked if anyone else in the league face–guards opponents like he does, Battier said: “A couple of guys do it to me just to piss me off. But their technique needs work. It wasn’t effective.”

— Reported by Dave Hyde of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Toronto Raptors may want guard Kyle Lowry

The Raptors are extremely high on Lowry, so there is little doubt – despite Morey’s desire to keep Lowry in the fold – that he and Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo will discuss a Lowry deal. If that falls through the Raptors could instead pursue Dragic, though I do not know if he is a favourite of theirs like Lowry or not.

After Lowry burned the Raptors for a game-high 26 points (including 4-for-4 from three) in a three-point win in Houston, I asked Raptors head coach Dwane Casey what he thought of Lowry and Casey lauded the guard for his toughness and ability.

“He’s a hell of a competitor. He’s their heart and soul and spirit of their team and I love the way he plays,” Casey said.

Long-time Raptor Alvin Williams, now a scout with the team, is extremely close with Lowry and is one of his mentors. Both are from Philadelphia and both played for Villanova. “Alvin is my main man,” Lowry once said.

Complicating a potential deal would be the fact that Houston would have to be sure Dragic will re-sign long-term with the club to be its starter before opting to trade Lowry.

— Reported by Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun (Blog)

Kyle Lowry has issues with Rockets coach Kevin McHale

Barely three weeks after surgery to repair a sports hernia and torn abductor muscles, Rockets guard Kyle Lowry returned to the Toyota Center weight rooms and went through shooting drills on the practice court.

But as he leaves town Saturday, he does not know if he’ll return to those familiar facilities or if he wants to be back.

Lowry does not believe he and Goran Dragic, his successor as the starting point guard this season, will both return to the roster next season. Lowry was even less confident he and Rockets coach Kevin McHale can successfully coexist.

“I don’t think so,” Lowry, 26, said. “I honestly think it would be tough. Things have to be addressed. The situation would have to be addressed.

“If things aren’t addressed coaching-wise, I guess I have to be moved.”

— Reported by Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle Blog

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

Rockets guard Kyle Lowry has surgery, should be OK in 6-8 weeks

Houston Rockets guard Kyle Lowry underwent successful surgery this morning to correct a sports hernia. Lowry is expected to return to his normal offseason training program in six to eight weeks.

In his fourth season with Houston, Lowry averaged 14.3 points, 6.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.55 steals in 47 games (38 starts).

The Rockets finished the season with a 34-32 record, good for 9th in the Western conference.

Austin Toros win 2012 D-League championship

The 2012 NBA Development League Most Valuable Player Justin Dentmon scored a team-high 30 points to lead the Austin Toros to its first-ever NBA Development League Championship with a 122-110 victory over the Los Angeles D-Fenders Saturday night at the Toyota Sports Center in L.A.

The Toros led end-to-end for the second straight game in L.A., and overcame a Game One loss to beat the D-Fenders in three games. The team finishes the 2012 postseason a perfect 6-0 in elimination games.

Eric Dawson, the 2012 NBA D-League Impact Player of the Year, scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while six Toros, including all five starters, scored in double figures. Julian Wright netted 19 points, while Brad Wanamaker poured in 18.

“We expected to win every game,” said Toros head coach Brad Jones. “We beat one heck of an L.A. D-Fenders team and we did it as a group so I’m really really excited for our guys.”

Mardy Collins finished with a game-high 31 points off the bench for the D-Fenders, while teammate Elijah Millsap scored 26. Malcolm Thomas recorded 17 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

Metta World Peace suspended 7 games for elbowing James Harden

The Lakers’ Metta World Peace has been suspended for seven games without pay for striking the Thunder’s James Harden in the head with his elbow, the NBA announced today.

The incident, which resulted in a Flagrant Foul Two and ejection, occurred with 1:39 remaining in the second quarter of the Lakers’ 114-106 victory over the Thunder on April 22 at Staples Center.

“The concussion suffered by James Harden demonstrates the danger posed by violent acts of this kind, particularly when they are directed at the head area,” NBA Commissioner David Stern said. “We remain committed to taking necessary measures to protect the safety of NBA players, including the imposition of appropriate penalties for players with a history of on-court altercations.”

The suspension will begin with the Lakers’ next game at Sacramento on April 26. The remaining games of the suspension will be served over the next six games in which the player is eligible and physically able to play, including this season’s playoffs.

To view the incident, click on this link.

The Los Angeles Lakers have issued the following statement from General Manager Mitch Kupchak following the NBA’s announcement of the suspension of Metta World Peace:

“Metta has for the most part been a model citizen both on and off the court since joining the Lakers. Still, his most recent lapse in judgement is not to be condoned or accepted. His actions could have seriously injured another player, and his absence during this suspension will hurt our team as well. While we accept the league’s decision, we will be supportive of Metta and try to help him be more professional on the court.”

Courtney Lee hopes to stay with Rockets

Because guard Courtney Lee is a restricted free agent, his future is in the Rockets’ hands. The team can match any offer sheet he signs, but he said that would be fine with him.

“I’d love to stay in Houston,” Lee said. “I have little control over that. The only thing I can control is how I play every night and give 100 percent effort. The off-the-court stuff is up to the front office and owner. I’d like to stay, but that’s their decision.

“Houston is always going to be my first choice. It’s up to those guys, if I get an offer, whether they match it or if they just come out and give me an offer.”

— Reported by Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle (Blog)