Indiana Pacers Blog – Page 54 – NBA Blog

NBA stars, celebs bowl for charity in NYC tonight

NBA stars Al Harrington (Denver Nuggets) and Dahntay Jones (Indiana Pacers) have teamed up to host their First Annual Celebrity Charity Bowling Event, Friday, August 27, at Lucky Strike in Manhattan, New York from 8:00 p.m.- 1:00 a.m.

Jones and Harrington will host an event that will bring together top NBA, NFL, and MLB players along with entertainment notables to bowl for a cause. All proceeds from the event will equally be distributed amongst the Dahntay Jones Foundation and the Al Harrington Foundation. Information on each charity can be requested.

The star studded event will have sounds on the turn-tables from New York’s very own, DJ Clue, as confirmed guests Devin Harris, CC Sabathia, Wilson Chandler, Carlos Beltran, Solomon Jones, Justin Tuck, Darrelle Revis, Braylon Edwards, Speedy Claxton, Stephen Jackson, Troy Murphy, Sebastian Telfair, Anthony Morrow, Tyronn Lue, Allan Houston, John Starks, Amare Stoudemire, Ben Gordon, Earl Watson, Tracy McGrady, Michael Strahan, Kelenna Azubuike, Leon Washington, Herb Williams, Toney Douglas, Howard Eisley, Juelz Santana, and Cappie Pondexter-all come together for a, fun-filled, competitive night of bowling to benefit at risk communities across the nation.

InsideHoops.com will be at the event. You can be there too! Tickets are available. Please visit www.ckstrategies.eventbrite.com/ for more information regarding specific event details as well as VIP and general admission ticket sales.

NBA suspends Brandon Rush, Kenny Hasbrouck and Tyreke Evans

Brandon Rush of the Indiana Pacers, Kenny Hasbrouck of the Miami Heat and Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings have each been suspended for their actions in separate incidents, the NBA announced today.

Rush has been suspended without pay for five games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.

Hasbrouck has been suspended without pay for two games for pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated, in violation of the law of the State of New York.

Evans has been suspended without pay for one game for pleading no contest to reckless driving, in violation of the law of the State of California.

Each players’ suspension will begin with the first game of the NBA regular season for which he is eligible and physically able to play.

Nathan Jawai signs in Serbia

Serbian powerhouse team BC Partizan have confirmed on their website that Australian basketball star Nathan Jawai has signed a one-year deal with the club.

Jawai, a former player for the Cairns Taipans in the National Basketball League, had just finished his second season in the American NBA.

At Partizan Jawai will replace fellow countryman and Australian Boomers World Championship team member Aleks Maric, who recently signed with Greek superpower club Panathinaikos.

BC Partizan are Serbia’s best team, and have won nine consecutive national titles.

Jawai played 39 games for the Minnesota Timberwolves in season 2009/10, averaging 3.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. He played six games for the Toronto Raptors in the 2008/09 season.

He also has appeared in the NBA Development League for Idaho Stampede and Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Jawai was originally drafted 41st overall by the Indiana Pacers in 2008, but was immediately dealt to the Toronto Raptors.

One year later, Jawai was traded again to Dallas in a four-team deal involving the Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic. A few months later Jawai, who never appeared in a game for Dallas, was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Nathan Jawai of the Australian Boomers scores during game three of the International Series between Australia and Argentina at Brett Maher Court, The Dome on June 29, 2010 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)

Full 2010 preseason schedule

The NBA today released its 2010 preseason schedule, which is highlighted by a comprehensive international slate of games that includes seven contests in China, Europe and Mexico. The preseason slate tips off on Oct. 3, when the New York Knicks visit Armani Jeans Milano – the former team of Knicks forward Danillo Gallinari and head coach Mike D’Antoni – in Milan, Italy, and the New Jersey Nets host Maccabi Haifa.

As is the case these days, the action starts overseas, with a few NBA squads heading to Europe.

I’ve always had mixed feelings about teams playing preseason ball overseas. Because generally it’s just a warmup. I think if NBA fans overseas are going to get a rare taste of live NBA action, it should be the best basketball possible, and we usually don’t see that before the regular season begins.

See the complete 2010-11 NBA preseason schedule.

Statement from Pacers president Larry Bird on arrest of Lance Stephenson

Statement from Indiana Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird:

The news of Lance Stephenson’s arrest is very disappointing to the Pacers franchise and to me personally. We have worked very hard to bring in players that are excellent representatives of our franchise, community and state both on and off the court. Our commitment to this goal is too strong to permit the actions of one individual to reverse all of the positive strides that have been made as a franchise over the last couple of years or to hurt the image of the rest of the players on our team. Everyone in the Pacers organization remains strongly committed to our players representing Indianapolis and the state of Indiana in a positive way and will not condone behavior that reflects poorly on this franchise and community.

We are continuing to gather all of the facts regarding Lance’s arrest but regardless of the outcome of the investigation, Lance should not have put himself in the position he was in early Sunday morning. We have consistently emphasized to our players the importance of not putting themselves in situations where bad things can happen. Once all the facts are known we will deal appropriately with Lance so that he, the team and the entire Pacers community understands that this message cannot be ignored.

Lance Stephenson charged with assault

Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star reports:

Just days after feeling good about making what they think is their best trade in years, the Pacers were knocked down Sunday when rookie guard Lance Stephenson was arrested and charged with third-degree assault after he allegedly pushed his girlfriend down a flight of stairs in Brooklyn, N.Y., early Sunday.

“We have been made aware of a situation involving Lance Stephenson early Sunday morning in Brooklyn,” Pacers president Larry Bird said in a statement released from the team. “We are currently in the process of gathering information and will have further comments as we learn more facts.” …

Stephenson was charged with sexual abuse for allegedly groping a girl at a bus stop near his high school in New York his senior year. The charge was dismissed and he ended up pleading to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct.

John Lauinger of the New York Daily News reports:

Stephenson, 19, a legendary player at Brooklyn’s Abraham Lincoln High School, roughed up Jasmine Williams, 21, at her Brooklyn apartment building about 5 a.m., police said.

The 6-foot-5 rookie point guard’s cowardly shove sent Williams – the mother of Stephenson’s child – tumbling headfirst down 10 steps, requiring her to be treated at a hospital for injuries to her head and neck, cops said…

He was also booked on charges of third-degree assault, harassment and menacing. Prosecutors added a charge of criminal possession of a weapon, but a spokesman could not specify what the weapon was.

March 09 2010: Cincinnati's guard Lance Stephenson (33) pushes the ball up court in the second half of first round Big East Tournament games between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Cincinnati Bearcats at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Cincinnati defeated Rutgers 69-68.

Danny Granger injures finger at Team USA training

The AP reports:

The U.S. national team brought its injury bug east.

Danny Granger injures finger at Team USA training

Indiana forward Danny Granger dislocated a finger on his right hand Tuesday as the Americans scrimmaged during the opening day of their training camp in New York.

Granger was hurt when he banged his hand on the rim while playing defense. Team officials didn’t believe the injury was serious, but Granger planned to see a doctor after practice.

With his ring and middle fingers taped together and a splint over the ring finger, Granger said he wasn’t sure of his status, having never before injured his shooting hand.

March 14, 2010 Milwaukee, WI. Bradley Center..Indiana Pacers Danny Granger pulls up for the mid range jumper, Granger had 29 points and 4 rebounds against the Bucks today..Milwaukee Buck won over the Indiana Pacers 98-94. Mike McGinnis/CSM.

Pacers have done nothing this summer

The Indiana Pacers seem to be on a 300-year rebuilding plan.

Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star reports (via blog):

Pacers officials weren’t lying when they said they were going to take their time when it came to making a roster move.

We’re in the last week of July and the only additions the Pacers have made so far have been three draft picks in what was supposed to be the “Summer of Dangling Expiring Contracts.”

In fact, somebody in the league recently mentioned to me that the Pacers’ biggest offseason move so far has been naming Clark Kellogg the vice president of player relations.

Until something changes, Pacers star Danny Granger still lacks the teammates to really compete in the East.

Pacers sign second-round rookie Lance Stephenson

The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday they have signed second-round draft pick Lance Stephenson to a multi-year contract. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Stephenson, a 6-5, 210-pound guard, was the 40th overall pick in June’s NBA Draft.

The 2010 Big East Rookie of the Year from Cincinnati recently played for the Pacers’ summer league team in Orlando where in four games he was the Pacers’ second-leading scorer at 14.8 ppg.

He also led the eight-team Orlando summer league in field goal percentage at .733 (22-of-30) of those players with 10 or more field goal attempts, earning all-league honorable mention honors.

Pacers getting $33.5 million to stay in Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Star reports:

The Indiana Pacers are staying in Indianapolis, but it will cost taxpayers at least $33.5 million over the next three years.

The city and the Pacers are expected today to announce an agreement hailed by some as an important step in protecting the financial state of the city but criticized by others as a multimillion-dollar bailout of a professional sports team and its billionaire owner…

Under the terms, control of Conseco Fieldhouse — and revenues from all events there — will remain with the team, but unlike the current contract, the city will chip in $10 million per year for fieldhouse operations for the next three years. The city also will pay at least $3.5 million for capital improvements at the fieldhouse, an amount that has the potential to increase by up to $4.7 million.

In exchange, the Pacers must stay in Indianapolis through the 2012-13 basketball season or pay back the entire $30 million. The team also would be on the hook for a portion of that $30 million if it left before its contract expired in 2019.