Memphis Grizzlies Blog – Page 31 – NBA Blog

Gasol vs Gasol in All-Star game tonight

Here’s ESPN Chicago with a look at one of the most interesting storylines heading into tonight’s 2015 All-Star game, that Pau Gasol starts for the East while his brother Marc Gasol starts for the West:

The basketball world is caught up in the Gasol vs. Gasol storyline heading into Sunday night’s All-Star Game.

Even the king.

“I think it’s amazing,” Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star LeBron James said, in regard to the fact that both Pau and Marc Gasol will be starting in Sunday’s game.

“I think it’s so awesome. I think it’s so cool, for the first time in our history, we see two brothers face off against each other in the All-Star Game. They’re great, both of them, Pau and Marc. They’re unbelievable, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

That seems to be the sentiment around the league. As the Gasol brothers continue to answer questions about their accomplishments from journalists all over the world, especially a crush from Spain that has chronicled their every move, it’s been interesting to listen to other All-Stars’ reactions about what the Gasols have accomplished.

Grizzlies sign JaMychal Green to 10-day contract

Memphis Grizzlies sign JaMychal Green to 10-day contract

The Memphis Grizzlies signed free agent forward JaMychal Green to a 10-day contract as a Call-Up from the NBA Development League’s Austin Spurs, Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace announced today.

Green (6-9, 220) has averaged 23.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.55 blocks in 31.8 minutes in 20 games (all starts) with Austin this season, shooting .577 from the field, .364 from three-point range and .843 from the free throw line. The NBA D-League Player of the Month for games in December, Green ranks sixth in the D-League in scoring and rebounding per game among players with at least 10 games played and is tied for seventh in double-doubles (15).

Green owns career D-League averages of 15.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.07 blocks in 26.8 minutes in 60 games (45 starts) in two seasons (2012-13, 2014-15) with Austin, shooting .532 from the field and .812 from the free throw line.

A 24-year-old NBA rookie, Green was signed by the San Antonio Spurs to a 10-day contract as a Call-Up on Jan. 18 and totaled eight points, six rebounds and two blocks in 25 minutes over four appearances for the Spurs, making four of his seven shot attempts.

Undrafted in the 2012 NBA Draft, the Montgomery, Ala. native averaged 13.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.72 blocks in 123 games over four seasons at the University of Alabama. He played 25 games for Chorale Roanne of the LNB Pro A League in France during the 2013-14 season.

Vince Carter out with foot injury

Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Vince Carter underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) today, which revealed a left foot tendon injury.

Carter will be re-evaluated within the next week at which time an update will be provided.

Zach Randolph a big key to Grizzlies success

Zach Randolph a big key to Grizzlies success

When you consider how well the Grizzlies have played this season — they started 21-4 — losing three of five to begin the new year was a modest slump. Then came the trade for Jeff Green on Jan. 12, which has helped stabilize the small forward position. Green is averaging 12.9 points in eight games with Memphis, which is 7-1 with the 28-year-old in the lineup. Other positives have coincided with the trade, most notably Zach Randolph averaging 19.6 points (59.2 percent shooting) and 13.1 rebounds in 10 games since returning from a nine-game absence for a right knee injury. The Grizzlies are 8-2 in those games. Overall, the Grizzlies are 29-7 with Randolph in the lineup and 4-5 without him. Memphis improved to 33-12 after a 109-90 win at Dallas on Tuesday, good for second in the West, and hosts Denver tonight (8 p.m. ET) in the first game of a doubleheader on TNT.

Three-team trade sends Jeff Green to Memphis

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has acquired forward Quincy Pondexter and a future second round draft pick from the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a three-team deal including the Boston Celtics. In exchange, New Orleans has traded guard Austin Rivers to Boston and guard Russ Smith to Memphis. As additional components of the trade, Boston has acquired forward Tayshawn Prince and a future first round draft pick from Memphis, and Memphis has acquired forward Jeff Green from Boston.

“The New Orleans Pelicans are thrilled to welcome back a high character person like Quincy Pondexter to our organization,” said Dell Demps, General Manager of the Pelicans. “Quincy is a two-way player, a multi-position defender that will add toughness along with an offensive skill set that we anticipate will help the Pelicans win games.”

“It was difficult to trade Austin Rivers and Russ Smith”, said Demps. “Russ was only with the team for a short time while Austin is an intense competitor that is continuing to improve. We will miss Austin and Russ on and off the court. We thank Austin and Russ for their contributions and wish them success in the future.”

According to Yahoo Sports, “Green gives the Grizzlies a versatile veteran who can score and defend both forward positions. He is averaging 17.6 points and 4.2 rebounds this season. Green makes $9.2 million this season and holds a player option of $9.2 million in 2015-16 – the final year of his contract. The Celtics are unloading assets – they traded forward Brandan Wright to the Phoenix Suns for a future first-round draft pick earlier Friday – and gathering assets for a rebuild. With this trade, Boston will have accumulated 11 first-round picks over the next four drafts.”

Green (6-9, 235) has averaged a career-high 17.6 points to go with 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 33.1 minutes in 33 games (all starts) with Boston this season, shooting .434 from the field, .305 from three-point range and a career-best .840 from the free throw line. He has scored 10+ points 29 times, 20+ points 10 times and 30+ points twice, including a season-high 35 points on Nov. 3 at Dallas, and has posted one double-double.

Drafted by Boston in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft and traded to the Seattle SuperSonics on draft night, Green joins Memphis with career averages of 14.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 32.8 minutes in 511 games (395 starts) with Seattle/Oklahoma City and Boston. The seven-year veteran has career shooting percentages of .440 from the field, .340 from three-point range and .788 from the free throw line. Green netted a career-high 43 points on March 18, 2013 vs. Miami.

The 28-year-old owns career postseason averages of 12.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 31.2 minutes in 21 playoff games (12 starts) for Oklahoma City and Boston. Green posted 20.3 points on .435 shooting (.455 three-point shooting) in six games in the Celtics’ first round series against New York in the 2013 NBA Playoffs.

A native of Hyattsville, Md., Green averaged 13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 33.2 minutes in 102 games over three years (2004-07) at Georgetown University. Serving as the Hoyas’ co-captain in his junior season, Green led Georgetown to its first NCAA Final Four appearance since 1985 and was named the 2007 Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA East Regional and was selected as the 2007 Big East Player of the Year and Big East Tournament MVP.

Prince, a 6’9” forward, has appeared in 26 contests for the Grizzlies this season and is averaging 7.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 24.2 minutes per game, while shooting 15-33 (.455) from beyond the arc over that span. He scored a season-high 20 points, including shooting a perfect 4-4 from long range, five rebounds and two assists in 33 minutes on December 5 against the San Antonio Spurs. Prince was the starting small forward for the 2004 NBA Champion Detroit Pistons and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in four consecutive seasons (2005-08). For his career, Prince is averaging 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 32.3 minutes per game.

Rivers, a 6’4” guard, has appeared in 35 games for the Pelicans this season and is averaging 6.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 22.1 minutes per game. He recorded a season-high of 21 points, including shooting 11-12 (.917) from the foul line, two rebounds, three assists and one steal in 33 minutes on December 20 against the Portland Trailblazers. Rivers was selected as the 10th overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft by New Orleans and is averaging 6.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 21.4 minutes per game for his career.

Pondexter, 6-6, 225, Washington, appeared in 30 games this season with Memphis, holding averages of 4.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. This will be Pondexter’s second stint with New Orleans, as he spent his rookie season with the franchise during the 2010-11 season, appearing in 66 games and averaging 2.8 points and 1.3 rebounds. In his five seasons, Pondexter holds career averages of 4.5 points and 1.8 rebounds in 234 games.

Smith, 6-0, 165, Louisville, was acquired by New Orleans in a draft night trade this past June after being selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 47th overall pick. The rookie guard appeared in six games this season for the Pelicans, averaging 0.8 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.3 assists.

Grizzlies may trade for Jeff Green

The Boston Celtics keep making moves. A few minutes ago they sent Brandan Wright to Phoenix for a draft pick. Now they are in talks to move Jeff Green to Memphis. Nothing official yet. Here’s Yahoo Sports reporting:

In a move to strengthen themselves for a push into the Western Conference playoffs, the Memphis Grizzlies are finalizing a deal to acquire Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Memphis will send Tayshaun Prince and a first-round draft pick to the Celtics, league sources said. The protected pick likely won’t be available until 2018 or ’19, sources said.

The Celtics and Grizzlies are awaiting final authorization from a third team involved in the deal to complete the trade, league sources said.

Grizzlies recall Jarnell Stokes from D-League

The Memphis Grizzlies recalled forward/center Jarnell Stokes from the NBA Development League’s Iowa Energy, the Grizzlies’ exclusive D-League affiliate, the team announced today. Stokes began his second assignment with Iowa on Dec. 1.

Stokes (6-9, 263) recorded 15 points and 8 rebounds in 22 minutes in his Energy regular season debut on Dec. 2 at Fort Wayne. During his first assignment in Iowa (Nov. 8-10), he posted a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds on Nov. 8 vs. Sioux Falls in an exhibition played in Memphis at FedExForum.

The 20-year-old has totaled eight points and seven rebounds on 3-of-3 shooting in 21 minutes through six appearances for the Grizzlies this season.

Stokes was selected by the Utah Jazz in the second round (35th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft after three seasons at the University of Tennessee (2011-14). The Memphis native was traded to the Grizzlies on draft night for a 2016 second round draft pick.

Grizzlies hire Glynn Cyprien as basketball operations assistant and scout

The Memphis Grizzlies have added Glynn Cyprien as a basketball operations assistant and scout, Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace announced today.

“Glynn is an outstanding talent evaluator who is as well connected on the grassroots and collegiate levels as anyone in the game,” Wallace said. “He has recruited and worked with many future NBA players and that experience will serve him well in his new position.”

According to the Grizzlies press release, Widely considered one of the top assistants and recruiters in the country during his years on the collegiate scene, Cyprien returns to the city of Memphis, where he helped guide the University of Memphis to 49 victories and consecutive postseason tournament appearances in two seasons (2009-11) as an assistant coach under Josh Pastner. The Tigers went 25-10 during the 2010-11 season, winning the Conference USA Tournament Championship and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Most recently, Cyprien served three seasons (2011-14) as associate head coach at Texas A&M University. Working directly with the Aggie guards, Cyprien oversaw the development of Elston Turner Jr. – the son of current Grizzlies assistant coach Elston Turner – who went on to capture First Team All-SEC and USBWA All-District honors after finishing third in the conference in scoring as a senior in 2012-13.

Prior to stops at the University of Kentucky (2007-09), the University of Arkansas (2006-07) and New Mexico State University (2005-06), Cyprien worked four seasons (2000-04) as an assistant on Eddie Sutton’s staff at Oklahoma State University and played a significant role in guiding current Grizzlies guard Tony Allen. With Cyprien on the staff, the Cowboys had a combined 97-32 record and earned four consecutive NCAA Tournament berths, going 31-4 and advancing to the 2004 NCAA Final Four in Cyprien’s final year in Stillwater.

Cyprien posted top-ranked recruiting classes as an assistant at UNLV (1995-2000) and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in his one season (1994-95) at Western Kentucky University. He began his coaching career with stints at Jacksonville University (1991-94), Lamar University (1990-91) and the University of Texas-San Antonio (1987-90).

The New Orleans native lettered two seasons as a player at Southern University-New Orleans and earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from UTSA in 2004.

Grizzlies waive Kalin Lucas and Hassan Whiteside

The Memphis Grizzlies waived guard Kalin Lucas and center Hassan Whiteside, the team announced today. Both players had re-signed with the Grizzlies on Nov. 19.

Lucas (6-1, 186) recorded one steal in six minutes in his NBA debut Wednesday at Toronto. The 25-year-old originally signed with Memphis on Sept. 25 and played eight preseason games before being waived on Oct. 25. He re-signed with the Grizzlies on Nov. 4 and was waived on Nov. 9. The Michigan State product played 29 games (20 starts) last season for the NBA Development League’s Iowa Energy, now exclusively affiliated with the Grizzlies.

Whiteside (7-0, 275) originally signed with Memphis on Sept. 25 and saw action in five preseason contests before he was waived on Oct. 22. The 25-year-old, who played his first two NBA seasons with the Sacramento Kings (2010-12), has not made a regular season appearance this season.

Grizzlies bring back Kalin Lucas

The Memphis Grizzlies have re-signed guard Kalin Lucas, the team announced today.

Lucas (6-1, 186) originally was signed on Sept. 25 and averaged 3.1 points and 1.0 assists on .429 shooting in 7.9 minutes in eight preseason games for Memphis before he was waived on Oct. 25. The 25-year-old was re-signed on Nov. 4 and did not appear in any regular season games before being waived again on November 9. Last season, the Michigan State product posted 15.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 29.0 minutes in 29 games (20 starts) for the NBA Development League’s Iowa Energy, now exclusively affiliated with the Grizzlies.