NBA Teams – Page 1022 – NBA Blog

Grizzlies may want Jeff Van Gundy

Here’s ESPN.com reporting on the Memphis Grizzlies leadership circus:

One of the prime options under consideration by the Memphis Grizzlies in the wake of last week’s management shakeup and the looming departure of Dave Joerger to the Minnesota Timberwolves is making a run at Jeff Van Gundy to be their coach and run their front office, according to NBA coaching sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Grizzlies have serious interest in trying to convince Van Gundy to serve as coach and team president in a job structure modeled after the new dual role brother Stan Van Gundy has secured with the Detroit Pistons.

Jeff Van Gundy’s interest in that sort of undertaking or the Grizzlies specifically in the wake of all their recent turmoil is unclear, with the former New York Knicks and Houston Rockets coach and current ESPN analyst consistent in his reluctance to publicly discuss job openings.

Photo: Miami Heat arena, ready for battle

Here’s the Miami Heat arena, ready for Saturday’s Heat vs Indiana Pacers Eastern Conference Finals Game 3:

After concussion, Paul George cleared to play Pacers-Heat Game 3

Good news for the Indiana Pacers: they’ll have their best scorer Saturday as the team visits the Miami Heat for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The series is currently tied 1-1.

Under the care of the Pacers’ medical staff, Paul George has spent the past three days engaged in the NBA’s Return-to-Participation Exertion Protocol as part of the NBA’s Concussion Policy. George remained symptom free after each step of the process. The Pacers staff consulted with Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, the NBA’s Director of Concussion Management, throughout George’s progress through the protocol and today cleared him to return to normal basketball activity.

George will participate in tomorrow’s shootaround and barring any unforeseen complications, he will play in Saturday’s game at the Miami Heat.

Roy Hibbert interview in preparation for Heat-Pacers Game 3

Here’s what Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert said to media at practice in between games 2 and 3 of the Pacers vs. Miami Heat Eastern Conference Finals series. Game 3 is Saturday night in Miami. The series is currently tied 1-1.

Question: Roy, the mentality this year as compared to last year, how has this been different compared to last year?

Roy Hibbert: We’re going in with more experience. We’re getting ready for two hard-fought battles.

Question: Why do you think you guys have been so good on the road? You’ve won like five straight. You’ve actually played better on the road than at home.

Hibbert: Just focus. We’re a tough team. It is what it is. Trying to get as many wins as possible when we get on the road.

Question: Are you guys more comfortable on this stage this year? It just seems like you guys are more relaxed.

Hibbert: We’re good.

Question: How about Paul, whether he’s going to play or not? How does that look?

Hibbert: I haven’t heard anything.

Question: Are you all prepared, if you have to go without 24?

Hibbert: Yes. The next man will step up.

Question: Does that mean more of Roy Hibbert, more baskets, more post‑up?

Hibbert: We’re a team. Whatever the team needs me to do, I’ll do.

Gerald Henderson undergoes wrist surgery

Charlotte Hornets guard Gerald Henderson underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right wrist to remove scar tissue. The surgery was performed at the Duke University Medical Center by Dr. David Ruch. Henderson’s wrist will be immobilized for approximately two weeks before he begins the rehabilitation process.

Henderson averaged 14.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 32.0 minutes per game in 77 contests (all starts) for Charlotte last season. The No. 12 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Henderson has played in 311 career games for Charlotte.

Gerald Henderson undergoes wrist surgery

Serge Ibaka now day-to-day, possible to return during Thunder-Spurs series

The following statement was issued today by Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti regarding the status of Serge Ibaka’s left calf injury:

“The abundance of blood and therefore swelling in Serge’s calf has reduced substantially and unexpectedly, allowing a level of movement and stability not thought possible after the initial diagnosis. Based on both imaging and physical exam, the considerable swelling in the calf indicated the likelihood of a certain degree of injury, and that established the original time frame for recovery.

At present, Serge has yet to complete a full basketball workout, but is walking and doing light basketball drills. With this new information, and in an effort to keep his status current, we are now listing him as day-to-day with the understanding that there is a possibility for him to play in this series.”

Danny Green making it rain in playoffs

Here’s the San Antonio Express-News blog reporting on San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green, who is nailing shots like crazy in the team’s Western Conference Finals series against the Oklahoma City Thunder:

Light it!

Such is the simple yet empowering encouragement Tim Duncan offers streak shooter extraordinaire Danny Green to let it fly whenever he nears the 3-point line with a sliver of daylight.

“When I’m running down the floor, I hear Tim for some reason,” he said. “I always hear Tim yell ‘light it’ when he’s coming to set a screen and I kind of get excited a little bit. It gives me more confidence to take the shot because I already know he’s behind me and he’s ready for me to shoot it. So every time I look up, run the floor or dribble up the floor, I look for Tim and look for a screen or see how the defense is playing me and try to find the rim.”

Green had plenty of opportunities to light up the Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, turning in one of his classic “Icy Hot” shooing binges with 21 points on a postseason-high tying seven 3-pointers.

Cavs interested in coach Alvin Gentry

Lucky in the NBA lottery, the Cavaliers are hoping their good fortune continues as they look for a new coach.

The team asked the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday for permission to speak with assistant coach Alvin Gentry about Cleveland’s coaching vacancy, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press.

Gentry, who has coached four other franchises, has not yet set up a meeting with the Cavs, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team is not commenting on its search. The sides are working through some details, and are expected to meet in the next few days.

— Associated Press

Grizzlies head coach interviews with Timberwolves

One meeting down, one to go for Memphis coach Dave Joerger and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Joerger met with Timberwolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders about Minnesota’s coaching vacancy on Thursday and is scheduled to meet with owner Glen Taylor at some point this weekend, a person with knowledge of the process told The Associated Press.

If Joerger makes a good impression with Taylor and the Timberwolves and Grizzlies can come to some sort of agreement on compensation for to get him out of his contract, all signs point to Joerger replacing the retired Rick Adelman back in his home state. The 40-year-old Joerger grew up in Staples, about 150 miles northeast of Minneapolis, and played collegiately at Division-II Minnesota State, Moorhead.

— Associated Press