Category: NBA Teams

NBA teams blog

Steve Kerr decision on Knicks coaching job should come soon

Here’s the New York Post with an update on Steve Kerr and the vacant New York Knicks head coaching job:

steve kerr

Steve Kerr likely is making his swan song for TNT on Saturday night when he announces Game 7 of the Grizzlies-Thunder series in Oklahoma City. According to an NBA source, Kerr likely will make his final decision on accepting the Knicks head-coaching job soon after the weekend.

As The Post reported, the Lakers’ coaching vacancy is a non-factor for Kerr, who is not a candidate. The Lakers are in store for a prolonged search after Mike D’Antoni resigned, and neither side has interest.

However, one thing that can derail Kerr’s getting hired by the Knicks is if the Warriors lose their first-round series to the Clippers on Saturday and coach Mark Jackson is let go. Kerr, whose family lives in San Diego, may listen if approached by the Warriors. Kerr is represented by former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum.

If the Warriors move on, Kerr and the Knicks are likely to move on to marriage, thanks to president Phil Jackson.

Video: Damian Lillard hits series-winning shot at buzzer as Blazers eliminate Rockets

Friday in Portland, the Trail Blazers beat the Rockets 99-98, eliminating Houston in six games from the first round of the 2014 NBA playoffs. LaMarcus Aldridge had 30 points and 13 rebounds in the win. But the play of the day was Damian Lillard hitting a three-pointer at the buzzer to win it for the Blazers. Here are multi-angle video highlights of Lillard’s game-winning shot:

Jermaine O`Neal has bone bruise in knee, questionable for Game 7

Jermaine O'Neal

Golden State Warriors center Jermaine O’Neal underwent an MRI earlier today that revealed a bone bruise of his right knee cap. He is listed as questionable for tomorrow night’s Game 7 of the team’s First Round series versus the Los Angeles Clippers.

O’Neal suffered the injury at the 9:39 mark of the 2nd quarter of last night’s 100-99 Game 6 victory when Clippers forward Glen Davis crashed into him.

Zach Randolph suspended for punching Steven Adams, will miss Game 7

Zach Randolph suspended for punching Steven Adams

Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph has been suspended one game without pay for punching Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams in the jaw, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 6:42 remaining in the fourth quarter of Memphis’ 104-84 loss to the Thunder on Thursday, May 1, at FedEx Forum.

Randolph will serve his suspension on Saturday, May 3, when the Grizzlies visit the Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena for Game 7 of their first round NBA playoff series.

To view the play, click on this link.

Joakim Noah undergoes knee surgery

Joakim Noah undergoes knee surgery

The Chicago Bulls announced today that center Joakim Noah successfully underwent minor arthroscopic surgery to clean out his left knee. The procedure was performed at Rush Oak Park Hospital by Chicago Bulls head team physician Dr. Brian Cole.

He is expected to rehab his left knee during the offseason for the next eight to 12 weeks.

The Bulls were recently eliminated by the Washington Wizards in the first round of the 2014 NBA playoffs.

Noah this regular season averaged 12.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, and made the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

Oklahoman newspaper apologizes for referring to Kevin Durant as Mr. Unreliable

Here’s ESPN.com reporting on some drama in Oklahoma City:

A headline in The Oklahoman focusing on Kevin Durant’s struggles in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s series with the Memphis Grizzlies has caused a distraction before the team faces an elimination game Thursday night.

The headline, which read “Mr. Unreliable,” in part referred to Durant’s recent slump, which has him shooting just 40 percent in the series and 15-of-45 over the past two games. The headline generated strong reaction and led Oklahoman sports editor Mike Sherman to issue an apology, saying in a statement the “words were overstated and unduly harsh.”

He clarified that the headline was focused on Durant’s play against Memphis, rather than the NBA scoring champion’s body of work.

“I’m unreliable? Me, Mr. Unreliable?” Durant said Thursday morning.

NBA investigates Twitter threats sent to Wizards

NBA investigates Twitter threats sent to Wizards

The Wizards say the NBA has investigated a person who made threats to the team on Twitter during its first-round series against the Chicago Bulls.

Center Marcin Gortat said Thursday after practice that there was “one gentleman who really threatened us, actually made some terrorist threats to us.”

Gortat, who is from Poland, said that “he was saying there was a bomb on the plane and stuff, that my country’s going to get bombed and all my family’s going to die, just stuff like that.”

— Associated Press

President of NAACP L.A. chapter resigns over Donald Sterling honor

The president of the Los Angeles chapter of the NAACP resigned Thursday, following scrutiny of his plan to give Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling an award for promoting civil rights.

Leon Jenkins was to present Sterling with a “lifetime achievement award” later this month. Jenkins rescinded that offer Monday after a recording surfaced over the weekend on which Sterling disparaged black men.

In a letter to the national leader of the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, Jenkins wrote, “In order to separate the Los Angeles NAACP and the NAACP from the negative exposure I have caused the NAACP, I respectfully resign my position as President of the Los Angeles NAACP.”

— Associated Press

Frank Vogel not worried about suspensions after Game 6 scuffle

Frank Vogel not worried about suspensions after Game 6 scuffle

Indiana coach Frank Vogel says he doesn’t expect any discipline from the NBA after a scuffle late in the first half that prompted Pacers star Paul George to step off the bench.

Atlanta’s Mike Scott and Indiana guard George Hill got into it under the basket after a missed shot in Game 6 Thursday night, shoving each other in front of the Pacers bench. Replays showed George and a teammate taking a step onto the court, though they were quickly pushed back by the assistant coaches.

— Associated Press