NBA Teams – Page 1085 – NBA Blog

Nerlens Noel health update

Here’s the Philadelphia Inquirer reporting on 76ers rookie Nerlens Noel, who has not yet played this season:

Update on injured Sixers rookie Nerlens Noel

It was obvious to see why the 76ers are excited about Nerlens Noel’s future.

The rookie center put on a show Thursday at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine while participating in one-on-one drills with player-development coach Greg Foster. Noel was fluid going to the basket, and displayed quickness and a burst while making an array of dunks and hook shots. He didn’t show any signs of the anterior cruciate ligament tear he suffered in his left knee last February during his lone season at Kentucky.

“Although it’s just sort of shadowboxing, you can’t help but see how quick he jumps, his athleticism, his length,” Sixers coach Brett Brown said of the 6-foot-11, 228-pounder. “It is exciting to look out there and see what you project [him] to be.”

Noel has yet to practice or play in a game as a Sixer. There’s a thought that the franchise doesn’t want him on the court and would be content if he missed the entire season. In October, Brown said Noel was not likely to play this season.

Andrew Bynum plans on playing hard for Pacers

Here’s the Indianapolis Star reporting on new backup center Andrew Bynum:

Andrew Bynum says he will play hard for Pacers

As Andrew Bynum appeared from the basketball court on Friday morning to meet with reporters for the first time since becoming an Indiana Pacer, his new teammate George Hill marveled at the scene.

“L.A. media!” Hill joked loud enough to be heard.

Only Bynum did not reply – just as he has ignored the lingering doubts about his desire to play basketball.

“I mean, people have opinions, I don’t respond to it,” Bynum said. “I just go out and play.

“Again, that’s what they’re going to say. All I can do is go play hard and put points by your name, that’s it.”

After the Pacers’ morning shootaround, Bynum, the 7-2 center, remained calm as much smaller members of the media hedged him in. For more than five minutes, Bynum answered a range of questions about his commitment to the game, his desire to join the Pacers and even what went south during his short stay in Cleveland.

James Harden was an Allen Iverson fan

Here’s the Houston Chronicle reporting the feelings of a current terrific scoring guard on a former great:

The Philadelphia 76ers announced Wednesday that 11-time All-Star guard Allen Iverson will have his No. 3 jersey retired by the franchise on March 1.

Upon hearing the news, Rockets guard James Harden said Iverson was very deserving of the honor.

“He is one of the best players, one of the best scorers I have ever watched, period,” Harden said. “He is so small but he got it done. He was a warrior.”

Omer Asik goes through practice, says he will play soon

Good from the Houston Chronicle today on the Rockets. They don’t necessarily need Omer Asik, who was on the trading block, but no matter what, he’s certainly more valuable healthy than hurt:

Rockets center Omer Asik, who has missed the majority of the season with thigh and knee injuries, went through Thursday’s practice and said he is feeling much better.

In response to how his knee was feeling, Asik said, “It’s close to 100 percent. I can’t say 100 percent, but it’s much better. Hopefully I will get a little bit more practice then get back on the court.”

Neither coach Kevin McHale or Asik gave an exact date for return, but McHale said it would be “sooner than later.”

Cavaliers reportedly fire their GM

Here’s a report from Yahoo Sports on the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are saying goodbye to their general manager:

Hours after a humiliating loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert has fired general manager Chris Grant, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Gilbert had grown increasingly frustrated with the losing and dysfunction within the Cavaliers and the loss to the Lakers – who finished the game with four eligible players – was the breaking point.

Cleveland is 16-33 and losers of six straight games. They’re 5.5 games out of the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Gilbert had delivered a mandate of making the playoffs for the Cavaliers this season.

Suns re-assign Archie Goodwin to D-League

The Phoenix Suns have assigned guard Archie Goodwin to the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League, the club announced today.

Goodwin (6-5, 198), a 19-year-old rookie from Kentucky, has appeared in 37 games with the Suns this season, holding averages of 3.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and 10.5 minutes.

This is Goodwin’s second assignment to the Jam this season as he was previously assigned on Jan. 23 and recalled on Jan. 26. In two games with Bakersfield, he has averaged 29.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in 44.0 minutes.

Sixers turnover problems continue

Here’s the Philadelphia Inquirer reporting on one problem in particular that the 15-34 Sixers are facing:

The Sixers have a bad habit of giving the ball to their opponents. Their average of 17.2 turnovers per game is the highest in the NBA. The Sixers tied a season worst with 26 on Monday night.

Rookie point guard Michael Carter-Williams had six turnovers. His last one, with 5.8 seconds left and the Sixers trailing by four, crushed any chance of a comeback. Nets guard Shaun Livingston stole the ball, was fouled, and made a pair of foul shots to make it a six-point game.

“You know it continues to haunt us,” [coach Brett] Brown said. “We have to get more responsible with the ball. I have to do a better job.”

Judge in Kings arena lawsuit disqualifies himself

Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting on the latest fun in Sacramento’s quest for a new arena:

The lawsuit over Sacramento’s downtown arena subsidy took an early, bizarre twist today when the presiding judge disqualified himself because he had signed a petition supporting the subsidy ballot initiative.

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny disqualified himself without comment at a preliminary hearing. City Attorney James Sanchez told The Bee that the judge had signed one of the petitions demanding a public vote on the subsidy issue.

The case was reassigned to Judge Timothy Frawley, and a hearing was set to begin later this morning.

One of the main issues the judge is being asked to address is whether the political action committee tied to the Kings and Mayor Kevin Johnson can intervene in the lawsuit

Carlos Boozer wants more 4th quarter minutes

With a 23-24 record, the Chicago Bulls are treading water in the Eastern conference. If the regular season ended today, they’d be the 6th seed. Even with Derrick Rose out, more was expected. And forward Carlos Boozer, averaging a modest 14.7 points on 45.3% shooting along with a very solid 8.5 rebounds per game, expected more in the way of minutes in fourth quarters. Here’s the Chicago Sun-Times reporting:

Tom Thibodeau often talks about the many distractions that can hit an NBA team.

One slammed into the Bulls head on Monday. All 6-foot-9, 266 pounds of it.

Upset with being in his warmups and a towel on his head far too often in the fourth quarter of games, especially as of late, Carlos Boozer sent a very direct message to Thibodeau.

“Nah, I think I should be out there, but it’s his choice, he makes the decisions out there, so I play, I don’t coach. He coaches. So he decides that,’’ Boozer said before the 99-70 blowout loss to Sacramento. “But honestly, he’s been doing that a lot since I’ve been here, not putting me in the fourth quarter. Sometimes we win, more times than not we don’t, but that’s his choice.’’

Hawks assign Jared Cunningham to D-League

The Atlanta Hawks have assigned guard Jared Cunningham to the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry.

Cunningham, who was recalled from Bakersfield on January 23, has averaged 15.2 points, 4.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 29.8 minutes in 17 games (14 starts) over three stints with the Jam this season. He has appeared in five games with the Hawks this year.