NBA Teams – Page 1109 – NBA Blog

Michael Carter-Williams hospitalized with skin infection

Here’s the Philadelphia Inquirer with a health report on Sixers rookie Michael Carter-Williams:

The 76ers are saying that Michael Carter-Williams is fine.

It turns out, however, that his right-knee problems are being caused by an infection. The rookie point guard spent Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital because of soreness and a skin infection on the front of the knee.

The 6-foot-6, 185-pounder is being treated by infectious-disease specialist Neil Fishman and the team physician, Brian Sennett. He is listed as day-to-day after missing his second consecutive game, Saturday night against the Denver Nuggets at the Wells Fargo Center.

“More precautionary stuff with our team doctor,” coach Brett Brown said of Carter-Williams’ hospital stay. “It’s a right-knee infection that really is being monitored closely, but nothing to get too overly concerned with.”

Sacramento Kings recall center Hamady Ndiaye from D-League

The Sacramento Kings recalled center Hamady Ndiaye (Ah-meh-dee enj-eye) from the team’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns, it was announced today by General Manager Pete D’Alessandro. Ndiaye will rejoin the Kings squad in Utah for tonight’s game against the Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena.

Ndiaye recorded seven points (2-4 FG, 3-6 FT), a team-high-tying seven rebounds, two assists and four blocks in 24 minutes starting for the Bighorns in Reno’s first win of the season, a 129-122 victory over the Santa Cruz Warriors last night at the Reno Events Center.

Originally from Senegal, the 7-foot center is averaging 0.2 points (1-6 FG, 0-1 FT), 1.4 rebounds and 5.8 minutes per game in nine appearances this season for the Kings. This was the fourth D-League team Ndiaye has seen action with, having played for the Dakota Wizards (2010-11), Maine Red Claws (2011-12) and Iowa Energy (2011-12).

Ndiaye became the second Kings player to be assigned to Reno this season after Ray McCallum played three games with the Bighorns during his stint from November 21-27.

To improve, Arron Afflalo studied video of Jordan and Kobe

The Orlando Magic are rebuilding, and a losing team, and in such a situation it tends to be easier for a player with talent to stand out more than he normally might on a better team. With that disclaimer out of the way, Magic guard Arron Afflalo is having a terrific season. Here’s OrlandoMagic.com with more:

Afflalo wanted to learn ways to create more space against one-on-one defenders, so he started studying two of the best pure scorers in NBA history in Jordan and Bryant.

“I watched a lot of film on (Bryant), and I always have since I was growing up in L.A.,’’ Afflalo said. “And everybody wants to be Michael Jordan when they are little, so I’ve watched a lot of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. They’re the two best in my era. So this summer I watched a lot of their isolation moves and footwork to see how to frame myself up better for shots.’’

The offseason work has paid enormous benefits for Afflalo and the Magic this season. He’s averaging career bests in scoring (22.6 ppg.), rebounds (4.6 rpg.), assists (4.2 apg.) and 3-point shooting (46.3 percent). He’s scored 30 points in a game four times this season, including a career-best 43 points on Tuesday in a double-overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Afflalo said the studying of Bryant and Jordan has taught him that sometimes it’s better to take comfortable mid-range jumps rather than driving into the teeth of the defense where shots can be much more difficult to launch.

Kelly Olynyk may return soon for Celtics

After trading Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, the Boston Celtics are building. Yet with a 9-12 record, playing without injured point guard Rajon Rondo, they have done better than expected. And currently lead the woeful Atlantic divison — for now. Here’s ESPN Boston with more good news for the team:

Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens said that rookie forward/center Kelly Olynyk went through an individual workout on Friday and could return to game action next week.

Olynyk suffered what Stevens had dubbed a “significant” sprain of his right ankle during a loss to the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 23. He was expected to miss two weeks, which would have put him back on the court for Friday’s visit from the Denver Nuggets, but needed additional time to heal. Olynyk will miss his seventh straight game on Friday, but Stevens said he could be back as early as Tuesday’s visit to the Brooklyn Nets.

Danny Granger returns to practice for Pacers

The Indiana Pacers have been great this season, and getting Danny Granger back, even if he’s not the player he used to be, would make them even deeper. Here’s the Indianapolis Star:

The unexpected continues on the Indiana Pacers’ eventful trip to Texas: Danny Granger practiced.

“I feel good,” Granger said following the Friday session, his first live participation in weeks. “I was running, sprinting, playing live for about an hour, so I felt really good.”

Since Oct. 28, when the team announced that Granger would miss approximately three weeks with a strained left calf, the sight of the veteran forward had been limited to post-practice shooting drills and sideline cheering. The team’s timeline has long since expired and Granger has missed all 19 games this season.

Though he practiced, Pacers coach Frank Vogel announced that Granger would not play Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs. Vogel said there is no new timeline for Granger’s return to the lineup.

Kobe Bryant returns for Lakers this Sunday

Kobe Bryant will make his return for the Lakers this Sunday in Los Angeles, where they will face the Toronto Raptors.

The Lakers are off to a better-than-expected start this season, putting up a 9-9 record. They’ve shown good team chemistry and have been fun to watch.

It’ll be interesting to see how good Kobe Bryant still is. Coming back from serious injury, it’s safe to assume he’ll have lost some athletic ability. He should look rusty, right? Maybe play limited minutes? That’s the smart assumption. But, this is Kobe we’re talking about. In which case, until there’s evidence to the contrary, the sky is still the limit.

Kyle Korver shooting for an NBA 3-point record tonight

Here’s the Atlanta Journal-Constitution blog on Kyle Korver looking to get his name in the record books:

Much of the talk around Hawks practice this morning revolved around Kyle Korver’s shot at owning the NBA record for consecutive games with a 3-pointer. With a long-range shot against the Cavaliers tonight Korver will own the streak outright at 90. He is currently tied with Dana Barros at 89.

One new item that came out today came from Al Horford. The Hawks center he has heard players from other teams tell Korver that he wouldn’t get a 3-point shot off against them.

“I’ve heard it,” Horford said. “‘You’re not going to get a 3-point shot off tonight.’ I’ve definitely heard it. It gives credit to what he’s been able to do. That is an impressive streak.”

The Hawks are planning an in-game moment of recognition should Korver set the record tonight.

Sacramento Kings assign center Hamady Ndiaye to D-League

The Sacramento Kings assigned center Hamady Ndiaye (Ah-meh-dee enj-eye) to the team’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns, it was announced today by General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

Originally from Senegal, the 7-foot center is averaging 0.2 points (1-6 FG, 0-1 FT), 1.4 rebounds and 5.8 minutes per game in nine appearances this season for the Kings. This will be the fourth D-League team Ndiaye will see action with, having played for the Dakota Wizards (2010-11), Maine Red Claws (2011-12) and Iowa Energy (2011-12).

Ndiaye becomes the second Kings player to be assigned to Reno this season after Ray McCallum played three games with the Bighorns during his stint from November 21-27. He will be available to play for the Bighorns tonight when Reno faces the Santa Cruz Warriors at the Reno Events Center at 7:00 p.m.

Caron Butler would like to eventually become a Milwaukee Bucks team owner

Here’s the Milwaukee BizTalk blog (of the Milwaukee Business Journal) on one of Caron Butler’s future aspirations:

Milwaukee Bucks forward and Racine native Caron Butler has ambitious plans to expand his business enterprises and one business he would like to buy is the Bucks.

Butler is serious about his interest in becoming a major investor in his hometown team. His timing could be perfect because just as his NBA career winds down in two to three years, Bucks owner Herb Kohl likely will be ready to sell.

Kohl, the former U.S. senator who has owned the Bucks since 1985, has said repeatedly that he will sell the team only to a buyer who will keep the Bucks in Milwaukee. Butler, 33, grew up a Bucks fan, moved his family to Racine County after the team acquired him in August and would like to see the Bucks succeed in Milwaukee.

Will Michael Carter-Williams make the East All-Star team?

Here’s the Philadelphia Daily News on talented 76ers rookie guard Michael Carter-Williams, who so far has been playing like a clear Rookie of the Year:

What if Carter-Williams keeps playing the way he has been for the foreseeable future? Will that land him a berth on the Eastern Conference All-Star team?

It very well could, and he would be the second point guard in 2 years representing the Sixers. MCW is becoming part of the big talk around the league. He opened eyes nationally with his debut against the Miami Heat – 22 points, 12 assists, nine steals and seven rebounds – and hasn’t slowed down since. The 11th overall pick posted the first triple-double of his career against the Orlando Magic and second overall pick Victor Oladipo. He is currently leading the league in steals at 3.13 per game and already has garnered trust from his teammates as a leader of the young team.

He has shown an unbelievable nose for the ball, a tremendous ability to get to the basket and challenge bigger and stronger players, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Many are wondering if trading Jrue Holiday in the offseason after his first All-Star appearance was the right move. MCW’s play early in the season is certainly making it seem that way.