NBA Teams – Page 2413 – NBA Blog

Wizards-Heat team connections

Wizards forward Caron Butler was drafted by the Miami with the 10th overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft.

As a rookie in Miami, Butler averaged 15.4 points per game and was named to the 2002-03 NBA All-Rookie First Team, but was later dealt to the Lakers in the trade that brought Shaquille O’Neal to South Beach.

Butler, 28, and Miami’s Dwyane Wade, 26, have been friends and rivals since their AAU days in the Chicago-Milwaukee area.

Washington’s Andray Blatche and Miami’s Dorell Wright attended the same Connecticut prep school, South Kent Prep, but missed playing together by a year.

Blatche played at South Kent in ‘04-‘05 during Wright’s rookie year with Miami.

Nets love our planet and go ‘CarbonNeutral’

Here’s a press release from the Nets:

With their ongoing commitment to “greening” the franchise through a company-wide environmental strategy, the Nets have become the first major professional sports team to be accredited as CarbonNeutral®.

To achieve this position, the Nets plan to lower their carbon footprint by focusing on improving energy efficiency, recycling rates, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality and establishing green procurement policies for the materials the Nets use on a regular basis. To get to net zero CO2 as these changes begin, the Nets are purchasing guaranteed and verified carbon credits that support renewable energy projects around the world.

In January, the Nets launched ‘Netsgogreen.com’ as an educational resource for Nets fans to learn about energy conservation, global warming, sustainability, recycling, air quality, forestation, renewable energy, greener cleaning products, policy and legislation, key green terms, and water conservation.

“Being carbon neutral is an important step as we change our own behaviors and lead the way in environmental and sustainable initiatives in the sports industry,” said Nets CEO Brett Yormark. “We have a social responsibility to do our part to combat climate change, but it also makes business sense as well. Achieving CarbonNeutral accreditation is a milestone in our environmental strategy and we will continue to set an example in sustainable development when we move to our new home in Brooklyn, the Barclays Center.”

Mark Armitage, President US, The CarbonNeutral Company said: “We are delighted that the Nets have made this crucial step in committing to becoming greener. The CarbonNeutral Company is fully supporting them through the CarbonNeutral program by offering them expert advice on how to reduce their carbon footprint through internal changes and through carbon offsetting, and supporting them on how to effectively communicate this good work to their staff, suppliers, players and fan base.”

Warriors notes

Since starting the season 0-6, the Warriors have gone 42-19 (.697), which is the fourth-highest winning percentage in the NBA since that point (Boston .787, Detroit . 710, L.A. Lakers .705).

Since their 0-6 start, the Warriors have lost two games in a row just one other time this season.

Golden State leads the NBA in scoring, averaging 110.9 points per contest…The Warriors have scored 100-or-more points in 31 straight games.

The Warriors also lead the NBA in fastbreak points (22.1), points in the paint (47.6) and points off opponents turnovers (20.3).

In 58 games played together this season, Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson and Monta Ellis are averaging a combined 61.0 points, 13.8 rebounds, 15.1 assists and 5.03 steals per game, with the team going 40-18 in those 58 games.

Bucks part ways with GM Larry Harris

The Milwaukee Bucks have advised General Manager Larry Harris that he will not be offered a new contract. The team accommodated Harris’ recent request for an early decision on his status. Harris’ contract expires June 30, 2008. By mutual agreement, he is being relieved of his responsibilities so that he can pursue other opportunities.

“Larry Harris has served the Milwaukee Bucks since 1990 with complete dedication and loyalty,” Bucks President Senator Herb Kohl said. “The commitment and effort he provided the organization has resulted in many good outcomes. I believe at this time it is in the best interest of the Bucks to proceed in another direction. Larry’s professional approach has been valued and appreciated by our organization and we wish him the best in future endeavors.”

So now that the Rockets lost

Now that the mighty Celtics put a defensive lockdown on the Rockets, ending Houston’s winning streak, it’ll be fun seeing how Houston does from this point on.

Maybe now the Rockets suddenly become mortal and just another good West squad. Or what if they fall off hard like the Trail Blazers did.

No matter what, give credit to the whole roster, including Rafer Alston who seriously balled up some terrific games. And salute coach Rick Adelman, whose effect took a while to kick in.

Stat-focused notes after Celtics end Rockets win streak

Final Score: Boston 94, Houston 74

POST-GAME NOTES

Team Leaders:
Houston
Points: Luis Scola-15
Rebounds: Luis Scola-8
Assists: Tracy McGrady-8

Boston
Points: Kevin Garnett-22
Rebounds: Kevin Garnett-11
Assists: Paul Pierce-5

Today’s attendance of 18,525 is Houston’s 23rd sellout at Toyota Center this season and marks the largest crowd in team history, surpassing the audience of 18,409 set last game vs. the L.A. Lakers (3/16/08). Houston’s top-five attendance totals at Toyota Center: 18,525 today, 18,409 vs. the L.A. Lakers (3/16/08), 18,402 vs. Cleveland (2/7/08), 18,392 vs. the L.A. Lakers (12/12/06) and 18,375 vs. Phoenix (4/16/07).

The Rockets have now sold out all of their last eight home games, which matches Houston’s longest single-season sellout streak at Toyota Center (eight games from 2/27/05-4/3/05).

The second longest winning streak in NBA history comes to a close at 22 games with a 94-74 loss to the Celtics, which also draws to a close a 15-game home winning streak for the Rockets. It was Houston’s first defeat since a 97-89 setback vs. Utah (1/27/08).

The Rockets scored a season-low 74 points in suffering their largest margin of defeat this season (-20, 74-94). Houston’s 72 points last season vs. Boston (2/26/07) were actually the fewest in the all-time series against the Celtics. The Rockets also registered their fewest points in a second half this season with 34 tonight, edging out a 35-point second half at Toronto (12/9/07).

Houston lost the battle of the boards by a double-digit margin (-10, 35-45) tonight. The Raptors (-13, 35-48 on 12/9/07 at Toronto) and Warriors (-13, 34-47 on 12/31/07 vs. Golden State) are the only other two opponents to have outrebounded Houston by a double-figure total this season.

The Celtics outscored the Rockets 32-16 in the third quarter, setting Houston’s opponent high for third-quarter points this season. The previous high was 31 done twice before (last: 3/2/08 vs. Denver). Houston has now scored a combined 28 third-quarter points over the last two games, including 12 points on 4-for-23 (.174) from the floor in the third quarter vs. the L.A. Lakers (3/16/08).

Rafer Alston finished with 12 points, including a pair of makes from beyond the arc. He now has at least one 3-point field goal made in each of the last 20 games.

Mike Harris came off the bench to notch 12 points (6-10 FG), matching his career-high 12 points (5-8 FG) vs. Charlotte (3/14/08).

Kevin Garnett (22), Leon Powe (21) and Paul Pierce (20) all reached the 20-point mark in tonight’s game. It was the first time this season for a Houston opponent to have three players each score 20 or more points in a game.

Dirk tells InsideHoops Kobe is MVP

I recently met with current league MVP Dirk Nowitzki and got his MVP opinion:

InsideHoops.com: Other than yourself and any of your teammates, who are the official Dirk Nowitzki candidates for the league MVP?

Dirk Nowitzki: That’s tough. LeBron certainly has a case in the East. On the Celtics, KG has had a great year. And in the West, to me it’s been Kobe, the way he’s been scoring, really setting the tone every night for his team, and to me he’s the best player in the league anyway, scoring-wise and all-around player. I’d probably give it to Kobe. Those three definitely deserve it.

The item is here.

– Jeff

Gilbert Arenas speaks on his status

Gilbert Arenas on his knee: “Everything is healing. They want me to wrap (my knee) up and go full speed. I’m going to test it out tonight on the practice court. I’m going to give it a real hard workout and see how it feels in the morning.”

Arenas on his first game back: “They say that when I do go back, it will just be an assist-game for me. They don’t want me to go in there jumping or being acrobatic.”

Arenas on what he expects from himself upon his return: “They told me that this year I won’t be me. Don’t go back and try to be me. I have to come back as an assist man. I have to try to stay out of going to the hole, and I have to be careful.”

Arenas on the timetable for his return: “I’m hoping to play this season. I want to play. It’s hard when you have done something your whole life and then it gets taken away from you. Hopefully I can get back out there.”

More on his injury: “They haven’t actually cleared me to play. I’m just going to practice hard today and tomorrow and the next day, and then see how it feels. If it feels the same as it does now than I might just play, because that means it’s not getting any worse. My main concern is not getting hurt again.”

Trail Blazers assign Josh McRoberts to D-League

The Portland Trail Blazers assigned rookie forward Josh McRoberts to the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League, it was announced Monday by Trail Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard.

“Sending Josh back to Idaho will give him the best chance to develop as the season winds down,” said Pritchard. “Getting the opportunity to play extended minutes is an important step in his rookie season, and we saw good results from his last trip there.”

The D-League assignment marks the second of the season for McRoberts, who posted averages of 7.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 26.5 minutes in eight games with the Stampede from Jan. 9-Feb. 3.

McRoberts, 21, is averaging 2.0 points, 0.8 rebounds and 4.4 minutes in five games with the Trail Blazers this season after being selected by Portland with the 37th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.

This is the first season the Trail Blazers are affiliated with the Boise-based Stampede.

Dwight Howard in rare territory

Orlando’s Dwight Howard is averaging 21.6 points, 14.4 rebounds and is shooting .603 from the field. Only four players have finished a season averaging at least 20.0 ppg., 10.0 rpg., while shooting .600 from the field: Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia, 1966-67; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, L.A. Lakers, 1979-80; Charles Barkley, Philadelphia, 1989-90; and Shaquille O’Neal, Miami, 2004-05.