NBA Teams – Page 2445 – NBA Blog

MSG-produced Knicks game to be in HD on NBC4 HD

This is local news for the NYC area:

MSG, a premier sports and entertainment network, will partner with NBC4 HD in New York to air the New York Knicks game against the Boston Celtics on Monday, January 21 at 1:00 p.m.

The matchup will be produced by MSG and air in high-definition. MSG announcers will call the action, with Mike Breen on play-by-play and Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier serving as analyst. After the game concludes on NBC4 HD, a half-hour post-game show will air on MSG followed by an “In 60” version of the matchup.

New York Knicks basketball is directed by Howie Singer and produced by Spencer Julien. Jeff Filippi serves as coordinating producer for the Knicks.

Clippers sign Guillermo Diaz to another 10-day contract

The Los Angeles Clippers signed guard Guillermo Diaz to a second consecutive 10-day contract today. Signed to his first 10-day contract on Jan. 8, Diaz has appeared in one game grabbing one rebound in five minutes of action.

Diaz was the NBA’s ninth call-up from the NBA Development League and played with the Anaheim Arsenal this season.

In 14 games with Anaheim, Diaz tallied 16.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game while connecting on 75-of-154 field goals (.487) and 72-of-84 free throws (.857).

Diaz, the Clippers’ second round selection (52nd overall) in the 2006 NBA Draft, averaged 5.7 points and 1.7 assists in seven contests for the Clippers during the 2007 preseason. Diaz was waived by the Clippers on October 25th, prior to the start of the regular season.

Diaz spent the 2006-07 season in the Czech Republic, where he averaged 20.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 15 games for CEZ Basketball Nymburk. He also played in five games with AEP Olimpiada Patron in the Greek League in 2007, tallying 13.0 points per game.

A 6’2” native from Puerto Rico, Diaz contributed 10.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in five games for the Clippers entry in the 2007 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

In three years at the University of Miami, Diaz tallied 15.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Diaz led Miami in scoring as a sophomore and a junior and was named to the All-ACC Second Team following both of those seasons.

No Kidding! Jason Named USA Basketball’s 2007 Male Athlete of the Year

Another honor for the New Jersey Nets’ guard:

USA Basketball reports: In recognition of his outstanding play and leadership on the 2007 USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team, USA Basketball today announced that New Jersey Nets’ all-star guard Jason Kidd has been named the 2007 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year. Kidd helped lead the 2007 USA Men’s Senior National Team to a gold medal and 10-0 record at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship, he averaged a team second best (tie) 4.6 assists a game to help the USA secure its berth in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“I am very honored to receive this award from USA Basketball,” Kidd said. “I want to thank my teammates and coaches, and to express my gratitude in being selected to represent my country. On behalf of my teammates, we look forward to the challenge that awaits in Beijing.”

Starting in nine of the USA’s 10 games, Kidd added a team third best 1.3 steals per game, 3.3 rebounds per game and 1.8 points per game to go with his team second best assist output. He tied or led the team in assists four times, and his unselfish play was evidenced by a 6-of-10 field goal tally and a 62.5 percent (5-8 3pt FGs) shooting performance from 3-point throughout the 10-game competition.

Among all 2007 FIBA Americas Championship competitors, Kidd ranked first in assist-to-turnover ratio (9.20), second in 3-point field goal percentage and tied for third in assists.

Antawn Jamison on the new-look Wizards

InsideHoops.com was in Madison Square Garden Tuesday as the Knicks hosted the Washington Wizards. Before the game, Antawn Jamison talked about how the Wizards have regrouped during the 28 games since Gilbert Arenas last played. During that stretch, Washington has astounded naysayers by posting a 17-11 record, and now trail before the Orlando Magic by just 1 1/2 games in the Southeast Division.

“Now that Gilbert is not with us, Caron [Butler] has kept this team together -the leader that he is, and the All-Star that he is. It was a beautiful performance by him last night [against the Celtics, in the second of their home-and home series]. Not too many guys could’ve done that. Every opportunity, every situation, he has found a way to get it done. And, he’s having fun, also.

“Caron’s a vocal guy, and tough-minded- and he has got everyone’s attention. We had an opportunity to win a game, and he didn’t want us to give anything less than 100% on the court.

“When Gilbert, Caron and myself [are on the floor], we try to rely on our offense, and not our defense, to win games. We’ll come down the court, and take some quick shots. Play an up-tempo style of basketball. Without Gilbert, we can’t do that.

“We know we must have quality possessions, and take quality shots. And have our opponents play a little more defensively than normal. In the past, it was [all about] our offense. Now, we’re relying more on our defense. That has been the biggest difference.

“We’re in a very unique situation. We have two other guys, besides Gilbert, who have been to All-Star games [Butler and himself], guys with playoff experience, and one guy has won a [championship] ring [Antonio Daniels]. We have a good set of veterans who can tackle these challenges. The thing has helped us is that when we were without Gilbert and Caron during the playoffs last season, a lot of guys, who wouldn’t have normally played, did. So, when [Gilbert] went down again [he is recovering from left knee surgery] -and we know he’s gonna be out for a while- it gave some guys an opportunity to show people what they can do.

“But, we are still a quality team, and [can make a difference] in the conference.”

Wizards-Knicks connections

Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld was formerly the Knicks’ top personnel executive from 1991-99… Knicks forward Jared Jeffries was drafted by Washington 11th overall in 2002… Eddie Jordan was an assistant coach in New Jersey when current Knicks guard Stephon Marbury was a Net… Antonio Daniels was teammates with Knicks forward Zach Randolph in Portland in 2002-03… Daniels and Knicks forward Malik Rose were teammates in San Antonio from 1998-2002… Daniels and Jerome James were teammates in Seattle from 2003-05.

Pacers tidbits

Tying his season-high, Jermaine O’Neal blocked six shots at Golden State on Sunday, Jan. 13. That was his 14th straight game with at least two blocked shots and he is now seventh in the NBA with an average of 2.31 blocks per game.

With his two steals at Phoenix on Tuesday, Jan. 9, Jamaal Tinsley became just the sixth player in franchise history with 650 steals in his career. With his three thefts in the next game at Sacramento, he moved ahead of Billy Knight for fifth place on the franchise’s all-time career list.

Against the Warriors, the Pacers had nine steals, their season-high fifth straight game with at least nine thefts. For the season, Indiana is ninth in the league, and fourth in the Eastern Conference, with an average of 7.84 steals per game.

In tying their season-high 14 steals at Sacramento, the Pacers had five players with at least two steals each. That was just the third time this season, and second time in three games, that the Pacers have had more than three players with at least two steals. Indiana had four players with two steals apiece at Utah, Jan. 8.

The Pacers outscored the Warriors, 19-16, at the foul line at Golden State, Jan. 13, ending a streak of 22 straight games in which the Pacers had not outscored its opponent from the free throw line.

The Pacers fielded their eighth different starting lineup of 2007-08, and their 28th since the start of 2006-07, when Kareem Rush was inserted at guard for the game at Sacramento, Jan. 12. In that starting combination Mike Dunleavy moved to forward and Jermaine O’Neal started at center.

The NBA announced on Friday, Jan. 12, that David Harrison of the Indiana Pacers had been suspended without pay for five games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program. Harrison’s suspension began with the game at Sacramento, Jan. 12.

In the fourth and final update before All-Star starters are announced, which was released on Thursday, Jan. 10, Jermaine O’Neal was seventh among Eastern Conference centers with 143,026 votes. Balloting will continue through Jan. 20 and there are several promotions planned for the games at Conseco Fieldhouse between now and then. Among those promotions will be autograph sessions for fans that turn in a required number of completed ballots. The All-Star starters will be announced during an NBA double-header on TNT Thursday, Jan. 24.

Rockets rookie watch

Aaron Brooks, who posted a career-high 22 points (8-10 FG, 4-5 3FG) vs. New York (1/5/08), has all four of his double-figure scoring games over his last 11 outings. Luis Scola has made 50-of-90 (.556) field goals for 115 points (11.5 ppg) over the past 10 contests, including a career-best 22 points at Memphis (12/28/07), 19 points at New York (1/9/08) and equaling his career-high 22 points vs. Minnesota (1/11/08).

Nene has tumor removed. Biopsy tests pending

InsideHoops.com NewsWire — This is official word on Denver Nuggets forward Nenê: He underwent successful surgery to remove a testicular tumor yesterday. Results of a biopsy to determine the presence of cancer are pending.

A right testicular mass was found incidentally and it was managed surgically,” said Dr. Fernando J. Kim, Chief of Urology at Denver Health Medical Center. Nenê is recovering well and in good condition.

“I want to thank my fans, my teammates, the Nuggets organization and everyone that’s been supporting me,” said Nenê. “My victory will represent their victory as well. Thanks for being with me in this moment. I will remember all the appreciation. I thank God that we could detect this at such an early stage.”

Last week, an examination by team physician Dr. Saurabh Mangalik revealed the presence of a tumor. Nenê then consulted with Dr. Kim, a graduate of the University of São Paolo School of Medicine in Nenê’s home country of Brazil, who performed the surgery.

As a cancer survivor and someone who has watched his son go through two cancer-related surgeries, I know firsthand the emotions and fears that you feel when someone says you might have it,” said Nuggets Head Coach George Karl. “Our job now is to support Nenê and be there for him as a family. Basketball is at the bottom of the totem poll at a time like this. We just want him to get healthy.”

On Jan. 11, the Nuggets announced Nenê would take an indefinite leave of absence from the team. There remains no timeline for his return.

Everyone at InsideHoops.com wishes him the best.

Chauncey Billups On The Knicks:

The question was put to Chauncey Billups after Detroit was beaten by 24 points on Sunday at MSG.

“Are the Knicks really as bad as their record indicates?”

“No, no, no,” he replied adamently. “They’ve got some really good players over there. Really good players. For them, it’s just about finding the right mix. They are as talented as anyone in the league -from 1 to 15. But, talent [alone] don’t win too many games around here. You’ve got to become a unit. That’s what makes a great team.

“When I got here [2002], Detroit already had what it took to be a great team; that’s the reason I came here. I felt like I was one of the players who could continue what they had going on. The year before, they had won 50 games. They had the Coach of the Year in [Rick] Carlisle, Sixth Man of the Year in Corliss [Williamson], and Defensive Player of the Year in Ben [Wallace]. They were on the way up; personally, I was on my way up, too. I thought it would be a perfect marriage. As soon as I got here, man, I realized the culture in this locker room, and how Joe Dumars did it. There’s a trickle-down effect. I have believed that ever since.

[Note: Dumars would win Executive of the Year the following season].

“I don’t know what [the Knicks] have got going on over there. So, I can’t speak for them. But, they have talented players, and they’ve got a coach in Zeke, who has seen every battle, and every war. They can learn from him. That’s all I know. I’m on the outside looking in. I can’t speak for anything else, to be honest.”

Another Gem From The Prophet Isiah…

“The bright spots still come from our younger guys, in terms of their energy and effort. How long will it be [before we are successful] ? I can’t answer that. What we will continue to try to do throughout the remainder of the season is set the standard of work ethic in terms of who plays out on the floor, and how hard they play. If we can continue to try to build on that, and find players who just want to give all out effort on every single play, future generations will reap the benefits from this culture we are trying to build here. Hopefully, there will be a championship that follows that, but we have to build a culture.”