NBA Teams – Page 615 – NBA Blog

Tony Parker injured, out for playoffs

Spurs guard Tony Parker, who has been the team’s second leading scorer through eight games so far during the 2017 NBA Playoffs, underwent an MRI examination this morning in San Antonio. The exam revealed bad news: Parker has suffered a ruptured left quadriceps tendon.

The injury occurred at the 8:52 mark of the fourth quarter of last night’s Spurs-Rockets game.

Parker will miss the remainder of the 2017 NBA Playoffs.

Parker had been averaging 15.9 points on 52.56% shooting in these playoffs, though he was only dishing 3.1 assists per outing. Guard Patty Mills now has a lot more pressure on his shoulders, as does forward LaMarcus Aldridge, whose output in the postseason so far has been quite modest.

Suns hire Kevin Ray as TV play-by-play announcer

The Phoenix Suns have hired local veteran broadcaster Kevin Ray to serve as the television play-by-play announcer for Suns broadcasts on FOX Sports Arizona starting with the 2017-18 season. Ray has been part of Suns telecasts for the past 15 years, serving as the team’s sideline reporter the last five seasons, and prior to that as host of the Suns pre- and postgame shows.

“This is a position I have aspired to reach for a very long time and to be selected to move into this seat means the world to me,” said Ray. “I’ve had the same passion for this team that the fans do and to now be able to deliver that emotion to them night in and night out is an absolute dream come true. There are a lot of people who have been instrumental in getting me to this place and to all of them I am truly grateful. I can’t wait to tip off the 50th season of Suns basketball in October.”

Ray replaces Steve Albert who last month announced his retirement following an award-winning 45-year broadcasting career. Albert had called the action for all Suns broadcasts on FOX Sports Arizona the past five seasons.

“Kevin has done a tremendous job for us in multiple broadcast capacities over the years. His commitment to our organization, fans and community made him the ideal candidate and we’re excited to welcome him as our new Suns television play-by-play announcer,” said Suns President Jason Rowley. “His knowledge of both past and present members of our organization is an important factor in connecting with our fans, and in his expanded role Kevin will continue to provide the insight, intelligence and passion for Suns basketball that our fans enjoy.”

Ray has also served as the television play-by-play voice of the Phoenix Mercury and the Arizona Rattlers.

A versatile talent, Ray has covered multiple Super Bowls, NBA Finals, College Football National Championships and has worked nationally for Turner Sports as a sideline reporter for the NBA Playoffs and NBA Summer League. Ray is entering his fifth season as the national play-by-play voice on Compass Media Networks for both the Dallas Cowboys and Top 25 college basketball.

Ray began his broadcasting career in the Valley on KTAR-AM 620, where he became a fixture of the local sports landscape. Throughout a decorated 14 years at the station, he served in a variety of roles from producer, reporter, anchor, program director and sports director.

A graduate of Pittsburg State, Ray resides in the Phoenix area and has three children, Devon, Zachary and Alexandra.

Timberwolves buy D-League team Iowa Energy

The Minnesota Timberwolves and the NBA Development League today announced the final sale of majority ownership in the Iowa Energy to Glen Taylor.

More information regarding management of the team and an introduction to team ownership will be forthcoming at a future announcement in Des Moines.

The Timberwolves are now one of 25 NBA teams to own or operate a Development League affiliate team.

It’s assumed that eventually, all 30 NBA teams will own their own D-League squad.

Luol Deng undergoes pectoral muscle surgery

Lakers forward Luol Deng underwent successful surgery this morning to repair his right pectoral muscle.

The Lakers say Deng is expected to make a full recovery by the start of 2017-18 training camp.

The Lakers were just 26-56 this season, which was the third worst record in the league. Deng was signed for big money, making $18 million last season according to ESPN, but had a quiet year, averaging 7.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, shooting an awful 38.7% FG.

According to the L.A. Daily News, “though the Lakers sounded confident about Deng’s future health, his future as a player remains uncertain. The Lakers may try to trade Deng, who has three years left worth $54 million left on his contract. But the size of that contract also presents various challenges in unloading it.”

Charles Oakley still mad at James Dolan

In case you were wondering if Charles Oakley is still mad at Knicks owner James Dolan, this will shock you but the answer is: yes, still mad. Here’s NY Newsday reporting the latest:

Charles Oakley made it clear Tuesday that he is not ready to let bygones be bygones with Knicks owner James Dolan, three months after he was removed from Madison Square Garden against his will.

“Some things don’t go away,” the former Knicks forward said during an appearance at the annual BTIG Charity Day in Manhattan. “It’s just wrong.”

Oakley, who has had a contentious relationship with the Knicks in recent years, was kicked out of the Garden early during a Feb. 8 game against the Clippers, and in the process shoved a security guard. Oakley was arrested and charged with three counts of assault. He said his next hearing is May 30.

“I know that a lot of people are behind me in the city — players, fans — it’s just crazy,” he said.

Raptors face tough battle vs Cavs

Here’s the National Post reporting on the Raptors, down 0-1 in their series, and their quest to contain the Cavs, which mostly means trying to somehow contain LeBron James:

When the Raptors added Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker at the trade deadline, it gave them extra bodies to throw at LeBron. Between the new guys and DeMarre Carroll, Patrick Patterson and the occasional defence of DeMar DeRozan, Toronto had a host of players with the size and speed to, at the least, get in James’ way.

They did precious little of that in last year’s playoff matchup, and coming into this series it seemed likely that Toronto would try to impede, annoy, frustrate and just generally bother James. Instead, LeBron scored what looked like an effortless 35 points in Game 1 and grabbed a beer from a courtside vendor. If you have ever seen a cat wound a mouse and then take an agonizingly long time to get around to finishing it off, that was LeBron on Monday night. (The Raptors were the mouse.) …

So, could the Raptors try to ugly it up in Game 2 on Wednesday? More traps on James, more double teams, more attention and some of it even legal?

“All that’s in play,” Casey said Tuesday. “We gotta get a little closer (to them). I don’t know if they felt us last night whatsoever. We were half a step off, respecting their speed a little too much. We gotta make them feel us a little bit better.”

New Utah Jazz NBA playoff shirts

After white-out conditions for the 2017 NBA Playoffs First Round at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Utah Jazz fans will be dressed in the team colors of navy, gold and green for the Western Conference Semifinals. The first two home games are set for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 6 and 7 p.m. on Monday, May 8 against the Golden State Warriors.

ArenaTshirtMockupThe tri-colored “Take Note” T-shirts, presented by Zions Bank and Key Bank respectively, will be placed on each chair at the 19,911-seat facility for fans to wear for the first two home playoff games. Related to the design of the tri-colored basketball at midcourt, each section in the lower and upper bowls of Vivint Smart Home Arena will have navy, gold or green T-shirts.

Matt Barnes ready to return for Warriors

As if the Warriors needed more help, according to the San Francisco Chronicle they expect to have Matt Barnes back in action for tomorrow’s Game 1 against the Jazz:

Though head coach Steve Kerr still has no timetable for his return, the Warriors can find some comfort knowing that their roster is almost completely healthy.

Forward Matt Barnes, who has been sidelined since April 8 with a sprained right ankle, is expected to be available for Game 1 of the second round Tuesday against the Jazz. Point guard Shaun Livingston remains questionable with a sprained right finger, but is optimistic about being ready for Game 1.

Larry Bird steps down as Pacers President of Basketball Operations

The Indiana Pacers announced Monday that Larry Bird is stepping down as President of Basketball Operations with current Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Kevin Pritchard assuming Bird’s position. Bird will remain with the team in an advisory role.

“I felt it was time to step away in a full-time capacity,” said Bird. “This has nothing to do with my health or our team. I’m 60 years old and I want to do other things away from basketball. I will do some scouting for the Pacers, NBA, college, international, do some appearances and stay in a capacity to advise senior basketball management. I love the Pacers, I grew up with the Pacers and admired them from a very young age. I want to thank the fans for their support throughout my career. I also want to thank (owner) Herb Simon for the many years of loyalty and for allowing me to stay with the team in a different role.”

“This is not a shock to me as Larry has always been up front about someday stepping down,” said Simon. “I thank him for all that he has done and am very pleased he is remaining with the Pacers in a different capacity.”

The 49-year-old Pritchard has been with the Pacers five years, first as Director of Player Personnel before becoming General Manager and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations/General Manager. He previously had been General Manager for the Portland Trail Blazers from 2007-10 where he helped turn around a team that in 2008-09 posted the sixth-best record in franchise history (54-28) and made the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.

“I want to thank Herb, Larry and Donnie (Walsh) for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Pritchard. “As someone who grew up in Indiana (he was born in Bloomington), I’ve always felt the Pacers’ pride. The goal is always going to be the same as it has been through Donnie and Larry: to make this a world-class organization.”

“I have the utmost faith in Kevin taking over,” said Simon. “He has learned from a couple of great ones, Donnie and Larry, while with the Pacers. We all feel he will do a tremendous job.”

Added Bird, “I’m very happy Kevin is stepping in and glad another Hoosier is in line to take over this job. He has a lot of experience from the past five years as a GM and he’s ready to step into a leading role. With us, he has had his own ideas on the draft, players, and now he gets an opportunity to push his basketball abilities to the forefront. His role will be no different than mine was. He will make all final decisions on all basketball-related matters. There can only be one voice and it will be his.”

Pritchard played collegiately at Kansas and was part of the Jayhawks’ 1988 National Championship team. He played in the NBA with Golden State, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami and Washington. After playing, he was the coach/general manager of the Kansas City Knights of the ABA, winning a championship in 2002. He then scouted for San Antonio, became Portland’s Director of Player Personnel in 2004 and in the 2004-05 season was the Blazers’ interim coach for 27 games. In 2006, he became Portland’s assistant general manager before becoming GM in 2007.

Ryan Anderson excited to reach 2nd round

Here’s the Houston Chronicle with some insight on Rockets forward Ryan Anderson, who isn’t used to reaching the second round of the playoffs and is obviously excited about it:

Rockets forward Ryan Anderson found himself in the second round for just the second time in his career, having advanced past the first round in his first playoff experience, but never since.

Anderson reached the second round with the 2009-10 Orlando Magic, but lost in six games to the Boston Celtics, the eventual Eastern Conference champions. Back in the second round, Anderson, a nine-year veteran, sought to appreciate the opportunity that has not come often.