NBA Teams – Page 921 – NBA Blog

Another NBA scoring milestone for Dirk Nowitzki

The Dallas Mavericks handled the Nets in Brooklyn Monday. And in that victory, their living legend kept rising on a historical level. Here’s the Dallas Morning News reporting on forward Dirk Nowitzki, who continues to move up the all-time NBA scoring list:

Dirk Nowitzki labored offensively all night – until he decided it was time to ice the game. It was absolutely fitting that Nowitzki passed Moses Malone for seventh place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with a 3-pointer in the final minute of overtime. Think about that. Of the nearly 4,000 players who have ever slipped on an NBA jersey, only six have scored more points than Nowitzki. The list is a bunch of one-name wonders: Kareem, Mailman, Kobe, Michael, Wilt and Shaq. And then Dirk. Simply remarkable.

Damian Lillard continues to shine for Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers have been one of the league’s best teams these first few months, and there’s no reason for their status to diminish anytime soon. Especially with young star guard Damian Lillard showing no fear, especially when it matters most. Here’s the Oregonian with more:

The Blazers’ All-Star point guard added another memorable and clutch performance to his late-game resume, willing the Blazers to a 98-94 victory over the Lakers Monday night before a sellout crowd of 19,827.

Lillard finished with 39 points, six rebounds and five assists and, as he is prone to do, saved his best for when it mattered most. After that All-Star pow-wow with Aldridge, Lillard exploded for 16 of the Blazers’ final 22 points, nailing back-to-back three-pointers before to start the run, before finishing with timely drives and game-sealing free throws. When it was all said and done, he made 5 of 8 shots, including 3 of 5 three-pointers, in the fourth quarter, enhancing his reputation as one of the NBA’s best late-game players.

“He saved out butts again,” center Chris Kaman said.

It wasn’t just the sheer volume of the fourth-quarter scoring that made Monday night’s performance so clutch. It was also the magnitude of some of the shots.

When needed, Andre Miller can get buckets

Here’s the Washington Post blog reporting on veteran Wizards guard Andre Miller (4.4 ppg in 12.8 minutes per game this season), a pass-first player with limited leaping ability who still manages to score when necessary:

Miller understands his skill set. He rarely shoots jumpers — he made his first three-pointer on his fifth attempt of the season Friday — and utilizes a remarkable post-up game to overwhelm point guards who are usually not accustomed to defending in the post. He did it against Westbrook on Friday and against New Orleans’s Austin Rivers on Monday when the Wizards needed it the most.

“I think it’s just the rhythm of the game, how it goes, how it pans out,” Miller said. “It depends on how the defense is playing and what the team needs at the time and I kind of just play from there.”

Warriors enjoying an amazing season

Here’s the San Francisco Chronicle raving about the 27-5 Golden State Warriors, who have played better basketball than anybody so far this season and finally deserve to be taken seriously in championship-contender discussions:

These are the new Warriors. The ones who demand your attention and all the superlatives you can lavish upon them. The team that doesn’t miss a beat — even when it loses arguably its key player, Andrew Bogut.

“They’re the best team in basketball,” Oklahoma City head coach Scott Brooks said, while refusing to excuse his team for an off night. “They’re a great team. They outplayed us.”

Though their play and the record shows that’s true, it’s still hard to get used to hearing such words spoken about the Golden State Warriors.

This is becoming more than merely a special start. This is now, more than two months into the season, becoming mind-blowing. The Warriors are looking like a championship contender.

Nets waive Brandon Davies

The Brooklyn Nets have requested waivers on forward Brandon Davies, General Manager Billy King announced today.

Davies was acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers on December 11, 2014. In seven appearances for the Nets, Davies posted averages of 2.3 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.3 assists in 6.3 minutes per game.

At 5-32, Knicks have worst record in NBA

The New York Knicks are rebuilding, and have suffered lots of injuries all season, and were short-handed yesterday as a trade was being finalized. Still, the team wasn’t expected to lose quite like this. Here’s the New York Post reporting:

The Knicks finally hit bottom.

Derek Fisher’s Knicks made ignominious history Monday and finally fell to the basement of the NBA, even below the 76ers.

In the wake of Phil Jackson gutting the roster, the Knicks dressed nine players and fell 105-83 to the Grizzlies at FedEx Forum to drop to 5-32.

The Knicks’ loss and Sixers’ victory over Cleveland put the Knicks below Philadelphia with the worst winning percentage in the league (.135), while tying a franchise record with their 12th consecutive loss. The 1984-85 team starring Ken “Animal’’ Bannister also lost 12 games in a row.

Jeff Teague, Kevin Durant named Players of Week through January 4

Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant on Monday were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 29, through Sunday, Jan. 4.

Teague led the Hawks to a 3-0 week, behind a conference-leading 23.7 ppg, and his 8.3 apg and 2.67 spg were both good for second in the conference. Teague shot .500 or better from the field in all three games, and handed out at least six assists in each contest. On Dec. 30, during a 109-101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Teague scored 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field, and added 11 assists, five rebounds and three steals. At 25-8 (.758), the Hawks stand alone atop the Eastern Conference.

Durant helped the Thunder to a 2-0 week, which included wins over the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards, behind a league-leading 39.0 ppg. He added 9.0 rpg and 4.5 apg, and ranked eighth in the West in three-point field goal percentage with a mark of .556 (10-of-18). On Dec. 31, Durant scored 44 points on 13-of-23 shooting from the field and a perfect 12-of-12 effort from the foul line, as the Thunder topped the Suns 137-134 in overtime.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Brooklyn’s Joe Johnson, Chicago’s Jimmy Butler, Dallas’ Monta Ellis, Detroit’s Andre Drummond, Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan and J.J. Redick, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Phoenix’s Eric Bledsoe.

Bucks rookie Damien Inglis out for season after ankle surgery

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond announced that rookie forward Damien Inglis underwent successful surgery today on his right ankle. The surgery was performed at the Carolinas Medical Center – Mercy in Charlotte, N.C., by Dr. Robert Anderson.

Inglis is expected to miss the remainder of the season while he recovers and progresses through his rehabilitation process. A timeline for his return to basketball activity will be established at a later date.

Jabari Parker has surgery to repair ACL injury

Jabari Parker undergoes surgery to repair ACL injury

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond announced that rookie forward Jabari Parker underwent successful surgery Monday to repair his left ACL injury. The surgery was performed at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York by Dr. David Altchek with Bucks orthopaedic physician Dr. Michael Gordon assisting. Parker is expected to miss the remainder of the season while he recovers and progresses through his rehabilitation process. A timeline for his return to basketball activity will be established at a later date. Parker suffered the injury in the third quarter of Milwaukee’s win at Phoenix on Dec. 15.

The second overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft, Parker averaged 12.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.24 steals in 29.5 minutes per game in 25 contests. He was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in October/November. Parker began his career by posting double-doubles in two of his first three games (11 points and 10 rebounds on Oct. 31 vs. Philadelphia, and 13 points and 11 rebounds on Nov. 1 at Washington). In doing so, he became just the 14th player in the last 30 seasons to record multiple double-doubles within his first three career games, and the only teenager to accomplish the feat.

The Duke alum scored in double figures 12 times during the month, including a career-best 23 points at Brooklyn on Nov. 19 that stands as the highest-scoring game by a Bucks teenager in franchise history. Parker wrapped up the month with a 19-point effort vs. Houston on Nov. 29 that included a 13-for-14 shooting performance from the free throw line, making him one of just five teenagers in NBA history to hit 13+ free throws in a single game (Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and LeBron James are the others).

Three-team trade sends Iman Shumpert and JR Smith to Cavs, Dion Waiters to Thunder

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired guards Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith from the New York Knicks and a protected 2015 first round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder. In exchange, the Cavs will send guard Dion Waiters to the Thunder, and Lou Amundson, Alex Kirk and its own 2019 second round pick to the Knicks. New York will also receive forward Lance Thomas from Oklahoma City.

In addition, Knicks center Samuel Dalembert has been waived.

“As our journey moves through this season, we will search for the type of players that fit the style we hope to exhibit for our fans. Our desire is to improve our ability to compete,” Knicks President Phil Jackson said. “In addition, these transactions improve our flexibility to the current roster and the salary cap for future seasons.”

“We wish Dion the best as he continues his career with the Thunder and thank him for his effort and work here with the Cavaliers. Dion is a talented player with potential ahead of him. Trades like this are always difficult to make because there are relationships and bonds built and that was the case with Dion,” said Cavaliers general manager David Griffin. “At the same time, we’re very excited to welcome Iman and J.R. to Cleveland. With their size and versatility, we think both Iman and J.R. can help our team on both ends of the court and we look forward to them joining us.”

Currently in his fourth NBA season, Shumpert has appeared in 202 games (162 starts) with the Knicks, averaging 7.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals in 26.2 minutes per game. The 6-5 guard has ranked among the NBA’s Top 20 in steals-to-turnover ratio in two of his three pro seasons (15th with 0.91 in 2011-12; fifth with 1.16 in 2013-14). He holds a .348 career three-point percentage and was an All-Rookie First Team selection in 2012. This season, Shumpert is averaging 9.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 26.0 minutes over 24 contests (all starts).

Smith, an 11-year veteran, has played in 716 career games (173 starts) with averages of 13.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 26.1 minutes for New Orleans, Denver and New York. The 6-6 guard is also a career .370 shooter from the three-point line and .736 from the charity stripe. He has made at least 100 three-pointers in seven of the last eight seasons and was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year following the 2012-13 season. This season, Smith is averaging 10.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 25.8 minutes through 24 games (six starts) with New York.

The pick from Oklahoma City is protected 1-18 in 2015 and 1-15 in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Should the pick not convey during this period, the Thunder would send the Cavaliers its second round draft picks in 2018 and 2019.

“Dion Waiters is a player that we’ve tracked and liked since his time at Syracuse, in the NBA, and with USA Basketball. Dion provides another proven scorer that positively impacts our roster and adds depth and flexibility,” said Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. “We have a lot of respect for his toughness and competitiveness, and believe that he is a physical playmaker who will enhance the versatility of our team. We are excited to welcome Dion to Oklahoma City and the Thunder organization.”

Waiters was originally drafted by the Cavaliers with the fourth overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft. In 164 games (75 starts) in three seasons with the Cavs, Waiters averaged 14.3 points on .420 shooting from the field, including .328 from beyond the arc, 2.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steal in 28.1 minutes per game. He was named to the All-Rookie First Team in 2013. Through 33 games (three starts) this season, the 6-4 guard is averaging 10.5 points, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals in 23.8 minutes per game.

Kirk, an undrafted rookie out of New Mexico, originally signed as a free agent by the Cavaliers on August 11 and played in five contests for Cleveland in 2014-15. Amundson, who was part of the 2014 Cavs training camp and preseason roster, appeared in 12 games for the Cavs this season.