Portland Trail Blazers Blog – Page 50 – NBA Blog

Search for new Trail Blazers GM continues

Steve Kerr and John Hammond — two candidates who have been down this road before — are back in the mix of the Trail Blazers’ search for a general manager.

Team president Larry Miller, who is heading the search, said he is not taking no for an answer when it comes to Kerr, the former Phoenix Suns general manager and current TNT television analyst. According to agent Mark Bartelstein, Kerr will have lunch with Miller this weekend in San Diego, even though he already has told Miller he is happy being a father, husband and television analyst for TNT.

“I haven’t given up on Kerr,” Miller said Friday.

Kerr, 47, was Miller’s first target last May after Rich Cho was fired, but he turned down the overtures, citing his desire to be with his family. Bartelstein on Friday reiterated those sentiments.

— Reported by Jason Quick of the Oregonian

LaMarcus Aldridge needs hip surgery, out for rest of season

Portland Trail Blazers forward/center LaMarcus Aldridge will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right hip to repair a labral tear and will miss the remainder of the season, it was announced today by the team.

“In his most recent MRI, and following further evaluation, it’s been determined that LaMarcus has a slight labral tear and will require arthroscopic surgery,” said Acting General Manager Chad Buchanan. “LaMarcus’ priority is that he’s 100-percent healthy going into training camp this fall and we all feel this is the best course. He’s had an All-Star year and his long-term health is the most important thing to consider.”

Dr. Marc Phillipon will perform the surgery at a date to be determined.

A first-time NBA All-Star this year, Aldridge averaged a team-high 21.7 points to go with 8.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.93 steals, 0.82 blocks and 36.3 minutes in 55 games (all starts). He shot 51.2 percent from the field and 81.4 percent from the foul line, both career highs.

Aldridge currently ranks eighth among league leaders in scoring, 14th in field goal shooting and 25th in rebounding. He is the only NBA player averaging at least 21 points and eight rebounds while shooting better than 50 percent from the floor.

LaMarcus Aldridge has abnormality in sore right hip

LaMarcus Aldridge’s Tuesday trip to Vail, Colo., will result in him missing tonight’s game against the Golden State Warriors — and possibly the final 15 days of the season.

Trail Blazers interim general manager Chad Buchanan said an “abnormality” was discovered in Aldridge’s sore right hip during his visit with Dr. Marc Phillipon on Tuesday, and the All-Star power forward is officially listed as day-to-day. Forward J.J. Hickson will start in place of Aldridge tonight, when the Blazers host the Warriors at the Rose Garden.

Buchanan said Aldridge will undergo further medical “consultation” and all parties involved will have “further conversation” before the team decides what to do with its franchise cornerstone going forward. When asked if surgery was being considered, Buchanan did not rule it out.

— Reported by Joe Freeman of the Oregonian

LaMarcus Aldridge has lingering issue with hip

Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge continues to have trouble with his ailing right hip, which has been giving him trouble for several weeks.

Today, Aldridge and team trainer Jay Jensen few to Vail, Colo., to have the hip evaluated by specialist Marc Phillipon, the team announced.

Aldridge will not be with the team when practice begins at 11 a.m. today, and his status for Wednesday’s game against Golden State is questionable.

— Reported by Mike Tokito of the Oregonian

Terrence Ross declares for 2012 NBA Draft

Guard Terrence Ross has decided to enter his name into the 2012 NBA Draft and will forgo his final two years of eligibility at the University of Washington.

“I discussed the pros and the cons with my family and I just think this is a great step for me and it’s time for me to take my game to the next level,” Ross said about his decision.

“Being at Washington and playing for Coach (Lorenzo) Romar has been a blessing,” Ross continued. “On the court, off the court, with school and in life…it’s just been a real blessing to consider myself a Husky and get to where I am right now.”

Ross (Portland, Ore./Jefferson HS) helped the Huskies to a 24-11 record, NIT semifinal appearance and Pac-12 regular season championship in 2012. As a freshman in 2011, he was part of a Husky team that went 24-11, won the Pac-10 Tournament championship and advanced to the third round of the NCAA tournament.

In 2012, Ross established himself as not only one of the Pac-12’s most complete players, but one of the nation’s top athletes. He ranked among conference leaders in eight categories: points (16.4, 4th), rebounds (6.4, 6th), offensive rebounds (5.1, 3rd), free throw percentage (.766, 11th), steals (1.3, 12th), 3-PT FG makes (2.1, 8th), 3-PT% (.371, 14th) and blocks (0.9, 13th).

He earned first team All-Pac-12 honors in 2012 and led Washington in scoring, tallying 574 total points – tied for 9th most in UW single-season history.

He also was second on the team in minutes, rebounds, steals, 3-point makes, 3-point field goal percentage and blocks.

Ross was the only Husky to reach 30 points this season, doing so twice. He was second with 9 games of 20-plus points.

Ross flourished in Washington’s run to the NIT semifinals in New York. He averaged 25.0 points in four games. He was a perfect 15-of-15 from the free throw line and led UW shooters from three point range, making 15-of-37 attempts (.405).

“We wish Terrence the best,” Husky Coach Lorenzo Romar said from New Orleans, where he is taking part in Final Four festivities. “He was refreshing to coach because of his humility and team-first attitude. We wish him well and anticipate that he will have an excellent NBA career.”

Trail Blazers claim J.J. Hickson off waivers, and waive Mehmet Okur

The Portland Trail Blazers have claimed forward J.J. Hickson off waivers, it was announced Wednesday.

“We like J.J.’s energy and physicality,” said Acting General Manager Chad Buchanan. “He’s a young, but experienced player who can help our frontline.”

The Sacramento Kings waived Hickson on March 19.

According to the Associated Press, “Golden State and Phoenix had also been reported to have interest in the 6-foot-9 Hickson, who had been bothered recently by back spasms and had played only six minutes in the past 10 games. Hickson was a first-round pick by Cleveland out of North Carolina State in 2008. For his career, he has averaged 8.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.”

In a separate move, the team has waived center Mehmet Okur, acquired in a March 15 trade with New Jersey.

Hickson, 23, averaged 4.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 18.4 minutes in 35 games (nine starts) for the Kings this season.

In four NBA seasons with Cleveland and Sacramento, Hickson (6-9, 242) holds averages of 8.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 20.5 minutes in 258 games (148 starts).

The Trail Blazers roster stands at 15 players.

Greg Oden aims to continue playing career

Greg Oden

Knees are made out of potato chips

Just because Greg Oden has had about eight thousand injuries doesn’t mean he’s ready to give up on his NBA career.

The Associated Press reports the following:

Greg Oden’s agent says his client is committed to playing basketball again despite his latest injury.

The Portland Trail Blazers waived the former No. 1 overall pick Thursday after an injury-plagued five-year run. He recently underwent his third microfracture knee surgery, the second on his left knee.

Mike Conley Sr., says his client is recovering in his hometown of Indianapolis.

Blazers trade Marcus Camby to Rockets for Thabeet, Flynn

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired guard Jonny Flynn, center Hasheem Thabeet and a second round pick from Houston in exchange for center Marcus Camby, it was announced today.

The second round pick is Minnesota’s selection, acquired by the Rockets in a trade last season.

“We’re looking forward to what Jonny and Thabeet can bring to our team at two positions we can use help at and we’ve added an additional asset with the second-round draft pick,” said Blazers Acting General Manager Chad Buchanan . “We appreciate Marcus’s contributions over the past three seasons and we wish him the best for the future.”

Flynn, 23, has career averages of 9.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists in three seasons with Minnesota and Houston. The sixth overall selection out of Syracuse in the 2009 NBA Draft, Flynn was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2010.

In 120 games over three seasons with Memphis and Houston, Thabeet, 25, has career averages of 2.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 10.7 minutes. A native of Tanzania, Thabeet was selected by Memphis with the second overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. At 7-3, he is the tallest player in theNBA.

Camby, 37, is averaging 3.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.40 blocks in 40 games with the Trail Blazers this season. Acquired by the Trail Blazers in a 2010 trade deadline move, Camby holds career averages of 9.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 2.46 blocked shots in 16 seasons with Toronto, New York, Denver, the L.A. Clippers and Portland.

Read NBA fan reaction and share your views in this basketball forum topic.

Trail Blazers fire coach Nate McMillan

The Portland Trail Blazers have made the decision to part ways with Nate McMillan, it was announced today by Team President Larry Miller. McMillan will no longer serve as Portland’s head coach. Assistant Coach Kaleb Canales has been named interim head coach.

“Clearly the season to this point has not gone the way we had hoped it would and after talking with Nate we decided it was best to part ways,” said Miller. “I want to personally acknowledge and thank Nate for his many contributions to this franchise and wish him nothing but the best for the future.”

In six-plus seasons with Portland from 2005-12, McMillan guided the Trail Blazers to a 266-269 (.497) mark. Portland’s second-longest tenured head coach in team history, McMillan ranks third among all-time Trail Blazers head coaches with 266 wins, trailing only Jack Ramsay and Rick Adelman.

McMillan led the Trail Blazers to the postseason in each of the last three seasons (2009-11), marking Portland’s first run of three consecutive playoff appearances since 2001-03. The Trail Blazers shared the Northwest Division crown with Denver in 2008-09 after posting a 54-28 record, McMillan’s best as a coach.

After taking over as Trail Blazers head coach in 2005, McMillan became just the second coach in NBA history to improve a team by nine wins or more in three straight seasons when Portland increased its win total by 33 games between 2005-06 and 2008-09.

McMillan is one of only two Portland coaches to be named Western Conference Coach of the Month three times (Adelman). He earned the honor in December 2007, April 2009 and April 2011.

Trail Blazers sign center Joel Przybilla

Joel Przybilla

Healthier than Greg Oden

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed free agent center Joel Przybilla, it was announced today. We’ll post contract details later today. It’s likely a very small deal.

“We’ve been actively trying to get Joel to return to Portland for some time now and we’re thrilled with his decision to come back to the Trail Blazers family,” said Acting General Manager Chad Buchanan. “Joel is a hard worker, a great teammate and a player that does the little things to help you win, all qualities that will help us down the stretch run.”

In seven seasons with the Trail Blazers from 2004-11, Przybilla averaged 4.8 points (57.8% FG), 7.3 rebounds, 1.54 blocks and 22.4 minutes in 395 games (273 starts). He ranks fifth on Portland’s all-time list with 607 career blocked shots and ranks 13th on the team’s all-time rebounding ledger with 2,872 boards.

Przybilla, 32, holds career averages of 4.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.48 blocks and 20.3 minutes in 553 games (377 starts) over 11 seasons with Milwaukee, Atlanta, Portland and Charlotte.

Originally signed by Portland as a free agent in 2004, Przybilla was traded to Charlotte on Feb. 24, 2011, along with Dante Cunningham, Sean Marks and two conditional first round picks in exchange for Gerald Wallace.