Due to MSG renovations, NY Liberty playing next three seasons in Newark

The New York Liberty announced today that the team will play the next three seasons at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey during the Madison Square Garden transformation. Madison Square Garden is currently undergoing a $775 – $850 million transformation that will turn “The World’s Most Famous Arena” into the world’s most state-of-the-art arena. The building will close for the next three summers for work on the transformation to be completed. The Liberty will be temporarily relocated to the Prudential Center during the 2011, 2012, and 2013 seasons. Prudential Center is a convenient 15 minutes away from The Garden by train.

“The Rock is the best possible location for the Liberty to play during the next three summers of the MSG transformation,” said Scott O’Neil, president, MSG Sports. “The venue will allow our fans and partners the opportunity to continue to support the team at an arena that is a short 15 minute train ride from The Garden. It isn’t just a coincidence that New Jersey is called the Garden State and we are fortunate to have a strong fan base there for the Knicks, Rangers and Liberty.  We see this as an exciting opportunity to broaden the Liberty’s New York metropolitan presence.”

“The entire City of Newark is excited about the news that the WNBA’S New York Liberty will be playing its next three seasons at the state-of-the-art Prudential Center. From the WNBA to the NBA to the New Jersey Devils and the NFL Alumni Association, Newark, New Jersey is emerging as one of our country’s biggest sports towns. This is another slam dunk for the Brick City,” said Mayor Booker.

The interim relocation to Prudential Center will provide a homecoming for New Jersey native Essence Carson and her former Rutgers teammates Cappie Pondexter and Kia Vaughn. A rich history of women’s basketball in New Jersey, both at the high school and collegiate level, makes the State a fitting home to the WNBA. The Liberty will host numerous community events during the offseason in Newark and throughout New Jersey leading up to the 2011 WNBA season.

“We are excited to embrace the Newark community during our next three seasons at the Prudential Center,” said Carol Blazejowski, president & general manager, New York Liberty. “The Liberty will continue to provide a fun, affordable and interactive game day experience for our loyal and passionate fans as we compete for the WNBA Championship. We look forward to welcoming our great fans back to The Garden when the transformation is complete.”

Added Jeff Vanderbeek, chairman and managing partner of the Prudential Center: “We are so pleased the New York Liberty will call the Prudential Center home for the next three seasons. To have the WNBA’s best known team add their name to the list of professional sports franchises now home at “the Rock” is great for our arena, Newark and New Jersey.  We look forward to showcasing our Major League City and welcoming WNBA fans to Newark.”

“The move for the Liberty to the Prudential Center will provide an amazing venue for the team’s dedicated and loyal fanbase, while providing an opportunity for new fans to experience the excitement of the WNBA,” said Donna Orender, WNBA President.

Located in the heart of downtown Newark, just blocks from Newark Penn Station, Prudential Center is accessible via New Jersey Transit, PATH, Newark Light Rail service and Amtrak and situated at the crossroads of six major highway access routes including the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, Route 280, Route 78, Routes 1 & 9 and Route 21.

Prudential Center boasts some of the most advanced technology in arena and in-game entertainment in the country. With over 700 flat screen TV’s located throughout the building, fans are guaranteed to not miss any of the action. An exterior marquee measuring over 52 feet high, as well as 100 50’ plasma screens, will make the Liberty in-game experience at Prudential Center first class.

Madison Square Garden is currently undergoing a comprehensive, top-to-bottom transformation that will provide a significantly enhanced experience for customers, athletes, entertainers, fans, suite holders and partners. It will provide the best of both worlds for customers, a new state-of-the-art building within the iconic exterior of The Garden, while also maintaining the famous ceiling. The lower level transformation is expected to be open by Fall 2011, the upper level transformation to follow by Fall 2012, and the addition of new signature bridges and a brand new 7th Avenue entrance by Fall 2013.

James Singleton leaves Wizards for China

Michael Lee of the Washington Post reports (via blog):

James Singleton leaves Wizards for China

James Singleton determined that he would have more to gain (such as money and playing time) in leaving the NBA than sticking around for another shot next season. Singleton, a throw-in from the Wizards’ trade deadline deal with Dallas last February who emerged as a regular rotation player, said on Monday that he signed to play next season in China with the Xinjiang Gyang Hui Flying Tigers.

The Wizards had some interest in bringing back Singleton, an undersized but energetic, high-flying forward who averaged 6.1 points and 6.9 rebounds in 32 games — including three starts — after arriving in Washington. Singleton had seven games with at least 10 rebounds, including a career-high 21-rebounds in a loss to Indiana last March.

Hedo Turkoglu is all business in Turkey

Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun reports:

Hedo Turkoglu did all his talking on the floor Sunday night.

Hedo Turkoglu is all business in Turkey

Had he taken that approach in his season in Toronto not to mention an off-season spent slagging the organization that brought him there, Turkoglu might still have a few fans left in Canada.

As it is, he’s probably not missing any of you.

Not when he’s the biggest sporting entity in his home country of Turkey. That spot of honour was only further solidified after leading the Turkish team into the quarter finals of the FIBA world championship with a 20-point evening that included going 4-of-7 from three point range as Turkey demolished France 95-77.

This was not the Turkoglu Torontonians witnessed. The goofy smiles and clowning around with opponents that marked his time in Toronto was replaced by a game-faced Turkoglu ready to do what needed to be done.

If Turkoglu actually takes Turkey to a world championship title, a distinct possibility with the combination of tight defence and team-play on offence they are showing, bronze statues of Turkoglu will likely begin popping up all over the country.


April 12, 2010: Toronto Raptors' Hedo Turkoglu (26) during the NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Piston at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

High level expected of USA

The AP reports:

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski say they are satisfied with what they’ve seen from the undefeated Americans, who face Angola in an elimination game Monday in the round of 16.

But fans and media in Turkey seem to expect a higher level, one reachable by the star-studded Olympic gold medalists of two years ago but maybe not by a young team that hasn’t been together nearly as long.

They expect the U.S. not only to win the tournament, but also every game and perhaps even every quarter along the way. Krzyzewski always faces similar expectations at Duke, where he says ”people think we should win every game and not let anyone score.”

”I don’t want that to be what this team feels,” he said, allowing he’d be OK with any criticisms if he’d brought back the team from Beijing.

Bucks sign second-round pick Darington Hobson

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed Darington Hobson to a contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today. Hobson (6-7, 210) was the 37th overall selection in the 2010 NBA Draft.

A junior selected out of New Mexico, Hobson averaged 16.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists over three college seasons, the first two at Eastern Utah. During the 2009-10 season, Hobson averaged career-highs in rebounds (9.3) and assists (4.6) while scoring 15.9 points and shooting a career-best 36.1 percent from three-point range (39-108).

Hobson was the Mountain West Conference’s Newcomer of the Year and Player of the Year in his only season at New Mexico. He was also named Third Team All-America by the Associated press. He was the only player in New Mexico’s history to lead the team in points, rebounds and assists in the same season and joined Ohio State’s Evan Turner as the only Division I players to average more than 15.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

Chase Budinger out 4-6 weeks with ankle sprain

Houston Rockets forward Chase Budinger suffered an injury during an offseason workout yesterday afternoon.  Budinger underwent a complete medical evaluation by Rockets team physicians at Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute where it was determined that he suffered a moderate to severe sprain of his left ankle.

The injury will prevent him from future conditioning work for the next three weeks with the expectation that he can resume basketball activities in four-six weeks.

Hawks sign Etan thomas

Hawks sign Etan thomas

The Atlanta Hawks have signed free agent center Etan Thomas, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed.

“We’re excited to add a player of Etan’s caliber to our roster,” said Hawks head coach Larry Drew. “He provides additional veteran leadership, physicality and toughness to our club, especially on the glass and the defensive side of the ball. We also add another versatile and multi-positional player to our frontcourt.”

Thomas, who finished last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, has spent the bulk of his career with the Washington Wizards. In eight seasons (seven in Washington), the 6-foot-10 Syracuse product has averaged 5.8 ppg and 4.8 rpg (.514 FG%, .600 FT%) in 396 career regular season games, starting 74 contests.

In 23 games (one start) with the Thunder last season, Thomas put in 3.3 ppg and 2.8 rpg (.456 FG%, .591 FT%). He also saw action in two postseason contests with Oklahoma City, tallying 6.0 ppg and 2.0 rpg. He’s appeared in 17 career playoff games.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Thomas adds bench depth. And as a poetry buff, he can confuse opponents by using fancy phrases they’ve never heard before, throwing them off balance as their brains attempt to process the new information.


WASHINGTON - APRIL 23: Washington Wizards basketball player Etan Thomas arrives at the Gondobay Manga Foundation Inaugural Gala on April 23, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

FIBA dance team told to stop performing at Worlds tournament


Cheerleaders, wrapped in national flags of competitors in FIBA Basketball World Championship, perform during the Ivory Coast and Greece game in Ankara September 1, 2010. The absence of scantily clad female cheerleaders at recent World Championship basketball matches involving host nation Turkey has raised eyebrows in the overwhelmingly Muslim but officially secular nation. Troupes of energetic cheerleaders have entertained the crowds at matches involving other teams in the tournament, but no dancers appeared during Turkey's match against Greece on Tuesday nor their match against Russia on Sunday. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (TURKEY - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)
 
The AP reports:The Red Foxes have been told to stop performing in games involving the host country because their risque costumes and routines are offensive to the nation that is nearly entirely Muslim. Islam prohibits women from exposing their skin in public.

Basketball’s governing body said Wednesday the ban was not its decision. Secretary general Patrick Baumann said he wants entertainment to be part of the games, but “if it needs a little bit of adjustment that is fine with us.”

Performers wore long pants Wednesday during a game between the United States and Iran. Iranian officials had turned their backs when the dancers, who usually wear tiny shorts or skirts, performed in earlier games.


Cheerleaders perform during the FIBA Basketball World Championship game between Ivory Coast and Greece in Ankara September 1, 2010. The absence of scantily clad female cheerleaders at recent World Championship basketball matches involving host nation Turkey has raised eyebrows in the overwhelmingly Muslim but officially secular nation. Troupes of energetic cheerleaders have entertained the crowds at matches involving other teams in the tournament, but no dancers appeared during Turkey's match against Greece on Tuesday nor their match against Russia on Sunday. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (TURKEY - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)Members of the CSKA Moscow' dance team perform during a break at FIBA Basketball World Championship game between USA and Slovenia in Istanbul August 29, 2010. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (TURKEY - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Delonte West returning to Celtics

Celtics are reportedly signing Delonte West

Delonte West is reportedly returning to where it all began and is set to sign a contract with the Boston Celtics.

According to CSNNE, 6-3 combo guard will rejoin the team his career began with. West entered the NBA in 2004, playing for the Celtics through the 2006-07 season before a quick stint with Seattle SuperSonics and then years with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

For his career, West averages 9.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 28.5 minutes per game. He averaged 7.4 PPG with the Cavs last season.

Because of his legal infraction, West is suspended by the NBA for the first 10 regular season games.

InsideHoops.com editor joking: At press time, the parents of Boston’s current players have yet to comment on this breaking news.

InsideHoops.com editor being straightforward: This is a good move for Boston. Delonte has some personal issues but I don’t believe they will be a real factor with his new team. He should be fine. The signing adds good bench depth to both guard spots. If any problem did develop with Delonte, the team can just send him packing. Boston gets slightly better with this move and are pushing hard to squeeze out another championship before Kevin Garnett fades away and Paul Pierce’s age starts to become a factor.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.


March 06, 2010 Milwaukee, WI. Bradley Center..Cleveland Cavaliers Delonte West brings the ball up the court, West had 27 points and 7 assists coming off the Cavaliers bench tonight..Milwaukee Buck won over the Cleveland Cavaliers 92-85. Mike McGinnis/CSM.

Hornets add to basketball operations staff

The New Orleans Hornets announced the hiring of Strength Coach Carlos Daniel, Video Coordinator Adam Tatalovich and the promotion of Mark Cranston to Head Athletic Trainer.

Cranston, who has served the past four seasons as the Director of Athlete Performance and Rehabilitation, takes over the role of Head Athletic Trainer for the Hornets. He is a licensed physical therapist and is certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association as an athletic trainer. In addition, he has professional credentials from the National Strength Coaches Association as a certified strength coach, as well as the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a performance enhancement specialist. He has an extensive resume that covers 29 years of physical therapy and athletic training practice. He was awarded the 1992 Nuprin Comeback Award for the rehabilitation of Olympic gold-medalist Shannon Miller and received the 1995 Distinguished Alumni award from Wichita State University Department of Physical Health. Prior to joining the Hornets, Cranston was a clinical director of sports medicine, physical therapy and athletic training in Oklahoma City. He has a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Wichita State University and a masters of public health from the University of Oklahoma.

Daniel comes to the Hornets from the San Antonio Spurs where he served on the strength and conditioning staff for the 2009-10 season. Prior to San Antonio, Daniel was the Performance Trainer and Basketball Director for the Forza Fitness and Performance Club in Denver. Daniel is a ISSA and NASE certified trainer and is a NASM performance enhancement specialist. During the 2006-07 season, Daniel was an assistant coach at the University of Northern Colorado. A 1998 graduate of Washington State University, Daniel was a standout basketball player for the Cougars, garnering first team Pac-10 All-Academic honors each of his four seasons and capturing the first team Arthur Ashe Academic All-American honor twice. The Boulder, Colorado native finished in WSU’s top 10 in blocks (second), rebounds (sixth), field goal percentage (seventh), minutes played (eighth), points (ninth) and field goals (ninth). He garnered first team All-Pac 10 honors his senior season after averaging 16.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. The WSU graduate went on to play professionally in the CBA, IBL, as well as internationally in Japan, Israel, Australia and France. Daniel last played in 2004-05 with the Yakima Sun Kings, when he was selected to the CBA All-Star Game.

Tatalovich comes to New Orleans after spending the past four seasons with the Chicago Bulls, the last three as head video coordinator. In Chicago, Adam served under coaches Scott Skiles and Vinny Del Negro. Prior to Chicago, Adam worked at Attack Athletics under Tim Grover, working with college and professional players in the offseason. The Hobart, Indiana native spent the 2005-06 season at the University of Dayton where he served as a graduate assistant under coach Brian Gregory. Tatalovich graduated from Indiana University where he served as a student manager for the men’s basketball program.