Kelenna Azubuike injures knee

Warriors guard/forward Kelenna Azubuike suffered a left patellar tendon injury at the 9:03 mark of the first quarter of tonight’s game at Milwaukee.  Azubuike left the game and did not return.

An image of his left knee taken at the Bradley Center revealed the patellar tendon injury.

Azubuike will not play in either of the team’s remaining games on this road trip (Tuesday at Cleveland and Wednesday at Boston). He will return to the Bay Area tomorrow to consult with team orthopedic physician Dr. Frank Chen for diagnosis and treatment.

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

Grizzlies sign Jamaal Tinsley

Grizzlies sign Jamaal Tinsley

The Memphis Grizzlies signed free agent guard Jamaal Tinsley, an original draft pick of the club in 2001, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to add a veteran playmaker with Jamaal’s credentials to the team,” Wallace said.  “He will add experience and high-level passing ability.”

One of the NBA’s most prolific playmakers over the last decade, Tinsley ranks seventh among active players and 24th in league history in assists per game (7.0).  In his last NBA season, the 6-3, 195-pound guard averaged a career-high 8.4 assists in 39 games with the Indiana Pacers in 2007-08.

Tinsley, 31, is expected to bring his playmaking abilities to a Grizzlies team that finished 30th in the NBA in assists (17.4) in 2008-09 and ranks 21st in the category this season (18.8).  The Brooklyn, N.Y. native holds career averages of 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.66 steals in 30.2 minutes in 398 games over seven seasons (2001-08) with the Pacers. He was waived by Indiana on July 22, 2009.

Originally selected by the Grizzlies with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft, Tinsley’s draft rights were traded in a draft-night deal to the Atlanta Hawks along with Shareef Abdur-Rahim in exchange for the draft rights to Pau Gasol (No. 3 overall), Brevin Knight and Lorenzen Wright on June 27, 2001. Tinsley’s rights were acquired later that night by the Pacers for a future first round pick.

Tinsley had an immediate impact in his rookie season with Indiana, posting a triple-double (19 points, 11 rebounds, 23 assists) in his 14th career game on Nov. 22, 2001 vs. the Michael Jordan-led Washington Wizards.  Tinsley’s 23-assist performance established a new Pacers record and was two shy of the NBA rookie record, shared by Tinsley’s then-head coach Isiah Thomas (1981-82) and Ernie DiGregorio (1973-74).  Tinsley was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month twice (Nov. 2001, March 2002) and earned 2001-02 All-Rookie Second Team honors.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Now the Grizzlies should sign Stephon Marbury, Dennis Rodman and J.R. Rider. But seriously, this Tinsley signing suggests that Allen Iverson probably isn’t ever coming back to Memphis. Anyway, it’s curious and a bit questionable that the team would choose to add another player with a reputation as a malcontent. The Pacers wanted literally nothing to do with Tinsley anymore. And, his last NBA action was 39 games in the 2007-08 season. Still, if Tinsley works hard and focuses on being a good teammate, he can help them a little.

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

Jerryd Bayless sprains ankle

Jason Quick of the Oregonian reports (via blog):

Trail Blazers guard Jerryd Bayless sprained his left ankle about an hour before tip off of Saturday’s game in Charlotte as he was returning to the locker room.

Bayless rolled his ankle on a disguised step that is hidden by carpet. The six-inch drop off is in a dimly lit area just outside the tunnel that leads from the court to the Blazers locker room.

Bayless was carried by Rudy Fernandez and Dante Cunningham the remaining 20 yards to the Blazers’ training room, where he was despondent on the training table.

Rockets waive Pops Mensah-Bonsu

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced Friday, November 13 that the team has waived forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu (MEN-sa BON-sue).

“Pops did a great job while he was here with us at the Rockets,” said Morey. “This move is only being done to give us some roster flexibility in case of an injury or a potential call up from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. With the way Coach Adelman currently has the rotation set up, this will also allow Pops an opportunity to explore options for more playing time.”

Mensah-Bonsu (6-9, 235, George Washington) averaged 1.3 points and 1.0 rebound in four games with the Rockets this season. He originally signed as a free agent with Houston on Sept. 3, 2009. Mensah-Bonsu also played in 34 prior NBA games with Dallas, San Antonio and Toronto.

Chris Paul sprains left ankle

John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports:

Injured Hornets point guard Chris Paul did not travel with the team for tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Paul severely sprained his left ankle during the third quarter in Friday’s 86-78 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at New Orleans Arena and could be sidelined for up to two weeks, though the Hornets have not given an update on his status.

NOVEMBER 16 UPDATE

An MRI performed on Hornets guard Chris Paul confirmed a left ankle sprain. He is out indefinitely. Paul will be re-evaluated on a regular basis and his status will be updated as necessary.

Paul suffered the injury with 40 seconds left in the third quarter of Friday’s game against Portland when he came down on Joel Przybilla’s ankle.

In 10 games this season, Paul is averaging 23.8 points (10th in the NBA) on 59 percent shooting (6th in the NBA), 9.2 assists (3rd in the NBA) and 1.7 steals (15th in the NBA) in 34 minutes of play. In addition, he leads the NBA in three point percentage (.655).

Knicks off to worst start ever

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

If LeBron James is crazy enough to take the leap this summer, he must realize he could join the worst team in Knicks history — Team Titanic version 3.0.

The franchise was born in 1946. Last night, the deplorable 2009-10 Knicks set the mark for worst start in franchise history. The pitiful Knicks fell to a humiliating 1-9 after another loss, 121-107, to the dysfunctional Warriors, after which they got booed leaving the Garden court.

No Knicks team has ever been as bad as 1-9 after 10 games. They genuinely appear on the way to post the worst record in franchise history. Afterward, coach Mike D’Antoni called his team “zombies.”

Even if LeBron James doesn’t come in 2010, the Knicks objective — to clear the roster out and start the team anew — makes sense and needed to be done. So, as bad as this season looks, the team is now bad for the right reasons.

League-wide retirement of no. 23 jersey is unlikely

The AP reports:

LeBron James may persuade NBA players to give up their No. 23s, but a leaguewide retirement of Michael Jordan’s number seems unlikely.

James said on Thursday that he is considering switching his number next season and wants other players to do the same in honor of Jordan, the Hall of Famer who is often regarded as the league’s best player ever.

Major League Baseball retired Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 and the NHL did the same with Wayne Gretzky’s No. 99, but that hasn’t been done in the NBA. Spokesman Tim Frank said on Saturday that ”retiring a player’s number is a decision that has been made by the teams” and not the league.

Deron Williams out due to family health issue

The following statement was issued by Deron Williams on Friday:

“I would like to thank Mrs. Miller, Greg Miller and Coach Sloan for allowing me to return to Utah to be with my wife and children today.  Yesterday, one of my daughters underwent a procedure in the hospital to address some health concerns.  There are still unanswered questions and the doctors have been running more in-depth tests throughout the day today.  My daughter’s health is very important to my wife and I and it is important I remain in Salt Lake City as we monitor the situation.  We both appreciate the support of the fans, the Jazz organization and my teammates.  I will return to the court as soon as possible.”

Rockets assign Joey Doresey to D-League

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has assigned forward/center Joey Dorsey to the team’s D-League affiliate the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

“Joey had a strong offseason and a solid training camp for us, but in continuing to focus on his development, we believe that at this point of the season the Rio Grande Valley Vipers offer him the best option for his basketball progression,” said Rockets Vice President of Player Personnel/General Manager of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers Gersson Rosas. “In determining Joey’s assignment, we were also encouraged by the fact that because of our single-affiliation partnership with the Vipers, we can offer him a valued opportunity to develop on a more active basis in terms of his ability to play. We know that Joey will be in good hands with Head Coach Chris Finch and his staff, as well as having all the resources necessary for him to be productive during his time in the D-League. This is one of the primary reasons for our single-affiliation partnership and we look forward to reaping the benefits of it through these development opportunities.”

Dorsey (6-8, 268, Memphis), who has yet to see game action with the Rockets this season, averaged 9.7 points and 9.0 rebounds in seven games (five starts) with Rio Grande Valley in 2008-09.

LeBron James may change jersey number

Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

LeBron James may change jersey number

Basking in the glow of a victory over the Heat, Cavs superstar LeBron James looked over at his idol sitting in the stands at AmericanAirlines Arena on Thursday night and made a command decision.

Out of respect to Michael Jordan, who sat courtside and watched James score 34 points, James said he is planning on switching his number after this season from No. 23 to No. 6. It just sort of came out, but it was obvious he’s been thinking about it for a while.

And James wants to lead a movement to get every player who wears No. 23 in the league to give it up as a tribute to Jordan.

It sounds like LeBron is still merely thinking of doing it, so it isn’t guaranteed to happen. And as for the move, I’m not sure how I feel about it. I’m as big a Jordan fan as anyone else, and I definitely think of Jordan when I hear “23,” but years more of LeBron would also make me think of him, too. And I’m not sure that would diminish any aspect of Michael Jordan. It would just diminish the number.

Thing is, I’ve never been a big jersey number guy. Others care about it more. So to me it’s no huge deal.

And, of course, LeBron switching numbers would also result in a lot more new jersey sales. But let’s not think about that right now.