Elton Brand to have season-ending shoulder surgery

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that forward Elton Brand will undergo surgery on his right shoulder, which he dislocated on December 17, 2008 against the Milwaukee Bucks.  As a result of the surgery, Brand will miss the remainder of the 2008-09 season.

The surgery is scheduled for Monday afternoon at the Wilmington Surgery Center.

Brand’s MRI results were reviewed by team orthopedist and medical director Dr. Jack McPhilemy of Main Line Health System and Dr. Craig Morgan of the Morgan-Kalman Clinic in Wilmington, DE, who concluded that the initial tear of the labrum in Brand’s right shoulder is responsible for a considerable decrease in the range of motion and instability, both of which would not allow him to be effective on the court.

Following six weeks of non-operative and conservative treatment, including two weeks of testing it on a daily basis in live action, a determination was made that in order to reduce the risk of any further damage to the shoulder, surgery would be required.

“Elton wanted to do whatever he could to get back on the court and initially elected to forgo surgery in order to help his teammates,” Stefanski said.  “He worked as hard as he could over the past six weeks to return, however the scope the injury would not allow it.”

Ray Allen replaces Jameer Nelson in All-Star game

Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen has been named by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace injured East All-Star guard Jameer Nelson (torn labrum, right shoulder) of the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix.  Allen will be making his ninth All-Star appearance.

The NBA All-Star Game will air live on TNT, ESPN Radio and in 215 countries and territories, and in 44 languages worldwide at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 15.

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

Chris Bosh day-to-day with sprained right knee

Chris Bosh left Wednesday’s game versus Los Angeles in the fourth quarter with a sprained right knee. Images taken postgame revealed no structural damage. He will travel with the team to New Orleans and his status is doubtful for Friday night’s game and day-to-day for the remainder of the trip.

Jose Calderon sat out last night’s game against the Lakers to rest his sore right hamstring. He will accompany the team and is listed as probable for Friday’s game in New Orleans.

Celtics ticket prices stay same for 2009-10

The 2008 World Champion Boston Celtics announced today that they will not increase season ticket holder loge and balcony ticket prices for the 2009-10 season.  The Celtics have experienced enormous success over the last two seasons capturing the 2008 World Championship title, along with selling out 85 consecutive home games and doubling their season ticket holder account base.

“We are extremely lucky to have such a loyal and passionate season ticket holder base and we want them to know how much we truly appreciate their support.  While we have continued to invest in a championship caliber team, we recognize the economic climate has changed and we want to make it easier for our fans to continue to cheer for the Celtics at the Garden next season,” Boston Celtics Team President Rich Gotham said.

Along with keeping prices flat, the team will introduce a first of its kind 12 month interest-free payment plan option, allowing season ticket holders to spread both their 2009 Playoffs and 2009-10 season ticket payments over the next year.  The Celtics will also continue to provide league leading benefits for their ticket holders and introduce a new tenure based rewards system, giving special event and gift access to season ticket holders that have been with the team for numerous years.

“We have made the decision to allow season ticket holders to spread out their entire playoff and season ticket invoice over 12 months, interest free, to ease the burden of heavier upfront payments this spring. We know flexible payment options are a necessity right now for our clients and we’re happy to deliver just that,” Boston Celtics CMO Shawn Sullivan said.

Bucks trade Tyronn Lue to Magic for Keith Bogans

The Orlando Magic have acquired guard Tyronn Lue from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for guard-forward Keith Bogans and cash considerations, General Manager Otis Smith announced today.

“Tyronn is a veteran point guard who fits in well with our style of play,” said Smith.  “He shoots well from three-point range and adds needed depth at that position.  We thank Keith for everything he gave to us and wish him all the best.”

Lue (6’0”, 175, 5/3/77) has played in 30 games this season for Milwaukee, averaging 4.7 ppg., 1.5 apg. and 1.2 rpg. in 13.1 minpg.  He is shooting .467 (21-of-45) from three-point range and has scored in double figures three times, including a season-high 14 points on Nov. 24 @ Orlando.  Lue led (or tied) the Bucks in assists three times.

Lue returns for a second stint with Orlando.  He played in 76 games (69 starts) for the Magic in 2003-04, averaging 10.5 ppg., 4.2 apg. and 2.5 rpg. in 30.7 minpg.  Lue was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers when they won back-to-back NBA Championships in 1999-2000 and 2000-01.

Lue was originally selected in the first round (23rd overall) of the 1998 NBA Draft by Denver.  He has appeared in 540 career NBA regular season games with eight different teams (the L.A. Lakers, Washington, Orlando, Houston, Atlanta, Sacramento, Dallas and Milwaukee), averaging 8.6 ppg., 3.2 apg. and 1.7 rpg. in 23.0 minpg.  Lue has also shot .392 (454-of-1,158) from beyond the three-point arc during his career.

Bogans, 28, has appeared in 35 games this season for the Orlando Magic and averaged 5.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 22.3 minutes per game.  Last season, Bogans played in all 82 games for the Magic and tallied 8.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 26.8 minutes.  He shot a career-high 41.1 percent from the field, including 36.2 percent from the three-point arc, connecting on a career-high 148-of-409 attempts.  Bogans appeared in all 10 of Orlando’s post-season contests in 2008 and averaged 7.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 29.3 minutes.

Originally drafted by Milwaukee in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft (43rd overall), Bogans was traded to Orlando on draft night for cash considerations.  His resume spans five-plus NBA seasons and includes time spent with Orlando, Charlotte and Houston.  In 395 career games, he has averaged 7.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

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

Celtics assign JR Giddens to D-League

Boston Celtics guard J.R. Giddens was re-assigned to the Utah Flash, the Celtics’ NBA Development League affiliate, it was announced today.  The assignment is the 20th this season, and Giddens’ second.  Giddens, who was originally assigned to the Flash on Nov. 15, 2008 and was recalled to Boston on Jan. 8, has yet to appear in a regular season game for Boston this season.

In 13 games, all starts, for the Flash Giddens averaged 17.3 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 54 percent (86-of-158) from the field.  Giddens’ best game for the Flash came on Dec. 1 when he scored 34 points against the Bakersfield Jam at the McKay Events Center in Orem, Utah.

Giddens, a 6-5 guard, was selected in the first round, 30th overall, by the Celtics in the 2008 NBA draft from the University of New Mexico.  During his two-year career as a Lobo, Giddens averaged 16.1 points and 7.7 rebounds.  As a senior, Giddens started all 33 of New Mexico’s games, and averaged career highs of 16.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists.  Giddens shared Mountain West Conference Co-Player of the Year and earned First Team All-Conference honors during his senior year.

Giddens, the season’s fourth player to be assigned to an NBA D-League affiliate, is expected to join the Flash in Orem, Utah today and will be available for tomorrow night’s Flash game against the Los Angeles D-Fenders.

Lisa Leslie to retire after upcoming WNBA season

The AP reports: Three-time WNBA MVP and four-time Olympic gold medalist Lisa Leslie will call it quits after her upcoming 12th season with the Los Angeles Sparks. The 36-year-old center announced her decision Wednesday, accompanied by her 19-month-old daughter and husband. Leslie, a cornerstone of the league since its start in 1997, guided the Sparks to WNBA championships in 2001 and 2002. “I’m not going to pull a (Michael) Jordan and come back in a year or two,” she said. “For me, I feel good about where I am. … I just know this is a good time. I can still help (the team). I don’t want to be out there when I can’t do it.”

Warriors wild from outside, beat Suns 124-112

The AP reports: Stephen Jackson had 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his first career triple-double, and the Warriors never trailed in a 124-112 victory over the Suns on Wednesday night. Jamal Crawford scored 27 points, and 6-foot-5 power forward Kelenna Azubuike had 19 of his 25 in the first quarter for the Warriors, who started the game on a 17-2 run and never let the Suns get close… Shaquille O’Neal had 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting and 12 rebounds in the Suns’ fourth straight loss at Oracle Arena, while Leandro Barbosa added several of his 20 points in garbage time. Steve Nash had 16 points and nine assists, and former Warriors forward Matt Barnes scored 10 points in his own homecoming.

Mavs looking better, beat Blazers 104-99

The AP reports: Josh Howard got Dallas going early and Jason Terry pulled them through late, but it was a team effort. Brandon Bass made nine of 11 shots for 19 points, Dirk Nowitzki had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Antoine Wright had 11 points and some solid defense on Portland’s Brandon Roy. Kidd did, too, along with scoring seven points and grabbing seven rebounds… Roy still scored 26 points, but that included a pair of 3-pointers in the final minute, which made things a bit more interesting but didn’t change the outcome. Portland lost its 11th straight in Dallas.

Derrick Rose rocks, Bulls beat Hornets 107-93

The AP reports: With Chris Paul sidelined for his first full game with a strained right groin, Derrick Rose scored 21 points and the Chicago Bulls handed the struggling Hornets their fourth straight loss, 107-93 on Wednesday night… Ben Gordon added 19 points for the Bulls, who won for the fourth time in five games—all on the road. David West led New Orleans with 24 points and 14 rebounds, Peja Stojakovic scored 24 points, and Devin Brown had 17. New Orleans showed some fight in the fourth quarter, getting its deficit down to 10 with 4:01 to go, but simply could not catch the Bulls, who had six players reach double digits in points and shot 56 percent, the highest field-goal percentage by a Hornets opponent this season.