Hoop Dreams Sequel: Hoop Reality

Hoop Reality is the sequel to the groundbreaking, Academy Award nominated 1995 documentary Hoop Dreams.Narrated by “Hoop Dreams” star Arthur Agee, “Hoop Reality” explores what happened during the last decade from where “Hoop Dreams” left off, following the original basketball hero past his dream and into reality, examining where life has carried him over the decade, and taking a look at where he is today, as the torch gets passed to the next dream seeker. Along the way he mentors and inspires the up-and-coming basketball star, Patrick Beverly, who leads his team, the Marshal Commandos, for the first time since the original Hoop Dreams, to the State Finals. Directed by Lee Davis. (As quoted by the production company)

It’s said to be coming in March of 2009.

Here is the Hoop Reality trailor video clip:

Grizzlies sign Darius Miles for rest of season

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed forward Darius Miles for the remainder of the season, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.

The 6-9, 235-pound forward has averaged 5.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.80 blocks in 12.1 minutes in 10 games with the Grizzlies this season.

The seven-year NBA veteran originally signed with the Grizzlies as a free agent on Dec. 13 (and was later waived on Jan. 7) after missing all of the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons following microfracture surgery on his right knee.  The 27-year-old signed consecutive 10-day contracts with Memphis on Jan. 10 and on Jan. 20.

Miles signed a free-agent contract with the Boston Celtics on Aug. 22, 2008 and appeared in six preseason games, averaging 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in 10.4 minutes before his release on Oct. 20.

The third overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft, Miles became the first player in league history drafted straight out of high school (East St. Louis High School) to earn All-Rookie honors when he posted 9.4 points and 1.54 blocks for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2000-01.

The Bellville, Ill. native holds career averages of 10.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.14 blocks in 27.4 minutes in 422 career games (190 starts) with Memphis, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Portland Trail Blazers.

Steve Nash OK with not making All-Star team

Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash isn’t an NBA All-Star this season. But he’s cool with it. The Arizona Republic (Paul Coro) reports: His assist average has been on a steady recovery from the first 13 games, when he averaged 7.6 assists in a slower offense that took the ball out of his hands more. “The truth is I don’t really deserve it,” Nash said of being selected for the All-Star Game. “The team’s in seventh place (in the West). Maybe if we were in fourth or fifth, it’d be a different story. There are others who are more deserving.” Nash passed Terry Porter on Thursday for 11th on the NBA career assists list.

Al Jefferson not picked for All-Star reserves

The 2009 NBA All-Star reserves are official, and a young star big-man likely came close to getting picked, but big old Shaq won out instead. The Minneapolis Star Tribune (Jerry Zgoda) reports: Western Conference coaches passed over Timberwolves forward Al Jefferson and chose now 15-time All-Star Shaquille O’Neal as the reserve center for next month’s All-Star Game. Jefferson’s averages of 22.7 points and 10.5 rebounds — he’s one of only three NBA players averaging more than 20 points and 10 rebounds a game — and the Wolves’ 16-28 record didn’t convince the coaches. They instead chose O’Neal, who at age 36 often doesn’t play in back-to-back games. The Feb. 15 game is in Phoenix, where O’Neal now plays.

Economy slows future Kings arena

The Sacramento Bee (Mary Lynne Vellinga) reports:  The NBA’s urgent effort to get a new arena for the Kings built at Cal Expo has gone into slow motion because of the sputtering real estate economy. “There’s no lending out there right now, so real estate development is absolutely flat,” said NBA point person John Moag. Moag said this week that the NBA and Cal Expo likely will push forward with planning for a mixed-use project at the fairgrounds that would include an arena and a revamped venue for the State Fair. The two parties expect to seek proposals from developers in March, he said.

Ginobili leads Spurs past Suns

The AP reports: “We’re scoring way too many points,” Popovich said jokingly after the Spurs beat the Suns 114-104 on Thursday night. “We shouldn’t be having this much fun.” Manu Ginobili had the most fun. He made 18 free throws, setting a franchise record for foul shots in a game without a miss, and finished with 30 points and nine rebounds. Tony Parker added 26 points, and Tim Duncan had 20 points and 15 rebounds for the Southwest Division leaders (31-14)… Amare Stoudemire led the Suns with 28 points and 10 rebounds. Grant Hill had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Steve Nash finished with 16 points and 18 assists, and Shaquille O’Neal and Matt Barnes each scored 13 points. It was the first time in 20 games that O’Neal failed to score at least 15 points.

Magic beat Cavs 99-88

The AP reports: The Orlando Magic are looking more and more like a contender in the Eastern Conference. Dwight Howard had 22 points and 18 rebounds, Hedo Turkoglu added 19 points and 11 rebounds, and the Magic took advantage of LeBron James’ shooting struggles to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 99-88 on Thursday night… Orlando finished 11-of-31 from 3-point range—most of them open shots because Cleveland double- and triple-teamed Howard down low… Mo Williams, trying to prove he belonged in the All-Star game over Nelson, was 4-of-15 shooting and finished with 12 points. Wally Szczerbiak scored 14 points in his first 7 minutes on the floor, but he didn’t get another bucket the rest of the way.

All-Star reserves announced

The 2009 NBA All-Star game is set. Today the All-Star reserves were revealed:

East reserves: Jameer Nelson, Devin Harris, Joe Johnson, Danny Granger, Paul Pierce, Rashard Lewis, Chris Bosh

West reserves: Tony Parker, Chauncey Billups, Brandon Roy, David West, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Shaquille O’Neal.

For more info click that reserves link above.

Also read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum thread.

Carmelo Anthony set to return

Denver Nuggets F Carmelo Anthony was cleared to return to action by the team’s medical staff today.  He will play tomorrow night when the Nuggets face the Charlotte Bobcats at the Pepsi Center.

Anthony suffered a non-displaced third metacarpal fracture on his right hand on Jan. 5 against Indiana and has missed the last 10 games.

In 31 games this season, Anthony is averaging a team-high 21.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg and 3.6 apg.

Share your Nuggets analysis on the InsideHoops Denver Nuggets message board.

Desmond Mason out for season

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Sam Presti announced today that guard Desmond Mason will miss the remainder of the season after hyper extending his right knee.

“We are disappointed to lose Desmond for the remainder of the season,” said Presti. “He is a valuable part of our efforts on and off the court. We will support Desmond and work with him throughout the rehabilitation process. Unfortunately, the timing of the injury does not allow Desmond to return this season.”

Mason suffered a hyper extended right knee at 4:02 in the third quarter of last night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. He underwent an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) exam this morning that revealed bruising to his right femur and tibia. Team physicians will perform arthroscopic surgery to remove debris caused by the hyper extension.

The Oklahoma State product appeared in 39 games (19 starts) for the Thunder this season. He averaged 7.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 27.3 minutes per contest.

Discuss your Thunder opinions on the InsideHoops OKC Thunder message board.