Jazz sign Jack Cooley to second 10-day contract

Jazz sign Jack Cooley to second 10-day contract

Jazz sign Jack Cooley to second 10-day contract

The Utah Jazz announced the team has signed forward Jack Cooley of the Jazz’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Idaho Stampede, to a second 10-day contract. Cooley signed his first 10-day with the Jazz on Feb. 24 and appeared in one Jazz game, scoring four points in two minutes at Denver on Feb. 27, before rejoining the Stampede.

Cooley (6-9, 246, Notre Dame) appeared in 20 games for the Stampede this season, averaging 16.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.3 blocks in 30.8 minutes per contest. On March 13, Cooley set a new D-League single-game record by grabbing 29 rebounds vs. Los Angeles D-Fenders, adding 27 points while going 11-of-14 from the floor (78.6 percent). Over his last three games, Cooley averaged 22.7 points on 65.9 percent shooting (27-of-41) and 22.7 rebounds per game with the Stampede. He recorded 13 double-doubles, including four straight since returning to the D-League. He scored in double figures on 17 occasions and recorded 20-plus points in six games.

Cooley attended 2014 training camp with the Jazz, averaging 3.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in 5.8 minutes in two preseason games. He was waived on Oct. 22.

The 23-year-old forward played for Trabzonspor in the Turkish Basketball League during the 2013-14 season, averaging 12.6 points and 6.9 rebounds in 22.9 minutes in 28 games (19 starts).

Cooley played four years at Notre Dame (2009-13), averaging 13.1 points and 10.1 rebounds during his senior season. He also led the team with 41 blocked shots and earned 2013 All-Big East First Team honors. Cooley totaled 32 double-doubles throughout his career with the Fighting Irish, including 19 his senior campaign. He also earned the 2012 Big East Most Improved Player award and was named to the 2012 All-Big East Second Team.

Jazz sign Bryce Cotton to multi-year contract

Jazz sign Bryce Cotton to multi-year contract

Jazz sign Bryce Cotton to a multi-year contract

The Utah Jazz announced today that team has signed guard Bryce Cotton to a multi-year contract.

Cotton signed his first of two 10-day contracts with the Jazz on Feb. 24 and has appeared in three Jazz games, averaging 1.7 points in 4.0 minutes per contest.

When the Jazz signed him from the NBA Development League’s Austin Spurs, Cotton (6-1, 165, Providence) was averaging 22.4 points (third in the D-League), 4.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 40.5 minutes in 34 games (all starts). He scored in double figures on 31 occasions and recorded 20-plus points in 20 games. He also registered 40-or-more points twice, including a season-high 43 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and two steals at Reno Bighorns. His 43 points rank tied for third in the D-League in scoring performances. Cotton was named D-League Performer of the Week on Feb. 23.

A native of Tucson, Ariz., Cotton played four seasons at Providence (2010-14). He was not selected in the 2014 NBA Draft.

With most starters out, Hawks beat Lakers

With most starters out, Hawks beat Lakers

The Atlanta Hawks are 52-14 this season, which is the best record in the Eastern conference and second best in the NBA behind the 52-13 Warriors. They believe a deep playoff run is possible. Which means they need to keep their squad healthy, and a good way to do that is to rest key players when their game schedule gets a little too crowded. Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting:

What difference does another starter make?

The Hawks were already resting three starters – Jeff Teague, DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap – when they lost Kyle Korver to a broken nose during Sunday’s game against the lowly Lakers.

It didn’t matter.

Al Horford, the lone remaining starter, had 21 points, five rebounds, five steals and three assists as the Hawks defeated the Lakers 91-86 Sunday night at Staples Center. Horford played a normal 35 minutes as the Hawks controlled much of the game and a held off a Lakers’ fourth-quarter rally in a reserve-lead effort.

Dennis Schroder had a game- and career-high 24 points to go with 10 assists. His layup with 13.9 seconds left stopped a 16-2 Lakers run. He added two free throws in the closing seconds to ice the win.

Knicks guard Jose Calderon remains out

Knicks guard Jose Calderon remains out

Here’s the New York Post reporting on a key member of the 13-52 Knicks:

Knicks guard Jose Calderon remains out

Derek Fisher allowed for the possibility that Jose Calderon won’t make it back this season despite the point guard’s ardent wishes to return.

Calderon has a tricky left Achilles tendon strain, and before the Knicks’ 125-94 loss to the Warriors on Saturday night, the point guard was ruled out for the remainder of the western trip. He will miss his 10th straight game Sunday when the
Knicks finish their five-game journey in Phoenix.

The Knicks appear a little more cautious since Trail Blazers shooting guard Wesley Matthews ruptured his Achilles tendon earlier this month. Matthews, who probably will miss training camp, is a free agent the Knicks covet.

Kyle Korver shooting slump may be over

Kyle Korver shooting slump may be over

Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting on Hawks sharpshooter Kyle Korver, who wasn’t quite so sharp for a while but seems to have regained the ability to do what he’s famous for:

Kyle Korver shooting slump may be over

It’s hard to argue with the benefits of an off day for Kyle Korver.

The Hawks guard was mired in a shooting slump for more than a month. His frustration was becoming evident as he couldn’t find his rhythm.

So when the team departed for a road game at Philadelphia last week, coach Mike Budenholzer told Korver to stay home. Get away from the game and clear your mind, he said. Korver missed the March 7 loss to the 76ers and didn’t touch a basketball during the brief time off. A weight lifting session and a chiropractic appointment were his only work-related activities.

There was plenty to get away from. Since Feb. 4, Korver was shooting 36.2 percent, including 34.6 percent from 3-point range.

However, in the three games since the hiatus, Korver is shooting 72 percent (18 of 25) from the field. That includes a stunning 73.7 percent (14 of 19) from long distance.

Tobias Harris discusses how to try to guard LeBron

Tobias Harris discusses how to try to guard LeBron

At 6pm ET today, the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Orlando Magic. Guarding LeBron James has always been a difficult task, and it’s probably even harder now that Cavs chemistry has improved. Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting:

Tobias Harris discusses how to try to guard LeBron

Tobias Harris, Maurice Harkless and Aaron Gordon almost certainly will spend time guarding James one-on-one at some point tonight. But Borrego and Magic players said the task for slowing James and James’ teammates will be more of a “collective effort.”

“You’ve just got to be physical all night,” Harris said. “You’ve got to be tuned in. It’s gonna be a group effort from everybody, because he’s somebody that can make plays for everybody on the floor. He’s such a good passer that he gets everybody going. So it’s really going to be a collective effort from everybody on our team tonight.”

The Magic (21-46) need a win, any win, these days.

They’ve lost their last three games following a winless road trip to Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Boston in which they faltered down the stretch against the Bucks and the Celtics.

Byron Scott plans to start Jeremy Lin during final stretch of season

Byron Scott plans to start Jeremy Lin during final stretch of season

Look. This wasn’t going to be the Lakers’ season, even if Kobe Bryant was healthy. Now, what does that point have to do with this particular story? Not a lot. It just needed to be said, for the sake of general overall perspective. As for Jeremy Lin, here’s the Los Angeles Daily News blog reporting:

Byron Scott plans to start Jeremy Lin

Lakers coach Byron Scott will soon make a move that Jeremy Lin supports.

Scott plans to start Lin at point guard, likely with 10 games left in the season. The timing is not definitive. The Lakers (17-46) will host the Atlanta Hawks (51-14) on Sunday at Staples Center featuring Jordan Clarkson at point guard for the 22nd consecutive start. The Lakers will also feature Wayne Ellington (shooting guard), Wesley Johnson (small forward), Jordan Hill (power forward) and Tarik Black (center), a lineup that has started for the past three contests.

But Scott plans to start Ryan Kelly at power forward at some point and Lin at point guard, the latter scenario seeming more definitive on the timing.

“I want to see how much of a difference it is now as opposed to the start of the season,” Scott said after Sunday’s morning shootaround at the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo.

Hawks sign Austin Daye to 10-day contract

Atlanta Hawks sign Austin Daye to 10-day contract

Hawks sign Austin Daye to 10-day contract

The Atlanta Hawks have signed forward Austin Daye to a 10-day contract, it was announced today by Head Coach Mike Budenholzer.

Daye appeared in 26 games (four starts) earlier this season with the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 4.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 10.3 minutes.

In 10 games this season with the Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League, Daye has averaged 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 blocks in 28.5 minutes.

A five-year NBA veteran, Daye has played in 285 career games (29 starts) with Detroit, Memphis, Toronto and San Antonio, totaling 5.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in 14.2 minutes. He has also appeared in five career playoff games. Daye was originally selected by the Pistons in the first round (15th overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft after a two-year college career at Gonzaga.

He will wear uniform no. 3.

Joel Freeland, Shawne Williams suspended for headbutting each other

Joel Freeland, Shawne Williams suspended for headbutting each other

Portland Trail Blazers center Joel Freeland and Detroit Pistons forward Shawne Williams have been suspended one game without pay for headbutting each other. The penalties were announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 1:15 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Trail Blazers’ 118-99 win over the Pistons on Friday, March. 13, at Moda Center.

Williams will serve his suspension tonight when the Pistons travel to Utah to play the Jazz. Freeland will serve his suspension on Sunday, March 15, when the Trail Blazers travel to Toronto to play the Raptors.

To view the play, click on this link.

Mike Scott out with toe injury

Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott suffered a left toe injury against the Denver Nuggets on March 11 that was initially diagnosed as a strain. After further consultation and an MRI examination, taken yesterday at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Phoenix, a fracture of his left great toe was revealed. He will see a foot specialist at Peachtree Orthopaedics in Atlanta on Monday to determine the appropriate course of action. A timeline for his return will be updated at a later date.