CJ McCollum back in Blazers rotation

CJ McCollum back in Blazers rotation

Here’s the Oregonian reporting on the aftermath of the Wesley Matthews injury in Portland:

It’s not the circumstances he likely pictured, but Trail Blazers second year guard CJ McCollum is back in the role he envisioned for himself heading into the season.

He’s a top option off the bench for a Portland team making a playoff push.

Of course, now he’s backing up Arron Afflalo and not Wesley Matthews, but McCollum’s role, the minutes and opportunity are back to where they were in the beginning of the season.

“Take advantage of whatever minutes you get and continue to gain trust,” McCollum said of his mindset at Blazers on Monday. “That’s the biggest thing. The past is over with.”

David Stockton named D-League Performer of Week through March 8

David Stockton named D-League Performer of Week through March 8

Reno Bighorns guard David Stockton was today named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Monday, March 2 – Sunday, March 8. The honor is the first of Stockton’s career and the first for the Bighorns this season.

Fresh off a 10-day contract with the Sacramento Kings, Stockton led the Bighorns to a 2-1 record last week, averaging a double-double of 38.7 points and 13.7 assists to go with 6.7 rebounds and 4.3 steals.

In his first game back in Reno, Stockton scored a career-high 44 points, dished out 10 assists and notched a near-quadruple-double registering eight steals and seven rebounds in a 158-152 win over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Two days later, he amassed 22 assists to go with 37 points and five rebounds as his Bighorns defeated the Texas Legends 147-111. To finish the week, Stockton tallied 35 points, nine assists and eight rebounds as Reno fell 117-115 to the Iowa Energy on the road in Des Moines.

This season Stockton ranks fourth in the NBA D-League averaging 8.4 assists and second on the Bighorns averaging 18.5 points.

Other top performers considered included Austin’s Orlando Johnson, Bakersfield’s Jerel McNeal, Delaware’s Victor Rudd, Erie’s Peyton Siva, Iowa’s Jarnell Stokes on assignment from the Memphis Grizzlies, Maine’s Tim Frazier, Santa Cruz’s Darington Hobston, and Texas’ Eric Griffin.

Mo Williams, Russell Westbrook named NBA Players of Week through March 8

mo williams

Charlotte Hornets guard Mo Williams and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 2, through Sunday, March 8.

Williams led the Hornets to a 4-0 week, which included two road wins and a home victory over the Toronto Raptors. Williams’ 19.5 ppg was tied for 10th in the East, while his 10.8 apg led the conference. He scored 20-plus points in three of four games, and posted two point-assist double-doubles. On March 6, he connected on four three-point field goals en route to 23 points and added seven assists during a 103-94 win over the Raptors.

russell westbrook

Westbrook averaged a triple-double as he led the Thunder to a 2-1 week. His 40.7 points led the league, while his 11.3 assists placed third in the West. Westbrook also averaged 11.3 rebounds – good for fifth in the conference, and his 3.0 steals were second-best in the conference. Westbrook recorded his seventh triple-double of the season on March 8, posting 30 points, 17 assists and 11 rebounds during a 108-104 win over the Raptors.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Boston’s Isaiah Thomas, Houston’s James Harden, the Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul, Miami’s Dwyane Wade, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, Orlando’s Victor Oladipo, Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio’s Tony Parker and Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan.

Jared Dudley in serious shooting slump

Here’s the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporting on a veteran Buck:

Jared Dudley in serious shooting slump

Jared Dudley is in a serious shooting slump.

Since the Milwaukee Bucks returned from the all-star break, Dudley has compiled only a few hits and plenty of misses.

How bad is it?

The 29-year-old forward is shooting 14.3% from three-point range (3 of 21) and 25.5% overall (13 of 51) in his last eight games.

It got so bad on Saturday night that he had two wide-open looks in a matter of seconds early in the fourth quarter and missed both.

This is the same player who was shooting 44.2% from beyond the arc and 50.6% overall before the break. It’s the same player who hit all 10 of his shots in a game against the Atlanta Hawks in December, including 4 three-pointers, while leading the Bucks to a 30-point victory over one of the league’s top teams.

Steven Adams back in action for Thunder

Steven Adams back in action for Thunder

Here’s the Oklahoman reporting on the Thunder:

Steven Adams back in action for Thunder

Four Sundays after breaking his hand against the Clippers, Steven Adams returned to the Thunder lineup

In OKC’s win over the Raptors, Adams was relatively effective in his 16 minutes. Adams entered to a rousing ovation from the home crowd and immediately blocked a shot on his first possession.

For the game, Adams finished with six points, six rebounds and two blocks. He nailed a pair of floaters with that surgically repaired right hand – which was covered by a protective glove – including a smooth buzzer-beater to end the third quarter.

“He’s still getting his timing back,” teammate Anthony Morrow said. “But he did a great job defensively tonight.”

For the first time this season, though, Adams came off the bench. Enes Kanter started and played extremely well, compiling 21 points and 12 rebounds.

Heat sign Michael Beasley to second 10-day contract

Heat sign Michael Beasley to second 10-day contract

Heat sign Michael Beasley to second 10-day contract

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed forward Michael Beasley to a second 10-day contract.

Beasley, who was originally signed to a 10-day contract by the HEAT on February 26, has appeared in six games with Miami this season averaging 10.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 23.6 minutes while shooting 44.6 percent from the field. In the HEAT’s last two games, he posted 13 points, all in the fourth quarter, on March 6 at Washington and then a season-high 18 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block on March 7 vs. Sacramento.

Beasley, who was originally drafted by the HEAT in the first round (second overall) in the 2008 NBA Draft, has appeared in 415 career NBA games (199 starts) averaging 13.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 24.8 minutes while shooting 45 percent from the field.

C.J. Miles, making music when off court

C.J. Miles, making music when off court

Here’s the Indianapolis Star reporting on C.J. Miles, who has been making music for a while now — but not promoting it too heavily:

C.J. Miles, making music when off court

He grew up singing in the church choir. Playing piano in middle school. Writing music as a teen, songs few people ever heard.

Now, Indiana Pacers guard C.J. Miles can be heard. He has ventured beyond writing to recording and releasing his own hip hop music – quietly.

Most fans who watch him on the court have no idea Miles is an undercover musician. That’s OK with him.

“I have no interest in being a rapper (as a career). I just like to do music. That’s why I don’t pub it or anything,” he said. “If people want to listen to it, they can listen to it. If they don’t, I’m still going to do it. It doesn’t really matter.”

Miles views music as his outlet, much like other guys play video games to relax. During the NBA season, while on the airplane or the bus, it’s not unusual to find Miles writing music.

Nick Young still out with knee injury

Nick Young still out with knee injury

The Lakers are 16-45 this season. Nick Young is scoring 13.4 points per game on horrible 36.6% shooting. Here’s the Los Angeles Daily News blog with a health update:

Nick Young still out with knee injury

The outlook Lakers coach Byron Scott has on Nick Young’s progress on his swollen left knee no longer seems as positive.

Two days after holding out hope Young could begin on-court work to test out his knee, Scott revealed the possibility that Young could face a prolonged absence because of his injury that Scott said is “slowly healing.”

“It might take another week, or two or three,” Scott said about Young after talking with team doctors and head athletic trainer Gary Vitti. “[Nick] doesn’t know. It depends on how fast he heals. We’re not in a hurry. He still has some pain in there. That’s the biggest concern.”

Bucks retire Bobby Dandridge jersey

Bucks retire Bobby Dandridge’s jersey

Here’s the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporting on the Bucks’ jersey retirement ceremony for Bobby Dandridge:

Bobby Dandridge said he was trying to stay emotionless in the hours before his No. 10 jersey was to be retired by the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.

Speaking fondly of his nine seasons with the Bucks, though, the tears that welled up in the 67-year-old’s eyes betrayed him.

“My family’s here, friends have come in from out of town and my friends and the fans here in Milwaukee are real special,” Dandridge said during a halftime ceremony at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. “I’ll try to hold back the emotions, try not to tremble too much, but this is probably the greatest honor that I have received as a professional athlete.”

After being introduced by his friend and former teammate Oscar Robertson, who drew a roar from the crowd by saying Dandridge deserved to be considered for the Hall of Fame, Dandridge succeeded in holding his emotions in check.

Gary Neal scores 27, Wolves upset Blazers

Gary Neal scores 27, Wolves upset Blazers

Here’s the Minneapolis Star Tribune reporting on a nice home win for the Timberwolves — just their 14th victory of the season. Neal has only played six games so far this season, averaging 11.7 points in 26.3 minutes per outing:

Gary Neal’s hand seemed just fine.

The Wolves guard suffered a right hand contusion during Friday’s practice but served as a spark off the bench in the 121-113 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night at Target Center. Neal finished with 27 points, his fourth consecutive game scoring in double figures.

“I was a little bit nervous before [Friday], but he should probably get his hand hit before every game,” Wolves coach Flip Saunders said.

Up five with eight minutes left, Neal scored 11 consecutive points, extending the Wolves’ lead to 98-93 with 5 minutes, 45 seconds left. The stretch ended with Neal drilling an off-balance jumper that was tightly contested by Dorell Wright. Then Blazers guard Steve Blake bit on Neal’s pump fake, creating a wide open jump shot that forced Blazers coach Terry Stotts to call timeout.