Bucks sign Jorge Gutierrez to second 10-day contract

Bucks sign Jorge Gutierrez to second 10-day contract

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed guard Jorge Gutierrez to a second 10-day contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

Gutierrez appeared in four games for the Bucks during his first 10-day contract and averaged 4.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 14.8 minutes per game. He made one start for Milwaukee on Feb. 2 at Toronto, and on Feb. 6 at Houston, tied his career high for scoring with 13 points in the game.

Gutierrez signed his initial 10-day contract on Jan. 28.

Kings interested in George Karl

Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting on the Kings, who would probably benefit from a number of changes, with one possibility as follows:

Kings interested in George Karl

The Kings are engaged in intense conversations with George Karl about their head coaching position, multiple sources have told The Bee.

Assistant Tyrone Corbin replaced Michael Malone on Dec. 14 after the Kings faltered to a 2-8 record during DeMarcus Cousins’ absence due to viral meningitis. The plan was to have Corbin complete the season, conduct an extensive coaching search, and give the incoming coach the benefit of an entire offseason and training camp.

Besides Karl, an ESPN analyst who is known for dramatically improving franchises, particularly in Denver, Seattle and Milwaukee, the list of future candidates is known to include current NBA assistants Alvin Gentry and Nate McMillan, along with head coaches whose job security is thought to be tenuous, among them Tom Thibodeau and Scott Brooks.

Cavs winning streak ends with loss to Pacers

Cavs winning streak ends with loss to Pacers

Here’s ESPN Cleveland reporting on the Cavs, whose 12-game winning streak did not extend to 13 games thanks to hard work by the Indiana Pacers:

It’s a given that all streaks eventually come to an end. Yet, certainly, the fact that the Cleveland Cavaliers’ ended at 12 on Friday night, with a 103-99 loss to an Indiana Pacers team that is 13 games under .500, could be construed as a disappointment.

The loss prevented the Cavs from tying their franchise record of 13 wins in a row (set twice in 2009-10, the last season of LeBron James’ first stint in Cleveland), and, considering they squandered a nine-point lead with eight minutes to go in the fourth, it’s fair to say they blew an opportunity to set a record Sunday at home against the struggling L.A. Lakers.

Yes, the Cavs need as many wins as they can over these final 30 or so games in the regular season to bolster their position in the Eastern Conference standings. The streak did wonders, moving Cleveland into a virtual tie with Chicago for fourth and just a half game behind the slumping Washington Wizards for third, but there is still plenty of ground to make up to catch Toronto (three games ahead at No. 2) and Atlanta (eight games ahead at No. 1 and coming off an impressive 124-116 win over Golden State on Friday).

Chris Paul fined for criticizing referee

Chris Paul fined for criticizing referee

Chris Paul fined for criticizing referee

Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of officiating, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

Paul made his comments following the Clippers’ 105-94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, Feb. 5, at Quicken Loans Arena.

According to the Associated Press, “the penalty is in line with others the NBA has levied for being critical of officials. Paul was given a technical by Lauren Holtkamp on Thursday night and afterward said the call was ”ridiculous” and seemed to imply that one of the NBA’s two female officials may have been in over her head, saying ”this might not be for her.”

Greg Monroe`s grandmother passes away

Here’s Michigan Live reporting some sad news for Greg Monroe on a day where he shined especially bright on the basketball court:

Greg Monroe's grandmother passes away

Greg Monroe’s bittersweet day ended with a choked-up disclosure Friday that the Detroit Pistons big man compiled his first 20-20 game on the same day his maternal grandmother died.

Monroe’s All-Star break figures to be melancholy when family join in New Orleans to celebrate Althea Dixon’s life, but he started the memorials early with a personal milestone in the Pistons’ 98-88 win over the Denver Nuggets, before 17,035 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Monroe later recounted some childhood memories of his grandmother, who surely would have been proud of his 21-point, 21-rebound night.

“Just playing hard,” the understated Monroe said. “A couple good bounces but just playing hard.”

Timberwolves sign Lorenzo Brown to second 10-day contract

Timberwolves sign Lorenzo Brown to second 10-day contract

Timberwolves sign Lorenzo Brown to second 10-day contract

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed guard Lorenzo Brown to a second 10-day contract. He was previously signed to his first 10-day contract on Jan. 28.

Brown, 24, has appeared in four games (one start) with Minnesota, averaging 4.0 points, 3.8 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 24.3 minutes per game. He played a career-high 47:55 against Cleveland on Jan. 31, dishing out a career-high nine assists.

Originally drafted by Minnesota with the 52nd pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Brown appeared in three preseason contests with the Wolves before being waived on October 25, 2013. He signed with Philadelphia a month later, averaging 2.5 points and 1.6 assists in 8.6 minutes over 26 games.

Brown started this season in the NBA D-League, playing in 19 games (17 starts) with the Grand Rapids Drive and averaging 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. For his efforts, Brown was named to the NBA D-League All-Star team yesterday. In his career, Brown has appeared in 39 games (31 starts) in the D-League and holds career averages of 17.1 points, 5.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 31.5 minutes per game.

Rajon Rondo still injured, out at least three more games

Rajon Rondo still injured, out at least three more games

Rajon Rondo still injured, out at least three more games

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that Rajon Rondo will miss the next three games (against Portland, L.A. Clippers and Utah) as he continues to recover from the orbital fracture to his left eye and nasal fracture he suffered at Orlando on Saturday, January 31.

No timetable has been set for his return and the Mavericks will release more information as it becomes available.

Ed Davis hopes for long-term deal with Lakers

Here’s the Los Angeles Daily News reporting on Lakers forward Ed Davis:

Ed Davis hopes for long-term deal with Lakers

Davis said in an interview with the Los Angeles News Group that he will opt out of his player option worth around $1 million that would secure his Lakers’ future for the 2015-16 season for one specific reason.

“I’m hoping for a long-term deal,” said Davis, who has until June 25 before formally deciding his move. “I’d love to return here. I know this will turn around eventually.”

The Lakers may keep Davis. But it appears their offseason priority involves the NBA draft and attracting a marquee star once free agency begins July 1. Of course, Davis’ future could hinge on what offers he attracts from other teams…

“This is definitely my first option,” Davis said of the Lakers. “They’re a team that gave me a look last summer when not too many teams were calling. This is definitely where I want to be at. Hopefully I can stay here for the rest of my career.”

Sixers sign Tim Frazier to 10-day contract

Sixers sign Tim Frazier to 10-day contract

The Philadelphia 76ers today announced they have signed guard Tim Frazier to a 10-day contract. Frazier is the 31st Call-Up of the 2014-15 NBA Development League season.

In 27 games with 26 starts for the Maine Red Claws of the D-League this season, Frazier averaged 16 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals. At the time of his call-up, Frazier ranked third in the D-League in assists and tied for fourth in steals. A two-time D-League Performer of the Week, Frazier was also selected to the D-League All-Star Game and earned 2015 NBA D-League Showcase Third Team honors.

Back in July, Frazier competed for the Sixers in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, appearing in five games with four starts. Frazier also saw action in four preseason games for Boston before signing with the Celtics D-League affiliate, Maine.

Frazier was eligible for the 2014 NBA Draft following a standout career at Penn State. He finished his career as the Lions all-time leader in assists and became the second player in conference history to record 1,000 points, 600 assists and 500 rebounds. Former Sixer Calvin Booth, who finished his career in 2008-09, was the last Penn State player in the NBA.

Orlando Magic fire coach Jacque Vaughn

Orlando Magic fire coach Jacque Vaughn

Orlando Magic fire coach Jacque Vaughn

The Orlando Magic have relieved Jacque Vaughn from his head coaching duties, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. In addition, James Borrego has been named interim head coach.

“Jacque (Vaughn) has been a trusted friend and colleague,” said Hennigan. “We thank him immensely for his contributions and sacrifices in bringing our team to this point, and we greatly appreciate his unwavering commitment to our organization. We have tremendous respect for Jacque and certainly wish him the best as he embarks on the next phase of his career.”

Vaughn was named head coach on July 27, 2012. He became the tenth head coach in franchise history and was the second youngest coach in the NBA at the time of his hiring. During his two-plus seasons in Orlando, Vaughn compiled a record of 58-158 (.269 win pct.), including 15-37 this season.

Prior to joining the Magic, Vaughn spent two seasons (2010-12) as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs. During his two seasons on San Antonio’s staff, the Spurs compiled a regular season record of 111-37. He was also a member of the 2006-07 Spurs’ NBA Championship team as a player.

Borrego is in his third season with the Magic. He spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach with New Orleans. Prior to joining New Orleans, Borrego spent seven seasons with the San Antonio Spurs from 2003-10. He started as an assistant video coordinator in the summer of 2003 and finished his tenure as an assistant coach. During those seasons, Borrego was a part of two NBA Championships teams in 2005 and 2007.

During the summer of 2013, Borrego served as head coach for the Magic’s summer league team. He also coached the New Orleans summer league team in 2012. Borrego has participated in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program in both Tokyo, Japan and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Borrego began his coaching career at the University of San Diego, where he was an assistant coach for two seasons from 2001-03. During the 2002-03 campaign, San Diego captured the West Coast Conference Championship and earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Borrego played three seasons at the University of San Diego, and during his senior season (2000-01) he was named to the West Coast Conference All-Academic Team. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in leadership studies.

Born and raised in Albuquerque, N.M., Borrego led Albuquerque Academy to a pair of state championships. He and his wife, Megan, have a daughter and two sons.