Pau Gasol does not miss media glare of Los Angeles

The media spotlight is a powerful thing.  It is usually quite good for those who need publicity, but can also quite a distraction for others who are already well-known and would appreciate a little less attention once in a while. Such is the struggle of pro athletes who live the life we all dream of. Here’s the Los Angeles Daily News reporting:

Pau Gasol does not miss media glare of Los Angeles

Pau Gasol of the Chicago Bulls on Thursday morning talked about his emotional return to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Thursday night at Staples Center. He spoke of the memories he’ll realize once he steps onto the floor and all sorts of warm and fuzzy things.

He doesn’t miss the media scrutiny of Los Angeles, however. He made no bones about that.

“Obviously, when things were going well here, it was exceptional,” said Gasol, who spent seven seasons with the Lakers and helped them win NBA titles in 2009 and 2010. “They say L.A. and New york are two of the top cities, the best cities to win at. But they’re probably two of the tougher cities to lose and struggle because you get so much coverage that media have to create stories.”

Lakers GM says he is in contact with Steve Nash

Remember Steve Nash? Of course you do. He’s had a fantastic NBA career. But the part that many fans may have forgotten is, he’s still a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Here’s ESPN Los Angeles reporting:

Yes, Lakers GM says he is in contact with Steve Nash

Lakers guard Steve Nash has basically been a ghost since October, when he was declared out for the season because of back injuries.

Nash hasn’t been a visible presence at games, and while Lakers coach Byron Scott said he has hoped that Nash would be around to help mentor younger players, Scott strangely added that he’s had consistent trouble reaching Nash by phone.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has a different view.

“He’s around,” Kupchak said after shootaround at the Lakers’ practice facility Thursday. “I’ve had multiple meetings with Steve. We have breakfast once a month. He will work with some of our players. He may have already started doing that. He’s not going to go out and advertise [but] he’s doing it. … As the season progresses, he’ll be more engaged.”

Nic Batum status uncertain for Friday

Here’s the Oregonian with a Trail Blazers update for a very big Friday matchup:

Nicolas Batum’s status for the Trail Blazers’ Friday night game against the hottest team in the NBA is uncertain.

Batum was a game-time decision before the Blazers visited the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, and the starting small forward did not decide to play until about an hour before tipoff, after going through a pregame shooting session. Batum, who has played with a sprained right wrist since Dec. 17, was grimacing throughout the session, but decided to play through the pain.

Spurs sign Reggie Williams to 10-day contract

Spurs sign Reggie Williams to 10-day contract

Spurs sign Reggie Williams to 10-day contract

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed forward Reggie Williams of the Oklahoma City Blue to a 10-day contract.

Williams, 6-6/210, has appeared in 13 games this season for the Blue of the NBA D-League, averaging 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.08 steals in 31.9 minutes. He has also spent time in the D-League with the Blue in 2013-14 and the Sioux Falls Skyforce in 2009-10. In 69 career D-League games, he has averaged 22.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists in 37.7 minutes.

In the NBA, the Virginia native has suited up for the Oklahoma City Thunder (2013-14), Charlotte Hornets (2011-13) and the Golden State Warriors (2009-11). In 180 total games, he has averaged 8.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 19.7 minutes.

Williams has also played internationally for San Miguel Beerman of the Philippines (2014), Caja Laboral of Spain (2011) and JDA Dijon of France (2008-09). He played collegiately at the Virginia Military Institute (2004-08).

Williams will wear No. 55 for the Silver and Black.

Jazz sign Chris Johnson to 10-day contract

Jazz sign Chris Johnson to 10-day contract

Jazz sign Chris Johnson to 10-day contract

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has signed forward Chris Johnson of the NBA Development League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers to a 10-day contract. Johnson becomes the NBA’s 24th overall NBA D-League Call-Up of the 2014-15 season and the 22nd different player to be called up.

Following the move, the Jazz roster now stands at 15 players.

The 24-year-old Johnson (6-6, 201, Dayton) appeared in 14 games (all starts) for the Vipers this season, averaging 20.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals in 35.3 minutes per contest. He scored in double figures on 13 occasions and recorded 20-plus points in eight games, including one 30-point contest. He started the 2014-15 season with the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 6.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 20.8 minutes while scoring in double figures twice in nine games (two starts), before being waived on Nov. 15.

Johnson has spent portions of three seasons with the 76ers (2014-15), Boston Celtics (2013-14) and Memphis Grizzlies (2012-13), appearing in 57 NBA games (two starts) and owns averages of 5.8 points and 2.4 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game and has scored in double figures 12 times. He has also appeared in 73 D-League games (58 starts) over three seasons for Rio Grande Valley, holding averages of 14.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 steals in 31.4 minutes. He was a member of the Vipers’ 2013 D-League Championship team, a 2014 NBA D-League All-Star selection and was recently named to the 2015 NBA D-League Showcase Second Team.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Johnson played four seasons at Dayton (2008-12), where he earned Atlantic 10 All-Championship Team honors following his junior season and was the 2010 Atlantic 10 Most Improved Player recipient and helped lead the Flyers to a 2010 NIT championship. He was not selected in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Johnson becomes the 15th D-League Call-Up in Jazz history, and the fourth this season.

He will wear uniform #23 for the Jazz.

Kemba Walker out at least six weeks after knee surgery

Kemba Walker out at least six weeks after knee surgery

Kemba Walker out at least six weeks after knee surgery

Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker underwent successful surgery today to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee. The procedure was completed by Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Walker’s recovery time is expected to be a minimum of six weeks.

Walker is the Hornets’ leader in points (18.8), assists (5.2) and steals (1.4). Walker averaged 23.0 points on .429 shooting from the field (171-399), including .355 from beyond the three-point line (43-121) over his last 21 games played. He scored at least 28 points in six straight games from Jan. 3-14, the longest streak of his career and the second-longest streak in the NBA this season behind only Russell Westbrook’s nine straight games from Dec. 12-26. Walker scored 20 or more points in 14 of his last 21 games played.

The Hornets are 19-26 this season, and have been on a roll recently, winning 8 of their last 10 games. They will absolutely miss Walker, though, who along with center Al Jefferson is the heart and soul of the team.

Timberwolves sign Lorenzo Brown to 10-day contract

Timberwolves sign Lorenzo Brown to 10-day contract

Timberwolves sign Lorenzo Brown to 10-day contract

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed guard Lorenzo Brown to a 10-day contract.

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.

This season Brown has played in 19 games (17 starts) with the D-League’s Grand Rapids Drive, averaging 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. 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.

In a related transaction, the Timberwolves released center Miroslav Raduljica from his 10-day contract. Raduljica appeared in five games with Minnesota and averaged 1.6 points and 1.0 rebounds.

Mirza Teletovic health update

Mirza Teletovic health update

Mirza Teletovic health update

The following is a statement from Brooklyn Nets team physician Dr. Michael Farber:

“Mirza was diagnosed with pulmonary embolus on January 22 and started on the appropriate medications for this condition. Diagnostic testing was arranged and he was then observed until testing showed that he reached the expected therapeutic range. We are pleased to say that he reports no symptoms at this time and that he will be discharged to return home today.”

“This was a true collaborative effort between our medical team and training staff and the local physicians at the Los Angeles hospital where Mirza was treated. I am really pleased with how Mirza has progressed. We will evaluate him upon return, personally review all of the testing he had done, and arrange for further testing if necessary.”

Pacers assign Shayne Whittington to D-League

Pacers assign Shayne Whittington to D-League

The Indiana Pacers announced Wednesday that 6-11 rookie center Shayne Whittington has been assigned to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League.

Whittington has played in 13 games for the Pacers this season with averages of 2.0 points and 1.2 rebounds per game.

Whittington was undrafted out of Western Michigan and signed as a free agent, July 2, 2014.

With Paul George out for the season, Lance Stephenson gone to Charlotte, and various injuries and general struggles, it’s a challenging year for the Pacers, who have a 16-31 record.

Bucks sign Jorge Gutierrez to 10-day contract

Bucks sign Jorge Gutierrez to 10-day contract

Bucks sign Jorge Gutierrez to 10-day contract

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed guard Jorge Gutierrez to a 10-day contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today. Gutierrez is the 23rd Gatorade Call-Up of the 2014-15 NBA Development League season.

Gutierrez, 26, most recently played for the Canton Charge of the NBA D-League and in six games averaged 15.2 points, 6.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 35.7 minutes per game. He began the season with Brooklyn where he averaged 1.6 points in 10 games before being traded to Philadelphia on Dec. 11. He was waived by the 76ers on Dec. 12.

Undrafted out of the University of California, Gutierrez began his professional career with Canton in 2012. He started 35 games for the Charge in 2013 before being signed by the Brooklyn Nets where he appeared in 15 games and averaged 4.1 points, 2.0 assists and 1.5 rebounds.