Pelicans recall Russ Smith from D-League

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has recalled rookie point guard Russ Smith from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League.

Smith, 6-0, 185, appeared in two games over the weekend for Fort Wayne, helping the Mad Ants win both contests. In 25.5 minutes per game, Smith averaged 14.5 points and 3.0 steals.

Smith has appeared in three games for New Orleans, averaging 0.3 rebounds per game. Smith appeared in six preseason contests for the Pelicans, averaging 5.0 points, 1.2 assists and 0.8 rebounds.

Drafted out of the University of Louisville by Philadelphia with the 47th overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, Smith was acquired by New Orleans in a draft night trade.

DeMarcus Cousins diagnosed with viral meningitis

demarcus cousins

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins has been diagnosed with viral meningitis, according to team physicians with Kaiser Permanente Sacramento.

Cousins’ symptoms are stable and a full recovery is expected, however the Kings medical staff recommends further rest before demands of an NBA schedule can be tolerated. He will continue to be monitored daily, with basketball-related activities expected to resume when his health allows.

Cousins is not expected to be in uniform for this week’s contests. Further updates on his playing status will be issued when they become available.

Alec Burks injury update: Cleared to resume practice

Alec Burks injury update: Cleared to resume practice

The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks, who has missed the last two Jazz games with left shoulder inflammation:

After undergoing testing and consultations with the Utah Jazz medical staff and multiple outside medical experts, the findings were consistent and a unanimous agreement was reached that Burks is cleared to resume practice activities at this time.

Burks will be listed as QUESTIONABLE for Monday night’s game at Sacramento.

The 23-year-old Burks (6-6, 211, Colorado) has appeared in 18 games (all starts) and is averaging 13.3 points and career-highs of 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 33.7 minutes. The fourth-year guard was originally selected by the Jazz in the first round (12th overall selection) of the 2011 NBA Draft.

Thunder recall Mitch McGary from D-League

Thunder recall Mitch McGary from D-League

The Oklahoma City Thunder has recalled forward Mitch McGary from the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

During his most recent assignment, McGary appeared in two games (two starts) for the Blue, averaging 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.00 steal, and 1.00 block in 26.5 minutes. Overall, the rookie forward has appeared in four games (four starts) with the Blue this season, averaging 16.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.25 steals in 23.8 minutes per game.

Pistons on 11-game losing streak

Here’s Michigan Live reporting on the Detroit Pistons, who lately have mastered the art of losing basketball games and at 3-17 through Saturday have the second worst winning percentage in the league:

The Detroit Pistons have run plumb out of explanations.

They will win again eventually. The nature of the NBA dictates as much.

But they have to get out of their own way first, and after 11 consecutive losses — the most recent a stunning late collapse in a 108-101 overtime loss Saturday to the Philadelphia 76ers — that could prove their biggest challenge.

The Pistons scored seven points on their last 23 possessions. They scored one overtime point, when they had 10 possessions and shot 0 of 11 from the field with a turnover.

They are within three losses of the franchise-record losing streak, 14, and they stand alone with the worst 20-game record in Pistons history, 3-17.

Pistons plan to run fewer plays

The Detroit Pistons plan to get more creative in their offense. Here’s Michigan Live reporting:

Spoiler alert: The Detroit Pistons will free-wheel it a little bit more offensively the next few games, with fewer play calls from the sidelines, to see if that gets them into sets more briskly.

How it works remains to be seen because Stan Van Gundy already allows his team to run off set principles, not a set play call, after defensive stops, but Pistons forward Kyle Singler hinted Friday that the coach plans to cede some play-calling in favor of increased tempo.

“So the next few games, you’ll see us hopefully not call as many plays, and just coming down the court, unpredictable sets, kind of movement and screens, which I think will help us out,” Singler said. “Just us coming down with us having the idea of just playing the game, just coming down, setting pin-downs, or setting early drags for our point guards, and then just playing out from there, instead of just coming over, looking at the bench, looking for a play call.

“I think it will help our tempo and hopefully free our minds a little bit and just open up our offense.”

Pelicans sign Gal Mekel

Pelicans sign Gal Mekel

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has signed free agent guard Gal Mekel. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Mekel, 6-3, 191, appeared in 31 games (one start) last season with the Dallas Mavericks, posting averages of 2.4 points and 2.0 assists. Mekel appeared in all eight of Dallas’ 2014 preseason games (two starts), averaging 7.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

Prior to joining the Mavericks, Mekel spent five years playing professionally in Israel, winning two Israeli Super League championships with Hapoel Gilboa Galil in 2010 and Maccabi Haifa in 2013, as well as being named the 2009 Israeli Super League Rising Star and winning the league MVP award twice (2011, 2013). Before starting his professional career, the Israeli native played two seasons at Wichita State University from 2006-08.

Mekel will wear #24 and will be available for New Orleans’ game tomorrow night in Los Angeles against the Clippers.

New Orleans’ roster now stands at 15.

Sixers sign Malcolm Lee, waive Drew Gordon

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today the team has signed free agent guard Malcolm Lee from its NBA Development League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers. He is the ninth D-League to NBA “Call-Up” of the 2014-15 NBA Development League season.

Lee has appeared in four games with three starts for the Sevens this season. He also saw action in three games for the Sixers this preseason.

Lee was originally the 43rd overall pick by Chicago in the 2011 NBA Draft following his junior season at UCLA. He spent both of his NBA seasons (2011-12 and 2012-13) with Minnesota.

In a related move, the Sixers waived Drew Gordon.

Jeremy Lin still finding his place in Lakers offense

Here’s the Orange County Register reporting on Los Angeles Lakers point guard Jeremy Lin, who like most of his teammates is still adjusting to what should be a tough run all season long:

What label to use for Lin from night to night has pinballed: efficient, inefficient, spotty, reliable, aggressive, facilitator. In Wednesday’s loss to Washington, he was just bad, missing all 10 of his shots, including six 3-pointers, which Coach Byron Scott chalked up to an off night. It was the second time he has been held scoreless this season.

But there are issues, bigger issues. Namely, Lin still isn’t particularly comfortable in the Lakers’ offense.

However, it was not entirely unexpected that this marriage between the offensively minded Lin and the Lakers, whose new offense features a two-guard front, would take some work.

“Houston was the ideal system for me,” Lin said earlier this week, “personally as a player in terms of spreading the floor, running and making plays and having guys with a lot of space, stretch fours. That’s the ideal system, but that’s not what we have here.”