PORTLAND, ME Feb. 25, 2009 – The NBA Development League has awarded an expansion team to Portland, Maine for the 2009-10 season, NBA D-League President Dan Reed announced today at a press conference at Portland High School. The team, which is the first expansion franchise awarded for the 2009-10 season, will play at the Portland Expo Center.
The franchise will be owned and operated by Maine Basketball, LLC, which is principally owned by Bill Ryan Sr., the chairman of TD Banknorth Group and Bill Ryan Jr., who owns and operates Oxford Plains Speedway. Jon Jennings, a partner in Maine Basketball, LLC and former Boston Celtics assistant coach, will serve as the team’s president and general manager.
“Expansion to Portland is another example of the health and growth of the NBA D-League,” said Reed. “We are very pleased to add Bill Ryan Sr., Bill Ryan Jr., and Jon Jennings to our ownership ranks, as they bring a wealth of business, sports operations, and basketball experience on behalf of the team and the community. I’m confident that fans throughout the state of Maine will enjoy our world-class level of basketball featuring current and future NBA players, as well as appreciate the team's family-friendly environment, affordable prices, and positive impact on the Portland and Maine community."
“I’m overjoyed to bring NBA D-League basketball to Portland,” said Jennings. “We’ve already established strong relationships with the people of this community, and we can’t wait to get underway next season. I know that this team will have a long and exciting future in Maine.”
Portland will be affiliated with two NBA team parent-clubs, which will be able to assign their first and second year players to the club a maximum of three times during a season. Thus far, the 2008-09 NBA D-League season has had 22 NBA players assigned on 24 occasions to NBA D-League affiliates as players continue to develop their game. An announcement regarding Portland’s NBA team affiliations will occur during the offseason.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Rubio is a player worth tanking for
In another couple of weeks you will likely start to hear whispers of the four letter word that drives David Stern crazy -- "tank."
Prior to the NBA Draft Lottery, the first pick in the league's annual draft was determined by a coin toss between the two teams in each conference with the worst records.
Hurt by accusations that the Houston Rockets "tanked" their 1984 season in order to obtain Hakeem Olajuwon, Stern and the NBA instituted the lottery system in 1985.
The Draft Lottery was at first a chance drawing for the top seven draft picks among the seven non-playoff teams, with each team having an equal chance of landing the number one pick.
The New York Knicks won the first lottery and the prize was Patrick Ewing. Meanwhile, the worst team that season, the Golden State Warriors, drew the seventh and final lottery draft position. That result ignited the Oliver Stone crowd and conspiracy theorists abounded, accusing the NBA of rigging the lottery in order to send Ewing to the nation's No. 1 media market.
In fact, video of the event has become the NBA's own version of the Zapruder Film with thousands of Jim Garrisons breaking it down frame-by-frame, looking for the dinged envelope.
Since then, things have evolved into a "weighted lottery" where teams with fewer wins have a greater chance at selecting higher in the draft.
No matter what the NBA does, it hasn't been able to stop the league's doormats from conveniently sitting banged-up players down the stretch in order to secure a few more ping-pong balls for the lottery.
Heck, Barack Obama could put together a G8 summit to tackle the issue of "tanking" and nothing would get done. Desperate teams often take desperate measures to get better.
That said, I don't expect the usual level of "tanking" this season. The names atop this season's projected draft boards are hardly going to remind you of Olajuwon and Ewing.
Players like Oklahoma's Blake Griffin and Connecticut's Hasheem Thabeet certainly have the athletic ability to flourish in the NBA, but their skill sets are extremely raw. In fact, there isn't one surefire superstar player on the college level expected to enter June's draft.
One name could change everything, however -- Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio.
Rubio is the 18-year-old sensation who became the youngest player in the Spanish ACB League's history when he debuted on October 15, 2005 for DKV Joventut.
Rubio is regarded as the best European guard prospect since the late Drazen Petrovic and many have compared him to Pete Maravich, pointing to his natural scoring ability and creativity,
"I think he's a freak of nature - being so young and being so skilled and also so cool all the time," Former NBA guard and Temple star Pepe Sanchez, who once played for Spanish ACB League rivals Unicaja Malaga, said. "You can see that he knows what he's doing. He knows the game and he can only improve. I think he'll be a great player."
Currently Rubio would have to pay a buyout of 4.7 million euros to get out of his deal with DKV Joventut, a figure that could be managed if Rubio is taken with one of the top three picks in the draft.
"He's the real deal," one Eastern Conference general manager told Sports Illustrated. "He could be the No. 1 player picked next year. He's going to be a top five pick for sure."
The 19-year-old age limit to enter the draft (Rubio will not turn 19 until October) does not apply to international players and Rubio's agent, German Gonzalez, has indicated that the Barcelona native will decide whether he will enter the draft or postpone his arrival for another season any day now.
Here's hoping Ricky agrees to come stateside.
After all, NBA teams should have a reason to tank games.
Prior to the NBA Draft Lottery, the first pick in the league's annual draft was determined by a coin toss between the two teams in each conference with the worst records.
Hurt by accusations that the Houston Rockets "tanked" their 1984 season in order to obtain Hakeem Olajuwon, Stern and the NBA instituted the lottery system in 1985.
The Draft Lottery was at first a chance drawing for the top seven draft picks among the seven non-playoff teams, with each team having an equal chance of landing the number one pick.
The New York Knicks won the first lottery and the prize was Patrick Ewing. Meanwhile, the worst team that season, the Golden State Warriors, drew the seventh and final lottery draft position. That result ignited the Oliver Stone crowd and conspiracy theorists abounded, accusing the NBA of rigging the lottery in order to send Ewing to the nation's No. 1 media market.
In fact, video of the event has become the NBA's own version of the Zapruder Film with thousands of Jim Garrisons breaking it down frame-by-frame, looking for the dinged envelope.
Since then, things have evolved into a "weighted lottery" where teams with fewer wins have a greater chance at selecting higher in the draft.
No matter what the NBA does, it hasn't been able to stop the league's doormats from conveniently sitting banged-up players down the stretch in order to secure a few more ping-pong balls for the lottery.
Heck, Barack Obama could put together a G8 summit to tackle the issue of "tanking" and nothing would get done. Desperate teams often take desperate measures to get better.
That said, I don't expect the usual level of "tanking" this season. The names atop this season's projected draft boards are hardly going to remind you of Olajuwon and Ewing.
Players like Oklahoma's Blake Griffin and Connecticut's Hasheem Thabeet certainly have the athletic ability to flourish in the NBA, but their skill sets are extremely raw. In fact, there isn't one surefire superstar player on the college level expected to enter June's draft.
One name could change everything, however -- Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio.
 |
Rubio is regarded as the best European guard prospect since the late Drazen Petrovic and many have compared him to Pete Maravich, pointing to his natural scoring ability and creativity,
"I think he's a freak of nature - being so young and being so skilled and also so cool all the time," Former NBA guard and Temple star Pepe Sanchez, who once played for Spanish ACB League rivals Unicaja Malaga, said. "You can see that he knows what he's doing. He knows the game and he can only improve. I think he'll be a great player."
Currently Rubio would have to pay a buyout of 4.7 million euros to get out of his deal with DKV Joventut, a figure that could be managed if Rubio is taken with one of the top three picks in the draft.
"He's the real deal," one Eastern Conference general manager told Sports Illustrated. "He could be the No. 1 player picked next year. He's going to be a top five pick for sure."
The 19-year-old age limit to enter the draft (Rubio will not turn 19 until October) does not apply to international players and Rubio's agent, German Gonzalez, has indicated that the Barcelona native will decide whether he will enter the draft or postpone his arrival for another season any day now.
Here's hoping Ricky agrees to come stateside.
After all, NBA teams should have a reason to tank games.
Trade deadline provides few fireworks
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - In the weeks leading up to the trade deadline, most NBA reporters dish the gossip like Cindy Adams or Perez Hilton.
This year was certainly no different.
If you picked up a newspaper or perused a web site in recent days, you probably thought some big names would be filling out change-of-address forms.
Shaquille O'Neal, Amare Stoudemire, Antawn Jamison, Rasheed Wallace, Baron Davis, Vince Carter and Andre Miller were just some of the names being floated in various trade rumors.
In the end, the biggest names contacting U-Haul on Thursday were Larry Hughes and "Skip 2 My Lou" himself, Rafer Alston.
Yep, an overrated, disgruntled swingman and a former streetball legend were the stars of trade day.
Talk about a letdown.
I was all set to pen a column about the winners and losers of the day and how the balance of power had shifted. I mean, surely if Cavs general manager Danny Ferry landed O'Neal or Jamison to team with LeBron James and Mo Williams, Danny Ainge would be running scared in Boston.
Instead, I am writing about some guy better known for his exploits on And 1's "Mix Tape Tour."
There were no winners or losers at the trade deadline, just flotsam being exchanged for assorted debris.
OK, maybe that's a little harsh. Alston, who was acquired by the Orlando Magic in a three-way deal with Houston and Memphis, is a decent NBA point guard that should prove to be a big help to a very good team reeling from the loss of their own All-Star point guard, Jameer Nelson.
Chicago also made some legitimate moves, acquiring veteran center Brad Miller and swingman John Salmons from the Kings earlier in the week for a package that included Andres Nocioni and the always-injured Drew Gooden.
The Bulls then sent a locker room problem that's has only excelled for bad teams (Hughes) off to New York for a package that included veteran forward Tim Thomas and a guy who has made a career out of being a waste of space, center Jerome James.
Sacramento, the NBA's worst team at 11-44, remained active on Thursday sending forward Shelden Williams and point guard/New Edition front man Bobby Brown to Minnesota in exchange for fourth-year guard Rashad McCants and veteran big man Calvin Booth.
The Kings then acquired Raptors point guard Will Solomon and cash in a three- team deal including the Celtics. The C's sent journeyman center Patrick O'Bryant to the Raptors, and the Kings gave a future second-round pick to Boston.
In the end, perhaps the most intriguing deal of them all was actually rescinded when the Oklahoma City Thunder sent center Tyson Chandler back to the New Orleans Hornets after he failed his physical.
In the original deal announced on Tuesday, Oklahoma City sent forward Joe Smith, center Chris Wilcox and the draft rights to center DeVon Hardin to New Orleans for Chandler, a legitimate NBA big man, albeit a bit of an underachiever with a big price tag and having a down year.
The Thunder did turn around from there and agree to send Wilcox to the Big Apple for the expiring contract of Malik Rose.
I know, I know...I had to catch my breath too.
If only we could rescind this year's trade deadline.
This year was certainly no different.
If you picked up a newspaper or perused a web site in recent days, you probably thought some big names would be filling out change-of-address forms.
Shaquille O'Neal, Amare Stoudemire, Antawn Jamison, Rasheed Wallace, Baron Davis, Vince Carter and Andre Miller were just some of the names being floated in various trade rumors.
In the end, the biggest names contacting U-Haul on Thursday were Larry Hughes and "Skip 2 My Lou" himself, Rafer Alston.
Yep, an overrated, disgruntled swingman and a former streetball legend were the stars of trade day.
 |
I was all set to pen a column about the winners and losers of the day and how the balance of power had shifted. I mean, surely if Cavs general manager Danny Ferry landed O'Neal or Jamison to team with LeBron James and Mo Williams, Danny Ainge would be running scared in Boston.
Instead, I am writing about some guy better known for his exploits on And 1's "Mix Tape Tour."
There were no winners or losers at the trade deadline, just flotsam being exchanged for assorted debris.
OK, maybe that's a little harsh. Alston, who was acquired by the Orlando Magic in a three-way deal with Houston and Memphis, is a decent NBA point guard that should prove to be a big help to a very good team reeling from the loss of their own All-Star point guard, Jameer Nelson.
Chicago also made some legitimate moves, acquiring veteran center Brad Miller and swingman John Salmons from the Kings earlier in the week for a package that included Andres Nocioni and the always-injured Drew Gooden.
The Bulls then sent a locker room problem that's has only excelled for bad teams (Hughes) off to New York for a package that included veteran forward Tim Thomas and a guy who has made a career out of being a waste of space, center Jerome James.
Sacramento, the NBA's worst team at 11-44, remained active on Thursday sending forward Shelden Williams and point guard/New Edition front man Bobby Brown to Minnesota in exchange for fourth-year guard Rashad McCants and veteran big man Calvin Booth.
The Kings then acquired Raptors point guard Will Solomon and cash in a three- team deal including the Celtics. The C's sent journeyman center Patrick O'Bryant to the Raptors, and the Kings gave a future second-round pick to Boston.
In the end, perhaps the most intriguing deal of them all was actually rescinded when the Oklahoma City Thunder sent center Tyson Chandler back to the New Orleans Hornets after he failed his physical.
In the original deal announced on Tuesday, Oklahoma City sent forward Joe Smith, center Chris Wilcox and the draft rights to center DeVon Hardin to New Orleans for Chandler, a legitimate NBA big man, albeit a bit of an underachiever with a big price tag and having a down year.
The Thunder did turn around from there and agree to send Wilcox to the Big Apple for the expiring contract of Malik Rose.
I know, I know...I had to catch my breath too.
If only we could rescind this year's trade deadline.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Howard, Gasol earn weekly honors
The Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Tuesday, Feb. 17, through Sunday, Feb. 22.
Howard averaged 25.5 points, a league-best 15.0 rebounds and 4.3 blocks in leading the Magic to a 3-1 week. Howard led Orlando in scoring twice and in rebounding in all four games. His 45-point, 19-rebound, eight-block effort in a 107-102 win over Charlotte on Feb. 17 marked the first time a player tallied 40-plus points, 15-plus rebounds and five-plus blocks in a game since Shaquille O’Neal on March 23, 2001 as a member of the Lakers. The 45 points also marked a career high for Howard.
Gasol won his second straight Player of the Week Award after guiding the Lakers to a perfect 4-0 mark. Gasol averaged 20.3 points on .635 shooting from the field, 10.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.0 blocks. In a 96-83 win over Atlanta on Feb. 17, Gasol recorded his third career triple-double with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. The next night, Gasol tallied 24 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in the Lakers’ 129-121 win at Golden State.
Howard averaged 25.5 points, a league-best 15.0 rebounds and 4.3 blocks in leading the Magic to a 3-1 week. Howard led Orlando in scoring twice and in rebounding in all four games. His 45-point, 19-rebound, eight-block effort in a 107-102 win over Charlotte on Feb. 17 marked the first time a player tallied 40-plus points, 15-plus rebounds and five-plus blocks in a game since Shaquille O’Neal on March 23, 2001 as a member of the Lakers. The 45 points also marked a career high for Howard.
Gasol won his second straight Player of the Week Award after guiding the Lakers to a perfect 4-0 mark. Gasol averaged 20.3 points on .635 shooting from the field, 10.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.0 blocks. In a 96-83 win over Atlanta on Feb. 17, Gasol recorded his third career triple-double with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. The next night, Gasol tallied 24 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in the Lakers’ 129-121 win at Golden State.
Jazz to wear patch in honor of Miller
The Utah Jazz will honor the memory of late owner Larry H. Miller by wearing a memorial “LHM” patch on its jerseys for the remainder of the season. The patch debuted Saturday.
The purple patch with green and gold trim is in the shape of the Jazz music note logo (a “J” in the shape of an eighth note) and inscribed with Miller’s initials, “LHM,” in white block letters. The music note logo is representative of the team’s logo, colors and jerseys which were worn at the time Miller originally purchased a 50% stake in the team on April 11, 1985, and the remaining 50% on June 24, 1986. The Jazz wore the music note jerseys until the 1996-97 season.
Reaction to Larry Miller's passing
David Stern " It is with great sadness that I offer condolences to Gail and the Miller family on behalf of the entire NBA family. Larry's legacy extends beyond the NBA as he touched many lives in the Salt Lake City region through his business ventures and charitable endeavors. The NBA lost a great leader, colleague and friend today. We will miss him."
Jon M. Huntsman Jr. (Governor, State ofUtah
Jon M. Huntsman Jr. (Governor, State of
“Every citizen in our state feels a little empty today. Larry was
“Mary Kaye and I wish to express our deepest love and sympathies to his wonderful wife, Gail, and their entire family and wish them a sense of deep condolences at this difficult time.”
Jon M. Huntsman Sr.
“Larry Miller was one of the most treasured and close friends I’ve had in my life. He was a man of total integrity and honesty. His legacy in
Thomas S. Monson (President, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
“I was sad to hear of the passing of Larry H. Miller after a valiant battle with ill health. He was a kind, generous man, a great citizen, and friend to the community and his church.
“In recent years, his generosity included significant underwriting for the Joseph Smith Papers Project that is bringing the Prophet’s work to life. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Gail and their family.”
David Stern (NBA Commissioner)
“It is with great sadness that I offer condolences to Gail and the Miller family on behalf of the entire NBA family. Larry's legacy extends beyond the NBA as he touched many lives in the
“Larry Miller is a dear friend and great leader who cared deeply about his family, the state, his faith and his employees. He has created a legacy that we, as his stewards, are committed to carry on and build in his honor. His commitment to sports has changed the face of
Tony Schnurr (President, Larry H. Miller Group of Automotive Companies)
“We are all saddened by the news of Larry’s death. He was a great man and an inspiration to all of us. The mark that he has left in the business communities in which we are located will be felt for all of the generations to follow. Larry will be truly missed.”
Jerry Sloan (Head Coach,
“The whole Jazz family is really saddened by Larry H. Miller’s passing. He meant so much to this state and this community. He’ll always be in our hearts for what he’s done. He’s certainly someone we’re all going to miss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Larry H. Miller’s family.”
John Stockton (Retired Player,
“Personally, I have lost a valuable friend. Larry has been such a remarkable individual. The community has benefited so much by his life. He is someone we will all miss.”
Deron Williams (Player,
“This is a sad day for me, our team, the fans of the Utah Jazz, and the NBA. Mr. Miller was a terrific man and friend. He changed the lives of thousands of people. We have all been blessed by his generosity and love for this community, and I am blessed to call him my friend. He gave us a lot of joy, and we will miss him.”
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Radio appearance
Let's talk trade rumors...Listen to John McMullen Thursday on Troy Derengowski's Nightly Sports Report on WHON 930 at 5:00 p.m. Bang the link to listen...
Get your free All-Star jacket
ADIDAS was kind enough to give me a few free official All-Star warmup jackets so we are giving them away to our loyal readers...
bang the link to register to win...
bang the link to register to win...
Allen has successful left thumb surgery
Allen, a 6’4” 213lb guard, is currently in his fifth season with the Celtics and is averaging 7.8 points and 1.25 steals in 19.1 minutes per game. Allen has scored in double-figures 17 times this season in 42 contests and has led the Celtics in steals in 11 games. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy netted a season-high of 23 points against the Pistons on November 9.
Kerr pushes reset button in Phoenix
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Anyone else get the feeling that Steve Kerr is in over his head?
The Suns' general manager officially pushed the reset button on Monday when he jettisoned coach Terry Porter, a scant seven months after hiring him to replace the popular and successful Mike D'Antoni.
D'Antoni's "seven-seconds-or-less-offense" propelled the Suns to an average of 58 wins per season during his final four years in the desert but the team could never get over the hump, losing in the conference finals in both 2004-05 and 2005-06 before taking a step back in each of the coach's last two seasons.
Armed with five rings as a player and the ear of owner Robert Sarver, Kerr took over the Suns' basketball operations in June of 2007 and made the same assessment every armchair GM playing EA Sports' NBA Live had already made.
The Suns just weren't tough enough on the defensive end to reach the promised land.
Results don't lie. Despite a couple of 60-win seasons under D'Antoni and owning the league's most exciting brand of basketball, Phoenix had little to show for the success of Steve Nash and company.
So Kerr went in a different direction and allowed D'Antoni to flee to New York, while settling on the defensive-minded Porter as his handpicked successor.
A 28-23 start, currently not good enough for a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference, was all it took for Kerr to press reset on his very own game of NBA Live.
"I hired Terry because I believed he would be able to provide the balance our team needed in order to perform at a very high level," Kerr said while trying to justify his own mistake.
"Unfortunately the transition from last season to this one proved to be very difficult, and we have not played to our potential. It's imperative that we move forward and do what's best for our team. (Interim coach) Alvin (Gentry) has been an integral part of our successes the previous four years and knows our talent as well as anyone."
It's hard to play to your potential when you are asking your best players to ignore their strengths and play a totally different brand of basketball.
The Suns possess the generation's best playmaker in Nash, one of the league's most athletic power forwards (Amare Stoudemire) and a swingman that can run the floor like few others (Jason Richardson). Last I looked, Sidney Moncrief, Bobby Jones and Paul Pressey weren't suiting up in the Valley of the Sun. Yet, Kerr still hired Porter to pound the square peg in the round hole.
Normally, I wouldn't have a problem with that. I can respect any general manger who formulates a plan with the ultimate goal, an NBA championship, in mind.
The Suns failed to get it done with D'Antoni's high-octane system, so maybe it was time to take a step back in the hopes of taking two forward in a year or two, when Kerr could acquire the type of players Porter coveted.
Instead, like some teenager upset with the way his video game season was playing out, Kerr pulled the plug on his "vision" 51 games in. By all accounts, Gentry, a 20-year NBA coaching veteran and the only holdover from D'Antoni's staff, will go back to running-and-gunning.
Nash is likely ecstatic, Stoudemire is probably off the trading block, and up-tempo basketball will be back in Phoenix.
Wouldn't it be nice if they had D'Antoni to run it?
The Suns' general manager officially pushed the reset button on Monday when he jettisoned coach Terry Porter, a scant seven months after hiring him to replace the popular and successful Mike D'Antoni.
D'Antoni's "seven-seconds-or-less-offense" propelled the Suns to an average of 58 wins per season during his final four years in the desert but the team could never get over the hump, losing in the conference finals in both 2004-05 and 2005-06 before taking a step back in each of the coach's last two seasons.
Armed with five rings as a player and the ear of owner Robert Sarver, Kerr took over the Suns' basketball operations in June of 2007 and made the same assessment every armchair GM playing EA Sports' NBA Live had already made.
 |
Results don't lie. Despite a couple of 60-win seasons under D'Antoni and owning the league's most exciting brand of basketball, Phoenix had little to show for the success of Steve Nash and company.
So Kerr went in a different direction and allowed D'Antoni to flee to New York, while settling on the defensive-minded Porter as his handpicked successor.
A 28-23 start, currently not good enough for a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference, was all it took for Kerr to press reset on his very own game of NBA Live.
"I hired Terry because I believed he would be able to provide the balance our team needed in order to perform at a very high level," Kerr said while trying to justify his own mistake.
"Unfortunately the transition from last season to this one proved to be very difficult, and we have not played to our potential. It's imperative that we move forward and do what's best for our team. (Interim coach) Alvin (Gentry) has been an integral part of our successes the previous four years and knows our talent as well as anyone."
It's hard to play to your potential when you are asking your best players to ignore their strengths and play a totally different brand of basketball.
The Suns possess the generation's best playmaker in Nash, one of the league's most athletic power forwards (Amare Stoudemire) and a swingman that can run the floor like few others (Jason Richardson). Last I looked, Sidney Moncrief, Bobby Jones and Paul Pressey weren't suiting up in the Valley of the Sun. Yet, Kerr still hired Porter to pound the square peg in the round hole.
Normally, I wouldn't have a problem with that. I can respect any general manger who formulates a plan with the ultimate goal, an NBA championship, in mind.
The Suns failed to get it done with D'Antoni's high-octane system, so maybe it was time to take a step back in the hopes of taking two forward in a year or two, when Kerr could acquire the type of players Porter coveted.
Instead, like some teenager upset with the way his video game season was playing out, Kerr pulled the plug on his "vision" 51 games in. By all accounts, Gentry, a 20-year NBA coaching veteran and the only holdover from D'Antoni's staff, will go back to running-and-gunning.
Nash is likely ecstatic, Stoudemire is probably off the trading block, and up-tempo basketball will be back in Phoenix.
Wouldn't it be nice if they had D'Antoni to run it?
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Performance-enhancers and the NBA
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - I know we are on the eve of NBA All-Star weekend, a time that's supposed to be a celebration of the game, unless Pacman Jones happens to be in town.
But, as the resident negativo here at The Sports Network, I'm going to have to take the time All-Star weekend affords to examine why the NBA gets a free pass on the steroids issue.
Most of it stems from lack of education.
In fact, "steroids" are just a narrow part of the performance-enhancing drugs trade. When most people think steroids, they picture a thickly muscled bodybuilder or pro wrestler. But, understand that athletes use different performance enhancers for different reasons.
In the predetermined world of professional wrestling, guys are training for a look. In cycling, perhaps the most tainted sport of them all, they are training for endurance. Heck, Human Growth Hormone, which is all the rage among Hollywood's elite and the sports world's highest-paid, isn't even a steroid.
People just don't understand how a skinny guy like Floyd Landis or an obese blob like NFL defensive tackle Grady Jackson could be using performance-enhancers.
So, while sitting through the torture of yet another "five-minute pit stop" at our local Pinewood Derby last Saturday, I was awakened out of my stupor by a series of rapid texts.
Everyone was trying to inform me that my old friend from Minneapolis, Selena Roberts, decided to play single white female...I mean Pedro Gomez...to Alex Rodriguez and released the results of the perennial All-Star's obvious chemical past.
My cell was blowing up, and most of the messages expressed utter shock.
Remember, Alex was the one with the cape that was going to clean up all of baseball's mistakes and make the home run record pure again. Of course, Ken Griffey Jr. would have gotten there first if he didn't tear a muscle every time he rolled out of bed, but I digress.
My thoughts were a little different.
It's not like I have a problem suspending my disbelief. I know Matt Damon isn't really Jason Bourne and Daniel Craig isn't 007 but for the two hours I am in that movie theatre, I believe. I'm even a big wrestling fan and there is nothing better than watching Adam "Edge" Copeland and Randy Orton at the top of their games.
But, Alex Rodriguez - clean?
I was always taught that if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...it's probably a duck. The fact that A-Rod looks more equipped to play middle linebacker than, say, Ray Lewis, should have probably been a dead giveaway.
Everybody, and I mean everybody, is tied to some kind of performance-enhancer in Donald Fehr's world. In fact, I think you get a free cycle when you pay your union dues.
So, now we know...baseball is filthy and football isn't far behind but what about basketball?
Surely, the NBA is clean. I mean why would basketball players need to look like Triple H or be as powerful as Shawne Merriman?
Well, that thinking is rather specious and narrow-minded.
The great basketball players draw from a wide variety of athletic gifts. They need strength, speed, quickness and endurance to excel and guess what?...There are a whole host of performance-enhancing drugs able to deliver that.
Tune into NBA TV and watch some of those classic games from the 1980s. Look at players like Michael Cooper and Andrew Toney as opposed to their peers from today's game. The change in body types is every bit as striking as in Major League Baseball.
Cooper was a rail-thin defensive specialist, maybe the best pure on-ball defender of his generation. His thin frame would be abused on the low blocks today.
Toney, meanwhile, was a natural scorer that used a lethal combination of quickness and strength to morph into "The Boston Strangler." In today's game, "Android the Scoring Machine" would be an undersized two-guard.
The movie just ended for me.
The house lights are on and my eyes are wide open.
How about you?
But, as the resident negativo here at The Sports Network, I'm going to have to take the time All-Star weekend affords to examine why the NBA gets a free pass on the steroids issue.
Most of it stems from lack of education.
In fact, "steroids" are just a narrow part of the performance-enhancing drugs trade. When most people think steroids, they picture a thickly muscled bodybuilder or pro wrestler. But, understand that athletes use different performance enhancers for different reasons.
In the predetermined world of professional wrestling, guys are training for a look. In cycling, perhaps the most tainted sport of them all, they are training for endurance. Heck, Human Growth Hormone, which is all the rage among Hollywood's elite and the sports world's highest-paid, isn't even a steroid.
People just don't understand how a skinny guy like Floyd Landis or an obese blob like NFL defensive tackle Grady Jackson could be using performance-enhancers.
So, while sitting through the torture of yet another "five-minute pit stop" at our local Pinewood Derby last Saturday, I was awakened out of my stupor by a series of rapid texts.
Everyone was trying to inform me that my old friend from Minneapolis, Selena Roberts, decided to play single white female...I mean Pedro Gomez...to Alex Rodriguez and released the results of the perennial All-Star's obvious chemical past.
My cell was blowing up, and most of the messages expressed utter shock.
Remember, Alex was the one with the cape that was going to clean up all of baseball's mistakes and make the home run record pure again. Of course, Ken Griffey Jr. would have gotten there first if he didn't tear a muscle every time he rolled out of bed, but I digress.
My thoughts were a little different.
It's not like I have a problem suspending my disbelief. I know Matt Damon isn't really Jason Bourne and Daniel Craig isn't 007 but for the two hours I am in that movie theatre, I believe. I'm even a big wrestling fan and there is nothing better than watching Adam "Edge" Copeland and Randy Orton at the top of their games.
But, Alex Rodriguez - clean?
I was always taught that if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...it's probably a duck. The fact that A-Rod looks more equipped to play middle linebacker than, say, Ray Lewis, should have probably been a dead giveaway.
Everybody, and I mean everybody, is tied to some kind of performance-enhancer in Donald Fehr's world. In fact, I think you get a free cycle when you pay your union dues.
So, now we know...baseball is filthy and football isn't far behind but what about basketball?
Surely, the NBA is clean. I mean why would basketball players need to look like Triple H or be as powerful as Shawne Merriman?
Well, that thinking is rather specious and narrow-minded.
The great basketball players draw from a wide variety of athletic gifts. They need strength, speed, quickness and endurance to excel and guess what?...There are a whole host of performance-enhancing drugs able to deliver that.
Tune into NBA TV and watch some of those classic games from the 1980s. Look at players like Michael Cooper and Andrew Toney as opposed to their peers from today's game. The change in body types is every bit as striking as in Major League Baseball.
Cooper was a rail-thin defensive specialist, maybe the best pure on-ball defender of his generation. His thin frame would be abused on the low blocks today.
Toney, meanwhile, was a natural scorer that used a lethal combination of quickness and strength to morph into "The Boston Strangler." In today's game, "Android the Scoring Machine" would be an undersized two-guard.
The movie just ended for me.
The house lights are on and my eyes are wide open.
How about you?
Finals MVP Award named after Bill Russell
-Courtesy of the NBA
PHOENIX, Feb. 14, 2009 – Bill Russell, the cornerstone of a Boston Celtics team that won 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons, including a record eight straight titles, will be permanently honored by having The Finals Most Valuable Player Trophy named for him, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced today.
“Who better to name this prestigious award for than one of the greatest players of all time and the ultimate champion,” said Stern. “Bill inspired a generation not just of basketball fans but Americans everywhere. He is respected by colleagues, coaches, fans, and his legacy clearly has withstood the test of time.”
The Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award will be presented at the conclusion of The Finals. Select writers and broadcasters who cover the series will determine the MVP.
Russell anchored a Celtics team that became synonymous with NBA championships during the 1960s. As a rookie center, he helped the Celtics earn their first NBA title in 1957, defeating the St. Louis Hawks in seven games. It was the first of 10 straight Finals appearances for Boston, including eight straight titles from 1959-1966. Following the 1966 championship season, Head Coach Red Auerbach retired and Russell took over as player-coach, becoming the NBA’s first African-American coach. After failing in 1967 to make The Finals for the first time since 1956, Russell guided the Celtics to consecutive titles in 1968 and 1969. Russell would win 11 NBA Championships throughout his career as a player and coach.
The 1969 Finals between the Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers was the first time a Most Valuable Player trophy was awarded, with the Lakers’ Jerry West the first recipient -- the first and only time the MVP Award has gone to a member of the losing team.
Russell earned five Most Valuable Player Awards during his career. He was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975 and was named the "Greatest Player in the History of the NBA" by the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America in 1980. In 1996, Russell was honored as “One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History” during the All-Star Game in Cleveland.
PHOENIX, Feb. 14, 2009 – Bill Russell, the cornerstone of a Boston Celtics team that won 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons, including a record eight straight titles, will be permanently honored by having The Finals Most Valuable Player Trophy named for him, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced today.
“Who better to name this prestigious award for than one of the greatest players of all time and the ultimate champion,” said Stern. “Bill inspired a generation not just of basketball fans but Americans everywhere. He is respected by colleagues, coaches, fans, and his legacy clearly has withstood the test of time.”
The Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award will be presented at the conclusion of The Finals. Select writers and broadcasters who cover the series will determine the MVP.
Russell anchored a Celtics team that became synonymous with NBA championships during the 1960s. As a rookie center, he helped the Celtics earn their first NBA title in 1957, defeating the St. Louis Hawks in seven games. It was the first of 10 straight Finals appearances for Boston, including eight straight titles from 1959-1966. Following the 1966 championship season, Head Coach Red Auerbach retired and Russell took over as player-coach, becoming the NBA’s first African-American coach. After failing in 1967 to make The Finals for the first time since 1956, Russell guided the Celtics to consecutive titles in 1968 and 1969. Russell would win 11 NBA Championships throughout his career as a player and coach.
The 1969 Finals between the Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers was the first time a Most Valuable Player trophy was awarded, with the Lakers’ Jerry West the first recipient -- the first and only time the MVP Award has gone to a member of the losing team.
Russell earned five Most Valuable Player Awards during his career. He was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975 and was named the "Greatest Player in the History of the NBA" by the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America in 1980. In 1996, Russell was honored as “One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History” during the All-Star Game in Cleveland.
Suns sign Sims to second 10-day deal
PHOENIX - The Phoenix Suns have signed free-agent center Courtney Sims to a second 10-day contract, the club announced. Sims will join the team on Monday, Feb. 16 following the 2009 NBA All-Star break.
The 6-11, 245-pound Sims signed his first 10-day contract with Phoenix on Jan. 20 but did not appear in a game for the Suns. Sims has spent the last two seasons with the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League. The Energy, coached by Nick Nurse, became the Suns' affiliate this season.
The 6-11, 245-pound Sims signed his first 10-day contract with Phoenix on Jan. 20 but did not appear in a game for the Suns. Sims has spent the last two seasons with the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League. The Energy, coached by Nick Nurse, became the Suns' affiliate this season.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Raptors, Heat make long rumored O'Neal-Marion swap
The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have acquired four-time NBA All-Star forward Shawn Marion, guard Marcus Banks and cash from the Miami Heat in exchange for forward-centre Jermaine O’Neal, forward Jamario Moon and a conditional draft pick.
“I am obviously very familiar with Shawn on both a personal and professional level and feel he will ideally complement our roster and benefit our team in a significant way,” said Bryan Colangelo, Raptors President and General Manager. “As far as his pending free-agent status, this is not a move intended to clear space or predetermine a next move. It will however provide flexibility to both Shawn and the Raptors.
"Marcus will add scoring and defensive punch to our lineup and should benefit from the change of address.
"This is a win-win for both Toronto and Miami and we wish JO and Jamario the best," added Colangelo.
Marion has averaged 17.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 1.3 blocks and 37.7 minutes in 717 regular season games over 10 seasons with Phoenix and Miami. He finished in the Top 10 in the NBA in rebounds and steals on seven occasions. He was named All-NBA Third Team in 2005 and 2006, and a Western Conference All-Star in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Marion, 30, averaged double figures in points and rebounds in four seasons (2000-01, 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2007-08). He has averaged more than 9.0 rebounds a game in every season but his rookie campaign. He posted career bests of 21.8 points and 11.8 rebounds in 2005-06, and 2.28 steals in 2002-03. He scored a career-high 44 points versus Boston on February 22, 2006 and grabbed a personal-best 24 rebounds February 25, 2006 versus Charlotte and November 9, 2007 at Miami. His career high for steals came versus Minnesota with eight February 6, 2006.
Marion, 6-foot-7, 228 pounds, has averaged 12.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 36.1 minutes in 41 games this season with the Heat. He has appeared in 65 postseason games, owning career playoff averages of 17.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. He helped the Suns to the Western Conference Championship series in 2005-06, averaging 20.4 points and 11.7 rebounds in 20 games. He averaged 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.25 steals in his four all-star games.
Marion declared for the 1999 NBA Draft following his freshman season at UNLV and was selected by Phoenix in the first round (9th overall).
Banks, 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, has averaged 6.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 317 career games with Boston, Minnesota, Phoenix and Miami. He posted career highs of 10.0 points and 3.8 assists in the 2005-06 season with Boston and Minnesota. He recorded career highs of 28 points versus Atlanta on April 14, 2004 and 10 assists at Atlanta on April 5, 2006.
Banks has averaged 2.6 points, 1.4 assists and 10.4 minutes in 16 games with Miami this season. He has appeared 13 postseason contests, averaging 4.2 points and 1.2 assists. He was a 2003 first-round pick by Memphis and dealt to Boston on draft night. He played his final two collegiate seasons at UNLV where he averaged 18.1 points and 4.3 assists in 63 games.
O’Neal averaged 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 29.7 minutes in 41 games with the Raptors this season. He was acquired July 9, along with the draft rights to Nathan Jawai, from the Indiana Pacers for T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, Maceo Baston and the draft rights to Roy Hibbert.
Moon was signed as a free agent in 2007. In his two seasons with the Raptors, he averaged 8.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 26.9 minutes in 132 games.
“I am obviously very familiar with Shawn on both a personal and professional level and feel he will ideally complement our roster and benefit our team in a significant way,” said Bryan Colangelo, Raptors President and General Manager. “As far as his pending free-agent status, this is not a move intended to clear space or predetermine a next move. It will however provide flexibility to both Shawn and the Raptors.
"Marcus will add scoring and defensive punch to our lineup and should benefit from the change of address.
"This is a win-win for both Toronto and Miami and we wish JO and Jamario the best," added Colangelo.
Marion has averaged 17.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 1.3 blocks and 37.7 minutes in 717 regular season games over 10 seasons with Phoenix and Miami. He finished in the Top 10 in the NBA in rebounds and steals on seven occasions. He was named All-NBA Third Team in 2005 and 2006, and a Western Conference All-Star in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Marion, 30, averaged double figures in points and rebounds in four seasons (2000-01, 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2007-08). He has averaged more than 9.0 rebounds a game in every season but his rookie campaign. He posted career bests of 21.8 points and 11.8 rebounds in 2005-06, and 2.28 steals in 2002-03. He scored a career-high 44 points versus Boston on February 22, 2006 and grabbed a personal-best 24 rebounds February 25, 2006 versus Charlotte and November 9, 2007 at Miami. His career high for steals came versus Minnesota with eight February 6, 2006.
Marion, 6-foot-7, 228 pounds, has averaged 12.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 36.1 minutes in 41 games this season with the Heat. He has appeared in 65 postseason games, owning career playoff averages of 17.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. He helped the Suns to the Western Conference Championship series in 2005-06, averaging 20.4 points and 11.7 rebounds in 20 games. He averaged 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.25 steals in his four all-star games.
Marion declared for the 1999 NBA Draft following his freshman season at UNLV and was selected by Phoenix in the first round (9th overall).
Banks, 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, has averaged 6.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 317 career games with Boston, Minnesota, Phoenix and Miami. He posted career highs of 10.0 points and 3.8 assists in the 2005-06 season with Boston and Minnesota. He recorded career highs of 28 points versus Atlanta on April 14, 2004 and 10 assists at Atlanta on April 5, 2006.
Banks has averaged 2.6 points, 1.4 assists and 10.4 minutes in 16 games with Miami this season. He has appeared 13 postseason contests, averaging 4.2 points and 1.2 assists. He was a 2003 first-round pick by Memphis and dealt to Boston on draft night. He played his final two collegiate seasons at UNLV where he averaged 18.1 points and 4.3 assists in 63 games.
O’Neal averaged 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 29.7 minutes in 41 games with the Raptors this season. He was acquired July 9, along with the draft rights to Nathan Jawai, from the Indiana Pacers for T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, Maceo Baston and the draft rights to Roy Hibbert.
Moon was signed as a free agent in 2007. In his two seasons with the Raptors, he averaged 8.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 26.9 minutes in 132 games.
Shocker: Jordan's a Hall of Fame finalist
SPRINGFIELD, MA – February 13, 2009 – Among the 16 Finalists for election into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2009 are five-time MVP Michael Jordan, who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles; David Robinson, who led the San Antonio Spurs to two NBA championships; John Stockton, the Utah Jazz standout and all-time assists leader; Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, one of only six coaches with 1,000 NBA victories; legendary high school coach Bob Hurley of St. Anthony’s in Jersey City, N.J.; collegiate coach C. Vivian Stringer, a member of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame; and Cynthia Cooper, who helped the Houston Comets win four WNBA titles. The announcement was made today in Phoenix in conjunction with the NBA All-Star 2009 festivities.
The complete list includes 10 candidates from the North American Screening Committee – players Dennis Johnson, Jordan, Bernard King, Chris Mullin, Robinson and Stockton and Coaches Hurley, Don Nelson and Sloan and Contributor Al Attles. Two candidates each comprise Finalists from the Women’s Screening Committee – Cooper and Coach Stringer– and International Screening Committee – coach Vladimir Kondrashin and Brazilian Legend Maciel “Ubiratan” Pereira, with Legends Richard Guerin and Johnny “Red” Kerr representing the nominees from the Veteran’s Screening Committee.
Jordan, Robinson, Stockton, Sloan and Cooper are Finalists in their first year of consideration by their respective Screening Committees. Stringer, Kondrashin and Attles are first-time Finalists who have previously been reviewed by Screening Committees. Hurley, Nelson, Johnson, Mullin, King, Ubiratan, Guerin and Kerr have been named Finalists in prior years.
The Class of 2009 will be announced on Monday, April 6 at a news conference in Detroit prior to the NCAA’s Men’s Championship game. A Finalist needs 18 of 24 votes from the Honors Committee for election into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The Class of 2009 will be enshrined during festivities in Springfield, MA September 10-12. Tickets to the 2009 Enshrinement Gala and Induction Celebration are available by calling the Hall of Fame at (413) 781-6500.
NORTH AMERICAN COMMITTEE FINALISTS
AL ATTLES – Contributor, has contributed over 49 consecutive years of service to the Golden State Warriors as a player, player-coach, coach, general manager, vice president and consultant. He led the Warriors to the most wins in Team history and led them to the 1975 NBA Championship. Currently, Attles serves as the Vice President / Assistant General Manager of the Warriors, a position he has held since 1987.
ROBERT “Bob” HURLEY, Sr. – Coach, has spent his entire life in New Jersey, born in Jersey City and playing college ball at St. Peter’s before becoming the head coach at St. Anthony’s High School in Jersey City in 1972. Hurley has since compiled over 900 wins at St. Anthony’s while leading the team to 25 State Parochial Championships and three USA Today National Championships (1989, 1996, 2008). His legendary selflessness and dedication to St. Anthony’s and high school basketball is evidenced by all but one of his players in 36 years of coaching going on to college, including 100+ players receiving college scholarships and five becoming NBA first-round draft picks. Hurley was twice named National Coach of the Year by USA Today (1989, 1996), was elected to the New Jersey Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 and, if elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame, will become only the third person elected exclusively for their service to high school basketball (Morgan Wootten, Bertha Teague).
DENNIS JOHNSON – Player, was one of basketball’s toughest defenders earning nine consecutive NBA All Defensive Team honors during his 14 year professional career. He was part of three NBA Championship Teams and won MVP honors during the 1979 NBA Finals. “D.J.” was also named to five NBA All-Star Teams while scoring more that 15,000 points and compiling 5,000 assists before retiring in 1990.
MICHAEL JORDAN – Player, is one of the most recognized figures in the sporting world. Jordan was a unanimous collegiate All-American twice (1983, 1984) at the University of North Carolina where he won an NCAA Championship and received both Naismith and Wooden Award Honors. He went on to a storied NBA career with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards where he was named a 14-time NBA All-Star, five-time NBA MVP, six-time NBA Finals MVP, multiple All-NBA First Team honors while winning six NBA Championships. Jordan was also named NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988) and was a nine-time member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team. The NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 1985, Jordan was also named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team and won two Olympic Gold Medals including one with the original “Dream Team” in 1992.
BERNARD KING – Player, spent 15 seasons in the NBA where he would be named to four NBA All-Star Teams and two All-NBA First Teams while averaging 22.5 points per game. A prolific scorer, King was a collegiate All-American at the University of Tennessee and went on to be named to the NBA All-Rookie Team in 1978. He was also named NBA Comeback Player of the Year in 1981 and scored nearly 20,000 points in his storied NBA career.
CHRIS MULLIN – Player, a McDonald’s High School All-American from New York, NY, was a five-time NBA All-Star and collegiate standout at St. John’s, where he was named Big East Player of the Year an unprecedented three times. A two-time Olympic gold medalist (1984, 1992), Mullin played 16 NBA seasons for Golden State and Indiana, amassing 17,911 points while averaging more than 20 ppg for six consecutive seasons. He was only the 17th player in NBA history to compile 17,000 points, 3,000 rebounds and 3,000 assists, and was an NBA First Team pick in 1992. He is the all-time scoring leader at St. John’s where he was named the Wooden Award winner and Sporting News First Team All-America in 1985.
NORTH AMERICAN COMMITTEE FINALISTS
DON NELSON - Coach, a native of Muskegon, Michigan, began his career as an NBA player for the Chicago Zephyrs (1962-1963) and went on to play for the Los Angeles Lakers (1963-1965) and the Boston Celtics (1965-1975), playing a record 465 consecutive games with the Celtics. He then went on to coach in the NBA leading the Milwaukee Bucks (1976-1987) to seven consecutive division titles (1979-1986) and recorded seven straight 50-plus win seasons. He currently coaches with the Golden State Warriors where he previously coached together with stints with the New York Knicks (1995-1996) and the Dallas Mavericks (1997-2005). Nelson is one of only two coaches in NBA history to record 250 victories with three different teams. He is a three-time NBA Coach of the Year winner, and currently ranks second in NBA Coaching history for wins and was named to the NBA’s Ten Best Coaches of All-Time in 1996 Nelson has over 40 years of NBA experience as a player, coach and general manager. His number #19 jersey was retired by the Boston Celtics.
DAVID ROBINSON – Player, would spend his entire NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs guiding them to two NBA Championships while being named to 10 NBA All-Star Teams, four NBA First Team Selections, NBA MVP (1995) and being selected to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team. Also know as “The Admiral, he won two Olympic Gold Medals including being a member of the Legendary 1992 “Dream Team”. During Robinson’s college career at the U.S. Naval Academy, he earned Player of the Year (1987), Naismith and Wooden Honors while leading the nation in rebounding and blocked shots.
JERRY SLOAN- Coach, began his coaching career as an Assistant Coach with the Chicago Bulls before beginning his long career with the Utah Jazz. He is the only coach in NBA history to win over 1,000 games with a single team while compiling a winning percentage of over .600. Sloan led the Jazz to two NBA Finals, 18 playoff appearances and is fourth on the NBA list of coaching victories. Sloan was also named as the Sporting News NBA Coach of the Year in 2004.
JOHN STOCKTON – Player, spent his entire NBA career with the Utah Jazz accumulating 15,806 assists and 3,265 steals – both NBA records at his retirement. He was named to 10 NBA All-Star Teams and was selected as a member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team while leading the Jazz to two NBA Finals. He was also named to two All-NBA First Teams in 1994 and 1995. Stockton was a member of the original “Dream Team” that captured a Gold Medal as well as the 1996 Gold Medal winning USA Basketball team.
WOMEN’S COMMITTEE FINALISTS
CYNTHIA COOPER – Player, competed at USC where she won two NCAA Championships and participated in three Final Fours. With the Houston Comets, she would win four WNBA Championships while capturing a WNBA Finals MVP with each title. Named to three WNBA All-Star Teams, she was also selected WNBA MVP twice and was named as an All-WNBA First Team Selection. Cooper won an Olympic Gold Medal in 1988 and an Olympic Bronze Medal in 1992 to go along with two World Championship Gold Medals and two Goodwill Games’ Gold Medals.
C.VIVIAN STRINGER – Coach, has compiled an overall coaching record with over 750 wins which ranks her third in NCAA Women’s Basketball History. She is the first coach to lead three different schools to the NCAA Final Four including Cheyney State, the University of Iowa and Rutgers University where she coaches today. In 1993, she was named consensus National Coach of the Year. Coach Stringer is enshrined at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
The complete list includes 10 candidates from the North American Screening Committee – players Dennis Johnson, Jordan, Bernard King, Chris Mullin, Robinson and Stockton and Coaches Hurley, Don Nelson and Sloan and Contributor Al Attles. Two candidates each comprise Finalists from the Women’s Screening Committee – Cooper and Coach Stringer– and International Screening Committee – coach Vladimir Kondrashin and Brazilian Legend Maciel “Ubiratan” Pereira, with Legends Richard Guerin and Johnny “Red” Kerr representing the nominees from the Veteran’s Screening Committee.
Jordan, Robinson, Stockton, Sloan and Cooper are Finalists in their first year of consideration by their respective Screening Committees. Stringer, Kondrashin and Attles are first-time Finalists who have previously been reviewed by Screening Committees. Hurley, Nelson, Johnson, Mullin, King, Ubiratan, Guerin and Kerr have been named Finalists in prior years.
The Class of 2009 will be announced on Monday, April 6 at a news conference in Detroit prior to the NCAA’s Men’s Championship game. A Finalist needs 18 of 24 votes from the Honors Committee for election into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The Class of 2009 will be enshrined during festivities in Springfield, MA September 10-12. Tickets to the 2009 Enshrinement Gala and Induction Celebration are available by calling the Hall of Fame at (413) 781-6500.
NORTH AMERICAN COMMITTEE FINALISTS
AL ATTLES – Contributor, has contributed over 49 consecutive years of service to the Golden State Warriors as a player, player-coach, coach, general manager, vice president and consultant. He led the Warriors to the most wins in Team history and led them to the 1975 NBA Championship. Currently, Attles serves as the Vice President / Assistant General Manager of the Warriors, a position he has held since 1987.
ROBERT “Bob” HURLEY, Sr. – Coach, has spent his entire life in New Jersey, born in Jersey City and playing college ball at St. Peter’s before becoming the head coach at St. Anthony’s High School in Jersey City in 1972. Hurley has since compiled over 900 wins at St. Anthony’s while leading the team to 25 State Parochial Championships and three USA Today National Championships (1989, 1996, 2008). His legendary selflessness and dedication to St. Anthony’s and high school basketball is evidenced by all but one of his players in 36 years of coaching going on to college, including 100+ players receiving college scholarships and five becoming NBA first-round draft picks. Hurley was twice named National Coach of the Year by USA Today (1989, 1996), was elected to the New Jersey Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 and, if elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame, will become only the third person elected exclusively for their service to high school basketball (Morgan Wootten, Bertha Teague).
DENNIS JOHNSON – Player, was one of basketball’s toughest defenders earning nine consecutive NBA All Defensive Team honors during his 14 year professional career. He was part of three NBA Championship Teams and won MVP honors during the 1979 NBA Finals. “D.J.” was also named to five NBA All-Star Teams while scoring more that 15,000 points and compiling 5,000 assists before retiring in 1990.
MICHAEL JORDAN – Player, is one of the most recognized figures in the sporting world. Jordan was a unanimous collegiate All-American twice (1983, 1984) at the University of North Carolina where he won an NCAA Championship and received both Naismith and Wooden Award Honors. He went on to a storied NBA career with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards where he was named a 14-time NBA All-Star, five-time NBA MVP, six-time NBA Finals MVP, multiple All-NBA First Team honors while winning six NBA Championships. Jordan was also named NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988) and was a nine-time member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team. The NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 1985, Jordan was also named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team and won two Olympic Gold Medals including one with the original “Dream Team” in 1992.
BERNARD KING – Player, spent 15 seasons in the NBA where he would be named to four NBA All-Star Teams and two All-NBA First Teams while averaging 22.5 points per game. A prolific scorer, King was a collegiate All-American at the University of Tennessee and went on to be named to the NBA All-Rookie Team in 1978. He was also named NBA Comeback Player of the Year in 1981 and scored nearly 20,000 points in his storied NBA career.
CHRIS MULLIN – Player, a McDonald’s High School All-American from New York, NY, was a five-time NBA All-Star and collegiate standout at St. John’s, where he was named Big East Player of the Year an unprecedented three times. A two-time Olympic gold medalist (1984, 1992), Mullin played 16 NBA seasons for Golden State and Indiana, amassing 17,911 points while averaging more than 20 ppg for six consecutive seasons. He was only the 17th player in NBA history to compile 17,000 points, 3,000 rebounds and 3,000 assists, and was an NBA First Team pick in 1992. He is the all-time scoring leader at St. John’s where he was named the Wooden Award winner and Sporting News First Team All-America in 1985.
NORTH AMERICAN COMMITTEE FINALISTS
DON NELSON - Coach, a native of Muskegon, Michigan, began his career as an NBA player for the Chicago Zephyrs (1962-1963) and went on to play for the Los Angeles Lakers (1963-1965) and the Boston Celtics (1965-1975), playing a record 465 consecutive games with the Celtics. He then went on to coach in the NBA leading the Milwaukee Bucks (1976-1987) to seven consecutive division titles (1979-1986) and recorded seven straight 50-plus win seasons. He currently coaches with the Golden State Warriors where he previously coached together with stints with the New York Knicks (1995-1996) and the Dallas Mavericks (1997-2005). Nelson is one of only two coaches in NBA history to record 250 victories with three different teams. He is a three-time NBA Coach of the Year winner, and currently ranks second in NBA Coaching history for wins and was named to the NBA’s Ten Best Coaches of All-Time in 1996 Nelson has over 40 years of NBA experience as a player, coach and general manager. His number #19 jersey was retired by the Boston Celtics.
DAVID ROBINSON – Player, would spend his entire NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs guiding them to two NBA Championships while being named to 10 NBA All-Star Teams, four NBA First Team Selections, NBA MVP (1995) and being selected to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team. Also know as “The Admiral, he won two Olympic Gold Medals including being a member of the Legendary 1992 “Dream Team”. During Robinson’s college career at the U.S. Naval Academy, he earned Player of the Year (1987), Naismith and Wooden Honors while leading the nation in rebounding and blocked shots.
JERRY SLOAN- Coach, began his coaching career as an Assistant Coach with the Chicago Bulls before beginning his long career with the Utah Jazz. He is the only coach in NBA history to win over 1,000 games with a single team while compiling a winning percentage of over .600. Sloan led the Jazz to two NBA Finals, 18 playoff appearances and is fourth on the NBA list of coaching victories. Sloan was also named as the Sporting News NBA Coach of the Year in 2004.
JOHN STOCKTON – Player, spent his entire NBA career with the Utah Jazz accumulating 15,806 assists and 3,265 steals – both NBA records at his retirement. He was named to 10 NBA All-Star Teams and was selected as a member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team while leading the Jazz to two NBA Finals. He was also named to two All-NBA First Teams in 1994 and 1995. Stockton was a member of the original “Dream Team” that captured a Gold Medal as well as the 1996 Gold Medal winning USA Basketball team.
WOMEN’S COMMITTEE FINALISTS
CYNTHIA COOPER – Player, competed at USC where she won two NCAA Championships and participated in three Final Fours. With the Houston Comets, she would win four WNBA Championships while capturing a WNBA Finals MVP with each title. Named to three WNBA All-Star Teams, she was also selected WNBA MVP twice and was named as an All-WNBA First Team Selection. Cooper won an Olympic Gold Medal in 1988 and an Olympic Bronze Medal in 1992 to go along with two World Championship Gold Medals and two Goodwill Games’ Gold Medals.
C.VIVIAN STRINGER – Coach, has compiled an overall coaching record with over 750 wins which ranks her third in NCAA Women’s Basketball History. She is the first coach to lead three different schools to the NCAA Final Four including Cheyney State, the University of Iowa and Rutgers University where she coaches today. In 1993, she was named consensus National Coach of the Year. Coach Stringer is enshrined at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FINALISTS
VLADIMIR KONDRASHIN – Coach, was known as the founder of basketball in Leningrad where he would compile an overall record of 727-365. He led the Soviet Union National Team to the Olympic Gold Medal in 1972, the Olympic Bronze Medal in 1976, the World Championship Gold Medal in 1974 and won European Championships in Germany, Spain and the former Yugoslavia.
MACIEL “UBIRATAN” PEREIRA– Player, was known as “The King” in his native Brazil. He would earn a gold medal at the 1963 World Championships and a Bronze Medal at the 1964 Olympics while winning five South American Championships and 11 titles in the Paulista League in Brazil. “The King” played in three Olympic Games with Brazil and was awarded the “Order of Merit” Award from FIBA in 2002.
VETERAN’S COMMITTEE FINALIST
RICHARD GUERIN – Player, was a six time NBA All Star (1958-1963) and scored 14,676 points, 4,278 rebounds and 4,211 assists during a pro career with the Knicks (1956-63), St. Louis Hawks (1963-67) and Atlanta Hawks (1968-70). Guerin was the first Knick to score 2,000 points in a single season, and averaged 20.1 ppg as a member of the Knicks. Born in Bronx, NY, Guerin played at Iona College, where as a senior he averaged 24.7 ppg and was named an All-America. Guerin was also a player/coach for both the St. Louis and Atlanta Hawks, compiling a 327-291 record while being named NBA Coach of the Year in 1968.
JOHNNY “RED” KERR – Contributor, has a career that included playing, coaching, executive and broadcaster. A three-time NBA All-Star and member of the NBA Champion Syracuse Nationals as a player, Kerr would be named NBA Coach of the Year in 1967 with the Chicago Bulls and was the only coach in league history to lead an expansion team to the playoffs in their first season. Since 1975, Kerr has served as color commentator for the Bulls.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
For Odom, Skills meets Production
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Lamar Odom has always been a "What if?" kind of player.
The supremely-skilled Odom has been lavished with the kind of basketball gifts rarely seen in 6-foot-10 players. The former Rhode Island standout is an excellent shooter and rebounder with a deft passing touch, and a handle that would make any point guard envious.
But, instead of being compared with a Kevin Garnett, Odom is usually mentioned in the same breath as a Derrick Coleman, another tremendously gifted player that never got "it."
"How much talent can God bless one guy with?" Karl Malone said on TNT Thursday night. "Lamar Odom is one of the most talented guys (and) last I checked he wanted a new contract. Step up, big fella. He can handle the ball, he can shoot the three, great shot-blocker when he wants from the weak side. How much disruption are you going to cause?"
Malone, one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, is far from the first to call out Odom. The Jamaica, Queens native sat down with the Zen Master himself before this season.
After watching Odom underachieve in last year's NBA Finals, Phil Jackson decided to tweak the basketball prodigy.
Jackson asked Odom to become a reserve, not exactly a comforting thought for a player entering his contract year. The mental manipulation was a pretty transparent ploy, an attempt to light a fire under the soft-spoken Odom, while clearing more minutes for the Lakers' rising star in the middle -- Andrew Bynum.
True to form, or at least true to public perception, Odom balked and publicly ridiculed his coach for daring to think that someone with his skill level should be starting games on the bench.
Fast forward to Los Angeles' just completed torturous, six-game road trip and Odom seems to have finally figured things out.
Off the court, the trek was misery for the Lakers. A collision between Kobe Bryant and Bynum shelved the Lakers' big man for at least eight weeks and possibly the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, the 11-day swing through some of the NBA's more chilly climates caught up with Bryant, who came down with a nasty case of the flu.
On the court the trip was an unqualified success, punctuated by season-highs in points (28) and rebounds (17) for Odom on Sunday, as the Lakers handed Cleveland its first home loss of the season, 101-91.
The win snapped a streak of 23 straight wins at Quicken Loans Arena by the Cavs, and served notice to the rest of the NBA -- the Lakers (Bynum or no-Bynum) that are the team to beat.
LA finished a perfect 6-0 on the trip, sweeping the season series against the East's two heavyweights, Cleveland and Boston.
Odom produced most of his damage on Sunday in a brilliant third quarter, compiling 15 points and 10 boards in the frame.
"It was the total package of his game," Jackson said of Odom's impact. "He was able to do things that broke people down with his speed and quickness to the basket."
Odom had been heavily criticized last year for playing softly against the Celtics' intimidating interior defense presence in the finals. In Thursday's overtime win in Boston, Odom netted 20 points and pulled down six boards.
In Cleveland, things only got better and it didn't go unnoticed.
"Way to play, Lamar Odom," Pau Gasol said. "Way to (expletive) play."
The supremely-skilled Odom has been lavished with the kind of basketball gifts rarely seen in 6-foot-10 players. The former Rhode Island standout is an excellent shooter and rebounder with a deft passing touch, and a handle that would make any point guard envious.
But, instead of being compared with a Kevin Garnett, Odom is usually mentioned in the same breath as a Derrick Coleman, another tremendously gifted player that never got "it."
"How much talent can God bless one guy with?" Karl Malone said on TNT Thursday night. "Lamar Odom is one of the most talented guys (and) last I checked he wanted a new contract. Step up, big fella. He can handle the ball, he can shoot the three, great shot-blocker when he wants from the weak side. How much disruption are you going to cause?"
Malone, one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, is far from the first to call out Odom. The Jamaica, Queens native sat down with the Zen Master himself before this season.
After watching Odom underachieve in last year's NBA Finals, Phil Jackson decided to tweak the basketball prodigy.
 |
True to form, or at least true to public perception, Odom balked and publicly ridiculed his coach for daring to think that someone with his skill level should be starting games on the bench.
Fast forward to Los Angeles' just completed torturous, six-game road trip and Odom seems to have finally figured things out.
Off the court, the trek was misery for the Lakers. A collision between Kobe Bryant and Bynum shelved the Lakers' big man for at least eight weeks and possibly the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, the 11-day swing through some of the NBA's more chilly climates caught up with Bryant, who came down with a nasty case of the flu.
On the court the trip was an unqualified success, punctuated by season-highs in points (28) and rebounds (17) for Odom on Sunday, as the Lakers handed Cleveland its first home loss of the season, 101-91.
The win snapped a streak of 23 straight wins at Quicken Loans Arena by the Cavs, and served notice to the rest of the NBA -- the Lakers (Bynum or no-Bynum) that are the team to beat.
LA finished a perfect 6-0 on the trip, sweeping the season series against the East's two heavyweights, Cleveland and Boston.
Odom produced most of his damage on Sunday in a brilliant third quarter, compiling 15 points and 10 boards in the frame.
"It was the total package of his game," Jackson said of Odom's impact. "He was able to do things that broke people down with his speed and quickness to the basket."
Odom had been heavily criticized last year for playing softly against the Celtics' intimidating interior defense presence in the finals. In Thursday's overtime win in Boston, Odom netted 20 points and pulled down six boards.
In Cleveland, things only got better and it didn't go unnoticed.
"Way to play, Lamar Odom," Pau Gasol said. "Way to (expletive) play."
Re-Branding Gone Wrong
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The strange saga of Philadelphia 76ers power forward Elton Brand is over, at least for this season.
Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski officially announced that Brand would miss the rest of the 2008-09 season before the team's game with Indiana on Thursday.
The Sixers' prized free agent acquisition has been scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery next Monday to repair a torn labrum.
"Elton wanted to do whatever he could to get back on the court and initially elected to forgo surgery in order to help his teammates," Stefanski said. "He worked as hard as he could over the past six weeks to return; however, the scope of the injury would not allow it."
This marks the second straight year that Brand will miss nearly all of the season, as he played in only eight games last year for the Los Angeles Clippers due to a serious Achilles injury.
Stefanski downplayed the idea of his marquee acquisition, who originally dislocated the shoulder on December 17 when he hit the floor hard after being upended by Milwaukee's Luc Mbah a Moute, being injury prone.
"I have heard people say that," Stefanski said, "but I don't see it. "I am prejudice obviously, but anybody was going to get hurt on that play."
Brand returned from the injury and looked sharp when scoring 12 points in a win over the Houston Rockets last week, but it was a mirage. He was awful as the Sixers collapsed down the stretch against New Jersey and went scoreless on Tuesday while wearing a brace against Boston.
At halftime of the Celtics game the scope of Brand's injury began to emerge when he told the training staff that his shoulder had stiffened up, but could play if necessary. Coach Tony DiLeo went the cautious route and decided to use both Reggie Evans and rookie Marreese Speights instead.
On Wednesday, Brand missed practice and the Sixers said he underwent an MRI, which showed that the injury was healing properly. The team even issued an injury update saying Brand was day-to-day but "expected to play vs. the Pacers."
Fast forward to Thursday and it was learned that the MRI was viewed only by a technician and Brand had yet to see his doctor. Meanwhile, his agent, David Falk, arrived in Philadelphia.
The MRI results were then viewed by both Sixers team physician Dr. Jack McPhilemy and Dr. Craig Morgan of the Morgan-Kalman Clinic in Wilmington, DE, where Brand will have his surgery.
The doctors concluded that the initial tear of the labrum was unstable and had considerably decreased Brand's range of motion.
"It was progressing well for a normal person that has to go to work like you and me," Stefanski said. "Not for an NBA player."
Stefanski called the first six weeks of Brand's treatment "conservative."
"We went with the conservative approach that could get him back without surgery," Stefanski said. "I feel sorry for Elton. He worked extremely hard to rehab this thing. It didn't hurt anything. If he underwent surgery when he was originally hurt, he would have missed the rest of the season."
Brand signed a lucrative five-year, $80 million deal in the offseason to join the Sixers and has largely been a disappointment, as Philadelphia has posted only a 23-24 record amid large expectations.
Since returning from his 16-game absence, Brand has been pedestrian, averaging just 5.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 18 minutes during six games..
So where does Brand's absence leave the Sixers?
"We will look at all available options," Stefanski said. "But I don't see anyone that can fit in like Marreese (Speights) or Reggie (Evans). We are fortunate. We knew what we had in Reggie and Speights is a very good player with a huge upside. This is a terrific opportunity for guys to step up."
Asked if he still expected his team to make the playoffs, Stefanski was glib, but honest.
"I put that on Tony (DiLeo)," Stefanski said. "But, we better. I think we are a playoff team even without Elton. Everyone has injuries. Andre (Iguodala) is playing at a very high level. It's his team and he has taken on the responsibility."
Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski officially announced that Brand would miss the rest of the 2008-09 season before the team's game with Indiana on Thursday.
The Sixers' prized free agent acquisition has been scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery next Monday to repair a torn labrum.
"Elton wanted to do whatever he could to get back on the court and initially elected to forgo surgery in order to help his teammates," Stefanski said. "He worked as hard as he could over the past six weeks to return; however, the scope of the injury would not allow it."
This marks the second straight year that Brand will miss nearly all of the season, as he played in only eight games last year for the Los Angeles Clippers due to a serious Achilles injury.
 |
"I have heard people say that," Stefanski said, "but I don't see it. "I am prejudice obviously, but anybody was going to get hurt on that play."
Brand returned from the injury and looked sharp when scoring 12 points in a win over the Houston Rockets last week, but it was a mirage. He was awful as the Sixers collapsed down the stretch against New Jersey and went scoreless on Tuesday while wearing a brace against Boston.
At halftime of the Celtics game the scope of Brand's injury began to emerge when he told the training staff that his shoulder had stiffened up, but could play if necessary. Coach Tony DiLeo went the cautious route and decided to use both Reggie Evans and rookie Marreese Speights instead.
On Wednesday, Brand missed practice and the Sixers said he underwent an MRI, which showed that the injury was healing properly. The team even issued an injury update saying Brand was day-to-day but "expected to play vs. the Pacers."
Fast forward to Thursday and it was learned that the MRI was viewed only by a technician and Brand had yet to see his doctor. Meanwhile, his agent, David Falk, arrived in Philadelphia.
The MRI results were then viewed by both Sixers team physician Dr. Jack McPhilemy and Dr. Craig Morgan of the Morgan-Kalman Clinic in Wilmington, DE, where Brand will have his surgery.
The doctors concluded that the initial tear of the labrum was unstable and had considerably decreased Brand's range of motion.
"It was progressing well for a normal person that has to go to work like you and me," Stefanski said. "Not for an NBA player."
Stefanski called the first six weeks of Brand's treatment "conservative."
"We went with the conservative approach that could get him back without surgery," Stefanski said. "I feel sorry for Elton. He worked extremely hard to rehab this thing. It didn't hurt anything. If he underwent surgery when he was originally hurt, he would have missed the rest of the season."
Brand signed a lucrative five-year, $80 million deal in the offseason to join the Sixers and has largely been a disappointment, as Philadelphia has posted only a 23-24 record amid large expectations.
Since returning from his 16-game absence, Brand has been pedestrian, averaging just 5.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 18 minutes during six games..
So where does Brand's absence leave the Sixers?
"We will look at all available options," Stefanski said. "But I don't see anyone that can fit in like Marreese (Speights) or Reggie (Evans). We are fortunate. We knew what we had in Reggie and Speights is a very good player with a huge upside. This is a terrific opportunity for guys to step up."
Asked if he still expected his team to make the playoffs, Stefanski was glib, but honest.
"I put that on Tony (DiLeo)," Stefanski said. "But, we better. I think we are a playoff team even without Elton. Everyone has injuries. Andre (Iguodala) is playing at a very high level. It's his team and he has taken on the responsibility."
Terry has surgery
The Dallas Mavericks announced today that Mavericks guard Jason Terry had
successful surgery to stabilize the fourth metacarpal fracture in his left hand. The surgery was
performed by Dr. Scott Oishi and Dr. T.O. Souryal at Texas Sports Medicine. No timetable has
been set for his return.
Terry (6-2, 180) has played in all 50 Mavericks games this season and has averages of 19.9
points, 3.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.38 steals.
successful surgery to stabilize the fourth metacarpal fracture in his left hand. The surgery was
performed by Dr. Scott Oishi and Dr. T.O. Souryal at Texas Sports Medicine. No timetable has
been set for his return.
Terry (6-2, 180) has played in all 50 Mavericks games this season and has averages of 19.9
points, 3.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.38 steals.
Pavlovic out six weeks
Cavaliers guard Sasha Pavlovic left yesterday’s game versus the Los Angeles Lakers at the end of the first quarter with a right ankle sprain and did not return to play. He received an MRI today at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health, the results of which showed a high right ankle sprain. He is expected to be out for the next four to six weeks and his status will be updated as appropriate.
Brand has surgery
Brand suffered a dislocated right shoulder against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 17, 2008. He will miss the remainder of the 2008-09 season.
Ahearn is D-League Player of the Week
Blake Ahearn of the Dakota Wizards has been named NBA D-League Performer of the Week for games played during the week of Feb. 2, 2009. Ahearn is the first Dakota player to earn the honor this season.
Ahearn led the Wizards to a 3-0 record, averaging 29.7 points and 8.3 assists while shooting .519 (27-of-52) from the field and connecting on 12 three-pointers. On Saturday Ahearn scored 32 points and added 10 assists in a 115-92 win over the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
A 6-2 guard from Missouri State, Ahearn was selected as a 2009 NBA D-League All-Star and will participate in the third annual NBA D-League All-Star Game on Saturday, Feb. 14, on Center Court at NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas. The 2007-07 NBA D-League Rookie of the Year, Ahearn earned a GATORADE Call-Up to the San Antonio Spurs earlier this season and is averaging 22.2 points this year.
Other top performers last week included Bakersfield’s Derrick Byars, who averaged 24.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in three games for the Jam; Albuquerque’s Will Conroy, who averaged 34.5 points and 9.5 assists in two games for the Thunderbirds; Utah’s Dontell Jefferson, who averaged 25.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists in two wins for the Flash; Austin’s Pops Mensah-Bonsu, who averaged 26.5 points and 13.0 rebounds in two games for the Toros; and Anaheim’s James White, who averaged 28.3 points in three games for the Arsenal.
Ahearn led the Wizards to a 3-0 record, averaging 29.7 points and 8.3 assists while shooting .519 (27-of-52) from the field and connecting on 12 three-pointers. On Saturday Ahearn scored 32 points and added 10 assists in a 115-92 win over the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
A 6-2 guard from Missouri State, Ahearn was selected as a 2009 NBA D-League All-Star and will participate in the third annual NBA D-League All-Star Game on Saturday, Feb. 14, on Center Court at NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas. The 2007-07 NBA D-League Rookie of the Year, Ahearn earned a GATORADE Call-Up to the San Antonio Spurs earlier this season and is averaging 22.2 points this year.
Other top performers last week included Bakersfield’s Derrick Byars, who averaged 24.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in three games for the Jam; Albuquerque’s Will Conroy, who averaged 34.5 points and 9.5 assists in two games for the Thunderbirds; Utah’s Dontell Jefferson, who averaged 25.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists in two wins for the Flash; Austin’s Pops Mensah-Bonsu, who averaged 26.5 points and 13.0 rebounds in two games for the Toros; and Anaheim’s James White, who averaged 28.3 points in three games for the Arsenal.
Team San Antonio will defend Shooting Stars title
Team San Antonio will defend its Haier Shooting Stars title against Team Detroit, Team Los Angeles and Team Phoenix in this year’s competition, which will be held on NBA All-Star Saturday Night, Feb. 14, at US Airways Center in
The
Team
The Haier Shooting Stars will be televised live nationally as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night, which will also feature the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, Sprite Slam Dunk and Playstation Skills Challenge. TNT and ESPN Radio’s national coverage will begin at 8 p.m. EST from US Airways Center. The NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 15, will air live on TNT, ESPN Radio and in more than 215 countries and territories worldwide in 44 languages.
The Haier Shooting Stars contest features one current NBA player, one current WNBA player and one NBA legend on each team. There are six numbered shooting locations of increasing difficulty, with each team attempting to make all shots in numeric order in the fastest time. Each team will select a specific player rotation to follow throughout the competition. Each shot must be made before the next player begins shooting in succession. Teams have up to two minutes to complete the entire shooting course and the team that completes all six shots in the least amount of time is declared the winner. In the case of a tie, a shoot-off will be used to determine the winner.
Jefferson done with ACL tear
The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that center Al Jefferson will be out indefinitely after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) study done this morning revealed the extent of the injury, which occurred in Minnesota's game last night at New Orleans. The date for surgery has yet to be determined.
"This is an unfortunate situation for Al and we wish him a quick recovery," said Timberwolves head coach Kevin McHale. "Al has been playing at an all-star level all season and has been our go-to-guy on the court. Knowing Al, he will work hard in his rehab efforts to get back on the court as soon as possible. In the interim, I'm confident that the other players on our roster will step up and meet this challenge."
Jefferson has appeared in all 50 games for the Timberwolves this season with averages of 23.1 ppg (7th in NBA), 11.0 rpg (6th in NBA), and 1.7 bpg. The fifth-year center is one of just three players in the NBA (Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan) to post at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game this season. Jefferson also ranks fifth in the NBA with 30 double-doubles in 2008-09 and is shooting 49.7% from the field while averaging a career-best 73.8% from the free-throw line. In his five-year NBA career, Jefferson has posted averages of 14.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
Bucks sign G Gill to 10-day deal
The Milwaukee Bucks have signed guard Eddie Gill (6-1, 185) to a 10-day contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today.
Gill, 30, has played 22 games for the Colorado 14ers of the NBA Development League this season and averaged 16.2 points, 8.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 35.5 minutes per contest. Last season for the 14ers, he averaged 18.0 points, 8.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 37 games. Gill began the 2007-08 season with the New Jersey Nets and appeared in 13 games before being waived on December 12, 2007.
A seven-year NBA veteran, Gill began his NBA career with New Jersey in 2001. In 181 career games he has averaged 3.1 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists with stints at New Jersey (2001, 2007), Memphis (2002), Portland (2004), Indiana (2004-2006) and Seattle (2008).
Not drafted out of Weber State in 2000, Gill began his professional basketball career with Las Vegas of the International Basketball League. He has also played professionally in the American Basketball Association (Kansas City), the CBA (Dakota), as well as overseas in Italy, Greece and Russia.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Radio appearance
Listen to John McMullen on Troy Derengowski's Nightly Sports Report on WHON 930 at 5:00 p.m. Bang the link to listen...
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Former Sixer Herbert Hill signs to play in NBDL
(Bakersfield, Calif., February 2, 2008) –The Bakersfield Jam, proud affiliate of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors and Orlando Magic announced today that the organization has acquired forward/center Herbert Hill.
Hill joins the Jam as the team (15-10) is preparing for Tuesday night’s game against western division rival Utah Flash. The team also announced that forward Jamaal Brown has been waived.
The 6-10, 240 lb. big man knows what’s expected of him. “I’m here to provide a presence inside, pound the boards and block shots. I’m looking forward to this great opportunity to get better, work on specific areas of my game and play for a coach that can help me achieve my dream of playing in the NBA.”
Field set for Skills Challenge
be crowned as the New Jersey Nets’ Devin Harris, the Orlando Magic’s Jameer
Nelson, the San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker and the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick
Rose will take the floor on Feb. 14, as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night
at US Airways Center in Phoenix.
The PlayStation® Skills Challenge was introduced at NBA All-Star 2003 in
Atlanta and consists of four players competing in a two-round timed
“obstacle course” consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting stations.
All players must observe basic NBA ball-handling rules while completing the
course. The two players with the fastest times from the first round advance
to the finals with the order of competition determined by inverse order of
the first round times. At the discretion of the referee, television instant
replay may be consulted for clarification of rules compliance.
A first-time NBA All-Star, Harris, who paces the Nets in scoring (21.5
ppg), assists (6.4 apg) and steals (1.7 spg), is one of only five players
averaging at least 21.0 points and 6.0 assists. Another first-time
All-Star, Nelson is averaging a career-high 17.0 points, while
shooting .506 from the field and .456 from beyond the arc. Rose, a leading
candidate for T-Mobile Rookie of the Year honors and a participant this
year’s T-Mobile Rookie Challenge on Feb. 13, paces rookies and is among the
league leaders in assists (6.3 apg); he ranks second among first-year
players in scoring (16.7 ppg). Parker, an All-Star for the third time and a
participant in the inaugural PlayStation® Skills Challenge in 2003, became
only the second player in NBA history to record at least 55 points, 10
assists and five rebounds when he did it Nov. 5 at Minnesota, joining Oscar
Robertson.
Last year in New Orleans, Utah’s Deron Williams covered the course in a
record 25.5 seconds in the second round to capture the title.
Nelson, the San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker and the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick
Rose will take the floor on Feb. 14, as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night
at US Airways Center in Phoenix.
The PlayStation® Skills Challenge was introduced at NBA All-Star 2003 in
Atlanta and consists of four players competing in a two-round timed
“obstacle course” consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting stations.
All players must observe basic NBA ball-handling rules while completing the
course. The two players with the fastest times from the first round advance
to the finals with the order of competition determined by inverse order of
the first round times. At the discretion of the referee, television instant
replay may be consulted for clarification of rules compliance.
A first-time NBA All-Star, Harris, who paces the Nets in scoring (21.5
ppg), assists (6.4 apg) and steals (1.7 spg), is one of only five players
averaging at least 21.0 points and 6.0 assists. Another first-time
All-Star, Nelson is averaging a career-high 17.0 points, while
shooting .506 from the field and .456 from beyond the arc. Rose, a leading
candidate for T-Mobile Rookie of the Year honors and a participant this
year’s T-Mobile Rookie Challenge on Feb. 13, paces rookies and is among the
league leaders in assists (6.3 apg); he ranks second among first-year
players in scoring (16.7 ppg). Parker, an All-Star for the third time and a
participant in the inaugural PlayStation® Skills Challenge in 2003, became
only the second player in NBA history to record at least 55 points, 10
assists and five rebounds when he did it Nov. 5 at Minnesota, joining Oscar
Robertson.
Last year in New Orleans, Utah’s Deron Williams covered the course in a
record 25.5 seconds in the second round to capture the title.
Lee, Parker earn Player of the Week honors
NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2009 - The New York Knicks' David Lee and the San
Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker today were named the Eastern and Western
Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Jan. 26, through Sunday, Feb. 1.
Lee helped the Knicks to a 3-0 week with wins over Houston, Atlanta
and Indiana. The fourth-year forward averaged 19.0 points on .535 shooting
to go along with 15.3 rebounds. He recorded point-rebound double-doubles
in all three contests and ranks second in the league with 35 double-doubles
on the season (Dwight Howard). On Jan. 31 at Indiana, Lee had 23 points
and led the Knicks with 17 rebounds in New York's 122-113 win over the
Pacers.
During a 3-0 week for the Spurs, Parker averaged 25.0 points and
6.0 assists in 36.0 minutes. Parker has scored in double figures 32 times
this season and has led San Antonio in scoring 16 times and in assists 27
times; he ranks 11th in the NBA in assists with 6.5 apg. On Jan. 29, Parker
scored 26 points and added five assists and two steals in the Spurs'
114-104 victory at Phoenix.
Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker today were named the Eastern and Western
Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Jan. 26, through Sunday, Feb. 1.
Lee helped the Knicks to a 3-0 week with wins over Houston, Atlanta
and Indiana. The fourth-year forward averaged 19.0 points on .535 shooting
to go along with 15.3 rebounds. He recorded point-rebound double-doubles
in all three contests and ranks second in the league with 35 double-doubles
on the season (Dwight Howard). On Jan. 31 at Indiana, Lee had 23 points
and led the Knicks with 17 rebounds in New York's 122-113 win over the
Pacers.
During a 3-0 week for the Spurs, Parker averaged 25.0 points and
6.0 assists in 36.0 minutes. Parker has scored in double figures 32 times
this season and has led San Antonio in scoring 16 times and in assists 27
times; he ranks 11th in the NBA in assists with 6.5 apg. On Jan. 29, Parker
scored 26 points and added five assists and two steals in the Spurs'
114-104 victory at Phoenix.
Van Gundy, McHale are Coaches of the Month
Other nominees for the Coach of the Month were Boston’s Doc Rivers, Charlotte’s Larry Brown, Cleveland’s Mike Brown, Denver’s George Karl, New York’s Mike D’Antoni, Philadelphia’s Tony DiLeo, Portland’s Nate McMillan and San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich.
Gordon, Lopez are Rookies of the Month
NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2009 – The Los Angeles Clippers’ Eric Gordon and the New
Jersey Nets’ Brook Lopez today were named the Western and Eastern
Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in
January.
Gordon, who edged out Minnesota’s Kevin Love for Western Conference Rookie
of the Month, ranked first among rookies in scoring for the month (21.9
ppg), fourth in assists (4.1 apg) and first in minutes (41.1 mpg). In
addition, the first-year guard led all Western Conference rookies in free
throw percentage (.907 %). Gordon scored a career-high 41 points (13-28 FG,
6-6 FT) vs. the Thunder on Jan. 23, the most points ever scored by a
Clippers rookie, besting Al Thornton’s 39-point performance on March 29,
2008.
Lopez ranked first among rookies in blocks for the month (1.81 bpg), second
in rebounds (7.9 rpg) and fifth in both minutes (33.3 mpg) and scoring
(14.9 ppg). In the East, he ranks first in both rebounds and blocks. The
first-year center, drafted 10th overall in 2008, started all 16 games in
the month of January and posted three double-doubles. Lopez also recorded a
career-high 31 points on Jan. 12 and a career-high 17 rebounds on Jan. 31.
Here is a recap of the month for both Gordon and Lopez:
Eric Gordon, L.A. Clippers
Jan. 4 vs. Detroit: Tallied 31 points, two rebounds and three assists in
an 88-87 loss to the Pistons.
Jan. 6 @ Dallas: Scored 32 points and added six assists in a 107- 102 loss
to the Mavericks.
Jan. 23 vs. Oklahoma City: Posted 41 points, two rebounds and four assists
in the Clippers’ 107-104 win over the Thunder.
Jan. 30 @ Cleveland: Registered 27 points, seven assists and two steals in
a 112-95 loss to the Cavaliers.
Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets
Jan. 7 vs. Memphis: Tallied 17 points, eight rebounds and a career-high
five blocks in a 100-89 win over the Grizzlies.
Jan. 12 vs. Oklahoma City: Recorded a career-high 31 points and 13 rebounds
in a 103-99 win over the Thunder.
Jan. 17 vs. Boston: Posted a double-double with 28 points and 10 rebounds
in a 105-85 loss to the Celtics.
Jan. 31 @ Philadelphia: Registered 24 points and a career-high 17 rebounds
in an 85-83 win over the 76ers.
In support of a season-long effort to better the various youth communities
in Phoenix, the Host City of NBA All-Star 2009, T-Mobile will donate $20
per point scored on behalf of the players named the T-Mobile Rookies of the
Month. For the month of January, T-Mobile will donate $7020 on behalf of
the Clippers’ Eric Gordon and $4760 on behalf of the Nets’ Brook Lopez.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of
the Month were the Chicago’s Derrick Rose, Memphis’ O.J. Mayo and Marc
Gasol, Miami’s Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers, Minnesota’s Kevin Love,
Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Portland’s Greg Oden and Sacramento’s
Jason Thompson.
Jersey Nets’ Brook Lopez today were named the Western and Eastern
Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in
January.
Gordon, who edged out Minnesota’s Kevin Love for Western Conference Rookie
of the Month, ranked first among rookies in scoring for the month (21.9
ppg), fourth in assists (4.1 apg) and first in minutes (41.1 mpg). In
addition, the first-year guard led all Western Conference rookies in free
throw percentage (.907 %). Gordon scored a career-high 41 points (13-28 FG,
6-6 FT) vs. the Thunder on Jan. 23, the most points ever scored by a
Clippers rookie, besting Al Thornton’s 39-point performance on March 29,
2008.
Lopez ranked first among rookies in blocks for the month (1.81 bpg), second
in rebounds (7.9 rpg) and fifth in both minutes (33.3 mpg) and scoring
(14.9 ppg). In the East, he ranks first in both rebounds and blocks. The
first-year center, drafted 10th overall in 2008, started all 16 games in
the month of January and posted three double-doubles. Lopez also recorded a
career-high 31 points on Jan. 12 and a career-high 17 rebounds on Jan. 31.
Here is a recap of the month for both Gordon and Lopez:
Eric Gordon, L.A. Clippers
Jan. 4 vs. Detroit: Tallied 31 points, two rebounds and three assists in
an 88-87 loss to the Pistons.
Jan. 6 @ Dallas: Scored 32 points and added six assists in a 107- 102 loss
to the Mavericks.
Jan. 23 vs. Oklahoma City: Posted 41 points, two rebounds and four assists
in the Clippers’ 107-104 win over the Thunder.
Jan. 30 @ Cleveland: Registered 27 points, seven assists and two steals in
a 112-95 loss to the Cavaliers.
Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets
Jan. 7 vs. Memphis: Tallied 17 points, eight rebounds and a career-high
five blocks in a 100-89 win over the Grizzlies.
Jan. 12 vs. Oklahoma City: Recorded a career-high 31 points and 13 rebounds
in a 103-99 win over the Thunder.
Jan. 17 vs. Boston: Posted a double-double with 28 points and 10 rebounds
in a 105-85 loss to the Celtics.
Jan. 31 @ Philadelphia: Registered 24 points and a career-high 17 rebounds
in an 85-83 win over the 76ers.
In support of a season-long effort to better the various youth communities
in Phoenix, the Host City of NBA All-Star 2009, T-Mobile will donate $20
per point scored on behalf of the players named the T-Mobile Rookies of the
Month. For the month of January, T-Mobile will donate $7020 on behalf of
the Clippers’ Eric Gordon and $4760 on behalf of the Nets’ Brook Lopez.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of
the Month were the Chicago’s Derrick Rose, Memphis’ O.J. Mayo and Marc
Gasol, Miami’s Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers, Minnesota’s Kevin Love,
Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Portland’s Greg Oden and Sacramento’s
Jason Thompson.
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