Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Celtics recall Gabe Pruitt from D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have recalled rookie guard Gabe Pruitt from their NBA Development League affiliate Utah Flash.

Pruitt averaged 21.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 37.0 minutes per game for the Flash in two games. Pruitt hit the game-winner in the season opener for the Flash as they defeated the Anaheim Arsenal 110-109 on November 24 in which he scored 31 points and had eight assists. Pruitt has appeared in two games this season for the Celtics and has averaged 2.0 points per game.

Kenyon Martin knee issues continue: MRI scheduled for Monday

Nuggets F Kenyon Martin did not play in the second half of last night’s game in Houston due to a right knee strain. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, after which his status will be determined.

Martin this season in 13 games has been averaging just 8.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 22.2 minutes. Injuries limited him to just 56 games in 2005-06 and only two in 2006-07.

Woman accuses Dennis Rodman of assaulting her at Las Vegas resort

Dennis Rodman was always great at grabbing rebounds. Now he’s being accused of grabbing at something else.

The Associated Press reports: “A former beverage manager at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas has sued Dennis Rodman, claiming the former NBA star assaulted her in March 2006 by rubbing up against her body and slapping her on the buttocks. In her federal lawsuit filed this week, Sara Robinson also accused her former employer of retaliating against her after she complained about Rodman’s behavior. Rodman spokeswoman Shannon Barr declined to comment Saturday.”

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Celtics assign Gabe Pruitt to D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have assigned rookie guard Gabe Pruitt to their NBA Development League affiliate Utah Flash. Pruitt is the team’s second assignment to the NBA Development League this season.

Pruitt was averaging 2.0 points and 0.5 assists in 3.0 minutes per game at the time of the assignment. Pruitt appeared in two games this season for the Celtics and was on the inactive list for six games. Pruitt appeared in six preseason games for the Celtics averaging 2.6 points while shooting .444 percent from the field. Pruitt averaged 5.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 22.4 minutes per game during the 2007 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Duncan moves from C to F on All-Star ballot

The San Antonio Express-News reports: If Tim Duncan’s streak of nine-straight All-Star starts ends this season, it won’t be the fault of Internet votes from China. A seven-person media committee placed Duncan among the 12 Western Conference centers on the official ballot for fan voting, but the NBA, with the committee’s blessing, has overturned that decision. Stressing that Duncan had been voted a starting forward the previous nine seasons, the Spurs formally requested that the NBA consider re-categorizing Duncan as a forward. The league made the change late Wednesday afternoon.

The Associated Press reports: Houston center Yao Ming gets overwhelming support from China and has been elected to start every year of his career. He received the highest vote total in history in 2005, and the fourth-highest ever last season. “It’s great that they did that. … It makes total sense and we’re thrilled that they made that change,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said in San Antonio. “That’s what he’s been, he’s been that way (a power forward) for 10 years. There’s no reason to change it.”

Yao Ming dominates but Rockets lose to Mavs

Yao Ming finished with 30 points, a season-high 15 rebounds and a season-best six blocked shots. Yao, who has had at least three blocks in seven of his 12 games this season, posted his first 30-15 game of the season. Yao also scored at least 30 points in a game in which his counterpart, Gana Diop, was held scoreless. Erick Dampier also played 10:21 off the bench in tonight’s game without registering a point. Yao did this previously against Diop when he scored 36 points vs. Dallas (3/15/06), while the Dallas starting center did not register a point in that contest.

Gilbert Arenas out around 3 months after left knee surgery

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that guard Gilbert Arenas underwent surgery on his left knee. The surgery was performed at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, DC by Wizards’ team physician Dr. Marc Connell.

“I repaired a partial tear of Gilbert’s left medial meniscus,” said Connell. “In addition, he had a nonweight-bearing articular surface defect in the trochlea treated by microfracture. We are optismitic that he will be able to return to action in three months.”

“Gilbert worked extremely hard this summer to be ready for the beginning of the season,” Grunfeld said. “This is very unfortunate because he was starting to play at high level prior to the injury. We expect Gilbert to make a full recovery, and are confident that our other players will step up and help our team win.”

Arenas underwent an MRI on Wednesday morning and then had surgery later this afternoon at Sibley Memorial Hospital. Arenas will begin rehabilitation next week, and is expected to make a full recovery.

Arenas played and started in eight games this season, averaging 22.4 points, 5.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds in 39.3 minutes per game. He scored 30 and 27 points in wins against Indiana and Minnesota, respectively, but experienced some soreness and swelling in his left knee after the game against the Timberwolves. Arenas missed Washington’s last two games against Portland and Philadelphia.

Donyell Marshall out 6-8 more weeks

Cavaliers forward Donyell Marshall today completed a period of additional examination and evaluation for his sprained right wrist. The initial treatment of rest and immobilization for 7-10 days was step one and has been completed.

After additional opinions and evaluations were gained, step two started today with a cortisone shot to the impacted area of his wrist. A period of further immobilization, and then rehab to promote healing and resolution of his symptoms, will now commence.

It is estimated that the complete treatment and rehab process will take 6-8 weeks starting today. Donyell will be listed as Out during that time period and his status will be updated as appropriate.

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Magic trade Trevor Ariza to Lakers for Maurice Evans and Brian Cook

The Orlando Magic have acquired forward Brian Cook and guard Maurice Evans from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for forward Trevor Ariza, General Manager Otis Smith announced today. In addition, the Magic have waived forward Bo Outlaw.

“Brian (Cook) helps bolster our frontcourt,” said Smith. “He is a power forward who shoots the ball extremely well, while also bringing added toughness to our roster. Maurice (Evans) is a tremendous athlete, a solid defender and capable of playing multiple positions. Both Brian and Maurice fit in very well with what we are trying to accomplish.”

Smith also added: “Trevor (Ariza) is a great talent and we certainly wish him well. We also thank Bo (Outlaw) for everything he has done for our organization as a player.”

Cook (6’9”, 250, 12/4/80, Illinois, 4 years) has played in six games (two starts) this season with the L.A. Lakers, averaging 2.3 ppg. and 1.7 rpg. in 11.7 minpg. Evans (6’5”, 220, 11/8/78, Texas, 4 years) has appeared in seven games this season with the Lakers, averaging 4.4 ppg., 1.7 apg. and 1.3 rpg. in 13.7 minpg.

Cook has played in 259 career NBA regular season games, all with the Lakers, averaging 6.6 ppg. and 3.2 rpg. in 16.0 minpg. He has shot .392 (162-413) from three-point range. Cook has also appeared in 25 postseason contests, averaging 3.0 ppg. and 1.6 rpg. in 7.0 minpg. Originally selected in the first round (24th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Lakers, Cook netted a career-high 28 points on Feb. 7, 2006 @ Dallas and pulled down a career-best 14 rebounds on Mar. 4, 2007 @ Phoenix.

Evans has appeared in 238 career NBA regular season games with Minnesota, Sacramento, Detroit and the Lakers, averaging 6.3 ppg. and 2.5 rpg. in 17.8 minpg. He has also played in 24 playoff outings, averaging 4.0 ppg. and 1.2 rpg. in 10.0 minpg. Evans originally signed as a free agent with Minnesota on July 23, 2001, after he was not selected during the 2001 NBA Draft. He poured in a career-high 26 points on Feb. 25, 2007 @ Golden State and recorded a career-best 14 rebounds on Mar. 8, 2005 vs. Memphis.

Ariza has played in 11 games this season with the Magic, averaging 3.3 ppg. and 2.2 rpg. in 10.5 minpg. Outlaw has played in two games with Orlando this season, averaging 2.0 ppg. in 3.5 minpg.

Mike Conley out indefinitely with right shoulder tear

The Memphis Grizzlies announced today that rookie guard Mike Conley will be out indefinitely due to a posterior labral tear in his right shoulder.

Conley, the fourth overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, originally suffered the injury on Nov. 17 against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The 6-1, 180-pound playmaker will undergo rehabilitation and will miss a minimum of two-to-three weeks. He was placed on the inactive list prior to last night’s 125-108 victory over Seattle at FedExForum.

The 20-year-old is averaging 5.6 points and leads all rookies with 4.2 assists in 14.4 minutes in five games played.