NBA News for 4/8/2008
Blazers Recall McRoberts From Stampede
The Portland Trail Blazers recalled rookie forward Josh McRoberts from the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League, it was announced Monday by Trail Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard. - Read More...
Schenectady Star Coach Riley Always Destined for Greatnesses
In the DAILY GAZETTE, Justin Mason writes "Pat Riley would always show up for Linton High School basketball practice early, work hard and then stay late. His tireless work ethic and determination produced a career in basketball from Schenectady through the professional ranks. But it wasn't until Riley picked up a coach's clipboard with the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers that his motivation propelled him to national fame. Riley never forgot his roots. While the Lakers were planning their victory celebration on the West Coast, their coach was traveling back to Schenectady to put on a basketball clinic and an assembly for the city school district, recalled Bob Pezzano, a retired teacher and chairman of the district's Athletic Hall of Fame committee. Yesterday, Riley was selected for induction into the National Basketball Hall of Fame. He and others selected this year will take their places during a ceremony at the Springfield, Mass., hall in September." - Read More...
Davidson, Vitale Reach Hall of Fame
In the DETROIT NEWS, Chris McCosky writes "some 28 years ago, Pistons owner Bill Davidson fired coach Dick Vitale and would later say hiring the former University of Detroit coach was one of the worst mistakes he's ever made. Monday, both were announced as new members of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. They will be enshrined in Springfield, Mass., from Sept. 4 through Sept. 6. After the rough start, though, the Pistons went on to win three NBA titles. They have become a model of mid-market success in professional sports.? - Read More...
Taking baby steps
Even Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant weren't immediate stars, which is why Mike Kahn likes bumping the minimum age to 20.
Magic's Howard needs stitches after practice injury
Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard needed six stitches after getting cut on the mouth in a collision at practice. - Read More...
Power Rankings: Down to the wire
The last week before the playoffs will be fun. With Kobe vs. CP3 and all the tight races, John Galinsky's power rankings are rocking.
Collision in practice leaves Magic's Howard with stitches
Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard needed six stitches after getting cut on the mouth in a collision at practice. Coach Stan Van ...
LSU's Randolph declares for draft but could return
LSU freshman forward Anthony Randolph intends to enter the NBA draft, although he has not hired an agent and is leaving open the possibility of returning to the Tigers for his sophomore year. - Read More...
Sore back forces LeBron to miss second practice
LeBron James didn't practice for the second straight day in order to rest his troublesome back before the Cleveland Cavaliers begin their final push heading into the NBA playoffs. - Read More...
Alabama's Steele to test NBA waters, enters draft
Alabama's Ronald Steele, once one of college basketball's top point guards, said Tuesday he will declare himself eligible for the NBA draft even though he missed last season following three knee operations. - Read More...
Wallace may miss final week of season
Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace is leaning toward sitting out the last week of the season due to a groin injury. An MRI exam on Tuesday showed no tear, but Wallace missed his second straight game against Minnesota. With the Bobcats eliminated from playoff contention, Wallace said he'll likely not play again this season. "If I play, there's a risk of me having the injury throughout the whole summer," Wallace said. "I don't want to go through the whole summer with a groin injury.
Hip check: Contusion keeps Suns' Shaq on side
Shaquille O'Neal missed the Suns' game on Tuesday with a hip contusion. - Read More...
Kings center Miller to miss final games of season
Sacramento center Brad Miller will miss the final five games of the Kings' season with a stress fracture in his left leg and a bone chip in his right elbow. - Read More...
Live: Shaq out or Suns vs. Grizz
Pacers down Hawks to elude elimination from playoff race
Mike Dunleavy scored 28 points, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Atlanta Hawks 112-98 Tuesday night to avoid elimination from ...
Kings’ Miller Will Miss Final Five Games
Sacramento center Brad Miller will miss the final five games of the Kings' season with a stress fracture in his left leg and a bone chip in his right elbow. - Read More...
Groin Injury Could Sideline Bobcats’ Wallace for Final Week
Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace is leaning toward sitting out the last week of the season due to a groin injury. - Read More...
Warriors take on Kings
Jazz keep Hornets and Paul in check, gain ground in West
Mehmet Okur had 22 points and 17 rebounds to help the Utah Jazz snap the New Orleans Hornets' 11-game home winning streak, 77-66 ...
Mavs Take Control Late, Surge Past Sonics
Jason Terry scored 22 points, Josh Howard added 17, and the Dallas Mavericks crept closer to a playoff berth with a 99-83 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics on Tuesday night. - Read More...
Knicks and Pistons Give Isiah Reason to Smile
Wilson Chandler scored all of his 19 points in the first half, and the New York Knicks built a huge lead and beat the Detroit Pistons 98-94 on Tuesday night in a game that didn't mean much for either team. - Read More...
Stoudemire, Suns Surge Past Grizzlies
Amare Stoudemire had 28 points and 11 rebounds, and the Phoenix Suns beat the Memphis Grizzlies 127-113 on Tuesday night despite playing without an injured Shaquille O'Neal. - Read More...
Hornets pressed for points as Jazz roll to victory
Visit ESPN.com for the complete story. - Read More...
Rested Big 3, Celtics need overtime to clip Bucks
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Knicks build big early lead, hold off Pistons late
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NBA legends paying their dues as coaches
Instead, in their subservient roles as NBA assistant coaches, former superstars Patrick Ewing, Bob McAdoo, Alex English and Adrian ...
Lowly Knicks upend Pistons for 98-94 road win
Wilson Chandler scored all of his 19 points in the first half, and the New York Knicks built a huge lead and beat the Detroit ...
Dantley Enters Hall of Fame
In the DESERET NEWS, Linda Hamilton writes "after former Utah Jazz great Adrian Dantley finally got the phone call that he had been selected to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame after eight years of disappointment, he told his mother and his wife, ?I'm in now, so I've only got two more goals in life: Live to be 100 years and be head coach or general manager in the NBA.' ?Hopefully it won't take as long as these other two,' Dantley joked about his coaching/GM aspirations. The reference was to his finally making it to the Hall of Fame after eight years and the retirement of his jersey by the Utah Jazz in EnergySolutions Arena last April ? more than 20 years after he'd played his last game as a Jazzman.? - Read More...
Ewing to Join His Coach and Rival in Hall of Fame
In THE NEW YORK TIMES, Howard Beck writes "Patrick Ewing, who rescued the Knicks from their malaise in the 1980s and made them an Eastern Conference power in the 1990s, has been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He will be inducted this fall, along with one of his most beloved coaches, Pat Riley, and one of his greatest rivals, Hakeem Olajuwon. Four others round out the Hall's class of 2008, which was announced on Monday: Adrian Dantley, a dominant scorer for seven N.B.A. teams; the Detroit Pistons owner Bill Davidson; the television announcer Dick Vitale; and Cathy Rush, a former coach and a force for women's basketball in the 1970s.? - Read More...
Hall of Fame Calls Houston Icon Olajuwon
In the HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Fran Blinebury writes, "what was improbable on the day he stepped off a plane from Nigeria and inevitable by the time his glorious 18-year NBA career ended became official when Hakeem Olajuwon was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame on Monday. ?For many years, you've been a future Hall of Famer,' said the former Rockets and University of Houston star. ?You hear that. It's an honorable title. But now, for the Hall of the Fame to call you, it's like, 'Wow! Is that really true?' The enshrinement will take place Sept. 5 in Springfield, Mass.? - Read More...
Rookie Watch: Detroit's Stuckey cracks top 10
Scouts Inc.'s David Thorpe evaluates the progress of the rookie class. - Read More...
Reports: Arizona's Budinger declares for NBA draft
Arizona forward Chase Budinger has opted to try his luck in the NBA draft. - Read More...
Howard gets 6 stitches in mouth after collision
Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard needed six stitches after getting cut on the mouth in a collision at practice. Coach Stan Van Gundy says he doesn't expect Howard to miss any games, but the center did postpone a charitable event Tuesday. Orlando hosts the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. Howard hasn't missed a single game in nearly four seasons with Orlando. This season is the best so far for the 22-year-old.
Florida's Speights enters draft, will not hire agent
Florida center Marreese Speights declared himself eligible for the NBA draft Tuesday, though he will not hire an agent and is keeping open the possibility of returning to the Gators for his junior season. - Read More...
Ewing and Olajuwon Head To The Hall
Growing up in Queens, NY, basketball was all about St. John's University basketball with Louie Carnesecca and his colorful sweaters at the helm and, of course, New York Knicks basketball.... - Read More...
LeBron misses practice, could miss Nets game
LeBron James didn't practice for the second straight day in order to rest his troublesome back before the Cleveland Cavaliers begin their final push heading into the NBA playoffs. James, who has been dealing with back spasms for a few weeks, received treatment while his teammates prepared for Wednesday night's game against the New Jersey Nets. Cavs coach Mike Brown said Tuesday it's possible James could sit out. "I know he wants to play," Brown said. "But we have to be cautious with him now.
Injury bug taps Cats' Wallace, year could be over
Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace is leaning toward sitting out the last week of the season due to a groin injury. - Read More...
Rivers plans to play Big 3
After sitting out the Celtics' victory at Charlotte on Saturday, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce lobbied coach Doc Rivers to play in Milwaukee on Tuesday night. - Read More...
Pacers ground Hawks to avoid playoff elimination
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Shaq sits out game against Grizzlies due to hip
Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal sat out Tuesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies because of a right hip contusion. Teams officials said that O'Neal took a knee to the hip in the Suns' 105-98 loss against Dallas on Sunday. O'Neal, the 16-year veteran who was obtained earlier this season from the Miami Heat, averages 13.5 points and nine rebounds.
Pacers close gap on Hawks with win
Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul in MVP Duel
In the L.A. Times, "Over the weekend, I asked 21 NBA writers from 19 cities and two websites for their first, second and third MVP picks for this season, and the result was..." - Read More...
Shaq Sits Out Against Grizzlies Because of Right Hip Contusion
Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal sat out Tuesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies because of a right hip contusion. - Read More...
LIVE: Nuggets face Clips
Jazz down Hornets in low scoring jag
Notes: Injuries hamper Cavs' James, Magic's Howard
LeBron James didn't practice for the second consecutive day in order to rest his troublesome back before the Cleveland Cavaliers ...
Back From D-League, Powell Leads Heat Over Bulls
Kasib Powell scored a career-high 18 points, leading the Miami Heat to a 95-88 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night that snapped a seven-game losing streak. - Read More...
Pacers Clip Hawks to Stay in Playoff Hunt
Mike Dunleavy scored 28 points, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Atlanta Hawks 112-98 Tuesday night to avoid elimination from the Eastern Conference playoff race. - Read More...
Bobcats Overcome Jefferson's 40, Beat Timberwolves
Jason Richardson scored 36 points and the Charlotte Bobcats avoided a collapse against one of the league's worst teams to hold off the Minnesota Timberwolves 121-119 on Tuesday. - Read More...
Amare takes over in Shaq's absence, Suns coast
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Mavs put game out of reach in 4th, drop Sonics
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Mavericks down Sonics to solidify playoff spot
Mavs inch closer to playoff berth with win over Sonics
Jason Terry scored 22 points, Josh Howard added 17, and the Dallas Mavericks crept closer to a playoff berth with a 99-83 victory ...
Hornets have no answer for powerful Jazz
In handling the Hornets to clinch the Northwest Division, the Jazz looked like the team more likely to make a run, Charley Rosen says.