Week In Review: 3/19/12 – 3/25/12
Here's a look back at all the NBA's biggest stories from the past week.
- Boston center Jermaine O'Neal made the decision to have season-ending wrist surgery.
- Minnesota big man and 14-year veteran Brad Miller will retire at the end of this season.
- As expected, the Lakers announced they intend to pick up Andrew Bynum's $16.1MM option for next year.
- After being waived by Portland, Chris Johnson was claimed off waivers by New Orleans.
- Sacramento will extend a qualifying offer to Jason Thompson at the end of this season.
- Memphis signed the recently amnestied Gilbert Arenas to a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum.
- Philadelphia decided to part ways with Andres Nocioni, waiving the forward currently in the fifth year of a six-year contract. Nocioni then signed with a team in Spain.
- Cleveland made the decision to waive the seven-foot Ryan Hollins, who was then quickly signed by Boston.
- Portland's Elliot Williams underwent season-ending surgery to help repair an injured left shoulder.
- After being bought out by Houston, Derek Fisher signed with Oklahoma City.
- Charlotte bought out Boris Diaw. The forward later signed with San Antonio.
- Sacramento signed Terrence Williams to a 10-day contract.
- Long time member of the Pacers, Jeff Foster has announced his retirement.
- After being bought out by Denver, Ronny Turiaf was signed by Miami.
- Portland claimed J.J. Hickson off waivers.
- San Antonio signed Patrick Mills.
- Golden State signed Mickell Gladness.
- Dallas decided to waive Sean Williams.
- Denver guard Rudy Fernandez will miss the rest of the season after undergoing back surgery.
- Dallas signed Kelenna Azubuike.
- Toronto waived Rasual Butler.
- Indiana signed Kyrylo Fesenko.
- San Antonio signed Justin Dentmon.
Mavericks Notes: Title Hopes, Cardinal, Nowitzki
The Mavs pulled off a stunning overtime victory Saturday night over the Rockets that saw gutsy play from the likes of Jason Terry (who apparently was signing autographs when Vince Carter was pulled for foul trouble) and Dirk Nowitzki, who seemingly willed the team to victory. In what is shaping up to be an incredibly competitive race for the bottom half of the Western Conference playoff picture, the Mavs would have dropped to ninth place with a loss against Houston. Instead, the defending NBA champions currently occupy the fifth seed with mere percentage points separating them from the slumping Clippers.
- There are doubters who don't believe the Mavs have the ability to replicate the same success that they achieved last season against Miami, says ESPN.com's Marc Stein, who cites an NBA scout as his source.
- In what can only be perceived as a bit of refreshing news, Mavs forward Brian Cardinal laughed off criticism about his rough play from newly-acquired Spurs forward Stephen Jackson by stating he was pleased to hear that Jackson actually thought Cardinal could actually once play in the league, writes Tim Griffin of Spurs Nation.
- Beyond leading the charge in a must-win game over the Rockets, Dirk Nowitzki surpassed his hero Charles Barkley to become the 19th-leading scorer in NBA history, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com.
Minor Moves: Reggie Jackson
After being demoted to the Tulsa 66ers of the D-League on Saturday, Reggie Jackson has been recalled by the Thunder to rejoin the team prior to Sunday's matchup with the Heat, reports Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman (via Twitter). In one game with the 66ers, Jackson scored 22 points, notched eight assists and grabbed seven rebounds. The former first-round pick out of Boston College will share time with the newly-acquired Derek Fisher in a crowded Thunder backcourt.
Eastern Notes: Heat, Sixers, Knicks
While the age-old adage says defense wins championships, such a statement may never hold more truth than it does for the Knicks, who are 15-1 when holding opponents to less than 90 points a game after destroying the Pistons Saturday evening at MSG. Let's take a look around the rest of the Eastern Conference to see what's going on.
- Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel wonders if it is time for the Heat to pursue a veteran point guard if the team truly wants to make a deep run during the playoffs, especially considering Norris Cole's struggles in the backcourt.
- By not making any major moves at the trade deadline, the Sixers showed they were content with their current roster but still need improved play out of Elton Brand if the team wants to make any noise come playoff time, writes John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The former Duke star is averaging 10.6 PPG and 7.3 RPG on the season, both of which are a result of Brand not being the focal point of the Sixers' offense as he was in the past.
- The Knicks remain in the hunt for the Atlantic Division title after knocking off the Pistons Saturday evening. The ever-so competitive division has the Sixers leading the way with the Knicks only 3.5 games behind them.
Odds & Ends: Chandler, Bulls, Lakers
With eight games on the Sunday schedule, let's take a look around the NBA to see what's going on as the season takes a turn into the final stretch.
- Not only was the signing of Tyson Chandler one of the best free-agent acquisitions of the entire offseason with regard to a player's ability to contribute on the court, it was also one of the best additions of leadership to a lockerroom, writes Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com.
- The Chicago Sun-Times says the Bulls are in no rush to bring back Derrick Rose and Richard Hamilton before they are properly healed especially considering how well they are playing without the two stars.
- Elliott Teaford of the Los Angeles Daily News reports the Lakers' main objective is to improve their seeding with hopes of making a championship run and solidify homecourt advantage heading into the playoffs.
Poll: Is Heat-Thunder A Preview Of The NBA Finals?
With all eyes looking forward to Sunday’s matchup between the Heat and the Thunder, the question of whether the game is a preview of things to come this June continues to be raised. The Heat, currently the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference, have won their last four games thanks to balanced play from the team’s ‘Big 3’. Out in the Western Conference, the dynamic duo of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant have the Thunder in a comfortable position as the top seed with 3.5 games separating the squad from the Spurs.
Will Sunday give fans a taste of what to expect when the Larry O’Brien Trophy is on the line later this spring? Let us know what you think.
Is Heat-Thunder A Preview Of The NBA Finals?
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No 59% (588)
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Yes 41% (404)
Total votes: 992
Knicks Notes: Woodson, Jeffries, Anthony
The Knicks are currently battling the Pistons at Madison Square Garden after winning five of their last six games under new head coach Mike Woodson. While the team's fortunes are currently looking more favorable since the departure of Mike D'Antoni, the Knicks' schedule becomes more difficult with upcoming games against Orlando, Chicago and Miami. Let's take a look at the state of the Knicks as they look to improve their playoff seeding heading into the season's final stretch.
- Barbara Barker of Newsday says Mike Woodson is the right fit for the Knicks for the rest of the season and perhaps beyond given his previous experience in Atlanta.
- While not exactly a favorite of Knicks fans given his propensity to take questionable shots, the news of losing Jared Jeffries to injury for the next two weeks did not sit well with Woodson, writes Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com. The backup center makes his living by playing stellar defense and giving an all-out effort every time he is on the court.
- Given the team's quiet approach at the trade deadline, the Knicks' success moving forward will be based on Woodson's ability to get the most out of his players, says Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com. For Woodson, the focal point is Carmelo Anthony, who is averaging over 20 PPG on the season but is shooting below 40% from the field for the first time in his NBA career.
Odds & Ends: Sessions, Irving, Blazers, Redd
With a full slate of NBA action set to get underway shortly, let's take a look around the league to see what's going on:
- The arrival of point guard Ramon Sessions via trade from the Cavaliers has revitalized the Lakers, writes Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.
- Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer contends Kyrie Irving is the favorite to take home rookie of the year honors given his outstanding performance thus far this season. Irving, who recently celebrated his 20th birthday, is averaging 18.9 PPG and 5.7 APG through 41 starts this season.
- The Trail Blazers aren't going to give up on the rest of the season even after cutting ties with head coach Nate McMillan and revamping a majority of their roster at the trade deadline, writes Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld.
- Michael Redd is slowly rebuilding his career with the Suns after a fall from grace due to injuries that slowed the former Ohio State star, writes Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer. Thanks to the outstanding training staff in Phoenix, Redd has been able to find a fountain of youth and channel flashes of his former self.
Minor Moves: Reggie Jackson
After signing Derek Fisher to help bolster their backcourt for the playoff push, the Thunder have assigned Reggie Jackson to the Tulsa 66ers of the D-League, tweets Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman. Jackson, 21, was a first-round draft pick by the Thunder in 2011 out of Boston College. The first-year guard is currently averaging 3.4 PPG and 1.7 APG in limited action.
Southeast Notes: Lewis, Heat, Howard
Let's take a look around the Southeast Division as the Louisville Cardinals knocked off the NBA lottery pick-laden Florida Gators to punch their ticket to the Big Easy for the Final Four.
- Michael Lee of The Washington Post checks in with Rashard Lewis, who is dealing with two injured knees and hasn't played since the All-Star break. He said Lewis was part of a proposed deal that would have sent him and Javale McGee to the Hornets for Chris Kaman, Trevor Ariza and Carl Landry, but the Wizards chose to make last week's three-team deal with Clippers and Nuggets instead. Lewis is making one of the highest salaries in the league at $21.1MM this season. He's guaranteed only $13.7MM next year, and while the Wizards said in December they wouldn't use the amnesty clause on him, you have to wonder whether they'll rethink that decision.
- Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel finds it interesting the Bulls are letting point guard Mike James dangle until April when the Heat could use a veteran at his position (Twitter link).
- While Dwight Howard's status with the Magic has become a bit clearer for the immediate future, Brian Schmitz considers what the long term holds for the Orlando big man heading into next season.