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.
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.
Nuggets Waive Ronny Turiaf
The Nuggets have waived center Ronny Turiaf after receiving the former Gonzaga star from the Wizards in the Nene trade that became official on Sunday. Turiaf, was acquired along with JaVale McGee and a second-round pick in a three-team trade with the Wizards and Clippers on March 15. He played four games with the Wizards this season, averaging 1.5 PPG and 3.1 RPG.
The 29-year-old Frenchman has played for the Lakers, Warriors, Knicks and Wizards over the course of his seven-year career. Per the new collective bargaining agreement, Turiaf may not return to the Wizards until after the season. There is no word on whether the former second-round draft pick by the Lakers plans to continue his NBA career or head overseas to play in Europe.
Nets Re-Sign Green For Remainder Of Season
11:45am: The Nets have officially come to terms with Gerald Green on a contract that will keep him in New Jersey for the rest of the 2011/2012 season.
8:52am: With his second 10-contract set to expire on Sunday, Gerald Green is close to signing a deal with the Nets that will keep him in Newark for the remainder of the season. Initial reports suggested that the contract would extend beyond this season, but both parties want to keep their options open moving forward, writes Fred Kerber of the New York Post. Green, 26, is averaging 18.6 PPG over his last five contests after spending the majority of the past two seasons playing overseas before signing with the Los Angeles D-Fenders of D-League prior to the start of the 2011/2012 season.
“I’ve seen a lot of players on 10-day contracts and I would say what he’s done, independent of tonight’s game, he’s been really good,” said coach Avery Johnson.
The former first-round draft pick by the Celtics in 2005 has had an inconsistent career ever since entering the league seven seasons ago. After a nondescript rookie season, Green showed signs of promise during his sophomore campaign where he averaged 10.4 PPG while grabbing 2.6 RPG. The former Mavericks forward has enjoyed a career renaissance during his 11-game stint with the Nets as he is currently averaging 11.7 PPG in 21.9 MPG.