NBA LOCALS
A weekly look at locals players in the NBA:
Jordan Adams, Grizzlies, Central Gwinnett High
Recalled from D-League assignment Jan. 20
Al-Farouq Aminu, Mavericks, Norcross High
Had two points and five rebounds in 27 minutes versus Hawks on Wednesday
Chris Bosh, Heat, Georgia Tech
Is out for the season because of blood clots on his lung
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Pistons, Georgia
Averaging 19.8 points in past four games
Jae Crowder, Celtics, Villa Rica High
Tied career-high 22 points and also had season-high seven rebounds at Lakers on Sunday
Derrick Favors, Jazz, Georgia Tech
Averaging 15.9 points and 8.2 rebounds in 52 games
J.J. Hickson, Nuggets, Wheeler High
Scored in double figures in 10 of the past 19 games
Dwight Howard, Rockets, Southwest Atlanta Christian
Out indefinitely after having procedure on right knee
Jarrett Jack, Nets, Georgia Tech
Missed past two games with sore left hamstring
Jeremy Lamb, Thunder, Norcross High
Averaging 6.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 14.8 minutes in 38 games
Jodie Meeks, Pistons, Norcross High
Averaging 11.7 points per game in 35 games
Anthony Morrow, Thunder, Georgia Tech
Scored in double figures in 21 games
Iman Shumpert, Cavaliers, Georgia Tech
Had a game-high seven assists with four points and five rebounds in 30 minutes off the bench at New York on Sunday
Josh Smith, Rockets, McEachern High
Had second consecutive 20-point game with 21 points at Clippers on Feb. 11
Thaddeus Young, Nets, Georgia Tech
Traded to Nets from Timberwolves at NBA trade deadline
Lou Williams, Raptors, South Gwinnett High
Set career-high with seven made 3-pointers at Hawks on Feb. 20
Note: Stats through Wednesday
Rajon Rondo remains a part of the Mavericks’ plans moving forward, despite his recent one-game suspension.
The point guard was suspended for Wednesday’s game against the Hawks for conduct detrimental to the team. The issue involved an in-game shouting match with coach Rick Carlisle during a game Tuesday against the Raptors. There were reports that the two had another heated exchange after the game.
Despite the issue, Carlisle wanted to make one thing clear when he addressed the media before the game against the Hawks.
“I need to say this very clearly,” Carlisle said. “He is an extremely important part of our team. Our efforts to get to the highest possible level largely hinge on him playing and him playing well. He needs to play well with us, and we need to play well with him. It’s a two-way street. The incident last night was borne, in large part, from poor communication between him and I. That is on both of us.
“We had a long talk about the situation today, and we both agreed we need to communicate more frequently. We need to work on the solution for making his stint as a Dallas Maverick the most successful one possible. We are looking at 23 games (remaining) here. This is a critical time here.”
The Mavericks acquired Rondo in a trade with the Celtics earlier this season.
PBWA issues statement
National Basketball Players Association executive director Michele Roberts did a recent interview with espnW.com and expressed displeasure with members of the media.
In the interview, Roberts said: “Most of the time I go to the locker room, the players are there and there are like eight or nine reporters just standing there, just staring at them. And I think to myself, ‘OK, so this is media availability?’ If you don’t have a (expletive) question, leave because it’s an incredible invasion of privacy. It’s a tremendous commitment that we’ve made to the media — are there ways we can tone it down? Of course. It’s very dangerous to suggest any limitation on media’s access to players, but let’s be real about some of this stuff.
“I’ve asked about a couple of these guys, ‘Does he ask you a question?’ ‘Nah, he just stands there.’ And when I go in there to talk to the guys, I see them trying to listen to my conversation, and I don’t think that’s the point of media availability. If nothing else, I would like to have a rule imposed, ‘If you have a question, ask it; if you don’t, leave.’ Sometimes, they’re waiting for the marquee players. I get that, but there is so much standing around.”
On Thursday the Professional Basketball Writers Association issued a statement in response to Roberts:
“Members of the Professional Basketball Writers Association stand for fair and responsible journalism. The NBA’s media-access rules do more than protect news outlets; the rules serve the public because the rules facilitate informed, accurate coverage.
“The suggestion that reporters use locker-room access periods to eavesdrop on players’ conversations or to do anything other than work is inaccurate. The NBA’s pregame media-access period provides a vital forum for building constructive relationships between players and reporters. In the vast majority of cases, reporters are in locker rooms before a game because the reporters are waiting to interview players who are in the training room for treatment, on the court warming up or attending pregame chapel services.
“The vast majority of players and the vast majority of our members have positive interactions on a daily basis.
“The PBWA has worked with the NBA in recent years to streamline the daily access periods for players and coaches. Individual players are no longer required to do interviews both at the morning shootaround and during the pregame availability session. The pregame access period has been reduced from 45 minutes to 30. The amount of practice time open to the media has been reduced from 30 minutes to 15. These changes were made to assist players and coaches and reduce their media obligations during their workdays.
“The PBWA would welcome the opportunity to meet with Michele Roberts at any location and time of her choosing to discuss the issues she raised in the espnW.com column.”
Hawks rotation not set
For the most part of late, Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer has used a nine-player rotation. That means Elton Brand, Shelvin Mack, John Jenkins and Mike Muscala have played sparingly.
Budenholzer was asked this week if such a rotation could be expected for the remainder of the regular season.
“I think Shelvin being out with the (strained) calf and we didn’t have that option,” Budenholzer said. “… I think Shelvin is ready. I think John Jenkins has played well when given an opportunity. I wouldn’t say we are totally set. I think Shelvin looks good in practice and he’s totally over the calf and that will help.”
Quotable
“Honestly, I was almost in tears.”
— Luol Deng of the Heat, on the news that former Bulls teammate Derrick Rose needs another knee surgery
“I don’t know what to say other than it’s so unfair. The guy has been through so much.”
— Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau on Rose’s injury
“If you have a story, this is a fairy tale. This is a perfect ending to it. This is how you want to do it.”
— Kevin Garnett on returning to Timberwolves where he spent first 12 NBA seasons
By the numbers
33: Games for the Hawks with at least 10 3-pointers (through Wednesday), two away from tying franchise record of 35 set last season.
11, 10: Points and rebounds for Adreian Payne, the Hawks first-round draft pick last year, in his second game with the Timberwolves after trade.
30: Points scored by the Timberwolves' Andrew Wiggins on his 20th birthday Monday. It was the third 30-point game for the rookie
Carroll’s Corner
Words of wisdom from DeMarre Carroll, the man who brought you this quote from last season: “If you see me in a fight with a bear, you better help that bear.”
On being at a grocery store when told Wednesday’s game against Mavericks would be played: “I get a text message when I’m in aisle seven pushing the buggy and they tell me the game is on. I had to hurry up. There was a lot of chaos.”
About the Author
