NBA FanHouse

Nets' Douglas-Roberts Has H1N1 Virus

Tom Ziller — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Nets, NBA Injuries

H1N1 has hit the NBA. The Nets announced Saturday afternoon that starting two-guard Chris Douglas-Roberts has come down with the dangerous virus, putting the player out of action and the rest of the team at risk.

Though the Nets have stunk, Douglas-Roberts has had a solid start to the season, a follow-up on a disappointing rookie campaign in which the University of Memphis product got little opportunity for New Jersey. CD-R missed Friday's game at Philadelphia with flu-like symptoms ... a rather prophetic diagnosis.

The Nets are limited to eight or nine players due to injury (Courtney Lee tweaked his groin Friday), so the team can't exactly afford to lose any others to illness. There have been no reports of the virus spreading in Nets locker room, and Nets PR says every precaution has been taken.

Later in the evening, Douglas-Roberts tweeted that he was in good spirits as the Nets hosted the Celtics: Let's go Netttsss!!! Cheering from the bed. I'm the flyest person who will ever have Swine Flu.

Nets' Douglas-Roberts Has H1N1 Virus originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's Early, but Chris Kaman Breaking Out

Matt Steinmetz — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:53:00 EST

by Matt Steinmetz

Filed under: Clippers, NBA Press Box

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Anyone who has watched the L.A. Clippers so far this season pretty much has the same question: what's up with Chris Kaman?

The guy's been playing some ball and doesn't seem to resemble the player of past years. But according to coach Mike Dunleavy, nothing at all is up.

"The only difference with him is he's shooting the ball," Dunleavy said before the Clippers dismantled the Warriors, 118-90, on Friday night. "And I mean literally shooting the ball. He's always been able to shoot the ball but always had this kind of mentality of 'I can't take too many shots,' or 'I need to get closer to the basket.' "

It's Early, but Chris Kaman Breaking Out originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Jamison Mad at Wiz Effort, Takes Out Anger on Snacks

Tom Ziller — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Pacers, Wizards

Wizards forward Antawn Jamison hasn't been able to help his team on the court after suffering an exhibition schedule shoulder separation. But he's trying to inspire his mates in the locker room. Friday night, that meant the post-game gastronomy in Indianapolis had to suffer.

Washington fell to a rather miserable Indiana team by 16 points. According to the Washington Post's Michael Lee, Jamison gave the business to his teammates in the locker room after the final buzzer. Lee reports that a tray of snacks had been "tossed into a corner, shattered to pieces, with fruit and candy scattered everywhere." Quelle horreur!

Jamison Mad at Wiz Effort, Takes Out Anger on Snacks originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Bulls' Thomas Breaks Arm Lifting Weights

Matt Watson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:45:00 EST

by Matt Watson

Filed under: Bulls, NBA Injuries

Tyrus Thomas will miss the next four to six weeks after breaking his arm in a weightlifting accident, the Chicago Bulls reported Friday afternoon. X-rays confirmed that he suffered a fractured radius in his left forearm, and he's scheduled to undergo surgery Saturday.

It's unclear what exactly happened, but on the surface it sounds like a fluke injury that could have happened to anyone. That said, it's oddly fitting that it happened to Thomas, who's recently suffered through a frustrating string of setbacks, including his team's decision not to offer an extension, inconsistent playing time, alleged arguments with the coaching staff and allegations by the local media that he faked the flu. When it rains, it pours.

Bulls' Thomas Breaks Arm Lifting Weights originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Kevin Martin Sidelined Indefinitely

Tom Ziller — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:13:00 EST

Filed under: Kings, NBA Injuries

What a night for Kevin Martin. The dynamic guard for the Kings -- and currently the league's No. 3 scorer -- learned Thursday morning his sore wrist was actually a fractured navicular bone, a pretty brutal injury in terms of risk and recovery. Sources tell FanHouse Martin was strongly recommended by at least two doctors (including Sacramento's team doctor and a separate hand specialist) to undergo reparative surgery or to put the in a cast for 6-8 weeks. The franchise, however, left the decision to Martin, who kept a third option -- play through it wearing a soft cast -- open temporarily.

Martin told reporters he'd sleep on it and make a decision Friday. Sanity has prevailed over machismo, and Martin told the Sacramento Bee's Sam Amick today that playing with a soft cast has been ruled out. Martin will either put a hard cast on the arm, or undergo surgery.

Kevin Martin Sidelined Indefinitely originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:13:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ron Artest Shakes Things Up for Fans

Elie Seckbach — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:15:00 EST

by Elie Seckbach

Filed under: Lakers, NBA Videos, Interviews

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

When it come to high-profile professional athletes, Ron Artest is one of a kind. He's setting the bar in the way stars reach out to interact with their fans, and it's very refreshing.

In this FanHouse video, we were on hand as Ron-Ron was dishing out milkshakes to fans, who absolutely enjoyed every moment around the Lakers star.

Check out the video after the jump.

Ron Artest Shakes Things Up for Fans originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Bynum Joins Gasol on Injured List

Brett Pollakoff — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:54:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, NBA Injuries

One of the things that makes the Lakers one of the league's best teams is the size and skill of their two biggest frontcourt players, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. But Gasol has yet to play a game for the team in this young season, and now it looks like Bynum will miss some time as well with an elbow injury.

Both players are listed as doubtful for Friday night's game against Memphis, and if neither ends up being able to go, the Lakers will be forced to use some rather interesting lineups.

Bynum Joins Gasol on Injured List originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

No Call for LeBron, No Win for Cavs

Brett Pollakoff — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:05:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Cavaliers, NBA Last Night, NBA Referees, NBA Videos

The Bulls went into Cleveland on Thursday and pulled out a hard-fought win over the Cavaliers. It was a low-scoring, defensive struggle, as neither team shot the ball very well, so it's not surprising that the game came down to the final play.

LeBron James drove to the basket with three seconds left and his team trailing by one, and was met by two defenders when he got there -- Luol Deng, who was guarding him from the play's outset, and Joakim Noah, who came over to help at the last second. James appeared to jump into Noah, and there was definitely contact. But somewhat incredibly, the refs swallowed their whistles, and the Bulls won the game.

Was it the right call? Read on and judge for yourself.

No Call for LeBron, No Win for Cavs originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Could Nancy Lieberman Become the NBA's First Female Head Coach?

Chris Tomasson — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST

by Chris Tomasson

Filed under: Mavericks, WNBA, D-League, FanHouse Exclusive, NBA Coaches

The D-League today. The NBA tomorrow.

Why not?

If there ever will be a female NBA head coach in my lifetime, I'm thinking Nancy Lieberman has got a shot. Lieberman took the first step toward that Thursday when she was named head coach of the Dallas Mavericks' D-League team in Frisco, Texas, that will begin play next year.

"If I am successful, I'm sure that I will be looked at (by the NBA),'' Lieberman, while on her way to her press conference to be introduced, told FanHouse by phone. "If I'm not successful, I won't be.''

More: Lieberman Officially Introduced

Could Nancy Lieberman Become the NBA's First Female Head Coach? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Kings Swap Out Mason for Ime Udoka

Tom Ziller — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:45:00 EST

Filed under: Kings, NBA Injuries, NBA Police Blotter, NBA Transactions

The Kings, seeking a defensive veteran for the small forward position, took on Desmond Mason in advance of training camp. That didn't turn out so well: Mason has been beyond awful on offense (surprising no one who has watched Mason play at any point over the past four years) and didn't make much of a difference for the league's 29th ranked defense.

Five games was enough for the Sacramento front office, as the team waived Mason a day after signing former Blazer and Spur Ime Udoka to a non-guaranteed minimum salary contract. Like Mason, Udoka is known for his defensive skill, having been signed as a sort of Bruce Bowen replacement two summers ago. That didn't really work out, and Udoka was left teamless for opening day after Portland waived the swingman at the end of the preseason.

Kings Swap Out Mason for Ime Udoka originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Mike Miller Is Tougher Than He Looks

Brett Pollakoff — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:24:00 EST

Filed under: Wizards, NBA Injuries, NBA Videos

Mike Miller may not look all that manly to most these days, given his unfortunate choice of hair styles. But after the way he competed in Wednesday night's close loss to the Miami Heat, there's certainly no questioning his toughness.

Miller came out of the game early in the third with an injured left shoulder, and headed to the locker room for some treatment. It was considered a mild sprain at the time, and since it was his non-shooting shoulder, he re-entered the game late in the period.

Miller played through until early in the fourth, when he hit the deck on a drive to the basket, and landed on the already injured shoulder. The man was in visible agony, but as you'll see in the following video, he managed to stay in the game long enough to make the highlights.

Mike Miller Is Tougher Than He Looks originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Suns' Frye Suddenly a Three-Point Threat

Tim Povtak — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:45:00 EST

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Suns

Suns general manager Steve Kerr -- one of the league's all-time best long-distance shooters -- would love to take credit for the sudden three-point-shooting prowess of newly-acquired center Channing Frye.

But he won't. And he can't.

"Yes, I worked with him for a couple days after he signed, and boom, he started hitting three-pointers,'' Kerr joked before a game in Orlando earlier this week. "We knew he could shoot -- it's why we signed him -- but not quite like this.''

Frye, a low-budget signing this summer, has had a stunning start, factoring heavily into the Suns' (4-1) early-season success.

Suns' Frye Suddenly a Three-Point Threat originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

LeBron James' Empire State of Mind?

Rob Peterson — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST

by Rob PetersonCleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert's second-worst nightmare is about to come true.

The first, of course, would be LeBron James signing with the New York Knicks (or soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets) on Thursday, July 8, 2010 with Jay-Z's and Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind" blasting as LeBron puts pen to paper in a lavish Madison Square Garden ceremony.

The second may come to fruition Friday as the Cavs are in New York to take on the Knicks. That day, LeBron's favorite little-ballclub-that-could, those spunky New York Yankees, will be taking a ride through the Canyon of Heroes to thousands of adoring fans and thousands of pounds of ticker-tape and assorted paper products.

LeBron James' Empire State of Mind? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ron Artest: I Wanted to Choke Ariza

Brett Pollakoff — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:24:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, Rockets, NBA Last Night

There weren't too many fireworks between Ron Artest and his former teammates during the Lakers' overtime victory in Houston on Wednesday, other than a double technical called on him and Trevor Ariza in the first quarter.

But judging by what Artest had to say afterwards, there certainly could have been.

Artest claimed that the Rockets were being extra-physical with him in hopes of getting him ejected. And after taking a shot from Ariza early, Artest admitted that thoughts of getting violent out there definitely crossed his mind.

Ron Artest: I Wanted to Choke Ariza originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Doing Lines: Kobe and Wade Go for 40

Brett Pollakoff — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Grizzlies, Heat, Hornets, Lakers, Mavericks, Nuggets, Rockets, Suns, NBA Last Night

Every night there are some stupendous, silly, stupid, or downright outlandish individual lines from around the lig. Doing Lines lets you know which one tops the list.

The last time we got together, three different players scored 40 points or more on the same night. Well, maybe it's not as rare of an occurrence as we thought, since we were just a single point away from it happening again on Wednesday.

Chris Paul missed by one with 39, but Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade each delivered, with 41 and 40 respectively.

Doing Lines: Kobe and Wade Go for 40 originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Chris Paul's Play, Mavs' Missed Free Throws Keys to Hornets Win

Brett Pollakoff — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:35:00 EST

Filed under: Hornets, Mavericks, NBA Last Night

Chris Paul was dazzling on Wednesday against Dallas, in what really was a must-win for the Hornets if they were going to have any sort of confidence in their ability to play with the top teams as the season goes on. Paul dragged his team to a win with 39 points, on 14-for-23 shooting, including three of four from three-point land.

But as great as Paul was and as below average as Dallas was (Dirk Nowitzki was held to just 12 points on 4-of-15 shooting), if we're going to be honest, his Hornets were fairly fortunate to be able to pull this one out.

Chris Paul's Play, Mavs' Missed Free Throws Keys to Hornets Win originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Wild East Shootout: Dwyane Wade Outguns Gilbert Arenas

Chris Tomasson — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

by Chris Tomasson

Filed under: Heat, Wizards

WASHINGTON -- Peel off the cobwebs. Get out the dust pan. One of the NBA's best shootouts is back.

There was a time in the middle of this decade when Dwyane Wade and Gilbert Arenas conjured up some Wild West battles even though both play in the East.

In 2005-06, in the four games the two met, Washington's Arenas averaged 32.3 points to 31.3 for Miami's Wade. Arenas had a 47-point game against the Heat and Wade had games of 41 and 40 points against the Wizards.

But then injuries hit both hard. Wade missed 62 games in 2006-07 and 2007-08 due to shoulder and knee problems. For Arenas, it was even worse as he missed 149 combined games in 2007-08 and 2008-09 because of knee trouble.

So when the two squared off Wednesday night at the Verizon Center, it was their first meeting since April 8, 2006.

Wild East Shootout: Dwyane Wade Outguns Gilbert Arenas originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Van Gundy: NBA Rules Penalize Howard

Tim Povtak — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:35:00 EST

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Magic

ORLANDO -- Coming to the defense of his All-Star center, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy didn't criticize the officials Wednesday night -- he didn't want another fine -- but he was clearly critical of the way Dwight Howard is being officiated this season.

Howard, the biggest, strongest, best center in the NBA, is being unfairly penalized, according to Van Gundy.

"He gets penalized for being so strong. We give guys an advantage in this league for being quick, but we penalize them for being strong like Dwight,'' Van Gundy said after Howard finished with 11 fouls in the last two games combined. "If you hit a perimeter guy on a drive the way they are allowed to hit Dwight all the time around the basket, it would be a flagrant foul.''

Van Gundy: NBA Rules Penalize Howard originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Hollins Already Tired of Iverson Talk

Matt Steinmetz — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:45:00 EST

by Matt Steinmetz

Filed under: Grizzlies

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Four games into the Memphis Grizzlies' season, head coach Lionel Hollins says he's done talking about Allen Iverson.

Well, not done all together. But apparently done talking about what Iverson says. Two days ago, Iverson complained about a lack of playing time after he made his Grizzlies' debut in Sacramento, and it was clear those statements didn't sit well with Hollins.

"I'm not commenting on Allen," Hollins said Wednesday when asked if he was surprised by Iverson's comments. "I'm done commenting on what Allen says. Allen has a right to say whatever he wants to say. ... Most of you are ready to leave now, huh?"

Hollins Already Tired of Iverson Talk originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.