Breaking News: Oden Signs with Spurs
Former number one overall pick C Greg Oden has signed a one-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs, worth $5.76 million. The injury-prone center will likely start at Center for the Spurs.
Heat News:
Hamilton, Cole Impress in Limited Minutes
Rookie C Justin Hamilton impressed coach Erik Spoelstra in yesterday's 117-102 defeat of the New York Knicks, going for 2 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and a block in limited minutes. Second-year G Norris Cole continued to impress, posting 6 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 3 steals in limited minutes. Cole is likely to see a larger role this season if he continues to impress.
Other League News:
Dwight Howard Still Requesting Trade
Orlando Magic C Dwight Howard is growing increasingly upset with team management, and he wants to be dealt before the trade deadline. Now that Brooklyn is no longer an option, Howard's preferred destination is rumored to be the Dallas Mavericks. Howard does not appear willing to sign a contract extension when traded, making things difficult for the Magic. They will likely trade Howard to whatever team offers the highest compensation, regardless of Howard's preferences. The Magic lost their opener to the Bobcats, 94-100.
BREAKING NEWS:
C Dwight Howard has been traded to the Chicago Bulls in a three-team trade.
Magic trade: C Dwight Howard (Bulls), G Chris Duhon (Bulls)
Bulls trade: C Joakim Noah (Hornets), F Luol Deng (Magic), '13 1st round pick (Magic)
Hornets trade: '13 1st round pick (Magic), G Marco Belinelli (Magic)
Heat November Recap:
Heat Finish November with Best Record
The Heat have finished the month of November with an 11-2 (.846) record, the best in the NBA.
LeBron James Named Player of the Month
Heat F LeBron James has been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month after finishing November with a stat line of 31.3 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 6.6 APG, 2.6 SPG, and 0.7 BPG. LeBron leads the Heat in all statistical categories except Blocks per Game (Shane Battier and Dwyane Wade with 1.2 BPG each).
Battier Thriving at Power Forward
Heat F Shane Battier is excelling at his new role with the Heat, posting 5.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 1.2 BPG. Battier is extremely happy with his larger role in the Heat lineup, and he is expected to extend his contract in the near future.
Heat Interested in Ty Lawson
Nuggets PG Ty Lawson is expected to enter Free Agency after the end of the season. The Heat are expected to make a run at the talented RFA, possibly in a sign-and-trade deal with the Nuggets.
Southeast Division News:
MKG Leads Bobcats to 2nd Place in Southeast
Bobcats Rookie F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has excelled with the Bobcats, leading them to a 7-8 record through November, already equaling their win total from last year. MKG put up an impressive stat line, with 15.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, and 0.9 BPG.
Hawks Struggle Without Horford
Hawks F/C Al Horford was only able to play in 6 games in the month of November due to a stress fracture. In those 6 games, Horford averaged 11.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG, and 2.2 BPG. The Hawks posted a 6-7 record in November.
Wall and Beal Shine, Wizards still Losing
Wizards Guards Brad Beal and John Wall have impressed in the month of November, both averaging approximately 17.0 PPG and 4.0 APG. The Wizards, unfortunately, finished with a 5-9 record despite their promising backcourt.
Magic Miserable in November, Trade Howard and Hedo
The Magic finished the month of November with a 5-10 record, despite Dwight Howard still being on the team. Howard has finally been traded (to the Chicago Bulls), and the team followed this by trading Hedo Turkoglu to the Portland Trail Blazers for Shawne Williams and a second round pick. The Magic managed to get talented F Luol Deng and two first round picks in the Howard trade, so their rebuilding process may be slightly easier than expected.
Around the League:
Thunder F Kevin Durant has been named Western Conference Player of the Month.
The 76ers may attempt to move G/F Andre Iguodala before the trade deadline, as he has reportedly told the team that he will not be picking up his player option.
Injury Report:
Nuggets F Danilo Gallinari has torn his MCL and will be out for the rest of the season.
Bulls G Derrick Rose has broken his back and will miss the next 4-6 weeks.
Nets F Gerald Wallace has broken his jaw and will miss the next 6-8 weeks.
Notable Transactions:
Magic trade C Dwight Howard and F Hedo Turkoglu
Utah Jazz re-sign C Al Jefferson to a 6yr/$127.02M contract.
San Antonio Spurs re-sign F Stephen Jackson to a 3yr/$12.67M deal.
New York Knicks sign F Terrence Williams to a one-year deal worth $3.51M.
Breaking Heat News – December 2
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Heat Trade for Casspi
The Miami Heat have dealt C Joel Anthony and F James Jones for Cavaliers F Omri Casspi. This is likely a move to free up some cap space for this offseason, as the Heat are extremely interested in Thunder F Serge Ibaka and Nuggets G Ty Lawson, both free agents after the season.
Miami Heat News:
Heat #2 Seed in the East
The Miami Heat hold a 23-6 record through the month of December, good for the 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Only the New York Knicks (25-6) hold a better record in the East.
LeBron Finishes Second in Initial MVP Vote
Miami Heat F LeBron James has finished second in the initial vote for MVP, behind Thunder F Kevin Durant. Durant and LeBron are also first and second in scoring, respectively.
Southeast Division News:
Lou Williams Leads Sixth Man of the Year Vote
The Atlanta Hawks hold the 4 seed in the Eastern Conference with an 18-11 record, largely in part to the contributions of Sixth Man Lou Williams. Williams has posted 14.6 PPG, 1.9 RPG, and 2.9 APG off of the bench for the Hawks, and he is the leading candidate for Sixth Man of the Year.
MKG Leads Bobcats to 6 Seed
Rookie F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has led the Charlotte Bobcats to a 14-16 record and the 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. MKG leads the team in scoring with 14.5 PPG, and is posting solid rebounding numbers with 6.9 RPG. MKG was named Rokkie of the Month for December and is second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Raptors C Jonas Valanciunas.
Deng Leads Magic to 7-7 December
The Magic have improved their record to 12-17 due to the play of recently acquired F Luol Deng. Deng leads the Magic in PPG and BPG with 19.3 and 1.2 respectively. The Magic are currently the 9 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Wizards Tied for Worst
The Washington Wizards are tied with the Boston Celtics for the worst record in the Eastern Conference with a 10-18 record. This comes in spite of the phenomenal backcourt play of the Wizards, with both Bradley Beal and John Wall averaging over 17.5 PPG. The Wizards appear to be doomed to pick in the early lottery once again this year.
Around the League:
Bulls C Dwight Howard will test the free agent market before re-signing with the team.
Sacramento Kings may begin fire sale before trade deadline.
Injury Report:
Timberwolves G Ricky Rubio tears MCL, ending his season.
Hornets Rookie F/C Anthony Davis has broken his foot and will miss 4-6 weeks.
Bulls G Derrick Rose is rehabbing his back injury and is currently Day-to-Day.
The Spurs have been hit by the injury bug, as F Stephen Jackson has broken his back, and C Greg Oden has torn his meniscus. Both are expected to miss 4-6 weeks.
Notable Transactions:
Hawks sign F Josh Smith to an extension worth $91.30M over six years.
Spurs sign G Manu Ginobili to an extension worth $18.72M over two years, with a team option for a third year.
qfrmcpt310 wrote:Nice start to this, good job an having the number 1 seed so far. I'm pretty shocked that Chicago is so bad with D-Rose, Howard, and Boozer
jp10_pogi wrote:no doubt t othe no. 7 MAVS. and wow! Toronto is in the post-season.... whos excelling there?
jp10_pogi wrote:stats of Anthony Davis? and Waiters... i think waiters is going over kyrie already... like in my association .. thats unfair lol
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