February 2014 In ReviewRecord: 32-23 (9-2) | 2nd in division, 4th in conference Charlotte goes 9-2 in February going into all-star break. Boasting a favorable schedule, Charlotte rocketed up the standings, losing just two games in February. It was also a big month for the franchise as Bradley Beal was named to his first all-star game. Nine games above .500, Charlotte will hope to keep its composure and secure a playoff berth in the weeks ahead.
Player Stats Bradley Beal: 16.6 PPG, 4.7 APG, 4.6 RPG, .641% TS, 481% FG, .442% 3pt, 33.2 MPG, 20.3 PER (All-Star, played on Sophomore team)
Andrea Bargnani: 22.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, .583% TS, 22.3 PER
Luol Deng: 15.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2 SPG, .553% TS. 16.5 PER
Wilson Chandler: 12.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, .573% TS, 17 PER
Kemba Walker: 11.8 PPG, 6.3 APG, 3.5 RPG, .530% TS, 15.2 PER
Gerald Henderson: 7.5 PPG, 1.9 RPG
Nikola Pekovic: 5 PPG, 5.9 RPG
Samuel Dalembert: 4.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG
Damian Lillard: 2.6 PPG, 0.5 APG
Andre Miller: 1.7 PPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 RPG
Bismack Biyombo: 0.4 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 0.1 BPG, 2.2 MPG
NBA Standings:Eastern Conference1 Miami 40-15
2 New York 37-20 | GB: 4
3 Charlotte 32-23 | GB: 8
4 Detroit 31-27 | GB: 10.5
5 Orlando 31-27 | GB: 10.5
6 Atlanta 29-27 | GB: 11.5
7 Washington 30-28 | GB: 11.5
8 Indiana 29-28 | GB: 12
Chicago 27-27 | GB: 12.5
Milwaukee 26-29 | GB: 14
Boston 26-30 | GB: 14.5
Philadelphia 26-30 | GB: 14.5
Brooklyn 26-32 | GB: 15.5
Toronto 24-33 | GB: 17
Cleveland 16-41 | GB: 25
Western Conference:1 Oklahoma City 38-17
2 Memphis 33-24
3 Houston 29-25
4 Golden State 30-27
5 LA Clippers 29-28
6 Sacramento 29-28
7 LA Lakers 28-27
8 Utah 27-28
Dallas 28-30
San Antonio 27-29
Minnesota 25-29
Portland 24-32
Denver 24-34
New Orleans 22-34
Phoenix 22-36
Transactions:The trade deadline passed with no blockbusters, but a few teams did shake things up. Is an NLSC superteam brewing in Utah? Manu a Laker?
Cavaliers trade F Elton Brand to Thunder for C Cole Aldrich The Thunder trade a prospect who wasn't working out to the Cavaliers for veteran Elton Brand. It makes perfect sense for both sides. Cleveland gets another young big, while OKC gets another big who can play.
Cavaliers grade: B |
Thunder grade: A-
76ers trade G Axel Gomez to Jazz for G/F Gordon Hayward The Gordon Hayward era is over in Utah as the Jazz promote rookie Da'Vonte Hughes to starter and acquire another young point guard prospect in Gomez. Gomez came off the bench but made the most of his minutes in Philadelphia, and he'll get even less minutes on a team with Darren Collison and Devin Harris. Philadelphia sells high on Gomez and replaces Iguodala with Hayward as the starting 3.
76ers grade: B+ |
Jazz Grade: C-
Spurs trade G Manu Ginobili to Lakers for Jordan Hill, '14 2nd rounder The big three era in San Antonio is completely over as Manu Ginobili is traded to the much hated Lakers for young back-up big Jordan Hill and a second round draft pick. San Antonio trades it's star of 12 years, signaling a full rebuild of the team.
"It's weird to leave - especially for the Lakers, but it's good to be competing for a championship again", commented Ginobili on the trade.
Lakers grade: A |
Spurs grade: C
76ers trade C Nicola Vucevic to Wizards for G/F Jordan Crawford Essentially a middling center prospect for a poor man's Nick Young. Moving on...
Wizards grade: B+ |
76ers grade: C-
Wizards trade F Chris Singleton, '14 2nd rounder to Blazers for G Nolan Smith This trade happens three years too late. Essentially a swapping of mid first round draft busts.
Wizards grade: B |
Blazers grade: B
Trailblazers sign Rudy Fernandez (1 yr, $1.77M) Rudy Fernandez returns to the NBA - going back to the Blazers of all teams. The Blazers are reloading for an unlikely run for the 8 seed and Fernandez will get his playing time now with Roy out of the way.
NBA ALL-STAR BREAK2014 NBA All-Star Week - New Orleans, LASophomores 92, Rookies 90Lai leads Sophs to victory in Rookie ChallengeLeo Lai had a big game, but this year's contest was unusually low scoring and came down to the final minute. Unfortunately, Spurs star and rookie of the year favorite Bradley Rice had an awful shooting night, and couldn't hit anything in the final minute, and the older Sophomores got the win. Golden State Warriors guard Leo Lai was awarded with the Rookie/Sophomore game MVP trophy.
L. Lai (GS): 21 pts, 3 rebs, 2 asts, 8-13 FG, 5-6 FT (MVP)
B. Beal (CHA): 12 pts, 7 rebs, 5 asts
P. Jones (PHI): 10 pts, 8 rebs, 3 asts
A. Huffman (POR): 14 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asts
B. Rice (SA): 14 pts, 9 rebs, 4-18 FG, 6-7 FT
R. Gooding (CLE): 17 pts, 7-10 FG
All-Star GamePaul, Gordon lead West to Low Scoring VictoryWest 91, East 88The Rookie Challenge was unusually low scoring, and that tradition carried over to the all-star game, in which the West prevailed 91-88. Eric Gordon and Chris Paul were fitting co-MVP's, with the game in New Orleans. Paul was the Hornets' previous superstar until he was traded for Eric Gordon, the current face of the franchise. Ratings for this game were low, possibly due to the lack of Kobe Bryant, absent from the all-star team for the first time in 18 years.
Chris Paul (LAC): 14 pts, 4 asts, 3 rebs (co-MVP)
Eric Gordon (NO): 12 pts, 6 asts, 5 rebs (co-MVP)
Bradley Beal (CHA): 2 pts, 1 reb, 2 TO's, 1-3 FG, 8 minutes