17/2/14
Nets bring in Wallace as Houston give rookie his chance
New Jersey have today further strengthened their claim as serious contenders by acquiring veteran swingman Gerald Wallace from Houston.
The deal was agreed upon last night and approved by league officials today. Youngsters Sam Robinsen and Cesar Carlos will also join the Nets.
Houston in return will receive expiring veterans Sam Young, Lamar Odom, Tayshaun Prince, Tony Allen and the Nets' 2014 first round draft pick.
Shipping out Wallace frees up a starting spot for this year's 3rd overall pick Lucian Hill. He has great potential but hasn't had consistent playing time.
The 24 year old will now get his chance to pair up with last season's top pick Jan Richards. Rockets officials are obviously hoping they will gel quickly.
Even if they are getting on in years, adding four solid players to their bench will help with depth. Odom in particular will fill a big hole in their rotation.
With only $13m in guaranteed contracts next season the Rockets could be a big player in free agency, hoping to add quality around Richards and Hill.
This season is almost a write-off for them anyway as they are sitting third from bottom in their conference with a disappointing 19-31 record.
New Jersey now have a natural wing player to add to their already impressive super-team. He could be the piece that makes them champions.
He joins what is now the most impressive starting line-up in the league. Although the Heat, Thunder, Bulls and Knicks would argue that point.
With Howard and Nene controlling the paint and Bryant and Williams patrolling the backcourt, Wallace will be under less pressure to score big.
The eastern conference is arguably the tougher half of the competition now with four legitimate contenders and several really strong teams.
Case in point is the fact that the Nets are only in fifth place at the moment with a 28-21 record. They could shoot up quickly though after this.
Houston receive
Sam Young - 28 - SF - $854k - 1 year (74)
Lamar Odom - 34 - PF - $1.26m - 1 year (72)
Tayshaun Prince - 33 - SF - $1.26m - 1 year (70)
Tony Allen - 32 - SG - $1.26m - 1 year (70)
Nets' 2014 first round pick
Projected line-up:
DeAndre Jordan - Chuck Hayes - Lucian Hill - Jan Richards - Jrue Holiday
Bench options:
Tony Allen, Tayshaun Prince, DeMarcus Nelson, Sam Young, Lamar Odom
New Jersey receive
Gerald Wallace - 31 - SF - $7.51m - 1 year (90)
Sam Robinsen - 25 - C - $1.15m - 2 years (55)
Cesar Carlos - 20 - C - $1.15m - 2 years (54)
Projected line-up:
Dwight Howard - Nene - Gerald Wallace - Kobe Bryant - Deron Williams
Bench options:
Steve Nash, AJ Price, Tim Duncan, Jason Kapono, Dirk Nowitzki
20/2/14
Trade week recap: Busy as usual
This time every year teams gamble on deals, whether they are pushing for a championship or simply gearing up for a rebuild of their roster.
It was no different this season and there were even a few big names moving teams. Perhaps the biggest was former Spurs guard Tony Parker.
The Frenchman was acquired by the Knicks, just a day after they also landed all-star Ben Gordon from Detroit. Two amazing deals for them.
Both of these moves are seen by experts as an instant response to New Jersey getting Gerald Wallace from Houston just a few days earlier.
The Rockets shipped Wallace out to give recent high draft pick Lucian Hill a chance to be a starter and get another first round pick.
They are planning to completely overhaul their playing roster in next season's free agency period, with only $13m in guaranteed contracts.
Miami and Chicago will have to look over their shoulders now as these two Atlantic division super-teams will be pushing hard for top seed.
Elsewhere, the Celtics were involved in a couple of deals which saw them acquire forward Brandon Bass and swingman Courtney Lee.
They got Bass in a three-way trade with the Grizzlies and Magic. It saw Brandan Wright, Von Wafer and Jamario Moon move to Orlando.
Whilst Memphis received forwards Jason Thompson and Raphael Armstrong, as well as young guard Eric Bledsoe from the Magic.
It's the latest attempt by Boston to assemble a competitive team and convince star Rajon Rondo to re-sign with them next season.
They have already re-acquired center Kendrick Perkins earlier in the season and hope Bass and Lee can improve the team further.
Atlanta trading away Parker for Conley was a typical move to sure up their future as Parker was expiring and 5 years older.
Conley, Thaddeus Young, Marco Belinelli and Tyler Hansbrough are all in the prime of their careers, helping their playoff window.
David West and Joe Johnson are getting on in years and will likely only contibute for the 2 years they have left on their current deals.
Detroit decided to cash in on the 30 year old Gordon who was an all-star this season and will look to build around Gallo and Lopez.
Both are 25 and will be solid players for them. The Pistons will also potentially have plenty of wage room to work with next year.Eastern conference 'superteams' starting line-ups
Bulls
Al Jefferson, Derrick Favors, Luol Deng, Dwyane Wade, Ramon Sessions
Heat
Tyson Chandler, Chris Bosh, LeBron James, JR Smith, Raymond Felton
Bucks
Andrew Bogut, Andrea Bargnani, Jeff Green, Monta Ellis, Russell Westbrook
Nets
Dwight Howard, Nene, Gerald Wallace, Kobe Bryant, Deron Williams
Knicks
Zach Randolph, Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, Ben Gordon, Tony ParkerMonday, February 17
• Houston sent forward Gerald Wallace and centers Sam Robinsen and Cesar Carlos to the Nets.
• New Jersey sent forwards Sam Young, Tayshaun Prince, Lamar Odom and guard Tony Allen and their 2014 first round draft pick to the Rockets.Tuesday, February 18
• Boston sent forwards Terrence Williams and James Johnson and their 2014 first round draft pick to the Wizards.
• Washington sent guard Courtney Lee and their 2014 second round draft pick to the Celtics.Wednesday, February 19
• Boston sent guard Von Wafer and forwards Brandan Wright and Jamario Moon to the Magic.
• Memphis sent forward Brandon Bass to the Celtics.
• Orlando sent forwards Jason Thompson and Raphael Armstrong and guard Eric Bledsoe to the Grizzlies.
• Detroit sent guard Ben Gordon to the Knicks.
• New York sent forwards Danilo Gallinari and Boris Diaw to the Pistons.Thursday, February 20
• Atlanta sent guard Tony Parker to the Knicks.
• New York sent guard Michael Conley and center Joel Anthony to the Hawks.
20/2/14
Oklahoma City Thunder [38-13] vs Minnesota Timberwolves [19-30]
Durant and Rose lead Thunder in comeback win
OKC - 30 39 34 35 138
MIN - 39 35 32 29 135
Player of the Game: Derrick Rose
(36pts, 10ast, 6reb, 4blk, 1stl)
OKC _______ MIN
43-77 - FGM/A - 52-102
5-14 - 3PTM/A - 8-18
47-47 - FTM/A - 23-30
29 - Rebounds - 34
21 - Assists - 29
12 - Blocks - 10
6 - Steals - 6
23 - Turnovers - 15
22 - Fouls - 29
Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 43
Derrick Rose - 36
Andre Iguodala - 33
Bert Baker - 29
DJ Augustin - 29
Gabe Pruitt - 17
Blake Griffin - 17
Rolf Young - 13
Michael Beasley - 10
DeJuan Blair - 10
Brandon Rush - 9
James Harden - 9
Assists
DJ Augustin - 11
Derrick Rose - 10
Andre Iguodala - 6
Rebounds
Roy Hibbert - 10
DeJuan Blair - 9
Ronny Turiaf - 8
Bert Baker - 7
Derrick Rose - 6
Video Highlights
Harden sets up Durant for an alley-oop.
Durant sinks a step-back three.
Beasley and Rose with great defense in the dying seconds to save the game.
-----
I trailed by 15 midway through the second quarter. Griffin picked up his 5th foul in the 3rd quarter.
22/2/14
Oklahoma City Thunder [39-13] vs Atlanta Hawks [23-28]
Conley has huge Hawks debut, but Thunder grab the win
OKC - 42 28 33 32 135
ATL - 36 24 36 34 130
Player of the Game: Kevin Durant
(41pts, 3reb, 3ast, 1blk, 5stl)
OKC _______ ATL
54-90 - FGM/A - 53-88
7-17 - 3PTM/A - 10-18
20-20 - FTM/A - 14-18
28 - Rebounds - 34
28 - Assists - 30
7 - Blocks - 4
13 - Steals - 4
11 - Turnovers - 22
14 - Fouls - 14
Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 41
Marco Belinelli - 37
Derrick Rose - 28
Michael Conley - 26
Roy Hibbert - 20
Blake Griffin - 17
Tyler Hansbrough - 15
Chris Kaman - 14
David West - 14
James Harden - 13
Joe Johnson - 12
Assists
Michael Conley - 20
Derrick Rose - 12
Joe Johnson - 5
Blake Griffin - 5
Rebounds
David West - 11
Roy Hibbert - 8
Chris Kaman - 7
Marco Belinelli - 5
James Harden - 5
Video Highlights
Rose spins and banks it off the glass.
24/2/14
Oklahoma City Thunder [40-13] vs Boston Celtics [25-30]
New-look Celtics put up good fight in OKC
OKC - 26 31 32 43 132
BOS - 35 27 33 32 127
Player of the Game: Kevin Durant
(42pts, 5reb, 2ast, 1blk,4stl)
OKC _______ BOS
47-92 - FGM/A - 55-94
6-17 - 3PTM/A - 5-11
32-32 - FTM/A - 12-16
27 - Rebounds - 36
25 - Assists - 32
12 - Blocks - 7
10 - Steals - 2
16 - Turnovers - 23
11 - Fouls - 18
Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 42
Courtney Lee - 42
Blake Griffin - 36
Brandon Bass - 28
Avery Bradley - 15
Roy Hibbert - 15
Rajon Rondo - 12
Kendrick Perkins - 10
Howie Jeffries - 10
Josh Howard- 9
James Harden - 9
Rolf Young - 9
Assists
Rajon Rondo - 19
Derrick Rose - 14
Rebounds
Brandon Bass - 12
Kendrick Perkins - 9
Roy Hibbert - 9
Blake Griffin - 5
Kevin Durant - 5
Video Highlights
Hibbert plays a one-two with Harden.
25/2/14
Thunder aim for revenge against Heat tomorrow night
When these teams met last month it was the Heat that grabbed the bragging rights. The Thunder will be looking to even the ledger tomorrow.
The Heat ran out 130-124 winners in Miami on January 4th despite Kevin Durant having a massive night. He scored 46 points in the losing side.
It was seen as a big test for Miami, only a few weeks after they had traded superstar guard Dwyane Wade back to his hometown Chicago Bulls.
Two of the players they got in the Wade deal played a huge role in their win. JR Smith and Raymond Felton combined for 61 points and 15 assists.
Since that game the Thunder have gone 20-2, whilst the Heat have a similarly impressive 19-4 record. Both teams currently sit on 41 wins.
Durant has been in amazing form since these teams last met. He is averaging 33 points a game in 2014 and scored 32 in the all-star game.
Tomorrow night's game promises to be another epic encounter between these two perennial conference-leading rivals in Oklahoma City.
26/2/14
Oklahoma City Thunder [41-13] vs Miami Heat [41-11]
Thunder finish strong to even season series against Heat
OKC - 29 26 22 37 114
MIA - 26 29 22 31 108
Player of the Game: Kevin Durant
(41pts, 4reb, 2ast, 4blk, 6stl)
OKC _______ MIA
46-86 - FGM/A - 46-87
4-14 - 3PTM/A - 6-13
18-18 - FTM/A - 10-13
22 - Rebounds - 31
20 - Assists - 30
16 - Blocks - 12
14 - Steals - 8
23 - Turnovers - 28
9 - Fouls - 12
Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 41
Blake Griffin - 32
Chris Bosh - 28
LeBron James - 23
Raymond Felton - 23
Tyson Chandler - 17
James Harden - 14
JR Smith - 11
Roy Hibbert - 11
Assists
Raymond Felton - 12
LeBron James - 10
Derrick Rose - 8
Blake Griffin - 7
Rebounds
Roy Hibbert - 11
Tyson Chandler - 11
Chris Bosh - 7
Raymond Felton - 5
Video Highlights
Griffin dances around Bosh and dunks.
Felton sinks a half court shot on the full-time buzzer.
28/2/14
Oklahoma City Thunder [42-13] vs Washington Wizards [10-44]
Griffin rescues Thunder after horrible start
OKC - 26 38 39 34 137
WAS - 41 28 31 28 128
Player of the Game: Blake Griffin
(32pts, 10reb, 8ast, 3blk)
OKC _______ WAS
52-95 - FGM/A - 51-99
5-16 - 3PTM/A - 11-25
28-29 - FTM/A - 15-21
36 - Rebounds - 39
34 - Assists - 37
10 - Blocks - 7
8 - Steals - 6
20 - Turnovers - 24
15 - Fouls - 18
Top Scorers
Marcus Thornton - 39
Yi Jianlian - 38
Kevin Durant - 35
Blake Griffin - 32
Derrick Rose - 23
James Harden - 20
Terrence Williams - 19
James Johnson - 15
Roy Hibbert - 10
Rolf Young - 9
John Wall - 8
Assists
John Wall - 17
Derrick Rose - 11
Blake Griffin - 8
Terrence Williams - 8
Rebounds
Yi Jianlian - 14
Roy Hibbert - 13
Aaron Gray - 11
Blake Griffin - 10
Terrence Williams - 8
Howie Jeffries - 7
Video Highlights
Griffin dances through the Wizards defenders and lays it in.
-----
Yi had like 20 points in the first quarter. He was on fire from everywhere. Luckily he didn't manage an 80 point game though.
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