Player of the Week Honors Announced

Instead of posting seperate blogs to announce the different players of the week honors for the NBA, Big 12, and C-USA, and WAC, here are the winners in one post:

NBA
The New Jersey Nets' Vince Carter and the Phoenix Suns' Amare Stoudemire today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Feb. 19 through Sunday, Feb. 25. Carter averaged an NBA-best 37.3 points along with 7.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists in helping lead New Jersey to a 2-1 week. Stoudemire averaged 30.0 points along with 12.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists as Phoenix posted a 4-0 record on the week. More

Big 12
Senior Acie Law (Texas A&M) and freshman Kevin Durant (Texas) have been selected as Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Player and Rookie of the Week for games of Feb. 19-25 in voting by a panel of media covering the conference. Law wins his second honor this year, while Durant garners his sixth rookie award and ninth weekly accolade overall.
Feb. 26 Weekly Accolades

C-USA
Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis, Sophomore, G, Detroit, Mich. has been named the Conference USA men's basketball player of the week for February 19 - 25.
DouglasRoberts Picks up Second Honor This Season

WAC
Nevada forward Nick Fazekas has been named the Western Athletic Conference men’s basketball player of the week for February 19-25.
Fazekas Wins Weekly Honor

McGrady Misses Shootaround Today

Rockets superstar Tracy McGrady did not participate in today's shootaround practice session because he was ill.

"He came in today, sick," said Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy. "Keith (Keith Jones, team Vice President of Basketball Operations / Athletic Trainer) sent him home."

McGrady's status for tonight's game versus the Boston Celtics won't be known until before game time.

The Rockets host the Celtics at 7:35 pm tonight.

Rockets: SAT Training Camp

Kudos to the Houston Rockets for providing this very beneficial tool:

SAT Training Camp to be held Tuesday, February 27, 2007.

from 6 to 9 pm.

Hopefully, many parents and their children will register and participate.

Rockets Beat Heat; Wade Injures Shoulder

The Houston Rockets started strong (63 to 48 at halftime lead); and, despite 11 second-half turnovers, defeated the Miami Heat 112 to 102 in front of sold-out Toyota Center crowd.

Houston (34-19) pushed its halftime lead to 18 early in the third quarter before Dwyane Wade helped Miami (26-27) trim the Rockets' lead to nine (72 to 63) with 6:17 left in the third period. Miami would get as close as seven (82 to 75) during the period; but, Rafer Alston made a three-point shot; forward Chuck Hayes split two free throws; and Bonzi Wells swished a seventy foot shot as the third quarter expired to give Houston an 89 to 75 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Miami began the fourth quarter with an 8 to 2 run to pull within eight points (91 to 83); however, Wade suffered an injury to his left shoulder during the run and left the ball game and did not return.

Tracy McGrady scored six points during a 12 to 5 run to put the Rockets ahead 103 to 88 with 6:11 left in the game.

The Heat made one final push by getting the ball down low to Shaquille O'Neal and playing trapping defense. Miami got as close as seven points (109 to 102) with 1:29 left in the game; but, Miami did not score again as Juwan Howard (one made free throw) and Battier (two made free throws) scored to close out the scoring.

Houston made a season-high 15 3-point field goals (.500, 15-30 3FG) tonight, surpassing the previous high of 14 set vs. Memphis (12/31/06). The Rockets were also 40-of-79 (.506) overall from the field, which was the third time this season where Houston has connected on .500 or better in each category in the same game.

Tracy McGrady finished the night with 32 points and a team-high eight assists. He now has 13 of his 15 30-point games (6 consecutive: 12/29/06-1/8/07) since Yao Ming went down with an injury vs. the L.A. Clippers (12/23/06).

Rafer Alston recorded 20 points tonight, marking his seventh 20-point game of the season. Alston also set his career high in 3-pointers made (6) and matched his career best in 3-point attempts (10). His previous high for treys was five done six times, which included three times as a member of the Rockets.

Dikembe Mutombo pulled down 10 of his team-high 13 rebounds in the first half of tonight's game.

Dwyane Wade had 27 points and nine assists before leaving the game injured. It marked Wade's 20th consecutive game of scoring 20 or more points, extending his current franchise record.

Shaquille O'Neal grabbed a season-best 16 rebounds tonight, surpassing his previous high of 10 set against Houston at Miami (11/12/06). O'Neal added 20 points for his second double-double of the season, as both have now come against the Rockets (15 points, 10 rebounds on 11/12/06).

Rockets lead Heat by 15 at the Half

Excellent first half for the Rockets!

Houston's leads the Miami Heat 63 to 48 at the break thanks 52.2% (24 for 46) shooting. The Rockets slipped Miami's hedging on the pick-and-roll throughout the first half and either scored lay-ups or dunks or got the foul line.

Tracy McGrady scored 17 points in the half; followed by 12 points from Rafer Alston. McGrady and Shane Battier each picked up five assists in the first half.

The Rockets dished out 17 assists on 24 made buckets in the half.

Dikembe mutombo grabbed 10 boards, too.

Houston's first half offense made Miami's defense look slow and old.

Rockets' Foley to take Medical Leave

I arrive at Toyota Center getting ready for tonight's Rockets - Heat game; and, as I always do, I checked the table where the game notes; rosters; media guides; etc. sit and lo and behold, this bit of news was on the table:

Houston Rockets veteran radio analyst Jim Foley announced that he will be taking a medical leave of absence beginning Thursday, Feb. 22, in order to undergo surgery to remove a kidney. Foley, who is in the midst of his 38th NBA season and his 20th year serving as the Rockets radio analyst, will undergo the procedure at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital. He is expected to miss approximately five weeks of the season with an anticipated return date of April 1.

Rockets radio studio host Craig Ackerman will fill in alongside Gene Peterson to call Rockets games in Foley’s absence. SportsRadio 610AM’s Matt Jackson will take over Ackerman’s studio host responsibilities until Foley’s return.

I hope Jim's surgery goes well; and, I wish him a healthy recovery.

Morris Almond: All - America

The chances to see Owls' senior Morris Almond play at home are winding down; and, more to the point, you have a chance to see a legit All-America candidate playing for a Houston area university.

Morris Almond: All-America

Kudos to Jay Jameson, the Rice Owls' men's basketball SID, for putting the web site together.

Yao Ming to see Doctor Wednesday

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming practiced today. He participated in non-contact action. He goes to the doctor tomorrow for an MRI to determine where his injured right knee is right now. Once that is done, a timetable on his return will become clearer.

"Tomorrow, I have an appointment," said Yao Ming. "Without contact, I did well today. Now, I'm not 100 percent. I know that. Take some time; but, when I can play, I'll get back to that level (before the injury).

Tulane's Moore Earned C-USA Player of the Week Honor

Tulane senior Chris Moore earns his first Conference USA Player of the Week honor for games through Feb. 17, as selected by a panel of media covering the league. Moore averaged 19.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals per contest, while averaging 32 minutes, as Tulane improved to 13-11 overall with a pair of wins this week.

C-USA's Feb. 19 Men's Basketball Player of the Week

Tech's Jackson and Missouri's Lawrence Receive Big 12 Honors

Senior Jarrius Jackson (Texas Tech) and freshman Keon Lawrence (Missouri) have been selected as Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Player and Rookie of the Week for games of Feb. 12-18 in voting by a panel of media covering the conference. Both players capture accolades for the first time this season. The player honor is the third of Jackson’s career.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jarrius Jackson, Texas Tech, G, Sr., 6-2, 185, Monroe, La./Ouachita
Jackson hit the game-winning shot with no time remaining at Texas A&M to give the Red Raiders a 77-75 victory over the Aggies. He finished with 31 points as Tech recorded its third win over a top 10 opponent this season. He followed that performance with 28 points versus Colorado in a 95-74 win. The senior guard shot 56.8 percent (21-of-37) from the field in two games, including 6-of-13 (.462) from 3-point range. He was also 11-of-15 (.733) from the free throw line. Jackson started his 100th consecutive game against CU and moved into second place on the Big 12 career scoring list with 2,104 points.

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Keon Lawrence, Missouri, G, Fr., 6-2, 180, Newark, N.J./Weequahic
Lawrence led Missouri to two victories last week as the Tigers defeated Baylor (78-71) and won at Oklahoma State (75-64). The freshman guard averaged 21.0 points and 8.0 rebounds and shot 70.8 percent (17-of-24) from the floor in the two contests. He was 6-of-9 (.667) from 3-point range and made 2-of-3 shots (.667) from the free throw line, with four assists and two steals. He had a career-high 24 points versus Baylor, the eighth-highest scoring total in school history for a freshman, before following with 18 points against OSU. Lawrence’s two-game total (42 points) was the most for a MU freshman since Kareem Rush had 50 points in back-to-back games in 1999-2000.

Big 12 2007 Weekly Winners

NBA and NBPA Announce Major Increases in Pension Benefits

Without seeming like a kiss-ass, I think this bit of news is outstanding by both the NBA and the Players' Association.

The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association announced today that they are jointly funding a significant increase in the pension benefits for the NBA’s pioneer players – players who retired prior to 1965 – and at the same time are increasing the number of players eligible for these benefits. Under these improvements, pre-65 players will receive a 50% increase in their pension benefits. The former players will now receive $3,600 per year of service compared to the $2,400 per year of service they received under the previous pension program.

For example, pre-65 players with 10 years of service will receive $36,000 per year; previously, those players received annual payments of $24,000. Also, the league and union agreed to provide this same higher benefit to players with three and four years of NBA service; previously only players with five or more years of service were eligible to receive pension benefits.

Finally, the NBA and Players Association agreed to make the pension plan improvements retroactive to July 1, 2005; therefore, in the coming months, all eligible pre-65 players will be receiving a lump sum payment for all of the benefits that would have been paid from July 2005 to the present.

“I am heartened by the support that the NBA owners and players are showing for the pioneers of our league,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “For quite some time, the Players Association has been working with us to secure a more complete pension program for our former players who helped build the game. We started with a very ambitious goal and the union wanted to go even further. I am extremely proud of the results.”

“This is an important gesture and a tangible benefit for the pioneers of our league,” said Executive Director of the Players Association Billy Hunter. “I applaud the NBA and the owners for their willingness to share in this commitment along with the union and our 450 members.”

Texas Southern's Moore Named SWAC Player of the Week

Texas Southern’s Chris Moore was recognized this week as the Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Week.

Moore averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds in TSU’s road games against Jackson State and Grambling State.

He scored a career high 29 points in the overtime win against JSU, while pulling down 11 rebounds for his 6th consecutive double-double.

He has 12 on the season.

Moore leads the conference in rebounds and he’s ranked 13th in the nation with 9.7 per game; he’s 6th in field goal percentage with .467 and he’s 7th in the SWAC in scoring with 13.4 points per game.

Sports Rap's All-Time NBA Team by Decade

Ralph Cooper of KCOH 1430 AM Sports Rap posed an interesting topic to his listeners this evening: Name your All-Time NBA Team by Decade.

However, here's the catch. Each player has to represent a different decade. Therefore, one player from the 1960s, one from the 1970s; etc.

Note: A player could have played in more than one decade. Also, the team did is not based on player positions -- just your top 5. Period.

Here's my team:
1960s - Bill Russell
1970s - Wilt Chamberlain
1980s - Magic Johnson
1990s - Michael Jordan
2000s - Dwyane Wade

Callers have started their team in the 1950s and the 1940s, too. If I did start with the 1950s and / or the 1940s George Mikan would be on my team; and, probably Slater Martin, too.

A very interesting topic indeed...

Hawks' Joe Johnson to replace Jason Kidd

Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson has been named by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace injured East All-Star Jason Kidd (back) of the New Jersey Nets on the Eastern Conference Roster for the 2007 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, February 18, in Las Vegas.

Rockets Acquire Tsakalidis from Memphis

The Rockets have been looking to acquire another big man for the front court for a while. Well, they definitely acquired a big man today in Jake Tsakalidis.

Houston Rockets General Manager Carroll Dawson announced today that the team has acquired center Jake Tsakalidis from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for forward Scott Padgett.

Tsakalidis (7-2, 290, Greece), who is in his seventh NBA season, has averaged 2.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.48 blocks in 23 games (seven starts) with Memphis this season. He set his 2006-07 season highs in points (11) and rebounds (9) vs. Orlando (11/20/06). Tsakalidis added a season-best three blocked shots at Washington (12/26/06). Overall, Tsakalidis has averaged 4.9 points and 4.0 rebounds in 302 career games with Phoenix and Memphis. His best season came in 2001-02, where he averaged 7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in 67 games (47 starts) with the Suns. A former player with AEK of the Greek League (1996-2000), Tsakalidis was selected by Phoenix in the first round (25th overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft. He then spent his first three NBA seasons with the Suns before joining the Grizzlies in a five-player trade on Sept. 30, 2003. Tsakalidis was re-signed on Sept. 10, 2004, after Memphis matched an offer sheet he signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Padgett (6-9, 240, Kentucky) has averaged 1.8 points and 1.9 rebounds in 24 games with the Rockets this season. Overall, Padgett owns career averages of 4.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 441 games with Utah, Houston and New Jersey. He returned to Houston in 2006-07 after spending last season with New Jersey, where he averaged 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds in 62 games (one start) with the Nets. Selected by Utah in the first round (28th overall) of the 1999 NBA Draft, he first signed with Houston on Oct. 28, 2003. Padgett signed as a free agent with New Jersey on Sept. 8, 2005, and was waived by the Nets on June 30, 2006.

Jake may practice with the Rockets as early as tomorrow.

Allen, Okur, and Paul Named as Replacements

Ray Allen of the Seattle SuperSonics and Mehmet Okur of the Utah Jazz have been named by NBA Commissioner David Stern as a replacements for injured West All-Stars Allen Iverson (ankle) of the Denver Nuggets and Steve Nash (shoulder) of the Phoenix Suns for the 2007 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, February 18, in Las Vegas.

Chris Paul of the New Orleans / Oklahoma City Hornets will replace Nash in the Playstation Skills Challenge.

Boggan, Carter and Augustin Receive Big 12 Weekly Honors

In a fairly rare occurrence this season in Big 12 men's hoops, players not named Kevin Durant received weekly honors.

Oklahoma State's Mario Boggan and Texas A&M's Josh Carter shared Player of the Week honors and UT's D.J. Augustin was named Rookie of the Week.

Read the link: February 12 Big 12 Honors

Owls' Almond Shares C-USA Weekly Honor

MORRIS ALMOND, RICE Senior, Guard, Powder Springs, Ga.
Almond led Rice to a pair of C-USA wins by averaging 32 points. He made 56 percent (22-of-39) of his shots from the field, including 67 percent (8-of-12) from 3-point range, and 92 percent from the free throw line (12-13). Against SMU on Saturday, Almond scored 10 of Rice's final 12 points including two 3-pointers in the final two minutes. He scored 35 against Southern Miss earlier in the week, marking the seventh time this season that he has surpassed the 30-point mark. Almond now has scored 639 points on the season which ties Michael Harris (2005) for second place for most points in a season at Rice. This is his second C-USA Player of the Week honor this season and fifth of his career.

JOSH PEPPERS, UCF Senior, Forward, Memphis, Tenn.
Peppers averaged 19.0 points as the Golden Knights posted two league victories this week. The senior forward shot 71.4 percent (15-of-21) from the floor and 60 percent (6-of-10) from 3-point range. At East Carolina, Peppers scored a game-high 24 points on the strength of a 9-of-10 performance from the field. His .900 field goal percentage is the best in C-USA this season and ties for fifth all-time. In UCF's home victory over Marshall, Peppers totaled 14 points, five boards and a pair of blocks in 24 minutes of action. This is the first C-USA Player of the Week honor for Peppers and he becomes the first UCF men’s basketball player to be recognized.

Dwight Howard is Ridiculous!

Orlando Magic big man Dwight Howard had the basketball play of the 2006 - 2007 season tonight versus the San Antonio Spurs!

With 0.8 seconds left in the ball game and the score tied at 104, Howard caught an inbounds pass from teammate Hedo Turkoglu (great pass, Hedo! -- from half-court, no less!) with his right hand at the top of the square (on the backboard) and slams the ball home (in one motion) as the game clock expires!

Game, Magic 106 to 104!

Did I mention Dwight caught the pass over Spurs' big man Tim Duncan a.k.a. The Big Fundamental?

Incredible!!!

Mavs' Howard, Nugs 'Melo Replace Yao, Boozer

Today, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard and Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony will replace Western Conference All-Stars Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer and Houston Rockets center Yao Ming.

Howard and Melo named Western Conference All-Stars

Poor, poor Bird and Walsh

As much as Larry Bird and Donnie Walsh try to clean up the image of the Indiana Pacers, more trouble seems to come from the Pacers' players:

Police: 3 Pacers involved in bar fight

Here's a statement from Donnie Walsh (Pacers' CEO / President) released today:

“We are aware of reports of an incident Monday night after the Golden State game allegedly involving members of the Indiana Pacers. At this time, the incident is under police investigation and until the investigation is completed, we have no further comment.”

As of right now, there's not much more Mr. Walsh can say; but, I imagine he's w - a - y past tired of all of these off court problems from his players.

Pacers’ players Jamaal Tinsley, Marquis Daniels and Keith McLeod issued the following statements regarding reports of an alleged incident Monday night after the Golden State game.

Jamaal Tinsley: “I had nothing to do with this. I’m extremely upset that my name has been associated with this.”

Marquis Daniels: “I am emphatic, 100 percent, that I had nothing to do with this. We were attending a celebration party for the Colts with some of the Colts’ players. For my name to be included is very disappointing. I am totally innocent. Hopefully, the truth will come out.”

Keith McLeod: “We were all trying to get out of there. I did not see Jamaal or Marquis hit anybody. There was a scuffle going on and when we saw what was happening, we were getting out. I don’t know where this other stuff came from.”

I hope the players are telling the truth b/c the Pacers don't need another public relations disaster from their players.

Nate Robinson to Defend Dunk Title versus Bigs

New York Knicks' guard Nate Robinson will defend his crown in the 2007 Slam Dunk competition to be held on NBA All-Star Saturday Night on February 17 in Las Vegas.

Robinson (5'9) will compete against three first-time entrants: Boston's Gerald Green (6'8), who is an alumnus of the NBA Development League, Orlando's Dwight Howard (6'11) and Chicago's Tyrus Thomas (6'9) for this year's title.

C-USA Men's Basketball Co-Players of the Week

JOEY DORSEY, Memphis.
Junior, Forward, Baltimore, Md.

Dorsey led the nationally-ranked Tigers to a pair of wins this week by nearly averaging a double-double with 14.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Dorsey registered career-highs of 22 points and five steals in an 87-65 road win at UCF, hitting a career-best 10 field goals (10-of-13). He also had four steals and two blocks in an 88-52 victory over SMU to give him 162 career blocks to move into sixth place on the Memphis career chart. In the two games, he was 12-of-16 from the field.

STEFON JACKSON, UTEP.
Sophomore, Guard, Philadelphia, Pa.

Jackson posted a pair of 20-point games last week and set a UTEP record for rebounds by a guard against Houston Saturday. The sophomore started the week with 20 points, 7-of-15 from the field, with three rebounds in 29 minutes in the Miners' 87-78 loss at Southern Miss. In Saturday’s 79-71 win over Houston, he collected 21 points, 17 rebounds, three assists and a steal in 37 minutes. For the week, Jackson averaged 20.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists with a .406 (13-for-32) field goal percentage and .750 (12-for-16) free throw percentage.

Ags' Law and Horns' Durant Receive Big 12 Weekly Honors

Senior Acie Law (Texas A&M) and freshman Kevin Durant (Texas) have been selected as Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Player and Rookie of the Week for games of Jan. 29-Feb. 4 in voting by a panel of media covering the conference. Law earns his first player honor of the season, while Durant extends his league-record to eight weekly conference accolades in 2006-07.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Acie Law, Texas A&M, G, Sr., 6-3, 195, Dallas, Texas/Kimball

Law wins the award after leading Texas A&M to two victories, including a 69-66 win at No. 6 Kansas. The senior guard had a game-high 23 points versus the Jayhawks, including 10 of the Aggies’ final 13 points in the last 3:30 of the game. He made 9-of-18 (.500) field goals against KU, with seven assists and two steals. Earlier in the week, he helped the Aggies to a 73-49 tally over Iowa State by scoring 13 points with seven assists. Law averaged 18.0 points and 7.0 assists in the two games, while shooting 44.8 percent (13-of-29) from the floor and 88.9 percent (8-of-9) from the free throw line.

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Kevin Durant, Texas, F/G, Fr., 6-9, 225, Suitland, Md./Montrose Christian School

Durant averaged 34.5 points, 16.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in the Longhorns’ 1-1 week. The freshman began with 37 points and 23 rebounds at Texas Tech as UT recorded a 76-64 victory. He is the first freshman in Big 12 history to record 20+ points and 20+ rebounds in the same game. He followed with 32 points, nine rebounds and five blocks in 36 minutes in a 73-72 loss to Kansas State. Durant shot 28-of-50 (.560) from the floor in the two contests, including 7-of-13 (.538) from 3-point range. He has been named rookie of the week five times, tying the conference record (Clifton Clark, Texas A&M, 1998-99) for that honor.

Sacramento's Eric Musselman Suspended Two Games

Sacramento Kings head coach Eric Musselman has been suspended without pay for two games for driving under the influence, in violation of the law of the State of California, the NBA announced today.

Musselman will miss the Kings' upcoming games versus the Denver Nuggets (2/3) and New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (2/5).

Three Raptors Receive Monthly Honors for January

January 2007 was a very good month for the Toronto Raptors. Because of the team's 10-5 record in January, head coach Sam Mitchell was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month, forward Chris Bosh was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month, and rookie big man Andrea Bargnani was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month.

The Western Conference recipients were Phoenix Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni as Coach of the Month; Suns' guard Steve Nash as Player of the Month; and Portland Trailblazers guard / forward Brandon Roy as the Rookie of the Month.

Mitchell and D'Antoni Named Coaches of the Month

Nash and Bosh Named Players of the Month

Bargani and Roy Named Rookies of the Month