NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2009 – Deanna Nolan of the Detroit Shock and Sue Bird of the Seattle Storm were named the WNBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for regular season games played Monday, August 24 through Sunday, August 31.
Deanna Nolan wins the fourth Player of the Week award of her career and first this season after averaging a league-leading 26.7 points on 41.8 percent (28-67) shooting, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists in three games. She led the Shock to a 2-1 record including wins over Eastern Conference rivals Connecticut and Atlanta.
Against the Dream, Nolan set a then-season high with 29 points in Detroit’s four-point win. With the game tied at 79 and 53.6 seconds remaining, Nolan made a jumper off the glass to give the Shock the final lead. She sealed the win with 20.3 seconds left when she sank two free throws to put Detroit ahead by four. One game later, Nolan surpassed her season high with 34 points in Detroit’s road loss to San Antonio. She shot 56.3 percent (9-16) from behind the three-point line in the three games after shooting 23.0 percent (16-71) heading into the week.
Nolan is a four-time All-WNBA selection, a four-time WNBA All-Star and the 2006 WNBA Finals MVP. She’s averaging 16.1 points, which places her in the top 15 among league leaders, 4.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists this season.
In Play! Magazine
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Pistons Invite Jerrells To Training Camp
The Pistons are inviting undrafted Baylor point guard Curtis Jerrells to
training camp. He'll contend for the Pistons' final roster spot, which is
currently open.
The chances of Jerrells making the regular season roster are very slim,
being as though Joe Dumars, Pistons President, says he prefers to keep
only 14 of a maximum 15 players under contract. Dumars also hopes to
invite an extra big man to camp, which is expected to open Sept. 28.
In Play! Magazine
training camp. He'll contend for the Pistons' final roster spot, which is
currently open.
The chances of Jerrells making the regular season roster are very slim,
being as though Joe Dumars, Pistons President, says he prefers to keep
only 14 of a maximum 15 players under contract. Dumars also hopes to
invite an extra big man to camp, which is expected to open Sept. 28.
In Play! Magazine
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
DETROIT SHOCK SIGN TWO-TIME ALL-STAR NIKKI TEASLEY
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - The Detroit Shock announced today that the team has signed free-agent guard Nikki Teasley to a seven-day contract.
Teasley, a 6-foot-0 point guard, started 10 games this season for Atlanta, averaging 3.9 points, 1.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 23.4 minutes per game before being waived on July 3. After missing the 2008 season following the birth of her daughter, Teasley re-signed with the Dream on January 12, 2009. Teasley is a six-year veteran and two-time WNBA All-Star.
Originally selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft, Teasley spent her first four seasons in the league with the Los Angeles Sparks, where she hit the game winning shot in the 2002 WNBA Championship. She was named the MVP of the 2003 WNBA All-Star game, and has career WNBA averages of 8.4 points 3.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.
Teasley takes the roster spot of Barbara Farris, whose seven-day contract with the Detroit Shock expired on August 16.
YOUR TAKE?
Teasley, a 6-foot-0 point guard, started 10 games this season for Atlanta, averaging 3.9 points, 1.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 23.4 minutes per game before being waived on July 3. After missing the 2008 season following the birth of her daughter, Teasley re-signed with the Dream on January 12, 2009. Teasley is a six-year veteran and two-time WNBA All-Star.
Originally selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft, Teasley spent her first four seasons in the league with the Los Angeles Sparks, where she hit the game winning shot in the 2002 WNBA Championship. She was named the MVP of the 2003 WNBA All-Star game, and has career WNBA averages of 8.4 points 3.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.
Teasley takes the roster spot of Barbara Farris, whose seven-day contract with the Detroit Shock expired on August 16.
YOUR TAKE?
Monday, August 17, 2009
SHOCK ACQUIRE FORWARD CRYSTAL KELLY FROM SACRAMENTO IN EXCHANGE FOR KRISTIN HAYNIE
Auburn Hills, MI - The Detroit Shock announced today that the team has acquired Crystal Kelly from the Sacramento Monarchs in exchange for guard Kristin Haynie.
“In acquiring Crystal Kelly we add a solid young player to our post rotation who comes with a reputation of not only being a skilled player, but a smart one as well,” said Detroit Shock General Manager Cheryl Reeve. “We are in need of a post that can spell Taj McWilliams as she has been logging heavy minutes at the 4 position.”
In 22 games (three starts) this season, the second-year forward is averaging 4.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per game.
Kelly was acquired by the Monarchs as a free agent on May 18, 2008, after being originally selected by the Houston Comets in the third round of the 2008 WNBA Draft (31st overall).
Kelly played in 33 games (four starts) as a rookie last season averaging 7.4 ppg and 3.3 rpg in 16.7 mpg. She scored a career-high 18 points at Minnesota (6/12/08), and ranked second on the team in free throw percentage.
In 20 games (two starts) this season with the Shock, Haynie averaged 2.2 points and 1.3 rebounds in 8.1 minutes per game.
“This trade is a good trade for both the Shock and Kristin Haynie,” said Reeve. “We've thoroughly enjoyed having Kristin on the Shock but know that Kristin wanted to be on the court more often. The return to Sacramento reunites her with former teammates and coaches and puts her in a better situation relative to playing time. We thank Kristin for her efforts in Detroit.”
Your Take?
“In acquiring Crystal Kelly we add a solid young player to our post rotation who comes with a reputation of not only being a skilled player, but a smart one as well,” said Detroit Shock General Manager Cheryl Reeve. “We are in need of a post that can spell Taj McWilliams as she has been logging heavy minutes at the 4 position.”
In 22 games (three starts) this season, the second-year forward is averaging 4.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per game.
Kelly was acquired by the Monarchs as a free agent on May 18, 2008, after being originally selected by the Houston Comets in the third round of the 2008 WNBA Draft (31st overall).
Kelly played in 33 games (four starts) as a rookie last season averaging 7.4 ppg and 3.3 rpg in 16.7 mpg. She scored a career-high 18 points at Minnesota (6/12/08), and ranked second on the team in free throw percentage.
In 20 games (two starts) this season with the Shock, Haynie averaged 2.2 points and 1.3 rebounds in 8.1 minutes per game.
“This trade is a good trade for both the Shock and Kristin Haynie,” said Reeve. “We've thoroughly enjoyed having Kristin on the Shock but know that Kristin wanted to be on the court more often. The return to Sacramento reunites her with former teammates and coaches and puts her in a better situation relative to playing time. We thank Kristin for her efforts in Detroit.”
Your Take?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
PISTONS SIGN FREE AGENT CENTER BEN WALLACE
Franchise’s All-Time Blocks Leader Returns For 2009-10 Season
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed free agent center Ben Wallace. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
“We are pleased to announce Ben Wallace’s return to the Pistons organization,” said Dumars. “Ben played an integral part in the success of the franchise from 2001-2006 and we feel there is a role for him on our team this season. His size and experience will provide depth in the front court while his work ethic and commitment to winning will help our club throughout the year.”
Wallace, 34, has NBA career averages of 6.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 30.9 minutes in 903 games (785 starts) with Washington, Orlando, Detroit, Chicago and Cleveland. The 13-year veteran played in Detroit from 2000 to 2006 where he was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year and an NBA All-Star four times. Wallace was an All-NBA Second Team selection three times (2003, 2004, 2006), All-NBA Third Team selection twice (2002 and 2005) and an NBA All-Defensive First Team selection five times (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006). The Pistons made the playoffs in five of the six years he was in Detroit, winning Eastern Conference Championships in 2004 and 2005 and the NBA Championship in 2004. Wallace is the franchise’s all-time leader in regular-season and playoff blocks (1,297 and 215, respectively) and ranks first among all-time playoff leaders in rebounds (1,237). He holds franchise single-game records for blocks in a game (10 – twice), defensive rebounds in a quarter (10) and blocks in a quarter (6). During the 2006-07 season, he became just the fifth player in NBA history to record 100 blocks and 100 steals for seven consecutive seasons joining Hakeem Olajuwon (12 times), Julius Erving (seven times), Sam Lacey (seven times) and David Robinson (seven times). Wallace ranks fifth among active players in career blocks with 1,948 and led the NBA in blocks during the 2001-02 season (3.48 bpg).
Originally acquired by the Pistons along with Chucky Atkins in exchange for Grant Hill as part of a sign-and-trade deal with Orlando (8/3/00), Wallace signed with Chicago as a free agent on July 13, 2006. He was traded by Chicago to Cleveland as part of a three-team trade on February 21, 2008.
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AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed free agent center Ben Wallace. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
“We are pleased to announce Ben Wallace’s return to the Pistons organization,” said Dumars. “Ben played an integral part in the success of the franchise from 2001-2006 and we feel there is a role for him on our team this season. His size and experience will provide depth in the front court while his work ethic and commitment to winning will help our club throughout the year.”
Wallace, 34, has NBA career averages of 6.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 30.9 minutes in 903 games (785 starts) with Washington, Orlando, Detroit, Chicago and Cleveland. The 13-year veteran played in Detroit from 2000 to 2006 where he was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year and an NBA All-Star four times. Wallace was an All-NBA Second Team selection three times (2003, 2004, 2006), All-NBA Third Team selection twice (2002 and 2005) and an NBA All-Defensive First Team selection five times (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006). The Pistons made the playoffs in five of the six years he was in Detroit, winning Eastern Conference Championships in 2004 and 2005 and the NBA Championship in 2004. Wallace is the franchise’s all-time leader in regular-season and playoff blocks (1,297 and 215, respectively) and ranks first among all-time playoff leaders in rebounds (1,237). He holds franchise single-game records for blocks in a game (10 – twice), defensive rebounds in a quarter (10) and blocks in a quarter (6). During the 2006-07 season, he became just the fifth player in NBA history to record 100 blocks and 100 steals for seven consecutive seasons joining Hakeem Olajuwon (12 times), Julius Erving (seven times), Sam Lacey (seven times) and David Robinson (seven times). Wallace ranks fifth among active players in career blocks with 1,948 and led the NBA in blocks during the 2001-02 season (3.48 bpg).
Originally acquired by the Pistons along with Chucky Atkins in exchange for Grant Hill as part of a sign-and-trade deal with Orlando (8/3/00), Wallace signed with Chicago as a free agent on July 13, 2006. He was traded by Chicago to Cleveland as part of a three-team trade on February 21, 2008.
In Play! Magazine
Monday, August 10, 2009
PISTONS NAME BRIAN HILL AS ASSISTANT COACH
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the team has hired Brian Hill as an assistant coach. Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“We are pleased to welcome Brian Hill as an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons,” said Dumars. “Brian has vast NBA experience as both a head coach and assistant coach and he will help our coaching staff and players in a variety of ways.”
Hill’s coaching career has spanned over 36 years, including head coaching positions with Orlando (twice) and Vancouver and assistant coaching positions with New Orleans, Atlanta, Orlando and New Jersey. He most recently served as an assistant coach with the Nets for the last two seasons (2007-2009).
The East Orange, New Jersey native spent three and a half seasons with the Orlando Magic during his first head coaching appointment, 1993-96, guiding the club to a 191-104 (.647) record. He led the team to three playoff appearances, back-to-back Atlantic Division titles, consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference Finals (1994-95 and 1995-96) and the 1995 NBA Finals. He posted a home record of 122-26 (.824) while with the Magic, including 40 consecutive wins spanning from March 12, 1995, through March 19, 1996. His record over his first three seasons as a head coach (167-79, .679) ranks third in NBA history behind Pat Riley and Phil Jackson and he ranks as the ninth fastest head coach to reach 100 victories, accomplishing the feat in 149 games. Hill coached the Eastern Conference All-Stars at the NBA All-Star Game in 1995.
Hill was named as head coach of the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1997-98, becoming the franchise’s third head coach, and compiled a record of 31-123 in two-plus seasons. After serving on Lawrence Frank’s New Jersey Nets staff in 2004-05, he returned to Orlando for his second head coaching stint. Hill led the Magic to a 76-88 record during his second tenure with the club, guiding the team to a playoff berth in 2006-07.
Hill’s coaching career includes high school as well as 17 years at the collegiate level. He was the head coach at Lehigh for eight seasons and held assistant coaching positions at Montclair State, Lehigh and Penn State. He got his NBA coaching start in 1986, serving as an assistant to Mike Fratello with the Atlanta Hawks.
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“We are pleased to welcome Brian Hill as an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons,” said Dumars. “Brian has vast NBA experience as both a head coach and assistant coach and he will help our coaching staff and players in a variety of ways.”
Hill’s coaching career has spanned over 36 years, including head coaching positions with Orlando (twice) and Vancouver and assistant coaching positions with New Orleans, Atlanta, Orlando and New Jersey. He most recently served as an assistant coach with the Nets for the last two seasons (2007-2009).
The East Orange, New Jersey native spent three and a half seasons with the Orlando Magic during his first head coaching appointment, 1993-96, guiding the club to a 191-104 (.647) record. He led the team to three playoff appearances, back-to-back Atlantic Division titles, consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference Finals (1994-95 and 1995-96) and the 1995 NBA Finals. He posted a home record of 122-26 (.824) while with the Magic, including 40 consecutive wins spanning from March 12, 1995, through March 19, 1996. His record over his first three seasons as a head coach (167-79, .679) ranks third in NBA history behind Pat Riley and Phil Jackson and he ranks as the ninth fastest head coach to reach 100 victories, accomplishing the feat in 149 games. Hill coached the Eastern Conference All-Stars at the NBA All-Star Game in 1995.
Hill was named as head coach of the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1997-98, becoming the franchise’s third head coach, and compiled a record of 31-123 in two-plus seasons. After serving on Lawrence Frank’s New Jersey Nets staff in 2004-05, he returned to Orlando for his second head coaching stint. Hill led the Magic to a 76-88 record during his second tenure with the club, guiding the team to a playoff berth in 2006-07.
Hill’s coaching career includes high school as well as 17 years at the collegiate level. He was the head coach at Lehigh for eight seasons and held assistant coaching positions at Montclair State, Lehigh and Penn State. He got his NBA coaching start in 1986, serving as an assistant to Mike Fratello with the Atlanta Hawks.
In Play! Magazine
Friday, August 7, 2009
Pistons Agree To Terms With Wallace
The Pistons have agreed to terms with Ben Wallace, who returns to the the team he helped carry to the 2004 NBA Championship.
Wallace, who will sign a one-year contract for $1.3 million, will likely play spot minutes as the fifth big-man on the Detroit depth chart. Yet, there's a slight chance he could wind up starting at center if he proves to be in great shape and pain-free.
The team also announced the signings of rookies Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko. Each player signed a two-year contract.
_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com
Wallace, who will sign a one-year contract for $1.3 million, will likely play spot minutes as the fifth big-man on the Detroit depth chart. Yet, there's a slight chance he could wind up starting at center if he proves to be in great shape and pain-free.
The team also announced the signings of rookies Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko. Each player signed a two-year contract.
_________________
Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com
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