Former Heat forward Alec Kessler died Saturday of an apparent heart attack after he collapsed during a pickup basketball game.
Kessler was pronounced dead at Gulf Breeze Hospital in Pensacola, according to a release from the University of Georgia, where he starred in the late 1980s. He was 40.
Kessler played for the Heat from 1990 until 1994 and averaged 5.2 and 3.6 rebounds in 210 games. He was a member of the Heat's early 1990s teams that included Rony Seikaly, Grant Long, Glen Rice and current Heat assistant Keith Askins.
Kessler retired from the NBA shortly after his time with the Heat to attend medical school, and he had been working as an orthopedic surgeon. The Heat released a statement offering condolences over Kessler's ''sudden and untimely'' death.
''Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family,'' the team said.
Kessler is survived by his wife Rhea, and sons Nicholas and Christopher.
CLOSING THE GAP
Three consecutive preseason losses to Southeast Division rivals provided the Heat an idea of just how tough winning a fourth consecutive division title might be this season.
The Heat lost Wednesday to the Hawks, Friday to the Magic and Saturday to the Bobcats. All three made major offseason additions through the draft or free agency.
The Heat did not face Magic forward Rashard Lewis (ankle injury) or Bobcats guard Jason Richardson (excused for the birth of his child). But Heat forward Udonis Haslem said the upgrades were noticeable.
''It's not going to be a situation where in years past we kind of ran away with the division and everyone was chasing us,'' he said. ``It'll come down to the last few games.''
CONFIDENCE BOOST
First-round draft pick Daequan Cook said his confidence is growing with each preseason game. He led the Heat with 10 points in Saturday's loss to the Bobcats.
But Cook said he still has plenty of work to do to gain coach Pat Riley's trust and earn a spot in the rotation. Cook is a long shot among the candidates to fill in at shooting guard until Dwyane Wade returns from offseason knee and shoulder surgeries.
''Coach is giving me a lot of time and a lot of looks and I'm just trying to show what I can do,'' Cook said.
``It's intense for me right now because I want to show that I am capable of playing this season.''
source : miamiherald.com
Monday, October 15, 2007
Former Heat Player Alec Kessler Dies
Distractions Behind Him, Jefferson's Rready To Rock
Never did Richard Jefferson want or need to get away from basketball and New Jersey more than he did when last season ended.
And he almost was told not to come back.
Looking to upgrade, the Nets nearly sent Jefferson to Indiana -- who wanted to ship him elsewhere -- in a package for Jermaine O'Neal, or Charlotte in a three-team trade for Lamar Odom.
Jefferson understands the business and accepts it. The trade reports were nothing compared to the personal, professional and physical issues Jefferson endured during his sixth season as a Net.
His body was never right, and neither was his game, because of a right-ankle injury that he elected to have surgery on in January.
Some Nets felt Jefferson, who often has played hurt, could have kept playing on his ankle, which helped lead to a strain in the locker room.
Tabloid-like rumors and stories also floated about Jefferson. Then during the Cleveland playoff series, Jefferson lost his grandmother.
When the Cavs ousted the Nets, the small forward simply needed to get away.
"There were so many things on and off the court, personal and business, that I was ready to get over and done with," Jefferson said.
"This is such a funny game in the sense that people forget quickly what you normally do and what you consistently do and they only look at what you've been doing that season. There were so many distractions. It's good to have that part over and done with it.
"You understand you can't be in this position, in this area, making the kind of money on the type of team we're on without having people gossip about you or talk about you.
"It wasn't a matter of that. It was just one thing after another. So it was good to get to the summer, relax, get healthy again, start working out and get back to the part of the game you love so much."
When he left, though, it appeared Jefferson wouldn't be back.
Days after the season ended, assistant coach Ryan Krueger, a staunch Jefferson supporter and confidant, was fired. Then the trade talk started with Jefferson as the centerpiece.
But Jefferson focused on getting right. He rested the ankle and then, for the first time, went to Tim Grgurich's camp in Las Vegas to work on his game.
Jefferson returned to the Nets feeling better about himself, the team and looking to follow Jason Kidd's lead.
Last year, "He was as close to being traded as anybody could have been," Jefferson said. "What does he do? He comes out and has one of the best playoffs a point guard has ever had. Even though he was almost traded, he was still the ultimate professional. He was still out there competing at the highest level.
"How can I come out here and not give my all or worry about that stuff? You have to come out here and play basketball and enjoy it to the max."
The Nets have seen a difference. Bostjan Nachbar said Jefferson looks more "determined" and "motivated" than last year.
"I'm pretty sure he wanted to take some time away and think about some things," Nachbar said. "I'm happy to see him back here. Whatever he did in the summer helped."
Jefferson remains a big part of the Nets' plans. The change back to a motion offense was partly because of him. But Jefferson knows he still could be traded at any time.
If he is, Jefferson said he will have special memories for "being part of a group that really started a franchise."
source : northjersey.com
Thornton Leads Clippers Over Warriors
L.A. Clippers 99, Golden State 89
OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 13 (AP) -- Al Thornton made his first eight shots, and scored 18 of his 24 points in the second quarter to help the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors 99-89 in an NBA preseason game Sunday night.
Corey Maggette added 18 points and 14 rebounds, Ruben Patterson had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Sam Cassell had 11 points in the Clippers' first win in three games.
Al Harrington scored 17 points to lead the Warriors, who lost for the first time in three games. Baron Davis added 14 points, and Troy Hudson had 15.
Thornton, the Clippers' first-round draft pick, played sparingly after playing over 30 minutes in each of the first two games. He combined with Patterson to score 26 of the Clippers' 36 second-quarter points. They were 12-of-15 over that span while the rest of the team was 3-of-7.
Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy drew a technical foul in the game's first 4 minutes, and center Chris Kaman was whistled for one late in the second quarter.
The Warriors shot 31 percent in the first half, including a 4-of-19 effort in the first quarter, while Los Angeles was 20-of-37 for 54 percent.
source : NBA.com
Jamison Leads Wizards Past 76ers
Washington 86, Philadelphia 80PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 14 (AP) -- Antawn Jamison scored 17 points and Roger Mason added 11 to help the Washington Wizards to an 86-80 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in an NBA preseason game Sunday night.
Andre Iguodala and Louis Williams each had 13 points for Philadelphia, which missed 13 of 33 free throws in the game.
The Wizards never trailed until two free throws by Andre Miller gave the 76ers a 60-59 edge with 1:30 left in the third period.
Washington led 66-60 at the end of three quarters but went on a 7-2 run to start the fourth quarter to take a 73-62 advantage with 8:20 remaining on two free throws by Andray Blatche.
The 76ers rallied behind Williams to close to 77-75 with 3 minutes left, but a three-point play by rookie Nick Young ended the threat.
Philadelphia center Samuel Dalembert, recovering from a stress fracture in his left foot, missed his second straight game. Coach Maurice Cheeks said Dalembert will not travel to Utah for the 76ers' next game on Wednesday.
"We'll keep monitoring him, and if he's still sore after 10 days, then we'll be a lot more concerned,'' Cheeks said.
source : NBA.com
Doctor Lets Curry Return To Knicks Lineup
GREENBURGH, N.Y. - The Knicks considered themselves lucky when Eddy Curry was diagnosed with only a torn labrum in his right shoulder a week ago today. They got another pleasant surprise yesterday when their starting center was cleared to practice a week earlier than expected.
Curry was re-evaluated by the Knicks' orthopedist, Dr. Answorth Allen, who cleared him to resume contact drills today with a protective brace on the injured shoulder. Barring any setbacks, Curry said he plans to suit up Wednesday for a preseason game against the Celtics, and coach Isiah Thomas confirmed that Curry is expected back in the lineup.
"I'm back," Curry said after some light shooting and non-contact drills at the MSG Training Center. "Put that in bold print: 'I'm back.' "
Curry, who was injured when he banged into forward David Lee during training camp in Charleston, S.C., still has some hurdles to clear before the Knicks can completely exhale. Allen told Curry that his shoulder "should be back to normal, pretty much," with the caveat that he needs to remain injury-free for the next couple of weeks.
Curry will test out the brace, which serves as protective gear and also works the rotator cuff muscles during the normal basketball movement, for the first time today. Allen prescribed the brace for approximately two weeks, after which Curry either will switch to another brace or go brace-free.
"I'm very thrilled, because when I first got the MRI back, they told me, 'You've got a torn labrum and everybody responds differently,'" Curry said. "'This could be something that's minor, something that you get over real quick, or it could be a little longer.'"
Curry said the shoulder is pain-free but admitted feeling some instability in the joint when he widens his grip on bench-press exercises.
Thomas clearly was relieved by the news, but he didn't paint nearly as optimistic a picture with regard to backup center Jerome James. James continued to lumber around the practice court while gingerly attempting non-contact shooting drills, apparently with a severe case of knee tendinitis.
Asked if James might return Wednesday against the Celtics, Thomas couldn't hide a sarcastic grin when he responded, "I doubt that." Thomas quickly reiterated that James' injury is "legit" but refused to specify what is wrong.
"I don't know the medical terminology and all that stuff, but I know he hasn't been cleared by our doctors to get out on the floor and play," Thomas said. "It's a legit injury, and if it wasn't legit, my demeanor would be totally different."
source : newsday.com
