Friday, October 11, 2013

Bucks' Ekpe Udoh out 4-6 weeks after knee surgery

USATSI_7179702Milwaukee Bucks forward Ekpe Udoh had surgery on his right knee, the team announced Friday. He is expected to be out four to six weeks.
Udoh, the No. 6 overall pick of the Golden State Warriors in the 2010 NBA draft, had the surgery to alleviate pain in his knee.
Udoh, 26, averaged 4.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 17.3 minutes a game in 2012-13, his first full season with the Bucks. He was traded along with Monta Ellis to Milwaukee by the Warriors at the 2012 trade deadline.
Udoh didn't figure to be a major factor in the Bucks' frontcourt rotation this season, with starters center Larry Sanders and Ersan Ilyasova and promising second-year big man John Henson joined by free agent addition Zaza Pachulia.
PHOTOS: Projecting records for this season
Will LeBron James and the Heat win a third consecutive NBA championship? USA TODAY Sports' Adi Joseph would bet on it. But he doesn't predict Miami will have the best record. Here are his NBA regular-season projections, from worst to best.
Will LeBron James and the Heat win a third consecutive NBA championship? USA TODAY Sports' Adi Joseph would bet on it. But he doesn't predict Miami will have the best record. Here are his NBA regular-season projections, from worst to best.  Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports
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  • Will LeBron James and the Heat win a third consecutive NBA championship? USA TODAY Sports' Adi Joseph would bet on it. But he doesn't predict Miami will have the best record. Here are his NBA regular-season projections, from worst to best.
  • 30. Philadelphia 76ers (16-66). Thaddeus Young, left, and Evan Turner will be 25 this season. That makes them veterans (and possible trade bait) for a team that seems bound for a high draft pick.
  • 29. Phoenix Suns (18-64). Twins Marcus (15) and Markieff (11) Morris will join combo guards Goran Dragic (1) and Eric Bledsoe (not pictured) on a team that lacks identity but might have a future with the right draft pick next June.
  • 28. Orlando Magic (20-62). Coach Jacque Vaughn, left, will have to be patient as Glen Davis, center, Maurice Harkless and the young Magic continue through growing pains.
  • 27. Sacramento Kings (25-57). As DeMarcus Cousins goes, so do the Kings. And like their center, this team probably won't be stable but will look amazing at times.
  • 26. Milwaukee Bucks (30-52). With the backcourt completely reorganized, Larry Sanders, right, and Ersan Ilyasova will have to carry the Bucks. How far can they go after a playoff bid last season?
  • 25. Charlotte Bobcats (31-51). Owner Michael Jordan injected some energy into the franchise by announcing a name switch back to the Hornets for next season and adding Al Jefferson and Cody Zeller this offseason. But expect another long year on the court, albeit with some strides.
  • 24. Boston Celtics (32-50). Rajon Rondo, right, will get his chance at being the solo star after the offseason's overhaul. But first he has to return from a knee injury, and until then, Avery Bradley and company will struggle.
  • 23. Dallas Mavericks (32-50). Dirk Nowitzki, right, and Shawn Marion are the only players left from the Mavs' 2011 championship team. But they're aging, and the roster around them is questionable.
  • 22. Los Angeles Lakers (33-49). Kobe Bryant, left, might miss a couple months, but fellow future Hall of Famers Pau Gasol and Steve Nash could have enough in the tank to keep the Lakers afloat.
  • 21. Utah Jazz (34-48). Gordon Hayward is the only of the Jazz's top five scorers last season who is back for this year. But a promising young core takes over.
  • 20. Toronto Raptors (37-45). Rudy Gay, left, and DeMar DeRozan will have the green light, but can they improve their efficiency enough to boost the Raptors to the playoffs?
  • 19. Minnesota Timberwolves (37-45). Ricky Rubio, right, is one of the faces of a franchise devastated by injuries the past two seasons. If Derrick Williams can contribute and Rubio and Kevin Love (not pictured) can stay healthy, the playoffs should be the next step.
  • 18. Washington Wizards (38-44). When Bradley Beal, left, and John Wall played together, the Wizards were excellent last season. With health, this could be a key corner-turning year.
  • 17. Atlanta Hawks (39-43). The Hawks went with a major overhaul this offseason, but they kept young guards Jeff Teague, left, and John Jenkins, who could blossom in his second year.
  • 16. New Orleans Pelicans (39-43). They have a new nickname, a new court, new jerseys and a 20-year-old in Anthony Davis ready to be the face of a franchise that could sneak into the playoffs after major offseason upgrades.
  • 15. Detroit Pistons (41-41). The Pistons should be a playoff team again after a four-year absence. Second-year center Andre Drummond, in an increased role, figures to play a big part.
  • 14. Portland Trail Blazers (41-41). LaMarcus Aldridge, left, and Damian Lillard lead one of the NBA's best starting lineups, and the bench has been fortified enough to boost playoff expectations.
  • 13. New York Knicks (43-39). The Knicks brought back much of their veteran roster from last season, including Raymond Felton (2), Tyson Chander (6) and star Carmelo Anthon (7). But is it experienced or just old?
  • 12. Denver Nuggets (43-39). After jettisoning coach George Karl and losing swingman Andre Iguodala and general manager Masai Ujiri, the Nuggets are a lot less threatening. But the team that posted the fourth-best record in the NBA last season has strength up front with Kenneth Faried, right, and JaVale McGee.
  • 11. Cleveland Cavaliers (44-38). Kyrie Irving, left, and Tristan Thompson, center, already gave the Cavs a talented young core, with C.J. Miles, right, and others providing experience. The additions of No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett and former All-Star Andrew Bynum boost the Cavs to contenders if they can (miraculously) stay healthy and find a rotation that works.
  • 10. Memphis Grizzlies (47-35). Led by Zach Rand,olph, left, Marc Gasol, center and Tony Allen, the Grizziles have one of the toughest rosters in the NBA but overachieved a little last season.
  • 9. Brooklyn Nets (49-33). Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry (from left) are the headliners as the new additions, but the Nets will lean just as much on Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson (not pictured).
  • 8. Golden State Warriors (53-29). Stephen Curry made his name as a star during the playoffs, and the Warriors took major steps to build around him in the offseason.
  • 7. San Antonio Spurs (54-28). After a resurgent 2012-13 ended in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Gregg Popovich seem likely to return to earth this season. Unless they stubbornly don't.
  • 6. Indiana Pacers (55-27). Paul George (24) and Roy Hibbert (55) are the stars, but the Pacers' balance is what makes them a special team and title contender.
  • 5. Los Angeles Clippers (55-27). When Chris Paul, right, announced he was staying with fellow face-of-the-franchise Blake Griffin, Clippers fans let out a sigh of relief. When the team added coach Doc Rivers and better wings in the aftermath, championship aspirations began to form for Los Angeles' second team.
  • 4. Oklahoma City Thunder (58-24). Kevin Durant, right, found out he can't do it all by himself during the playoffs. Luckily, Russell Westbrook should be ready to go for another title push. But the bench is weaker than ever.
  • 3. Houston Rockets (60-22). How will James Harden, right, and Jeremy Lin play alongside new star Dwight Howard? Expectations are higher than they have been in at least 15 years in Houston.
  • 2. Miami Heat (61-21). Dwyane Wade, left, Chris Bosh, center, and LeBron James are still around. So yes, the Heat will be excellent. But will they match last season with its 27-game winning streak and amazing finish?
  • 1. Chicago Bulls (65-17). Why will the Bulls have the best record in the NBA this season? Start with Derrick Rose's return. When he has played, they've excelled, and the roster he returns to after missing last season is better than any other he's played with.

Posted by Unknown at 11:51 PM

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