Month: July 2008

Warriors match clippers offer to Azubuike

The Golden State Warriors have matched the contract offer submitted to restricted free agent guard Kelenna Azubuike by the Los Angeles Clippers, it was announced today by Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin.  The Warriors had seven (7) days from receipt of the contract – Friday, July 18 – to match the offer from Los Angeles.  Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced. Various reports have said it’s likely a three-year deal for around $3 million per season, but that’s not official in any way.

“We are pleased to have Kelenna back in the fold,” said Mullin.  “He’s a young and talented player who has continued to improve during his two seasons with our team.  His versatility, athleticism and ability to shoot the 3-pointer certainly fit our style of play. Additionally, we think he will continue to improve and expand his game.”

Azubuike, 24, appeared in 81 games with Golden State last season, averaging career-high figures in scoring (8.1), rebounds (4.0) and minutes played (21.4).  The 6’5” guard scored a career-high 33 points on November 2 against the Clippers, one of 34 double figure scoring outings.  In 17 starting assignments, he averaged 13.1 points and 5.7 rebounds.

The Warriors originally signed Azubuike on January 2, 2007 from the NBA Development League’s Ft. Worth Flyers.  He appeared in 41 games during his rookie campaign, averaging 7.1 points and 2.3 rebounds.  Overall, he has averaged 8.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 122 career NBA games.  The London, England native was never drafted by an NBA team after attending the University of Kentucky for three years (2002-03 – 2004-05).

Warriors sign Richard Hendrix

The Golden State Warriors have signed forward Richard Hendrix, whom the club selected with the 49th overall selection in last month’s NBA Draft, to a contract, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today.  Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

Hendrix, 21, was an early entry candidate for the NBA Draft after playing three seasons at Alabama. As a junior, he earned First Team All-SEC honors after averaging 17.8 points (fifth in SEC), 10.1 rebounds (first in SEC) and 1.94 blocks (fifth in SEC) in 32 contests. He posted 32 career double-doubles and currently ranks 11th on Alabama’s all-time list for career rebounds (849) and 18th in career points (1,327).

The 6’9″ forward is currently playing for the Warriors’ summer league team at the Rocky Mountain Revue in Salt Lake City, Utah.  In three summer league contests overall (Las Vegas and Salt Lake City), Hendrix has averaged 7.0 points and 11.0 rebounds in 20.6 minutes.  Additionally, he’s collected 10 or more rebounds in each of his appearances.

Nuggets sign Chris Andersen

The Denver Nuggets have signed F/C Chris Andersen, team Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

Andersen, 6-10, 228, returns to the Nuggets, the team he began his NBA career with as the first-ever “call-up” from the NBA Development League in 2001. He averaged 4.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 1.31 bpg in three seasons with Denver from 2001-2004.

During the 2007-08 season, Andersen averaged 1.2 ppg and 1.8 rpg in five games for the New Orleans Hornets.

The six-year NBA veteran has posted career averages of 5.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 1.34 bpg in 258 appearances with Denver and New Orleans.

The Wolves Telfair deal

The Minneapolis Star Tribune (Jerry Zgoda) reports: Sebastian Telfair’s three-year deal is worth $7.5 million and breaks down this way: $2.3 million this coming season, $2.5 million in 2009-2010 and he has the option to come back in 2010-2011 for $2.7 million. Craig Smith signed a two-year deal worth $4.8 million that will pay him $2.3 million and $2.5 million a season.

Andrew Gaze on board to help Australia basketball

Australian basketball icon Andrew Gaze was today appointed to the interim board responsible for the merger between Basketball Australia and the NBL, and the overall reform of the sport in Australia.

As Australia’s best known and one of its most successful basketball identities, Gaze is expected to bring a unique perspective to the board. While his insights as a player will undoubtedly be of benefit, it is his commercial and community level experience that will likely generate tangible outcomes for the sport.

Since his retirement in 2005 Gaze has remained a passionate advocate for the sport, playing a central role in the development of grass roots basketball, both as coach of the junior Melbourne Tigers and through his work across a number of community and junior development programs.

“Basketball has been a driving force in my life since an early age, and I have been lucky enough to build a career out of it both as a player and off the court,” said Mr Gaze.

“I am confident my past experience will allow me to make a positive contribution to the review process and I look forward to being part of this exciting new phase in the sport’s development,” said Gaze.

Despite recent setbacks at the national level Gaze believes Australian basketball is in a strong position, and sees a bright future for the sport.

“Basketball is booming at a community level with more than 600,000 people participating in the sport and numbers continuing to grow,” stated Gaze 

“Internationally, Australia is currently ranked 2nd of 213 playing nations on the International Basketball Federation rankings, as a result of the performances of our senior, youth and junior teams, and our four national teams look set to be strong competitors at the Olympics and Paralympics in August and September.”

“The challenge now is to bridge the gap between the grassroots and our world-class national teams and I am confident that the introduction of a single, streamlined structure for basketball will ensure a bright future for the sport in Australia.

“The board recognises that changes are needed, and are committed to making the hard decisions,” said Gaze.  “The results of the independent review will provide us with the managerial and financial blueprint needed to cement basketball’s place as a major spectator and participant sport.”

Gaze’s involvement follows the recent appointment to the board of high profile business identities David Thodey, Group Managing Director for Telstra Enterprise and Government and Diane Sias, Group Executive, Westpac Business & Technology Solutions & Services and the announcement of Basketball Australia Chief Executive Scott Derwin as Interim CEO.

“Andrew is uniquely placed to contribute to the reform as he has seen all sides and stages of the basketball journey first hand, from its fledgling amateur days to its position as a professional national competition consistently producing world-class players,” said Chairman Mr Thodey.

“His appointment is welcomed by the interim board and a strong vote of confidence in our plans for the future of the sport.”

The second stage of the independent report commissioned by the NBL, Basketball Australia and the Australian Sports Commission was completed on 30 June. The Interim Board is expected to announce the revised governance and management structure and future business plan for the sport on 11 October following consultation with key stakeholders.

JR Smith and Russell Westbrook joins USA Select practice team

Guards J.R. Smith, a restricted free agent who played the last two seasons for the Denver Nuggets, and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City NBA), the No. 4 draft choice in the 2008 NBA Draft,will join the 2008 USA Basketball Select Team for the squad’s final day of training against the 2008 USA Men’s Senior National Team, USA Basketball announced today.

Previously announced members of the USA Basketball Select Team roster include: LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers); Jerryd Bayless (Portland Trail Blazers); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City NBA); Jeff Green (Oklahoma City NBA); Luther Head (Houston Rockets); Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); Robin Lopez (Phoenix Suns); Kevin Love (Minnestoa Timberwolves); Kevin Martin (Sacramento Kings); O.J. Mayo (Memphis Grizzlies); Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) and Rodney Stuckey (Detroit Pistons).

As was the case last summer, Oklahoma City head coach P.J. Carlesimo, who served as an assistant with the 1992 U.S. Olympic “Dream Team” and who has been a head or assistant coach of six other USA Basketball teams, is serving as head coach of the USA Select Team and assisting Carlesimo for a second straight summer is Toronto Raptors assistant coach Jay Triano.

Wolves want combo guard

The Minneapolis Star Tribune (Jerry Zgoda) reports: Kevin McHale said he’d like to add a combo guard who can serve as a third point guard, but said he doesn’t currently consider it a pressing issue. He said he’d consider one of the team’s summer league guards — Blake Ahearn looked most like a combo guard from a group that included Drew Neitzel, Pooh Jeter and Bryce Taylor — for that spot when those players decide in the coming weeks whether they will play in Europe or the United States.

Celtics re-sign Eddie House

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have re-signed guard Eddie House. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

“I am excited to have Eddie back this year,” said Danny Ainge, the Celtics’ Executive Director of Basketball Operations/General Manager. “Everyone knows how big Eddie was for us in the Finals this year, and we think Eddie will continue to be a key contributor as we work to win Banner 18.”

House, a 6’1”, 175lb sharp-shooting guard, shot 39 percent from three-point range last season, including 41.2 percent during the NBA Finals, during which he scored nine points in the second half of the Celtics’ record-setting Game 4 comeback win in Los Angeles on June 12th. In his eighth year in the league, Eddie scored in double figures 23 times last season while averaging less than one turnover per game.

Clippers trade Brevin Knight to Jazz for Jason Hart

The Los Angeles Clippers acquired guard Jason Hart from the Utah Jazz in exchange for Brevin Knight, Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor announced today.

With the addition of Hart, the Clippers boast a revamped roster which currently features six new players, including two-time All-Star Baron Davis, two-time All-Defensive First Team member Marcus Camby and the seventh overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft, Indiana product Eric Gordon.

“We are glad to have Jason back with us,” Baylor said. “He played an important role for us when he was here previously, and we think he will be a valuable component this time as well.”

A seven-year NBA veteran, Hart is a native Los Angeleno and attended Inglewood High School. He rejoins the Clippers after appearing in 57 games for the Utah Jazz last season. The 30-year old point guard split the 2006-07 season with Sacramento and the Clippers, playing in 23 games and averaging 9.0 points and 4.0 assists for Los Angeles.

Hart brings back to Los Angeles career averages of 5.2 points, 2.4 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 297 games. He has appeared in a combined 12 playoff games with the Spurs (2003-04) and Kings (2005-06), averaging 2.7 points. The former Inglewood High School star signed with the Jazz as a free agent prior to the 2007-08 season and averaged 2.9 points, 1.5 assists and 1.0 rebounds last year with Utah.

The 6-3, 180 pound point guard enjoyed his best professional season in 2004-05 with Charlotte, appearing in 74 games and averaging 9.5 points, 5.0 assists and 1.1 rebounds per game. The onetime Syracuse University standout began his NBA career with Milwaukee after the Bucks drafted him with the 49th selection of the second round in the 2000 NBA Draft. Hart played in one game with the Bucks during his rookie season.

A native of Livingston, N.J., Knight attended Seton Hall Prep in East Orange, N.J., before playing four seasons at Stanford University (1993-97), where he was a First Team All-American as a senior and won the 1997 Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award as the nation’s most outstanding senior male collegian under six feet tall.

Knight also has his own foundation called Assist by Knight (http://asssistbyknight.org), established in 2002, which focuses on life-enriching activities for disadvantaged youth. 

Spurs sign Anthony Tolliver

The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they signed forward Anthony Tolliver.  Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

The 6-8, 240-pound Tolliver played on the Spurs summer league teams in Las Vegas and at the Rocky Mountain Revue in Salt Lake City.  He averaged 12.3 points and 5.0 rebounds in 23.0 minutes while shooting .571 (12-21) from the field and .615 (8-13) from beyond the arc in three games in Las Vegas.   At the Rocky Mountain Revue Tolliver appeared in all four games, averaging 11.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 26.5 minutes while knocking down 53.3 percent (8-15) of his shots form beyond the arc.

Last season Tolliver played for the Iowa Energy in the NBA Development League.  He appeared in 25 games averaging, 11.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in 27.4 minutes per game while shooting .509 (112-220) from the field.  Prior to joining the Energy Tolliver was in training camp with Cleveland Cavaliers and appeared in three games before being waived.

Tolliver spent four seasons at Creighton University where he averaged 8.1 points and 4.9 rebounds in 124 career games.  As a senior, he averaged 13.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.7 blocks in 33 games and was named first-team All-MVC after being the league’s only player to rank in the top 10 in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots per game.  Tolliver was also named a Senior CLASS Award All-American and a Second-team CoSIDA Academic All-American.