Day: October 14, 2008

NBA suspends Telfair 3 games

Sebastian Telfair of the Minnesota Timberwolves has been suspended without pay for three games for pleading guilty to criminal possession of a weapon, in violation of the laws of the State of New York, the NBA announced today.

Telfair will be suspended for the first three games of the 2008-09 NBA regular season for which he is eligible and physically able to play.

The following statement is from Minnesota Timberwolves VP of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale regarding today’s three-game suspension of Sebastian Telfair by the NBA: “I’ve talked to Sebastian about the incident. This is something that happened in the past, and he is looking forward to putting this behind him. Since he has been a member of the Timberwolves, Sebastian has been a great teammate and has been actively involved in the community. I couldn’t be more proud of Sebastian’s continued improvement as a basketball player and as a young man.”

Bobcats waive two players

The Charlotte Bobcats today requested waivers on guards Donell Taylor and Marcus Williams. The Bobcats roster now stands at 15 players.

Taylor appeared in two preseason games with averages of 1.0 point, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 8.0 minutes. Williams averaged 1.0 point and 1.5 rebounds in 5.5 minutes.

The Charlotte Bobcats will host their annual Cool School preseason game presented by Harris Teeter for middle school students at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 16 against the Orlando Magic. Approximately 16,000 students and teachers representing 31 regional cities and 14 counties will take part in this educationally geared event.

Hawks waive two players

The Atlanta Hawks today requested waivers on Marcus Hubbard and Frank Robinson, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Rick Sund. Atlanta’s roster stands at 15 players.

Atlanta hosts Phoenix in preseason play tomorrow at Philips Arena (7 p.m.).

InsideHoops.com editor says: They were ‘training camp’ players with nonguaranteed contracts. It’s standard that most such players wind up getting cut.

Oct 13: Thunder 110, Rockets 104

The AP reports: Kevin Durant shrugged off a late injury and scored 20 of his 26 points in an electrifying final 8 minutes to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder past the Houston Rockets 110-104 on Monday night for their first preseason win… Aaron Brooks scored 20 off the bench to lead the Rockets, D.J. Strawberry added 16 and Yao Ming had 15 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks in one half of action— playing the first and third quarters. Nick Collison had 21 points off the bench, Desmond Mason scored 16 and Chris Wilcox added 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Thunder.

Oct 13: Grizzlies 103, Pacers 95

The AP reports: Rookie guard O.J. Mayo scored 26 points, including six 3-pointers, to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 103-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night… In addition to Mayo’s contributions, the Grizzlies got production from another rookie. Marc Gasol, brother of former Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol, scored 14 points and had 10 rebounds in 35 minutes. Rudy Gay finished with 16 points. T.J. Ford had 18 points for Indiana (1-2). Jarrett Jack and Roy Hibbert each added 17.

Oct 13: Hawks 88, Bobcats 87

The AP reports: Acie Law’s basket with 4.5 seconds left lifted the Atlanta Hawks to an 88-87 preseason win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday night. Law started at point guard in place of Mike Bibby, who was out with a strained right oblique muscle. The second-year player scored 12 points. Joe Johnson paced the Hawks (3-1) with 17 points, Josh Smith added 16 and Al Horford grabbed nine rebounds. Atlanta also got contributions from its two major offseason acquisitions; Maurice Evans had 12 points and Flip Murray 11… Jason Richardson, the only Charlotte player in double figures until the closing minutes, scored 19 points to lead the Bobcats. D.J. Augustin, the Bobcats’ first-round pick at No. 9 overall, had 11 points, six assists and three rebounds in 25 minutes. Raymond Felton doled out 11 assists.