Month: October 2008

James Jones has wrist surgery

The Miami HEAT announced that forward James Jones underwent successful surgery on Saturday, October 18th to repair a ruptured extensor tendon in his right wrist. The surgery was performed by Dr. Ann Ouellette and consulted by HEAT team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick at Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables. Jones is expected to be out three months.

Jones was signed by the HEAT as a free agent on July 9.

Sixers waive Antywane Robinson

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the team has waived Antywane Robinson.  He appeared in three preseason games for the Sixers, playing a total of 15 minutes.  The roster now stands at 15.

Robinson (6-8, 220) played all four seasons at Temple University, earning Atlantic-10 All-Conference Second Team honors his senior season.  In 116 career games played for the Owls, he had 85 steals to 54 turnovers.  He has yet to appear in a regular season game since going undrafted in 2006, but played preseason games for the Atlanta Hawks in 2007.  After being waived by the Hawks, Robinson joined the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the D-League before playing overseas for Elan Bearnais Pau-Orthez of the French League.

InsideHoops.com editor says: The guy’s first name is Antywane?!?

Uncertain McGrady health

The Houston Chronicle (Jonathan Feigen) reports: A day after Tracy McGrady expressed concern about whether he would be ready for the Rockets’ season opener Oct. 29, he was so encouraged by his play in Sunday’s scrimmage-heavy practice that he spoke confidently about playing in the preseason finale Thursday night in Sacramento. “Actually, I felt pretty good today,” McGrady said. “I wanted to really push myself in practice, to start today a push toward the game on Thursday. I came in here, did what I wanted to do, went hard and felt pretty good. “I am (encouraged.) It’s better for my psyche coming out here and knowing I can get up and down and I can do some of the things I had trouble with earlier. Still struggling a little bit defensively, but I’m coming around.”

Yi Jianlian glance

The New York Daily News (Julian Garcia) reports on Nets forward Yi Jianlian’s preseason play so far: Yi has been pretty good offensively (14 ppg) but has struggled to grab rebounds (five in three games) and on the defensive end. Yi admitted he had a hard time with defending the pick-and-roll in his first two preseason games, but Frank said “it’ll happen” as long as Yi continues to work at it and learn how to play aggressively on that end “without committing needless fouls.” Frank added this, too: “I think the thing you can’t discount too is there’s a little bit – not much – but a little bit of a language barrier. So he’s got to do a little bit more thinking initially until he gets comfortable with voice recognition. He’ll get it. It’s just going to take some time.” As for rebounding, Frank said, “In the Olympics he was one of the leading rebounders, so I think he has it in him.”

Cavs starting SG job uncertain

The News-Herald (Bob Finnan) reports: Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said recently the starting job at shooting guard is still up for grabs… Many observers think Sasha Pavlovic will retain that starting job once the regular season starts on Oct. 28 in Boston… Pavlovic missed a week of training camp after spraining his ankle. Veteran Wally Szczerbiak, another candidate for the starting job, has also been bothered by soreness in camp… The plan going into camp appeared to be for Delonte West to start opposite Mo Williams in the Cavs’ backcourt. But he missed 12 days of camp battling depression and a mood disorder and might be better suited coming off the bench.

Celtics waive Darius Miles

The Boston Celtics announced today that the club has requested waivers on forward Darius Miles. The training camp roster now stands at 15.

“Darius was a model citizen during his time here in Boston.  He showed that he still has a lot of basketball left in him.” said Celtics Executive Director of Basketball Operations/General Manger Danny Ainge.

Miles signed as a free agent on August 22, 2008. The 6’9, 235-pound forward appeared in six preseason games, averaging 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in 10.4 minutes per game.

Mavericks waive C.Rhodes

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have requested waivers on forward Charles Rhodes.

Rhodes (6-8, 245) was signed by the Mavericks as a rookie free agent after he went undrafted out of Mississippi State in the 2008 NBA Draft. He saw action in 5 preseason games and averaged 1.0 point and 2.4 rebounds in 6.0 minutes per game.

The Mavericks roster now stands at 18 players.

Bulls waive two players

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has waived forward Elton Brown and guard Darius Washington.

Brown (6-9, 250) appeared in two preseason games with the Bulls and averaged 2.5 ppg and 2.0 rpg in 8.0 mpg.

Washington (6-2, 195) saw action in two preseason games and averaged 8.0 ppg in 13.0 mpg.

Chicago’s preseason roster now stands at 15.

Bucks waive two players

The Milwaukee Bucks have requested waivers on guards Ron Howard and Kevin Kruger, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

In three preseason games with the Bucks, Howard, 25, posted averages of 2.0 points and 1.0 assist per game.

Kruger, 25, played in two games for the Bucks and averaged 4.0 points, 1.5 assists and 1.0 rebound per game.

The Bucks roster currently stands at 16 players.