Month: July 2009

Washington Wizards announce flagship radio station

The Washington Wizards and WJFK-FM announced today that the new Sportsradio 106.7 The Fan will serve as the team’s flagship radio station.  Sportsradio 106.7 will air all Wizards regular season, preseason and postseason games, as well as pre-game and post-game shows before and after all Wizards broadcasts.  Dave Johnson, the longtime radio voice of the Wizards, will continue to serve as the broadcast voice for play-by-play, while Glenn Consor will once again provide analysis.

“We’re very excited to partner with WJFK and to be a part of the new Sportsradio 106.7 The Fan,” said Wizards Executive Vice President Matt Williams.  “The Fan has put together a very exciting daytime lineup, and Wizards fans will be able to follow every minute of Wizards basketball on an FM signal, a concept that has proven to be very successful with other NBA teams.  With All-Star Gilbert Arenas returning to the Wizards lineup, joining fellow All-Stars Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, this should be an exciting season to debut for Wizards games on Sportsradio 106.7 The Fan.”

“We are proud to partner with the Wizards as their flagship,” said Sam Rogers, Senior Vice President and Market Manager of CBS RADIO Washington, DC.  “We are looking forward to broadcasting the pre-season, regular season, postseason and the championship.  The Wizards are key to our success.  It is an honor to bring fans in the DC area a new outlet to discuss, analyze and listen to their favorite teams, as well as the best in local sports.  With CBS RADIO’s recent success in the FM sports arena, along with the company’s world renowned AM sports stations, Sportsradio 106.7 The Fan is poised to be the next generation of sports programming for our area.”

Carlos Boozer expects an eventual trade

The Deseret News (Tim Buckley) reports on Utah Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer: According to a transcript from WMVP 1000-AM, the ESPN affiliate in Chicago, Boozer — who has not spoken to Utah media since the Jazz’s season ended in late April — said this when asked if he thought he’d be dealt: “Yeah, I do. I had a talk with the Jazz. The Jazz told me they want to go in a different direction and I respect their decision. We mutually agreed to work out a trade that was beneficial for them and beneficial for my family and me. So with that being said I’m gonna be traded relatively soon or in good time.”

Josh Childress staying in Greece for 2009-10

Josh Childress staying in Greece for 2009-10

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (via blog): Josh Childress is going back to Greece.  The former Hawks swingman said he is returning to Olympiakos for the 2009-10 season and will not opt out of his contract and return to the NBA.  “I still have some unfinished business to tend to,” Childress said by phone early Tuesday morning. “I definitely have unfinished business in Greece.” … The Hawks own his NBA rights and will continue to do so, provided they extend him a qualifying offer again next summer. His status as a restricted free agent allows the Hawks to match any offers made to him by other NBA teams.

Chicago Bulls buy out, waive Tim Thomas

The Chicago Bulls today made a settlement with forward Tim Thomas.  In accordance with that move, the Bulls have requested waivers on Thomas. ESPN reports that Thomas had one season left (at nearly $6.5 million) on his deal.

Thomas joined the Bulls on Feb. 19, 2009 in a four-player trade with the New York Knicks.  In 18 regular season games with Chicago last season, he averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 14.1 mpg, and shot .400 from the field, .442 from downtown and .700 from the line.  The 32-year old Thomas has averaged 11.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.6 apg and 14.1 mpg for six different teams over his 12-year career in the NBA.

Blake Griffin rocks first summer league game

The AP reports: Blake Griffin scored seven points in the opening 75 seconds of the Clippers’ first NBA Summer League game and finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds in a 93-82 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. “Right now, just like everyone else, I’m trying to show my coaches and teammates what I can do,” Griffin said. “It was just another game. I was relaxed. I hadn’t played a game in months, so it was nice to get back out there.” … With NBA commissioner David Stern sitting courtside at the Thomas & Mack Center, the 6-foot-10 Griffin went 6 of 6 from the field in the first half and didn’t miss a shot until the third quarter. He finished 11 of 15 from the field and played 29 minutes.

New Orleans Hornets promote Rob Werdann to assistant coach

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have promoted Rob Werdann to the position of assistant coach. Werdann has spent the last five seasons as an advance scout for the Hornets.

“We’re excited to add Rob to our staff,” said Head Coach Byron Scott.  “He has experience as a player in the NBA and has been with this organization for many years. He is an excellent worker with our big guys and I think it is a perfect fit.” 

Werdann has coached in the NBA D-League, spending three seasons as an assistant coach for the Columbus Riverdragons. He began his coaching career as an assistant for the Yakima Sun Kings of the CBA, spending the 2000-01 in Yakima.

“I am thrilled for this opportunity,” Werdann said. “I have had the fortune to work for the Hornets as a scout for the past few years and can not wait to join Coach Scott and the staff.”

Werdann was the 46th overall choice of the Denver Nuggets in the 1992 NBA Draft out of St. John’s University. The 6’11” center played in three NBA seasons with the Nuggets and New Jersey Nets.

In college, Werdann played four seasons (1988-92) at St. John’s University under legendary coach Lou Carnesecca. The Sunnyside, Queens native ranks as the school’s all-time leader in blocked shots with 181, despite playing just 12 games his senior season due to a severe calf injury.

While at St. John’s, Werdann made three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, helping the school to a Big East Championship and the NCAA Regional Finals his junior year (1990-91). As a freshman, Werdann played a pivotal role in St. John’s capturing the 1989 NIT Championship.

A well-recruited big man in high school, Werdann earned McDonald’s High School All-American honors his senior season (1988) and was a teammate of former NBA guard Kenny Anderson at Archbishop Molloy High School in New York City.

Charlotte Bobcats sign second-round draft pick Derrick Brown

Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has signed second-round draft pick Derrick Brown. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 40th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Brown earned Second Team All-Atlantic 10 honors last season as a junior at Xavier University.  The 6-8 forward led the team in rebounding (6.1 rpg) and three-point percentage (.433) and ranked second in scoring (13.7 ppg) and field goal percentage (.504).  Brown ranked among the Atlantic 10 conference leaders in scoring (15th), rebounding (T-10th) and free-throw percentage (10th).  He scored in double figures 27 times, including four double-doubles.

In 106 career games at Xavier before declaring for the 2009 NBA Draft, Brown averaged 10.3 points and 5.6 rebounds, while shooting .573 from the field and .415 from beyond the three-point line.  Brown, who was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team in 2006-07, ranks 36th on Xavier’s all-time scoring list with 1,096 points in his career.

“I’m blessed to be in this position,” Brown said.  “I’m looking forward to getting in here soon and working hard to show everyone that the Bobcats made a great pick.”

Atlanta Hawks re-sign Mike Bibby, Zaza Pachulia

The Atlanta Hawks have signed unrestricted free agents Mike Bibby and Zaza Pachulia to new contracts, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

“We are very pleased to keep Mike as part of our team,” Sund said. “His consistent production and leadership over the last year-and-a-half have been major components to the team’s success. In all of our postseason meetings and discussions, Coach Woodson stressed the importance of keeping him on board. Mike’s own desire to return to our team speaks to the confidence he has in the direction of the franchise, and in his teammates and coaches.”

Last year, Bibby became one of the league’s most dangerous long-range threats in his first full season in Atlanta, finishing 8th in the NBA with 167 3FGM (the sixth-most in a season in Hawks history), hitting .390, the third-best percentage of his career. He concluded the season averaging 14.9 ppg, 5.0 apg, 3.5 rpg and 1.2 spg in 34.7 mpg (.435 FG%, .789 FT%) in 79 starts.

Bibby came to the Hawks from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, Shelden Williams, Lorenzen Wright and a 2008 second-round draft pick on February 16, 2008. He has played in 802 career regular season games and 69 playoff contests, including all 11 during the Hawks’ run into the second round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs.

“Zaza is a valuable piece of our frontcourt rotation,” Sund added. “In addition to his rebounding ability and scoring touch, his hustle and passionate play have connected with his teammates and the fans. He has excelled off the court as well, becoming a fixture in the Atlanta community.”

Pachulia appeared in 77 games last season (26 starts), and averaged 6.2 ppg and 5.7 rpg (career-high .497 FG%, .709 FT%). He also tied for 30th in the NBA in offensive rpg (2.2). Pachulia played in all 11 postseason games (one starting assignment), and put in 6.9 ppg and 6.9 rpg, including 18 rebounds in the First Round game four win in Miami.

The Republic of Georgia native originally signed with the Hawks as a restricted free agent on August 11, 2005. He was selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic.

Orlando Magic match Dallas Mavericks offer and retain Marcin Gortat

The Orlando Magic have exercised its right of first refusal and retained restricted free agent center Marcin Gortat, General Manager Otis Smith officially announced today.  Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.  Several media outlets had reported that the deal was for five years, $34 million.

Orlando had seven days to match an offer sheet made to Gortat by Dallas on July 8.

“Having quality big men is an absolute must in our league, and Marcin (Gortat) has worked very hard to fit into that category,” said Smith.  “He provides tremendous depth to our frontcourt and we’re happy to bring him back.”

Gortat (#13, 6’11”, 240, 2/17/84) played in 63 games last season with the Magic, averaging 3.8 ppg. and 4.5 rpg. in 12.6 minpg., while shooting .567 (106-187) from the field.  He started in three outings, averaging 10.0 ppg., 11.7 rpg., 1.7 apg. and 3.00 blkpg. in 33.7 minpg. during that span.  Gortat led (or tied) the team in rebounding seven times, including a career-high 18 rebounds on Apr. 13 @ Milwaukee.  He recorded four double-doubles and scored a career-best 16 points on Dec. 15 @ Golden State.  During the playoffs, Gortat appeared in all 24 games, averaging 3.3 ppg. and 3.2 rpg. in 11.3 minpg., while shooting .654 (34-52) from the floor, helping Orlando reach the NBA Finals.

Originally selected by Phoenix during the second round (57th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft then traded to the Magic on draft night, Gortat has played in 69 career NBA regular season games, all with Orlando, averaging 3.7 ppg. and 4.4 rpg. in 12.1 minpg.  He has also appeared in 32 career playoff games, averaging 2.8 ppg. and 2.6 rpg. in 10.0 minpg.

Toronto Raptors sign Jarrett Jack

The Toronto Raptors announced Monday they have signed restricted free-agent guard Jarrett Jack to an offer sheet. Per team policy, financial details were not disclosed. We’ll add contract info later today.

The Indiana Pacers received the offer sheet today. Under the terms of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, they will have seven days beginning Tuesday to match the Raptors’ offer.

Jack averaged a career-high 13.1 points, with 3.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 33.1 minutes in 82 games last season. He has appeared in 322 career games, averaging 10.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 28.6 minutes.

Jack, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, has averaged 80.5 games a season in his four-year NBA career with Portland and Indiana.

JULY 20 UPDATE: PACERS DECLINE TO MATCH OFFER

The Indiana Pacers announced Monday they will not match the offer sheet Toronto issued to restricted free agent guard Jarrett Jack.

“It was a very difficult decision because Jarrett proved last season what he can bring to a team,” said Pacers President of Basketball Larry Bird. “We thank Jarrett for his contributions to the Pacers, both on and off the court, and wish him the best in Toronto.”

Jack was acquired by the Pacers in a five-player trade July, 9, 2008. In his one season with the Pacers, Jack played in all 82 games, averaging a career-high 13.1 points.