Month: July 2009

Indiana Pacers re-sign Josh McRoberts

The Indiana Pacers announced Wednesday they have re-signed free agent forward Josh McRoberts to a multi-year contract. Per club policy, teams of the contract were not closed. We’ll post contract info tonight.

“We are very pleased to have Josh back,” said Pacers President of Basketball Larry Bird. “He’s another player who fits into the core group of guys we want to build around. He worked very hard the last year to improve his game, I know he will continue to work and improve and be part of what we are trying to build.”

The 6-10 McRoberts, acquired in a trade July 9, 2008, from Portland, played 33 games for the Pacers, averaging 2.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.

“I was thrilled last summer when the Pacers brought me back home,” said McRoberts, from Carmel, IN. “I have the same feeling now that they thought enough of me to bring me back. This is home and I want to be part of what the Pacers are trying to do.”

Coach K and same assistants to continue coaching Team USA basketball

They’re back! The 2006-08 USA Basketball Men’s National Team coaching staff of head coach Mike Krzyzewski (Duke University), and assistants Jim Boeheim (Syracuse University), Mike D’Antoni (New York Knicks) and Nate McMillan (Portland Trail Blazers), a staff that led the American men to gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a three year record of 36-1, will return intact to lead the USA Basketball Men’s National Team program in 2010-2012.

USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo officially announced today that Basketball Hall of Fame mentor Krzyzewski will return as head coach of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team program for 2010-2012, and that Boeheim, D’Antoni and McMillan were returning as USA assistant coaches.

Over the course of 2010-2012, USA Men’s National Teams will compete in the 2010 FIBA World Championship (Aug. 28-Sept. 12 in Turkey); if necessary the 2011 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament (dates and site TBD); and if the USA qualifies, the 2012 Summer Olympic Games (July 26-Aug. 12 in London, England).

Sacramento Kings sign Sean May

The Sacramento Kings and forward Sean May today reached an agreement in principle on a contract, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are all excited to have him join the team,” said Petrie. “It’s a great opportunity for him and us as well. We look forward to this being a chance for him to combine his talent with his health and motivation.”

May amassed career averages of 8.5 points (.457 FGs, .333 3FGs, .760 FTs), 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game through 82 games with the Charlotte Bobcats in three seasons, sitting out the 2007-08 campaign due to injury. His best year, statistically, occurred during 2006-07 when he averaged 11.9 points (.500 FGs, .667 3FGs, .768 FTs), 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game over 35 contests.

The 13th pick of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Bobcats out of the University of North Carolina, May led the Tar Heels to the 2005 NCAA National Championship and was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

AUGUST 3 UPDATE: KINGS OFFICIALLY SIGN SEAN MAY

The Sacramento Kings today signed forward Sean May to a contract, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are all excited to have him join the team,” said Petrie. “It’s a great opportunity for him and us as well. We look forward to this being a chance for him to combine his talent with his health and motivation.”

May amassed career averages of 8.5 points (.457 FGs, .333 3FGs, .760 FTs), 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game through 82 games with the Charlotte Bobcats in three seasons, sitting out the 2007-08 campaign due to injury. His best year, statistically, occurred during 2006-07 when he averaged 11.9 points (.500 FGs, .667 3FGs, .768 FTs), 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game over 35 contests.

The 13th pick of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Bobcats out of the University of North Carolina, May led the Tar Heels to the 2005 NCAA National Championship and was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

Antonio Burks shot in robbery

The AP reports: Former Memphis Grizzlies and University of Memphis point guard Antonio Burks remains in critical condition a day after being shot during a robbery… The Commercial Appeal quoted police as saying Burks and four other men were in the backyard of a Memphis house when they were robbed by three men. They shot Burks and another man, whose identity was not released. Police said the second victim also was in critical condition.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports: Former Memphis Tiger and Grizzly Antonio Burks was shot as he watched six men gamble with dice in the backyard of a home in South Memphis, according to police. Three armed robbers came around both sides of the house at 353 Laclede just before 6 p.m. Monday and began firing immediately, a victim told police. The robbers, who arrived in a purple or blue GMC Equinox or Envoy and weren’t wearing masks, forced the victims to the ground and robbed them of money and their clothes. One victim, identified by police as Vincent Williams, 44, was shot in the stomach and robbed of $300.

Philadelphia 76ers sign 2009 first round draft pick Jrue Holiday

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the team has signed Jrue Holiday, the 17th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.  Holiday (6-3/180) was an early entry candidate for the draft following his freshman season at UCLA.

All players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft are guaranteed a contract, so this is an expected, routine signing.

The 19-year-old was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team last season after averaging 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 steals in 35 games played.  Holiday was paired in the Bruins backcourt along with senior Darren Collison who was selected with the 21st overall pick by New Orleans.

Earlier this month, Holiday started all five games for the Sixers/Nets entry in the Orlando Pro Summer League.  He averaged 8.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, a team-high 3.0 assists and a team-high tying 1.60 steals in 29.0 minutes per game.

The 2008 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Holiday averaged 25.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 4.8 steals during his senior season at Campbell Hall High School in California.

Maine Red Claws name Austin Ainge head coach

The Boston Globe (Chad Finn) reports (via blog): The first coach in Maine Red Claws history has a familiar last name and a family tie to one of the NBA Developmental League franchise’s parent clubs, the Celtics. The Red Claws introduced Austin Ainge as the team’s head coach. Ainge, 27, who was most recently a scout for the Celtics, is the son of Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge… Ainge spent last season as scout with the Celtics, where included working with rookies J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker while they were on assignment with Utah of the D-League.

Orlando Magic to sign Matt Barnes

The Orlando Magic are about to land help at the swingman spots. Yahoo (Adrian Wojnarowski) reports:

In an aggressive summer of spending, the Orlando Magic have agreed with Matt Barnes on a two-year, $3.2 million contract, a league source said Monday night… The deal includes a player option of $1.6 million in 2010-11, the source said. Barnes will sign the agreement on Tuesday.

Assuming  the deal happens, it’s a good move for the Magic. Barnes will help their bench. With new shooting guard Vince Carter likely starting and Rashard Lewis probably sliding from power forward to his natural small forward position, Mickael Pietrus and Barnes will provide nice backup minutes at the SG and SF spots.

Last season with the Phoenix Suns Barnes averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 27.0 minutes per game.

Steve Nash to sign contract extension with Phoenix Suns

The AP reports: Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns have agreed on a two-year, $22 million contract extension, his agent said. Bill Duffy confirmed the agreement Monday in an interview with The Associated Press. The deal will keep the two-time MVP point guard under contract with the Suns through the 2011-2012 season… Under the agreement, $6 million of the final two years of the contract will be deferred, with $3 million being paid in each of the two years following the expiration of the contract, Duffy said.

Miami Heat re-sign Joel Anthony

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have re-signed center Joel Anthony. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Anthony, who originally signed with the HEAT as a free agent on July 3, 2007, has appeared in 89 career games (29 starts). During his two-year NBA career, all with Miami, he has averaged 2.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.39 blocks and 17.4 minutes while shooting 47.8 percent from the field and 62.1 percent from the foul line. In his 29 career starts, he has averaged 3.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.41 blocks in 19.8 minutes. He owns the franchise record for the most blocks off the HEAT bench during a single game after he blocked six shots off the bench at Indiana on Mar. 31, 2008. Anthony currently ranks 16th on the HEAT’s all-time blocked shots list with 124.

During the 2008-09 season, Anthony appeared in 65 games (28 starts) and averaged 2.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.43 blocks and 16.1 minutes while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 65.2 percent from the foul line. He finished second on the team in total blocks (93) and blocks per game (1.43) and tied for fourth in offensive rebounds (89). He led the team in blocks 26 times and blocked a shot in a career-tying seven consecutive games from Dec. 12 thru Dec. 26, 2008. He scored a career-high 12 points while grabbing a career-high 13 rebounds at Memphis on Dec. 14. Additionally, he appeared in six postseason games (two starts) totaling 10 points, 19 rebounds and seven blocks while shooting 4-of-5 from the field and a perfect 2-of-2 from the foul line.

Utah Jazz new radio play-by-play announcer is David Locke

Randy Rigby, Utah Jazz team president announced today that David Locke has been selected as the radio play-by-play announcer for Jazz broadcasts on 1320 KFAN beginning with the 2009-10 season. Locke becomes only the second radio voice in franchise history, following “Hot” Rod Hundley who retired after 35 seasons with the Jazz.

“When I was a young kid I would leave Jazz games at the Salt Palace with my dad and when we would listen to Hot Rod on the way home, I would tell him ‘I want to be a broadcaster,’” said Locke.  “To be offered that opportunity from the franchise whose posters hung on my wall as a kid is an amazing thrill. I am excited to go on the journey through the season with Jazz fans. Combining both the radio show and the play-by-play should bring fans closer to the team than ever before and give them a new glimpse inside the season.”

Locke brings more than 15 years of broadcast experience to the Jazz. His NBA play-by-play résumé includes one season as the radio voice of the Seattle SuperSonics (2006-2007). In addition Locke spent seven seasons as the play-by-play announcer for the WNBA’s Seattle Storm (2000-2006), one season as the television play-by-play voice for University of Washington football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball (2002-2003) and one season as the TV/radio announcer of the WNBA’s Utah Starzz. Locke also filled in for “Hot” Rod Hundley, calling the Jazz game at Toronto on March 8, 2009.

“We are very excited to have David on board as the radio voice of the Utah Jazz,” said Rigby. “Following a legend like ‘Hot’ Rod Hundley is not an easy task but we are confident we found the best equipped person for the job. David is a dedicated professional who is very passionate about Jazz basketball and we believe Jazz fans will embrace his broadcast style.”

The Palo Alto, Calif. native currently hosts the top-rated sports radio show “Locked On Sports,” which will continue as scheduled from 3-6 p.m. (MT) each weekday. For the past two seasons Locke has also served as host of the Jazz’s pregame, halftime and postgame radio shows on 1320 KFAN.

“David brings a unique perspective to our fans,” said Jazz Senior Vice President of Broadcasting Chris Baum. “Much like he has with his radio show, Locke will continue to implement social media into his broadcasts, making information on the Jazz available 365 days a year.”

Locke originally began his radio career in Los Angeles in 1992 at KIEV before moving to Salt Lake where he hosted the morning show at The Score. Locke then left for KISN as the station’s mid-day radio host where he also was a pre and postgame reporter for Jazz games. In 1995 he was hired to develop 1320 KFAN, serving as program director and afternoon drive host while also hosting the Jazz’s pregame, halftime and postgame shows. With Locke at the helm, 1320 KFAN was the highest rated sports station in the Salt Lake City demographic of men 25-54. Locke’s show reached its peak in the spring of 1998, ranking first in both FM and AM radio with adults 25-54 in the country. In 1998 Locke moved to the Northwest, spending eight years as the host of “Sonics Talk,” the Sonics’ radio pregame, halftime and postgame shows on Sports Radio 950 KJR AM. Locke also wrote a weekly column for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper.