September 2009 – Page 9 – NBA Blog

Warriors re-sign C.J. Watson

The Golden State Warriors have re-signed restricted free agent guard C.J. Watson to a contract, the team announced today. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced. Multiple reports had suggested it would be a one-year deal. More on that tomorow.

Watson, 25, appeared in 77 games (18 starts) last season, averaging 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.25 steals in 24.5 minutes per contest, while shooting 45.7% from the floor, 40.0% from three-point range and 87.0% from the free throw line. During his 18 starting assignments, his averages jumped to 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.44 steals in 36.2 minutes per game. Among NBA leaders in 2008-09, he ranked 16th in free-throw percentage and 22nd in steals. The University of Tennessee product recorded a career-high 38 points (10-16 FG, 2-4 3FG, 16-16 FT) on April 11 in Golden State’s 118-108 victory at Utah.

“We are happy that C.J. will be returning to our team next season,” said Warriors’ General Manager Larry Riley. “He has taken full advantage of his opportunities since being called-up from the D-League two seasons ago and has worked hard to make himself into a quality NBA player. We look forward to him having another successful season and having a positive impact on our team.”

A two-year NBA veteran who was originally called-up from the NBA Development League by the Warriors on January 8, 2008, Watson has appeared in 109 games with Golden State over the last two seasons, averaging 7.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.02 steals per contest.

Grizzlies sign Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson expected to sign with Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies today released the following statement from General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace.

“The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed in principle to enter into an agreement with free agent guard Allen Iverson. We anticipate signing him to a contract very soon.”

According to the New York Times the deal is a one-year contract for about $3.5 million.

SEPTEMBER 10 UPDATE: The Memphis Grizzlies signed guard Allen Iverson, one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.

“We are excited to announce the signing of Allen Iverson,” Wallace said. “He is one of the all-time great guards in the history of the NBA. This is a great day for the Grizzlies organization, our loyal fans and the city of Memphis.”

A four-time NBA scoring champion and a 10-time NBA All-Star (2000-09), Iverson ranks second among active players in career scoring behind the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Shaquille O’Neal and 16th in NBA history with 23,983 career points.

The 2000-01 NBA Most Valuable Player holds career averages of 27.1 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.22 steals in 41.4 minutes in 886 career games (877 starts) over 13 seasons (1996-09) with the Detroit Pistons, Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers, who originally selected him with the first overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft.

Iverson’s career scoring average ranks fifth all-time behind Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and the 2008-09 NBA MVP LeBron James. One of only four players in NBA history to capture the league’s scoring title four times (1998-99, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2004-05), joining Jordan (10), Chamberlain (7) and George Gervin (4), Iverson places fourth all-time in 40-plus point games (79) and sixth all-time in 50-plus point games (11). He scored a career-high 60 points on Feb. 12, 2005 vs. the Orlando Magic as a member of the 76ers.

The 6-0, 165-pound guard’s extensive list of awards and honors include the NBA Rookie of the Year (1997), All-NBA First Team (1999, 2001, 2005), All-NBA Second Team (2000, 2002, 2003), All-NBA Third Team (2006), NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (2001, 2005) and NBA Rookie Game Most Valuable Player (1997).

Most recently, Iverson split the 2008-09 season with Denver and Detroit, averaging 17.5 points, 5.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 36.7 minutes in 57 games (53 starts). The Pistons acquired the 34-year-old from the Nuggets in exchange for Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb on Nov. 3, 2008. Iverson will face his former team in the Grizzlies’ 2009-10 regular season opener at FedExForum on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The former Georgetown standout also ranks fourth all-time in career minutes per game (41.4), 12th in career steals (1,964) and is the only player in NBA history to lead the league in steals per game in three consecutive seasons (2000-03). Iverson also owns 134 career double-doubles (one in every 6.6 career games).

The Hampton, Va. native enjoyed his most successful season in 2000-01, when Iverson led the 76ers to the Eastern Conference Championship and a berth in the NBA Finals for the first time since the 1982-83 season. During his MVP campaign, Iverson averaged a league-leading 31.1 points, 4.6 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 42.0 minutes in 71 games (all starts).

Iverson, who has helped lead his team to the postseason in nine of his 13 seasons, ranks second all-time in NBA playoffs history in points per game (29.7) and 40-plus scoring games (10), while ranking seventh in steals per game (2.07).

The addition of Iverson gives the Grizzlies an NBA-high four players on their roster who averaged at least 17.0 points per game during the 2008-09 season (Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, Zach Randolph).

The roster currently stands at 15 players.

Trail Blazers sign rookie Jeff Pendergraph

The Portland Trail Blazers signed rookie forward Jeff Pendergraph, General Manager Kevin Pritchard announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Also announced today, Pendergraph will undergo surgery on Wednesday, Sept. 9, to correct a left hip impingement.

“It feels great to officially be a part of the Trail Blazers organization,” said Pendergraph. “I’m here to help this team and contribute in any way that I can. While this is a challenging week with my surgery, it doesn’t change the fact that I’ve accomplished a dream and can proudly wear the Blazers logo. I will do all that I can to recover and get back on the floor.”

“We’re really excited to add Jeff to our team,” said Pritchard. “It’s a bittersweet day, but Jeff has worked his tail off this summer and we know he’s going to put every bit as much into his rehab as he has preparing for the NBA.”

Dr. Marc Philippon of Vail, Colo., will perform the surgery. A timetable for Pendergraph’s return will be determined upon completion of the procedure.

The Trail Blazers acquired the draft rights to Pendergraph from Sacramento in a draft day trade on June 25 in exchange for Sergio Rodriguez, the draft rights to Jon Brockman and cash considerations.

Pendergraph, 22, played four seasons at Arizona State, where he finished with career averages of 12.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.04 blocked shots and a 58.0 percent shooting percentage. As a senior, Pendergraph averaged 14.5 points and was named to the Pac-10’s First Team. His 66.0 percent field goal mark led the nation.

He started all five games for the Trail Blazers in the 2009 NBA Summer League, averaging 10.8 points (55.3% FG), 7.6 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 1.2 blocked shots.

Pendergraph becomes the 13th player on the Trail Blazers’ current roster. He will wear jersey number 31.

Hornets monitoring Peja Stojakovic`s health

John Reid of the New Orleans Times Picayune reports: When New Orleans Hornets small forward Peja Stojakovic reports for training camp later this month, General Manager Jeff Bower and Coach Byron Scott will already know if his previous back problems will be a factor. Two weeks ago, the franchise sent Mark Cranston, Director of Athlete Performance and Rehabilitation, to evaluate Stojakovic at his offseason home in Greece. Last season, the Hornets was unable to get a precise update on Stojakovic’s back condition until he reported for camp.

InsideHoops.com editor says: There’s not a lot of reason to have faith in Stojakovic anymore. At 32 years of age he doesn’t qualify as old just yet, but limited athletic ability combined with health issues could mean he’s best suited as a prime scoring option off the bench rather than as a core starter. Stojakovic averaged just 13.3 points on 39.9% shooting last season and did next to nothing in the playoffs. Hopefully he regains health, stays young and bounces back.

Nets are first NBA team to sell practice jersey sponsorship

New Jersey Nets Basketball player practice jerseys during the 2009-10 season will be adorned with a logo of PNY Technologies, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-quality computing and digital imaging products.

The Nets are the first NBA team to grant sponsor logo placement rights on its practice jerseys

As part of the two-year agreement, PNY will own the naming rights for the Nets practice facility in East Rutherford, to be called the PNY Center.

Launched in Brooklyn in 1985, PNY is now headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, and operates in 13 locations, with products sold in over 50 countries. It is considered a leading manufacturer and supplier of flash memory cards, USB flash drives, solid state drives, computer memory upgrade modules, as well as consumer and professional graphics cards. Whether it’s an SD™ card for a digital camera, a MicroSD™ card for a cell phone or a Graphics Card for a home computer, PNY offers complete solutions for digital lifestyle needs.

“This is an ideal fit between our two companies,” said Nets CEO Brett Yormark. “Our brand attributes line-up perfectly with PNY’s; we’re both about speed, precision, and durability. PNY will be synonymous with the pulse of the Nets, including through brand exposure during post-practice interviews. This unprecedented spotlight provides PNY the compelling opportunity to activate its brand, not just in the nation’s No. 1 media market, but also internationally. Due to the popularity of our players Yi Jianlian and Eduardo Najera, Nets Basketball regularly receives extensive exposure in China and Mexico, respectively.”

“With an array of lifestyle oriented products to engage fans and enhance the overall game experience, PNY is pleased to expand our support of Nets Basketball,” said Tony Gomez, vice president of sales and marketing at PNY. “Our comprehensive alliance allows PNY to further extend our reach to the broad and ever-growing global NBA fan base. On the dawn of our 25th Anniversary, the PNY brand is stronger than ever and our alignment with the Nets and its global media reach will prove to be a key asset in targeting this important international audience.”

In addition to practice jersey branding, the PNY logo will be seen on the media backdrop used for interviews at all practices. PNY logo placement will also be on Nets coaching staff apparel worn at team practices.

As a special feature on the Nets home page of njnets.com, including on the Nets’ two Chinese language Web sites, PNY will sponsor the ‘Live from Practice’ feature. Each day an image of a home practice will be posted on the site, which will also include updated team news.

PNY will also garner brand presence at Nets home games, as well as sponsor many fan-focused activities in the IZOD CENTER, such as the sponsorship of the ‘High 5 Line,’ along with PNY branded prizes and cheer sticks.

Brazil beats Puerto Rico to win 2009 FIBA Americas Championship

Euroleague.net reports: Brazil held on to beat Puerto Rico 60-61 in a tense and exciting final to claim the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championships in San Juan, Puerto Rico. All-Euroleague center Tiago Splitter of Caja Laboral shined with 13 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and Leandro Barbosa netted 24 to lead Brazil to the win. Brazil never trailed and led by as many as 16 in the third quarter, but Puerto Rico rallied and had a chance to win it at the buzzer. Barbosa scored 8 points during a 2-12 second-quarter run that helped Brazil to a 28-36 halftime advantage.

Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic reports (via blog): After sitting out Brazil’s final two quarterfinal round games, Barbosa returned to lead Brazil in scoring twice again. Barbosa posted 22 points in Saturday’s semifinal win against Canada and added 24 points in Sunday night’s gold medal game victory against host Puerto Rico. Playing at San Juan’s Coliseo Roberto Clemente, Brazil needed every one of Barbosa’s points in a 61-60 win. Barbosa scored 21 points in the first three quarters and had Brazil ahead 50-37 entering the fourth quarter, when he went cold with a 1-for-9 quarter that included misses on his last five attempts. For the game, Barbosa was 1 of 8 from 3-point range (9 of 23 overall) but he still outdueled Puerto Rico’s Carlos Arroyo, who scored 14 on 6-of-15 shooting and missed a 3-point shot to win the game.

Euroleague.net reports: Argentina dominated Canada from start to finish to claim the bronze medal with an 88-73 victory. Real Madrid playmaker Pablo Prigioni wrapped up a brilliant tournament with 17 points and 8 assists and former All-Euroleague power forward Luis Scola netted 27 points to lead the Argentinean charge. Scola finished the tournament in first place in scoring with 23.3 points per game, while Prigioni’s 7.4 assists per game was also best in the event.

Warriors team dentist dies

Angela Hill of the Oakland Tribune reports: Dr. Derric DesMarteau, longtime team dentist for the Golden State Warriors, the Oakland Raiders and other sports organizations as well as a highly regarded private dentist with a thriving practice in Piedmont, died Aug. 20 from complications from cancer. He was 58. “He had such a love of dentistry, such an unbelievable passion for it,” said Rhonda Nelson, who worked with DesMarteau for 17 years as his office manager. “He could work magic with people. Patients came to him when other dentists said they’d given up on them, so he would often get unusual cases and restore their whole mouths.”

Lamar Odom dating Khloe Kardashian

Janis Carr of the Orange County Register reports (via blog): Reality TV star (and we use that term loosely) Khloe Kardashian will be the newest celeb Lakers fan sitting courtside, thanks to her boyfriend Lamar Odom. “They’re very, very happy,” the Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami star’s sister, Kim Kardashian, tells PEOPLE magazine. “They’ve been together a few weeks, and are literally inseparable. Khloe thinks he’s amazing and makes her laugh and smile constantly.”

InsideHoops.com editor says: As fun as Kim looks, my favorite Kardashian girl is Kourtney.

Francisco Garcia breaks finger

Sacramento Kings swingman Francisco Garcia fractured his right ring finger while playing for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship. He will not play in the remainder of the tournament and will return to Sacramento late next week, at which time the injury will be further evaluated. Garcia is entering his fifth NBA season (all with the Kings).

Beno Udrih has left knee strain

Sacramento Kings’ guard Beno Udrih strained his left knee while playing for the Slovenian national team. Per Udrih’s representatives, an MRI was taken and was negative. He will remain with the Slovenian team and be evaluated by the Kings’ medical staff when he returns to Sacramento in late September. Udrih is entering his sixth NBA season, and third with the Kings.