Month: March 2010

Jazz to sign Othyus Jeffers to 10-day contract

Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced today that the team will sign guard Othyus Jeffers (pronounced oh-THEE-us) of the NBA Development League’s Iowa Energy to a 10-day contract, pending the outcome of a successful physical.  Jeffers becomes the 18th D-League Call-Up to the NBA this season, and second by the Jazz (Sundiata Gaines).  Following the transaction, the Jazz roster now stands at 13 players.

Jeffers (6-5, 200, Robert Morris University – Chicago) is currently averaging 14.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting .510 from the field through 22 games (16 starts) with Iowa this season.  Jeffers has led the Energy to a D-League best 30-9 record in his second season with the team, reaching double figures in scoring 18 times and registering a double-double in four games.

He began the 2009-10 campaign with NGC Cantu of the Italian League, the same team current Jazzman Sundiata Gaines played for during the 2008-09 season.  The 24-year-old averaged 9.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.7 steals in nine games with Cantu.

A native of Chicago, he was originally selected by the Iowa Energy in the third round (47th overall) of the 2008 D-League Draft.  In his first year with Iowa (2008-09), Jeffers led the Energy to the playoffs and was named the 2009 D-League Rookie of the Year in addition to being a D-League All-Star selection.  Jeffers was also chosen to play for the D-League Select Team in the 2009 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where he averaged 20.5 points and 7.0 rebounds.

Kings sign Garrett Temple to 10-day contract

The Sacramento Kings today signed free-agent guard Garrett Temple to a 10-day contract, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

The former Louisiana State product appeared in nine games for the Houston Rockets this season and posted averages of 5.0 ppg (.448 FG%, .667 FT%), 1.6 rpg, and 0.8 apg. Temple (6-6, 190 lbs.) is a former NBA D-League call-up, having averaged 14.9 ppg (.427 FG%, .372 3pt%, .804 FT%), 3.7 rpg and 3.4 apg in 30 games (started 30) with the 2009-10 Rio Grande Valley Vipers before joining the Rockets.

Temple will wear number 17 with the Kings.

Sacramento’s roster now stands at 15.

Trail Blazers sign Travis Diener

Trail Blazers sign Travis Diener

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed free agent guard Travis Diener, it was announced today by General Manager Kevin Pritchard.

“We’re very happy to have Travis on our roster,” said Pritchard. “He is a veteran point guard who will be a good complement to our existing backcourt.”

Diener (6-1, 175) holds career averages of 4.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 15.1 minutes in 174 games (21 starts) during his five NBA seasons with Orlando and Indiana.

The 28-year-old Diener played in four games for Indiana during the 2009-10 season, averaging 0.8 points, 0.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 6.3 minutes. He underwent surgery to repair an injury to his left big toe on Nov. 20.

After playing his first two NBA seasons in Orlando, Diener posted career highs of 6.9 points, 1.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 20.5 minutes in 2007-08, his first of three seasons with Indiana.

A three-time All-Conference USA selection at Marquette University, Diener was selected by the Orlando Magic with the 38th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft.

Diener becomes the 15th player on Portland’s roster and will wear No. 27.

Bulls sign Chris Richard for rest of season

Bulls sign Chris Richard for rest of season

The Chicago Bulls announced today that they have signed forward Chris Richard for the remainder of the season.

Richard, 25, appeared in five games with Chicago earlier this year and averaged 2.2 rpg, 4.6 rpg and 1.0 apg in 14.4 mpg, before he was waived on Feb. 18.  The 6-9, 256 pound forward returns to the Bulls by way of the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League.  In 12 games (all starts) with Tulsa, he averaged 8.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.17 spg, 1.0 apg and 29.1 mpg.  He shot .568 from the field and .577 from the line with the 66ers.

Chicago’s roster now stands at 15.

Bulls waive Lindsey Hunter

Bulls waive Lindsey Hunter

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has waived guard Lindsey Hunter.

Hunter, 39, signed with Chicago as a free agent on Nov. 13, 2008.  During his one-plus seasons with the Bulls, he played in 41 games and posted 2.1 ppg and 1.1 apg in 9.4 mpg.

InsideHoops.com Reaction: Hunter had a fine NBA career, though it should have ended several years ago. His career shooting average is 38.8%. He averaged 1ppg this season on 16.7% shooting. In 2008-09 he averaged 2.6 ppg on 32.9% shooting. In 2007-08 on Detroit he averaged 2.4 ppgon 34.5% shooting. His previous several seasons weren’t much better.

But he’s definitely got a future as an NBA assistant coach (and then on to a head coach, perhaps) if that’s the direction he wants to take.

We’re a fan of Hunter’s, but wish his career had wrapped up about four years ago!

Anyway, all the best.

Free state tax returns for Nets fans Friday

The New Jersey Nets come up with some seriously cool promotions for fans. Here’s their latest:

Roni Deutch Tax Center, one of the nation’s fastest growing tax preparation franchise companies, will provide all New Jersey residents 18 years and older who attend the NETS-Orlando Magic game at the IZOD CENTER on Friday, March 5 with a coupon for preparation of a free state tax return.

Through a new partnership with NETS Basketball, Roni Deutch Tax Center will have representatives on site at NETS Tax Night on March 5 to answer tax-related questions before and during the game.

In addition, NETS fans who attend any upcoming home game at the IZOD CENTER this season, other than March 5, can receive a coupon in the NETS Game Program good for up to $50 off of tax preparation services at a Roni Deutch Tax Center in Hackensack, Bergenfield, and Fair Lawn. Upon completion of their returns, Roni Deutch customers will also receive NETS tickets for this season, while supplies last.

“My life’s mission is to empower every American to take charge of their tax lives,” said Roni Deutch, president and founder of Roni Deutch Tax Center. “Partnering with NETS Basketball is our opportunity to get involved in the community, ensuring that local taxpayers and basketball fans have the information they need to be prepared this tax season and save big bucks on their taxes.”

Warriors sign Reggie Williams to 10-day contract

The Golden State Warriors have signed forward Reggie Williams to a 10-day contract, the team announced today.

Williams, 23, is a call-up from the NBA Development League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce, where he has appeared in 31 games this season, averaging 26.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.55 steals in 40.0 minutes per contest.  For the season, he has shot 57.6% (298-517 FG) from the field, 41.0% (57-139 3FG) from three-point range and 82.4% (164-199 FT) from the line.  Williams, who currently leads the D-League in scoring amongst all players who meet the statistical minimums to qualify, has scored 20-or-more points 23 times this season, including 12 games of 30-or-more and three 40-plus efforts.

A 6-6, 210-pound forward, Williams played professionally in France last season after going undrafted out of VMI in 2008.  He led the nation in scoring in each of his last two collegiate seasons, averaging 28.1 points per game as a junior in 2006-07, and 27.8 points per game as a senior in 2007-08.

Golden State’s roster now stands at 16 players.  The Warriors are able to add Williams to the roster under the NBA’s hardship rules, which allow a team the ability to sign an additional player if that team already has 15 players on its Active and Inactive Lists and has four-or-more players unable to perform playing services due to injury or illness for an extended period of time.

Williams will wear uniform #55.  He is the 16th Call-Up from the D-League to the NBA this season, and the fifth by the Warriors.

Allen Iverson will not return to 76ers this season

Allen Iverson will not return to 76ers this season

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that guard Allen Iverson will not return to the team for the remainder of the 2009-10 season.

“After discussing the situation with Allen, we have come to the conclusion that he will not return to the Sixers for the remainder of the season, as he no longer wishes to be a distraction to the organization and teammates that he loves very deeply,” Stefanski said. “It has been very difficult for Allen and the team to maintain any consistency as he tries to balance his career with his personal life.”

The team will release any additional updates on Iverson’s status as they become available.

Tim Thomas dealing with personal issue

Eddie Sefko of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports:

Tim Thomas dealing with personal issue

For most of the last two months, Tim Thomas hasn’t been with the Mavericks because some things are far more important than basketball.

The 6-foot-10 forward has been caring for his wife, Tricia, who has been suffering from serious health issues for over a year.

“I had to give up doing something I love to take care of someone I love,” Thomas said in a telephone interview.

During his time away from the team, the Mavericks and Thomas have not commented on the reason for his absence. Every game, the same explanation is given: not with the team, personal reasons.