July 2010 – Page 8 – NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog

Rockets sign Luis Scola, Kyle Lowry

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed restricted free agent forward Luis Scola to a multi-year contract as well as officially matched the offer sheet that restricted free agent guard Kyle Lowry signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers on July 14.

“As we stated from the beginning of this process, Mr. Alexander was committed to bringing back Luis and Kyle,” said Morey. “We felt it was imperative to continue building around our core players and Luis and Kyle are an integral part of our team’s success. Luis and Kyle are the ultimate competitors and we welcome having them back.”

Scola (6-9, 245, Argentina) has posted averages of 13.1 points and 7.9 rebounds along with a field goal percentage of 51.9 percent in 246 career NBA games (203 starts)–all with the Rockets. The former two-time Spanish League MVP and 2004 Olympic Gold Medal winner has increased his output in each of his three Rockets seasons. Last season, he averaged a career-best 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 0.77 steals while playing in all 82 games (82 starts) for the third straight season. Scola also managed to set personal milestones with 26 20-point games and 32 double-doubles, despite receiving additional attention by opposing team defenses due to the absence of Yao Ming. In a game against the New Jersey Nets on 3/13/10, he poured in a personal-best 44 points and 12 rebounds on the way to becoming just the second player in the league last season to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds during the month of March. Scola was originally drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round (56th overall) of the 2002 NBA Draft, prior to being traded to the Rockets on July 12, 2007.

Lowry (6-0, 205, Villanova) owns career averages of 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 0.99 steals in 237 career games (30 starts) with Memphis and Houston. In his second season with the Rockets, he averaged 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and a career-high 4.5 assists in 68 games. He also reached double-digit scoring 30 times in 2009-10, including two 20-point performances. Houston recorded a 5-9 record in the 14 games he missed last season. Lowry was also a driving force in helping the Rockets make one of the NBA’s largest gains in fast-break points from 2008-09 (8.7 ppg) to 2009-10 (14.6 ppg). In 68 games with Lowry in the lineup, Houston averaged 15.2 points off the break. That number dropped to just 11.6 fast-break points per game in the 14 outings Lowry missed in 2009-10. On the defensive end, Lowry stood tied for second in the league in charges drawn (51). He also had streaks of 23 (1/9/10-1/22/10) and 26 (3/17/10-3/27/10) consecutive free throws made. Acquired by Houston from Memphis in a three-team trade on Feb. 19, 2009, Lowry was originally selected by the Grizzlies in the first round (24th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft.

Spurs re-sign Richard Jefferson

The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they have re-signed Richard Jefferson. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Jefferson joined Spurs on June 23, 2009, in a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons. In his first season in San Antonio he appeared in 81 games, averaging 12.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 31.1 minutes while shooting .467 (362-775) from the floor, .316 (59-187) from the three-point line and .735 (208-283) from the free throw line. Jefferson scored in double-figures 54 times, including eight games with 20-or-more points. The former University of Arizona Wildcat posted two double-doubles and led the team in scoring 10 times. He posted a season-high 29 points vs. Dallas on Nov. 11. Jefferson knocked down a 15-foot jump shot with 9.1 seconds left in overtime to give the Spurs a 100-99 win at Oklahoma City on Jan. 13. In the playoffs he started 10 games for the Silver and Black, averaging 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 33.4 minutes.

Prior to joining the Spurs Jefferson spent the 2008-09 season in Milwaukee where he averaged 19.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 35.8 minutes. Before being traded to the Bucks on June 26, 2008, Jefferson spent his first seven seasons with the New Jersey Nets and went to two NBA Finals (2002 vs. the Lakers and 2003 vs. the Spurs). He had a career year in 2007-08 when he averaged 22.6 points (ninth in the NBA), 4.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 39.0 minutes.

In his nine-year NBA career Jefferson has appeared in 652 regular season games, averaging 17.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 31.1 minutes. He has appeared in 88 playoff games averaging 14.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 34.2 minutes in the postseason.

Jefferson played for Team USA in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece and was a member of the 2003 US Team that captured the gold medal at the 2003 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

76ers sign Tony Battie

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the team has signed free agent center Tony Battie. As per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We see Tony Battie as a player who can come in and give us additional depth in the front court while also providing a valuable veteran presence for our younger players both on and off the court,” Stefanski said.

Battie (6-11, 240) recently completed his 12th NBA season and is averaging 6.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 0.90 blocks in 772 career games with 418 starts. He has also appeared in 51 playoff games with 30 starts and was a member of the Orlando Magic’s Eastern Conference Championship team in 2008-09.

Originally the fifth overall pick by Denver in the 1997 NBA Draft, Battie was traded twice following his rookie season, ending up in Boston. After five full seasons with the Celtics, he was sent to Cleveland early into the 2003-04 campaign, which coincided with LeBron James’ rookie season.

In July of 2004, the Cavaliers packaged Battie in a trade to Orlando, one month after the Magic added Dwight Howard with the first overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. Battie spent the next five seasons with the Magic, including 2005-06 when he started all 82 games with averages of 7.9 points and 5.6 rebounds while playing alongside Howard.

Last summer, Battie was traded to New Jersey as part of Orlando’s draft day deal for Vince Carter following the Magic’s run to the NBA Finals in 2009. Battie appeared in 15 games for the Nets last season.

A standout at Texas Tech, Battie left as the Red Raiders all-time leader in blocks despite forgoing his senior season. His brother, Derrick, played basketball at Temple.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Yes, Battie is still alive and well, and in the league. No idea what he has left in the tank. Obvious assumption is that he’s good for 5-8 minutes per game to bang into some people.

Timberwolves sign Luke Ridnour

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed free-agent guard Luke Ridnour. Per team policy, terms of the contract offer were not disclosed.

“Luke’s talent and experience will be helpful to our team this season and beyond,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “He will compete for the starting point guard position this season. But no matter what role Luke is playing, we believe he’ll have a positive influence with our young backcourt, much as he demonstrated last season in Milwaukee.”

Ridnour, 29, played in all 82 games for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2009-10, averaging 10.4 points and 4.0 assists in 21.5 minutes per game. He shot a career-best 47.8 percent from the floor this past season, including career-bests of 38.1 percent from three-point range and 90.7 percent from the free-throw line. The 6-2 point guard has played seven seasons in the NBA with Seattle and Milwaukee, and owns career averages of 9.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists. Ridnour played five seasons with the Sonics before being traded to Milwaukee in a three-team trade on Aug. 13, 2008.

A native of Blaine, Wash., Ridnour had his best season in 2005-06 with the Sonics when he averaged career-bests of 11.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 79 games (77 starts). He has appeared in 18 playoffs games in his career, averaging 9.1 points and 3.3 assists.

Ridnour was the 14th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by Seattle as an early entry candidate out of the University of Oregon. While at Oregon, Ridnour averaged 19.7 points and 6.6 assists during his junior season and was named Pac-10 Conference Player of the Year and won the Pac-10 Tournament MVP Award.

Blazers sign Wesley Matthews

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed guard Wesley Matthews, it was announced today by General Manager Rich Cho. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A restricted free agent, Matthews signed an offer sheet with the Trail Blazers on July 10. The Utah Jazz elected not to exercise its right of first refusal and match the offer.

“Wesley is a great fit for our team both on and off the court,” said Cho. “As only a first-year player last season, he demonstrated a lot of maturity and ability. He’s already one of the best young defenders in the league and offensively he’s an emerging threat. He’s going to add a lot of versatility to our roster.”

Matthews, 23, appeared in all 82 games, including 48 starts, for Utah as a rookie in 2009-10. He averaged 9.4 points (48.3% FG, 38.2% 3-PT, 82.9% FT), 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.78 steals and 24.7 minutes for the Jazz last year.

In his first NBA season, Matthews (6-5, 220) started all 10 of Utah’s 2010 postseason contests, posting averages of 13.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.80 steals in 37.1 minutes.

A four-year player from Marquette University, Matthews went undrafted in the 2009 NBA Draft. He totaled collegiate averages of 13.2 points (44.4% FG, 34.1% 3-PT, 79.9% FT), 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.22 steals and 30.2 minutes in 127 games (117 starts) from 2005-09.

Matthews will wear jersey No. 2.

Hornets president: No infighting between owners

The AP reports:

New Orleans Hornets team president Hugh Weber said Tuesday that the slow pace of the club’s planned ownership change has no bearing on the franchise’s ability to make key changes aimed at building a winner around star guard Chris Paul.

Any perception that the Hornets are shrouded in uncertainty, Weber said, stemmed from little more than typical NBA “gamesmanship” on the part of other NBA clubs looking for an advantage in signing free agents or hiring general manager candidates that New Orleans also is pursuing.

“I’m totally aware of the gamesmanship that happens in this league,” Weber said. “We do have an owner. It’s the same uncertainty as a year ago or two years ago, which is no uncertainty.”

InsideHoops.com editor says:

I haven’t looked into the ownership stuff and therefore won’t comment on it. But as for the Hornets as a basketball team, they have a ton of talent in the backcourt but need to find a small forward worthy of starting. And, they must figure out how to mesh the talents of David West and Emeka Okafor, because the two should have been a more potent combination last season. Okafor provided very little offensively, barely scoring and getting almost no assists, so it’s mostly on him.

Andrew Bynum postpones knee surgery

The AP reports:

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum has postponed his knee surgery.

Lakers spokesman John Black said Tuesday that Bynum pushed back the date of his surgery to correct a meniscus tear in his right knee to July 28.

Bynum injured his knee in Game 6 of the Lakers’ playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

InsideHoops.com editor says:

Stating the obvious, but Bynum should avoid coming back until he’s 100 percent and try to put this injury stuff behind him for good.

Timberwolves to introduce Luke Ridnour Wednesday

The AP reports:

The Minnesota Timberwolves will introduce point guard Luke Ridnour at a press conference on Wednesday.

Ridnour and the Timberwolves agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth $16 million last week. The 29-year-old is being brought in to add some veteran experience to a roster where no other player is older than 25.

InsideHoops.com editor says:

With Jonny Flynn and Ramon Sessions on board and Ridnour joining the party, the point guard position is pretty crowded. Rumors that Sessions is on the trading block have existed for a while now. Maybe he gets dealt in the near future, and perhaps Flynn or the rights to Ricky Rubio will be moved next summer.

Heat sign Juwan Howard

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed free agent forward Juwan Howard. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“This is a great addition for us,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “We feel that Juwan’s ability to play both the four and five spot will be complimentary to what we have put together. He also gives us incredible professionalism and is a perfect fit behind Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem.”

“This is a great opportunity in order to play in the City of Miami for the Heat organization,” said Howard. “I’m looking forward to working hard this upcoming season and contributing in any way I can toward the success of the team both on and off the court.”

Howard has appeared in 1,116 career games (898 starts) with seven teams over 16 seasons. During his career, he has averaged 14.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 32.1 minutes while shooting 47.0 percent from the field and 76.3 percent from the foul line. During the 2009-10 season, Howard averaged 6.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 22.4 minutes, while shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 78.6 percent from the foul line in 73 games (27 starts) for the Portland Trail Blazers. He scored in double-figures 16 times and grabbed 10-plus rebounds seven times.

Howard, who will wear #5 for the Heat, was originally drafted with the fifth pick in the 1994 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards. He spent six-plus seasons in Washington before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks in a mid-season trade during the 2000-01 season. He was then sent to Denver the following season before signing with the Orlando Magic as a free agent during the 2003-04 season. He was acquired by the Houston Rockets during the 2004-05 season and spent three seasons there, before making stops in Dallas (2007-08), Minnesota (Summer of 2007), Denver (2008) and Charlotte (2008-09). He signed with Portland as a free agent in 2009 and spent one season there, before signing with the Heat as a free agent.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Juwan may be 74 years old, but he can still play and is a good veteran backup who can help the Heat.

Suns name Lon Babby President of Basketball Operations

The Phoenix Suns today named distinguished sports attorney Lon Babby the club’s president of basketball operations.

“Our organization is fortunate to have someone of Lon’s experience and talent to head-up our basketball staff,” said Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver. “He brings with him a unique set of skills and a great reputation in the business.”

With almost 35 years as a practicing attorney with Washington, DC-based Williams & Connolly, LLP, Babby brings a wealth of experience as an industry leader in sports and contract negotiations. Identified as one of “Washington’s Top Lawyers” for media and sports law by Washingtonian magazine, one of the “20 Most Influential Agents” in the nation by Sports Business Journal and one of the 100 most powerful in sports by The Sporting News, Babby joins one of the NBA’s most storied franchises, which owns the league’s fourth-highest winning percentage all-time (.561), and becomes only the fourth basketball president in the team’s 43-year history.

One of the industry’s most successful and well-regarded player agents, Babby brings his unique perspective of having represented players for 16 years to the management side. Babby entered player representation in 1994 when he was retained by current Suns forward Grant Hill. Together the pair devised a new model of player representation based on charging players on an hourly basis, rather than the traditional contract percentage. His principled approach became an alternative that appealed to the elite “good guy” athletes and his stable of clients grew to include some of the NBA’s most respected sportsmen, including Boston’s Ray Allen, San Antonio’s Tim Duncan, Houston’s Shane Battier and Hill, a three-time winner of the NBA Sportsmanship Award. Babby also represented marquee Major League Baseball players and the WNBA’s Tamika Catchings.

Babby began his career in sports representing first the NFL’s Washington Redskins (1977-80) and then MLB’s Baltimore Orioles (1979-94). For the Orioles, he was intimately involved in the senior management of the club. He first served as club counsel and then general counsel, overseeing player contract negotiations, advertising and marketing contracts, labor issues and general business matters, including the construction of Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

A graduate of Lehigh University and Yale Law School and former editor of Yale Law Journal, Babby has served as an adjunct professor of law at George Washington University Law School. He began his career as a litigator and handled several high-profile cases including the defense of John Hinckley, Jr., who shot President Reagan. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and in 2007 was elected to the Greater Washington, DC Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

The 59 year-old Babby was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and grew up in Valley Stream, N.Y. He and wife Ellen met at summer camp at age 16 and have been married for 37 years. The couple has a son, Ken (30), who is a senior executive at The Washington Post Company, and a daughter, Heather (26), who is a marketing specialist at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York.