September 2010 – Page 6 – NBA Blog

New NBA uniforms are called NBA Revolution 30

The AP reports:

The new uniforms, called the NBA Revolution 30, were introduced Wednesday by the league and Adidas at the NBA Store. The company says the uniforms are 30 percent lighter and will dry twice as fast as previous uniforms.

The old uniforms became so heavy once wet that some players changed uniforms at halftime. In the new model, Adidas changed the numbers from a dense material to a breathable mesh.

”I actually thought when I first got them on that the jerseys had a cooling system on the inside to keep your body cool, something like an air conditioner in your jersey,” said Howard, who has an endorsement contract with Adidas. ”That’s what it feels like.”

The Revolution 30, made from 60 percent recycled materials, was tested over four years and will debut this season.

Jason Richardson must step up this season

Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic reports:

Jason Richardson and the Suns need the same thing – a big season from him. Phoenix needs his scoring with Amar’e Stoudemire gone, and Richardson needs to play well and win to set up his next contract. He will be paid $14.4 million this season and said there has been preliminary talks about an extension that could keep him from becoming a free agent next summer.

“I feel like I’m going to college,” Richardson said. “I’ve got to pick a decision. It’s going to be fun. I’m not even worried about it. What happens, happens. If I get an extension here, I would love to be here and maybe finish my career here. It’s a business. You never know. There’s no pressure on me to go out and perform just because it’s my contract year. I’m always a firm believer that if you work hard, things will come out your way.”

Richardson said he is ready to be a first or second option again. He worked this summer on mid-range shooting and ball handling because of how he was run off the 3-point line last season.

Phoenix Suns Jason Richardson (L) heads up court on a fast break as Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant (R) watches in the first quarter of Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference Finals at the US Airways Center, in Phoenix, AZ, May 23,2010. . UPI/Art Foxall Photo via Newscom

Cleveland Cavaliers sign Jawad Williams

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Jawad Williams to a contract, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today. Per league and team policy, terms of the contract were not announced. The Cavaliers extended a qualifying offer to Williams on June 30th.

In 54 games (six starts) during the 2009-10 season, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged a career-best 4.1 points on .393 shooting and 1.5 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game.

Former Lakers trainer Frank O’Neill dies at 81

Frank O’Neill, Lakers trainer from 1960-1974, died Tuesday at his home in Playa del Rey from congestive heart failure. He was 81.

O’Neill, who took over training duties when the Lakers moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles, received his training to become an athletic trainer while attending the University of Florida. He earned his certificate as a physical therapist while in the Navy and worked with the Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles and the University of Southern California before joining the Lakers.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Frank O’Neill,” said Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak. “Frank was a highly respected trainer and played an integral part in bringing our first championship to Los Angeles in 1972. Our condolences and prayers go out to his family.”

Born on May 25, 1929, O’Neill is survived by his four children Frank, Jr., Patricia, Michael and Mark; and six grandchildren.

Rockets sign Antonio Anderson and Jordan Eglseder for training camp

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed guard Antonio Anderson and center Jordan Eglseder.

Anderson (6-6, 215, Memphis) averaged 16.2 points (.487, 242-497 FG), 6.1 assists and 1.25 steals in 40 games (40 starts) with Houston’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner Rio Grande Valley, helping guide the Vipers to the 2009-10 D-League championship. He was named to the All-NBA Development League Third Team and participated with the Western Conference in the 2010 D-League All-Star Game. Anderson’s efforts earned him a GATORADE Call-Up to the NBA, signing a 10-day contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 22 and inking a second 10-day contract on Mar. 5. As a collegian, Anderson played four seasons at the University of Memphis. He was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and earned All-Defensive Team honors for three straight seasons.

Eglseder (7-0, 280, Northern Iowa) finished his four-year career at Northern Iowa with averages of 9.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.02 blocks in 118 games (75 starts). The first 7-footer to ever hit the hardwood with UNI, Eglseder was one of just 13 Panthers to reach 1,000 points (1,066) and 500 rebounds (656) in a career. He also became the 32nd UNI player to reach 1,000 career points. Eglseder started all 32 games in 2009-10, averaging 11.9 points and 7.2 rebounds en route to the Panthers upset of number-one ranked Kansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and a school-record 30 wins. As a senior, Eglseder was a NABC District-16 First Team selection, a USBWA All-District pick and earned All-Tournament Team honors at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.

NBA, Players Association praise today’s meeting

The National Basketball Association and National Basketball Players Association issued the following statement:

“Today the NBPA and the NBA held another bargaining meeting that was both cordial and constructive. We all agreed to continue the dialogue, and during the three-hour meeting, a number of issues were identified that will be addressed in smaller groups leading up to the next bargaining meeting.”

Mark Cuban again facing insider trading suit

Eric Torbenson of the Dallas Morning News reports:

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban had a turnover in federal court Tuesday as an appeals panel sent his insider trading case back for trial.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court’s dismissal of a Securities and Exchange Commission suit against the billionaire. The decision doesn’t mean the SEC wins outright, but simply that the issues need to get further hearing and the suit is back on.

The government contends Cuban broke insider trading rules by selling his stake in search engine company Mamma.com after learning of the company’s plan to sell a piece of itself to investors, which would dilute Cuban’s holdings. The stock sale allowed Cuban to avoid an estimated $750,000 in losses…

And a countersuit filed by Cuban that alleges the SEC brought the case against him in bad faith continues regardless of Tuesday’s ruling. Cuban wants the government to pay his legal fees for pursuing a case out of bias rather than legal merit, his own suit says.

Javaris Crittenton to try out for Bobcats

Michael Lee of the Washington Post reports (via blog):

Javaris Crittenton is hoping to return to the NBA after accepting an invitation to try out for the Charlotte Bobcats in training camp, his agent Mark Bartelstein said on Tuesday.

The other half in the infamous altercation with Gilbert Arenas involving guns in a Verizon Center locker room, Crittenton is coming back after missing all of last season, with the final 38 games lost as the result of a season-ending suspension from NBA commissioner David Stern. But that embarrassing incident — which led to Crittenton receiving one year of unsupervised probation and a $1,250 fine after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge in January — overshadowed the fact that the 6-foot-5 point guard was going to miss the entire year anyway because of a severe left ankle injury.

04274054 date 08 02 2009 Copyright imago Xinhua Javaris Crittenton Washington Wizards centre against Troy Murphy Indiana Pacers left PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN Vdig horizontal premiumd duel NBA 2008 2009 Washington Wizards Indiana Pacers 119 117 Washington DC D C Dynamics Basketball men Team USA Group photo Action shot Human Beings Photo via Newscom

Mavericks must find help for Dirk Nowitzki

Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News reports:

The Mavericks’ future hall of famers are as dependable as any facet of the organization. And they have been durable. But addressing their roles and reducing their playing time is important because the two or three minutes per game saved would make a huge difference in the long run.

Mavericks must find help for Dirk Nowitzki

So where does the help come from? The first option likely will be Shawn Marion.

“I think something that’s been proven is that Rick is creative with the lineups, whether it’s three guards or going small,” said president Donnie Nelson. “That may lend itself to Shawn playing some (power forward) minutes. That’s certainly a strong possibility.”

Meanwhile, the emergence of Roddy Beaubois and the play of J.J. Barea and perhaps Dominique Jones will all be counted on to spell Kidd. And young big men Alexis Ajinca and Ian Mahinmi could get opportunities to help Nowitzki.

Nenad Krstic has finger surgery

Oklahoma City Thunder center Nenad Krstic underwent successful surgery this morning to repair a fracture to the second finger on his right hand. The surgery was performed in Oklahoma City by Thunder team physicians.

Krstic suffered the injury in the final game of the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. Krstic averaged 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in 23.6 minutes per game while helping lead Serbia to a fourth place finish at the World Championships.

The 7-0 center is expected to be ready for the Thunder’s opening night contest against the Chicago Bulls.