March 2012 – Page 9 – NBA Blog

Miami Heat sign center Ronny Turiaf

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed free agent center Ronny Turiaf. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are very happy to be able to add an experienced veteran center at this stage of the season,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “Ronny’s energy will be a great addition and bolster our front line.”

Turiaf, a seven-year NBA veteran, has appeared in 362 career games (90 starts) and averaged 5.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.36 blocks and 17.9 minutes while shooting 52.9 percent from the field. He appeared in four games with Washington this season totaling six points, 12 rebounds, six steals, five assists and three blocks in 58 minutes of action while shooting a perfect 3-of-3 from the field. He has appeared in 30 postseason career games (four starts) and averaged 3.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 11.2 minutes while shooting 44.8 percent from the field.

The February 2010 NBA Cares Community Award winner finished among league leaders in blocks in three straight seasons, tied for 28th (1.08) in 2006-07, tied for 22nd (1.38) in 2007-08 and tied for third (2.13) in 2008-09, while setting a career-high in blocked shots with six on December 17, 2008 at Indiana and then matching his career-high in blocks with six last season on January, 2 2011 vs. Indiana. He has averaged at least one block per game in five of his seven NBA seasons and has shot at least 50 percent from the field in six of those seven seasons.

Turiaf was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round (37th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft.

Rockets re-assign Greg Smith to D-League

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has re-assigned center/forward Greg Smith back to Houston’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner Rio Grande Valley. This marks the second assignment of Smith’s career.

Smith (6-10, 250, Fresno State) has averaged 0.9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.71 blocks in seven games with the Rockets this season. Signed from Rio Grande Valley on Feb. 8, Smith was originally assigned to the Vipers on Feb. 9. He was recalled by Houston from Rio Grande Valley on Feb. 19. Selected as a 2012 NBA D-League All-Star, Smith has averaged 16.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.33 blocks in 21 games (17 starts) with the Vipers in 2011-12. At the time of his last recall, Smith was the D-League leader in field goal percentage (.664, 150-226 FG), was tied for sixth in the league in double-doubles (eight), 10th in rebounding average (7.9), 13th in scoring (16.7) and 14th in blocks per game (1.33).

In his first stint with the Rockets, Smith averaged 1.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in two preseason games with Houston before being waived on Dec. 22, 2011. In college, Smith averaged 11.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game as a sophomore last season at Fresno State. He was also the 2009-10 WAC Freshman of the Year, which was voted on by the WAC head coaches.

Jeff Foster retires from the NBA

After 13 seasons in the NBA, all with the Indiana Pacers, forward/center Jeff Foster announced his retirement Wednesday due to chronic back problems.

“It’s with deep regret that I have to conclude my basketball career,” said Foster. “I’ve given my all to the Pacers and the community the last 13 years. I had hoped to be able to finish the season, but unfortunately my back problems prevented that from occurring. I want to thank the Simon family and the Pacers’ organization for 13 memorable years.”

Foster played in just 11 games this season, averaging 2.3 points per game. One of the more popular players in team history for his on-court hustle, he retires in the Pacers’ top 10 career list in 11 different categories in the team’s NBA history, eight different categories in franchise history.

The 35-year-old Foster had career averages of 4.9 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game.

“Jeff has meant a lot to the team and the community for 13 seasons,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “He played hard every night, he always gave his all. He is a great role model for our younger players and we can’t thank him enough for his contributions on and off the court.”

Kings sign Terrence Williams to 10-day contract

The Sacramento Kings have signed free agent guard/forward Terrence Williams to a 10-day contract, President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie announced today.

Williams averaged 4.5 ppg (.351 FG%, .421 3PT%, .500 FT%), 2.3 rpg, 0.8 apg and 15.1 mpg in 12 contests for the Houston Rockets this season before being waived on March 16th.

The 11th overall pick out of Louisville in the 2009 NBA Draft by New Jersey, Williams has posted career averages of 7.4 ppg (.394 FG%, .319 3PT%, .695 FT%), 3.8 rpg, 2.4 apg and 20.1 mpg through three seasons with the Nets and Rockets.

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Charlotte Bobcats waive Boris Diaw

The Charlotte Bobcats and forward Boris Diaw have decided that it is time to say goodbye to each other. Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has waived Diaw.

The Charlotte Observer reported earlier today that the two sides agreed to a buyout. It’s not year clear what the financial arrangements were. As details emerge, they’ll be added to this page.

Diaw appeared in 37 games for the Bobcats this season, averaging 7.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 27.5 minutes. Acquired by the Bobcats from Phoenix on Dec. 10, 2008, Diaw saw action in 260 total games for Charlotte, with averages of 11.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 34.3 minutes.

The Bobcats roster now stands at 14 players.

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Grant Hill has no retirement plans yet

Hill, 39, is in his fifth season with the Suns, and the seven-time All-Star said he plans to be back next season.

“I definitely think I can go another year, maybe two,” Hill said before scoring a team-high 19 points in Tuesday’s 99-95 loss to Miami at AmericanAmerican Arena. “If the season were to end right now, and I would sort of evaluate the season, I would definitely want to come back and play next season.”

Hill, averaging 10.6 points, signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal before the season. He hopes to end his career with the Suns and says “Hopefully, they feel the same way.”

Hill turns 40 on Oct. 5, making him the second-oldest player in the NBA after Portland’s Kurt Thomas, who is one day older. Hill’s longevity is pretty impressive considering he was devastated by ankle injuries when playing from Orlando from 2000 to 2007, and didn’t figure he would stick around Phoenix too long after playing his first game for the Suns at 35.

— Reported by Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida

Boris Diaw, Charlotte Bobcats agree to buyout

Power forward Boris Diaw and the Charlotte Bobcats have agreed on a buyout of his remaining contract that should be completed in time for Diaw to be eligible for another team’s playoff roster.

Bobcats vice president of basketball operations Rod Higgins confirmed that early Wednesday morning to the Observer. The buyout, which should be completed sometime today, would make Diaw a free agent in time to sign with a contender. Meanwhile the Bobcats open one of 15 roster spots and save some of what’s left of Diaw’s $9 million salary.

It’s not known just how much money Diaw agreed to give up for his freedom.

— Reported by Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer blog

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Bench scoring helps Pacers beat Clippers

In a 2-minute span in the second quarter, Leandro Barbosa showed Indiana Pacers fans why the team traded for him last week. Barbosa scored 12 points in 18 minutes in his Pacers debut, and Indiana beat the Los Angeles Clippers 102-89 on Tuesday night.

Barbosa, acquired in a trade with Toronto, relishes his role as a reserve on what he considers a promising team…

Reserves Barbosa, Tyler Hansbrough and George Hill led a bench that outscored the Clippers’ reserves 50-23. Hansbrough scored 17 points and Hill had 15…

Hill made 6 of 7 shots and had six assists…

Hansbrough made 7 of 10 field goals, helping the reserves make 21 of 35 shots. The bench supported Danny Granger, who led the way with 25 points…

Blake Griffin had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Paul added 16 points and eight assists for Los Angeles. The Clippers made just 9 of 20 free throws while the Pacers made 24 of 26. Griffin made 2 of 7.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Thunder reportedly the favorite to sign Derek Fisher

Derek Fisher may be about 85 years old but he can still provide quality depth at the point guard position for any team with championship aspirations.

The Oklahoman reports:

Derek Fisher is in negotiations to sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder after clearing waivers, ESPN.com reports.

Fisher will clear waivers on Wednesday at 5 p.m., and one source told ESPN.com that Fisher is “very close” to committing to sign with the Thunder.

The Miami Heat also made a strong push to sign the veteran point guard, but the report says the Thunder has more financial flexibility and more of a role to offer with Eric Maynor out for the season with a knee injury.

Josh Howard needs knee surgery, will miss rest of season

The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz forward Josh Howard:

Because of some recent swelling of Howard’s left knee, he underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests on the knee on Monday. The MRI test results were examined by Jazz team orthopedist Dr. Lyle Mason, and revealed a chip in the lateral femoral cartilage within Howard’s left knee. This injury will require surgery in order to prevent further damage to the knee. As a result, Howard is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

An update on Howard’s status and timeframe for his recovery will be provided following the surgery.

Howard (6-7, 210, Wake Forest), in his ninth NBA season and first with Utah, appeared in 41 games (18 starts) with the Jazz this season and averaged 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 23.4 minutes per game. A 2007 NBA All-Star, Howard holds career averages of 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 494 games (399 starts) with Dallas, Washington and Utah. He was signed by the Jazz as a free agent on December 15, 2011. A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., Howard was originally selected by the Mavericks in the first round (29th pick) of the 2003 NBA Draft.