Boston Celtics sign Jason Terry

Boston Celtics sign Jason Terry

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed free agent guard Jason Terry. According to multiple reports, the deal is for three years, $15 million.

“Jason is one of the best sixth men in the NBA and his versatility in the backcourt is a great addition to our roster,” said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations.

Terry, a 6’2” guard, was the NBA’s 2009 Sixth Man of the Year and also was a member of the 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks. Last season in Dallas, he averaged 15.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 37.8% from three-point territory.  Terry has made the fourth most three-point shots in NBA history with 1,788 trailing only Ray Allen, Reggie Miller and Jason Kidd.

“The Celtics have such a great tradition of winning and it was something that drew me to the team right away,” said Terry. “I look forward to getting out onto the court and helping this team in its pursuit of another banner.”

The former Arizona Wildcat finished second in the NBA last season with 138 made three-pointers and was third in the NBA in three-point field goal attempts (365). Terry has also been one of the most durable players in the NBA in recent memory playing in 1,022 of a possible 1,050 regular season games during his 13 year career. Terry has averaged 16.1 points, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 38.0% from three in his career.

Jeremy Lin statement on joining Rockets, leaving Knicks

Jeremy Lin statement on joining Rockets, leaving Knicks

Here is a statement from Jeremy Lin, who signed an offer sheet with the Houston Rockets that the New York Knicks, presumably over financial concerns due to the structure of the contract, declined to match:

“I loved this past year with the Knicks and truly appreciate the opportunity that New York gave me. The way the fans fully embraced me and our team was something I’ll always cherish forever. It was an extraordinary and unforgettable time that was easily the best year of my life. Now I am excited to be back with the Rockets. They made a very compelling pitch in terms of what I could bring to the team and for the city. I am also impressed with Mr. Alexander and the management’s commitment to improving the team. I’m excited about contributing to the Rockets winning tradition and competing with my new teammates.”

Orlando Magic announce front office promotions

The Orlando Magic and Chief Executive Officer Alex Martins announced the following promotions within the executive office: Charlie Freeman— executive vice president and chief revenue officer; Chris D’Orso— senior vice president of sales & ticket operations; Joel Glass—senior vice president of communications; Audra Hollifield—senior vice president of human resources & administrative services; Catherine Carlson—vice president of corporate partnership activation; Michael Forde—vice president of corporate partnership sales; and Anthony Perez—vice president of business strategy.

In addition, the Orlando Magic announced the following front office promotions: Nyea Sturman to assistant director of legal services and Pat Gallagher to assistant director of legal services.

Freeman is entering his 17th year with the Magic.  His primary responsibilities include oversight and management of corporate partnerships, marketing, ticket sales, premium sales & client services, ticket operations, arena operations and retail.  Freeman was an integral piece in the building of the Amway Center.  He was recently named to SportsBusiness Journal’s Forty Under 40 list.

D’Orso enters his 24th season with the team.  He oversees the day-to-day operations of sales for the Amway Center including ticket sales, premium hospitality, Chairman’s Suite, tourism, Junior Magic, camps, retail and ticket operations for both the Magic and Amway Center.   In addition, he oversees the arena operations for the Amway Center.

Glass joined the Magic in 1995 in the communications department.  He directs the Magic’s communication and media/public relations efforts.  He is responsible for media operations, strategic communications, media releases, publications and statistical material, while also coordinating media interviews with players, coaching staff members and front office personnel.  In addition, he oversees the team’s website, orlandomagic.com and Orlando Magic broadcasting.

Hollifield has been with the Magic since 1999, entering her 14th season with the team.  She handles oversight of recruiting, compensation and benefits, employee relations, training and development and administrative services for the “team behind the team.”

Carlson joined the Magic in February 2009.  In her role she oversees the corporate partnerships activation team, and is responsible for activation, fulfillment and renewals of corporate sponsor contracts.  Carlson is also focused on the strategic growth of corporate partnerships in the Amway Center.

Forde is entering his ninth season with the team.  He is responsible for establishing strategies targeted to bring new corporate clients to the organization.  He also oversees a sales team dedicated to finding marketing solutions for local, regional and national companies seeking an affiliation with the Orlando Magic brand.

Perez originally joined the Magic in August 2004, working on the team’s arena development efforts until June 2007.  He then spent a year working in investment banking before returning to the Magic in June 2008.  His responsibilities include the organization’s long-term strategic planning and use of analytics to improve business performance.  Perez focuses on yield management, customer targeting & retention, and the organization’s overall data integration strategy among other initiatives.

Denver Nuggets will add Anthony Randolph

The Nuggets cut Chris “Birdman” Andersen and signed in his place free agent Anthony Randolph,a source said Tuesday. The team used the NBA’s amnesty clause to waive Andersen, a source said.

Randolph,a power forward and center, averaged 7.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 34 games for the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. He made five starts. Over four NBA seasons,including stops with the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors,he has averaged 17.6 minutes,8.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

— Reported by the Denver Post
http://m.denverpost.com/denverpost/pm_14463/contentdetail.htm

Nuggets waive Chris Andersen under amnesty provision

Nuggets waive Chris Andersen under amnesty provision

The Denver Nuggets have waived F/C Chris Andersen under the amnesty provision outlined in the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri announced today.

Andersen, 6-10, 228, averaged 5.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.44 blocked shots in 32 games with the Nuggets last season.

Andersen, 34, began his career with the Nuggets as an undrafted free agent in 2001-02 and played three seasons in Denver before leaving as a free agent in 2004. He returned in 2008 and played a key role in the team’s run to the 2009 Western Conference finals.

Andersen finished second in the NBA in blocks per game (2.46) in 2008-09, and he ranks fifth on Denver’s franchise list with 624 career blocks in a Nuggets uniform.

Rockets officially sign Jeremy Lin

Rockets officially sign Jeremy Lin

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed guard Jeremy Lin after the New York Knicks chose not to match Houston’s offer sheet for the restricted free agent. Under the terms of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Knicks had three days to match the offer from the Rockets.

“We are thrilled to have Jeremy back as part of the Rockets family,” said Rockets Owner Leslie Alexander. “In his limited opportunity last season, Jeremy showed that he has all the skills to be a great player in this league for many years to come. In addition to being a great passer, he is also exceptional at driving to the rim and finishing plays. He also showed a poise well beyond his years by making winning plays at the end of numerous games last season. Jeremy is a winner on and off the court and we view him as an important part of our plan to build a championship contender.”

Lin (6-3, 200, Harvard) has averaged 9.2 points, 4.0 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.38 steals in 64 games (25 starts) with Golden State and New York. After being claimed by the Knicks off waivers on Dec. 27, 2011, Lin exploded onto the NBA landscape by averaging 18.2 points, 7.6 assists and 2.00 steals with seven double-doubles in 25 starts with New York. Lin actually became the first NBA player to record at least 20 points and seven assists in each of his first five NBA starts since Elias Sports Bureau began charting stats in 1970. Lin was also the first Knicks player since Michael Ray Richardson in 1980-1981 to record at least 20 points and seven assists in six straight games. Lin was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Feb. 6-12, leading New York to a 4-0 record with averages of 27.3 points, 8.3 assists and 2.00 steals.

Lin, who was waived by Golden State on Dec. 9, 2011, was actually claimed off waivers by Houston on Dec. 12. He appeared in two preseason outings with the Rockets before being waived on Dec. 24, 2011. Lin had appeared in 29 games with the Warriors in 2010-11, averaging 2.6 points, 1.4 assists, 1.2 rebounds and 1.14 steals in 9.8 minutes per contest as a rookie. He also played in 20 games for the Reno Bighorns of the NBA D-League in 2010-11, averaging 18.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists. The 6-3 guard was originally signed by Golden State as a free agent on July 21, 2010, after going undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft out of Harvard.

Ryan Hollins drawing interest from Hornets

Ryan Hollins drawing interest from Hornets

The New Orleans Hornets have expressed interest in unrestricted free agent center Ryan Hollins, a 7-footer who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics last season, sources confirmed Tuesday.

The Hornets do not have a true center on their roster although they acquired 14-year veteran Brad Miller in a trade last week from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Miller is not expected to be on Hornets’ active roster this upcoming season because he plans to retire.

— Reported by John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune

Jordan Hamilton says he has lost 19 pounds

Denver Nuggets: Hamilton has put up big scoring numbers in all three of Denver’s games so far (the Nuggets play Thursday and Friday, as well). He scored 18 points in the two previous games, though wasn’t as efficient as Tuesday, still shooting 6-for-15 against Dallas and 7-for-15 against Golden State.

Hamilton said he has lost 19 pounds this summer, bringing the 6-7 wing to 220 pounds.

“I just want to get faster and quicker – I feel more explosive when I’m lighter,” he said. “So it’ll help me get up and down the court.”

— Reported by Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post

Mike Miller won’t retire, will rejoin champion Heat

Mike Miller won't retire, will rejoin champion Heat

Mike Miller believes his balky back can improve without surgery, and he’s planning to help the NBA champion Miami Heat defend their crown next season.

Miller limped through much of this past season, his back pain so severe at times that he couldn’t even sit on the Heat bench during games. He has been consulting with Miami neurosurgeon Dr. Barth Green throughout this offseason, and the expectation now is that a combination of rest and rehabilitation should be enough to get him ready to play again.

“No retirement,” Miller said Tuesday.

Miller made an appearance for about 600 children at a basketball camp he sponsored, walking in to roars from the kids and chants of his last name. And when told that Hialeah, a city just north of Miami, believes it was the epicenter of the biggest party to celebrate the Heat championship, Miller tipped his hand as to his future plans.

“Then let’s party again next year,” Miller said.

— Reported by the Associated Press