July 2012 – Page 8 – NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog

Champion Miami Heat now even stronger

With the pressure of winning his first NBA title off his back, LeBron James and the Miami Heat are looking to repeat next season and they wasted no time in the off-season adding more talent to the fold to strengthen their roster. With the signings of sharp-shooter Ray Allen and former Wizards forward Rashard Lewis, the Heat brought on veteran scorers who can spread the floor with their ability to shoot the ball, especially from three-point range.

Allen, the NBA’s all-time leader in three-point shots made, still has a lot of game left in his 37-year old legs, coming off a season in which he averaged 14 points a game in Boston. When in a zone, Allen is one of the most feared jump shooters in the game. Allen has shot an impressive 40 percent from beyond the arc for his career and he would likely come off the bench as the Heat’s sixth man next season. James, last season’s MVP of the league, and guard Dwyane Wade are two of the best in the league at breaking down defenders — and with Allen perched on the wing waiting to stroke a three, the Heat’s offense is vastly improved.

— Reported by CSN Washington

Brooklyn Nets sign guard C.J. Watson

As expected due to reports from last week, the Brooklyn Nets have signed guard C.J. Watson, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.

Watson played in 49 games for Chicago in 2011-12, making 25 starts. The 6-2 guard averaged 9.7 points and a career-high 4.1 assists in 23.7 minutes per game for the Bulls. As a starter, Watson posted averages of 11.3 points and 4.6 assists in 29.2 minutes per game. In the 2012 postseason, Watson started five of the Bulls’ six playoff games and averaged 7.3 points and 5.5 assists in 27.3 minutes per game.

After going undrafted out of the University of Tennessee in 2006, Watson was signed by the Golden State Warriors as a free agent call-up from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League in January of 2008. After two and a half seasons with the Warriors, Watson was traded to Chicago prior to the 2010-11 season. Over five NBA seasons, Watson holds career averages of 7.8 points and 2.6 assists in 305 games. Watson has made postseason appearances in each of his two seasons with the Bulls. In 22 career playoff games, he has averaged 4.3 points and 2.9 assists in 13.6 minutes per game.

Chicago Bulls sign guard Kirk Hinrich

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed free agent guard Kirk Hinrich.

“We are pleased to be able to bring Kirk back to Chicago. His ability to play both spots in the backcourt will help us immensely this season,” said Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “Kirk’s tenacity and passion for the game complement our style of play, and we look forward to seeing him back in a Bulls uniform.”

Hinrich (6-4, 190), originally drafted by Chicago in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft, played the first seven seasons of his career with the Bulls. After being traded to the Washington Wizards on July 8, 2010, he spent the last two seasons with the Wizards and the Atlanta Hawks. Last year with the Hawks, he played in 48 games (31 starts) and averaged 6.6 ppg, 2.8 apg, 2.1 rpg, 0.80 spg, 25.8 mpg, .414 from the field, .346 from behind the arc and .781 from the line.

“I’m very excited to be back in Chicago and to wear a Bulls uniform once again,” said Hinrich. “I look forward to getting back out on the court as a Bull, and contributing to the team in any way I can.”

In nine seasons in the NBA, the 31-year old Hinrich has played in 634 games (515 starts) and owns career averages of 12.5 ppg, 5.4 apg, 3.2 rpg, 1.21 spg, 33.0 mpg, .417 from the floor, .378 from behind the three-point line and .811 from the free throw line. He also has played in 46 playoff games (37 starts), where he has averaged 13.4 ppg, 4.7 apg, 2.9 rpg, 1.28 spg, 33.3 mpg, .430 field goal shooting, .404 three-point shooting and .763 free throw shooting.

Hinrich returns to Chicago as the franchise’s all-time leader in three-point field goals made (812) and three-point field goals attempted (2,144). He also ranks fourth in assists (3,004), fourth in steals (655), sixth in three-point field goal percentage (.379), eighth in mpg (17,499), eighth in field goal attempts (6,053), 10th in scoring (6,902) and 11th in field goals made (2,510).

Clippers sign center Ryan Hollins

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed free agent center Ryan Hollins.

The six-year NBA veteran averaged 3.4 points and 2.1 rebounds in 39 games played last season for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. In 17 games played during the Celtics’ 2012 Playoff run, Hollins tallied 1.5 points and 1.6 rebounds per contest.

Hollins spent his most productive NBA season in Minnesota in 2009, tallying 6.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in 73 games played for the Timberwolves.

Selected by the Charlotte Bobcats with the 50th overall selection in the 2006 NBA Draft, Hollins averaged 5.7 points and 4.0 rebounds over his four-year collegiate career at UCLA. Hollins finished his time with the Bruins as the fourth all-time leading shot blocker in UCLA history (101 career blocked shots).

Orlando Magic coaching search: Jacque Vaughn may be favorite

The Orlando Magic’s search for a new head coach is entering its final phase.

San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Jacque Vaughn, widely presumed to be front-runner for the job, met with Magic CEO Alex Martins on Friday in Las Vegas for a second-round interview.

“We’re not going to comment on the process and where it stands,” Martins told the Orlando Sentinel on Saturday…

Magic general manager Rob Hennigan conducted first-round interviews with six candidates and whittled the field down to three: Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Michael Curry, Phoenix Suns player development coach Lindsey Hunter and Vaughn.

— Reported by Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel

Boston Celtics will sign Jason Collins

The Boston Celtics are set to sign veteran center Jason Collins to a one-year, veteran-minimum deal, according to league sources.

With restricted free-agent center Greg Stiemsma prepared to sign an offer sheet with the Minnesota Timberwolves — one the Celtics appear unable to match due to salary-cap constraints — Boston has moved quickly to add a legitimate 7-footer to their frontcourt rotation.

The 33-year-old Collins, a veteran of 11 NBA seasons, gives Boston a defensive-minded big man who can give quality minutes off the bench.

— Reported by Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston

Cavs rookie Dion Waiters out of shape at summer league

As you read this, remember that I didn’t favor the Cavs selecting Dion Waiters at No. 4.

But I also know it’s premature to say this was a lousy pick because Waiters played poorly in three summer-league games, averaging 12.3 points but shooting only 30 percent from the field.

The big problem was Waiters showed up at least 10 pounds overweight and out of shape.

Smart? Nope.

But the message should be clear: Waiters needs to shape up physically and mentally. He has the arrogance you find in some East Coast playground legends. Listening to Dion Waiters, you know that he thinks Dion Waiters is the greatest player he’s ever seen.

— Reported by Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer

Mavs sign first round pick Jared Cunningham

The Dallas Mavericks announced today they have signed first round draft pick Jared Cunningham.

All players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft are guaranteed to receive a contract. So, this signing is standard and was expected.

Cunningham (6-4, 194) was the 24th overall selection in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was acquired by the Mavericks on June 28, 2012, along with the draft rights to the 33rd overall pick Bernard James and 34th overall pick Jae Crowder, in exchange for guard Kelenna Azubuike and the draft rights to the 17th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Tyler Zeller.

The San Leandro, Calif. native is a member of the Mavericks Summer League Team in Las Vegas, but due to a strained hamstring he has not been able to play.

Cunningham (6-4, 194) finished his three-year career at Oregon State ranked 13th in career scoring (1,271 points), second in steals (219) and third in free throws made (427). He was named First Team All-Pac 12 as a junior when he averaged 17.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.5 steals per game.

Juwan Howard undecided on playing next season

Juwan Howard undecided if he will play next season

Juwan Howard said Friday that he is still deciding whether he wants to return for a 19th NBA season, although the direction he’s leaning might be indicated by his being the first player back in the Heat practice gym once the title celebrations had slowed down a bit.

“I still have the itch,” Howard said while appearing at a Heat “Learn to Swim” event for children. “I still have the passion and the love for the game. More importantly, I still like staying in shape and I can’t sit on my behind. I’m still iffy as far as if I want to come back and play or not, but I’ll tell you one thing — once I decide, I want to be ready. So I am working out … ready for whatever happens.”

Howard turns 40 next Feb. 7.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Cavaliers claim Jon Leuer off waivers

The Cleveland Cavaliers have claimed forward Jon Leuer off waivers from the Houston Rockets, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts. The Rockets waived the forward on Wednesday, July 18.

Leuer, 23, averaged 4.7 points on .508 shooting and 2.6 rebounds in 12.1 minutes per game in 46 games (12 starts) during his rookie season in 2011-12. In his 12 starts, the 6-foot-10, 228-pound forward averaged 7.7 points on .560 shooting and 3.3 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per game.

“Jon is a young, athletic, hard-working post player. He will add depth and also bring a perimeter shooting element to our big positions,” said General Manager Chris Grant. “We’re happy to add Jon to our team and looking forward to his continued growth and development as a Cavalier.”

Prior to the start of the NBA’s 2011-12

regular season, Leuer, the 40 th overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft, signed with the Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt team of the German Bundesliga. He appeared in 10 games and posted averages of 14.8 points on .495 shooting and 7.8 rebounds in 31.6 minutes per game.

He played all four seasons in college at Wisconsin and as a senior was named to the All-Big Ten First Team after averaging 18.3 points on .470 shooting and 7.2 rebounds in 33.5 minutes per game in 34 games.