Month: October 2012

Deron Williams dealing with ankle issue

Deron Williams dealing with ankle issue

Less than a week before the Nets officially begin the Brooklyn era, point guard Deron Williams, the star who is the cornerstone of the franchise, has been sidelined with an ankle injury that the team admits could be a lingering problem. Williams received an injection in his left ankle on Friday and is expected to miss two days of practice.

“We don’t think it’s anything serious, just a case of tendinitis, so he’ll be out (Saturday) for practice,” Avery Johnson said following Friday’s practice, “but we anticipate having him back Sunday or Monday.”

That would give Williams at least three days of practice to get ready for Thursday’s season opener against the Knicks at the new $1 billion Barclays Center. Williams, who signed a five-year, $98 million contract this offseason, was not available for comment after practice Friday.

— Reported by Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News

Magic exercise third-year option on center Nikola Vucevic

The Orlando Magic have exercised their third-year team option on the contract of center Nikola Vucevic, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.  Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.  Vucevic is now under contract through the 2013-14 season.

Vucevic (7’0”, 240, 10/24/90) was acquired by Orlando from Philadelphia as part of a four-team, 12-player deal on Aug. 10, 2012.  He played in 51 games (15 starts) during his rookie campaign last season with the Sixers, averaging 5.5 ppg. and 4.8 rpg. in 15.9 minpg.  Vucevic ranked among all NBA rookies in rebounding (t-sixth), blocked shots (t-sixth) and field goal percentage (.450, eighth).  He led (or tied) the Sixers in scoring four times and in rebounding nine times.  Vucevic also played in one playoff outing.

Orlando Magic waive Quentin Richardson, Justin Harper, Chris Johnson

The Orlando Magic have waived forward Justin Harper, forward Chris Johnson and guard-forward Quentin Richardson, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.  Orlando’s roster now stands at 15 players.

Harper (6’9”, 225, 8/30/89) played in six preseason games, averaging 3.7 ppg. and 2.5 rpg. in 13.8 minpg.  He was originally acquired by Orlando on June 23, 2011 from Cleveland in exchange for two future second round picks.  Harper appeared in 14 games last season during his rookie campaign, averaging 1.4 ppg. in 6.0 minpg.

Johnson (6’6”, 201, 4/29/90) was signed as a free agent by Orlando on October 9.  He appeared in four preseason games, averaging 1.8 ppg. in 8.5 minpg.  Johnson played in 138 career games during four years at the University of Dayton, averaging 10.6 ppg., 6.1 rpg. and 1.1 apg. in 24.9 minpg.

Richardson (6’6”, 228, 4/13/80) played in three preseason outings, averaging 2.3 ppg. and 1.3 rpg. in 8.7 minpg.  He was originally signed as a free agent by Orlando on July 13, 2010 and appeared in 105 regular season games with the Magic (22 starts), averaging 4.4 ppg. and 2.9 rpg. in 17.3 minpg.  A 12-year veteran, Richardson has appeared in 782 career regular season games with the L.A. Clippers, Phoenix, New York, Miami and Orlando, averaging 10.3 ppg., 4.7 rpg. and 1.5 apg. in 26.5 minpg.

Nets waive James Mays and Carleton Scott

The Brooklyn Nets have requested waivers on forwards James Mays and Carleton Scott, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today. Both players were signed to the training camp roster on September 17.

In 24 minutes over two preseason games, Mays tallied six points and four rebounds. Scott totaled nine points and 10 rebounds with three blocks in 51 minutes over three contests.

The Nets roster currently stands at 15.

Spurs exercise contract options on Cory Joseph and Kawhi Leonard

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have exercised the third-year options on guard Cory Joseph and forward Kawhi Leonard.  Both are now signed through the 2013-14 season.

An early entry candidate out of the University of Texas, Joseph was selected by the Spurs in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft with the 28th overall pick.  Last season he appeared in 29 games, averaging 2.0 points and 1.2 assists in 9.2 minutes.  In his first career start, Joseph tallied a season-high 13 points and 3 assists in 37 minutes at Portland on Feb. 21. The former Longhorn was assigned to the Austin Toros of the NBA D-League on three separate occasions where he saw action in 14 games, averaging 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.29 steals in 32.9 minutes.

Joseph posted a triple-double with the Toros finishing with 15 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists vs. Maine Red Claws on March 23 earning him NBA D-League Performer of the Week honors for games played through March 19-25.  During the summer Joseph played on the Spurs 2012 Las Vegas Summer League team, averaging a team-best 17.0 points, 5.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.80 steals in 33.0 minutes in five games garnering him Summer League All-Star honors.

Leonard joined the Spurs in a 2011 draft night deal that saw the Silver and Black send George Hill to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Leonard’s rights, along with Davis Bertans and Erazem Lorbek.  The Pacers originally selected Leonard with the 15th overall pick.  An All-Rookie First Team selection, Leonard appeared in 64 games, averaging 7.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.33 steals in 24.0 minutes. His 39 starts were the most by a Spurs rookie in the Popovich era since Tony Parker started 72 games during the 2001-02 season.

The former San Diego State Aztec scored in double figures 24 times during the regular season, while shooting .493 (199-404) from the floor and .376 (41-109) from three-point range.  Among NBA rookies, Leonard ranked third in steals, third in field goal percentage, fourth in rebounding, fifth in three-point field goal percentage and 13th in scoring.  He posted four double-doubles on the season and was one of just four rookies to record four-or-more double-doubles. Leonard started in all 14 playoff games for the Silver and Black, averaging 8.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.21 steals in 27.1 minutes.

Hornets guard Austin Rivers hurts ankle again

Austin Rivers hurts ankle again

New Orleans Hornets guard Austin Rivers appeared to badly roll his injured right ankle again Friday night with 1:33 remaining in the third quarter of the team’s exhibition finale against the Miami Heat. It is the second time in five days he has sustained an ankle injury.

Rivers sprained his ankle on Monday night in Dallas against the Mavericks.

Rivers appeared to get tangled within himself after slipping as Miami guard Norris Cole, who was guarding Rivers, ran past him. Rivers then fell backward, twisting the ankle again.

— Reported by Jimmy Smith of the New Orleans Times-Picayune

Knicks waive guard Chris Smith

New York Knicks Executive Vice President and General Manager Glen Grunwald announced today that the team has waived guard Chris Smith.

Smith, 6-2, 195-pounds, did not appear in any preseason games after undergoing left patella tendon surgery.

The roster stands at 19 players.

The league roster maximum is 15 players, so the Knicks must still part ways with at least four more guys.

Boston Celtics waive Micah Downs and Rob Kurz

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have waived forwards Micah Downs and Rob Kurz.

Downs, a 6’8 forward, appeared in seven games for the Celtics during preseason and averaged 3.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 8.9 minutes per game. Downs posted a high of six points in 14 minutes against New York on October 20. He also grabbed seven rebounds against New York on October 13.

Kurz, a 6’9 forward, appeared in six games for the Celtics during the preseason and averaged 1.7 points and 1.8 rebounds in 8.3 minutes per game. Kurz posted a high of five points in two separate games while recording a high of four rebounds against New York on October 20.

The Celtics roster now stands at 15.

Charlotte Bobcats exercise options on Bismack Biyombo and Kemba Walker

Charlotte Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has exercised the third-year options on forward Bismack Biyombo and guard Kemba Walker.

Biyombo was the seventh overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and his rights were acquired by the Bobcats from Sacramento in a three-team trade that also included Milwaukee. Biyombo appeared in 63 games with 41 starts as a rookie, averaging 5.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 23.1 minutes. He also led the team in rebounds and blocks last season. In seven preseason games this season, Biyombo has averaged 3.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.

Walker was selected by the Bobcats with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.  He appeared in 66 games as a rookie, averaging 12.2 points, 4.4 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 0.9 steals in 27.2 minutes. He also recorded the third triple-double in Bobcats history with 20 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds on Jan. 28, 2012 against Washington. In six preseason games this season, Walker has averaged 14.0 points, 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals.