July 2013 – Page 16 – NBA Blog

Rajon Rondo says he would never play for the Miami Heat

In a difficult off-season for the Boston Celtics that saw the team trade away veterans Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce and part ways with coach Doc Rivers, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Amid all the speculation surrounding Rajon Rondo’s future with the Celtics, the Celtics point guard wanted to make one thing perfectly clear.

“I will never play for the Miami Heat,” Rondo said at his basketball camp in Kentucky on whether he would ever take his talents to South Beach.

Reported by Campbell Abbott of the New York Daily News

Yes, Derrick Rose should be ready for next season

The wait for Chicago Bulls star guard Derrick Rose to return dragged on and on last season. And then never actually happened. But unless something goes wrong, look for D-Rose to be an actual basketball player again in 2013-14.

As soon as Derrick Rose made the strategic, long-term decision to sit out all of last season after left knee surgery, the plan shifted to next season.

And that plan, for now, is for the Bulls to use training camp and exhibition games to ease Rose back. And then, barring an unforeseen setback, it’s all systems go for the yet-to-be-announced season opener.

“The benefit is the additional months that he has had to prepare for next season,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “But that also adds to the time in which he hasn’t played.

“There’s nothing you can do to simulate the intensity of an NBA game. Even the preseason isn’t quite what the regular season is. He needs to get his timing back. So it will be a step-by-step process (in the preseason). We won’t know until he gets out there. But he’s healthy.”

Reported by K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune

Hopefully Rose is still as athletic and explosive as he was before. He may not be right away, but if all goes well he’ll look like himself as time goes on.

Wizards and John Wall begin extension talks

The Wizards have begun talking with John Wall’s agent, Dan Fegan, regarding an extension before the regular season, CSN Washington has learned.

Wall, the No. 1 overall pick in 2010, is eligible for up to a four-year, max contract with the Wizards in addition to the final year remaining on his deal that will pay him $7.45 million next season. If he’s named the franchise’s designated player, Wall can get five years.

If the Wizards cannot reach an agreement with him by Oct. 30, talks will have to be tabled until after the 2013-14 regular season.

Reported by J. Michael of CSN Washington

Dwight Howard says it was tough to play with Kobe Bryant

“Was it tough playing with Kobe?” Howard said in a recent interview with ESPN. “Yeah, it was very tough. But playing along with Kobe didn’t have any parts in my decision going to Houston. I just felt like going to Houston was a better situation for me in my career.”

Howard believes Rockets coach Kevin McHale will feature him in a larger offensive role in the post than Mike D’Antoni would. He believes James Harden will play with more efficiency and better health than Steve Nash would. Howard believes it will be easier leading a team lacking with championship tradition than playing on a team steeped with it but Bryant still controlling the agenda.

“Me and Kobe, we had our disagreements and we had our moments,” Howard said. “Everbody knows Kobe likes to score. There were times we would get at it about getting the ball. That happens as a team. But my focus cannot be on Kobe in what he did. I have to look at myself and say I allowed that situation to happen. I could get those balls and do whatever I want because I’m capable of doing it. I can’t blame anybody else for things I’ve done on the court. I would have to own up to it.”

Reported by Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News (Blog)

Chris Copeland feels blessed to join Pacers

Chris Copeland waited longer than most for the big NBA money, overcoming personal tragedy and logging several years playing overseas to do it.

The newest member of the Indiana Pacers promises fans will hear him use one word over and over during the upcoming season because of that.

“Blessed,” he said. “You’re going to hear it all year. I look up every day and thank God that I’m here.”

The Pacers confirmed Copeland’s signing over the weekend after he agreed to a two-year, $6 million contract July 5. He traveled to Indianapolis on Monday and met the media at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

“He’s a great addition to our team because he’s a guy that can come in off the bench and create his own shot or get into the paint,” Pacers President Larry Bird said in a statement. “He’s a good guy and a great competitor and we’re happy to have him join us.”

Reported by Michael Pointer of the Indianapolis Star

J.R. Smith out 3-4 months after knee surgery

The New York Knicks have announced Sixth Man Award winner J.R. Smith has had patellar tendon surgery and an arthroscopy for a tear in the lateral meniscus of his left knee.

The Knicks said Smith’s injuries, which were treated at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City by team orthopedist Dr. Answorth Allen, were chronic and gradually worsened. His recovery time is approximately three to four months, which could make him available between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15 — near the start of the 2013-14 season.

A league source told ESPNNewYork.com that the Knicks were aware Smith likely would need surgery for his left knee, which started bothering him during the playoffs.

Reported by Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York

Danny Ainge says Celtics have no intention of tanking

It was the first thing Celtics general manager Danny Ainge told Kris Humphries on Monday when the two sat down to talk: “We’re not tanking.”

“It’s the first thing he told me, too,” said Keith Bogans, who came to Boston along with Humphries, Gerald Wallace, MarShon Brooks and three first-round draft picks in the deal that sent Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets. Boston also sent Jason Terry to Brooklyn and acquired Kris Joseph.

The deal followed the trade of coach Doc Rivers to the Los Angeles Clippers, and it continued the rebuilding process that has been seen – and, from many in Boston, welcomed – as an attempt to “tank” the season, racing to the bottom of the standings to land a top pick in next year’s talent-rich draft.

Not so, says Ainge.

Reported by the Associated Press

Kemba Walker helped convince Al Jefferson to sign with Bobcats

Big Al is headed to Charlotte after three seasons with the Jazz and, by looks of it, one man in particular swayed his decision.

Kemba Walker, the Bobcats’ starting point guard and go-to scorer, scouted Al Jefferson this offseason, according to the Charlotte Observer. Walker envisioned Jefferson capably filling Charlotte’s low-post needs, and with trust in their second-year point guard, the Bobcats encouraged Walker to reach out the Utah Jazz free agent.

With the go-ahead from his team, Walker met with Jefferson in New York to hopefully persuade the big man to consider Charlotte. Apparently it worked, that or the three-year, $41 million contract was too good to pass up.

Reported by Whitney O’Bannon of the Deseret News

Trey Burke struggled in summer league play

The NBA summer league is the first real professional basketball for recent draftees, so it’s often a wide-eyed experience.

Former Michigan star Trey Burke averaged 8.8 points, four assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 turnovers and was 1-for-19 from three-point range and shot 24% from the field in his summer-league games with the Utah Jazz, who drafted him No. 9 overall.

In an espn.com chat today, Burke addressed his struggles.

“I felt like summer league was a great experience,” he said. “I needed it. It showed me that I have some work to do. My shot was flat due to my legs. I thought I did a good job with the team and picked up on some things, like on offense and what we’re doing defensively.”

Reported by Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press

Boston Celtics waive forward Kris Joseph

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have waived forward Kris Joseph.

Joseph, a 6’7” forward, was originally drafted by the Celtics with the 51st overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He appeared in 10 games split between Boston and Brooklyn and totaled 11 points and nine rebounds over 54 minutes. Joseph also appeared in 27 games split between the Springfield Armor and the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League averaging 18.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.7 steals in 34.0 minutes per game and was named to the All-NBDL Second Team. He was acquired by the Celtics in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets on July 12.