July 2013 – Page 23 – NBA Blog

Chicago Bulls re-sign center Nazr Mohammed

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has re-signed center Nazr Mohammed (NAH-zee).

Little is expected from Mohammed on the Bulls, other than

Last season with the Bulls, Mohammed saw action in 63 games (12 starts) and averaged 2.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg and 0.50 bpg in 11.0 mpg. He also tallied 3.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg and 0.58 bpg in Chicago’s 12 playoff contests.

A 16-year veteran of the NBA, Mohammed has also played with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2010-12), the Charlotte Bobcats (2007-10), the Detroit Pistons (2006-08), the San Antonio Spurs (2004-06), the New York Knicks (2003-05), the Atlanta Hawks (2000-04) and the Philadelphia 76ers (1998-01). In 897 career games, he has posted averages of 6.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 0.67 bpg in 16.9 mpg. He owns career shooting averages of .488 from the field and .642 from the line.

Brooklyn Nets re-sign Andray Blatche

The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed free agent forward/center Andray Blatche, General Manager Billy King announced today. Blatche originally signed with Brooklyn as a free agent on September 12, 2012.

“Andray was a vital member of our team last season,“ said King. “He provides valuable front court depth, and we look forward to his continued contribution.”

Although Blatche was mostly used off the bench, InsideHoops.com felt he might have been better used as the starting power foward, playing alongside Brook Lopez. But after the trade that brought Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn, it’s assumed Blatche will continue to be used as a reserve.

In his first season with the Nets, the 6’11’’ Blatche averaged 10.3 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 51.2% from the field in 19.0 minutes per game, and was the only Net to appear in all 82 games. Over eight starts, the 49th pick of the 2005 NBA Draft averaged 17.9 points and 9.3 rebounds, while shooting 52.3% from the field. In his third postseason appearance, Blatche recorded personal playoff-highs in scoring (10.3 points per game), rebounding (4.9) and assists (1.3). The eight year veteran, who spent his first seven seasons with the Washington Wizards, holds career averages of 9.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocks over 491 games (184 starts).

Brooklyn Nets sign guard Shaun Livingston

The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent guard Shaun Livingston, General Manager Billy King announced today. He’ll provide backup depth off the bench.

“Shaun’s abilities give our roster added versatility in the backcourt,” said King. “His basketball acumen and the way he plays the game are a great fit for this team.”

Livingston, an eight-year NBA veteran who has played for seven different teams, averaged 6.3 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.4 rebounds on 48% shooting over 66 games (16 starts) last season for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards. After being acquired by the Cavaliers on December 25, 2012, the 6’7’’ Livingston averaged 7.1 points and 3.6 assists while shooting 48% from the field in 23.0 minutes over 49 games (12 starts). Livingston, who was the 4th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, holds career averages of 6.7 points and 3.5 assists in 390 contests. In his second season, 2005-06, he made his only playoff appearance with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he averaged 7.5 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.7 rebounds and advanced to the second round.

The 2004 McDonalds All-American, who entered the NBA out of high school, was selected as the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for April, 2005.

Trail Blazers sign first round draft pick CJ McCollum

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed rookie guard CJ McCollum, it was announced today by General Manager Neil Olshey.

Portland selected McCollum, 21, with the 10th overall pick in last month’s NBA Draft. The Canton, Ohio, native averaged 21.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.05 steals and 32.9 minutes in 111 games over four seasons at Lehigh.

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

A two-time Patriot League Player of the Year, McCollum is the all-time scoring leader in league history with 2,361 career points. McCollum (6-3, 200) is the first player from Lehigh ever selected in the NBA Draft.

He will wear No. 3 for the Trail Blazers.

Warriors get Andre Iguodala from Nuggets in three-team trade

The Golden State Warriors have acquired veteran guard/forward Andre Iguodala (E-gu-doll-a) in a sign-and-trade deal from the Denver Nuggets and guard Kevin Murphy from the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team trade, it was announced today. As part of the deal, the Warriors sent center Andris Biedrins, forward Richard Jefferson and guard/forward Brandon Rush, along with two future first round (2014 & 2017), two future second round (2016 & 2017) draft picks and cash considerations, to the Jazz, as well as a future second round (2018) draft pick to the Nuggets. The Nuggets also received guard Randy Foye in a sign-and-trade deal from Utah, while the Jazz also received a future second round (2018) pick from Denver.

Iguodala, 29, is a nine-year NBA veteran, who owns career averages of 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.74 steals in 37.4 minutes per game over 695 regular-season contests (all starts) with the Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets. Additionally, he has appeared in 41 career playoff games, averaging 14.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.80 steals during the postseason. The 6’6” swingman was a member of the 2012 Eastern Conference All-Star team, an NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection in 2010-11 and earned First Team All-Rookie honors in 2004-05, all while playing with Philadelphia. Additionally, the University of Arizona product earned gold medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey as a member of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team.

Originally selected by Philadelphia with the ninth overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, Iguodala played the first eight years of his career with the 76ers before landing in Denver prior to the 2012-13 campaign as part of a four-team, 12-player trade. Last season, the Springfield, IL, native averaged 13.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.74 steals and 34.7 minutes in 80 regular-season games for the Nuggets. He ranked 11th in the NBA in steals per game in 2012-13 and his 5.4 assists per game average ranked third among all NBA shooting guards, behind only Kobe Byrant (6.0 apg) and James Harden (5.8 apg). In Denver’s first round playoff series against Golden State, Iguodala averaged 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.00 steals in 40.6 minutes over six games, leading the team in assists, steals and minutes, while ranking second in points and rebounds.

“Andre Iguodala was a free agent that we targeted from Day 1 and we are thrilled that he chose to join our team,” said Warriors General Manager Bob Myers. “His versatility as a player should help us tremendously on both sides of the court and we feel that his specific, unique skill set blends very well with the players already on our roster. Additionally, he will serve as a great asset to our young team as we continue to grow and develop in the coming years.”

Murphy, 23, played his rookie NBA season with the Utah Jazz in 2012-13, appearing in 17 games and averaging 0.9 points in 3.1 minutes per contest. Selected by the Jazz in the second round (47th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft after a four-year career at Tennessee Tech, the 6’6” guard also appeared in 14 games (12 starts) this past season with the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League, averaging 13.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 28.6 minutes per contest.

Biedrins, 27, appeared in 53 games for the Warriors last season, averaging 0.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.79 blocks in 9.3 minutes per contest. Selected by the Warriors with the 11th pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, the 7’0” Latvian national has played his entire nine-year NBA career with Golden State, appearing in 510 regular-season games (311 starts) and averaging 6.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.14 blocks and 21.8 minutes per contest.

Jefferson, 33, appeared in 56 games with Golden State last season, averaging 3.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 10.1 minutes per contest. A 12-year NBA veteran, Jefferson owns career averages of 15.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game over 852 regular-season games with New Jersey, Milwaukee, San Antonio and Golden State.

Rush, 28, missed the final 80 games last season after suffering a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee in the second game of the regular season against Memphis on November 2, 2012. In 2011-12, his first season with Golden State, the 6’6” swingman appeared in 65 games (one start), averaging a career-high 9.8 points to go along with 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 26.4 minutes per contest. A five-year NBA veteran, Rush owns career averages of 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 26.8 minutes in 291 games (105 starts) with Indiana and Golden State.

Three-team trade sends J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley to Clippers, Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler to Suns

The Milwaukee Bucks have acquired two future second-round draft picks as part of a three-team deal involving the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns, General Manager John Hammond announced today. As part of the trade, the Bucks re-signed free-agent guard J.J. Redick and dealt him to the Clippers, with Los Angeles sending Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler to Phoenix in exchange for Jared Dudley. Both the Clippers (2015 or 2016 with protections; 2017 unprotected) and Suns (2014 from Toronto) will send a future second-round pick to the Bucks to complete the deal.

“The addition of a very dynamic young player in Eric Bledsoe and an All-Star veteran in Caron Butler is very exciting for the Suns,” said Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby. “At the same time, we thank Jared Dudley, a consummate professional in every respect. He takes our best wishes with him to the Clippers.”

“We are thrilled to add Eric and Caron to the Phoenix Suns,” said Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough. “They were both key parts of the Clippers team that set a franchise record for wins last season and we are excited to add their athleticism, shooting, and leadership to our organization.”

Widely considered one of the best young guards in the NBA, and one of the league’s most highly sought-after players this offseason, Bledsoe is an athletic, two-way player entering his fourth NBA season. Listed at 6-foot-1, the 23-year-old Bledsoe has a 78-inch wingspan and a 40-inch vertical leap.

Despite playing behind All-NBA First Team guard Chris Paul in 2012-13, Bledsoe averaged career highs scoring (8.5), rebounds (3.0) and steals (1.43) and added 3.1 assists in 76 appearances, 64 of which came in a reserve role. In fact, the box-score-stuffing Bledsoe started 12 games a season ago and in those opportunities averaged 14.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.50 steals. A high-level ball-handler who can create his own shot, as a starter Bledsoe averaged 4.1 free-throw attempts per game, which would have matched Suns guard Goran Dragic’s team-leading average from 2012-13. Bledsoe is coming off a season in which he shot a career-best from both the field (.445) and three-point range (.397) last season.

Dudley, 28, appeared in 79 games (50 starts) for the Suns last season, averaging 10.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists. A San Diego native who attended Horizon High School, Dudley shot 39 percent from three-point range in 2012-13. He connected on 106 three-pointers last season, the third time in his career he has made 100 or more three-pointers in a season. The six-year NBA veteran brings career averages of 9.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 449 games (147 starts) for both the Charlotte Bobcats and Suns. He is also a career 41-percent shooter from beyond the arc and 80-percent from the free throw line. The former Boston College star was the 22nd overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Bobcats after earning Second Team All-American honors as a senior.

Redick, 29, averaged 14.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 78 games (13 starts) last season with the Bucks and Orlando Magic. A veteran of seven NBA seasons, Redick has appeared in 424 career games (54 starts) and owns career averages of 9.4 points, 2.0 assists while shooting 39 percent from three-point range and 88 percent from the foul line. Redick was the 11th overall selection of the 2006 Draft by the Magic after a decorated four-year collegiate career at Duke that saw him named the 2005-06 AP, John Wooden and Naismith College Player of the Year.

Butler is a two-time NBA All-Star (2007, 2008) and former 20-point scorer who has averaged double-digit scoring in 10 of his 11 NBA seasons. A 6-7, 217-pound small forward, Butler owns career averages of 15.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.46 steals in 730 games (697 starts) with Miami (2002-04), the LA Lakers (2004-05), Washington (2005-09), Dallas (2010-11) and the LA Clippers (2011-13).

A former 2003 All-Rookie First Team selection, Butler has made six playoff appearances in 11 career seasons. The UConn product averaged better than 20.0 points in both 2007-08 and 2008-09, including a career-high 20.8 points in the 2008-09 season. Butler is entering the final season of a three-year deal signed with the Clippers on Dec. 9, 2011.

Miami Heat re-sign Chris Andersen

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have re-signed forward/center Chris Andersen.

“We are ecstatic that Chris Andersen has decided to stay with the Miami HEAT,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “We would not have won the championship without him and we are looking forward to him having an even better season next year.”

Andersen appeared in 42 regular season games with the HEAT last season, helping Miami to a 39-3 record (.929) over that span, marking the highest winning percentage by any player in NBA history playing in at least 40 games during a single season. The 11-year NBA veteran averaged 4.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.05 blocks and 14.9 minutes while shooting 57.7 percent from the field. Additionally, he appeared in 20 postseason games during the HEAT’s championship run and averaged 6.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.10 blocks and 15.2 minutes while shooting 80.7 percent (46-of-57) from the field, becoming the first player in NBA postseason history to take at least 35 shots and shoot better than 75 percent from the field. He also connected on a perfect 7-of-7 from the field vs. Indiana during Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 22, marking the most made field goals without a miss during a single postseason game in HEAT franchise history.

“I’m excited to be back with the HEAT,” said Chris Andersen. “I believe we have an opportunity to repeat and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Andersen was originally signed to a 10-day contract by the HEAT on January 20, 2013 and then re-signed to a second 10-day contract on January 30 before signing for the remainder of the season on February 8.

Warriors pick up option on coach Mark Jackson for 2014-15 season

The Golden State Warriors have picked up the team option on Head Coach Mark Jackson’s contract for the 2014-15 season, the team announced today.

This past season, his second as head coach of the Warriors, Jackson guided his team to a 47-35 regular-season record, finishing second in the Pacific Division and earning the sixth seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. In doing so, he became just the fourth Warriors head coach since 1970 to lead a team into the postseason, joining Alvin Attles, George Karl and Don Nelson. Additionally, Jackson became the first Warriors coach to win at least 47 games in his second full campaign at the helm since 1971-72, when Attles directed Golden State to a 51-31 record during his second full season as head coach.

After finishing 2011-12 with a 23-43 record during Jackson’s debut campaign, the Warriors posted the second-highest winning percentage improvement in the NBA this past season, improving from .348 to .573 in 2012-13 – an improvement of +.225 that was bested only by the Brooklyn Nets (+.266). This winning percentage improvement also marks the third-largest year-over-year improvement in franchise history, trailing only the +.280 improvement made from 1987-88 (.244) to 1988-89 (.524) and the +.229 improvement made from 1952-53 (.174) to 1953-54 (.403).

Since being named head coach of the Warriors on June 6, 2011, Jackson has placed an emphasis on defense and rebounding – two areas where the team had been traditionally weak. To that end, Golden State saw major statistical improvements this past season in several important defensive categories, including opponents’ field goal percentage (fourth in NBA; 20th in 2011-12), opponents’ three-point percentage (seventh; 28th in 2011-12), defensive rebounding (first; 24th in 2011-12) and rebounds per game (third; 28th in 2011-12).

In the 2013 NBA Playoffs, Jackson’s squad posted a First Round victory over the Denver Nuggets in six games, becoming just the second Warriors team to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals in the last 22 years. In the Semifinals, Golden State won two of the first four games of the best-of-seven series against the San Antonio Spurs before falling to the eventual Western Conference Champions in six games, 4-2. In the Spurs series, the Warriors earned multiple wins in the Semifinals for the first time since 1977 and, in Game 2, posted their first road victory over the Spurs since February of 1997, snapping a 30-game losing streak in San Antonio.

Clippers re-sign Chris Paul, Matt Barnes, Ryan Hollins, and add Darren Collison

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed free agent forward Matt Barnes, guard Darren Collison, center Ryan Hollins and guard Chris Paul.

Paul, 28, re-signs with the Clippers after two scintillating seasons in L.A. The North Carolina native enjoyed another successful season in 2012-13, earning First Team All-NBA honors for the second straight season and his fifth overall All-NBA honor. Paul was the MVP of the 2013 All-Star Game and was also named a member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team for the second straight season. Paul appeared in 70 games (all starts) and averaged 16.9 points, 9.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.41 steals in 33.4 minutes. He led the league in steals per game and assists-to-turnover ratio while finishing second in the NBA in assists per game while leading the Clippers in assists, steals and free throws made. Paul earned the NBA Western Conference Player of the Month award for December after helping the Clippers to a 16-0 month and became the fourth player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career points and 5,000 career assists before his 28th birthday.

A six-time NBA All-Star, Paul played the first six seasons of his career in New Orleans and was the 2005-06 NBA Rookie of the Year. The former Wake Forest star owns career averages of 18.3 points, 9.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 555 career games.

Barnes, 33, returns to the Clippers after having a career year in Los Angeles last season. The 10-year NBA veteran averaged a career-high 10.3 points in 2012-13 to go along with 4.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 25.7 minutes in 80 games (four starts). The UCLA product has played for eight NBA teams in his career and holds career averages of 7.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.7 steals in 640 games (182 starts).

Collison, 25, is another former UCLA star and a native of Rancho Cucamonga, CA where he attended Etiwanda High School. Collison joins the Clippers after appearing in 81 games (47 starts) for the Dallas Mavericks last season, averaging 12.0 points, 5.1 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 29.3 minutes. The four-year veteran started his NBA career in New Orleans where he was teammates with current Clipper Chris Paul. Collison brings career averages of 12.1 points, 5.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 296 games (219 starts) with the Mavericks, Indiana Pacers and Hornets.

Hollins, 28, returns to the Clippers after posting averages of 3.4 points and 2.3 rebounds over 11.1 minutes while playing in 60 games. A Pasadena, CA native and former standout at UCLA, Hollins owns career averages of 4.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 374 games (55 starts) with the Clippers, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Bobcats over his six-year career.

Pelicans trade Robin Lopez to Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired center Robin Lopez and guard Terrel Harris from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for the draft rights to Jeff Withey, future second round draft considerations and cash, it was announced today by General Manager Neil Olshey.

Lopez, 25, averaged career-highs of 11.3 points (53.4 FG%), 5.6 rebounds, 1.56 blocked shots and 26.0 minutes in 82 starts last season with New Orleans.

“Robin is a starting-caliber center coming off the best year of his career,” said Olshey. “He fills a void at a position we made a priority this offseason, and his size, ability to protect the rim and emerging offensive game are all key elements in achieving our goal of having more of a presence in the paint on both ends of the floor this season.”

Lopez (7-0, 255) holds career averages of 7.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 17.4 minutes over five seasons with New Orleans and Phoenix. He spent his first four years with the Suns after being drafted with the 15th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft out of Stanford.

He will wear No. 42 for the Trail Blazers.

Harris, 25, played 20 games for Miami and New Orleans last season, posting averages of 0.8 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 6.9 minutes. Owning career averages of 2.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists in two NBA seasons, Harris (6-4, 195) appeared in four postseason games for Miami during the 2012 NBA Playoffs.