August 2013 – Page 17 – NBA Blog

J.R. Smith says the Knicks are still the marquee team in New York

J.R. Smith isn’t too worried about his knee, but he might be a bit concerned about the Nets.

The Knicks shooting guard addressed the media at a charity golf tournament in Lakewood, NJ on Thursday, seeming pleased with his progress since his knee surgery and eager to get back on the court, especially after Brooklyn’s offseason push to win the battle for New York.

“It’s an unbelievable move for J Kidd to have a team like that to start off with in his first year. I think they’ve got a great chance to compete for a title, but I think we’re still the marquee team in New York,” Smith said. “A lot of people are counting us out just like they did last year. We’ve got a lot to prove. I think we’re going to come out with a lot of edge and hopefully put it to positive use on the court.”

Reported by Stephen Lorenzo of the New York Daily News

Some Wizards salary and roster notes

The Wizards already have close to $70 million committed to 14 players and would only be able to sign a player on a minimum salary to stay below the luxury tax line. Owner Ted Leonsis said he is “willing to spend” but would probably want to have a contending team before making the Wizards a tax-paying team for the first time in franchise history — especially with the organization still on the hook for about $7 million to Andray Blatche.

If they look to make trades, Ariza and Okafor are both in the final year of their respective deals and Chris Singleton and/or Jan Vesely could also become expiring contracts if the Wizards decline the fourth-year option on either player. Ariza already believes the Wizards have had an eventful summer after closing out the season by winning 24 of their final 49 games.

Reported by Michael Lee of the Washington Post (Blog)

LeBron James reports for jury duty

LeBron James plays the part of superhero on a basketball court, seemingly from October through June.

But he is a regular human being in the offseason, as those in an Akron, Ohio, courthouse were reminded Thursday morning when the Heat star forward reported for jury duty — just like everybody else has to.

“Jury duty time. Time to serve my civic duty” James tweeted.

Reported by the Miami Herald

James drew a buzz at the county courthouse in downtown Akron but was not seated on a jury for trial and left the building at 10:30 a.m., according to the Akron Beacon Journal.

He has been spending time in his hometown and working out for the past several weeks since returning from a promotional tour to the Philippines and China. This weekend James is hosting several charity events in the city.

Reported by Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com

Brooklyn Nets are spending big money to compete in 2013-14

During negotiations to create its current collective bargaining agreement, the NBA did its best to limit the amount of money its teams would be able and willing to spend on their rosters by implementing a much more punitive luxury tax system, one that officially goes into effect this season.

But that more punitive system wasn’t enough to prevent the Nets from shelling out millions of billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov’s personal fortune this offseason.

Between completing their blockbuster draft night trade with the Celtics, re-signing Andray Blatche and signing Andrei Kirilenko, Shaun Livingston and Alan Anderson, the Nets sent their payroll soaring to more than $100 million for the coming season, which means they’ve also committed to paying a massive luxury tax bill of roughly $87 million next year.

“I would say it’s no secret that we went into collective bargaining seeking a hard cap,” NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver — one of the main architects of the current CBA and who will replace David Stern as commissioner when Stern steps down Feb. 1 — told The Post Wednesday after speaking at the league’s Rookie Transition Program in Florham Park.

Reported by Tim Bontemps of the New York Post

Portland Trail Blazers sign Mo Williams

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed free agent guard Mo Williams, it was announced today by General Manager Neil Olshey.

Williams, 30, holds career averages of 13.8 points (44.0% FG, 38.6% 3PT, 86.9% FT), 2.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 0.95 steals in 10 seasons with Milwaukee, Cleveland, the L.A. Clippers and Utah.

“As a player, Mo is an explosive scorer and willing facilitator,” said Olshey. “As a person, his character and professionalism will set an outstanding example for our young players on the court, in the locker room and in the Portland community.”

An NBA All-Star in 2009, Williams averaged 12.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, a team-high 6.2 assists and 1.00 steal for the Jazz last season.

“I’m very excited to be back with Mo again,” said Trail Blazers Head Coach Terry Stotts. “He adds versatility, scoring and veteran leadership to the team.”

Williams (6-1, 195) played collegiately at Alabama and was selected by Utah with the 47th overall pick in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft.

He will wear No. 7 for the Trail Blazers.

Wolves rookie Shabazz Muhammad starts pro career with misstep

Timberwolves guard Shabazz Muhammad was sent home from the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program, reportedly for violating a rule by bringing a female guest to his hotel room.

The story was first reported by USA Today. Muhammad, the 14th overall pick in the 2013 draft, will be fined and required to return to finish the program next year.

“We have been made aware of the circumstances surrounding Shabazz Muhammad’s dismissal from the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program in New Jersey,” said Flip Saunders, the Wolves president of basketball operations, in a team news release. “The team fully supports the NBA’s rules and policies in all matters pertaining to this situation and we will abide by the league’s action.”

Reported by Kent Youngblood of the Minneapolis Star Tribune

Philadelphia 76ers roster is fairly empty

Speaking of players, who is going to be on this roster?

Right now you’re looking at Thaddeus Young , Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes and rookie Michael Carter Williams as possible starters. There is still no shooting guard on the roster – or any other legitimate shooter, either. Three players on the roster – Royce White (anxiety disorder), Jason Richardson (knee surgery) and Nerlens Noel (torn ACL) – may not even step foot on the court this season. Kwame Brown is under contract, but it would be a shock if he’s in the team’s plans at all. Justin Holiday is available and the team has an option to keep him at $790 thousand this season, but what is his future in the NBA? That leaves Lavoy Allen and Arnett Moultrie as the remaining serviceable players.

Not real enticing, huh?

The Sixers will have to sign some free agents to fill out the roster.

Reported by Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News

Alonzo Mourning excited about chance to work with Greg Oden

Alonzo Mourning spent Thursday morning at the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program in New Jersey talking to prospects about “the journey that they’re about to take.”

But it is a journey that is about to unfold in South Florida that has the former Miami Heat center and current Heat executive intrigued.

With the Heat a day earlier announcing the signing of free-agent center Greg Oden to a two-year contract, Mourning found himself captivated by the possibilities of the 25-year-old injury-plagued center.

“Extremely excited, extremely excited,” he said by phone, “because I understand the potential that he has.”

Mourning confirmed that he was among those in the organization who helped recruit Oden in recent months.

“I had some words with him, yes,” he said. “We were able to spend some time together.”

Reported by Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

OKC Thunder sign forward Ryan Gomes

The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed forward Ryan Gomes, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

An intelligent veteran, Gomes should do nicely providing bench depth at the forward spots.

Gomes (6-7, 245) has appeared in 482 games (371 starts) with Boston, Minnesota and the LA Clippers, owning career averages of 10.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 27.9 minutes per game. The 50th overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft most recently played for the Artland Dragons of the Basketball Bundesliga in Germany.

The forward from Providence College, led the Big East in scoring his senior year, averaging 21.6 points per game as he was named Honorable Mention All-American. The two time All-Big East First Team selection finished his career as Providence’s all-time leading scorer with 2,138 points.

Dallas Mavericks sign DeJuan Blair

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed free agent forward/center DeJuan Blair.

We at InsideHoops.com were always impressed by Blair when he was given minutes by the Spurs. He showed flashes of extremely solid talent, and seems like a good signing for the Mavs.

Blair (6-7, 270) is a four-year veteran who was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round (37th overall pick) of the 2009 NBA Draft. He has averaged 7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 18.9 minutes in 288 career games (166 starts) with San Antonio.

As a rookie, Blair played in all 82 games and garnered All-Rookie Second Team honors. He emerged as the Spurs’ starting center in just his second season. From 2010-2012, Blair started 127 of the 145 games in which he suited up for San Antonio and averaged 8.9 points and 6.3 rebounds over that two-year span.

Blair boasts two career 20-point/20-rebounds games. One of which came at the expense of the Mavericks on April 14, 2010 when Blair finished with 27 points and 23 rebounds.

The Pittsburgh native attended and played his collegiate basketball at the University of Pittsburgh. He was a two-year starter for the Panthers before entering the NBA Draft following his sophomore season. As a sophomore, Blair was Co-Big East Player of the Year and named consensus All-American by both Associated Press and The Sporting News.