February 2014 – Page 20 – NBA Blog

Larry Bird happy to give Andrew Bynum a shot with Pacers

Here’s the Indianapolis Star reporting on new Indiana Pacers center Andrew Bynum, who is apparently too talented and has too much potential upside for NBA teams to give up on:

Indiana Pacers President Larry Bird disagrees with criticism that controversial 7-1, 285-pound center Andrew Bynum could be a disruption to the team’s culture and locker room.

The Pacers signed the controversial 26-year-old center Saturday. Bynum, who has struggled with knee injuries throughout his career, landed with his fifth team after being traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers then waived by the Chicago Bulls last month.

“We’ve got protection for Roy (Hibbert) and Ian (Mahinmi) and we’ll see how it works out,” Bird said. “I think it’s a great upside for us, we don’t do anything that we don’t think is going to help us and I think this is going to help us.

Spurs sign Shannon Brown to 10-day contract, release Othyus Jeffers

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed guard Shannon Brown to a 10-day contract. At the same time the Spurs released Othyus Jeffers from his 10-day contract.

Brown, 6-4/210, most recently played for the Phoenix Suns from 2011-13. In two seasons with the Suns he appeared in 118 games, averaging 10.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 23.7 minutes per game.

The seven-year NBA veteran has also played for the L.A. Lakers (2009-11), Charlotte (2008-09), Chicago (2007-08) and Cleveland (2006-08). For his career Brown has appeared in 374 games, averaging 8.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 18.7 minutes. The Illinois native was originally drafted by the Cavaliers with 25th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft.

In addition to his NBA career, Brown has spent time in the NBA Development League with the Iowa Energy (2008), Rio Grande Valley Vipers (2008) and the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (2007).

Collegiately, Brown played three seasons at Michigan State University (2003-06), appearing in 97 career games, averaging 12.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 28.0 minutes.

Brown will wear No.1 for the Spurs

Warriors assign Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks to D-League

The Golden State Warriors have assigned guards Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks to the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA Development League, the team announced today. Both players will make their D-League season debuts tonight when Santa Cruz hosts the Bakersfield Jam.

Bazemore, who appeared in five games with Santa Cruz last season, has posted averages of 2.3 points and 1.0 rebound in 40 games with Golden State this season. Brooks, acquired via trade from Boston on January 15, has scored six points in four games with the Warriors.

Hawks sign Cartier Martin to 10-day contract

The Atlanta Hawks signed forward Cartier Martin to a 10-day contract, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry. Martin will be active for tonight’s game against Minnesota at Philips Arena.

Martin, a 6-foot-7, 220-pound forward, appeared in 25 games (two starts) with the Hawks earlier this season, averaging 6.6 points and 2.0 rebounds in 17.5 minutes (.405 3FG%, .821 FT%). After being waived on January 7, 2014, Martin signed two 10-day contracts with the Chicago Bulls, where he played in six contests and averaged 2.5 points in 7.9 minutes (.625 FG%, .600 3FG%).

On the season, Martin has played in 31 total games (two starting assignments), putting up 5.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in 15.6 minutes (.416 3FG% – tied for 16th in the NBA, .781 FT%).

He will again wear uniform no. 20.

Pau Gasol out at least one week for Lakers

Lakers forward/center Pau Gasol, who had been dealing with a sore right groin, had an MRI today which revealed a strained right groin. Gasol will be out a minimum of a week and will be re-evaluated next weekend when the team returns from its three-game road trip.

Additionally, Lakers backup center Chris Kaman, who has a sore right knee, also had an MRI. Results of the MRI were negative and he is cleared to play.